Aramco Supply Chain Management Essays

Aramco Supply Chain Management Essays Aramco Supply Chain Management Essay Aramco Supply Chain Management Essay A Users Conference ID#: 2965 Improving Supply Chain Management through Real-Time Operations Monitoring Track: MES Topic: Enterprise Integration Presenter: Ramadan Fan Company: Saudi Aramco  © Copyright 2008, Saudi Aramco. All rights reserved. Agenda Saudi Aramco Overview Saudi Aramco Distribution Operations Supply Chain Management Challenges SIMATIC IT XHQ Implementation Enterprise Monitoring Solution Key Benefits Next Steps Page 2 Saudi Aramco Overview – Global Offices Saudi Petroleum Overseas Ltd. Ltd. Vela Marine Intl. , Ltd. Intl. , Ltd. Saudi Petroleum Intl. , Inc. Intl. , Aramco Overseas Company, AOC (BV) Company, Saudi Petroleum Ltd. Ltd. Aramco Services Company Saudi Aramco Headquarters Page 3 Saudi Aramco Overview – Upstream Downstream Gas Sales Grid Upstream Gas Plants Downstream Gas Plants OIL GAS Wells GOSPs Bulk Plants Refineries Crude Treatment Stabilizers Page 4 Crude Terminals Saudi Aramco Distribution Operations Responsible for domestic fuel distribution through its Bulk Plants and Air Fueling Operations Meet the Kingdom’s growing fuel demand in the most safe, reliable, and environment friendly manner Enhance customer satisfaction through world class services Page 5 Supply Chain Management Challenges Managing remote facilities scattered across the country Tracking product transfer via trucks, pipeline and marine Accessing different operation and business systems Generating operation reports in a timely manner Coordination between sending and receiving plants Responding quickly to customer complaints Page 6 SIMATIC IT XHQ Implementation Corporate strategy to standardize on a single Enterprise Monitoring Solution (EMS) Easy direct access to key operational data Common view of aggregated information Integrate real-time process data with business data Improve performance monitoring through KPI measures Replicate best practices across the enterprise Page 7 Enterprise Monitoring Solution – Distribution Operations SAP System HR LP Finance BW Non-SAP Applications LIMS SAIF Oracle Servers OSI PI Servers PQAS TIIS HCM PM OCRCS Terminal Management Systems Field Automation Lab Systems Siemens Honeywell Tank Gauging Test Instruments Page 8 Enterprise Monitoring Solution – Distribution Operations Site-Specific Dashboards Product Inventory Sales and Transfer Orders Truck Loading/Unloading Pipeline Shipping Quality Assurance Operations Compliance Data Source SAP-HCM, PI SAP-HCM TMS (Siemens/Honeywell) OSI PI PQAS * OCRCS * In-house developed application based on Oracle Page 9 Enterprise Monitoring Solution – Distribution Operations Common Dashboards Management Dashboard Maintenance Dashboard Equipment Dashboard Inspections Dashboard TI Dashboard Safety Dashboard Quality Dashboard Data Source SAP-HR, PM, Finance SAP-PM SAP-PM SAIF * TIIS * SAP-LP LIMS, PQAS * * In-house developed applications based on Oracle Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Enterprise Monitoring Solution – Key Benefits Empowered plants to make quick and informed decisions Enhanced Saudi Aramco customers relationship Graphically related daily operation to production targets Data transparency and sharing among plants Focus on problem areas with data views and drilldowns Page 21 Enterprise Monitoring Solution – Next Steps Visualization of full supply chain Dashboards for high management level Integration with SAP Portal Integration with GIS system Integration with planning and scheduling tools Page 22 Enterprise Monitoring Solution – Distribution Project Team Siemens Ahsan Yousufzai, Manager Ayman Al-Mutawa, Tech. Lead Zulfiqar Naushad, Consultant Ahmed Al-Sahaff, Team Lead Zubair Hassan, Team Lead Maher Al-Khaldi, Developer Asif Iqbal, Developer Faruk Bansir, Developer Saudi Aramco Ahmed Marzooq, IT Mohammed Shabeeb, IT Faris Omar, IT Ziyad Saleh, IT Ali Sallout , Distribution Ramadan Fan, Distribution Mohammed Hazmi, Distribution Murtaza Hussein, Distribution Khalid Khelaiwi, Distribution Khalid Zaid, Distribution Page 23 Closing Remarks â€Å"You can’t improve what you can’t measure† â€Å"Provide the right information, to the right person, at the right time† Page 24 Thank you For more information, please contact: ramadan. [emailprotected] com Page 25

The Good Life In The Eyes Of The Beholder, Plato

The Good Life In The Eyes Of The Beholder, Plato Free Online Research Papers In the case of the Good life, what would the Good life be in the average man or woman’s function of daily life? In Platos theory on the good life, it rests on the idea that everything has one function, which we are naturally suited for. Why are we suited for this concept, is it in our nature? The beauty, virtue, happiness, and excellence of this particular thing all depend on the fulfillment of this function. In this idea, even man has one function for which he is naturally suited or his gift. This is no easy task for man and women, we are complex beings and our day-to-day way of thinking and pleasures differ from person to person. It’s worth mentioning that we are dictated by nature, that is the same for all people in all circumstances and situations. For we can’t decide for ourselves what this function is in life. That’s why we are constantly seeking out, as a hedonist and avoiding pain and anxiety. Were constantly seeking out pleasures for the flesh and hoping not to conflict them with the spirit and also not to fall into the state of emptiness. In conclusion our existence is a truth, and may be the only truth and good and we should find its certainty. What is that function? In the Republic by Plato â€Å"He argues, that the proper uses or function of man and his soul is to live justly and to achieve a state of unity and harmony. Man consists of several parts, each different and with different aims, goals and appetites. He lists the intellect, spirit/courage, and physical desires as the three parts of the soul, though he may simplify this for ease of understanding.† Plato is stating here to live rightly, honest, admirable, and responsible. But in my opinion, we as in most live and live to be satisfied by the pleasures of life. But this is state of conflict between the soul/spirit and flesh, and undesirable, we as humans want the gratification of pleasures now. THE ENJOYMENT OF LIVING, by Lin Yutang states: â€Å"The most obvious fact which philosophers refuse to see is that we have got a body. Either we have to have bodies and have all our bodily wants satisfied, or else we are pure spirits and have no satisfacti ons at all. All satisfactions imply want† Ways of Wisdom, (Smith, 59). When all of us are pursuing physical desires and natural and necessary desires we should keep them in the appropriate fashion, there can still be some conflicts. In this reason we are intent on balancing the soul, providing some satisfaction for all of our desires in natural necessary ways and, natural unnecessary functions also. When this is accomplished, when the parts of the soul are fulfilling their natural functions well and, under the guidance of reason, self control and are in harmony and balance with others, and then the soul is good, happy, and fully satisfied. And so the above description is not mans function, but merely the state of wellness or being required to properly perform his or her daily function. â€Å"For Plato, human beings live in a world of visible and intelligible things. The visible world is what surrounds us: what we see, what we hear, what we experience; this visible world is a world of change and uncertainty. The intelligible world is made up of the unchanging products of human reason: anything arising from reason alone, such as abstract definitions or mathematics, makes up this intelligible world, which is the world of reality† (wsu.edu:8080/~dee/GREECE/PLATO.HTM.) . And in the Apology we get a sense of mans proper, natural function. Man pursues knowledge, intelligence, and ultimate reality. This is the way man truly attains virtue and it is on the same path as the gods. The Republic Plato argues similarly, proposing that man is to search for the good and the other forms of good and truth. Both cases mans function is to use his mind, intelligence, and reason in search of truth, and for Plato knowledge and ultimate reality. Is the body a hindrance or an obstacle, in search of the good life? If it is, it’s a struggled against the soul at all times. Does the body harass the mind with all sorts of desires and appetites, barely giving the mind time to think? So it is the job of man to remove himself as entirely as he can from his body, to use it only in the barest, simplest fashion, only to survive. In this way he will minimize this hurdle and allow himself to pursue his true function and to the take full advantage of his ability. And this quest and life long journey is mans function and the only way to the good life. It depends on the synchronization of the soul and body. â€Å"Socrates even admits in The Republic that he himself knows not just what the good is, but he knows we should strive for it and the knowledge of it† (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/plato-ethics-politics/). All of this is fine and good, a noble pursuit of both desires, but it seems like just another attempt to create meaning and give arrangement to our lives. Besides any idea or thought or action we think and feel, might have the possibility that it may be wrong or proven wrong. The pursuit of knowledge is admirable and I think very worthy of, but in terms of value or meaning what is the knowledge of the good life? One is, ultimately, just as good as the next and gets you just as far, because as Sartre’s states: â€Å"Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself† (Smith, 230.) You just need to decide what is important in your life and what you want to do with it. As well, I think it is a mistake to place so much value on the mind and intellect so use the body and mind in a partnership and give to the flesh, pleasure in moderation. Your mind and mine are limited, weak, just as our senses are. They too, can mislead and misguide us, and I see no reason to suppos e they are powerful enough to solve the riddle of the universe, what would you call the ultimate good life? For that, I see no reason to believe there even is a question to be solved! Maybe we just developed a survival tool that, now that our survival is secure, is trying to occupy itself and keep itself busy, and alive all for what? If this is accurate, then one philosophy is just as good as the next, depending solely on yours and mine tastes. In conclusion what is right or wrong or if at all perfect in the way that we feel is good? This is the argument or theory I’m try to figure out, what would you call The Good Life? And if you and I are looking, feeling or enjoying one particular pleasure at the same moment, you and me will not see or feel the pleasure exactly as the other. One is, ultimately just as good as the next and gets you just as far. The Republic,By Plato Ways of Wisdom Readings on the Good Life Edited by Steve Smith wsu.edu: 8080/~dee/GREECE/PLATO.HTM Plato: Ethics and Politics in the Republic http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/plato-ethics-politics/ Plato: Ethics and Politics in the Republic Research Papers on The Good Life In The Eyes Of The Beholder, PlatoComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfGenetic EngineeringHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeThree Concepts of PsychodynamicBringing Democracy to Africa

Reading Response # 3 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Reading Response # 3 - Assignment Example The loss of a few thousand innocent lives was something which radically changed the way Americans think about Muslims and their religion. In order to argue whether there is really a clash of civilization as suggested by Huntington or the reaction is just Muslim or Arab Phobia, it is important to understand the roots of this conflict and how this difference emerged. The theory of clash of civilization is basically based upon the notion of clash of cultures and civilizations with each other. Underlying this theory is the belief that future conflicts between people will be based upon culture of people and that democracy or free markets is not the only ideology of the world. This notion therefore suggests that the primary axis of conflict will be religion as well as the culture of the people. Considering this position, the post 9/11 scenario may not seem as a clash of civilizations but rather Muslim or Arab phobia. The obvious reasons for the attack of 9/11 were based upon the belief that US has supported or illegally occupied and plundered the resources belonging to the Muslim world. This conflict was however by few groups against the State rather than a Muslim State against America. The videos suggested that there is a general Arab and Muslim Phobia because in the War against terror many Muslim countries actually supported the US in its war against Al-Qaeda and other extremist groups. In a way, the Muslim world on the whole, except for a few countries, was officially supporting the US and its war against Islamic extremist groups. There is therefore a general fear regarding Muslims and how may they create a threat for Americans within America. People generally believe that Muslims may harm them and therefore in order to avoid being harmed, Muslims should be labeled and wear bands so that they can be identified. There is a

Side-effects of social networking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Side-effects of social networking - Essay Example The contemporary world today is characterized by a complete use of the social media as a way of communication with the family of online friends. In the research conducted by numerous analysts and researchers, it is warranted to argue that social networking has profound effects on the user of the upcoming social networks, notable Facebook to Twitter. Privacy concerns In the argument by Ruff, it is evident that social media has been faced with numerous privacy concerns (54). Depending on the social network in use, privacy concerns differ from one site to the next. In the case of Facebook, it is obvious that the name of the user and other personal information is relieved to other persons using the same site, under the profile section (Ruff 93). However, other persons may not reveal their original identity; thus, making it difficult to assess the original user of the site (Houghton 132). In the event that persons reveal their original information, a lot of privacy concerns come up like u ser victimization, especially among the adolescent teens who have been indicated to sexually harass other users (Ruff 19). Though the level of harassment depends on the level of interaction with each other, Ruff indicates that cases of hacked accounts are not alien and naked pictures of users posted on the internet (94). Additionally a lot of people complain of being stalked by other whilst online, and are wary of the fact that their privacy may be infringed (Ruff 94). On the other hand, other persons become famous for no good reason. Persons have been seen to create Facebook pages that end up having huge followings, but in the real sense, the makers of the page are simply out for fame (Ruff 93). In the long run, personal information of the followers of their page may leak online, infringing on the privacy of such persons despite their need to enjoy the services of the social network. Despite the response by various social networks on the criticism of their privacy setting, the site claim that they have a privacy security setting that allows for persons to secure their pages (Ruff 94). Ruff continues to argue that the reality is security is not present in the case of the social media (29). Ruff emphasizes that it is criminal offence to invade the privacy of others (34) and insists that all persons who attempt to hack other people’s accounts must be reported as they are offenders, and this is also a way of mobilizing persons towards championing for cyber security (19). It is justified to conclude that privacy has become a great issue when it comes to social networking. Defamation and social media Defamation is yet another serious side effect of social media. De Vos indicates the social media has a way of bringing out the worst in persons (1). In the event that persons do not weigh what they say and post on Facebook and Twitter, it is almost obvious that there will be an online community of hate mongers, irresponsible gossips, who if the case goes extreme , there is a likelihood that the same persons will be summoned in court to answer allegations of hate speech and disturbance (De Vos 1). Wilkins & Christians argue that in the ethics of global communication, it is important to assess issues of cyber spam, defamation and deception (65). This will result to a solid basis of global cultural values that govern their manner in which people relate to one another; thus, professional communication, social responsibility, free expression and accountability (Wilkins & Christians 65). De Vos says that the cyberspace has become chaotic, as persons for instance on Twitter have been posting statements that tarnish the names of others, government

Discrimination in Academia and Affirmative Action

Discrimination in Academia and Affirmative Action Mitch Shea Affirmative Action Principles:  Discrimination in Academia Affirmative Action, as defined by the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, is distinguishable as the positive steps taken to increase the representation of women and minorities in areas of employment, education, and culture from which they have been historically excluded. [1] Accordingly, the fairness of Affirmative Action principles has repeatedly been called into question, not just within the United States, but global as well. These arguments for and against Affirmative Action and its subsequent principles are in constant debate, both morally and politically. These debates often mirror those of academics, both for and against-those arguing for the need of Affirmative action and its positive effect on social unity and distributive justice, and those arguing upon political principle, often referencing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, quoting Title VI and Title VII. Throughout history, Affirmative Action principles and subsequent political literature and court rulings have been identified as a process or evolution-definitional, in a sense, by local and federal court systems. In less than a decade after the creation and ratification of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Supreme Court contributed heavily to the molding of Affirmative Action and its principles [2]. In short, the Supreme Court ruled that all institutions would need to assess or reassess their institutional practice and policies related to the exclusionary practice not necessary to an institutions activities [2]. This ruling gave a definitional meaning to Affirmative Action that had been lacking previously. It gave distinctiveness to the main role and principle behind Affirmative Action that stated the purpose of which was to not necessarily compensate for past occurrences of unjustness, but rather to direct compliance with nondiscrimination as defined by the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This paper aims to call into question Nebraska Initiative 424 and the possible snowball effects it might have on private and public academic discrimination, both locally and nationally. In the election of 2008, the state of Nebraska voted (58%) to effectively ban Affirmative Action at the state governmental level, prohibiting the state from granting Affirmative Action principles to prohibit the state from discriminating against, or granting preferential treatment to any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting [3], [4]. Several arguments in favor of the initiative have been put into place and are ongoing including those identifying the anti-discriminatory laws supposedly favoring racial preferences having the same discrimination-like effects that their very role was designed to incapacitate [5]. Other constituents argued that Affirmative Action principles in the state of Nebraska explicitly understated the states motto: Equality Before the Law. Several more arguments ensued including the undermining of minority achievement, causes a mismatch effect of qualified and underqualified students in higher education, and the lowering of statewide standards in a multitude of private and public settings [5]. When discussing Affirmative Action principles, it is difficult to view the objectivity of the arguments for and against them and the government regulations related to them; however, Affirmative Action principles are existent and have been presented in such a manner that cannot be understated. It is necessary to break stereotypes, providing new opportunities and introductions to undiscovered possibilities for minorities, gives the needed boost for disadvantaged students to succeed as they rightfully should both in education and the workplace, increase and maintain minority enrollment in higher education, and provide cultural diversity that the United States, the Worlds Melting Pot, was built upon. Nebraska Initiative 424 is part of a general push against Affirmative Action. This has been seen in many other states including California, Texas, Washington, and Michigan. In fact, of the 8 states that have set in place amendments similar to that of Nebraska Initiative 424, a total of 29% o f the learning population resides in them [6]. So why should Affirmative Action principles remain in place and be the standard bearer of civil liberties and rights? Affirmative Action promotes equality. It basically states that guidelines and steps must be taken to guarantee equal opportunity in the workplace and in education. Attempting to create an even playing field does not mean that Affirmative Action is anti-white or anti-male. This is a misnomer or misinterpretation of the roles of Affirmative Action. The role that Affirmative Action plays, has played, and should continue to always play is the dismantling of discriminatory practicing through increased representation, improved equality and access, and equal opportunity at every age. Affirmative Action does not pull down, but rather builds up. First, take the impact of the banning of Affirmative Action through amendments like Nebraskas Nebraska Initiative 424. In a 2014 study on the Changes in Levels of Affirmative Action in College Admissions in Response to Statewide Bans and Judicial Rulings by G. Blume and M. Long, it was identified that the decline in affirmative actionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦affects not only students in these states but also those students who live in adjacent states, particularly when the adjacent states lack highly selective colleges [7]. The study analyzed the extent to which universities changed the weight placed directly on the applicant being a minority [7]. The extent to which minorities were affected in terms of acceptance in the banned Affirmative Action states was much more than that in other states (a 23% drop in minority admission v. 1% drop in other states) [7]. The importance of understanding racial diversity falls upon the educational system, but has a fundamental basis in employment as well. This is because workplace behavior has a broader range of perspective viewpoints for analyzing Affirmative Action-related outcomes. F. Kurtulus found that Affirmative Action ban within some states resulted in declines in Asian and Black female and Hispanic male representation (this data was representative of minorities employed in state and local governments) [8]. Although objectively understanding the changes is still vitally important, as it was observed the drastic change in Asian female representation was limited to the first year of implementation due to the small number of Asian females in legislative and governmental roles [8]. The paper summarizes a significant loss in workplace diversity, directly contradicting opposition to Affirmative Action. This data can be expected to be somewhat related to that of which is seen in academia. Secondly, the relevance of racial diversity, or lack thereof, in medical school matriculation should be one of importance to the University of Nebraska Medical Center. The statewide laws banning the consideration of race in postsecondary admissions pose serious obstacles for the medical profession to address the health-care crisis facing the nation [9]. The overall percentage of racial minority representation in the medical field falls below that of what should be expected. Roughly half as many African Americans and Latinos are represented within medicine than should really be. Accordingly, it equates to a 17.2% decline in the first time matriculation of underrepresented student populations in public medical schools [9]. It is feared that the decline in the number of minorities populating medical schools will further exacerbate the already present shortage of physicians, especially in heavily populated minority communities. The answer to which is unclear for states that have effectiv ely banned Affirmative Action principles. The needed compensation for such lack of representation needs to be answered as the physician shortage only increases and underserved communities face the most difficult of challenges. Finally, there is the underlying responsibility for racial disparity, both globally and locally. In universities from states that have adopted Affirmative Action-related bans or amendments with anti-Affirmative Action-related language, sufficient differences in matriculation and enrollment have occurred. Accordingly, K. West-Faulcon writes that racial disparities in admissions rates for universities that have undergone state-litigated anti-Affirmative Action principles changes in admissions, could be deemed unsatisfactory within federal regulation standards and thus be liable in future cases taken up against these universities [10]. This implies possible future avenues that could be reached for universities to bypass state level anti-Affirmative Action laws and regulations [10]. Which in and of itself shows that the evolution of Affirmative Action principles go both ways, but nonetheless are very much still needed in this day and age. References [1] https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/affirmative-action/ [2] https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/civil-rights-act/legal-events-timeline.html [3] https://web.archive.org/web/20081107110152/http://www.nebraskacri.org/ballotlanguage.html [4] http://nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/articles.php?article=I-30 [5] https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB122445872052148477 [6] https://tcf.org/content/commentary/what-can-we-learn-from-states-that-ban-affirmative-action/ [7] http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.3102/0162373713508810 [8] http://gap.hks.harvard.edu/impact-eliminating-affirmative-action-minority-and-female-employment-natural-experiment-approach [9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4454423/ [10] https://www.law.upenn.edu/live/files/101-westfaulcon157upalrev10752009pdf

Essay --

INTRODUCTION Security threats are potential causes of unwanted incident which may result in becoming harmful to the system or organization and assets. The security threats are destruction, modification or unauthorized disclosure of information, destruction or loss of the IT assets, spam and malware. Social networking is a dedicated website or application that enables users to informally communicate with each other by posting, tweet, comment and share. Some example of social networking site is Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumblr and LinkedIn. A social networking is built on trust. It is designed for communication that allows users to directly interact with each others. Social networking helps to form network of associates, friend, relatives and acquaintances. It enables users to share information about daily life and have intimate relation with others. There are huge numbers of users in social media Facebook is the highest popular rate that has 1.15 billion users and half of it access to the Facebook every day. Based on social media today until November 2013, there are more than 10 million applications developed in Facebook. Twitter becomes the second most popular media social which has more than 500 million users and 288 million are active users. There are about 20 million fake accounts in Twitter. This number of social networking users will increase in time. By this huge numbers of users in social media there is high risk for users to expose to the social networking threats. Cybercriminals have become more smart and crafty in manipulating with advance technology. It is abusing the users in social media by breaking the users trust. They take advantage of user relationship to click on malicious link or advertisement to get to the... ...ing and this gives the chances for malicious links and threats to disguise as one of the advertisement based on the user interest. User unknowingly will click on these links that popped up to close it, but some of them will already have the access to the user information. There are also bot accounts that will post their contents to the user’s wall; some even post the contents to the user’s groups and friends when the user click on the link that pique their interest. 2. Mobile platform The increment of mobile phone users also inspires the growth of social media users. The rise of social media is inextricably linked with the revolution in mobile computing, which has spawned a huge industry in mobile application development. Naturally, whether using their own or company-issued mobile devices, the users will download many mobile applications just because they want to.

Panera Bread Company Essay

Panera Bread Company is regarded as one of the largest company in the United States that has specialized in the production of breakfast and lunch food for its consumers. Panera Bread Company which was in the years back been referred to as An Bon Pain is reported to be producing products such as baked foods, sandwiches, soups among other food products and beverages. The company is reported to have been founded in the year 1987 by Ken Rosenthan with its headquarters situated in Richmond Missouri in the USA. The company operates in divisions namely; franchise segments; who are licensed to carry out business transactions in the name of the company and retailing operations; which covers over five hundred bakery cafes that are reported to be company owned and over six hundred cafes which are franchised operated in more than thirty five states. In the year 1999 it was expanded into a national restaurant. Panera Bread Company has struggled to survive the growing competition and to effectively utilize its opportunities by utilizing the concept of company analysis which is very critical in modern business world. The aim of Panera Bread Company has always been to become a market leader in production of foods and beverages globally by diversifying and reaching to many new markets. In the year 2005, the company was ranked top forty by the Business Week in the annual list of hot growth companies. By that year its earnings was projected at $ 38 Million with an increase of over 40% in profit. In the year 2007, Zagat rated the company to top the list of Overall Food Facilities and Popularity rankings. Panera Bread Company is further recognized for its involvement in community events such as silent auctions, runs and walks by making donations. SWOT Analysis Modern businesses are faced with changing business environments and Panera Bread Company is not exceptional from facing such changes within their business context. By carrying out SWOT analysis, environment analysis is very decisive to Panera Bread Company and it is usually analyzed in two extents; the external environment and internal environment examination within the business perspective. Research reveals that the analysis of external environment illustrates opportunities and threats that exist in the market for a firm that may be either present or impending. On the other hand, internal environment examination depicts the strengths and weaknesses that the business may face in the market place (Anthony, 1998). Strengths Strength in this context can be identified as that distinctive ability posed by a firm and if the company utilizes such an opportunity it can succeed and can gain competitive advantage, over its rivals in the industry. The most common strength associated with Panera Bread Company is that of being a market leader in the food industry and particularly marketing of bread. Research indicates that Panera Bread Company is better placed than its main rivals in the market in that it has significantly acquired larger market share which is attributed to its diversification to various countries in the world, for example it has opened many subsidiaries in Toronto, Canada. It is also reported that the company has a strong brand name of its products which have significantly aided the company in terms of achieving a larger market share. The other strength that the company has is that of the best marketing channels that have aided marketing of packaging solutions products to a wider range of customers (Kotler, 1996). Weakness Weakness in this context can be referred to as any dimension of a firm that possibly will deter the accomplishment of set objectives by the firm and usually considered to comprise the company’s resources, capabilities and assets that are not fully utilized. From the company’s profile it can be noted that Panera Bread Company has weak policies, procedures and regulations that may deter the attainment of target performance of the company in some target markets. It is also reported that recently, the employees are not motivated to work and there has been complains regarding low pay and poor working conditions among others although such reports have not been proved. The management of the company should therefore look for ways in solving such problems that may affect adversely the performance of the employees and thus the overall performance of the company. Also the culture of Panera Bread Company has been under scrutiny and there has been allegation that the company is producing loaves of bread which are of poor quality, an issue that the management should look at it seriously (Anthony, 1998). Opportunities For companies to achieve the set objectives, they have to identify and devise events or features in the business external environment that will give them an added advantage or chance of performing better than their competitors. Such an event or feature can be referred to as an opportunity because it will create more chances to the company by increasing the current proceeds through acquiring a significant market share. Panera Bread Company has opportunities that if utilized will be of great benefit to the firm because it will lead to exploring and reaching to more new markets. Research indicates that there is greater demand for bread products in Africa and the management of Panera Bread Company should open subsidiaries in some of those countries after carefully analyzing the situational analysis in those potential markets. Since Panera Bread Company is among the market leaders in bakery industry; it is perceived to be having a well developed financial foundation and thus does not face any liquidity or cash flow problems. It is for this reason that the company should explore new markets and can compete across the entire market without fearing that its competitors can outdo them financially. However, before competing Panera Bread Company should carry out cost benefit analysis in order to avoid unnecessary expenditure (Brandenburger and Nalebuff, 1995). Threat In business context, a threat is regarded as an event which if not taken care of it may possibly deter the accomplishment of company’s goals e. g. customers declining income and competition among other events deemed to causing danger to the operations of the business. Panera Bread Company is basically faced with intense rivalry in bread and beverages products since many firms have opted to join the market because it is considered profitable. In fact, in some market segments particularly in Canada there has been a significant drop in terms of the company’s market share because new firms has entered the industry. Globalization concept has brought about new inventions and Panera Bread Company is faced with the task of coping with such innovations, for example the task of training and development programs to educate the employees on new technologies might be costly and difficult to acquire; such as the use of on-line marketing techniques and networking facilities (Anthony, 1998). Competitive Strategy According to research, Panera Bread Company has embarked on identification of markets that bread products and beverages can do best and it is through this that the company has sold a lot in the target areas. This strategy is normally referred to as segmentation; where the company has avoided competing entirely across the entire food industry but instead targeting certain markets i. e. bread and some beverages markets. Market segmentation will be an ideal situation for Panera Bread Company since competing across the entire market is expensive and considered to entail a lot of risks that the firm cannot sustain for example unfair competition by its rivals in the market (Bagley and Savage, 2006). This will involve Panera Bread Company marketing staff subdividing the existing market into different subsets of clientele where each division may be chosen as an intended market to be explored with a different marketing mix strategy. In essence, target marketing strategy will involve market segmentation which Panera Bread Company will have to find it on the acknowledgment that any segment comprises of potential buyers of bread products and beverages with diverse needs and dissimilar buying behavior. After carefully developing and subdividing the entire market to segments or the target markets, Panera Bread Company should then position itself on how to carry out the marketing activities in order to meet the overall objective of the corporation. Under this; positioning will imply to the formation of limits for bread products and beverages in the minds of the intended market in relation to the rivalry faced. Positioning of any firm including Panera Bread Company is very essential since it forms the foundation of all the communication of the company that comprise the following; branding, publicity, advertising and packaging among other strategies. Therefore it will be prudent for Panera Bread Company to create a single unique position which will operate as a guide for marketing communications involved thus will aid in transmission of steady image (Cullen and Parboteeah, 2005). HR and its Importance Since the mission statement of Panera Bread Company is clear, that it aims at being the market leader of producing bread products and some beverages not only locally but globally it should implement its marketing strategies particularly in the identified target markets. Implementation is putting in to action whatever plan or strategy that the management had formulated and therefore human resource is the most crucial asset in this stage. Research indicates that any company must motivate and provide clear direction to its human resource in order to attain its objectives. Therefore, Panera Bread Company should clearly identify the needs of its employees and try to meet them in order to give them an ample opportunity to serve diligently and be dedicated to the company. By offering a competitive package and offering performance contracts to the employees; ensures that they perform to the fullest because they will be highly motivated to work. Good leadership and management skills will be essential to Panera Bread Company’s management staff in order to command respect from the employees (Hilltop and Sparrow, 1994). Recommendations Panera Bread Company should note that nowadays, it is possible to use e-business through the internet for distribution purposes especially when dealing with international businesses. Digital innovations coupled with rapid growth in new technologies are changing the way distribution channels for companies and Panera Bread Company is able to use such hi-tech communication channels to monitor progresses in the market places not only in USA but globally. The company should further utilize modern entry market modes which such as Foreign direct Investments and licensing in order to build long-term markets in its target markets. It will be possible to also adopt joint ventures which will make possible for Panera Bread Company to gather enough market information quickly and familiarize itself with the laws, regulations and needs of the customers in the target market (Grant, 2005). Conclusion Panera Bread Company is among the current market leaders in the food industry and therefore stands a better chance of attaining a significant market share as a result of the brand name of its bread products and beverages that are regarded to be of high quality. Every business including Panera Bread Company is faced with challenges and it has to fully adhere to market regulations in order to avoid unfair competition. The concept of globalization cannot be written off either since many firms including Panera Bread Company has diversified to various markets and there are threats and opportunities associated with such globalization. Therefore the company should formulate strategies that are considered global in nature in order to meet the current expectations of the customers in the target customers. Such strategies like build, harvest or divest should be considered by the Panera Bread Company when assessing the performance of its products in its target markets. Management functions of planning, directing, leading and controlling should be adhered to by the management of Panera Bread Company in order to significantly improve the operations of the company by achieving the required targets (Kotler, 1996)