Accounting Basics for Managers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Accounting Basics for Managers - Essay Example In the financial year 2012, Home Depot shows impressive growth both financially and operationally. In the financial year 2011, Home Depot revenue increased by 3.53% to a striking $ 70,395 million which has resulted in the operating profit increased by 14.08%. Following its operational growth strategy, Home Depot has introduced diversity in its business. The company is showing interest in covering all the horizons of the globe by opening more and more stores in various areas of the globe as it planning to serve a diverse range of customers. Gross profit margin is one of the key profitability ratio indicators which indicate how well a company is in the process of utilizing its working capital in earning the desired level of profit. In order to calculate the gross profit margin ratio, the gross profit (i.e., sales less the cost of sales) is divided by the revenue of the company. As apparent, the gross profit of the company has increased slightly from the previous financial year which co uld be due to the fact that the cost of sales of the company increased with a bigger percentage as compared to the percentage of the revenue of the company. This could be due to increased raw materials prices from the supplier which the company could not recover from the customers through increased selling price. The next profitability indicator is the net profit margin. The net profit margin is calculated by dividing the net profit (i.e., gross profit less administrative and selling expenditure) with the total revenue.

Strategy and Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Strategy and Marketing - Essay Example Economic conditions as well as lifestyle needs demand that consumers invest in their housing to ensure asset value growth and require adequate transportation and computer systems to facilitate effective and demanded lifestyle quality. Many of these industries do not require a strong market-oriented strategy, since the competitive environment does not mandate being ultra-sensitive to buyer needs (Walker & Mullins, 2011). Companies such as The Home Depot and Lowe’s offer rather standardized products that are in demand due to economic conditions and widespread consumer need for asset protection. In this oligopoly market structure where there are limited competitors, the business can avoid high costs associated with customer relationship management systems and other market-oriented models of doing business. The mid- and long-term factors of high performance are credit availability, limited competition in certain high-performing industries, pricing structures, and high consumer dem and. No, it would be difficult to make the assumption that some industries are inherently more profitable than others. Some have operational models that consume a great deal of cash or credit that are not widely understood without examining annual reports or market studies on business strategy and growth. They may offer higher prices, however the cost of goods sold in these industries could be substantially higher than other competitors that have leaner models of production. There are many factors associated with promotions, brand positioning, or even expensive information technology and support that could erode profitability. Walker & Mullins (2011) identifies that market success requires examination of external trends that impact the industry long-term. Ineffective market research, either qualitative or quantitative, as well as a poorly-developed promotional strategy could greatly undercut profitability as compared to more efficient competitors at these activities. Automobile Manu facturing Performance Automobile manufacturer sales volumes are strongly influenced by consumer demand and also short-term economic conditions in key target markets in their desired segments. Morningstar (2012) identifies rather poor mid- to long-term performance at Nissan, but rather high performance at General Motors. Both of these companies offer mid-sized to larger-sized vehicles and operate in generally the same socio-economic market segments. Walker & Mullins (2011) identifies the importance of positioning, which is establishing a product that will emphasize consumer needs and help to differentiate the brand from other competition. General Motors conducts considerable market research on consumer attitudes, behaviors and needs which assists this business in gaining more customers. Psychographics is only one method of establishing connections with buyers. Nissan, on the other hand, might have less developed promotional and advertising strategies that do not stand out from compet ition. While GM would be positioned as a lifestyle-relevant product line, Nissan might be ineffective at successfully differentiating the product. Though this is only one factor, it does indicate why some companies perform better financially than others due to the importance of successful marketing strategy implementation and control. The automotive industry is also reliant on consumers that conduct a great deal of

The impact of internet marketing in retailing Essay

The impact of internet marketing in retailing - Essay Example The information would be sent to the grocery shop through Internet and the grocery would be delivered at our doorsteps. The concept of E- com goes even beyond this; various firms would float their needs, projects and tenders through Internet web. The management consultant, vendors, engineering consultants and other business groups would come online to discuss various aspects of the project. All mandatory information relating to costing, engineering details calculations, and prices would also be shared here on- line. The orders would be discussed and then placed on-line. And the executions would also be done through Internet. The various aspects of information transfer would involve management and engineering information then all types of text, graphics, tables and figures. The process of E-com is getting a big momentum in global industry as a whole unit after globalization. Currently, the most serious application of Internet is in the area of internet marketing. E-mail services are v ery cheap and are used by businessmen and individuals worldwide for information transfer. ... ng the creation of a national information backbone, which would be used for national information infrastructure and for the promotion of Internet services. We must get out of the agricultural age and must jump on to information technology bandwagon. The possibilities on Internet marketing are endless. For example, it would be possible to have marketing through voice transmission via Internet. All the major national streams—defense, industry, software development and exports, international trading, bilateral agreements, information exchange and information needs for daily usage—would benefit from this latest technological marvel (Cotter, 2002). Today, there is a lack of a good data transmission networks. According to a survey, there is likely to be a demand of 50, 00,000 Internet connections in the metropolises. Internet Marketing Strategies The major strategies used for internet marketing is as follows: Web design First of all we must have a good web site where we shoul d display the articles to sell. Since there are billions of web pages are there in internet, one should design his web site to catch attention from the customers. The customer should be able to know the various features of the product he wants to know. So, one should be able to display the web site well in style to catch good customers (Armistead & Keily, 2003). Free publicity As internet is a plat form where all the buyers and sellers meet, it offers ample scope to market his products and services. So we can use all social marketing tools for the same. We have face book, twitter and a number of web related plat forms are there to interact with the customers and buyers. Sending effective e- mails is the powerful tool as far as the internet marketing is concerned (Hoffman & Novak, 1996). SEO Search

Current Business Themes Dissertation Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5250 words

Current Business Themes - Dissertation Example According to the paper the two major natural disasters caused by these firms have been discussed here. Also the report states the corrective measures undertaken by these firms. It can be concluded from the study that the occurrence of oil spillage is fundamentally a subject highly dependent on probability. A probabilistic occurrence like oil spill incident or oil spill spreading and affecting the marine ecology as well as the human lives is a matter that can’t be anticipated; only an estimation of its possibility can be made.   When an organization takes steps for sustainability practices, it becomes essential for it to know the probable causes of risk. Thus considering the environment prior to the business objectives should be the main aim of every firm related to this industry.From this study it is clear that in the present corporate era, all the firms strive to gain the trust of its stakeholders so that a long term business relationship can grow between them. A long term relationship in business depends on product quality, customer service, and good reputation. Reputation is the concept that many successful firms fail to achieve. Business reputation is considered as an asset that is intangible which distinguishes a company from other firms and draws consumers to make them buy things again and again from the same company and at the same at time the consumers readily pay a top price for the goods and services.... Business reputation is considered as an asset that is intangible which distinguishes a company from other firms and draws consumers to make them buy things again and again from the same company and at the same at time the consumers readily pay a top price for the goods and services. However, in spite of the discerning involvement between financial performance and reputation, pragmatic studies account for questionable findings. Reputation is an exclusive element of a business that can be achieved by it through its good work and goodwill (Lee & Roh, 2012). One of the greatest sources of reputation is the sustainability framework practiced by the firm. Sustainability can be attained by the means of numerous activities that comprises of the reputation of the management. These activities comprises of the formation of the environment-friendly goods, motivating and retaining employees, saving energy etc. which aids the business to preserve value via return and growth on capital. The aim of the present study is to focus on the various facets of the oil exploration and production industry and the corporate social responsibility practice followed by the firms of this sector to maintain sustainability. The two main firms that will be covered in our study are BP and Shell. It will be a comparative analysis between the environmental policies of both the firms that will further discuss about the various measures taken by these firms to repair the damages. For the present study the research question happens to be, how do the oil exploration and production plants deal with the issues of environmental pollution and what are their approach to a sustainable environment? The topic in hand will be studied by the conduction

Supply chain management in the uk construction Industry Essay

Supply chain management in the uk construction Industry - Essay Example According to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), â€Å"supply chain management encompasses the planning and management of all activities involved in sourcing and procurement, conversion and all logistics management activities† (Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, n.d.). In addition to these, SCM also includes collaboration and coordination with channel partners which includes suppliers, customers as well as intermediaries. The council also says that the supply chain management also plays a crucial role in integrating demand and supply management across and within the companies. According to James B. Ayers, supply chain management is all about â€Å"designing, maintenance and operation of supply chain process, including those that make up extended product features, for satisfaction of end-user needs† (Ayers, 2000). Over the past few decades various techniques regarding supply chain management (SCM) have been used successfully in different industries like manufacturing and food. In these industries, the supply process encompasses all those activities that are associated with the processing – from raw materials to the finishing of the final product. The entire process involves procurement, production scheduling, inventory management, order processing, storage, customer service, transport and all the supporting information systems. Roy Morledge, Mohieddin Grada and Andrew Knight opined that in manufacturing industry, supply chain management strategies are adopted assuming that it is â€Å"an ongoing process where supplier and customer experience involves frequent transactions for the same or similar products† (Pryke, 2009). SCM strategies are considered as the key in maintaining quality and making the innovation process easier. Each of the aspects through which SCM is integrated wit h the manufacturing and food industry can be discussed in the

Viral Marketing of FMCG Using Social Media Essay

Viral Marketing of FMCG Using Social Media - Essay Example Another important area of this study will be primary research. According to me primary research will play an important role in this study. Viral marketing is a new dimension of marketing and there is less number of companies which have actually made use of this marketing tool. Moreover, directly receiving the feedbacks from the companies which employs viral marketing technique to improve business process will help to address the questions in a better way. Hence, I have decided to conduct a primary research with the help of questionnaire and semi structured interview. For this reason I have decided to visit an FMCG company which is already using viral marketing to promote their goods. After a handful of research I found there are very less number of FMCG companies which has already makes use of viral marketing techniques, however companies such as P & g and Unilever uses it to some extent. Hence, for this study I will select Unilever to assess the importance of viral marketing for FMC G business (Lowell, 2012). I have decided to personally visit the company to record the feedbacks of the respondents. In order to reach the respondents I will seek assistance from some qualified person who has prior experience of the FMCG industry. The respondents of my study will be the marketing managers of Unilever. It is believed that the marketing managers will be able to provide information pertaining to the effectiveness of viral marketing for their company. The total sample size for this activity will be 10 and the data collection instrument will be semi structured interview. However, I also believe that viral marketing is a topic which is also related with information technology. Hence, I have decided to approach...After a handful of research I found there are very less number of FMCG companies which has already makes use of viral marketing techniques, however companies such as P & g and Unilever uses it to some extent. Hence, for this study I will select Unilever to assess the importance of viral marketing for FMCG business (Lowell, 2012). I have decided to personally visit the company to record the feedbacks of the respondents. In order to reach the respondents I will seek assistance from some qualified person who has prior experience of the FMCG industry. The respondents of my study will be the marketing managers of Unilever. It is believed that the marketing managers will be able to provide information pertaining to the effectiveness of viral marketing for their company. The total sample size for this activity will be 10 and the data collection instrument will be semi structured interview. However, I also believe that viral marketing is a topic which is also related with information technology. Hence, I have decided to approach the IT team of Unilever, to get further information about the area of concern. The IT department will be mainly approached to know about the technicalities and cost associated with viral marketing. On the basis of the findings a feasibility analysis of viral marketing technique will be carried out. The total sample size will be 10 and the data collection instrument will be questionnaire. Finally, on the basis of the findings I will draw a conclusion by addressing the research question.

Term paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Term paper - Essay Example Though Liajiaxia Hydroelectric Power Station is producing clean energy, it, ironically, has caused several changes in the ecological system of the Kanbula Forest. This paper aims to provide an exposition about the characteristics of the Kanbula National Park; determine the impact of Lijiaxia Hydro Power Plant on the ecological process within Kanbula National Park and; propose several ways of wildlife and forest management while taking into consideration the present condition of the Kanbula National Park. Introduction A forest ecosystem primarily consists of trees and other naturally growing plants. It also nurtures various types and species of animals. A forest ecosystem, such as the Kanbula Forest, provides people with food, fuel, timber and fiber as well. Most people do not fully recognize the importance of forests in their lives. However, it should be noted that, among other things, forests protect the hydrologic cycle. They also help in climate regulation by basically being natur al sinks of carbon, which is one of the greenhouse gases that harm the planet (Espaldon et al, 2004). Kanbula forest is one of the most diverse forests in China. Huge mountains, covered with trees, extend from the forest. There are deflated hills around the forest that are formed due to erosion from wind and sand. The hills are called red cloud landforms. What is more, other than the huge number of flora and fauna therein, Kanbula forest is also quite rich in natural resources. However, the ecological system of the forest is at risk of destruction due to several issues related to human activity. The primary factor affecting the ecosystem within the forest is the Lijiaxia Hydro Power Plant, which has been causing changes therein from the time of its establishment to the present. These factors have effected changes in the National Forest Park, and these changes have, in turn, affected various wildlife species and their habitat. This includes their numerical depletion in the area from trapping, hunting and human expansion into their habitat. As per Sajise et al, major causes of forest destruction include industrialization, commercialism and weak enforcement of forest laws (1996). This paper will dig deeper into several issues that Kanbula National Park is facing, and how these issues or factors impact the ecological system thereof. Effect of Hydro Power Plant on Ecosystem Hydroelectric Power Plants can also cause destruction to the aquatic ecosystem. The dams along the Pacific and Atlantic course have reduced the fish population especially that of Salmon by preventing the fish to reach breeding grounds upstream (Duncan, Graham-Rowe., 2005). Downstream river environment is also affected thereby; water coming out of the turbine usually contains very little suspended sediment that leads to river scouring and loss of riverbanks and riverbeds. Since turbine gates are cyclically opened, changes in river flow are observed. Water coming out of the turbines is usually war mer than water behind the dam and, thus, the aquatic faunal life is affected. Hydroelectric power plants in tropical regions produce huge amount of methane and carbon dioxide gas. This is because of plant materials in flooded areas that decay due to anaerobic conditions and form methane gas, which is a harmful greenhouse gas. Greenhouse gas emissions from the hydroelectric reservoir may be higher than those of a conventional oil-fired thermal generation plant (Duncan,