Philips Maps Out a New Direction - Case Analysis Essay Example for Free

Philips Maps Out a New Direction Case Analysis Essay Philips, the electronics manufacturer, has developed a plan to increase profits, shareholder value, and market positioning by 2010. The first step in the process is CEO Gerard Kleisterlee. Upon taking the top position, Kleisterlee was able to affect an immediate 4% rise in share prices by simply announcing the marketing make over plan. He believes that a focus on innovating and branding will be the key to the plan’s success. The strategies that Kleisterlee is employing are consolidating six operating units into three, acquiring similar or enhancing technology companies, and entering into emerging markets. The six existing units will merge into three divisions, Consumer Lifestyle, Philips Healthcare, and Philips Lighting. Each division will be run by a CEO recruited from within the other existing Philips operating units. The rationale for the consolidations is to ‘save on logistical and back-office costs,† and to increase revenues by 5-6% for each unit. Philips will also acquire existing technology companies that deal with a specific technology, most likely incorporating those acquisitions into one of the three divisions. Philips is also penetrating emerging consumer markets like China to build brand recognition and create a dedicated market base. Strategic Issues: Problems and Opportunities Philips has some issue to overcome, particularly name or brand recognition, and stagnate earnings and profits. As stated the name Philips is associated with laxatives and tools. The parent company Royal Philips Electronics produces a wide range of products from light bulbs, to electric shavers, home medical devices, and semiconductors. Even though stock prices rose quickly when Kleisterlee took over, sales and earnings have not increased significantly. Kleisterlee’s goal of increasing pre-tax margins by 10% will require an increase in sales along with the decrease in operating expenses which is the goal of consolidating operating units. According to the case study, Philips has no debt on their balance sheet. This financial position is a great investment opportunity. As noted, it makes cash available for acquisitions of other technology companies whose operations can provide immediate revenue growth to Philips’ bottom line. Second, it allows Philips to invest marketing dollars into the newly created divisions and into emerging markets creating the sought after name and brand recognition. Analysis and Evaluation Philips as a whole has enhanced its rankings in important areas as brand rankings, brand value, and innovations. Consolidated and highly targeted operating divisions allow Philips to focus on marketing three different product lines in the same market. Philips has an opportunity to saturate any one or all of three unique markets. Operating as individual units allows each division to operate as an independent company with independent marketing strategies. However, by building on the parent company’s brand name, Royal Philips Electronics, each division can enhance their market positions by taking on the reputation that has been developed. The challenge for Phillips, and the continuing opportunity, is to try maintain a virtually debt free balance sheet. This will help not only in acquiring exiting technology companies, but will allow Philips to invest in technology companies in the emerging markets that they want to target. As is pointed out, in China, local technology firms can reclaim a certain market share. However, Philips can invest in the local technology market buying technology specific firms, and adding their market reputation to a local manufacturing partner. Conclusion Royal Philips Electronics, simply known as Philips, is developing into a global marketer of different but related products. The key to Philips’ success so far is to consolidate operations, acquire existing technologies, remain debt free, and penetrate emerging markets. The key to Philips’ continuing success is to invest in emerging markets as a way of enhancing the market positioning of each operating unit while drawing on and maintaining the parent company brand and name reputation.

Dad :: Personal Narrative Profile

Personal Narrative- Dad My brother and I were standing in a white room where people were franticly running around. I looked at this man being wheeled by lying on a blood soaked bed. His eyes were swelled shut and he was moaning in excruciating pain. I took a closer look and realized his skull was exposed. His scalp was completely off the side of his head. Tears started coming when I thought about this poor man's family. How were the doctors going to tell his wife and kids what he looked like; or even worse, he had died. I looked at my brother in horror and disbelief. He said in a dismayed voice, "Jess, that's Dad!" I was running around the gym and warming up for a game of "capture the ball." A loud beeping noise sounded through the gym and I heard a sweet voice say, "Please excuse Jessie Jones." My heart pumped as I jumped for joy. No P.E. today! I got my bag and waited at the door for my mom. I was messing around with my friend, when Mrs. Ledger told me that my mom sounded very upset. I thought nothing of it and kept joking around. I walked outside and a woman from my Mom's work was waiting to pick me up. I gave her a perplexed look as she said, "Your Dad got in a wreck." At this point, the significance of the whole event still had not hit me. I met my Mom at City Market and she was hysterical. Seeing my Mother in her hysteria didn't affect me because, getting worked up easily was her routine. She told me that they had to "Flight for Life" my Dad to St. Mary's Hospital. At that point, I knew the accident was serious. I tried to swallow the apple-sized lump in my throat. We waited, for what seemed like an eternity, in the waiting room. I was anxious to see my Dad so I kept going in and asking when we could see him. They said when he was cleaned up they would come and get us. They brought out his clothes and his shoes were covered with a crimson color. My chest got heavy and I fought to breathe. My heart skipped a beat and my throat started to hurt. I was sucking back my tears.

Battle of Salamis and Miltiades

Miltiades biggest contribution was to the battle at Marathon which was considered a significant impact on the Persian wars. It was in the battle at Marathon where he showed both witt and skill against the Persian army. He was considered valuable to the athenians because of his former close relations with the Persian army, which meant he knew there tactics and there ways to which they fought in battle. The Athenians made Miltiades 10th Commander to which each day starting from commander one every commander would be given a chance to be in charge of the army.It was Miltiades who saw the fact that the Persian cavalary wasnt their as an advantage and to which could result in victory if the Athenian army attacked early. So Miltiades convinced Calimuchus the Polemarh to confront the Persian army and give him command. Miltiades battle tactics were both thoughtful and strategic as he used what he had learnt about the Persians against them with both ingenious and thoughful ideas.He made use o f the terrain by placing his army on the top of the hill so that they had the higher ground and the best spot for when they made there way down hill so they were less tired and exhausted. It was said to be Miltiades who convinced the generals not to use their customary tactics of which hoplites (soldiers of greek cities) normally marched in an evenly distributed phanlanx of shields and spears. Miltiades was the one who had this great idea of attacking while the cavalary was not around.He knew that the Persians had there flanks set out that the strongest soldiers where in the middle of th e flank and the weakest on the outer flanks, so Miltiades devised this cunning plan to swap it around for his army. He made the strongest soldiers as the outer flanks and the weakest in the middle, so when it came to the fight the strongest soldiers could encirle the persian flanks and cause them distress and penick.His other contribution in the battle at Marathon tactics was the fact that he knew t he Persians used arrow man. So miltiades had to think of a way to make it as if the Persian arrowman werent much help in inilation at all. This is the tactic i believe that sets him apart from every other commander; he made his army run into battle. as soon as miltiades army was in range of arrows he had them sprint and avoid the arrows, which this plan left the Persians dumbfounded.But as i write how genius he was i know that Munro points out that it was Miltiades who understood the Persian way of doing thins, it was Miltiades who understood his strengths and weaknesses, and Miltiades who proved to be the master of timing, waiting for just the right time to act. Miltiades was seen as the one to seize the best position and knew just when to take the offensive. But I see another person who was of even larger importance to the contribution of the Persian wars and his name is Themistocles.

Roman Republic And Early Roman Empire Essay - 1511 Words

The later Roman Republic and early Roman Empire controlled most of modern day Europe through Northern Africa to Asia Minor. This time of complete dominance over much of the known world propelled Rome into a new era of wealth and prosperity that allowed Romans to look past military expansion. The Roman state now turned towards betterment of society and the â€Å"craving for a good education.† Education was seen not only as a tool for the furthering of personal careers, but as a way to improve Rome. Education passed along virtue and the skills necessary to run the Republic and early Empire. This knowledge began in the home, transferring from father to son through the role of fathers as paterfamilias or head of household. Fathers were in charge of ensuring the best possible education for their sons in hope that they would further the ideals and goals of a glorious Rome. Education, through the different steps of the informal Roman education structure and through the influence of the father, furthered the ideal of Roman virtue and ensured generations of virtuous leaders. Early education was usually obtained through the family especially since there were â€Å"no free public schools.† Even where there were publicly funded schools, Romans feared the privilege of education â€Å"might be corrupted to serve private interests.† This went against the Roman ideal that looked towards education as a betterment of society, not the individual. Pliny, in 100 AD to the community of Comum, argued itShow MoreRelatedRise of the Roman Republic Essay953 Words   |  4 PagesRISE OF THE ROMAN REPUBLIC Rome became a powerful empire engulfing much of Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia and what seemed like this great entity called the Romans were always in the search of more territory and land to conquer and assimilate into their ever growing vast empire. 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