Premium Essay

Busn 412

In: Business and Management

Submitted By mzaman238
Words 2500
Pages 10
The industry of premium coffee production has had a shadow cast over it by the coffee juggernaut, Starbucks. As any American who has been out of their home in the last fifteen years knows, Starbucks has virtually taken over the coffee retail business all over the US. It would prove quite difficult to go to any relatively large city or town and not see at least two Starbucks retail stores or find their products in the local grocery store. With such a formidable competitor present in the industry, it seems improbable that any other producer of premium coffee would be able to compete. A small, Vermont based coffee brewer by the name of Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) has managed to carve out a piece of the market for itself and has begun spreading all over the northeast United States. Originating in 1981, Green Mountain Coffee was originally supplied to customers of a small café but once word spread of their high quality coffee beans and unique selection and roasting process, their product began to spread to different venues. Restaurant and hotel demand boost Green Mountain into the wholesale industry. Within the next fifteen years they had opened twelve company stores that were responsible for ten percent of their income. However, they noticed a steady decline in the returns they were seeing from these retail stores and decided to close its stores; a risky move considering that they had always been an important means of providing samples of their product to the consumer. Despite this setback, GMCR has been able to remain competitive through their whole sale customers and mail order consumers. This has been made possible by their commitment to superior quality and their ability to analyze and react to the changing industry.One of the most important aspects of GMCR’s business strategies is its commitment to socially responsible business practices. This helps assure

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Busn 412

...Mohammad R. Zaman BUSN 412 Prof. Auguste November 18, 2012 Cofounder and former chief executive officer Joseph Fedele was able to bring a wealth of experience in New York City’s food industry to Fresh Direct. Fresh Direct offers online grocery shopping and delivery service to more than 300 zip codes in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Nassau County, Riverdale, Westchester, select areas of Staten Island, New Jersey, and parts of Connecticut. Fresh Direct is a company that allows you to order your food online and get next day delivery, their motto is “Our Food is fresh, our customers are spoiled. Order on the web today and get next-day delivery of the best food at the best price, exactly the way you want it with 100% satisfaction guaranteed.” The primary business is to allow customers to order their food online and avoid going to a grocery store they can buy anything they want online and you can have it delivered to your house. Key players would be the people who launched the business in 2001 Joseph Fedele and Jason Ackerman. Many companies have fallen online with the grocery service and they boldly stated they were the “greatest way to shop for food” this again was a bold statement in many of these chains have fallen. Company launched in 2001 and by 2011 you had to have a order of 30$ with a delivery fee associated with it. The company started to fall apart when the competition start to raise in the industry that is when they started offering local grown and organic but...

Words: 662 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Busn 412

...The Acer Group is one of the world's largest PC and computer component manufacturers. Associated Acer companies include the world's third largest PC manufacturer, and Acer's mobile computers, network servers and personal computers are ranked in the world's top ten most popular brands in their respective product categories. Acer is the market leader in many countries around the world, and is ranked in more than 30 countries globally owing to the strength of its core business. On the distribution side, in 2007 it is the world's No.4 PC branded PC vendor, number one in South East Asia, Latin America and Middle East, etc... Since spinning-off its manufacturing operation, Acer has focused on globally marketing its brand-name products: mobile and desktop PCs, servers and storage, LCD monitors and high-definition TVs, and handheld/navigational devices. Acer's unique Channel Business Model is instrumental to the company's continued success. The model encourages partners and suppliers to collaborate in a winning formula of supply-chain management, allowing Acer to provide customers with fresh technologies, competitive pricing, and quality service. Established in 1976, Acer Inc. employs 5,300 people supporting dealers and distributors in more than 100 countries. Estimated revenue for 2006 is US$11.31 billion (Acer Annual Report 2005). Stan Shih, the founder and chairman of the Acer group and widely regarded as a high-tech visionary, had a long term vision to transform the Group into a...

Words: 3944 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

Busn 412

...Strategic Management True/False Questions THE IMPORTANCE OF STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT 1. Strategic management is the set of managerial decisions and actions that determines the short-term performance of an organization. (False; moderate; p. 208) 2. “Strategic model” is a term that is often used in conjunction with strategic management and strategies. (False; easy; p. 209) 3. The most fundamental questions about strategy address why firms, facing the same environmental conditions, have varying levels of performance. (True; easy; p. 209) THE STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT PROCESS 4. The first step in the strategic management process is analyzing the external environment. (False; difficult; p. 210) 5. Within an industry, an environment can present opportunities to one organization and pose threats to another. (True; moderate; p. 212) 6. Evaluating an organization’s intangible assets is part of doing an internal analysis in the strategic management process. (True; easy; p. 212) 7. Activities that an organization does well or resources that it has available are called capabilities. (False; easy; p. 212) 8. Exceptional or unique organizational resources are known as core capabilities. (False; moderate; p. 212) 9. A strong organizational culture may act as a significant barrier to accepting any changes in organizational strategies. (False; easy; p. 213) 10. SWOT analysis includes an analysis of an organization’s environmental opportunities...

Words: 7706 - Pages: 31

Premium Essay

Busn 412

...The Acer Group is one of the world's largest PC and computer component manufacturers. Associated Acer companies include the world's third largest PC manufacturer, and Acer's mobile computers, network servers and personal computers are ranked in the world's top ten most popular brands in their respective product categories. Acer is the market leader in many countries around the world, and is ranked in more than 30 countries globally owing to the strength of its core business. On the distribution side, in 2007 it is the world's No.4 PC branded PC vendor, number one in South East Asia, Latin America and Middle East, etc... Since spinning-off its manufacturing operation, Acer has focused on globally marketing its brand-name products: mobile and desktop PCs, servers and storage, LCD monitors and high-definition TVs, and handheld/navigational devices. Acer's unique Channel Business Model is instrumental to the company's continued success. The model encourages partners and suppliers to collaborate in a winning formula of supply-chain management, allowing Acer to provide customers with fresh technologies, competitive pricing, and quality service. Established in 1976, Acer Inc. employs 5,300 people supporting dealers and distributors in more than 100 countries. Estimated revenue for 2006 is US$11.31 billion (Acer Annual Report 2005). Stan Shih, the founder and chairman of the Acer group and widely regarded as a high-tech visionary, had a long term vision to transform the Group into a...

Words: 6727 - Pages: 27

Premium Essay

Busn 412

...1. Question : (TCOs 2 & 3) The use of information technology (e.g., email) has increased in recent years in many organizations. This has helped to: Student Answer: Communicate information efficiently Make more effective use of time in every situation Restrict social network growth Create smaller social networks Instructor Explanation: Page 141-142 2. Question : (TCOs 2 & 3) Typically the creation of knowledge assets has been linked to: Student Answer: High upfront costs and subsequent high variable costs High fixed costs and high variable costs High upfront costs and low variable costs Low upfront costs and high variable costs Instructor Explanation: Page 144 3. Question : (TCOs 2 & 3) John Steele was asked to take over a project after the entire team left his organization. The term that describes his ability to reconstruct what the team had accomplished through reading emails exchanged by the previous team's members can be considered: Student Answer: Inefficient use of information management Using tacit knowledge Usage of project knowledge Using explicit knowledge Instructor Explanation: Page 144 4. Question : (TCOs 2 & 3) When intellectual property is being managed, this can include all but: Student Answer: Converting explicit knowledge to tacit knowledge Copyrights and trademarks Patents Contracts with confidentiality...

Words: 799 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Busn 412 Week 5 Quiz

...BUSN 412 Week 5 Quiz Purchase here http://devrycourse.com/BUSN%20412/busn-412-week-5-quiz Product Description 1Question : In consideration that the "traditional" approach to strategic control is sequential, the following is not one of the steps in the sequence. Strategies are formulated and top management sets goals. Action plans are submitted by lower level managers. Performance is measured against the predetermined goal. Strategies are implemented. 2. Question : The primary drawback of "traditional" strategic control systems is: They are only appropriate when the environment is stable and simple. Goals and objectives cannot be measured with a high level of certainty. They lead to complacency. They lack the flexibility needed to adjust to changes in the environment. 3. Question : The following is true for businesses facing complex and turbulent business environments: Complacency about predetermined milestones can prevent adaptability Detailed plans are needed to maintain order Goals and objectives that are uncertain prevent opportunism Traditional strategic controls are usually inappropriate 4. Question : Contemporary approaches to strategic control rely primarily on: Feedback controls Single-loop learning Double-loop learning Comparative learning 5. Question : Our text states that informational control systems ask: Is the organization "doing the right things"? Is the organization "doing things right"? Are rules and regulations being followed...

Words: 522 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Busn 412 Week 5 Assignment

...Project Report: Strategies for Lean Manufacturing Implementation. Course – Business Policy (BUSN 412) Student Name – Inderjeet Singh Subject – Assignment week 5 University – DeVry University Date – 06/08/2014 Project: Strategies for Lean Manufacturing Implementation in production practices. This is a small project activity which will discuss about the strategies implementation and controls, governance and organization design. Study has been conducted in the field of Lean Manufacturing implementation in production process. Lean Manufacturing can be a good strategy and a competitive advantage will be briefed in this topic. By applying Lean manufacturing fundamental concepts companies can gain competitive advantage all over the world. Lean management which is known as lean production and is good effective production practice. This process creates value in the process and eliminates wastes. Now a day lot of companies started implementing Lean concept. There are number of Lean tools, techniques and technologies in the market which can be used and implemented in the process. This will give company good results. Strategic control - Lean management is a philosophy by using proper tools and techniques, adding good industries practices to achieve the maximum with low cost. It also utilizes the resources in best way which can be very productive. Assets produces maximum by this philosophy. This strategy can be implemented in line with the company...

Words: 547 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Week 2 in the News Busn 412

...Harlan Esmailka BUSN 412 Prof. Cesar Strategic Planning for the Navy in recent years have been focused more on cyber security because most nations or threats are not on the sea but rather from far off distances. * Technology has been increasing during the last ten years and being on top of that helps the Navy conquer against threats and using different analysis tools on a regular basis helps keep the security intact. * Being to rely on technology for everything in the Navy can be an issue because that leaves more areas that can be exploited. * Funding has been an issue because the wars are dying down and the threats that were there before are dwindling * The people being used are more in the civilian sector because of their expertise. * Also increasing the value of the sailors or employees is a mission that the Navy has been trying to improve with retention in mind. * Manning has also been an issue through the years with people being lost because that means more people have to do more than just one job. * The analysis systems the Navy will be using to improve the manning, inventory, and also the community. * The three sources all have different views on the strategic planning for the next couple years and the first was cyber security (Competitive Intelligence, pg. 42-44) and technology, the second was manning (Social Capitol, pg. 137-144) and the sailors (Human Capitol, pg. 127-136), and the last is more about presence through global support...

Words: 440 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

In the News

...In The News - Amazon Signs $600M Cloud Infrastructure Deal With CIA At first glance, when I saw this article, I was more curious than anything, and had no thought of how this piece of news could be blended into the BUSN-412 discussion thread. However, after reading through the article, it became apparent to me that Amazon’s deal with the CIA was still a business transaction, albeit with the Federal Government. My thoughts began to race as I pondered how this would be different from any other business decision reached by such an enormous company like Amazon. After all, they are a multi-billion-dollar company, who are in business to make money. In an article published by CRN, a very reliable technology news organization, unconfirmed reports state that Amazon has reached a 10-year, $600 million cloud computing deal with Amazon. Amazon, if confirmed, and already a major player in the building of Cloud Infrastructure, will have scored a very large victory in the tech world. With such a sizeable deal in the works, one could speculate about some of what went on behind closed doors. As it may relate to our week two discussion thread on SWOT, I would speculate that the CIA did its own SWOT analysis of Amazon. I am sure that the CIA would not have even considered Amazon for this venture, before scrutinizing Amazon from top to bottom. For the business managers that were involved in this process, it should have been the standard way to conduct business, save for the fact it was dealing...

Words: 548 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Finish Line Case Study

...Running head: FINISH LINE FINSH LINE: Case Study Octavia A. Rice Webster University BUSN 6110 Finish Line How important is it to have a mix of products? When shoes slack off during the winter, the apparel business picks up. What are the implications of seasonal products? What problems does this create for The Finish Line? A product mix is an important consideration for any firm. It offers the ability to expand your customer base by offering more products in more niches. Seasonality has implications for everyday pricing, assortment, space management, and inventory management on a day-to-day basis, and should play a strong part in influencing business decisions. Because shoes make up about 70 percent of Finish Line’s business, the off seasons are difficult due to limited product mix. Spread of risk. Given the way the buying takes place for the shoe products, who is taking the most risk? Is it the manufacturer or the buyer? The buyer is the one taking the most risk. Even though it only takes two to three months for the company to actually produce the product, the normal lead-time quoted by a company like Nike or Reebok is six months. From the many choices presented, the buyer is faced with the difficult problem of anticipating what will be hot six to twelve months into the future. Imagine how difficult it is to anticipate the success of a Jordan...

Words: 1384 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Case Analysis

...Week 3: Case Analysis Assignment: Apple Inc. Geraldo Moraes DeVry University BUSN-412 Business Policy Professor Raef Assaf CASE ANALYSIS ASSIGNMENT: APPLE INC. Apple Inc. designs, makes, and markets mobile communication and media gadgets, PCs, convenient advanced music players, and offers a mixed bag of related programming, administrations, peripherals, organizing arrangements, and outsider computerized substance and applications (Dess, G., Lumpkin, G., & Eisner, A. 2012). Its items and administrations incorporate iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, iPod, Apple TV, an arrangement of customer and expert programming applications, the iOS and OS X working frameworks, iCloud, and frill, administration and bolster offerings. According to the case study, Apple Computer was established in Mountain View, California, on April 1, 1976, by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Jobs was the visionary and advertiser, Wozniak was the specialized virtuoso, and A. C. "Mike" Markkula Jr., who had joined the group a while prior, was the businessperson (Dess, G., Lumpkin, G., & Eisner, A. 2012). Employments set the mission of engaging people, one person, one PC, and doing as such with polish of configuration and savage tender loving care. In 1977 the first form of the Apple II turned into the first PC standard individuals could utilize right out of the case, and its moment achievement in the home market brought on a processing upheaval, basically making the PC business. By 1980 Apple was the business...

Words: 1988 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Admission

...Does your career plan include a world of lifelong success? Program of Professional Studies THE CERTIFIED GENERAL ACCOUNTANTS ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA We see more than numbers. Choose a career that places you on the path to lifelong success. It’s all about opportunity. Accounting professionals can work in any sector, anywhere in the world. And when you choose CGA, you’ll gain the leadership, problem-solving and technical skills that are sought after by organizations in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. The CGA Program of Professional Studies gives you the tools to succeed in business, no matter where your career takes you. You’ll enter the workforce with the applied knowledge and demonstrated expertise that employers want, including specialized technical knowledge, sectorspecific competencies, problem-solving skills and the ethical integrity to lead. CGA’s competency-based curriculum is simply your best way to prepare for a rewarding career in financial management. Flexible study options and the freedom to choose the career you want CGA is all about choice. You choose the professional-studies path and real-world experience that best match your career goals and interests. We give you the skills and freedom to work in any type of organization, in any industry, at any level of management. With a CGA designation, your opportunities—both professional and personal, at home and around the world—are limitless. Take your place as a highly respected...

Words: 4906 - Pages: 20

Premium Essay

No Paper to Upload

...REGENT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG 2013-2014 (Fall 2013-Summer 2014) Regent University 1000 Regent University Drive Virginia Beach, VA 23464-9800 800.373.5504 admissions@regent.edu www.regent.edu PREFACE Regional Accreditation Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associates, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Regent University. National and State Accreditation Regent University’s undergraduate school is accredited or certified by the following bodies:   Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) (www.chea.org/) The Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) The Regent University School of Education's educational leadership and teacher preparation programs and the College of Arts & Sciences interdisciplinary studies program, which are designed to prepare competent, caring, and qualified professional educators are accredited by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council for a period of seven years, from January 9, 2009 to January 9, 2016. This accreditation certifies that the educational leadership, teacher preparation and interdisciplinary studies programs have provided evidence that they adhere to TEAC's quality principles. Teacher Educational Accreditation Council, One Dupont Circle, Suite...

Words: 74326 - Pages: 298