This paper discusses counter trade mechanisms, which are a part of the exchange of currency for countries that do not allow free conversion of currency.
Abstract This paper explains that counter trade mechanisms come in many different forms; the most common form, used especially among lesser-developed countries, involves businesses exchanging commodities without using money, with a bank managing the exchanges. The author describes other forms of counter trade, including buy-back, getting partial cash and partial goods payment for services or good offered; offset, selling a high-dollar contract of equipment to a company in another country, which, in return, agrees to purchase a high-dollar contract of goods back from the country; and bilateral trading agreements between foreign governments. The paper relates that, although there are benefits, there are risks with this form of exchange mechanisms; therefore, it is important to have an agreement in place that meets the legal requirements of both countries involved.
From the Paper "When a country has freely convertible currency it means that people, both residents and nonresidents of the country, are able to buy an unlimited supply of currency. Conversely, a country is considered to have nonconvertible currency when people, whether residents or nonresidents of the country, are unable to convert foreign currency. In between being a nonconvertible and a convertible country regarding foreign currency is externally convertible. Externally convertible means that nonresidents of the country can freely convert their foreign currency in unlimited amounts."
Abstract This paper is on the topic of whether a company should lease or buy an asset. The lease vs. buy decision is deceptively simple and can be over-simplified by people unaware of its true complexity. An example of a lease or buy decision is given, containing at least ten variables.
From the Paper "Traditionally firms have owned fixed assets and reported them on their balance sheets as assets. However there may be certain benefits associated with leasing an asset rather than to buying it. The question of whether to lease or buy is rarely a simple ..."
Tags: Leas or buy, lease or buy or purchase, net present value, discounted future cash flows, lease terms, lease calculation, strategic business decisions
Abstract This paper explains the differences between consumer and organizational buying behaviour and the influences on organizational buyers. The writer begins by explaining the concept of organizational buying including how it differs from consumer buying, before proceeding to an analysis of the main influences on organizational buyers and how one would utilize those to attempt to win a contract.
From the Paper "For the marketing manager of an organisation to operate in an effective and efficient fashion, it is imperative that they possess a sound understanding of organisational buying behaviour. A thorough understanding of the differences between consumer and organisational buying, and thus the influences on organisational buyers, enables a marketer to correctly identify the best way to market their product or service to the organisation they are interested in doing business with."
Abstract The decision to lease equipment as opposed to buying it outright is a complex decision with benefits to both considerations. For companies that have a limited amount of capital or are constrained in their access to capital sources, leasing is the better option. For companies that have no capital issues and that are purchasing equipment that has a long life span, buying the equipment is the best option because the returns on the investment cover a longer period. This paper examines the positives and negatives of buying equipment and leasing equipment and discusses which option is best for different financial situations.
From the Paper "Yet, there are considerations in both cases that might make the obvious choice the second option rather than the first depending on the individual conditions of each business. In very essential terms, leasing equipment and other capital investments preserves a company's capital position and allows the company to upgrade more often or to retool more rapidly and with less cost (Neely)."
Abstract This paper discusses the issue of buying music over the Internet and the problems with it. It discusses the anti-trust issues that have arisen and how to deal with them. It also examines the issue of who really "owns" the commercial product which is music, whom does this belong to? How can musicians and record labels receive benefits from their works if the music is bought over the Internet from an e-commerce site. It discusses music downloads over the Internet and its problematic issues as well.
From the Paper "One of the most controversial issues in the music business today is the issue of selling music through the Internet. The ongoing and evolving process of selling and disseminating music through the Internet has provoked a number of economic as well as artistic debates for the music business and for the computer and technology businesses that allow such technology to be accessed. This paper will address some of these concerns with a particular focus on the anti-trust issues that have arisen over the course of this debate. First of all, the issue of disseminating music over the Internet provokes the perplexing question of who really "owns" the commercial product of a pieces of music, anyway? Is the owner the person or persons who simply hear the tune and keep humming it? Is the owner the musician who produces the product? Or are the owners the music companies musicians have signed artistic rights to? Clearly, to survive musicians must be able to charge for the product they produce, and the companies have control over the specifics of how to market that product. But once a song is in the public sphere, do not consumers have a right to "pass on" that music product in ways that they see fit, even if those ways may inhibit the sales of recordings of that music?"
Abstract This paper discusses the commercialized child and the new consumer culture. The author points out that Juliet B Schor's 2004 book "Born To Buy" criticizes the efforts of predatory marketers to directly target young children.
From the Paper "In Juliet B. Schor's "Born To Buy", the author criticizes the growing tendency of predatory marketers who target grade-school-age children. Schor maintains that kids and teens are now the epicenter of American consumer culture. Schor argues that aggressive marketers have begun to bypass appeals to parents in favor of directly targeting young children including setting up peers to sell products to friends, using public education sponsorship contracts to offer products to children in school, ..."
Abstract This is a community health related assessment concerning the issue of low back pain among nurses. After a review of the prevalence of the disorder, the paper includes a comprehensive assessment examining biophysical, psychological, physical, socio-cultural, behavioral and healthcare system implications related to the problem. A critical analysis and community nursing diagnosis is also provided.
From the Paper "According to the US Department of Health (Brown, 2003) every day approximately 9,000 healthcare workers become disabled through injury on the job. Worker's compensation claims for healthcare workers related to back injuries are approximately $1.7 billion (Goldsmith, 2001) based on an injury frequency of 1 in 10 work related back injuries ending up with an injured nurse. According to Hedge (n.d.), the rate of injury to nurses is approximately twice that for all industries combined. Approximately 12% of nurses leave the profession each year due to back pain and back related injuries (ANA President Barbara Blakeney, 2004 as cited in "ANA Launches," 2004)."
Abstract The paper reveals that at the center of Best Buy's competitive advantage is its ability to deliver customized and highly personalized service. The paper shows how Best Buy has been able to automate its services and product customization through online-guided selling, sales and product configurators. The paper discusses how automating the quote-to-order process is delivering significant results for Best Buy and makes it possible for customers to shop on a 24/7 basis during the holiday season.
Outline:
Best Buy Automates Guided Selling and Quote-to-Order Processes
Comparing Quote-to-Order and Guided Selling at Best Buy Summary
From the Paper "Best Buy relies on a series of distribution centers that are continually managed through the use of their Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems which function as the distributed order management hub that synchronizes customer demand from its stores with incoming supply chain partners' shipments. The ability to synchronize their many supply chain partners with the demands of stores is another of Best Buy's major competitive advantages, and ensures that the store sales persons have the optimal mix of products for the customers who frequent their stores."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that a SWOT analysis helps organizations to identify and analyze their weaknesses and threats so as to overcome them by effectively harnessing their opportunities and strengths. The writer explains that "SWOT" is an acronym for strength, weakness, opportunities and threats. In this paper, the writer conducts a SWOT analysis of Best Buy Inc., one of the leading marketers of consumer electronics in the United States. The writer begins by presenting a short executive summary of the company. This is followed by the SWOT analysis, a discussion of the current issue facing the company as it relates to maintaining a profitable position in the industry and the recommendations and conclusion.
Outline:
Introduction
Best Buy: Executive Summary
Best Buy: SWOT Analysis
Strengths
Weaknesses
Opportunities
Threats
Best Buy: Current Issues
Recommendations
Conclusions
Appendix
Figure 1
Figure 2
From the Paper "Best Buy derived its strength from three main factors: its employees, customer centricity, and market share. With regard to the employees, it will be important to note here that the company can boast of having a highly professional and motivated workforce who is committed to ensuring that the company attains it corporate aims and objectives. The company currently has as much as 150,000 well-trained and innovative employees who are armed with up-to-date skills for caring for the needs of the company's customers.
"Customer-centricity is another source of strength for Best Buy. Unparalleled commitment to customer satisfaction is one of the secrets that contributed to the success of Best Buy in the consumer electronics industry."
Abstract The paper presents brief descriptions of various lease vs. buy scenarios along with recommended solutions, including reasons behind the decisions. The paper discusses how asset acquisitions require comparing and contrasting the advantages and disadvantages of leasing and buying options. The paper shows how to make an optimum decision, one must analyze the present values of the cash outflows for the different leasing and buying options.
Outline:
Abstract
Simulation Scenario and Recommendations
Risks and Uncertainties
Advantage of Present Value of Outflows
Capital Lease vs. Operating Lease
Condition of Assets
Conclusion
From the Paper "Bonnesante Research is small, young biotech company based in California. The company originated with a purpose to produce new, innovative, and highly profitable anti-infective drugs. Bonnesante obtains operating capital from Venture Capitalist (VC) but due to the high-risk of anti-infective drug production ventures, VC is conservative with their funding. Since acquiring assets is a major focus for the company and funding is conservative, Bonnesante must scrutinize lease and buy options."
Abstract The paper discusses how the author compares opening a business from scratch to buying an existing business and recommends buying an existing business. The paper is of the opinion that this article might scare some people away from starting their own business. The paper also maintains that it does not cover some of the disadvantages of buying a business. The paper concludes that it is a good article to consider, but much more research and expert opinion should be considered when contemplating any business purchase.
From the Paper "Choosing a small business is one of the most important considerations for the entrepreneur. As the textbook notes, there are many advantages to buying an existing business, from fewer problems than a start-up business, to proven success in the field, and a short start-up time. The author also notes that small business and self-employment are becoming increasingly popular. She says, "Since many experts have predicted that a significant percentage of the workforce will be working in a self-employment capacity in the next decade, business ownership is becoming increasingly more important to many people" (Sawyer, 2007). Thus, choosing, financing, and operating a small business can be one of the most important actions a modern entrepreneur can make."
Tags: self-employment, finance, entrepreneur, decision, small
This paper discuses the marketing process, especially market segmentation, at Best Buy Co., Inc., a specialty retailer of consumer electronics, home-office products, entertainment software, appliances and related services.
Abstract This paper explains that market identification, segmentation, "courting" and specialization has led Best Buy to gobble up market share in a way that would have seemed unimaginable for this company only a few years ago. The author points out that Best Buy has cleverly taken advantage of market segmentation to establish itself as a retail giant. The paper relates that market segmentation is the practice whereby an organization targets its advertising message towards a particular demographic group with specific characteristics, which the company feels are significant. The author states that Best Buy is a market leader in the use of computer databases, which collects gender, socio-economic status, race, religion and "background" information on its actual customers
From the Paper "Proceeding further with Best Buy, the emphasis in Cha's article upon the "Barrys" and "Jills" of the world is not unexpected: according to Best Buy management staff the writer contacted in the process of preparing her piece, the aforementioned groups are targeted because, quite simply, they spend the money. In the case of the "Jills" of the world, they are invariably in charge of purchasing decisions for the family (especially the big ones) and they are also well-educated (for the most part) shoppers who possess decision-making skills."
Abstract This paper discusses the inner-workings of Best Buy from the perspective of the directors of the company. It evaluates the key leadership factors that promote the on-going success of Best Buy including technology, market, service and brand.
Abstract
Evaluation of Technology Factors
Technology and the Evaluation of Market Strategy
Service
Branding
Conclusion
From the Paper "Best Buy caters to the electronically savvy private and business consumer markets therefore the internet has played an intrinsic role in the firm's sales growth and expansion initiative. As North America's largest consumer electronics retailer, Best Buy leverages the internet as a useful decision making tool which solves individual and business consumer's need for information on a wide range of electronic, software, appliances, music, office furniture and service products."
Abstract This paper takes a look at the issue of buying or leasing company assets. The paper studies the company, Bonnesante Research, discussing both the option to lease and to buy certain assets for the company's use in its operations. The primary objective of this simulation is to determine which among the two options would be applicable and be effective in the given circumstances.
From the Paper "In the simulation scenario, the initial requirement being considered by Bonnesante is the acquisition of a mainframe computer. This computer equipment would be useful for the company's objective to heighten its research for the first six months of its trial operations and support the requirement of the Food and Drug Administration. To acquire the equipment, Bonnesante must determine whether to purchase the computer mainframe outright or use the mainframe under an operating lease agreement. Based on the decisions made in the simulation, the company opted to lease the mainframe for 18 months. The decision to lease was employed in consideration of the rapid obsolesce of computer equipments and comparatively to advance high-end computer workstations which is functioning at par with mainframes. Purchasing it was not advisable. Since Bonnesante is still not a profitable company, the depreciation of such equipments shall affect the present cash flow situation due to the un-applicability of taxes if the mainframe is to be purchased. Operating lease is a good option for equipments with high rates of obsolesces."
Abstract The paper explains the three noted steps in the business purchase decision process; the need recognition process, the search process and the evaluating options process that then leads to a decision to buy. The paper compares this to the consumer buying process that also involves several stages; the problem recognition, the search for information regarding the purchase, then the actual purchase and finally, the outcome of the purchase. The paper shows how both processes are, in essence, inherently similar.
From the Paper "The business buying decision can be an extremely important one in the ultimate buying process, and this process involves several steps. It must be remembered that the business market as such is made up of organizations that, in some way or another, may be involved in the manufacture, distribution, or offering support services for the product or the services that have been sold to the customer. It is also important to note that the amount of purchasing that would be undertaken by the business market as a whole would be able to dwarf easily the total amount of spending done by customers, in the customer buying process."
