Abstract This paper defines the concepts of "tangible" and "intangible" rewards and compares the benefits of each of these to the employee. The practice of rewarding employees is essential in a company and the paper looks at the advantages for the businesses which include higher employee motivation, higher output and job satisfaction. The paper also examines whether tangible or intangible rewards provide different results.
From the Paper "There has always been a need to make structured rewards as well as recognition systems in order to give confidence and support to employees and managers for changing their behavior towards work as individual as well as a group.
"However, the correct method to rewards varies across stages of implementation that may have necessary added rewards to tie it to formal measurement and performance appraisal. These rewards whether tangible or intangible, are means of recognizing the value of sharing and working hard, appreciating the contributions the employees make in the organization, as well as a rising awareness about the importance of not noticing what they know (APQC, 2001)."
An analysis of the athletic shoe industry with an emphasis on the segmentation, target market and pricing strategies of the athletics- industry giants.
Abstract This paper discusses the main players in the sports shoe industry: Nike, Adidas and Reebok. It examines the merits and marketing strategies of each brand individually and the global competition between them. It evaluates trends in the athletic shoe industry and shows how Nike, Reebok, Adidas and other sports companies are fitting in as the new fashion powerhouses although not in the same category as Giorgio Armani and Gianni Versace!
From the Paper "Nike builds its image by concentrating on the benefits of difference and diversity. In Ireland Nike is the governing brand among 12-13 year old males. Adidas is the second preference here, with Reebok a relatively distant third. Nike depicts the best way to adapt a product without depending on brand-name recognition or the withholding of product attributes. The personality of their product patronizes loyalty among people of different ages. Nike ads presenting women with icon of competition even victory and a motto of self-reliance describe a version of feminism that is affirmative with their aspirations. In Southeast Asian countries, Nike footwear is a symbol of class and status. The prices charged here are relatively high, since the disposable income is low as compared to United States. The Nike slogan, "just do it" revitalize people to believe everything is possible as long as you believe in yourself and does not give up. Hence, when purchasing Nike sportswear, customers do not only purchase the utilitarian product but recognize with the values and attitudes allied with the "Nike story". Nike footwear are well known, but its basketballs, golf bags, soccer pads, football gloves and watches are less celebrated. Nike products are produced all over the world and have to some extent monopoly in the sports-shoes business."
Abstract This paper examines the reasons why more and more of the airlines today are see their profits plummet, claiming bankruptcy and are going out of business. It evaluates why airlines are so costly to operate due to rising fuel costs, rising labor costs. It examines other unforeseen factors such as the events of September 11 which have drastically reduced the number of passengers on flights. According to the author many of the tactics that have worked in the past to raise revenue will not work in today's airline market. The author summarizes that adding flights and adding new airports to their networks are not going to help increase profits if the passengers are not there to fill the seats.
From the Paper "Despite the fact that many analysts feel that business risk is one of the major determining factors of the capital structure of an airline or any company, the existing research does not provide a definitive answer as to whether an increase in business risk should cause it to lower its level of debt in its capital structure. Many textbooks, in fact, affirm that there is an inverse relationship between the optimal debt level and business risk. The reasoning behind this is that the presence of debt in the capital structure increases the probability of bankruptcy. Those airlines that have more business risk or more volatile cash flows have a higher possibility of bankruptcy for any given level of debt."
From the Paper "EuroDisney opened in April 1992, and business from the first was not at the level anticipated or needed to pay for the investment. The experience the Disney company had with EuroDisney was different from what it had known with other Disney theme parks, each of which opened to large and growing business. In Europe, however, the park has lost money from the first. Projections had been made that the new park would attract 11 million visitors and produce $100 million in earnings in the first year, giving the company a small pre-tax profit. Instead, the park lost more than $900 million in the first two years. Attendance in 1992 was only 9.2 million, and visitors spent 12 percent less than anticipated. However, the park made its first quarterly profit in 1995, three years after its opening, and it was then predicted that the park would break..."
Abstract This paper states that Home Depot has never had a major financial slump and has increased number of stores, net sales and profits at a steady pace. The author points out through SWOT and Pro Forma forecasting that the company shows little sign of slowing in the near future. Many graphes and figures are included.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Company Overview
SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
The Unique Position
Economic Relationships The National Economy
The Company
Pro Forma Income Statement Statement Defined
Conclusions and Recommendations
References
Figure Index
From the Paper "Home Depot is the leader in home improvement retailers by a margin of nearly $30 billion dollars in sales (Home Depot, Financial Information; Lowes, Investor Relations). They continue to expand, and in 25 years have never had a significant slump. According to the 10 Year Summary, the company has not had any interest expense in 5 years. This provides a strong base for continuing operations and expanding into the future."
From the Paper "The novel The Goal, by Eliyahu M. Goldratt and Jeff Cox, is undoubtedly one of the most unusual business books of recent years. The intention of co-author Goldratt in conceiving the book is to introduce and develop a theory of production management based on the principles of physics. The authors, however, chose to develop this view by presenting what amounts to a hypothetical case study. To that point, the exercise is not uncommon in the literature of business.
However, in developing a hypothetical case study in the length and detail required for the argument presented--the book runs to 337 pages--the authors chose to present their work in the form of a novel. The book centers on Alex Rogo, the plant manager of the Bearington manufacturing plant of UniCo; town and corporation are both fictitious, as are the machines in the plant..."
Examines the need for this action and discusses it in terms of legal issues, rights of workers, court decisions, types & reliability of tests, union aspects and private vs. public employees.
2,700 words (approx. 10.8 pages), 14 sources, 1999, $ 95.95
From the Paper " INTRODUCTION
Drug testing in the workplace is an issue because of the fact that drug abuse by American workers endangers their coworkers, reduces productivity, costs the company and eventually the consumer money, and contributes to health problems which are then paid for either by the company or the public in some fashion. Many employers have introduced some form of drug testing program in order to reduce costs and offer help to drug abusing employees. There are concerns that such testing violates privacy rights and could lead to employees being disciplined or even fired, and employers are concerned about lawsuits over errors, privacy issues, violation of rights, or unauthorized disclosure of test results. There are also concerns that the testing is not adequate or accurate and that innocent employees.."
Abstract In this analysis, the theory of a charismatic leader is applied to Bill Gates. His management style is analyzed within the framework established by leadership theorist Conger who suggests that a charismatic leader is one who has both vision and strategy
From the Paper "Executive Summary
A great body of research exists that suggests that organizations can effect changes, whereas others suggested that organizations tend to are victims of inertia. Bill Gates has been the topic of more research papers than any executive in current history. It can be said that his company Microsoft has helped create the computer age.
In this analysis, the theory of a charismatic leader is applied to Bill Gates. His management style is analyzed within the framework established by leadership theorist Conger who suggests that a charismatic leader is one who has both vision and strategy. Gates himself is quoted from his Playboy interview, as well as concepts and ideas from his 1995 book, The Road Ahead. The analysis concludes with recommendations that would be made to Gates,..."
Abstract Examines what changes a company needs to make in order to change its marketing focus onto the consumer and away from traditional marketing strategies. The paper addresses the difficulties of this approach and explains that the concept is still new in the advertizing world. It provides a step by steps guide as to how to go about this change - identifying future trends, adapting technologies and entering markets through the media.
From the Paper "Many companies are making a strategic change from the traditional marketing approach to ?customer targeted marketing.? Customer targeted marketing is based upon the idea of consumerism, which is based on ?consumer behavior.? (Day, 1999) Consumer behavior is the focus of consumer research that is conducted for the use of various techniques and strategies, such as focus groups, in-depth interviews, customer surveys, attitude testing, and more to obtain information about consumers for more effective marketing of a product or service."
This paper discusses how an employee's satisfaction with their job influences not only their own personal motivation, but the company's success or failure, as well.
Abstract This paper is an examination of how job satisfaction, or lack thereof, can determine a company's success or failure in the marketplace. The paper discusses why job satisfaction is important and gives several examples of the havoc that a dissatisfied employee can cause, including the extreme cases where they resort to violence and cause physical harm to the other employees. The author discusses different ways that can improve job satisfaction including the improvement of benefits, salaries, the building of trust between managers and their employees, job flexibility, self-sufficiency and the transmission of postive feedback from supervisor to their employees. This paper poses several ways to improve the atmosphere including by making positive physical changes to the work environment and the institution of programs that encourage employee involvement.
From the Paper "Other factors suggested that an employee's sense of control over their situation had an effect on job satisfaction. The more employees felt that they were in control of their circumstances, the more they were likely to experience job satisfaction (Spector & O?Connell, 1994). Rotter (1954) defined persons with an external locus of control as feeling that they have no control over their own circumstances, instead attributing their success or failure to some outside force such as luck or divine intervention. These people consequently tend to take less responsibility for their actions than people with an internal locus of control do. Those who have an internal locus of control feel that that they do have an effect on the outcome of their situation. Individuals with an internal locus of control orientation appear more highly motivated, have better job performance, have higher job satisfaction levels, and have lower turn over rates than individuals with an external locus of control."
This paper discusses supervision as the guidance, leadership and control of the efforts of a group of individuals toward a common goal: Planning, organizing and directing.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 10 sources, 1991, $ 55.95
From the Paper "Supervision and supervisory techniques have been part of civilization since the first work or hunt detail was organized millennia ago. However, the theoretical practices of supervision and enlightened management style have only been in vogue during the last three or four decades. Indeed, since the future of any profession depends not only on its intrinsic ability to transmit its knowledge and values to new members, the role of supervision within the workplace has recently evolved into more of a scientific study of human behavior, psychology, and emotional gratification techniques. This paper will thus concentrate on the idea of supervision as the guidance, leadership, and control of the efforts of a group of individuals toward a common goal. It will analyze the planning stages of supervisory activity, the evaluation stage, the coordination stage, the encouragement ... "
A comparison of the styles, leader-subordinate relations, types, goals, techniques, discipline, organizational culture, response to change and limitations.
2,025 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 9 sources, 1994, $ 71.95
From the Paper "Introduction
Leadership is a necessary part of any organization, and managers who combine leadership skills with management traits offer organizations enhanced productivity and better long-term prospects than those managers who are not leaders. However, the line between leader and manager is ill-defined: leaders are not necessarily good managers, and managers do not always possess leadership characteristics. Both leaders and managers are required in successful organizations. Leaders provide the long-term vision for the organization, while managers possess the talent for putting that vision into concrete action and managing day-to-day activities that accomplish that action. The type of leadership that succeeds in any organization is, to some degree, determined by the organizational culture in which the company..."
This paper discusses project management: Effective planning, oversight and execution of firm's new projects, four steps of cycle, computers and pitfalls.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 6 sources, 1995, $ 39.95
From the Paper "Managing projects is an integral part of a company's ongoing strategy for success. Those companies which are able to effectively and efficiently manage projects are those which are profitable over the long-run; those companies which are not able to manage projects may be successful in the short-term, but they will suffer when business conditions worsen and the company must operate effectively for mere survival. Managing projects has progressed from a manual process involving large quantities of paperwork to a largely automated process in many organizations. Regardless of the level of automation, the same basic components are found in all project management systems. This research explores the issue of project management, including what constitutes project management, how a project management system works, and the problems as ... "
Abstract This paper discusses how good communication skills are critical to effective job performance, career advancement and organizational success. It shows how communication skills in the workplace help to enhance the interpersonal communication, giving and receiving criticism and dealing with different personalities and behavior types. It evaluates how an understanding of the communication process allows managers to implement better policies and creates a more harmonious work environment.
From the Paper "Effective communication involves using a wide range of skills, which like most other skills requires constant work and improvement. Communication skills incorporate a variety of techniques of written, oral and non-verbal forms and cover a range of areas, such as providing information, giving advice, resolving conflict, writing reports and letters, meetings and giving seminars. The importance of the communication skills is necessary for each of us to overcome difficult situations and improve our daily affairs and interactions with people, so that we are able to do best at our working environment. "
Abstract This paper analyses and examines the multitude of issues related to Cadillac's Escalade. It offers an environmental description of Cadillac's Escalade, including its competitors, the company, and consumers. A marketing description of Cadillac's Escalade is provided, including an evaluation of the price, product, promotion, and distribution. The paper presents a critique of Cadillac's Escalade marketing strategy. The paper concludes with recommendations for improving the marketing of the Escalade.
From the Paper "Few automobile makes have enjoyed the success that Cadillac has. Not only has Cadillac been able to remain successful over numerous decades, but also across various generations of consumers and with different types of automobiles. One reason why Cadillac was able to achieve such great success and to maintain its success throughout many decades is its willingness to respond to ever-changing consumer preferences, both in terms of designing automobiles as well as marketing such automobiles. In addition, Cadillac has been able to maintain and cultivate one of the highest levels of consumer loyalty."
