Strategic Analysis Of Mcdonald In India Business Essay

Strategic Analysis Of Mcdonald In India Business Essay McDonald in India is a joint-venture under the ownership and management of two Indians, Amit Jatia and Vikram Bakshi . Amit Jatia is managing director of Hardcastle Restaurants Pvt. Ltd. owns and spearheads McDonalds in west south India. However, McDonald in North and East India are managed and owned by Vikram Bakshi who is the owner of Connaught Plaza Ltd as well (McDonalds India, 2009). With success and leadership spanning over 12 years in the Indian Industry, McDonald is having a network of over 170 restaurants in India, with initiation of its business in the country in 1996. Company spent four years in developing its unique cold chain, resulting in bringing a revolution in the industry in terms of food handling. This investment benefited farmers in terms of avoiding risks associated with food handling and consumers in terms of provision of fresh and quality food products at great value (McDonalds India, 2009). McDonalds Business Model in India Business model, according to McDonald (2009), is based on four main pillars. And these pillars are fresh food, affordable prices, fast service and limited menu. As per McDonalds India (2009), first pillar, fresh food is the outcome of the initial investment in the development of unique cold chain. In fact, the companys integrated supply chain and its focus on centralized customers service are the among the key core competencies. Similarly, affordable prices distinguish the company from its competitors. However, the trust of the company on limited menu needs to be changed because of the demands and eating habits and preferences of the Indian customers. SWOT Analysis In the growing market of India, following are believed strengths of McDonald. Strengths Flexibility and Innovation in products Adaption to the market of India, particularly, meeting the religious and cultural demands of the customers. According to Jauhari (2007) initially McDonald dropped mutton, beef and ham burgers from its menu in India keeping in view the life style, religion and eating habits of the customers, and introduced vegetarian products. In case of sauces, the company provides 100% vegetarian sauces. The company understands of the consumers preferences and its ability to respond quickly through innovative ways is one of its strengths. This is what helps the company to successfully work on its strategy of think global and act local. Jauhari (2007: 135) states that McDonald stays ahead of its competitors by being innovative and looking for new opportunities. Jahuri (2007) states that company has introduced innovative ideas such as various packages for family and children and these innovative product offerings have created intimacy with customers. Further, its use of local people in its staff helps the company to create trust among the customers and to avoid any political pressures and issues (McDonald, 2009). Supply Chain Management Supply Chain is amongst important aspects that ensures success in the current era of competition. And according to McDonald (2009), Supply Chain model is amongst the utmost precisions. This matchless supply chain structure not only ascertain on time raw materials and supplies delivery but also helps the company reduce its cost, resulting in maximizing profits along with enabling the company to maintain high quality standards (McDonald (2009). The commitment level of the company can be seen from the huge amount in its supply chain model even before the start of business in the country in order to establish its delivery mechanism (Kulkarni, 2009). The companys efforts to develop a well-organized supply chain structure and set up modern technologies brought enormous changes in the entire fast food industry in India, raising the performance standards which seem to match international levels (Kulkarni, 2009). Kulkarni (2009) further states that the companys joint ventures with local suppliers and distributers helps the company to act proactively through the use of these information channels and these long term relations help the company to reduce its costs, improve quality and create intimacy in the market as well. Hence, supply chain integration is one of the strengths of the company. Cold Chain has been amongst the unique ideas initiated by McDonald in India after the efforts of six years efforts (Kulkarni, 2009). In fact, McDonald (2009) states that this revolutionary system offers immense advantage to farmer on the one hand by reducing the risks on perishables, and provides advantage to the customers on the other hand by offering them quality and fresh products at great value. Kulkarni (2009) also mentions the benefits of the cold chain stating that cold chain has enabled the company to reduce the costs and minimize wastage of perishables, on one hand and on the other hand, this cold chain helped the company to satisfy its customers by maintaining freshness and nutritional value of the products and relevant raw material. Affordable Prices In fact, this is again one of the innovative strategies that have widened the customer base of McDonald in India. McDonald used various price strategies for its customers and offered different food to match the target market (Kulkarni, 2009). McDonald initially was believed to have high prices in India and therefore, expansion outside the metros was unlikely because of affordability problems. But the company changed the perception through its flexible and innovative offers (Kulkarni, 2009). Centralized Customers Support Service Similarly, joining hands with vCustomer Corporation has helped the company to deliver the services to its customers through a centralized system, providing the customers support services and helping them to place an order (Kirkland, 2008). However, one of the main benefits this partnership provides is the information about the desires and demands of the customers by separating order and non-order calls (Kirkland, 2008). This helps the company to take corrective actions. Hence, focussing on customers with every possible way is amongst the strength that helps the company to understand and respond to the target market demands. Weaknesses Limited Menu The menu McDonald offers, however, is limited which can be argued not to fulfil the market demands (See Kulkarni., 2009). The fast food concept of Indian people can be deemed different than that of its European market (Goyal and Singh, 2007). For instance, Indians generally prefer spicy tandoori and curry food (McDonald, 2009) and Hindus do not eat meat (Cow particularly) and Muslims do not eat pork due to their religious restrictions (McDonald, 2009; Goyal and Singh, 2007). Further, according to Kulkarni (2009), Indian culture is diversified and different regions have different regions and such differences have been a challenge and demand the company new markets regularly in the market Inefficiencies in Home delivery The company has weakness in its delivery of orders in the Indian market (www.mcdonaldsindia.com). This weakness in fact is the lack of speed in its delivery and unavailability of delivery service in many of outlets. This is hampering its sales and gives its competitor to get the attention of its customers by offering the service in more efficient way. Global Warming The company uses material in its packaging which is harmful to the environment, causing damages to the Ozone layer and contributing to global warming (Kulkarni, 2009). In this way, McDonald is not fulfilling its social responsibility and this is one of the weaknesses in the business environment where governments, agencies and media are focusing on such issues and consumers are becoming aware of such phenomena. Opportunities Expansion India is a huge market (Jauhuri, 2003). Expansion strategies of McDonald and its current business model of expansion provide an opportunity to enhance its market share by opening its outlets in other areas of the country (See McDonald, 2009). According to (www.mcdonaldsindia.com), huge potential of growth exist in the market because there are many areas or cities in India which are currently not served by the company. Changing gender roles, paucity of time, customer sophistication and confidence, double income group and large population of India in them can be argued as opportunities for McDonalds (Keshwani et al., 2009). Out-of-Home Breakfast According McDonald (2009), research indicates that a large percentage of people in big cities have a desire to have breakfast out of their home if suitable breakfast is available. And changing gender role (McDonald, 2009) can be believed one of its reasons. This is another opportunity for the company to increase its sales by capturing such market segment by serving breakfast in its outlets. Better Home Delivery As discussed earlier, inefficiencies in home delivery provides another opportunity to enhance its customer base. This includes, both, provision of faster delivery and expansion of their home delivery across all outlets in India. Environmental Friendly Packaging If company uses other type of packages that do not affect the environment, it can be an opportunity to create a positive image and to avoid any future embarrassment from any of the agencies and government. Threats Religious and political confrontation As mentioned by McDonald (2009), in 2001, the company has faced such challenges. Many outlets in Mumbai were in face of having problems from the anti-American elements in the country. Similar threats are from the religious groups as well if there is any mistrust in the companys products which are against the religious codes of Hindus and Muslims in the country. As said earlier, the company in Western markets uses pork and meet and this matter was politicised in early 2000 and hence if mistrust is created, it can harm the companys image and can negatively affect is sales and market share. Changing Customers preferences Changing customers lifestyle and may tend to eat different and more healthy food (Sharma, 2005). The current concept of fast food may be replaced by new trends in food such as use of genetically modified food (Onyango et al., 2004). According to Goyal and Singh (2007) in India, there is high concern of healthy food because Indian people are facing the issues of Obesity and one reason for this problem is use of fast food which is high on calories and fats. The role of Media has been vital for such awareness among the consumers. Competition from Local Food Companies As suggested by Kulkarni (2009), though currently none of the local food companies can be said to be national, yet they have been growing with a speed that can be a threat to the multinationals such as McDonald. Given the opportunities in the market, local companies such as Nirulas can be potential threat in future. Nevertheless, given the innovative strategies in its product offerings, pricing, supply chain model, focus on understanding the demands and desires of customers, and flexibility, McDonald can be believed to overcome its future threats and convert its weaknesses into its strengths, eventually helping itself to grow in the huge market of India. Porters five forces Analysis Porters five forces model is founded on the idea that strategy of an organization should be according to the threats and opportunities in the external environment of the organization. Particularly, competitive strategy is needed to be based on understanding structures of the industry and the ways these structures transform (Porter, 1985). In fact, Porter recognized five competitive forces which, according to him, form every market and industry (Porter, 1985). The five competitive forces, together, shape competition and its intensity, therefore industry attractiveness and its profitability. According Porters model of five forces, the purpose of firm strategy is to transform the constituent forces in order to make them work in the favor of the company and strengthen the position of the firm in the industry. According to Chapman (2005), on the basis of obtained information from this model, decisions should be made to affect or to manipulate certain features the industry. An analysis of the industry to help McDonalds management to benefit from the industry has been provided below. Competition This industry is very competitive. Many large and small companies exist in this industry, fighting for improving the customer base by offering a range of products and services. Same is the situation with McDonalds in all over the world and India is not an exception. Presence of Dominos, Pizza corner, KFC, Barista and many of the local food companies in India are the threat for McDonald in India (Jauhari, 2003). High exit barriers, and low switching costs are also the part of the factors that increase the threats because high exit costs, on one hand, can force the companies to compete and survive in the same industry. On the other hand, low switching costs for consumers in the industry is a serious threat for McDonald because availability of choices can mean more buyer power and loss of customers. Entry It is tough to come into this industry as it is difficult to create a distinctive brand name. Further, cost of entry associated with high research and development cost makes it difficult for the new entrants. Large reputable names in the industry such as McDonald make it hard for the new companies to enter and succeed in a given market. Similarly, high fixed and storage costs for perishable also are barriers to entry of the new firms in the industry (Jauhri, 2003). However, in case of McDonald in India, it can be seen that though new entrants are not the major threat, yet expansion of existing local restaurants such as Nirulas (Kulkarini, 2009), are amongst the threats. Substitutes Though as discussed earlier, McDonald has its own ways of surviving and growing in the markets including India, yet many substitutes from local and other multinationals are available in form of traditional Indian food including North-Indian and South-Indian, other Asian and Western (Keshwani, 2009). And this can result as a threat for McDonald and these foods can be replaced with MDC Burgers, Beverages, dairy products, and others or with some new foods, low in calories and fats (Onyango et al., 2004). Strength of Suppliers As discussed earlier, focus of McDonald on supply chain and its current supply chain structure and its relationship with suppliers of various ingredients of food are the factors which can be believed as strengths for the company (Kulkarni, 2009). Seen this way, company does not seem to have any such challenge from the strength of suppliers. Strength of Buyers Relatively strength of buyers is less threatening, but it does not mean that it is not there. Increasing competition and increasing substitute pose a threat for McDonalds. As already stated the presence of Domino, Pizza corner, Pizza hut and local food companies, competition and threat of substitution is increasing (Kulakarni, 2009; Goyal and Singh, 2007). Hence, the strength of the buyer is also on increase. Core Competencies of McDonalds in India According to McDonald (2009), four pillars or core competencies of the company are given above. These include fresh food, affordable prices, fast service and limited menu. These four areas which are believed by McDonald (2009) as their four pillars in India are core competencies of the company with the exception of limited menu. Fresh food provision because of unique cold chain of the company is amongst the core competencies (Kulkarni, 2009). Similarly, as discussed earlier, various price offers suitable to various segments of the target market are also believed that pricing of McDonald have significant positive impact in its current position in India (Kulkarni, 2009; Jauhari, 2003). Fast service also is one of the core competencies of the company if this is the case of the customer service inside the outlets and customer support and ordering service in collaboration with vCustomers corporation. However as stated in weaknesses part of SWOT analysis, home delivery to the customers is not that efficient. Hence, in this case, it is not the core competency. If the company really wants to work on this area to overcome these delays, it can become its core competency. Similar, doubts can arise by claiming limited menu as a pillar because with this limited menu, meeting the requirement of the diverse market seems difficult and when competition from the rivals is enhancing and when customers eating habits are different than the previous markets of the company. Recommendations Given the information from SWOT analysis, Porters five forces analysis and discussion on core competencies, a few recommendations are given below to help management understand current issues and the issues in future, eventually helping the management designing their strategies accordingly. Improved Product Home Delivery This is one of the areas of urgent focus because unavailability and delay in products can negatively impact the sales and market share of the company. Expansion and Variety As Indian market is a big and growing market and McDonald (Sharma, 2005) has its brand name, it should expand business and open many outlets in the areas which are still not served by the company. This will help to serve more areas and availability of outlets can help in reducing the delivery time as well. Similarly, keeping in view the population and diversity in population in terms of religion, income etc, it is suggested to add more variety to the menu in order to hit more market segments. Global Warming More focus on the products, packaging, and other activities which do not harm the environment is needed.

Computer Addiction Essay -- Technology

Technology today is progressing at an exponential rate with new devices being released practically daily. With each new invention comes new and exciting possibilities as well as ever growing temptations and danger. One such pitfall many have fallen victim to is that of computer addiction. Computer addiction can be defined as the obsessive use of computers that interferes with daily life. This addiction has been shown through many activities over computers such as video gaming, chat rooms, and net surfing to just name a few. In order to truly understand what computer addiction is one must understand the symptoms and motivations that lead one to become addicted. Computer addictions have been found in every race, gender, and socio-economical class in America, and yet many still view it as pure laziness. While it is still widely disputed many psychologist recognize it as a valid mental disorder. Like many addictions the origins of computer addictions cannot be accurately identified as there are always many causes of such addictions. Some psychologists speculate that the origins lay in our increased reliance on computers. The majority of people are required to use computers in their professional lives and throughout their educations. This reliance coupled with increased time restraints may lead to individuals to spending longer periods of time on the computer. A recent study was conducted by Robert Kraut at Carnegie Mellon University in which one hundred and sixty nine individuals from ninety three diverse households in the Pittsburg area were monitored during their first two years of internet use. By using monitoring software and surveys Dr . Kraut was able to establish a direct correlation between the amounts of internet use to a... ...lcoholics Anonymous. Regardless of the treatment sought, professional help is needed in order for addicts to overcome the dependency on computer time. As technology progresses more and more people are drawn to computers for their professions and education. If caution and restraint is not maintained some will become addicted, and this will have a tremendous impact on their personal and professional lives. Many have fallen prey to computer addictions and some have paid with their lives. Works Cited James Fearing, Ph.D. Computer / Internet Addiction - Self Diagnosis. n.d. 25 April 2009. . Spaith, Judith. "Sony Online Entertainment: EverQuestor EverCrack?" Journal of Business Ethics 58 (n.d.): 3–6. Williams, Ian. Vnunet. 01 March 2007. 25 April 2009. .

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Expansion of ideas – No Pains, No Gains No Pains, No Gains We cannot achieve real success in any field without great efffors and plenty of sacrifice. No pain, no gains is very true in case of education. Those who aspire to reach the top of the academic ladder must work very hard. Scholars are not born scholars but made with hard work and perseverance. What a student needs the most is concentration and perseverance. We must always imbibe into us the three D's – Devotion, Dedication and Determination. These three D's have help cricketers, painters, writers, actors,  scholars, dramatists and world leaders.These three D's will help us to  succeed in our  life. ————————————————- ————————————————- No Pain, No Gain Families everywhere deal with great challenges. With each obstacle they face generally the outcome will make each individual a little bit stronger. With these experiences our perspective in life changes and we become more knowledgeable. â€Å"Girl† and â€Å"Tiger Mending† are two stories that I believe reflect this in two very different ways.Jamaica Kincaid’s â€Å"Girl† is a story about reflection. It is about a girl reflecting back upon the past. Maybe she just lost her mother or maybe she is grown and finally realizes why her mother told her all of these things. At the time, I’m sure she thought her mother was always on her and barking orders at her. She grew up in a different era. Times were different obviously then based on the way they washed their clothes. â€Å"Wash the white clothes on Monday and put them on the stone heap,† and â€Å"soak your little clothes right after you take them off. All of the things the mother said were to mold her daughter into a good stron g woman. The reference the mother makes to the daughter on not becoming a slut is kind of odd and disturbing. â€Å"On Sundays try to walk like a lady and not like the slut you are so bent on becoming,† and â€Å"this is how to behave in the presence of men who don’t know you very well, and this way they won’t recognize immediately the slut I have warned you against becoming. † This maybe the mother’s way of reverse psychology. By putting hese thoughts and references in the girl’s head, she will think twice about things she does. The girl will not want to give the wrong impression and will strive to rise above her mother’s expectations. This story refers to growth and even though it seems to be somewhat harsh, the mother is really striving for a smart productive daughter. A daughter she is proud to have raised and one who will also set a good example for her own children. Aimee Bender’s â€Å"Tiger Mending† is a story ab out change and growth. This story is about two sisters who have lost their parents and†¦ [continues]

Suicide in Prisons - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1224 Downloads: 7 Date added: 2019/07/01 Category Society Essay Level High school Tags: Suicide Essay Did you like this example? Many of the Scholarly articles Ive found have a plethora of similarities. These similarities include Risk factors that make inmate more prone to committing suicide, Methods of how said inmates commit or attempted to commit suicide, and specific policys implemented to help mitigate this growing issue. Finally I found a qualitative study to help understand prison suicide out of Oregon to include six of their correction facilities and a mixed qualitative quantitative following women in the United Kingdom. Every single study I have researched has had a multitude of similar risk factors that make inmates prone to taking their own life. White, younger, males with no kids that come from lower SES backgrounds are more prone to suicidal tendencies. The general consensus on age varied throughout different studies but all ranged from 25 to 35 years old. However, one study did touch on individuals who were outside of that age bracket. They stated that inmates younger than 21 years of age, ones that should be placed in juvenile detention centers, placed in adult facilities where 8 times more likely to kill themselves. The reasoning for such an overwhelming amount of result from white men has been associated to their lack of being ready for the prison experience. Some researchers suggest that the differences among black, white, and Hispanic suicide rates can be explained by sociocultural factors such as better preparation for prison life by blacks as opposed to that of whites and Hispanics. (Da niel, 2006) As a result of these factors these individuals have and will continue to take part in deviant behaviors. A study that was taken from 313 inmates in a Florida Federal Institution, there was a positive correlation between antisocial deviance and suicidal tendencies of man inmates. (Daniel, 2006, p.167) These antisocial tendencies have a lot of can result in more risk factors that push inmates to suicidal thoughts. Bullying from peers has been proven to by many scholars as another direct correlation to suicide. According to Konrad, Suicidal inmates experience bullying from peers, write ups, or adverse information. (2004, p. 115) The risk factors mentioned above all revolve around social interactions or are caused because of them. There are some other risk factors that stem from within the inmates family or chemical make-up. These can be defined as Clinical factors, mental illness, and substance abuse issues. According to Emma Barker, personal and family history of psychiat ric problems, and dysfunctional family lives including parental substance abuse and violence can be a leading cause for inmates attempts at suicide or suicide. (2014) Even though most of the studies have the same rational reasoning as to why inmates commit these atrocitys, there was one study that touched on an uncharted reason. Ildiko Suto1 and Genevieve L. Y. Arnaut brought to the attention of the public inmates depression. Some inmates who made suicide attempts did so because they felt they dishonored their families, that they made their parents look bad. This normally wouldnt affect most inmates when it comes to other infractions or issues in prison, but to these inmates they were upset that it casts a negative shadow on their parental upbringing. As a result of a multitude of different reasons as to why inmates decide to take their own lifes or try, the method of how they do it is very similar across the board. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Suicide in Prisons" essay for you Create order Methods of suicide inside institutions are very limited in comparison to the outside world. As a result of constant supervision, random searches, CCTVs inmates have limited there methods to hangings, overdoses, and self-mutilations. Some researchers say that hangings are the leading cause of methods in prisoners suicide, Over 80 percent of suicides are completed by hanging. (Daniel, 2006) There are many ways an inmate can get away with this method as ways of asphyxiation. The use of bed sheets, shoelaces, belts or anything that can be used to cut of circulation are easily accusable by everyone. The timing of these incidents tends to happen during low traffic times. Because they are inside an institution they are under close supervision, as a way around that some say that imamates will hang themselves at night, during shift changes, or once put into isolation. According to Bonner, most of the suicides by hanging happen within the first 24 hours of arrest. This brings conflict to the m ajority of other studies that say this is most prevalent during times of isolation. When one is brought into intake, they are surround by many people which nullifies the idea that hangings happen in isolation. Some have said though the idea of isolation does not have to be taken literally but can be a result of ones mental state. As hanging being the most attempted and used practice in regards to suicide, the next highest killer is overdosing. This idea of overdosing refers to illegal narcotics smuggled into the institution or inmates prescribed psychotropic drugs. As a result of these methods Institution staff, social scientists and many others have come up with policies to help combat this ongoing issue. Many policies begin and end at inmate intake. Intake screening usually consisted of a non-medically trained staff asking probing questions. They are asked to either figure out an inmates prior history whether that mental or family history or to see if the inmate is currently high risk. Generally, screening questionnaires should ask for static (historical demographic) as well as dynamic (situational and personal) variables. ( Konrad, 2007) During screening if its deemed that inmate is suicidal they must be seen by mental health staff. Staff shouldnt stop once the initial intake has taken place. Staff need to follow up with inmates later on as suicidal tendency can go unobserved and created after intake. This to include routine checks, conversations, social interventions. As these are all good ideas, most institutions do not follow up with them. This could be attributed to lack of funding, personal, or they just do not think it is as important as others. Ronald Bonner brought up an older suicide prevention plan, SSP, from the New York Local Forensic Crisis Service Models Suicide Prevention Screening Instrument. This program took it further than prisoner intake. In conjunction, they added a level system to help officials observe high risk inmates differently, bridged the gap between correction officers and mental health providers, and made it mandatory for the whole correctional organization to be Profant in and knowledge off all these resources through a required eight-hour course. Bonner stated that a commonality across many intuitions SPPs was, The responsibility of all correctional staff in suicide prevention with training being considered the primary vehicle of program implementation. (p. 373) In 1986, the Galveston county jail, used a SPP that was similar in the fact that new inmates were screen prior to being put into gen pop, but where they different from the rest. During high risk times for these inmates they would avidly watch them three days before and after court hearings, as well and providing the inmates with more human contacts to not further isolate them. Also they implanted Trained inmates to keep an eye on these high risk s ubjects when officers werent available or wanted. In conjunction with the pervious policies, at Cook county Department of Corrections, they implanted a new SSP that reduced suicide rates to less than 2 inmates per 100,000. This SSP help connects these higher risk inmates to community hospitals for further mental treatment that the institution couldnt provide. (Barker, 2014)