Analysis And Strategies Of The Company Ikea Marketing Essay

Analysis And Strategies Of The Company Ikea Marketing Essay Ikea’s mission is simple, ‘keep making furniture less expensive without making it cheap† (www.Ikea.com) .Because IKEA concentrated on standardizing their products and operations throughout the world, their operating costs were reduced. However, they learnt quickly enough that if they wanted to penetrate the United States (US} market they had to change their operations and adapt to meet the needs of the local market. This resulted in increased cost but it was necessary in order to encourage sales. Today the US Market is ranked in the top five (5) sales countries in the sales area. Sustainability report 2010 STRATEGIES Ikea’s four additional countries to move to thirty- eight. Their stores are strategically located and conducive for family outing with places available for children to be pre-occupied. For a holistic shopping experience their outlets are equipped with reasonable price restaurants and cafes. Promotion – The IKEA Catalogue is a vital part of its existence with a wide reach. It assists consumers find the right product at the right time. In 2010 the catalogue was printed in 198 million copies in 27 languages and 56 editions .A new more resource efficient format was introduced in 2009? (Sustainability report 2009). The second feature of IKEA’s promotion is the standardized theme. Their logo can be spotted at a distance. The following are examples of some of the strategic analysis that may have been considered by Ikea: SWOT ANALYSIS In order compete effectively as they have been doing. Ikea would have had to perform a (SWOT) analysis to assist in obtaining their objectives. This analysis is a strategic planning tool that looks at the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of any business undertaking. Strengths Looking at the table above it is clear to surmise that Ikea has ridden the waves fairly well and is a profitable company, earning 23.8(Eur. billion) in sales in 2010. Ikea has brand appeal. Because of their modern style and attractive furnishings they are able to attracts consumers of different origins and cultures with their same range of functional and well-designed products and quality across borders which can play a vital part in Ikea being able to keep its’ customers The company has a strong international presence. Ikea’s store was visited 699,000,000 compared to 404,000,000 in 2004 worldwide (ikea .com). They are unique in that customers are allowed to be part of the value chain by playing a direct role in the selection, assembly and transportation of their furniture. It’s also all inclusive to allow families to come in and sit and enjoy with their playgrounds and food courts. Weakness One of Ikea’s weaknesses could be the location areas of their stores which are located outside of city centres and may not be accessible to pedestrians. The ‘do it yourself’ motto may not appeal to everyone and some may even feel intimidated by the wide range and lack of assistance. Opportunities Sourcing from China is seen as an opportunity to lower cost and by extension increase market share. Today Ikea has over 120 suppliers in 54 countries (Ikea sustainability report 2009)They have taken advantage of technology by introducing its online catalogue as a means of generating more sales, because of e-commerce, a lot more people shop online an. Statistic shows that more people are viewing the catalogues because circulation have increased from 131,500,00 in 2003 to 198,000,000 in 2010.

Art History, Renaissance through Modern Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Art History, Renaissance through Modern - Essay Example Renaissance was a reaction to the Middle Ages and serve as the foundation for the subsequent Baroque period in Europe. Its etymological meaning is "rebirth" of classical antiquity, pertaining to the revival of arts and sciences after it was diminished because of the emphasis on religion. However, it should be noted the majority of the art work where commissioned either for the Church or by supporters of it (Gombrich, 1995). The period also marked the significance developments in artistic technique which included the development of linear perspective, spatial composition and definition of the proportions for human form. The most notable artist of the period includes Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael as well as Boticelli who while was briefly eclipsed by the first three artists rose to contemporary regard. However, the Da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael have been more specifically associated as High Renaissance artists or for the latter Renaissance arts (Stokstad, 2004). One of the Botticelli's portraits, early example, if not more pure examples, of the renaissance style is featured in Figure 1. From the example, the subject, a woman of elite standing, dominates the frame. The figure is limited to the upper half or bust of subject, emphasizing the identity of the individual rather than her form. It is likely that Botticelli positioned the subject in such a way to facilitate the effect of the light coming from what appears to be a window in the background of the painting. The impression derived is that the work was done via formal sitting in studio or small space. In comparison to the other portraits in this paper (see figure 2 and 3), the positioning of the subject provides little detail for the rest of the painting's composition. The dark background with only a hint of a window as detail provides a direct contrast with the subject's red-sleeved dress. The background provides little detail or insight regarding the personality of the subject and essentially on serve to highlight the visual image of the subject. Technique The subject is defined finely from the background. In a similar manner, details on the subject itself are very definite, if not stark. The technique is reflective of the subscription to classical techniques that emphasize form and figure. There are no discernable brushstrokes and colors are mixed smoothly. Also, the portrait in itself is reminiscent of busts in relief since though there is more depth and application of lighting techniques, there little suggestion of movement or interaction with its space. Lighting techniques were used predominantly to create facial characteristics, emphasizing the forehead, nose and chin, again reflective of the classical influence. The features are associated with having strong character or persona and therefore may have been emphasized to communicate the social stature of the subject of the painting. The subject's complicated coiffure and quality of clothing also reinforce this idea. The light used is quiet harsh but not so much that the figure of the subject to seem like it is outdoors. Shadowing and graduations in hue on the body of the subject suggests that the light source has elevated and angled from the window in the back

Human Geography Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Human Geography - Assignment Example Viewing New Orleans as a cultural artifact (a material thing that reflects and reveals something about our life), discuss what New Orleans (both pre- and post-Katrina) tells us about urban life in the United States. What specific changes in urban structure are illustrated by the article â€Å"New Orleans still a fraction of its former self†? Response: The Pre-Katrina in New Orleans revealed the musical influences of various urban artists, ranging from the Cash Money Rappers to the No Limit Rappers. These musical influences shaped the urban life in the United States and ultimately influenced the use of various terms, such as Bling Bling. The term Bling Bling refers to the New Orleans Rapper Lil Wayne’s love for diamond jewelry. The term was used throughout the United States, and many people of all classes referred to their jewelry or diamonds as Bling Bling. The Post-Katrina New Orleans still has these musical influences, but due to the impact of the hurricane, many artists struggle to maintain their musical influence. Many people have abandoned New Orleans, and as a result, took their musical influences that once contributed to the culture of the city. The Post-Katrina New Orleans struggles to maintain its identity as a musical influence. The specific changes in the urban structure that are illustrated in the article, â€Å"New Orleans still a fraction of its former self,† are the lack of housing development projects. Because the housing project is at 0%, the urban structure in New Orleans has abandoned the city because there is no place for these residents to live. Many urban areas, such as the Seventh Ward, were completely destroyed. These areas have not been restored, and many residents who left New Orleans will not return. 2. Cities are important sites of cultural production. Consider the impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans and the impact the storm had on arguably the city’s greatest asset: its cultural