Free Essays on Diversification, Mergers and A cquisitions

1. Introduction Diversification, mergers or acquisitions since the 1980's, and even more in the late nineties, has become a growing trend for companies, both large and small, domestic and foreign, to form strategic alliances within their particular industries. There are many specific goals that companies may be looking to achieve by doing this, but the main underlying reason is to guarantee the long-term sustained achievement of "fast profitable growth" for their business. They have to keep up with a rapidly increasing diversified global market and increased competition. Nowadays, with the struggle for competitive advantage becoming stronger and stronger, it is almost essential to form alliances. Diversifying and expanding techniques such as mergers and acquisitions are very popular methods for forming these alliances. Basically stated, A merger is the combining of two or more companies into a single corporation. This is achieved when one company or business purchases the property or some other form of assets from another company. The result of this action is the formation of one corporate structure. This new corporate structure retains its original identity. An acquisition is a little different from a merger in that it involves many problems being "dissolved", and an entirely new company being formed. Much research and planning is required in the early stages of these processes, which starts with an acquisition strategy used in trying to find a suitable company to merge with. I have chosen to assess the automobile industry focusing on predominantly horizontal integration as one the preferred method of affiliation by global automobile players. 2. Successes and failures Some mergers, like marriages, are made in heaven. The union of two companies augments revenues, boosts profits, generates shareholder value and wins applause on the stock exchange. Other mergers – also like marriages –are made in hell. Turf battles break out... Free Essays on Diversification, Mergers and A cquisitions Free Essays on Diversification, Mergers and A cquisitions 1. Introduction Diversification, mergers or acquisitions since the 1980's, and even more in the late nineties, has become a growing trend for companies, both large and small, domestic and foreign, to form strategic alliances within their particular industries. There are many specific goals that companies may be looking to achieve by doing this, but the main underlying reason is to guarantee the long-term sustained achievement of "fast profitable growth" for their business. They have to keep up with a rapidly increasing diversified global market and increased competition. Nowadays, with the struggle for competitive advantage becoming stronger and stronger, it is almost essential to form alliances. Diversifying and expanding techniques such as mergers and acquisitions are very popular methods for forming these alliances. Basically stated, A merger is the combining of two or more companies into a single corporation. This is achieved when one company or business purchases the property or some other form of assets from another company. The result of this action is the formation of one corporate structure. This new corporate structure retains its original identity. An acquisition is a little different from a merger in that it involves many problems being "dissolved", and an entirely new company being formed. Much research and planning is required in the early stages of these processes, which starts with an acquisition strategy used in trying to find a suitable company to merge with. I have chosen to assess the automobile industry focusing on predominantly horizontal integration as one the preferred method of affiliation by global automobile players. 2. Successes and failures Some mergers, like marriages, are made in heaven. The union of two companies augments revenues, boosts profits, generates shareholder value and wins applause on the stock exchange. Other mergers – also like marriages –are made in hell. Turf battles break out...

My Life Timeline Activity for Kids

My Life Timeline Activity for Kids History is sometimes a hard concept for kids to grasp- not that events happened, but that they happened to real people and that to those people it wasnt history, it was the present. One of the best activities to help show your child the idea of being a part of history is to help him create My Life Timeline depicting their history and accomplishments. Note:  One thing to remember as you tackle this activity is that a child who was adopted may find this activity a little difficult, but there are ways to adapt it to make it more general. Instead of focusing on everything that happened from the time when your child was born and beyond, think about using less specific terms, like past and present. That way your child can decide what events in his â€Å"past† are of importance to him without feeling pressured to know the details of what happened in the time before he was adopted. What Your Child Will Learn (or Practice) Your child will get a sense of historical perspective while practicing sequencing and expository writing skills. Materials Needed: Roll of butcher paper  or some pieces of paper taped together to create a strip about 6 to 10 feet long.Pencils, a ruler, and markers.Pair of scissorsGlue or tapeIndex cardsPhotos commemorating events of your child’s lifetime. (They don’t have to be big events, just a good selection of photos that span his lifetime.) Starting a My Life Timeline Provide your child with some index cards and ask him to help you think about some moments in his life that are most important or memorable to him. Start by having him write his date of birth on an index card. Tell him what day of the week he was born on and the time if you know it, and ask him to add that information to the index card, too. Then, have him label the card with a phrase like Today, I was born!Challenge him to think of other days in his life that were important in his personal history. Prompt him to think about things like brothers or sisters being born, first days of school and family vacations. Ask him to write down the events and their descriptions, one on each index card, without worrying about whether they are in order.Complete this process up to the present day. The last card might say, Made a My Life Timeline.When he’s done coming up with events, have him place all the index cards the floor or on a table. Now, ask him to sequence the events according to whe n they happened, starting with the oldest (his birth date) on the left and working toward the most recent on the right. If your child is having trouble remember which events came before others, you can help him identify when something happened. Providing him with the month and year will be a big help in putting his personal history in order.Look through the photos together to try to find one to match each index card, but don’t stress if there isn’t one. Your child can always hand illustrate an event. Putting Together a My Life Timeline Lay the piece of butcher paper down on a hard work surface (the floor works best).Help your child use the ruler to draw a horizontal line in the middle of the paper from one end to the other.Start at the left end of the paper and draw a small line upward (vertically) from the middle of the paper. This mark will represent the day your child was born. Have him write his birth date above that line. Then ask him to make a similar line at the very end of the paper, writing today’s date and a little bit about himself and his life today.Have him place the index cards- in order- between those two dates, making a small line to connect each card to the line in the middle of the paper.Ask him to match the photos with the events and put each one below the correct index card (under the line on the paper). Glue or tape the pictures and index cards in place.Let your child decorate the timeline, trace the information he’s written with markers and then tell you his personal history!

International Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 11

International Business - Essay Example For example, the author states, â€Å"Lina Pedraza Rodrà ­guez, Minister of Finance and Prices of Cuba, said that the country urgently needs to modernize its economy so as to protect the achievements of the Cuban Revolution. For that it requires foreign investment, including from the United States† (Knight, 2015). This quote captures the minister’s comments on Cuba and its needs for foreign direct investment. This was a remark meant to woo countries such as the U.S to come and invest in Cuba. The countries about which the article was written include Cuba, the United States of America and Mexico. The article directly focuses on Cuba as a country that is advertising itself for foreign direct investment. USA and Mexico are referred to in the article as two countries that can possibly invest in Cuba. To make this possible, Cuba’s officials laid bare the environment and regulatory frameworks put in place in the country to ensure that foreign investment in the country would be a smooth process and a mutually beneficial endeavor for both parties. The information contained in the article might influence my decision to invest in the country in the sense that knowing the business environment, the regulatory and legal frameworks in Cuba will help me make appropriate decisions on whether it is a safe and beneficial place to invest in. For instance, Lina Pedraza Rodrà ­guez states, â€Å"Cuba is open to investment from the United States. It has never been closed† (Knight, 2015). She also added that the Cuban government had stabilized the microeconomic indicators to ensure that private and foreign companies operate with secure property rights. Deborah Rivas, the General Director of Foreign Investment in the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment also stated that appropriate laws are established to protect foreign investment. These facts positively influence me to invest in the country

Discuss the reasons that France was ripe for a Revolution in the years Essay

Discuss the reasons that France was ripe for a Revolution in the years leading up to 1789. Include a discussion of Sieyes''What is the 3rd Estate '' and the Cah - Essay Example It was under the motivation, guidance and inspiration of the bourgeois that the French revolution took place. There have been a lot of debates and discussions as to what led to the French revolution. Critics vary in their analysis of the true cause behind the revolution. According to Hunt (p 5), the middle-class intellectuals were the masterminds of the revolutionary plot as this particular social class was economically well-off, socially aware and educationally advanced. The bourgeoisies were against feudalism and absolutism and stood for democracy. Furet is of the opinion that one of the many reasons of the French Revolution was a change in the mindset of people for a newer and liberal kind of political establishment. On one hand the increasing exploitation of the third Estate with the drainage of the royal treasury spent on mindless luxury of the nobility, levying heavy taxes on common people at whim and on the other the coming into sense and socio-economic status of the bourgeois were reasons for the mass outburst. Moreover, it was a revolution where women too played significant roles a s the social status of women was as good as nothing (Levy et al). There was a demand for the declaration of the rights of man that was behind the radical decision to storm Bastille in 1789 (Hunt et al p 653, Lualdi p 50-52). However, there was no attempt to reform the older policies to uplift the general scenario of the ailing land and its people. Joseph Sieyes has provided a vivid and detailed description of the function and potential of the third Estate thereby nullifying any requirement or presence of the other two Estates that of the King and the Church. He has defined his own class system that is not based on the paradoxical concept of hierarchy but on an innovative concept of work sequence. According to him peasants should ideally belong to the first class because agriculture is the basis of any nation. Next he puts the workers

Customers Needs of Marks and Spencer

Customers Needs of Marks and Spencer Introduction of Marks and Spencer In 1998, Marks and Spencer became the first British retailer to make a pre- tax profit over  £1 billion, but a few years later it plunged into a crisis which lasted for several years. They cant meet the customer expectations and need longer lead time on the production. However, after changing their company CEO, Marks and Spencer started improve due to a substantial number of changes in operation management. It included dynamic and cheaper supply chain, improve the products design and quality, and good identification and service of market segments. 1.1 The identification of different customer needs on MS clothing ranges Marks and Spencers (MS) has divided into three types of clothing ranges that are Perfect and Classic range, the Autograph range, and he Per Una range. Each range has been developed to a different target segment customer of the women clothing market. Marks and Spencer must identify what their customer needs to meet their customer expectations and improve the products. Customers will tend to judge the products and services according to their judgement to compare the price, quality, promotions, values, and pre and post services together with competitors to determine which brand they like. Marks and Spencer using the demographic segmentation to identify what their customer needs. Mark and Spencer target their customers by age, gender, income, social class, and the others. This is because customers will change their needs and wants anytime. So that, Marks and Spencer should be aware this issue occurs. 1.2 Customer Needs Customer needs is to meet the customer expectations or customer needs and wants. We need to do the market research to find out what products the customer likes and identifies emerging opportunities (No author, 2011). The products can influence the customer needs and wants such as the price, location, design, culture, and the others. 1.3 Perfect and Classic Ranges The Perfect and Classic ranges are aimed to serve the core customers of Marks and Spencer. Marks and Spencer core customers are target under 35 to 55 year old men and women. Perfect collection is designed the clothing in basic and simple way and they include plain, white shirts, black roll-neck sweaters and jeans. The clothing must be machine washable, non-iron, and tumble-dry friendly for the busy lifestyle customers. These range customers who is looking for appreciate practical, good quality, and value at reasonable priced. Besides, the design must be timeless that means the design not outdated from time to time. The Classic Collection was aimed at more mature customer and tends to serve into different style such as smart, elegant, and confident style for their customers. The designs for these ranges are limited and ensure the customers can find their suitable clothes. 1.3.1 Age and Gender Perfect and Classic Range in Marks and Spencer their core customers are target under 33 to 55 year men and women. Marks and Spencer must determine these range customers what are their age and gender before designing the clothes. This is because easier for the designer designing the clothes. 1.3.2 Income and Social Class Income and social class can show a customer buying behavior. As we can see, Perfect and Classic range customers their income and social class not so high. Therefore, they required appreciate practical, good quality, and value at reasonable priced. Marks and Spencer must meet their customer expectations. 1.4 Autograph Range The Autograph range was launched in the spring and summer in year 2000 and it is a new seasonal range. This range is to bring cutting-edge design to wider the audience within a unique environment. These range designs were done by Julien Macdonald, Philip Treacy, and Sonja Nuttall who are the recruiting best designers in Marks and Spencer. This design was developed a range of clothes, men and women accessories. It is providing a more up-market range of clothes for Marks and Spencer core market. Autograph range brings the top designer collection to Market and Spencer customers at high street prices, within a designer boutique environment. However, in the autograph range limited to spring and summer range with merely 60 colours style every season. Autograph range designs a bit like formal wear or elegant clothing. For example, the elegant clothing can wear to work or shopping. 1.4.1 Income and Social Class As we know, Marks and Spencer Autograph range products are more expensive. Their customers are willing to spend their money to purchase the luxury products. It shown that, Autograph range customers have high income and high social class. 1.5 Per Una Range Per Una range was launched on 28 September 2001. Per Una range target customers were the fashion-conscious women aged between 25 to 35 year old, sizes 8-18. This collection is providing the high quality materials and the designs are the latest trends design. Besides, the products of Per Una range sold under limited edition, which makes the products unique in the market. Besides that, the prices were 10% more expensive than other Marks and Spencer ranges. 1.5.1 Age and Gender For age and gender in Per Una range, Marks and Spencer their target customers are under the aged between 25 to 35 fashion-conscious young lady. Around this aged ladies like to buy the trendy or fashion clothes especially the limited edition because its very unique and small quantity in the market. So, the Marks and Spencer designer must identify their age range to design the limited edition clothing for the customers. 1.5.2 Income and Social Class In the new generation, most of the young ladies liked to show how rich they are or their social level. Per Una range are very suitable for the ladies who like to buy the trendy or fashion clothes especially limited edition to show out their social level and how rich they are. Identification and explanation of order winners and qualifiers In Marks and Spencer, they are very clear on their order winners as well as their order qualifier. Marks and Spencer as the top retailer in UK, the order winners and order qualifier for each range are identified. This can make the customers perceived the clothing produced by Marks and Spencer is high quality and competitive prices meet their customer expectations. In Marks and Spencer, each range clothing has different order winners and order qualifier to target different customers in UK. 2.1 Order Winners Order winners are those competitive characteristics that cause a firms customers to choose that firms goods and services over those of its competitors. It can be considered to be competitive advantage for the firm. It usually focuses on rarely more than two of the following strategic initiative. It included price or cost, delivery speed, delivery reliability, quality, product design, flexibility, brand image, and after-market service (No author, 2008). 2.2 Order Qualifier Order qualifiers are those competitive characteristics that a firm must show to be viable competitor in the marketplace (No author, 2008). The firm is responsible for providing the order winners and order qualifier that enable the products to win orders in the marketplace. This process must start with the corporate strategy and help the firm to continue operating or to wins the customers business (Hill, 2000). The order winners and qualifiers are both specific in market and time. They work in different combinations such as different market and different target customers. Therefore, the customer needs are the key factor that influence the order winners and order qualifiers principle makeover (Nemetz-Mills, 2001). 2.3 The correlation and influences of order winners and qualifiers in MS clothing ranges. Perfect and Classic Ranges Autograph Ranges Per Una Ranges Product Range The range is limited to its classical style and return to basics trend The range is based on designer wear trend and available at selected boutique store The range is focused on high quality and fashion trend design Design Changes The design standardise with multifunctional clothing The design is seasonal range and focus on spring and summer The design of its product is latest trend and changes monthly Price Value at reasonable pricing High street pricing High street style at affordable pricing, 10% more expensive than other MS ranges Quality High quality and functional clothing High quality, based on the summer and spring trends High quality, limited edition and trend designs Sales Volume [SKU] Large volume Limited and available at the selected boutique store Very small volume and limited edition Order Winners The reliability of its product functional from wash to tumble-dry High quality and clothing design ranges based on seasonal trends The design based on its design and appearance and its limited edition trends Order Qualifiers It focusing for quality and value at reasonable pricing It focusing on its competitive high street pricing of it clothing range Affordable price and high quality Operations Priorities The operations prioritised on its clothes cost The operations prioritised on its clothes quality The operations prioritised on its rapid and flexibility changes of it clothes trends 2.4 Perfect and Classic Ranges Perfect and Classic ranges are emphasise to standard design that mean the fashion is not the out-dated design or timelessness design. Perfect Collection customer who is looking for appreciate practical, good quality, and value at reasonable priced. This collection is carrying on Marks and Spencer tradition of reliability and buying experience and the sourcing is more low cost producers. Classic Collection is focusing on more mature customers. The design for these ranges are timeless and not just the latest fashion. It is to ensure the customers can find the suitable products. 2.5 Autograph Range The Autograph range is design the clothing on seasonal range that are spring and summer. Besides, it is offering exclusive collection of products on high street prices. The OWC comprises of the product more stylish, designer boutique, service package, store layout, and high street pricing. Moreover, quality control (QC) is very important to control the product quality. Marks and Spencer has obtained the products for the suppliers who have strengths in product or material development (Harrison Pavitt, 2003). 2.6 Per Una Range Per Una range is aimed to serve the target customers aged between 25 to 35 year old women who are fashion- conscious. This collection was provided the high quality materials, latest trends, individual cuts, fanatical attention to detail, and ease of shopping (Harrison Pavitt, 2003). Besides, the collection was sold under limited edition and the design changes in monthly. So that, the prices was 10% more expensive than other MS ranges. The operations prioritised on its rapid and flexibility changes of it clothes trends. Polar Diagram approach assessment and comparisons of different operations performance in MS clothing ranges. 3.1 Polar Diagram Tabulation Table Perfect and Classic Ranges Autograph Ranges Per Una Ranges Quality 4 5 5 Speed 5 3 2 Dependability 3 4 5 Flexibility 5 3 2 Cost 3 4 5 The polar diagram above represented the five performance objectives of Marks and Spencer. Marks and Spencer must know the different of the clothing ranges and analyse it. 3.2 Perfect and Classic Ranges Perfect and Classic range should emphasis on flexibility, and speed because it get the highest scored in polar diagram. 3.2.1 Flexibility Flexibility means that Marks and Spencer able to innovate the product and design the latest trends. This is because Perfect and Classic collection can be more fashion. 3.2.2 Speed Speed means the rate of response and delivers on time to the customers. It shows that how Marks and Spencer organisation communicate with the customers. From the polar diagram above, Perfect and Classic ranges get the highest scored in terms of speed. This is because all the products design are returns into simple and basics. So, the produces and deliver time will not be longer. 3.3 Autograph Range Marks and Spencer should look into the quality to enable the Autograph range can compete in high street market. 3.3.1 Quality Good quality is essential to maintain Marks and Spencer brands image. From the polar diagram above, Autograph and Per Una ranges get the highest scored in quality. It is due to Marks and Spencer has high quality control. 3.4 Per Una Range Marks and Spencer should emphasis on dependability and cost in Per Una range because it is the limited edition and the prices more expensive that other ranges. 3.4.1 Dependability Dependability refers to the reliability of the products. In Per Una range, it scored top among other ranges. The design is latest trends and limited edition and reliability products. In this range, Marks and Spencer targeted the fashion-conscious young women between 25 to 35 years old. 3.4.2 Cost In this area, Per Una range get the highest scored among other ranges. This is because these range design are limited edition, changes monthly and need to produce in high quality. Therefore, the production cost will more expensive than other ranges. Appendix 4.1 Appendix A Logo Company and Products Logo Previous Marks and Spencer Logo New Marks and Spencer Logo presented in 2004 Per Unas logo, three heart shapes 4.2 Appendix B Three Ranges Clothing 4.2.1 Classic Collection Classic Collection Pure Cotton Swirl Classic Collection Floral Border Neckline Jersey Top Dress with Scarf Classic Collection Large Collar Classic Collection Front Belt Pull Ruched Jacket On Trousers 4.2.2 Autograph Range Autograph Shower Resistant Trench Autograph Exclusive Pure Silk Floral Coat with Belt Dress with Belt Autograph Cotton Rich Crochet Autograph Pure Silk Paisley Print Lace Waistcoat Top 4.2.3 Per Una Range Per Una Pure Linen Bold Stripe Per Una Linen Blend Floral Prom Dress Appliquà © Shift Dress Per Una Crossover V-Neck Zebra Per Una Pure Cotton Tie Dye Print dress Camisole Top

Ge Transformation Case Study Jack Welch Notes

GE Transformation notes: Founded in 1878 Focus on Communication: Used initiatives such as training programs to increase communication Organizational Culture:   Welch’s Core Idea: the only way to shift a company’s culture is to change the habitual thinking and behavior of its fast-track executives. Initiatives * Work Out * Began 1988 * Groups of 40-100 employees involved * Removing unnecessary bureaucratic work out of the system * By 1992 200,000 GE employees participated in Work-out Began as a driving force for improving productivity and became a tool for cultural change. Best Practices * Program to Increase Productivity * Focus more on how things got done rather than what got done * Focused on customer satisfaction *These two initiatives helped refine GE’s organizational culture, characterized by speed, simplicity and self-confidence. * Globalization * 1986- corporate executive council meeting during * 1987- GE agreed to exchange consumer electronics business for the French medical imaging business. 1989- Welch appointed Paolo Fresco as head of international operations in 1992. * 1998- International revenues at $42. 8 billion. Company expected to do almost half its business outside the USA by year 2000. Global Best Practices Program opened communication channel for GE with outside companies * Session C HR planning * Adapted HR system to his goals, and began keeping tabs on upper management. GE management expected feedback, which they used as the basis for coaching and developing their staff.Increased communication between CEO, and top managers, increased communication between top managers and lower employees, became means for training of new employees * Crotonville Management Development Facility * Managers learn about GE, and experience debating and problem solving Used as a hub for communications * 360 ° Feedback process * Became means for training needs, coaching opportunities, and career planning. * â€Å"A Players† Managers with vision, leadership, energy, and courage * Performance Appraisal System: Managers rated employees on a scale of 1-5, 5 being the lowest on effectiveness * All 5’s were to be let go, and all 1’s were to be rewarded with stock options, and higher promotional probability * In the new culture, role of the leader is to express a vision, get a buy-in and implement it. Increased feedback communication and expectations in the organization * Boundaryless Behavior * Purpose was to strengthen GE ‘s individual Business. There would be no distinction between domestic and foreign operation. Remove labels which get in the way of working together. Eliminated unnecessary communication filters, encouraged input from every employee, open communication channels gave employees the ability to speak about their concerns. Eliminated middle management that stood in the way of direct communication * Stretch * Created an atmosphere that asked everyone â€Å"How good can you be? † * Managers not held accountable for these goals, but were reward for achieving them. Mid 1990’s established as part of GE’s culture, stretch targets increased employee values, attitudes and confidence. Service Businesses * Reduce dependence on traditional industrial products Changed internal mindsets from selling products to â€Å"helping our customer win† * Six Sigma Quality Initiative * Learned the program from Lawrence Bossidy (left GE in 1991) who borrowed it from Motorola, which improved quality for AlliedSignal Inc. * Goal was to increase quality * 30,000 Six Sigma projects were initiated in 1998 Required change in culture of the organization: employees would need technical training, and there was need of communication of the importance to the company’s strategic objectives.

Critical Analysis Of John Winthrops Model Of Christian...

COLLECTION 1: JOHN WINTHROP’S â€Å"MODEL OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY† Winthrops sermon, â€Å"Model of Christian Charity,† was filled with biblical rhetoric to inspire and compel his listeners to work together as one body for the good of the entire community and for the pleasure of God. He believed that the world and God would be watching the colony to see if it would truly become what God intended, which to Winthrop was a â€Å"city upon a hill† to be admired and replicated. He used his sermon to persuade his audience to be unified in their purpose, establishing a colony that honored Puritan customs, and virtuous in their approach to the great task before them. The fruits of the Spirit as well and concepts of unity and community were themes of this literary†¦show more content†¦The author clearly has a distaste for the scorn from those who judge her as a poet by her gender. However, unlike some of the authors in Collection 5, she does not take a passionate approach to gender bias, but instead humbly engages the issue. This is most clearly shown in the last stanza, where Bradstreet describes how men â€Å"have precedency and excel† and â€Å"can do best† but holds that women should be granted â€Å"small acknowledgement.† COLLECTION 3: BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, FROM THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY: PART TWO In the passage of Benjamin Franklin’s The Autobiography: Part Two provided, Franklin primarily discusses the twelfth virtue of humility. In the larger portion of the work available in Collection 3, this passage served to provide context for the twelfth virtue and add additional significant background to it to further illustrate its importance. The author describes how implementing the virtue in his life impacted his way of conversation, causing him to speak less dogmatically. He also explains how it turned his relationships for the better, writing on how it made most discussions more pleasant. As expected of someone writing about their experience in exercising humility, the author uses a humble, kind voice and a formal tone in his work. He expresses his attitude of admiration for the virtue of humility and attitude of disdain for a lack of. He described humility as a â€Å"cure† for his â€Å"vice† and â€Å"folly† haughtiness. The structure of