...Kudler’s strategic plan, several issues were identified regarding the organization’s business practices. I will address one issue and identify alternative solutions. I will also provide a vision for Kudler by describing where the organization could be if management realize the opportunity. Problem Statement As Kudler Fine Foods expands in an ever-changing business world, its management structure is not transforming. Kudler Fine Foods shall create a well-define management team to work together effectively to achieve the organization’s mission. “One function of management is to give direction to their organizations, provide leadership, and decide how to use organizational resources to accomplish goals” (Nickels, McHugh and McHugh, 2008, p. 182). One major issue this organization face is a small management team. According to Kudler’s strategic plan, the risk of possessing a small management team is considered a weakness (Kudler, 2003). Kathy Kudler is the lead operations manager for the whole organization. Although she has store managers at each location, she takes care of the purchasing and inventory tracking for all stores. Kathy’s current style of management does not permit her to surrender any of the tasks that she performs, which hinders organizational goals from emerging. For example, if Kathy takes time off or become ill, no one is...
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...Kathy takes on many roles, including human resources. She interacts with the customers and staff but has not thought about future endeavors with the business growing at its current rate. KFF does not have a true human resources department that is an area that needs immediate attention. Kathy needs to think about the future of the business in the event she becomes ill and cannot fulfill her role as the owner, supervisor, product replenishment and inventory control, along with-related human resources issues. Human resources management (HRM) is the process of determining human resources needs while recruiting, selecting, developing, motivating, evaluating, compensating, and scheduling employees to achieve organizational goals (Nickels, McHugh, & McHugh, 2008). HRM is more than hiring and firing employees; HRM will allow KFF to succeed and grow even more competitive in the specialty food market as well as retaining the employees currently working at KFF. The employees will have the opportunity to grow professionally and personally with the HRM concept becoming a part of the organizational goal. When implementing HRM into an organization it is important to remember to apply this concept at the strategic level; this will enhance the organizations performance, including the ‘bottom line.’ Implementing an HRM system at KFF, like High Performance Work Systems (HPWS), Kathy must carefully analyze each individual’s strengths and weaknesses, goals, rewards and achievements, education, personal...
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...The Marketing Mix Abstract The marketing mix also known as the four P’s of marketing is generally used by marketers as means to assist with implementing effective marketing strategies. When used efficiently and effectively to generate the optimum response within a target market, businesses are typically successful. The four P’s can be adjusted as needed by marketers to meet the changes and demands of consumers. These four elements consist of product, price, place and promotion. The product is the merchandise or service that is offered to consumers. The aspect of a product includes functionality, appearance, quality (value), service, support and warranty. Pricing involves the list price as well as discounts, financing, leasing and other options. Placement (place) in marketing consists of distribution channels, locations, logistics, and service levels including support. Promotion involves how consumers or a particular target market is informed and/or educated about a product or service. This would include advertising, public relations, sales, and media. According to Goi, the concept of the four P’s has been criticized in numerous studies. However, in spite of its insufficiencies, these four elements remain fundamental to the marketing mix (2009, p. 3). The Marketing Mix Marketing has been around for many years. It includes planning and implementing the proper marketing plan for an organization. For many, marketing only involves selling and advertising. However marketing...
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...the stakeholders in small business are, and why these average college students impressed the world with their idea. Individuals starting out in business can learn a valuable lesson from the College Entrepreneurs (Aaron Houghton and Ryan Allis) by looking at the way they centered in on what small business owners need most. Aaron and Ryan looked at that all businesses must have contact with their customers to have customers. Ryan used his strength in marketing the product and Aaron provided his skills in development (Nickels, McHugh, McHugh, 2010). Individuals can to learn that people can work together in harming to bring about positive result with profitable effects. Ryan and Aaron’s iContact stakeholders consist of the customer, environmentalist and employees. “Stakeholders are all the people who stand to gain or lose by the policies and activities of a business and whose concerns the business needs to address” (Nickels McHugh & McHugh, 2010). iContact’s customers are primary stakeholders within the company; with the introduction of the iContact product consumers have the ability to send thousands of emails to their client base. By using this program consumers are able to promote effectively with low printing and postage cost. Environmentalists are also stakeholders of iContact, with the use of technology and the electronic mailing...
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...environment, analyzing a company’s income statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows. Chevron is known to be one of the top profitable Fortune 500 Company. A recent SWOT analysis was completed determining Chevron as good company to invest in. Although, Chevrons SWOT was determined successful the mutual fund manager has to determine if the company is also successful in his or her their finances. There are five areas in a company’s business environment. The five areas of a business environment are economic, technical, competitive, social, and global business. Nickels, McHugh, and McHugh (2010) “Business environment consists of the surrounding factors that either help or hinder the development of businesses.” Businesses surrounded by a stable business environment can function successfully. Businesses that focus on their business environment closely can to make changes accordingly. Nickels, McHugh, and McHugh (2010) “Businesses normally can’t control; their environment, but they need to monitor it carefully and do what they can to adapt as it changes.” The economic and legal environments are areas where businesses try to focus on not losing any money while starting a business. The legal and government environments can be beneficial to a business environment, if the economy and legal aspects of the business are in good standing....
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...case study about conflict of Interest The relationship of this case is as below: Also, it is important to knowing that: 1. The McHugh family doesn’t know that Donald Rosenthal operated a business brokerage business, and the business now has conflicts of interest towards the McHugh family. 2. The equipment of Silver’s Gym was fully depreciated and the plant was in need of costly repairs, and a brand new Johnny Z’s Gym opened up on nearby, lured over 50% of the prior membership of Silvers’ Gym away. All in all, that means buying Silver’s Gym for $600,000 is really a bad mistake for the unknowledgeable McHugh family. Questions for Discussion & Analysis 1. What are the ethical considerations involved for Donald Rosenthal, his business brokerage firm and his law firm? Donald Rosenthal is the stakeholder of Arnold, Quisling & Brutus, and at the same time, Donald Rosenthal also operates a business brokerage firm as a stakeholder. When there is a potential conflict of interest on those two entities, Donald Rosenthal will face to a dilemma to make business decisions. This dilemma will possibly affect an individual’s actions or decisions, result in lack of independence, objectivity and unethical behavior. As mention in this case, Donald Rosenthal fail to act integrity, loyalty, prudence and care to the asset management of McHugh, make unsuitable investment decision to achieve his own profit. Donald Rosenthal’s business brokerage firm has a business relationship...
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...Dow Chemical - Business Analysis Part 2 Historically, the chemical industry has operated in a competitive environment, which is not anticipated to change. Dow experiences significant competitions in each of its operating segments as well as in each of the geographic areas in which it operates. Dow competes globally on the foundation of quality, technology, price, and customer service and operates in an integrated manufacturing environment. Basic raw materials are processed through many stages to produce many products that are sold as finished goods at different points in the process. Dow has two major raw material streams that feed the production of the finished goods which are chlorine-based and hydrocarbon based raw materials. (Dow Chemical Company, n.d.) Business Environment The business environment of Dow is one that has strategically positioned itself to withstand the ever-changing forces of economic, social, political and technological factors it faces daily. Dow consistently identifies opportunities and new technologies before its competition which stimulates their industry-leader position. (1) Financial Health Dow has great financial strength. Their sensible financial discipline has proven beneficial in recent global economic challenges and has actually helped position it for future growth. The recent global economic challenges forced Dow to take steps towards strengthening and diversifying its portfolio. The company has come out on the other side of the...
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...researches use the four P’s to marketing; product, price, place and promotion they are more likely to be successful. NASCAR is a good example of a sporting event that spends a lot of money in market segmentation and marketing research. By doing so, NASCAR is able to find their target market and design their advertising for that particular market. There are many marketing opportunities available for sporting venues. Often we will see commercials advertising the next competition day on television or local areas will advertise for their specific venue. We also see billboards, magazines and newspapers advertising an event or an athlete. There is a lot of money to be made in advertising. According to an article written by Nickels-McHugh-McHugh, NASCAR decided early on that corporate sponsorship was vital to long-term growth because market research showed that NASCAR fans are three times more likely to buy NASCAR sponsors’ products than fans of other sports. Using the four P’s to marketing will ensure a company can use best marketing strategies as possible. Evaluating the product you are selling is the first step in marketing. You must have a product that people want and are willing to spend money. In sports, for example, the product is the sporting event. The product or event must be pleasing to the consumer so that they will continue to return. Then there is the price. The price must be set so the event will draw as many consumers as possible, but not so high, that...
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...iContact Reflection Making the decision to start a business is not a decision to make lightly. The video reviewed for this assignment provides an insight into the company iContact. This company was started by two college students who had a vision and the determination to take risk. Ryan Allis and Aaron Houghton knew what each other had to offer to start this email marketing and social media business. During the development of this business, Ryan and Aaron understood how to identify the risks at stake and the five elements for a successful business. One of the first steps of entrepreneurship is finding a need and figuring out how to fill it. The need they found was to actually support entrepreneurs and small businesses in distribution of their marketing materials via email and social media. Another step in starting a new business is to determine how best to generate revenue that is greater than the cost to do business. Once the business starts to grow it is important to find investors that are willing to fund the business until the profitability is reached. There are risk factors involved such as personal finances and time and not all businesses are successful. Ryan and Aaron were able to develop a business model that quickly identified a lower risk method to make a profit. They determined what it would cost to service each customer and then what to charge the customer to offset the financial risk. They each came in with the expertise to get the business...
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...vision, goals and values; and that they have worked well together before on successful projects, hopefully this will give the team the necessary motivation for them to work together and show some excitement about the project (Nickels, McHugh, and McHugh, 2010) (Yukl 2010). After giving feedback to the identified problems, the various solutions would include; 1) for each team member to provide two ideas for the ad after which a few of the company managers will vote on the best option and 2) each for each team member to provide two ideas for the ad based on their expertise and let the customers of Just Right Tire vote of the best option. In order for customers to have a vote an email will be sent send out explaining the competition to customers who have provided their email address and post a vote box in the store explaining the competition for those customers who come into the store. In addition for the customers voting for the best idea, they would receive a 35% coupon off for tires, oil changes, or tune-up at any Just Right Tire location. The votes would have to be tallied and the idea with the most votes will be the one used in the ad campaign. The manager will remind the team that time is of the essence. Nickels, W. G., McHugh, J. M., & McHugh, S. M. (2010) Understanding business (9th ed.). New York, NY:...
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...Augusto Junior G16J6058 Period 9 Management 101 written task 4 25 April 2016 [609 Words] According to (Nickels, McHugh and McHugh, 2012) managers and leaders are two unique individuals that should merge into one person, if they wish to run organizations effectively in the current changing business environment. Managers are responsible for planning, organizing, leading and controlling input factors of production of an organization in order to achieve the enterprise’s goals, while a leader is responsible for motivating a group of individuals in order to achieve a common goal (Nickels, McHugh and McHugh, 2012). With that being said, we can assume that in order to manage a group of individuals effectively one requires leadership features. For example, let us look at my Management 101 class as being the group of individuals I have to manage in order to assure that every student will partake on every given task and perform at their best ability. Firstly, I would draw up a management 101 structure in which the class is divided in groups of four students with only one group leader that will report to one of the six members of the golden circle. As suggested by Huitt (2009) students perform best in a non-threatening environment and one of the least threatening working environments is group work according to McClelland (1987). Also dividing students in groups would lead to an increase of motivation. Motivation is the external or internal reasons that cause...
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...Business Analysis Part III MGT 521 June 18, 2012 Business Analysis Part III The focus of this paper will be to review recent economic trends and how these trends have and influencing the company. How strategic initiatives taken by Ford pertain to both operational and organizational revisions, as well as, tactics that have been or could be implemented by the Ford to reach their strategic goals. Conversely, a review of the role human resource management plays in aiding the company in the achievement of its business goals, concluding with a review of the salient points. Economic Trends and Strategies In 2009, Ford’s sales and revenues (in millions) were at $103,868 for automotive sales and $12,415 for financial service, for a total of $116,283. However, global economic trends influencing the Ford Motor company for 2010 did show increased sales and revenues by $12.671 (OneFord - Ford Motor Company, 2010). Nevertheless, in the most recent annual report from 2011, it has been shown that while the total returns to shareholders for the 2010 fiscal year were slightly higher than those in 2011, Ford has continued to show an increase in total company sales and revenues, in the automotive sector, sales were also up by $8,888. That being said, the year-end sector balance sheet data shows Fords 2011 total assets at being $179.248 (Ford Motor Company, 2011). Decline in sales from previous years was in part due declining product sales...
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...asked us to write about our opinions on school uniforms. The question that was asked to the class was, “should public schools require students to wear uniforms?” The class listened as each person read their opinion and commented on the subject matter. On our first assignment, Professor Michael provided two articles that relate to the discussion, “Uniforms accord importance to scholarly pursuits” by Joanne McHugh and “They promote rigid conformity over independent thought” by Anndee Hochman from the The Philadelphia Inquirer. According to Joanne McHugh, student uniforms are beneficial. She expressed that kids dress more for leisure activities instead of business casual, which would not prepare them for the future. McHugh felt that uniforms can help educate students on how to properly dress, since they lack positive role models who could show them proper attire for the various occasions. She expressed another benefit for enforcing uniforms in the school environment is the elimination of social status among students. In addition, uniforms can benefit adults too. McHugh stated uniforms can benefit parents financially, allowing them to save money because they will not need to purchase school clothes during the year. The author Anndee Hochman discussed the limitations and discomfort that uniforms can cause young ladies. She said, since most uniforms have the girls wearing skirts, abolishing the uniform policies would allow them to participate in more activities comfortably...
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...sustaining the guiding vision of its founders’ mantra. They've taken a stand against pop-ups and pop-under and refused ads from sites they consider to be overly negative. All the while, they've stubbornly kept the Google homepage concise and pristine. On just a faint whisper of a marketing campaign, the company pulled in an estimated $70 million last year (a third from licensing fees and the rest from ads) (McHugh, Josh, Google vs Evil, Wired, 2002). Should Google play ball with repressive foreign governments? Refuse to link users to "hate" sites? Punish marketers who artificially inflate site rankings? Fight the Church of Scientology's attempts to silence critics? And what to do about the cache, Google's archive of previously indexed pages? Are the questions often asked. Most major companies refer to a detailed code of corporate conduct when considering such policy decisions. General Electric devotes 15 pages on its Web site to an integrity policy. Nortel's site has 34 pages of guidelines. Google's code of conduct can be boiled down to a mere three words: Don't be evil. (McHugh, Josh, Google vs Evil, Wired, 2002) Now, for the first time in its history, Google is facing rifts between what's good for users and what's good for Google. And Sergey Brin is finding that purity just doesn't scale. Governments, religious bodies, businesses, and individuals are all bearing down on the company, forcing Brin to make decisions that have an effect on the entire Internet. Sergey Brin...
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...the three stores daily and makes all the final decisions personally. Currently they do not have a website, and they are not electronically tracking orders, monthly earnings or spendings. This lack of use of technology makes tracking this information time consuming and difficult. Kathy also does all the purchasing herself, and since Kudler Fine Foods is dealing with mainly perishables, tracking inventory becomes a huge consideration. At this time, there is no contingency plan if Kathy gets ill and is unable to personally tend to the business. “All organizations need to have contingency plans for Unexpected events. Note the chaos in New Orleans when hospitals and other organizations were not prepared for a major hurricane” (Nickels, McHugh, & McHugh, 2008, p. 189). Problem statement: Kathy Kudlers’ lack of trust is prohibiting her from expanding the company to its full potential. Kathy needs to delegate areas of the business such as purchasing, finance, marketing and advertising, as well as catering. By delegating she will have more time to focus on the customers in the front of the store, which she really enjoys, and it will also allow her to lead as opposed to manage. She is currently operating like a supervisor...
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