Strategic Management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Strategic Management - Assignment Example Its manufacturing division has 42 food plants and it operates in over 750 stores directly or through subsidiaries (Kroger, 2011). Vision, Mission & Values of Kroger The Kroger Co., one of the leaders in the retail industry has a strong vision and mission statement with people being the first priority in its business. The vision statement of the company should be ‘It’s all for the people’. The company’s main focus is serving the customer, the people of the society with different types of supports for the community. The core value for the firm is to do business with honesty and telling the truth to the associates and customers. With its integration of a mix cultured people in the workplace the company respect the values and opinions off all its employees (Kroger, 2011). To be the leader in the retail industry with its variety of services The Kroger Co. is also involved in social community activities because they believe that it’s the people for whom th ey work so they must respect and care for the community. Every year the company invests on hundreds of communities for various social causes for the betterment of the society. In the past 3 years the total investment is around $8 million in the areas of education, diversity, community needs, women’s health and fight against hunger campaigns. Kroger understands its importance as it is also beneficial for the business process. Kroger being one of the leaders who wants to be the top ranked retailer needs to be in the mind of the people with the positive impacts from its social activities served towards the community (Kroger-a, 2011, p.2). Internal and External Analysis SWOT Analysis SWOT is the acronym for the internal Strength and Weakness for the company and the external Opportunities and the Threats from other firms. Through this technique the company understands its situation in the market and its possible opportunities and the threats from the market. The company’s m ain aim is to maximize the strength and opportunities while minimizing the weakness and the threats. Kroger with about 2486 supermarket and multi-departmental stores over 31 states has a strong position in the US market. It mainly concentrates in the grocery and the food retailing sector. With its attractive location and variety of products and competing price, Kroger holds a strong market position. But the company faces intense competition from player in the retail market like Wal-Mart Stores, The Home Depot and Costco Companies. On the other hand the consolidation in the food market segment has a big competition in the US retail chain market and affects the market share and profit margin. Food contamination is another issue which can harm a brands image. Expansion of the company in different sectors like the finance market is a great opportunity for the firm. The personal finance brand of Kroger helps the people to avail an easy way to buy through grocery banking. As a threat the slowing economy and the higher level of inflation affecting the food industry as it increases the transport cost and thus affecting the price of food. Cost sensitive customers may shift to low cost food products which will affect the profit margin. Figure 1: SWOT Analysis (Source: Author’s creation) PESTLE Analysis Pestle analysis is the tool to understand the market scenario and the external

FDA policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

FDA policy - Essay Example FDA policies regarding raising chicken FDA defines precisely how chicken should be raised in terms of the treatment given and the methods used to keep them. Its policies outline how antibiotics should be used or should not be used in poultry production. This is to slow down the development of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. The agency has trumpeted the policies as the beginning of termination of the misuse of drugs on chicken (Allport-Settle 30). However, the FDA missed the point. While the policies call for the end of using antibiotics to make chicken grow faster, they approve continuous use of such drugs to compensate for unsanitary and overcrowded conditions and prevent diseases at firm operations that produce poultry food. The prophylactic or preventive use of antibiotics resembles their use for growth promotion including similar low doses that are equally responsible in the antibiotic resistance. The FDA encourages the use of preventive drugs necessary to assure chic ken health. Left unaddressed is whatever that makes this use ‘necessary’. The use of antibiotics to make chicken grow faster seems to be in its last stages, though much will depend on how rapidly drug companies comply with the policies and whether the food poultry industry complies at all. According to the public health advocates, the fight now shifts to the use of such drugs to prevent diseases. This is a much steeper hill to scale; their misuse lies at the center of industrial food poultry production, yet the FDA has renounced its responsibility to stop it. In 2005, FDA banned the use of fluoroquinolone in poultry production in the US to reduce the occurrence of fluoroquinolone-resistant Campylobacter. However, little is known regarding the potential effectiveness of this policy (Luangtongkum 72). A research was conducted with an objective of following temporal changes in the occurrences of Campylobacter among chicken from two conservative producers who declared their termination of fluoroquinolone use in 2002, only three years before the FDA’s ban. Another objective was the occurrence of this antibiotic disease in conventional chicken products to those from producers who do not use antibiotics. Chicken samples were collected from three antibiotic-free keepers and two conventional chicken keepers over the course of five months in 2004 and 15 weeks in 2006. Fluoroquinolone resistance rates were compared among Campylobacter isolates from the diverse producers. From the results, it was established that there was no major change in the percentage of fluoroquinolone-resistant Campylobacter segregates from the two conventional keepers over the period of study. Further, Campylobacter strains from both producers were significantly more probable to resist fluoroquinolone compared to those from the antibiotic-free ones. Therefore, fluoroquinolone-resistant Campylobacter might be persistent contaminants of chicken products even after ceasing to use on-farm fluoroquinolone. The FDA’s ban on the use of this antibiotic in chicken rising may therefore be insufficient in reducing resistant Campylobacter in chicken products. FDA policies regarding genetically engineering corn For about two decades, FDA has been analyzing genetic modification methods for drug-biological growth as well as the development of new foodstuffs. The agency has carefully created policies to accommodate the evolving and changing world of biotechnology.

Nestle Infant Formula Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Nestle Infant Formula - Article Example The mothers who were from an economically weaker section diluted the free milk samples provided in order to avoid buying the powder. In addition these people also used unsterile water to mix the milk. While these were the problems with the free samples sold, the advertisements shown by the company showed white women feeding the formula feed to their infants. This gave an impression that modern mothers only bottle-feed their babies and when the free samples were given to mothers immediately after the delivery they were more inclined to bottle-feed their infants. All these lead to reduced breast-feeding, malnutrition in the infants and also increased the mortality rate. I believe that the marketing technique followed by the company was in no way illegal and that a moral code of ethics was followed in the business of marketing their infant milk formula. In the present case I argue that the company was in no way morally inclined to change its marketing strategy. As a producer of infant foods the advertisements and sale of free sachets of milk powder was well within the ethical standards. Instead of blaming the company it would have been appropriate if more awareness was created on the importance of breast-feeding and the circumstances under which formula milk could be introduced to the infant. Such awareness is definitely required in developing countries such as Africa. Merely targeting the company would not solve the issue as it would not be of much help in preventing mothers from feeding formula milk to their infants as a substitute for breast milk. Having a frank and open-minded discussion would always help to arrive at an early conclusion. In the case of the Nestle Infant Milk Formula case my decision would comply with the marketing strategies adopted by the company as it is lawful and has followed a moral code of ethics. An open discussion about the possible methods

Research paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 8

Research paper - Essay Example They claim that consumers who have a traditional thanksgiving meal consisting of turkey increase the level of serotonin in their brain which reduces the chances of impulsive buying. In order to validate these claims 2 lab studies were conducted. The studies showed that participants who had had been given a tryptophan rich beverage preferred to buy the product through layaway financing than through credit card. Layaway financing allows the consumers’ time to actually consider whether the purchase is necessary and if they can afford it. The authors claim that this occurred due to increased amount of serotonin in the brain which is produced by a tryptophan rich diet. The authors claim that their research can make the consumers aware about the type of foods which should be consumed by them before going for shopping. This will reduce unnecessary purchases and reduce their credit card debts. The major critique of the article is the methodology which has been adopted by authors for their study. The study 1 was completely online and there was no way of verifying the authenticity of information. The participants were also asked whether they would like to by a DELL computer. The response provided online by the respondents may be completely different than how they actual react in the shop. Some of the participants may say they are very likely to buy the product as they didn’t have to actually spend the money at that time; others may have given guarded responses in the study. It has been well documented that answers given during a survey cannot be used to gauge the actual shopping responses. This puts a question mark over the validity of the study 1. Similar criticism can also be made regarding the leeway financing option which was given to consumers in the study 2.Although they may claim to go for leeway financing but consumers can behave differently on the shop floor under pressure from friends ,relatives ,shop owners, sales persons or even fellow

Concerns Regarding Both the Understanding and the Use of Culture Essay

Concerns Regarding Both the Understanding and the Use of Culture - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that the world economy has grown in recent years. International trade has been the motivating force behind it. But with the more recent technological developments as well as reduced trade blockades, growth in trade is definitely on the rise. Developing countries have also stepped on this bandwagon, extracting the best out of their own respective economies through trade internationally as well as locally - within the country. The integration of trade into the world economy has really proved helpful for the developing countries as they can promote economic growth, development as well as poverty reduction within themselves. Further, the companies which are ready to use upgrade their human resources regimes are thus the ones who have found success in all relevant quarters of their business. With this necessary incorporation, they have been able to look at the ethical side of things as well since the moral grounds have been set in a proper manne r and there are as such no apprehensions to state the least in the present times. A business can move from a position of stability to one of a complete unstable stance as it acquires different means of gathering the market and its driving factors that come along with it. The firm has to change its position with the changing times otherwise it will literally vanish away from its competitors and more so the customers, for which it actually exists.

James Beard Essay Example for Free

James Beard Essay James Beard was one of the most famous chefs of the 20th century. He was born May 5, 1903, and died January 21, 1985. Beard was well known for bringing French cuisine to the American middle and upper class population, and being the first to bring cooking to television. Julia Childs once described James â€Å"Beard was the quintessential American cook. Well-educated and well-traveled during his eighty-two years, he was familiar with many cuisines but he remained fundamentally American. He was a big man, over six feet tall, with a big belly, and huge hands. An endearing and always lively teacher, he loved people, loved his work, loved gossip, loved to eat, loved a good time. † This is what made him so renowned in the field of cooking, his love, passion, and willingness to learn as much as possible about culinary arts. James Beard will forever be in history though his 20 books, numerous writings, his personal foundation and the many awards and scholarships that go out named after him On May 5, 1903, James Beard was born in Portland, Oregon. His mother, Elizabeth Beard ran the Gladstone hotel, and his father, John Beard, was employed at the city’s customs house. Both his parents also had a love for cooking. The family spent many summers vacation at the beach in Gearhart, Oregon. This is where James was first introduced to the unique local foods of the North West. His family would fish, gather shellfish and wild berries, and then prepare their meals with whatever the found or caught in the area. Beards recalled his earliest memory of his interest in food was the Lewis and Clark Exposition of 1905, when he was only two years old. Beard reminisced in his memoir saying: I was taken to the exposition two or three times. The thing that remained in my mind above all others, I think it marked my life, was watching Triscuits and shredded wheat biscuits being made. Isnt that crazy? At two years old that memory was made. It intrigued the hell out of me. At only two years of age, Beard developed a love for cooking. When James was three, he got malaria and had to stay in bed. His mother and their Chinese helper took care of him and fed him. This gave him time to really enjoy the food. This is when he began to be influence by Chinese culture and there cooking habits, along with his mother’s cooking abilities. Both of these would help him later in life in culinary arts. Once he was out of bed he was back to his normal life, vacation at the beach, and spending time with his family. Another spot that James liked to go to was Seaside, a town only 3 miles away by train. There was an ice cream stand there, West’s Dairy, which was a popular hangout among the kids his age at the time. They had five cent milkshakes, and 28 flavors that included tutti fruity of course, along with cherry, wild blackberry, and blue huckleberry. Beard once said â€Å"It was probably the best five cents worth of anything I have ever had†. There were even times when James would walk the 3 miles so he could save his five cents on the train fare and use it for spending at the ice cream stand. Later on in his life, Beard went to college briefly at Reed College in Portland, from which he was expelled due to homosexual activity. Beards memoir states: By the time I was seven, I knew that I was gay. I think its time to talk about that now. † The James Beard Foundation said says in 1923 Beard went on the road with a theatrical troupe. † In the 1920’s, Beard briefly lived in France. There he observed French cuisine at their many bistros. He became a Francophile due to the influence the French culinary culture had on him. The James Beard Foundation said â€Å"he lived abroad for several years studying voice and theater, but returned to the United States for good in 1927. Initially training for being a singer and actor, for years Beard tried to get into the movie and theatre business but had no success. In 1935 he gave up and realized that was not the route he needed to take. This is when he and his friend, Bill Rhodes, decided that they need to capitalize on the cocktail party trend that was sweeping the nation and they opened their own catering company. In 1937, he opened up a small shop for his business, called Hors dOeuvre, Inc. † At that moment, Beard realized that his future was in culinary arts. This then led to the publication of Beards first cookbook in 1940, Hors DOeuvre and Canapes, a collection of his catering recipes based on cocktail foods. Then World War 2 came around, and rationing problems brought his business to a halt. Beard spent most the years during the war in Puerto Rico, Rio de Janeiro, Marseilles, and in panama with the United Seaman’s Service setting up sailors’ canteens. He also spent some of this time in cryptography. In 1945, Beard returned to New York City and completely devoted himself to his work in culinary arts. In 1946, James Beard starred in the first cooking show ever aired on television, I Love to Eat, on NBC, which began his rise to infamy. He started appearing on other television shows, and the radio. He started contributing the writing of many famous articles and columns such as Womans Day, Gourmet and House and Garden. He ran his own restaurant, and began consulting other restaurant owners and food producers. In 1955, he opened The James Beard Cooking School. For the next 30 years, he taught men and women the art of cooking. He didn’t only teach at his own schools in New York City and Seaside, Oregon, but around the world to culinary groups and other schools. The main lesson that he tried to instill in upcoming American chef was the preparation of truly good food using fresh American ingredients. James Beard died at the age of 82 on January 1, 1985. He was cremated and his ashes were spread over the beach at Gearhart, Oregon, where he spent his summers as a kid. Beard started out with nothing but a catering company and a love for food, and became one of the most famous Chefs in history. He was known as â€Å"The Dean of Cuisine† and â€Å"The Father of Gastronomy†, and the name James Beard will always be in culinary arts history.

“Mirror” by Sylvia Plath Essay Example for Free

â€Å"Mirror† by Sylvia Plath Essay The poem â€Å"Mirror† by Sylvia Plath is told from the point of view of a mirror hanging up on a wall. This mirror has, over time, been privy to the tears of a woman over who she sees in it, desperate grasps at moonlit lies, and the endless speculations of a pink with speckles wall. â€Å"Mirror† is a poem that probes into the corners of human nature, beauty, life, and death, reflecting back their truths to readers as good mirrors do. In this poem, readers can see the truth about themselves reflected among the words as though the poem itself is a mirror, too. Just as the poem reflects truths to readers, so the mirror in it reflects truths to the woman it sees every day. It is objective about everything it observes in the woman, for it can have no biases simply owing to the nature of its stature. The description the mirror gives of itself in the first few lines is that â€Å"I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions./Whatever I see I swallow immediately/Just as it is, unmisted by love or dislike./I am not cruel, only truthful-/The eye of the little god, four cornered.† It is giving, true to its nature, a frank description of itself—nonjudgmental and unprejudiced of its admirers. Mirrors never have and never will pass any judgment on their gazers. They leave that for the gazers themselves to do, and they always do just that, as is human nature. The mirror prides itself on that same clear-cut honesty of the faces it regurgitates back for judgment. It is almost arrogant about it, refusing to falter in its own perfection for a moment, even as â€Å"she turns to those liars, the candles or the moon† which cast false shadows upon her face. It continues to reflect the woman honestly, even though she cannot see it, so that when she learns of the lies and turns back, there she is in all her self-perceived imperfection. Not one person, the woman of the poem included, has ever been judged by a mirror, but rather through it. It is because of it that the woman can see her outer self, so also because of it, she sometimes forgets her inner self. She forgets the pink behind the speckles on the wall of her face, seeing only that the speckles are marring the beauty of it. The mirror, however, does not see the destruction the woman sees, for she is the only one of the two who has the desire to judge. She was the only true master of herself, but she ended up caving in under her preconceived notions of society’s view of her. She became a slave to the mirror and her interpretations its truths. One of these truths is age. No one has yet achieved immortality, and so death is still a formidable foe. Mirrors  reflect the coming of this rival in the rivulets and creases found in a face of age, and many people obsess over this manifesting. In the poem, according to the mirror, â€Å"I am important to her. She comes and goes./Each morning it is her face that replaces the darkness./In me she has drowned a young girl, and in me an old woman/Rises toward her day after day, like a terrible fish.† The woman in the poem â€Å"h as drowned a young girl† in her obsessions, aging her into â€Å"an old woman . . . like a terrible fish.† With each day, the manifestation becomes more pronounced because â€Å"Each morning it is her face that replaces the darkness.† She wasted away in front of that mirror so that now, death â€Å"Rises toward her day after day, like a terrible fish.† She hates the mirror’s honesty on the matter, but cannot turn away. She is unable to resist knowing that death is creeping ever closer every day. She lives her life, it seems, around that knowledge, convinced that she should not be as she is. She is, as the poem says, â€Å"Searching . . . for what she really is.† She is unaware that all around her, death is marking others down for capture with the lines of age. All she knows is that she has gone from â€Å"pink, with speckles† into a world of darkness that she disapproves of seeing in the mirror. She does not seem to under stand that in fact, no one will be left unaffected. â€Å"The eye of the little god† will seek out everyone from all four corners of the globe. In the end, her obsession kills her, the â€Å"terrible fish† having finally made it to the surface. The woman in the poem lives and dies within it, mirroring any and all readers’ lives in that. The poem offers up a universal reflection of a person for readers to judge themselves. After all, it is a mirror and that is what mirrors do.