Abstract
This paper aims to provide information and guidance upon the crucial factors that must be considered when deciding on how the development of the idea is followed through to successful fruition and hopefully to wide spread commercial exploitation under the generalised field of ?technology?. It use as an example the field of e-commerce, focusing on the success of the on-line divisions of Tesco and the methods that its business model utilises.

From the Paper
"A full investigation of the intended markets to be exploited with the technology should be something that occurs in the very early stages and will sometimes be the defining factor in the origination of the idea in the first place. Defining the market potential for the technology here will benefit the entrepreneur not only in terms of attracting investors but will also help to determine targets related to overall finance, patenting & IP issues, pre and post-entry marketing issues, manufacturing issues, scope for post-entry development, licensing and staffing levels, all-in-all most of the factors that will determine if a start-up is feasible for a new idea."

Tags:tesco, internet, online, ecommerce, business, model

Abstract
This paper looks at the planning of a Chinese function as part of a university assignment. It summarizes the whole function from pre-planning, organization until the end production, taking into consideration marketing and finances as well as the catering. It examines how the students demonstrated that they can employ supervisory skills through the planning, organization and production of a function,through the use of practical and technical skills and by the interpretation of the Food and Beverage Control Cycle through the application of the principles and procedures to a practical situation.

Outline
Introduction
Pre-Planning
Approach to Setting Objectives
Strategy for Achieving Objectives
Analysis of:
Marketing Considerations
Financial Considerations
Catering Considerations
Evaluate Function Failures and Overcome Difficulties
Conclusion
Bibliography
Appendix 1 Pre-Planning Function Menu
Appendix 2 "Taste Chinese Food, Taste Chinese Culture" Function Menu
Appendix 3 Handling Complaints
Appendix 4 Blueprinting of the Function.
Appendix 5 Service Procedures
Appendix 6 The Failures of Each Co-Ordinator

From the Paper
"A comparison of competitive catering services reveals trends in private party formats, cuisine menus, theme and entertainment concepts. Competitive business can often provide valuable information to new and developing operations. Although competition wasn't a major problem for the function operation because of the nature of this function- it is a university assessment. The consideration of the competition should not be ignored to help to maintain the function to be better and professional. Group 1 chose Chinese food and Group 2 chose Moroccan food. These 2 groups had exactly same location, facilities and support from the university teachers, and the 2 groups targets on the same customers- university students, lecturers, university staff, their own family and friends etc."

Tags:beverage, financial, food, function, hospitality, marketing

Abstract
This paper introduces a performance management system to improve retention and reduce turnover to a small multi-national group based on a case study, staff survey and proposed implementation of a balanced scorecard incorporating 360 feedback.

Outline
Introduction
Overview of Medical Services Africa
Interviews and Survey
Performance Management Systems
Recommendations
Cost Analysis

From the Paper
"Medical Services Africa Ltd is a Mauritius registered company. It provides a head office function to various Medical Benefit Management and Third Party Administration companies in seven African countries through the company's South African offices. The company was formed in July 1999 and officially assumed responsibility for the support of two existing and five start up companies with effect 1 October 2002. Whilst a success story to date, focus until recently has been largely on the operational and financial management aspects of the businesses. Upon commencement of the business, key management and staff were selected based on competency and record of accomplishment and promised equity participation through a salary linked performance incentive system."

Tags:360, appraisal, balanced, degree, feedback, mission, objectives, performance, scorecard

Abstract
This paper presents a business plan and strategic analysis for a fictitious business start up, 1st air.com, that aims to operate a luxury short haul airline model in the UK and wider Europe. The paper includes the company's mission statement and examines its marketing, research and development, targeting and market research and approaches to finance and technology. The paper provides a PEST, SWOT and five forces analysis as well as relevant conclusions on the subject of business and strategic planning.

Outline:
Introduction
1st Air.com Mission Statement
Strategic Planning
Analysis and Implementation
Factors Considered
Benefits of Strategic Planning
Improvements to the Strategic Plan
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Targeting and market research has been a critical part of 1st Air.com's strategy. As a company which has opted to target a small niche which other airlines have overlooked, it is essential that the company continuously assesses the changing needs of this customer base so as to ensure that competitors are not successful in stealing the company's small target audience. In conducting research, one of the company's primary methods is the conducting of surveys with existing customers; the company receives a higher than average response rate due to the nature of having a captive audience in flight.
"Given the seasonal nature of the airline business, this can create large cash surpluses around key trading periods such as Christmas and the summer holidays but shortfalls elsewhere in the year. As such, 1st Air.com has to adopt a strategic approach to finance especially cash flow management. Here the company plans to hold back reserves of cash from peak period to pay for the maintenance of expensive fixed assets in quieter times. Many airlines have a policy of reducing prices in quieter periods so as to help such problems however, 1st Air.com does not adopt such a strategy as it is believed that this may devalue the company's overall generic strategy (Porter 2004)."

Tags:aviation, industry, customers, costs, finance, marketing

Abstract
This paper look at strategic management and how it encompasses a range of different models, tools and techniques. It debates whether it is acceptable to view the content of strategic management as a myth, serving only a sense of purpose to decision makers and whether there is a linear relationship between the criteria of a myth and the comfortable concepts of strategic management. It examines how strategy management is a combination of evolution and revolution and how the boundaries of the topic are as generic as the subject matter.

From the Paper
"The irony of culture is that as soon as an organization decides to become the market leaders rather than followers, all interest in culture becomes irrelevant. This is because a decision has been made to divorce the past in order to invent the future. This alone has permitted the development of a series of comfortable myths suggesting that it is possible to change without having to change business activities. The limitation and risks surrounding culture leads to the tempting question of who needs culture anyway. To alternative writers (Chaharbaghi and Newman 1998)10 culture is a convenient cover for when the chosen strategy is to follow someone else because the ability to innovate in the market has been lost. Therefore the view that culture is a useful analytical concept is entirely mythical, as it exists in a philosophical void, like the views of Mintzberg and Porter, and that it is not possible to neither predict nor manage the process. "

Tags:boundaries, definition, decision, makers, organisation

Abstract
In this article, the writer notes that information technology plays a major role in every business, ranging from a small corner shop to a large multinational organization, as it can be an important source of competitive advantage. This essay is based on a hypothetical scenario concerning a newly-established business, making and selling greeting cards to specialist shops and retailers but not directly to the public. The writer discusses how information technology can improve the way in which the business operates. The writer then suggests a new vision and mission statement and discusses any changes that will be required to the IT system following a change in the business's strategy to begin selling greeting cards directly to the public.

Outline:
Introduction
Task 1 - Using IT to Improve Business Operations
Task 2 - Selling Greeting Cards Directly to the Public. New Vision and Mission Statement and Changes to IT System
Conclusion
References
Appendix

From the Paper
"When starting a business, the establishment of organizational objectives and strategy to be followed is critical in order to gain competitive advantage. The IS strategy should be designed to reinforce the organization's overall business strategy, in this case, to only sell our products to specialist shops and retailers. In preparing a practical strategy four elements must be considered: the business vision, Information Technology, key people, and application systems. To establish sound objectives and an appropriate strategy, the external, as well as the internal factors that can influence a firm's operations have to be identified. These can be determined by conducting PESTLE and SWOT analysis. Moreover, Porter's Five Forces Model developed in 1980 sets out to identify the factors that can influence an organization's competitiveness."

Tags:storing, communicating, application, systems

Abstract
This paper is based on findings from a research project that aimed to examine the investment environment in China (Far East/Pacific Rim). The goal of the research is to assist the C.E.O of the Quality Inns Hotel Chain gather the information to analyse and evaluate the profile of the hotel industry in China. The paper identifies and discusses five main categories of facts and issues that Quality Inns Hotel Group will be facing when enter to China hotel industry, namely: market and development of the industry; political and economical environment; operational issues; suitable key strategies; and logical way and order to develop.

Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Economic and Political Environment
The Market and Development of the Hotel Industry in China
The Hotel Operation Issues in China
Strategies
A Logical and Effective Route of Development
Recommendation and Conclusion

From the Paper
"Many studies on international business management have focused on cultural differences, cultural adjustment and adjustment failures of expatriate managers (Pizam, 1993; Hall and Hall, 1990; Francis, 1991; Lee, 1998; Tse, Francis and Walls, 1994). One study reported about a 40% failure rate of expatriates assigned to overseas positions (Tung, 1981). These failures were not the result of technical incompetence, but were because of cultural differences in the foreign country. Communication across cultures has a major impact on the effectiveness of management operations (Munter, 1993; Shuter, 1989). Since language is an important tool for communication, the expatriate manager's ability to speak the host language can enhance his management effectiveness and help gain respect from local staff (Harries and Bandin, 1973; Seward, 1975; Terpstra, 1978).
Expatriate managers in China might experience confusion, frustration and failure due to sudden government policy changes (Shenker, 1990; Stross, 1991)."

Tags:culture, expatriate, issues, manager, operational, polical, quality, service, shanghai

Abstract
This paper outlines a marketing plan for the European Passenger Business of British Airways (BA). BA's communications strategy to date is reviewed and new objectives and targets to be achieved over the next year are set, in order to increase brand awareness and a loyal customer base. BA's current situation and strategy is analyzed and the key problems and areas of weakness that need to be addressed are identified.

From the Paper
"However, events over the past three years (both internal and external) have hit profit margins and damaged the brand's reputation and image, which have impacted sales. The Future Size and Shape plan was developed and implemented in 2002 to restructure the business and reduce costs, in order to achieve profits. Associated reductions in employee numbers amount to around 15,000. However, employee dissatisfaction has grown, with unions threatening strike action on an annual basis (August bank holiday weekend 2003 and 2004). Most recently this culminated in 100 flights being cancelled at Heathrow, partly due to staff shortages, which was estimated to have cost BA 10m. Press coverage has been highly negative partly fuelled by BA's poorly planned compensation offer (free flights to some employees, whilst customers have to apply for their money back). BA's share price (see figure 1) has been affected by these developments, in addition to external factors such as fuel price rises."

Tags:air, travel, international, airline

Abstract
This paper aims to describe how a group of randomly assigned people discuss the processes of managing and how they negotiate certain tasks to attain this goal. It looks at the processes involved, how the group organises itself, what negotiations take place as well as the work that is managed. It also discusses what factors influenced the end decisions made and if there were any physical, social, psychological or cultural considerations to take into account.

From the Paper
"The second stage is the storming stage. This stage is when a "formal structure begins to emerge and individuals begin to feel more confident in their position within the group, conflicts arise" (Martin, 2001, pg 192). At this stage we expect members of the group to feel more relaxed and become more open, we expect a lot of ideas at this stage, which could cause problems due to bombardment of ideas, it would be difficult to choose which ideas to carry on with. Nevertheless, if this stage goes well, we expect to have no difficulties in the next few stages of Norming, Performing and Adjourning that are discussed later."

Tags:belbin, fineman, gabriel, group, jensen, learning, simms, tuckman

Abstract
This paper examines how Guinness enjoys a kind of monopoly in the 'stout beer' segment in the U.K. market and how it stands at the 5th position in the overall beer sales. It proposes relationship, direct and database marketing for the U.K. including market analysis, customer analysis, communications plan and budgeting.

Outline
Introduction
Situational Analysis
Customer Analysis
SWOT Analysis
Objectives
Segmentation
Targeting
Positioning and Creative Strategy
Database Strategy
Communications Plan
Communication Objectives
Relationship & Direct Marketing
Advertising
Sponsorships
Time Plan
Budgeting
Conclusion
References
Appendix

From the Paper
"Guinness has a distinct positioning due to its product characteristics such as dark color; creamy head and the unique two-step pour process. It is seen as a premium beer and is positioned in the specific 'stout' category with to be drunk only on certain occasions. A major change in the positioning is not required, however we suggest a minor drift towards the wider beer category, which can be had on a regular basis. And also its association with occasions such as the St. Patrick's Day, Sports matches, Christmas etc. should be maintained which the company can capitalize."

Tags:beer, database, stout