Waitrose Company Essay Example

Waitrose Company Essay Waitrose was founded in 1904 and is the supermarket division of the John Lewis Partnership, with 187 branches. Like the Partnerships Department Stores, Waitrose is targeted at the middle class market, emphasising quality food and customer service rather than low prices. Their slogan reflects this Quality food, honestly priced. Waitroses main competitors in this market are Marks and Spencer and Sainsburys. The typical Waitrose customer has been described as affluent, interested in culture, travel, fine foods and wine and a likely Classic FM listener and BBC 1 viewer. Waitrose.com We will write a custom essay sample on Waitrose Company specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Waitrose Company specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Waitrose Company specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Waitrose included its three existing Internet sites which were Waitrose Deliver, [emailprotected], and Waitrose direct into an upgraded Waitrose.com website in August 2001. The online grocer Ocado has also taken over the distribution of Waitrose products, but has its own site (Ocado.com). Waitrose.com also functions as a shop finder that quickly shows users the shop closest to them, including map, travel instructions and opening times. Locations Waitrose is currently bound to its southeast location because there are only two major regional distribution centers in place (Bracknell Northampton). Although further expansion in the North and West is planned, Waitrose has no plans to expand overseas, unlike its bigger competitors. Segmentation Waitrose is able to identify different groups of buyers who share similar definable needs and behaviors by segmenting the market. Waitrose segments its market on simple variables such as incomes. This is shown by the number of stores that are based in the south of England showing that Waitrose is aiming at the higher income earners at the upper end of the market, and segmenting itself towards the social groups of A, B and C1. Waitrose has not based any stores in areas such as Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Liverpool and Bradford as these are Britains poorest regions, which Waitrose would not benefit from financially. The UK Online Market Research shows that more British food shoppers have been converted to online grocery shopping than in any other country. However, Internet sales still represent a tiny, although growing, percentage of the overall UK grocery market. Most people use the Internet as a way of gathering information on products and making price comparisons before visiting their local store. Tesco was the first grocery retailer to introduce online shopping and is now the worlds biggest Internet grocer. Question 1 Means of capturing information for use in e-business processes Organisations are increasingly using databases to manage customer relationships to increase both sales and customer satisfaction. A database can help you identify key trends and important information such as your most and least profitable customers. Waitrose E-CRM programme (E-Customer Resource Management) The E-CRM programme aims to build awareness and generate customer interaction with the Waitrose brand both in-branch and on Waitrose.com. Waitrose provides customers with monthly email communications, which will provide a platform to keep Waitrose front of mind, whilst reminding customers of their full range of services. The emails include information specifically tailored to the customer on seasonal foods arriving in branch, targeted special offers, new recipes and information on food suppliers. The emails are refreshed each month to give customers new ideas from Waitrose by analysing their shopping data. Waitrose.com has become recognised as one of the leading UK portals for food lovers, and the emails enable customers to click to the site to learn more about Waitrose food, offers or search for recipes and shopping lists. Visitors to the site can also find a selection of menu ideas and tips on preparing food, plus nutrition and wine experts can be emailed for individual advice. Ocado Waitrose uses an e-GRM programme to boost loyalty among early adopters of its online home delivery store Ocado. Waitrose Partnership Account Card The Partnership Card from John Lewis and a Waitrose credit card that earns customers vouchers when they spend. The Partnership Card allows customers to earn points towards vouchers. Waitrose sends vouchers directly to their customers three times a year. They can be spent on products in John Lewis, Waitrose and at Ocado.com. The Partnership Card entitles customers to receive exclusive theatre ticket promotions and invitations to special events such as summer concerts and country shows. Waitrose Quick Check Waitrose provides their customers with the option of using the Quick Check service, which allows customers to scan goods while they shop using a handheld scanner and then the ability to pay quickly at a special desk. When customers sign up to this service their details will automatically be transferred onto a database, where Waitrose can keep a track on their buying habbits, how much they are spending per week and their favorite products. Internal Databases Within Waitrose Waitrose has many Internal databases used by different business functions that they use to hold information. Human Resources The human resource department will have information on a database of their employees. The information that is kept on employees will help Waitrose to carry out appraisals, when reviewing pay and paying wages and giving references to other employees. Sales Waitrose will keep information on the sales of products in their store. The information will be able to tell Waitrose what their best selling lines are, what products sells best, what products arent selling that well and may need to be discontinued. From the information Waitrose will be able to position certain products as required such as best selling products getting the best positions. Stock Waitrose will keep information on the stock they keep and how much of each product they have. The information will help Waitrose when bringing in new lines and discontinuing products. Store Layout Waitrose will have information on the layout of the store and where certain products are kept this may be important if they are moving products around or when bringing in new product lines and deciding on where to put them. Marketing The marketing department will have information on prices of products this made help them decide whether prices need to change for example to compete with competitors. They will also keep information on promotions online and in store this will help Waitrose to see when promotions need to be updated and what other products may need to be promoted. Buying Waitrose will keep information on what they buy and where they buy from, they will communicate with suppliers to tell them what stock they need and when they are going to need it. Example of how the information gets onto the database using sales. The barcode is scanned through the till which goes to the EPOS. The information may be replayed to the partnership card/ marketing via the LAN. The role of digital information in informing business decision-making This diagram is showing how the role of digital information is helping Waitrose business decision-making. The Diagram below has been spilt up into five different areas showing the different stages in communication and business decision-making. 1. In Store Communication The EPOS (electronic point of sale) systems will be able to tell Waitrose what products are top sellers and which ones arent selling as well, this will help them make decisions on where to put certain items. They could put top selling products in a better shelf space and maybe promote the items that arent selling or discontinue them. 2. Databases When the data has been collected in store or online the information is sent to the centre and then stored in the databases. Head office will use this information for making decisions on things like store replenishment, store layout, staffing and promotions. 3. Buy-Side collaboration buying from suppliers, suppliers will communicate with head office. Waitrose will need to tell suppliers what they want them to supply and when they want them to supply it. Waitrose will decide what products they are going to store and where they are going to be positioned in store. Decisions on pricing may also change due to promotions or other forms of marketing. Waitrose needs to insure that they have the right amount of stock on their shelves to meet consumer demands. Waitrose uses hand held guns which allow labels on the shelves to be scanned which allows the employee to see how much stock they have. The stock is electronically stored and connected to a server, which will tell the employees how much of certain products they have allowing them to decide when to place an order. 4. The communication between banks and stores for purchases made buy customers, the banks will need to authorise the credit or debit card when customers uses the chip and pin systems. The card will be checked to make sure that it isnt stolen and then the card will be authorised if no problems occur. 5. Sell-Side E-Commerce Waitrose website, when customers access Waitrose online and purchases goods through the internet information is collected on those customers, Waitrose will be able to see the location of the customer, what they are buying and how much they spend. They can use this information to their advantage buy sending the customer offers or vouchers on their favourite products so that they shop again with Waitrose or purchase more than they would normally. Waitrose could also suggest a store close to them, as looking around a supermarket will attract customers to impulse buy which will boost Waitrose products. Waitrose Telecommunications In branch view of telecommunications In store communications, employees will communicate in store via the LAN (Local Area Network) an internal link. Waitrose has mobile telephones to communicate around store using extension numbers to contact different sections. A tannoy is also used in store which allows the company to talk to the whole store at one time, for example when making announcements to customers such as the store is closing or to ask an employee to go to a certain section. Externally a switchboard is used so if a call is coming in from out side the company they will then be transferred to the person or section they want to speak to. If a number of calls are incoming at the same time they will be put on hold and then transferred once the line is free. Waitrose will also communicate to head office via the WAN (World-Wide Area Network) voice and data can be communicated.

Boston Tea Party essays

Boston Tea Party essays The Boston Tea Party was one of the greatest rebellions in the United States history. The Townshend Revenue Act was installed in 1767 as a last resort to rise the revenue from the American colonies. This act was created by the British Parliament due to close of the Seven Years War. Its author, the president of the Board of Trade, Charles Townshend had laid this plan to scheme colonial taxation aside. In September 1767 Townshend died suddenly and Lord North succeeded him. Tensions grew in Boston over the tax on tea and several boycotts had been tried. Patriots were distress and started to organize protests and attacks. Samuel Adams, Alexander McDougall, Charles Thompson, and Paul Revere some of the first and principal patriots that were involved in the organizations that sprung up in Boston. The Sons of Liberty as they were called did several things in the fight for independence. The Dartmouth was the first tea hauling vessel to dock in the Boston Harbor. On December 2, the second tea filled vessel, the Eleanor docked at Boston Harbor. The third tea ship from the East India Company, the Beaver, was transporting smallpox so it was docked off of Rainsfords Island to be cleaned and smoked. It finally joined the other ship on December 15. Another English tea ship, the William, was due to come in but the vessel had come ashore at Cape Cod with salvable payload but the vessel was totally lost. The Dartmouth and the Eleanor were both carrying 114 chests of tea from the East India Company. And the Beaver was carrying 112 chest of tea. The three ships carried all together 342 chests of tea, about 90,000 pounds, worth about 9,000 pounds sterling. On December 16, 1773 some of the men who were involved with the organization divided up into three groups and dressed as Indians. All together there was thirty to sixty Indians or Mohawks as they were called. Revere led the group ...

Definition of Copulative Verb in Spanish

Definition of Copulative Verb in Spanish Copulative verbs are among the most useful verbs in Spanish. Unlike verbs that are used to express an action, copulative verbs are used to indicate that a noun coming before the verb is equal to or has characteristics of the word or words following the verb. Definition of Copulative Verb A copulative verb is one that connects the subject of a sentence with a noun (or noun phrase) that is the equivalent of the subject or an adjective that describes the subject. Copulative verbs denote a state of being and, with the exception of verbs such as to become that express a change in state of being, usually dont express action. You can think of a copulative verb as something like an equals sign: What comes before the verb refers to the same person or thing that comes after it. Note that in Spanish, the subject of a verb doesnt have to be explicitly stated. In the sentence, the subject in Nosotros estamos felices (We are happy) can be deleted without any change in meaning, making Estamos felices. The copulative verb for both sentences is estamos. A copulative verb is also known as a linking verb, copular verb, or copula. The equivalent terms in Spanish are verbo copulativo or verbo de unià ³n. The Three Main Copular Verb of Spanish In Spanish, traditionally the three main copulative verbs are ser, estar and parecer. Ser and estar are usually translated as to be, while parecer usually means to seem. Both be and seem often are copulative in English as well. These verbs are copulative verbs only when they performing a linking purpose. All three, especially estar, have other uses as well. Copulative verbs can be used in all tenses and moods. Examples of the three verbs being used as copulas: Mi hermana es estudiante. (My sister is a student.)No somos una repà ºblica bananera. (Were not a banana republic. In this example, the subject nosotros isnt explicitly stated.)Los mexicanos fueron superiores a nosotros. (The Mexicans were superior to us.)Espero que la comida està © sabrosa. (I hope the food will be tasty.)Mi madre estuvo casada. (My mother was married.)Estamos muy agradecidas. (Were very grateful.)La casa parece triste y vacà ­a sin ella. (The house seems sad and empty without her.)Me parece muy difà ­cil. (It seems very difficult to me. The subject is not explicitly stated.)Pablo me parecà ­a muy guapo. (Pablo seemed very handsome to me.) Other Copulative Verbs Other verbs, such as those that express feelings, appearances, or the action of becoming, can also act as copulas: Sus ojos semejan los de un perro. (Its eyes resemble those of a dog.)Los pobres permanecen pobres y los ricos permanecen ricos. (The poor stay poor and the rich stay rich.)Me siento enojado cuando no me hablas. (I feel angry when you dont speak to me.)El senador se mostraba complaciente. (The senator seemed complacent.)A los 40 aà ±os, Elena se volvià ³ doctora. (At the age of 40, Elena became a doctor.)La oruga se convirtià ³ en mariposa. (The caterpillar became a butterfly.)

Literature review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words - 3

Literature review - Essay Example (Murdin and Errington 2005:56) A significant body of recent research has explored the processes associated with ruptures in the therapeutic alliance (Safran et al. 1990). In another, similar, piece of research, Hill et al. (1996) carried out a survey of counsellors concerning their experience of impasse in their work with clients. The findings of these studies are consistent with the view of Mearns (1994) that lack of therapeutic progress, or what he terms stuckness, is often associated with over- or under-involvement on the part of the counsellor. (McLeod 2003:335) This stuckness has also been often revealed as not so much the lack of apparent progress, but possibly a symptom of something else. Some therapist fell that it is an outcropping of anger and hurt emotions that often trigger the event. (Whelton and Greenberg 2004:117) This is something that the counsellor needs to put into perspective and it can often be the clinicians responsibly to find the cause for this anger and hurt. This mired down feeling is starting to wear on you. Stay with the stuck feeling for awhile and see what images come to mind. Whats the glue thats holding you and the client in place? Reflect on your discomfort with this ‘stuckness.’ What might this client be here to teach you? Just as a reality check, working with a chronically depressed client can be draining, and at times I have felt similarly tired and frustrated. (Pearson 2006) Maltreatment at an early age can also be the beginning of low self-esteem and could certainly be the early stages of a learned helplessness state from which it is perceived that is no apparent benefit in the given environment and therefore the client become stuck. This is the beginning of low self-esteem and poor self-concept. These assumptions and beliefs taken as fact over time create a situation of what

Consent form, permission letter&interview questions Essay - 1

Consent form, permission letter&interview questions - Essay Example rved: that the interview would be conducted on the free-time of the indicated manager within the hotel premises, that the company name, as well as the names of the managers should be disguised in the project, and that the results must be shared with the HR department. As a Master of Science in Administration graduate student at CMU, I am currently conducting the above-mentioned research in compliance with graduation requirements. In this regard, I am hereby seeking the consent of your organization, the Sheraton Dongguan Hotel, to participate in the study. The study aims to explore and determine the strategies employed by Sheraton Dongguan Hotel in China which enables them to excel in an increasingly competitive hospitality service industry. As such, five (5) managers in Sheraton Dongguan Hotel, specifically those in the position of designing or implementing strategies, are planned to be interviewed. As the researcher, I will conduct the interview on a face-to-face basis, depending on the availability of the manager. Please bear in mind that I would abide by standards of ethics in research where privacy and confidentiality is strictly to be observed. No personal information would be divulged in the study. You are free to refuse to participate in this research project or to withdraw your consent and discontinue participation in the project at any time without penalty or loss of benefits to which you are otherwise entitled. Your participation will not affect your relationship with the institution(s) involved in this research project. Please note that if you are not satisfied with the manner in which this study is being conducted, you may report (anonymously if you so choose) any complaints to the MSA Program by calling 989-774-6525 or addressing a letter to the MSA Program, Rowe 222, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI

Information Technology Influences on NFL, NASCAR and Other Sports Essay

Information Technology Influences on NFL, NASCAR and Other Sports Information technology has influenced sports in many ways. Not only has it influenced sports in North America but also sports across the world. â€Å"In 1988, Stan Honey, Jerry Gepner, and Bill Squadron—three former executives at News Corp. and Fox Sports—founded Sportvision (http://www.sportvision.com). They used their extensive technology, sports production, and broadcast experience to create an innovative company that focuses on developing technology-based enhancements for the Internet, sports television, and new media platforms† (Shapiro). Sportvision has impacted sports like football, baseball, basketball, auto racing, horse racing, hockey, and a wide variety of Olympic sports. â€Å"The technological boom began with a glowing hockey puck† (Pierce). In the 1996 NHL All-Star game, the glowing hockey puck was introduced to viewers. By giving the puck a radiant glow the viewers were better able to follow the puck as it was passed from player to player and across the rink. Without this innovation of the glowing puck it was very easy to loose track of the player carrying the puck and at times which team had possession. â€Å"The idea was to give new viewers a closer glimpse of where the puck was flying and help them keep up with the game† (Pierce). Information technology has also helped college and pro football teams in a number of ways. The use of instant replay has decided the outcome of many professional football games. Without instant replay a bad call by the umpire could result in a loss for a team that actually should have won. Now with the ability to review a decision on the field, many bad calls are getting overturned and the team that should have... ... That way, graphics in the corner of the TV screen can show where they are on the oval track and how far apart competitors are. And the sensors can tell them how fast the skaters are going, what their acceleration is and how close they are to the current leader’s time† (Horiuchi). Since the skaters switch lanes so often, a graphic of each country’s flag will be electronically inserted into the lane that corresponds with that of the racer. â€Å"Sportvision also is using a system called AIRf/x during the free style aerials to show how far and high the skier went from the edge of the ramp† (Horiuchi). In any case, it is evident that information technology is changing the way audiences across the world watch sports. From a glowing hockey puck to a real time update on just about anything at as to do with statistics, technology is affecting sporting events everywhere.

How Smartphones Change Our Society

A Smartphone is a mobile phone built on a mobile operating system, with more advanced computing capability than a feature phone. There are many types of Smart phones but they all have one thing in common. They combine the performance of a cell phone and a computer. In the past my father had to carry many things when he traveled. Such as a camera, a laptop, a mobile phone and etc. But now it’s in one thing Smartphone. Today each company is trying to come up with the best Smartphone so as to be able to compete with others and now business is relying on them more than ever.We see people using their smart phones while traveling to and from work. A lot of people now use of smart phones in their life. They change the way we communicate amongst ourselves. Smartphone have truly really changed the way people communicate with each other. Gone are those days of the pay phone down the street and around the corner being one of a person’s major means of calling home because they forg ot what they had to get from the grocery store.According to Wikipedia † A smart phone is a mobile phone built on a mobile operating system, with more advanced computing capability than a feature phone†(1). There are many types of smartphones but they all have one thing in common. They combine the performance of a cell phone and a computer. In America 42% of phone users have smartphones (foot). Based on this staggering statistics, smartphones has an incredible possibility of affecting today’s society. It became a revolutionary innovation when Apple released its first generation of iphone.Today each company is trying to come up with the best smartphones so as to be able to compete with others and now business is relying on them more than ever. We see people using their smart phones while traveling to and from work. More and more businesses expect their employees to use smart phones to deal with issues outside the office. The people who refuse to do it will be left b ehind. They won’t be able to cope with the amount of work or meet unrealistic goals of employers. In personal life people are paying more attention to smartphones than to family and friends.Some people consider traditional family dinner an old-fashioned ritual. Today at the dinner table people e-mailing, video chatting, instant massaging, and paying very little attention to conversation with each other. After the meal everyone runes back to their own computer device. A lot of people rely on use of smart phones in business and personal life. Based on this research, smartphones are changing today’s society. They change the way we communicate amongst ourselfes and how we conduct business in the workplace