Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Coffee Consumption in the World and the UK, Strategies Adopted by Spec Research Paper

Essays on Coffee Consumption in the World and the UK, Strategies Adopted by Specialty Coffee Shops to Attract and Satisfy Customers Needs Research Paper The paper â€Å"Coffee Consumption in the World and the UK, Strategies Adopted by Specialty Coffee Shops to Attract and Satisfy Customer’s Needs† is an engrossing version of research paper on marketing. Coffee is the most consumed beverage in the world, there are various types of coffee products in the world consumed especially in Europe and produced in labor-intensive countries which are mostly third world countries. This analysis will focus on coffee consumption in the UK. Some aspects that will be addressed include a general perspective about coffee consumption in the UK, a focus of store relevant to the product quality, relevance of service quality especially for coffee shops, a case study example of specialty coffee shops strategies created to attract and satisfy its clientele. Primary research on key drivers for the selected stores will also be conducted in order to establish consumer behavior relative to the key drivers selected by different stores.General coffee consumption in the world and specifically the UKAccording to Commodity Briefing (2012), coffee is undeniably the most traded and valued agricultural product in the world, in the year 2011, about 7.9m tonnes of coffee were produced and 6.2m exported. With exports amounting to $23.5billion last year alone coffee provides a livelihood for 100 million people. About 1.6billlion cups are consumed worldwide daily, it is expected that the global consumption of coffee will hit 9 million tonnes by 2019 as speculated by Commodity briefing (2012). In the UK, the home coffee market is worth  £831 million with 70 % of the UK retail coffee market being controlled by Nestle, Kraft, and Proctor Gamble. The UK imports about 3.3 % of the global coffee which is about 184, 000 tonnes (Commodity Briefing 2012).Product quality and service quality for specialty coffee shopsRyding (2011) notes that customer satisfaction is considered to be an important competitive factor and a major indicator of a firm' s profit since it is directly related to the return on investment (ROI) and market value. Customer satisfaction is achieved when the customer’s expectation of the encounter is on par with the encounter. Customer satisfaction is both a process and an encounter (Monk Ryding 2007). The modern business environment has become more and more competitive and hence forcing the players to constantly change in order to remain relevant to the ever-changing market currents. The coffee market has not been left out, competition is forcing even the brands dominating the market to increase their innovation, customer experience and create a strategic partnership in order to boost their sales.Case study examples of strategies adopted by specialty coffee shops in order to attract and satisfy customer’s needsAccording to Euromonitor International (2012) since the year 2004, there has been an expansion in the UK coffee market shops; this prompted the coffee shops to expand beyond the UK bec ause of market saturation. There are three main operators which dominate the UK market, Starbucks, Costa, and Caffe Nero. Nero and Starbucks dominate the market; Starbucks leads with more than 400 outlets in the UK. The ever increasing competition has decreased its market share significantly. Competition has forced these operators to increase their value-added services and offer food items alongside drinks. Starbucks particularly targets breakfast, lunch, and snacks with careful integration of healthy alternatives and hence making it easier to expand within the market. Caffe Nero also offers food which has been essential to its core concept. Its integration of food saw its growth rate rise exponentially between the years 2001 to 2004 (Hassanien 2012). The company utilizes store ambiance as a major differentiator, it also promotes music with integrity which is enhanced via its strategic partnership with music. On the other hand, Starbucks also sells music CD compilation in the UK. As noted by Thomson Baden-Fuller (2010, p.336) since Starbucks acquired the Hear Music of Cambridge in 1999, it has produced many CDs for the company, in 2005 alone about 5 million CDs were sold in Starbucks. According to Sloane (2007), Costa Coffee has developed concessions with key partners over time, some of the partners include Abbey National banks, W H Smiths and Waterstones books sores among others. The concession is focused on offering high-quality coffee and other service experience that seeks to increase the experience of the customers visiting these partners. This additional service benefits both partners as the customer are kept busy while waiting to be served. Other aspects that are driving the coffee industry include increased innovation, reduction of cost and time to the market through the established store which provides strategic placements (Tallon 2010, p.218).

Monday, December 16, 2019

The Increasing Value of Information Technology Free Essays

Information technology is any field that involves computer technology. This includes hardware maintenance, software development, networking solutions and technical support. Modern businesses all over the world rely on computers to function and maintain high standards of efficiency and customer service. We will write a custom essay sample on The Increasing Value of Information Technology or any similar topic only for you Order Now Without IT professionals, companies would not have qualified professionals to help maintain the technological elements inherent to their daily business needs. Why does I. T needed on Business? Speed Nowadays what the businesses need is the sheer speed at which computers and related technologies can process information. Email is a perfect example, as it eliminates the need to wait several days for a packet of documents to reach a client or business associate. IT can speed up the time it takes new products to reach the market. Computer-assisted design and manufacturing software speed up decision making. From innovations in microprocessors to efficient drug delivery systems, information technology helps businesses respond quickly to changing customer requirements. Efficiency Increased speed often leads to increased efficiency. While eliminating the need to wait for packages or sensitive materials to arrive, businesses are able to receive and respond to changes instantly. This improved response time almost guarantees a higher chance at eliminating potential issues by allowing businesses to react quickly. * Multi-Tasking Another business advantage of information technologies is the ability of computers to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. Provided the hardware is ble to support it, the operator may have several different programs functioning at the same time. For example you have a client and you are making conversation with him/ her but at the same time you need to complete the financial report of the company. With the help of I. T. you may chat with your client at the same time you use the excel for the fast computation. * Low Cost IT allows companies to reduce transaction and implementation costs. For example, the cost of a desktop computer today is a fraction of what it was in the early 1980s, and yet the computers are considerably more powerful. IT-based productivity solutions, from word processing to email, have allowed companies to save on the costs of duplication and postage, while maintaining and improving product quality and customer service. Uses of I. T in Business Online Advertising One of the main advantages of information technology is the ability for companies throughout many different industries to advertise their products and services via the Internet An example of this is Facebook advertising, as of now many sellers are using this social networking site to post their adds and some of them started their business in facebook . Money Transfer Online shopping, bill payments and funds transfers are also key examples of how businesses utilize information technology. By allowing consumers to access products and services from any computer, whether at work or at home, companies have made it easier than ever for people to move money. For example; nowadays in business transferring money is not a problem anymore because of I. T with just one click in Mozilla or in Google chrome you can search any online money transfer, unlike few centuries ago you still need to go to the nearest money gram. Communication One of the most powerful business tools that technology was provided is the ability to communicate worldwide almost without restrictions. E-mail and web cameras have greatly increased the efficiency of conference calls by allowing meetings to be conducted internationally. For example; cellular phones and laptops are the most useful things that were created by the I. T. with the help of cellular phones you can call any business partner you need to make an important conversation, anytime and aywhere. Portability The development of laptop computers and cellular phones have allowed anyone to work from anywhere. As technology enables us to make powerful computers smaller, we become free to travel or even exercise while still monitoring our businesses. Data Storage Every business had to maintain enormous stockpiles of paper documents, technology has enables the modern business to minimize the amount of files they must warehouse. The first rule of Information Technology management is that one copy of business data is never enough; you have to secure your business data by backing it up. An example of this is the portable flash drives. With just one click you have double copy of your file. Ihat t give us not just hard copy but also soft copies. How to cite The Increasing Value of Information Technology, Papers

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Strategic Human Resources Rogers Cable First Time Right Program

Question: Discuss about the Strategic Human Resources Competencies Rogers Cable First Time Right Program. Answer: Body Issue: Warren Barbour and Andres Piderit, the administrators of process engineering at Rogers Cable, one of the Canadas leading cable supplier, have encountered an issue in customer service. Several installations as well as service undertakings to clienteles have been supervened by reprise visits. The introduction of the First Time Right enterprise is meant to satisfy discontented consumers on the first trial. Both Piderit and Barbour are uncertain what course of actions ought to be implemented to achieve the anticipated outcomes of the initiative. Background situation: Rogers Cable, together with Rogers Media, and Rogers Wireless, form the three lines of companies which embody Rogers Communications Inc. (RCI). Offering clients these dependable, groundbreaking improvements has demarcated Rogers Cable as a self-motivated cable provider, engrossed on their contentment, contributing to customer devotion. Current situation: Inauspiciously, Rogers is not abiding with the traditional values because of inaccuracy with installations and maintenances; something which has dented purchaser contentment levels as well as brand loyalty. Besides, the corporation outsources about 82% of their technicians who have contributed immensely to low customer satisfaction since they work independently for separate firms. In addition, communication among departments and the customers is an issue due to the present internal structure of Rogers Cable and the channels of communication employed. When improving skills of new workers, instructors are not required to adhere to any explicit procedures, and specialists are not provided with final checkups before starting work. The problem with this aspect is that it decreases quality of service received by customers and hence huge revenues are being lost. For each consumer who leaves Rogers Cable, about $38.09 in net income is lost monthly. This means in one year the total loss adds up to ($38.09 *12) = $ 457.08 and in 10 years $4570.80. Analysis As depicted above, there are various causes of customer dissatisfaction in Rogers Cable and hence the directors ought to look for exceptional ways of handling the situation before it becomes even worse. At present, in this firm there is no tangible direct leadership being exercised from Barbour and Piderit since tasks are distributed via hand-held computers. This nonexistence of leadership might bring about diminutive inspiration for workers as their job emerges repetitious and monotonous (Jung Sosik, 2002). Therefore, it is important for both Piderit and Barbour to apply instruction as well as attainment oriented leadership skills in order to execute future strategies since although instruction leadership is the finest approach to manage Rogers Cable; it lowers human interaction and bequests more liberation of the Rogers Cable culture. This control is suitable since Barbour and Piderit require these sorts of power in their respective ranks to inspire the other employees in Rogers C able through reprisal to hold back and embrace the culture, and to absolutely impact productivity. Barbour and Piderit both have an extraordinary requirement for power, and ought to surge their need for association with the experts because the workforces shall have greater requirement for connection to close the communication barricades between the two groups, and hold culture of the company (Katz, 2009). Recommendations: Going onward as the process of engineering administrators Piderit and Barbour are supposed to execute the initiative, First Time Right. This particular enterprise shall integrate the enactment of a regular scorecard; assessment of engineers after training to make sure proficient power is attained; and capitalizing on a cultured portfolio management system. A scheduled scorecard coordination would be a lasting investment, and would aid the company in isolating experts who are both low and high performers (Bhagwat Sharma, 2007). Besides, afterwards the week-long training term recently employed engineers should undergo, a compulsory checkup which shall gauge the knowledge specialists have acquired (Nonaka, 2008). For the experts to start working, they should first perform well in the examination. In case a technician does not pass the test, they shall have to go through the training process again at the expense of the company. If they happen to miss the mark a second time, the engineers shall have to meet the training expenses for the training term themselves. This test shall ascertain every technician acquires similar level of proficient power and knowledge required to carry out connections and service undertakings. Incurring additional expenditures on training of periodic workers is acceptable because it makes sure that client problems are fixed on the first trail, which is the general inventiveness of the First Time Right plan. It is apparent from the arguments in this report that I am a credible activist. The content clearly reveals that I am a credible and active Human Resource (HR) professional. The flow is vibrant and above all takes a position as well as a point of view. The report proves to the readers that the writer has ideas which she is able to articulate with ease hence creating an impact in their line of thinking. Besides, the content reveals that the reporter has gained adequate training in the field of HR and hence has awareness and right skills to assess a situation and take action. It draws outstanding HR practices which are aligned with customer expectations which can help a customer-driven company like Rogers Cable to handle clients concerns with ease. During the preparation of this report I demonstrated various virtues of a credible activist. I ensured effectiveness by ascertaining credibility, trustworthiness, and proactivesness. The plot of the report was tailored to provide an opportunity to exercise influence by impacting and relating to others, and attaining trust through results. While preparing the report I risked being viewed as extraneous, lacking something to say, resting on past achievements and not knowing the business. This means I showed a genuine interest in the whole process, demonstrated personal truthfulness and ethics, and as well acted with a proper balance of humbleness and self-confidence. References Bhagwat, R. and Sharma, M.K., 2007. Performance measurement of supply chain management: A balanced scorecard approach.Computers Industrial Engineering,53(1), pp.43-62. Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360835207000617 Jung, D.I. and Sosik, J.J., 2002. Transformational leadership in work groups: The role of empowerment, cohesiveness, and collective-efficacy on perceived group performance.Small group research,33(3), pp.313-336. Retrieved from: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/10496402033003002 KATZ, R. L. (2009).Skills of an effective administrator. Boston, Mass, Harvard Business Press.Bottom of Form Retrieved from:https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=enlr=id=dGx3CgAAQBAJoi=fndpg=PA1dq=Katz,+R.L.,+2009.+Skills+of+an+effective+administratorots=Z1D-65Vpl2sig=baXa6qotbbyAY499q0nga8u6DNkredir_esc=y#v=onepageqf=false Nonaka, I., 2008.The knowledge-creating company. Harvard Business Review Press. Retrieved from:https://books.google.co.ke/books?hl=enlr=id=LmF3CgAAQBAJoi=fndpg=PT4dq=Nonaka,+I.,+2008.+The+knowledge-creating+company.ots=TPb8pitpnVsig=k2HLW7dJB9BDRoLTjFK_03DtH7kredir_esc=y#v=onepageq=Nonaka%2C%20I.%2C%202008.%20The%20knowledge-creating%20company.f=false Olorunniwo, F., Hsu, M.K. and Udo, G.J., 2006. Service quality, customer satisfaction, and behavioral intentions in the service factory.Journal of services marketing,20(1), pp.59-72. Retrieved from: https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/08876040610646581 Stevenson, W.J. and Hojati, M., 2007.Operations management(Vol. 8). Boston: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Retrieved from:https://www.eng.uwi.tt/depts/mech/ugrad/courses/meng3006/Week09b.pdf