Business Growth Strategies

A growth strategy means increasing the level of the organization’s operations. This includes such popular measures as more revenues, more employees, and more of the market share. Growth can be achieved through direct expansion, a merger with similar firms, or diversification. Firms like Wal-Mart and McDonald’s have pursued a growth strategy by way of direct expansion. When Texaco absorbed Gulf Oil, it chose the merger route to growth. When Philip Morris bought General Foods, it was using diversification to achieve growth. Business growth strategies seek greater size and the expansion of current operations. Wal-Mart is pursuing a highly aggressive growth strategy. Its competitor, Target, is doing the same. These strategies are popular in part because growth is necessary for long-run survival in some industries. Many managers also equate growth with effectiveness, although this is not necessarily true. There are different ways to pursue growth. Some organizations try to grow internally Continue reading

Retail Trading Area Dimensions

A critical element in determining a retailer’s success is the ability to assess and acquire a good location. To achieve this objective, the retailer is expected to identify, evaluate and select trading areas to segment his consumer markets further. After identifying and evaluating local markets, the retailer must then segment them into trading areas. A “retail trading area” is the area from which a store attracts its customers or obtains its business.  After this, the terminal point in location decision is that of selection of proper site. Before the trading area identification process, it is essential to know the dimensions to describe a retail trading area. These trading areas dimensions are – area size, area shape and area structure. The Trading Area Size Trading areas range in size from a few square meters to’ a radius of many kilometers. The size of the trading area is a function of the Continue reading

Sources of Resistance to Change

The goal of planned organizational change is to find new or improved  ways of using resources and capabilities in order to increase an organization’s  ability to create value and improve returns to its stakeholders. An organization  in decline may need to restructure its resources to improve its fit with the  environment. At the same time even a thriving organization may need to change  the way it uses its resources so that it can develop new products or find new  markets for its existing products. In the last decade, over half of all Fortune 500  companies have undergone major organizational changes to allow them to  increase their ability to create value. One of the most well-documented findings  from studies have revealed that organizations and their members often resist  change. In a sense, this is positive. It provides a degree of stability and  predictability to behavior. If there weren’t some resistance, organizational Continue reading

Skill Development Training Methods

There are some training methods followed for the development of skill and capabilities of the existing & new employees. So that, there can be improvement of the efficiency of the employees. Some selected skill development training methods are described below: 1. Transactional Analysis This type of training method is helpful to eradicate or minimize the dysfunctional aspects of personality, developed from critical assumptions assimilated during childhood. The life script is a basic concept of transactional analysis. The programme for transactional analysis may vary from one day to five days. This method of training enables participants to develop interpersonal competencies to improve relationships with self and others for changing their behavior appropriately to optimize interrelationships. As far as possible, the trainer must operate from adult state and not be personally involved in transactions between participants. The trainer must have expert knowledge of transactional analysis before interpretation of behavior. The trainer should Continue reading

Convertible Issues – Explanation and Significance

A convertible issue is a bond or a share of preferred stock that can be converted at the option of the holder into common stock of the same company. Once converted into common stock, the stock cannot be exchanged again for bonds or preferred stock. Issue of convertible preference shares and convertible debentures are called convertible issues. The convertible preference shares and convertible debentures are converted into equity shares. The ratio of exchange between the convertible issues and the equity shares can be stated in terms of either a conversion price or a conversion ratio. Convertible Preference Shares: The preference shares which carry the right of conversion into equity shares within a specified period, are called convertible preference shares. The issue of convertible preference shares must be duly authorized by the articles of association of the company. Convertible Debentures: Convertible debentures provide an option to holders to convert them into Continue reading

A Guide to Forming a Limited Liability Company (LLC)

If you are an emerging entrepreneur, an LLC can present as an attractive option for starting your own business due to its flexibility and personal asset protection. A company’s lack of liability protection can be risky because creditors and stakeholders can seize the owners’ and investors’ assets if the company goes bankrupt. LLC ensures that your personal assets stay safe if the company loses money, protecting entrepreneurs and investors. Continue reading this article to learn what an LLC is and how to set up your business as a limited liability company. How Limited Liability Works Limited liability companies have a hybrid business structure that integrates the concepts of a corporation and a partnership. In case of the failure of a business, LLCs allow the owners to bear only part of the responsibility. Like a partnership, the corporation is taxed as part of the owner’s personal assets so that you can Continue reading