Environmental Scan

There are two things that could affect an environmental scan; they are internal and external environments. Benefits can arise from doing an environmental scan on a business, which in turn can only add to the value of the business. Two companies will be covered; their internal and external environments will be described using an environmental scan. What competitive advantages each company has and what strategies(s) each company is using. How each company creates value and sustains competitive advantage through business strategy? What measurement guidelines each company is using to verify its strategic effectiveness? Also how effective are the measurement guidelines that each company is using? These two companies are Coca Cola and Wal-Mart. A environmental scanning (2011), according to Business Dictionary, â€Å" Careful monitoring of an organization’s internal and external environments for detecting early signs of opportunities and threats that may influence its current and future plans. In comparison, surveillance is confined to a specific objective or a narrow sector. The whole process can be seen as information seeking and managerial learning for the business. The internal environment for Coca Cola is inside the business’s control. There are some key attributes in this environment that include competence in production method, through management skills and successful communication. How can Coca Cola monitor the internal environments? They have to do an evaluation of the operations and take any action on the factors that cause inefficiencies on any stage of production and the consumer process. On the external side of it Coca Cola has to know that with the external environment it could affect the entire business, and the economy. Ups and downs in the economy, principles and attitudes from Coke’s consumers and demographic patterns greatly control the success of coke. What is competitive advantage? Competitive advantage (2011), according to Business Dictionary, â€Å" A superiority gained by an organization when it can provide the same value as its competitors but at a lower price, or can charge higher prices by providing greater value through differentiation. Competitive advantage results from matching core competencies to the opportunities. † Coke has a tough marketing sense and a brand name that you are sure to know. Wal-Mart has been able to maintain a competitive advantage allowing them to use many strategies. Their low prices is a very good strategy, it seems to be the best strategy they have had to date. Wal-Mart also treats their employees well, their aisles are well organized and clutter free. The technology that Wal-Mart uses helps them to stay ahead of the game, also there is the up to date inventory technology. Branding accounts for the highest percentage of Coca Cola’s value, its percentage is 80. Coca Cola has a strong global foundation In conclusion, by conducting routine checks on the business environment and keeping track of what is going on in the business will make a great impact on the business. A key element to a successful business is doing an environmental scan, understanding the risk and managing them appropriately.

Physical and economic values

Your Self-esteem G. How to Develop Assertiveness Physical Values This are about the tangible aspects of life: the external world as well as the state of our physical health and well-being. Such values relate to the amount of space we need to feel comfortable and the degree to which we are satisfied and fulfilled by aesthetic stimulation and material possessions. These values can be seen in different ways: 1 . Clothing styles Wearing the right clothing for the proper occasion is important. However, cultural rules in other countries might be different from your own.So, our clothes say a great deal about who we are and can signal a great deal of socially important things to others, even if the impression is actually unfounded. 2. Vehicles The importance of a car to the business cannot be underestimated. Businesses dealing with any form of merchandise need reliable transport for a constant supply of goods to their business as well as delivery of goods to their clients. A car is an invalu able asset to the business that will enable faster implementation of the business process.Our careers and presentation in the society are also very important aspects in our lives and each and every activity that we do will most certainly require traveling and marketing a skill or a product. Having a car enhances your presentation and your image. However it is not only important to have one but also to maintain the car in clean polished condition in order to retain that professional image that will keep you ahead of the pack all the time. 3. Architectural preferences in the home we select to buy or rent Architects have long thought that the style of a building conveys social meanings and effects emotional experience.These convey personality traits such as friendliness, privacy and independence, social status, aesthetic sense, life style, ideas and values to others. 4. Actual health of the body Good health has a positive effect on the productivity of the employees. This will make you feel more energetic and you will be able to carry out both simple as well as strenuous tasks without pushing yourself too hard. As your mind and body is free from work pressure and mental stress, you can handle the daily chores at workplace with a positive attitude.You feel motivated to finish off the task at hand and will be interested to work on more number of things. Your mind develops a natural tendency to focus upon the positives and is not bothered much about the negatives. Physical values are about feeling physically satisfied and comfortable in our home and in our environment. Economic Values Economic values are also known as financial life values. These are about money and finances. They are unrelated to how much money we actually have. These values reflect what we think or believe about our money and financial affairs.They reflect how we value money and what it can buy or how it can grow as an investment. Financial life values may or may not be related to what we actually know about money and finance. As with any deeply held values, we might intend action to increase savings or decrease debt, but choose instead to reinforce our self-esteem on â€Å"needs† manufactured in the market place. Nearly everyone, regardless of educational level or affluence, is concerned with: 1. The sufficiency of their money. (Do I have enough? ) (How long will my money last? . The appropriateness of their financial decisions. ( Is this the right choice for me? ) The answers to those questions have different meanings for different individuals based on their financial values. Individuals less concerned about appropriateness of purchases are less likely to be prepared for financial emergencies. Those who think more about the sustainability of their money generally have a healthier bank balance. And what is â€Å"enough† to one person can differ greatly from the enough of the person standing next to him or her.

Leopard and human conflict in India Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Leopard and human conflict in India - Essay Example Following the drastic reduction of human activities in the Chilla Range of Rajaji National Park in India, a highly populated tiger species is affecting the existence of leopards (Harihar, Pandav, & Goyal 1366). Therefore, the latter brings up a reason to investigate some of the mechanisms of niche partitioning mainly in the leopard (panther pardus) inhabited areas of India. Based on assumptions of scholars, they opted to research on the possibility of an overlap between the tiger and leopards species. Assumptions directed that optimal habitats would now have tigers as the dominance therefore forcing leopards to move to the periphery of the protected areas (Harihar, Pandav, & Goyal 1365). Leopards’ encroachment in the Indian protected areas inhabited by humans is highly rising and causing drastic effects. Attempts to minimize the effects of human –wildlife conflict in the area have proven futile and it has become necessary to understand the mechanisms by which the conflicts appear (Pradhan, Dar, Rather, Panwar & Pala, 916). The latter is the only way to find a lasting solution for the problem. In addition, in a densely populated state like India, protected areas are minimal. In this case, large carnivores are very many, therefore, humans use landscapes as important habitats required for gene flow to occur between protected areas. Besides, humans in these landscapes possess domestic animals, which appear as easy prey for the leopards that roam around. Consequently, leopards frequent the protected areas in search of prey such as livestock and dogs. Therefore, it is arguably very vital to take care of these protected areas for the good of the human species (Athreya, Linnell, Krishnaswamy & Karanth, 2013). In India, wild cats such as leopards, tigers and lions when captured along human protected areas, do not face lethal measures due to cultural affiliations but translocated to a faraway place (Athreya, Odden Linnell, &

CASE- 3 Computer technology and the networked organization Essay

CASE- 3 Computer technology and the networked organization - Essay Example On the other hand use of networking systems will help me in gaining a competitive edge among all other restaurants operating in the same area. The entire facility will be well equipped with computers and other related devices networked with one another. Following is the brief description of the overall networking architecture. In order to establish Italian Food Restaurant I would require computer networking for customer orders, processing and delivery of services. Star topology would be most feasible for this purpose as it will integrate all computers connected to the central network (Risley, 2001). Although this particular setup might create bottlenecks in the data transference but that would be managed by security systems later discussed in this paper. Moreover, I would be needing protocol system for the provision of internet services. Wireless internet connection would be available to all employees and customers who might be willing to utilize it. Generally protocol is defined as a set of signals and rules which are used by the computers to communicate within the same network (Risley, 2001). Here, I would be using TCP/IP or Transmission Control Protocol for cross multiple and routable internet. LAN is a contemporary data network which can effectively and efficiently increase the customer service processes at the restaurant. It is most suitable for small geographic area. In typical circumstances it is used to connect personal computers, servers and printers with other devices. Moreover, LAN facilitates the file exchange, electronic mailing and other similar applications (Internetworking Technology Handbook, 2012). In the restaurant setting customers would be entering their orders at the main counter which will be directly transferred to the concerned department through wireless networking. Thereafter the responsible customer service staff member will carry out further

The Cape by kenji nakajami Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Cape by kenji nakajami - Essay Example These people lived in isolated places outside the main city. The works usually given to burakumins are lowly jobs such as slaughter jobs, tanners, construction workers and butchers. Because of the discrimination, prevalent social and gender issues were noticeable. People engage in vices such as drinking, smoking and sex. Engaging in incest relationships also occur because they live in extended families. Violence was also prevalent. The protagonist tended to escape the harsh reality of life even though the surrounding characters and environment pull him down. He did not know much about his father but he did now want to live the way his father did. As he struggled more towards improvement of his life, the more he became down and much like his father. He slept with his half sister who was a whore. He was engaged in sex, drugs and alcohol. All vices were extensively depicted in the novel. All diseases of the society are undeniably seen in the novel as the characters live in isolation and discrimination is unstoppable. Living in isolation is really a great discrimination since all men are created equal but prejudices in life hinder the equality for all. The burakumins live in their ghetto and do not even have much access to the society unlike ordinary citizens have. They are seen as dirty and lowly jobs are for them. Few of them have reached high school level but the majority were not able to finish elementary education. Why is it that the discrimination has been inherited from their ancestors? Feudal era had been long gone but the discrimination and generalization regarding the image of burakumins still lived on. It is like the isolation of people with a dreaded disease like leprosy in other countries in the ancient times. Maybe, the discriminated people are not as isolated as the lepers but the treatment that the burakumins receive is very poor. In response to the discrimination, burakumins are not able to improve their lives; their environment exhibits much of th e social evils as most people would describe them. They do not live in extravagant homes but in simple houses grouped together separated from the rest of the society. Some may have honest jobs but the pay is not sufficient for their needs. Despite the poverty striking their neighborhood, they still have time for vices and the bad habits are unstoppable. The remaining money is spent on gambling, alcohol, sex and drugs and there is no hope for them to improve their lives. They use the vices as scapegoats for their problems. They tend to â€Å"cure† themselves by indulging into more alcohol, drugs and even crimes later on. It seems that the government neglected the minority of the population. These people are citizens in any case and should be entitled to all of the benefits a citizen enjoys. They should have better livelihood to sustain and support themselves. Great rehabilitation must be done for the members who are addicted to vices and reduce crimes by free access to higher education. They should be able to start again and forget about the dark past. It is not that important if their past was filled with violence and so-called â€Å"social evil† as long as they are willing to change for the better. The novel shows that sex had became part of the lifestyle of the people living in ghettos because they are desperate to earn a living. Even if the job is dirty, they will do it. Since the income is not enough, they quarrel over money and the family relationships are at stake. Brothers, sisters and in-laws

See Below Journal entry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

See Below Journal entry - Essay Example However, according to published reports on Bustle.com by Tognotti (2014), it is clear that the group’s stated mission goal, as voiced by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi on June 2014, it to come up with a new Islamic caliphate worldwide. This gives an indicator that the group, aims at controlling the whole world, by making sure everyone abides to the Islamic Sharia laws, failure to which one risks being sentenced to death. Such ideologies have seen many youth being recruited to join the bloody group, with the hope of being saved from torture. ISIS is motivated by a series of Islamic beliefs, which revolve around the Day of Judgment, which they use as its strategy to make its enemies aware of the motives behind the ideologies (Pazzanese, 2014). There has been constant conflict between the US and most Islamic countries. This was evident when American Journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff were executed by ISIS (Wood, 2015). This can be termed as political threat to the US government, in that they have to withdraw their forces from its territory of face constant attacks. The motive and real objective of ISIL/ISIS is a paradox. While some term it political, the group is motivated by its religious believes, though deeply rooted in extremism, which involves radicalization and use o violence in victimizing those who do not borrow their religious idea. Tognotti Chris. (2014, Sep 2). What Does ISIS Want, Exactly? The Terrorists’ Stated Goal Has Been Made Clear. Retrieved Jun 2, 2015 from:

Analyst report Uniliver PLC Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Analyst report Uniliver PLC - Essay Example The industry has the unique quality of having a target market of the entire global population of 7.05 billion people (Census, 2012). Unilever is a company that has achieved great success in the industry with a market penetration of 28.36% or two billion customers. The firm is positioned as one of the leading companies in the industry. This report will provide an overview of the company as well as financial analysis of Unilever for the fiscal year 2011 in order to determine whether the company is worth investing ?1 million. One of the mail analytic tools used in the paper is ratio analysis. Company Profile: Unilever Unilever was founded in the 1890s, but the actual Unilever brand was not created until 1930. The company is dedicated to the nutritional and well being industry. The firm has over 400 branded products. Some of the most popular brands of the company are Dove, Knorr, Lipton, Hellmann, and Axe. The corporate vision of the company is, â€Å"Helping people to look good, feel g ood and get more out of life† (Unilever, 2012). One of the keys to the company’s success has been its product innovation. Innovation is fostered by investing in research and development initiatives. The company has a network of scientists located across the world. The company spends over â‚ ¬1 billion a year in R&D. In 2010 the company was named advertiser of the year by Cannes Advertising Awards. The products of the company are sold across 190 countries. The firm has over two billion customers worldwide. Unilever generates 55% of its sales from emerging economies including China, Brazil, India, and Indonesia (Unilever, 2012). Dove is one of the most successful brands of the company with sales of over â‚ ¬3 billion yearly. The organization has 171,000 employees. The firm believes in the use of diversity. A lot of the firm’s products target the children population to increase their quality of life. Financial Analysis – Unilever In 2011 Unilever genera te revenues of â‚ ¬46,467 million. The revenues of the company increased by 16.68% in comparison with 2009, while it increased by 4.98% in comparison with 2010. The net income of the company was â‚ ¬4,623 million in 2011. The net income of the firm went up by 0.54% between 2010 and 2011. The cash account of the company at the end of 2011 had a balance of â‚ ¬3,484 million. Unilever’s total assets at the end of 2011 were â‚ ¬47,512 million, while its current assets were â‚ ¬14,291 million. In 2011 the total liabilities of the company were â‚ ¬32,591 million. Unilever’s total equity at the end of 2011 was â‚ ¬14,291 million. A ratio analysis of the company is illustrated below: Financial Ratios 2011 Net margin 9.95% Operating margin 13.84% Earnings per share (EPS) â‚ ¬ 1.51 Return on assets (ROA) 9.73% Return on equity (ROE) 30.98% Current ratio 0.80 Quick acid ratio 0.54 Working capital -â‚ ¬3638 million Debt to equity 218.42% Debt ratio 68.60 % The net margin of Unilever during 2011 was 9.95%, while its operating margin was 13.84%. Both financial metrics measure the profitability of the business. The net margin reflects the absolute net profitability of the business. The formula to calculate net margin is net income divided by total sales (Besley & Brigham, 2000). Unilever had earnings per share of â‚ ¬1.51. The earnings per share are the portion of a company's profit allocated to each