Managment Defination Comparison

Management is: 1. Administration of business: the organizing and controlling of the affairs of a business or a sector of a business 2. Managers as group: managers and employers considered collectively, especially the directors and executives of a business or organization 3. Handling of something successfully: the act of handling or controlling something successfully â€Å"Crisis management† 4. Skill in handling or using something: the skillful handling or use of something such as resources This definition stress on the following functions: organization, running, administration, supervision, managing, controlling. However these functions required different levels of structures like: Directors, managers, executives, employers, board, bosses This definition covers the whole function of management however it ignores to show the importance of human from inspiration side ———————————————————————————————————– Definition of Management by functions: Financial & Investment Dictionary: Management Combined fields of policy and administration and the people who provide the decisions and supervision necessary to implement the owners' business objectives and achieve stability and growth. The administration of policies is carried out by the Chief Executive Officer, his or her immediate staff, and everybody else who possesses authority delegated by people with supervisory responsibility. Thus the size of management can range from one person in a small organization to multilayered management hierarchies in large, complex organizations. The top members of management, called senior management, report to the owners of a firm; in large corporations, the Chairman of the Board the President. The application of scientific principles to decision-making is called management science. Marketing Dictionary: Management 1. Collective administrative heads of a company, institution, business, etc. , who are responsible for conducting the affairs of the company (institution, business, etc. ) for meeting its short-range and long-range objectives, and for maintaining it as a profit-making organization and/or an ongoing enterprise. 2. Leading or supervising of an organization, business operation, or the like. 3. Wise use of means to accomplish a purpose. Business Encyclopedia: Management The role of a manager is comprehensive and often very complex. Not everyone wants to be a manager, nor should everyone consider being a manager. A Definition of Management Some would define management as an art, while others would define it as a science. Whether management is an art or a science isn't what is most important. Management is a process that is used to accomplish organizational goals; that is, a process that is used to achieve what an organization wants to achieve. An organization could be a business, a school, a city, a group of volunteers, or any governmental entity. Managers are the people to whom this management task is assigned, and it is generally thought that they achieve the desired goals through the key functions of (1) planning, (2) organizing, (3) directing, and (4) controlling. Some would include leading as a managing function, but for the purposes of this discussion, leading is included as a part of directing. Planning: Planning in any organization occurs in different ways and at all levels. The plant manager must be concerned with the overall operations of the plant, while the assembly-line manager or supervisor is only responsible for the line that he or she oversees. Planning could include setting organizational goals. This is usually done by higher-level managers in an organization. As a part of the planning process, the manager then develops strategies for achieving the goals of the organization. In order to implement the strategies, resources will be needed and must be acquired. The planners must also then determine the standards, or levels of quality, that need to be met in completing the tasks. In general, planning can be strategic planning, tactical planning, or contingency planning. Strategic planning is long-range planning that is normally completed by top-level managers in an organization. Examples of strategic decisions managers make are who the customer or clientele should be, what products or services should be sold, and where the products and services should be sold. Short-range or tactical planning is done for the benefit of lower-level managers, since it is the process of developing very detailed strategies about what needs to be done, who should do it, and how it should be done. Organizing: Organizing refers to the way the organization allocates resources, assigns tasks, and goes about accomplishing its goals, In the process of organizing, managers arrange a framework that links all workers, tasks, and resources together so the organizational goals can be achieved. Directing: Directing is the process that many people would most relate to managing, It is supervising, or leading workers to accomplish the goals of the organization. In many organizations, directing involves making assignments, assisting workers to carry out assignments, interpreting organizational policies, and informing workers of how well they are performing. To effectively carry out this function, managers must have leadership skills in order to get workers to perform effectively. Controlling The controlling function involves the evaluation activities that managers must perform. It is the process of determining if the company's goals and objectives are being met. This process also includes correcting situations in which the goals and objectives are not being met. There are several activities that are a part of the controlling function. ———————————————————————————————————— Managerial Skills To be an effective manager, it is necessary to possess many skills. Not all managers have all the skills that would make them the most effective manager. As technology advances and grows, the skills that are needed by managers are constantly changing. Different levels of management in the organizational structure also require different types of management skills. Generally, however, managers need to have communication skills, human skills, computer skills, time-management skills, and technical skills. Communication Skills Communication skills fall into the broad categories of oral and written skills, both of which managers use in many different ways. It is necessary for a manager to orally explain processes and give direction to workers. It is also necessary for managers to give verbal praise to workers. Managers are also expected to conduct meetings and give talks to groups of people. An important part of the oral communication process is listening. Managers are expected to listen to their supervisors and to their workers. A manager must hear recommendations and complaints on a regular basis and must be willing to follow through on what is heard. A manager who doesn't listen is not a good communicator. Human Skills Relating to other people is vital in order to be a good manager. Workers come in about every temperament that can be imagined. It takes a manager with the right human skills to manage this variety of workers effectively. Diversity in the workplace is commonplace. The manager must understand different personality types and cultures to be able to supervise these workers. Human skills cannot be learned in a classroom; they are best learned by working with people. Gaining an understanding of personality types can be learned from books, but practice in dealing with diverse groups is the most meaningful preparation. Computer Skills Technology changes so rapidly it is often difficult to keep up with the changes. It is necessary for managers to have computer skills in order to keep up with these rapid changes. Many of the processes that occur in offices, manufacturing plants, warehouses, and other work environments depend on computers and thus necessitate managers and workers who can skillfully use the technology. Although computers can cause headaches, at the same time they have simplified many of the tasks that are performed in the workplace. Time-Management Skills Because the typical manager is a very busy person, it is important that time be managed effectively. This requires an understanding of how to allocate time to different projects and activities. A manager's time is often interrupted by telephone calls, problems with workers, meetings, others who just want to visit, and other seemingly uncontrollable factors. It is up to the manager to learn how to manage time so that work can be completed most efficiently. Good time-management skills can be learned, but managers must be willing to prioritize activities, delegate, deal with interruptions, organize work, and perform other acts that will make them better managers. Technical Skills Different from computer skills, technical skills are more closely related to the tasks that are performed by workers. A manager must know what the workers who are being supervised are doing on their jobs or assistance cannot be provided to them. For example, a manager who is supervising accountants needs to know the accounting processes; a manager who is supervising a machinist must know how to operate the equipment; and a manager who supervises the construction of a home must know the sequence of operations and how to perform them. Management Thought There are many views of management, or schools of management thought, that have evolved over the years. What follows is a brief discussion of some of the theories of management that have greatly affected how managers manage today. Classical Thought The classical school of management thought emerged throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s as a result of the Industrial Revolution. Since the beginning of time, managers have needed to know how to perform the functions discussed earlier. The Industrial Revolution emphasized the importance of better management as organizations grew larger and more complex. As industry developed, managers had to develop systems for controlling inventory, production, scheduling, and human resources. It was the managers who emerged during the Industrial Revolution, many who had backgrounds in engineering, who discovered that they needed organized methods in order to find solutions to problems in the workplace. Behavioral Management Thought It was because the classical management theorists were so machine-oriented that the behavior lists began to develop their thinking. The behavioral managers began to view management from a social and psychological perspective. These managers were concerned about the well-being of the workers and wanted them to be treated as people, not a part of the machines. Contemporary Management Thought In more recent years, new management thoughts have emerged and influenced organizations. One of these is the sociotechnical system. A system is a set of complementary elements that function as a unit for a specific purpose. Systems theorists believe that all parts of the organization must be related and that managers from each part must work together for the benefit of the organization. Because of this relationship, what happens in one part of the organization influences and affects other parts of the organization. Closed Management Systems Within the classical and behavioral approaches to management, the managers look only within the organization to improve productivity and efficiency. This is a closed system—the organization operates as though it is in its own environment. Outside influence and information are blocked out. Open Management Systems Another perspective is the open system. As one would expect, here the organization functions in conjunction with its external environment, acting with and relying upon other systems. Advocates of an open system believe that an organization cannot avoid the influence of outside forces. Summary Management is a very complex process to which this article is but a brief introduction. Many other articles in this encyclopedia provide extensive insight into the many aspects of management. Different aspects of analyzing management definition: If you look up the dictionary definition of management, among many examples you will find clues as to the real definition of management. This article simply takes an assortment of definitions and looks at what they say and what they imply about management. 1-â€Å"Management† (from Old French menagement â€Å"the art of conducting, directing†, from Latin manu agere â€Å"to lead by the hand†) characterizes the process of leading and directing all or part of an organization, often a business, through the deployment and manipulation of resources (human, financial, material, intellectual or intangible). This definition of management is interesting because it traces the root meaning back to the Latin phrase meaning â€Å"to lead by the hand†. Leading by the hand implies giving direction that is stronger than just a passing suggestion yet still fairly gentle in approach. Leading by the hand also implies that the person doing the leading is first going where the follower is being lead. The leader is not asking the follower to do something he is not willing to do himself. 2-The guidance and control of action required to execute a program. Also, the individuals charged with the responsibility of conducting a program. This definition of management refers to a â€Å"program†. This implies that, for management to be effective there needs to be some type of defined approach or system in place. This system becomes the plan and management is guiding others in following that plan. This is often the downfall of managers. They have no plan or system. As a result their actions seem random to the people they are managing and this leads to confusion and disappointment. This is why it is so important for business managers to have an employee manual. Without the employee manual providing direction, managers will struggle to be fair and balanced in their dealings with employees. -Management: is the organizational process that includes strategic planning, setting; objectives, managing resources, deploying the human and financial assets needed to achieve objectives, and measuring results. Management also includes recording and storing facts and information for later use or for others within the organization. Management functions are not limited to managers and superviso rs. Every member of the organization has some management and reporting functions as part of their job. This definition is more in depth and tailored toward business management. Notice that it consists of three primary activities. First, management establishes a plan. This plan becomes the road map for what work is going to be done. Second, management allocates resources to implement the plan. Third, management measures the results to see how the end product compares with what was originally envisioned. Most management failings can be attributed to insufficient effort occurring in one of these three areas. The definition goes on to talk about how management is responsible for measuring details that may not be required presently, but may be useful later on. These measurements often help determine the objectives in the planning stage. When management is following this type of sequence, it becomes a continuing cycle. Plan, execute, and measure. The measurements become the basis for the next planning stage and so on. 4-Management: is the activity of getting things done with the aid of people and other resources. This definition of management focuses on management as the process of accomplishing work through the efforts of others. Skilled managers can accomplish much more through others than they can through their own single efforts. -Management: Effective utilization and coordination of resources such as capital, plant, materials, And labor to achieve defined objectives with maximum efficiency. This definition of management looks at not only the people but the entire range of resources necessary to follow a plan. Notice how it focuses on efficiency. Management isn’t just getting from point A to point B. It is getting there by choosi ng the best possible path. Management: The process of getting activities completed efficiently with and through other people; 2. Management: The process of setting and achieving goals through the execution of five basic management functions: planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling; that utilize human, financial, and material resources. The first definition looks at the fact that management is getting work done through other people. The second definition divides management up into five components. These components are all parts of the three components (plan, execute, measure) that we looked at above. However the more detailed definition helps show the activities that occur in each of the three phase definition. The process of planning, leading, organizing and controlling people within a group in order to achieve goals; also used to mean the group of people who do this. Once again, this definition of management addresses accomplishing work through other people. This definition stresses the activities that are necessary for reaching particular goals. Management: the process of achieving the objectives of the business organization by bringing together human, physical, and financial resources in an optimum combination and making the best decision for the organization while taking into consideration its operating environment. This definition talks about the different components that managers need to control in order to achieve objectives. One differentiator of this definition is the way it considers the operating environment as part of what a manager must understand. Management: The role of conducting and supervising a business This is a broad definition of management that doesn’t consider management as something that can take place outside of a business.

A Plan to write an evaluation of the ways in which the European Enlightenment has influenced modern schooling

Introduction The plan includes an introduction, which will include an explanation of what European Enlightenment is and what transpired within this period, as well as the general objective of the brief, which is to evaluate the ways in which it influenced modern schooling. It will highlight the point that history and reason were the two significant characteristics of this period (e.g. Saenz 1999, p. 119; Lesaffer 2009, p. 446). The European Enlightenment and its influence on modern schooling The foregoing discussions involve the clarification of the concept of ‘modern schooling’ and an evaluation of how European Enlightenment influenced it. It will discuss the critical view of Enlightenment thinkers (e.g. Voltaire, Gibbon) on the irrationality of the past, alongside their often established incisive historical discontinuities for the sake of history and reason. False paradigms and privileges during the European Enlightenment violated the natural law and configured irrational social organisations (e.g. Saenz 1999). This is an important point in the evaluation. The evaluation will demonstrate the link between the prevalent constructs during the European Enlightenment (history and reason) and the characteristics of modern schooling. It will specifically point out that the methods and techniques of modern science could be utilised to explore and understand all areas of life (e.g. Romano 2010). Conclusion The conclusion will include a summary of important points/discussions/arguments, such as the idea of scientific method and commitment to reason that embody modern schooling. References to be used: Avrich, P. (2006) The Modern School Movement: Anarchism and Education in the United States. Oakland, CA: AK Press. Bartlett, R. C. (2001) The Idea of Enlightenment: A Postmodern Study. Toronto: University of Toronto Press Incorporated. Beales, D. (2005) Enlightenment and Reform in Eighteenth –Century Europe. I. B. Taurus & Co. Ltd. Feiner, S. (2004) The Jewish Enlightenment. Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania Press. Grell, P. and Cunningham, A. (2007) Medicine and Religion in Enlightenment Europe. England: Ashgate Publishing Limited. Grell, P. and Porter, R. (2000) Toleration in Enlightenment Europe. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Hille, T. (2011) Modern Schools: A Century of Design for Education. NJ: Wiley & Sons. Lesaffer, R. (2009) European Legal History: A Cultural and Political Perspective. New York: Cambridge University Press. Lindemann, M. (2010) Medicine and Society in Early Modern Europe. NY: Cambridge University Press. Melton, J. V. H. (2001) The Rise of the Public in Enlightenment Europe. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. Pilbeam, P. (2012) Themes in Modern European History 1780-1830. New York: Routledge. Romano, M. J. (2010) AP European History. Second Edition. NJ: Wiley & Sons. Selwyn, N. (2011) Schools and Schooling in the Digital Age: A Critical Analysis. First Edition. Oxon: Routledge. Saenz. M. (1999) The Identity of Liberation in Latin American Thought. Maryland: Lexington Books. Zafirovski, M. (2011) The Enlightenment and its Effects on Modern Society. NY: Springer.

Antz – the Bread Factory Marketing Plan

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila College of Management and Entrepreneurship MARKETING PLAN FOR ANTZ – THE BREAD FACTORY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Subject Retail Marketing By: de Dios, Rizcel B. Dizon, Maralon S. Duhaylungsod, Ram Joseph M. Fabi, Francis Jayvincent P. Gabriel, Aira Migelle Igcasenza, Nestine N. Medallo, Renz Harvey M. Parallag, Jemeremiah I. Rivera, Sear Jan L. Professor Angelo Alfonso Abejero March 2012 I. Company Information A. Trade Name of Retail Business Antz – The Bread Factory B. Nature of Business Antz – The Bread Factory is a self-service bakeshop, engaged in offering freshly baked breads.And last year it launched its new branches with a new business concept of â€Å"BAKESHOP ON WHEELS†, which is a limited service bakeshop offering Antz’s certified original breads. C. Corporate Address AHD Foods Corporation 2nd Floor Dolmar Gold Tower, #107 C. Palanca St. Legaspi Village Makati 1200, Philippines D. D ate/Year of Establishment AHD Foods Corporation opened the first store branch of Antz – The Bread Factory in February, 2008. E. Number of Branches and Locations Antz – The Bread Factory has five operating branches: 1. SM Sta. Rosa, Laguna ( mall branch, bakeshop with dine-in) 2. SM Hypermart, Las Pinas (mall branch) . Bluewave, Macapagal Ave. , Pasay City (bakeshop on wheels) 4. DLSU, Vito Cruz, Manila (bakeshop on wheels) 5. Pioneer Centre, Mandaluyong City (bakeshop on wheels) II. Environmental and Market Trends A. Socio-economic Changes Bread is one of man’s earliest foods. Today it is considered a staple food and part of the diet of almost all people all over the world. Commercial baking and other industries supporting it became big businesses and now constitute a large slice of the food industry. The industry is highly competitive; making it very difficult to start a new bakery, especially in cities. Related reading: Gardenia Marketing StrategyAn entrepreneur might consider buying an existing business or locating in a rural area. One of the fastest growing areas in the bakery business is the specialty franchise store, producing everything from donuts to complete product lines. Many bakers are incurring significant losses because of their inability to adjust bread prices because if they increase their prices, it might lead to a drop on sales. Philippine Association of Flour Millers had explained that it takes three months from purchase date for wheat to become flour due to shipping time from the United States.The Philippines buys its wheat mostly from the United States, so despite of the downward trend in wheat, flour still increases its price. Consumers perceive that small bakeries offer convenience, personal service, and fresher, better quality products. In general, bakery sales increase when consumer’s average incomes increase. B. Consumer Buying Behavior Affecting the B usiness Buying power or purchasing power of consumers depends on the changing environment and economic situation. More people prefer to eat out of home (OOH) because of busy working schedule and for their convenience.Customers, especially those who are employed, tend to choose and buy ready-to-eat foods that can satisfy their need in a quick manner, just like what is being offered in every bakeshop. Nowadays, majority of the populace are value maximizers; people want to ensure that every cent in they pay for the product is worth it —low price at the same time good quality products. There is a high demand for breads because of its affordability and the satisfaction it gives to its consumers. On site baking of some bakeshops became an edge because people are looking for freshly made breads.But there is a buying behavior that cannot be detached to Filipinos, this is impulse buying. People tend to buy products with appealing looks or packaging even though they do not intend and p lan to buy those items. Offerings that capture the attention of potential buyers can make it to the top. III. Competitive Environment The diagram will show the different key competitive factors that make a business thrive in the industry and market. It also shows the evaluation of the strategic group’s performance based on the key competitive factors. Key competitive Factors|Retail Brands| Store Layout/ Design| Competitive Price| Merchandise Offerings| Operation| Type of Promotion| Accessibility of the store| Goldilocks| >blue/yellow>visible menu boards and advertising materials| -low price level| -organized-easily accessible merchandise-wide variety of pastries and cakes| -mall hours-non-mall based stores, flexible hours| Media:>TV, Radio, Newspapers, Magazines, InternetNon-Media:>Flyers, Billboards> Effective promotion| >many operating branches In and out of malls>stores are located in high traffic areas| Red Ribbon| -red/black-dimmed ight> its design provides a romantic an d peaceful mood| -higher price compared to other bakeshops| -easily accessible merchandise-wide variety of pastries and cakes| -mall hours-non-mall based stores, flexible hours| Media:>TV, Newspapers, Magazines, InternetNon-Media:>Flyers> Effective promotion| >many operating branches in and out of malls>stores are located in high traffic areas| Bread Talk| -traditional bakeshop-sleek-space age| -high priced| -40-60 different items daily| -mall hours| >Word of mouth| >many operating branches in malls>stores are located in high traffic areas| Antz – The Bread Factory| -giant loaf bread store-unique storedesign| -mid-price level| -theatre style-see-through kitchens-enticing design of breads| -mall hours-non-mall based stores, flexible hours| Media:-Magazines-NewspaperNon-Media:-Flyers> Less promotional effort| >stores are located in high traffic areas| IV. Company’s Current Strategies A. Target market The profile of the Antz – The Bread Factory customer consists of the following geographic, demographic, psychographics, and behavior factors: Geographic: The geographic market would be urban dwellers in key cities in Mega Manila. Demographic: The primary target customers are those individuals (male and female) who belong to SEC B and C from all ages.Psychographic: The psychographic market would be busy, on-the-go. Behavior factors: * Looking for delicious varieties of breads (savory or sweet in taste) * Want to eat something different from greasy fast foods * Seeks healthier versions of quickly served foods * Searching for a bakeshop offering freshly baked breads B. Positioning * Positioning Statement To urban dwellers in key cities in Mega Manila, from all ages from SEC B – C, who are always busy, and on-the-go looking for delicious varieties of bread, want to eat something different and healthier version of fast foods, and searching for a bakeshop offering freshly baked breads.Antz – The Bread Factory is a (limited service) bakes hop is the Philippines’ fastest rising bakeshop and fast food that is first to introduce a bakeshop on wheels in Asia with its unique â€Å"Big Loaf Bread† store layout offering unique, healthy, and delicious flavored breads with internal man power composed of highly trained nutritionists/dieticians, culinary experts, chefs and bakers. * Positioning Strategy Antz – The Bread Factory offers a variety of healthy, tasty, affordable, freshly-baked breads to help our customers find refuge in today’s greasy fast food. C. Marketing Mix Strategies 1. Product and Merchandise Mix There are varieties of breads offered by Antz – The Bread Factory: * Loaves * Muffins * Fiesta Buns * Floss * Wraps * Ensaimada * Cluster * Other Breads 2. Pricing LOAVES Loaves| Price| Choco Loaf| Php 57. 00| Ube Swirl Loaf| Php 57. 00| Monggo Loaf| Php 57. 00|Raisin Loaf| Php 49. 00| Pandesal Loaf| Php 49. 00| Plain Loaf| Php 49. 00| Wheat Bread| Php 49. 00| MUFFINS Muffins| Price | Strawberry Muffins| Php 30. 00| Choco Pepermint Muffins| Php 30. 00| Orange Choco Muffins| Php 30. 00| FIESTA BUNS Fiesta Buns| Price| Coffee Bun| Php 26. 00| Choco Bun| Php 26. 00| Ube Bun| Php 26. 00| FLOSS Floss| Price| Majestic Pork Floss| Php 40. 00| Spicy Pork Floss| Php 40. 00| Chicken Floss| Php 40. 00| WRAPS Wraps| Price| Ham Wrap| Php 25. 00| Hotdog Wrap| Php 25. 00| PIZZA Pizza| Price| Mayon Pork BBQ| Php 52. 00| Braided Pizza| Php 49. 00| Hawaiian Pizza| Php 49. 00| Mini Lasagna | Php 35. 00| Mini Baked Mac| Php 29. 00|ENSAIMADA Ensaimada| Price| Plain Ensaimada| Php 27. 00| Ubesaimada| Php 27. 00| Macasaimada| Php 27. 00| CLUSTERS Clusters| Price| Monggo Cluster| Php 60. 00| Ubesai Cluster| Php 60. 00| Plain Ensai Cluster| Php 60. 00| Ube Cluster| Php 59. 00| OTHER BREADS Other Breads| Price| Beefy Bread| Php 37. 00| Chicky Bread| Php 35. 00| Porky Bread| Php 30. 00| Ham Cluster| Php 30. 00| Cheesy Cupcake| Php 30. 00| Tuna Bun| Php 27. 00| Cream Cheese Bun| Php 26. 0 0| Garlic Bread| Php 20. 00| Double Choco| Php 17. 00| Pan de Pandan| Php 17. 00| 3. Placement Antz – The Bread Factory does not only focus on having mall branches. Some outlets which are 50-120 sq. eter in commercial space are located at strategic, high foot traffic areas such as central business districts and commercial hubs. 4. Promotion AHD Food Corporation uses both media and non media approaches to advertise and promote Antz – The Bread Factory. Promotions are used to encourage and capture franchisers, at the same time to inform people about their enticing bread offerings. ADVERTISING * Print ads – newspaper and magazines, tarp * Packaging * Audio-visual materials * Symbols and logos SALES PROMOTION * Gifts PUBLIC RELATIONS * Sponsorship * Events 5. Service Strategy a. People Training * Antz – The Bread Factory gives its employees Management Development Programs and continuous training to make sure that its employees perform their best. b. Store Lay out Antz – The bread factory malls located branches have beautifully designed dine-in area and spacious counter with hip music and experiential services provides our customers an  atmosphere  of fun and exciting place to shop and dine. * Antz – The Bread Factory’s â€Å"bakeshop on wheels† branches are designed like a giant loaf of bread with 50-120 sq. m. commercial space. c. After-sales & Customer Service Strategy * Antz – The Bread Factory offers Delivery services, free bread on next visit of customers or thank you messages on bulk orders. V. Company Analysis A. Threats 1. There are many existing bakeshops in the Philippines making it difficult to start a new bakery especially in cities. 2. Inability to adjust bread prices due to the price hike of the bread’s main ingredients like flour, sugar. B. Opportunities 1.There is a big demand for bread here in the Philippines because bread serves as their secondary alternative for rice. 2. Fi lipinos are fond of sweet foods. 3. There is a large bracket of target market because bread is for a wide range of age, male or female. C. Strengths 1. Antz – The Bread Factory offers products that is unique and can only be found in the store. 2. Our Research and Development team compose of highly train individuals namely; nutritionist/dietician, culinary experts, chefs, and bakers. 3. The products are presented theatre style where the kitchen’s SEE-THROUGH design allows the customer to feel the freshness of each bread being made and served. 4. Branches in bakeshop on wheels have flexible operating hours. 5.The store layout of Antz – The Bread Factory bakeshop on wheels is well executed in a big loaf bread design. 6. Antz – The Bread Factory has a strong franchise relationship as member of the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA). D. Weaknesses 1. Antz – The Bread Factory is not well established. The bakeshop is not properly advertised. 2. We off er a product that is already available in the market. 3. Customers have to travel further to get in our stores because we have fewer branches. 4. The products we offer are not durable and can be easily blemished; it is the reason for some leftover. 5. Innovative products can be easily replicated. 6. The operating hours of bakeshop on wheels have no fix operating hours. 7.External employees of Antz’s franchises do not provide proper accommodation to the customers. VI. Marketing Objectives * To increase the number of franchised stores by 15. * To introduce new products to the market. * To increase annual sales by 10% per year * To increase the number of customers by 5% per year VII. Proposed Marketing Strategy A. Target Market Our proposed target market would be the same as the current target market of the company which are busy, on-the-go and health conscious individuals, but this time we will emphasize as our primary target market are the health conscious individuals and othe r urban dwellers as the secondary target market. Health conscious individuals- consists of athletes, parents who want to give their children healthy foods, those who want to maintain their physically fitted body and even those who are not physically fit but want to. †¢ Other urban dwellers- this segment pertains to all other on-the-go individuals, students, professionals, all community dwellers who want something different from greasy fast foods and seeking healthier version of quickly served foods. B. Positioning Strategy Antz – The Bread Factory offers a variety of healthy, tasty, affordable, freshly-baked breads to help our customers find refuge in today’s greasy fast food. C. Core Marketing Strategy 1. Product and merchandising mix Loaves| Loaf Plain| Pandesal Loaf| Raisin Loaf| Wheat Bread| Choco Loaf|Ube Swirl Loaf| Monggo Loaf| Muffins| Strawberry Muffins| Choco Pepermint Muffins| Orange Choco Muffins| Fiesta Buns| Coffee Bun| Choco Bun| Ube Bun| Floss| Maj estic Pork Floss| Spicy Pork Floss| Chicken Floss| Wraps| Ham Wrap| Hotdog Wrap| Pizza| Mayon Pork BBQ| Braided Pizza| Hawaiian Pizza| Mini Baked Mac| Mini Lasagna| Ensaimada| Plain Ensaimada| Ubesaimada| Macasaimada| Cluster| Monggo Cluster| Ube Cluster| Plain Ensai Cluster| Ubesai Cluster| Other Breads| Tuna Bun| Ham Cluster| Double Choco| Creamcheese Bun| Cheesy Cupcake| Garlic Bread| Pan de Pandan| Beefy Bread| Chicky Bread| Porky Bread| *NEW PRODUCT LINE* Fruit & Veggie Breads|Strawberry Glazed Bread| Melon Glazed Bread| Pineapple Glazed Bread| Banana Glazed Bread| Mango Glazed Bread| Malunggay Bread| Squash Bread| Carrot Bread| *BREADS IN BUNDLE* Antz – The Bread Factory will also offer breads in bundle. It will be the assortment of seven (7) breads and it’s the customers’ choice of what bread they put on the bundle. 2. Pricing LOAVES Loaves| Price| Choco Loaf| Php 57. 00| Monggo Loaf| Php 57. 00| Ube Swirl Loaf| Php 57. 00| Pandesal Loaf| Php 49. 00| Rasi n Loaf| Php 49. 00| Plain Loaf| Php 49. 00| Wheat Bread| Php 49. 00| MUFFINS Muffins| Price| Muffins| Php 30. 00| Strawberry Muffins| Php 30. 00| Choco Pepermint Muffins| Php 30. 00|Orange Choco Muffins| Php 30. 00| FIESTA BUNS Fiesta Buns| Price| Coffee Bun| Php 26. 00| Choco Bun| Php 26. 00| Ube Bun| Php 26. 00| FLOSS Floss| Price| Majestic Pork Floss| Php 40. 00| Spicy Pork Floss| Php 40. 00| Chicken Floss| Php 40. 00| WRAPS Wraps| Price| Ham Wrap| Php 25. 00| Hotdog Wrap| Php 25. 00| PIZZA Pizza| Price| Mayon Pork BBQ| Php 52. 00| Braided Pizza| Php 49. 00| Hawaiian Pizza| Php 49. 00| Mini Lasagna| Php 35. 00| Mini Baked Mac| Php 29. 00| ENSAIMADA Ensaimada| Price| Plain Ensaimada| Php 27. 00| Ubesaimada| Php 27. 00| Macasaimada| Php 27. 00| CLUSTERS Cluster| Price| Monggo Cluster| Php 60. 00| Ubesai Cluster| Php 60. 00|Plain Ensai Cluster| Php 60. 00| Ube Cluster| Php 59. 00| OTHER BREADS Other Breads| Price| Beefy Bread| Php 37. 00| Chicky Bread| Php 35. 00| Porky Bread| Php 3 0. 00| Ham Cluster| Php 30. 00| Cheesy Cupcake| Php 30. 00| Tuna Bun| Php 27. 00| Cream Cheese Bun| Php 26. 00| Garlic Bread| Php 20. 00| Double Choco| Php 17. 00| Pan de Pandan| Php 17. 00| *NEW PRODUCT LINE* Fruit & Veggie Breads| Price| Strawberry Glazed Bread| Php 43. 00| Melon Glazed Bread| Php 40. 00| Pineapple Glazed Bread| Php 40. 00| Banana Glazed Bread| Php 38. 00| Mango Glazed Bread| Php 38. 00| Malunggay Bread| Php 35. 00| Squash Bread| Php 35. 00 | Carrot Bread| Php 35. 00| *BREAD IN BUNDLES*Bundle pricing involves selling distinct multiple items offer together at a special prize. For Bread in Bundles, we will give ten (10) percent discount for a minimum of seven (7) breads purchase 3. Placement Strategy Since Antz – The Bread Factory is a member of the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) we propose to locate our franchised stores near the anchor stores to accumulate high traffic and to generate sales. D. Integrated Marketing Communication Strategies 1. Creati ve theme Nowadays people are exposed to greasy and unhealthy food especially those children who are fond of eating fast foods. They choose unhealthy foods over vegetables and fruits that can give positive effects in their body.Fruits and vegetables are packed with essential nutrients that strengthen the body, heal and repair damage, ward off sickness and fight diseases. â€Å"Antz, the provider of fresh and healthy breads† is the campaign for the year 2012. Antz will deliver vegetables and fruits infused breads that can satisfy the need of health conscious customers. Antz will not only offer freshly baked breads but also the nutrients that you can acquire from the vegetables and fruits. Vegetable and fruit breads are the newest offering of Antz that can give delicious experiences to a healthy diet. 2. Integrated Communications Program Based on the company analysis, Antz – The Bread Factory needs to improve its promotional effort to establish the company well in the mar ket.And the following promotional mix will be used to position the company on the bread industry. Advertising * Print Ads (Flyers and posters) – The flyers and posters contains the 2012 campaign which is â€Å"Antz, the provider of fresh and healthy breads. † The flyers and posters will be distributed and posted in high traffic areas and the existing branches of Antz – The Bread Factoy. * Audio Visual Materials (Jingle and Internet advertising) – The jingle will be played in every store branches to capture the attention of the customers. While in the internet advertising, audio visual presentations will be posted on our website and Facebook fanpage to regularly inform the target market about our campaign and new products.Public Relations * Sponsorship (For health oriented events and TV programs) – Antz – The Bread Factory will sponsorship health related events and programs to create a good publicity that will ignite the emotions of the marke t. * E-mail and Telemarketing – we will send a personal message through email for the potential prospects, to inform them about new offerings and events that will be held 3. Media Plan ACTIVITY| TIME FRAME| BUDGET| Distribution of flyers and posters| Every third month| Php 960,000. 00| Releasing audio-visual materials| End of the year| Php 16,000. 00| Sponsoring health-oriented events and TV programs| Every quarter| Php 360,000. 0| Inviting and informing potential prospects through internet| Every month| ———–| *applicable for 2 years Total: Php 1,336,000. 00 4. After-sales and Customer Service Strategy 1. People * Antz – The Bread Factory will provide a service training program that includes one (1) day orientation, three (3) days store management and marketing training, ten (10) days baker mastery, two (2) days cashier service training. * Antz – The Bread Factory will create a proper store dialogue that will surely attract more custo mers. 2. Store layout and design * Antz – The Bread Factory will improve store facade by adding more designs like glass, mirror and lights.We will also add music in the store so the customers will feel more comfortable. We will also create a unique scent to develop a somatic marker to our valued customers. 3. After sales and customer service strategy * Antz – The Bread Factory will give loyalty cards to our customers that give discount. * Antz – The Bread Factory give free breads for those who buy bulk orders. * Antz – The Bread Factory will impose a free delivery for bulk orders. Appendices Appendix A Sketch of the Veggie and Fruit Breads Appendix B Side view sketch of the proposed packaging Appendix C Top view sketch of the proposed packaging Appendix D Front view sketch of the proposed packaging

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The one who is in the sun Essay The manipulation of the regular repetition creates contrast and opposition, which produces emotions and makes the story appealing. The contrast also tends to unsettle the readers and make them pay more attention. The rhythm of the story is manipulated by excluding proverbs from the end of the story to prevent monotony and predictability and makes it more memorable. This interruption of the rhythm creates aesthetic tension by means of the fulfillment and defiance of the readers expectations. The repetition of the proverbs creates a pattern, but the pattern is interrupted by the omission of the proverbs. There are also other elements repeated throughout Zabi Naka. The themes of evil, poverty, death, stealing, fighting and righteousness are recurring. The repetition of these components gets vital concepts before the reader more than once and emphasizes the key ideas of this piece of writing. These themes are repeated to accentuate the meaning of the story. The repetition of both the proverbs and the themes in the story creates layers. The layering gives depth and texture to the story. Having the obvious story, then other themes and issues woven in creates the layering. The layering is an embellishment taking something and adding a dimension to it. This tends to instill a sense of wholeness in the reader. The layers of the story make it complete. I believe that interruption also makes the story extraordinary. The proverbs themselves are an interruption of the storyline. The repetition of the pattern of the story, then a proverb, then back to the story is also interrupted by the absence of the proverbs in the second part of the story when the war occurs. The rhythm of the story is interrupted by the lack of proverbs. This constant disturbance throughout the story creates a multitude of layers, making the story more whole. The combination of interruption, layering, repetition, and proverbs make Zabi Naka the incredible work of art that it is. They add meaning and emotion to the story and also make it complete. These artistic characteristics have thoroughly deepened the story and made it interesting.

Competitive Advantage In The Banking Industry

Competitive Advantage In The Banking Industry Online banking is a self service technology that is used by customers of the bank to carry out in real time activities such as, payment of bills, check account balance and transfer funds. It is worthwhile to note that online banking can be used to reduce cost for banking institution. For instance Hernandez-Murillo et al (2010) suggest that the cost of a customer doing online banking transaction, in a brick and mortar bank in the United State is about one percent of the cost of the customer using the traditional banking method. Esser (1999) reported some of the advantages of online banking to the customers. The findings were: Customers can easily manage their accounts as they can access their accounts any time of the day. 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However, the self-service technology has made a remarkable change in the way the bank interacts with its customer (Simmers et al, 2008). Most of the researches on online banking explore the factors affecting the adoption by banks. The focus of their researches were on the usage of online banking by banks as a reaction to the adoption decisions of the industrys competitors (Hernandez-Murillo et al 2010). Hernandez-Murillo et al (2010) study the factors that determine the adoption of online banking by banks in United States during the period 2003-2006. The Multimarket Contact index was used by these researchers as a substitute of the strategic force required by banks to adopt online operations as a competitive reaction to the rivals actions. The authors results suggest that strategic consideration plays an important role in the adoption of online banking by geographically localised market. Tan and Teo (2000) base their study on studying the factors namely, attitudinal, social and behaviour control, that affect customersthe adoption of online banking in Singapore. The theories of planned behaviour and diffusion of innovations were used by the authors to evaluate their hypothesis. The authors argue that the consumers attitude, his subjective norms and his perceived behavioural control, all contributes towards his adoption of online banking. Amin (2009) examines the factors affecting the acceptance of online banking by people in Malaysia through the use of a technologically accepted model called a linear regression. He propose through the study that the qualities, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, perceived credibility and social norm were statistically important while perceived enjoyment was not important. Another factor affecting the adoption of online banking by customers is security of the account accessed through the internet. For customers to feel secure and make use of online banking, the bank must offer online security systems that protect customers assets and information (Smith, 2006). The research to examine the intensity of the impact of online banking on the financial performance of community banks carried out by Acharya et al (2008), both sampling and statistical procedures were used to build a broad online banking index. The basis of their study was on analytical frameworks which used both the structural equation modeling (second-order factor analysis) and multiple regression analysis. Internet banking seems to represent a possible means of allowing new entrants into the banking industry (Arnaboldi and Claeys, n.d.). Smith (2008) uses Porters five force model to analyse the competition within retail banking in an increasingly financially troubled environment. In his analysis where used data from 22 banks, Smith suggests that the barriers to entry identified may not prevent considerable number of entrants into the banking industry. He also observed that the true competition amongst banks may be found in the differentiation of their internet banking products. The paper is based on an exploratory research for a sample of nine banks from each country, a web survey is conducted to collect data for each internet bank using an analytical framework based on a three dimensional model. Both the advancement in technology and change in social trends, such as the increase in customers preference to perceived convenience, have caused a high reorganisation of the financial institution. Banks have to re-examine their marketing strategies and also prompt growth in the adoption of self-service technologies (SSTs) (Loonam and OLoughlin, 2008). Very little research has explored the role of SST in a high involvement service such as that of financial investments. Customer satisfaction with banking services was researched with respect to their interaction with human and technology. It was discovered through the use of multiple regression that consumers overall satisfaction is predicted to be influenced more by human rather than technological encounter (Haytko and Simmers, 2009). While consumers show they are displeased with failure in transaction that involve a bank employee, they tend to accept responsibility for any kind of failure they come across during or after the use of online banking and may continue its usage (Haytko and Simmers, 2009). It should however be note that the focus group used in the research by Haytko and Simmers were students who already has high affinity for the internet. Liao and Cheung (2008) employ the use of service quality (SERVQUAL), Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and transaction cost analysis to measure customer behaviour to the use of online banking. In their empirical studies, six elements of SERVQUAL namely, usefulness (USE), ease of use (EOU), reliability (REL), security (SEC), responsiveness (RES) and continuous improvement (IMP) , were used to relate to consumer satisfaction in internet banking services (CSIBS). The study was Laukkanen et al (2008) provides more insight to barriers erected by bank customers to the adoption of online banking. The researchers split the non-adopters of online banking into three groups namely the postponers, opponents and rejectors. They suggest, through survey papers submitted by some customers of banks in Finland, that psychological barriers are higher determinant of resistance to adoption than ease of use and its value. Bauer and Hein (2006) carried out another research to gain more knowledge about the consumers point of view in the adoption of online banking. They use micro-economics theory of consumer utility maximisation to model how consumers make decisions on adopting online banking. Simmers et al (2008) relatively examine how the impact of the human services and those provided by technology affect the consumers satisfaction. The authors through two studies both use the six-item and five-point Likert scales conclude that human encounter was initially more important than technology encounter until the convenience of banking online prevailed. The first study was carried out through the survey of some undergraduate students, with most of those that responded between age 19 and 21 years. The second study was carried out with as survey of 153 bank customers at the university, with most less the 24 years of age. It could be seen from these studies that students who have higher affinity to the internet are used for the two studies. It should also be noted that the research is carried out in US, but will most bank customers in UK score convenience higher than online banking security? Joseph and Stone (2003) investigated the customer perception of the impact of technology on service delivery in the banking sector. According to the findings of this research . . . high scores on the ability to deliver service via technology appears to be correlated with high satisfaction with services deemed most important to customers Hence, availability of internet banking services appears to be very important for banks for customer satisfaction and retention. However, availability of internet banking services itself is not a sufficient factor to increase customer satisfaction. User friendliness of the internet banking services appears to be an important factor for customers to use these services Research has been carried out on performance of the internet as an alternative or complementary channel used in delivering some bank services, like current accounts. For instance Gondat-Larralde and Nier (2004, cited by Arnaboldi and Claeys, 2008) carry out a research on the competitive process in the UK market for personal current accounts between 1996 and 2001. The rate at which the market shares changed with respect to price differentials between the brick and mortar banks and the direct banks that use the internet and telephone to operate. The results of the research point to the significance of customer switching cost as a key determinant of the competitive process in banking industry. Mukherjee and Nath (2003) suggest note that the physical separation between the bank operation internet service and the customer introduce an environment of insecurity. The authors develop a structural equation model, called Lisrel, and through empirical test carried out on 510 internet users in India. Nearly all research work refer to the US banking system and research attempts on the performance of online banking are few (Arnaboldi and Claeys, n.d.). IBM (2005) identify three shortfalls of customer satisfaction researches, the first one is that enough attention is not paid to the different behavioural segment customers belong, the research usually take a general view of the customer base. The next one is that most of the researches are not analytical as they fail to show the impact the different elements of the customers experience might have on the brand support and emotional link. Lastly how customer satisfaction is measured is a poor forecaster of to future behaviour of customers. This research differ from other studies in that it will be carried on banks in UK and as there are little research done on the use of online banking as a tool competitive advantage in the banking industry. The author will survey focus groups made up of bank customers in UK will be use to analyse the reason for adoption of online banking and finally the evaluation of satisfaction derive by the bank customers. Qualitative data analysis research will be

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Managing collaboratively  by working together to gain loyal relationships from workforce, customers and investors. FedEx Express in Vietnam Business history FedEx has established its operation in Vietnam since 1994, right after US government lifted the trade embargo to Vietnam. Its business model in Vietnam is agency in which FedEx services are provided to customers through FedExs partners. And FedEx global service partner (GSP) in Vietnam was Post and Telecommunication Express JSC; a company belong to Vietnam Post Corporation which has nationwide network for pickup and delivery until 2009. Since then, the contract with this GSP was terminated and Seabornes and Danatrans were appointed to be new GSPs in Vietnam. At the same time of launching its services in Vietnam, FedEx representative office was opened. The office role is to carry out market research, coordinate the communication among FedEx in VN and other countries, facilitating the implementation of contracts/agreements between FedEx Pacific Inc and other Vietnamese organizations Under the agency contract, the GSPs provide manpower, facilities, and vehicles to bring FedEx service to customers. It is also responsible for customs clearance site for import and export activities. FedEx take responsibilities of all sales and marketing activities. It also supervises and supports GSPs in making the service meet with FedEx global standard and customers requirement. These supports include but not limit to customer service, informatics technology, pricing, billing. Currently FedEx Vietnam provides country wide services with 2 main stations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city but direct service is only provided to major provinces/cities. The station in Ho Chi Minh City handles all inbound and outbound shipment to and from the south of Vietnam (southern of Hue). It has its own gateway for customs clearance and 4 world service centres. The station in Hanoi handles shipments to and from north of Vietnam. Beside its own gateway in Hanoi, it also has 3 world service centres for walk in customers. FedEx is providing direct pick up and delivery service to all major cities/provinces in Vietnam. For the other areas, the pick up and delivery is made by using domestic express service of Vietnam Post Corp. Mission and Objectives: Mission: FedEx Vietnam together with its partners will implement FedEx philosophy People-Service-Profit. We will be market leader with the best international express service at global standard. We will gain profit base on our core business competitiveness and the efficiency of the investment in Vietnam. We will bring customer with satisfaction for each and every transaction. (FedEx Vietnam Mission statement) Main objectives: Standardize service in Vietnam at global standard by having its own employee to generate service to customer. Become customers top in mind express service Annual growing rate at 15% In the context of current recession in developed countries, these are challenging objectives. The downturn in industrial countries will lead to a decline in export of developing countries and Vietnam is not an exception. Demand for transportation of export commodities is predicted to be declined until 2014 along with a weak economy. To maintain the annual growing at 15%, FedEx needs to both extend the operation to new markets and expand its market share at current service area by promoting its competitive advantages. This is a hard time for all companies in air express industry, but it can be a good opportunity for FedEx to consolidate its position over the competitor. Competitive advantage is the key and more than ever a right strategy to promote competitiveness is very critical to FedEx. Organization: FedEx Representative Office With the roles to support and supervise GSP in providing FedEx services to customers, FedEx representative office is organized as functional model. Figure 9: FedEx VN representative office organization chart Country manager HAN Operation manager HAN Sales Manager HAN ramp manager SGN Operation manager HAN CS manager SGN CS manager Country coordinator SGN ramp manager SGN Sales Manager Inside sales Manager Revenue ops Manager Accounting Manager Marketing Manager Technology service Manager Direct report Indirect report Source: FedEx country Review, 2011 At top of the representative office is Chief Representative, Senior Manager for FedEx Indochina and Myanmar who has very good knowledge about market, culture and working style of Vietnamese people. He directly manages operation function and also gets indirect reports from other functional groups. Operations: This group includes station operation (for pick up and delivery), gateway operation (for customs clearance), ramp operation and customer service operation. The group is responsible for managing all operation activities in accordance to FedEx service standard Airport ramp: This group is under operation and responsible for aircraft operation include loading and unloading of shipment on/from aircraft, landing/take off paperworkà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Country Coordinator: Admin the communication to all GSPs in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar on policy, regulation issues Sales: This group report to regional sales. They are responsible for selling FedEx services to customer. Marketing: Perform market research, design and implement marketing plan under direction of regional marketing management. Billing and collection: Control all GSPs invoicing and collecting activities. All customer debts are managed by this group. Accounting: Control all payment transactions of FedEx in Vietnam and perform all other accounting activities. Technical service: Responsible for FedEx communication network, customer technology solutions. GSP organization GSP has two independent teams to work at FedEx agency in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. They both report to Seabornes head office. But in daily operation, they are under supervision of FedEx functional groups from representative office. The team in Hanoi includes 69 GSP employees with 1 General Manager and 4 functional managers. In Ho Chi Minh number of employees is 125 with 1 General manager and 7 functional managers Business result overview Figure10: FedEx Vietnam revenue from 2006 to 2011 (Unit: 1000 USD) Source: FedEx country review 2011 As indicated in Figure 10, FedEx had very good growth in revenue. Total revenue grew by 3 times from 2006 to 2011. The revenue increased at 100% in 2008 after FedEx up gauged it feeder capacity from 3 tons to 6 tons to Ho Chi Minh city. FedExs core products International Priority (IP) and International Priority Freight (IPF) are the main contribution. After the sharp increase in 2008, revenue of these core services grew steadily at 10-12% a year. Revenue of IXF (air port to airport) service took a relatively small part of total revenue. However growing rate of this product has been extremely high since 2009 when the company sell this service to some forwarders to explore their existing customers. Figure 11: FedEx business performance from 2006 to 2011 (Unit: 1000USD) Source: FedEx country review 2011 Figure 11 shows both revenue and profit of FedEx on good growth. However with increased ratio of IXF shipment (which are low yield per kg for big shipments), expense was getting bigger and made profit growing rate in 2009, 2010 and 2011 lower than revenue growing rate. Strategic Annalysis Internal Factor Evaluation (IFE) Human resource The philosophy P-S-P (People-Service-Profit) is cornerstone of FedEx. This can be considered a success cycles of FedEx in which the company take care of its employees and assist them in generate excellent service to customer. That excellent service in return brings Profit to FedEx and enables the company to take a better care to its work force. Thank to this, FedEx is many times voted as most admired company by Fortune Magazine. In many major markets in LAC and APAC, FedEx is voted as one of the best companies to work for. Bring that philosophy in business, FedEx attracts a very excellent team for its representative office in Vietnam. Figure12: FedEx rep office personnel (Experienced and Education) Source: FedEx VN HR profile. Figure 12 shows number of FedEx employee divided by work group and education/experience categories. All FedEx managers (1 senior manager and 6 managers in Ho Chi Minh city, 4 managers in Hanoi) are very experienced in express industry. Sales team is young but very aggressive in selling with 10 for Ho Chi Minh city and 5 for Hanoi. Ramp team includes two groups with equal number of employee, one at Noi Bai airport and the other one at Tan Son Nhat airport. Functional group include employee at marketing, accounting and billing/collection As reflected, 100% FedEx representative office employees are graduated with 29.31% of the employees are holding master degree. With this strong back ground and excellent human development programs through training, couching all FedEx employees are skilful and knowledge in the field that they are responsible. Most of FedEx employees have long term commitment with the company. Many of them stay with the office since it was established. The package benefit and the reward program at FedEx not only keep its employees commit to stay a long time with the office, but also encourage them to perform their best in daily job. But in contrast, the FedEx GSP is a Vietnamese and young company so the recruitment, human resource policy is very different. This leads to poor quality of the work force and impacts to the image of the company in Vietnam. Employees in many cases are not care about productivities. Their attitude in making service is not very much acknowledged and appreciated by customers. This hit the level of FedEx service in Vietnam. However in recent years, with the changes of GSP management and higher demand from customers, some positive changes have been made. The GSP frontline managers and employees attitude to customers and to the service quality issue has been improved. Those employees that could not adapt to this change have been replaced. This in long run will have positive contribution to FedEx operation. But in short term, high turnover of employee impacts to the operation, especially when the new one lack of experience. Over all, the working skills of GSP employees are met with job requirement. However their English is not so good. Especially the couriers who are directly handling shipment for customers. This is room for improvement that FedEx can do to further standardize its service in Vietnam. Finance FedEx Vietnam is a dependent branch of FedEx Pacific Inc. All finance planning and management is performed at division level. The two major finance activities that done at local level are customer debt management and operation cost management. Customer debt management At FedEx, 90% of the shipment transportation charges are billed to customer accounts and the billing options can be to shipper, to consignee or to third party. That makes it very convenient for customer to ship with the company. But on the other hand it brings risk to the company if the payers refuse to pay and the re-bill is done in late (Shipper must takes the final responsibility to pay transportation charge when using FedEx service. In case the charge billed to recipient or 3rd party but payer refuse to pay, then it will be billed back to the shipper). Under agency contract GSP takes responsible for collection of the debt from customer. However their limitation in managing this area makes the on time collection of the payment is not high. Bad debt at 2% and over due debt at about 15% lower the working capital. However as reflected in Figure 11, FedEx revenue is increased year on year and the company has a good profit ratio. In addition, with FedEx Pacific Inc as a mother company, FedEx finance is on strong base. Operation cost management Though most of the ground operation costs are covered by GSP under agency contract, there are areas for FedEx to control and save cost. They include: Cost for using commercial flights (where FedEx flight is not in operation) Cost for revenue supplies (Supplies that provided to customer for them to use FedEx service like airway bill, packing materialà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦) Cost for claim settlement (for damage, late or missing shipment) At FedEx there is an index call cost per package in which all costs raise from handling a package is taken into account and bi-weekly management has a meeting to review it. This is a good tool for continuous improvement of cost saving. In 2010 the company had saved in average 2.3% of its cost per package in compare to the previous year. Facilities All the ground facilities are under GSP charge. But with booming business in past few years, the investment of the GSP on to this did not meet with requirement. Size of business in 2011 was almost 3 times larger than the one in 2006, but there was no major investment to expand ground facilities. That makes the station buildings and warehouses become too congested for FedEx operation and impacts to productivity and the service quality. Figure 13: FedEx ground facility Current Required  [2]   Gateway 800 sqm 1500 sqm Station 2000 sqm 2500 sqm Number of van 24 26 Number of truck 5 5 Number of motor-bike 20 20 Source: FedEx IE report 2011 Beside ground facility, communication network is very critical for FedEx. The network is not only for communication among FedEx locations, but also for posting and updating of shipment status. The network is considered as back bone of FedEx service. In Vietnam the company has its own lease lines to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. The lease lines are upgraded to meet with demand of growing business. The latest upgrade in earlier 2010 increased the lease lines capacity to 256 KBps. A broad band line was also established to be backup network for the lease line. This helps to avoid service impact due to communication problem. Marketing Marketing function in Vietnam is more on the implementation. Marketing planning is done at regional level by marketing management. With this arrangement, there is only 1 marketing specialist in FedEx Vietnam to cover the whole country. She has very limited decision making power on marketing plan. Most of the marketing campaigns in Vietnam are small with very limited budget. There is lack of big campaign in media that attracted mass audience. In Vietnam the new emerging market, FedEx does not have commercial TV advertisement while its major competitor DHL spends heavily on this. In past few years, FedEx involved in numerous of activities for community benefit like building 3 schools in Nam Dinh and Quang Nam, sponsoring transportation of medicine and equipment for Heart to Heart organization, major sponsor for OBIS flying hospital to Vietnam in 2007 and 2010, APEC summit in 2006. These activities were very efficient in bringing benefit to the community, but were not very well promoted by marketing and the number of earned media was not large. In terms of product that FedEx introduced to Vietnam market, the service is more diversify to provide customs more option for their shipment. Currently FedEx provide following services: International Priority (IP): This is fast, customs-cleared, door-to-door pickup and delivery of shipments to all international destinations for package weighted lower than 68 kgs. For those destinations in AsiaOne (all major cities in Asia) net work, document or packages sending under this service will be delivered on the day after ship date. This is FedEx Express core service in Vietnam International Economy (IE): This service is similar to IP service, but the transit time is longer than IP service and shipping rate is lower than IP. International Priority Freight (IPF): This is priority service using for package heavier than 68 kgs. This service is only available in designated cities/countries International Economy Freight (IEF): This is a new service launched in 2010 using for packages over 68kg. Customer use this service does not need a fast transit time. The price rate is lower than IPF and transit time is longer certainly. International priority Distribution (IPD): This is customized service using for customer who send shipment at different consignees at same country. The shipper can send all of them under 1 shipment and FedEx will separate the shpt to delivery to each consignee. This service is only available to some country and normally for global customer Beside the range of services provided, FedEx rate to each customer is different base on the customer volume. However this is not the main competition tools of FedEx. The company is more focus on its differentiation by excellent service. Despite of some weaknesses in marketing in Vietnam, FedEx brand is quite well known in business society thanks to its global image. However, to reach the level on brand awareness that FedEx has in other markets, marketing function in Vietnam should play a more active role. Sales In 2008, FedEx took over all sales activities from GSP. All sales personnel belong to FedEx. This enables the company to recruit and keep talent employee for this important function. The performance of sales team has been improved since then Currently sales team is organized under 3 sub-teams to take care of different groups of customers: Global sales: Take care of global accounts. These global customers are big accounts and very demanding for service quality. As many big international companies are setting up their business in Vietnam, revenue from this group of customer is growing very fast. In 2006, it took only 8% of total revenue, but in 2011 it took up to 27% Telesales: Take care of small accounts. There are low revenue customers but most profitable ones. Revenue from small customer takes 18% of the total FedEx Vietnam revenue. Field sales: Most of customer that taken care of by field sales are local importers/exporters. This area of sales have steady annual growth at 20% in recent year thank to strong growth in international trade in Vietnam With this arrangement, sales team can be more focus on targeted customer, hence the performance is improved. Figure 14: FedEx sales volume from 2006 to 2011 (Unit: 1 package) Source: FedEx country Review 2011 Before 2008, sales only focus on selling outbound, but with global sales network, both outbound and inbound volumes are taken care by sales. This supports strong growth of inbound volume (Figure 14). The exception in 2010 the inbound volume was down turn due to the fisrt year sales under direct management. Operation Air craft operation: With the launch of A310 to Vietnam in September 2009, FedEx increased its aircraft capacity to 5 times bigger than before  [3]  . The aircraft upgrade enables FedEx to introduce more services in and out of Vietnam. The company now can better secure space for its shipment and reduce the risk of dependence on commercial flights. The A310 serves both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city. This first time ever FedEx aircraft arrives in Hanoi making big service improvement for the capital city. Transit time reduce by 1 day for both inbound and outbound. This was an excellent preparation for FedEx Asia hub relocation to China in first half of 2009  [4]  . Station operation: Operating under agency contract, FedEx is facing with number of issues for its station operation because of differences in business strategy. Investments in work forces, vehicles, equipments are not adequate. Coverage area of FedEx service in Vietnam is large while number of couriers is limited with 30 in Hanoi and 60 in Ho Chi Minh city making it a big challenge for pick up and delivery, particularly on the surge volume dates. With booming of EPZ and Industrial Park country wide, many provinces become potential markets for air express service. However FedEx direct pick up and delivery service is only available in big cities/provinces. In other provinces, pick up/delivery is provided through a domestic express service. It means any customs in non-direct service want to use FedEx service they have to send the shipment to FedEx by domestic service first. And the same arrangement for delivery, FedEx will have domestic service to deliver package to customer in these areas. This not only makes transit time for the package longer but also impacts to service quality that customer suppose to receive when they use FedEx service. FedEx in Vietnam operates with standard procedure of FedEx global. However the ability of courier team, especially English speaking and reading skill is not good making barrier for them to learn and consult customers on shipping requirement. There is lack of rewarding program to encourage courier team, so productivity and the over all performance is not very good. Gateway operation: FedEx has 2 gateways in Vietnam, one for Hanoi and the other for Ho Chi Minh city. Both gateways are in the same buildings with stations. That makes it convenient for customers in case they have to come to do customs clearance. But it is a disadvantage for the company to maximize the use of air craft arrival time. The main job of gateway is to ensure shipments are clear customs at shortest time, reduce number of shipment pending in customs warehouse. In Vietnam, FedEx is the first company that was selected by Vietnam customs to implement electronic clearance. By applying technology in to clearance process, this area of service has been improved remarkable. The percentage of shipment released for same day delivery in 2010 is 50% higher than the one in 2007. However the constraints of ware houses and clearance facilities and the lack of customs regulations on express clearance make this clearance still not yet reaches its height of potential. Customer service operation: Customer oriented system and excellent internal communication network are very supportive tools to customer service agents to successfully handle transaction with customer. However, the weakness of call centre which under GSP control with lack of necessary equipments makes it difficult for FedEx to measure and control call quality. There is considered number of complaints regarding to customer service in Vietnam. This is contrast with FedEx customer service in other countries where most of customer praise FedEx for professional, helpful and customer oriented service. In addition, shortage of manpower for this group in Hanoi (with only 3 persons) reduces the ability to handle customer calls to FedEx at this city. Service quality management: Service quality is non-compromised issue at FedEx. It makes FedEx different from competitor. The quality driven management concept has been put in FedEx today business. With that strategy, service quality is also one of the top priorities for FedEx in Vietnam. The company is very good in making all KPI (key performance index) in service to be measurable and has strong systems to control it. Service quality is measured by both network system (base on system scan) and data collection from practice. A group of operation excellence is formed up. This group is supported by advisors at regional level. The group is doing root cause analysis for all service issues and coordinates with respective operation teams for corrective action plan. The quality report is made on daily, weekly, bi-weekly, monthly depend on KPI. Bi-weekly there is meeting among all managers to review service quality issue for necessary actions. With this mechanism, quality improvement is continuous process at FedEx. Information Technology (IT) Information plays very important role with express company like FedEx. Provide customer with accurate and updated information is as important as on time delivery of the package. Within FedEx operation teams, information exchange and communication among the teams is also very critical for its success. FedEx in Vietnam has its own lease line to ensure the connection of network. This system is operated and managed by very experience and skilful IT team. Numbers of IT projects have been implemented in past few years to bring benefit to FedEx and its customers: Automation shipping tool: With software installed at customer site, customer does not need to wait for FedEx to bring in shipping forms for manual completion but they can create the form on their own at any time. With this customer can complete shipping document for many shipment just in few minutes. This helps FedEx to save cost while provide more convenience to customers. Transmission of shipping documents images: FedEx Vietnam now can transmit all shipping documents of its export shipments to countries of destination before shipment departs. With this ability, FedEx in destination does not need to wait for shipments arrival to retrieve the documents but having these documents much earlier than the physical shipment arrives. So they can do pre-arrival customs clearance and ensure that the shipment is immediate released for delivery once it arrives. This tremendously improves the service and saves FedEx hundred thousands of UDS a year for fax fee, storage fee. In conclusion, FedEx Vietnams major advantages are: Operating FedExs own flight to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city Best express service from Vietnam to US, North America and Japan the key export markets of Vietnam Management awareness of service quality and use it as differentiator. A good service quality control system is put on place. Innovative service base on information technology Meanwhile, FedEx major weak points are operating under agency and poor quality call centre for customer operation. With above analysis, an IFE matrix is formed up by strategist team. The IFE matrix for FedEx Vietnam includes 12 factors with seven strengths and five weaknesses. Values of weight and rate for each factor are calculated base on average scores of the team members with some minor adjustment after review with the whole team (Appendix H). The final IFE matrix for FedEx is reflected in Figure 15. Figure 15: IFE Matrix of FedEx Vietnam No. Factors Weight Rate Weighted score 1 FedEx has 5 flights a week to both Hanoi and HCMC 0.14 4 0.56 2 Well known brand 0.12 3 0.36 3 Hub Operation Model Global Network 0.09 4 0.36 4 The best express service to US, North America and Japan 0.12 4 0.48 5 Wide range of services 0.04 3 0.12 6 Management awareness of service quality issue and use the quality of service as differentiator. 0.05 4 0.2 7 Innovative service on the base of information technology 0.04 4 0.16 8 FedEx operates under agency contract 0.15 1 0.15 9 Low quality call centre 0.13 1 0.13 10 High over due debt ratio 0.03 1 0.03 11 Poor marketing activities

Free College Admissions Essays: My Mother had Faith in Me :: College Admissions Essays

My Mother had Faith in Me    As a child, I never thought I would be the one who would graduate from high school. In grade school, I learned that I could do well, but I was afraid of going to a higher level. As a freshman in high school, I made a decision not to be a fool and drop out. Even though it crossed my mind to drop out, I stood tall and looked up to God. Now I have an overall of 3.567.    However, each goal that I strived for, I achieved because my mother always had faith in me. She believed I could do anything that I put my mind to . For eleven years, my mother was a single parent who raised me. My biological father died before I was born. She basically raised me all alone. My mother always bought me books as a child. Every night we read books like, 'Who am I,' and my favorite, 'Wacky Wednesday,' from beginning to end. Her dedication inspired me to be the person that I am striving for today. She always had a way of showing me her love and care by pushing me towards a successful life. Regardless of the circumstances, she was the one who helped me get to where I am today. This is why I'm determined to go even further in life.    In fact, today my career goals are not a problem I know that I can get the job done to the best of my ability by furthering my education. In the year 2005, I will be a junior high school math teacher. I will teach at a school that I attended as a child to help students learn. I will teach my students not only math, but values that will help them to be successful in life. As a teacher, or an accountant, I will also be an entrepreneur. I will help the people in the community where I grew up in and that's a promise. I know that I will achieve these goals. When I get my Bachelor and Master's degree, I will make sure that I will have something to show for it. Therefore, my career goals on my agenda will be accomplished through my success.    I have participated in various extra-curricular activities. I remember back in the 9th grade, when I tried out for the pom-pom team.