...FOREIGN CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT 1. Discuss the economic and social impact of brides and other similar payments in emerging economies. Corruption can take many forms and can be found in many countries, but mainly in the emerging ones. The main form of corruption is the bribery in the form of payments demanded by the government or ministry officials in exchange for a favor (granting a service, awarding a business).Corruption affects all the businesses that interfere with the government, but studies have shown that certain industries are more exposed to it. These industries are construction, airline manufacturing, power plants, and oil and gas production. In emerging economies the impact of bribes and other similar payments can affect the economic development of the countries. It can affect the decision made by those in power; the quality of these decisions and can also affect the foreign investments by reducing the inflow of foreign direct investments. Once a company decides to make these payments it will damage its public image and it will make it very difficult for the company to refuse these payments in the future. In countries with a high level of corruption people lose their trust in the government, in the efficiency of the legal institutions. There is a strong relationship between the quality of the state run institutions and public services and the people. The stronger tis relationship is the lower the risk of corruption will be. 2. Is the “optimal” amount of bribery...
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...all stages of production, from upstream through downstream. The size of these service companies was relatively small until the 1980’s, when the major oil and gas companies outsourced a variety of processes to service companies. OFS companies continued to grow in size and importance with the innovation of new technologies and abilities such as directional drilling and improved 3D seismic imaging. Today, OFS companies play a key part in what is commonly referred to as the “shale revolution” in North America. The industry’s success is dependent on several factors including oil/gas prices, economic stability, and innovation of new technologies. This sector is comprised of four giants that include Schlumberger, Weatherford, Halliburton, and Baker Hughes. These companies are involved in a broad range of services that require intensive capital and R&D. Independent firms typically perform smaller, specialized services with expertise in the process involved. The services sector is expected to grow substantially over the next five to ten years, as the overall industry will rely more heavily on OFS company’s capabilities to extract more remote reservoirs. Products & Services: The Big 4 service companies are engaged in a wide range of products and services. Despite each company’s specialty in certain...
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...To Hedge or Not To Hedge - Raw material price management and added value from treasury by Wolfgang Frontzek, Director of Group Treasury/Corporate Finance, Wilo I For years, treasurers have been tackling the problems of interest and exchange rates in an analytical and structured manner. n recent years, commodities buyers have had to cope with extreme price increases and price fluctuations. Where it was not possible to cushion or pass on the effects of the price rises, they often had a negative impact on company profits. Rising raw material prices are not the only problem that buyers have, as the buyer is responsible not only for a fixed calculation or price basis but also for ensuring continuity of the production process, certainly over the medium term and thus over a planning period of 12-24 months. Price volatility presents the same problem, as it makes commodity prices genuinely unpredictable. An active financial risk management process is necessary, to answer the following questions: How high is the exposure? What percentage of the production costs do raw material costs account for? What effect does the price fluctuation of raw materials have on total profits? Can price fluctuations be passed on? What is the competition doing? Based on this peak, the company is exposed to a price movement risk of USD 1.700 per tonne or a total of USD 5.1m. Accordingly, the price opportunity on the basis of the record low in 1997 of USD 1.000 is relatively small at USD 150 around...
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...several locations for many years. The company that mines the most efficiently generally wins. Oil is different-it flows, for one thing. Once leases are open to purchase, companies rush in to buy up land, and punch as many holes along the edges of those leases as possible, before their neighbors do the same thing and drain some of their reserves. (This occurs less readily in tight reservoirs) A drilling rig is rarely on one land well for more than several weeks, let alone years. Thus, the company that offers their services the soonest, punches the holes the fastest, or completes the most fracs usually wins. The Competition Halliburton has a number of competitors in the Rocky Mountain Region, chief among which are Schlumberger and Baker Hughes. All offer a similar range of services, and globally Schlumberger is still the market leader in oilfield services (GN Solids, 2011)....
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...HALLIBURTON IS BUYING BAKER HUGHES FOR $34.6 BILLION 2 On Monday November 17, the Halliburton Corporation announced that they will be buying Baker Hughes for $34.6 billion dollars. The Halliburton Company is the world’s second largest oil field services and production company, specializing in delivering a wide variety of products and services ranging from exploration, development, and the production of oil and gas, to oil and gas companies the world over, with locations in 80 countries, and over 80,000 employees representing 140 different nationalities Kelley, 2014). Baker Hughes, interestingly enough was Halliburton’s number three ranked competitor. Halliburton’s SWOT analysis Strength * Considered one of the second largest oil-field services companies in the world * Global organization with locations in in over 80 countries * Has over 80,000 highly skilled employees * Products and services for maintaining the reservoir life cycle. * CSR initiatives and environmental programs have been undertaken aggressively * Strong brand name and brand equity Weakness * Government intervention on regulatory policies affect operational efficiencies * Lack of newly found oil reserves and escalating cost of operation Opportunity * Increasing fuel/oil prices * Increasing number of natural shell oil gas wells * An increasing number of oil wells * Developing countries growth infrastructure presents more opportunities for construction...
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...My family is in the process of re-opening a small business to the north of Atlanta, Georgia call The Cake Shoppe (bakery). We are in the middle of a complete re-model, and this section has been very enlightening for me as I assist them. I found that one of the most important concepts for The Cake Shoppe, especially during this remodel, is technological forces (pg 67), which is defined as “inventions or innovations from applied science or engineering research” (Kern, Hartley, & Rudelius, 2012, pg 67). The previous owners did not use social media or advertise at all, so the new branding of our new products and lines, social media networking and electronic commerce, which is “any activity that uses some form of electronic communiciation in the inventory, exchange, advertisement, distribution, and payment of goods” (Kern, Hartley, & Rudelius, 2012), will be extremely important. We are in the process of re-vamping our logos to make them more appealing for the website, creating social media accounts for the bakery, and even producing online advertising via social networking, online giveaways, and e-mail coupons. Utilizing online savings websites like Groupon and Living Social to promote our business has boosted sales tremendously. Another very important concept is competitive forces (pg 68). Competition is “alternative firms that could provide a product to satisfy a specific market’s needs” (Kern, Hartley, & Rudelius, 2012, pg 68). I believe that attracting customers is...
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...SWATI JOSHI MG 800 STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT BUSINESS PLAN DATE: 12/11/13 Business Plan: Fitness Bakery Business Plan: Fitness Bakery Executive Summary Introduction Fitness Bakery is a start-up bakery located in the heart of Manhattan. Our bakery is targeting active people living, working or visiting New York. Our bakery will provide the highest quality of ingredients and customer service for the more active branch of our society. We aim to be a completely different bakery by targeting the athletes. Our recipes will be mainly composed of wholesome ingredients, proteins, carbohydrates and fruits. By creating a new niche in the bakery industry, we plan to increase our sales by almost $150,000 (see sales forecast) by the third year of business. We will strive for perfection in both products and service and aim to be a major leader in the bakery industry. Mission Provide the highest quality of ingredients and customer service for the more active branch of our society. We aim to be a completely different bakery by targeting the athletes. Our recipes will be mainly composed of wholesome ingredients, proteins, carbohydrates and fruits. Goals: * Obtain funding of $15,000 via the Small Business Administration (SBA) loan program. * Achieve sales of $155,736 in the first year. * Boost second year sales by 50% in the second year. * Raise sales by 30% in the third year. * After fully repaying all our debts, we will open a second store in Brooklyn. ...
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...DIETER’S DELECTABLES Ltd. For many years, Mr. Dieter Bachembesser served as pastry chef at several of Toronto’s finest hotels, earning a reputation as one of the most knowledgeable people in the field of fine baking. In 1993, he used this knowledge to start Dieter’s Delicacies, a small firm that that sold fine baked goods to several of the area’s finest caterers. These products were made according to Dieter’s own specifications by Browne’s Bakery, a reputable producer of baked goods. While Dieter’s Delicacies was only a small part-time venture, it was financially successful, and Dieter’s reputation spread. In 1999, Dieter decided to quit working for hotels and to start his own business, Dieter’s Delectables Ltd., with himself as president and general manager. This new company operated in a similar manner to Dieter’s Delicacies, in that it did not produce goods, but rather operated in the distribution and wholesale business. Dieter’s purchased its entire product line from Browne’s Bakery, with whom Dieter had established a very satisfactory working relationship, and distributed and resold these to a variety of retail outlets under the company’s own private label brand of Dieter’s Delicacies. In its first year of operation, Dieter’s Delectables’ sales were $150,000. As its reputation for quality and customer service spread, sales grew rapidly, in large part due to Dieter’s knowledge and his personal selling efforts, as well as effective merchandising techniques. In 2002...
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...Since I have nothing to relate to this book, the experience I had while reading this book was incredible. While reading the book, I gained knowledge that can be used for a lifetime. The novel made me stop and think about my attitude and the impact it has on others. Jay Asher is a fabulous writer that explains reality in a convincing way. He uses such precise detail that I often connect with the situations included. I finished this novel in 4 days, meaning that it was almost impossible to set it down, alongside all of the things I have. The setting, plot, and characters were phenomenal. Although this book was breathtaking, I was disappointed to see that Hannah Bakers parents were not involved. I was left questioned at whether her parents were able to bear the grief and sadness. The marvelous novel of Thirteen Reasons Why is written by Jay Asher. They say dead girls don’t talk, but that’s where they’re wrong. They talk, but most people are too scared to listen. Hannah’s dead. Two weeks after Hannah Baker’s death, Clay Jensen hears her voice one last time-on a “Baker’s dozen” of cassette tapes she made. Seven double side tapes with thirteen stories of thirteen people-thirteen people who killed her. Clay was mailed Hannah’s obscure suicide note because he's one of the reasons that she died. That she killed herself, one of the reasons she gave up. On the tapes she explained that her death started with a rumor and the reputation the rumor gave her, highlighting the connections...
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...1.What is Panera Bread’s strategy? Which of the five generic competitive strategies discussed in Chapter 5 most closely fit the competitive approach that Panera Bread is taking? What type of competitive advantage is Panera Bread trying to achieve? 1. Panera Bread's strategy involves creating fresh baked artisan breads made with special attention to quality and detail along with its many other products with an inviting dining experience. The closest generic competitive strategy approach Panera Bread is taking is the broad differentiation strategy which seeks to differentiate the company’s product or service from rivals in ways that will appeal to a broad spectrum of buyers. This can supported by Panera management’s blueprint for attracting and retaining customers as stated in the case explains “Concept Essence that underpinned Panera’s strategy and embraced several themes that, taken together, acted to differentiate Panera from its competitors by offering an appealing selection of artisan breads, bagels, and pastry products that were handcrafted and baked daily at each café location. Serving high-quality food at prices that represented a good value. Developing a menu with sufficiently diverse offerings to enable Panera to draw customers from breakfast through the dinner hours each day. Designing bakery cafés that were esthetically pleasing and inviting. Offering patrons such a sufficiently satisfying dining experience that they were induced to return again and again.” From this...
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...St. Honoré Bakery Marketing Plan I - Business Mission Statement: Our commitment to excellence in the craft and artistry of baking enables us to deliver high quality products that look superb, delight the customer and make celebration a moment to cherish. Our goal is to generate satisfaction so that at least 60% of our customer base is repeat business and to provide quality product at reasonable prices with exemplary services. Our business offer best quality assortment of great-tasting bread and pastry and related beverages products. We also want to become the favorite bakery shop in the town in which we operates. This will be accomplished by serving a variety of delicious and generously portioned our products at moderate prices. Our customer will be served by friendly & knowledgeable people that are dedicated to provide excellent-customer service. II- Situation Analysis Industry Analysis - baking industry Baking has grown over the last century in the Philippines, from a relatively small industry to a large, popular industry. Initially, the island featured mainly independent bakeries that serviced cities and towns and provided employment to the local people. Nowadays, chain bakeries have increased the number of bakeries in the Philippines and have also lowered the prices of bakery products. Due to the increased demand for bakery products from the population in the Philippines, the baking industry has grown, leading to it providing greater employment opportunities...
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...Foreign literature: The Baking Industry Research Trust (BIRT) is a sub-committee of the New Zealand Association of Bakers (NZAB), delegated the responsibility of administering the Trust Account. The Trust Account was set up to meet the requirements of the Wheat Industry Research Levies Act 1989 and to identify and make recommendations to the NZAB Executive. The NZAB Executive has legal responsibility for administering the Trust, and other levy payers on research projects. The BIRT committee is made up of representatives from the various levy paying sectors. These include plant bakers, small bakeries represented by the Baking Industry Association of New Zealand (BIANZ) (Baking Society) and biscuit manufacturers, as well as the Chair of the New Zealand Flour Milling Industry Research Trust. The two sectors frequently combine on research projects. Copies of completed research reports are available to all levy payers and BIRT would encourage all industry members to take advantage of research conducted on their behalf. Since the formation of the Trust in 1989, a key aspect of the Trust’s work has been to ensure that the research conducted is appropriate for the Industry sector the Trust represents. Consequently in addition to having representatives from all sectors, the trust has also conducted a number of strategy workshops in which industry personnel have outlined the research framework for the Trust to follow. The framework developed has provided the Trust with some clear...
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...time of the day. The goal here is to make bakery product more available to consumer. “In France, with 340 visits per day opening, bakeries are among the busiest retail proximity businesses” (www.devenir-boulanger.com). Trend 2: What is " good for me " is in my bakery: Here, we are concerned about consumer’s health and well -being, today's consumers are looking for freshness, nutritional quality, food safety and simplicity. The industry is focusing only delivering edible product but they also expect it to participate actively in good consumer’s food habit. For instance, if you’re diabetic you can still order a birthday cake, because they can bake one with no sugar. Trend 3 : Design, perfect for collections and sublime taste agreements: The bakers, confectioners or chocolatiers in fact the industry professionals dare the amazing shapes, sustainable or ephemeral collections! It’s about turning food into: Art. The industry professionals concentrate all their effort on making their product more and more appealing for consumers. For example nowadays bakery don’t only make...
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...Amy’s Bread Case Study Elements 1.) The primary case participants are: Amy Scherber, owner of Amy’s Bread Toy Kim Dupree – manager of Amy’s Bread who is very involved in day to day operations and decision making. 2.) The organization is Amy’s bread. The industry is baked goods. 3.) The problems facing this organization in order of importance are: the existing workload is too great for space making product expansion impossible. They are at a threat of having customers turn away if they cannot provide the service. The location offers poor access to distribution and is a poor location for retail traffic should the organization try to move more toward sector. The employees face physically demanding challenges from the bread making techniques. Due to these techniques more employees are needed resulting in high overheads. Employees have also been facing allergies and health problems as a result of a long time of exposure to the product. 4.) The most critical problem is that the existing workload has reached its maximum capacity for the space they have, and product expansion is impossible for the current location. This is the most significant problem because without adequate space the company will not be able to meet current customer’s needs nor will be able to meet the needs of potential new customers. 5.) The initial cause of the problem was that banks would not loan money to this new business without a proven track record so Amy had to get what she...
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...1. Introduction Summary of what the report is all about. The demand for food items industry is mounting by a significant amount. Eating practices, habits and trends are continuously changing with different constructs of living standards. Increasing fashion towards ready-made snacks, events, feasts and dine out is giving a real boost up to this industry. The topic under consideration is Gourmet Sweets and Bakers. The main idea of this report is to highlight current strategic plan of the bakery. Later part of this discussion aims at flaws and recommendations for amendments in strategies. Gourmet is a French word meaning ‘refined and manifest affection for good food’ Gourmet Bakers and Sweets” is the largest food retail chain of Lahore. It is one of the renowned bakeries and confectioner shops. Foundations of bakery are in Lahore. Lahore is the second largest city of Pakistan famous for traditional foods and enthusiasm for eating. Mr.Muhammad Nawaz Chathha laid the foundation of the business with a single outlet in Ichra in 1987. Initially the venture didn’t get a positive response and shut down. He started over again in 1992 in Muslim Town. He is the managing director of company and maintaining it with glorious colors. Presently,2 beverages production plants and 100 stores are operational in Lahore.10 stores and 1 beverages production plant is functioning in Faisalabad. Vision: “We are a bakery company with one goal in mind to meet the needs of our customers we focus...
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