Thursday, November 28, 2019

Analysis of Whole Foods Markets feedback loops

The industry in which Whole Foods Market operates is very competitive. It is a fact that this firm has managed this competition very well by creating a niche in the market and developing special products for this niche. However, it is important for the management to realize that success is a process that requires an understanding of the prevailing conditions and making relevant changes whenever this is necessary.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Analysis of Whole Foods Market’s feedback loops specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The environment has been very dynamic due to various changes brought about by various forces. The market is heavily affected by political, economic, social and technological forces which continue to change quite often. According to Kratschmer (2011), technology has changed various factors in the production process, their transportation and marketing strategies. There has also been a change in the political leadership in this country. The changing socioeconomic factors in the United States also have direct impact on the operations of this firm. For the firm to be successful, it must find a way through which it can respond to these forces in a way that would help it become stronger than its competitors in the market. This organization must be able to learn new better ways and identify opportunities in the market by having a system that would relay a feedback about various forces in the market. This paper involves analyzing Whole Foods Market’s feedback loops and organizational learning opportunities. This research study will focus on the reinforcing loop and balancing loop that play off within this firm to enhance its growth. Reinforcing Loop According to Spulber (2007), reinforcing loop mostly take place without the knowledge of the relevant stakeholders. This scholar says that there are some effects that have a compounding impact when they are allowed to take place. Reinforcing loop can have a positive or negative impact on a firm depending on its nature. This scholar says that this effect may start mildly that the management may not realize. It may come to their knowledge when it is too late or when the effect has created massive impact. At Whole Foods Market, this has been witnessed. The growth of market share of this firm may be considered as a reinforcing loop. Whole Foods Market was founded in 1980 by John Mackey. When he started this firm, Mackey did not have a lot of resources to fight the giant firms that had already developed in the market by that time. However, this entrepreneur knew what the market wanted and was determined to offer exactly that. According to Morecroft (2007), it is always more difficult to retain customers than it is to make them have their first purchase.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This is because there are cases where a customer would be left with no choice but to make a purchase at the store because of limited choices. Other customers would also be interested in making their first purchase on the basis of their curiosity. However, retaining a customer requires a deep understanding of the market, and the ability of the concerned firm to convince the market that what it offers is the best. The growth of the market share can be attributed to the dedication that the management and employees of this firm had towards satisfying their customers. It was mentioned that a reinforcing loop has a compounding effect. It actually works in the same manner as interest and principal. As the rate of interest increases, so will the principal. The increased interest will be added to the principal who will in turn increase the interest. If this circle is not put to an end, the principal will massively increase. This is the same thing that has been happening with the market share of this firm. At first, Whole Foods Market did not have a solid customer base that it could consider loyal. However, the management did not focus on growing its market share. The management and all the employees focused on offering value to the customers whenever they visited their outlet. The management was keen to understand market needs and offer products which meet their needs. As they did this, a virtuous cycle was being created. A customer who got satisfied with the service of the firm would become a loyal customer of Whole Foods Market. Their loyalty would not stop with making regular purchase at this store. The customers would invite other customers to come and share the thrilling experience at this firm. One of the factors that attracted customers to this firm was their conviction towards delivering products that are healthy to consumers and their insistence on protecting the health of their patients. One customer would invite another, the invited customer would invite ano ther and the chain would continue. Although the management of this firm used advertising to market their brand and product offering in the market, one of the main factors that propelled this firm towards its current success was the evangelism that its customers involved in after making a purchase from its stores. This reinforcing loop effect has also enabled this firm expand rapidly in the European market. This is a confirmation to ABC Company that Whole Foods Market is a firm that is destined for more success in future.Advertising We will write a custom case study sample on Analysis of Whole Foods Market’s feedback loops specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Balancing Loop According to Dettmer (2007), balancing loop is always very important towards ensuring that a firm grows in the market. In an organization, growth is only common when the management can set a desired goal that should be achieved within a particular time. Sett ing a new stated- also referred to as the desired state- involves a number of activities. It always starts by understanding the current state of the organization. It is only possible to set a desired state when the current state is known. When this is done, it would then need the concerned authority to determine the desired state. This would mean that the management would create a gap between the current state and the desired state. When this is done, then there will be the movement from the current state to the desired state in a bid to eliminate the gap created. Several factors have happened within this organization that can trace their development through balancing loop. However, one of the striking factors has been goal setting and the behavior that always accompanies this. There has been a massive controversy over the health effects of genetically modified foods. A section of the market believes that genetically modified foods are very safe for consumption, while the other sect ion believes that such foods are very harmful in the long run. The management of Whole Foods Market has been concerned with this issue. In 2010, the management of this firm started a research into this issue with an aim of coming up with a finding that would help determine the right path that this firm should take. The report was finally compiled on March 2013. In this report, the team tasked with this function first defined the current state of this firm. The team realized that there are some states where Whole Foods Market was stocking genetically modified foods while in others it did not. It all depended on the laws of that particular state and the general perception of the public towards these foods. The next step was to determine the desired state. The team realized that the desired state was not to eliminate the genetically modified foods from their stores, but to label them as a way of alerting the customers that what they are buying is genetically modified. The management re alized that for this to be achieved, there had to be a change of attitude of employees towards genetically modified foods. Originally, the firm had created a culture where people within this firm believed that genetically modified food was not good.Advertising Looking for case study on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This attitude had to change in order to achieve a change of behavior of the employees towards this type of food. To achieve this, the management launched an internal awareness campaign to help employees change their behavior towards genetically modified foods. The desired state was to change the behavior of the employees towards genetically modified foods in order to convince them that these foods could be sold to customers who considered them good for consumption. The only responsibility of this firm would be to inform its customers that they were genetically modified. This change of attitude of the employees has helped this firm achieve its goals in the market. References Dettmer, H. (2007). The logical thinking process: A systems approach to complex problem solving. Milwaukee: ASQ Quality Press. Kratschmer, P. (2011). Organizational Culture is Highly Resistant to Change. New York: GRIN Verlag. Morecroft, J. (2007). Strategic modeling and business dynamics: A feedback systems appr oach. Chichester: Wiley Sons. Spulber, D. (2007). Global Competitive Strategy, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. This case study on Analysis of Whole Foods Market’s feedback loops was written and submitted by user Linda Robbins to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Monday, November 25, 2019

informative speech on jazz tru essays

informative speech on jazz tru essays Purpose: By the end of the speech I hope you all will understand the joys and pains of playing jazz on the trumpet. Introduction: (turn off lights) Imagine its night time in New York City. You head over to the village vanguard to see the hottest players in jazz, out do each other on stage. You enter the club it seats about fifty but theres more like 80 all wanting the same thing, to hear John Coltranes sextet perform. (play Lazy Bird up to 1:40). The recording you just heard was from the John Coltrane album titled BLUE TRAIN. Jazz is one of the most difficult genres of music to perform on the trumpet because of its demands on a persons body, technical skill as well as their ability to spontaneously create a melody, also know as improvising. Credibility: You may be asking yourselves what would this young man know about jazz and why should I listen to him. Well to contradict the stereotype that jazz is old people music I have been listening to and playing jazz for the past 8 years and also teach private lessons. I have been principal chair in every band I have played in. In high school I was selected to play in the city honor band, received an award for jazz player of the year, received a scholarship and the semper fidelis award from the United States Marine Corp for excellence in music. There are numerous other awards presented to me by my school, and I led the jazz ensemble to place fourth at the national invite Monterey jazz festival sponsored by Clint Eastwood. Now that I have established my credibility I would like to move on. Playing the trumpet requires many hours of practice daily, usually until your body quits. During these practices you do arpeggios, chromatic scales, lip slurs, high notes, long tones and so on. All these exercises increase your endurance and ability to improvise. Main Points: some injuries or physical strain one can acquire are bleeding lips, headaches, passing out, dizziness, crooked te...

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Construction Safety Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Construction Safety - Research Paper Example The management may be prompted to continue with the construction under the prevailing conditions reason being that they are behind schedule, in order to avert the possibility of incurring losses. However, as the safety director, it would be essential to ensure that all regulations stipulated by OSHA are followed to the letter before any more progress on the construction can be made. This is due to the fact that the company would stand to lose a lot of revenue in the case of accidents occurring due to negligence. In such an occurrence, the company may be faced by numerous claims for compensation of victims or even risk the possibility of being denied the license to operate due to its poor profile in ensuring safety in the work place (Hinze, 2003). Once the scaffoldings are set to standard, it would be suggested that the company hires an extra work force to compensate for the lost time so as to finish the project on time. By so doing, the reputation of the company as well as its employ ee’s welfare would be protected, thereby ensuring that it stays in

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Decision to Charge Appropriate Interest Rate Essay

Decision to Charge Appropriate Interest Rate - Essay Example However, if any of the above mentioned determinants, fails to meet the expectations of the investors, then investors become shaky regarding their investments. The investors are mainly of two types, one who receives the ownership of the business by purchasing the shares of the company, in this way they invest in the company and are known as shareholders. They demand their return in two major ways i.e. dividends (distribution of profits) and capital gain (increase in the value of shares). On the other hand, the other kind of investors, are the creditors and they provide loans to the business such that amount of loan is repayable in certain time against which they demand a return in the form of interest. Generally, if the financial prospects of the business seem sound in the future, shareholders also require more return. However, if the financial prospects of the company are to show more vulnerability and inconsistency, then loan providers charge higher interest because their investment comes at stake due to increasing risk of solvency, bankruptcy and likelihood of inability of business to pay interest and principal. In short, out of the two types of investors, i.e. shareholders and debt holders, this particular article mainly focuses upon the required rate of return demanded by the debt holders only. Generally if an organization’s future financial outlook seems to be stable and bright looking, the debt holders prefer that organization to invest in as they would find their investment less risky as compared to that organization which is found to be struggling in dealing with its financial prospects. To be more specific, debt holders will charge less interest to that business which has consistent and growing cash flows, profitability, less amount of debt included in the overall capital structure and increasing net worth of the business. All of the above mentioned factors are the determinants of a safe, prosperous and better looking business. Conversely, debt holders would charge a relatively higher interest from those businesses which have inconsistent cash flows and profitability, highly indebted and having vulnerable net worth of the business in upcoming periods. Debt holders find their investment highly risky and as a result of bearing that extra risk, they demand higher interest to compensate that risk. As far as ACME Consulting Business is concerned, its cash balance is going to increase at double rate on yearly basis with the amounts of $39K, $138K and $177K. The net profit margin is also estimated to increase as it will be 0.33%, 4.87% and 5.94% respectively. Total Debt to Total Asset ratio will also be expected to decline from 76.55% to 61.24% in three years time. Lastly, Net Worth to Total assets of the business is estimated to increase from 65.09% to 86.31% in the same period. Debt ratio of the business is however higher than industry which is a questioning sign for the business. Net Worth ratio is better than the industry whi ch can be a positive sign for the business in future. For Interstate Travel Center, the cash balance will also be increased at almost a double pace, with

Monday, November 18, 2019

Assignment5 economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Assignment5 economics - Essay Example The third step is to cut back the business hours. The business ethics component of this move is that if one is in the business of pharmaceuticals and health care, one risks the chance of causing damage to patients who will need your services by cutting back on the business hours. The fourth step is to close one's business for a week or two to actually take a vacation. The business ethics aspect of this decision is that if one has a pharmaceutical or health care business, one risks the possibility of causing inconvenience to one's clients. The fifth step is to bring in a family member to split the current "job load. The ethical consideration of this move is that one has to ensure that his/her relatives or siblings must do business observing fairness, honesty, transparency and accountability to government laws. Zambia is landlocked and has a low population composed of 70 ethnic groups, many of them Bantu-speaking. The country boasts of spectacular scenery spanning the Victoria Falls along the Zambezi river, the Bangweulu Swamps and the Luangwa river valley. Millions of Zambians live below the World Bank poverty threshold of $1 a day. Zambia currently receives and provides shelter for tens of thousands of refugees who have fled fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo. (World Factbook 2008). The World Bank Poverty Assessment Report (2007) has identified these areas of economic concern afflicting Zambia consisting of the high level of international debt, deterioration in the international price of copper, macro instability, the collapse of major manufacturing industries, the scourge of HIVIAIDS, and acute governance and policy failures.Zambia has been one of most heavily indebted developing countries. However, the government has done serious efforts to pare down its international debt st ock. Zambia obtained a total of 6.6 billion dollars of debt relief in 2005. (Scotland Aid Agency, 2008). If the Debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio is 133%, this means that Zambia is paying millions on debt interest only. This is money that could be used to fund social programs or provide employment programs. Therefore, the unemployment rate is also adversely affected because the government doesn't have sufficient funds to begin or maintain such social programs. The unemployment and underemployment levels are very high. This means that many head of the families are out of work. Many families are hungry and in deep need of aid in social services such as health and education.The country has to contend with an expensive disease which has no long term cure. The high rate of HIV/AIDs incidence also means that the country will need international assistance from the World Health Organization to combat this scourge. In 20013, HIVIAIDS prevalence was estimated at 18 percent for women and 13 percent for men, and Zambia was entering its third decade of double-digit HIVIAIDS prevalence. The country does not have the financial resources to finance health services and medicines to combat HIV/AIDS. The low growth of the GDP is the result of weak government policies, poor business environment, lower foreign and local investments resulting in fewer businesses and fewer jobs available in the market. The literacy rate of Zambia is relatively low (65%)

Friday, November 15, 2019

Themes of Tradition in Literature

Themes of Tradition in Literature Evolving Traditions Traditions are important because they transmit stories, shared values, and aspirations from generation to generation. Traditions offer guidance and assists in a group of people sharing a collective identity. Overtime the origin/meaning of a tradition may become obscured or lost in time, and when that happens the tradition can either fade from existence or be blindly followed even though the original meaning may have been lost. The stories The Lottery by Shirley Jackson, A Rose for Emily by William Faulkner, and A Worn Path by Eudora Welty have many themes, but; one underling theme throughout them all, is tradition. In Shirley Jacksons The Lottery Once a year the villagers amass in the center of town to partake in the lottery. They anticipate the arrival of Mr. Summers and the black box, inside the box are slips of paper with one having a black dot. Whoever draws the dot wins and precedes to get stoned to death. The reason behind this is unknown to the villagers, but it is a tradition they are not willing to abandon. According to critics Jacksons tradition theme is a modern representation of the primitive annual scapegoat rite to appease the forces of the new year, to insure fertility. Primitive man, it seems, could not distinguish natural from moral phenomenaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Used to be a saying Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon. (Lainhoff). The meaning behind the Lottery lost but the villagers refuse to abandon it, simply because it is tradition. In A Rose for Emily a young woman in the early 1900s refuses to accept change, she did not join the new society and lives in the past. Emily did not acknowledge her father and the colonels death, she did not update to the new way of living. Emily did not pay taxes and her house had once been white, decorated with cupolas and spires and scrolled balconies in the heavily lightsome style of the seventies, set on what had once been our most select street Emily had become a tradition, a duty, and a care; a sort of hereditary obligation upon the town. the difference between the attitude of Judge Stevens (who is over eighty years old) and the attitude of the young man who comes to him about the smell at Emilys place. For the young man (who is a member of the rising generation) it is easy. For him, Miss Emilys world has ceased to exist. (West). In the end, Emilys derangement is revealed when the community enters her bedroom and they see a long strand of iron-gray hair on the pillow beside Ho mer Barrons corpse when traditions and its values center around hereditary privilege, it will eventually lead to social decay. Emilys life and her decaying house symbolize the effects of accepting ignorance and complacency when its built-in traditions. Eudora Weltys A Worn Path shows Phoenix Jackson an elderly woman traveling a treacherous path numerous times in order to get medicine to save her grandsons life overtime the journey has become a sort of tradition for her. Like Phoenix, you work all your life to find your way, through all the obstructions and the false appearances and the upsets you may have brought on yourself, to reach a meaning-And finally too, like Phoenix, you have to assume that [you] are working in [the] aid of life, not death. (Barnhisel). Phoenix is old and near the end of her life, but; like a phoenix she rises. She starts the journey mentally prepared to overcome the obstacles that await her. Her grandson symbolizes the new Phoenix that will be given life when she perishes. When a traditions origin/meaning are no longer known, it begs the question; should the tradition still be followed as in The Lottery and that traditions centered around unchecked hereditary privilege may lead to social ruin, like Emily in A rose for Emily and that new-found traditions in the service of aiding your loved ones can help you rise above many obstacles like Phoenix in A Worn Path. Traditions are a wondrous part of any culture, but; if the meaning is unknown and the ritual goes unchecked should it still be followed? References Lainhoff, Seymour. The Lottery Short Stories for Students, vol. 1, Gale Virtual  Reference Library. Gale Research, 1997. West, B. Ray,Jr. A Rose for Emily Short Stories for Students, vol.6, Gale Virtual Reference  Library. Gale Research, 1999. Barnhisel, Greg. A Worn Path Short Stories for Students, vol. 2, Gale Virtual Reference  Library. Gale Research, 1997.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Citizenship in America :: Law Legal

Citizenship in the United States of America, the country whose streets are paved in gold, signifies every individual's dream. Food for empty stomachs, medicine for the sick, care for the elderly, shelter for the homeless, and warmth for the cold represent necessities guaranteed to every American. America is the envy of other nations because of the freedom it offers to its people. Furthermore, the American citizens aid other countries, like Afghanistan, so that their citizens too can experience the liberties Americans enjoy. Few Americans realize the extent of their privileges. It is unacceptable for any American citizen to complain and find faults in America instead of appreciating the rights they are afforded. The government has the capacity and the means to take care of every citizen ranging from prisoners to widows. Complaining about certain disparities is just not fair. Citizenship in America is important because no matter where you come from, you will be accepted. America is the only country where Europeans, Africans, Asians, Australians, and South/Central Americans can all share legal equality. America is a country filled with hundreds of heritages that form its unique and colorful background. Due to our founding fathers, America won?t ever experience communism or dictatorship. Our country?s government is cleverly set up so that the three branches control and limit each other?s power. Citizens of America will live a guaranteed life of liberty. America allows the citizens power to participate in its judicial administration, entitles one to vote, and to have a say in political affairs. Every individual plays a role in the nation?s future. America has so much to bestow upon its people, and a