Abstract
This paper seeks to explore various challenges that faced program manager Gary Allison in the management of Orion Shield Project. Some of these issues are technical, ethical, legal or contractual in nature. The Orion Shield Project was an undertaking to improve the structural capabilities of NASA's launch rocket booster known as the Shuttle Launch Booster. The paper is a study of the activities undertaken by Gary as a product manager in charge of phase one of the Orion Shield project.

From the Paper
"According to Meredith, J. R, Samuel J. M, Samuel J. M, Jr (2005, p. 465), the wrong direction and failure of the Orion Shield project could be attributed to the wrong choice of the project manager. Gary was more interested and confident with his work as an engineer and not a project manager. His desire to experiment with his MBA coupled with Henry Larsen's insistence drove him to take up the management of this project. Because he was very new to project management, It was incorrect for Henry Larsen to let Gary be solely in charge of this project, the best way could have been to assign another more experienced project manager to work hand in hand with Gary or better still he could have allowed a more experienced project manager to lead the project while Gary worked as an assistant to the experienced project manager. Henry Larsen's motive could also be read in his choice of having Gary as the project manager, he needed a new inexperienced manager who could be easily manipulated to promote his unethical management standards."

Tags:nasa, rocket, Gary Allison project

Abstract
This paper discusses the current salaries of professional athletes and their impact on the sports world. The author examines how the skyrocketing salaries have affected experiences and perceptions of fans and negatively impacted professional sports.

From the Paper
"If you are planning on taking your family to a ball game, be sure to come with your favorite team's t-shirt, your camera and binoculars, and a fat wallet. That's right, be prepared to fork over the cash, because it will cost you upwards of over $250. Athlete salaries have drastically increased over the past couple decades. As these wages continue to mushroom to unprecedented heights, the cost of attending sporting events elevates to new plateaus of its own. In addition to increased ticket prices, which hurt the ability of many fans to go to games, exploding salaries have resulted in greed of players and owners and a lower quality of play in some areas. All of this has left a bad taste in the mouths of even the most die hard sports fans. If current trends continue, professional sports might lose what remains of its integrity and become just another industry where victory is auctioned off to the highest bidder."

Tags:baseball, basketball, football, contract, tickets, sales, mcgwire, sosa, yankee, stadium

Abstract
This case study analyzes Avon as a company and as a strategy maker. The author found that Avon is mostly inclined towards the differentiated defender strategy at the moment as this choice will help Avon defend its existing position in the mature cosmetics industry while it initiates some line extensions strategically targeted towards the latest predominant makeup consumers: teens. In addition, the author finds that Avon possesses superior marketing skills that no other direct marketer has being able to reach in the U.S. market or abroad. These include tracking consumer-changing needs, maintaining customer awareness and loyalty, and having a strong customer relationship. The latter will continue to improve since new channels of communication are being currently developed such as 800 numbers, websites and other computerized systems that will also encourage more representatives to do their best job in order to increase their income.In conclusion, Avon will continue to increase her sales and the number of sales representatives if she sticks to this strategy.

Table of Content:

Situation Analysis
Major Problem
Company Background
Industry Profile
SWOT Analysis
Objectives
Alternatives
Decision
Bibliography

From the Paper
"Avon Products, Inc is the largest manufacturer and direct marketer of cosmetics, fragrances, toiletries, and costume jewelry. Its global brands include: Anew, Avon Color, Avon Skin Care, Far Away, Rare Gold, Perceive, and Women of Earth. Avon's corporate vision "to be the company that best understands and satisfies the product, service and self-fulfillment needs of women globally," has positioned the company as the "best place" for consumers to buy and the"best place" for women to sell. In 1991 Avon had 1,120,000 active sales representatives operating globally."

Tags:analysis, cosmetic, cosmetics, costume, direct, fragrances, industry, jewelry, largest, manufacturer, marketer, marketing, recommendations, strategies, swot, toiletries, Avon

Abstract
The secret behind the success of Victoria's Secret seems to be its brand recognition, its excellent quality and its ability to identify a correct market. This paper studies the company's past and future promotion campaigns and illustrates its target markets and budgets.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Target Market
Product
Price
Place
Promotion
Budget
Summary
Works Cited

From the Paper
"The key strength of Victoria's Secret is brand recognition and brand loyalty. It's massive advertising campaigns have been largely successful due to the brand equity of the product. Victoria's Secret products make their customers feel sexy and good about themselves.
The upcoming launch of the new swimsuit line will mark the entrance of Victoria's Secret into a new area. It has had great success with the launch of its bra lines and was a leader in the introduction of thong underwear. Thong underwear was a risky product line, especially considering more conservative customers. However, sales have increased every year since its introduction. The key to this success was due to the already established customer loyalty. "

Tags:swimwear, advertising, women, bra, Dream, Angel

Abstract
This paper covers various aspects, advantages, disadvantages and issues related to transnational IT operations using simple and straight forward descriptions. The paper discusses transfer of work, quality issues, global networking and service levels. It then goes on to analyze
considerations of cultural diversity, language, technological infrastructure, local customs and control issues.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Transfer Of Work, Quality Issues, Global Networking And Service Levels
Considerations Of Cultural Diversity, Language, Technological Infrastructure, Local Customs And Control Issues

From the Paper
"As stated previously, the explosion of the Internet has made many jobs that don't need a live person present at all times, available to foreign workers via telecommuting. Using technology such as the Internet, email, instant messaging and remote desktop software, there are lots of capable programmers in 3rd world countries that work for 1/3 of the price. Nevertheless, some IT jobs do need hands-on professionals available at all times or even just someone with cultural insight."

Tags:coroporate, outsourcing, services, software

Abstract
This paper discusses the current status of The Continental Group, Inc., from strategic viewpoint. It focuses on each of Continental's divisions, financial services, energy, packaging, and forest products is examined vis-a-vis Continental's long-term growth and particularly its 5-year strategic outlook. The paper makes a final recommendation that Continental should sell its packaging and forest products divisions in order to finance the capital investments necessary for its financial services and energy divisions to grow.

From the Paper
"Strategic Planning--Continental Situational Overview The Continental Group, Inc. is a company that has been winnowed down to four primary divisions. These divisions form a corporation that is in desperate need of a corporate identity. While Continental has been somewhat successful managing its enterprises in the past, its seeming lack of a unified corporate vision will impede profitability and growth over the next decade unless a cohesive strategy is formulated and a corporate culture founded on a more unified business structure can be instilled in the corporation moving forward. Continental's 4 primary divisions at the present time are: * Financial Services: this division includes American Life Insurance Company which is a network of brokerage agents and representatives. It also contains a mortgage company, mortgage insurance, and real-estate related financial services. "

Tags:financial, forest, strategic

Abstract
This paper discusses the impact of September 11 tragedy on the economic conditions of the United States. The author examines how the economy, which had showed a dismal performance for three consecutive quarters before September, completely collapsed when the disaster struck as consumer spending decreased with lower purchasing power, investment and borrowing declined, all industries reported lower profits and there was an alarming increase in unemployment. The paper also briefly discusses the condition of the airline industry after the tragic events of 9/11.

From the paper:

"The United States economy had already been predicted to go into recession when the tragedy of September 11 struck and accelerated the downward spiral of economic conditions of our country. . The economy crumpled as many industries in the country were hit harshly by the attacks and the slow down finally took shape of recession. After three quarters of poor GDP growth, it was almost certain that the economy was heading towards recession but September 11th attacks only accelerated the negative process. The government has been unable to generate enough Consumer-spending despite several announcements of tax cuts, which are aimed at giving people more purchasing power. Money supply and demand in the market is insufficient to tempt businessmen to increase production."

Tags:consumer, cuts, federal, investment, low, recession, reserve, spending, tax, unemploymnet

Abstract
This paper, as part of the Coca-Cola Company marketing plan, states that the marketing objectives are to sell as much product at the greatest profit margin to the largest targeted audience possible; to maintain dominant market share by constant awareness of its primary competitor, PepsiCo., and to find and develop new market segments. The paper defines the value-creation objectives for the new fruit drink focusing on the health aspects of the drink and the good and energetic tastes with campaigns geared to teenage consumers. The author includes a SWOT analysis.

Table of Contents
Market and Marketing Analysis
What Is The Product Offering?
What Are Competing Offerings?
Who Could Benefit From The Product Offering?
Why Do Customers Buy?
Why Don't Customers Buy?
How Is The Product Bought?
How Is The Product Sold?
Traditional Market Analysis
SWOT Analysis for Coca Cola Company
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Market Audit
Financial Status the Company
Financial Status of Product Offering
Financial Status of the Industry
Integrated Marketing Analysis
Traditional (Basic) Marketing Channel
Comprehensive Marketing Channels
Integrated Buying and Selling Processes
Marketing Planning
Company Objectives
General Product Offering Objectives
Segmentation and Target Marketing Objectives and Strategies
Key Market Analysis
Profitability Analysis; Longevity Analysis
Value Creation Objectives & Strategies
Image Management Objectives and Strategies
Company/Organization
Communication Objectives and Strategies
Channel-based
Timeline of Events
Budget
Evaluation of Performance
Contingency planning

From the Paper
"The primary beneficiaries of the product offering are the shareholders of the Coca-Cola Company. Next in line are the executives of the Coca-Cola Company who are on strong incentive bonus programs pegged to increased sales. Following the executives are the bottlers throughout the world who sell the product to a multi-layered distribution network. After that, there are the grocery stores, markets, vending machine companies, and restaurants that sell the product at Value Added markups. At the bottom of this benefit, chain is the end user customer. And, it is on the act of understanding purchase motivations of this customer that the remainder of this analysis is focused."

Tags:swot, segmentation, distribution, customer, introduction

Abstract
SWOT - strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats - is a form of analysis to assist an individual or business to self-analyze and act accordingly. This paper uses a SWOT analysis to show the factors affecting Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc.'s marketing strategy and business opportunities, such as product popularity, problems with expansion into foreign markets and local competition.

From the Paper
"Although its word of mouth marketing strategy has been successful thus far, Krispy Kreme might run into problems as it looks to expand into foreign markets. As a result, the company may need to take a different marketing approach in foreign markets.
Obviously, in a foreign market that has not been exposed to the Krispy Kreme product, word of mouth will not play an initial, or important role in advertising. As a result, most analysts agree that the further that Krispy Kreme expands, the greater that their need for mass advertising will be."

Tags:Vernon, Rudolph, New, England, competition

Abstract
Massive corporate mergers are becoming increasingly commonplace in 21st-century America. As one huge merger follows another, the benefits for owners and investors are obvious. The paper argues, however, that for our society as a whole, the consequences seem far less beneficial. When too many large corporations merge, competition is reduced, consequently denying consumers a variety of benefits that they are entitled to in our allegedly free market system. The paper argues that the lack of price reduction and innovation are the two most prominent detriments to society in the face of these industry oligarchies. Because one company owns many businesses, the businesses are all run in virtually the same way, leaving very little room for creativity or competition.

From the Paper
"Time Warner's recent merger with Turner broadcasting created the largest media company in the world. It now owns cable distribution, cable channels, production, music publishing, book and magazine publishing, retail interests, film production and theater chains. An example of possible problems: the 1996 controversy over Time Warner's cable provider not wanting to distribute Fox's 24 hour news channel, a competitor with Turner's CNN. Another example is The Disney/Cap Cities/ABC merger, which combines cable, merchandising, theme park, production, film and local media outlets (Barnou, 1999)."

Tags:acquisitions, Alan, Greenspan