An Analysis of the Strengths and Weaknesses of Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonalds

An Analysis of the Strengths and Weaknesses of Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonalds Strengths Among the strengths is that KFC has adequate financial resources. KFC is the second best global fast food brand in terms of value. Besides, KFC enjoys global presence just like McDonalds with almost seventeen thousand (17,000) outlets across 105 countries. Additionally, KFC’s estimated value is US$6 billion. Therefore, as a fast food outlet, KFC has a better financial muscle to facilitate its expansion. Further, KFC enjoys perfect marketing tools. KFC commands the market with a lot of competitors featuring chicken as their main merchandise. It has placed itself plainly with a great trade name among the fast food chains. To illustrate, the company enjoys a strong market standing in the market, China. Besides, KFC gets half of its total revenue from the Chinese market, a market where it has close to 4,000 restaurants (Yang 2014). Weaknesses Despite all its strengths, KFC still receives negative publicity and criticism from PETA. The criticisms result mainly due to the nature of the food they are selling. For instance, the company has received negative criticisms for selling chicken wing with a kidney. Furthermore, they have received negative publicity due to their unhealthy food menu. Some of the firms customers claim that KFC menu contains high-calorie foods. The other weakness that threatens to pull down the brand is high employee turnover. Among the things causing high rates of turnover is, low wage rates. Besides, the company invests so much in training their low skilled workers, which increases the overall cost of operation (Mylonakis Evripiotis 2016). Question 2-LO3b Political Factors Individual state policies enforced by the government, influences the operations of any business and especially, McDonalds. For example, there are people in Europe and America that have been protesting to their states regarding the health effects of taking junk food. The groups allege that obesity and cholesterol are attributable to taking junk foods. Besides, there are other factors like tax laws, employment provisions, and related trade limitations. Undoubtedly, tax rates influence the growth of a business greatly. On the other hand, employment laws like working hours regulations will necessitate a business to hire more staff. If a state amends such laws, then the cost of doing business will go up (Greenspan 2015). Economic Factors Further, Greenspan (2015) points out that changes in inflation and exchange rates affect businesses like McDonalds, which enjoy of a global presence. The chains have no otherwise other than to adapt to the changes and implications of the economic environments. For example, when the rate of inflation goes up, the cost of raw materials increases. It is correct to argue that economic factors affect demand and supply relationship. Besides, cost of living and wage rate can affect the operations of business in a state. Socio-Cultural Factors McDonalds global strategies seem to act on a number of fields to ensure worthwhile profits for the firm. For example, the business thrives by creating a positive attitude from their regulars. McDonalds have comprehended its regulars based on their various aspects. Based recent research, most customers frequenting McDonald’s outlets are below the age of 35 (Greenspan 2015). Technological Factors Additionally, McDonalds main marketing tool is using television advertisements. In addition, the advancement in technology allows the business to conduct elements like inventory system and supply chain management through advanced payment systems. Their integration with advanced systems adds value to their products. Adoption of technology, therefore, allows the company to operate efficiently in a global context (Greenspan 2015). Environment Nonetheless, the operations of McDonalds in a particular region influence its social responsibility, for instance, accusations of environmental damage. To illustrate, if McDonald chooses to employ non-biodegradable substances for the glasses and Styrofoam coffers, they will face such claims and allegations (Greenspan 2015). Question-3LO3c According to Air New Zealand (2013), the company focuses on the contentment of both the staff and clientele and promotion. Being a number one airline in the world is not easy. It requires a joint effort from both the management and staff. Their skilled workforce enables the company to serve its clients satisfactorily. The airline has dedicated staff, and that is why the company won the ATW award in 2010and 2012. Further, promotion and high rate of sales contribute to its excellent performance. Marque (2012) points out that the airlines working methods has enabled them to earn high revenues of up to NZ$4,486 million (in 2012). Among the external environmental factors, influencing the companys ability to achieve goals is the strategic alliance. For example, the company entered into a partnership with, Quantas. An alliance with Quantas presents one of the primary and most fundamental pillars of the airline. The company could not go alone on international routes. The best they could do was to form an alliance to solve its strategic dilemmas (Air New Zealand, 2012). Diebelius (2015) in his arguement asserts that the innovative nature of the company provides its clients with the best long-haul flights to various destinations. SkyCouch and Spaceseat are two extraordinary innovations that the company has achieved. Furthermore, a consistently high standard of customer services has enabled the company to compete favorably. The airline constantly reinvents and refines its products. After developing the SkyCouch and the Spaceseat, other airlines would have taken time out. By the time the other airlines are on that pl atform, Air New Zealand is on its next innovation giving it a competitive advantage over other airlines. Question 4-Lob4 From a classical perspective, the purpose of business to exist is for distributing goods and services to the society. Thereafter, the business will create economic value, which consequently generates income for the companys shareholders (Kitzmueller Shimshack 2012). The management runs an organization in the best interest of the owners. In the case of Fonterra, the company should focus a lot on the interest its shareholders rather than the society. According to the socio-economic view of social responsibility, maximizing income comes as a second priority. What comes first is, protecting the society in which the business operates in by improving the general welfare of the people (Kitzmueller Shimshack 2012). In this case, Fonterra should focus so much on the society rather than the interests of the owners.

Computer Hardware and Operation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Computer Hardware and Operation - Research Paper Example This has created a difficulty to maintain the entire system which has brought about the need to properly configure the system based on user requirements. Responsively, it has been observed that in order to ensure that different users derive utmost usability from the usage of their system, a categorization has been made which includes configurations required for standard users, power user and elite user. The standard users would perform basic administrative related tasks such as spreadsheets, word processing along with internet. Conversely, power user would perform engineering and information technology (IT) related tasks. Entailing a moderate budget of $1400 for each system, these systems would require features such as high quality graphics along with sound, greater proportion of memory and storage. Similarly, the system of elite user to be used by the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) would be arranged in such a manner which would ensure latest features and top ranked quality. With thes e background considerations, the paper intends to provide reasoned justifications for the selection of a few of the major components for these users including case, power supply, processor, mother board, memory, storage (magnetic and optical) and monitor. The key aspect of the paper is to detail feasible budgeted configuration plans for each of the users so that their needs are satisfied. Reason for Selecting Each of the Major Components for Different Types of Users Case. Computer case which also termed as system unit or base unit is one of the major components of a computer system. Cases are usually manufactured by steel or aluminum. In addition, case at times is manufactured with plastic and even wood as well. Cases come in different sizes. The size of the case is majorly dependent on the motherboard. For instance, a case prepared for an ATX motherboard along with power supply may assume a number of external forms. Various kinds of cases that are available in the market include ve rtical tower, flat desktop and pizza box. Responsively, it is observed that business organizations often depend on the desktop cases and mini-tower cases. Computer cases layout is designed with sheet metal which consumes the power supply. Moreover, the rear board is constructed with billet peripheral connectors which protect the expansion slots and motherboard. Cases usually possess power switch, reset button and LEDs to help show the power status and activity of the network. In recent scenarios, the most popular cases in the consumer market include ATX (PCGuide, 2001). In relation to the provided scenario, it can be affirmed that there would be a requirement of a diverse set of cases for different user configurations i.e. elite, standard and power. For standard configurations, there would be a prospective purchase of 12 systems wherein the budgeted value of each system has been assigned at $750. Considering these factors, the suggested computer case will be Full Tower ATX Gaming Ca se. The price of this case is US$8 for each piece, featuring advanced cooling system and convenient install procedure which would fulfill the requirement of the standard users. Furthermore, for power users, the recommended case will be ATX Computer Case/Cabinet black with silver and the price will be US$10.15 for each piece. This case renders side panel window facility. Conversely, for elite system configuration, the price

A journal article in the family and consumer science

A journal in the family and consumer science - Article Example Finally, a strong balance of personal reaction as well as summarized information would be included. The article entitled â€Å"Promoting Partnerships for Healthy Youth† was written by Gulley (2011) and published in the Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences Education. The author clearly stated that the purpose of the project was â€Å"to deliver a school-based health promotion program†¦ (where) the aim of the program was to increase nutrition knowledge, promote a healthy body mass index and encourage a healthy body image among children in grades four through seven, residing in a small rural community in southwest Virginia† (Gulley, 2011, p. 47). Through providing a theoretical background that establishes the need for school-based health promotion, as evidenced by the reported incidences of obesity and prevalence of overweight children, Gulley examined school-based interventions to determine their effectiveness prior to proposed implementation. The key elements present in the discourse used the joint efforts of university and community partnership as the main agencies to promote health and enhance awareness of school children on the relevance of an identified program, the Healthy Weights for Healthy Kids (HWHK). As revealed, the HWHK â€Å"a school-based health education program, developed by Cooperative Extension Specialists at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, which focuses on promoting positive attitudes and behaviors related to food, drinks, physical activity, and body image (Serrano, 2003)† (Gulley, 2011, p. 48). There were six identified key topics from which the HWHK’s curriculum was premised and guided by the Experiential Learning Model, to wit: â€Å"(1) Smart Foods, (2) Smart Choices, (3) Smart Drinks, (4) Smart Snacks, (5) Smart Activities and (6) Smart Image† (Gulley, 2011, p. 48). By measuring students’ knowledge on attitudes