Category: Case study

Business Analysis: Case Study of Samsung

Abstract

Samsung Group is Korea’s largest multinational conglomerate. Samsung Electronics is Korea’s largest electronics industry and the largest subsidiary of the Samsung Group. Samsung Galaxy Note series models have been regarded as the ‘flagship’ model of Android, and the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 has a double-curved screen, blue body, iris recognition, new S Pen, waterproof, dust-proof and other functions have been recognized and expected by many netizens. Among them, the huge Chinese market has made great contributions to its achievements. However, the Note 7 smartphone produced has exploded in the past few years, which has hugely affected its users around the world. Due to Samsung’s improper handling of its incidents and the recall of markets other than China, this practice of treating Chinese consumers differently has led to a series of questions about ethics. Following, this article will focus on a series of issues raised by Samsung’s note7 mobile phone explosion.

Business Analysis Case Study

Introduction

Samsung is one of the well-known companies in South Korea and is the abbreviation of Samsung Group, Korea’s largest enterprise group. The Samsung Group is Korea’s largest multinational conglomerate and can be regarded as one of the ‘World’s Most Admired Companies. The Samsung Group includes a number of international subsidiaries, including Samsung Electronics, Samsung Products, Samsung Life Insurance, etc. The business covers electronics, finance, machinery, and chemistry (Samsung, 2019). The Samsung Group was founded in 1938 by Lee Byung-Chull (Samsung, 2019). Each of its Samsung industries is a family business and is managed by other members of the family. In the early 1990s, Lee Byung-Chull was dissatisfied with the company’s product quality, burning unqualified products with $50 million worth of hardware (Velazco, 2013). At that time, Samsung hung the banner of ‘quality first’ and began to slowly enter the world. Samsung is a unique company that has grown up from these ashes, but the process of growth is very long. At the start-up period, Samsung was a trading company with seafood as its main commodity. In 1968, Lee Kun-hee, an MBA from George Washington University, officially joined Samsung and decided to acquire Korean semiconductor companies in 1974(Velazco, 2013) in order to change the situation of relying on foreign components and technology. Since then, Samsung has been able to produce its chips, and this move has determined Samsung’s development in the coming decades (Velazco, 2013). Although the Asian financial turmoil in 1997 caused Samsung to suffer a serious loss, Samsung Electronics CEO Yun Jong-Yong took the lead in making long-term success in wise investment in products and sectors (Velazco, 2013). By creating the best products and services, Samsung can provide customers with the fullest satisfaction to improve the quality of human work and life and promote the common interests of humanity.

Organization Type and Strategies

Samsung Electronics is one of the flagship subsidiaries of the Samsung Group, which is focused on consumer electronics, DRAM and NAND Flash, smartphones, feature phones, microcontrollers and microprocessors, wireless communication chips and foundry (McGrath, 2010). Samsung Electronics is Korea’s largest electronics industry and the largest subsidiary of the Samsung Group. Among the list of the 100 most famous trademarks in the world, Samsung Electronics is the only Korean trademark and a symbol of the Korean national industry. Samsung’s vision for 2020 is to create a commitment to a better world with a richer digital experience through innovative technologies and products (Samsung, 2019). Samsung’s strategy is to create sustainable management of comprehensive value. Samsung not only creates economic value by maximizing profits and shareholder value but as a global citizen, Samsung assumes greater responsibility to create social value (Samsung, 2019).

Competitors, Structure, and Key Players

Samsung is better at learning from its competitors than anyone else (Nisen, 2013). Samsung is a competitor that can stand shoulder to shoulder with Apple. Apple is a technically talented designer, and Samsung is a top-smart businessman. The early Samsung was once seen by the industry as a “cottage” enterprise that produces cheap products. Later, Samsung developed a new brand strategy, which shifted its original business core from large-scale manufacturing to the production of its brands. Moreover, Samsung pays attention to competitors’ new products and strategies and can compete with Apple with a larger screen and more features. Samsung also has many advantages over the design and production capabilities of core components that other electronics manufacturers do not have. Samsung has a completely independent vertical integration kingdom, and many key components can be self-sufficient, which makes Samsung’s vertical integration more economic of scale and efficient. The advantages of the supply chain and the industrial chain make Apple become both a Samsung customer and a Samsung competitor. This table from JPMorgan Chase clearly shows how much Samsung has produced itself. The SEC represents Samsung Electronics, and SDC represents Samsung Display (Nisen, 2013):

According to the contents of Samsung Security (n.d.), Samsung’s management can actively communicate with stakeholders and consider their interests in decision-making. Stakeholders include clients, shareholders, government agencies and business partners, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), employees, and the next generations.

Problem and Issues

Samsung Note 7 explosion

In August 2016, the Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone was released for more than a month, and more than 30 explosions and fires caused by battery defects have occurred worldwide. Samsung had to recall the first version of the Note 7 in September (Lopez, 2017). On the morning of October 5, 2016, a flight of US Southwest Airlines flight number 994 was on fire because of a smoking Samsung Note7 smartphone (Golson, 2016). South Korea’s Samsung Electronics decided to suspend the production of the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone and recalled more than 2 million devices, eventually causing a loss of $5.3 billion to Samsung (Lopez, 2017).

Battery-induced explosion

The reason for the Galaxy Note 7 series of explosions is that the official answer is the battery, or rather the battery supplier’s design. Unfortunately, consumers don’t see the battery in their smartphones. Samsung conducted a large-scale charge and discharge test on 200,000 smartphones and 30,000 batteries. As a result, the burn-in phenomenon caused by different reasons was found in both A and B batteries installed in Note7. The battery SDI (battery A) of the first version of Samsung Note7 is due to design reasons, causing the battery negative plate to be squeezed (Lopez, 2017) causing a short circuit between the positive and negative terminals. The second edition of the battery ATL (battery B) melted due to the manufacturing rigor, and the burr penetrated the insulating film during the soldering process (Lopez, 2017), which directly caused short-circuit fire.

SWOT Analysis

Strengths

First, Samsung’s brand awareness and brand loyalty are high and have a good international brand image (Omer, 2019). According to Choi (2014), Samsung has ranked among the top 10 in 12 major countries in its brand awareness surveys in 15 countries. According to Interbrand (2019), a New York-based global brand consultancy, the company’s brand value jumped from $32.2 billion in 2008 to $61.1 billion in 2019 and thus has maintained the number seven rank in “the world’s most valuable brand” list. Samsung is at the forefront of the IT industry and is increasingly becoming a leader in the industry, with its influence surpassing many traditional giants in the industry.

Second, Samsung’s product development and design capabilities and technology are strong (Omer, 2019). Samsung not only has strong R&D capabilities but also vertically integrated industrial integration capabilities built by its factories and are rare among global information industry giants. In 2018, Samsung Electronics won 49 IDEA design awards in the Industrial Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), including one gold, six silver, and two copper (Samsung Newsroom, 2019). These prove Samsung’s Design capabilities have reached world-class levels.

Weaknesses

First, Samsung’s market positioning is not accurate because the price of the product is far from high to high. Positioning covers high, medium, and low-end markets, and there is no focus on a single market. Although the products are rich and the customer population is broad, it also makes customers suspect the quality of the products. Secondly, although Samsung Electronics has achieved rapid development in recent years, the pressure from old-fashioned electronic operators such as Sony is still very huge. Besides, Apple is also an industry giant, and its advantages over competitors are still in short supply. Third, the lack of innovation is another shortcoming of Samsung’s smartphones. The lack of a master system and relying on an external Android system is not conducive to the long-term development of the company.

Opportunities

With the rise of the youth market, college students and white-collar markets have become Samsung’s new high-end smartphone competition. For students, smartphones have become a must-have and a luxury. And Samsung’s price positioning is suitable for students and office workers to buy without pressure. Compared to competitors Apple and other mid-range phones, Samsung’s system, and configuration are very good, so consumer satisfaction has also increased. According to Martin (2019), Samsung’s strategic partnership with software developers and online service companies is an opportunity to increase its competitive advantage.

Threats

Market changes are changing rapidly, and smartphone updates are getting faster and faster. The market has a large number of new products entering every day, which will lead to an overall decline in the price of electronic products. And the biggest threat Samsung faces is a strong competitor. High-end market competitors such as Apple, HTC, Sony Ericsson, and other smartphone manufacturers are constantly developing new products in the market, and Samsung is easily killed by strong competitors. Legal restrictions and unsupportive policies may also make Samsung’s development slow, especially in major mobile technology markets such as the US and the European Union (Martin, 2019).

Assessment and Implementation Plan

On October 11, 2016, after experiencing a battery explosion, Samsung Electronics decided to permanently stop production and sales of the Galaxy Note7 smartphone, hoping to end this most shameful event in the company’s history as soon as possible. Moreover, in order to seriously investigate the recent burning of the Note7, Samsung strengthened its quality management and decided to interrupt the production and sales of the Note7 with user safety. The findings ultimately determined that the root cause of the problem was battery design and manufacturing defects. Samsung allowed consumers who had purchased the Galaxy Note 7 smartphone to replace the new phone two weeks later and recalled a total of 2.5 million Note7 phones from 10 countries and regions including the US, South Korea, and Australia (Jeong, Wells, & Kim, 2016). However, because Note7 sold in mainland China uses a different battery supplier than other countries, Samsung feels that the battery does not pose a safety hazard. Unfortunately, China’s Samsung Note7 smartphones exploded one after another, and it was not until the seventh explosion that they took back all the Note7 smartphones sold in mainland China. After the incident, representatives of Samsung Electronics apologized to all consumers. Samsung also announced the ‘8-point battery safety test system’ to ensure the safety of mobile phone batteries in the future. It includes the Durability Test, Visual Inspection, X-Ray Test, Disassembling Test, TVOC Test, ΔOCV Test, Charge and Discharge Test and Accelerated Usage Test (Lopez, 2017). At the same time, Samsung will also adopt a multi-layered security measures agreement during the product planning phase. The agreement will enforce strict security standards for each part of the equipment, including the overall design and materials used, hardware strength and size, and new software algorithms. At the same time, it will enhance safety in terms of battery charging temperature, charging current, and charging duration.

Closing

Summary

Galaxy Note7 first bombed on August 24th in South Korea, followed by a global recall of 2.5 million units, and finally stopped production and sales and announced a full recall. In these tough 47 days, Note7 continued to explode. In the face of consumer doubts and pressure from public opinion, Samsung’s response was rather regrettable, because Samsung did not admit the mistakes at the beginning, making the whole event process full of drama. In the beginning, Korean netizens posted a picture of the explosion of the Korean version of the Samsung Note7 during charging. Samsung Electronics officially responded to the Galaxy Note7 postponing shipments because of further testing for product quality. When Samsung Electronics decided to fully recall Note7 in the Korean market, Note7 will be available for sale in the Chinese market, because the Note7 China version does not use the battery provided by the problem provider. Finally, Samsung Electronics President publicly apologized for the incident and announced that it would recall the affected 2.5 million Notes7 worldwide, and said that it will stop selling in the ten markets where Note7 has been released.

Discussion

Technology upgrades have driven the advent of the mobile Internet era, and the frequent replacement of smartphone hardware and the reduction in production costs have brought huge market growth. However, after the rapid growth in the past few years, the pace of upgrading has gradually slowed down, and market saturation has gradually increased. This has brought a certain degree of anxiety to mobile phone manufacturers. In order to save the increasingly weak growth and seize market share, the speed of launching new models has accelerated and the promotion has become even greater. As the world’s largest mobile phone maker, Samsung has a strong sense of anxiety in the face of Apple’s strong competitor. Therefore, the listing of the Note7 is considered to be the response to iphone7, grab the time to release. In order to pursue speed and market share, Samsung has led to a decline in quality control. Moreover, consumers spend more and more time on their mobile phones, and as a result, the battery is not enough. The mobile phone body is getting lighter and thinner, and the fast charging and large battery have become the industry trend. It is also under such circumstances that the safety of the battery has become a big problem, which may not be unique to Samsung in the industry. Also, Samsung’s attitude towards consumers after the accident is worthy of deep reflection, especially in China. When the quality problem first appeared, the ‘individual phenomenon’ was used as a deduction, which further aggravated the situation. However, in another product accident in China, Samsung believed that it was caused by man. Samsung not only shirks responsibility but also questions Chinese consumers. The ethical awareness of business managers is weak, neglecting the role of morality in enterprise management, and all the energy is used to capture production and economic benefits. Without the establishment of corporate values ​​and moral values, ethical violations will occur. Enterprises cannot establish a good self-image in the face of emergency events but also become a factor restricting the development of enterprises.

Recommendations

Corporate ethics and social responsibility are important parts of the healthy development of enterprises and the core content of corporate culture. Enterprises must adopt practical methods and steps to strengthen the awareness of corporate ethics and social responsibility and enable a balanced development between enterprises, society, and the economy. Regarding ethics and social responsibility as a core resource of enterprise competitiveness, enterprises should get rid of the misunderstanding of economic benefits and social responsibility conflicts as soon as possible, take the initiative to meet the challenges in the world economic integration, and quickly connect with the world to play an important role.

References

1. Choi, K. (2014). Samsung brand awareness rising. The Korea Times. Retrieved from: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/tech/2018/12/693_149983.html
2. Golson, J. (2016). Replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone catches fire on Southwest plane. The Verge. Retrieved from: https://www.theverge.com/2016/10/5/13175000/samsung-galaxy-note-7-fire-replacement-plane-battery-southwest
3. Interbrand. (2019). Samsung. Retrieved from: https://www.interbrand.com/best-brands/best-global-brands/2019/ranking/samsung/
4. Jeong, E., Wells, G., & Kim, Y. (2016). Samsung Rushes to Contain Fallout From Galaxy Note 7 Recall. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved from: https://www.wsj.com/articles/samsung-rushes-to-contain-fallout-from-galaxy-note-7-recall-1473777044
5. Lopez, M. (2017). Samsung Explains Note 7 Battery Explosions And Turns Crisis Into Opportunity. Forbes. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/maribellopez/2017/01/22/samsung-reveals-cause-of-note-7-issue-turns-crisis-into-opportunity/#6d45fe6624f1
6. Martin, V. (2019). Samsung SWOT Analysis & Recommendations. Panmure Institute. Retrieved from: http://panmore.com/samsung-swot-analysis-internal-external-factors-recommendations
7. McGrath, D. (2010). Analyst: Samsung is likely to pass Intel in ICs. EETimes. Retrieved from: https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1257223
8. Nisen, M. (2013). Samsung Has A Totally Different Strategy From Apple, And It’s Working Great. Business Insider. Retrieved from: https://www.businessinsider.com/samsung-corporate-strategy-2013-3
9. Omer, K. S. (2019). Swot Analysis Implementation’s Significance on Strategy Planning Samsung Mobile Company as an Example. Journal of Process Management. New Technologies, (1), 56.
10. Samsung. (2019). Retrieved from: https://www.samsung.com/us/
11. Samsung Newsroom. (2019). Samsung Electronics Wins 49 IDEA Design Awards. Retrieved from: https://news.samsung.com/global/samsung-electronics-wins-49-idea-design-awards
12. Samsung Security. (n.d.). Communication with Stakeholders. Retrieved from: http://www.samsungsecurities.com/csr/engagement.do?cmd=list&MenuCode=M020102
13. Velazco, C. (2013). How Samsung Got Big. TechCrunch. Retrieved from: https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/01/how-samsung-got-big/

Effect of Outsourcing of Product Distribution on Organizational Image and Performance: Case Study Of Philip Morris International

Introduction

With globalization increasing, outsourcing is a strategic tool that has attracted increased attention in recent years. Several international businesses like Phillip Morris International, Boeing, etc select outsourcing as a tool of competitive advantage.

Outsourcing could sometimes be a complex method but improper strategy and implementation would produce strong barriers to efficient firm performance. Referencing the core competence theory, this paper will investigate the firm’s outsourcing strategy style, operation model, and impact on the company’s performance.

Outsourcing has been a world trend in business for many decades. Some managers even consider it a necessary remedy for the firms. If there are corporations, there has been outsourcing too.

Economists are nearly unanimous: Outsourcing is a sensible business strategy. It improves efficiency, cuts costs, quickens product development, and allows corporations to focus on their “core competencies.” Outsourcing has helped corporations cope with the damaging forces of globalization; that’s, the intensification of competition and also the value and profit erosion related to it. For a few corporations, outsourcing has been the difference between staying in business and going out of business. But, like all business strategies, outsourcing has its own limitations and ‘unintended consequences’ that if not addressed, will flip it into a bad business strategy PMI and outsourcing PMI began operation in Nigeria in 2015 PMI first contracted out production to itx=c in 2017, then contracted out distribution to Alafia Distribution Limited in 2018. But Alafia distribution chain is performing less optimally compared to the job PML was doing.

In the deal, PML is saving on recurrent costs of distribution and supply while being able to focus more on key business processes. But in recent months due to the seeming inefficiency of Alafias distribution, PML tobacco products are saturating the market less, hence reducing the percentage of regular PMLtobacoo products that can get to their favorite brands. It has to be considered howalafias distribution methods are affecting the perception of the PML brand in the Nigerian sector. With some parties beginning to view PML like they should must local companies instead of an international business and assuming unsustainable practices would hurt their brand they should therefore take their business elsewhere.

Literature Review

2.1 Introduction

Outsourcing is common among both private and public organizations and is a major part of business strategy. Several organizations currently outsource a number of the functions they want to perform internally. Thanks to widespread outsourcing practices, it’s become a key topic in business literature. Different reasons why outsourcing is initiated are known by researchers. In this chapter, the advantages, risks, and motives of outsourcing will be discussed.

2.2 Definition of Outsourcing

There are many definitions of outsourcing viewed from a different perspective. Outsourcing Institute defines outsourcing as „The strategic use of outside resources to perform activities traditionally handled by internal staff‟[1]. Hence outsourcing is not a synonym of procurement. Lonsdale and Cox define outsourcing as the process of transferring an existing business activity, including the relevant assets, to a third party[2].

Outsourcing also may be defined as the retention of responsibility for the delivery of services by an organization but devolution of the day-to-day performance of those services to an external organization, under a contract with agreed standards, costs, and conditions[3]. Generally speaking, outsourcing is an abbreviation for “outside resource using”[4], “the significant contribution by external vendors in the physical and/or human resources associated with the entire or specific components of the IT infrastructure in the user organization”[5], “the transfer of the production of goods or services that had been performed internally to an external party”[6], “Products supplied to the multinational firm by independent suppliers from around the world and the extent of components and finished products supplied to the firm by the independent supplier (7)

Hence, from the above discussion, we may say that outsourcing is a strategic system of achieving competitive advantage by using external resources in the form of transferring functions to an organization where it excels.

2.3 Outsourcing Features

outsourcing is often confused with subcontracting and service contracts. But there are a number of factors distinguishing outsourcing from service contracts and subcontracting. They include;

• The duration of the contract is long-term for outsourcing.
• Suppliers are autonomous to perform their tasks but the scenario is different for other cases.
• Responsibilities are transferred to the external organization in outsourcing
• Transfer of employees is possible for outsourcing.
• Very close long-term relationship with the supplier for outsourcing but the typical relationship in other cases.

2.4 Outsourcing Advantages

Lonsdale & Cox categorize five main reasons why companies outsource i.e.; focus resources on core activities, cost reduction, convert fixed costs to variables, benefit from supplier‟s investment and innovation, and improve time to market. [2]

Major reasons and benefits that change in-sourcing to outsourcing is listed below

1. to enhance company focus.
2. To access world-class capabilities.
3. To accelerate reengineering benefits.
4. To share and minimize risks.
5. To free resources for alternative functions.
6. To infuse money into the organization.
7. Enable capital funds to be saved.
8. to scale back and control operational costs.

2.4.1 Case#1: Rank Xerox

Rank Xerox develops and manufactures document processing tools. In 1994 the firm outsourced its facilities management (e.g. security, catering, clean-up, and gardening) to CBX Ltd so it could better focus on its core competencies. Rank Xerox and CBX created a 5 years agreement and facilities management transferred to CBX Ltd.

Outsourcing was an element of Rank Xerox’s restructuring program, that aimed to change the company’s processes and service delivery. Rank Xerox then focused on improving its core competencies. This outsourcing strategy turned out to be successful. Rank Xerox got profit margins ranging from 5%to 62% depending on the activity. [9].

2.4.2 Case#2: Nike

Nike started as a small company that sold Japanese shoes to athletes. By the top of its 1st decade in 1972 sales has reached a lowly $2 million. Although the expansion was quite slow in the early years, the founders continued to experiment with new prototypes and performance styles. By the top of the first decade, Nike had already developed the core competencies in complete building and design, which was the premise for its forthcoming rise.

Nike set to focus totally on its core competencies and outsourced most of its production and much of its sales, distribution, and advertising. Nike created value by concentrating on that which was distinctive to them, like research and development. This strategy led to a very large, $700 million, growth of sales by the beginning of its second decade [10].

2.4.3 Case#3: Apple

When Apple developed Apple two, it decided to outsource 70 % of its processes and production. Apple knew that it couldn’t be too efficient if they created everything themselves, for instance, chips, boxes, monitors, and keyboards. It decided to focus only on the crucial things that made Apple Computers loved.

Outsourcing enabled Apple to learn from its suppliers´ R&D and technical experience, to avoid wasteful investments, and additionally to stay versatile so as to adopt new technologies as they become available. [10]

2.5 Outsourcing: Risk

Usually, outsourcing turns out to be beneficial for international businesses but risks are related to it. In an ideal world, markets would operate effectively without any friction or transaction costs.

A vast majority of the authors agree that the most relevant risks of outsourcing are: loss of critical knowledge and competence and the risk of dependency.

So the risks of outsourcing are listed below:

1. Loss of core activities and significant data
2. Loss of strategic flexibility and originality
3. Reduction in in-house technique and experience
4. Lack of provider responsiveness
5. Loss of management over choices
6. Interruptions to provide
7. Poor quality of the offer
8. A fall in worker morale

2.5.1 Case#1: IBM

IBM is a famous example of outsourcing. When IBM launched its first PC in 1981, the company decided to outsource the production of all the major components. It purchased microprocessors from Intel and operating systems from Microsoft. At the time both Microsoft and Intel were small suppliers. The main reason to outsource was IBM´s willingness to beat its main rival Apple in time to market. At first IBM´s strategy was a success. By 1985, its market share had grown to 41 %. However, soon IBM was in the face of difficulties and its outsourcing decision set the destiny of the entire industry. IBM had developed PC architecture, but it could not prevent its suppliers to create IBM-compatible PC component markets. At first, its competitors had difficulties achieving compatibility, but eventually, compatibility was widespread. Other PC manufacturers could buy microprocessors from Intel and operating system from Microsoft.

Consequently, competitive PC markets had evolved. By 1995 IBM´s market share half fell to just 7,3 %. In summary, IBM gave a possibility for Microsoft and Intel to grow into one of the largest and most successful companies in the world. [11]

IBM is a notable example of outsourcing. once IBM launched its 1st PC in 1981, the firm set to outsource the assembly of all the major parts. It purchased microprocessors from Intel and in operating systems from Microsoft. At the time each Microsoft and Intel were little suppliers. the main reason to outsource was IBM´s disposition to beat its main rival Apple in time to market. initially, IBM´s strategy was successful. By 1985, its market share had fully grown to 41%. However, before long IBM was in the face of difficulties and its outsourcing call set the destiny of the whole business. IBM had developed a laptop design, however, it couldn’t prevent its suppliers to create IBM-compatible PC part markets. At first, its competitors had difficulties attaining compatibility, however, eventually, compatibility was widespread. Other PC manufacturers could buy microprocessors from Intel and operating system from Microsoft.

Consequently, competitive PC markets had evolved. By 1995 IBM´s market share 0.5 fell to only 7,3 %. In summary, IBM gave a chance for Microsoft and Intel to grow into the biggest and most flourishing corporations in the world.

2.5.2 Case#2: Schwinn

The case of bicycle manufacturer Schwinn is a well-known example of outsourcing risks. In 1981 Schwinn set to outsource its manufacture of bicycle frames to Taiwan supplier Gaint. After six years, Gaint was ready to introduce 1st factory-made carbon fiber bicycle frame. In 2001, Gaint developed a new resonance-free suspension. these days Gaint sells with success products under its own brand. Gaint absorbed crucial know-how and privileged technology from Schwinn. In summary, Schwinn outsourced activities simply to see Giant emerge as one of its toughest competitors.[12]

Case#3: GE

The case of GE illustrates how suppliers will acquire crucial learning opportunities. Its decision to outsource turned out to be fatal. in the early 1980s, GE outsourced the assembly of a number of its kitchen appliance models to Samsung. At the time Samsung was a little unknown company. However, GE became before long deeply dependent on Samsung. Samsung was ready to rescale its production and engineering to levels that might not otherwise be possible. As a result, Samsung became one of the biggest consumer appliance makers. [10]

3. Organisational Image

Since the early twentieth century, organizations such as Shell, Mercedes-Benz, and Michelin have harnessed the power of their visual brand identities to communicate their values to key audiences. But organizations communicate in more ways than through logos or visuals. Within this chapter, we explore the related elements of image, reputation, identity, and personality that make up the total communications of an organization.

Organizational image can be defined as the impression perceived by an individual of an organization at one moment in time. Organizational image can change from individual to individual and also throughout time.

How organizations influence their image

• advertising
• community relations
• corporate colors and designs
• direct marketing
• events
• financial communications
• lobbying
• media relations
• newsletters
• personal selling
• relationship marketing
• sales promotion
• sponsorship
• staff training
• staff uniforms.

Marketing and Outsourcing

Managing marketing performance prioritizes the optimum use of resources (financial and human) to current market requirements. Planning for today focuses on shaping up the business to meet the needs of today’s customers with excellence. Planning for today requires an organization that mirrors current business opportunities. Abell (1999). Organizations now strive to be lean and fast-moving.

Now organizations are outsourcing central functions to their business success, as well as routine activities where there is an advantage in doing. For example, pharmaceutical companies regularly outsource R&D to Contract Research Organizations (CROs). This market was worth $9.3 billion in 2001(Reuters Business Insight, 2002).

Initially, marketers survived the threat of outsourcing because they added intellectual expertise. Now, they need to add more ‘intellectual capital. It is critical that they understand the role of distribution, data integration, forecasting, and branding, and have strong customer communications. Marketers now need to use knowledge for competitive advantage. The core marketing knowledge exists throughout the developing nations, but currently, few understand the management of marketing performance.

4. Outsourcing & Organisational image

4.1 Introduction

Outsourcing is a common practice among organizations and is a major element in business strategy. The primary question is to choose appropriate activities for outsourcing which leads to a make-or-buy strategy. Make-or-buy decisions are normally considered as strategic decisions. However, there are many factors influencing the make-or-buy decisions such as quality, delivery performance, cost, flexibility, and innovation. A good decision on buy or make could be made through investigating the available resources. Many researchers analyzed make-or-buy decision-making based on a resource viewpoint where the decision is made by focusing on the firm’s resources. In this chapter, I will discuss the influence of core competence thinking on outsourcing decisions or anything else.

4.4 A process for outsourcing Considering Core Competence

Many organizations have rushed into outsourcing and many of them regretted it. Sometimes those who advocate processes that take time and cost money before making a decision are ridiculed as being over-cautious.

Impact of Outsourcing on Company Performance: Study on a Local Public Limited Company in Bangladesh. Mike Fogg has cited six stage process for outsourcing [3]. A process for outsourcing must include the flowing steps.

Fig-4.9: Outsourcing Process

4.4.1 Strategic Analysis

The first step of the process identification of core competence. Hamel and Prahalad give three tests to see whether competencies are true core competencies[19]:

1. Relevance: Firstly, competence must give your customer something that strongly influences him or her to choose your product or service. If it does not, then it has no effect on your competitive position and is not a core competence.
2. The difficulty of Imitation: Secondly, the core competence should be difficult to imitate. This allows you to provide products that are better than those of your competition. And because you‟re continually working to improve these skills, means that you can sustain your competitive position.

• Strategic Analysis
• Selection of target Area
• Specification of requirement
• Implementation and Review
• Supplier selection
• Ongoing Relationship Management
• Impact of Outsourcing on Company Performance: Study on a Local Public Limited Company in Bangladesh.

1. 3. Breadth of Application: Thirdly, it should be something that opens up a good number of potential markets. If it only opens up a few small, niche markets, then success in these markets will not be enough to sustain significant growth.

This gets to the heart of the organization and must involve key stakeholders.

4.4.2 Selection of target areas

Once the core areas are identified and ring-fenced, areas of the business which form a target for outsourcing must be identified. Again this must involve key stakeholders. For each target area, this process will involve[3]

• A supply positioning analysis, with particulars emphasis on the risk
• An assessment of the extent to which the problems in the target area can be corrected before outsourcing
• Understanding whether a better return on investment can be obtained from retaining in-house or outsourcers
• A clear understanding of the objectives of the outsourcing projects
• A clear plan of the project including stakeholder involvement and sign-off
• A clear statement of how and where this area interfaces with the core process
• Considering other options like internal SLAs, JVC
• Considering the financial, tax, and legal implications of all options against the status quo
• Communication to members of the organizations impacted by the process
• Developing a business case may be the vehicle that encompasses this information.

4.4.3 Specification of the Requirement

The specification is the statement of needs or what an organization actually wants. There should have a reflection of the current scenario. The specification must:[3]

• Be clear and unambiguous
• Include measurable performance criteria of the level of KPI

Impact of Outsourcing on Company Performance: Study on a Local Public Limited Company in Bangladesh.

• Recognize any remaining problems and highlight them
• Describe the relationship sought with the supplier
• Reflect issues like confidentiality and security
• Identify licensing issues and contract assignments necessary as part of the outsourcing contract
• Consider the terms and conditions of the contract

4.4.4 Supplier selection

Supplier selection must be rigorous and include a supplier appraisal, a tender process or alternative negotiation based upon the specification, due diligence concerning the supplier, and result in a business case that demonstrates clear benefits to the purchasing organization before the outsourcing projects go ahead. Factors that need to be considered are:[3]

1. A supplier preferencing and market management matrix analysis
2. Whether the market will be interested in this requirement
3. Sharing any outstanding problems with the potential supplier
4. Assessing the cultural fit between the two organizations
5. Sharing sufficient information with the supplier to enable them to make their best offers
6. A site survey by supplier and discussion with users
7. Selection criteria are not based only on price but also on other factors
8. Appropriate terms and conditions and the means of termination

4.4.5 Implementation and Review

Implementation of the contract may take a few months. Communication internally is vital, particularly to people impacted by the change, and joint working parties need to be established with suppliers to discuss:[3]

• Contract management processes, including meetings, reporting, and escalation process
• Handover planning

Impact of Outsourcing on Company Performance: Study on a Local Public Limited Company in Bangladesh.

• Changes in working practice
• Changes of procedures
• Status of the projects that will be live across the boundary of the outsourcing
• Linkages with other areas of the business and other suppliers

It is vital that communication channels remain open between the people managing the contract of both organizations. At the end of the process, it is essential for both organizations to review the process.

4.4.6 Ongoing relationship Management

The key to a successful ongoing relationship is the ability to alter them as the true extent and scope of the work required to emerge. To enable effective relationship management many firms operate with an alliance board and alliance team structure. Most firms with successful outsourcing relationships are better at managing relationships at three levels.

Impact of Outsourcing on Company Performance: Study on a Local Public Limited Company in Bangladesh.

There is a debate over the question of whether companies should use adversarial or partnership relationships. However, some guidance is provided by Leavy[28]. He points out that having the right mix of relationships seems to be the most successful strategy. However, the question remains what type of relationship should be used for each outsourced activity? Selecting the right relationship is a decision that depends on many factors like the company‟s competitive positioning, value proposition, flexibility needs, needs of control, supplier capabilities, the criticality of activity, asset specificity, and a number of available suppliers.

If outsourced activity is critical, a partnership relationship may be more advisable. On the other hand, for peripherals activities, adversarial relationships may be more appropriate. If the main motive for outsourcing is access to the supplier‟s technology, the partnership might be preferable. So the relationship depends on the context. One relationship style is not feasible for all cases of outsourcing.

Walmart Inc. Case Study

Background and history of Walmart Inc.

The American Multinational retail store Walmart was founded by Sam Walton who has prior Joined the military in 1942 at the age of 24. In the year of 1945 after their military service ended, he started operating his own variety store. Sam was inspired by the success of his dime store, he got the courage to keep satisfying his customer’s needs. (Walmart, n.d.)

At the age of 44, Sam opened the first Walmart Discount store in Rogers, Arkansas in 1962.

The Walton family launched more than 20 stores in 1967, with a revenue of $ 12.7 million in sales. The firm started incorporating as Wal-Mart, Inc. in 1969, it has listed for the first in New York Stock Exchange in 1972 with 51 stores with records of $78 million in sales. (Walmart, n.d.)

Sam Walton Died in 1992, but his legacy lives on. Walmart has grown to an unbelievable level. It has an operating stores in more than 15 countries. (Success Story, n.d.)

Sam surrounded himself with the people he trust, the people who have ideas and weren’t afraid to take a risk and bring those ideas to life. (Walmart, n.d.)

In 2013, Doug McMillan become the president and CEO of Walmart till date, after more than 20 years of expertise, and the experience he gained in the industry since 1991 when he was an MBA student at the University of Tulsa. (Success Story, n.d.)

Recently in 2018, the company introduced a new name, Walmart Inc. to replace the name Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (Walmart, n.d.).

Walmart, Inc. has been through many challenges of the new entrants, and new competitors in the industry, but still the company has been performing well and sustaining its position in the global markets. The answers of the questions given below show the life cycle of Walmart.

Q1. How well is Walmart performing? To what extent its performance is attributable to industry attractiveness and to what extent to competitive advantage?

Porter’s Five Forces

These forces were created in 1979 by M. porter for the purpose of understanding the key competencies and effectiveness in the industry The five forces are (Jurevicius, 2013)

• Industry rivalry
• Power of buyers
• Threat of Substitutes
• Threat of Entry

Power of suppliers

These five forces define the framework of the firm and the competition level in the industry. When the competition is strong in an industry the profit will be less, an industry with fewer obstructions to entry and a small number of buyers and suppliers, and with more sub-goods and competitors, is likely to be a competitive industry. But not attractive because of its low profit. (Jurevicius, 2013)

Industry rivalry

Walmart sells its products at a very less price, in various retail outlets.

the company can outline strong rivalry among the present competitors in discount, variety stores by:

1. Creating a potential differentiation
2. Build a scale to have better competition.
3. Joining with competitors to improve the market instead of competing for a small market. (Fern Fort University, n.d.)

Bargaining Power of Buyers

This has impacted the company’s profitability. The more small and powerful the consumer base is at Walmart, the higher the haggling power of the customer and the capacity to look for offers. Walmart can also handle this by: (Fern Fort University, n.d.)

Building a major foundation of consumers. Will help in decreasing the power of buyers in haggling, and will open opportunities to the company to organize sales and production.

Rapidly innovating new products. Consumers sometimes ask for price reductions and offer on produced goods so the company continues launching the latest products to decrease such haggling of buyers.

New products help decrease the bounce of present consumers of Walmart (Fern Fort University, n.d.)

Bargaining power of Suppliers

There are many suppliers in the industry. Walmart explores the weakness of suppliers from the fowling factors:

1. The huge number of suppliers.
2. High availability of supply
3. Tough competition among suppliers

These forces consider the huge number of distributors as having interest potential to impact the company.

Threat of Entry

The American retail online store Walmart should strongly compile the new entrants. The retailer which are still in the growing stage or small ones, are also competing based on place, convenience, expertise, and other factors. This five forces analysis broke down under the following factors: (Greenspan, 2018)

1. Make the cost of developing the brand medium.
2. Decrease the business cost.
3. Medium cost of capital.

Developing a new brand is costly, but some big start-up businesses have the resources which help to raise their brand name.

This case shows the medium or moderate force of Walmart. Such as the costs of starting a new retail company and also the cost of running it are down to medium. (Greenspan, 2018)

Threat of Substitutes

Walmart, Inc. provides various types of goods and services which have few substitutes. The weak threat of substitutes of Walmart is under the following external imposes.

1. Moderate availability of substitutes
2. Low variety of substitutes
3. High cost of substitutes

Some of Walmart’s substitute products are available. However it is not easy for consumers of low variety substitutes to leave such available products in the retails like Walmart, Inc. (Greenspan, 2018)

Competitive advantage.

It is defined in terms of high or low cost, technical innovation, design leadership, and efficiency. It is the operation of a managerial plan based on organizational learning, and strategic flexibility. (Anuradha & Aradhana, 2006)

Walmart’s in stores and online grocery sales

More than 55% of American shoppers of grocery have been buying from Walmart in the last three months

The American firm has improved its channels to increase the competition from Amazon and other retailers

Walmart’s shoppers from online groceries are given a low price. It provides a good brand selection. (Schmidt, 2018)

Walmart’s offerings and its financial services.

Apart from being a grocery leader is terms of selling. The firm does also provide a wide discipline to serve its customers in term of financial services.

These services generate of about $1.6 billion. This amount is excluded Walmart’s revenue made but its partners, Synchrony Financial, Green Dot, Jackson Hewitt, and MoneyGram.These partners play a big role in Walmart’s financial service.(Schmidt, 2018)

Customers buy pet products.

This is one of the areas that Walmart shines. Most of the consumers who own pets buy from Walmart more than another retail store, with over 65 million pet-owning households in the U.S.A. and more than 40 million stores at Walmart, Inc. Walmart has enough competitors, ( Costco and Kroger) the two competitors combined customer base of over 30 million pet owning. But most of the customers purchase pet products from Walmart. The price strategy, convenience, and brand selection were top considerations for consumers to draw so many pets from Walmart. (Schmidt, 2018)

Q2. In which of Walmart’s principal functions and activities (namely: purchasing, distribution and warehousing, in-store operations, marketing, IT, HRM, and organization and management systems/style) do its main competitive advantages lie? Your answer should identify the distinctive resources and capabilities in each of these functions and activities.

Distribution

This is one of the biggest strengths of Walmart, it offers stores in various forms to serve its consumers. The firm has discount stores, supercentres, neighborhood markets, club stores, and cash-n-carry stores. In 2011, Walmart launched more than 8950 in the world. It included 4,413 stores in America and other stores in 14 countries namely Argentina 63, Brazil 403, Canada 325, Chile 277, Costa Rica 189, El Salvador 78, Guatemala 173, Honduras 56, Japan 371, Mexico 1256, Nicaragua 60, and UK 385. With this wide network of distribution strategy facilities, the company gained additional revenue and profit. (Andrew Fanno, 2012)

Marketing

Marketing is defined as the process of achieving Organizational objectives by identifying the requirement and wants of the target market and satisfying them by providing their demands better than competitors do (Armstrong, 2010)

Segmentation is a process that determines the different needs of the sub-consumers strategy. Walmart uses psychographic and demographic segmentation strategies. (Bhasin, 2017)

Operation

Walmart competes globally in different retail stores. Such as supermarkets and pop and mom’s stores. The active retail industry leads towards competition and opportunities, it is being affected by many factors such as migration of people, and the emergence of e-commerce firms delivering anything at the doorstep, this increases the bargaining power of consumers and suppliers also government rules to keep the competition. (Bhasin, 2017)

Information Technology

The Company has been a leader in IT supply systems. This system helps Walmart and its suppliers to have worthy information on customer tendencies.

The IT help Walmart ensure inventory instantly and with little to on human error, it has also provided good coordination between the firm and its suppliers.

Walmart has used the system of Pint of sales (POS) to help supply chain management. POS also helps employees track ongoing sales. This IT system has decreased the hardworking of the employees and keeps more stock for their customers. (UKEssays, 2016)

Human Resources Management

HRM is the strategic and strong path to the management of any Organization’s most valued assets_ the stakeholders who contribute to the achievement of the goals of the business.

HRM will help provide fair competition and good environment, and perspective teamwork.

Walmart has more than 1.5 million associates to work, hence HRM plays a very important role in the organization. (UKEssays, 2016)

Motivation

Motivation is one of the main functions of human resource managers, to motivate it stakeholders, and provide a comfortable environment. Every stakeholder in Walmart wears a staff card which has no name, even CEO put on the same card, this shows that there is no discrimination between the staff. (Thompson, 2018)

Recruitment

The HRM recruitment and selection strategy of employees of Walmart has a different source of new hires. The recruitment aspect of the company has a decentralized system that used local information as a basic process for hiring. Most of the staff are basically the people residing in the area where Walmart operates. Walmart has different types of recruitment such; as online, direct, and through Educational centers. This system of recruitment brings employees from different backgrounds. (Thompson, 2018)

Q3. To what extent is Walmart’s competitive advantage sustainable?

Competitive advantage is a process of the manager to keep making money, provide various goods and products and sustain its position in the market against its competitors.

Walmart Inc. has achieved sustainable competitive advantages in the retail sector over a period of time. (Bartleby Writing, 2010)

Walmart is widely using backward expansion to sustain its global reach. Walmart is familiar with small entering, in rural areas and saturates the area before entering large cities. Walmart has a plan to develop its infrastructure and acquisition of the present buildings. In the global market, the firm has tried to correspond to the culture of local traditions. Walmart recruits the resident of the area they are operating in to manage the stores for the purpose of decreasing the gaps between the locals. The main difference of Walmart is its own supply chain which makes it also have a larger bargaining power than suppliers. (Bartleby Writing, 2018)

Supply chain: This is the process that gives an organization various sustainable competitive advantages, which include low cost of the products, reduced inventory carrying cost, improving variety selection in the store, at a highly competitive price to the customers. This strategy has also helped the firm have control of the market. (Lu, 2018)

The main competitive advantage of Walmart is its pricing strategy. However, the strategic level management regularly tries to combine Walmart with its pricing strategy

Doug McMillion introduced important changes in Walmart’s business strategy in the following three directions:

1. Walmart has announced $ one billion investment in the U.S.A. in 2015 to increase the wages of the associates, train them more and raise the opportunities to build a career with the company. Improving groceries. Due to the increasing level of health consciousness of consumers, Walmart is attempting to increase its range of organic options and fresh produce. This change is more evident in the US market and it is being actively integrated into the marketing communication message of the brand. (Dudovskiy, 2016)
2. Walmart is planning to amalgamate its physical stores with online stores. Customers can get orders from physical retail outlets, there is also a reminder text from the pharmacy. Generally, the competitive advantage of Walmart can be sustainable in the international market in long term scene. “We buy and & operate for less” this program saves Walmart more than $ 145 million in China. In order to gain profit and be sustainable, the company can also repeat this strategy in other markets. (Dudovskiy, 2016)

Q4. What challenges does Walmart currently face and what measures does it need to take to sustain its recent performance and defend against competitive (and other) threats?

Walmart, Inc. has sustained its position in the retail industry for many, but the competitors in the retail industry are also the biggest challenge that is faces the company.

Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN)

Amazon is the main strong competitor of Walmart. Amazon has the ability to reduce the prices of Walmart, the main issue for Walmart is that Amazon steals the most affluent shoppers, when the main consumers are stacked for cash they have been obstetrics. Walmart has realized the challenges but counting it will take some years. (Daniel, 2016)

Price pressure

Walmart’s strategy of price cutting is successfully moving. In the pricing survey conducted by Kantar Retail in the southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts area, Dollar General’s basket of 21 categories across staples was 12 cents cheaper at $28.70 than at Walmart. In the previous year, Dollar General was 18 percent cheaper. Amazon’s prices on a basket of 59 items were actually 7 percent more expensive than Walmart.com and 16 percent pricier than at its supercentres. (Daniel, 2016)

Changing Shopping Habits

In the 1990s, Walmart establishes a large number of supercentres, but the demand for physical stores has been increasing as Americans want pickup locations after finishing online research of goods. They can also view the products online according to their places so that they can go and pick them up quickly. Walmart has 80% or more than 4000 stores in U.S. other competitive retailers open small stores to serve the consumers or shoppers to find more goods. Walmart has now established over 280 mini-stores in the current financial year. (D’innocenzio, 2014)

At the same time, Walmart is improving its e-commerce, It is testing online grocery delivery. Walmart has increased its online sales item to over 6 million. Which helped the firm increase its global sales by 30 % to more than $10 Billion for the new financial year. The number of items that Walmart sells online has now increased to 7 million. (D’innocenzio, 2014)

Embrace the Future (Voice Activated)

Walmart’s competitor Amazon has been keeping to low investment into the portfolio of its IT system voice-controlled Echo. Besides Walmart is cooperating with Google Home on the same effect. Which makes a good profit for the company, Lore said. “It’s important to look at not just the technology but what it enables.

“Voice means one best answer is going to be more important than it ever has before because you can’t just get a list of 50 or 100 different things through voice. Having that one-to-one personalization and being really good at it is going to separate the winners from the losers.” (Nusca, 2017)

Make Targeted, Tuck in Acquisitions, and Empower Employees

Lore said the company’s aggressive e-commerce shopping spree included Bonobos, Moosejaw, Shoe Buy, and Mod Cloth. “With respect to the first, it’s really about trying to accelerate growth on the existing site and it’s more of an asset purchase than anything else. It’s not really as much about ROI on the site that we acquired as much as what it can do on Walmart and Jet. The other one…it’s really about thinking into the future.” (Nusca, 2017)

Lore also said that we need to ensure our employees or people are part of the firm’s family and are acknowledged by informing them about the company’s information, there must be also trust between them, empower them, give them space to work and ensure them that they will be awarded for the risk they are taking. Such is the kind of environment and the behaviors which create an ethical and attractive organization. (Nusca, 2017)

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Youth Culture and Media: Case Study

Youth Culture is the way adolescents live and the norms, values and practices they share. In this case study, I will explain the growth of youth culture during the 1950s and 1960s.

In this particular time a true awakening of youth culture was about to be taking place.

A time of discovery between generations and the difference how the youth culture dramatically was changing. A decade marred by social unrest, civil rights injustice, the rise of the working class, rebellion and separation from other generations. This case study will focus on how the young people of this generation started something different, from the jobs they worked to the products they bought, the music they listened to and more. This time was such a separation from other generations and will explore the reasons why and how it affected others, the youth themselves and how it shaped a new wave culture.

‘A development as a commodity and an industry from the turn of the last century to its current driving force in the global economy. Fusing film, music, literature, diaries, fashion, and art, this epic cultural history is an astonishing and surprising chronicle of modern life sure to appeal to pop culture fans, social history buffs, and anyone who has ever been a teenager.’ -Jon Savage (Teenage: The Creation of Youth Culture)

During World War II many people delayed starting a family, so once the war ended the number of marriages and births soared. This increased in births among young and older couples which created the baby boomer generation. While happy new families were celebrating, the economy was about to take a turn and change, including production since the population was growing and the workforce was expanding. When the baby boomers began entering the workforce, they increased the size of the labour markets. Historians have used the word boom to describe many aspects during the 1950s. The economy was booming, goods like cars were being bought more and workers making more money booming with income. Rates of unemployment and inflation were low, and wages were high. So the middle class had more money to spend than ever before. Because the variety and availability of consumer goods expanded along with the economy, they also had more things to buy.

This is the start of the growth of the youth and how they were gaining more freedom and separation from other generations before. When there are many options for a young person to gain more freedom, they will take it and go. For example, many young people were working factory jobs instead of attending schools, and gaining more money in the moment, therefore the market was in high demand of factory workers, construction and so forth.

All of these components set the tone for the perceptions of the entire decade. The six decades which elapsed have seen more advances impacting on our lives than any comparable period of history. Many of the developments which influenced the way we live now were set in motion in the years following the war and it was important for the youth at this time to truly understand and express who they really were. One of the factors that caused the growth of how the youth of the 50s were changing was media and television. This had a major impact, since previous generations didn’t gave access to televisions, just radio and what was broadcasted was limited.

In August 1957, teenagers across the US would rush home every day after school and turn on their television set, if their parents allowed them to watch that is, they started to watch teenagers dance on television. It was called American Bandstand. The first national daily television program aimed just to teenagers. Philadelphia where the show was filmed at, emerged as the epicenter of the national youth culture. The show would broadcast nationally every afternoon from 1957-1964 and featured performers by the biggest names in rock and roll. For the millions of young people across the country who watched and danced along in their living rooms, these American Bandstand youth helped to shape the image of what teenagers looked like. More than fifty years of after the show first broadcast, American Bandstand’s repetition of youth culture remained closely linked to the legacy of the show and also to further questions such as race, serration and civil rights.

In August 1957, teenagers across the US would rush home every day after school and turn on their television set, if their parents allowed them to watch that is, they started to watch teenagers dance on television. It was called American Bandstand. The first national daily television program aimed just to teenagers. Philadelphia where the show was filmed at, emerged as the epicenter of the national youth culture. The show would broadcast nationally every afternoon from 1957-1964 and featured performers by the biggest names in rock and roll. For the millions of young people across the country who watched and danced along in their living rooms, these American Bandstand youth helped to shape the image of what teenagers looked like. More than fifty years of after the show first broadcast, American Bandstand’s repetition of youth culture remained closely linked to the legacy of the show and also to further questions such as race, serration and civil rights. Billboard magazine journalist Fred Bronson, for example, argues that American Bandstand was a “force for social good”. Bronson based this claim on Dick Clark’s memory that he integrated the shows studio audience when he became the show’s host in 1957. “I don’t think of myself as a hero or civil rights activist for integrating the show”, Clark contents, “it was simply the right thing to do.” In the context of local and national mobilization in favour of segregation which was an issue during the 50s/60s era. But this teenage show was already causing stir with the dancing and rebellion for its time. So the show did not broadcast people of colour on the show, it continued to discriminate against black teens. The real story of this television dance show in the post war era is much more complicated than the host, Dick Clark suggests. It requires understanding not only how the show influenced and was influenced by racial discrimination and civil rights activism in the city’s neighborhood and schools. This show also used television production strategies to construct an image of national youth culture and encourage viewers and advertisers to see the show as the centre of this imagined community and new wave generation. As the television program that helped define teenage identity for a generation, American Bandstand is remembered by millions of people in the United States and internationally is viewed as a powerful symbol of an era in American culture.

Another key factor in the growth of this generation was fashion and how it was dramatically changing. The 1950s marked change in fashion and nothing would be the same again. The change came faster than hits on the pop charts. The fashion was emerging from behind closed doors of the gilded salons. The exclusive pre-serve of the rich and titled and was bursting onto the street. Customers of all ages, but mainly the youth and teenagers were embracing the new trends. The younger generation was finding their voices, began to use clothes to express themselves, exploring fashion power as a symbol of identity, a mark of belonging and of difference. Defining the generation gap was becoming big business for the marketing men and fashion was one of their most effective tools. During this time, fashion magazines were at an all-time high, in demand and selling off the stands. Popular newspapers were no longer complete without a fashion desk, a fashion editor and a regular fashion deadline, as a result, trends became dynamic engines driving sales. The fashion world didn’t get press like this in previous years, so this was defiantly something different. New easy care fabrics and system of mass production coupled and loads of young people wanting to be the best dressed in town. One popular example the youth of the 50s created was the British rockabilly style, 1957, the skirt of the gingham dress would have been held out with layers of net petticoat, a style some young girls would wear to a dance hall. In 1951 a popular dress that included rounded hip and shoulder lines, tiny waist, and high bust line are achieved with a short, fitted jacket atop a voluminous skirt. Teens in the 50s started to dress more ‘inappropriately’ some might say, but it wasn’t, it was just completely different from the previous generations before.

Young girls started to wear pants, and shorter skirts and go out dancing all night to rock and roll. Teenage boys had a little more freedom to be casual, wearing dungarees (or jeans) in the style James Dean and Marlon Brando, popular screen actors of the day. The 1950s marked the first decade that teenagers were called teenagers, and companies increased their marketing of clothing to that demographic.

In May 1950 clothing rationing ceased in Britain, almost exactly four years after the Second World War officially ended in Europe. Teens made themselves known. A flurry of consumer goods denied to war torn Europe were available and a consumer boom was actively encouraged. It was intended to offer equal shopping opportunity, ensuring everyone, rich or poor alike, meaning the young kids of this era could wear top quality clothes and have more freedom and options on dressing the part of the new generation trends.

Young girls started to wear petticoats under gathered skirts and paired with cardigan sweaters and bobby socks with saddle shoes or low heels. For the teenage boys, the Teddy Boy style, as discussed in one module reflection, was mainly ‘British subculture typified by young men wearing clothes that were partly inspired by the styles worn by dandies in the Edwardian period, which Savile Row tailors had attempted to re-introduce in Britain after the Second World War.” These Teddy boy teens were also known for being a rebellious side effect to the introduction to rock and roll music. This statement came from many older people commenting on the style, which was the previous generation, hence the growth of these teens starting something new. The Teddy boy attire was in fact a new clean cut and trendy start, an Edwardian era mixed with rock and roll. Most young men in this era adopted this look and it caught on as the popular look for youthful men in the 1950s in Britain and America.

‘These single young people with cash from paid work soon had their own fashions, own music, own cafes, own milk bars and by the end of the decade even their own transport in the form of fuelled scooters. Teenagers suddenly dominated style in clothes, a generation gap began to emerge between parents and teen offspring. It seemed almost unholy at the time and was viewed as rebellious, but compared to later anti-fashion and anarchic movements it was all rather innocent.’

The growth of the youth in the 1950s didn’t just stop at fashion and music, it also became another form of freedom from inside their own homes. The teen bedroom is where media and identity intersect. Since young girls and boys were gaining more freedom and independence outside they started gaining it from the inside of their homes too. They started to spend more time in their bedrooms, listening to records, gossiping about the opposite sex, planning fun freedom nights out and so forth. This was known as ‘bedroom culture. The teens and young people in the 50s started this cultural trend that still exists today. It tends to be home centered, the generation who started more time doing leisure activities and having time to sit and enjoy music and just talking. Both boys and girls during this time partake in bedroom culture. An atmosphere of fun, freedom and evolution of youth culture soundtrack. The bedroom becomes the site of gender production and represents an attempt to create privacy, which was particularly important to this generation. The new type of atmosphere was surprising and shocking by their parents, the older, and quite a different generation previous to these youngsters of this time. Before the bedroom culture, most teens would spend time in the family room, and kitchen with the family. They would listen to the radio, read, tell stories, play cards and so forth with members of their family. The new teens broke this conservative trend of family time, mainly when everyone was done with dinner or on the weekends, and they started spending their time alone, or with friends in their own space, their bedroom. This was just another factor how freedom for young people was growing during this era.

Another look into this new trend, which was founded by, Angela McRobie, who developed this theory of bedroom culture, the look of teens and the private space that is theirs which offers needs for freedom, entertainment and communication. McRobbie explained “it was introduced after the war, as girls were seen to be more focused on remaining home, being a mum and marriage than her brother or male peers. More time was spent in the home, because of their domestic orientation, which involved engaged in consumer products that might improve their appearance and enjoying entertainment, music or books with girlfriends.” This was just one form of example on how the youthful generation spent their free time.” (Mcrobbie) Whether the girls were going out on dates or staying at home, bedroom culture still expressed individual freedom and expressing yourself in the privacy of your own space.

Boeing Executive Essay

Bombardier’s C-series was looked at as a huge risk to the organization’s future reputation and Financial stability. It was compared to what Boeing had created in the 1960s (the 747) and the problems that the company had gone through and the almost bankruptcy of that company.

What kicked started the initiative for a brighter future for Bombardier was the hiring of a former Boeing executive to analyze the marketing and see if there was a possibility of creating a new series of plans to penetrate the market and intrigue already existing customers in the aviation industry to buy these new planes and create a threat for already existing competitors of the market (those being Airbus, Boeing. And many others). As it was analyzed they learned that what they had planned for the C-series was 10% better than anything in the market it looked good to the organization to start furthering plans.

Bombardier realized and held on to the idea of becoming one of the “bigger corporations in the international market” as they realized most airlines everywhere were stuck using older model planes that were not as environmentally friendly, couldn’t hold as many passengers, and used a lot of gas. Bombardier realized that the idea of the C-series was a high-risk project but in the end, being an innovative product in the industry. Many investors see this as an unreachable goal to create multiple plans when a company has limited resources to support this plan. Management stated that “they had enough funds to see through the C-series all the way to the production of this innovative idea” But with technology demands not being yet met in the world they decided to shelve it a few years after in 2006.

Years later when they realized that technology that met the plans for the C-series with being made or in the process of being tested they brought the project back to be the main focus of the organization. With this, they released the idea in 2008 that in 5 years they could launch the C-series and it would be enough time to meet the desired needs to complete the project that they saw and a new set of standards in the industry. This was the first maiden flight in 2013. This creates interest in many potential investors and customers. Many see this as an interesting step in the aviation industry but wonder if Bombardier was up to the challenge of meeting the organization’s goal for the C-series, that they stated at the conferences. After a few years after the original launch of the C-series plans they had barely met their goal only getting close to 90 orders. Showing that even though there was a large interest in the plan, not many businesses were willing enough to order it. They lacked the sales/marketing team that many others had to push the products they sold. Some see the change of Bombardier being a “Going Concern” and not being able to service these planes at a later date after being sold to customers.

As time went on contracts to have a certain number of planes met for many different airlines came in. Reaching 243 orders which was almost meeting their goal of 300 orders by the time the plane was ready to meet production standards and shipped out.

During the process of engineering the plane and meeting the financial level of funding needed to make this project happen bombardier met a lot of problems. Some being unforeseen and unpredictable. The financial crisis back in 2007-2008 created the problem of companies not willing to spend the money for new planes and the large drop in oil prices the idea they had of a more fuel-efficient engine meant nothing to potential customers and the fact that competing companies learned of the planes and did everything within their power to entice customers to come back to their organizations and loyal customers with different incentives to push the future sales that bombardier had secure to lower numbers.

Suppliers not communicating with each made it harder for them to meet the goal they had set for their cost of the C-series and having to bring back production of the fuselage from China (making the money spent there a sunk cost). This led to the over-budgeted amount for the C-series by 9 million and receiving a bailout from the Quebec government of 2.5 billion to keep the business from going under. Leading to a new CEO taking over to try and manage/turn around the situation created by past management.

Over time Bombardier realized that the task of completing the C-series on time would not be able to be met and started having problems meeting goals for the first flight in 2013 being pushed back year after year till 2016. While also not knowing if 108 of their orders could be finished in time, due to delay, a company needs and could lead to cancellations from those customers 

Essay on Coca-Cola Diversity Case Study

The Coca-Cola Company is an American-based multinational firm founded in 1892 and was first set up in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. It all started with its famous and widely known product Coca-Cola, which was originated by an Atlanta pharmacist, John Stith Pemberton in the year 1886. The drink Coca-Cola got its name from its two main ingredients, coca leaves and kola nuts. Later Asa Griggs Candler, an Atlanta businessman, fully bought the company in 1892 and after his takeover, the distribution expanded beyond Atlanta (Essays, UK, 2018).

Robert Woodruff bought the company afterward, he was the most long-term owner of the company who also expanded it all over the world (Kuisel, 1991). Coca-Cola gained a lot of fame all over the world mainly during World War 2 when Woodruff instructed that Coca-Cola should reach every soldier, no matter what country they belong to, that’s when they expanded the most (Coca-Cola Company, 2012). Today Coca-Cola Company is a manufacturer, retailer, and marketer of beverages. From selling their one brand, they now have many like Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Sprite, Limca, Fanta, Dasani Water, Honest Tea, Schweppes, Minute Maid, and many more (Coca-Cola products, 2019). Today they sell around 4,100 products to over 200 countries and are one of the leading beverage companies (Coca-Cola Company, n.d.). Coca-Cola is one of the top multinational organizations with having their red and white logo recognized by 94% of the population worldwide. The brand is associated with happiness with their most famous tagline being ‘Open Happiness’ (Coca-Cola Infographic, n.d.).

The advertising done by the Coca-Cola company had a major role to play altogether in promoting its products as they relate it to sports, quenching thirst, pulpy juices, diet, or sugar-free soft drinks.

Coca-Cola is a very diverse business organization they create a friendly and sociable environment for their employees which helps them better in development, exchanging ideas, and sharing their talents with one another. They are diverse in both, the marketplace and workplace (Coca-Cola Diversity Mission,2018).

The major problem that Coca-Cola faced was having a high content of sugar in their product which led to high calorie intakes and eventually contributed to obesity in people. Even though Coca-Cola was not the only reason behind people’s obesity or overweight issues, because of having a 50 percent carbonated drink market worldwide, it was the top-most organization responsible for the concern (Statista, 2015).

Coca-Cola contains high levels of sugar content which is not good for our health or our teeth. Coca-Cola, being most loved by youngsters and children was another bad sign as they were the ones dealing with the maximum obesity rate, as they were into eating fast food and consuming maximum amounts of sugary beverages in the United States; Coca-Cola was most sold at fast food chains (Gwyther, 2015).

Drinking soda-based or sugary drinks was highly discouraged back then and even today. It was only then that Michelle Obama started a ‘Drink Up’ campaign in the United States of America for all youngsters and adults, the motive being to drink more water than beverages with high amounts of sugar and soda content (Rhodan, 2014).

The United States of America was and is still dealing with a high percentage of obesity in people, the campaign’s main objective was to promote healthy drinking choices, like water. “I am confident that in the coming months and years, we will see people across the country drinking more and more water,” said Michelle Obama.

There was also a case of a lady named Gladys Escola, where a Coca-Cola bottle exploded in her hand causing her injuries and deep. cuts. When she took the case forward, she got to know from the defendant’s delivery executive that he had come across various cases of Coca-Cola bottles being exploded in the past. This was happening because of not improper packaging of the bottles or because of an excessive amount of gas in them. Escola- the plaintiff won the case as the jury’s verdict was in her favor and the Act of Negligence took place on the defendant (Supreme Court of California, 1944). There were many incidents that took place with the explosion of bottles and the cases were registered under Negligence Act by the Company or the Manufacturers.

Another issue that Coca-Cola went through was Kerala’s Plachimada Struggle. This was a case of villagers who protested against the Coca-Cola factory, which was set up in the village of Plachimada, Kerala in the early 2000s. The primary concern of this protest was to raise a voice against the destruction of the groundwater. The wells in the village started to dry and the remaining water left for use was contaminated with toxins. This also was a major problem for the farmers while irrigating their fields. The Coca-Cola plant was producing its main brands like Fanta, Limca, Sprite, Thums Up, Maaza, etc. They had a permit to produce 5,61,000 litres of drinks which required 3.8 litres of water per litre of drink. In spite of knowing that the village was full of backward-class people with minimal resources, the state government still gave access to the company to deplete the main natural resource- water, in order to increase their GDP. Within two years of the plant’s establishment, the people started facing water shortages, and the water that they received, was unhealthy for human consumption or even for domestic usage. They started to protest outside the factory in order for it to shut down, despite a lot of struggle they went through for years, they were able to get the factory’s license canceled (Bijoy, 2006).

Coca-Cola also had to deal with a racial discrimination lawsuit against them which was filed by eight current and former employees of Coke and Juice Element, Minute Maid Company stating that they faced racial bias in payment of their salary and promotion in positions. They were discriminating between the black and white employees keeping the white employees in benefit. This led to the downfall of the company’s reputation until they worked on this matter in the following years (McKay, 2000).

To overcome all such problems of obesity, Coca-Cola launched its products with no sugar or Diet Coke where people dealing with obesity yet being addicted to Coke can still enjoy the drink. Coca-Cola has also focused on each country’s taste and preferences and come up with exactly what their customers need, for example in Australia, people prefer more orange drinks but with less amount of sugar, so they launched the limited edition orange flavored no sugar Coke (Coca-Cola Company, July 2018). Coca-Cola launched its low and no-calorie soft drinks in Britain at first and later in 13 more Western European markets. It was a huge success in less than a span of 12 months despite having a different taste than the usual drink and recently they launched it in various flavors and eye-catching packaging (Coca-Cola Company, April 2018).

The company aims to improve the conditions in Indian villages, taking an example of the fruit circular economy introduced by them, which is going to make a difference in the lives of Indian farmers. As said by T Krishnakumar, President of India and Southwest Asia, they want to buy the fruits and juices from these small producers and add that to the branded beverage that they sell, in order to assure the farmers by promising to buy the fruit concentrates from them so that they produce more and earn more, making a difference to the farmer community (Coca-Cola Company, 2017).

Coca-Cola observed the taste of Indian consumers and tried to develop products of their choice and also used famous actors and sportsmen to advertise for them, as they knew that they could capture the Indian market by advertising it in this way and also keep a minimal price for their product in order to reach the less developed areas of India (Greer, 2018, p. 38).

The Coca-Cola Foundation in India- Anandana, helped the community members of the village to construct 150 dams over Northern India, pairing up with the local NGOs, making 13 billion litres of water storage and assisting 500,000 villagers (Coca-Cola Company, 2016).

The company today is known for being the most diverse in terms of gender equality and diversity in racial differences. After dealing with a lot of racial discrimination cases, they worked on their employment terms and stand today as one of the most diverse organizations. As per the company, it is more beneficial to them to have a heterogenous culture as they get more ideas and innovations to work on in various countries, according to the demands and likings of their customers for the most loved beverage brand (Chiu, Fischer & Friedman, 2019).

People Management, the department responsible for the development of the organization, employment, job satisfaction, managing the risks, and being the backbone of the company, plays an important role here.

Human Resource Management, another term given to People Management is defined as: ‘A strategic and coherent approach to the management of an organization’s most valued assets – the people working there who individually and collectively contribute to the achievement of its objectives’ (Armstrong, 2006).

Clinical Reasoning and Decision Making in Nursing Essay

Introduction

I have chosen to discuss case study 2 in this assignment as it appealed to me most. It is based on a woman who has been diagnosed with a condition and has many responsibilities. This case will enable me to explore different aspects of the service user’s life and how they all impact her well-being. I have an interest in healthy lifestyles and well-being. Part A of this assignment will include a detailed overview of the case, and information about the body system to which her case relates, as well as the nursing process. I am also going to look at health promotion and the choices that are presented in this case. Part B will consist of my reflection on the case study. In conclusion, I will summarise this case study.

Your patient (Part A)

Case study 2, presents a 54-year-old married woman. This service user has been suffering from Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 which was diagnosed 6 years ago. This condition is caused when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin causing level of glucose in the blood to become too high (diabetes.org.uk). They also have a BMI of 35 which is obese. According to NHS live-well, A BMI ranging from 18.5-24.9 is considered to be healthy. High BMIs such as 35 are caused by physical inactivity, overeating, frequency of eating, and other issues. (Medicinenet.com). In addition, she also suffers from stress incontinence due to the birth of her last born.

The service users’ presenting complaint relates to the endocrine system, which is responsible for regulating bodily functions by secreting hormones into the bloodstream. These hormones dictate how cells and organs behave. This system consists of glands such as the hypothalamus, pituitary, pineal, adrenal, pancreas, and more. (healthline.co.uk) The pancreas regulates blood glucose levels by secreting insulin and glucagon. Type 2 Diabetes happens when insulin is not being used by the cells. This results in the body becoming insulin resistant which causes long-term issues such as damage to the pancreas, causing insufficient insulin to be produced and the person becoming hyperglycaemic. (diabetes.co.uk)

This individual, lives a very demanding life, being an informal carer for her husband who has a heart condition, and looking after their 4 children. This may suggest that this service user and her husband are both unemployed. Therefore, they may not have a source of income; this could mean that they rely on government funding such as benefits to fulfill their livelihoods. By having many responsibilities to deal with, the service user may be very susceptible to stress and may be unable to manage her well-being. REF about stress In addition, one of her children is being discharged from the hospital to come home which also adds to her responsibilities. It may be advised that she could get domiciliary carers to care for her husband. This will relieve the stress and manager to focus on her well-being and her son.

Nursing process (Part A)

Clinical decision-making is an important nursing process that occurs to achieve the best possible person-centered care for their patient. According to the NMC, nurses must make person-centered decisions, with evidence-based judgments and conclusions, in partnership with others to ensure high-quality care. In the process of decision-making, it is important that regardless of the outcome or end goal, the decision must be based on the patient’s needs and they must be involved throughout the process. The decision made will motivate the patient to adopt positive health behaviors. (highspeedtraining.co.uk)

One decision that was made regarding the service users’ care was to manage their diabetes and regulate their blood glucose levels. This was done to prevent the service user from becoming hyperglycaemic. Hyperglycaemia has life-threatening effects if action is not taken to get blood glucose levels back to normal. For example, a hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state is severe dehydration due to the body’s system’s attempt to get rid of excess sugars. (NHS, 2018)

Many factors must be considered in the process of making the decision. These factors are mostly patient-related. One example of a patient-related factor to be considered is age. As we age, our cognitive abilities and thinking processes begin to decline. This becomes an issue when presented with certain situations. (Sciencedaily.com). With age, the levels of hormones decrease, and the function of the endocrine system declines as the hormone receptors lose sensitivity. (msdmanuals.com) This shows that health professionals should consider age and the effect it has on the patient’s body system. This must be highlighted when forming decisions especially when prescribing medication.

Another factor that should be considered is the level of capacity. Capacity is the ability to obtain and understand the information to help form a decision. (NHS, 2019) If an individual lacks capacity, the healthcare professional and others involved with the care of the patient all come to common ground and decide on the best interest of the patient. In addition, clear communication is equally as important. Having good communication between the patient and nurse will help reduce any anxieties or worries that the patient may have. (RCNI, 2016) When delivering and discussing the decision made, it’s important that the patient clearly understands. This is achieved by ensuring the language spoken is the same and by reassuring them that they understand the information they are presented with.

An important aspect to be considered when forming the decision in this presenting case specifically is the clients’ family medical history. This is because family members share not just only genetic material but similar environments, lifestyles, cultures, and habits. (ncbi.nlm.gov, genetic alliance 2008) Therefore by accessing such information, the nurse and the patient will be able to discuss and adapt to positive lifestyle behaviours to help manage the diabetes, which may have also helped the relatives. By adapting to healthier habits, it will reduce the risk of developing other diseases. (ncbi.nlm.gov, 2008) Another aspect that was considered was the service users’ diet. According to Diabetes UK, when altering your diet, it is important to choose food with healthier carbohydrates. This is because carbohydrates increase blood glucose levels, therefore healthier carbohydrates such as whole grains, brown rice, fruits, and vegetables should be incorporated into the diet. This will help to maintain a normal level of glucose. It is also recommended to be aware of salt intake, limiting yourself to 6g of salt a day is ideal. Salt increases the risk of hypertension, especially in diabetic patients (diabetes.org.uk). Furthermore, it is important to take into consideration how easily accessible the supermarkets are and the price of food. This is because as mentioned earlier, the couple may not be employed therefore they may experience financial challenges with accessing the supermarkets depending on their locations. When managing diabetes, physical activity and being mindful of weight is also important. Exercising increases the amount of glucose being used by the muscles which means the glucose in the blood is being reduced and insulin will be used more efficiently to help regulate the blood glucose levels. (diabetes.org.uk)

The process of clinical decision-making can be defined as a process of choosing between alternative options (Thompson & Dowing, 2002) It is a complex process compared to day-to-day decision-making. According to Johansen and O’Brien 2016, clinical decision-making requires nurses to use their knowledge, experiences, clinical setting, patient information, unique characteristics, and other aspects. Another aspect to be considered is shared decision-making, healthcare professionals and patients discuss and share the evidence available when making decisions. Patients are supported by healthcare professionals to consider the options available to achieve the best care and decision. (Elwyn G et al, 2010)

Evidence-based practice allows nurses to enhance their knowledge of clinical training as well as experiences with updated research. (Kessenich CR, 1997) This ensures that their practice is safe, contemporary, and advanced as it is based on validated research. This practice involves being able to access and apply information from literature research to help form clinical decisions when required There are mainly three theories that have different approaches when to clinical decision making, which are the information processing theory, intuitive theory, and the cognitive continuum theory.

The information processing theory is a theory that supports and is most suitable for this case study. It is also termed a hypothetico-deductive approach. The principles of this approach involve the use of hypotheses generation and evaluation, cue recognition, and cue interpretation in stages (Tanner et al., 1987) Upon the first encounter between the nurse and patient, they will assess and obtain information about their patient for example, reason for admission, signs, and symptoms, etc. This stage is known as the cue recognition. In this case study, the nurse collects information about the service users’ history of blood glucose levels or BMI over the past 6 years. This information can be derived from medical notes or the service users themselves. The next stage to follow is the formation of a hypothesis, which is when the information provided is used to generate a hypothesis. The nurse may have recognized that the blood glucose levels require close monitoring through diet and physical activity which may have been further validated by the doctor. Cue interpretation follows, this is when the cues (information gathered at the beginning) will be analyzed to help conclude to either accept or reject the original hypothesis. The nurse will use their judgement and analysis to help form a suitable decision taking into consideration all patient-related and non-patient-related factors. Then the information collected will be evaluated with advantages and disadvantages, which is the final stage. (Banning M, 2010) Advantages and disadvantages will be evaluated by judging against other alternatives to the decision.

In comparison to other theories for example the intuitive theory (also known as the humanist theory), which does not take a scientific approach, does not support this case study. This is because decisions are based on ‘rational’ and ‘intuition’. (Dijkstra KA, 2012) Intuition is the human ability to know something or do something without thought or knowing (Thompson VA, 2014). In this case, it is not ideal to do so because the decision needs to be based on evidence which will be the service users, history of the glucose levels. This cannot simply be guessed without knowing exactly what the issue is.

Health Promotion (PART A)

The main contributing factors to Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 are being overweight and inactive. The complications of diabetes are life-threatening if the blood glucose levels are not regulated. Diseases such as kidney damage, heart and blood vessel disease, eye damage, and other complications may occur. (mayoclinic.org,2019)

The lifestyle choice that the service user makes that puts them at a health risk is their eating regime. The client recognizes and states that she is overweight and has been attempting to stick to a healthy eating plan, but she is finding it difficult to do. Excessive consumption of fats and carbohydrates, sugar, and salt within one’s diet all contribute to the development of diabetes by excessive weight gain leading to obesity (rcn.org.uk,2020). Foods such as processed red meat for example bacon, and deli meats should be avoided when one is diagnosed with diabetes, this is because they have a high source of sodium and nitrites. In addition, other foods such as unhealthy and trans fats which are found in butter, milk, and cheese increase cholesterol levels which is not ideal. Carbohydrates are an important source of energy, but however, highly processed carbohydrates are not advised. This includes cakes, white bread, white rice, etc. When these foods are processed the fibre and other important vitamins are removed causing their digestion when consumed to be different as a lot more glucose is released in the blood causing a rise in the blood glucose levels. Lastly, beverages that have a high sugar content, include teas, coffees, and carbonated drinks such as coke, and energy drinks, which all lead to weight gain and increase blood glucose levels. (healthline.com, 2018) The consumption of these foods may have contributed to the issue even more as the service users’ BMI remained at 35 which is classed as obese. Failure to alter and be mindful of what you consume especially when diagnosed with diabetes type 2 will lead to further complications and other diseases, placing the individual at an extremely high health risk.

As stated previously, this service user has a highly demanding life filled with the responsibilities of caring for her husband every day, as well as her 4 children. Having no help, caring for her husband and her son who is to be discharged may become increasingly exhausting. This may cause her to be very susceptible to stress and potentially anxiety. One coping mechanism that she may have adopted could have been over-eating over-sleeping or not sleeping at all. When an individual is stressed, the glands release the cortisol hormone into the bloodstream, this cortisol may increase and expand one’s appetite causing cravings as a way to deal with the stress. (medicalnewstoday.com, 2018) Over-eating is not ideal in this case due to her diabetes, this will cause complications which may add more stress. Therefore, it is important to note that she may require additional help to relieve her of her stress. It will allow her to become more self-aware as she will be able to care for her well-being

This service user may have been advised in the past to prepare diet plans and healthy meal ideas to help tackle her weight and lower her BMI, alongside the help of other healthcare professionals. Patients are advised to eat a healthy balanced diet including a sufficient fluid intake of at least 6 to 8 glasses of water (NHS,2019)However due to her responsibilities of caring for her husband, she may have struggled to adhere to this plan to help manage her diet. The client recognizes that she is overweight therefore this may be affecting her self-esteem and may trigger low self-awareness and anxiety. Shame, rejection, and low self-esteem are all feelings that are common in obese adults. Loneliness can come into effect also; these emotional effects may affect and reduce one’s lifespan. (everydayhealth.com, 2010)

Reflection and Future Recommendations (PART B)

It is important to take into consideration positive lifestyle changes to improve the quality of life of this service user and reduce any further health complications. Many positive benefits can be gained from making small changes to one’s life, this will benefit their mental well-being, their family, and the community.

One positive lifestyle recommendation is stress management. Effective stress management allows the individual to be happier and live a healthier life. (helpguide.org, 2019). One way the service user could cope with stress is by creating some leisure time. This time could be used to do some activities such as reading books, going to the park, knitting, or spending quality time with the family, by carrying out such activities the individual will be at ease and will be happy. Sleep is also equally important with stress management, according to the National Sleep Foundation (2020), it is advised to sleep 7 to 9 hours per night. That is required to remain healthy. Another recommendation to consider is regular physical activity. Physical activity is important as it lowers risks of heart diseases and nerve damage and helps with the controlling of blood glucose levels. By being active the body will make your body more sensitive to insulin (cdc.gov, 2018). This physical activity could be simply jogging around the neighborhood or local park, taking part in local gym classes if possible, dancing, or playing any type of sport to help keep the muscles active. The service user could take part in any of these activities. Having an active lifestyle will have a huge impact on blood glucose levels, easing stress and reducing body weight. (webmd.com, 2019) One particularly important recommendation is altering the diet and monitoring blood glucose levels constantly. It is recommended that diabetic patients have a goal of limiting saturated fat and dietary cholesterol in their diet. (Vaughan, L et al., 2004) Healthier fats such as seeds, avocado, oily fish, etc are recommended instead of red and processed meat fats, butter, and cakes. Including when cooking, grilling, or steaming food is a better, healthier option than frying. Choosing healthier carbohydrates as mentioned before is crucial as well as salt intake. Healthier snacking between meals is ideal, sugary snacks and sweets can be exchanged for healthier sugars such as fruits, nuts, or seeds (diabetes.org.uk?) The service user could be recommended to have regular checkups with their local general practitioner or nurse for their regular 3-month blood glucose monitoring and checks (HbA1C test) (NHS. uk, 2017)

This case study has allowed me to gain a better in-depth understanding of the importance of nursing processes and clinical decision making which is a huge part of a nurse’s day-to-day practice. I have also managed to apply the theory model in nursing to this specific and compared the models. I have learned that nurses must make decisions regarding the patient to be person-centered and backed up with evidence rather than intuition. When I return to practice, I will be aware that all decisions made regarding a patient will be based on evidence from research or literature as it is a requirement. Failure to do so will result in consequences. In the future, if I were provided with a case study assignment, I would ensure to include all information about the patient and do further research.

In summary, this assessment involved a detailed overview of the service user and their presenting complaint of diabetes. The decision made by the healthcare professionals was explained and supported by the information processing theory to show that the decision made was supported by evidence-based research. Positive lifestyle recommendations were considered to improve and manage their lifestyle and live a happy and healthy life.

Adidas Customer Service Essay

Measuring the effectiveness of a marketing strategy is one of the most difficult tasks that firms face. While it is easier to classify such evaluation on the financial outcomes of a marketing campaign, many firms forget the impact of their activities on their customers or return on experience (Aves, 2018). Customer service is one aspect of marketing whose effect must be measured to ensure that the firm maintains its position in the market, and even grows its market share. This report evaluates Adidas’ customer service using the SERVQUAL model. It first describes the position of Adidas in the sportswear market and its activities in Australia. It further describes how Adidas fairs against the five concepts of customer service namely reliability, assurance, tangibility, empathy, and responsiveness. The paper lastly introduces the online marketing strategy applied by Adidas and how unique their strategy is.

The SERVQUAL model, also known as the RATER model was developed in 1988 by Valarie Zeithaml, A. Parasuraman, and Leonard Berry and was aimed at filling particular gaps between the marketer and the customer. The model measures five factors quality reliability, assurance, tangibles, empathy, and responsiveness. Reliability refers to the firm’s ability to perform what it has promised its customers in terms of service or product delivery. Adidas’ promise is well captured in its mission statement: to be the global leader in the sporting goods industry with brands built on a passion for sports and a sporting lifestyle. This is being fulfilled through the improvement of sports by designing and manufacturing different sportswear and sponsorship programs to support talent. Assurance refers to the ability of a firm to inspire trust and confidence in its customers. Adidas is a trusted brand that has grown to be the second-largest sportswear manufacturer globally, being the brand of choice for some famous sports personalities (Yoesting, 2018). The brand also sponsors several major clubs such as Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Juventus.

Tangible refers to the physical presence of products and employees and Adidas has satisfied this measure by opening several stores across Australia. Having learned the needs of its customers, Adidas’ designs have been improving over the years through constant innovations. They also custom-make products to satisfy the specific needs of customers. The brand is also responsive to its customers’ needs by attending to their after-sale queries through open telephone lines and live chat platforms.

Adidas has also adopted online selling which contributed to 8% of its sales in 2018. Whereas most firms’ digital marketing strategy is to make online sales, Adidas’s strategy is to lead potential customers to its physical stores to experience its variety of products including sports fashion and lifestyle wear. One of the most effective online marketing strategies used by Adidas is Snapchat where they post videos of ordinary people such as school-going children praising the products while showcasing their talents. The videos have background music that attracts and pushes the viewer to participate. This strategy gives a feeling that Adidas cares for everyone in the community and that it is a brand that everyone is proud of (Vizard, 2018).  

Cheesecake Factory Customer Service Essay

Opportunities: Different and new opportunities for the restaurant can be they can open a different business or restaurant with a different name, they can have a different specialty which makes it different from other restaurants as the cheesecake factory specialty is cheesecake. One more opportunity can be a good competitive position. The opportunity for the cheesecake factory is the prices. They charge what they are serving and sometimes after eating the person’s perspective changes and they think that it’s worth it to spend that much amount on the food. Quality is the key. Some of the other opportunities that cheesecake factory has are that they can sell their cheesecake not only in the stores, but they can put up stalls at different places such as stadiums, universities, and amusement parks. For instance, if they put up their stall at a university many students will be more than happy to enjoy happy food at their doorstep. This is also a tactic to get more customers.

Threats: Some of the threats can be the competitors who serve the same cheesecake with better quality. More threat can be the economic situation in the country if the economy is bad most people would not prefer to eat out often and this will affect the revenue of the restaurant. Also, one more threat can be that the restaurant may not be able to increase the prices for their products because they are already at a higher price, and increasing the prices further can affect the customers. They might switch to another restaurant. Also, the very intense competitive environment.

Marketing Strategies:

There are different marketing strategies that the cheesecake factory uses but as marketing managers strategies we can use to make its point in the market are as follows:

Market Segmentation: means to divide a marketplace based on the needs and wants of the customer. As a market manager needs to see that which segment, he should focus on. To divide a marketplace there are different types of segmentation behavior which as a manager of the cheesecake factory we can take.

Demographic Segmentation: This means dividing the marketplace according to age, gender, race, ethnicity, family life cycle, family size, etc. As we all know women like to eat, and women aged between 18 to 49 have a sweet tooth. As a manager, we can target this audience specifically females.

Behavioral Segmentation: It includes the customer’s knowledge about your product and what benefits they get when buying a certain thing. As our segmented audience is women then we also know that playing with women’s heads is a very easy trick. All ladies want a different kind of food so if all the variety is available in one place it is very easy to decide, also different women have different preferences some want diet want to lose weight and some want normal food. Now as a manager, it is very crucial to keep in mind and target audience that knows about your product.

Psychographic Segmentation: This is achieved by studying the activities, interests, and opinions of your customers. As a manager of the cheesecake factory, you’ve to study your customers and what their lifestyle is like. Cheesecake is a high-end restaurant so the audience a manager needs to target will be high-class people who eat out just to show off people. So, for people like these, you need to do your advertisement on different platforms where they’ll feel more connected.

Geographic Segmentation: The market can be divided into different geographic locations; the manager needs to open the branch at a place where more customers are willing to pay for the food they serve. For example, opening a new branch in the Middle East is a great opportunity because Arab people like to eat especially women. As a manager, you can select one of the countries in the Middle East by doing a survey and making sure that this survey is more likely available to women.

Customer Segmentation: It means dividing a marketplace in the sense that customers are segmented with similar interests, for example as a manager of the cheesecake factory to segment customers according to their attributes, knowledge of those attributes is an effective tool in developing appropriate marketing strategies.  If restaurant managers know their target customer attributes, they can develop a better service strategy or make up for their weak points.

Benefit Segmentation: As a manager, you can also provide customers with some benefits like giving complementary small cheesecakes to test new flavors or maybe sometimes when a customer visits your branch for the fifth time, you can offer them 50% off on the food they will buy. These are all the benefits that customers seek and it’s a very good strategy to retain an existing customer. 

McDonald’s Customer Service Essay

The importance of the three different managerial skills changes for different positions in the organization. Andrew Gregory has used all of these skills to ultimately encourage innovation, customer service, and sustainability throughout the McDonald’s Australia franchise (Robbins et al. 2016). Andrew Gregory encourages an innovative workplace by implementing his knowledge of human skills. The ideal representation of effective human skill is someone who can delegate, communicate, mentor, and motivate both individually and in groups. Gregory maintains and encourages an innovative workplace by introducing customer-based implementation such as the “create your taste’ experience and the idea of ‘The Corner’ (Robbin Bergman & Coulter 2018).

Andrew Gregory encourages sustainability throughout McDonald’s Australia by incorporating and applying his previous job knowledge. Technical skills are techniques and knowledge necessary to complete work tasks (Robbins et al. 2016). During Gregory’s early years and the time he spent working cooking French fires, he gained invaluable knowledge and understanding of the MacDonald’s franchise from all different perspectives. Now that Gregory has risen to CEO he can encourage a sustainable environment by implementing his niece’s technical skills derived from years of experience.

Gregory uses conceptual understanding and skill-based practices to encourage customer service throughout the organization. Conceptual skills are defined as a manager’s ability to diagnose and analyze diverse situations (Robbins et al. 2016). In understanding that one of the core values MacDonald’s thrives to uphold is customer service and satisfaction Gregory develops a variety of ideas and processes to stay true to this key value. Gregory encourages the quality of customer service so greatly he is prepared to invest $1 billion in the remodeling of the organization (Robbin Bergman & Coulter 2018). Gregory displays conceptual skills in the development and innovation of the MacDonald’s franchise and encourages customer service as he has provided the organization with a competitive edge in the marketplace displayed through his learning lab restaurant experience and investment in the working culture.

The management role is complex. To be a successful manager you must be able to perform different management roles depending on the situation. The Mintzberg managerial roles conform to three categories: interpersonal roles, decisional roles, and informational roles, beyond these three categories, is a specific function needed to tackle the task and or challenges faced when managing an organization (Robbins et al. 2016)

As Andrew Gregory holds weekly conferences with his management team he will be playing the role of disseminator. The role of the disseminator comes from the informational category. The role of the disseminator involves holding weekly conferences and passing on of information to employees. The information shared and explored by colleagues could either come from the external or internal environment. Andrew Gregory upholds this role because he communicates his ideas and discussions weekly to his management team.

If Andrew Gregory was to add a new product to the MacDonald’s menu he would have to follow the management role of an entrepreneur. The role falls under the category of the decisional category. The role of an entrepreneur often involves creating and controlling change within an organization. this includes problem-solving, generation of new ideas then implementation of the ideas (The Open University, 2019). In assessing the feasibility of a new item on the menu Gregory would uphold and represent the attributes and skills of an entrepreneur in the organization.

For Gregory to successfully keep the employees focused on the company’s commitment to its customers he would have to undertake the role of a leader. the role of a leader falls under the interpersonal category. A leader is someone who manages the responsibilities and overall performance of the group (The Open University, 2019). leadership also includes providing necessary

Training, guidance, and motivation (Robbins et al 2016). A way Gregory could keep the employees focused on customer commitment might be to reward those who uphold the company values.

Other managers could learn many key concepts from Andrew Gregory’s approach to being the CEO of McDonald’s Australia. Gregory has displayed several differences throughout his organization that would greatly benefit other organizations whether they are profitable or non-profitable. The fast-food world is dynamic and constantly changing adding more competition for companies due to marketing. McDonald’s functions in a forever-changing environment and is constantly competing for shares in the marketplace. Gregory gives the Australian MacDonald’s franchise a competitive edge through his customer-orientated innovations (Robbins, Bergman & Coulter 2018). Therefore other managers can learn that to maintain profit and customer satisfaction the key is to be innovative in all aspects of the organisation.

There is a substantial difference between being the CEO of McDonald’s Australia and being the CEO of a non-profit organization. profit is defined as the difference between the organization’s revenues and operating costs (Robbins et al. 2016). Mcdonald’s Australia is primarily focused on profit and therefore focuses on managerial roles to ensure they produce revenue. In saying this McDonald’s is classified as a ‘for-profit’ franchise. Being the CEO of McDonald’s is significantly different from being a non-profit organization because they have completely different challenges and goals. The main purpose of a non-profit organization is to use its profits for the benefit of the less fortunate as they don’t rely on profits for survival(Robbins et al 2016). Non-profit organizations use funds provided from outside sources whereas when being the CEO of McDonald’s you can only rely on the funds the organization turns over itself. (Robbins et al 2016). Managers in ‘not-for-profit’ organizations focus on minimalization in both organizational costs and delivering services whereas managers in ‘for-profit’ circumstances rely primarily on funds generated by the specific business for survival.