Problem Solution: Harrison-Keyes Inc.
Since its foundation in the late 1800's, Harrison-Keys has enjoyed success and it has been one of the leaders in the publishing business; specializing in scientific, technical and business books and journals, etc. Yet, the new trends in the industry like competition from low-cost retailers are jeopardizing Harrison's leadership in the market. The Board of Directors have fired the recently appointed CEO, Meg McGill; who favored the digital era and wanted Harrison-Keys to implement an online store to begin selling digitalized copies of its books. To fill this position, William Guardo, a man with more than 30 year of experience in the industry was hired as the new CEO. William in contrary does not support the idea of an online store as he favors traditional publishing. (University of Phoenix, 2004).
Issue and Opportunity Identification
The problems for Harrison-Keys just keep mounting. Its long history of success is jeopardized as they are risking not only their reputation but also market share to other publishing companies. The new appointed CEO, William Guardo, whom is replacing Meg McGill as she failed to promote and deliver the idea of an online store where customers could buy digitalized copies of Harrison-Keyes publications instead of hard copies of these. Bill does not like the idea of this store; in fact, he has given the leadership team 30 days to accomplish the implementation plan or he will relocate funds and resources into other projects. William has over 30 years of experience in the publication business, however, he has a little high-tech experience and the new store might be out of his comfort zone and knowledge. However, the new CEO gives Harrison-Keyes the opportunity to use his extent expertise and vast list of contacts to effectively deal with the e-store. Jan Peters, Senior Vice President; is eager to be promoted and this is the perfect opportunity for her to do so. By letting the new CEO learn all the aspects and planning of the online store, and by making a successful implementation that meet all the goals stated. She has a very rigid timeframe; only 30 days to accomplish this and she needs to keep the same budget that was originally planned. It appears that everything is against this project but the possibility to come out triumphant will give Jan and the rest of the implementation team the opportunity to earn respect and recognition inside the company and probably the promotion that Jan is looking for but more important the big chance to become known in the industry as the team that was able to fix a project that everyone else thought is was a lost cause.
This book details the “adventures” of Jim Barton, the head of Loan Operations for IVK, Inc. Barton was the head of Loan Operations until his boss, CEO Carl Williams, asks him to become the CIO in order to help turn the IT department around. The only disadvantage is that Jim does not have any kind of background or extensive knowledge of IT.
This formal report will show the history of Staples and Circuit City. Why did Staples is still in business as of today and why is Circuit City out of business? What were the business model or strategy used by Staples, and the strategy used by Circuit City? This report will analyze the history, business strategy, and financial history of the companies. The case also highlights the importance of sound strategic business decisions, target marketing, and customer input. Moreover, the case points to the need for a retailer in such a competitive marketplace, with both brick and online competitors, to find its competitive advantage and adhere to it.
Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE:BKS) is a Fortune 500 company, the nation’s largest retail bookseller and the leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products. Barnes & Noble provides customers easy and convenient access to books, magazines, newspapers and other content across its multi-channel distribution platform. Barnes & Noble, Inc. is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BKS.” After a series of mergers and bankruptcies in the American bookstore industry since the 1990s, Barnes & Noble stands as United States ' last remaining national bookstore chain. Previously, Barnes and Noble operated the chain of small B. Dalton Book stores in malls until they announced the
The retail stores of JC Penney and Sears have face headlines of “Which is Worst: JCP or Sears?” The end maybe near for both companies (Andersen2014). The customers look at the employees like their idiots. The public believes that poor management is the reason for the down fall of these companies. Eddie Lambert and Ron Johnson are the CEO’s of being credited to running these companies with wrong management strategies (Andersen 2014). Ron Johnson who is now the former CEO was highly qualified with his retail instincts tried to run the store like a retail boutique. He never took the time to consult a survey on what the consumer’s thought were and after two years he jeopardized the company (Andersen 2014). Whereas the CEO Eddie Lambert of Sears
After watching Charlie Rose’s interview with Jim Collins; where Collins explains his recent book How the Mighty Fall, presented me with an opportunity to reflect over recent companies that were staples in my childhood and early adult memories and now are non-existent. In this paper, I will look, analyze and relate Blockbuster Video and their history to Jim Collins’ five stages of an organization.
The five friends knew it would not be easy to found their own business. They unanimously decided to name Mike O’Brien as their first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) due to the fact that he was the only one in the group who was not currently employed and could dedicate the most time to the project. O’Brien was also the most out-going and the best salesperson in the group with the best business connections. All knew they could trust O’Brien to keep all their interest at hand. All five contributed $40,000 (for a total initial investment of $200,000) in order to set up the company. George Off and Mike Scroggie worked together to come up with a software that could collect and analyze the information to print coupons based upon the Universal Product Code (UPC) bar code. The idea was to come up with a means of modifying the only programmable POS (point of sale) system of the day, an IBM 3650, to print coupons once given a cue. A small family run chain in Rochester, New York (Wegmans) gave Catalina permission to test it’s “Coupon Solution” in their stores. The son of the owner, Danny Wegman, signed the contract for this test pilot.
As I read chapter one of the Strategic Staffing textbook, I found that Chern’s has a very strong strategic plan. Every single decision that was made for this company served as a strategic example to get and stay ahead of their competitors. Chern’s CEO and COO, Ryan and Ann Chern, have shaped this department store in a way that not only brings in profit, but can set the trend for its competitors and future businesses that want to join the department store market.
Best Buy, a 47 year old business, has faced countless challenges over the years. While Best Buy’s reputation has fluctuated, the company has presented several strategies to deal with these problems by creating plans to stabilize and promote growth. Through an in-depth analysis, the following areas were studied performance, environment, and organization. The analysis will assist in examining Best Buy’s strategies and core competences. The objective of this study is an understanding of the challenges and to figure out what makes the organization successful.
This paper will profile Jeff Hawkins, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for PalmOne, Inc. examining qualities that Mr. Hawkins exhibits that make him influential leader. The paper will also examine details of the business strategy that make this man an exceptional innovator and his contribution to eBusiness technology.
Etsy e-commerce business has grown rapidly for the past ten years. It wasn’t not long ago that in 2005 Rob Kalin, Chris Maguire, and Haim Schoopik created the company in a Brooklyn apartment. Unfortunately in 2008 two of the co-founder left the company Chris Manguire and Haim Schoopik, because they were frustrated with the number of hours they putting and minimum profit were seen. Meanwhile and solitary owner Rob Kalin hire senior director of product at Yahoo Chad Dickerson. Dickerson main focus was to improve the growth and finance of the company. Dickerson determination lead to replace Rob Kalin and appointed as the new CEO of Etsy in 2013. With a new CEO the company became profitable and by 2015 Etsy IPO worth $100 million. What is Etsy?
Happy Chips, Inc. is faced with a serious problem, with only having one mass merchandise customer called “Buy 4 Less” being unhappy with the company’s operating performance. Buy 4 Less had several problems cited including frequent stock outs, poor customer service responsiveness, and high prices for the products being supplied. Buy 4 Less came up with solutions they think seem fit to fix the problems they found with Happy Chips, Inc. and if Happy Chips, Inc. wishes to remain a supplier to their company they will have to incorporate these changes. The problem however with this scenario, is that employees of Happy Chip, Inc. are not happy with the demands Buy 4 Less has bestowed upon them which include providing direct store delivery four times a week instead of three, installing an automated order inquiry system to increase customer service responsiveness, and decreasing product prices by 5%. Even though the easiest thing for Happy Chips, Inc. to do is to agree to the changes Buy 4 Less wants them to do, Wendell Worthmann, the manager of logistics cost analysis doesn’t agree to the changes right away. The main problem with this case is that Buy 4 Less is Happy Chips, Inc. one and only mass merchandise customer that accounts for 400,000 annual unit sales and 12% of annual revenue. With the mass merchandise segment having such a high profit potential, Happy Chips, Inc.
The key managerial problem which John Fahey is facing is to decide as to whom the e-commerce head should report, in the current organizational structure of NGS, so that the new position gives him enough freedom to leverage the growth opportunities of the e-commerce platform efficiently. How much span of control for the new head is required to cope with declining print media sales and build the right balance between allocating investments and revenue allocations across different product units of the organisation? He should also have enough exposure to build strong customer relationships and brand loyalty by improving the membership program using e-commerce.
Saunders. R (2001) Amazon.com way – Secrets of the world’s most astonishing web business, Capstone
CEO Johnston also has plans to bolster the company’s leadership with the best minds available and also use motivational techniques to invigorate his employees. These ideas show the character of the CEO in enhancing productivity from his work force.
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