Case Study: Why Woolworths Failed as a Business?

The British Company, Woolworths is normally categorized as a variety store dealing in retailing of a range of varying products. Historically it was established as a subsidiary of an American Company F.W. Woolworth &Co, in 1879 by Frank Winfield Woolworth It was incorporated in England on 23rd July, 1909 as private limited company with initial capital of 50,250 pound sterling. It, first time floated a new idea of selling all the products at a cost not more than five cents. This idea gained popularity amongst the customers resulting in fast growth of the subsidiary. Its first shop at Liverpool attracted about 60,000 people in first two days because of attractive one penny, three penny and six penny products put at sale. It continued to open new shops at various cities that attracted heavy rush of customers and visitors. It was company’s policy to purchase the products directly from manufacturers, who Continue reading

Case Study on Information Technology Management: Frito-Lay’s Long-Term IT Plan

Because the rate of technological change is so rapid, most people see IT through the narrow lens of short-term, silver-bullet solutions. IT vendors want you to believe that their important new technologies will blow away what has come before. You can’t blame a salesperson for trying to sell, or CIOs for having a queasy buy-or-lose feeling, but this attitude is precisely the opposite of the one companies should be taking. We would argue that because the winds of change affect IT more than any other area of the organization, IT benefits most from a long-term, disciplined, strategic view, and a square focus on achieving the company’s most fundamental goals. For example, Frito Lay’s strategic goal has always been to make, move, and sell tasty, fresh snack food as rapidly and efficiently as possible. That goal hasn’t changed since 1930s, when founder Herman Lay ran his business from his Atlanta kitchen Continue reading

The Effects of Financial Liberalization

Financial Liberalization refers to deregulation of domestic financial market and liberalization of the capital account that implies removing the ceiling on interest rates. When it is in a liberalized system the competition between the different lending institutions for the deposits will increase interest rates on deposits which will increase the deposits. The availability of credit will increase and this will cause an increase in investment growth. The stages of growth increases activity in the financial markets that makes the introduction and the development of financial institutions. It is argued that financial institutions, by gathering and evaluating information from borrowers, allow the allocation of funds for investment plans to become more efficient and therefore encourage growth and investment. Banks have a role in the process of development. These banks gives the chance for individuals to hold their savings in the form of deposits, so lowing the need to hold them in Continue reading

Characteristics of an Effective Strategic Control System

Recommended reading: Strategic Control and Operational Control Effective strategic control systems tend to have certain qualities in common.   These characteristics/qualities can be stated thus: Suitable: The control system must be suitable to the needs of an organization.   It must conform to the nature and needs of the job and the area to be controlled.   For example, the control system used in production department will be different from that used in sales department. Simple: The control system should be easy to understand and operate.   A complicated control system will cause unnecessary mistakes, confusion and frustration among employees.   When the control system is understood properly, employees can interpret the same in a right way and ensure its implementation. Selective: To be useful, the control system must focus attention on key, strategic and important factors which are critical to performance.   Insignificant deviations need not be looked into. Continue reading

Crossing of Cheques

Crossing means drawing two parallel transverse lines across the face of the cheque  with or without the words “and company” in between the lines. It is a direction to the  drawee bank not to pay the amount at the counter, but only through a bank. It is made to  guard payment against forgery by unscrupulous persons. Crossing of cheques is of two kinds: (1) General Crossing and (2) Special Crossing. 1. General Crossing Sec. 123 of the Negotiable Instruments Act defines General Crossing as, “where a  cheque bears across its face an addition of the words ‘And Company’ or any  abbreviation thereof, between two parallel transverse lines or of two parallel transverse  lines simply, either with or without the words ‘not negotiable’, that addition shall be  deemed to be a crossing and the cheque shall be deemed to be crossed generally”.  Two parallel transverse lines across the face of the Continue reading

Importance of Accurate Financial Statements

The role of financial accounting is not to show the value of a company, but rather it provides enough information for others outside the company to determine the value of the company for themselves. Financial Statements are annual statements summarizing a company’s activity over the last year. They consist of the profit and loss account, balance sheet, statement of total recognized gains and losses and, if required, the cash flow statement together with supporting notes. Proper financial statements are crucial for a company’s success. Bad financial management can quickly lead to a company’s downfall. Income statements, also known as P&L’s or profit and losses are a basic account of the company’s profits, expenses and sales. These reports will give insight into the finances of a company in the immediate and distant future. Balance sheets are the assets, liabilities and the equity of a company. This sheet is simply the statement Continue reading