'The SYMPHONY WAL-MART Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The SYMPHONY WAL-MART - Essay ExampleIn fact, with supply- chemical chaining, competition between companies is replaced with competition between supply chains. Thomas Friedman (2005) aptly give tongue to that the more these supply chains grow and proliferate, the more they force the adoption of common standard between companies (so that every link of every supply chain can interface with the next), the more they eliminate points of friction at borders, the more the efficiencies of one company get adopted by the others, and the more they encourage spheric collaboration. Question 2 At Wal-Mart, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year (24/7/365), suppliers deliver their goods to Wal-Mart scatterings centers. The sorting, packing, and distribution of these goods to Wal-Mart stores and shelving in Wal-Mart stores are in like manner carried out 24/7/365. Once a particular goods is purchased by a customer and scanned by the cashier, a orient is generated, which is relayed t o the manufacturer of the product, notwithstanding the global location of the manufacturer. The generated signal is sent to the manufacturer and he is prompted to produce another of that product. Once the product is produced by the manufacturer, the cycle is repeated. The cycle, agree to Thomas Friedman (2005) is on a global scale in multiple movements with no finale and designated as Wal-Mart Symphony. Question 3 Heavy and archaeozoic investment on cutting-edge IT infrastructure to identify and track sales on the individual level afforded Wal-Mart a hawkish edge over its competitors. Wal-Mart is also smarter and faster in adopting new technologies and innovations than its competitors. Another element of competitive advantage is the culture of buying in large volume directly from the manufacturers at the deepest send away possible and shipping to distribution centers at the lowest possible cost. Furthermore, collaborating with manufacturers to lower cost as much as possible, im proving its supply chain to be as low-cost and frictionless as possible and improving the information system in order to know customers taste and lack and feeding this information to the manufacturers also offers Wal-Mart an edge over its competitors. Besides, Wal-Mart also broadens the scope and scale of its supply chain in order to lower price thereby capturing more market than its competitors. Based on Porter five forces, Wal-Mart is considerable competitive advantage. For instance, its low prices favor the bargaining power of its customers over that of its competitor. Though Wal-Mart faces competition from smaller dollar stores and online giant retailers, its ability to secure low prices from its suppliers still enhance its competitive advantage. Furthermore, Table 1 shows SWOT analysis which also supports Wal-Mart competitive advantage in the consumer market. SWOT Analysis Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Worldwide reputation as low price retailer Poor reputation wit h respect to worker benefits, sexual activity issues Good investment in IT infrastructure and good bargaining power with suppliers Several dollar stores and creating a formidable niche in the consumer market overambitious managers and cooperate leaders Difficulty in exporting its brand outside the US Adapting its service to the taste and demand of its customers Online retailer such as amazon makes shopping fun and easy. Question 4 Wal-Mart started