Strategic Direction of Harley Davidson

The success of Harley Davidson (HD) is due to the American motorcycle icon’s effective Strategic Management. HD’s vision, mission, goals and objectives strive to exceed the requirements of its main stakeholders. Although these needs are not always met, the company has unique relationships with is stakeholders. The company stays on course with its strategic plan, despite the economy and the decline of American manufacturing and what might be considered its dwindling U. S. consumer base. Stakeholders â€Å"represent very important constituencies or groups of individuals who are part of an organization or associated with an organization.† (Module 01, 2013)HD’s main stakeholders are its employees, customers and shareholders. Each stakeholder has its own motives for being involved with the organization. Normally these motives result in common goals and objectives.MissionAn organization’s â€Å"mission is the overachieving goal of a company, the reason w hy it operates. † (Module 01, 2013). Harley Davidson’s mission statement is â€Å"We ride with our customers and apply this deep connection in every market we serve to create superior value for all of our stakeholders† (Harley Davidson, 2012. p. 2).  This mission statement places the needs of stakeholder foremost in the company’s strategic plan.VisionA company’s vision should â€Å"set up the long term direction of the company (vision), they incorporate the goals of the main stakeholders (shareholders, customers, suppliers, employees), they express the main values of the management to be embraced by employees, and they describe the main goals† (Module 01, 2013). Harley Davidson’s vision is â€Å"We fulfill dreams inspired by the many roads of the world by providing remarkable motorcycles and extraordinary customer experiences.We fuel the passion for freedom in our customers to express their own individuality† (Harley Davidson, 2012, p. 2). Harley’s vision does state a continuing corporate path; however it is on quite romanticized. A look at the company’s goals and objectives is needed to complete a picture of the organizations vision.Goals and Objectivesâ€Å"Goals and objectives divide the vision into achievable units at department levels for instance, that are further subdivided into smaller and smaller units, until they reach every employee’s desk. † (Module 01, 2013) Harley Davidson’s has identified four major goals in its Annual Statements.These goals include obtaining flexible manufacturing, creating shorter product development times; developing a premium customer experience and fulfilling dreams (Harley Davidson, 2012, p. 4). Goals should meet the SMARTER principle. That is that â€Å"Goals should be designed and worded as much as possible to be specific, measurable, acceptable to those working to achieve the goals, realistic, timely, extending the capabilities of those working to achieve the goals, and rewarding to them, as wellâ€Å" (McNamara, 2011). We will evaluate each goal to measure whether it meets this criterion and the needs of the main stakeholders.Manufacturing. One of HD’s goals is to create flexible manufacturing within its multiple facilities. In the past Harley on produced one bike per plant. If the public demand changed in that area Harley may have been left with a large supply and no demand. Harley’s objective is to enable its plants to be able to produce the right motorcycle for the needed demand in that area. The company’s tactics include incorporating the success of its York plant into all of its plant globally. In 2011, the York plant was outfitted to produce both the Tri Glide and All Touring Softail motorcycles (HARLEY Davidson, 2011, p 4).This will allow the company to move product to the correct customer at the correct time. Employees of Harley are encouraged to provide input and incorporate changes to improve products as well the production process. The goal of flexible manufacturing meets the entire criterion for the SMARTER principle. Both employees and customers benefit if this goal is realized. Product development. Harley’s goal to reduce product development times include three main facets: â€Å"1) a laser focus on the best product opportunities; 2) reduced time-to-market; and 3) increased product development capacity through efficiencies† (Harley Davidson, 2011, p.4). This goal does not meet the full criterion of the SMARTER principle. The goal is not specific. It does not quantify how much it wants to decrease the timeliness of product development. Employees benefit from this goal. The main benefit is that because HD believes in employees participating in the product development process it has created a learner centric environment. Employees stay well versed in their fields while assisting the company in developing quality products in shorter peri ods of time. This benefits the customers by providing quality products that keep up with advances in technologies and consumer desires.Retail. â€Å"The goal of this transformation at retail is quite simple: to provide a premium retail experience with every customer, every day and everywhere, while strengthening dealer profitability† (Harley Davidson, 2011, p. 5). Harley Davidson plans to work with all of its stakeholders to ensure that all of its many faces culminate in a great customer experience. This includes an in store and online experience. The SMARTER principle is also not completely met with this goal. The goal is not completely measurable. It is beneficial to all stakeholders.The strengthening of retail keeps employees employed and the improved customers can make customers feel more valued and more likely to seek out the retail experience. Dream fulfillment. â€Å"At the core, these three transformations—in manufacturing, product development and at retailâ⠂¬â€come down to one thing: we must ensure, in a world of ever-increasing customer expectations, Harley-Davidson continues to fulfill dreams through remarkable motorcycles and extraordinary customer experiences far into the future† (Harley Davidson, 2011, p. 5). All of HD’s improvements end here.The improvement require all stake holder to work together to make the customer experience unique. The improvements, if effective will add to the Harley Davidson ethos.RecommendationMy recommendation to Harley executives is to remember to stay true to the brand, but to attempt to market products to find new consumer within the US. Since HD’s inception, Harley has been associated with the freedom of America, but it may be losing it American consumer while changing to a global market. â€Å"Harley-Davidson demographics has long shown its reliance on an overwhelmingly white, male and middle-aged consumer base would ultimately  challenge sales in North America, where it st ill earns two-thirds of its revenue† (Kelleher, 2013).The goal that I propose is to include marketing to a younger group with a disposable income. I have been introduced to Harley; in fact, I learned to ride on a Buell in a Harley Drivers Edge Safety Course. I an African American female and have never been in the Harley advertising demographic. Harley does have a female rider’s program but it’s not advertised. All of the commercials that I have seen for Harley actual talk about the experience and financing.Although it is an American institution like a lot of older brands, it may lose it appeal a younger population. Increasing its consumer base can only be beneficial to its other stakeholders. It may potentially prevent manufacturing jobs from being transferred outside of the U. S. as Harley seeks consumers in other locations. Harley Davidson’s use of strategic management is in line with the needs of its main stakeholders. The company’s mission ackno wledges the need to meet the demands of all stakeholders for a more effective organization.Harley’s vision recognizes what HD brand means to the consumer. The organization’s goals and objectives seek to make the brand more effective in the current global market while satisfying the needs of its stakeholders. HD should be careful that it continues to gain new customers as it reliable customer base ages and are no longer able or willing to ride. Harley has continued to use strategic management to change the company’s fortunes over the years. As a result, the company has faltered but never truly failed.

2full page reflection paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

2full page reflection paper - Essay Example long to Western countries, among others); the manner of selecting art works; and whose points of views should be emphasized as focal points for conveying the meaning of these works of art; to name a few. On the other hand, Heartney’s article argued that the works of art selected for the exhibit seemed to exemplify the skills and talents of non-Western artists as bordering between traditional local and Western culture. This has also be the subject of discussion in the interview by Buchloh with Martin (Buchloh). Upon absorbing the main thrusts of the authors’ contentions, one was able to appreciate viewing the varied works of arts which were included in the exhibit. The diversity within which these art works were chosen reflect the objective of the proponents in showcasing talents of artists from all over the world. It was therefore commendable that through publishing these articles, art enthusiasts who did not have the resources to attend the exhibit at that time, and even in contemporary times, could marvel at diverse art forms in the artists’ personal interpretation of cultural underpinnings. One could affirm that the selection for the exhibit was indeed representative of different cultures from a global sphere. Much the same assertion noted by Heartney was the revelation that â€Å"the most interesting works in the show were produced by non-Western artists conversant with the subtleties of Western art and culture and interested in the interplay between these traditions and their own† (94). One strongly believes that contemporary artists, even from non-Western countries, or those identified to be cultural margins, could have been influenced by Western culture. Specifically, due to the evolving technological and communication applications, at the time that the exhibit was organized, archaic practices, as opposed to ‘primitive’ became a crucial criteria for inclusion. Therefore, emphasizing that viewers would expect diversity and unconventional art forms

Reflection on simulation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reflection on simulation - Essay Example My colleague was to start by taking the blood pressure of the patient. She did this using a sphygmomanometer. While measuring the blood pressure of the patient, she asked him if he is hypertensive, and the patient’s reply was a no. As my colleague was taking the patients’ blood pressure, I was cleaning the instruments I would use. I also checked that they were functioning properly. When she was through it, was my turn with the patient. I applied a gel to my hands to sanitize them. I informed the patient that I was to take his temperature, respiration and pulse. I explained that this was necessary for diagnosis of his illness. He gave me his consent to proceed. This is as per the requirement of nursing and midwifery council (Delany & Molloy 2009). In the process of taking his temperature from the ears, I asked him if I could slightly pull his ear. The gentleman was cooperative, and he agreed. As I was inserting the thermometer in his ears, I accidentally pierced a plastic in the ear. This is because I was not confident enough. After completing the readings of temperature, I plotted the reading in the temperature chart. I then proceed to checking the pulse rate of the patient. I check the strength of the pulse and the rhythm from the arteries. I used the arteries on the arm to check the pulse rate. I then proceed to doing the respiratory test. In taking the respiration, I checked the rate of the patients breathing in sixty second. I then recorded the finding of these two tests in a separate fact sheet. After I was through with the patient, I cleaned my hands with water and soap. The cleaning of the hands before and after attending a patient was critical (Johns, 2009, p.25). It is for this reason that I had applied a gel on my hands before, and cleaned them after attending Mr. A. This is in compliance to nursing and midwifery council standards on control of infections. Further, the nurse does not remain with germs that he

Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective 333 Essay

Sex and Gender in Cross-Cultural Perspective 333 - Essay Example Of course there are a variety of women who fall outside of these scenarios but if a woman chooses not to be the woman society expects, she risks being ostracized. Women have always been seen from their body parts instead of their intellect mainly because advertising has made it impossible for women to be seen in any other way. In the article, "Advertisements Stereotype Women and Girls", Katherine Toland Frith and Barbara Mueller present a series of viewpoints showing exactly how women and girls are made by the society in which they life. There focus was on the United States and they showed how the media forms the identity of women and girls to create goals for beauty that are impossible for them to attain. This focus on a beauty they cannot obtain forces girls as early as 14 year old to look for solutions to change their body to make it like what it is "supposed" to look like. Plastic surgeons report that many children of this age want to use plastic surgery to reshape them into the "ideal woman". The authors quote research that shows that college students who were shown pictures of beautiful models felt that they were to look like these models. Because they did not, their self image decreased. This is good example of how women are molded, shaped and brainwashed into accepting these stereotyped images and it gives them a lesser place in society than what men experience. Another study cited showed that males and females saw attractiveness differently. For adolescent girls self-perception declined over time but the boys kept their self-perception in tact. A reason for this that the authors gave was that boys tended to see their bodies as a work in progress and were able to see a bigger picture. Girls on the other hand focused on body parts because advertising tells them this should be their focus. This attitude form

Adapting leadership styles while organising commanies overseas Essay

Adapting leadership styles while organising commanies overseas - Essay Example (Koontz 1986:162). A managing director thus has an all-encompassing task of ensuring functionality of the organization through streamlined working of groups. The managing director must understand that while good people can make any organizational pattern work, it is essential that they know each other's role to work most effectively. (Koontz 1986:161). This essential aspect needs careful consideration when an organization is being established, in an alien environment particularly in relation to the style of leadership adopted by the managing director.There are numerous classifications of styles of leaderships given out by management thought leaders. When based on use of authority and decision-making these have been indicated as autocratic or that denoted by command authority of the leader with a benevolent authoritative being its softer version. Democratic, which has, participative and supportive as its sub types entails consulting subordinates and encouraging their participation in decisions. While a free rein style restricts a leaders role to that of aiding operations of followers. (Koontz 1986 : 400). Another study includes styles as charismatic, servant and quiet which are self-explanatory and in one form or the other follow the pattern denoted by Koontz. (Changing minds.org)

Alfred Hitchocks Influence on the Moviemaking Essay

Alfred Hitchocks Influence on the Moviemaking - Essay Example Hitchock Alfred is one of the movie directors who have established a successful profession in the industry. He has produced a number of movies that have attracted serious popularities.His superb skills in the movie production are highly appreciated As a director, Hitchock has greatly transformed the movie making industry. He has substantially affected other film producers and his impact is evident in various present productions (Guilbaut 165). Earlier in his vocation, Hitchock worked in a German firm when the movie industry in German was promising. However, the financial challenges undermined producers from releasing quality films that could effectively challenge productions from Hollywood. To counter this condition, the producers in the Germany introduced exaggerated scenes to enhance expressions and emphasize ideas in their films (Guilbaut 195). The idea realized a positive attitude among the viewers and later this idea become very popular in Germany. This acted as the trial test f or Hitchock hence in his career at Hollywood; he sturdily believed that incorporation of the idea into American industry would be a lucrative venture. Afterward in his career, Hitchock secured a contract with the Hollywood industry. However, Hitchock’s earlier incidences in the German firm had introduced him to a style of expressionism. This style utilizes lavish sets integrating creativity, non-real and illogical scenarios which clash with the geometrical idea. This provided a cheap approach of presenting ideas in the films. These movies were irrational and horrific (Kova?cs 273). Initially, the Hollywood shows were cool and used realistic presentations. However, impacts such that propagated by Hitchock’s ideas have crept slowly into the industry and presently the industry presents a multivalent model. Hollywood producers had maintained a typical action adventure and passionate themes. However, with the influence of expressionists like Hitchock, basic themes propagate d by the group such as insanity and betrayal have navigated into the sector. Hitchock’s style has exerted a considerable impact on the movie-making industry. Extreme manifestation of the idea was so unsound hence was not encouraged by many. The viewers could dismiss the films as imaginary and illusion based productions. Therefore, the idea of extreme expressionism did not blend well with the industry’s concept and associated with rebellions. However, expressionists did not ditch the ideal instead, they minimized on exposure degrees. Incorporation of the ideas started to appear in the industry as from 1920s where minor exaggerations revisited the film industry for enhancements. Notably, Hitchock secured a contract with a London based industry in the year 1920, proving his probable influence. Hitchock background developed him a feeling that, the expressionism idea was a great mind. Therefore, at Hollywood Hitchock integrated some facets of the idea in his productions. Ac cording to Guilbaut (17), moments are identifiable where Hitchock has staged expressionist productions based on his stand and against his employer’s terms. Fortunately, Hitchock’s idea realized a welcoming response in the American market. Indeed, most of his productions that followed had some little expressionism ideas incorporated in them. A suitable example of the Director’s style is evident in the film like Psycho & Vertigo. Scenes of exaggerated shadows and irrational camera views are present in the film (Packer 173). Additionally, the film design has bases of expressionism concepts. The producer has acknowledged the incorporation of his German learnt skills in his films. The influence extended later in his productions through visual testing. For instance, his 1960s productions like The Birds, & Marnie utilizes the style extensively. Hitchock’s work has provided platform on which other directors have emerged and strongly advocated for the virtues in t he film making industry. His

Performance Assessment and Management Research Paper

Performance Assessment and Management - Research Paper Example The paper therefore recommends that McDonalds develop better strategies to enhance its human resource management in recruitment, management, and appraisal. Introduction Organizational operations, in both profit making and ‘non-profit’ making enterprises, require evaluation for reconciliation with set objectives as well as for comparison with operations with other enterprises in a similar industry. Assessment is defined as the process of evaluating a subject, which can be a process, in order to ascertain its potential or quality. Management on the other hand refers to the act or responsibility of controlling people or activities. Assessment and management are therefore critical elements in the life of an organization. This paper seeks to discuss performance assessment and management of McDonalds Company. The paper will explore the established culture of employee selection and appraisal criteria that McDonalds applies in its human resource management. The paper will, with this respect, offer an overview of McDonalds human resource practices in employee selection and appraisal initiatives and then analyze the processes. Review of employee selection and appraisal processes in McDonalds Company McDonalds is a multinational company that operates in a number of cultures across the world. Its human resource management is however converged to a uniform culture. With an overall workforce of more than thirty thousand employees, McDonalds has its personnel management strategies incorporated in its core objectives. In order to achieve its goal of being the best service provider in the food industry, the company’s ensures that it has a diversified cultural base with excellent employee management. Employee selection McDonalds has a broad based approach to selecting its employees. This includes a special consideration to disabled people who may have some specialized capacity to service delivery. Similarly, the company has a universal program for handling ol der employees, older than 55 years. Its selection criteria have also been identified to be fair and ‘non-discriminatory’. It has therefore been open to different categories of cultured workforce. In recruiting its employees, the company relies on the theory that customer utility relies on the efficiency and effectiveness of the company’s employees. As a result, initiatives are always put in place to ensure that the best employees with respect to every job description are identified. Different approaches to recruiting employees have always been adopted with advertising for positions being the most preferred. Other approaches such as local job centers and professional exhibitions have also been occasionally used. Applicants are then subjected to an interview after which a selected committee reviews the applicant’s responses before identification of most suitable candidates for the job. Orientation Once employees have been selected and approved, they are welc omed to the company through a ‘well-defined’ orientation process. They are introduced to their expected roles in the organization as well as the organization’s safety procedures. Similarly, the new employees are taken through the organizations policies, structure, and the human resource system that includes training and reward criteria. Based on its employee retention objective, the company ensures thorough training of its employees to equip them with necessary skills in