External Factors Affecting A Business Essays - Marketing

External Factors Affecting A Business INTRODUCTION EXTERNAL FACTORS AFFECTING THE COMPANY'S BUSINESS AND PROSPECTS There are many factors that affect the Company's business and the results of its operations, some of which are beyond the control of the Company. The following is a description of some of the important factors that may cause the actual results of the Company's operations in future periods to differ materially from those currently expected or desired. OBJECTIVE The objective of this paper is to introduce the external factors affecting the jeans industry from a business view. 1. GENERAL ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRY CONDITIONS Any general economic, business or industry conditions that cause customers or potential customers to reduce or delay their investments in the jeans industry could have a negative effect on the Company's strength and profitability. For example, a softening of demand for jeans ware may result in decreased revenues (or at least declining revenue growth rates) for jeans manufacturers in general and the Company in particular and may result in pricing pressures for products that the Company sells. 2. COMPETITION The jeans industry is highly competitive. The intense competition inherent in the industry could result in the loss of customers or pricing pressures. 3. INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES The Company's future growth rates and success are in-part dependent on continued growth and success in international markets. As is the case with most international operations, the success and profitability of the Company's international operations are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties such as local economic and labour conditions, political instability, tax laws, local and national government regulations. 4. PRODUCT, CUSTOMER AND GEOGRAPHIC MIX The profit margins realised by the Company vary somewhat among its products, its customer business units and its geographic markets. Consequently, the overall profitability of the Company's operations in any given period is partially dependent on the product, customer and geographic mix reflected in that period's revenues. 5. SEASONAL TRENDS The Company experiences some seasonal trends in the sale of its products. For example, sales to the European region are often stronger than the Asian region. Social and cultural elements are strong contributing factors. 6. TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES AND PRODUCT TRANSITIONS The jeans industry is characterised by continuing improvements in fashion and design which result in frequent introduction of new products, short product life cycles and continual improvement in product price/design characteristics. The Company must effectively manage a product transition and incorporate technology that will improve customer service and demand. 7. INVENTORY MANAGEMENT/SUPPLIES/RAW MATERIALS The Company's ability to manage its inventory has been enhanced by favourable supply conditions in the industry. The Company's manufacturing process requires a high volume of quality components that are procured from third party suppliers. Reliance on suppliers, as well as industry supply conditions, generally involves several risks, including the possibility of defective parts, shortage of components and reduced control over delivery schedules and increases in component costs. 8. RISK ON FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS The Company regularly utilises derivative instruments to hedge its exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. SUMMARY The eight external factors highlighted in this paper are identified as primary factors in this industry. Business

Free Essays on Race And Ethnic Relations

In â€Å"The Study of Race and Ethnic Conflict† the main idea of the article seems to be to get students to understand different racial and ethnic terms that are used and why they are used in different ways. It also seems to be to help students to understand the terminology that they will be reading throughout the book and its articles. It seems very void of opinion and other direct questions other than to says that the only steady thing that America has done to consistently separate whites and minorities is to offer no way for whites to consider themselves as anything but white. On all census information and questionnaires the basic questions about race that we are used to answering are flawed because they offer only ways for people to distinguish themselves outside of the white population. The authors also make the point that while many different venues of study have all different ideas and that the people within those venues have ideas that differ from one another, students should realize this and not take any one idea or area of study to be the exact and perfect truth. In the article, â€Å"Classifying People by Race† the author make much of the same arguments, but goes into more depth about them. She identifies four major themes that are flaws in categorizing people by race and ethnicity. The first one she talks about is â€Å"the pattern of spreading the population into two groups: white and nonwhite.† In this section she talks about the historical problem of allowing to few categories in questionnaires for people to give an accurate account of what they consider themselves to be. The second section talks about â€Å"a belief in racial purity† and that it is wrong for us to expect of hope that people will be of one race or ethnicity because we believe it is somehow better when a vast majority of people all over the world and especially in America consider themselves to be of mixed ethnicity whether is be different European ... Free Essays on Race And Ethnic Relations Free Essays on Race And Ethnic Relations In â€Å"The Study of Race and Ethnic Conflict† the main idea of the article seems to be to get students to understand different racial and ethnic terms that are used and why they are used in different ways. It also seems to be to help students to understand the terminology that they will be reading throughout the book and its articles. It seems very void of opinion and other direct questions other than to says that the only steady thing that America has done to consistently separate whites and minorities is to offer no way for whites to consider themselves as anything but white. On all census information and questionnaires the basic questions about race that we are used to answering are flawed because they offer only ways for people to distinguish themselves outside of the white population. The authors also make the point that while many different venues of study have all different ideas and that the people within those venues have ideas that differ from one another, students should realize this and not take any one idea or area of study to be the exact and perfect truth. In the article, â€Å"Classifying People by Race† the author make much of the same arguments, but goes into more depth about them. She identifies four major themes that are flaws in categorizing people by race and ethnicity. The first one she talks about is â€Å"the pattern of spreading the population into two groups: white and nonwhite.† In this section she talks about the historical problem of allowing to few categories in questionnaires for people to give an accurate account of what they consider themselves to be. The second section talks about â€Å"a belief in racial purity† and that it is wrong for us to expect of hope that people will be of one race or ethnicity because we believe it is somehow better when a vast majority of people all over the world and especially in America consider themselves to be of mixed ethnicity whether is be different European ...

Leading virtual teams in today's work force Term Paper

Leading virtual teams in today's work force - Term Paper Example The purpose is the most significant aspect holding them together and is defined in various steps of action, individual tasks and common goals. This paper will discuss the evolution of virtual teams, the technology used for their successful operation, how to lead them effectively and opinions on why having them is agreeable. Implementing team collaboration in a virtual working space has an assortment of unique challenges (Konetes & Wiggins, 2009). However, apart from the telephone, there are various technological advances available to fulfill this goal. With an array of communication tools, the internet serves as the most suitable medium (Konetes & Wiggins, 2009). Below is a description of a few of them. Google docs It provides free online management of documents and spreadsheets with a Gmail or Google Account. The spreadsheet feature is handy for several employees working on a spreadsheet at the same time and enables collaborative editing of documents. This tool can be used in domain management, payroll coverage, financial reports, directory lists and ranking reports (Carmel & Espinosa, 2011). Time Doctor It is highly efficient in monitoring how time is spent. It can be used to track personal or team time (Carmel & Espinosa, 2011). ... It is a significant tool in monitoring attendance, to do lists, application usage monitoring and automatic timesheets. Jing Project This tool allows virtual team members to capture a screen or video on their desktops (Carmel & Espinosa, 2011). Comments, explanations and voice recordings, can be added to the screen captures. These can then be uploaded to software that converts them into simple links accessible by all team members. It is useful in communicating with developers and designers, where there is a need to explain requirements and changes. It also serves as a substitute when screen sharing is limited by differences in time zones (Carmel & Espinosa, 2011). This tool also allows users to record their screens. Drop Box This is a file sharing tool (Lipnack & Stamps, 1999). When new content is added to the Drop Box folder, it automatically updates all other team members that the file had been shared with, or even another computer a member might be using at home. Drop box can be us ed to back up documents, passwords and images, share training material, file access from multiple computers and file exchange with clients (Lipnack & Stamps, 1999). Freshbooks This is a web based, easy to setup, invoicing application. It allows employees to add time to company invoices. It is useful in management of billable timesheets, invoicing sales and creating estimates (Konetes & Wiggins, 2009). The advent of telecommuting fueled the evolution of virtual work teams. This was coupled with the need to integrate skills and knowledge across the globe to achieve desired organizational goals. There is also the significant aspect of achieving the goals without having to physically move both human and technological resources. This is

Ryanair's globalisation process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Ryanair's globalisation process - Essay Example However, new markets come with more challenges in some cases leading to losses to the firm (GOLDMAN & NIEUWENHUIZEN 2006, p.9). Therefore, proper evaluation of the market has to be undertaken to ensure higher chances of success in the new market. Opening up of markets also means a new challenge to the existing market leaders as they are faced with new competition thus the need to change strategy. Changes in regulation also affect the operation of firms in the market thus the need to regularly check regulations to ensure compliance (LOWENDAHL 2005, p.163). At times, the firm may be forced to get back to the drawing board to formulate new way forward so as to be profitable in the global market. Any business desiring to compete in the global market has to make the bold decision of taking on a risky investment (SHETH, PARVATIYAR & SHAINESH, 2001, p.34). In the process of globalization, signing of agreement between Ire and London to open up air traffic between them was the beginning of globalization process in the two countries presenting Ryanair an opportunity to explore new market. In anticipation of increased air traffic between Irish and London, Ryanair made the bold decision of applying for the newly available license to be given to a second firm after the signing of the new air service agreement. Without any past records on the success of the rout in air traffic, applying for the license to operate the route was risky as returns were not assured. Other firms not applying for the license is an indication that there was general fear of investing in new markets. The opportunity came with additional cost requiring additional resources. This is the cost of globalization that the firm had to incur so as to earn revenue from the new investment. The firm incurred cost of purchasing two more planes to satisfy the increasing operations. Increased competition in the market place is also forcing big firms to change their operations to maintain their market

Restaurant Management Essay Example for Free

Restaurant Management Essay Staff developing is vital for restaurants to run smoothly. A restaurant is composed of two sectors; a Front of House (FOH) and theirs a Back of House (BOH). The front of the house is what is visible to the customers? eye. Customers can not see the back of the house. Back of the house is where cooks prepare the food and where the dishwasher is located. Manager Brian Aycock explained that if a manager develops his staff, it makes the restaurant run smooth. The store will profit, the employees and the guest will be satisfied (Aycock). If the staff is not getting along, a lot of tension will grow inside the restaurant and co-workers will not work with one another as a team. In return the customers will not be happy and the profit will not be as desirable. When customers are not happy with the visit they had at the restaurant, they will then spread the word to all their friends. Each staff member of the restaurant should have nice and clean hygien

Augusta National Golf Course :: essays research papers

Golf is the ultimate battle between man and nature. It is a beautiful sport in which dreams come true and hearts are broken. Man is challenged on every stroke by nature’s elements. Wind and rain are only a few of the conditions that affect this great game. Undulating hills, sand bunkers, thick rough, and even creeks and ponds come into play on most golf courses. These features are fierce at Augusta National Golf Course. Located along the fall line, the natural beauty of the region is the perfect complement to this championship golf course. Every spring when the flowers are in full bloom, Augusta plays host to The Masters Championship and is transformed into the Mecca of Golf.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The main reason Augusta National is the greatest American golf course comes from its natural beginnings. Originally the property the golf course stands on was Fruitland Nurseries. From 1858 until 1918 this company imported many trees and plants from around the world to decorate the landscape. Golfing legend Bobby Jones discovered this land after retiring in 1930 and chose it as the location for his dream golf course. To pay homage to the ground’s history, every hole is named for a different plant found on each hole. Robert Tyre Jones, Jr. was the greatest golfer of his time. He was only 28 when he retired from competitive golf, but had won an amazing 13 major golf championships in both the United States and Great Britain during his brief career. After retiring he redefined the art of course architecture. He would utilize the natural advantages of the property and use mounds rather than adding too many bunkers and put into play the natural creeks as water hazards. Jones wanted this concept of golf course architecture to make a contribution to the game as well as give expression to his ideas about golf design. Bobby Jones came out of retirement only to play annually in the Masters.

Palestine vs Orientalism Essay

Joe Sacco’s Palestine is a journalist’s journey throughout the Palestinian lifestyle, Israel and other facets of the state. Not only does Sacco voluntarily put himself into a dangerous occupied territory but he also assembles himself as a character in his engaging novel. Sacco is collecting the stories of the Palestinians and the destruction that Israelis have brought to their lives and families. Edward Said’s Orientalism provides a parallel to Sacco’s novel, as he conveys a plethora of false assumptions underlying Western attitudes toward the East. Said examines the different aspects of orientalism and gives light to the fact that because orientalism has lasted in our world this long, it has no . Although Said’s Orientalism is similar to Sacco’s Palestine, Said’s description of the Western world and its view of the East require one to rely on Sacco’s examples of true life stories to determine one’s own definition of orientalism. Sacco’s Palestine gives readers an inside look into the diminishing Palestinian life during the first intifada in which Sacco was present. The first intifada was a very powerful and liberating time in Palestine, as the citizens were revolting against the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian Territories Israel had control over. After witnessing the horrific tragedy that many Palestinians experience each day from Israel, Sacco interviews a family that has lost their stable income and family heritage. An older man explains â€Å"The olive tree is our main source of living†¦we use the oil for our food and we buy clothes with the oil we sell†¦a good roman tree can produce 20-30 liters in a year†¦ here we have nothing else but the trees†¦ The Israelis know that an olive tree is the same as our sons†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Sacco 61-62). Not only did the Israeli soldiers cut down all of the families olive trees leaving them with nothing, the soldiers also forced the older man Sacco interviewed to cut some of his own olive trees down by himself. This incident is extremely powerful and moving, knowing that for a lifetime this man had a stable income and knew that his family would always be taken care of with these trees and now he is being over powered by the soldiers to take that all away. This provides a clear example of the helplessness that Palestinians experience under Israeli occupation of their home land. Both readings prove to be valid in their explanations of orientalism and anti-orientalism although, Edward Said’s idea of orientalism is indefinite which is obtained in Sacco’s Palestine and the day-to-day lives of the Palestinians that Sacco presents. The western influence has burrowed into the lives of the orient and created turmoil between Israelis and Palestinians. The Western support of Israel has only heightened the resentment toward Palestinians. As an Israeli business woman states her Orientalist view toward Palestine â€Å"Maybe, if I were a Palestinian I’d be a terrorist, too, to get back my land† (Sacco 254). It is evident that these Western ideas of the said â€Å"Terrorists† have spread so rapidly into Israel, when in reality Israel and the aggressive techniques their soldiers are taught to use against the Palestinians are in fact terrorist attacks in themselves. Despite the similarities; Said’s Orientalism stands out beyond the true context of Sacco’s Palestine. â€Å"†¦ in short, Orientalism is a Western style for dominating, restructuring, and having authority over the Orient† (Said 3). Because of the agreement between the Western states and Israel, the Israeli army and governmental views are very similar to the ones the Western world has, thus, creating authority over the Israeli Orient. On the other hand Sacco’s Palestine shows readers the evil and more or less terrorist like views of Israel. Taha, a Palestinian expresses his anger towards Israel when his friend, Shreef, admits that he wants a visa in able to work in Israel. Shreef states that he â€Å"has no problem with the Israelis†¦they are like Europeans† (Sacco 2). Taha reacts abruptly, slamming his over-sized clenched fist down onto the game table that had before held chess pieces. With saliva connecting between his teeth, with wide mouth, Taha lets out a startling. Palestine is an underdeveloped and vulnerable state; Israel is able to build a stronger built army with powerful tactics in order to take advantage of the weak and pacific (peaceful) manner of the Palestinians. Throughout Sacco’s journey he soon realizes that what he has encountered is now more of a pilgrimage. He even goes as far as to name a sub-chapter Pilgrimage, showing the reader that they’ve been on this pilgrimage with him. The families that let this American journalist, Joe Sacco, into their lives are very brave in showing him their true pain and struggle. Many of the interviewees struggle with the question is Sacco going to do anything to help them after they let him into their lives. The facts and stories that are full forcibly thrown at Sacco and the readers make it hard to not spread the word about the occupy happening in Palestine and the torture that the innocent Palestinians must go through every day. Even if Sacco’s novel doesn’t make a significant change in Palestine how they are treated it may although, make a significant change in a person of any race, and allow that person to examine their own life and be thankful for what they have. Ultimately, Said’s careful and precise wording provides a better standpoint for the argument of â€Å"the other† within Orientalism. With â€Å"the other† conclusively being someone of another race, nationality, religion and/or gender. Orientalism will continue to exist be taught and learned, until the western and the east come to an underline consensus about each other. A reason for the westerns view about the east and vice versa is a lack of knowledge about one other. Sacco made a lasting impression with his work in Palestine in order to more accurately educate those who know nothing more than bias, orientalism views.