Essay on Scotts Miracle-Gro Case Solution - 1363 Words

Name: Elcra Brown Subject: Supply Chain Management (Intro) Paper Subject: Scotts Miracle-Gro Date: July 23, 2013 Scotts Miracle-Gro is the largest company in the North American lawn and garden industry. It is also the world’s leading supplier and marketers of consumer products for do it yourself lawn and garden care, including products for professional horticulture. This paper is mainly centered on two decisions which include either to make and or buy. In other words whether Scotts Miracle-Gro should keep manufacturing in Temecula located in California, outsource production to a contract company in China or to build a company in China and relocate production there. The paper will be divided into three parts in†¦show more content†¦Nonetheless, upon close examination of the production line, it was concluded that there were a lot of disadvantages associated with the outsourcing of production some of which includes and is not limited to: †¢ Loss of quality †¢ Loss of cross functional collaboration between production line workers and RD department which will result in the loss of innovation †¢ Providing the equipment, knowledge and training to perform in-mold labeling to an outside contractor, something that once differentiates us from other major competitors or just foregoing in-mold labeling capabilities. †¢ Risk of increasing labor costs faster than expected which could directly impact the pricing of the products †¢ Increase lead time; defective products will not be caught until they arrive in the United States †¢ The inability of quick response (QR) due to the increase in lead time †¢ Risk of utility rates increasing faster than expected; due to the growing pressure on the Chinese government to improve environmental record. †¢ Possibly damaging the company’s goodwill in terms of not playing their part in CSR by increasing the carbon foot print by using China’s cheap energy source. †¢ Risk in changing policies as it relates to the importing of tax and duty free agricultural products †¢ Uncertainty of the Chinese government as it relates to the overvaluing of the Yaun. †¢ Transition costs associated with the moveShow MoreRelatedScotts Miracle Gro case solution1404 Words   |  6 Pagesobjective of this study is to decide the best decision for Scott’s Miracle-Gro on whether to outsource their production to china or stay in the Temecula plant in California. Factors such as risks/benefits, and cost analysis will be considered in reaching an outcome onto what will be the best option for Scott’s Miracle-Gro in order to maximize profit, efficiency, and long-term growth. Suggestions The best option for Scott’s Miracle-Gro is to stay in the United States. This will benefit the company financiallyRead MoreCase Study Scotts Miracle-Gro1357 Words   |  6 PagesCase Name Scotts Miracle-Gro The Scotts Company has been around since 1868. Ever since, they have been supplying many families with weed-free seeds. Throughout the years, Scotts has distributed many supplies such as fertilizers, seeds, soil, spreaders, and more. They were the first to introduce Turf Builder and they began spreader business with drop spreaders (Scotts Miracle-Gro). The company started expanding with mail order distribution channel, then to retail channel distribution. Miracle-GroRead MoreMt 460-02 Management Policy and Strategy2356 Words   |  10 PagesUnit Seven Scotts Miracle-Gro Case Study Analysis XXX Kaplan University MT 460-02 Management Policy and Strategy Dr. Carrie A. O’Hare April 22, 2013 Unit Seven Scotts Miracle-Gro Case Study Analysis Introduction The submitted report identifies Scotts Miracle-Gro’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) (Pearce amp; Robinson, 2011, p. 140). Key issues will be explored concerning Scotts Miracle-Gro’s external environment and solutions developed to maximize its opportunitiesRead MoreCase Analysis : Terracycle Inc By Jon Beyer And Tom Szaky1066 Words   |  5 Pagescreated a plant food to promote growth through an all-purpose plant food. TerraCycle attempted to alter the fertilizer to narrow its attention on two specific types of plants, the Orchid and African violet products. This reason for this alternative solution was to determine how best to approach this course of action. TerraCycle recycles to help eliminate the waste that impacts our environment. This brought about Eco-capitalism and the green movement since it helped the environment. TerraCycle wasRead MoreScotts Miracle-Gro: the Spreader Sourcing Decision Essay3493 Words   |  14 PagesSCOTTS MIRACLE-GRO: THE SPREADER SOURCING DECISION IVEY BUSINESS CASE STUDY 908M78 Introduction This paper provides a case analysis and case solution to an Ivey School of Business case study on Scotts Miracle-Gro, the biggest company in North America’s lawn and garden industry and the world’s leading supplier and marketer of consumer lawn and garden care products (Gray Leiblein, 2008, p. 1). The time setting for the case is the summer of 2007. 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Political Control in South Asia Free Essays

Establishing political control in South Asia, was something that the British was able to accomplish in the late 70s and early 80s. The British saw certain opportunities that led for them to start trading and commerce from India to outside world. The British had plans for India, which later led to collection of revenues on behalf of the Mughal Emperor, resulting decline of power by the Mughals side. We will write a custom essay sample on Political Control in South Asia or any similar topic only for you Order Now The expansion of the British into newer territories, it was to keep the allies at a distance. As for the Ryotwari system in India that played a role as land revenue systems before-hand, after the British came along. It affected India because the ownership of the land was given to the peasants and the British government collected the tax which demonstrated not fair to the peasants. The revenue rates as per the Ryotwari system were 50% with land being dry and irrigated with 60%. The Zamindars were never the owners of their own land and the rent collectors would not be fair towards them. The British were able to establish political control in South Asia because of confusion created by the decline in power of the Mughal Empire, the compulsion to take over new territories, and the implementation of the Ryotwari system over India. During the 1700s, the Mughal Empire had a significant decline in power, and was unable to directly govern or control its territories. Afterwards, the local rulers, called the Raja’s and Sultan’s, greedy for power over India made claims to power causing trouble and violence to spread over local territories . This caused confusion within India’s government because, the Raja’s and Sultans were not able to clearly identify their territories and rules, For example, Bernard Cohn’s essay on the Banaras region clearly marked that â€Å"it was precisely because there were always ‘many sharers in the dignity and power of kingship with overlapping rights and obligations that ’empire and ‘state’ represented ‘limited political entities in India'† (11). Resulting with no leadership or general politics which were formed at critical movements that highlights the causes of decline and it was important for the structure of the Mughal administrative system. Adding to the British control over the political establishment for South Asia, the peasants and the zamindars from the northern and the westerns part of India were added towards this problem. For the British, it was easier to target the zamindars for collecting revenues, as they show loyalty and mostly were the powerful class of a local populations. The zamindars were enjoying the given power from the British, as they would collect money from the peasants and the British government officials would take money from zamindars. The zamindars would have to pay a fixed revenue towards to the government officials as their fees. The book states, â€Å"The Ryotwari system defined the state itself as the supreme zamindar and vested a ryot with individual proprietary rights in land in return for annual cash payment or revenue assessments to the government (ibid.)† (73). The revenue that was collected by the zamindar was fixed and to be collected from each village. Focusing on empire-building for India, it ended up being under the rule of the British. British took advantage of India in ways of getting everything flushed out. By being in control for their profits from raw material goods and the fact of having larger populations and the diversity towards the markets. Later, after they had settled for some time the British took interest in Indian economy where the focus was to grow. The book had mentioned about Europeans traders to have strong control over the Mughal Empire, and that later on had faced decline and the British took advantage of that decline to make their win other territories within India. Because the British took the rejection of the Mughal empire, India was regulated by the British government and had developed all over India. The successful established of the British within India was the occurrence of these events that took place because India was lacking unity within the political section at that time period. British rule not only took over the political but also the economy, textiles industries, and the import ; export of the products from India to other countries around the world, leading to get more profits and take in-charge of the nation. How to cite Political Control in South Asia, Papers

Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage

Question: Discuss about the Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage. Answer: Introduction: Qantas is one of the biggest companies in aviation industry at Australia. It is recognized for worlds leading long distance airways. It has been established in 1920 in Queensland and so it is the second oldest company in aviation industry in world. Today, this company is providing its services across 173 destinations of 42 countries which are covering worldwide. Company has approx 35000 employees. Many subsidiary businesses are offered by the company such as Jetstar, Qantas catering, budget airlines, Qantas holidays etc. to evaluate and analysis the environment of the company today. The logo of the company is red kangaroo. Headquarter of the company is in mascot, Australia (Qantas, 2016). The vision of the company is providing the best premium services to its clients in less fare prices. Qantas is different in Australian aviation industry because only this company is having FSC and LCC. This company has implemented a spoke transportation hub in its operating fleet. The vision of the company is a crucial aspect. It helps the team of the company to understand the objectives and goals of the company. The main strategies of the company are right aircraft at the right routes; safety is always the first priority, efficiency in operational department, strong complementary brands as well as excellence in customer services (Qantas, 2016). Qantas has suffered financially throughout the last decades because of many factors like competition in the market or recession in the market. Due to many such events like war and attacks in several countries, the airline companies from all over the world had suffered these consequences (Fu, Oum, Zhang, 2010). For evaluating the micro environment of Qantas, porters five forces model have been used. Porters five forces model: Even though Qantas is the leader of the aviation industry at Australia but it could be threatened by the other companies in world aviation industry. According to the annual report of Qantas, it has been identified that the Jetstar airways are doing well in the market in comparison of competitors but it has also identified that cost leadership strategy would no longer work for the company as now all the companies are lowering their cost. Thus company should plan new strategy according to the competitors (Frazer, 2015). It is doing very well in Australian industry, but if discussion is done on international markets concern, the potential of new entrance could be strong just like low cost airlines. Thus, Qantas need to concentrate on the new strategies for creating the barriers for new entrance. Threat of substitute products: Almost, everyone choose the airplanes to transport from one country to another or in remote area for saving the time. However, there are many other substitutes for an aviation company like bus, car, cruise, train etc. All of these could be a small threat for the Qantas. Company need to boost up its options and offer some promotional trip to customers. The main supplier of this industry is fuel supplier and aircraft manufacturer. Company is dealing with Industrys largest production companies so it is a powerful weapon for the company and the fuel prices could be a major factor to affect the company. Bargaining power of buyers could be high in international as well as domestic airlines. So company need to plan and implement such strategies that a customer can be influenced in provided prices (Brigden, 2009). Macro environment is the most uncontrollable and external factor which influence an organizations strategies, performance and decision making. For evaluating the macro environment, PESTLE analysis has been used (Gillen Gados, 2008). Political factors had affected the most to Qantas. As the terrorist attacks, hijack and blown up in the middle air affect the most. Recently it has been happened with Malaysia airlines (Coughlin, Cletus et. Al, 2002). Due to many developments in the economy of the country, the company has been affected. Oil price has impacted significantly on the company. Global financial crisis had also impacted the company. Society observation regarding the company affects the policies and strategies of the company. The size of customer has been increased recently due to the economic growth. Many opportunities have been opened in front of the company due to it. New technology in the market is affecting the environment of the company significantly. Company has enabled its services online too for grabbing the more market share. Competitive advantages of a company are those factors which make the company different and significant from its competitive companies. Company enhances this attributes through providing the best services or product to the consumers or combining the best process, technology and knowledge (Gaughan, 2010). In Qantas group, the competitive advantages of the company are its diversity services and 2 brands airlines. This brand is offering both domestic and international airlines services to its clients. The two brand airlines of the company are Jetstar and Qantas airlines (Datamonitor, 2009). Jetstar is focusing on low cost as well as Qantas is focusing on premium. Both of these brands have targeted different customer groups to offer several services. The company is operating 5300 flights in a week approximately for covering regional destinations and 53 cities. Company has implemented many strategies which helped it in growing rapidly. Company has dealt with many other companies to expand its business (Barney, 1991). And contacted many new client through e-chatting or telephonic conversation to satisfy the. The main competitive advantages of the company are its inbound logistics,, manufacturing business, its suppliers, strategies, operational team, professionals, new technology, various services, transportation services, joint ventures, partnership, human resource, process, customer services, sustainability etc (Dallas, 2011). Porters generic models such as differentiations, focus and cost leadership could be used to evaluate and analysis the business strategy of Qantas. This company is managing two brands i.e. Jetstar airlines and Qantas airlines. Under these two brands, company has operated many subsidiaries business such as Qantas Link, Jet connect, Qantas freight, express freighters and Jetstar airways to reach the target group and expand its services to grab more market share (Pearson, David, 2008). Cost leadership strategy has been opted for evaluating the strategies of the company: Cost Leadership Strategies: This strategy has been developed by porter for describing the ways to establish competitive advantages. Basically it stands for lowest cost operations in comparison of other companies in the industry. Qantas is following cost leadership as its main competitive advantages for grabbing the more market share. Currenntly, there are many companies in the market with low cost, so company has also offered cheap fair to its passengers to attract them more and enhance its market share (Craigie Bekiaris, 2010). Jetstar still need to reach at the lowest price, for that company needs to plan and implement other strategies like partnership strategy to make a deal with main competitors. According to many research it has been identifies that company could easily grabs the market if it adapt the cost leadership strategy. It is true that airlines which are offering low price could attract more customers who are having low budget. But in recent time, it is also true that cheap prices could not be eno ugh to compete with competitors (DAveni, Dagnino Smith, 2010). It could be said that company could adjust another strategies to build the main strategies that is cost leadership and can be differentiate from other low cost competitors. Qantas group has generated $15,816 billion in 2015 as total revenue. It has been possible due to 5 main segments i.e. domestic, international, Jetstar group, Qantas Loyalty and Qantas freight. Company has focused more on diversification strategy to grab more market share and satisfy its customers. In addition to the value created and economies of scope through many diversified segments of the company, it would be able to achieve the market power against the price competition. Diversification helps a company to be different and it is also good for a company to be different (Campbell, Goold Alexander, 1995). So it could also be good for Qantas as through it company could learn new culture and ideas. Further, diversify the business into new market would help the company into getting new ideas, innovation which might be good but it could also enhance the complexity for the team to learn or understand the different culture and working method. Strategic Recommendation: After considering all the functional aspect of the company, it is recommended to the company to improve some of its strategies to enhance the market share and competitive advantages of the company. Company must focus on both international and domestic market to diversify its political, economical and social situations. Company should offer new services and promotions to its passengers like discount in fair etc (Dallas, 2011). Company should consider the employee relationship by providing them a proper training, benefits and wages. Company must take help of new technology and very well trained employees to improve the services (Dean Yunus, 2001). Company should also take care about the sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Conclusion: After considering all the aspect of this study and report, it is concluded that Qantas group is the leader of Australian aviation industry which has adapted many strategies and policies to expand the business and manage it effectively and efficiently. However company could face some issue like low cost issues, fuel cost, alternative transport etc. But company is enough capable to handle such situations. Company could take help of its diversification strategies to deal with competitors through development, channel distribution, technology and innovation etc. To survive in the competition globally, company is suggested to establish effective strategies. References: Barney, J. (1991). Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage.Journal of Management, vol. 17, no. 1, p. 99. Brigden, Cathy. (2009). Journal of Industrial Relations. Unions and collective bargaining in 2008, 51(3), 365-378. Campbell, A, Goold, M Alexander, M. (1995).Corporate Strategy: The Quest for Parenting Advantage. Harvard Business Review, viewed 18 Jan 2017, https://hbr.org/1995/03/corporate-strategy-the-quest-for-parenting-advantagegt. Coughlin, Cletus C. et. Al. (2002). Review. Aviation Security and Terrorism: A Review of the Economic Issues, 84(5), 9-16. Craigie, J. Bekiaris, M. (2010). Money. Qantas gets cosy with AirAsia, 2(120), 16-16. DAveni, R, Dagnino, G, Smith, K. (2010). The age of temporary advantage.Strategic Management Journal, 31, 13, pp. 1371-1385, Business Source Complete, EBSCOhost, viewed 18 Jan 2017. Dallas, H, (2011). Strategic Management; competitiveness and globalization. Strategic management, Asia-Pacific 4thed, pp 434-440. Datamonitor. (2009). Airline Industry Profile: Asia-Pacific. Airline Industry Profile: Asia-Pacific, 1-32. Dean, E. Yunus, K. (2001). An overview of strategic alliances. Management Decision, Vol. 39 Iss 3 pp. 205 218. Elmuti, D. Kathawala, Y. (2001). An overview of strategic alliances.Management Decision,vol. 39, no. 3, pp. 205-217. Frazer, S (2015).Jetstar expansion stalled by Hong Kong authorities, Text, ABC News, viewed 12 October 2015. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-06-26/jetstar-expansion-stalled-by-hong-kong-authorities/6576346gt. Fu, X., Oum, T.H. Zhang, A. (2010). Air Transport Liberalization and Its Impacts on Airline Competition and Air Passenger Traffic.Transportation Journal,vol. 49, no. 4, pp. 24-41. Gaughan, PA (2010).Mergers, Acquisitions, and Corporate Restructurings. John Wiley Sons. Gillen, D Gados, A (2008). Airlines within airlines: Assessing the vulnerabilities of mixing business models.Research in Transportation Economics, vol. 24, The Economics of Low Cost Airlines, no. 1, pp. 2535. Pearson, David. (2008). Wall Street Journal-Eastern Edition. Airlines Face Shortage of Pilots, 251(95), p. B11A. Qantas. (2016). Qantas Fact file. [Online] Available from: https://www.qantas.com.au/infodetail/about/FactFiles.pdf [Accessed 18 Jan 2017].