Example Answers for Tasks on Management in the Automobile Industry Essay Example
Example Answers for Tasks on Management in the Automobile Industry Essay Example

Example Answers for Tasks on Management in the Automobile Industry Essay Example

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  • Pages: 11 (2931 words)
  • Published: October 7, 2017
  • Type: Case Study
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Henry Ford founded the Ford motor company in 1903, initially with a small number of employees. Over time, Ford faced various challenges but managed to establish itself within the United States by producing new car models. Gradually, Ford became one of the leading automobile companies nationwide and expanded its presence into the global market.

The company possessed its own vision, mission, and values that guided its operations. Henry Ford's vision was to lead the worldwide automotive industry in terms of both products and services. His mission aimed at transforming the company into a globally respected and diverse organization with dedicated employees. Ford's values revolved around creating exceptional products while considering environmental factors and prioritizing customer satisfaction.

Moreover, Henry Ford revolutionized auto manufacturing by introducing an efficient method for quickly producing new cars. This innovation saved time and pro

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pelled Ford to become a leader in the business world. Additionally, he implemented significant changes to employee working hours by implementing shifts to ensure continuous operation and generate substantial profits.

Regarding Ford Motors' presence in the United Kingdom, my research indicates that it has consistently ranked among the top five best-selling companies in recent years, establishing a strong reputation among consumers. Some of their offered models include Ka, Fiesta, Fusion Focus C-Max Mondeo S-Max Kuga and Galaxy. As a globally established entity operating within the public sector, this company holds significance across numerous markets.The reason I chose this organization is because Ford was the first automobile company to introduce automation and implement new advanced ideas, such as a new method of assembling cars and changes in the daily working hours system. Sir Henry Ford's innovative ideas in active manufacturing, assembling, and

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business management encouraged me to take on this project as an entrepreneur. This will provide me with valuable knowledge for completing the project (Source: http://www.ford.co.uk/AboutFord/CompanyInformation) (Source: http://entrepreneurs.about.com/od/famousentrepreneurs/p/henryford.htm) (Source: http://www.confused.com/featured-articles/motoring/car-insurance/the-best-selling-car-brands-in-the-uk-3287012318).

In recent years, the recession has severely impacted major companies across various sectors, from banking to education. Many companies suffered losses but a few managed to survive in this challenging environment. Ford Motor Company also fell victim to the recession period similar to GM, Chrysler, and BMW. Consequently, the company experienced losses and had to undergo significant changes.

Through critical and analytical thinking, the company's employees developed new programs and strategies that helped Ford endure during the recession and crises. These changes included improvements in marketing, introducing new car models, and enhancing customer services.Ford differentiated itself from competitors by taking a unique approach to address similar challenges. One key strategy implemented was strategic marketing planning, which involved adopting the advertising process used by other companies. To attract more clients, Ford had to restructure its advertisement policy and develop new forms of advertising that highlighted their cars' eco-friendliness and safety features. This included using television advertisements, online ads, and creative pamphlets.

Additionally, Ford focused on expanding its business globally with highly skilled marketing strategies. They introduced new cars with improved engines and performance to cater to both economic and high-class customers. Ford targeted markets in various parts of Europe, including the United Kingdom and the United States.

For instance, the Ford Fiesta specifically targeted economic customers by offering features typically found in high-end cars but with low carbon dioxide emissions and a stylish design for a regal appearance. It also provided quality features for maximum protection. According to my personal survey

conducted through visits to various salesrooms in London and online research, the Ford Focus was the best-selling car in the UK.The Ford Galaxy and Montero models were popular among high-class individuals due to their impressive features, helping the company maintain market share during times of crisis. Upgraded splashboards and engines played a significant role in coping with the situation alongside these cars. Ford prioritized excellent customer service by making necessary arrangements to retain customers and provide satisfactory services, including introducing online car purchases locally and internationally. If an individual wants to purchase a car without seeing it in person, they can visit the website to view its features, select a car within their budget, and book and pay for it online. This has increased online clients and saved time for both customers and companies. Company representatives would occasionally contact customers to ensure satisfaction. Ford Motor Company is known for marketing innovative ideas and focusing on customer satisfaction. To analyze their strategies, I would use SWOT analysis which assesses strengths, weaknesses,e opportunities, and threats.Ford Motor Company has several strengths that contribute to its success. Firstly, it has a strong reputation as the first car manufacturer and it has achieved significant sales in Europe. The company's website is also designed with attractive features and showcases high-quality products, which helps attract customers and establish a presence in the global market. Moreover, their highly skilled technology further enhances their offerings.

In the past, Ford faced challenges such as a downturn in the 90s. However, they were able to regain their market position by focusing on their brand reputation, market presence, and managerial skills. When consumers consider purchasing a car, they

often assess factors like the company's history, reputation, and market performance before making a decision. These factors can be seen as both strengths and weaknesses for Ford.

Initially, Ford encountered financial difficulties and significant losses due to tough competition. They also lost focus in certain areas and sold collaborating companies like Panther and Jeep which provided opportunities for rivals to gain an advantage over them. Additionally, there was a lapse in management structuring at some point.

Looking ahead, Ford has various opportunities for growth in the coming years. This includes developing efficient fuel auto engines, producing solar-powered cars,and collaborating with major companies worldwide.
In addition, Ford Motors aims to produce affordable cars of high quality and establish manufacturing units in countries like India and Africa. The company also engages in charitable activities. However, there are threats that have impacted the company's success including changes in fuel prices, government regulations, fluctuations in currency exchange rates, and the long-lasting effects of recession. These challenges have made it difficult for Ford to attract investors.

Regarding marketing strategies, Ford utilizes various techniques such as collaboration, television advertisements, and media campaigns to advertise their products and capture customers' attention. They have adopted a five P selling strategy which includes merchandise (designing products based on consumer preferences), monetary value (ensuring quality and efficiency), publicity (creating awareness through advertising), topographic point (establishing manufacturing units globally), and procedure (developing eco-friendly cars with solar-powered systems and fuel efficiency). Ford understands the unique requirements of each customer and designs their cars accordingly by offering different models like the Galaxy for higher-class individuals or the Fiesta for those within the economy segment.The company's marketing strategy involves targeting specific customer groups,

such as sports enthusiasts. By partnering with football teams, Ford takes advantage of research that shows many football fans are potential customers who can be influenced by their association with the sport. Additionally, Ford designs its models based on customer preferences and considers their tastes. The price range for their vehicles varies from economical to high-class rates, offering luxurious cars like the Galaxy and Mondeo with top-of-the-line features for higher prices, while also providing options like the Merger Investigators for economy-minded individuals. Promotion is a key aspect of introducing their products to the public, and Ford has revolutionized its advertising techniques by utilizing various platforms including television, local newspapers, and the internet. Through extensive research, they have discovered that many people watch football games which led them to sponsor UEFA and create advertisements during matches. Furthermore, Ford places a high priority on selling cars in areas where they are most popular; specifically focusing on Europe where they hold a top three position in terms of car sales. Their collaboration with football squads has contributed to global recognition and popularity of the Ford brand across different locations.Ford has manufacturing plants and salesrooms in Europe and Asian countries. Collaborating with companies like Range Rover and Rolls Royce has improved their market position. Ford's sponsorship of the football squad UEFA also makes their cars attractive to spectators. They are working on producing eco-friendly and solar system cars, leading to successful marketing. The use of the five P's helps promote products and understand customer needs. For example, Ford sponsors football teams to advertise during games, attracting customers. Extensive research allows individuals from various locations to identify areas with higher

sales and understand customer needs. Collaborations with Scope Rover, Rolls Royce, and UEFA maintain a healthy market environment and profitability increases through partnerships with reputable companies that attract more customers.However, there are drawbacks to consider in these collaborations, such as the high costs involved and the increased risk. Nevertheless, stakeholders play a significant role in the overall functioning of the organization, both internally and externally. The development of Ford motors involves various key individuals and entities.

Firstly, individual clients are crucial as they invest in company shares. In return, the company provides them with a percentage of profits. This investment enables the company to expand its business and initiate other projects, facilitating growth.

Secondly, employers are important internal stakeholders encompassing the CEO, directors, and employees working in different capacities within the company. They contribute to the company's development through activities like marketing and selling Ford vehicles/products while also providing services to customers.

Lastly, institutional investors have a significant role in Ford Motor Company. Evercore Trust Company N.A., specifically, is one major institutional investor investing in Ford. Their investment helps effectively carry out business operations for the company. Evercore is a national trust bank subsidiary of Evercore spouses that provides investments to other companies and benefits from it.The State Street Corporation and Alliance Bernstien LP are both examples of investors who invest billions of dollars in Ford and Hel. They participate in the expansion and development plans of these companies and acquire profits from it. Ford has recently adopted a new strategy where they will produce fewer vehicles in the market in the upcoming years. Instead, they will focus more on parts sharing with other car companies worldwide under

the same Ford logo. This global establishment is expected to bring significant benefits to Ford, as they continue to produce cars but with a 40% decrease in production compared to previous levels. In the next few years, Ford plans to increase the sales of its collaborated companies Land Rover and Jaguar, as well as prioritize the sales of Volvo in the market. To support these plans, stakeholders will play a crucial role by investing significantly in manufacturing parts and distributing them to other companies. Additionally, Ford will invest in promoting luxury cars such as Land Rovers. However, senior management may face challenges convincing employees to embrace these changes due to potential resistance. To address this, senior-level executives should explain the benefits of the plan to managers and highlight their place within the company's future.The text below provides an explanation of the company's viewpoint, as well as suggestions for addressing potential disadvantages and implementing ideas. The director in bends must communicate the information to employees and explain the benefits. The vision, mission statement, values, and objectives of the company can be defined as follows:

a) Vision: This is the long-term direction that the company should pursue for better understanding.
b) Mission: This refers to the temporary tasks or work that the company will do and where it will be done.
c) Values: These are the culture and principles followed by the company, as well as the positive impressions gained by people working for the company.
d) Objectives: In short, these are goals set forth by the company.

(Source: http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/07q3/top_ford_execs_outline_new_strategy-car_news).The company's vision is to become the leading global producer of products and services, while also delivering excellent services and products worldwide.

They prioritize doing good for their customers, society, and the environment. Their objective is to maintain a strong reputation in the market by producing high-quality products. In order to further expand Ford Motors, they have implemented strategies such as introducing eco-friendly solar system cars and focusing on parts production and customer services. Collaboration with other car companies is also part of their plans. The vision and mission statement are crucial in implementing these strategies effectively. Information plays a key role in understanding these statements and enhancing effectiveness. According to Undertaking 3 (C), organizational culture is defined as "a pattern of shared basic assumptions that the group learned, which has proven effective and is passed on to new members as the correct way to perceive, think, and feel in relation to those problems." (source: http://www.organizationalculture101.com) Ethical values refer to the ideas or values that influence an individual's behavior within an organization. After personally meeting with Ford, it can be concluded that their culture is very formal.Clients are addressed formally, their advice is sought, and priority is given to serving them. The dress code at Ford is formal due to its multinational company status. The organization's ethical values align with its culture and are implemented through cultural activities, influencing employee beliefs and client perceptions of the organization.

Dagenham Motors Ilford ( Michael, Director of the Salesroom)

In Task 3 (Vitamin D), explain the concepts of 'core competences' and 'critical success factors'. Discuss whether these are necessary for the success of your chosen administration.

According to a source, a core competence refers to fundamental knowledge, ability, or expertise in a specific subject area or skill set. It represents

a company's capability to succeed in its operations from inception throughout its functioning. This cannot be replicated by other companies as it is inherent to the organization.

Critical success factors (CSFs) are defined as crucial factors or activities required for ensuring business success. This term originated in data analysis and business analysis fields. The importance of CSFs should not be underestimated as they play a vital role in an organization's success.One of the key factors for a company's success is its core competency and critical success factors. For example, if Ford has its own unique approach to growth and expansion that sets it apart from other companies, it will yield positive results and satisfy customers. Additionally, the company should focus on implementing activities that effectively execute their plans.

In order to meet customer expectations of speed and power while considering fuel prices and raw material costs, Ford underwent significant changes in introducing more fuel-efficient engines of great quality. Despite external factors, Ford remained committed to providing good quality cars and parts at reasonable prices. They also offered eco-friendly cars that ran on batteries (BEV) or utilized solar systems.

To achieve these modifications, Ford collaborated with other manufacturers to produce parts at a lower cost without compromising quality. These recent changes focused on boosting sales of economic cars like the Ford Focus, which performed exceptionally well in Europe and contributed to the company's financial stability.The previous section (4a) of this article briefly explained that Ford, like other major companies, was impacted by the recession. However, despite this challenging situation, Ford managed to survive thanks to its strong leadership. Although fuel prices and government regulations had changed, the company still

incurred significant losses. Instead of giving up, Ford's management team devised creative ideas such as introducing new types of cars powered by batteries or solar energy. They also designed vehicles with improved fuel efficiency while meeting customer demands. These strategies aided in preserving Ford's market share and rebuilding trust in the global market. Furthermore, during this period, Ford collaborated with various parts manufacturers by offering them discounted rates to produce components for their vehicles. This partnership proved successful and contributed to the overall success of Ford's car production business. Notably, launching innovative Focus and Fiesta models significantly enhanced the company's market position. [Source: hypertext transfer protocol://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?Article ID 30571]Undertaking 4 (C): Ford Motor Company's success relies on three key functional areas: Research and Development (R&D), manufacturing division, and effective marketing strategies. These countries, chosen for their responsibility and importance, have significantly contributed to the company despite challenges like recession, government regulation changes, and fuel price increases.

Research and Development (R&D) is crucial as it helps the company navigate market conditions. The research conducted identified the need for more fuel-efficient cars and collaborations with football teams to attract customers. By conducting such research, Ford effectively handled the situation.

The Manufacturing Area (MA) consistently produces high-quality cars that meet customer expectations. Their hard work has led to environmentally-friendly vehicles like eco-friendly and solar system cars.

Ford's Marketing Strategies involve promoting their cars through various communication channels. They heavily utilize the internet in European countries and collaborate with football teams to appeal to consumers.Television advertising played a significant role in their marketing strategy, while also emphasizing the need to prioritize tasks and foster effective teamwork. The research team focused on countries where

people were more likely to watch TV, which contributed to the company's strong market presence. The interconnection between research, manufacturing, and selling departments facilitated the company's sequential growth. Additionally, their reputation in the market was enhanced by an innovative automation approach that attracted investors. The research analysis highlighted the significance of timetables in implementing business strategies and plans as they aided in understanding work requirements, deadlines, priorities, and fostering collaboration.

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