Chinese negotiation style Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Chinese negotiation style - Essay Example Coping with cultural differences was ranked as the first concern among business people. Other challenges included international trade dispute affecting business partners and intellectual property issues. 'Although the international business community has made great strides in understanding China's tradition, it is still important to be sensitive to the issues raised by cultural differences.' Most westerners, when preparing a business trip to China arm themselves with "a handy, one-page list of etiquette how to's, carry a boatload of business cards and bring their own interpreters", that's what Chinese tipsters say. However, such advice wont sustain the kind of prolonged year in, year out associations that Chinese and western business people achieve. In fact, breakdowns between foreigners and Chinese business people happen time after time. The main cause of failure is that of the westerners, to understand the much broader context of Chinese culture and values, a problem that too often leaves western negotiators both confused and flailing. (Lin 2003) The cultural influences outlined on the PowerPoint will give a clearly defined set of elements that underpin the Chinese negotiating style. Many foreigners often find these elements as confusing, but to ignore them at any time during the negotiation process, the deal will easily fall apart. (Graham 2003) These are in order of most important: 1. Guanxi (Personal Connections) The Chinese place a premium on individual's social capital with their group of friends, relatives, and close associates. 2. Zhongjian Ren (The Mediator) Business deals for Westerners in China don't have a chance with the zhongjian ren, the intermediary. In Australia, we tend to trust others until or unless we're given reason not to. In China, suspicion and distrust characterize all meetings with strangers. 3. Shehui Dengji (Social Status) The causal style of communication in Australia, such as "You can just call me Ben" does not play well in a country where the Confucian values of obedience and deference to one's superiors remain strong. The formality goes much deeper, however - profound so, to many Westerners. 4. Renji Hexie (Interpersonal Harmony) The Chinese sayings, "A man without a smile should not open a shop," and "Sweet temper and friendliness produce money," speak volumes about the importance of harmonious relations between business partners. 5. Zhengti Guannian (Holistic Thinking) The Chinese think in terms of the whole, while Australians think sequentially and individualistically, breaking up complex negotiation tasks into a series of small issues: price, quantity, warranty, delivery and so forth. Chinese negotiators tend to talk about those issues all at once. 6. Jiejian (Thrift) China's long history of economic and political instability has taught its people to save their money, a practise known as Jiejian. Chinese business negotiators will try to save money through a lot of bargaining over price -

Franchises as a Form of Business Start-up Essay

Franchises as a Form of Business Start-up - Essay Example The Franchisee finds it easier to pay the initial and the royalty fees which are way lower than the required capital cost. At a time when the cost has become an important aspect of the business, Franchising has become a winner for international companies that intend to penetrate as many markets as possible in their global business design strategy. McDonald's is among companies that have a franchise in an effort to expand their business within new markets. The organizations have profited from rapid expansion, use of effective business models and reduced cost entering new markets. From this note, franchising has become a popular practice due to its efficiency in business start-up. Â  In the modern business industry, organizations are experiencing pressure to start new businesses in the international market as one way of appealing to bigger geographical space. One major driver for expansionism in business is the saturation of local business markets. Before the 21st century, organization sharply focussed on the expansion of business within the local markets due to the increasing demand for products within such markets. However, the demand in the local markets has reached a plateau phase and organizations can make little profits from these markets (Francois & Wooton, 2010). When demand remains flat, organizations are at the risk of incurring losses as expenses go higher while the profit remains constant (Garg, Priem & Rasheed, 2013). Consequently, organizations are forced to move out of the local markets and consider entering into new markets. Therefore, fall in demand within local countries has forced organizations to consider appealing to a broader geographica l coverage as the only way to remain profitable. Â  Secondly, the upsurge of competition within local markets has motivated organizations to consider launching international business strategies.

Risk Management in Logistics Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Risk Management in Logistics - Research Proposal Example Kathleen DesMarteau (2005) recognizes the following key points as being a component of the risks and logistics management, which function as internal and external risks: This project is to examine risk management in logistics technology as it relates to the business process of the automotive industry with the goal to produce a model for risk management. The project is descriptive in nature. It seeks to quantify the types of risks manufacturing management has experiences and models used to develop resolutions. This will be accomplished using experimental simulation models. The topic of this research proposal is to explore risk management strategies and options for logistics support technology within the automotive industry. Risk management strategy is an important concept that allows a business operating within an industry to explore its research, development, and product release stages to reduce loss in operational and financial capacities. Logistics support technology is important for the automotive industry to maintain supply and meet demand. The automotive industry was chosen for this research proposal because it has multiple journals, magazines, corporate financial and stock information as well as strategy easily available to the public. Therefore, this research proposal has three main aims. ... What are the impacts of risk management on the logistics supply technologies within the automotive industry Topic Aims and Objectives The topic of this research proposal is to explore risk management strategies and options for logistics support technology within the automotive industry. Risk management strategy is an important concept that allows a business operating within an industry to explore its research, development, and product release stages to reduce loss in operational and financial capacities. Logistics support technology is important for the automotive industry to maintain supply and meet demand. The automotive industry was chosen for this research proposal because it has multiple journals, magazines, corporate financial and stock information as well as strategy easily available to the public. Therefore, this research proposal has three main aims. The literature review will explore risk management, logistics support technology and the implications of these within the automotive industry. This will allow for a comprehensive look at the overall risk and product strategies employed by the automotive industry in general. The research methodology will have the objective of narrowing risk management strategy based on major manufacturing facilities. This will include international, national, and corporate stakeholder risk management. The second objective of the research is to describe logistics support technology including financial and technological information (as cost and return on investment) based on the major manufacturer's publicized information available from journals and corporate websites. The final objective of the research is to create a standardized model of risk management in logistics support technology using this information.

The Success of Rio Tintos Moves to India Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Success of Rio Tintos Moves to India - Essay Example Tinto’s machines include Bulldozer, compact excavation machines, shredders, and grinders2. The mine raw materials from the mines are treated using fans. After treatment stage, decomposition and purification process follows immediately. The result of the two phases is a semi-solid product. This product is concentrated to a finished final product. The report summarizes the results of feasibility study in India. Rio Tinto proposes to use India as a distribution centre for its copper products. This company has taken this decision because of limited copper ores in India. Their plans are to extract and smelt copper using the sophisticated machinery from their company in Australia. They will then export copper products to enormous market in India. In this way, Rio Tinto will tap the untapped Indian market. They intend to take advantage of the large populace population in India. Rio is confident that India will not import copper product anymore from other countries. It expects a fair marketplace in India. Expansion of market to any region of this world is a challenge3. This is a guiding principle at the heart of the Rio Tinto management. Rio Tinto seeks important details on India’s technology level, the available workforce, and the type of infrastructure. Since India will serve as a distribution point, the company does not require a manufacturing plant. Rio Tinto is aware of possible market risk in the foreign nations. Technology is a very critical in the expansion of Rio Tinto’s. This is the reason why it has to do an in-depth research on market prospects in India. The report seeks to address many issues, which are central to the success of Rio Tinto’s moves to India. To start with, it will evaluate political environment in terms of India’s government stability. Next, it will discuss the legal framework with key interest in business law, labor laws, and taxation law. This is very crucial because the laws stipulate the procedures of e xport and import trade. The report will investigate both economic and socio-cultural environment. It will endeavor to assess tax policies, currency exchange rates, and inflation rates in India. Later it will survey the technological aspect of business environment and analyze external and internal factors, which affect Rio Tinto. This is the SWOT analysis. Finally, the report will give its recommendations to the Rio Tinto’s management on the feasibility of India as their market target4. 2.0 Political Environment 2.1. Government stability The India’s current government under Pratibha Patil has sound policies to promote direct foreign investments. The government embraces global trade links. They have a stable political system whereby they hold elections after every five years. Their rich democratic system receives acknowledgement globally. 2.2 Government and contribution Health investment policies attract a large pool of both domestic and foreign investors. The Foreign in vestment policy came into effect back in 1991. This policy has undergone through major reforms to suit the interest of investors. Currently the policy allows automatic and government-administered ways of investment5. The foreign investment policy is friendly enough to permits investor from outside to collaborate with either local or their foreign counterparts. 2.3 Analysis Indian government shows political will.

Starting up a business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Starting up a business - Essay Example This report proposes a business plan for starting-up of a business of computer sales and services in the national market of UK. The main aim of the business will be to attract customers by providing quality services as per the need and demand of the customers along with delivering latest computer technology spare-parts to deliver the customers with quality assistance. Undoubtedly, the task of rendering computer sales and services to a diverse client base as can be observed in the current demographic features of UK, will be a tricky strategic initiation. Further reports have also revealed a fall in the selling prices and a consequence fall in the profit margin enjoyed by organisations in the computer sales and service marketing industry. Apparently this indicates towards an increasingly challenging market structure owing to which the planned business will have to be quite focused with respect to quality and customer services through effective supply chain management. For instance, whe re on one hand the resource requirement can be observed as low during the time of initiation as no requirement of large sophisticated office spaces and other obligatory assets will be required apart from skilled human resources; on the other hand, over the long run, significant costs for availing innovative technology assistances and increasing the dais for serving the customers may be incurred and thus, the business might require continuous inflow of cash and apparently at an increasing rate for its continuation. (Curators of the University of Missouri, 2010). Notably, the business is planned to be instigated as a sole-proprietorship based small business concern which will have minimum responsibilities in terms of legal obligations and therefore, will have to witness minimum intervention from external parties. 1.2. Aim of the study Setting-up of a business is often signified as a complex procedure which requires considerable knowledge base of the entrepreneur which can only be suff iced with ample information related with the motive obtainable through a formal research process (Bergstrom, 2012). Based on this notion, this particular study will aim at: Identifying the business opportunities, market competition trends and required resources to instigate the business Devising proper marketing strategies for the targeted potential customers Forecasting the capital requirements and costs to be incurred during the instigation of the business and within a one year financial period Concluding if the business plan is viable and should be proceeded with on the basis of the obtained information and forecast reports 2.0. Literature Review Business start-ups are considered as a significant contributor towards the economic development process owing to which, governmental bodies have been observed to decipher a supportive approach to assist the small and medium sized business organisations. It is worth mentioning in this context that majority of the economic structure of UK constitute of small and medium sized organisations and set-up firms which have further created a substantial pressure to facilitate this particular dimension with ample scope for future development (European Union, 2011). In the similar context, Mahdjoubi (2004) affirmed that business plan is considered to be the important source of evidences required for decisions in investment screening. Scholars have provided various frameworks to structure the process of setting-up of an organisation which is often characterised as a complex phenomenon. As stated by Carter &

Coffee Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Coffee - Essay Example One study that significantly highlights the growth of the US coffee industry was cited in the article written by H. Holmes. (2004) According to Holmes, "specialty coffee consumption has risen from 9 percent in 2000 to 16 percent in 2004. Every day, more than half of the adult population drinks coffee, 108.9 million people. The United States accounts for 52 million of those coffee drinkers." (2004) More importantly, Holmes cited various data that helps define the current state of the US coffee market. For one, Holmes pointed out that Even though 75 percent of the cups of coffee brewed daily are consumed at home, 66 percent of Americans buy their coffee outside of their homes. The Specialty Coffee Association of America reported at the end of 2003 that the total number of retail coffee shops in the country had reached 17,400 or 4% more than in 2002. The market size of coffee grew from $7.53 billion in 1999 to $8.96 billion in 2003 (Holmes, 2004). Such findings translates to wonderful prospects for current and future coffee establishments such as the Coffee Connection. What such data means is that Americans are very likely to purchase their coffee drinks from coffee shops rather than make them at home. Also, it was pointed out in the same article that coffee bar patrons are younger, more affluent, and educated and are 22 percent more likely to be aged 18-24. This means well for the Coffee Connection primarily because majority of the people in the inner city campus targeted by the said establishment fall between the said age range. In another study conducted by the research group Data Monitor of the US Coffee Industry, several significant findings were made. According to the said study, "Prepared coffee sales continue to outpace packaged coffee sales, becoming more widely available than ever before. Prepared coffee is not only driving growth in foodservice channels, but in retail channels such as convenience stores as well." What this translates to is that consumers are more inclined to purchase coffee prepared in various establishments such as coffee shops and convenience stores rather than buy packaged coffee drinks. Such findings goes well for prospective coffee shop owners. Also, the said research found that despite the rising prices of coffee brought about by the dry weather in coffee growing regions and damage from natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina, the retail coffee market remained elastic all through out the said increase. This, again, translate to good prospects for future coffee shop owners as it means that the consumer market continues to drink coffee despite of the increase in price. Another article that has significant bearing on the establishment of Coffee Connection was written by Alex Fisenko (2006). In his article, Fisenko pointed out that there is a bright future that lies ahead for coffee shops, even the small and independent establishments. Basically, Fisenko asserts that "The single most important factor for the success of a retail coffee business is the location" (2006). The amount of sales and profit generated by a coffee shop depends greatly on the location chosen for it. Furthermore, Fisenko pointed out that independent coffee shops should not be deterred by the large-scale coffee chains as these establishments concentrate on the larger

Information Technolgy Management in a Company Essay

Information Technolgy Management in a Company - Essay Example Management of information technology in this company is done at three levels that include the executive level, the administrative level, and the supervisory level. The executive level includes board of directors and Chief Executive Officers (CEO’s) who make decisions involving the technology to adopt according to the company’s needs. The administrative level involves staff who implements decisions from the executive level, and participate in using the adopted technology to run the organization. The supervisory level involves technology experts and consultants who examine and analyze the entire information technology system to ensure it is in line with the organization needs, and operates efficiently (Burgess, 2002). Decisions regarding IT development emerge when the current system does not suffice the needs of the organization. This may lead to an overhaul of the current system or improvement to ensure performance. This is determined through evaluation of the entire system to determine which area of the organization needs improvement in order to conform to the company’s requirements. Appropriate measures are communicated to the executive, which debates and decides on the best area to develop. This decision is effected by the administration, which implements the new technology in its current system (Burgess, 2002). A thorough evaluation of the current management system reveals areas of the company that need improvement. Advanced technological developments require improvement on these areas by adopting advanced technology to help in streamlining the under-performing areas according to the company requirements. Resources for different projects are allocated according to the company’s needs. Under performing areas are allocated more funds for development projects to streamline them with other units to ensure uniform performance (Burgess, 2002). Technological advancements