Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Business Description Steps to Building an Organizational...

The business being proposed is a new web development company that services other businesses by providing website templates, custom website layouts, and monthly website maintenance, at the discretion of the client. Although the company will be focused on providing layouts for other businesses, it will not turn down a client looking to create a personal website. This, however, will be less often than a business client will be. The company will be a new start up in the industry. It will mainly service the Sacramento, California region; however, due to the nature of the Internet, clients from other geographical locations may also be pursued. The business will be a partnership, in that a designer and programmer will be the owner’s of the company. This will provide stability to the company, as well as giving each owner a specific task to focus on. Involving partners that have differing strengths allows for greater success, as well as better designs and more thoughtful programming. D ue to the limited costs involving start up of the company, it is in its best interest to assume that the company will be a general partnership, in that both owners share responsibilities in operation of the business, as well as any liabilities that come with owning the business. This reduces the workload for either partner, as well as increases the customer satisfaction for the reason that there will be a dedicated programmer, as well as designer focused on creating efficient and aestheticallyShow MoreRelatedMarks Spencer: Organizational Change Using Kotters 8-Step Approach1636 Words   |  7 Pagesï » ¿Organizational Change Using Kotters 8-Step Approach Introduction This study will examine Marks Spencer, a retailer in the United Kingdom and will utilize the 8-Step approach of Kotter in addressing organizational change. Marks Spencer has more than 375 stores and 11 million shoppers each week and employs 66,000 workers. The company is one of High Streets best known companies however, Marks Spencer, for a long time unchallenged, has undergone a chain of management and corporate structureRead MoreEssay about Hrm Hotel Paris Case1320 Words   |  6 Pageslike to summarize the hierarchy of links among the hotel’s HR practices, necessary workforce competencies and behaviours, and required organizational outcomes. Than I will draw a simple strategy map for the Hotel Paris. â€Å"The Basic HR strategy process is as follows: Management formulates a strategic plan. This plan in turn implies certain required organizational outcomes, such as improved costumer service. Those required outcomes in turn imply certain workforce requirements. Human resource managementRead MoreProject Management : Planning And Scheduling1039 Words   |  5 Pagesall task before implementing them into business and can give idea about all possibilities. It can help to break big task into small task and make process smoother. Planning is helping project manager to use their past knowledge in future project. Project planning is the process where project manager decide all the steps to implement and mapped based on the past data, their knowledge, and relative information. When project has been initiated, the first step is planning and scheduling. There are threeRead MoreHobby Lobby : Business, History, Culture, Locations, And Demographics1207 Words   |  5 PagesWhen analyzing and review a company’s human resource practices it is important to fully understand the company’s business, history, culture, locations, and demographics. Hobby Lobby is described as one of the largest privately owned arts-and-crafts stores in the world. Hobby Lobby’s business consists of over 32,000 employees and over 750 stores in 47 states. (Why choose hobby lobby, 2017) Their headquarters are located in Oklahoma City and have three overseas offices in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and ChinaRead MoreCase Workbrain1709 Words   |  7 Pageslife. Workbrain’s current organization state lacks structure, focus, and functional direction. The company is performing well but the coming expansion will require more extensive infrastructure. The external environment can be characterized by building pressure from investors, clients, and t he marketplace—all driven by the innovative characteristics of their product and industry. Workbrain management currently prefers generalists rather than specialized employees. A key resource for WorkbrainRead MorePerformance Management Plan For Landslide Limousine1413 Words   |  6 Pagesabout the request for the development of a performance management framework plan for Landslide Limousine via Atwood and Allen Consulting firm. To develop a plan that will be beneficial to Landslide Limousine we will review specific aspects of the business philosophy and methodologies in terms of relations to performance management. In creating this performance management framework, we will use applicable information provided by Landslide Limousine as well as make some general assumptions. We willRead MoreInnovation At Ike The Congruence Model909 Words   |  4 PagesInnovation at Ikea The congruence model includes useful components for developing a strategy that identifies and fixes organizational problems. Santoku, 2013 describe this model as â€Å"a roadmap for developing strategy reflective of a competitive environment and considering the role of the company in supporting any overall execution†. The first step in the organizational design is to understand the components: the environment, the resources, and the history, and how they relate. For the first inputRead MoreThe Impact Of Terrorism On International Business1268 Words   |  6 PagesOur paper explores the interesting phenomena of terrorism on international business. Grounded in the grave reality of terrorism and the international business literature, our research conceptualizes this compelling topic into a practical model worthy of future research. Unfortunately, the current data does not provide statistical evidence to support the unique firm level predictions from the conceptual model. However, our exploratory research leads us to believe that the lack of sensitivity in ourRead MoreOrganizational Leadership Is Define As The Management Staff1563 Words   |  7 PagesAccording to the Business Dictionary (2015), organizational leadership is define as the management staff that typically provides inspiration, objectives, operational oversight, and other administrative services to a business. Effective organizational leadership can help prioritize objectives for subordinates and can provide guidance toward achieving the overall corporate vision. In general, a job description for a college dean derives from memories of previous successes and failures and are not necessarilyRead MoreExecutive Summary : Fletcher Building Essay1418 Words   |  6 PagesFletcher Building is one of the top construction companies in New Zealand. Its market capitalization is over NZ $4.8 billion. This company split from Fletcher Challenge in 2001. It has around 19000 employees and over 50 businesses operating under the Fletcher building banner. Its headquarter is in Auckland, NZ. Its annual revenue is $8410 million. The area it served is New Zealand, Australia, Americas, Pacific Islands, Asia, Europe, Africa etc. The future planning of Fletcher building is that they

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Why Leaders Are Born Or Made - 1337 Words

There is a well-known and often asked question of whether leaders are born or made. While the origin of the question is unknown, the answers in response to the question are numerous. The terms leadership and management have become increasingly prevalent in today’s workplace. They are often used in place of each other and in some cases the terms leadership and management are used identically to each other. This has not always been the case. Leadership has a long history that dates as far back as biblical times. According to Bass, â€Å"it is one of the world’s oldest preoccupations† (Bass, 1990). On the other hand, management as it relates to the workplace is a relatively new concept in that it became more visible in organizations around the time of the Industrial Revolution. It was during this time that large scale industrial plants with their high number of employees were in need of people and processes that would make their complex and disorganized orga nizations operate smoothly and more efficiently (Kotter, 1990). As a result, management as it is known today became commonplace. The evolution of management since the Industrial Revolution has undergone many changes. It was the catalyst that brought about changes in the way management was perceived and administered in the workplace (Kotter, 2013). The management needs of organizations since the Industrial Revolution still require regulation, order, and consistency. Many modern day organizations often useShow MoreRelatedWhy Leaders Are Made Rather Than Born: Essay examples1105 Words   |  5 Pagesmyth is that leaders are born -- that there is a genetic factor to leadership...Thats nonsense; in fact, the opposite is true. Leaders are made rather than born. (Bennis). Others starkly disagree with Bennis and hold to the opinion that leaders are born. The popular opinion of several psychologists is that leadership is an inherited characteristic, and those that don’t inher it this gift have no chance of developing it on their own. Contrary to the popular belief that leaders are born, I believeRead MoreCharacteristics Of A Great Leader1379 Words   |  6 PagesTo be a great leader one must have many attributes or qualities. Some of the most important are flexibility, communication, courage, humility, and responsibility. A great leader must be flexible as being a leader usually consists of dealing with new challenges all the time, especially in the technological age. Communication consists of effectively conveying expectations and understanding how people will interpret the leader’s directions. A great leader must have the courage to see the path that theRead MoreBiography Of Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, And Nelson Mandela1430 Words   |  6 Pagessomething that you were born with, hence the very popular saying Great leaders are born, not made (What Makes An Effective Leader). Martin Luther King, Mahatma Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela were all great examples of people who were natural born leaders. These three leaders were very charismatic, which enabled them to gather many followers. To some extent, being born a leader was true because according to David Celeste, Qualities such as charisma with which one is born, is a leadership qualityRead MoreWhy Employees Are More Motivated Than Others And Implications820 Words   |  4 PagesWhy some employees are more motivated than others and implications, do the differences Some employees are more motivated by others because they have achieved an element of self-efficacy, whereby they can to achieve optimum performance by putting the right amount of energy towards the same. This aspect most often than not comes from an immense form of experience in which people continuously do a given exercise to an extent that they get well acquainted with the job and, therefore, able to deliverRead MoreAre Leaders Born Or Made?1372 Words   |  6 Pagesrespondents to answer the question ‘are leaders born or made?’ The results showed that 52.4% believed leaders are made, 19.1% felt leaders are born and 28.5% thought it was equal. The executives had differing opinions but the ‘leaders are made’ view was more popular. It also revealed that those who indicated ‘leaders are made’ believe that experience is more important than traits or training and what people learn over time is important. Those who indicated ‘leaders are born ’ believe traits and experienceRead MoreTransformational Leadeship in Organizations in the 21st Century1671 Words   |  7 PagesUniversity of Technology, Jamaica July 17, 2010 Table of Contents Page Title Page 1 Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Management versus Leadership 3 Are Great Leaders Born or Made? 5 The Role of Transformational Leadership in Organizational Performance 6 Conclusion 7 References 8 Introduction Globalization along with the increasing dynamics of business today,Read MoreLeaders Are Born Not Made1283 Words   |  6 PagesLEADERS ARE BORN NOT MADE To begin this essay I would prefer to give a little scenario by asking ourselves, can all managers go on to be a leader? For several years, the concern whether leaders are born or made is an issue of great controversy. From different opinions however, it could be a little bit of both hence proving that any manager can go on to be a great leader as well. Among other definitions, Maxwell (1993, p.11) has defined leadership as an ability to influence others. He also definedRead MoreSimilarities Between Traits And Behavior Leadership Theories1684 Words   |  7 Pages Born or Created? Comparison between Traits and Behavior Leadership Theories Karolina Baez Soto Rochester Institute of Technology Abstract Are the leaders born or created? This ancient question has had many answers. In the Great Man and Trait Phase, theorist attempted to determine which specific traits make a person an effective leader. Great leaders are the focus of trait identification. After many years, Behavioral theorist focused their attention in which particular behaviors and stylesRead MoreAre Leaders Born or Made - Essay729 Words   |  3 PagesRunning Head: LEADERSHIP AT WORK Are leaders born or made? MBA 525-Professional Development April 10, 2011 The definition of leadership is the art of motivating a group of people to act towards achieving a common goal. Put in even simpler terms, the leader is the inspiration and director of the action. He or she is the person in the group that possesses the combination of personality and skills that makes others want to follow his or her direction (Ward). Which brings us to the mostRead MoreAnalysis Of Hsun Tzu s Man s Nature Is Evil1720 Words   |  7 PagesSome people argue that leaders are born. Others argue that leaders are made because of the environment. Each person believes leaders possess certain characteristics that make them good rulers. I believe leaders are made, they are taught what is wrong and right, and they are taught how to be a certain kind of leader in the context of their environment. I want to discuss what makes someone a good leader. Is a good leader efficient and adaptable or is a good leader born with predetermined qualities

Monday, December 9, 2019

Nutrition and Clinical Outcome in Intensive Care

Question: Discuss about the Nutrition and Clinical Outcome in Intensive Care. Answer: Introduction Today people pay attention to the hectic schedules at work and other important responsibilities, hence limiting the amount of time spent on nutrition or eating patterns. Eating pattern is a totality of all foods and beverages that are consumed by an individual. Nutrition is what gives a person the required raw materials for growth, recuperation, and energy. I will, therefore, reflect on my beliefs about the dimensions of nutrition, factors that have influenced my belief about the health behavior and lastly, I will analyze how to conduct an important conversation with clients who do not share my beliefs about nutrition. Various beliefs are associated with the nutrition or eating pattern. The first belief is that it ought to favor frequent and smaller feedings instead of larger ones, throughout the day. When an individual feeds the body many times in a day, the persons metabolism normally increases. Therefore, the increased amount of fat that is in the body is usually burnt. Feeding frequency is also important, this is because an individual should eat in a frequency of fewer than three hours so as to ensure that the body does not switch to the state of catabolism -catabolism refers to the breaking down of complex molecules to simpler molecules (Thibault Pichard, 2010). The belief is that an individual should eat between to six meals in a day spaced at an interval of two to three-hour intervals. The decision usually depends on gender and goals. The other belief is that a meal ought to have protein, carbohydrates, and fat in their correct ratios. All the macro-nutrients ought to be present so as ensure the body can absorb them in the right manner. My belief is that the ratios should be in the following proportions: forty percent of carbohydrates, forty percent of proteins and twenty percent of fats Moderate consumption of alcohol is important since it can improve the health of an individual and may lead to a prolonged life. Proper attention ought to be paid to the key term moderation, which means that a woman is supposed to take one drink in a day on average and men are required to consume at most two drinks in a day. The women are saved from the risk of cancer of the breast, rectum, throat, mouth, esophagus and liver. Furthermore, alcohol and the health of the heart normally have a positive relationship. Finally, alcohol is important in boosting the brain power. Drinking eight glasses of water in a day is important for the body of a person to function in a proper way. A person should drink at specific intervals, to ensure that it does harm the body but helps it to function in a proper way. The first is drinking a glass of water after waking up; it is important to activate the internal organs. The water is believed to help in removing the toxins before taking the first meal of the day. It is essential to drink another one glass of water thirty minutes before the meal, so as to help digestion of the body. It is not right to drink the water too soon after or before the meal, as the water will dilute the juices of digestion. One should also drink a glass of water before taking a bath, so as to help in lowering the individuals pressure of the blood. Lastly, is taking a glass of water one before retiring to bed, this helps to replenish the fluid loss that normally occurs while sleeping. Risky Nutrition/Eating Pattern A risky healthy behavior is characterized by taking a meal after an interval of more than three to four hours. It is because when an individual fails to take a meal after an estimation of three to four hours, the body usually switches to a state of catabolism. A catabolic state is a state that an individual loses the muscles and gains the body fats. The body usually believes that it is undergoing body starvation, therefore, it starts to feed itself on tissues of lean muscles and stores calories as fat. Taking a meal beyond the interval of three to four hours is a risky eating pattern. It is my belief that eating before going to bed is not right. The body of an individual ought not to take large quantities of food before bedtime. The activity that involves the digestive system and process may lead to poor quality of sleep. A light snack is normally recommended so as to satisfy the cravings and to help the body at night. Going to sleep immediately after taking a meal increase the chances of stroke. One who waits for one hour after dinner before going to sleep decreases the chances of being attacked by stroke by sixty-six percent. Consumption of alcohol may also be harmful to the body of an individual especially in circumstances that are consumed in large amounts (WHO, 2014).The excessive alcohol usually interferes with the communication pathways of the brain, hence affect how the brain works and looks. The disruption normally leads to mood and behavior changes. Drinking too much for a particular occasion or for a long time may damage the heart, leading to problems such as Arrhythmias, stroke, Cardiomyopathy, and high blood pressure. Heavy drinking may also lead to problems that associated with the liver such as steatosis, cirrhosis, alcohol hepatitis and fibrosis (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2012).Additionally, too much alcohol normally increases the chances of developing particular types of cancers such as cancer of the breast, esophagus, mouth, liver and throat (Winstanley et al., 2011). I believe that eating too many carbohydrates is a risky health behavior since the excess carbohydrates are usually converted into fat in the body. As Mesas, Muoz-Pareja, Lpez-Garca, and Rodrguez-Artalejo (2012), excessive fat in the body increases the total amount of calories, which may lead to obesity. Therefore, I believe that the consumption of excessive carbohydrates is harmful to the body of an individual. Furthermore, failure to consume carbohydrates can lead to a lack of calories where the body will be forced to use the fats in the body to make up for the calories, which normally affects the metabolism process of the body. An individual is therefore required to consume carbohydrates in the required ration so as to avoid malnutrition. Factors Influencing the Beliefs about Nutrition/Eating Pattern I believe that culture and society are among the factors that influence nutrition or eating pattern when referring to the Health Beliefs Model. It is worth to note that there is a positive relationship between socio-economic factors and nutrition as McKinnon, Giskes, and Turrell (2014) suggest. Friends and families also influence the eating pattern. In situations where people are together, they tend to consume more or less, which may be different from a person can consume while alone. The type of food that an individual normally consumes when is with other people is also distinct from that that is consumed when one is alone. Increased consumption of meals that are rich in carbohydrates may increase the amount of fat in the body which may further lead to obesity. In some situations, people may decide to eat a lesser amount of food especially when they are with others; this typically leads to malnutrition. Family and friends gathering may lead to an increase in the alcohol consumption which may be harmful to the body as suggested by Molina, Donovan, and Belendiuk (2010). Additionally, I believe that technology and media have been acting as shaping forces in culture for various years. It is believed that children with the tendency to watch television are usually subjected to unhealthy eating patterns. In our culture, the trends of the eating patterns are often influenced by the marketing strategies that have been used. Advertisements for highly refined, highly processed, unhealthy food that are accompanied by sweeteners and fat have an adverse influence on the nutrition or the eating pattern. Many people especially the youth are usually susceptible to what is portrayed by the media. The media is, therefore, to blame for an epidemic that is associated with body dysmorphia and other issues that are related to self-image. Magazines that are full of muscular men and slim girls may result in a negative body image, hence encourage unhealthy nutrition. Therefore, this summarizes the influence of culture on nutrition. A culture that is associated with certain type of food culture is also affects the eating patterns or nutrition, for instance, if a culture is made up of vegetarians, an individual from such a culture will be a vegetarian since it is a norm in the culture. Some cultures do allow the people to consume some types of foods hence forcing its the populace in that society to consume food that lacks some of the essential macronutrients. It may, therefore, lead to malnutrition or excessive consumption of carbohydrates that frequently leads to obesity as stipulated by Barclay and Brand-Miller, (2011). The other factor is related to the gender of an individual. There is a belief that women typically need fewer calories than men. If on average a woman decides to consume some calories as that consumed by a man, she will end up gaining weight. The women are therefore predisposed to consume less amount of food which may lead to malnutrition. Men, on the other hand, will be encouraged by the fact that they are required to consume an increased amount of food. The increased consumption of food may lead to excess consumption of carbohydrates into the body, which is usually converted to fats, hence increasing the chances of been affected by obesity as suggested by Brown, Ioannidis, Cope, Bier, and Allison (2014). Conducting a Conversation with a Client with Different Beliefs The first thing that I will do is to carry out a thorough research on the important things concerning the eating patterns and nutrition. I will also take the chance to look at the factors that influence the healthy behaviors while referring to a particular Healthy Belief Model. Then I will use that opportunity to consult with the experts to confirm some of my beliefs. Once confirmed, I will be with be able to see the clients and help them to understand my beliefs. I will primarily converse by asking customers about some of their beliefs, especially those that they believe as true. Due to the research that I have conducted, I will take my time try to convince the clients what makes to alter their beliefs by using evidence-based materials. Once they are convinced, I will allow them to ask any question concerning their beliefs on the eating pattern and the convincing analogy that I have given to them. When their questions are answered, I will take my time to give a statement about my be liefs. I will explain to the clients about the beliefs that I have about the eating pattern and nutrition. I will start by mentioning the beliefs that are in my mind, and allow them to comment or suggest anything concerning the convictions. The move will be substantial since it will allow me to understand the specific place to begin my explanation. It will also enable me to be aware of any belief that the may have a little knowledge about it. The next step will be to explain each belief in details starting with what characterize healthy nutrition or good eating patterns. I will go to what characterize risky eating behavior, which will enable the clients to get a clear distinction of the healthy behaviors. After the explanation, I will allow the clients to come up with any questions concerning the healthy behavior or for clarification for any particular explanation. Then I will try to use examples so as to enable the clients to get a clear understanding of what I am trying to explain to them . I will then explain the factors that usually influence the healthy behavior paying much attention to a specific Healthy Beliefs Model. Once the clients understand the factors, it will be my time to ask some few questions that concern the healthy behavior. Finally, I will explain to customers about what I will believe one ought to do in an attempt to ensure that the individual is not affected by the healthy behavior. I will use evidenced-based materials to make sure that the client is convinced of my beliefs about eating patterns and nutrition. Conclusion The health beliefs that have been identified and explained about the eating behavior of an individual are valid and ought to be observed. Some of these my beliefs have been proven scientifically since they are based on evidence-based materials, which has been essential in explaining relevant facts to arising doubters of such beliefs. The scientific explanation of some of the above health beliefs helps to show that even the other beliefs are correct and individuals are supposed to adhere to them so as to ensure they lead a healthy life. It is worth noting that many authors and scientists have supported the health beliefs, hence requiring individuals to observe them so that they can be in a position to avoid the consequences associated with the failure to follow them. References Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2012). Australian Health Survey: First Results, 2011-12. CAT No. 4364.0.55.003, (1), 161. https://doi.org/ABS cat. no. 4364.0.55.003 Barclay, A. W., Brand-Miller, J. (2011). The Australian paradox: A substantial decline in sugars intake over the same timeframe that overweight and obesity have increased. Nutrients, 3(12), 491504. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu3040491 Brown, A. W., Ioannidis, J. P. A., Cope, M. B., Bier, D. M., Allison, D. B. (2014). Unscientific beliefs about scientific topics in nutrition. Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.), 5(5), 5635. https://doi.org/10.3945/AN.114.006577 McKinnon, L., Giskes, K., Turrell, G. (2014). The contribution of three components of nutrition knowledge to socio-economic differences in food purchasing choices. Public Health Nutrition, 17(8), 181424. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980013002036 Mesas, a E., Muoz-Pareja, M., Lpez-Garca, E., Rodrguez-Artalejo, F. (2012). Selected eating behaviours and excess body weight: a systematic review. Obesity Reviews?: An Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, 13(2), 10635. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2011.00936.x Molina, B. S. G., Donovan, J. E., Belendiuk, K. A. (2010). Familial loading for alcoholism and offspring behavior: Mediating and moderating influences. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 34(11), 19721984. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2010.01287.x Thibault, R., Pichard, C. (2010). Nutrition and clinical outcome in intensive care patients. in Clinical Nutrition Metabolic Care, 13(2), 177183. https://doi.org/10.1097/MCO.0b013e32833574b9 WHO. (2014). Global status report on alcohol and health. World Health Organization, 1100. https://doi.org//entity/substance_abuse/publications/global_alcohol_report/en/index.html Winstanley, M. H., Pratt, I. S., Chapman, K., Griffin, H. J., Croager, E. J., Olver, I. N., Slevin, T. J. (2011). Alcohol and cancer: A position statement from Cancer Council Australia. Medical Journal of Australia.

Monday, December 2, 2019

Zara SWOT Analysis

Literature Review Zara is one of the companies that operate under the Inditex Group. The company began its operations in the year 1974. As of today, Zara has managed to open approximately 1900 stores in more than 70 countries across the world. The company is headquartered in La Coruna, Galicia in Spain.Advertising We will write a custom article sample on Zara SWOT Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For the ease of operation of its international subsidiaries, the company has established operational headquarters in each region in which it has set up its stores. The largest operational area of the company is retailing of fashion goods for women, men and even children. However, the company specializes in the retailing of women fashion products (Kurtz Boone, 2011). The company has ventured in the fast fashion segment in the larger fashion industry and is considered to be one of the pioneer companies in the fast fashion industry . The regions where the company has successfully established retail stores include the larger Europe, Oceania, South and North America, and Asia. These regions represent areas that represent the largest fashion markets in the world (The Soundings Group, 2011). Industry Analysis Zara operates in the fashion industry, specifically the fast fashion segment of the global fashion retailing industry. The fashion industry lies within the larger lifestyle and retail industry. The number of firms in the industry is quite large and they are differentiated by virtue of subcategories. The subcategories include ‘men/women/children’s’ clothing and footwear and fashion, among other sub-categories. The growth in the scale of the industry comes as a result of the efforts by firms in the industry to develop newer categories of products, which eventually extend to newer market segments.Advertising Looking for article on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get yo ur first paper with 15% OFF Learn More It is important to note that the fashion industry has a lot of players, who are motivated by the opportunities that prevail in the industry. The opportunities in the industry are promoted by the fact that there is globalization of culture, where fashion is a critical part of the culture. Fashion keeps changing within short cycles of time and so are the firms that are operating in the industry required to match up with the pace of change in the industry in order not to lose in the competition. Factors that promote the fashion industry and especially the fast fashion sector in which Zara operates in include the emphasis on the importance of fashion in the contemporary globe, the globalization of cultures, the growth of the population across the globe and the attachment of a lot of value on brands and fashion by the modern consumers (Tiplady, 2006). The fashion industry is a volatile industry. Its volatility is steered by the fact that mo st of materials that are used for the production of goods in the industry are drawn from the developing economies. Therefore, instabilities that often occur in the developing world easily result in the shooting up of the price of raw materials. Such a case in the textile industry was witnessed in the year 2004. This case denotes that the company is often vulnerable to the socio-political and economic dynamics that occur in different parts of the world. Zara has shown positive progress in terms of limiting the competitive pressures that come from its direct competitors by matching any event going out of hand to outwit the strategies that are used by its competitors in the market.Advertising We will write a custom article sample on Zara SWOT Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The internationalization strategy has proved to be worth in the expansion of the operations and the scale of business by the company, thereby increasin g the level of competitiveness of the company in the market. Price regulation and cycles of efficient delivery of products form part of the competitive strengths of Zara (The New York Times, 2012). SWOT Analysis This is an evaluation of the environment in which a firm operates. The â€Å"internal† environment is assessed by evaluating the weaknesses and the strengths of the business, while the â€Å"external† environment is assessed by evaluating the threats and opportunities available to the business. This assessment helps the firm identify its current position and shape its future. SWOT represents â€Å"strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats† (Simoneaux Stroud, 2011, p. 76) that face a business. In this regard, a SWOT analysis is a tool that helps in reviewing a business plan to ensure that it remains alive. Through the results of a SWOT analysis, a firm is placed in a position to create goals in line with the business plan. Necessary strategies an d objectives are also formulated to guide the business in its current and future positions. Since change is ever happening in all industries, the SWOT analysis comes in handy in managing change, as well as forming the basis upon which realistic goals are set (Simoneaux Stroud, 2011). SWOT Analysis for ZARA Strengths The vertically integrated structure of the company as is embraced by the Inditex Group enables the company to be proactive in terms of the expansion of operations. Zara utilizes a low cost supply chain in managing its retail operations across the regions in which it operates (Choi, 2012).Advertising Looking for article on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Operating under the Inditex Group remains to be a competitive factor for Zara since the utilization of the Inditex brand helps Zara to gain a competitive base in the new market in which the company stages it operations. This is argued to be one of the reasons why the company has managed to expand its operations in the four main regions of the world in which it operates today. By using the name of Inditex as its core brand in the international market, Zara has managed to build a resounding image in the markets in which it operates. The brand of Zara is, therefore, stronger and widely known in the market, which makes the company more competitive in the fast fashion industry (Bjerreskov et al., 2010). The other factor of strength in the company is that it remains proactive in terms of the development of strategy in the industry and the market in which it operates. With the retail fashion industry being a large industry, Zara chose to venture into one of the main sub-sectors in the indu stry; the fast fashion segment. It is, therefore, considered to be a pioneer in the fast fashion segment, a factor that makes most customers prefer the company over other companies that have ventured into the segment later. Coupled with sound human resource policies, the company is often in the forefront in terms of innovation in fashion. Innovation in Zara is boosted by the fact that the company has managed to fully adopt and use information technology in its management and design activities (Tiplady, 2006). The internationalization of the operations of Zara, which came as part of the expansion strategy of the company, gives the company an advantage over other companies in the industry. Unlike its competitors, Zara has managed to establish a global supply chain network that ensures that its stores are fed with the products on a timely manner, thereby appeasing customers always (Bjerreskov et al., 2010). It can be seen in terms of spreading the risk of the company, especially with t imes of economic uncertainties that have become common in the contemporary economic environment. The company has operations in four continents of the world, with retail stores established in more than 70 countries across the world with approximately 2000 active stores. The scale of business has, therefore, broadened by the virtue of the ability of the company to traverse the world and establish its operations across the world. The level of creativity in the company is quite advanced and is used as basis on which the company differentiates and segments its operations in the market to maintain market dominance. Although the company focuses on one product line, women fashion, it also designs and produces a ray of men and children fashion. The two other segments act as backup to the market segment in which Zara has fully ventured in. Each segment is highly differentiated in terms of operation, making the products and services in every segment to be distinct and unique in the market (Pah l Mohring, 2008). Weakness The marketing strategy of the company has often been on the limelight. Zara makes use of a marketing strategy that has no advertisements. This is risky in times when aggressive marketing is embraced across the fashion industry. Failure to embrace aggressive marketing can slowly result in the loss of competitiveness by Zara in the market (Pahl Mohring, 2008). It is quite difficult to attain and sustain customer loyalty in the segment of operation in which Zara has fully ventured into. This comes from the fact that the needs and demands of customers who feature in the market keep changing. Consumers in the industry can, therefore, easily turn their attention to seemingly newer and cheaper fashions in the market (Pahl Mohring, 2008). Opportunities Globalization is a key factor in as long as the operations of the fashion industry are concerned. Globalization of culture is one of the attributes that highly promotes the demand for fashion in the world. Global ization of culture is enhanced by growth in the culture of consumerism across the globe. Zara is, therefore, presented with a lot of marketing opportunities in as far as the zeal for people to test other cultures through fashion remains to be experienced in the world. Opening of trade in the world promotes the landscape on which firms can easily advance and expand their operations in newer and developing markets across the globe. Zara can, thus, easily expand its operations in the markets that are emerging (Pahl Mohring, 2008). The fashion industry is broad and the diversity in the needs of fashion makes the broader industry. Zara can, therefore, venture into other segments in which other companies have not fully ventured into. The level of creativity in the company is also desirable and can help the company in the development of new fashion and new market segments (Bjerreskov et al., 2010). The modern economic environment has been invigorated by the presence of information and com munication technology. The availability and adoption of information and communication technology in the company is bound to help in the promotion of marketing activities through adoption of e-marketing initiatives. E-marketing is one of the pillars of marketing in an industry that is as dynamic as the fast fashion industry (Choi, 2012). Threats Trends in the global fashion industry denote the quick pace at which the consumers of fashion keep changing their demands. This implies that fashions or goods and services in the fashion industry can fade at a quicker pace, thereby rendering the stocks of a company unsellable to the customers. This forces the company to keep changing its tactics in the market and keep investing in the design and development of newer fashions, which is an expensive affair for the company. It raises the cost of operation for the company (Pahl Mohring, 2008). Fashion is considered as an industry that deals mostly in secondary goods. On the other hand, economic uncertainties have been on the rise in the contemporary economy, which negatively affects the global markets. Examples are the recent global financial crisis and the global recession that hit hard on the global markets. Such uncertainties and the general rise in the rate of inflation in the global economy impact negatively on the sales trend in the fashion industry (Pahl Mohring, 2008). The other threat to the company is the increase in the number of firms that are venturing in the fast fashion industry across the world. This makes the competitive environment to be quite complex, bearing in mind that there are other key competitors in the industry that the company is battling with. Conclusion From the analysis in the paper, several deductions can be made concerning the scale of competitiveness in the global fashion industry and the competitive position of Zara. The global fashion is quite dynamic. The dynamism of the industry provides both opportunities and challenges to the compan ies that are operating in the industry. Zara has been quite active in terms of developing and implementing strategies that help it take advantage of the opportunities that prevail in the market. The company operates by basing more on strengthening its operations instead of matching the factors of competition that are posed by the competitor firms in the industry. References Bjerreskov, D. H., Bohlbro, D., Lars, K. J., Nielsen, B., Jack, M. (2010). Value-added logistics in supply chain management. Copenhagen: Academica. Choi, T.-M. (2012). Fashion supply chain management: Industry and business analysis. Hershey, PA: Business Science Reference. Kurtz, D. L., Boone, L. E. (2011). Contemporary business. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Pahl, N., Mohring, W. (2008). Successful business models in the fashion retail industry: Strategic audit of HM compared to ZARA. Norderstedt, Germany: GRIN Verlag. Simoneaux, S. L., Stroud, C. L. (2011). SWOT analysis: the annual check-up for a business. Journal o f Pension Benefits: Issues in Administration, 18(3), 75-78. The New York Times. (2012). How Zara grew into the world’s largest fashion retailer. The New York Times. Web. The Soundings Group. (2011). Zara: A global success story ( 2011). Web. Tiplady, R. (2006). Zara: Taking the lead in fast-fashion. Bloomberg BusinessWeek. Web. This article on Zara SWOT Analysis was written and submitted by user Kyra T. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.