Thursday, January 30, 2020

THE COOP Essay Example for Free

THE COOP Essay 1. What is the size of the loss at the Coop? What could have been attributed to this loss? (Be thorough in your analysis) Answer: In 1994, â€Å"‘The Coop’s† average sales were $775,000, and there were 76 stores in total. So the Coop would reach the sales $58,900,000(76 x $775,000 =$58,900,000). If Coop were able to maintain the 10% growth per year. In 1995 Coop’s sales should be $64,790,000 ($58,900,000 x (1 +10%) =$64,790,000). However, due to the 6% average decline in sales for 20 stores, the real sales in 1995 is $62,310,000 (20 x $775,000 x (1-6%) + 56 x $775,000 x (1+10%) =,310,000). So in total Coop lost $2,480,000 ($64,790,000 – $62,310,000 = $2,480,000) in 1995. There are many factors may result in Coop’s sales decline. Firstly, Coop may fail to meet the consumer needs. The Chicken Coop founded in 1974, and the specializing in chicken never changed. However the consumer’ taste and habit have changed today. Also, the consumer targeting between the age of 18 and 45 is too board. Secondly, the manger does not have depth knowledge about the market. Wallace made business plan rely on his hotel business experience. Thirdly, the number of new employee increased because of the business expanding. However, there are many new employee are less trained, so the quality of the service decreased. Also, the Coop’ sales did not increase, the cost of the new employee increased a lot. Lastly, the competitors are improving. For example the KFC complemented its advertising with special promotions and provide a variety products service. All the four fa ctors may have been attributed to Coop’s sales loss. 2. Analyze the dynamics between McMichael and Wallace. Are they looking in the same direction? Why, why not? Answer: McMichael and Wallace are two of the top managers. All of them are paid close attention to customers. They realized the lack of customer sight and market insight, but they have different views about the market research and the sales slump. McMichael worked for Coop science 1982, she always thinks the quality of the food is the core competence of Coop. As same as Buckmeister, she believes the motto â€Å"We are chicken†. So she thinks the better food quality and service could help Coop solve the sales problem. For Wallace, he is relatively new to the company and has extensive experience in the hotel business. Wallace focus on renew the brand image to meet current consumer needs. He provided new menu to attract more consumers. Wallace thinks Coop need new market activities  improve competitive advantages. Both McMichael and Wallace are thinking from their narrow functional area. 3. Evaluate each of the initiatives proposed by Buckmeister, Wallace, and McMichael (pros and cons). Answer: McMichael suggested Quality Inspection Program and The taste. The Quality Inspection Program will help Coop improve the quality of the food, service and facilities, these all important factors to attract consumers and increase sales. However, these program only provide current information about Coop stores, it does not provide information about consumer taste and competitor situations. The Taste grogram provided the information of competitors, it help Coop to make positive change to reflect competitive environment. However the information gathered from loyal customer may not represent all the consumer thought. And it has the cost of the program is high. Wallace suggested Brand Image Monitoring Surveys and The Customer Experience Study. The Brand Image Monitoring Surveys will gather quantitative data on the Coop’s brand image vis-à  -vis its competitors. A market research supplier would interview customers and potential customer by telephone. This program may help Coop gather a lot of representative information. However it cost too much. And personally I do not like answer the telephone survey, especially pick up a call from restaurant which I have never been. The Customer Experience Study provided consumer some benefit if they cooperate with Coop’s survey, I think it will help for Coop’s brand image and attract loyal consumer. However, I do not think this is the best way to gather information with so many costs. Coop should consider is that worth to cost $45,600 and even more. Buckmeister’s Customer Feedback Cards is a direct and easy way to get consumer feedback, and it cost less and response well. However, it will make employees and mangers work more. And the flexibility is poor, also this method only gather information from current Coop consumer. 4. Which one(s) would you support and why? Answer: I support Wallace’s suggestion. McMichael’s suggestion focus on the customer service and food quality, I do not think this the main factors related to Coop’s sales decrease. I think Coop should focus on consumer information research. Coop is old company failed to meet current consumer needs. Wallace’s suggestion will help Coop gather large information about consumer thinking, and then they can make changes to reflect the market  development. 5. What would be the total cost of your selected market research and is it well justified? Answer: Brand Image Monitoring Surveys was the most expensive option that The Coop was considering. Proposals from market research suppliers ranged from $20,000 to $50,000, and it may need 900 interviews. The Customer Experience Study would cost $45,000 and even more. I think the cost is not justified, because not very consumer will cooperate with the survey. I do not think every telephone survey will be successes answered, but Coop has to pay it.

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

A Modern Heroine :: essays papers

A Modern Heroine In today’s society, women have overcome many hardships to become able to vote, able to run for public office, and even able to hold high business positions. Some people believe that such accomplishments are because of literary examples that have, over the years, lead women to believe in themselves, motivate them-selves, and stand up for themselves. In Aeschylus’ infamous Greek tragedy, The Oresteia, Clytaemestra, the leading woman, overcomes the Greek society’s slighting attitude towards women, grasping the most powerful position attain-able in Argos. Even after gaining power, Clytaemestra clutches this leadership desperately, unrelenting in her hopes to keep it forever. Although Clytaemestra uses intellect, inner strength, and self-motivation to capture power, she does it evasively and by hurting others. Therefore, Clytaemestra is not a respectable woman role model. In Agamemnon, the first book of The Oresteia, Agamemnon, Clytaemestra’s husband and the King of Argos, returns from ten years of fighting the Trojan War to find treachery reigns in Argos. Clytaemestra greets Agamemnon with a facade of exuberant tidings, claiming â€Å"a love [she] has for her husband†, while secretly she plans his murder (Oresteia 1.857). As the queen, she has a beautiful and expensive crimson carpet brought out to welcome her soon dead husband. Rolling out the carpet, she asks Agamemnon â€Å"step from your chariot [and] let not your foot/...touch the earth† (Oresteia 1.906-907). The wise warrior, knowing it would be wrong for a mere mortal to walk on such a Murray 2 priceless tapestry, argues with his vengeful wife, but is eventually convinced to walk â€Å"where Justice leads him† (Oresteia 1.911). As he walks on the carpet, ruining it, he asks that â€Å"no gods’ hatred strike [him] from afar† for acting higher than mort als should (Oresteia 1.947). His hope is in vain, because shortly after entering the house, Clytaemestra catches of the war hero at his weakest moment—in the bath. Taking advantage of a heroic figure, who is loved by all, is both cowardly and unfair, but Clytaemestra only worries with her pursuit of power. Soon after the murder, Clytaemestra appears again, proudly showing the slain King of Argos. All of these actions grant Clytaemestra the power she yearns, but are done in a very unrespectful and deceitful way. In the next book of The Oresteia, The Libation Bearers, Clytaemestra again tries to hold her power and, this time, to escape death. A Modern Heroine :: essays papers A Modern Heroine In today’s society, women have overcome many hardships to become able to vote, able to run for public office, and even able to hold high business positions. Some people believe that such accomplishments are because of literary examples that have, over the years, lead women to believe in themselves, motivate them-selves, and stand up for themselves. In Aeschylus’ infamous Greek tragedy, The Oresteia, Clytaemestra, the leading woman, overcomes the Greek society’s slighting attitude towards women, grasping the most powerful position attain-able in Argos. Even after gaining power, Clytaemestra clutches this leadership desperately, unrelenting in her hopes to keep it forever. Although Clytaemestra uses intellect, inner strength, and self-motivation to capture power, she does it evasively and by hurting others. Therefore, Clytaemestra is not a respectable woman role model. In Agamemnon, the first book of The Oresteia, Agamemnon, Clytaemestra’s husband and the King of Argos, returns from ten years of fighting the Trojan War to find treachery reigns in Argos. Clytaemestra greets Agamemnon with a facade of exuberant tidings, claiming â€Å"a love [she] has for her husband†, while secretly she plans his murder (Oresteia 1.857). As the queen, she has a beautiful and expensive crimson carpet brought out to welcome her soon dead husband. Rolling out the carpet, she asks Agamemnon â€Å"step from your chariot [and] let not your foot/...touch the earth† (Oresteia 1.906-907). The wise warrior, knowing it would be wrong for a mere mortal to walk on such a Murray 2 priceless tapestry, argues with his vengeful wife, but is eventually convinced to walk â€Å"where Justice leads him† (Oresteia 1.911). As he walks on the carpet, ruining it, he asks that â€Å"no gods’ hatred strike [him] from afar† for acting higher than mort als should (Oresteia 1.947). His hope is in vain, because shortly after entering the house, Clytaemestra catches of the war hero at his weakest moment—in the bath. Taking advantage of a heroic figure, who is loved by all, is both cowardly and unfair, but Clytaemestra only worries with her pursuit of power. Soon after the murder, Clytaemestra appears again, proudly showing the slain King of Argos. All of these actions grant Clytaemestra the power she yearns, but are done in a very unrespectful and deceitful way. In the next book of The Oresteia, The Libation Bearers, Clytaemestra again tries to hold her power and, this time, to escape death.

Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Constructive Controversy

Constructive controversy is a process through which two individuals or groups of individuals seek to reach an agreement when their ideas, opinions and information are incompatible to those of the other (Johnson, Johnson and Tjosvold, 2006). The process is based on a strong cooperative goal and involves â€Å"deliberate discourse [of the advantages and disadvantages of proposed actions] aimed at synthesizing novel solutions† (Johnson, Johnson and Tjosvold, 2006, p. 1). Participants cope constructively in conflict situations by using differences in understanding, perspective and knowledge as valued resources to find a solution integrating the best thoughts that emerge during the process (Deutsch, 2006). In an organizational context, skillful participation in constructive controversy can lead to higher-quality decisions and solutions to complex problems. During the role play of the ROC case study in class, some participants reflected that while they felt thrown out of equilibrium initially when asked to assume the opposite position, the process opened their minds to new information and helped them engage in a higher-level cognitive and reasoning process. The value of constructive controversy lies in the thought process it induces when participants adapt to and accommodate the perspective of the other (Johnson, Johnson and Tjosvold, 2006). Individuals are more likely to derive conclusions that are enriched by new ideas and information which otherwise may not have been taken into consideration. Coming together to create a solution in the constructive controversy process also fosters stronger relationships among individuals which is crucial to organizational health. The positive feelings and commitment individuals feel in joint decision-making raises interpersonal attraction and produces greater perceptions of peer task support (Johnson, Johnson and Tjosvold, 2006). Individuals are encouraged to manage conflict constructively when the next problem arises and the result is likely to be a higher-quality solution, thereby reinforcing interpersonal attraction and commitment in the organization for the long term. In the ROC case study, the Finance team and the Sales team will likely need to cooperate in the long term to come up with multiple creative solutions to bring ROC back to the black again because sustained profitability cannot be achieved with cost-cutting measures alone or by simply launching a new product. The bedrock of this long-term cooperative effort to revive ROC is a positive relationship between the two teams. However, the constructive controversy process requires dedicated time and resources, which in some situations, may not be the most efficient way of decision-making. In fast-paced, complex and highly dynamic business environments, organizations have to respond swiftly to changing customer demands in order to compete. While the constructive controversy process can generate higher-quality decisions, the timeliness of these decisions is equally crucial. ROC would have suffered a lost opportunity if a rival company had launched a similar product in the time taken for the two teams in ROC to arrive at a decision through the constructive controversy process. Controversies may also increase tensions in a group if participants do not possess the collaborative and conflict management skills necessary to facilitate a constructive controversy process. According to Johnson, Johnson and Tjosvold (2006), the abilities to disagree with each other’s ideas while acknowledging one another’s personal competence and engage in perspective-taking behaviors are critical to creating a cooperative context for controversy. A group comprising mainly of individuals with a dominating style of conflict management is likely to experience a competitive controversy process, with each side adhering rigidly to its position and rejecting ideas and information of the opponent. Dominating persons often ignore the needs and expectations of the other party and may sometimes want to win at any cost (Rahim, 2000). As a result, interpersonal relationships could be strained and more conflicts may arise. References Deutsch, M. (2006) Cooperation and competition. In Deutsch, M. Coleman, P. T. & Marcus, E. (Eds. ) The handbook of conflict resolution: Theory and practice, 2nd edition (pp. 23-42). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Johnson, D. W. , Johnson, R. T. & Tjosvold, D. (2006) Constructive Controversy: The value of intellectual opposition. In Deutsch, M. , Coleman, P. T. & Marcus E. (Eds. ) The handbook of conflict resolution: Theory and practice, 2nd edition (pp. 69-91). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Rahim, M. A. (2000) Mana ging conflict in organizations, 3rd edition. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing.

Monday, January 6, 2020

When A Past Love A Literary Analysis - 995 Words

Remarking upon a Past Love: A Literary Analysis of â€Å"Note to Self† In Dave Margoshes’ free verse poem, â€Å"Note to Self† published on June 30, 2015 in the online literary journal, The Rusty Toque, the speaker is writing down their daily to-do list. Margoshes allows the reader to delve into a piece that combines intimacy with the bluntness of the simple language used. The varied word choice and syntax describe the character behind the writer of the list. In combination, the use of repetition emphasizes key elements in the relationship with the lover. Finally, the structure is used to contrast specific details revealed with vague ideas presented. Using these devices, Margoshes creates an image of how this individual lacks sensitivity and understanding of the sanctity of a relationship by turning it into just another thing-to-do. The title is expressive and yet simple when describing the poem. It gives a nonchalant air, therefore when the reader gets to the â€Å"Write break-up letter to lover:† line it is more powerful since it feels unexpected proceeding the task, â€Å"Pay phone bill† (Margoshes). The decision to write this poem in the form of a to-do list is an integral part in the way the reader sees the speaker. The very title â€Å"Note to Self† shows how the piece is never intended to be read by anyone other than the person writing it. The piece holds the same intimacy as a diary except a to-do list uses much simpler language. It must lack the emotion that a diary would, since itShow MoreRelatedThe Lady With The Pet Dog Character Analysis1481 Words   |  6 PagesLiterary analysis is a key component in understanding all of the depth and story behind a piece of work. Literary analysis, allows for more complexity and involvement; which is why it is crucial for the reader to underst and what to be looking for when reading a piece of work. 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