...Starting with the End in Sight: Integrating Finance After a Merger 2 When two companies merge, integrating their Finance functions is a major imperative. Variations in financial standards and procedures can prevent the merged entity’s Finance function from effective daily operations, impacting both internal and external stakeholders. Integration of this key function is also time-sensitive: the entity’s leaders, not to mention investors, demand consolidated financial statements, earnings and projections as soon as possible. Additionally, a majority of the potential gains from a merger cannot be achieved without committed support from Finance. Many companies recognize this challenge and give substantial attention to financial integration soon after announcing the deal. However, this urgency creates its own problems. Under time pressure, finance professionals will feel rushed to combine disparate numbers and harmonize divergent processes. If they do not yet have a clear vision of the new company’s future state, they may implement manual temporary work-arounds, such as preparing manual reconciliations of customer accounts, that require incremental work effort, cost and risk to Finance. By focusing only on interim integration work and not considering the future state in parallel, many companies risk that the manual interim state will one day become the future state. Maintaining disparate and manually integrated systems limits opportunity for future standardization and cost...
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...Case 9 FedEx vs. UPS—Competing with Contrasting Strategies in China Fiona 11125231 Introduction FedEx and UPS are two U.S based logistics corporations which entered into China in the 1980s. However, both two companies adopted contrasting entry approaches. As for expanding strategies, FedEx adopted a forceful approach while UPS followed a conservative strategy till the late 1990s. With the improved business prospects in the Chinese logistics industry, the intensified rivalry between FedEx and UPS reached its peak gradually. Following Chinese entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO), FedEx and UPS continuously implemented various new services and agreements to grab Chinese logistics market. Obviously, these strategies helped both companies increase their revenues significantly so both companies expected to gain more market share in the future. Entering and Expanding Services Network At first, FedEx commenced its operation in China in 1984 by means of joint venture while UPS entered into China through an agent partnership relationship. FedEx partnered with multinational companies in China to build service network thus FedEx focused on building infrastructure and distribution centers in the first decade of its operations in China. Though joint venture provided FedEx with greater opportunities that are inaccessible through other strategies, it brought much higher investments and risks. On the contrary, an agent partnership relationship saved UPS from high risks. Unlike...
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...Introduction Business SegmentsFedEx ExpressFedEx GroundFedEx FreightFedEx ServicesCorporate Strategy“Compete Collectively, Manage Collaboratively” • 3. Brand Planning AssessmentThe FedEx PositionWho is the target market?“anyone who needs to send something anywhere in the world. Whether it’s the one and only package you'll ever ship in your life or you have 1000 packages to ship every day.” • 4. Brand Planning AssessmentThe FedEx PositionWho are the main competitors?UPS • 5. Brand Planning AssessmentThe FedEx PositionWhat are the points of parity?-Both companies ship packagesBoth online services allow you to track packages, order supplies and pay bills.What are the points of difference?-FedEx has 3 times as many planes-Print and ship from anywhere services-FedEx has been known to update technology more frequently than UPS • 6. Brand Planning AssessmentThe FedEx PositionFast Forward MovingPrecise • 7. Brand Planning AssessmentKey Marketing ActivitiesAlliances with NFL, NBA, FedEx cup, FedEx racing, the FedEx orange bowl, and the FedEx field Senior Vice President of International Marketing, Rajesh Subramaniam, said, “FedEx sponsors and associates with several sports that share its attributes of speed, reliability, precision, teamwork and flawless execution.” • 8. Brand Valuation Assessment Building EquityFavorability & Awareness Through Six ElementsMEMORABLEMEANINGFULLIKEABLETRANSFERABLEADAPTABLEPROTECTABLE • 9. Brand Valuation...
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...Executive Summary This report endeavors to look at FedEx from the strategic initiative point of view and how it was able to adapt to changing business environment to improve itself. While organisations the world over have come and gone a few leave a lasting footprint on the way they have moved in the particular sector. FedEx with its various innovative ideas has left lasting footprint that has forever altered the scope of service within the logistics industry. From its humble beginnings as a delivery company, it has set itself up a global logistics and business services organisation that has shaken the belief held by behemoths regarding the level of innovation and service that they can offer to the customer base. With its out-of-box approach it has made industrial leaders like UPS, DHL etc, and look like new kids in the block. The strategic initiatives that the organisation has taken during various time a frame has exemplified the leadership ability of Mr. Smith to work toward uncertainly and how to respond to them. Introduction A general assumption regarding strategy is that executives by applying a set of tools will be able to predict a future of any business clearly enough to choose a clear strategy or direction to adopt. This overall scenarios and assumptions made usually led to a layout of vision for the future with assumed precision. However, one needs to remember that when the time ahead looks uncertain this approach is at best only helpful marginally and...
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...TABLE OF CONTENT 1.0 Introduction 2 2.0 Measurement of Success 2 3.0 Reasons Behind FedEx Corporation’s Success 4 3.1 Excellent and Leading Service Quality 4 3.2 Effective Employee Management 4 3.3 Intended Acquisition Strategy 5 3.4 Sustained Innovation 5 3.5 Global Reach and Further Expansion 5 3.6 Pursuance of International Market Dominance 5 4.0 Justification of FedEx Corp. Success 6 4.1 Value Chain Framework 6 4.1.1 Support Activities 6 4.1.2 Primary Activities 7 4.2 VRIN Framework 7 4.2.1 Value 7 4.2.2 Rarity 8 4.2.3 Inimitability 8 4.2.4 Non – Substitutability 9 4.3 International Strategy 9 5.0 Contribution of Leadership 11 5.1 Traits Theory of Leadership 11 5.2 4E’s of Leadership 11 5.1.1 Envision 11 5.1.2 Enable 12 5.1.3 Empower 12 5.1.4 Energise 12 6.0 Challenge for Future Success 13 6.1 Intense Competition 13 Reference List 14 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 2.1: Annual Financials of FedEx Corp…….……………………………………………………………………2 Figure 2.2: FedEx Market Share…………………………………………………………………………………………….3 Figure 2.3: Air Freight & Logistics Market Growth…………………………………………………………………3 Figure 2.4: Customer Satisfaction Benchmark……………………………………………………………………….4 Figure 4.1: Porter's Value Chain Framework………………………………………………………………………….6 Figure 4.1.2: FedEx Primary Activities……………………………………………………………………………………7 1.0 Introduction According to Amsler et al (2010), the market of shipping and transport logistics has become a leading...
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...Abstract A leading company in the transportation agency, FedEx is known all around the world for its fast and on time delivery. Its slogan, “when it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight” says it all for the company. When one needs to get a package or parcel anywhere FedEx is one of the top choices. The company’s primary competitive advantage is its IT infrastructure. FedEx was the first to introduce a real corporate website where customers could print their unique barcode and have it picked up, track their packages and verify pricing and other helpful information. In this analysis different functions of the company are reviewed, such as different factors affecting the company, the key challenges and the recommendations to the company. FedEx: When it Absolutely, Positively has to be there Overnight About FedEx Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee FedEx is the world’s express delivery. FedEx offers a variety of international packages and document delivery services to 214 countries, as well as freight services. On February 2004 FedEx acquired Kinko’s Inc. Now together the company provides document solutions and business services including copying, scanning, printing services, graphics, video conferencing, wireless and wired internet. FedEx is best known for its motto “when it absolutely, positively has to get there”. Fred Smith founded FedEx in 1971 and incorporated management philosophy that made FedEx a rapidly shining business in the industry. The principles...
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...Between 1973 and 2000, FedEx developed and implemented a strategy that integrated the various business units and processes. Such strategy may be best explained by examining it based on the three levels that De Wit and Meyer (2003) suggested, these being the business, corporate, and network levels of strategy. However, two important elements stand out in Federal Express’ strategy. One of these was evident in all levels and this was the use of technology, particularly the advances in information technology to restructure and reorganize the company, its subsidiaries, its units, and it business functions (Conley et al, 2000, Rigsby & Greco, 2002). Secondly, capital investment was a major part of the strategy. FedEx Strategy at the Business Level Federal Express’ clients ranged from large scale business to individual customers that required a wide range of services. As such, Federal Express needed to find a way to meet the needs of the various groups of customers that it provided services to. By streamlining its operations and by integrating its various systems, the company was able to develop a customer logistics management segment of its business to cater especially to its large-scale business clients that required such service (Conley et al, 2000). This included providing warehousing and distribution services that cut the costs for its business customers. Such strategy demonstrates the company’s way of dealing with the paradox of market adaptation and resource leveraging. Having...
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...FOR DISCUSSION 1. FedEx entered in to China in 1984 through a joint venture, while UPS entered China in 1988 through an agent partnership relationship. Critically examine the contrasting strategies adopted by both the companies, while entering and expanding their service network in China. The case discusses in detail about the entry and expansion strategies of the two US-based logistics companies - FedEx and UPS in the Chinese market .The case examines the contrasting strategies adopted by FedEx and UPS in their efforts to establish presence in China. FedEx followed an aggressive, high risk, more investments approach to expand its services network in China which enabled the company to capture higher market share .On the contrary, till the late 1990s, UPS followed a conservative, low risk, low investment approach to establish its presence in China. The case brings out the contrasting elements of the strategies adopted by both companies including establishing the services network, advertising and promotion, targeting customers and the investments made. Finally, the case examines how the expansion strategies of both companies have changed with the improving business prospects in China, following its entry into WTO. The case discusses in detail the entry and expansion strategies of the two US-based logistics companies - FedEx and United Parcel Services (UPS) - in the Chinese market. The case examines the contrasting strategies adopted by FedEx and UPS in their efforts to establish...
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...FEDEX CASE 1. List the business processes displayed in the video: 1. Federal express currier picks up a package 2. Currier scans the box to electronically alter FedEx that the package is in their hands 3. Packages are brought to a hub (a large FedEx warehouse) 4. Packages are unloaded onto a conveyer belt that carries to a scanner that weighs the boxes and measures the size. This tells FedEx how much to charge the customer for shipping. 5. Packages go to a multidirectional scanner, with 40 cameras that scans and inputs the label. Labels tells the scanner where the box is being shipped 6. Any package that can not be scanned is sorted manually 7. Packages are then diverted automatically (or manually for packages that are not able to be scanned) and pushed down slides to their respective locations to be put into cargo containers 8. Each cargo container is weighed and then loaded onto a plane 9. FedEx air control center routes the plane and monitors flying conditions 10. Packages are still being monitored here 11. Plane lands, packages go to another sorting center 12. Packages are put on a truck and delivered to your door 2. List the types of information systems shown in the video. Can you describe how systems that were not shown might be used at FedEx? The information systems shown in the video are: * Management Information System (MIS): The FedEx system is set up to track packages at each point in their delivery process...
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...Company Analysis: FedEx is systematically apperceived as a standout among the most recognized brands in the world. FedEx located and oversaw in Memphis, Tennessee and formally start operations on seventeen April, 1973. Federal Express started by Frederick W. Smith. FedEx has designed a set of new and interesting solutions to facilities buyers of more than 220 states. FedEx Company offers strategic and logistical backing for an assortment of operational divisions, formerly referred as FedEx Services, FedEx Freight, FedEx Ground, and FedEx Express. These bodies compete all together under FedEx name, however work relatively independent. FedEx select for best corporation at ranking number 64 in Fortune 500 (Fortune, 2014). FedEx express frequently...
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...1.0 INTRODUCTION An American global courier delivery service, Federal Express (FedEx) Corporation was founded by Frederick W. Smith in 1971 (Ferrell & Hartline, 2011). Formerly known as FDX Corporation, its headquarter is in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. There are four segments that the company is divided into which are FedEx Express Segment, FedEx Ground Segment, FedEx Freight Segment and FedEx Services Segment. The FedEx Express Segment includes two companies which are FedEx Express and FedEx Trade Networks. In the FedEx Ground Segment includes FedEx Ground and FedEx SmartPost, For FedEx Freight Segment consists of FedEx Freight, FedEx Custom Critical and Caribbean Transportation Services. As for FedEx Services Segment comprise of FedEx Services, FedEx Office, FedEx Customer Information Services as well as FedEx Global Supply Chain Services. FedEx has experience tremendous success domestically and internationally since it began operations, however FedEx is still does not has the main market share in both markets as UPS dominates the ground delivery and DHL dominates the international express delivery. So in this paper, we will be answering three questions regarding FedEx’s methods of expansion, reasons for its global operations problems, SWOT considerations, competitive landscape and recommendations to encroach upon the two competitors. 2.0 QUESTION 1 Evaluate the methods used by FedEx to grow domestically and internationally. Why do you think that the company initially...
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...CONTENTS I. Introduction……………………………………………………………………………….2 II. Company Overview……………………………………………………………………..3 Company Background……………………………………………………………...3 Services Offered……………………………………………………………………..4 SWOT Analysis……………………………………………………………………...5 III. Environmental Analysis………………………………………………………...……13 PESTEL Analysis…………………………………………………………………..13 Competition Analysis………………………………………………………………16 IV. Marketing Plan…………………………………………………………………………16 Marketing Goals…………………………………………………………………….16 Marketing Strategies……………………………………………………………….17 Marketing Mix……………………………………………………………………….20 Marketing Budget…………………………………………………………………..22 V. Recommendation………………………………………………………………….…..23 INTRODUCTION The competition in the business arena has been very stiff and complex. In this regard, the organization must be able to utilize a strategy and management system that will enhance the performance of the business so as to outgrow its rivals (2000; 2003). There are certain ways or techniques that can be considered in order to emerge and continue to be competitive within the market place. The marketing concept has been defined as ‘the key to achieving organizational goals’ and the marketing concept rests on ‘market focus, customer orientation, coordinated marketing and profitability’. In a profit making business the firm obviously has to try and achieve this level of customer satisfaction as a way of staying ahead of the competition and making a profit. Traditionally, marketing...
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...1. INTRODUCTION FedEx Corporation is a leading logistics services company, based in the United States. The previous names were Federal Express, Federal Express Corporation, and FDX Corporation. FedEx was found in 1971 by Frederick W. Smith in Little Rock, Arkansas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fedex). The company officially began operations on April 17, 1973, with the launch of 14 small aircraft from Memphis International Airport. On that night, FedEx delivered 186 packages to 25 U.S. cities from Rochester, New York, to Miami, Florida. The FedEx headquarters then move to Memphis, Tennessee, and now the company had employed more than 290,000 workers. FedEx was the pioneer of the express transportation and logistics industry. In fiscal year 1983, Federal Express reported $1 billion in revenues, making American business history as the first company to reach that financial hallmark inside ten years of start-up without mergers or acquisitions (http://about.fedex.designcdt.com/our_company/company_information/fedex_history). 2. DESCRIPTION OF FEDEX’S STRATEGY CONTEXT BETWEEN 1973 - 2000 2.1. THE INDUSTRY CONTEXT “Know the other and know yourself: Triumph without peril. Know nature and know the situation: Triumph completely” (by Sun Tzu). If strategic management is concerned with relating firm to its environment, then it is essential to know this environment well. While the entire outside world was taken into consideration, emphasis was placed on the direct environment...
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...[pic] Introduction FedEx Corporation (FedEx) is a US based company mainly engaged in offering logistics solutions. The company, through its subsidiaries, provides transportation, e-commerce and business services under the FedEx brand. The major benefit of using the company is its ability to provide “day-certain” service to every business address in the US and Canada, as well as provide “time-certain” delivery to those areas within one to three business days. The company was founded in 1973 by Frederick W. Smith, whose vision was to provide overnight delivery services for his clients. The company is divided into eight major divisions: [pic] The mission of FedEx is to provide superior financial returns for shareowners by providing high value-added supply chain, transportation, business and related information services through focused operating companies. Customer needs will be met in the highest quality manner appropriate to each market segment served. FedEx strives to develop gratifying relationships with its employees, partners and suppliers. Safety will be the first consideration in all operations and all activities will be conducted to the highest ethical and professional standards (FedEx Corporation – Financial and Strategic Analysis Review, 2011). FedEx’s vision is a world where goods and information move quickly and seamlessly. The company’s goal is to connect the world in such a way that consumers will view them as a provider of convenient...
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...efficiency of Federal Express’s current business model, and recommend one new business-level strategy that gives the company a competitive advantage over its rivals. We are also asked to examine the manner in which overall global competition may impact the new business strategy. And, finally, we are asked to suggest one significant way that Federal Express may confront its global competition. Senior management at FedEx must appreciate the need for adding new value to their organization if they intend for FedEx to remain viable. Senior management needs to be committed to the creation of new internal capabilities for FedEx growth. And management must be ready for strategy innovation and the exploration of FedEx’s strategic frontier. Innovative new business opportunities found on the strategic frontier can provide forward-thinking leadership with the entrepreneurial growth ideas FedEx needs. FedEx does not need decades of R&D expenditures to develop new business ideas and opportunities. All FedEx really needs is an understanding of its customer’s needs. If FedEx is really in touch with the needs of the customer, then the organization will be closer to deciding where on the strategic frontier meaningful value is to be found. Once FedEx reaches that point then senior management will need the conviction and motivation to create a new business model to address those needs. Strategy innovation can take the form of new products and...
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