Supply chain Technologies Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Supply chain Technologies - Case Study Example The U.K. high street fashion industry is a complex business with an estimated 44.5 billion in annual revenues (Barlow, 2006). It includes a wide range of enterprises in the apparel, footwear, home textiles, and accessories markets, full-price and discount retailers, and design source and selling companies. Some have their own manufacturing facilities whilst others outsource production but retain control over parts of the production process. Dominating the highly-competitive UK fashion market is Marks & Spencer, followed by discount fashion specialist brands such as Primark and TK Maxx, all competing with Burberry, Italy's Prada, Chloe (France), Hugo Boss (Germany), and Donna Karan (U.S.). Fashion and apparel manufacturing has almost disappeared in the U.K. due to cheap imports from China, which has likewise developed into a manufacturing base for the established global brands. U.K. manufacturing is focused on specialist fashion clothing and luxury products, mostly for wealthy customers in developed countries. The industry is marked by the integration of manufacturers and retailers, with the top three U.K. fashion retailers - M&S, Next, and Arcadia - remaining vertically integrated, producing and retailing their own brands. The other high street fashion brands prefer specialist retailers, outsourcing their production in different countries and sending the finished products to the U.K. The industry continues to be driven by retailers rather than manufacturers and marked by the growing polarisation between discounters and full-price retailers. The highly competitive nature of the business will continue to intensify. Full-price retailers need to capitalise on young consumer demand for distinctive designs, quality materials, and individual styles sold as "fast fashion" with items offered for a limited time before new styles are released (Doshi, 2006). The industry's operational requirements have changed in the last twenty years, since the time when high street fashion houses sourced most of their raw materials from U.K. textile manufacturers. These were then transformed by U.K. designers, most with their own production facilities, into wearable apparel or accessories for domestic and export sales. Under this traditional system, high street fashion houses competed on the basis of designs, quality brand image, and productivity and were able to command higher margins. However, with the rise of global production centres in Asia and Latin America, not only for textiles but also for finished high-quality apparel, most high street fashion houses are being squeezed towards the higher value-added design and brand marketing activities and feeling greater pressure to outsource production and improve operational management efficiencies. Aside from the growing power of consumers, price discounting pressures, and design copyright problems, the industry faces the following major operations management issues: 1) complexity of the supply chain; 2) speed to product launch and delivery; 3) managing the product mix; 4) inventory control maintenance; and 5) fast-changing technologies. Airlines The airline industry consists of a wide range of companies, from those with a single airplane carrying mail or cargo through full-service international airlines operating hundreds of airplanes of various types. These companies

Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 6

Leadership - Essay Example 2003). The purpose of this paper is to describe the topic of leadership through applications and theory. Leadership plays an important role in the political game. Barack Obama won the presidency of the United States due to the fact that he was a transformational leader. â€Å"Transformational leaders are generally energetic, enthusiastic, and passionate† (Cherry, 2013). A transformational leader cares about the needs of his followers. The four key components of transformational leadership are intellectual stimulation, individualized consideration, idealized influence, and inspirational motivation (Cherry, 2013). A firm led by a transformational leader has greater chance to succeed due to the ability of this person to motivate and inspire others. Two important leader styles are charismatic leadership and transactional leadership. A transactional leader does the necessary tasks to ensure his subordinates perform their job to a satisfactory level. Charismatic leader involves crea ting an inspirational self image that makes people drawn to you (Changingminds, 2013). An example of a charismatic leader is Steve Jobs. The managerial profession requires leadership skills to successfully perform the job. Managers are responsible for their actions and for the actions of their subordinates. An important skill that a leader must possess to be effective is excellent verbal and written communication skills. A person that does not possess superb communication skills cannot be a leader. Communication skills can be developed through education initiatives and training and development. Another important factor that can improve a person’s communication skills is active listening. â€Å"Active listening skills are conversational techniques that enable better understanding and more productive communication† (Palkoner, 2013). Listening well to what others have to say can help a leader recognize the needs and concerns of the work staff. Employees that are heard bui lt a greater bond of trust with the managerial staff. The ultimate goal for a leader is to achieve synergy. Synergy occurs when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. The performance of a company is enhanced if it has a good leader in charge of the firm. Bill Gates is an example of a leader that started out small, but due to his superb decision making and leadership skills he turn Microsoft into the market leader in the software industry. A good leader recognizes that teamwork and cooperation are keys to success. The greatest ideas are often hidden in the minds of the floor workers because they are constantly exposed to the manufacturing operations of the firm. Exceptional leaders obtain input from the workers to then use that input in the decision making process. Input can be obtained directly or anonymously. Direct input is gathered by talking to specific employees in private or openly during employee meetings. A way to collect indirect input is by placing a feedback box in the premises of the company. A feedback box is useful only if management seriously considers implementing the ideas of the workers. People are not born leaders instead they acquire leadership skills through experience and education. Unique work experiences such as serving in