Challenges Faced by Honda

Challenges Faced by Honda 1 Introduction Honda is the most successful company existing in the market now days with the latest technology in the automobile industry with luxury cars to sports to family car they have a vast range of cars and motorbikes. Honda, (2010) In October 1946, Soichiro Honda established the Honda Technical Research Institute in Hamamatsu, Japan, to develop and produce small 2-cycle motorbike engines. Two years later, Honda Motor Company, Ltd. was born, and in 1959 Honda opened its first storefront in Los Angeles with six industrious employees. Honda opened there first U.S. plant in 1979 and have evolved into a company that directly employing more than 25,000 Americans. More than 100,000 workers are employed at authorized Honda automobile, motorcycle and power-equipment dealerships in the United States. Tens of thousands of additional Americans are employed by more than nearly 600 U.S. suppliers from which Honda purchases parts and materials. Honda, (2010) In the recent years the automobile crisis of 2008-2010 was the part of financial downturn, which affected automobile makers and suppliers around the world. The industry was weakened by the substantial increase in the prices of fuel linked to energy crisis of 2003-08 which discouraged purchases of automobiles with low fuel economy. In the year 2008 there were fewer fuel efficient models to offer to the consumers, the bigger automobiles including General Motors, Toyota, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan and Honda Motors experienced sliding sales. Honda, (2010) Honda Motors in 2008 announced it would be down sizing due to 2008 economic crisis and predicted that there may be reductions in staff at all levels of the management effective January 2009 2 Strategic Analyses, (2010). The process of strategic analysis the process of conducting research on the business environment within which an organization operates and on the organization itself, in order to formulate strategy. A number of tools are used in the process of strategic analysis, including PEST, SWOT analysis, and Michael Porters five forces model. Pest Analysis, (2010) Pest analysis is for Political, Economic, Social, and Technological analysis and helps to set a framework of macro-environmental factors used in the environmental scanning component of strategic management. Williams and Curtis (2007) that political factors include government regulations and legal issues and define both formal and informal rules under which the firm must operate. Specifically, political factors areas such as tax policy, labor law, advertising law, environmental law, trade restrictions, tariffs, and political stability Government plays an important role in the economy as well as in taxes to be charged to the company. These factors also play an important role in the employment law, competition regulations as the company can not make specific prices as they have to follow the competition regulations. Economic factors have economic growth, interest rates, exchange rates and the inflation rate. Pest Analysis, (2010) the factors have major impacts on how business works and decision making, example, interest rates affect a firms cost of capital and therefore it affects the business and how will grow and expand. Exchange rates affect the costs of exporting goods and the supply and price of imported goods. Economic factors affect the purchasing power of potential customers as the power to buy the product. Social factors include the demographic and cultural aspects of the external microenvironment. Pest Analysis, (2010) social factors affect customer needs and the size of market as well on the demand for a companys products and how that company will perform. Companies change various management strategies to adapt to these social trends (such as recruiting older workers). Social factors affect the needs and wants of the customer and the way they buy a particular product, as the demand may decline with the new product which offered to the wrong age sector. Pest Analysis, (2010) Technological factors can reduce the barriers to enter and reduce minimum efficient production levels, and play a big role outsourcing decisions. They can help to determine barriers to entry, minimum efficient production level and influence outsourcing decisions. Technological factors help to technological shifts that can affect costs, quality, and lead to innovation. SWOT analysis, (2010) SWOT analysis is a strategic planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats involved in a project or in a business. SWOT analysis is a business tool by which, a firm will be able to implement a strategic analysis, analyzes and recognizes its corporate Strengths and Weaknesses as well as the existed or forthcoming Opportunities and Threats from its external environment. Completing a SWOT analysis will help in identifying and the ways to minimize the affect of weaknesses in your business while maximizing your strengths only when these four critical information elements are well elaborated and known. SWOT analysis compiles of, SWOT analysis, (2010) Strengths: attributes of the person or company that is helpful to achieving the objective Weaknesses: attributes of the person or company that is harmful to achieving the objective Opportunities: external conditions that is helpful to achieving the objective Threats: external conditions which could do damage to the objective Honda Motors is one of the most successful automobiles company in the world and with the help of PEST analysis and SWOT analysis they have come so far as they are able to understand what are the political factors, economic, social and technological factors they have to understand when they are producing the automobiles as well have to understand the needs and wants of the customer as well as the economy of the place as the government plays an important role. They have to understand the technology they have to provide in there automobiles because the latest technology will be able to attract the people better and they would be able to reach the market better and the relevance of SWOT analysis in running the business is very important as Honda has to understand what are there strengths, weakness, opportunity, threats in order to be successful in the market as they need PEST and SWOT analysis together to be able to survive in the market for long run these two analysis helps Honda to be a better company and be able to understand its customers and their needs. 2.1 Honda: Reconciling dichotomies (Product related core competencies versus process related core capabilities. Constructing dichotomies is the best avenue for new ideas in the field of automobiles industry. Productivity, (2010) Product related core competencies are measurement of the effective use of the resources, expressed as the ratio of output and input. Productivity as the ratio  of output and input. Productivity us very important to business because they can gain market share and make great profits. For example, when productivity increases, product costs decline and product price can be reduced. Productivity relates to competitiveness in the way that if two firms have the same level of output but one requires less input because of higher productivity, that one will be able to charge a lower price and consequently increase its shares of the market. Process related core capabilities typically describing the act of taking something through an establishment and usually set of procedures to convert it from one form to another, as a manufacturing or administrative procedure. The process core capabilities at Honda is playing an important role as it is helping in having new and developing innovative ideas for the company and playing an important role in product related core competencies. Process Capabilities, (2010) The concept of process capability has been used by the manufacturing industry to quantify the relation between product specifications and the measured process performance. Various ratios and indices have been developed to describe this relation. 2.2 International trade is exchange of capital, goods, and services across international borders or territories. International Trade, (2010) international trade area has flourished over the years due to the many benefits, as it has offered services to many countries across the world. International trade is the exchange of goods and services for an amount of capital. It is also one of important sources of money making for developing country, with the help of modern manufacturing techniques, advanced transportation, transnational corporations, outsourcing of manufacturing and services, and rapid industrialization, the international trade system is spreading and growing fast. International trade, (2010) Great variety of goods available for consumption and international trade brings in different kinds of goods from different destinations. This gives consumers a variety of choice to choose from and which will not only improve their quality but also the whole country. Better allocation and better utilization of resources, since countries tend to produce goods and items which they are good at and have a comparative advantage towards its competitors. Efficient production will help countries and they will be able to adopt better methods of producing goods and this will keep the cost down in order to remain competitive. Countries that can produce a product at the lower price will be able to capture a larger market share in the market. Therefore an incentive to produce efficiently arises. This will help standards of the product to increase and consumers will have a good quality product to consume. Automobile industry, (2010) Restricting trade in the context of global automobile industry, the global automotive industry, rapidly changing with global mergers and relocating its production centers towards emerging and developing economies. The industry is subject to imperfect competition which has resulted in too much of capacity, too many competitors and too much redundancy and overlap. The industry is worried about the demands and wants of consumers about product styling, safety, comfort and manufacturing efficiency. The industry have to really work hard to meet the demands of the consumers and what are the new wants as what types of cars they want in the automobile industry. Specialization in automobile (Honda) sector is increasingly becoming segment specific as each of these countries is finding its niche. China is specializing in components, India in two wheelers and small vehicles, Thailand in pick-up trucks and passenger cars and Indonesia in utility vehicles. As Honda is understating its market in these areas and other areas of the world as they are providing according to their customers wants as they have restriction in providing different kinds of automobiles which is not required in the particular country. Automobile industry is a symbol of technical marvel by human kind. Being one of the fastest growing sectors in the world with its dynamic growth phases are explained by nature of competition, product life cycle and consumer demand. 3 Whittingtons Evolutional and Systemic schools of thoughts. Applying the two schools of thought in developing strategy to Honda motors. Evolutionary process in which the Evolutional is way in which the evolutionary perspective: sell or die. Strategy, (2010) Marketing communications decisions are for short-term survival In the long-term we might be dead! Intense focus on short-run sales, not long-term brand-building Whittingtons four schools of thought The development strategy of Honda Motors have used the Whittington evolutional and Systemic school of thought in there process and the way to understand the market better and its competition. Not only maximizing the profit but also professional pride and culture as described under in the figure Evolutionary and Systemic schools of thought Whittington Evolution Systemic Opportunities to make decision and competition Unexpected swings in future Competition does not imply efficiency: markets can be manipulated; society has other criteria s for corporations than just profit maximization Finding possible causes of action and objective Trial and error forced choices Local approved Selecting course of action and developing strategy Improving operations management Strategic objectives depends on the specific social system in which the strategy is created Strategy Strategy = day to day management for surviving and competitive nature Other than profit maximizing is professional pride, influence, religion and culture The two schools of thought which are being used by Honda Motors in order to develop their strategies are Evolutional and Systemic and Honda are using these tools in a proper manner likewise in Evolutional school of thought used by Honda in Marketing communications decisions are for short-term survival Communication decisions are for short term in the evolution process Intense focus on short-run sales, not long-term brand-building. They have to consider intense focus on the market The school of thought who is better is Systemic school of thought because of lots of reason Systemic school of thought have Systemic School of thought used by Honda Consumer attitudes and behavior are confined to social systems with given norms, values, roles, culture, and ethics. Honda understands all these behavior and attitude of the customer in order to develop a better strategy in future. Limitations to what marketing communications can do in terms of market share the consumer culture rules, Honda have to have a good knowledge about the marketing communication and know its limits Other rational reasons for marketing communications than pure profit maximization, such as religion, culture and professional pride. This school of thought is better and more suited towards Honda as it keeps an eye on the consumer demand needs and wants as well understand its customer behavior. They have good knowledge of the marketing process. Honda believes in professional pride, culture and religion understanding of the people and how people react to these norms as Honda is the leading Automobile industry as it suites towards the Systemic school of thought in order towards the strategic development. Proper explanation of Systemic in figure below 4 Processual schools of thought is about understanding the brand and influencing the brand with some risk taking in decision making and Processual approach helps firm to maintain its goal of a simple strategy based on four loop. The loops can affect but should not change the strategic management of the firm and it is about Consumer attitudes and behaviors can be influenced Continuous improvement of brand, Creative ways of reaching customer Advertising management Certain degree of risk-taking in decision-making allows for innovative and The Processual School of Thought is about making the Honda adopt the strategy and develop a brand by understanding its customers and their need and wants. At the same time understand its values. The implications of strategic management on the four loops. The rational loop helps in making sure that strategic management would be based on rational thoughts and ideas. Processual school of thought helps in focusing on the use of rational decision making when making decisions and controlling the use of strategies. It helps and makes sure that all the implications of any decisions or strategies would be carefully analyzed under Processual School of Thought. Therefore Processual School of Thought is making the strategic management of the rational loop more though full and full of new ideas. The overt politics loop with the help of Processual School of Thought helps to create a more open influence on strategic management. Politics are used by some to add their ideas to strategic management without being discreet about it. Overt politics focuses on the use of influence and connections to assert strategic ideas with the help of Processual School of Thought and that is best thing for the company The Culture and cognition loop plays an important role when evaluated by the Processual School of Thought as it makes use of culture and tradition to influence strategic management decision and to make the strategies based on the culture of the place and country. Honda Motors uses culture and cognition as important factor in strategic development. The culture and cognition loop makes use of ideas to change strategic management decision so that the firm will act according to the needs and wants of the environment. In this loop Processual School of Thought would serve an important part in making decisions that will affect the firm and Processual approach helps the firm maintain its goal of a simple strategy based on the four loops. The covert politics loop with the help of Processual approach helps to create a more secretive means to influence strategic management; this involves a member of the Honda Motors secretively influencing strategic management decisions in his favor. Covert politics loop is a more secretive way to influence decisions and strategies and this usually creates decisions that may be beneficial to the company. 5 Conclusions Honda Motors is one of the leading automobiles industries and in couple of years they have been facing problems as the industry was weakened by the rapid increase in the fuel prices as well as to energy crisis of 2003-08, which made people to buy less of automobiles with low fuel economy. In the year 2008 there were some models released by Honda with fuel efficient models to offer to the consumers, the bigger automobiles including General Motors, Toyota, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan and Honda Motors experienced sliding sales. Honda has used PEST and SWOT analysis to work harder to achieve the goal to make their sales go high, and have worked on the weakness in the market as well. Honda has studied there PEST analysis and the factors that are affecting their company. Honda being the leading automobile industry has to know its strengths and weakness, when dealing with their customer. They need to know their needs wants and demands. Whittingtons Evolutional and Systemic schools of thoughts are being applied by Honda Motors to the better development of their strategy and which helps them to know where they are standing in the market and with the help of the four loops Honda can know its company better way as they will be able to understand its culture, religion and this will help to make better strategic decisions for the company.

Adolph Coors :: Biography Biographies

Adolph Coors My Personal Interest: The Rise and Fall (Literally) of Adolph Coors After already sharing my thoughts of my family, and myself, I felt as though neither of my favorite personal interests would accomplish the task at hand. It was Saturday afternoon, and I still didn’t have a good personal interest topic to write about. I started mind-mapping, writing every topic I could think of, including: The Real Civil War; Mental Instability – Possession or Illness; Finding the Perfect Home – Mortgage and All; and even The lightning Capital: Why Here? Then I realize I must dismantle the subject, so as to fit it on only 3 or 4 pages. The project is becoming a lot tougher than I anticipated; I start scratching out ideas. A half hour later, I have a page with many scribbles, no topics, confusion, and thirst. I walk swiftly and irritably, to the refrigerator, open the door, and grab a cold, wet, Coors Light, tall can. I found my personal interest topic. There in my hand, I was holding history: â€Å"The Rise and Fall, Literally, of Ado lph Coors. I try to imagine the thoughts of Adolph Coors as he was plunging 6 stories to his death. How or why would he have fallen from a beautiful Virginia Beach hotel-room? In the past 9 years, the prohibition of 1920 had made life more difficult, but could Adolph’s desires and ambition end this way? Throughout his entire life he showed nothing less than a strong driving force in everything he attempted and accomplished. On February 4, 1847, Adolph was born in Barmen, Prussia. His parents passed away only 15 years later. Finding necessity for a quick occupation, Adolph started an apprenticeship at the Henry Wenker Brewery. The ambitious young man paid for his apprenticeship by working at the brewery as a bookkeeper. He completed his apprenticeship in a short three years, 1 year less than expected. This would be young Adolph’s first of many overachievements. After finishing his lessons, he worked at three other breweries in the area until 1868, when avoiding a military draft seemed necessary. He then left for the bright stars and stripes of America. Stowing away, he landed at Port Baltimore, Maryland. For the next 5 years, Adolph worked in several industries, ranging from gardening to his first love, brewing.

Atomic Energy: Good and Bad Essay

The use of nuclear energy is controversial because it can be used to wreak havoc upon mankind. Fission, or the splitting of atoms, can be used to release extreme heat and radiation. During World War II, the United States decided that this would be a powerful weapon, so they dropped two fission bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan to end the war. Many buildings were desotryed and thousands of innocent civilians were killed. After that, the world viewed nuclear bombs as dangerous new weapons that could devestate entire cities. Also, the radiation released from nuclear fission is harmful to living organisms. In 1986, a steam buildup in a nuclear reactor in Chornobyl, Ukraine caused an explosion that released tons of radiation into contact with people and animals. Thirty-one deaths resulted from the accident. Traces of the radiation were found in areas far away from the reactor because they traveled by wind. After the accident, the radiation still affects people in the contaminated areas; thyroid cancer in people has been increased due to the radiation. I think the benefits of nuclear power definitely outweigh the potentional dangers. Nuclear power is a very efficient source of energy. For example, it can be used to provide electricity for cities. Nuclear reactors would split radioactive elements to form heat, which would produce steam to turn turbines. Then electricity would be created to power major towns and cities. We do not need to worry about nuclear meltdowns because of the safety measures in nuclear reactors. The Chernobyl accident would be a thing of the past. Nuclear energy is also abundant, unlike fossil fuels (coal and oil). We don’t have to worry about running out of radioactive elements. However, fossil fuels are the complete opposite; gasoline prices have skyrocketed over the past thirty years, and scientists predict that gas would become a rarity in the year 2075 or so. I do not think all countries should agree to limit atomic weapons. Even if a country has only 200 atomic weapons, they can still easily threaten other  nations. Leaders should be able to buy what they desire with their nation’s money without having to worry about breaking any agreements. Perhaps a better solution is to ban atomic weapons altogether; that way, the world don’t have to worry about nuclear war anymore. If a country is suspected of possessing nuclear weapons, then that country would probably be wiped off the map (courtesy of the United Nations, they are the sheriff of the world.) Or maybe we should allow all countries to stockpile only ONE nuclear warhead for every country on earth. So if there are 200 countries in the world, your country could only stockpile 200 nuclear warheads. That way, if you bombed every country on earth, you would only have one warhead left to defend yourself with. I think it would be a pretty wicked awesome system. Atomic energy was used to cause death and destruction, but now it is being used to help light up the world. When the responsible are in charge of nuclear power, then everyone benefits! Atomic power is a great example of wonderful technology.

The Paradigm Shift Of School Counseling - 873 Words

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