Abstract "This paper discusses and outlines a couple's plan for building their dream home. The couple hires a project management company to create a Home Building Project Implementation Plan (PIP). The plan contains the following subsections: executive summary, scope statement, assumptions, constraints, work breakdown structure, network design, responsibility assignment, budget plan, schedule plan, issue and change management plan, quality specifications, project dependencies, project metrics, human resources requirements, and resource planning Gantt chart."
From the Paper "Mary-Jo and Bobby Doe have decided to build their dream home and have requested the project management services of Home Builders' Inc (HBI). HBI helps owners to organize and plan the designing, financing and constructing through project management tools for home-building construction. The major participants involved in the Home Sweet Home project include Mary-Jo and Bobby Doe, architects, engineers, financial institution and builders who hire subcontractors for structural, mechanical, electrical and other specialty work."
Abstract This paper examines how Home Depot is the leading retail marketer of homeimprovement products, furnishings, and equipment related to the homeimprovement industry. It looks at how it has become a ubiquitous brand name, virtually synonymous with the homeimprovement industry. It also explores Lowe"s, its dominant competitor, and shows how, although quite similar in their target audiences and in the products they purvey, Home Depot and Lowe's are characterized by different marketing structures and have developed rather different goals, boundaries, and activity systems in terms of sales per store and desired customer base.
Outline
Introduction: Home Depot vs. Lowe's History
Background on Lowe" s
Background on Home Depot
Comparison Between the Two Home Retailers Image
Goals-Boundaries-Activity Systems (GBAS Model)
Conclusion and Recommendations
From the Paper "The company serves more than ?seven million do-it-yourself and commercial business customers each week through 875 stores in 45 states.? Lowe's advertises its relative smallness and intimacy as a purveyor, and also its community service, such as its contributions to "civic groups with public safety projects" through which it shares ?important home safety and fire prevention information with neighborhoods across the country.? Also, it states in its company mission ?Lowe's is committed to understanding and reflecting our communities' diverse cultures in our staffing, business partnerships and the products we sell. We are committed to making diversity and inclusion a natural part of the way we do business.? ("About Lowe"s, 2004)"
Abstract This paper presents a proposal for an accessible home design project by Caring & Sharing Center for Independent Living, Inc. The paper aims to determine what individuals with physical challenges and disabilities need in order to enjoy an independent lifestyle. The paper describes the services that the Caring & Sharing Center provides to consumers. The paper also discusses the financial aspects of the project and its challenges and options.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Statement Of The Problem
Background Of The Problem
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)
Florida Building Code on Accessibility
Constraints and Limitations
Opportunities
Options For Consideration
Recommendation
Budget/Narrative
Project Benefits
Conclusion
From the Paper "According to the US Census Bureau News Release, more than 50 million Americans report some level of disability. Approximately 51.2 million people have a disability; and for 32.5 million of them, their disabilities are severe. The US Social Security Administration defines disability in terms of the inability to perform Substantial Gainful Activity (SGA), meaning "work paying minimum wage or better". Although the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) distinguish many types of disabilities, this research proposal is focusing specifically on disabilities associated with spinal cord injury or dysfunction (i.e. paralyses). For this purpose, paralysis is defined as the complete loss of muscle function of one or more muscle groups."
Abstract This paper explains that the homeimprovement retail industry, which today is a booming success, began with large wholesalers selling building supplies to the American public in the early 1900s. By the 1920s, the store sizes decreased and became the first "mom and pop" style hardware stores, which are now being replace by warehouse-style "big boxes" that have taken over the industry today. The author points out that the major companies of this industry, Home Depot and Lowe's, build and operate "big box" stores, which can sell products at lower prices because of their heavy customer volume. The paper states that, once a company like Home Depot and Lowe's establishes a base, the difference in their success is customer service and building customer loyalty.
Table of Contents
Introduction
HomeImprovement Retail: A Brief History
Economic Features
Porter's Five Competitive Forces
Driving Forces
Competitive Position of Major Companies
Competitor Analysis
Key Success Factors
Industry Outlook
From the Paper "The most basic economic feature is the industry's market size and growth rate. According to the National Retail Hardware Association's (NRHA) annual industry report, the industry produced $208 billion in sales revenues for the year 2003. This is nearly double from 1993's total sales revenue of $110.2 billion. Home improvement retail accounts for over 30% of the entire specialty retail industry of which home improvement retail is a sub-industry. In addition to a large market size, the home improvement industry has seen a yearly industry average growth rate from 1997 to 2003 of 6.7%. Further, the industry is projected to grow at a rate of 5.2% per year until at least 2008."
Abstract This discussion provides an exploration of the homeimprovement industry. It discusses industry characteristics and the types of products and services the firms in the industry offer. It also discuss the number of firms, including concentration ratio and the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index.
From the Paper "A major characteristic of this industry is the rapid growth that it has realized in the past ten years. The home improvement industry has quickly become a multi-billion dollar industry. This industry is characterized by warehouse stores that sell home building and home improvement products. The stores tend to be extremely big and divided into various sections including; gardening, kitchen and household appliances, paint, and home building materials. According to Multex Investor, Customers include contractors, building maintenance professionals, tradespersons and homeowners."
Abstract This paper explains that Home Depot has more than double the market share over its closest competitor, Lowe's, and more than eleven times the market share of the second largest competitor, Menard, Inc. The author points out that Home Depot's most important strengths are its size, variety, and range of products, but technology and customer service are its greatest internal weaknesses. The paper relates that the most significant opportunity for the long-term health of Home Depot is globalization, especially in China, where Obi, the second largest homeimprovement retailer in the world, plans to build 100 homeimprovement centers over the next ten years.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Company Background
Current Position
Market Share
Sales Growth
Return on Equity
ROE: Industry Leader Comparison
Profit Margin
Internal Strengths
Company Size
Products
Internal Weaknesses
Technology
Customer Service
External Opportunities
Women: A New Market
Globalization
External Threats
Domestic
Sales Growth as a Percentage: Home Depot v. Lowe's
Foreign
Competitive Advantages
Major Strategic Issues
From the Paper "The Home Depot was created in 1978 by Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank and was formed as MB Associates. The first three stores opened in Atlanta and together posted sales of $7 million in 1979. The following year, Home Depot opened another store and posted sales of $22 million, an increase of 214% in one year. Home Depot continued to grow and in 1981, raised an extra $4.1 million when it went public. By 1985, Home Depot expanded to California and established a West Coast division. The next year, The Home Depot Inc. experienced its first $1 billion sales year and would never look back."
This paper discusses Home Depot, the giant do-it-yourself homeimprovement chain, which is the largest in the U.S.A. with more than 355,000 employees and 2,114 stores.
Abstract This paper explains that Home Depot is a customer driven company known for its excellent customer service, helpful employees, professional clinics and in-store clinics, which build lasting relationships with customers by helping them solve their problems. The author points out that Home Depot's prices run 20 to 30 percent below those of local hardware stores; however, there are certain categories in which it charges premium prices such as home construction supplies. The paper reports that Home Depot has entered successfully the Canadian and Mexican markets, has acquired an already established Chinese homeimprovement retailer, The Home Way, and is evaluating major European markets and other countries.
Table of Contents:
Competitors
Target Market
Products
Pricing Strategy
International Presence
Marketing Strategy
From the Paper "Lowe Companies Inc. is the direct as well as major competitor of Home Depot. Lowe started as a regional hardware store and today has become the number two home improvement chain. Lowe over the years has given stiff competition to Home Depot resulting in the resignation of its CEO Robert Nardelli this year due to the stock's poor performance as compared to Lowe's. Though Home Depot is the No. 1 home-improvement retailer, No. 2 Lowe's has been growing faster."
Abstract This paper discusses how Home Depot revolutionized the homeimprovement retail industry by combining the economies of scale inherent in a warehouse format with a level of customer service unprecedented among warehouse-style retailers. It suggests strategic alternatives to keep Home Depot ahead of the competition. The paper also provides strategies that can be employed by Home Depot for further growth in the industry.
Outline:
Introduction
Value Chain Analysis: Inbound Logistics, Operations, Marketing and Sales, Outbound Logistics, Service, Human Resources, Technological.
Strategic Themes for Home Depot: Product Strategy and Target Customers, Market Focus, Information Systems and Research.
Strategic Alternatives to Keep Home Depot Ahead of Competition
Strategies for Growth
Conclusions
From the Paper "Founded in 1978 in Atlanta, Georgia, The Home Depot(r) is the world's largest home improvement retailer. The Home Depot is committed to offering the ultimate home improvement shopping experience. With about 35,000 different products, trademark customer service and guaranteed low prices, Home Depot stores cater to do-it-yourselfers (DIY), as well as home improvement, construction and building maintenance professionals. (Home Depot Inc.) Mission statement of Home Dept is "is to form mutually beneficial partnerships with diverse businesses that allow us to deliver superior products and services and superb customer service, which ultimately increases shareholder value." (Home Depot website)"
Abstract This paper discusses the financial state and performance of Home Depot and Lowe's homeimprovement stores. The criteria utilized consist of ROE, ROA, debt ratios, stock performance and price along with a host of other criteria. While Home Depot is the industry leader, Lowe's is a strong performer. The paper points out, however, that both competitors are highly susceptible to market downturns in the housing industry.
From the Paper "Home Depot is a home improvement retailer and is the current industry leader. Home Depot operates over 1500 store locations throughout North America and Latin America although the majority of its locations are in the United States (Home, 2005). The company's headquarters is in Atlanta, Georgia and sales for its fiscal year 2005 exceeded $81.5b while its net income for that same period was $5.8b, which represents an approximate 8% increase over the previous period (Leading, 2005). Home Depot is classified as a big-box retailer which operates its line of business out of warehouse style locations and sells a variety of building materials, home improvement supplies, lawn and garden supplies targeting the do-it yourself-er customer as well as the small, independent contractor."
Abstract Home Depot is now as much a household name as McDonald's because of the presence of its stores nationwide. This paper introduces the retail giant which specializes in homeimprovement products and services and has been able to carve a niche for itself in a relatively short period of time. This paper focuses on Home Depot's various activities and operations and studies its achievements along with major current problems.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Abstract
Company Profile
Chart 1 (Growth In Hd Stores)
Chart 11 (Hd Market Share)
Conclusion
Recommendations
References
From the Paper "Home Depot Inc. opened its first store in 1978 under the leadership of Arthur Blank and Bernie Marcus. Both leaders have since then remained with the company as board of directors, only retiring as CEOs in 2001 after it was believed that Home Depot has reached a point in its evolution where it badly needed the services of a person with fresh ideas. The company has been more than just successful as in a short span of time, it made its presence felt nationwide and also in the immediate neighborhood by adopting the strategy of rapid expansion. 'Home Depot' is the largest retailer of home improvement goods and has divided its products in various categories so as to cater to the needs of all kind of customers. Home Depot is recognized as the "Orange" Company because of its orange-colored logo. This has proved to be a successful marketing strategy as people in every part of the country can recognize that logo and thus home depot has now become a household name. "
Tags: homeware, improvement, store, market, strategy, business, development
Abstract This paper focuses on two large retailers in the area of retail homeimprovements, Lowes and Home Depot, and compares and contrasts their financial ratios in a five-year trend table along with the most recent industry averages. The information presented in this report can be used to help determine the over-all financial status of these two companies.
Financial Ratios Used
Home Depot
Lowes
Efficiency Ratio Analysis
Liquidity Ratio Analysis
Leverage Analysis
Profitability Analysis
From the Paper "The inventory turnover ratio shows how many times per year a business can turn-over its inventory. In other words, this number represents how many times the business sells out of its inventory in a given year. This ratio is calculated by taking the cost of goods sold and dividing it by the average amount of inventory the business carries. Notice that these ratios are determined by the cost of goods sold because the inventory figures are carried on the boots at cost, not the price the merchandise will eventually sell for (Brealey, pg. 142). When comparing Lowe's and Home Depot to the industry average, we see that both companies' ratios were 5.0 for the year 2003 and the industry average was 4.8. This means that for the year 2003, both Lowe's and Home Depot were able to turn over their inventory a bit faster than the industry as a whole. "
Abstract The paper reveals that between 7 and 16 millions children between the ages of 6 and 12 are latchkey children who stay home alone, responsible for themselves and/or a younger sibling an average of 5 or more hours per day. The paper maintains that home safety courses are essential to assure the child both understands the sense of urgency and responsibility, as well as how to respond appropriately in a variety of instances. This paper outlines a course prepared for Mary Law Private School in California for 5th and 6th graders.
From the Paper "According to Huang (2005) between 7 and 16 million children are considered latchkey children - children aged 6 - 12 years of age who are either alone or supervised by a sibling 13 years of age or younger (Tout as cited by Conan, 2003). While some parents risk being cited legally for child endangerment, often the need for forcing children to stay home unattended is a combination of availability of after-school programs and how affordable programs are (Tout as cited by Conan, 2003). As a result, programs that train children in responsibility and home safety are on the increase (Huang, 2005). In California, Proposition 49 would provide for state funding for After School Safety programs as a school board requirement in order to assure regular funding."
Abstract This paper provides a financial overview of homeimprovement retailers, Home Depot and Lowes. The paper discusses financial aspects such as net margin, operating margin, return on equity, sales and earnings, asset utilization ratios, liquidity ratios and debt utilization. The paper then takes a look at the stock values of each company and cites Morningstar analysts' estimates for the fair value of the two stocks.
From the Paper "The Home Depot was founded, according to the company website, in 1978 in Atlanta, Georgia and is currently operating more than 1,900 stores such as The Home Depot, EXPO Design Center, The Home Depot Supply and other subsidiary companies across North America. The company boasts being the world's largest home improvement retailer and defines its business as addressed to "do-it-yourself, do-it-for me and professional customers who serve the home improvement construction and building maintenance market segments". The company feels it has "revolutionized the home improvement industry by offering an unparalleled selection of products and services under one roof". The statement is not far from the truth, since 40,000 different kinds of building materials and lawn and garden products are sold in HD stores today. The company's services include free in-store clinics for honing home improvement skills, design and decorating consultation, truck and tool rental, home delivery and others. Some subsidiaries specialize in flooring, lighting, plumbing and landscape supply. Design professionals are covered by the EXPO Design Centers. The Home Depot operates in 50 U.S. states and in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, 10 Canadian provinces and Mexico. In addition, two sourcing offices were recently opened in China."
Tags:home appliances laundry systems refrigerators dishwashers, air conditioners over-the-range microhoods countertop microwave ovens
Abstract This paper represents a teach and program evaluation on a home safety education program presented to 5th and 6th grade students at Mary Law Private School in Oxnard, California. Results from students, parents, teachers and the administration are reported. A personal and professional self-evaluation of the program, teacher qualities, style and effectiveness and areas for improvement are noted along with citations from relevant research.
From the Paper "The home safety education program presented to the 5th and 6th grade students at Mary Law Private School in Oxnard, California met with extremely positive results from students, parents, school teachers and administration. This paper presents an evaluation of the program, the process and the product through formal and informal evaluation methods. According to Anderson and Mercer (2004) evaluation must take place throughout the process to assure comprehensive development as well as implementation of the course. According to King, Sebastian, Stanhope and Gibbons (1997) evaluations can determine the effectiveness of a process, relevance of course objectives and help provide insights for revision. Kaluzney and Veney, (as cited by King et al., 1997) tell us evaluations are a way to determine the "long term implications of the program ... and whether program outputs have the desired effects on the fundamental problems the program is..."
Abstract This paper defines performance improvement within an organization using the "system's thinking" approach. This approach aims to improve performance amongst employees and hence the company. It discusses its implementation, benefits, obstacles and how to rate the system. The paper also offers graphic representation to qualify points made.
Table of Contents:
Details of what a Performance ImprovementProject Is
Rate Organization's Performance in this Area
The Obstacles to Improving Performance in this Area that Currently Exist
The Benefits that an Organization would Result from this Performance ImprovementProject The Metrics that will be Used to Measure this Project and How those Metrics Align with the Mission and Goals
The impact of this Performance ImprovementProject Strategies and Approaches could be Used to "Sell" the Project to Management
References
From the Paper "The main obstacles exist in the area of employee education and training. Since most employees are not clear on the subject of systems thinking, they do not understand how it can be used for performance improvement. This is acting as a major problem in implementing this approach completely. For this reason, the staff almost appears incapable of thinking as part of the whole. Another major problem was that firm had failed to notice this learning problem and since it had not yet been identified, nothing serious had actually been done. In the book, The Fifth Discipline, the author, Senge, had explained some reasons why a firm's employees may fail to think interdependently."
