Abstract This paper relates that, in the mission statement, Microsoft is committed to enabling consumers and businesses to realize their full potential. The author points out that, in order to achieve its mission, the company networks with consumers, innovates cutting edge technology, and targets a global audience. The paper concludes that the new mission statement of the company has been derived to rectify the damaged image of Microsoft in the industry.
Table of Contents
About the Company
Microsoft's Mission Statement
Customers
Products or Services
Markets
Technology
Concern for Public Image
Concern for Employees
Conclusion
From the Paper "Microsoft believes in recruiting individuals who are bright, creative and energetic. Another requirement for employees at the company is to realize, respect and follow the great values of the company. The values require the employees to be honest towards provision of services to consumers. The employees must show respect for consumers, technology and business partners. Employees must be ready to take on big challenges. Another significant value expect from the employees, which also compliments the mission of the company is an employee's commitment to self-improvement."
Tags: image, technology, employee, customer, global
Abstract In his book, "Fast Food Nation", Eric Schlosser shows his distaste for America's fast-food culture, but perhaps more so for the business practices that have allowed fast food to become a way of life. This paper presents examples from Shlosser's book, which highlight the author's point that the fast food industry is wreaking moral, social, and medical havoc in the U.S. and the world. It also examines the author's use of logos and pathos throughout his book.
From the Paper "Schlosser does not use the health effects of food to convince readers that there is something wrong with the food industry, except at the end of the book when he discusses diseases caused by germs in the food, rather than the food itself. But failure to mention such things as the fact that cholesterol found in super-sized burgers can cause heart disease could be considered a rhetorical device. Schlosser assumes that his readers don?t want heart disease, and he assumes they have heard that eating beef tallow might well produce heart disease. In this respect, he is also using ethos: as an award-winning writer for the Atlantic Monthly, he can bank on his reputation in subjects like this one."
Abstract This paper examines how business forecasting is a valuable tool in aiding businesses to make both long-term and short-term business decisions. It looks at how both qualitative and quantitative methods of forecasting can be highly effective, especially when applied to the correct business environment and practice. It also shows that, while many methods, including the much-used Delphi and time series methods of forecasting, are flawed, they also can provide valuable data.
From the Paper "In this small business, more formalized methods of forecasting would not be financially viable. The cost of obtaining a Delphi analysis would far outweigh the benefits to the business. Nonetheless, the owners may be able to benefit from an industry-wide quantitative analysis of the future market for car repairs. This analysis would allow the owners to track industry changes in car repair sales. Further, an industry-wide analysis of the type of repairs, and the models of cars repaired may help this small business to predict the type of future repairs, and thus run their business accordingly."
Abstract Schlosser's book, "Fast Food Nation", argues that the institution of fast food, originally trumpeted as one of the successes of modern capitalism, was really a triumph of American advertising. It was dependant upon the exploitation of low-paid American workers, usually for part-time and non-benefit-conferring hours, and seduced children into making poor food choices that take them away from wholesome family meals. The paper shows how Schlosser's main point in his book is that fast food was a uniquely American institution, but became something that pulled America apart. The paper also examines Schlosser's use of rhetoric, logic, and pathos in his book.
From the Paper "Schlosser has some respect for the founders of fast food. Like our nation's founding fathers, Schlosser admits Kroc had a vision. Kroc deployed capitalism and freedom to realize that vision in an energetic and individualistic fashion. However, the consequences of untrammeled capitalism and advertising that was attractive to American ideals of convenience, sameness, and product loyalty also created a nightmare for many individuals, particularly those whose health was damaged by the sanitary procedures common at many fast food establishments. Kroc's individualism and enterprise also put many "mom and pop" businesses, out of business."
Abstract This paper examines how the increased use of technology in today's workplace has had a largely negative effect on workplace stress and reviews two articles on the topic. The applicability of each of the articles in relation to a type of organization similar to the law/claims group of a public utility is also analyzed, giving recommendations. The two articles are Michael C. Dennis's "Technology and Stress in the Workplace", which focuses closely on the newly emerging impact of technology-mediated stress in the credit industry, and the State of Utah's article,"Workplace Stress".
From the Paper "The State of Utah's article can be applied to a public utilities law/claims group type of organization. Employees in such an organization are likely to share the feeling that workplace stress is an ingrained feature of office life. Further, these employees likely share the impression that there is little that can be done to combat technology-fueled workplace stress. Importantly, the characteristics of those who deal well with workplace stress can also be applied to employees in the field of public utilities."
Abstract One of the key aspects to being a good manager is being a good decision maker and a good facilitator of decision making between others. However, although this statement may seem to be a cliche, like so many cliches about demonstrating strong leadership and business acumen, it bears a certain level of scrutiny when put into real world terms. This paper asks what happens when one must negotiate and mediate in the real world. It shows that, in these cases, there are two dominant paradigms every business manager must take into consideration, namely, what is economically feasible and good business sense, and what is ethically coherent with the company's philosophy and American law. This paper applies two available decision making models that satisfy both of these aspects, the rational actor decision-making model and the organizational processes decision-making model.
From the Paper "In other words, quite often decision making in the work force cannot presume that all conflicts have a rational basis, or that all mediate decisions made thusly can simply regard the quantitative and qualitative data that may be at the roots of a particular conflict. Decisions may ideally come from identifying relevant criteria, cause and effect beliefs, and different evaluations of proposed alternatives. However, if even from a purely rational basis conflict may result in all three areas, when conflicts in the workplace assume because of long-standing tensions, human resource management becomes even more difficult in achieving decisions that are mutually amicable for all parties."
Abstract This paper examines Delta Airlines's financial and marketing goals and notes how the financial objectives are closely linked to the marketing goals. The paper looks at how Delta focuses on the needs and wants of its customers, as well as how it has been financially affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks. The paper also discusses the areas that Delta intends to target for marketing purposes and where it faces the greatest competition.
From the Paper "The company's financial objectives and goals are closely linked to its marketing plan. Vicki Escarra, Chief Marketing Officer of Delta Airlines says that the company's singular dedication to the needs and wants of consumers has allowed Delta to survive and thrive in the most difficult market environments (Morris, 2002). One event that shook Delta and the rest of the airlines was the terrorist activities of September 11th. Increased expenses due to security training, cockpit door reinforcement, and insurance costs dramatically altered the airline's fixed overhead costs."
Tags: corporate, travel, industry, domestic, international, airports, seats, flown, miles
Abstract Although the reporting of facts and figures is often thought of as an objective science, quite frequently even business reporting is characterized by logical fallacies, including but not limited to, appeals to ignorance, hasty generalizations, and ad hominem attacks. This paper argues that these logical fallacies are particularly common and pernicious in business reporting because of the frequently technically complex nature of the subject matter in regards to facts and figures, combined with the emotional texture of business reporting that involves the fabric and texture of individual lives. The paper shows that reporters wish to attract attention and render complexities comprehensible, but frequently fall into logically fallacious traps to accomplish these objectives. The paper provides examples from business reports to elaborate on the ideas.
From the Paper "This is particularly important to remember when reading the business section about distasteful individuals, because it is tempting to assume, when hearing about past dirty dealings, to either discount all of the information brought up by the person, because of the past character of the potential economic criminal, or to assume that he or she knew everything about the dark corporate dealings at the company. Even the lack of evidence is made to sound dark in the above-cited article's rhetoric: "Considering that he was the driving force behind Enron's growth, the micromanaging former CEO did an amazing job of distancing himself from its decline. He stopped selling stock four months before Enron collapsed"and left the company entirely two months beforehand. He rarely used e-mail. His signature is conspicuously, and uncharacteristically, absent from the approval sheets for some of Fastow's most controversial deals.? ("Who Will Fastow implicate"? January 19, 2004, Business Week Online retrieved on January 19, 2004 at http://www.aol.businessweek.com/bwdaily/index.html#top) The ad hominem attack is generally used as a kind of intellectual shorthand, equating man with message, rather than trying to understand the business at hand."
Abstract An organization's structure is one of the key factors in whether or not an organization is operating efficiently and effectively. Yet, it is one of the more ubiquitous facets of an organization. An organization's structure does more than just identify the chain of command; it demonstrates the values of the organization and lays out the individual's responsibilities for the organization's success. This paper describes the formal, or traditional, organizational structure and how it compares with other structures. In addition, it discusses how informal culture affects formal structure, as well as the role of power and politics within an organization's culture. Finally, this paper discusses which leadership styles are most effective for traditional and informal organizational structures.
From the Paper "Combining divisional and functional structures is the design of a matrix structure. (Harris & Raviv, 2002) Unlike a traditional structure, the matrix structure is not typically utilized for the entire organization. Organizational members that are part of the matrix usually have a central base they function from, but have the flexibility to work with other groups or on special projects, as the organization's needs demand."
Abstract This paper explains that the three main strategic issues that Krispy Kreme will need to evaluate are its low degree of diversification, international expansion, and its distribution system, including franchising. The author points out that Krispy Kreme's greatest strength is its enthusiastic and loyal customers who have been developed through word-of-mouth publicity rather than traditional advertising. The paper relates that the most serious competitive threat is from Dunkin? Doughnuts, which is the well-established market leader, known for both its wide variety of doughnuts and for excellent coffee.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Strategic Issues
Internal Environment - Strengths and Weaknesses
External Environment - Opportunities and Threats
Recommendations
From the Paper "The third strength I have noticed in the case study is that the company seems to have a sound financial situation. Indeed, the IPO in 2000 raised enough cash to pay off debts and now the company can focus on its expansion. Of course, it has decided to cease paying dividends in the period to come, which I have considered a weakness and will discuss it further below, however, it is obvious that the company has no financial problems and that it can concentrate on its expansion."
Tags: diversification, franchising, word-of-mouth, dunkin?, international
Abstract The paper explains that some of the critical issues facing Faith Community Hospital, which the hospital needs to address, are basic financial problems; the conflict between the organization's spiritual heritage and values and the ethics of the medical profession; non-compliance with government, managed care, insurance regulations, and non-adherence to hospital operational policies. The author points out that Faith Community Hospital has an organizational management problem, which needs to be thoroughly analyzed rather than tyring to solve the various problems piecemeal. The paper states that, although the mission statement of Faith Community Hospital implies a broad goal of promoting the health and well-being of the people it serves within a framework of spiritual values, it can be inferred that the organization suffers from an absence of clear-cut policies and goals that are specific, measurable, targeted, and time-specific.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Identifying the Key Issues
Organizational Mission, Culture and Processes
Organizational Goals
Defining the Problem
The Mission Statement
The Absence of Clearly Defined Organizational Goals
Alternative Strategies
Alternative 1
Alternative 2
Recommendation
Conclusion
Appendix 1: Affinity Diagram
Appendix 2: Fishbone Diagram
From the Paper "The mission statement plays a critical role in setting direction and laying the foundation for the culture and goals of any organization. Indeed, this is clearly expressed in Hyrum Smith's model of instructive goal setting, which is commonly referred to as Smith's ?Success Triangle.? This model places an organization's governing values at the base of the goal setting process and recommends that goals must be linked to specific governing values in order to be meaningful and to help the organization achieve its mission (Parker, 2003). The mission statement of Faith Community Hospital appears to adhere to the strategic principles inherent in Smith's "Success Triangle" to the extent that it clearly emphasizes the organization's commitment to promoting the health and well-being of the people in the communities it serves, using its spiritual heritage and values as the foundation. However, since spiritual values can vary vastly across religions and individual beliefs, Faith's mission statement has led to broad individual interpretations that have, in turn, led to an organizational culture, which allows too much leeway for individual decision-making. This is evident in the anecdotal cases cited by the CEO of doctors independently deciding to either treat patients pro bono or insisting on insurance coverage prior to commencement of treatment; the pharmacist filling prescriptions for uninsured patients; and the inconsistency in adhering to hospital policy in areas such as "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) decisions."
Abstract This paper contends that companies must keep abreast of the profound technical, cultural, and ethical shifts that have occurred in today's business climate in order to make accurate marketing decisions. The paper discusses the technological, cultural, and ethical aspects of these changes and applies them to marketing decisions.
From the Paper "Of course, it's tempting to think of business decisions as occurring in a perfect economic bubble"wouldn"t it be nice to simply prepare a strategic SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis based on one's industry alone? Alas?or fortunately, depending on one's perspective, however, no company exists within such a comfortable bubble in today's business environment. (SWOT Analysis, 2004) Today, companies must keep abreast of the profound technical, cultural, and ethical shifts that have occurred in today's business climate, reflecting the more forward-thinking yet bearish attitude climate of the 21st century, as opposed to the 1990s."
Abstract This paper discusses two topics that have, in recent years, caused much concern in the business industry, ethics and work-related stress. The paper examines the trends of organizational behavior and identifies how ethics influence decision-making and how technology impacts work-related stress.
From the Paper "What is so startling about Bill Gates 1970's prediction of, "A computer on every office desk and in every home," is that very few people owned a computer at that time(Gates). For the most part only colleges and business had them. In fact the idea of a personal computer was beyond the comprehension of most people even those in business. For many in 1975, the Altair was their first introduction to a personal computer and it did not have a display or keyboard and had to be programmed by its owner by flipping a switch back and forth (pop quiz). Certainly this was not a product that would cause anyone to expect a computer to be on every desk and in every home. However, today there is a computer in 60 percent of the homes in the United States and people have access to computers in their jobs and in public libraries (Jennings)."
Abstract This paper provides background information about Steinway and Sons. It then explains what activity-based costing is and whether this would be a good method for the company. The writer looks at the advantages and disadvantages of the method and discusses how an accounting method can effect a company's success..
From the Paper "Looking at the business of Steinway & Sons, I have been tasked to make a decision as to whether or not they would be a good candidate for Activity Base Costing. To this, I say there are some positives and negatives to using Activity Based Costing. We will discuss how Activity Based Costing would affect Steinway & Sons if they were to adopt this method of accounting."
A five-year strategic plan for Harley-Davidson, Inc., new vision and mission statements, strategic planning tools including matrices and their interpretation.
Abstract This paper provides the outcomes of the strategic planning process for Harley-Davidson, Inc. The first step includes a Competitive Profile Matrix, a vision statement, a mission statement and an external and internal analysis of Harley-Davidson, Inc. The second step is the Matching Stage where Harley-Davidson, Inc.'s internal strengths and weaknesses are matched with its external opportunities and threats. Several matrices, including a SPACE Matrix, an Internal-External Matrix, a Grand Strategy Matrix and a Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix are developed and help in the selection of an appropriate strategy for Harley-Davidson, Inc. The firm's management selected to pursue from the intensive strategies. These include market penetration, market development, product development and concentric diversification, as well as a focus strategy. The more attractive strategic alternative that H-D will pursue is market penetration of its Buell Motorcycles line. The paper contains many tables and figures.
Paper Outline:
Abstract
Introduction to the Consulting Company
Company Description
Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM)
Vision Statement
Mission Statement
External Analysis
Long Term Analysis
Long-term Objectives
Matching Stage
The Strategic Position and Action Evaluation (SPACE) Matrix
The Internal-External (IE) Matrix
Grand Strategy Matrix
Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM)
Strategy Selection
Implementation Issues
References
From the Paper "H-D's long-term strategic and financial objectives involve increasing its global market share by expanding sales of its high performance and lighter-weight motorcycles to attract women and younger riders while continuing to excel at capturing the loyalty of its older targeted market. It will do this by increasing customer awareness of its high performance and lighter-weight motorcycles and connecting to its already well-known brand name that exudes high quality and excellent service. The goal of this objective is to have a long-range effect of increased sales of its heavyweight motorcycles as the high-performance and lighter-weight motorcycles are often starter motorcycles for first time riders."
