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DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIRMS
RUNNING HEAD: DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIRMS
STUDENT NAME
COURSE
INSTITUTION
TUTOR
DATE
Abstract
The current world of business is facing stiff competing in their operations leaving them with no option but to come up with new strategies. In this research, two firms from Africa will be considered in an effort to find out the challenges they are undergoing.
Currently, the Vodafone communication provider which operates in South Africa and Telecom Orange Company in Kenya, have been experiencing various challenges pose great threat their monopoly in those countries. The hindrances to their expansion could be explained from the basis of political, social and ethical issues among many other factors as we shall see in the discussion.
The challenges being experienced by the two firms are similar in many ways ranging from a drop in the number of subscribers and reduction in their coverage area. One of the main challenges they have been facing is competition from other similar firms.
Discussion
The Vodafone of South Africa has its roots from the United Kingdom while the Telecom Orange firm in Kenya by France. The two communication companies have been enjoying monopoly for a long time leading to increase in sales and profits. This saw them command a greater network through their efficient and qualified personnel coupled with excellent customer care services.
The current survey conducted on the two firms however indicates a fall in the annual earning due to various related factors (Matthew 23). The statistics collected from the communities indicate that the inclusion of other companies which offered better services at a cheaper price made them break their loyalty. They considered the two companies as being exploitative. It is therefore the social issues of the two companies that led to their loss in popularity.
The other main challenge to the two firms is that in both countries, there has been an increase in the number of companies offering similar services leading to further competition. They have therefore been forced to lower their calling rates which have the effect on their annual income.
Political instability in Kenya for instance in 2007 post-election violence led to the drop in the amount of profits for the Telecom Orange Company. Another major challenge emanates from exorbitant income taxes that the two firms are expected to pay to those countries. This therefore causes an increase in the cost of production while at the same time causing a reduction in the net profits.
Ethical issues have also been the major threats to the two companies as they have been blamed for the increase in the level of crimes. Lack of proper registration of the information of their subscribers has been used to encourage theft. There have been kidnaps for instance in both countries where those committing are never brought to justice because they can not be traced. The two companies have therefore been facing a increased pressure to force them consider fresh registration of their clients to increase security.
Is the International Court of Justice the first world court?
The international criminal court could be said to be the first court established which has the power to hear matters concerning the infringement on human rights on any one regardless of the country they come from (Rosenne, 2003).It was established in around 1946 to in order to prosecute those that their governments would not let stand in the court of justice. This was to ensure that even the most prominent people in the government could be held accountable for their actions.
What are the procedures of the World Court? Are they similar to any U.S. court?
One of the procedures is first of all to receive the case and it is examined and analyzed to see whether it qualified to be tried at this high level (Simic, 2009). The case must be related to civil issues for it to be tried here. The next step that is taken is by the court is to send its own investigators to the country where human rights have been infringed. They however have to be allowed to continue with their activities by the government of such a country. They gather information from many sources including the citizens. Once the investigation is out, they return to awaiting further analysis of the information gathered (Brownlie, 2008). Finally, they may issue a statement that they want the instigators arrested and taken to The Hague for trial. The only similarity with the United States courts is that both follow the general rule of law. However, the difference is the US has limited jurisdiction on matters of justice.
What is an advisory opinion?
This is an opinion that is issued by the court but which has no power to lead to any prosecutions. It is only an advice that the court can issue to the government or an individual on legal matters but which may not be necessarily used in making the final decision.
Reference
Matthew, L (2008). Management: People, Performance, Change, 3rd edition. New York, New York McGraw-Hill
International Court of Justice. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2009, from HYPERLINK “http://www.un.int/chile/Corteintenglish” http://www.un.int/chile/Corteintenglish
Simic, I. (2009, August 28). Failures of international law and the security council’s tyranny. Retrieved November 20, 2009, from the KurdishMedia Web site: HYPERLINK “http://www.kurdmedia.com/article.aspx?id=15971” http://www.kurdmedia.com/article.aspx?id=15971
Brownlie, J. (2008). Principles of Public International Law. New Jersey. Inc
Rosenne S. (2003). the world court: what it is and how it works 6th ed. USA.
List 3 strategic goals for Teds business and provide an explanation of each
Questions and answers
Presented by
Institution
List 3 strategic goals for Ted’s business and provide an explanation of each.
Firstly, Ted wishes to decrease expenses in order to achieve higher profits. Ted realized he was spending much money on unnecessary expenses that made his production cost increase. He strategized to open the store depending on the weather conditions. From spring through fall, he keeps his business open throughout the week, but in winter months he opened the business three days in a week. This strategy helped him reduce unwanted expenses.
Ted’s second strategic goal is innovation. Ted decided to advance his business to fit the current technological demands. He realized that implementation of Information Technology (IT) practices would assist in boosting his income. Ted decided to open a website for his business where clients, especially tourists, could easily trace his location and learn about his services.
The third goal is to increase the market share for his products and services. Ted decided to sell low priced bikes and ignore expensive ones. Ted realized that customers purchased bikes in the range of $400 to $1000. He decided to sell lower priced bikes because they are easier to sell and gave him high cash flows.
Identify 5 specific types or categories of information that Ted needs to run his business and explain why they are important to him.
The five specific categories of information are:
Target market
Who are his competitors
Market needs for the target group
The most effective modes of communication
Pricing and offering strategies
Having clear information of the target group will assist Ted in deciding the best location to set up his business and understand their needs. In addition, competitors play a significance role in the growth of a business. Understanding competitors will help Ted develop effective strategies to ensure more customers use his services, hence winning the market share and the competitive advantage. Moreover, understanding market needs for the target group will enable Ted offer only those services that are desirable to consumers.
On the other hand, information on communication means will be of great use to the growth and development of the business. Communication in a business is essential because it promotes perfect relationship between sellers and buyers. By adapting effective communication channels, Ted will be in a position to achieve his business strategic goals. Finally, information on pricing and offering strategies will help Ted achieve his objectives. Setting customer friendly prices by first getting information from competitors would help in the growth of the organization.
Identify and explain three business processes that Ted likely uses in his business and explain how a technology solution could help each one of them.
Management
Ted uses the management process to control all the operations of his business related to strategic management and corporate governance. By incorporating technology solutions on management process, Ted could improve his business output and attract more customers. For example, the opening of a company website would be a better strategy for selling his products and services in the internet.
Operational
Business operational processes have a lot of significance to the growth and development of any organization. Operational process is the most essential in Ted’s business because it comprises of core business features such as marketing, primary value streaming, sales, and purchasing. The proposed technology solution for improving this process is the use of internet marketing through the company website. Internet marketing would help Ted create bigger pool of customers, and become more competitive.
Business
The business process acts as a supporting process for Ted’s business. The tasks performed under this process assist Ted in supporting core business processes found in the operational processes. The technology solution mentioned above of creating a company website would help this process by assisting in recruiting reliable personnel in order to increase manpower. Ted can create job advertisements in his company website at a lower cost and reach a large number of potential recruits.
Ted has a website with information about his stores. Identify and explain two additional ways Ted could use the internet in his business. Tie each use to a specific e-commerce business model and explain how that model applies.
The use of the internet has become one of the best strategies business owners use to attract and retain more customers. The website could be used to attract potential buyers who could eventually sell bikes to consumers. This process could occur using the Business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce model to promote his business. Ted would only be buying bikes from manufacturers at wholesale and placing them on his company website for potential buyers to sell them to retailers.
Secondly, Ted could cooperate with the government to market his products. Most of Ted’s clients are tourists. Ted could take government tender to supply clients with bike riding services. The government would advertise Ted’s business in its website. This method is tied with Business-to-Government e-commerce model (B2G).
Explain to Ted what a supply chain management (SCM) system could do for his business and how it might improve his operations. Be sure to cover the full range of SCM functionality as it applies to Old Dominion Trail Bikes.
By using supply chain management (SCM) system, Ted will be in a better position to minimize expenses associated with purchase and leasing of bikes. Ted will be able to identify processes in his business that increase cost without increasing the value of product or service. For instance, Ted decided to employ only one staff in his store. SCM system will help Ted eliminate such processes that increase costs of production.
Another benefit of using SCM system will be increasing operations efficiency. SCM system helps in proper planning of business strategies by incorporating various marketing concepts that help improve business efficiency. SCM will ensure Ted’s business processes flow smoothly and his output is according to the company goals.
SCM system could also lead to increased outputs and more profits for the business. By fostering SCM, Old Dominion Trail Bikes will create a close relationship with suppliers and customers, ensuring timely fulfillment of orders placed either through the net or directly in the company. In addition, the system will improve company’s timeliness and make it more responsible leading to more customers loving their services, hence improved output. Moreover, SCM system will help the company strategize of pricing. Application of SCM system to Old Dominion Trail Bikes will lead to cost reduction through eliminating wasteful processes.
How could Ted combine the information he gets from in-store customers with those who purchase via the website into a single Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and what three benefits would he gain from doing so?
Ted has managed to create a company website that will make online users shop and rent bikes conveniently. By merging market efforts with business processes above, Ted could easily combine the information he gets from in-store customers with those who purchase via the internet into a single Customer Relationship Management (CRM). This will promote improved customer experience because the in-store customers will experience fast services as those buying via the internet.
In addition, CRM will make Ted put more market efforts by giving a complete picture of sales processes of existing customers. Information from in-store customers will be fed to a computer and stored in the same area as that from online users.
On the other hand, the business will have better coordination and cooperation between buyers and sellers. Sharing a common CRM platform between sales, marketing and customers in an organization promotes cooperation. Combination of in-store information and internet information will allow anyone to access key business information that allows the company to work as a single unit.
Ted would like to increase repair work and rentals as they are the highest profit aspects of his business and the Internet is not a competitor. What are three specific ways he could use technology to accomplish this?
Ted could use technology to repair work and rentals by using technology in the following ways. Firstly, he could call upon all his clients to subscribe to social media communication channels such as faceBook or Twitter. Customers will be in position to message Ted whenever they need any repair or bike rentals. Secondly, Ted could advertise is repair and rental services via his company website. The advert should be the first thing that a person sees whenever he or she opens the website. Thirdly, Ted can promote repair and leasing services for his company by creating cloud connectivity to all his customers to allow them lease bikes online.
Ted is not sure if he should implement an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution. Identify and explain three benefits to an ERP for Old Dominion Trail Bikes. Identify and explain two important considerations in implementing an ERP.
Old Dominion Trail Bikes could benefit from Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) in the following manner. ERP would bring about improvement and efficiency in repair and rental services for Old Dominion Trail Bikes. Implementing ERP through technology will allow Ted to make business information and resources readily available for customers to use.
Secondly, ERP enhances customer satisfaction through provision of correct feedback. Ted could create a query system in the company website where clients can ask any question and provide any recommendation to the company. This will also promote timely delivery of services that are of greater quality.
Finally, ERP implementation at Old Dominion Trail Bikes will ensure effective decision making. By incorporating the ERP system, Ted will be able to provide right information to clients, in the right manner, and at the right time, and
If Ted implements an ERP for Old Dominion Trail Bikes, he will need to know whether the project was a success. List and explain three metrics (or measures) he can use to determine whether the project was a success.
Strategy implementation
ERP system can be measured through focusing on how the company implements the planned strategies. Ted will be looking at factors such as strategy supporting business growth, supporting business alliance, process changes, and change of business practices. An improvement in any or all of these factors would act as a good measure of the effectiveness of ERP system implemented at Old Dominion Trail Bikes.
Managerial
ERP systems also focus on managerial practices. Some of the measures of managerial processes under the ERP system are better resource management and improved decision making among the company staff.
Operational
The key metrics that Ted will use to measure business operational processes under the ERP system implementation are cost reduction, productivity, customer service improvement, reduction of delay time, and service quality improvement.
Since neither Ted nor anyone on his staff has any experience with information technology, list and explain five things he should consider or address as he proceeds with his IT projects.
Cost
Cost would be the most essential factor to consider when implementing IT services for Old Dominion Trail Bikes. The cost that the company will incur should be minimal to avoid the company operating at a loss
Availability of IT professionals
Ted should bear in mind his staff’s ability to operate using the new technologies. Availability of experienced staff will reduce cost of recruitment and training new staff
What services does he need
IT has a number of services that an organization can implement. Ted should plan for his company needs in order to determine areas requiring total IT usage and those that would require human intervention
Technology support
Before implementing IT services at Old Dominion trail Bikes, Ted should have a strong technology support. He should be able to know how to solve any problem that may arise leading to poor operations
Innovations
Technology keeps advancing as experts come up with more innovations. Ted should implement technological services in his company giving room for future innovations. For instance, he should purchase computers that are compatible with any future software that might be introduced to improve business operation.
The world of Hopi can be categorized into three tenses whish are the present
Question One
The Sapir- Whorf’s hypothesis can be described as a set of rules that provide an analysis of language and thinking in terms of the relationship they have with each other. These rules are summarized into two categories namely the mould theory and the cloak theories. The mould theories state that language is the principle factor that human beings derive their though process from. The cloak theory states that the thought process is classified into different subsections that are veiled by a particular language. This simply means that the culture is a significant determinant of any language structure. Our language is as a result a deciding factor in the behavior and action that we choose to follow which in turn triggers out thought process (Fishman, 2000).
Whorf claims that the thought process is highly influential on the formation of different languages and dialects. Different thoughts give rise to different contents which are responsible for the formation of words that form languages. This theory has been disputed by some linguist who has an alternative view of language. This theory was structured by Lee Whorf who spent the most part of his life studying the connection between language and culture. The Hopi language dictates on the way its natives view the world in that it is part of the culture (Colin & Bahn, 2008). Whorf made an effort to categories the Hopi language into four categories that are viewed as dialects. These dialects differ in many aspects in that some parts of the language have gone through some changes to reflect on the culture of the different dialect speakers. The Hopi language is of a more complex nature compared to the languages of the world of the SEA.
One of the major differences between the two languages is seen in the projection of time. The Hopi do not recognize the element of time in their language. Time is thus seen as a process that is part of their life. Time is not recorded in major parts of their history and thus does not relay much significance. The languages of the worlds of the SEA constitutes of the European languages as a whole. The English language is part of this category. The SEA languages categorize their time into three tenses which are the present, the past and the future tenses. This shows that they have an ideal amount of recognition for the events that take place at each period of a particular time. Time is thus visualized as a line as opposed to a process (Whorf, 1956). As stated earlier, the Hopi language is of a more complex form. Some of the complexities can be seen in their sentences. If the Hopi intend to describe an action such as reading, they will not recognize it as a verb, they will categorize it as a fact in that it has no past present or future. The Hopi have more lengthy seasons in that most of their events do not have time limits vice versa. This fact alone displays the how the language would force them to perceive not only time but other factors that involve the recording of an event. The SEA languages comprise on a number of dialects which are different from each other. Within these languages, there are other factors that dictate on the way individuals think.
Whorf mentions that language influences the thought process. With the analysis of the concept of time in the two language worlds, one can see that the use of how language changes the form of a sentence which in turn determines what we make of the sentence. The sentence thus gets a new meaning which influences our perception of any given situation. The world of the Hopi differs from the world of the SEA in that the two conflicting language types give rise to two different cultures (Fishman, 2000).
Question two
The society is often prone to classify the English language in form of logic. This means that the language is seen as a tool of communication between two or people. This communication cannot be conducted without following a set of rules that guide the speaker and the listener on the actions to take. The notion that there is only one way of classification namely the logical system is beginning to phase due to the recognition of various classifications.
Another form of a classification system is the use of more than one dialect. A dialect is a form of language that is formed as a result of the interaction of two or more communities. Most dialects owe their existence to other influential languages. They thus resemble other language by sharing some factors such as the pronunciation or way of speech. A language is a direct reflection of a dialect in that the dialect is derived from a language. One of the advantages of this type of system is the focus on the pronunciation and vocabulary as opposed to the emphasis on the use of rules. One disadvantage can be seen in that a dialect demands a certain type of pronunciation which separates it from another. This brings about complications in language and speeches in that majority of the words are differentiated to suite the dialect in question. Dialect focuses on speech and forgets the rules that come with the speech. This removes the disciple that language needs in order to be passed from one generation to another (Colin & Bahn, 2008).
Language can be viewed as a form of communication system. This type of communication can be verbal or non verbal in that its major emphasis lies on the passing of messages from one person to another. The communication can also involve animals and humans due to the use of expressions as opposed to speech. This type of system acknowledges the influence of behavior and the role it has communicating different languages. One advantage of this system is the use of non verbal communication as a portion of language. This ensures that there is a connection between members of different dialects that would not have been able to communicate. One disadvantage is that it relies on expressions and eliminates some of the possibilities of language integration.
Language is reflective of most of the cultures that speak the particular dialect. This means that language can be classified as part of a culture. A language cannot stand on its own in that some cultures have integrated different rules of a certain community into a dialect. For an individual to learn a particular language, they need to educate themselves on the cultures that bestow the language. One of the advantages of this type of system is that it is one of the principle methods that are essential in learning and understanding a new language (Miroshnik, 2001).
References
Colin, Renfrew, Colin .,Bahn, Paul. (2008).Archeology: Theories, Methods and Practice Fifth edition. New York: Thames and Hudson.
Fishman, Joshua. (2000).A systemization of the Whorfian hypothesis. Journal of behavioral science. 1(9) 323-329.
Miroshnik, Victoria. (2001). “Culture and International Management”. Journal of Management Development.
Whorf, B.L. (1956). Language though and reality. New York: John Wiley and sons.