Employees are also offered an assistance program in the form of a confidential 24-hour telephone line service. This is a support program which helps employees and their families in the time of need and if they require confidential advice in some important matter. The services include bereavement help, legal advice, medical information and stress management counseling. Mercedes Benz is also concerned about the health of its employees and wants them to maintain a healthy lifestyle. For this reason the company also offers a variety of voluntary discounts on health products.

It has been named as one of the 100 best companies to work for because of the variety of benefits that it offers its employees. Women at Mercedes-Benz are paid higher than most other companies. The company offers a great deal of flexibility to its workers so they can enjoy their family lives as well such as job-sharing, compressed workweeks and…...

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References

Tyya N. Turner. Vault Guide to the Top Manufacturing Employers. Vault Inc. 2005

Mantle Jonathan. Car Wars: Fifty Years of Greed, Treachery, & Skulduggery in the Global Marketplace. New York, NY Arcade Publishing. 1995

Mercedes-Benz
Prepare

Mercedes Benz:

Wy Mercedes Benz is unlikely to expand into Africa and Japan

Mercedes-Benz, te luxury brand of Daimler AG, as adopted a multinational strategy in its current incarnation. It as brances virtually all over te world, but Japan and Africa are notable exceptions. On te surface, tis may seem curious, given tat Japan as long been known as a nation wit a strong tradition of producing cars and is also a igly industrialized nation wit a great degree of wealt. Africa is part of te developing world, along wit India and Cina, wic means tat it is poised to offer a fairly extensive market for new cars to meet unmet demand. But tere are sound infrastructure and cultural reasons tat Mercedes-Benz as cosen not to extend its outreac into tose nations.

First and foremost, Japan is already dominated by its own car manufacturers, including Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubisi and Honda, along wit many…...

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http://www.youthxchange.net/main/b273_using_cars-b3.asp

Toyota Prius: The best-selling car in Japan. (2012). Science Ray. Retrieved:

 http://scienceray.com/technology/toyota-prius-the-best-selling-car-in-japan/

In fact, one of Mercedes most successful uses of quality as a core competency was demonstrated in its recent launch of its "M Class off-road vehicle." As this expensive but sturdy vehicle was entering a crowded market, and that the mere fact that it was a Mercedes would not be enough to guarantee sales, to create a perception of quality in the minds of its a potential sales base, as well as to guarantee a car that would be uniquely well suited to the needs of consumers, the company obtained details of all current owners of off-road vehicles and Mercedes cars. Then, "Mercedes then undertook a series of mail-outs to the names on the database. It began with a personally addressed letter from the head of Mercedes USA." The mailing said something along the lines of, "we at Mercedes are in the process of designing a brand new off-road car…...

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Works Cited

Branding Case Study: Mercedes Benz. (2003) Excerpt taken from Romancing the Customer: maximizing brand value through powerful relationship management by Paul Temporal and Martin Trott (Wiley, 2001). Retrieved 29 Nov 2004 at  http://www.brandingasia.com/cases/mercedes-case.htm 

Russell, Roberta S. And Bernard W. Taylor. (2004) Operations Management. Fourth Edition.

Tutor2u. (2004) "Core Competencies." Retrieved 29 Nov 2004 at  http://www.tutor2u.net/business/strategy/core_competencies.htm

The two major rivals on the Chinese market are BMW and Audi. As a consequence, BMW has cut its retail prices in 2005 for its three and five series sedans by 12% or 13%, which caused a decrease of $12,048 for BMW 530i (Xinhua News Agency, 2005).
As specialists in the field have predicted, since 2005 the Chinese luxury and sports vehicles market has diversified, and so did the competition. Due to production outsourcing, a greater number of premium sedans have started to be produced in China, due to lower manufacturing costs. The Chinese premium sedan sector is dominated by Audi, which sold approximately 50,900 units in 2004. However, in the past few years the price of import premium sedan has exploded because of the increased car import license. This situation favors the local producer Audi, whose prices were considerably lower than those of import sedans.

As one can easily observe,…...

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Reference List

The automotive sector - what future? (2004). European Monitoring Center on Change. European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions. Retrieved November 12, 2007 at  http://www.eurofound.europa.eu/emcc/content/source/tn04005a.htm?p1=sectorfutures&p2=null .

Mercedes Benz (2007). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved November 12, 2007 at  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz .

MBUSI Facts and Figures (2007). Mercedes Benz U.S. International. Retrieved November 13, 2007 at  http://www.mbusi.com/pages/corporate_facts.asp .

Annual Report (2006). Daimler AG. Retrieved November 13, 2007 at  http://www.daimler.com/dccom/0-5-7173-1-727149-1-0-0-0-0-0-9507-7164-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html .

Mercedes-Benz
What is the competitive environment faced by MB?

MB's competitive environment consists of other brand manufacturers producing all-utility vehicles, a new market for automobile manufacturers in the 1990s. Competitors were also produced vehicles that conformed to consumer safety demands (airbags, etc.) and that were cost-efficient. By the time MB entered into the AAV market, consumers were moving towards more luxury brand automobiles, which conformed more to MB's aim.

How has MB reacted to the changing world market for luxury automobiles?

It has accommodated consumer demand for more safety -- as the sampling of consumers showed this to be the most common demand in vehicles with a "relative percentage rating of 41%" (Albright, 2000, p. 3). But, of course, most significantly, it has expanded its luxury class to include production of the AAV -- a new type of vehicle for MB, never before produced. Its purpose is to combine the SUV phenomenon with the…...

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References

Albright, T. (2000). Case I: Mercedes-Benz: All-Activity Vehicle (AAV). NJ:

Institute of Management Accountants.

U.S. audiences perceive the Mercedes-Benz brand in particular differently from German audiences. The company makes an effort to tailor its marketing message around these different perceptions. ith respect to distribution, the systems in the two countries are different, so there are naturally going to be differences. Those differences should be less today than would have been historically the case, since the Daimler-Chrysler merger made Mercedes a de facto domestic brand in each country, in terms of distribution access.
For some products, however, there are no significant differences between the marketing campaigns in Germany and the U.S. For high end products like the SLS AMG, the company's marketing campaign is more global in nature. Consumers of high-end performance Mercedes', however, are more likely to purchase based on the product itself and not just the name and a set of assumptions.

Most firms that market their products internationally prefer to tailor advertisements in…...

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Works Cited:

Eisenstein, P. (2011). Why Daimler dumped Penske over Smart. The Detroit Bureau. Retrieved October 2, 2011 from  http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2011/02/why-daimler-dumped-penske-over-smart/ 

Jost, I. (2005). Made in Germany: Does "Teutonic" sell in America? The Atlantic Times. Retrieved October 2, 2011 from http://www.atlantic-times.com/archive_detail.php?recordID=116

However, if the company / dealers begin using the CM solution, to follow up and address customer service issues, it could help to identify possible factors affecting vehicles after the initial purchase. This would help to improve customer relations by bringing those products which are having problems, into the dealerships, so that they can be repaired quickly. If the situation cannot be fixed, then the dealer should replace the vehicle at no cost to the customer. Utilizing this kind of strategy, would allow both Mercedes and its dealerships to be able to improve effective customer communication. Where, it will eliminate the lack of: communication and follow up that often occurs, once the customer has purchased a vehicle.
Another way that this technology could be utilized is: to identify possible design issues. Where, the various CM tools would help to improve communication and identify specific factors that could be related to…...

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Reference List

Business Case for CRM. (n, d,). CRM Blog Guy. Retrieved from:  http://www.crmblogguy.com/ 

Definition of OEM Manufacturers on the Web. (2010). Google. Retrieved from:  http://www.google.com.jm/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:OEM+manufacturers&sa=X&ei=nFFoTKWyLcG88gaslbGxBA&ved=0CBMQkAE 

Genuine Mercedes Complaints. (2010). Mercedes Benz USA. Retrieved from:  http://www.mercedes-benz-usa.com/mbusa_complaints.php 

Kristoff, S. (2010). Advances in Automobile Safety Technology. Supply Chain Brain. Retrieved from:  http://www.supplychainbrain.com/content/industry-verticals/automotive/single-article-page/article/mercedes-finely-tuned-supply-chain/

Built to order (BTO) model is used since it is most applicable with vehicles and is, in fact, the value chain model that is often used in conjunction with vehicle producing manufactures. One doesn't know the end result or the client who will buy the product; therefore the product is only built once a confirmed number of orders have been received. It is the most appropriate approach for highly customized / configured orders and the Benz vehicles try to be just that. The Approach is also good for this company since holding inventories can be highly expensive and this approach diverts that.
In the context of Benz (or any other automotive context), the product is scheduled and built in response to the order of a final customer and it excludes dealers, national sales companies (NSC), point of sales, or other intermediaries in the supply chain.

Build to stock (BTS) is the…...

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References

Roehrich, J.K.; Parry, G. And Graves, A. (2011). Implementing build-to-order strategies: enablers and barriers in the European automotive industry. International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management. 11(3): 221-235.  http://www.inderscience.com/search/index.php?action=record&rec_id=40869 

Parry, G. And Graves, A., Eds. (2008), 'Build to Order: The Road to the 5-Day Car', London: Springer Verlag

It was tough the first year of being in business for himself.
Breaking Points

Although his mother was unsupportive of his decision to be a designer, David persisted through the lean times. One day, he spotted an ad for the Elle New Talent Competition. He started to apply, and then realized that he needed to submit full storyboards and materials overnight. Like a scene from Project Runway, David pulled an all-nighter and made it happen. Three days later, he was in the top twelve. Three months later, he was in the finalists, and then…he won.

Winning the Elle New Talent Competition launched David's career in earnest, but it did not mean instant success. He still had no full-time, dependable clients. As he considered returning to teaching, David had a lucky break. The House of Montiac called him to work in Cape Town. Rather than leave his budding business in Johannesburg, David decided…...

I was able to use these enhanced skills to successfully set the store apart from the competition by means of product differentiation and targeted sales strategies, as well as specific product promotions. I worked with my team and the community to enhance the benefit our products could provide to customers.
2. Why do you want this job?

I believe that your company and I can be of mutual benefit to each other. For myself, I feel that Audi has more self-development opportunities than any other company. Also, I love Audi's products and feel it would be a great honor to be able to work as part of the product management team. I feel that my years of experience and skills developed during my studies and professional experience will help the company move forward to achieve new goals every year.

3. What do you consider your main weaknesses?

My main weakness is probably a…...

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Reference

Audi Worldwide (2010).  http://www.audi.com/com/brand/en.html

perfect candidate for a non-technical human resources position at Westinghouse. I will graduate from obert Morris University in May 2014 with a B.S.B.A in Human esources and Marketing. I have studied courses in recruiting, retention, training, compensation and benefits, as well as courses related to marketing. I intend to begin my career as a Human esources generalist.
I have previous experience with Westinghouse, having written my final project in Organizational Communications on the company. For that project, I interviewed Camille Kovach, the Vice President of Human esources, Operations and Global Training & Development. I went away from that experience very impressed with Westinghouse as a business, and as a place to work. This application is a direct result of having seen what Westinghouse is and wanting to be a part of that.

An active OTC cadet, I have a lot more to offer than just a degree. I have been described…...

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References

BLS.gov. (2013). Personal financial advisors. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved December 12, 2013 from  http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Business-and-Financial/Personal-financial-advisors.htm

Perceptual map is a marketing tool that is used to help place a brand in context of its competitors in terms of public perception of the brands with respect to critical industry variables (Daye, 2009). The two-dimensional nature of the map means that there are two dimensions (elements) that are evaluated. Consumer opinions about these variables and a variety of brands are taken in order to construct the map. The objective of the perceptual map is to understand how the brand's position in perceived by the public, and use this information to shape marketing strategy either to reinforce this perception or to change it.
Two major variables that people consider when purchasing a vehicle, other than price, are safety and prestige. For car buyers, safety is an important issue because of the inherent dangers in driving and the need to minimize the risk to yourself and your family. Prestige is also…...

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Works Cited:

Daye, D. (2009). Brand positioning and perceptual maps. Branding Strategy. Retrieved October 27, 2012 from  http://www.brandingstrategyinsider.com/2009/09/brand-positioning-and-perceptual-maps.html

Managing All Stakeholders in the Context of a Merger Process
Review of the Relevant Literature

Types of Mergers

Identifying All Stakeholders in a Given usiness

Strategic Market Factors Driving Merger Activity

Selection Process for Merger Candidates

Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendations

The Challenge of Managing All Stakeholders in the Context of a Merger Process

Mergers and acquisitions became central features of organizational life in the last part of the 20th century, particularly as organizations seek to establish and maintain competitiveness in an increasingly globalized economy (Nevaer & Deck, 1996). Mergers are generally described as being the formal joining or combining of two corporations or business (Prichett, 1987), although both the framework and the method of merger vary greatly. The reasons for mergers are different based on what a company is trying to accomplish. The acquiring firm may seek to eliminate a competitor; to increase its efficiency; to diversify its products, services, and markets; or to reduce its taxes.…...

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Bibliography

Ansoff, H. Igor. 1987. The Emerging Paradigm of Strategic Behavior. Strategic Management Journal, 8, 501-515.

Barney, Jay B. 1986. Strategic factor markets: expectations, luck, and business strategy. Management Science, 32, 10, 1231- 41.

Beinhocker, E.D. & Kaplan, S. 2002. Tired of Strategic Planning? Many Companies Get Little Value from Their Annual Strategic-Planning Process. It Should Be Redesigned to Support Real-Time Strategy Making and to Encourage 'Creative Accidents.' The McKinsey Quarterly, 49.

Black's Law Dictionary. 1990. St. Paul: West Publishing Co.

The last century has seen an increase in the level of international purchases which has been supported by the developments in transportation and technology. Goods can move faster than before with developments in logistics. The negotiation and forming contracts for purchase with companies and communicate with potential suppliers in distant countries is also easier than in the past with the internet and tools such as video conferencing and emails. This facilitates the use of international suppliers. However, other firms may choose local suppliers believing strategy will best suit their needs. Local suppliers may be able to provide where there is an increase in the transparency of the supply chain, less exposure to risks such as interruption and exchange rate risks and proximity may allow closer collaborative relationships to develop. Both procurement strategies are viable, to assess the advantages associated with each approach the procurement from international and local suppliers…...

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REFERENCES

'Automotive and Auto Parts Industry in Turkey.' (2012). Turkish Ministry of Economy. [online] available:  http://blog.tcp.gov.tr/?p=2632 .

"Automotive Industry Trends Affecting Component Suppliers.' (2005). International Labour Review, vol. 144, no. 1, pp. 130-133.

Borrus, M., Ernst, D. & Haggard, S. (2001). International Production Networks in Asia: Rivalry or Riches. London: Routledge.

Burton, S., & Steane, P. (2004). Surviving Your Thesis. New York: Routledge.

B. In market economies, governments are supposed to provide economic conditions for private enterprises to function effectively. However, the main purpose is to create an environment for a healthy national economy, in which all the parties are prosperous, not only private enterprises (USINFO, 2007). The main difference between market economies and planned economies lies on whether the influence of the government is used to preclude private decision (Wikipedia, 2007). The fact that the Mercedes bidding process took place at the state and local level of governments probably influenced the inducements for this project. In other words, a federal government probably would not have offered such favorable tax condition for the Mercedes plant implementation, being more preoccupied on the social welfare.

C. The state and local governments were definitely in favor of the Alabama Mercedes project, and the enormous amounts of money invested in this project by the Alabama government prove it.…...

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Reference List

Hirschey, Mark. Case Study: Oh, Lord, Won't You Buy Me a Mercedes-Benz (Factory)? Fundamentals of Managerial Economics.

Government in a Market Economy (2007). U.S. Department of State. Retrieved July 17, 2007 at http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/market/mktec8.htm.

Market Economy Introduction (2007). U.S. Department of State. Retrieved July 17, 2007 at http://usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/market/mktec1.htm.

Market economy (2007). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved July 17, 2007 at  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Market_economy#Government_intervention .

Looking at how cars were invented and reality quickly became the go-to transportation method for much of the world is fascinating.  While the automobile was invented in Germany and France, Henry Ford, who mastered automation and the mass production of cars, probably deserves much of the credit for the automobile’s early successes.  In fact, Ford’s focuses on wages and affordability probably deserve credit for the rise of the American middle class, suggesting that the history of the automobile and the history of the middle class are inextricably intertwined.

I. Introduction

A. Precursors....