Vodafone group: An analysis

Vodafone group: An analysis Chapter 1 Firms Profile Vodafone Group is a mobile telecommunications company. The company has a significant presence in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and the United States. In the United States the groups associated undertaking operates as Verizon Wireless. From a UK start-up company in 1984, Vodafone is now the worlds leading mobile telecommunications company. So Vodafone its a market leader in its current production. Businesses know that consumers position products in relation to those of competitors. There can be a ‘pecking order or ‘product ladder. Products might be market leaders. They are usually the main selling product and decisions on prices and promotion are often followed by other products, known as market followers. (Dave Hall et al, 2006) Vodafone is amongst the major global providers of telecommunication services. The company has a strong presence in Germany, the UK, Italy, Spain and other European countries. Through its direct and partner networks, its global reach extends to more than 38 countries. Vodafone offers a wide range of mobile services such as voice, messaging, data, and roaming services to customers and business enterprises. Vodafone has a strong network infrastructure comprising 2G and 3G networks, which are operated over GSM and GPRS network standards. These networks enable the group provide high speed data services. Legal Type Of Firm Vofadone was formerly known as Racal Strategic Radio Limited and changed its name to Racal Telecommunications Group Limited in 1985. Further, the company changed its name to Racal Telecom Limited in 1988; to Vodafone Group Public Limited Company in 1991; to Vodafone AirTouch Plc in 1999; and subsequently to Vodafone Group Public Limited Company in 2000. Vodafone Group is headquartered in Newbury, the United Kingdom. Source: http://www.scripophily.net/ratepulicoen.html Public limited companies tends to be larger and is the second type of o limited company. This company name ends in plc. There are around 1.2 million registered limited companies in the UK, but only around 1% of them are public limited companies. Shares in public limited companies may be freely bought and sold by the general public on the stock market. Owners of plcs are therefore rarely closely involved with the business. The stock exchange is a market where second hand shares are bought and sold. Operating as a public limited company is associated with both advantages and disadvantages. Advantages: All members have limited liability. Huge amounts of money can be raised from the sale of shares to the public. Production costs may be lower as firms may gain and this leads to ability to expand and benefit from economies of scale which means as the production increases the cost of production per unit decreases. In this case Vodafone will be able to set lower prices than competitors and in this way increase sales revenue and maybe profits. The great size of Vodafone, can often dominate the market and lead to a market leader where the competitor firms will have to follow. Disadvantages: There can be potential management problems in the organization. There may be danger of takeover There may be danger of shares loosing value through fashion and rumour and this to lead to a reduction of the stock market shares. Some public limited companies such as Vodafone are very large indeed. They have millions of shareholders and a wide variety of business interests situated all over the world. So, Vodafone is a multinational company which means that it has production plants in a number of different countries. Type Of Competition Vodafone Group Plc is the worlds leading mobile telecomunications , with a significantpresence in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia pacific and the united states through the companys subsiadiary undertakings, joint ventures, associated undertakings and investments. source: http://www.linkedin.com/companies/vodafone Vodeafone is operating as an oligoply because it a market leader and has its dominant place in the market. Oligopoly is one of the four market structures. At one extreme perfect competition, where there are very many firms competing. Each firm is so small relative to the whole industry that it has no power to influence price. It is a price taker. At the otherxtreme is monopoly where there is just one firm in the industry, and hence no competition , which involves a quite a lot of firms competing and where there is freedom for new firms to enter the industry, and oligopoly which involves only a few firms and where entry of new firms is restricted. So, oligopoly is a market structure where there are few enough firs to enable barriers to be erected against the entry of new firms. Product Design And UCD Failures Vodafone the worlds largest mobile operator, is seeking an experienced freelancer to supportin the design and developmentof its exclusive products and specific Vodafone owned devices for all customer target groups. Vodafones aim is to grow revenue and improve its profit margin by adding value to its products and services, i.e. Earning more from each product sold. The ‘Vodafone Live service enables customers to use picture messaging to download polyphonic ringtones, colourgames, images and information, through an icon driver menu. Vodafone offers a product with many different features provides customers with opportunities to chat, play games, send and receive pictures, change ringtones, receive information and soon view video clips and send video messages. Vodafone and other mobile phone industries use different ways in orderto prolongthe maturity stage of their product life cycle and gain more profits. The cell phone life cycle includes design, manufacture, distribution, use and disposal(or alternatively, refurbishment of recycling components). Chapter 2 Swot Analysis The purpose of Swot Analysis is to conduct a general and quick examination of a business current position so that it can identify preffered and likely directions for the future. Swot analysis involves looking at the internal strengths and weaknesses of a business and the external opportunities and threats. (Dave Hall et al, 2006) Strengths: Diversified geographical portfolio with strong mobile telecommunications operations in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific and to some extent the US Leading presence in emerging markets such as India Big presence in Japan market Strategig alliances with Apple iPhone Weaknesses: US business not nearly as strong as European/rest of the world operations 80% of its business is generated in Europe Opportunities: Focus on costs reductions improving returns Majority stake in Huthcison Essar in India Research and development of new mobile technologies Focus on developing markets ( Africa, Latin America Threats: Highly competitive market Still lags behind major competitors in the US Extremely high penetration rates in key European markets European Union regulation on cross-border cell phone usage by customers Develpment of VOIP communication Source: http://www.wikiswot.com/SWOT/15_Communication_Services/Vodafone.html Pest-G Analysis Pest -G analysis examines the external environment and the global factors that may affect a business. It can provide a quick and visual representation of the external pressuresfacing a business, and their possible constraints on strategy. It is usually divided into five external influences on a business-political, economic, social, technological and green environment. (Dave Hall et al, 2006) Political This is concerned with how political developments, regionally, rationally and internationally might affect Vodafones strategy. It might include a consideration of legislation, such as consumer laws, regulation, political pressures and the goverments view of certain activities. Economic This might involve the analysis of a variety of economic factors and their effects on business. They might include consumers ativity, their willingness to spend. Economic variables sch as inflation, unemployement, trade growth. Th effects ofchanges in product and labour markets. Social One social issue that affects the operations of Vodafone in a positive way is the increased population in India. So Vodafone operating in a market with high population leads to an increase demand for its products. Technological Businesses operate in a world of rapd tehnological change. Organisation sneed to regularly review the impact of new technologies upon their activities. Production may become out of date and increase costs for the business, communication may become inefficient as ICT develops. Thats why Vodafone is investing in RD which is vital in industries where technological change is rapid. Green Enviromental factors can influence the decisions of Vodafone. Taking into account environmental considerations mayraise costs, but might also generate greater sales. Environmental and social issues are very important for Vodafone. They use the monitoring aspect of the entropy system for international data gathering across their operating companies. This information is fed into their corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and has resulted in significant data qulality improvements. Chapter 3 Global MIS/Risks Vodafone is a multinational company operating in a globalised economy where there is free international trade between different countries. International trade is based on the principle of competitive advantage. This means that businesses that benefit from the international trade are those which can produce their products at the lowest opportunity cost than other countries. According to Peter Jay the ability to produce anywhere in the world, sell your products anywhere in the world and sent your profits anywhere in the world is called globalisation. Vodafone is a very successfull cell phone company, as it is a market leader in the countries that is operating and this it has been achieved by its international competitivness. With international marketing firms have to consider their USP( unic selling point) and their international competitivness in order to increase their global market share. In this effort multinational have to provide greater variety of products better qulity an d at lower price. To improve therefore their USP and improve their international competitivness multinationals should improgve productivity per worker, invest in research and development and experience further economies of scale. (Dave Hall et al, 2006) Vodafone In Ghanaian Mobile Deal Mobile phone firm Vodafone is to expand its presence in Africa which is a less economically developed country by buying a controlling stake in Ghana Telecom for 452 pounds. Rapid uptake in mobile use on the continent has attracted foreign firms. Vodafone is attracted by Ghanas strong economy and political stablity. Ghana is the most attractive markets in Africa. There are currently 2.7 million mobile subscribers executive in Ghana, although overall mobile penetration per head of the population in the west African country reamauins low at 35%. So, as a result of this Vodafone has recently sought to focus on emerging markets with high potential and less established competition, existing more mature mrkets such as Japan. Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7487821.stm The Impact Of Vodafone In The Ldcs As we said previously Vodafone is a multinational company that operates mostly in less economically developed countries that are becoming emerging economies because it can be benefit in a number of ways. However, the operation of Vodafone in those countries is acossiated both with advantages and disadvantages. It can increase the employment and in this way it can increase the income per capita. An increase in domestic competition leads to an improvement in the efficiency of local firms and also decrease inflation. It can improve the balance of payment account of the country if products are sold abroad and also the curency of the country in which a multinational operates in, and also it can introduce new technogy, production processes and management stylkes and techniques. Ethical Issues There are some ethical issues that result from the nature of the operation of different multiationals in the ldcs. One ethical issue is the exploitation of workers. There are long working hours, they impose over time and also child and labour prisoners. They might operate in ldcs with lower environmental standards. Usually they have high orked related accidents and the reason is because it is cheaper for them to have lower safety standards. They usually bring their managers ( mddle andhigh level) for ther headworkers and therefore dont give many opportunties to local managers. Because of the size and financial size of such enterprises, there are concerns about the ability of goverments to control them and in this way they may be able to avoid paying operation tax. Conclusion The above project is an analysis of a global multinational company which is operating in different countries and it is a market leader in the products that it provides. The results that came out of this project are connected to the marketing strategies that Vodafone uses in order to promote effectively its products around the world through the an appropriate marketing Mix. I Also saw how different cocial environmental and technological issues benefit the company and which are the threats that may increase costs of vodafone and maybe decrease profits. Finally I analysed the operations of Vodafonesin the less econimically developed countries andin which way it can affect the economy of these countries and the ethical issues that may arrise through such operation. References Dave Hall, Rob Jones, Carlo Raffo (2006), 3rd edition, Business Studies John Sloman , (2006) sixth edition, Economics, Prentice Hall http://www.scripophily.net/ratepulicoen.html http://www.linkedin.com/companies/vodafone http://www.wikiswot.com/SWOT/15_Communication_Services/Vodafone.html http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7487821.stm The rate of increasing prices per year. When inflation is increasing prices increase faster, when inflation decreases prices keep increasing but in a slower rate. Inflation is bad for firms and for the market. Since the products are becoming more expensive, peoples purchasing power is reduced so they buy less.

E-Marketing - Promotion and the Communications Process Essay -- Busine

E-Marketing - Promotion and the Communications Process Introduction In this assignment I will be using a case study to demonstrate an effective promotional campaign plan for the launch of a new e-business - selling wine over the internet. The name of the e-business will be 'The Wine Seller', which will help promote brand recall. This will also form the basis of the PR and Advertising campaign. The steps taken will include: * Promotion Plan/Objective * SWOT Analysis * Formulating a marketing and advertising plan * Setting the Marketing Objectives * Identifying the target audiences * Evaluating and implementing the communications mix The promotional campaign budget is  £500,000. 1. Promotion Objective & Plan 'The Wine Seller' is a small company offering high quality products to two main target markets. The main business objective is to generate awareness of the website facility to the existing customer base, respond to the needs of potential customers and generate awareness to both existing and potential customers. Therefore the main objectives of this promotional campaign are to: - * Create a brand image * Increase competitiveness * Improve efficiency * Add value for the customer To fulfil these objectives we need to improve communications, enhance customer service, increase sales, reduce costs and evaluate the impact. A promotional plan is critical for the development of a successful promotional campaign. The organisation should ask itself: -  · What are the overall goals of the promotional campaign  · What is the organisation trying to achieve  · What resources does the organisation need to achieve the objectives  · Which elements of the marketing mix are most appropriate We already have database information about the two main target markets. The information leads us to the conclusion that both markets demand quality, and a wide range of products. Quality and value for money rather than being the cheapest is more important to these markets. Therefore the market segment is described as demo geographic. The e-business wants to generate awareness amongst current and potential clients in both the hotel/catering industry and private consumers. The product the organisation has, is well established. The website will add value to the product and service delivere... ... 8 Sundays @  £25,000)  £200,000 Cost includes production Reprinting of all stationery  £ 15,000 Search Engine Optimisation & Data Mining  £ 5650 Wine Tasting evenings in Country House Hotels & Promotional offers  £100,000 Conclusion It is important to the marketer to understand how communication works in order to send the right message to the right people at the right time using the correct medium for the audience. It is vitally important that after a communicating that the results or findings are monitored and evaluated. Evaluation measures the success or failure of promotional campaigns. These promotions sometimes fail due to poor objectives and a poor understanding of customer needs and wants. Successful e-businesses realise the importance of integrating their offline and online marketing activities. Any promotional activity should run over a reasonable time scale in order that the receivers of the message recall the content. This helps reinforce the message and leads consumers to Purchase. The internet is the biggest library and storefront in the world and therefore an ideal platform to sell products and ideas and research competitors.

After the Civil War

After the Civil War, industrialization changed American culture, as railways connected developing urban communities and manufacturing plants pulled in floods of foreign laborers. By the late nineteenth century, numerous reformers looked to enhance the conditions in which numerous Americans worked and lived. Imperialism is the strategy of broadening a country's power over different nations by financial, political or military means. The objective of the Americans for imperialism was for new markets would expand exchange which provided money, military power enhanced control, so it could contend with different nations, and social dominance so it could spread America's way of life like religion, and language. The United States' industrialization was developing so quickly that it was creating a bigger number of products than individuals could consume, and so American Imperialism was justified because of the overabundance of modern merchandise that drove the United States to search for entrance and venture into worldwide markets which were essential in making it a World Power. A U.S. representative' speech had motivations in how the US gained with trades and starting to become wealthy, they still didn't have a strong army nor navy. But it still fought for against the Spanish and fight for the rights of Cubans that suffered under the Spanish empire, even does many Americans didn't support this because many weren't ready for war. However, Albert Beveridge who was running for US Senator in 1898 had motivations to assure that US imperialism was necessary, that it was an ethical commitment to spreading their insight and prevalence of American's religion and government overall less lucky individuals. For McKinley's decision in the early 1900s after the Spanish War ended, with motivations that he pretentiously repudiated the U.S. army accomplishment of the Philippines under their control. The Hawaiian Memorial during 1897, the reason behind this was to remove the US government because they believed their nationality was being extinguished, but the US call to vote for annexation for the need of naval bases to protect the world trade. A letter brought questioning to many Americans if a severe fight between the Philippines and United States was worth the expansion because of the idea of imperialism. Each source shows different points of views on how larger nations gave to the smaller colonies. Social and cultural changes led many in the U.S. to conclude at the time had come for the country to assert its power beyond the borders. American Imperialism was justified because of the overabundance of modern merchandise that drove the United States to search for entrance and venture into worldwide markets which were essential in making it a World Power. As the United States' empire started to be advanced, leaders and officials led the nation in a burst of overseas expansion in which it acquired Hawaii, the Philippines, Puerto Rico etc. The way to sustain prosperity was to find foreign markets for U.S. goods. Beveridge compared the Philippines colonization to U.S. westward expansion across North America and argued that Filipinos were a child-like and savage race incapable of self-governance. The American imperialism was important for the urge to fulfill United States' destiny–as a world power by colonizing, looking for fresh land to conquer in which opening new markets, was a favorable balance of trade, and make exports exceed imports, sought to expand foreign markets. Development was the principal center of American Imperialism justification, which ought to enable the United States to pick up much benefit as could reasonably be expected. This brought about the advancement of new items and administrations, as well as in different nations–this had powered financial development. As innovations expanded, the American homesteads and manufacturing plants creations were significantly more than American natives could expand. The government saw the remote exchange as the solution for American over creation. In any case, this thought of exchange likewise brought problems as the main path for trade products among the US and different countries. The larger part through overcoming those countries that were self-administered or even under control by different countries (the Philippines and Spain). However, the Filipinos felt sold out when the U.S. took control of their country and wound up irate. Indeed, regardless of what the Filipinos felt the Americans would not like to abandon them to self-administer, on the grounds that they since a long time after a short time have strife and botch over there more unfortunate than Spain's wars. Concerning numerous Americans, this thought of development brought riches however for a couple brought demise, as wars caused the passing of numerous soldiers in every country. To the extent the entire needs were concerned, they requested that the wrongdoing (mercilessness battling the Philippines) ought to be ceased and that America could wipe out the disgraceful nation. To be a world power, United States needed to have land beyond its borders (expansion) that the Americans could control. On the time whilst in all the different countries the public economic system become subjected to deep changes in the outcome of the warfare, showing itself mainly in the decline of money, excessive cost of residing—America had not the simplest now not suffered from the struggle, but at the opposite the country had gained by way of it and became during that time World Power. Having increase sources, and a few strategic positioning of colonies better exchange and raise the American financial system. Which kind of along the lines takes place the Manifest Destiny, colonizing overseas lands brought about the United States spreading its wealth, have an effect on and lifestyle overseas. Imperialism turned into a key aspect in creating an extra civil overseas human. Even in changes in the recent past events the imperialistic developments likewise had a worldwide effect that emerged between countries like wars that made an endeavor at holding their opportunity. In the long run, these wars were a factor in the foundations for WWI. But this event to the counter colonialist contention that America shouldn't administer individuals without their assent, by expressing that freedom gets its power from the assent of the administered, just by those equipped for self-government. It contrasted with Indians enable Americans to administer without an assent and parents likewise oversee over their youngsters without their assent. America should spare them from countries as opposed to giving them self-run of catastrophe. Much like a youngster who needs direction (government). With conflicts, outside and within the borders of US, imperialism remains justified more than a century later as it could become the World Power in the past and present.

Double-Helix Structure of DNA

In biology, double helix is a term used to describe the structure of DNA. A DNA double helix consists of two spiral chains of deoxyribonucleic acid. The shape is similar to that of a spiral staircase. DNA is a nucleic acid composed of nitrogenous bases (adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine), a five-carbon sugar (deoxyribose), and  phosphate molecules. The nucleotide bases of DNA represent the stair steps of the staircase, and the deoxyribose and phosphate molecules form the sides of the staircase. Why Is DNA Twisted? DNA is coiled into chromosomes and tightly packed in the nucleus of our cells. The twisting aspect of DNA is a result of interactions between the molecules that make up DNA and water. The nitrogenous bases that comprise the steps of the twisted staircase are held together by hydrogen bonds. Adenine is bonded with thymine (A-T) and guanine pairs with cytosine (G-C). These nitrogenous bases are hydrophobic, meaning that they lack an affinity for water. Since the cell cytoplasm and cytosol contain water-based liquids, the nitrogenous bases want to avoid contact with cell fluids. The sugar and phosphate molecules that form the sugar-phosphate backbone of the molecule are hydrophilic, which means they are water-loving and have an affinity for water. DNA is arranged such that the phosphate and the sugar backbone are on the outside and in contact with fluid, while the nitrogenous bases are in the inner portion of the molecule. In order to further prevent the nitrogenous bases from coming into contact with cell fluid, the molecule twists to reduce space between the nitrogenous bases and the phosphate and sugar strands. The fact that the two DNA strands that form the double helix are anti-parallel helps to twist the molecule as well. Anti-parallel means that the DNA strands run in opposite directions, ensuring that the strands fit tightly together. This reduces the potential for fluid to seep between the bases. DNA Replication and Protein Synthesis The double-helix shape allows for DNA replication and protein synthesis to occur. In these processes, the twisted DNA unwinds and opens to allow a copy of the DNA to be made. In DNA replication, the double helix unwinds and each separated strand is used to synthesize a new strand. As the new strands form, bases are paired together until two double-helix DNA molecules are formed from a single double-helix DNA molecule. DNA replication is required for the processes of mitosis and meiosis to occur. In protein synthesis, the DNA molecule is transcribed to produce an RNA version of the DNA code known as messenger RNA (mRNA). The messenger RNA molecule is then translated to produce proteins. In order for DNA transcription to take place, the DNA double helix must unwind and allow an enzyme called RNA polymerase to transcribe the DNA. RNA is also a nucleic acid but contains the base uracil instead of thymine. In transcription, guanine pairs with cytosine and adenine pairs with uracil to form the RNA transcript. After transcription, the DNA closes and twists back to its original state. DNA Structure Discovery Dr. Francis Crick and dr. James Watson at a molecular biology symposium. Ted Spiegel  / Contributor  / Getty Images Credit for the discovery of the double-helical structure of DNA has been given to James Watson and Francis Crick, awarded a Nobel Prize for their work. Determining the structure of DNA was based in part on the work of many other scientists, including Rosalind Franklin. Franklin and Maurice Wilkins used X-ray diffraction to ascertain clues about the structure of DNA. The X-ray diffraction photo of DNA taken by Franklin, named photograph 51, showed that DNA crystals form an X shape on X-ray film. Molecules with a helical shape have this type of X-shape pattern. Using evidence from Franklins X-ray diffraction study, Watson and Crick revised their earlier proposed triple-helix DNA model to a double-helix model for DNA. Evidence discovered by biochemist Erwin Chargoff helped Watson and Crick discover base-pairing in DNA. Chargoff demonstrated that the concentrations of adenine in DNA are equal to that of thymine, and concentrations of cytosine are equal to guanine. With this information, Watson and Crick were able to determine that the bonding of adenine to thymine (A-T) and cytosine to guanine (C-G) form the steps of the twisted-staircase shape of DNA. The sugar-phosphate backbone forms the sides of the staircase. Source: The Discovery of the Molecular Structure of DNA—The Double Helix. Nobelprize.org, Nobel Media AB, 2014, www.nobelprize.org/educational/medicine/dna_double_helix/readmore.html.