Blue Nile case study Essay

How strong are the competitive forces confronting Blue Nile and other online retail jewelers? Do a five-force analysis to support your answer. The competition among the competing sellers in the industry is strong. Competitors for Blue Nile not only include the online jewelry sellers such as Diamonds.com, Whiteflash.com, Ice.com and JamesAllen.com, but also include brick-and-mortar jewelers, chain department stores, mass merchants, local jewelry shop, and large jewelry chains such as Zale and Tiffany. The competitive force from new entrants is moderate to weak. The new entrants of the traditional jewelry industry will need a large amount of capital for inventory, established brands to attract customers, and a strong sales team. For new online jewelry sellers, they also need to find ways to build their brand awareness, establish partnership with suppliers, and to keep the operation costs low to ensure attractive prices. The competition from substitute products for jewelry sellers is also moderate to weak. There are synthetic diamonds, manmade jewels and alternative jewels. But for engagement rings and wedding bands, people would still choose those real and precious diamonds and materials. Thus, from this aspect, there could not be substitutes for diamonds and expensive jewels. The bargaining power from the buyers is strong since there are many choices for them to purchase jewelry from. It is easy for customers to change their source for purchase. The bargaining power from the suppliers is strong for the prices for diamond and precious metals depend more on the exchange market in the world. There are limited suppliers creating an established oligopoly over the years. 2. What key factors will determine a company’s success in the online jewelry business in the next 3-5 years? Key success factors in the online jewelry business include the following ones: 1) Lower operation costs to keep prices lower than rivals 2) Partnership with suppliers to reduce inventory 3) Build customers’ trust and loyalty 4) Strong e-commerce capabilities 5) Manufacture customized products 3. What is Blue Nile’s strategy? Which of the five generic competitive strategies discussed in Chapter 5 most closely fit the competitive approach that Blue Nile is taking? What type of competitive advantage is Blue Nile trying to achieve? Blue Nile’s strategy is to be the Best Cost Provider. It provides the customer high quality engagement rings, wedding bands and jewelry with low prices to value seeking customers. Blue Nile tries to achieve low costs of its operation and marketing thus maintain its competitive advantage in prices. 4. What do you like and dislike about Blue Nile’s business model? Blue Nile’s business model is to make profits through its online sale of high-quality jewelry at competitive low prices with trusted guidance throughout the purchasing process. The model I like is that it provides value to its suppliers and customers which in return bring about their profits. The lean costs and supply chain efficiency enable them to achieve this goal. Another aspect of the model I like is that they provide a high level of customer service and was continuously engaged in refining the customer service aspects in every step of the purchase order. The business model places great importance on customers’ satisfaction which would help their business to grow. The model I don’t like is that they don’t have their own brand of jewelry established and they depend too much on the jewelry of their suppliers. Quality of their jewelry as well as the brand effects could not be competitive with other well-known brands. 5. What does a SWOT analysis of Blue Nile reveal about the overall attractiveness of its situation? Strengths: 1). Offer high-quality jewelry at competitive prices 2). Provide great customer services 3). Efficient supply chain management 4). Good financial condition with a positive amount of cash flows Weakness: 1). Brand name not widely recognized as Zale and Tiffany 2). only sell online 3). Restricted to US, UK and Canada. Opportunities: 1). Growing jewelry market in US 2).Many recognitions in the online jewelry industry Threats: 1). Competitors from online and offline jewelry retailers 2). Seasonal sale of jewelry 6. What is your appraisal of Blue Nile’s financial performance based on the data in case Exhibit 4? How well is the company doing financially? Is there evidence that Blue Nile’s strategy is working—what is the story of the numbers in case Exhibit 4? Use the financial ratios in Table 4.1 of Chapter 4 as a guide in doing the calculations needed to arrive at an analysis-based answer to your assessment of Blue Nile’s recent financial performance. Blue Nile has adequate competitive strength to compete with its online rivals. It has already created brand awareness and brand loyalty among most of its customers. It also has a large number of jewelry selections thanks to its extensive partnership with jewelry suppliers. The efficient supply management also ensures the low prices of their products. It has built a sustainable competitive advantage in the online retail jewelry business. For offline competitors, Blue Nile should work on putting more marketing efforts to make more people know about their brand and build its brand into a reliable high-quality image. 8. What strategic issues and problems does Blue Nile management need to address? Issues and problems Blue Nile Management need to address: 1). Lack of marketing and advertising makes Blue Nile still unknown to many potential customers. Blue Nile should explore more advertising channels to promote its brand image. 2). International efforts to reach the global market are slow. They currently only reach out to UK and Canada. Blue Nile should try to tap more potential global market and explore new markets. 9. What recommendations would you make to Blue Nile management to strengthen its competitive position and future strategic and financial performance? Blue Nile management should keep on providing customers jewelry at low costs while maintain its high quality of jewelry and customer services. Reducing the costs would help ensure the low prices and continuous efforts on educating the customers and assuring their purchase decisions would help Blue Nile to strengthen its competitive position.

Discovering the Identity behind History: Days of Awe Essay

Dealing with the past opens many opportunities in unveiling the mysteries that life is continuously giving us. By looking at the details where we can see the picture not only in a two dimensional perspective, but to all the sides that we can, a broader explanation and exploration can be made. This is an important part of humans’ experiences because it gives way for them to reveal the roots and explain the things that serve as a puzzle to them. Puzzle that gives question that many people think will never be answered. But, through the persistence of different forces, a new way of enlightening the path towards the truth will be open for them to be set free. As the story in Days of Awe written by Archy Obejas, dealing with the protagonist’s main conflict can be associated in our daily lives. We can see how she was able to find the real meanings behind her doubts and questions and how she was able to find the answers in her own queries. By putting into the consideration all the factors that she think might affect her perception in the things she know, she should be the one to first understand the things her own conflict with her own beliefs had made. This story teaches us a great lesson in life that can be applied in our daily interaction with different kind of people as we continue our own odyssey towards life’s great journey. This lesson is not new to us, but in fact, can be found even in the smallest things that we are doing but we are too distracted by our own personal attachments to certain things that forbid us to open up our selves in many opportunities that life is offering us. This lesson is in great value especially in dealing with the things that we know is too valuable for us to lose. By giving this importance, we will be successfully forge a deal that will benefit a greater part of humanity. This lesson is acceptance. Accepting the things that we know are real and existent although sometimes, it comes with a great deal of pain and suffering. Even though how much we suffer and realize that there are many hindrances in the world that make things more difficult and harder for us, we should not let it control our direction and lead us to another way, than listening to what our future discoveries can be. This is a challenge that had been made by various problems that hones our personality and our life’s point of view. By accepting that these things are part of the life of human society, we will be able to understand more the things that we don’t understand before. And in effect, will cost us a greater price that no one before had managed to do so. Brief Summary: Born in the New Year’s Day, year 1951, a girl named Alejandra San Jose was born in Havana where there are conflicts that had been arising due to the opposing powers and beliefs of the higher people in the place. And because of this, her parents decided to escape from the danger they foresee that will be brought by these opposing parties. Making this decision is not easy for her parents because they will not only leave their house but also their heritage that they treasured in many years. Their go to the shores of North America but later joined the group of Cuban Refugees in Chicago. This settlement gave them another opportunity for them to live their life as normal. Although she had knowledge in her home place in her childhood, she got distracted due to her youthful days but later on brought back her passion and curiosity in the said culture. In her teen age, where she learned different things through her father who was a linguist himself, she later on developed her skills in that field. As a translator, she had given an opportunity to go back to her homeland where she worked with her mage as an American and highly different from the natives living there. She had the notion that she does not belong there because of she think that she is really an American. Later on, she discovered that her ancestors were Jews and not as Catholics, as she always believed. Because of that, she learned different things in life. The essence of being a Catholic and Jews, the definition of difference between religion, the culture and beliefs and how it affects ones perspective in looking at life, these factors taught her the essence of life and its mysteries, as it gives people the chance to understand it, and the people have all the prerogative which lessons they want to pick. Historical Background: Jews, as defined by most scholars, are people who associate themselves as having a trace of their ancestry to the ancient Hebrews or people who converted themselves on the religion of Jews, which is Judaism. Talking about it, Judaism is one of the oldest religion in the world, and also, the mother religion of the world’s largest and most powerful religions, Islam and Christianity. It is a religion believed to be founded way back to history. Traditionally, one can be a Jew in two primary reasons. First, if her mother is a Jew and second, if he or she voluntarily converted him or herself to Judaism. If he or she satisfied any of the condition, he or she can freely call him or herself as a Jew. (Spector, 11-13) It is said that before, Jews are the people being said by the old scriptures and claims had been made that it is their contribution to the foundation of civilization. They are the first one who devised different rules that will govern not only their church but also their societies as well. In dealing with this, they had opened the opportunity to integrate the core values of their beliefs to the way of life of the people. By doing so, they had the utmost control to the flow of the society where people view them as sacred and too holy to be disregarded. In doing such, people had become connected with it at the same time, makes things possible for the religion to conquer their own beliefs and perceptions to their experiences. But, as the time passed by and many religions had made their way in being recognized by the people, and they become more and more established, Jews began to weaken its impact to the world. They became the minority group in almost all places where they fist began to explore and share their faith. And history had proven that some times, there are conflicts and bloody wars because of the Jews persistence to value their faith and their beliefs as their own heritage and the identity of their own cultural inclination. (Akiva & Gottlieb, 23-41) History marked the times when they are almost extinguished by people who want to eliminate their beliefs in the world. Some of these steps had ended the lives of millions of Jews all over the world. That is why, the number of Jews all over the world started to fall in number because of the many attempts to persecute them. Jews contribution to the human civilization is their rich culture and their beliefs in many aspects of life. They had developed certain guidelines that made them advanced compared to the other people living in the world. In having so, many people had misinterpreted their values in their beliefs making pre-judgment that affected their interactions with them. Many people had developed stereotypes and discriminated them in many ways that had affect their personal understanding to what is happening to his or her environment. This tragic interaction with the Jews and many other member of society became a social phenomenon, where the Jews are now living not only on their own standards but also, to the definition of the people watching their moves. Because of their drive to promote the teachings of their own beliefs and the way of life they want people to do so, they kept their traditional ways of life and adapt to their environment as the world is dynamically changing with regards to the modern things and elements that somehow interfere with their way of life. This is a condition where they had different outlook in life, as they give another meaning to the details of their actions and the people’s defined action to them. In looking this matter at a higher level of thinking, we can see that the social system which discriminated the people in their own personal environment spaces, had became a venue where they experience problems and conflicts, that should be a part of their pre-understanding of the world. (Barnavi, 18-21)

Strategic Management in Action Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Strategic Management in Action - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that Strategic Management operations usually have quite a significant role in the processes of strategic planning and performance. Strategic implementation involves the actual realization of the planned strategies of an organization on a daily basis. There are four main functions that are used in strategic management in action. They are preparation, organization, directing and controlling stages. Planning: The planning involves the constant practice of the business development. It is basically the outline of business development in any organization. In this stage, the management group establishes what the needs of the business establishment will be in future and creates plans for the action. The plans that are created should be those that are approved by both the business’s stakeholders as well as the organization. Organising: The second stage of organizing basically has to do with developing the teams of the personnel that works in the organization as well as their different roles. It allows tasks which are supported by the delegation of authority to the internal stakeholders. If the stakeholders are dissatisfied with the way labor and authority are used in assigning tasks, their dissatisfaction will end up affecting their performance, resulting in lower overall productivity. Directing: Directing, which is the third stage, is a multifaceted role in which there is the execution of the management processes. It is a practice of communicating, inspiring and guiding the workers.

Affects of Domestic Violence in Disrupting Family Unity Essay

Affects of Domestic Violence in Disrupting Family Unity - Essay Example This discussion will examine the negative effects of domestic violence on the family unit first interjecting statistics to substantiate the claims that children are the victims as well as the wives. These indicators show that violence within the family so vastly affects children that a major disruption of the family unit is the consequence in every occasion. In homes where domestic violence has been reported against wives, the children are 15 times more likely to have been abused and/or neglected. â€Å"Over 3 million children are at risk of exposure to parental violence each year† (McKay, 1994). The majority of women who have been forced to seek a shelter to escape their tormentor report that their children are also being abused. These children are â€Å"three times more likely to have been abused by their fathers† (McKay, 1994). Research that has been conducted regarding how the prevalence of family violence affects the lives of children suggests that this phenomenon is a critical public health concern. In 1992, state agencies across the U.S. reported over 200,000 incidents of child abuse and half that number of child sexual abuse cases. â€Å"It has been estimated that about 1 in 5 female children and 1 in 10 male children may experience sexual molestation. At least 1,200 children died as a result of maltreatment† (Regier & Cowdry, 1995). Incidences of domestic violence, a growing problem in the U.S., affect the emotional, cognitive, and behavioral development of children, produces disharmony in the family unit and instigates harmful lifetime problems for all concerned. When exposed to threatening or brutal emotional and/or physical treatment, wives and children experience traumatic stress disorders that require exceptional coping skills. Instances of domestic violence are usually unanticipated and uncontrollable which serve to devastate a family

How does the preliminary ruling procedure for the European Court of Essay

How does the preliminary ruling procedure for the European Court of Justice work - Essay Example It also ensures that the provisions laid down by the community institution are carried to the letter. Article 220 ‘Treaty of Rome† states that, the â€Å"court must ensure that, in the interpretation and application of the treaty, the law is upheld† The second role played by the court is hearing references from the national courts and gives preliminary rulings to show the scope and application of the law.2 The methodology of interpretation of laws by the ECJ is not specific. Some of the methods used include, teleological, historical and literal approaches. Teleological method of interpreting the law i.e. employed by the ECJ among other courts to interpret legislative provisions in light of purpose that these provisions seek to achieve1 another method used, albeit with hostility is the historical method. Its use is limited to the lengthy and complex process that is involved in the adoption of EU legal rights. Again, considerable changes will occur during the negotia tion period as well as the cropping of anomalies when the court relies on only one document in the midst of diverse legal traditions that inform the enactment of the of EU laws. Another methodology is the literal interpretation of the law as it appears. Moens and Trone Sate that when the provisions of the law are clear, the court will take the normal meaning of the words used.3 The procedures The preliminary ruling procedure involves a decision made by the ECJ when interpreting union law. This decision is usually made at the request of a high court in a member state of the European Union. Preliminary rulings are so called because the referring national court is the one that passes the verdict. The role of the ECG therefore is to provide guidance and clear understanding of what the law says.4 Article 267 gives the ECJ mandate to hear preliminary rules concerning the interpretation of treaties and the interpretation and validity of acts of institutions agencies of the union, offices e tc. Jurisdiction of the court The ECJ gives the single absolute clear and unambiguous interpretation of the law, and it cuts across all states. (I) Jurisdiction of the ECJ Article 267 TFEU states that a reference may be made with the regard to the interpretations of other the treaty and acts of the union. However, reference on validity can only be made on the acts of the institutions of the union. Purpose of Article 267 of TFEU Formerly under article 177of the treaty of Rome, article 267 of the treaty of the of the functioning of the European union states that national courts, during proceedings, can question the ECJ on interpretation of the relevant parts of TFEU, secondary legislation or even constitutionality of relevant secondary legislation.5 The ECJ is very cautious not to impose a given view on how its ruling will be applied in the national proceedings. Discretion to refer All rulings made by the ECJ clarify the scope and meaning of the bunion laws. Article 234 binds the cour t to accept all questions presented by member states. The court advises only on the interpretation and does not make decisions on the questions posed.6It is only a court or a tribunal that can make a referral to the ECJ. The ECJ has a generally harsh attitude toward referrals and only accepts them when there are ‘real and substantial doubts’ and the court feels that and inconsistent application of law if the ECJ does not intervene. However, according to Lord Denning MR (1982), the ECJ does not have the jurisdiction to ‘

Pro Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Pro - Essay Example od allergens, food intolerance, and other harmful food substances (Gaivoronskaia & Hvinden, 2006); (2) environmental preservation by using less herbicides and fertilizers that contaminates the U.S. bodies of water. (Carpenter et al., 2007; Thurman et al., 1992); (3) enables farmers to produce insect-resistant (Bt), herbicide tolerant, and virus-resistant crops. (Rao, 2008; Harlander, 2002); and (4) increase Vitamin A, C, D, and E, folate, lycopene, sulfurofane1, lutein2, omega-3 fatty acids, starch, iron, and/or the natural anti-oxidants in fruits, vegetables, and grains. (World Health Organization, 2005; Christou & Twyman, 2004; Harlander, 2002) Despite the advantages of genetically modified foods, the use of this type of technology is subject to a lot of controversial issues when it comes to access to intellectual property rights, ethics, health safety, and proper food labeling among others. (Human Genome Project Information, 2007; World Health Organization, 2005; Myhr & For this study, the researcher will first discuss some basic information with regards to genetic engineering in order to enable the readers to understand the subject better. Eventually, the researcher will clearly describe the problem associated with the use of genetically modified foods followed by providing some recommended solutions on how we could minimize the adverse effects of using genetically modified foods. Prior to conclusion, the researcher will make a justification in relation to the effectiveness of the recommended solution to the problem. Genetic engineering – also known as gene technology, genetic modification, biotechnology, or transgenic – is a special technology that allows scientists to alter the genetic makeup of plants, animals, and/or bacteria. (Human Genome Project Information, 2007) As identified by the World Health Organization (2005), technology used in food modification includes: cloning, tissue culture, and market-assisted breading. Even though there were a

Mental Health Promotion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Mental Health Promotion - Essay Example Moreover, results achieved by exercising these activities have also been critically evaluated in the light of evidence-based supports. In order to ensure confidentiality the author has supposed the patient name as â€Å"Tomas†. The Data Protection Act (1998) states, â€Å"Nurses must protect patient’s privacy and Confidentiality.† The NHS Plan (2000) highlights that confidentiality must be ensured during a patient’s assessment. According to NMC (2008), ensuring a person’s confidentiality gives you respect. Mental health is the emotional resilience which enables us to enjoy life and to survive pain, disappointment and sadness. It is a positive sense of well-being and an underlying belief in out own dignity and worth (Health Education Authority, 2000). Mental Health Promotion has a wide range of health and social benefits including increased emotional resilience, improved physical health participation, higher productivity and greater social inclusion (Department of Health, 2001). Cattan and Tilford (2006) looked at mental health promotion as the process of enhancing the capacity of individuals to take control over their lives and improve their mental health. It uses strategies that foster supportive environments and individual resilience, while showing respect for equity, social justice, interconnections and personal dignity. Mental Health promotion is an umbrella term that covers a variety of strategies, all aiming at having a positive effect on mental health. Health is a state of complete mental, physical and social well-being, and not only the absence of disease or infirmity. The Department of health (2001) described mental well being as being influenced by many factors including genetic inheritance, childhood experiences, life events, individual ability to cope and levels of social support, as well as factors like adequate housing, employment, financial security and access to appropriate health care. Mann, et al (2004) consi dered the focus on self-esteem as the core element of mental health promotion and the fruitful basis for a broad spectrum approach. According to Department of health (2001) mental health promotion works as three levels relevant to the whole population. Individuals are strengthened through the promotion of self-esteem, life and coping skills for example, communicating and relationships. Communities are strengthened, through increasing social inclusion and participation, improving neighborhood environments, developing health and social services which support mental health. Standard one of the National Service Framework for mental health aims to ensure that health and social services promote mental health and reduce the discrimination and social exclusion associated with mental health problems (Barker 2003). According to the National Service Framework (NSF, 1999) standard one mental health promotion states that health and social services, should promote mental health for all, working w ith individuals and communities, The NSF was put into place to ensure quality and the standard of care throughout the service. NMC (2008) states that nurses have a duty to care and support people in caring for themselves to improve and promote their health. In order to deliver this care an understanding of mental health and mental health pro