Company Introduction, Market Segmentation, and Product Positioning Essay

Company Introduction, Market Segmentation, and Product Positioning - Essay Example However, today, it has expanded to immeasurable lengths. For a young company that is barely ten years old, the financial performance is excellent. It had opened three other branches in other states including Ohio, Michigan and Massachusetts. However, the company has also opened a branch in Australia which is thriving like its mother company. The company distinguishes itself as fast fashion trademark and offers high fashion clothing to reach the public at affordable prices. The Company’s mission statement is ‘when the customer looks good, we look good.’ In light of this, the main aim of the company is to ensure their customers look trendy and thus keep up with fashion (London Business School, 2008). Trendy Fashionista has over 500 employees in all their five branches. Additionally, it boasts of a wide range of customers from all backgrounds. The clothes sold are not the average clothes found in cloth stores. The company’s fashion designers go an extra mile t o make clothes that are unique. This coupled with the fact that the company sells its clothes at fairly cheap prices makes Trendy Fashionista the perfect destination for a fashion conscious individual. Marketing Plan Introduction The fashion industry is ever changing due to contribution of companies like Topshop, H&M and Zara (Helm, 2008). Consequently, factors affecting the clothing industry will influence trends in the high fashion world. In the clothing industry, customers’ preferences vary according to their ages and body types. Furthermore, the demand for clothing is affected by population size and patterns. It is important to note that demographic trends are the driving force in the fashion. The company puts all these factors into consideration before setting up their market plan. Financial Goals The most important goal for Trendy Fashionista over the next ten years is to increase its revenues by at least 40% each year. This way, the company shall make at least 50% in p rofits and hence be a profitable business. Furthermore, the company intends to start online shopping. It has been realized that most shoppers would rather shop online due to their hectic schedules (London Business School, 2008). Additionally, it intends to expand its manufacturing capabilities. At the moment, once the fashion designers finish their job, the company has to outsource manufacturers. Therefore, the company needs to start making its own clothes. Furthermore, the company intends to increase its distribution and possibly open one more store in Australia. This will take care of the growing clientele base in Australia. Finally, the company intends to start taking part in community development. The founders are passionate about developing the community and thus the target is to set aside $10,000 to be donated to various Non Governmental Organizations. Non Financial goals The company intends to introduce a new product line, lightweight luggage. After a lot of research, the com pany has discovered that today’s traveler is tired of heavy luggage. Therefore, the company’ designers have been working on a new product that will lighten the traveler’s experience and if possible make the experience enjoyable. The luggage has been customized not only be easy to carry but also easy to improvise. For example, the product comes with an inbuilt charger which can be converted into a phone. The biggest challenge that the company has so far is that it lacks an internet

French Revolution Essay Example for Free

French Revolution Essay The world has seen many revolutions in history. One of the biggest revolutions was the French Revolution because it came with many consequences and influences. Nothing else like this had ever happened this powerful to change the political status quo. Many people surprisingly don’t know how the French Revolution started but through this paper we will be learning more about it. Starting in 1789 through 1794 the people of France dethroned and arrested their king Louis XVI, took apart his monarchy, and executed him, his wife, and thousands of nobles. The French people then set up a new system of government on concepts of popular rule, personal liberty, and equal justice for all to replace their old leaders. This was a new start for France and would hopefully put them in the position they wanted to be in as a country. France was one of the biggest and most powerful countries in the world and had good monarchy, a large army and navy, and many foreign colonies and responsibilities. Much of this was very expensive to keep up, but not having it could end up becoming even worse. Paying for all these different things would be costly but this would not put them in their economic struggle. It would be their support in wars like â€Å"The Seven Year War† that caused them to borrow too much money to the point they could not pay back. Louis XVI would now take the thrown and try to help France in these horrible economic times. He came up with a plan to aid the Americans in their dependence from the British. He hoped this would get some influence in North America, but even though this was much help in the American victory France made no progress and went farther into debt. France was in big trouble and now had no national budget and little central financial planning. The French people were already overtaxed. Knowing the French was stuck in a hole and must find a way to get money Louis had to talk to his advisors. Many of King Louis financial advisors told him the only way to build up the France economy was to tax vast lands owned by the church and nobility, but the only way to tax them was to have a meeting with the Estates General. In 1788 Louis called a meeting with the Estates General and this would be a big part in setting the stage for the beginning of the French Revolution. The meeting would consist of representatives of each Estate. Even though the Third Estate made up 97% of the French population Louis would rely on the First and Second Estate to overrule the third. But things would soon turn for the worst for Louis, because the commoners (the third Estate) with a few of the members of the other estates disobeyed the king and named themselves the National Assembly. Their goal was to get all the all French citizens basic civil rights. They were willing to be very peaceful at the beginning, but Louis would not even come to an agreement with any of the Third Estate’s demands. Louis called a meeting between himself and the delegates of the three estates on June 23, 1789 three days after the Tennis Court Oath. There Louis told the delegates he would negotiate a number of reforms. The reforms Louis named had nothing to do with the demands of the Third Estate. The revolutionaries would not give up that easily and wanted Louis to know it. This made the king upset and now he would begin to use the army to force his will on the people. In late June Louis ordered four regiments of soldiers to advance on Paris and Versailles and soon after that ordered up several more. A large group of people went to Bastille to get ammo and gun powder and were met by a large number of troops where there was a big battle. This battle put the revolutionaries on top and Paris was pretty much theirs. Rumors went around that Louis was sending troops into the rural areas to handle the peasants, this became known as the â€Å"Great Fear†. When the troops did not come, the peasants went crazy and started to attack and sometimes burn the rich lord’s mansions. Doing this they also burned records of feudal obligations. Now the National Assembly had wanted to focus on getting a new constitution for France. The first draft was made August 27, 1789 named the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and showed to Louis on October 2, 1789. Louis said he would look over the draft but the revolutionaries needed to know how long it would take. They were worried that the king might be stalling to set up some attack. Inspired by the concern and mad about the latest lost in bread, part of the populace took action. On October 5th a large group of women went to Louis’s palace demanding he use his wealth to provide bread for hungry families and that he approve the declaration. When Louis’s wife, Marie Therese heard about the peasants not having any bread she then said â€Å"Let them eat cake† not even knowing that cake was a food that the rich ate because they could only afford it. This made the women very angry and was a very big part of the revolution. Fearing that the women would soon get violent he agreed to their demands. The women still didn’t trust Louis and made him and his family move to the old palace (Tuileries) in Paris so he could be watched. Later Louis and his family then tried to flee France when they were caught and sent back to Paris for Louis to stand trial. Leaders of the Assembly then realized that killing Louis would be best for all. So on January 21, 1793 Louis XVI was publically executed hoping that the French monarchy would soon end. This was the start of the revolution and would now hopefully let France start over. Louis was now gone and the people could now try to make their own decisions. This might not be the end of all their worries but they are now pointed in the right direction.

The Death Penalty: A Necessary Evil Essay -- essays research papers

The Death Penalty: a Necessary Evil Life is the most wonderful gift that God gives us. He also gives us the power to do what we wish with that life. We can keep it and guard it, or we can take it away. It follows that murder is the worst crime anyone could ever commit. It is a crime that no one can ever make right because once you take a life away you can never give it back. Penalties exacted from criminals are made to fit the crimes committed. The worst crime possible should therefore receive the worst penalty possible. That penalty is the death penalty. Take, for example, the case of a man who is caught shoplifting. He does not deserve the same punishment as someone who is convicted of assault and battery. Most people would have no problem agreeing with this. Yet many of these same people believe that a cold blooded killer deserves the same life sentence as a convicted kidnapper who did not kill his prisoner. Granted these are both serious offenses, but our system of law works be degrees of seriousness. The mental damage done to that prisoner can be turned around, but the life taken away by the murderer can never be given back. They should therefore be given a harsher punishment than life in prison. In terms of justice, we should all get what we deserve. One argument against the death penalty is that the bible tells us not to murder. If this includes all people it should include the government. However, the death penalty is not quite the same as murder. It is an exacting...

Learning Team Essay

Learning Team A discussed the learning objectives assigned for week three of class. Specifically, the team members discussed strategies to help develop effective groups and teams. The team members also discussed strategies to resolve conflict within organizations. The discussion included topics with which the team members felt comfortable or struggled with and how the weekly topics applied to team members’ business field. This paper summarizes Learning Team A’s discussions. Strategies to Develop Effective Groups and Teams The team members discussed the difference between the definitions of work group and work team. The work group share information and make decisions that assists each member perform tasks in his area of responsibility (Robbins & Judge, 2011). The group members do not engage in â€Å"collective work that requires joint effort (Robbins & Judge, 2011, Chapter 10) like a work team does. A work group does not create the synergy of a work team. The individual is accountable in a work group but both the individual and team members mutually are accountable. Work group members provide random and varied skills, whereas work team members bring complementary skills to the joint effort. Robbins and Judge (2011) categorized the major characteristics of effective teams into three general categories: context, composition, and process. In the context category, managers play a vital role in providing leadership, structure, a climate of trust, adequate resources, and a performance evaluation and reward systems to assist teams in becoming effective and highly productive. In the composition category, the manager must evaluate and select team members with the appropriate abilities, personalities, and diversity. Managers must determine the appropriate team size and either unilaterally or mutually allocate roles. Managers also must be aware of team member preferences and permit flexibility within the team. In the process category, managers must provide a common purpose and specific goals so team members understand and work toward a common purpose and can create a positive synergy. Additionally, managers must facilitate team efficacy, monitor conflict level, provide conflict resolution strategies, and monitor for social loafing by holding team members accountable individually and jointly. The team members were  comfortable with the concepts and terminology with regard to strategies to help develop effective teams. Team members are aware that many companies are relying on teams to accomplish tasks and goals because teams are flexible and more responsive to a dynamic business environment. Despite being comfortable with the concepts and strategies, the team members struggled with the implementation of some of the strategies. For instance, managers, tasked with building a team for a short-suspensed project, may face difficulties with building an effective, cohesive, committed, and productive team in a short time. Strategies to Resolve Conflict Within Organizations Robbins and Judge (2011) stated â€Å"The conflict process has five stages: potential opposition or incompatibility, cognition and personalization, intentions, behavior, and outcomes† (p. 457). Potential opposition or incompatibility is the first stage of the conflict process, and it has three categories: communication, structure, and personal variables. Stage two is cognition and personalization. Conflict issues are defined in this stage. Moreover, emotions have a major impact on influencing perception. Third, stage three is intentions. â€Å"Intentions intervene between people’s perceptions and emotions and their overt behavior† (Robbins & Judge, 2011, p. 459). There are five conflict-handling intentions: competing, collaborating, avoiding, accommodating, and compromising. Stage four is behavior, which is a vigorous process of communication. Furthermore, there are several techniques to conflict-resolution; for example, problem solving, avoidance, and compromise . There are also conflict-stimulation techniques; for example, communication, bringing in outsiders, and restructuring the organization. Last, stage five is outcomes. The outcomes can be functional; for example, â€Å"when it improves the quality of decisions, stimulates creativity and innovation, encourages interest and curiosity among group members, provides the medium through which problems can be aired and tensions released, and fosters an environment of self-evaluation and change† (Robbins & Judge, 2011, p. 463). However, the outcomes can be dysfunctional; for example, uncontrolled opposition can breed discontent, destroy cohesion and eventually could lead to the team destruction. Team members were comfortable with conflict resolution approaches; however, the team learned about conflict-stimulation techniques. The concept was new to  team members because conflict generally has had a negative connotation. The team members as managers will benefit from using both the confli ct-resolution and conflict-stimulation techniques in their workplaces. Conclusion In sum, the team members discussed strategies to help develop effective groups and teams. The team members also discussed strategies to resolve conflict within organizations. The discussion included topics with which the team members felt comfortable or struggled with and how the weekly topics applied to team members’ business field. This paper summarized Learning Team A’s discussions. References Robbins, S. P., & Judge, T. A. (2011). Organizational Behavior (14th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall.

Case Study Cdos

Case Study – CDO CREATIVE BALANCE SHEET RISK MANAGEMENT: VALUE CREATION? 1) What is a CDO? Who buys CDOs? CDOs are a type of asset backed security composed of bonds issued by special purpose vehicles (a corporate entity that holds the assets as collateral, packages them and sells the resulting notes to investors). Normally, the bonds issued are divided into tranches with different risk characteristics and debt rating. Each tranche carries a different rating which determines the interest and cash flow for each layer. There are several types of underlying assets that the special vehicle can buy.The most typical are corporate bonds, corporate loans, trust preferred stocks, mortgage-backed securities and commercial real estate bonds. Those described above are conventional CDOs. Banks also created synthetic CDOs. The main characteristic is that the credit risk is transferred by a derivative (credit default swap, normally) but the originating bank retains the underlying pool of asse ts in the balance sheet. Nevertheless, with synthetic CDOs credit risk is transferred and the originating bank obtains an important relief in capital requirements.There are several investors interested in buying CDOs. The motivations for those investors are different depending on the tranches they buy. In general, investors buy CDO assets with certain rating that offer a higher return than more traditional securities and benefit from the theoretical diversification buying a CDO portfolio. Risk adverse investors such as mutual funds and pension funds will buy the senior tranches in order to obtain a higher return than buying treasury bonds.Senior tranches pay a spread above LIBOR even if they are rate AAA. Other investors, such as hedge funds, banks or private banking organizations can sometimes prefer junior tranches such as mezzanine notes and equity notes, tranches offering yields normally not available in other fixed income products. 2) Who sell CDO and why? CDO is a form of secu ritization. When securitizing, banks manage to transfer their loans out of their balance sheets, transferring also the credit risk of these loans. The main CDOs issuers are investment banks.Transferring credit risk, banks require less capital to accomplish Basel II capital requirements. Moreover, banks will use capital ‘excess’ and the cash they receive from the loan transfer to lend again money to more attractive lenders, generating additional fees, returning higher incomes and improving RoAA and RoAE. This constituted the principal objective for Richard Mason for issuing CDOs in RBS. The second important reason for banks to issue CDOs are the commissions and the fees they earn during the CDO life.Thus, CDOs are in theory a very attractive product for originating banks which explain their development in the last decade reaching a volume of $520 billion in 2006. In practice, issuer banks transfer their loans to special purpose vehicle (SPV) that will package these loans and sell notes with interest and principal payments to the interested investors. 3) What are the main characteristics of the SEQUIL/MINCS deal described in the case? SEQUILS/MINCS is a specific structure that combines both plain vanilla and synthetic CDO structures and uses two separated SPVs.In the case, RBS sells a portfolio of loans to the SPV SEQUILS. SEQUILS will issue notes from this portfolio and sell them to investors. SEQUILS will also buy a credit default swap from Morgan Guarantee, paying a regular fee and transferring in theory the credit risk to JP Morgan. As JP Morgan will hold the risk, SEQUILS will be able to issue some notes with AAA rates even if the underlying loans were rated BB- to B+. Then, JP Morgan will back the loans with its own credit default swap while at the same time transferring the CDS to investors through a separate SPV (MINCS).By doing this it separates the funding and the credit risk on the loan portfolio into two separate pools of investors. 4) F rom a pool of loans  « below investment grade (BBB)  », the deal promise the creation of investment grade securities (some AAA and the worst is a BBB). Fantastic! How is this possible? The main objective of this structure is to transform low rating loans into higher rating notes in order to attract more investors. It also eliminates or minimizes the equity tranche, therefore, transferring the risk from the bank to a third party.The structure starts with the originating bank (RBS) owning a portfolio of loans worth $852. 5 million of low-rated loans from BB- to B+. Because RBS wants to improve its capital requirement ratios it will remove them from its balance sheet. The bank creates the first SPV, SEQUILS that is consisted of a traditional CDO structure. SEQUILS would issue low rated BB- to B+ notes to sell to investors. To achieve an investment-grade rating, SEQUILS insures its notes by a credit default swap provided by Morgan Guarantee Trust.SEQUILS would pay Morgan Guarantee a percentage of the $852. 5 million as a periodic fee using the spread. Being backed up by a highly rated entity boosts the ratings of the tranches issued by SEQUILS to AAA, AA and BBB loans. This repackaging of loans attracts more investors and minimizes the risk on RBS. The second step is to create a separate SPV, MINCS that uses a synthetic CDO structure. Morgan Guarantee Trust buys credit swaps from MINCS –the second SPV. MINCS would issue notes worth $144 million based on the original 852. 5 million-loan amounts.MINCS would provide Morgan Guarantee Trust insurance through a credit default swap 6 times its capital of $144 million (6 x 144m = 864). Therefore, investors in MINCS would be receiving higher yields, 6 times the credit swap, on the $144 million, yet they are exposed to the full risk. To boost the ratings MINCS would invest the proceeds of the $144 million into a AAA security. 5) Imagine to be a portfolio manager of a large pension fund, would you buy Mincs securi ties (the BBB ones)? What are the risks from the perspective of the investor?What are the risks from the perspective of RBS? A portfolio manager of a pension fund should invest in financial instruments with low risk since a pension fund is a scheme which provides retirement income. Buying MINCS notes means receiving higher yield but also being exposed to the full risk. In reality Morgan Guarantee Trust did not fully insure SEQUILS in case of the default of investors. It only insured 16% to 17% of this SPV (144/852. 5). If it has fully insured SEQUILS, then all the tranches created by SEQUILS could have a triple-A rating.MINCS only issued notes that are worth $144 million, which is almost 16% on the original loan portfolio. However, regardless of whether SEQUILS was partly or fully insured by Morgan Guarantee Trust, this structure keeps transferring the risk from one party to another. From RBS’s perspective, it is a good deal because the bank is not exposed to the risk anymore , the equity tranche was minimized or even eliminated and the bank obtained a better rating for its portfolio of loans.In practice, pension fund managers trusted the ratings that MINCS notes received by the rating agencies and were not fully aware the risk they were holding by buying those notes. This kind of complex structure helped to transfer the credit risk from company to another. Additionally, it was another important risk factor that was not almost taken into consideration by investors. Loans had a high default correlation with themselves. When one mortgage defaulted, many would, which would trigger many credit defaults at the same time.