Over the years I have worked at a variety of Liquor distributorships along with my families own liquor store.  What I have consistently found to be one of the major focuses in each company was the stress on how the supply chain functioned. Take for example my current  employer Wirtz Beverage Co. where they are constantly looking for  low cost strategies that has the optimal amount of efficiency by using supply chain managers along with meetings every Friday to review efficiency. Currently I am working with various parts of management so that we may be able to provide stores we supply to with a new website providing purchase history, and the ability to buy direct form the site itself. We hope this will be able to take pressure of sale representatives who visit stores, thus saving time and mistakes that happen from time to time in hand written order taking.

 

 

Previous to working at Wirtz I had the privilege of working with Anheuser-Bush during there transition stages of there new supply chain project . Working on integrating a logistics program the company was able to get a more sound end to end inventory management along with the proper resource equipment needed for the large orders being placed each and every day . With the new program the company was able to integrate it with material handling automation equipment and wireless data capture which gave  real time update from distribution facilities. Even within my parents store I have noticed that they are always searching for new ways to improve inventory count/ supply. Just like Anheuser-Bush they decided to add in a digital logistic program which allows them to track inventory movement. What this ends up being is actually the last step of supply chain, where the data found not only improves the stores understanding of material consumed but will also help the distributors understand what is a necessity to supply and was is not.

In the end what I have learned is that supply management is the backbone to a successful liquor distributor, cutting cost and efficiently providing products. But the real question is, how will technology make supply chain management reach new heights?

I currently work in a sales posititon at a jewlery store, I started with them in late November.  When I started there it was a very busy season because of all the holidays, so I barely recieved any training.  This company is all about numbers and reaching goals, which is understandable because in order to be successful you need to have goals established.

During the holiday season reaching my goal was not an issue, we were so busy we barely had time to even breath!  I did learn a lot about the product while going through the madness of the holidays, but I still was not 100% on everything.  After the holidays were over the traffic became slow and sales were down.  At this point reaching my goal was a large obstacle and I started to get very stressed out because I have a high expectation of myself in the workplace, which I was not reaching, and my manager was getting on me for not reaching my goals.

After many approaches and talks with my boss we finally came to the conclusion that she did not give me the proper training, which was getting in the way of me reaching my highest potential.  We were so busy during the holidays, she forgot to have me do several training modules that help enhance product knowledge.  Thankfully, my manager realized that it was not all my fault that I was not meeting the companies expectations.  The company also put together a training class for new employees which helped me learn more about the product and the company.

It is hard to adjust to a new job, especially when you are not properly trained.  I am now doing well with the company and reaching my goals weekly, which drives me to do more!  Having the right manager and support means everything.

What are some ways companies can ensure their employees recieve the proper training?  Have you ever been in a situation like this?

 

Have you ever been in a situation that made you guess your ethical belifs?  When we had our paper puppet class activity we all witnessed unethical behaviors.  I have personally been in situations that have put me in a position to make a decision on where the line is being crossed. 

 I once worked for an employer who crossed the line, in my opinion.  The negative behavior was not necessarily being put on me, but on someone  else.  I was a witness to a manager not treating an employee very well.   I was put in a spot, let this situation keep going the way it was or address it myself?  The worker was an older woman and did not move as quickly as the rest of us, and my boss took it out on her.  She put her down in front of employees and customers, but she needed the job so badly she was too scared to speak up.  Eventually I could no longer witness the unethical behavior, so I called Human Resources and reported the incident. 

I feel that part of managing is being able to coach your team and provide feedback to help them improve themselves.  For example, in the paper puppet class activity the team was not clearly told the correct steps they needed to take and the work was not split up evenly, so the job was not completed correctly.  All of that could have been avioded if the manager was doing their job correctly.

My question to you is, how far would you let unethical behavior go?  What is crossing your line?

Amidst the Coke and Pepsi rivalry is a new set of beliefs, focused in a “fun for you, better for you, good for you” strategy. Instead of loading up the marketing on sugary drinks Pepsi has chosen to focus on Yogurt, an expanding product in the United States. Compared to most other foods products that grow at approximately 1%, yogurt has grown “9% over last year.” Therefore, their joint venture with Muller, a German dairy company is to capitalize this growth and take a market advantage over Coca Cola. Furthermore, within Pepsi’s newly found strategy and product are a multitude of advantages for the American people.

For the marketing major, this new joint venture means one thing for Pepsi: products, products, and more products. Germany has a fascinating ability to design extraordinary products, whether it be within automobiles, appliances, or even beer. Yogurt in this case is no different, adopting as many senses for the consumer as possible. Sam Lteif, the chief executive office of Muller, explains how “you have five senses, and we’re aiming to hit at least four of them with these products.” These companies are doing this by standing out with square packaging and with newer dessert focused items. Muller will still supply fruit to the normal consumer, but they will additionally take the market with caramelized almonds, tiny chocolate covered crunch balls, and granola. Likewise, as market research has shown, consumers are looking for a balance between the “greek yogurt” and “conventional” yogurts. Lteif claims that this is in fact what Muller produces. Lastly, the square packaging is an added bonus of Muller/Pepsi compared to Chobani or Dannon. The square design makes transportation easier, less wasteful, and lower in costs (distinctly matching the example of the paint can design in class).

With the economic downturn currently faced in the United States Pepsi’s joint venture does a great deal of assistance for Batavia, New York. Specifically, by employing one hundred eighty new employees and incurring the construction of a three hundred sixty three thousand square foot factory. As many financial analysts claim, the cola wars have been abated. The future is now focused on gaining market share with diversification, abandoning the old ideals of product development.

Bored of reading? Check out a Muller’s commercial.

My question is whether this type of joint venture will be profitable. Muller is a successful company, but was their decision to pair up with Pepsi truly beneficial? Could this new product idea be as big of a flop as the “new Coke” recipe in 1985?

Additionally, Pepsi acquired the “Quaker” brand in 2000. Why haven’t they pursued the growth of this brand in hopes of expanding markets? Analysts believe that they missed the opportunity of healthier products with this brand.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/09/business/pepsico-with-muller-by-quaker-yogurt-aims-at-a-surging-market.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&ref=business

Additive manufacturing (3D printing) will change the way all products are built by allowing mass customization. Imagine yourself designing your dream car and watching it printed right in front of you. Or imagine that you lost your cell phone, no problem; just download a new cell phone online and print it at home.

3D printing is already used to create prototypes, medical implants, and researchers at MIT have used it to print a working grandfather clock. Boeing and Airbus are already using 3D printers to produce airplane replacement parts and may one day be able to print entire aircraft. Eventually 3D printing will allow customers to invent whatever they want and enjoy it without waiting for deliveries.

According to the Economist newspaper, additive manufacturing wastes less material than traditional manufacturing. Products made by 3D printing are also lighter than products made by assembly lines; since assembly line products contain extra parts that help build the device, but serve no purpose after it is created.

http://www.economist.com/node/21552892

If additive manufacturing is successful it will radically change supply chain management. Tangible supply chains will cease to exist. Instead companies will design inputs on computers and then lease the software to the maker of the finished good, who will print it for the consumer. For example Canon might design a webcam, but instead of building and shipping it to Dell computers, it will email its design software to Dell. Dell then takes Canon’s computer model and combines it with programs for other laptop parts (batteries, processors, memory sticks, etc). The final consumer can then customize their laptop on Dell’s website and then print a new laptop for themselves at home.

The only supply chains necessary will be for the transportation of titanium powder, liquid plastic, and other materials inserted into 3D printers. Food, prescription medicines, firearms, and other regulated items might be the only products unchanged by additive manufacturing.

Managers will no longer need to worry about forecasting the right amount of inventory to keep. Companies will provide products only and exactly when their customers demand it. There will be no need for “inventory” or “safety stock.”

“Statistical process control” which was once used to detect defects in products will be replaced by software upgrades. If a consumer has a defective product, they will simply email the manufactory, who then replies with a software update, the consumer will then print a new product and throw away the defective product.

Since everything is printed by the final consumer, “bottlenecks” no longer exist. Low skilled workers will be replaced by engineers, computer programmers, and the product designers.

This change also creates new problems. For example it may be hard to define/enforce the property rights of product designers. People may start “torrenting” or pirating stolen software.

How do you think management will be changed by additive manufacturing? What are benefits to 3D printing and what new problems it might create?

 

Source:

http://www.economist.com/node/21552892

 

Internet has made a big influence for new technology innovations. Today, we don’t imagine a day without connection to the world. Internet has become a significant part of our lives. When few years ago we would say “sorry, I missed your call”, today, “sorry I missed your call, text, email, Skype, Facebook post, Tweet and etc.” While it is easy to keep up with technology for us, some companies are having difficulties. A good example is well known Kodak. The company fell behind new technology and therefore was not able to compete in the market. In contrast, Sony has recognized the impact of new technology and the need to adjust their products. Sony Corp. has decided to buy Gaikai Inc., which is known for streaming videogames over the internet. The videogame industry has changed significantly from years ago: from the dedicated machine for games to online games, today. It is expected that all videogames will shift to online eventually.  By combining both companies, Sony will gain technological strength which is significant in competitive market.

Sony has learned a lesson on missing out on moving technology. Years ago, Sony pioneered a portable music player; however, the company did not improve since and Apple took over. Sony did not recognize the significance of improving the music players and as a result iPods and iTunes took place instead.

It is very important for companies to foresee the improvement in technology and demand for it. The companies must adjust their products to gain competitive advantage in the market. In class we have already learned the importance of product design. The company must identify customer wants and needs, also identify how the product will satisfy the customer. Company must develop importance ratings and evaluate the competing products.

Do you think the videogame industry will become available purely online? Do you support Sony for acquiring Gaikai Inc.?

 

Wakabayashi, Daisuke (2012, July 3).Sony Makes a Shift To Streaming Games. WJS, page B3.

Jordan brand and their shoe release. I am a huge Michael Jordan fan and collect shoes for about the past ten years. One thing I have noticed from the Brand over their years is how their operations have been on rise. However at what cost do you ask? Their sales are doing great with the idea of rereleasing old retro Jordan shoes to the public that sell out in hours. The Jordan brand over the have introduce a great operation strategy over their shoes to maximize sell and have a huge aftermarket reseller of the shoes to people. People are waiting in line for days just for the retro jordan 23.

The one problem I see they have is everyone is a huge fan of Michael Jordan. People are actually robbing, shooting, killing and fighting for the shoes. Just a couple of month ago they rerelease the air Jordan retro 11 concords. As some may not know what that means it is the shoe that Michael Jordan wore in the Space Jam movie right after he retired and returned to the NBA.

People who had to buy the shoes had to be escorted by police officers back to their car and helped out the store so people would not rob them.

The operations behind this idea were great but at what cost to a human life. Why should one person have to be escorted back to their car? Do you feel it is right for companies to limit production in their operations to see people get hurt and die over some sneakers?

This also goes for the next new toy children’s want for Christmas? That’s another time for that one. The Jordan brand does not just implement this in America as their operations strategy.  They spread this through their new strategy in Europe, Asia, and Australia. They went global with their operations and have now began to have limited release in each country like for the past two years they release the special editions for the Chinese new Years, only in China, the special editions for Paris basketball tournament, Jordan basketball classics, oregan university and players editions. Many have surfaced but none other than the limited release in the United States that has caused the most problem. Even the president of the United States there is a problem with this and still the brand is operating in the same manner and they are not held accountable for people and damages being done. Don’t you think certain actions if know could prevent harm should be done? Just like those commercial on TV with people who have used this drugs can sue?

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7XVlDfzMyg

http://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-shopping-chaos-at-lafayette-square-mall-for-new-air-jordan-shoes-20111223,0,4099247.column

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/activists-blame-nike-air-jordans-for-rising-crime-demand-it-lower-prices-to-meet-customer-demand/

http://deadspin.com/5870837/babies-left-in-cars-shots-fired-doors-broken-down-just-another-air-jordan-release-date-in-america

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/crime-scene/post/air-jordans-attract-crowds-police-at-annapolis-mall/2011/12/23/gIQAliGnDP_blog.html