Business - Smucker's Case Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business - Smucker's Case - Assignment Example It expanded itself beyond jams and jellies so that it can shield itself from becoming an acquisition of any of the larger firm. The company has been successful at expanding its operations, enhancing its sales and revenues by greater margins and increasing the price of the stock (Gamble, J. E., â€Å"Smucker’s in 2011: Expanding the Business Lineup†). The products of J. M. Smucker Company helped it to achieve its long-term goals. The company’s brand demonstrates strategic fit in the sense that all its brands are performing quite well. Smucker’s expected its net sales to augment by 6 percent annually by increasing the sales growth to 2-3 percent resulting from future acquisitions, and increase in sales by 1 percent from the introduction of the new product. It is identified that in the year 2010, the company was capable of becoming the market leader in 11 of its food categories such as fruit spreads as well as dessert toppings, roasted and ground coffee, heal th and natural beverages, peanut butter, cooking oil and condensed and evaporated milk. It can be stated that it is feasible for the company to expand its operations beyond its core competencies in order to fight the competition that it confronts from its rivals. This will help the company to generate high sales and revenues, along with that it will also assist the company to increase substantial market share. Question Two One of the factors impacting the successful operations of Smucker’s is taxation. Changes in the tax rates and laws have a significant influence upon the company. Competition is the other macro environmental factor which hampers the sales and profitability of the company. Nestle and Kraft Foods are the main competitors of the Smucker’s in United States. Economic slowdown and recession in the USA has an impact upon the operations of the firm. It is observed that the first three months of the year 2011 seemed to be promising despite the persistent impac ts of economic downturn in the United States. The revenues of the company were same for the period i.e. first three months in the fiscal year 2010. However, there was rise in the operating income by 5 percent in the first quarter from $185 million of the year 2010 to $195 million in the very first quarter of the year 2011. When the USA faces with the issues related to currency and interest rates fluctuations, the companies like Smucker’s may have to face significant problems since these companies have its branches in many of the foreign nations. There has been change in the consumption pattern of the people of the USA during the period of recession and as a result the organization had to focus upon the budget cuts and concentrate more upon the home made meals rather than readymade meal as sold by Smucker’s. Sudden change in the consumption habit has a significant impact upon the company. Therefore, it is quite significant for the company to take certain initiatives so that it can minimize the negative impacts of such threats and help in the enhancement of the sales and revenues of the company. If such issues are not paid due attention, then the company’s profitability will be hampered to a great extent. Question Three There are many subsectors of processed food industry and each subsector has different growth expectations, competitive intensity, profit margins and business risks. The industry can be identified as attractive in the

Deng Xiaopeng :: essays research papers

Deng Xiaopeng Deng Xiaopeng was a good leader for China though at times Deng hit some bumpy roads and was said to infringe some of the Chinese rights still Deng controlled China with order and efficiency. Deng raised China’s economy to national high all around. Deng also strengthened its political status up to that of a very powerful country. Though Deng did things bad his achievements rose above his failures. As newfound leader of communist China after Mao’s death Deng’s first goal was to raise the technological status of China to standards that could possibly rival those of the west. He did this quickly and efficiently by allowing an â€Å"open door policy† on foreign trade affairs, which made China very appealing to foreign marketers. This â€Å"open door policy† also worked out for Deng because it opened up communication technology through out China so he could speak directly to his people in their own homes much like President Roosevelt did her e in America. Deng listed technology as on his list of expansion goals but he also listed three other important goals agriculture, economy, and military. Deng had great need to expand Agriculture because China has the highest population in the world. If Deng could not put food on the table then chances are the people are not going to really like him or trust him. So he increased farming technology and with the increase in technology the military grew stronger as well. Now Deng had the ability to protect his country from foreigners and he could also now enforce laws. With the military increasing then the economy increased significantly. Now Deng could say that he wields the ability to feed, protect, pay, and give useful technology to his people but Deng was missing one very important thing. China’s political status with some countries was not at all desirable. This is so because of past wars and many unfair treaties during China’s time of revolution but also because Chi na is a communist country. To most of the west communism is an evil and horrible thing. As a way to break the silence of political dealings with most countries through out the west Deng had a meeting with Margaret Thatcher of England. At the time Margaret was probably the most successful woman in the world. Deng had heated debates with her at first but he received an agreement after a many arguments that stated Hong Kong a city taken away form China long ago in the Opium wars would be returned China in 1997.

Paleolithic Societies

Although the San and the Chumash were both hunter-gatherers, their culture and lifestyle had significant differences. Many cultures around the world had their fair share of differences. If you look closer though, you can find certain patterns that occur in many of the first societies that emerged in the world. Even these days, you can find the same types of patterns in people. The San lived in Southern Africa. They are also known as Bushmen, Sho, Barwa, Kung, or Khwe.Their lifestyle consisted of much leisure time, and the children did nothing but play. Women were greatly respected and admired in the San culture. The women would take part in both gathering and hunting, but mainly gathering. They used everything very wisely, including parts of ostrich eggs to hold fluids. Overall, the San were your typical hunter-gatherer society of the Paleolithic era. The Chumash lived in Southern California. They were also a hunter-gatherer society. They also were very good fisherman.They painted on cave walls and some of the drawings are still there today. Some of the Chumash settlements are believed to be over 10,000 years old. They were visited by the Spanish, which brought many diseases to the Chumash. They were also believed to be visited by Polynesians. Comparing these two cultures, we can see some similarities and many differences. They were both hunter-gatherer people. As their main food sources migrated, they followed along with them. Some differences would be that they lived in completely different parts of the world.The San did not fish, yet the Chumash did. They both have many more similarities and differences. The cultures I have compared and contrasted are only two of the many Paleolithic societies out there. They all can be recognized by their hunting and gathering ways. They followed their food, and obviously made it work for themselves. I think it would be an interesting journey to go back in time and see how they lived and interacted with each other before th e emerging of some of the technology that is common to us today.

Civil Unions and Same-Sex Marriages Essay - 1040 Words

The idea that same same-sex relationships in marriage are mandated by society is hard to fathom, even in today’s society. To understand the depth and meaning of this one must look at all aspects. The political and religious stance on the subject takes in no consideration of the individuals seeking the change. For years these people have fought in and out of court for the same rights as everyone else. At the same time they are denied these basic rights in many states. They are fighting for their rights. Their ability to be happy and to legally say they are bound to another. It is society’s micro view that prevents this. By accepting them as equals we are taking steps for everyone. Same-sex marriages and civil unions are a highly†¦show more content†¦These types of relations have been frowned upon; publicly, politically, and religiously. Though these types of relations have been documented in religious history, it’s primarily a cultural bias stemming f rom religious beliefs. The church has always stood firm on the fact that same-sex union of any kind are wrong, and yet the bible has many recorded and glorified stories of just such a relationship. These relationships are documented in the book of Ruth, Samuel, and Daniel. How one interprets the books determines whether that person has a conservative or liberal viewpoint. These views on the subject are what influence the acceptance or rejection of a lifestyle. These influences or views can be governed by genetic make-up, adolescent encoding, and life experiences. These form the basis for what a person believes to be true. â€Å"The Bible describes three emotionally close relationships between two people of the same gender. They appear to have progressed well beyond a casual friendship. There is, however, no unmistakable evidence that they were sexually active relationships† (Robinson, 2009, para. 3). Same-sex relationships were for the most part considered a mental illness un til the 70’s. With the gay rights movements in the 60’s, same-sex relations were brought to the political arena. After the Stonewall riots, the gay and lesbian alliances lobbied for equal rights under the constitution. Over theShow MoreRelated Massachusetts Legislature Votes to Ban Same-Sex Marriages but Approves of Civil Unions1892 Words   |  8 PagesMassachusetts Legislature Votes to Ban Same-Sex Marriages but Approves of Civil Unions As supporters and opponents were anxiously awaiting for a decision on Mar. 29, the Massachusetts legislature voted 105-92 to ban gay marriage when it approved of amending the state constitution that would overturn the Supreme Judicial Court’s ruling that made same-sex marriages legal five months ago. However, the legislature also voted to legalize civil unions. 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Same-sex marriage has caused many conflicts around the count ry and even the world with multiple stand points. World views on same-sex marriage are changing day to day. â€Å"Of the 15 countries worldwide to permit gay men and lesbians to marryRead MoreRawls Original Position And Veil Of Ignorance1646 Words   |  7 PagesRawls’ Original Position and Veil of Ignorance Pertaining to Same Sex Unions Charnise Bonhomme University of Central Florida Rawls’ Original Position and Veil of Ignorance Pertaining to Same Sex Unions The in class Rawls assignment focused on justice, and the fairness of how people are treated throughout society. The class, after being broken down into groups, tackled the subjects of why people disagree about what is right, and what is not, and how morals and ethics guides a person’s interest asRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Essay1370 Words   |  6 PagesCanada is not the first country in the world to address whether and how to legally recognize same-sex unions. 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