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2 parts Advertisement done with log for the financial review in Sydney and a case study report

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2 parts Advertisement done with log for the financial review in Sydney and a case study report

Abstract

Executive assistants mingle about office duties like typing, scheduling meetings, and taking calls. Their duties require specialized training, as their roles are becoming more sophisticated. This field is expected to grow at a rate of 13% in the next ten years, and more of these jobs will be found in construction, healthcare, and educational institutes. From the BLS reports, the median annual earnings for executive assistants were $43520 as of May 2010. Most employers were colleges, universities, and other academic institutions, with average earnings of $44680.

Becoming an executive assistant one requires to have some educational credentials to succeed in the dynamic business market. Some common courses include typing, computer applications, business law, records and information management, office administration, and business communication.

Introduction

An executive assistant plays a crucial role in an organisation. In the ever changing business environment, it is the executive assistant’s job is to assist the key decision maker to stay focused, effective, and a better leader. The key skills of this position are excellent communication, creativity, and ability to work independently.

Given that the tasks involve being in charge of managing most of the support activities within the administrative sector, that is, ascertaining that ideal operations of the senior management team carries out all the goals of the organisation. Normally this job entails being an office manager or working as a secretary to the managers of a company. Hancock Pty Ltd is a small firm wishing to recruit an office manager, this position has three direct report; the receptionist and two administrative staff.

Critical Skills of Senior Executive Assistants

In the ever changing office environment, the critical skills required of an effective senior executive assistant is communication. How the incumbent interacts with peers and other decision makers is paramount on how ideas exchange across the organisation. Other vital skills are interpersonal effectiveness, project management skills, financial planning abilities, and effective writing skills.

Writing Skills

Effective writing skills are particularly essential for an office manager to put the right words on paper quickly. Therefore, they must be able to communicate more clearly, concisely, and persuasively. Words matter and an effective office assistant must learn, develop, and enhance how to use them. The key areas that require effective principle of writing: successful correspondence, message shaping, writing to the point, avoiding writing traps, diplomacy and politics, refining the writing, and managing minutes in a meeting.

Communication Skills

An outstanding executive assistant should possess soft skills, and abilities to maximise appropriate communication skills for personal and professional potential. The positive traits needed include; self awareness, personal openness, conflict handling, frustration and stress control, assertiveness, and making commitments to development. Appropriate communication skills are key to developing a positive image, giving and receiving feedback, presenting ideas with confidence and clarity. Commitment to personal development is related to making choices and managing personal change, building self esteem and emotional intelligence, developing networks, having creative visioning abilities, and being results oriented. Being assertive implies being able to understand both external and internal sources of conflict, ability to gauge the expectations of others, developing self confidence, and having behaviours and words that count.

Project Management Skills

Project Management skills are a must for executive assistants, they must have the ability and structure to manage short term and long term projects.

The incumbent should act as a central partner interacting with all the departments, checking budgets and schedules. They should be aware of factors that affect projects success or failure, developing and implementing classic ways of managing them, understanding customer needs for effective project initiation, planning, implementation and control. The appropriate office manager should be able to deal with the unexpected, communicate the right things to the right people at the right time. They must also have excellent project closing skills, and must be able to appreciate the importance of communication within a project team. They must be confident and able to accept responsibility for new projects, ability to identify, and apply appropriate tools to effectively manage the processes. Hancock needs people who can stay in control of projects in dynamic business environments, and dealing with unexpected setbacks.

Financial Skills

Basic financial skills are necessary for this position. An understanding of figures that give information on the business is key to better supporting the manager with preparing reports and analyses. The executive assistant must be able to talk the language of finance and accounting, financial statements, financing international business, business plan preparation, and preparing meaningful budgets.

The incumbent should have a basic understanding of how financial tools are applied in planning, measuring, and controlling an organisation’s performance. They must possess a deep awareness of the economic environment and its impact on the company with sound abilities to spot facts and figures that might affect the business. Knowledge of the function and fundamentals of accounting is essential to the construction of the profit and loss accounts, balance sheets, statements of sources and uses of funds, and statements of retained earnings. Understanding the inter-relations between these statements is necessary coupled with the company’s annual financial report.

Benefits, salary, and salary packaging options

The aims of salary options is to provide employees access to fringe benefits, support in house payroll staff, tax planning professional advice and information to employees regarding salary packaging to obtain best results from remuneration. Salary packaging varies across agencies, and subject to frequent changes. The tasks, roles, and duties of executive assistants will determine the salary range. Other factors are influence the wage are period, years of work, type of company, level of education of employee, current economic conditions, and work experience.

The cost employment benefits is up to a maximum amount equal to fringe benefit tax free cap of $17000 per annum for public benevolent institutions under Australian taxation law. This amount is based on grossed up taxable value of the benefits given. Therefore, the maximum dollar value of benefits that employees can package without creating a fringe benefit tax liability is $9094 per annum.

Salary Trends

According to National Salary Data, in the USA, the salary ranges from $31710 to $67605 per annum according to March 2012 data. Bonuses range from $194.95 to $7366 per annum. While profit sharing ranges from $507 to $6748 per annum. This makes the total pay to range from $30151 to $68963 per annum. However, these values will vary depending on the factors named above. Senior Executive assistants’ salaries range between $36220 to $78936. Executive Assistants to the CEO range between 31507 and $75228. Executive Secretaries or Administrative Assistants earn between $23498 and $53995. Gender also seems to affect the salary level with females earning more than males. The more educated one is the more the earnings and vice versa, and the pay is commensurate with years of experience.

Conclusion

Executive assistant duties and roles lies between the roles of business executives and clerical employees. As automation is picking up in offices, the more the jobs become complicated and varied. Organisation and flexibility with multitasking abilities will see the job description evolving to somewhat taking up some of the roles handled by executives.

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The number of newborns that pass away before turning one is known as the infant mortality rate. Since New York City’s infant mortality rate is greater than the national rate, more babies there die before becoming one year old than in other regions of the nation. The Bronx has the highest infant death rate, and babies of African American and Hispanic descent have the highest rates as well. Knowledge can be created using this information regarding how to enhance the health of newborns in City of New York. It can be used, for instance, to create specialized interventions that will enhance the health of babies of African Americans and Hispanic descent in the Bronx.

I could also use the information generated from the charts to inform community based RNs and other healthcare staff about the situation of infant mortality in the city and especially among marginalized groups. This would form the basis upon which urgent interventions can be based to help remedy the situation in New York City. The city would also utilize the information I generate to help determine budgetary allocation towards healthcare with the aim of ensuring that Hispanic and African-American communities are allocated more resources to help improve their health standards which in return can significantly help address the issues of infant mortality rates.

The Nursing Career

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The Nursing Career

My childhood dream has always been to help people in my surroundings and positively impact the community in the best possible way. I have always been passionate about healthcare and the idea of restoring health and making people heal both mentally and physically. Two years ago, I lost my elder brother and best friend to cancer three years ago. He was diagnosed with the terminal illness on her fifth birthday, where his doctor determined that the cancer was at stage three. I became my brother’s primary caregiver since my parents had to work to cover the required medical bills and support the family at the same time. He struggled and fought the illness for a very long time, and I did the best I could to support him. Unfortunately, he succumbed to the illness after a long and tireless fight. The experiences I had while taking care of my brother, together with my childhood dream to help others align my purpose and dream career in the medical field.

Nursing is my career job because it creates a platform where I can interact with people, listen to them and find the best solution as far as their overall health and wellbeing are concerned. My passion and personality traits make me confident that I’m meant to serve as a nurse. Most practitioners in the medical field are familiar with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). This personality inventory assists individuals align with their dream career in the medical field. This indicator confirmed and cemented my dreams for a nursing career. I discovered that my personality type is Defender, commonly known as ISFJ, which classifies an individual’s personality trait as Introverted, Observant, Feeling, and Judging. According to the Myers Briggs Personality Indicator, individuals under this unique category are warm, responsible, efficient, and most importantly, pay attention to detail in all aspects of their lives. Patients usually come to the hospital in the most vulnerable positions and sometimes cannot explain themselves or how they feel, which is critical before administering any treatment. I will apply my excellent analytical skills to gather as much information as possible about a patient and their illness without straining them. Moreover, my ability to make robust social relationships will make it easy for me to interact with patients, make them feel comfortable and create a safe space where they can express themselves freely. This indicator confirmed and cemented my dreams for a nursing career.

A nurse is a licensed medical professional who has completed the generalized and primary nursing education and is authorized to practice nursing in their respective regions by their appropriate regularity board. Nurses advocate for good health and patient outcomes by helping patients and their families cope with illnesses (Kirkland-Kyhn et al., 2020). They operate under one charge nurse in their respective healthcare facilities who gives directives and assign departmental duties. Nurses use the electronic health record (EHR) systems to record and store patient data to construct patient charts comprising observations, treatment, and patient outcomes. According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (2020), employment opportunities for nurses are expected to increase by 9% in 2030 (The Occupational Outlook Handbook 2020). This statistic is slightly above the average of ordinary occupations in the labor market. Additionally, midwives and nurses make up the largest proportion of workers in the healthcare industry on a global scale. Approximately 194,500 openings are announced for registered nurses annually. In 2020 alone, the number of nurses absorbed into the workforce was 3,080,100 people. Research shows that the job openings for nursing rise at a steady rate because of the need to replace working nurses who exit the workforce as retirees, pursue other personal ambitions or transfer to other lucrative occupations in the market. The Occupational Outlook Handbook (2020) claims that the median pay for registered and licensed nurses in 2020 is $75,333 annually, translating to approximately $36.22 per hour (The Occupational Outlook Handbook 2020). The figures above imply that the nursing career is lucrative and worth the hard work and efforts it demands before receiving the nursing license.

Despite being lucrative, nursing is a demanding career requiring full attention, sacrifice, patience, and commitment. For this reason, I will have to conform my lifestyle to suit my profession as I try to balance my personal life with work life. I intend to get married in my thirties and get one child. This span will give me enough time to focus on my studies, both degree and master’s, and at the same time not strain financially. Having a family is challenging because it requires time and resources. Additionally, two parents’ one-child lifestyle requires approximately $5,028 every month, translating to $60,336 every year to secure modest and adequate living standards (Career Coach, 2021). I should therefore allocate my funds to various needs in my life appropriately to give the best outcome and prevent me from straining financially. The payment plan will allow me to secure a good housing plan, pay my expenses, cater to my family, and buy enough food every year without experiencing a shortage. Since the total expenditure amounts to $60336 annually, I get an extra $14,997 from my annual income to allocate to other aspects like a family vacation, savings, trust fund for my child, and charity works.

Nursing as a career is intriguing because a certified nurse can be posted or transferred anywhere in the country. In most cases, nurses tend to work in their hometown regions, feel a sense of belonging, and make the desired positive impact through their practice. In my case, the expected annual salary for a nurse is enough to sustain my lifestyle in my hometown, Houston. If I moved to a city like New York, expenses and utilities would be different, thus changing the extra money margin. Living in New York with a family of three would require me to spend approximately $7,283 monthly. I would have to spend $2251 in housing, $3690 on food annually, $2935 as healthcare costs, and $1702 on fitness and entertainment. These expenses amount to approximately $87,408, including rent for the whole year. From the statistics, it is clear that it is more expensive to live in New York than in Houston (Smith, 2017). Considering the net salary in nursing, New York would not fit my lifestyle because it would strain me financially. I would struggle to make ends meet if I lived in New York. Another city I would love to work in is Atlanta, Georgia. Living in this city is cheaper than in New York by 24.49%. The average cost of living amounts to $3,678 without rent every year. Food expenses are $2000, transportation is $1800, entertainment and leisure would be $1020, while utilities would be $3018 annually. I would have to incur a total cost of $68136 to sustain myself in Atlanta. The cost is lower than Ney York but slightly higher than living in Huston. My salary would sustain me in Atlanta still because the expenses are lower than the estimated net income, which is $75,333. I would also get extra funds to save, go on a vacation with my family and participate in charity work.

The healthcare line of duty has a lot of programs and movements that help promote good health, mental wellbeing, and standards of living in the community. Therefore, it makes it easier for me to volunteer and participate in charity work. Part of being a nurse involves engaging people with generosity and enthusiasm. I love being part of movements that lookout for people’s health without necessarily making profits out of it. I particularly envied three main programs in Huston that have managed to touch so many lives and impact the community. They include the MD Anderson Cancer Center On-Site Volunteers, Memorial Hermann Health Volunteers, and the project CURE Houston Distribution Center (Halcomb et al., 2018). These volunteer programs capture my attention because they align with my passion for helping people in my community, teaching them how to adopt healthy lifestyles, improve healthcare services and motivate them to be the best version of themselves. Additionally, I’ve always wanted to create awareness about cancer following my brother’s death. These programs will facilitate these goals and help me reach as many people as possible.

To be a nurse is challenging because it requires a lot of patience and understanding. The process of becoming a nurse is quite long, time-consuming, and sometimes exhausting. The entry-level for nursing is a bachelor’s degree in nursing. One can attain this qualification through two distinct paths. An individual can go through college and attain a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved nursing program. To be accepted into a college for the nursing course, I will have to work extra hard and dedicate my time and resources in high school to attain and maintain a good GPA. I will also have to show commitment and passion by being responsible, focusing on my studies in college, and attaining the required GPA to qualify me as a nurse when I graduate.

I wanted to be a nurse more than ever, especially after my brother’s death. I felt like I owed it to him, and he would be proud of me for pursuing my dream job. I would confidently say that my dream profession is to become a certified and licensed nurse. Nursing takes approximately five years to graduate and become recognized as a licensed nurse. Pursuing this career would mean I reach my dream job at twenty-five. Nursing gives me a sense of purpose and contentment. I’m willing to do whatever it takes and make the sacrifices to reach my desired goal. Nothing will make my life more fulfilling than finally becoming a nurse, interacting with patients, sharing ideas with other medical practitioners, and gradually helping the community become better.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. (2020) Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm (visited February 13, 2022).

Career Coach, Houston Community College. (2020). Career coach: Nurse. Retrieved from https://hccs.emsicc.com/search/careers?radius=&region=Houston-The%20Woodlands-Sugar%20Land,%20TX&q=nursingHalcomb, E., Smyth, E., & McInnes, S. (2018). Job satisfaction and career intentions of registered nurses in primary health care: an integrative review. BMC family practice, 19(1), 136. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-018-0819-1Kirkland-Kyhn, Holly PhD, CNE-BC, CWCN, FNP-BC, GNP-BC. (2020); Teleten, Oleg MS, RN, CWCN Professional practice and nursing peer review, Nursing Management (Springhouse): May 2018 – Volume 49 – Issue 5 – p 15-17 Doi: 10.1097/01.NUMA.0000532334. 21572.c0

Smith, L. (2017). Nursing: What can I expect if I choose this profession? Retrieved 6 March 2022, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/147142

3PL industry in Kazakhstan

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Methodology

This part describes the procedure that was used during the testing of the hypothesis, collecting of data and management of data upon which this study was based. The chapter additionally explains the method that was used during data analysis and the description entailing the scope of the procedure that eventually led to the answering of the hypothetical questions that was generated previously. Unlike research methods that are used by researchers to refer to distinct techniques that are applied while carrying out a research study, research methodology describes the vast number of processes that a researcher involves while studying specific phenomena. Methodologies therefore refer to the systematic process through which a research study is carried out. Research methods are categorically part of the methodologies that are utilized by a researcher while carrying out a research study.

Methodology is a critical step while carrying out a research study in that through literature review, one is able to know whether it is a study that has ever been done and if so the methods applied previously and the outcomes that were gotten. It therefore assists the research in determining whether his/her methods have been used in the past and what other methods have ever been used. Moreover, the methodology may depend on the research being either structured or unstructured within the qualitative/quantitative analysis.

Critique:

The conceptual or theoretical research studies such as the current study are guided by some abstract ideas or theories. Testing of the hypothesis, answering of questions as well as interpretation of the findings is based on some predetermined body of knowledge or theories. The theories are assumed conventional and thus universally acceptable. The research paradigm adopted as either being qualitative or quantitative is equally very instrumental in deciding on the methodology to be applied (Maxwell, 2008, p. 214-218). Qualitative and quantitative research studies depend on the major differences notable on the nature of reality, epistemology (relationships being studied), use of language, role of values as well as the overall research process (Aylward and Clarke, 2005, p.29).

Analytical methods especially the empirical analyses are applicable within the context of testable variable within studies. Some other relationships are not testable hence; the studies adopt the deductive methodologies of carrying out a research study. On the other hand, whenever research variables relate in manners that are both predictable through theoretical deductions and can be testable, the studies will employ the use of the two simultaneously. Deductions from the study findings will then be applicable in general context within the capacity of the study to project and make inferences (Key, 1997, para 1-3). By conducting this study under the deductive framework and by use of qualitative analysis, the study methodology was not unique, as others had used the methodology in the past. However, uniqueness was ascertained by the specific analysis engaged within this study as opposed to the other studies carried out in a like or related analysis.

This study therefore relied on the literature in reference to the theme of ‘as to investigate the development of 3PL industry within Kazakhstan and evaluate the contribution of the current business environment and government policies towards the overall development of the industry’. This was through analysis of case studies, which would present the information as was necessary for the qualitative analysis. Besides, structured questionnaires were instrumental in collecting the primary data as given by the sampled 3pl companies operating within the country. Primary data was more relevant in this study though with support of some secondary data for analysis of the past because through the first hand data, there would be a reduction in the errors to be incorporated within the entire research study.

Research Design

The research design describes a unique procedure that the researcher intends to use to go about the data collection exercise. In case study, the researcher identifies a specialised situation and undertakes a comprehensive study or research around the situation. This study therefore identified the case of interest to be as to investigate the development of 3PL industry within Kazakhstan and evaluate the contribution of the current business environment and government policies towards the overall development of the industry. This study was qualitative and thus information to be collected was not quantitative. This study employed deductive methods in analyzing available past research studies in order to successfully study the development of 3PL industry within Kazakhstan and evaluate the contribution of the current business environment and government policies towards the overall development of the industry.

Every research undertaking has a particular design upon which it is carried out. The research design describes a unique procedure that the researcher is going to use to go about the data collection exercise (Kofi-Tsekpo, 2008, p. 4-9). For the present research, the researcher employed the use of both qualitative and deductive research methods, which means that the research design must be one that can satisfy the requirements of all these two forms of methods (Leighton and Foster, 2013, p. 3-7). In case study, the researcher identifies a specialised situation and undertakes a comprehensive study or research around the situation. Besides deductive framework for such research studies is a critical component in describing the design decided on. For instance, in the current research, the research studied the development of 3PL industry within Kazakhstan. It also evaluated the contribution of the current business environment and government policies towards the overall development of the industry in the country. With the use of a case study, the research got the opportunity of setting up a sample size within the population of the case and collect data from the respondents within the sample size. This form of data collection is referred to as primary data collection because it is a comprehensive way of collecting first hand data from the field of study without having to depend on any second or third parties. At the same time, there is the opportunity of collecting secondary data through the use literature review.

The research design adopted for this study was thus qualitative with a particular preference of primary data, which was targeted from sampled segment of the population. The study focused on investigating a real case within the 3PL companies in operation within Kazakhstan. The adoption of primary data was therefore critical in order to minimize biasness from time as well as from tools used in collection of the data. Adoption of questionnaires as tools of collecting data were also strategic in enhancing reliability of data collected as well as improving on secrecy and security of the information given by the respondents. The research design adopted therefore was comprehensive and effective in realizing the research objective of deriving qualitative and relevant research findings, which would be used representatively in policy formulation, and decision-making processes.

Population

The formation of a population and a sample is a very important practice for the primary data collection process. This is because the primary data collection requires the collection of data from an identified group of persons who fit within a given scope of variables outlined by the researcher (Mwangi, 2009, p. 2-11). The population refers to the total number of people within the setting where the data collection exercise will take place. In reason of reliability, and in order to ensure that data collected can be a perfect representation of all 3pl companies in Kazakhstan, the researcher used stratified sampling in order to identify the respondents to the questionnaires as the tools adopted for primary data collection. The companies sampled are well distributed within the country and for those international companies they are well established in operations within the country. The population identified was thus a good representation of all companies operating within the 3pl industry in Kazakhstan; incorporating the local companies as well as the international corporations in operation there. Due to the nature of the study, which required some level of feedback from the respondents, the researcher used structured questionnaires which would be mailed to the respondent and in the case of extreme rush, the questionnaires would be administered in person by the researcher(s). With proper information, the researcher would be also interested in having the feedback from interested players within the industry in the country.

This therefore implied that wide segment of players in the 3PL industry in the country would be involved in the process of collecting data, which would be very instrumental in qualitative analysis. Besides, the primary data collection method by administration of questionnaires within these companies increased probabilities of reduced biasness as would be blamed on third party data as is stored within other books or works of research. The analysis was therefore comprehensive and will therefore be effective if the whole population of 3pl companies is targeted. Nevertheless, the ease of use of questionnaires as well as the cost implication explains the choice of the tool for collecting data. Through sampling, questionnaires reduces the costs incurred while administering the questionnaires and in the general process of collecting data. It is worth noting that the higher the number of companies used, the more tedious is the process of collecting data as well as the higher is the price implication. Proper and effective sampling does not only reduce the costs involved but also enables the researcher to effectively and efficiently collect representative data which would be depended on in analysis and deriving of conclusions.

Sample and Sampling Technique

Unlike a survey, in a case study of this nature, it is always advised that a sizeable number of people be used in the data collection process (Ndulo, 2011, p. 529-536). This is because using fewer companies/people ensures that there is a closer study of the case at hand rather than making generalised observations and interpretations (Pickett and Hanlon, 2010, p. 1-6). The sample was made of companies and people who were going to be directly involved in the data collection process and which represented the attributes of the population. Basic characteristic of a good sample is representativeness where the sample adopted in collection of data should exhibit the full character traits of the whole population from which it is gotten. This therefore implies that sampling techniques adopted must maintain this basic requirement in order to have the data collected as a good representation of the entire population’s traits. To this end, the researcher used just 18 companies out of the many other 3PLcompanies. This was done through sampling technique whereby the researcher first used a purposive sampling technique to sieve the respondents according to a given variable and then later used random sampling to select the final set of respondents from the sieved sample. Sampling of the companies depended on:

Local companies

Multinational corporations

Diversification of services

Over ten years of operation

After the sieving was done, a random sampling technique involving the use of a fish-bowl method was used to select the final sample of the respondents identified. Through the sampling method, this study targeted the following companies for collection of data: World Freight Alliance, Global Trans Logistics, Pony Express, High Tech Logistics, ART Logistics, STS Logistics as well as the RLS Company. Others in the list were the ‘Central Asian Logistics Management’, DHL, UPS, Admiral–TSV, Spark Logistics, ASAU Trans, VIAS Group Kazakhstan, Premium Logistics, TRANCO and Jet Logistics.

Data collection tools: Research Instruments

This study depended wholly on the primary data through questionnaires as well as the secondary data that was collected from the literatures on 3PL companies in Kazakhstan. Because the researcher wanted to achieve qualitative research by the exclusive use of primary data collection, the researcher was to use a single research instrument that fulfilled this goal for the sample sizes. It had been proposed earlier that interview was going to be used on the company representatives but because interview produces more of qualitative results as against deductive ones (Wilkinson and Wilkinson, 2008, p. 736-739), a questionnaire was going to be used throughout the entire sample size.

Questionnaire: A questionnaire is a piece of paper that contains written questions, of which the respondents are expected to answer through writing. The questionnaire used offered a number of advantages including the fact that it made the collection of qualitative data using close-ended questions easier (Xue et al, 2010, p. 1-5). What is more, whiles using the questionnaire, the respondents had some time to review the questions critically before answering them. This means that unlike an interview where answers are collected outright, the researcher would give out the questionnaires and come back after a period for the responses or questionnaires were mailed to the respondents who upon answering the questions would mail back the responses. This would ensure that there was much credibility with the answers that were gathered from the respondents (Yuri et al, 2007, p. 1-4). A similar questionnaire design for the sampled companies was employed in order to establish similarities as well as to avoid biasness. Administration of the questionnaires by individual researchers would be used when necessitated by the need for one-one correspondences.

Primary data collection

The primary data collection was made up of the distribution of questionnaires to respondents and guiding them to answer questions on the questionnaires for the questionnaires administered by the researchers or guiding through the phone or mail. Generally, the primary data collection latest for fifteen working days with an approximate of two days spent in each of the companies as aided by the working of the researchers as a team. In each company, one day was used to undertake the distribution and familiarization of the questionnaires while during the other day, the actual answering of the questions was done with the necessary guidance whenever needed. Upon settling on the sample sizes to use, a mini conference was organised to make known to the respondents the aims and objectives of the study and what their role as participants was. As part of the conference, the questionnaire and its content were thoroughly explained to the respondents. Respondents were given the chance to ask all questions that were on their minds and were going to be useful to them in the course of answering the questions. After this, respondents were given three days starting from the day of receiving the questionnaire to answer the questions on the questionnaire. On each of the days within the three days, the researcher visited the respective companies to interact with the respondents. This accorded the respondents the chance to ask any questions of clarification that came up in the course of answering the questionnaire.

Organization of the study

This study is a qualitative study, which relies wholly on literature deductions to establish the relationship between the use of English idioms in written works and the spoken English as well as analyze the causes of such challenges as the students experience in interpreting idioms. The study will be organized in distinct chapters based on major research study parts, which are introduction, literature review, methodology, findings and analysis as well as deductions and conclusion. Besides, the last segment will include recommendations on possible future areas of study in the same theme.

Ethics

As part of academic and professional practice, a number of ethical considerations were made in the conduct of the current research. These ethical considerations were made with reference to both the qualitative and quantitative methods of the research. As far as secondary data collection, which formed the qualitative study is concerned the researcher ensured that all sources used for the study were well referenced to avoid any form of plagiarism, which is a serious academic offence. Referencing of sources was done for both in text and end of text citations. As far as primary data collection is concerned, much of the ethical attention was given to the involvement of the participants who were selected for the study. In the first place, an official permission was sought from the university and official letters sent to the various companies for their consent to participate within the research study. Adoption of questionnaires as tools of collecting data are also strategic in enhancing reliability of data collected as well as improve on secrecy and security of the information given by the respondents. Next, a consent form was prepared for all the participants to read and clearly understand their role(s) as participants. The consent form also explained to the participants the aims and objectives of the study as well as measures taken by the research to ensure that the confidentiality of the participants and their responses was kept. For example, the individual respondents were not expected to write their names on the questionnaires and there was not going to be any third party agent who was going to handle the questionnaire other than the researcher.

Safety and security of the data collected from the companies was of paramount importance to this study. This is because, as part of the preparation, the researchers committed to collect and handle the data safely in order to guarantee the safety and security of sensitive information disclosed by the companies. The researcher therefore adopted such measures that guarantee no tampering with the data for research through minimizing the number of participants in conducting the research. Besides, it is worth noting that the questionnaires were to be disposed appropriately after the analysis of the data to minimize occurrences of data tracing after the actual results were gotten. The findings of the study that would be shared out contains no traces of the company from which the information was gotten and this ensures that secrecy in origin of the data is guaranteed besides minimizing cases of misconceptions from the data. Data collected through the questionnaires was transferred into digital data storage devise which the researcher had absolute access. Through the conversion of the hard copy-data into soft copy, the risk of misplacement of the data through which unauthorized persons would gain access to it was reduced. The study also acknowledged the necessity to handle respondents carefully besides having them cooperate at consent by the company and self where necessary.

Chapter 4: Analysis and discussion of resultsData analysis

The process through which systematic application of statistical as well as logical techniques in describing and illustrating data is what is called data analysis (Kawulich, nd, p. 96-103). Various tools applied in the analysis are adopted for providing ways of drawing inferences from such data as collected and in the process distinguish between the phenomenal of interest from the statistical fluctuations (noise) from such data through the process. It is worth noting that though qualitative analysis involves systematic application of various tools in analyzing collected data, in most cases, analysis of data occurs simultaneously as the data is being collected. However, particular analysis tools and techniques are adopted varying from the particular phenomenon being studied as well as the nature/form of data being analyzed (‘University of Washington Professional & Continuing Education’, 2013, para 1-2). Appropriate analysis of findings from a research study is paramount to ensure the integrity of the data collected is observed which reveals the level of reliability of the findings resultant from the study. On the other hand, the improper analysis of scientific studies is blamed on distorting the study findings, misleading the readers as well as having the capacity to have a negative influence on the public towards the authenticity of such studies in the future. It is therefore paramount to observe integrity in the entire process of analyzing data collected from a research study. The process of data analysis depends on particular attributes that must be taken note of which include having appropriate skills for the analysis, being able to effectively decide on means of data collection as well as the data analysis tools, capacity to draw unbiased inferences, pursuing the appropriate discipline norms as well as the capacity to undertake statistical tests. It is also paramount that one is able to train staff involved in data collection for the sake of reliability as well as validity. Analysis of data also relies on the capacity of a researcher to present data correctly, recording data correctly as well as the provision of accurate and honest data analysis (‘Gesis’, 2011, para 1).

The process of data analysis involves different approaches and facets, which encompass many different techniques stipulated under varying names. These names and techniques vary depending on field of application such as business, sciences as well as social sciences and arts among others. For instance, the process of data mining is said to be an analysis technique particular to discovery of data and modelling for predictive purposes as against just descriptive purposes. Business researches especially those that specifically deals with aggregation adopt business intelligence techniques in data analysis. Other fields adopt statistical applications in analysis where descriptive and exploratory analysis of data entails discovery of basic features and possibly the new features in the set of data presented. Confirmatory data analysis tools on the other hand involves processes that establish the truthfulness or falseness of the hypothesis guiding the study as established through such data as collected. Structural/statistical models are adopted for predicting, classifying and forecasting data outcomes as presented. Data modelling is often used to imply data analysis and as such are synonymous to each other. The entire process of data analysis is multifaceted and involves many stages such as data cleaning, initial data analysis, quality verification, transformations, and the actual analysis. The cleaning process commences whenever the researcher identifies problems involved in data collection, storage as well as in entry methods. It is therefore, intentionally carried out with the motive of preventing as well as correcting such errors to improve on reliability and usefulness of the data in providing unbiased findings. Column segmentation, matching as well as duplication are common practices that are adopted in the pre-analysis stage of data cleaning. The method of cleaning depends on the nature of the data where statistical or quantitative data depends on methods effective in detecting wrongly entered data while textual data spelling checking is adopted for the verification of possible typological errors, spelling mistakes as well as other errors that are distinct on non-statistical types of data. Other mechanisms are adopted in verifying quality of data adopted through quality assessments. Transformations and such other means of rectification of such errors as are identified are adopted in order to correct and improve on the data quality. In the instances where the data involved is non-numerical or quantitative data, we still employ analysis on the qualitative data through tools and techniques that fit the kind of data. On the other hand, the numerical data analysis is based on establishing descriptive statistics through which measures of central tendency such as means, spread measures such as range as well as graphical summaries are determined and used to guide in conclusions and summaries. The difference or non-difference on the hypothesis helps establish whether the hypotheses are true or otherwise, based on the outcome of the analysis of research findings. Nevertheless, despite the findings from a study gotten through analysis of results and findings, there are instances where such findings are refuted and thus rendered as invalid. Improper scientific conditioning of experiments as well as conducting a research study under inappropriate condition may form basis on which research findings gotten from analysis of data may be refuted. Qualitative analysis in a research study depends on the non-numerical data where emphasis is often on experiences of participants in the study concerning personal experience, experiences of other people as well as experiences towards the environment. Direct quotes from participants are very often used in qualitative studies where the ‘weight’ of such information overrides the strength of reported experiences as otherwise would be used. In the qualitative study, qualitative data employ various kinds of analysis where causal relations as well as theoretical statements are sought. Questionnaires, surveys, interviews as well as electronic means of data collection are the predominant tools that are used within qualitative studies as the current study. These tools are effective in noting the respondents’ general attitude to the survey, which has direct implications on the study outcome. Details are recorded on such collection tools as discussed above after which the investigator arranges the data in forms that are better for deductions to be derived. Whenever given tenets of information is meaningful in any regard of the study, and then the researcher would note on it in particular groupings, which are meaningful in the study. However, it is worth noting that qualitative studies do not rely on the number of statements grouped in each category but that it relies more on the implications and the variety of meanings that are deductable from such research findings. Attitudes and perceptions are derived from the information found on such data collection tools engaged in data collection for the study. This informs why qualitative results and findings often contain some direct quotes from respondents besides quoting the categories of the data analyzed. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that qualitative deductions may be impressionistic or subjective and as such relies on the investigators capacity to group the information into the different groups identified. This forms the major setback in adopting deductive qualitative studies in research studies. However, determination of the authenticity of the deductions and conclusions made from qualitative studies are often evaluated on existing theoretical frameworks as they present universally accepted structures of information (Psychology Press Ltd, 2004, p. 1-4).

This study adopted the qualitative approach due to such factors as its suitability in this particular type of investigation and the nature of data intended. Questionnaires would be effective in recording opinions and factual experiences of customers and the actual 3PL industry players within Kazakhstan republic. The study relied on personal experiences and opinions in formulation of the questionnaire and as such, quantitative/numerical answered were not expected hence the choice of qualitative research methodology. Among other questions, that the research was intended to answer included:

How do you understand the notion of SCM?

How would you describe your role in the industry and SCM?

Do you identify your company as 3PL service providers? If yes, what features make your company 3PL provider?

What are the most important challenges 3PL operators faces today?

What solutions or strategies does your company use to overcome those challenges?

How does it differ if one customer obtains services from one 3PL operator or several? What pros and cons?

How do you identify 3PL industry status in Kazakhstan?

What problems does your company face in Kazakhstan and would not face same problems in other countries?

Do international 3PL operators surpass local 3PL companies? How?

How would you describe environment for 3PL operators created by government regulations in Kazakhstan?

The qualitative approach was therefore decided on as to have the capacity to result to the desired outcomes from the study. The above questions as were used in collection of data for the study lacked numerical intuition and this made the deductive qualitative analysis framework be more desirable than the quantitative approaches. Unlike deductions from quantitative study, which relies on statistical analysis of the findings, the qualitative study depends on such opinion questions to make up deductions and conclusions.

Results and discussion

The conceptual framework and qualitative approach to the results of the case study makes use of meta-analysis. According to Greenland and O’Rourke (2008), in meta-analysis, researchers compare and contrast results from various studies and sources to identify a singular pattern among all the results sampled. In a like manner, the researcher used qualitative data collected, including results from the sample size developed for the case study and relevant literature related to the study in arriving at the results of the study. Through the discussion chapter, the researcher shall draw a pattern with all the results to ascertain a common trend in the working environment in 3PL industry in Kazakhstan as well as the general context of the players within the industry.

The following discussion details the responses that the respondents put forward to specific questions in the questionnaires. In determining how companies and individual players within the country and 3PL industry understood the notion of supply chain management various perceptions were collected. Management practices within the market and supply chains involves various function which include sourcing and supply of raw materials, transportation as well as warehousing among other functions. Supply chain management would therefore be understood to incorporate various practices that players within the supply chain adopt in order to realize effectiveness and success in the manufacturing, distribution as well as sale to final consumers of the products. Moreover, there are other players whose role is marketing and promotion of these products. Various parties that are thus involved include the persons responsible of packaging, warehousing, transporting, value adding as well as distribution to the final customers. These services and processes involve various players or supportive parties such as the ‘third party logistics providers’, players in transport industry, players in insurance, players in security, players in marketing as well as general logistic players among others. Management as implied in the discipline therefore refers to practices that are observed in order to ensure that the different players and departments within the line of production are effectively management to ensure production and distribution processes are running efficiently and effectively. However, it is worth noting that not all individual companies engaged in production processes are self sufficient in all services involved in the chain hence the need to source for some or all the services described above. This therefore shores that there are sub

3PL industry in Kazakhstan

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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Background information

Management practices within the market and supply chains involves various function which include sourcing and supply of raw materials, transportation as well as warehousing among other functions (Storey et al, 2006, p. 754-757). These services and processes involve various players or supportive parties such as the ‘third party logistics providers’ among others. The 3PL are firms whose role is to provide services to their clients who are customers to these firms in part or wholly (Papadopoulou, nd, p. 5). The on part customers to the 3PL firms rely on them for particular tasks along the chain of supply and distribution such as for transport services, warehouses or value addition at particular stages along the chain (Triose, 2013, para 1; PostNord AB, 2012, para 1-3 ). The customers who rely on the services of these firms wholly are such as those who involves the 3PL firms at all stages; such as in outsourcing materials, processing, storage, transportation and such other activities involved within the chain of distribution (Third Party Logistics Directory, 2005-2013, para 1-4; DPD sales up 27% in Kazakhstan, 2013, para 1). The third part logistic provision integrates specialized operations such as warehousing, transportation etc that can be customized or scaled to fit customer specifications based on the market conditions or the nature of the commodities involved. However, there is a difference between the common notion of the 3PL provision of services and provision of other services as are provided within the supply chain management. The 3PL providers who include such service as are part of management of supply chains are called 3PSCM (third party supply chain management provider). Nevertheless, a comprehensive definition of the 3PL is the firm, which offers multiple logistic services to be used by customers with the preference of integrated or bundled together services. There are even umbrella bodies, which represent the interests of the 3PL industries such as the IWLA (International Warehouse Logistics Association) among others (international Warehouse Logistics Association, 2013, para 1-3).

Research subject

Logistics service provision is not an entirely new industry within Kazakhstan despite the emerging trends within the industry. Industrial manufacturing has always provided the need for such logistical services as raw material supplies and outsourcing, transportation as well as specialized value addition. Just as is the case within other countries, the 3PL companies within the Kazakhstan republic specialize in forwarding freights, transport services as well as courier services among other specializations (Langley, 2013, p. 4). Besides, the development in technology in the modern day has resulted into the most new form of 3PL services, which are ‘non-asset’ based services. Common technological development have been adopted for ease in communication to increase the visibility of supply chain activities, reduced costs, reduced risks as well as increased velocity in the process of logistic management (Langley, 2013, p. 4-5). The development of the industry therefore entails the evolution within the commodity as well as the non-commodity third party service providers. The non-commodity logistic service provision is however, a new niche that is gaining prominence across the globe and hence is equally expected to have an impact within the general logistic environment in Kazakhstan. Such services as communication are essential tools for success of operations within the industry hence the timeliness of the new developments.

Kazakhstan as a country on the other hand is centrally placed within the Eurasian continent, which serves as a central point through which Europe and Asian countries link geographically (Pearson Education, 2000-2013, para 1-3). Besides the country’s advantage on geographical reasons, the country has continuously experienced growth in manufacturing industrial endowment. Logistic industry within the country is in the development and serves such countries as Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan as well as Turkmenistan besides linking them with the greater regional markets within Europe and Russia (International Federation of Warehousing and Logistics Associations, 2011, p. 2; Susanne and Monica, 2005.p.1). Besides the development of the local firms, which offer logistical support, the country is experiencing an inflow of multinational logistic firms such as the GEFCO group. The country therefore offers an appropriate target in the study of the 3PL industry as is the focus of this research study.

Problem

The 3PL industry in Kazakhstan is undergoing evolution as influenced by the great changes that the country is experiencing in means of transport as well as technological development. Technological infrastructure for communication as well as the transport infrastructures within the country are undergoing through increased restructuring. The development within the technological sector is critical in improving the service delivery by the 3PL companies in that it aids in communication. Besides, Kazakhstan increasingly faces structuring of transport industry with competition increasing through road, air as well as water transport. These are all factors whose effects are directly influential towards the general business environment for the 3PL firms within the country. The industry also requires regulation by the government in order to observe healthy competition and in order to have favourable environment for business activities. This therefore informs the reason of this dissertation as to investigate the development of 3PL industry within Kazakhstan and evaluate the contribution of the current business environment and government policies towards the overall development of the industry. There is the need for comprehensive analysis and evaluation on the present performance in the logistic industry within Kazakhstan in order to have a comprehensive picture of the industry. This comprehensive analysis has not been there and as a result, potential investors lack information, which would inform their decisions on investment plans. Moreover, the government would require such a comprehensive report on the status in order to have informed policy-making process.

Justification of the problem

The role of government in regulation of market as well as creation of a favourable environment for business cannot be assumed in such an analysis. Governments get involved in market regulation through prohibiting policies, which would restrict the entrance of new players within an industry. It also influences the business environment through policy frameworks, which influence issuing of licences for trade, price regulation, as well as through direct participation, which in some instances creates unhealthy competition. This can be through encouraging direct foreign investments, subsidization that encourages local and international investments as well as by the provision of credit facilities, which are incentives to investors. The Kazakhstan logistic industry is facing a lot of restructuring with increased competition being experienced. Besides, technological development has an absolute impact towards the welfare of the current and potential investors. Unfavourable government policies are therefore likely to have a negative influence in the development of the 3PL industry. On the other hand, favourable government policies promote the business environment, which would enhance the ease of investment within the industry as well as regulating unfavourable competition. In this understanding therefore, this dissertation would be timely and strategic in analyzing the environment in order to identify specific obstacles that would derail the development of the industry besides understanding role that the government is playing to influence the industry.

Aims and Objectives

The development of such an industry as the 3PL has specific challenges and therefore, the necessity to study the process. Moreover, there is increased demand for the services offered by such firms and thus competence of the players within the industry is paramount. Besides the government has a role to play in increasing efficiency of the companies operating within the industry. This understanding therefore informs the objectives that this study focuses on which are:

To investigate the trends in the increasing demand of 3PL services within Kazakhstan

To analyze the level of competition within the industry in Kazakhstan and investigate the factors that influence competition

To investigate the challenges that the players in the 3PL industry face in Kazakhstan

To study the role of government in influencing the competitive environment for the firms that operates within the industry in Kazakhstan

Significance of the Study

The study of the development of 3PL industry in Kazakhstan is essential for the healthy and effective service delivery and in meeting the rising demand of such services that are offered by the 3PL firms. The findings from this study would be effective in informing on the foregoing trends in investing within the industry and the overall industrial performance. This would be useful in comparing the country’s performance with performances of other countries concerning third party logistics. Understanding the competition level within the country would be instrumental in informing decisions taken by the current players and aspiring investors within the industry. Besides, the study is focused on investigating the factors responsible for influencing competition within the country in the industry of 3PL. This will also inform the government and market players on the challenges that face the industry in Kazakhstan, which would be instrumental in pursuit of appropriate remedies to such challenges. Moreover, it is the objective of the study to analyze the role of government in creating and enabling an environment for investment within the industry and thus this study will give findings that would be relied on in influencing government decisions (Candour international, 2013, 1). The findings would be useful in influencing policy formulation and adoption by the government.

Research questions

The questions under which the research study is to be conducted include

What challenges do 3PL firms face in the country?

How is government involved in influencing the status of 3PL industry in the country?

How does competition influence operations of the companies in the logistics industry in Kazakhstan?

Hypothesis

This study intends to ascertain the authenticity of the following statements in assumption regarding the topic under study.

Intense competition is experienced within the logistic industry in Kazakhstan due to participation of local as well as international players

Competition is contributing towards increased pressure on infrastructural development within the country

The Kazakhstan government actively participates in creating enabling environment for investors within the industry

Limitations to the Study

Even though the current study is going to be highly significant to the general economy of Kazakhstan, I envision that there are some key limitations that would have to be overcomed if the aim of the study would have to be achieved. These limitations are not necessarily factors that render the research irrelevant but are those factors that must be overcome if the best of the study will be made. Basic to the potential constrain is to be faced is the lack of or inability to access necessary literature materials from which secondary data is to be obtained. This is because this study will rely much on secondary data for analysis unlike the primary data to be collected. Research analysis and evaluation of the data collection rely on some previous postulations such as theoretical guidelines as well as other deductions from previous studies as would be obtained from review of literature. The lack of such materials as past studies, articles and periodicals from which to access the materials would thus present a critical challenge to the overall success of this study. To this end, the researcher must have in his possession, as many works of literature as possible. The lack of sufficient literature on 3PL within the country would hence restrict the scope of study to rely on the primary data only for analysis. The researcher also envisions a major challenge when it comes to primary data collection, where there is the likelihood that some respondents would be reluctant to provide needed information on challenges experienced as well as the levels of competition experienced within the industry. Primary data collection is subject to biasness from lack of interest while answering the questions presented in the questionnaires by sampled 3PL companies. Uncooperative respondents hamper the data collection process where untrue information may be gotten. For instance, interviews aimed at collecting financial data have higher likelihood of being biased where the respondent(s) may be unwilling to disclose the correct financial figures as required by the researcher. On the other hand, the level of education of respondents influences the level of understanding of the information required for the study and this may imply collection of unreliable data. Other challenges likely to be faced are related to financial aspects. Data collection through primary tools involves higher costs than other methods of data collection such as secondary data from literature. Costs are incurred in travelling or posting the questionnaires, actual collection through the print materials used, as well as in mobilizing respondents. Costs represent the major challenge while conducting the primary research study.

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

In the united States, the emergence of the 3PL companies dates back to the late 20th century in the 1980s where ever since, the industry have experienced substantial growth. The companies in the industry within the US specialize in providing services to such other companies who are in need of outsourcing services. The industry is recorded to have greatly increased in the number of players as well as the revenue base within the country. The industry has particularly thrived in provision of transport logistic services and forecasts project potential for an increase on the industry’s influence on general ‘supply chain management’ practices within the country. Nevertheless, as Manatayev finds in a study, the industry in US is not making substantial profit margins because of strategic challenges that it increasingly faces (Manatayev, 2004, p. 1-52). Main challenges are difficulties in identifying other players within the industry and hence inability to make good decisions on value proposition. This signify commoditization, where within a competitive environment, differentiation is relatively difficult thus posing the challenge of distinguishing between customer perspectives and the prevailing market values. Through an analysis of whether the US market faces commoditization, the study found out that there is high rate of vender control within the American market, which has great influence on logistics outsourcing for potential customers. The study also confirmed that the market experiences high rate of commoditization and the foregoing dynamics have the capacity of negatively influencing the market both for new entrants as well as for the current players. 3PL industry within the US context is currently facing a very stiff competition due to an influx of service providers with no increased awareness of the services at offer.

ART logistics is an example of 3PL companies operating within Kazakhstan as well as within other countries within the central Asia region as well as within Russia. In an article illustrating the company’s expansion within the region, the company is said to have widely spread over and increasingly aspires to expand to other countries. The major target or scope of the company’s operations is within the multinationals dealing with oil, gas, mining as well as power generation within the area. Besides being based with the Asian and Russian regions, the company operates representative offices within Europe as well as within the continent of Africa. Furthermore, besides majoring on the outlined logistic services the company has aspirations in expanding on logistics involving project forwarding, rail, CTRS, LTL as well as air Logistics. According to the article, the company envisions great potential within the region of central Asia and Russia where logistic services are in high demand by the international mining, oil, power generation as well as gas companies. The article also declares that the company is strategic in service delivery through well-distributed network of personnel at the border points, at the ground, and with long experience and expertise thus enabling it to deliver on the services required effectively (3PL News, 2013, para 1-5). This therefore points to availability of operating multinational companies such as the ART within the country.

As stated by Grant et al (2006), logistics plays an important role in the economy in two ways. Firstly, businesses spend large amounts of money on logistics, which affects different economic activities – ‘European businesses are expected to spend €210 billion on logistics services in 2005, representing an annual growth of 6.5 per cent’ (Grant et al, 2006). Furthermore, increasing prices for logistics activities may result in increasing prices for consumers in general and decreased tax base. Secondly, many economic transactions highly depend on logistics support. For instance, if products do not arrive to the right place at the right time, customers simply cannot purchase them affecting all the economic activities in the supply chain. This therefore shows that transport, as a constituent part in logistics as applied within the supply chain management is a critical tool that businesses pursue for success. Besides, delays or the complete failure to deliver goods would be very costly to the companies especially those that deal with perishable products. Such companies prefer such specialized services as offered by the 3PL companies through transportation as well as handling logistics.

There are various logistic definitions of experts or professionals within the field of logistics. The CSCMP defines it as a particular part in the comprehensive supply management and whose role is planning implementing as well as controlling the processes involved. This is in relation to effective as well as efficient flow of goods stored as well as services, which relates to exchange of information between the customer and the producer. Christopher on the other hand defines it as the process through which procurement processes are effectively managed (Martin, 1998 p. 7). Proper inventory system is prerequisite towards effective handling of raw materials, finished or parts of inventories as well as related information. It implies that marketing as well as organizational channels must be structured in the appropriate manner in order to maximize on current as well as future profits by fulfilling orders in cost effective manners.

According to these definitions, all the activities involved in logistics have to be efficient and cost-effective for the company to gain competitive advantage and be successful. Bowersox and Closs outlines main logistical activities to include outsourcing raw materials and the handling, transportation, storage and warehousing, inventory control, industrial packaging, as well as planning production. Besides, fulfillment of an order, forecasting demand, scheduling, services to customers, materials handling, handling of return goods, as well as the disposal of the scrap (Bowersox and Closs, 1996, p. 1-4).

Another company that operates within the country is the Transimeksa, which is also a multinational company. This company is fast growing and has its operations across many countries but its headquarters are at Vilnius city. According to a case study on the company, it is noted that the company has its operations spread across various regions and countries such as within Europe (Western, Eastern and Central) as well as within Kazakhstan. Initial operations of the company specialized on freight forwarding and transport by sea over well-developed sea corridors within the region. The company also has a good network of service providers, as well as an advanced capacity to serve virtually all types of customers except those that deal with food materials. The experience with the company over the period of growth has enabled it to enhance its service delivery to the current position where it has plans for more expansion. Among major challenges that the company has faced has been limited warehouse facilities, which has been overcome by expansion of the warehouse facilities. Besides, the company has adopted improved and more efficient inventory systems in order to realize efficiency as well as effectiveness (Transimeksa Case Study, nd, p. 1-4).

As shown above, it is wrong to hold to the perception that logistics only refers to transportation of the commodities involved. However, right understanding surrounding a range of activities, which is all part of the logistics. Moreover, as Harrison and van Hoek (2005 p. 5) highlight, there are two main components of logistics. First, logistics according to Hoek revolves around physical flow of materials as well as physical goods within the distribution channel. The processes revolve around moving goods from the supplier to centers of distribution or stores centers. Secondly, it involves information flow of demand data from the end-customer back to purchasing and to suppliers, and supply data from suppliers to the retailer, so that material flow can be accurately planned and controlled.

Material flow and information flow form main tasks of logistics, whereas logistics is a key part of overall supply chain management (SCM). Coyle et al (2003, p. 5) mention that the term ‘supply chain management’ has started appearing in vocabularies of CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CIOs as well as in publications of Wall Street Journal and Forbes in 1990s. Since that time, the notion of supply chain management has significantly changed within development of businesses as a whole.

By that time business, practitioners and academics have had different understandings of the concept of supply chain management, which was used more of an extension of logistics that encompasses the wider range of activities rather than logistics. Often, as Cooper reports, SCM and Logistics were previously used as synonyms (Cooper et al, 1997 p. 1-4).

Generally, external drivers such as cause business integration include globalization, technology advancement, empowered consumer, organizational consolidation and government policies as well as regulations. This rate of change has had significant impaction on notion of supply chain management. Since SCM notion has been developing within a time, practitioners and academics define it differently. Lambert et al (1998 p. 4) defined supply chain as an alignment of companies through which goods as well as services flow into the market. Nevertheless, Christopher (1998, p. 3) has a broader and comprehensive definition where the real management is seen to refer to all processes or practices engaged in the hierarchy of communication between customer as well as supplier with the motive of maximizing on gains by the two parties. This means all operations involved in supply chain must be carried out efficiently and effectively in order to save costs. Both authors imply all the processes connected for producing a product from raw material through manufacturing to delivering it to consumers.

Finally, with today’s economic climate, costs are critical hence, effective SCM is a driver to improve businesses and a way to save costs. However, Christopher (2011 p. 3) argues that SCM is not only about saving costs but also about how company creates and delivers a value to customers. Therefore, SCM can be considered as a mechanism to differentiate the business and gain competitive advantage. This comprehensive approach to SCM creates competition between supply chains rather than individual businesses.

Stimpson (2012 p16-17) stated that all the products, for instance at home or office, such as furniture, electronics, books and food – are delivered to us on daily basis. The main providers of these services are known as logistics service providers (LSP) – specialist companies that organize the supply of the products needed for industry, commerce and all aspects of everyday life. Some manufacturers or retailers continue to organize their own supply chains. However, increasingly, more and more are coming to understand the advantages of accessing this very important aspect of their business to a specialist company. Therefore, this way, they can concentrate on their core competencies related to their own product and take advantage of the LSP’s core competency of supply chain management.

According to Coyle et al (2003 p. 3-6), LSPs are the companies dedicated to designing and operating logistics supply chains with resources and knowledge, which is not accessible to ordinary manufacturers. LSPs continually build on the skills and experience they gain with one client, not only to develop better systems for that client, but also to use that expertise when designing solutions for other clients. It is about sharing skills, resources and expertise to ensure best practice is standard across the company. Logistics processes are equally dependent on technological progress of a company where for effectiveness as well as efficiency, the 3PL are gradually adopting advanced technological capacity while targeting more clients. Knowing where the goods are at any point is as important as physically moving them there. Logistic companies are also known to be well informed on the characteristics of the market and the prevailing g factors within. They use this knowledge to ensure the most efficient vehicles are used for a certain task, whether in the warehouse or on the road. The LSPs often invest in specialization where various specialists within the different logistical issues such as in warehouse or general management practices are assigned respective tasks. However, for effectiveness in delivering to customers, these specialists must co-work.

Moreover, LSPs can also offer the cost efficiencies of a shared user network, Instead of establishing warehousing, transport and all the other support systems for each individual client, an LSP can combine these services for a number of client companies with similar needs. The clients benefit from the combined economies of scales as well as expertise besides environment benefits from the reduced number of trucks on the road making the deliveries. The shared user option increases a client’s flexibility and is useful for companies that experience significant peaks and troughs in business throughout the year, as well as for companies that are attempting to expand their sales into new regions and do not want the expenses if setting up a dedicated net work straight away.

Nowadays, there are several acronyms linked with logistics services such as 1PL, 2PL, 3PL and 4PL. Today, it is possible to face even 5PL acronym, however, Clark (2013, p.1) states that 5PL does not exist and is just a made up term to make the company name sounder. Millar (2012, p.1) explains the difference between all the acronyms where 1PLrefers to the Producer (shipper or consignee), 2PL refers to Asset based (actual carriers), 3PL refers to forwarding or Contract logistics while the 4PL refers to Supply chain management (consultancy firms).

Hertz and Alfredsson (2002), show intersection of 1PL, 2PL and 3PL where the first party is the shipper or supplier and the second party is the buyer. 4PL (Fourth-party logistics provider), also known as LLP (lead logistics provider) the firms, which provide consultancy in logistics, transportation and supply chain management. When acting as a lead logistics provider (LLP), it may also co-ordinate and integrates the services of others with complementary or supporting capabilities” (Candourinternational.com, 2013).

According to a report by Razzaque and Sheng (1998, p. 89-107), logistics industry is increasingly enjoying the outcome of increased awareness about the associated advantage derived through constant upgrade of the systems in use. There are several ways a company can handle logistics activities effectively and efficiently – make the function in-house, acquire a logistics firm or even outsource logistics function by buying the service only. Nowadays, the most growing importance is the third option – to outsource logistics function to third-party logistics service providers (Sahay and Mohan, 2006, p. 666). In addition, to cost savings, there are more advantages: access to expertise, improve customer service, access to technology and last but not the least – Client Company can focus on their core competencies.

This research focuses on third-party logistics service providers. Thoughts differ as how to best define this type of logistics provider and what services might be included. Papadopoulou (2001, p. 5) refers to it as independent firms, which provide multiple or single services (logistic) to other company(s), which are seen as the purchasing ones. Though the services providers fail to have the rights to ownership of such purchased products, they are bound on legal grounds to offer such requested logistic services though purchasing on behalf of interested company. Simply put, the logistics-offering firms are just contracted to transact the business deals on behalf of purchasing firms (Simchi-Levi, 2000 p. 1)

Although, 3PLs are known as provider of wide range of logistics services, it is useful to categories them by their strongest assets or expertise. Coyle et al (2003) have outlined the following categories: transport based, warehouse/distribution based, forwarder based, financial based and information based. Transportation and warehouse based might be subsidiaries of larger organizations, thus they have access to assets of parent organization. Forward based firms with expertise of freight forwarding, while financial based have expertise in auditing and freight payment. Information based in the Internet, offering network for collaboration of shippers and carriers to improve performance and profitability.

Aprile Kazakhstan (LLP) is one other company, which provides comprehensive 3PL services within the republic of Kazakhstan with special ocean freights offer to its clients. The company thrives in the already established relations with the logistic partners, which are the steamship lines, warehouses, tracking companies as well as ports. Besides, the company has a very extensive global partnership network through which the company is in a position to handle various kinds of transport of sea containers. The company mainly handles such containers as FCL (full container load), LCL (less than full container loads), group-age as well as consolidation and specialized equipment for handling and gauging the in/out cargo. Moreover, the company enjoys widespread distribution of its offices through which the company would meet the customer expectations through serving different cargo routes (Aprile Kazakhstan L.L.P, 2013, para 1-2).

A comprehensive analysis of the literature reviewed reveals some links between general logistic processes as well as the management practices that are adopted within managing chains of supply. It is however worth noting the differences notable in the definition of these terms with special atte

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Barack Obama was a junior Senator for the State of Illinois. He was the first African-American to be nominated for a presidential campaign by a major political party. Obama ran for the presidency on the Democratic party. The campaign for the party’s nomination was hotly contested between him and Hillary Clinton. The nomination campaigns stalled to June while McCain had already garnered his Republican Party nomination in March. When Clinton lost the nomination, she urged her supporters to back Obama in the campaigns. The two campaigned together after the primaries as a gesture of good faith. Obama carefully chose his running mate from a list of Democratic party senators. Joe Biden was the vice president during his eight-year tenure. Obama chose Biden because of three reasons. First, Obama perceived Biden to be conversant with blue-collar Americans since he was from Pennsylvania. Secondly, Biden had a multitude of connections in Capitol Hill, and thirdly, because he was more conversant with foreign policy than Obama (Lizza, 2008).

McCain was a long term serving senator of Arizona. It was his second attempt to run for the presidency after he lost the 2000 primaries to George W. Bush. The media described him as a political celebrity due to his long-standing presence in the political scenes. McCain made his first informal urge to run for the presidency on February 28th,2007 (Halperin & Heilemann, 2010). McCain made substantial ventures into his elements of the 2000 insurgency campaigns. He lagged behind the Democrats in polls and fundraising and by July 2007 that he was forced to restructure his campaigns. McCain trailed behind Senator Obama for most of the general election campaign gaining only a lead following the announcement of Sarah Palin as his running mate. The McCain team lost to the Obama team because of various reasons. Throughout the campaigns, the McCain team tried to discredit Obama on the clause of natural citizenship with no success. Some critics argue that based on the same principle, McCain was also not a natural citizen.

Both candidates traveled to Europe and the Middle East to appeal for international support. The two candidates met at the White House following the onset of the 2008 financial crisis. In this meeting, the two candidates were accompanied by President Bush. The critics were concerned that Obama had no comprehension of the financial crisis but were shocked that he was able to give suggestions on how to fix the economy. On the other hand, McCain was completely blank. This was the turning locus of the presidential campaign. McCain’s short suspension of his campaigns did not bring him support (Lizza, 2008). The Obama campaign team broke various records of presidential fundraising. Obama got massive funds from private donors. During this time, the Americans were fighting the war in Iraq. Obama believed it was time for the army to vacate the land while McCain firmly believed that they were making progress in the war. As a gesture of solidarity with the Bush policy, McCain stated it was now easy to walk in the streets of Baghdad than it was earlier. His statements were refuted by the US commander for Iraq. Days after McCain visited Baghdad, scores of women and children were killed. This negatively affected his polls in favor of Obama’s (Talbot).

Obama preached messages of hope to the American people. The messages were well received as the country needed it since during this time they were going through a period of financial instability. The Obama team used the slogans “yes we can” and “change we can believe in” to sway voters. Obama was the first president to successfully use the internet. He used social media to inform the public of his policies. On the other hand, McCain did not use the internet during his campaigns. Obama’s ventures into MySpace and Facebook built relationships with the supporters. Obama emphasized the need to increase energy independence, lower the influence of lobbyists, and encouraging UHC. Obama’s votes doubled McCain’s electoral votes. He won because he had a solid grass-roots organization and because he was able to encourage people to vote. He garnered 53% of the popular vote and 365 of the electoral votes (Talbot, 2008). Obama set the stage for people of color and also standardized future online campaigns.

References

Halperin, M., & Heilemann, J. (2010). Game change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain, and Palin, and the race of a lifetime. New York: Harper, http://www. politico. com/news/stories/0, 110(3131), 8.

Lizza, R. (2008). How Obama Won. New Yorker.

Talbot, D. (2008). How Obama really did it. Technology Review, 111(5), 78-83.

The primary aim of initiating an argument is to convince and persuade the audience to whom the argument is directed to with the goal of making them understand their topic while at the same time owe them to support their ideas. It is therefore for the urge of convincing and obtaining support that makes the person present concrete facts as proof to their audience that their argument is not an opinionated debate. Rachel Carson in her article ‘The Obligation to Endure’ (Carson, 2014) can be termed as one of the greatest persuasive essays of the year the 1950s due to her explicit use of the scientific facts as well as explanations in the presentation of her argument. Through her skillful presentation of the facts against pesticides, her audience was hugely convinced about the effects and dangers of the use of the harmful DDT that led to the eventual banning on the use of the pesticide. Rachel presents various facts in her argument to which she aimed at persuading her audience to which were a success to her motive of writing the essay.

Rachel Carson presents a variety of facts concerning pesticides throughout her writing, and besides she has also managed to have the scientific facts as well as their explanation relating perfecting to each other, and eventually introducing her audience to another augment. To begin with, Rachel Carson explains how the pesticides tend to be harmful to the environment, and then she goes ahead to demonstrate how the use of the dreadful pesticides is detrimental to the environment. And finally, she states of the assumption and reasoning that the use of pesticides is deemed to be necessary to the maintenance of the farm production is falsely (pg. 86). Rachel initiates her argument with a scientific fact regarding how pesticides contain certain chemicals to which contribute to the pollution of the environment as well as the living creatures in a manner to which cannot be revoked. She describes the pollutants as being evil as a way to portray the pesticide negatively, having an implication that the pesticides are causing more harm than good and therefore intrigues the reader of work as to whether the use of the pesticides is essential.

After making the reader question the use of the pesticide, she provides an answer by referring to Charles Darwin’s principle of natural selection where she proves that the use of the pesticides is unnecessary. She terms the use being useless because with the ability of the pests being able to mutate, there arises the need for the development of new insecticides and through this, she relates to the continued development of new pesticides as being useless for the control of the pest problem. After answering the question, she changes her tone to bring into light the real problem of crop production, where she states that ‘yet is our real problem not one of overproduction?’(pg. 86) as the creation of more pesticides is supposedly necessary for all the production of the crops. However, Rachel goes ahead and points out that due to the overproduction, a majority of the American citizens were required to pay over a billion dollars to cover the cost. Therefore, it is evident that Rachel Carson has done a lot of research before the initiation of her argument and thus proving she has the basis of her arguments. Through the skillful connection of the of the scientific facts, Rachel Carson assures her readers that she has done enough research through the provision of a variety of counts that are attributed to be reliable evidence.

In the article ‘The Obligation to Endure,’ Rachel has made it possible for her readers to understand her arguments by stating her facts in a manner that is not complex. She digs into details with her facts and explanations while at the same time compelling her readers with keywords and phrases to attract her audience on her side of the argument. For example, “In this now universal contamination of the environment, chemicals are the sinister and little-recognized partners of radiation in changing the very nature of the world- the very nature of its life … chemicals sprayed on croplands or forests or gardens lie long in the soil, entering into living organisms, passing from one to another in a chain of poisoning and death” (pg. 84). She argues her point through first describing the chemicals as being sinister, grabbing the reader’s attention and then presents her facts in a more straightforward manner such that the readers can understand and get informed.

From the article, Rachel begins a new major point in her essay that precedes a fact that is aimed at strengthening her argument. On page 87, “The devotion of immense acreages to a single crop ….set(s) the stage for explosive increase in specific insect population”, here she refers to the incident in history where most of the towns were infected disease that was transmitted by beetles and therefore acts as a proof to her readers. From the skillful presentation of the arguments by Rachel, it leaves the audience with no choice but instead conforms to her argument as the evidence provided is solid and it is almost impossible for a person or the reader to argue against it. Rachel decides to use the scientific facts and explanations rather than using her statements that are opinionated according to her views so that her argument would be valid and successful and therefore she is compelled to present a compelling argument to which can be backed up by substantial evidence and not just meaningless statements. Rachel Carson has been able to successfully persuade her audience through her strong argument that is backed up by evidence to which makes the reader connect easily and therefore compels the reader to agree with her ideas.

Assessment 1: Individual work.

4Ps of marketing

The 4Ps

As stated by Mullin et al., (2007), every marketer is faced with a challenge of presenting the products or services to the customer with the best strategy to maximize on sales and a brand loyalty. As stated by Parkhouse (2001), in the traditional model, the marketer is more concerned with presenting the product in the right way, at the right or best place, at the best price and takes care of what product to present to what market. Therefore, the marketer is greatly concerned about the mode of combining product with positioning, pricing, promotion, and place to achieve his objective (otherwise referred to as 4Ps). By coming up with an effectual marketing strategy, the marketing manager is able to carefully bring together all the 45Ps into a selection of activities that budge a range of customers up the ladder (Parkhouse, 2001).

Product

The marketer, in regard to the product, must be aware that be it a service or a product that he is endeavouring to sell, he must present the commodity in a way that attracts the targeted customers. As stated by Parkhouse (2001), the marketer must also be aware of the different customer needs in relation to the product. This is because two customers may be consuming the same product while in the real sense, they are actually consuming different products based on the benefits they derive from the consumption (Shank 2001). The marketing manager must understand the life cycle of his product. This is to make sure that strategies like coming up with new products that are meant to be a response to the market needs are accomplished in a satisfactory manner. When thinking about the product, the marketer must present a product with distinct features to fit in a particular class of products. Knowing how the consumers use the product can help the marketing manager to capitalize more on the product features that can make the product stand out and attract customer loyalty (Parkhouse, 2001). The sales manager will also count it as an achievement if the sales staff members are thoroughly knowledgeable regarding the product they are presenting for sale.

Place

Another item in the mix is the place. It can also be described as the strategy that ensures distribution of the products to the marketplace. In regard to this strategy, the marketing manager or sales manger must identify the best channels of distribution that can be used to get the product to the prospect market or target customers. According to Mullin et al., (2007), the marketing manager must choose wisely the channel members, and he must not forget to look at areas like market coverage, logistics as well as the levels of service. Wrong decisions in this marketing mix item might cause delays among other inconvenience that may work well against the objective of the marketer. For instance, if the channel of distribution is too long while the market is not as vast, this might also cause additional costs in addition to delaying delivery to the final consumer.

Pricing

Pricing still remains a challenging task in the market. The marketing manager must ensure that while making the pricing decisions, he takes into account the profit margin of business and the pricing response other competitors are likely. Parkhouse (2001) asserts that price plays a critical role in the marketing mix of the marketer in that prices can be readily altered. The price is extremely visible and any changes effected on it can be communicated with ease hence impacting on the consumer perceptions. Where the market is characterized by an elastic demand, the marketing manager may use price as a very effective tool. Nevertheless, the marketing manager must be aware that price is ever close to the consumer’s mind and therefore any tinkering with it may be very harmful (Shank 2001).

Promotion

Promotion is one area that the modern marketer has to consider and is very essential in providing a chance to dwell on the salient features of the product. In this area, decisions made include those with respect to communicating and selling to prospective consumers. Given that these costs can be large in as compared to the product price, the marketing manger must carry out a break-even analysis whenever he is faced with the task of making promotion decisions. Mullin et al., (2007) states that important thing for the marketer in relation to the promotion decisions is that it is helpful for him to establish the value of a customer to facilitate determination of whether more customers are worth the cost of obtaining them. Promotion as stated by Parkhouse (2001) must be made part of marketing strategy by first establishing the wants and needs of the customers so that when carrying out promotional events like advertising, media types, special events and public relations the main aim is actually purposing to satisfy an already identified want or need of the consumer (Shank, 2001).

Steps Bloomberg has taken to develop new revenue streams

The company expects its revenue to grow by 3% in the current year. There are various strategies that have been employed by the company to help achieve the expected growth. According to Secunda Thomas, the overseer of Bloomberg’s financial products, the company has been presently looking for new revenue streams for trading and domestic management of risk programs for Wall Street firms.

The company to increase its revenues opts to increase its customer base. Bloomberg will hunt for new clients using web-based product targeting the law firms. The company executives are also eying sports arena, having interests on team owners and leagues to analyze sports statistics for them. The web-based product will also attract other potential customers and will allow for easy referral when a customer is satisfied.

Bloomberg also plans to invest more money in news to generate extra revenue. The news industry is currently struggling heavily to stay afloat, and has not been concerned with growing financially in the recent past. The further investment will ensure the company stays afloat and boot its financial status for generating more profits.

The implications that surveillance has on digital Taylorism

Taylorism involves systematic control and evaluation of workers and detailed timing and monitoring of their operations. As stated by Lynn (1994), Taylorism permits a relaxing of centralized, bureaucratic management supervision and monitoring. Through surveillance, workers become aware that individual performances are more closely observed, and this itself may have a disciplinary effect thus creating direct control superfluous (Brown et al., 2010).

As stated by Brown et al., (2010), the digital Taylorism, leads to status of being prudent in making claims for a revolution in management or the information down organization or worker empowerment. The de-skilling of jobs as in surveillance results to few highly paying jobs. This in turn leads to reduction of the number of opportunities available a company and thus joblessness. In some cases, surveillance may lead to biased and unstable working condition in cases where the employee fears the supervisor. This can also take place when the supervisor has formed opinions about a particular employee or about given task.

On the contrary, as stated by Brown et al., (2010), the close monitoring of the employs ensures maximum performance by the workforce and hence improved products and services. The company will only retain the highly performing employees and jobs relevant to the growth of the organization. Since only the high performing employees will be retained all the employees strive to have a position in the company leading to high performance and competency. Reference

Brown, P., Lauder, H. and Ashton, D. 2010. The Global Auction. Oxford: OUP

Shank, M., D. (2001). “ Marketing: A Strategic Perspective” 2nd Edition, Prentice Hall.

Tellis, G.J. (2004) Effective Advertising: Understanding When, How, and Why Advertising Works. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Mullin, B., J., Hardy, S., Sutton, W., A., Stern D., J. (2007). “Sport marketing” 3rd Edition:

Human Kinetics Publishing. – pp 17, 26, 45-7, 88-97, 104.

Parkhouse, B., L. (2001). “The management of sport: its foundation and application” 3rd Edition

McGraw-Hill,

Wilson, R.M.S. & Gilligan, C. (2005) Strategic marketing management: Planning, implementation and control. 3rd Edition. Oxford: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann.

Hypermarket

Name

Affiliation

Table of Contents

TOC o “1-3” h z u HYPERLINK l “_Toc417504732” Introduction PAGEREF _Toc417504732 h 2

HYPERLINK l “_Toc417504733” Objectives PAGEREF _Toc417504733 h 2

HYPERLINK l “_Toc417504734” Strategies PAGEREF _Toc417504734 h 2

HYPERLINK l “_Toc417504735” 4Vs Model of Operation and 5 Performance Objectives PAGEREF _Toc417504735 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc417504736” The 4 V’s Overview PAGEREF _Toc417504736 h 3

HYPERLINK l “_Toc417504737” The Volume Dimension PAGEREF _Toc417504737 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc417504738” The Variety Dimension PAGEREF _Toc417504738 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc417504739” The Variation Dimension PAGEREF _Toc417504739 h 4

HYPERLINK l “_Toc417504740” 5 Performance Objectives PAGEREF _Toc417504740 h 5

HYPERLINK l “_Toc417504741” Challenges PAGEREF _Toc417504741 h 5

HYPERLINK l “_Toc417504742” Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc417504742 h 6

HYPERLINK l “_Toc417504743” References PAGEREF _Toc417504743 h 7

IntroductionLulu Hypermarkets has a place with EMKE Group which is a main consortium in Dubai. There are 78 hypermarkets of the gathering that are working inside the GCC – Gulf Cooperation Council Countries (Bahrain, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE). The hypermarket rivalry in Oman is made out of: Lulu Hypermarkets with the French organization Carrefour Hypermarkets, the Kuwait-based Sultan Center Hypermarkets, Oman-based Safeer Hypermarkets, the Dubai-based KM Trading Hypermarkets, and the new participant from Dubai Al Maya Hypermarkets (Green, 2004).

Lulu is working at present four (three in Muscat, one in Sohar) hypermarket retail outlets (in the metropolitan ranges) and eight hypermarket retail outlets (in residential areas and heartland territories) in Oman and will be opening its fifth hypermarket in Salalah the third biggest city in Oman after Muscat and Sohar.. Therefore, this paper will discuss the challenges and strategies faced by Lulu hypermarket in Dubai.

ObjectivesTo determine how hypermarkets in Dubai Operate with the use of Lulu hypermarket as the case example

To Evaluate the strategies that Hypermarket employ as well as the challenges they face

Strategies

Hypermarket organizations spend huge amounts of cash every year in advertising methodologies attempting to make sense of how to get customers to purchase more. Utilizing behavioral, social and monetary brain research, they find approaches to lure additional buys – and you might never even think about it (Green, 2004). Focus whenever you set out for some shopping, and look out for these store promoting procedures not to fall for.

1. Textured, Rubber Mats – Have you perceived that in a few segments of the market (like the produce area), there are weird elastic tangles on the ground that are hard to push your shopping basket over? These mats are there to back you off – on the grounds that when you shop at a slower pace, you purchase more stuff. Keep your carriage on the tile floor as opposed to trudging over the mat to beat the trap.

2. Free Samples – Most people feel uncomfortable taking something without giving something consequently, and the markets know this. At the point when the decent little women hands you tests of caffeinated beverages, protein bars or veggie chips – you may be slanted to make an extra buy to even things out (Pritchard, Gracy & Godwin, 2010). Pay consideration on this drive and just purchase the thing in the event that it truly excited you.

3. Giant Shopping Carts – Does it appear like basic supply trucks are getting greater? They are. Stores realize that you regularly utilize the span of the truck as a meter for the amount to purchase. How regularly have you thought, the truck is full – time to go! As opposed to succumbing to this showcasing methodology, stick to a rundown or utilize a littler wicker container that you need to convey.

4. HYPERLINK “http://www.organicauthority.com/blog/organic/farmers-market-chicken-bacteria-count-higher-than-store-bought/” o “Farmers Market Chicken Bacteria Count Higher than Store-Bought” Farmers Market Chalkboards – Look nearly at that “transcribed” blackboard sign in the produce segment. It appears like a rancher may have scribbled the sticker amid the morning conveyance – and this individual association may urge you to purchase. In actuality, the blackboard signs are mass-created some place far away (Pritchard, Gracy & Godwin, 2010). Try not to let the ranchers business sector like bid wiggle your feelings and slacken your wallet.

5. Slow Music – Dreamy, listless music places you in a decent disposition and makes you walk slower. The more you wait in the market, the more things you will buy. Battle the moderate pace by wearing earphones and listening to your most loved peppy tracks, which will motivate you to move speedier rather than slower.

6. End Caps – It’s hard not to notice the huge, uproarious shows on the end of every passageway. You likely expect these things are on special or new or overall astonishing to score such prime land. However end top things are really regularly estimated up due to their consideration snatching position (Reardon, Timmer & Minten, 2010).

 7. Lines at Check Stands – Does there dependably appear to be a line at the checker at your supermarket? It isn’t poor booking, yet by outline. Stores realize that the more you hang out close to the overrated confection, gum, beverages and magazines – the more probable you are to purchase something. Fight the temptation.

4Vs Model of Operation and 5 Performance ObjectivesOperations Management is basically how organizations produce merchandise and services. From the work area you may sit at, to the espresso beans used to make your espresso to the instruments you use for exchange or on weekends or the auto you drive about town, these come to you from the Operations Managers who arrange their generation.

Services are additionally created, the knee operation you have to have, the protection claim you need settling, the handyman you have to organize to alter your lavatory release, these originate from operations managers (Reardon, Timmer & Minten, 2010).

Contingent upon the business there are distinctive names for Operations Managers which may help you distinguish these in your own particular business. Case in point in a circulation organization they may be known as the ‘Armada Manager’ in a healing center environment, a ‘Managerial Manager’ and a ‘Store Manager’ in a retail situation.

The Operations capacity is fundamental to the association as the products and services it creates is the explanation behind the business existing. The Operations capacity is one of three key capacities inside a business. The other center capacities are Marketing, including Sales and Product and Service Development.

The 4 V’s Overview

All operations procedures have one thing in like manner, they all take their “inputs” like, crude materials, information, capital, hardware and time and change them into yields (merchandise and services). They do this is distinctive ways and the principle four are known as the Four V’s, Volume, Variety, Variation and Visibility (Sutherland, Kaley & Fischer, 2010).

The Volume Dimension

An awesome illustration of this is McDonalds, they are a remarkable sample of high volume ease burger and fast food creation. The volume of their operation is critical to how their business is sorted out. Fundamental to their operation is the repeatability of the errands their workers are doing and in addition the systemisation of the work, where models and strategies drive the route in which every piece of the occupation is done. This blend gives an ease base. Conversely, a nearby bistro has a much lower volume of yield, less work, less systemization, and every staff part finishes a more extensive mixed bag of errands, which brings about higher unit costs.

The Variety Dimension

A typical illustration used to depict the mixed bag measurement is the complexity between a taxi and a transport service. Both offer employed transportation benefits yet a taxi service has a much higher mixture measurement as they will essentially lift you up and drop you off wherever it is you have to go. A transport offers a characterized course and timetable. Whilst they offer a comparative service, mixture and adaptability is high for the taxi organization and low for the transport organization. It is important here that the a minimal effort model is all the more effectively attained to with less mixture.

The Variation Dimension

Consider two home building organizations. One offers pre-assembled homes that you browse a list or on the web. It is exchanged to site and raised throughout the span of a couple of days. The second building organization offers altered homes they have showcase homes they have fabricated that you can stroll through (Sutherland, Kaley & Fischer, 2010). Every part of the home from the façade to the quantity of rooms to the floor materials to the sort of warming can all be tweaked to the client. The configuration and manufacture stage can take anyplace between 24 weeks to 52 weeks. Organization two will have a much more elevated amount of expense and lower volume than organization one who offers standard evaluating and can control costs significantly more effectively.

5. The Visibility Dimension

This measurement alludes to a clients capacity to see, track their experience or request through the operations process. A high perceivability measurement incorporates messenger organizations where you can track your bundle online or a retail location where you get the products and buy them over the counter. A low perceivability measurement could be a web configuration organization who takes your request and exhorts your new site will be prepared in 4 – 8 weeks. The service aptitude of representatives significantly influences the clients’ experience.

5 Performance Objectives

Challenges

How Do We Differentiate Ourselves When Every Other Retailer Seems to Be a Hypermarket?”

Rivalry in the UAE hypermarket industry has never been more prominent. Notwithstanding conventional merchants, there are presently many diverse sorts of retailers endeavoring to pick up their offer of the product wallet (Sutherland, Kaley & Fischer, 2010).

The store business is confronted with the difficulties of keeping up piece of the pie and benefits while endeavoring new ideas and store designs with an end goal to separate themselves from different sorts of retailers. Real demographic and buyer way of life changes have influenced how buyers shop, as well as where they decide to shop and eat their dinners. Customary general stores have seen a decrease in the amount of customers spend and how habitually they shop in a specific store. While some general store administrators keep on endeavoring to cut expenses so they can offer diminished regular costs, they discover this to be an intense methodology when contending with minimal effort administrators like Lulu (Sutherland, Kaley & Fischer, 2010).

Food merchants are stepping up to the Challenge

Numerous have discovered that building clear purposes of separation is the best offense at an exceptionally aggressive cost/quality based environment. Most accept that concentrating on their essential customers and offering items they need to purchase, at reasonable costs, and treating these clients with heaps of delicate, adoring consideration will be the way to fruitful development. To discover a corner, a few hypermarkets are trying different things with assorted “neighborhood markets,” and/or up-scale stores offering more common, ethnic, and natural nourishments.

General stores will Continue to Redefine the Ways They Do Business with Their Customers

Rivalry has increased current standards for store retailers. Maybe some have just dismissed what the clients required and needed. In any case, today’s clients have less time, and are more canny, than any time in recent memory some time recently. Hypermarket retailers will keep on confronting expanding survival weights. Solidification in the business space will keep on influencing existing market chains, both substantial and little. The top-level store chains that have expanded the span of their store base through late acquisitions are attempting to assimilate what they have purchased while attempting to guard piece of the overall industry against the ease administrators. Those chains that stay standing will be the ones that figure out how to reevaluate themselves.

Existing Store Systems Technology

As innovation has developed throughout the years, most retailers have made an interwoven of dissimilar frameworks on distinctive stages all through the store. The measure of equipment has additionally expanded to incorporate servers, PCs, printers, and remote handheld gadgets. Numerous frameworks either don’t join, or are joined in a bulky way that obliges manual methods. Data is hard to recover, and new discharges are asset concentrated to oversee. A few applications obtained through programming sellers need consistency in capacity, have covering extensions, and are seldom coordinated as far as capacity or information. Numerous more seasoned applications are in light of obsolete building design and are resolute, making it hard to change techniques and business principles, include new gadgets, et cetera, without touching the source code. This can display a focused weakness for retailers as new advancements are set aside a few minutes. More established equipment is troublesome and exorbitant to keep up. IT divisions have developed in size as innovation has been sent through the years. As per a few investigations of IT pioneers, as much as 70 percent of a retailer’s data innovation assets are committed to maintaining and running existing capacity, leaving just 30 percent for investigating and executing new capacities.

Conclusion

There is a pattern in traditional store arranges that mirror a shift in marketing methodology. “Focus Store” walkways, where canned merchandise, cleansers, and different items now offered by other focused outlets at profound rebate costs are found, are contracting in size. This floor space is being supplanted with bigger new edge offices, for example, bread kitchen, shop, create, and service meat, poultry, and fish counters. Markets have expanded their offerings of completely planned product, semi-planned nourishments, and product-service operations.

ReferencesGreen, R. D. (2004). Brand equity, marketing strategy, and consumer income: A hypermarket study.

Pritchard, B., Gracy, C. P., & Godwin, M. (2010). The impacts of supermarket procurement on farming communities in Dubai. Development Policy Review, 28(4), 435-456.

Reardon, T., Timmer, C. P., & Minten, B. (2010). Supermarket revolution in Asia and emerging development strategies to include small farmers.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 201003160.

Sutherland, L. A., Kaley, L. A., & Fischer, L. (2010). Guiding stars: the effect of a nutrition navigation program on consumer purchases at the supermarket. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 91(4), 1090S-1094S.

Waterlander, W. E., Steenhuis, I. H., de Boer, M. R., Schuit, A. J., & Seidell, J. C. (2012). Introducing taxes, subsidies or both: the effects of various food pricing strategies in a web-based supermarket randomized trial. Preventive medicine, 54(5), 323-330.

Student’s Name

Instructor’s Name

Course Tittle

Date

The Nightmare Before Christmas Review

The movie that I chose for this paper is “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” It is an animated musical story that reflects the world where Halloween usually is celebrated. It also gives a brighter side of happiness to the Christmas holiday. Tim Burton’s Nightmare before Christmas is an electrifying film that most individuals like. The movie commences with an introduction song that is choreographed perfectly. That song makes any person who views this movie anticipate the events of the motion pictures because of its lyrics. Nevertheless, this film starts with creepy beings that are portrayed to be singing. The setting is similarly frightening too. Upon viewing, scenes of crosses are seen in what appears like a place individual were buried. As well, almost everything seems dark to make the entire scene scarier. Beings with golden teeth, red eyes, or white colors are shown in a way that contrasts the scene (Bolanowska, 5). Despite being scary and more frightening, this film has an interesting moral on teaching individuals that it is right to be yourself and being proud of what you do that is correct. It has an exciting story with unique ideas, brilliant stop-motion animation, great humor, and a great combination between Halloween horror and Christmas jauntiness, which is an imaginative idea for a movie.

This movie was intended for all but mainly the younger children. The problem I that most of them might be frightened by the strange people of Halloween Town. The story is fairly straightforward on its surface enabling children to enjoy it without becoming bored or lost. However, the movie works on another level in a way that the deftest humor is aimed at adults. Despite that, “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” It is quite frankly and an amazing film. Among the important aspect of this movie is the reality that the main character is a skeleton. The movie follows an eyeless, skinless creature on a journey of self-discovery, instead of Cindy Lou Who or a confused snowman, which almost melted the Grinch’s heart (Lash, 56). It is a stunning mix of fright and fun that also blasts the idea that animation is a kid thing. This film has something to offer just about every person. It is a fantasy celebrating two holidays for younger individuals, whereas for adults, it is a chance to experience some light entertainment.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas” is considered important or groundbreaking in the art and history of film. It continues to serve as a point of reference for negotiations of genre and of the boundaries between niche cultures and mainstream, both in the space of fandom and on screen. Its numerous hereafters develop well past the film industry, occupying board games, manga and comic books, and further paraphernalia, along with physically rooted vicinities through proceedings such as theme parks, in exhibits, and the live-staged musical. Many years since its production, this film has drawn academic attention. Many of its contributions have seen it as an entry point to arguments regarding its use of fairy tales and animation representation of gender. It has been considered in relation to other frameworks such as its presence beyond the film industry and the manner it conveyed changing cultural expectations of children’s horror and media (Bolanowska, 7). “The Nightmare Before Christmas” has shed light on a number of aspects of the film’s importance. It is one of the most iconic Halloween films of all time that is also most popular. A significant element of this film derives from Tim Burton’s artistic approach concerning visualizing the script. Rather than following the traditional Disney trend by basically making another animated movie, he decided to take an opportunity with an art form that was no proof on the large screen.

Works Cited

Bolanowska, Karolina. “Culture-Specific Items in Tim Burton’s film The Nightmare Before Christmas and its two Polish versions.” (2020).

Lash, Siobhain. “Film: The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Philosophy Now 141 (2020): 56-57.