Kroger Company

Introduction This paper will provide an overview of the Kroger Company. The first part of the paper will provide the basic information about the company such as its mission, vision, and values.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Kroger Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The second part will highlight the company’s business strategies that enable it to achieve its objectives. The last part will shed light on the workforce planning approach used by the Kroger Company. Company Profile Mission, vision, values Kroger is one of the largest grocery retailers in the US. The company sells a variety of food products in 2,640 stores worldwide (Kroger, 2014). Kroger’s vision is to be the preferred provider of high quality grocery and personal care products in the world. In order to achieve this vision, the company has focused on expanding its operations by joining new markets and aligning its products to cus tomers’ needs. The company’s mission is â€Å"to be a leader in the distribution and merchandising of food, pharmacy, health/ personal care items, seasonal merchandise, and related products† (Kroger, 2014). This mission enables the company to establish long-term relationships with its suppliers and customers in order to achieve its vision.  The company’s core values include honesty, integrity, respect, diversity, safety, and inclusion (Kroger, 2014). Kroger’s employees believe in being truthful to customers and suppliers to ensure high standards of integrity. In addition, they demonstrate respect by appreciating other people’s values, cultures, and beliefs. Demographics Kroger’s workforce consists of nearly 375,000 full-time and part-time employees (Kroger, 2014). Majority of the employees are members of international labor unions. Diversity is an important characteristic of the company’s labor force. Specifically, the workfo rce consists of old and young employees who are from different cultures, ethnic, and racial backgrounds.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Organization Kroger operates supermarkets, convenience stores, and jewelry stores. The supermarkets have different formats, which include combination stores, price impact stores, and multi-department stores (Kroger, 2014). The use of different store formats helps the company to retain its customers by enhancing their shopping experience. Kroger uses a decentralized organizational structure that consists of its headquarters and 20 operating divisions. This structure enhances decision-making processes by giving authority to the heads of the operating divisions to make merchandising decisions. Key Strategies Kroger’s business strategy is to maintain cost leadership while generating good financial returns. However, Kroger’s prices are often not as low as those of major retailers such as Wal-Mart. Kroger focuses on reducing its operating costs in order to sell its merchandise at a low price. This helps in increasing sales, which in turn improves the company’s profits. Kroger prioritizes customers’ needs in order to achieve its profit and market share objectives. This strategy involves listening to customers and using their feedback to enhance the company’s operations. The feedback enables the company to provide excellent services to customers, stock the right products, set affordable prices, and create a memorable shopping experience (Kroger, 2014). The rationale of prioritizing customer needs is twofold. First, it enables the company to improve its brand loyalty by retaining its customers. Second, Kroger achieves economies of scale as its customers increase due to excellent service quality. As a result, Kroger is able to sell its merchandise at low prices without compromising its financi al results. Investing in advanced technologies and innovation is central to the company’s strategy of creating competitive advantages by prioritizing customer needs. The core roles required by the company to achieve the desired innovation include technology innovators and customer service experts. For instance, in 2013 the company’s technology innovators developed a real-time temperature monitoring system that enables the company to provide the freshest food products in its stores. Generally, innovation enables Kroger to improve the quality of its products and services beyond customers’ expectations.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Kroger Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Current Workforce Planning Approach Currently, Kroger uses a strategic approach to workforce planning. The company aligns its workforce planning initiatives to its overall business strategy to improve its performance . Additionally, Kroger links workforce planning objectives to employee development needs, recruiting/ staffing processes, and contingent labor requirements. Kroger’s workforce planers focus on determining the talent gaps in the company by performing job requirement analysis in collaboration with line managers to identify the existing skill shortages and redundancies. The planers also forecast talent gaps to enable the company to understand its future labor requirements. Reducing labor costs and hiring the best talent are key elements of Kroger’s workforce planning policy (Kroger, 2014). The company believes in reducing labor costs by hiring only the right number of employees. Having the right workforce size also ensures that various business processes in the company are executed effectively. Kroger hires only the individuals with the right skill set to enable it achieve the highest level of performance. Overall, strategic workforce planning helps Kroger to access adequ ate talent to provide customer-centric services. Conclusion Kroger aspires to be the leading grocery retailer in the world. In this respect, the company focuses on providing high quality merchandise and customer services. The company also sells its products at low prices to increase sales and profits. Generally, Kroger improves its competitiveness by aligning its operations to market needs. Currently, the company uses a strategic approach to workforce planning to access the right quantity and quality of talent. References Carre, F., Tilly, C. (2010). Competitive strategies in the US retail industry: Consequences for jobs in food and consumer electronics stores. Boston, MA: Center for Social Policy.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Kroger. (2014). Fact book. Retrieved from https://www.thekrogerco.com/ Kumar, R. (2010). Human resource management: Strategic analysis. New Delhi, India: International Publishing House. Reinvestment Fund. (2011). Understanding the grocery industry. New York, NY: CDFI Fund. This essay on Kroger Company was written and submitted by user Dust to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Historic and Contextual Studies

Historic and Contextual Studies Abstract The medieval period focuses on interesting fashion trends in clothing. It is also connected with the social and political influences shaping the vision on clothing and its role in history. In the paper, two historic styles are discussed to define the role of medieval history and gothic style in understanding modern interpretation of the garment.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Historic and Contextual Studies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The revival of the historic styles is predetermined by its functionality, aestheticism, and occurring fashion trends. In particular, the revival of tunic as the garment for females is discovered by its functionality whereas the gothic dress is more connected to the upheaval of the romanticism. In this respect, the paper is divided into two parts discussing the garment and explaining its modern interpretation and purpose. More importantly, it also highlights descriptions a nd historic context within which the clothing styles have been formed. Medieval Period: Tunic Description of the Garment The medieval tunic looks like a large T-shirt. It was the most common type of clothing for both women and men originating from artisan classes. Male tunics reached crotch and thing in length; older men wore knee-length tunics (Diehl Donnelly, 2011). Women’s tunic length can range from thigh to knee, but older women prefer wearing longer tunics. Issues to be Discussed:Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More History of emergence of tunic; Different forms and fabrics used in tailoring the garment (Netherton Owen-Crocker, 2012); Social status and appropriateness of the tunic for the season; Other meanings and applications of the garment; Modern Interpretation of Medieval Tunic Description of the Garment Although the garment does not have similar soc ial and historic context, the tunic is popular in the fashion world, particularly among women. The changing context also refers to the style and fabric used for making this item. Despite the shifts in trends, women’s tunic can still have elements reminding of the medieval epoch. Specific attention should be given to loose sleeves and forms concealing the silhouette. Issues to be Discussed Highlighting the differences between the medieval concept and context and the modern vision of the tunic; Discussing reasons and underpinnings for the revival of historical style; Impact of new fashion style: aestheticism vs. practical importance; Gothic Dress for Women Description of the Garment Despite the fact that the Gothic style is well distinguished from other historic styles, it contains eclectic elements (Taylor, 2004). In particular, it skillfully combines sensibility, beauty, and simplicity of the dress due to the employment of sumptuous fabrics, such as brocades and velvets. I n addition, the gothic garment was usually presented in a black color pallet, which also introduces a specific meaning and style during this period.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Historic and Contextual Studies specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Issues which need to be discussed: Gothic style as represented in various countries; Understanding the main concept of Gothic garments; Exploring the changing concepts from fifteen to seventeenth century; Modern Interpretation of Gothic Dress Description of the Garment The influence of revival of historical style constitutes the main reason for the emergence of the gothic style at the modern time (Brill, 2004). However, unlike the historical gothic style, the modern waives are more concerned with aesthetics and the revival of the romantic movements (Spooner, 2004). Issues to be discussed: Revolution and revival: exploring the shifts in fashion styles; Fashioning the self ; The related concepts: style and politics of anti-conclusion. References Brill, D. (2008). Goth Culture: Gender, Sexuality, and Style. Germany: Berg. Diehl, D., Donnelly, M. P. (2011). Medieval Celebrations: Your Guide to Planning and Hosting Spectacular Feasts, Parties, Weddings, and Renaissance Fairs. US: Stackpole Books.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Netherton, R., Owen-Crocker, G. R. (2012). Medieval Clothing and Textiles. US: Boydell Press. Spooner, C. (2004). Fashioning Gothic Bodies. UK: Manchester University Press. Taylor, L. (2004). Establishing Dress History. UK: Manchester University Press.

Process vs Product Drama in Education Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Process vs Product Drama in Education - Essay Example According to the paper the intrinsic, imaginative of the student was part of learning and was based on the intrinsic needs of the individual. A new student-centered approach became a primary and secondary method of approaching process vs. product drama in education in England†¦ the exploration of intrinsic, imaginative needs from the ‘mind’s eye’ or inner visualization of the student was the basis of discussion and practice for production and performance moving into the 20th century. Thus, many of the ‘product vs. process drama’ perspectives were based on the intrinsic processes of the student-centered learning experiences. Teacher and drama education practitioner, Harriet-Finlay Johnson   claimed freedom of expression concerning ‘aesthetic valuation’ of product, production and performance of plays†¦a student’s aesthetics and perspective should be the diverse ‘lens’ through which the value of dramatic proce ss or theatrical experiences be judged. Analysis of the research literature is a predominant method by which this thesis.

English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 11

English - Essay Example Following her introduction to this organization during a stay in Europe, Clara Barton was the sole advocate for starting Red Cross chapters in America. She often stood alone in this quest. But standing alone for something she believed in was not a new experience for Clara Barton. Her first job in Washington D.C. was a clerk in the patent office, where she worked side-by-side with men. She caused scandal by being so proficient in her labors that her boss rewarded her with the same pay as her male co-workers. This made Clara Barton the target of what we would refer to today as sexual harassment (Stivers). She stood up to her male detractors and earned the respect of her boss. This was an incredible achievement and required a lot of dedication and persuasion during this period of time. She was given the title â€Å"Angel of the Battle Field† because she took care of the wounded soldiers during Civil War. She served on some of the bloodiest battlefields, including Antietam, Fredericksburg, Petersburg and the Battle of the Wilderness (Oates). She risked everything, including her own life to care for the injured and dying soldiers she tended to. This shows her selfless attitude towards other human beings. She did not even care for her own life because she was so dedicated to serving others. Clara Barton was a very human individual, however. She was not perfect in her interactions with others and in her personal relationships. Some feel that par of her drive to succeed and accomplish great things was rooted in the fact that she was often given to bouts of depression when she was not fighting for a cause (Burton). This depression did not keep her from greatness. In 1861 Clara Barton, she was appointed as the Superintendent of Nurses and in the year 1869 she again served the soldiers in the Franco- Prussian War. The year 1873 saw her return to United States where she began to organize the Red Cross. It took almost seven years for her to start the Red

Gender and Educational Achievement Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Gender and Educational Achievement - Case Study Example The discussion here will bring out the sociological reasons to show why girls in recent years have performed better than boys in typical school curriculum. Many studies and surveys on school performance have showed a correlation between gender and achievement. A study by Hubbard (2005) has been based on a survey involving 30 successful African American high school students. The gender based experiences and results defy traditional patterns of educational underachievement associated with a minority group and challenge the notion that minority students show a resistance to schooling. However the study indicated gender based variations in strategies and college aspirations as well as methods of gaining success suggesting variations on the basis of ethnicity and gender especially in the context of diverse American population. Peer interactions, school practices and community experiences are crucial in shaping educational outcomes of individuals although gender forms the central factor in determining achievement. Hubbard (2005) suggests that intertwining of school, family and community cultures construct attitudes dependent on gender and beliefs. Despite the sharing of common racial or class identity, gender variations ca mediate and change pe rceptions and behavior and this is reflected in social situation inside and outside school. In a related study Demie (2001) suggested that raising levels of achievement among students would be vital element of any school improvement focus. The extent and reasons of underachievement have been examined here and the statistical trends and patterns of performance are also analyzed to show whether gender ad ethnic factors play a role in academic achievement. The differences in attainment according to Demie are largely related to gender and ethnicity and could have implications for school improvement and general level of performance of students as well. However as Demie argues, there could be no simple explanation for ethnic or gender differences in educational achievement as ethnic heritage would not presuppose any kind of underachievement or higher achievements in any field. Studies have indicated that certain ethnic minority groups like the Asians, Indians and Chinese have levels of achievement above the white population whereas the Caribbean, Portuguese and Africans would be underachievers and achievement is considered as largely dependent on language skills, levels of English and gender differences as well. Better English speakers or people with advanced levels of knowledge in English would naturally perform better and Demie's study (2001) indicated that no matter what the origin of pupils is, girls always tend to perform better and at higher levels than boys in key stages and programs. However apart from gender there may be other factors that seem to have an influence on performance and could be understood by focusing on contextual analysis and analysis of factors that affect educational achievement. The teachers' perceptions on how gender identity seems to impact achievement have been studied by several researchers and Jones and Myhill (2004) carried out a similar study to understand the impact of gender on achievement. They

How Modern And Ancient Military Conflict Differs History Essay

How Modern And Ancient Military Conflict Differs History Essay How does modern military conflict differ from ancient military conflict? What accounts for these differences? Ancient warfare began before history was recorded to the end of the ancient period. Ancient warfare was more centered on organization than technology. During Ancient warfare, mass was the key element for battles. Modern warfare is the methods, concepts, and technology that came out of World War II. As a result total war created the need to develop war policy with changed the awareness of tactical, operational, and strategic information. Ancient and modern warfare are different from the make-up of the armies, the tactics and weapons, and the transition to total warfare. In Ancient Warfare, the beginnings of modern armies began to rise. There were four main ways the armies were in ancient times, infantry, cavalry, chariot and naval. Infantry was the beginning of armies. It allowed for many countries to win by accumulated mass. Then the use of horses allowed for cavalry to be created. Further development created the use of the chariot as a device both of transportation and of battle became the central weapon. The naval power also began during ancient times as the method to control the seas. There are several types of modern warfare. It also includes a similar setup that ancient warfare used. The types of modern warfare are: asymmetrical, biological, chemical, electronic, ground, guerrilla, psychological, naval, and nuclear. Asymmetrical warfare is also known as terrorism. Biological warfare is fought by using germs. Chemical warfare is the use of toxic substances. Electronic warfare is cracking the enemyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s code or jamming their system s. Ground warfare includes the infantry, armor and artillery. Guerrilla warfare if fought with irregular troops. Psychological warfare is used to instill fear and terror to support the achievement of national objectives. Naval warfare is fought on a larger scale in the oceans and nuclear warfare uses nuclear weapons. The development of technologies created what is known as modern warfare today. With these technologies tactics, strategy, and weapons were also developed. During ancient times, the ancient strategy focused broadly on two goals. To convince the enemy that continued war was more costly than submitting, and make the most gain from war as possible. Forcing the enemy to submit generally consisted of defeating their army in the field. Once the enemyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s force was routed, the threat of siege, civilian deaths, and the like often forced the enemy to the bargaining table resulting in gaining simple profit. In modern warfare, the goals are simply to stop one from controlling the entire world. The use of tactics in ancient times depended on the sizes and skill levels of both armies, the unit types of both, terrain and positional advantages of both armies, and the weather. In a modern sense, the battles are always fought no matter what the opposition has, the terrain, nor the weath er. Ancient weapons consisted of the bow and arrow, the sling; pole arms such as the spear and javelin; hand-to-hand weapons such as swords, spears, clubs, maces, axes, and knives. Catapults, siege towers, and battering rams were used during sieges. Modern weapons consist of more missile type weapons such as the gun. There are also grenades, mines, missile launchers, and many other systems. During Ancient times, Greek warfare was a limited and ritualized form of conflict. Armies of hoplites would meet on the battlefield and decide the outcome in a single day. During the Peloponnesian War, however, the fighting lasted for years and consumed the economic resources of the participating city-states. In modern times, the United States underwent total mobilization of all national resources for the Second World War. Previously untouched sections of the nation mobilized for the war effort. Academics became technocrats; home-makers became bomb-makers, massive numbers of women worked in heavy industry during the war; union leaders and businessmen became commanders in the massive armies of production.  The great scientific communities of the United States were mobilized as never before, and mathematicians, doctors, engineers, and chemists turned their minds to the problems ahead of them. There is a big evolution from ancient warfare to modern warfare. Ancient warfare was mostly centered on organization, such as the use of the phalanx, and modern warfare focuses on technology and the use of information. During ancient times, the goals of the civilization were to have personal gain of simple profit and in modern times the goals are to stop one person from controlling the entire globe. Also ancient warfare focused on hand-to-hand combat while modern warfare focuses on the use of missiles and information. There was also the transition from limited warfare to total warfare to develop technologies need for a countries goal. Overall, ancient and modern warfare are different from the make-up of the armies, the tactics and weapons, and the transition to total warfare. OVERALL GRADE: 86.5/100 CONTENT: 40/50 You did an average job explaining some of the differences between ancient warfare and modern warfare. But, you got some of it wrong. Also, you did not adequately tell me WHY these differences occurred. I realize that this paper was written in a 2 hour time period, but I certainly hoped that you would have done a slightly better job at organizing your thoughtsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Remember, this type of writing is relatively simple. Step 1: come up with your thesis (opinion). Step 2: state three facts that support you thesis. Step 3: conclude your paper by telling me your opinion, again, and quickly reviewing your supporting arguments. Spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc: 46.5/50

Essay --

A major concern of environmentalists is the impact and wellbeing of Alaska’s environment. The picture in Source E, gives the impression that we are destroying the last pristine place on Earth for no profit, nor for the good of the people. It makes the idea of drilling in ANWR seem ridiculous and even damaging to the country. However, the comic is misleading. As Doc Hastings, a US Congressman, says in Source A,† The North Slope of ANWR, a tiny section of the 19 million acre refuge, was specifically set aside by President Jimmy Carter and congress for potential energy production. . . We can harness the potential of ANWR by using less than 3% of its acreage.† Their ability to access billions of oil while only using a small percentage of land proves that the â€Å"last pristine place on earth† will remain natural and rural. It has to remain that way; the vast majority of ANWR is permanently off to any exploration. Another major issue that hits hard with a lot of people is the impact the oil fields will have on the wildlife. Native animals such as the caribou, bring up large opposition due to ...