Week 11: Group video

The group video that we have prepared is on NESTLE.

Group members:

Amrita Gurung

Ashmita Gurung

Sunita Gurung

Sandup Tsering Sherpa

Dhurba Godar

Our group Video's URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CIHqanDmhiY

Week 10

'Organisational Purpose'

Organizational purpose basically refers to the essential reason for an organisation's existence. It is the mission, vision and set values of the organisation. It is the main reason for why the organisation is established. The organisational purpose directs the organisation into what is to be achieved and what actions are to be taken to achieve success and set goals. Organizations should be able to describe their reason for being in one or two sentences. Once the organisation is able to analyse their purpose and reason of existence, they are able to focus on the threats and work on it so as to gain competitive advantage. It helps an organisation to consistently move forward and helps work on their weaknesses hand by hand.
For example: Sam Walton “If we work together, we’ll lower the cost of living for everyone…we’ll give the world an opportunity to see what it’s like to save and have a better life.” (Walmart stores, 2013)

'Corporate Social Responsibility'(CSR)

CSR can be referred to as the voluntary activities done by the company to basically operate in an economic, social and environmentally sustainable manner so as to create a good reputation in the society. It is not usually about providing an immediate financial benefit to the company, rather it promotes positive social and   environmental change.
Moreover, Corporate Social Responsibility can also be taken as the corporate initiative to assess and take responsibility for the company's effects on the environment and impact on social welfare.

"Corporate social responsibility is a hard-edged business decision. Not because it is a nice thing to do or because people are forcing us to do it... because it is good for our business" -(Niall Fitzerald, Former CEO, Unilever,2013)

Should organisations focus more on profit and shareholder satisfaction or responsibility and stakeholder satisfaction? Discuss your own thoughts but try to support your ideas with theory or examples.

>In my opinion, I believe both are equally important because profitability and responsibility are the two main important factors that matter a lot in the organisation. The most important thing is once an organisation is able to maintain it's responsibility towards everyone they certainly can achieve success financially as well, in turn making both the shareholders and stakeholders happy. 

Furthermore, i think every organisation should keenly focus on their customer satisfaction and also be responsible to what they are doing. likewise, taking a step forward and practicing CSR would be a good idea  in my view, as ultimately every business's main goal is to achieve profit. CSR helps every business to contribute to employee commitment as well as customer loyalty.

 Write about your experience with today's case study. What answers did you give to the questions? What did you think of the CEO?
>The case study of Pepsico was an interesting one. It gave us an overview and a clear vision on what pepsico is all about. The strategies, CSR, organisations purpose and many other important factors of Pepsico was focused on the case study. Overall the case study basically taught me several new and interesting overview of the strategies that can be used in companies to gain success.

   

What are Pepsico's objectives and why does the firm exists?

>The objectives of Pepsico are:

•  Performance with purpose
• Promoting sustainable growth by investing in a healthier life style for people and the planet. 
• International expansion
• Maintain efficient distribution system
• Close relationship with the distribution allies
• Product reformation 
• Diversification e.t.c

I believe the firm is existing because it has been making up and practicing several good strategies and focusing on the nutrition factor of their products to the most. Likely, it's catagory of 'good for you products' and 'bad for you products' are really promoting in Pepsico's success.

What are the possible strengths and benefits of the strategy?

> The possible strengths and benefits of the Pepsico's strategy are:

• increasing sales and customer satisfaction through high nutritious products
• improved financial performance
• good reputation and enhanced brand image
• comply with regulatory environment
• Largest portfolio food items as well as beverages 

What are possible weaknesses and disadvantages of the strategy?

> The possible weaknesses and disadvantages of the strategy are:

• Participating in CSR is a great expense for the company.
• Shareholder may have a negative expectation while considering CSR
• loss in focus
• Pepsico's stagnant share price has created dissatisfaction among investors.

Do you think the organisation has the right balance between responsibility and performance?

> Yes, I certainly think that the organisation has the right balance between responsibility and performance because the firm is generating profits by being responsible on what they are doing. However, at some point it also has faced several financial problems in the past.

REFERENCES:

Baker, M. (2004, June 8). Retrieved may 1, 2013, from mallenbaker  http://www.mallenbaker.net/csr/definition.php

World Academy. (n.d.). Retrieved May 3, 2013, from worldacademyonline.com: http://worldacademyonline.com/article/34/475/defining_the_organization___s_purpose.html

Week 9

In your own words and using referenced quotes describe what is meant in strategy by the 'Resource-Based View'?

> Resource-based view(RBV): A management device used to access the available amount of business strategic assets. In essence, the resource-based view is based on the idea that the effective and efficient application of all useful resources that the company can muster helps determine its competitive advantage. (businessdictionary, 2013)
It is basically a management tool that lies under internal strategy analysis of an organisation. RBV is used to assess the available amount of business strategic assets. In a general basis, Resource-based view can be taken as the most effective and efficient resource of a company which helps it determine it's competitive advantage so as to be different than others.

How might you undertake 'Internal Strategic Analysis' ? What models would you apply and why/ Where would you go to find the information you need?

> Internal Strategic Analysis refers to the analysis of internal factors, analyzing an organisation's internal environment so as to determine one's weak and strong points and the ways to improve them. It is one of the important factors for any organisation.There are several models which can be used to undertake internal strategic analysis such as:

• Resource based view
• Value chain analysis
• SWOT analysis
• TOWS analysis
• McKinsey 7S model 

The model that I would apply to undertake internal strategic analysis is SWOT analysis because it is one of the famous and most prevalent internal analysis. Moreover, SWOT analysis is easy to undertake and it takes very less time with more effective result. This analysis helps us to recognize our organisation's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, which are the most important factors an organisation should always consider. This Technique is also helpful in finding what more can we develop or improve for our organisation to prosper by supporting our st mission and vision.

Talk about your group video work. How is it going so far ? do you have a plan? What are you most worried about at the moment ? what is going well?

> The research for our group video is almost done now. We had already planned on how we are going to present it on the video so I believe it won't be difficult for us to organize our research while presenting on the video. We have a very good team and everyone is working equally good from their side. However, I am most worried about whether we will be able to complete it on time or not. 


REFERENCES:

Business Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved May 1, 2013, from www.businessdictionary.com: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/resource-based-view.html

Johnson, Whittington and Scholes (2011) Exploring Strategy, 9th Edition, Pearson Education, Chapter 3 

Week 8: strategic analysis of islington college

Make a list of competitors for Islington College

>Islington is one of the top colleges in Kathmandu, Nepal. It conducts a British degree course in business administration and IT. Islington being one of the few colleges providing international degree have also got some competitors. To name the few we have:

1.  British College
2.  King’s college
3.  Lord Buddha college
4. Lincoln college
5. Silver mountain college
6. St. Xavier’s college

 Develop a Porter’s 5 Forces Model for Islington College

The Porter’s 5 Forces Model for Islington College that I developed is:

To which strategic group might Islington College belong?

Can you map the group?

> Islington basically lies in the strategic group of high quality education with high price. The reason being, it has been providing quality education that matches the international level and also has been charging good amount for the course.