Contemporary management practise Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Contemporary management practise - Essay Example In order to better understand the Ford Market, a Pestle and Swot analysis can be done. As Ford Motors is mostly controlled by the Ford family; the government and outside partners have very little stake over the company. As a result, the company has not been influenced by the increasing volatility of the political market. However, as a result of the taxation policies and political conspiracies, the company is seeing a continuous decline in demand in the European market. One of the factors which might have critical influence on the overall market of Ford in United Kingdom is purchasing power of potential target market. The inflation rate of the economy is low which a good sign for organisations in this sector. In order to match the market requirements, the company can minimise cost structure of its low-end products. Ford has shifted from its traditional advertising mode to a more creative and aggressive campaigning. As consumer spending is increasing and more and more customers are opting for cars, Ford has started expanding its current base of target customers, focussing on college goers as well as women professionals. The advertisements also focus on environment and sustainability in order to build greater brand equity of the company. Rising number of consumers are using internet and this can be a good opportunity for Ford to establish online marketing strategies for its target market (Aharoni and Ramamurti, 2011). The company has launched new economic car variants with major emphasis on factors such as, environmental pollution, car safety and recycling. With changing trends among consumers and industry towards more eco-friendly automobiles, Ford has also started focussing on more economic and fuel efficient engines (Mullins, 2007). One of the major developments in Ford’s growth came from technology. The company has inspired other competitors as well as the entire industry by launching some

Hydrogenating ability of Wilkinsons catalyst

Hydrogenating ability of Wilkinsons catalyst Wilkinsons catalyst was prepared from rhodium (III) chloride and refluxed in ethanol with triphenylphosphine, with a measured yield of 72.7%. The efficacy and regioselectivity of Wilkinsons catalyst was then assessed by reaction with carvone in an atmosphere of hydrogen gas at 1 atm, and the product was analysed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Introduction Tris-(Triphenylphophine)chloro rhodium(I) was discovered and first profiled by Wilkinson et al in 1965, and noted for its ability to selectively hydrogenate terminal alkenes to alkanes[1]. It was only with the further publishing in 1968 that Wilkinsons catalyst was thoroughly characterised.[2] It was the first homogenous catalyst with the ability to perform this function at a rate similar to that of heterogenous catalysts, without having to resort to high pressures or temperatures in the process. Wilkinsons catalyst is unusual in its ability to easily form a dihydride, despite it being a diphosphine, since these compounds are often either short-lived or difficult to detect.[3] In the above diagram, Wilkinsons catalyst (1) undergoes ligand substitution with a solvent molecule to create the active form of Wilkinsons catalyst (2)[4]. Hydrogen is then attached via oxidative addition (3)4, oxidising Rhodium from +1 to +3 oxidation state and resulting in a change of colour from red to yellow[5]. The prepared catalyst is then injected into the mixture, at which point it complexes with the rhodium centre via the pi bond (4)[6]. The solvent then leaves the complex (5). H migrates to the alkene first due to proximity, with H migrating second[7]. A solvent molecule takes the place of the leaving alkane, converting the catalyst back to its active form (7). The pi bond formed between the alkene and the Rhodium is characterised by back-donation from a d-orbital overlap with the ?* anti-bonding orbital. This back donation, coupled with donation from the ? bond on the alkene results in the ? bond being much weaker and more susceptible to being broken than uncoordinated ethene. 13C-NMR has shown that bonds formed between the a rhodium centre and other alkene complexes bond show significant s-character, typified by downfield shift, or in other words, lack of electron density surrounding them compared to typical alkene spectrum[9]. This lack of electron density makes the carbon atoms very attractive targets for the hydride ligands attached to the Rhodium to migrate to. It is this ability to remove electron density from the alkene ? orbital, while simultaneously back-donating density to the ?* that makes Wilkinsons catalyst so effective. Wilkinsons catalyst cannot hydrogenate areas of conjugation, so theoretically only bond (3) should be hydrogenated in the presence of hydrogen and Wilkinsons catalyst[10]. This experiment will assess the selectivity of the hydrogenating abilities of Wilkinsons catalyst, and its regioselectivity and chemoselectivity in regards to a molecule with several areas capable of hydrogenation. The products in this experiment will be analysed using 1H-NMR data. Experimental Preparation of catalyst Triphenylphosphine (0.52g, 1.98mmol) was dissolved in ethanol (20ml). RhCl3.3H2O (0.08g, 0.3mmol) was dissolved in ethanol (4ml). Both solutions were degassed with nitrogen. The rhodium solution was then added to the PPh3 solution and this was refluxed in a nitrogen atmosphere for 90 minutes. After cooling, the remaining solution and precipitate were removed and filtered via sinter funnel filtration. The yield for the Wilkinson catalyst was determined (0.180g, 0.218mmol, 72.7%). Hydrogenation of carvone Under a pressure of one atmosphere of hydrogen, a flask was injected with the previously prepared catalyst. Carvone (0.5g, 3.33mmol), in a solution of toluene (2ml) was then added to this flask. Consumption of hydrogen, measured using syringes, was recorded at 46cm3, (2.05mmol) representing a 61.6% yield of the hydrogenated carvone product. Results Colour changes Rhodium (III) chloride powder is a black powder. As reflux progressed and the Wilkinsons catalyst was produced, the solution went slowly from black to a brown-red suspension. This is illustrated in figure 4. Hudson et al have also reported an unknown brown precipitate, which appeared to exhibit similar catalytic properties[11]. Wilkinson et al also reported orange precipitate with identical chemical properties[12]. Yields and Errors A total of 0.180g of Wilkinsons catalyst was produced in the experiment, a 72.7% yield, which compares favourably with other studies indicating yields of between 60[13]-88[14]%. 46cm3 of hydrogen gas was absorbed in the process of the experiment, representing a total absorbance of 2.05mmol of hydrogen gas. In passing gas through the solution, it turned yellow, which is consistent with other experimental observations[15] [16]. Considerable agitation of the solution was required so as to allow adequate complexation of the hydrogen gas. Assuming the entirety of this gas hydrogenated the terminal olefin group in carvone; this represents a 61.6% yield of hydrogenation. However, it is entirely likely that a higher yield would have been obtained had the experiment continued for a longer period of time. The yield of hydrogen gas may also be misleading since it is difficult to completely hermetically seal all the apparatus, and it is also difficult to estimate the extent to which gas may have escaped from the reaction vessel. Products obtained from hydrogenation Carvone has several sites available for hydrogenation/reduction. However, RhCl(PPh3)3 will only selectively hydrogenate terminal alkenes, as described by Wilkinson et al. This hypothesis is supported by 1H-NMR data[17] of carvone and the product of hydrogenation. There is no change at peaks 6.69ppm, indicating that this protons environment was not affected by the hydrogenation. The slight downfield shift of the protons of signal between 2.2-2.7ppm to an area between 1.9-2.5ppm indicates that there is less electron density surrounding these protons. These signals were assigned to groups near to the hydrogenated bond, and so this is fairly conclusive evidence that the terminal bond was hydrogenated. The minor signal at 4.72 and 4.75ppm indicate a slight contamination of the sample with carvone. Conclusion The yield obtained by the method followed to synthesize Wilkinsons catalyst afforded values similar to that given in literature. The experiment clearly demonstrated by 1H-NMR data that Wilkinsons catalyst efficiently hydrogenates terminal alkene bonds selectively. A more quantitative study could be performed, wherein systems containing non-conjugated alkene systems were tested for hydrogenation. This would allow more stringent analysis and more precise definition of the hydrogenation abilities of Wilkinsons catalyst. Acknowledgements I would like to thank my demonstrators Mr Adam Bunt and Mr Li-Chen Han for their valuable advice and discussion during the experiment. References J.A.Osborn, G.Wilkinson, J.F.Young, Chem. Comm., 1965, 17 S. Montelatici, A. van der Ent, J. A. Osborn, G. Wilkinson, J. Chem. Soc A, 1968, 1054-1058 Illya D. Dridnev, T. Imamoto, Chem. Commun., 2009, 7447-7464 T. N. Sorrell, Organic Chemistry, University Science Books (2006), pp.503 S. Montelatici, A. van der Ent, J. A. Osborn, G. Wilkinson, J. Chem. Soc A, 1968, 1054-1058 P.S. Kalsi, Stereochemistry Conformation and Mechanism 6th Edition, New Age International (2005), pp.449 M. Carvalho, L. F. Wieserman, D. M. Hercules, App. Spec., Vol. 6, Iss. 3, pp. 290-296 P. Atkins, T. Overton, J Rourke, M. Weller, F. Armstrong, Shriver and Atkins Inorganic Chemistry 8th Edition, Oxford University Press, 2006, pp.536 W. von Phillipsborn, Pure Appl. Chem., Vol. 58, No. 4, pp. 513-528 J. A. Osborn, F. H. Jardine, J. F. Young, G. Wilkinson, J. Chem. Soc. A, 1966, 1711-1732 B. Hudson, P. C. Taylor, D. E. Webster, P. B. Wells, Discuss. Faraday Soc., 1968, 46, 37-47 S. Montelatici, A. van der Ent, J. A. Osborn, G. Wilkinson, J. Chem. Soc A, 1968, 1054-1058 B. Hudson, P. C. Taylor, D. E. Webster, P. B. Wells, Discuss. Faraday Soc., 1968, 46, 37-47 S. Montelatici, A. van der Ent, J. A. Osborn, G. Wilkinson, J. Chem. Soc A, 1968, 1054-1058 S. Montelatici, A. van der Ent, J. A. Osborn, G. Wilkinson, J. Chem. Soc A, 1968, 1054-1058 J. A. Osborn, F. H. Jardine, J. F. Young, G. Wilkinson, J. Chem. Soc. A, 1966, 1711-1732 1H-NMR spectrum data taken from http://dlm.chm.bris.ac.uk/dlm2009-10/file.php/28/resources/Wilkinson_NMR.pdf

Djuna Barnes: A Forgotten Ferocity of the 1920s Essay example -- puzzl

Djuna Barnes was an outspoken and fiercely witty modernist writer of the 1920’s. She was known for her somewhat puzzling writing, her bravery when it came to her own journalism, and her everyday intense persona. She is a figure that, one would think, would have never been forgotten, yet with time, and somewhat by her own doing, she has faded into the background of the 1920’s writers. So much so that, â€Å"Barnes once described herself as 'the most famous unknown writer', and this was an astute remark.† (Loncraine.) Barnes was born in 1892, in New York state to her mother and her eccentric Father (who was rather fond of polyamory). She lived in a home with her Grandmother, Father, Mother, her Father’s Mistress, and her brothers and sisters. She and her sibling were never formally schooled, but instead taught by their Grandmother, whose description in Rebecca Loncraine’s article, lends an understanding to Djuna’s unique personality, The Barnes children were all educated at home, largely by their grandmother, Zadel Barnes, who was a suffragist, journalist and spirit medium. Barnes's childhood was not happy, and it haunted her writing. (Loncraine) After the separation of her parents, in 1912, she with her Mother and brothers, moved to New York City. She studied at the Pratt Institute of art, until financial troubles forced her to look for work to support her family and her grandmother’s failing health. She is said to have walked into the Brooklyn Daily Eagle and announced, â€Å"I can draw and write, and you’d be a fool not to hire me,† a bold statement that landed her a job in journalism, where her career as a soon to be modernist would begin to flourish. Just as her statement that landed her the job was bold, so was her approach to writ... ...er writer in Paris in the 1920s. For Joyce presented Miss Barnes in 1923 with the original manuscript of Ulysses containing all of it’s annotations. Works Cited: Loncraine, Rebecca. "Djuna Barnes: an unknown modernist: Rebecca Loncraine introduces Djuna Barnes, one of America's least known and most intriguing Modernist writers." The English Review 15.3 (2005): 34+. Literature Resource Center. Web. 7 Apr. 2014. Field, Andrew, and Andrew Field. Djuna, the Formidable Miss Barnes. Austin: University of Texas, 1985. Print. Bombaci, Nancy. "â€Å"Well Of Course, I Used To Be Absolutely Gorgeous Dear†: The Female Interviewer As Subject/Object In Djuna Barnes's Journalism." Criticism 44.2 (2002): 161-185. Art Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 7 Apr. 2014. Barnes, Djuna. The Book of Repulsive Women: 8 Rhythms and 5 Drawings. Los Angeles, CA: Sun & Moon, 1994. Print.

Gary Kelly Essay

Mr. Gary Kelly is the chief executive officer, CEO, of Southwest Airlines. Mr. Kelly was the chief financial officer, CFO, for Southwest Airlines from 1989 until 2004. He has served as the CEO of Southwest Airlines since 2004. I will provide concrete examples of how Southwest Airlines displays its corporate culture. I will describe what traits and skills Mr. Kelly possess which make him an effective leader. I will identify the core competencies of Southwest Airlines. â€Å"According to Herb Kelleher, Southwest started on focusing on people as people and identifying them as valuable assets of the company. Herb Kelleher and his management team emphasize an easy going relaxed corporate style that provides employees with extensive operational independence. Southwest’s culture, which emphasizes employees as the airline’s â€Å"first customers† and passengers as the second, has been integral to Southwest’s success†. (Smith) The concept of treating your customers well and your employees better is not a new concept, by any means. The trouble with that concept occurs when the company loses touch with the people that actually pay the salaries, the customer. I have worked for a company, that no longer exists, that treated their upper managers like royalty; the IT person drove a company car that was a brand new Hummer. All of the profit went to bling and not back into the company. â€Å"The skills and traits that he possesses are human resourcing. Making sure his team has all the proper training knowledge and knows how to make his customers happy. He also believes in making sure his people (employees) are even happier. They are the key to making his business a success, if your employees are happy there is no reason why your customers will want to come back and be serviced by them. Kelly is a great decision maker in these trying economic times. With his decision making skills led him to the innovative idea of bags fly free. Tag that up with his leadership skills and there is no reason why this  company wouldn’t be a success†. (Shaw, 2013) I read somewhere that Mr. Kelly would hold cookouts for his people and that the overnight crews got upset because, due to scheduling, they could not attend. Kelly’s solution; the pilots and he held cookouts for the overnight crews at 2:00 am. That way the crews could enjoy the fruits of their hard work. Talk about insuring employee loyalty; WOW! The core competencies of Southwest Airlines that I was able to find are locking up fuel hedging contracts, keeping cost down through fast turnaround times, flying only one type of aircraft, treating customers like kings and queens, and treating employees even better than the customers. By locking up fuel hedging contracts, Southwest was able to pay less for the fuel than other competing airlines. While facing possible layoffs, Kelly challenged his ground crews to reduce the turnaround times from 55 minutes to 15 minutes. The crews were at to achieve that goal and eliminated the possibility of layoffs. By having a fleet of only having Boeing 737s, Southwest has been able to keep maintenance cost extremely low. Southwest has had their flight attendants play games with their customers, while in flight. An example of this is the flight attendants would say that the first customer to show them that they were wearing socks with a hole in them would receive a free round trip ticket anywhere that Southwest flew. As for treating their employees better than the customer; the whole cookout idea pretty much covers that core competency. I have provided concrete examples of how Southwest Airlines display its corporate culture. I had explained the traits and skills that make Gary Kelly an effective leader. I had identified the core competencies of Southwest Airline. With what I have learned about Gary Kelly and Southwest Airlines, the more companies and their leadership that try to immolate him, the more satisfying being a customer would become. References Shaw. (2013, May 24). http://www.antiessays.com/. Retrieved October 8, 2013, from Anti Essay: http://www.antiessays.com/free-essays/476967.html Smith, G. (n.d.). An evaluation of the corporate culture of Southwest Airlines. Measuring Business Excellence, 8(4), pp. 26-33.

Logistics

Case Study report of DHL Abstract The rapid development of global commerce has drove logistics to reduce products lifecycles, increase response and action efficiency and optimize investments of inventory for current businesses. Therefore, logistics plays a pivotal role in nowadays commerce. The objective of the report is to discuss and evaluate the existing logistics theories. Whereas, DHL will be selected as a case study so as to get a further understanding on logistics according to the analysis result. IntroductionAs with the growing complexity of transporting goods and supplying materials for a business in world’s supply chain, expertise that developed to deal with this kind of problem is imperative so logistics. The concept of logistics is not specific, the world’s formal definition is ‘Logistics is the management science of supply chain and the art of controlling and managing any kinds of resources flow like products, information, petrol and even people betwe en the origin point and the consumption terminal so as to satisfy clients’ demand’.Logistics is in relation to the process of moving the right products and services at the right quality to the right place at the right time with right prices. It is said to be the essential part of any marketing or manufacturing activities. Logistics involves Literature Review Since the value of time becomes more and more important in today’s global commerce, transportation speed and delivery reliability are necessary for companies to compete emulously in business operations which drives logistics industry to improve service standard.In 1996, Kostecki pointed that conscientious in accordance with service determine logistics companies’ emulously advantage and success. To that content, an important part to be integrated into time management for logistics industry is operating business with clients effectively and innovating more efficiency operation skills with clients. This is important because any inefficiencies and irregularities in operating with customers that happened in different regions can affect the commerce environment significantly for logistics companies argued by Ahanori and Nachum in the year 2000.They said that the current development trend in logistics industry is just in time supply, e-commerce and growing globalization management. In 1998, Altabet predicted that logistics theory would be updated into supply chain management. The impact of effective forecast in the process of supply chain management on a company is significant. Kiely states that it will result in inventory investment reduction, customer satisfactory improvement and product distribution efficiency enhancement. Generally speaking, forecasting eliminates companies’ worry about excess inventory investment so as to increase the efficiency when operates with customers.Another important managerial skill for commerce is the cost management theory. Degraeve and Roodhooft point that over half of entire costs is accounted from external goods and services parchment. In order to hold a competitive position in the logistics market, companies should develop a more dependable and lower cost supply chain while assure high service quality for customers. Some suggests that company can increase the cost management reliability via computer technology. With the increasing importance of globalization transaction, contracts act essential role in international trade.On account of companies always being confronted with the situation of accomplishing orders with deadline and quotas, some suggest a management approach of Vendor management inventory to handle the problem (Waller, 1999). The management project help companies distribute the requirement materials more flexible and offer the possibility of cost reduction and efficiency improvement at the same time. Objectives With the purpose of understanding logistics theory in accordance with practical application and t o see how enterprises apply logistics theory to enhance efficiency and reduce cost . tc. DHL, the global leading logistics player is selected for a case study about its logistics operations in this report. Logistics operation of DHL DHL is the leader of global express, international transportation and air freight. It is the world’s NO. 1 shipping contract logistics provider. DHL offers customers a full range of logistics solutions from documents to supply chain management. As the global biggest logistics expert, DHL is a strong logistics partner for its clients that can offer any kind of freight transportation via water, railway, road and air. It can supply either pecial or shared operations of warehousing and distribution to any kind of industry sectors. On account of DHL is entirely service oriented, it involves no material movement itself but that for clients both consigner and consignee and the intermediaries as well. It just includes physical distribution and procurement . While, procurement involves in packaging materials like paper, plastic and boxes etc. the process is as follows. The first step is to weight and check for condition of the products and materials that collected from the consigners and then pack them according to their various characteristics.After that, products or services will be sent along to their destinations. DHL facilitate service performance via effective forecasting. It means the estimation of time required for both collecting wares from the consigner and that arriving to the final client. The crucial point of DHL’s entire business is timely delivery. The delivery documentation and process will be coordinated based on the approachability and distance to the final consignee. DHL can measure the time that it will cost for the goods to arrive to its end-point precisely.DHL provides customers Web Shipping services that allocate a certain user name and password for each client which allows goods sender and receiver to tr ack goods status via online information center. DHL has won the reputation for its continuous development on supply chain solutions innovation that improves control. It supplies for customers reverse logistics management solutions that enable client design, accomplish and conduct materials flow and regulate corresponding information, support of the supply chain to resize values and guarantee safe-handling of products.It involves receiving, ordering, controlling and conducting returned goods. In addition, DHL offers service for manufactures of service and replacement. It enable customer receive and send manufactures’ replacement parts in terms of pre-designed service such as with a certain deadline. What’s more, DHL offers some services other than physical logistics services such as order management, global inventory management, freight solutions, and customs solutions. The following three figures show the flow process of DHL. Figure [ 1 ] Process Map of DHL Figure [ 2 ] internal process map of DHL Figure [ 3 ] external process map of DHLFive objectives analysis of DHL’s operation Quality DHL has a process of performance measurement so as to supervise the daily working process and understand customers’ voice. The company applies DePict project management approach to track every project in order to ensure their service quality. Furthermore, most units in the management system of DHL are in accordance with the system ISO 9000 which is the global quality controlling standard. Hence, DHL always keeps a high level service quality. Speed DHL provides its client’s specialized solutions so as to ensure a faster response speed to the changing marketplace.For its different kind of customers such as automotive, retail and fashion, DHL offers each of them unique logistics solutions so as to enable a lower response time to the market. Dependability DHL is a leading player in many fields of the logistics market; it operates business in abou t 220 countries and employs more than 31000 people. In addition, it has the world’s largest aircraft fleet and a huge number of ships and vehicles. Moreover, it conducts business with advanced management methodologies and performance measurement. All of these resources ensure DHL an unrivalled ability to accomplish any kinds of logistics services perfectly.Flexibility DHL involves in many parts of logistics market and has strong enough ability in each field. It can offer many kinds of logistics service via different routes. Otherwise, DHL can provide customizing logistics or supply chain solutions to meet their specific demand. Cost As a leader in many of logistics market, the bargaining power of DHL is much higher than most of its competitors which therefore will bring some advantages for DHL. However, for there are lots of companies that can provide similar service or products it may lose the price advantage in some egment market. SWOT analysis of DHL’s operation Str ength The biggest strength for DHL is its leader position in logistics field. It is the dominator in the area of freight transportation through air and ocean. DHL’s business covers a larger area of the world; it provides services for over 220 countries. The leading position enable DHL enhance its economy scale and the power of setting price. Secondly, DHL’s diversified business model enable the company to reduce the risks in business activities and discover new opportunities in emerging and existing marketplaces.DHL devotes itself to the division of mail, supply chain, freight transportation and express. In addition, DHL has the highest employee productivity based on the data from Datamonitor. What’s more, the DHL owns a large airplane fleet that can provide great transportation ability and a long-term emission reduction GOGREEN program which makes DHL as the first mover in this area. Weakness According to the data collected by Datamonitor, DHL has encountered a problem of decline in its cash flow which results from low efficient cost management.This will reduce its resources availability when it is in pursuit of growing plans. Another problem is due to its huge airplane fleet. As with the rapid climate changing, enterprises are required to undertake their social responsibility for the environment. Large number of aircraft implies lots of emission. Although DHL is trying to apply approaches to reduce aircraft emission such as using higher quality fuel and optimal flight line, reductions on emissions will be still minimal due to the limitations in nowadays aeromechanics implies that airplane efficiency cannot be improve a lot in this aspect.What’s more, as a forerunner in the area of making effort to reduce emission, DHL will also get the advantage in compliance with new environmental regulations in the future. Opportunities As with the rapid development of e-commerce, online shopping nowadays grows with a steady high speed year by y ear. Most of consumers will move their shopping habitat from retail to online. Thus deliveries will increase significantly with the step of online sales which will promote the growth of DHL’s business.Moreover, consumers nowadays require more environmental friendly products and services which result in a growing demand from enterprises to get greener logistics services, higher efficiency transportation and low carbon offerings. The GOGREEN policy of DHL will meet the demand of such companies and the continuation development of this kind of services will help DHL get a good hand in competence with others. Threats DHL currently is in the situation of facing fierce competition in logistics business. The scattered global logistics market brings intense competition to DHL.These may result in negative effects on the company that potentially will decrease its growth and profits. What’s more, it is said that logistics industry produces a big percent of global emission which le ad to governments from all over world aim to reduce the pollution contribution from this market. As a multi-national enterprise DHL always faces the pressure across from governments and NGOs as well. It may affects DHL’s reputation since people nowadays consider more and more about a company’s social responsibility. Conclusions and Recommendations To conclude, logistics is very important for nowadays global intense competitive marketplace.As is known to all, logistics is an essential part of any companies function. A good logistical operation can enable a company cut the production cost and enhance the efficiency. In this report, DHL was selected as a case study to help analysis logistics theory. DHL owns the biggest logistics network all over the world. It provides any kind of freight transportation via multiple approaches. DHL conducts its great range of logistics activities and solutions for clients across almost 220 countries. It is dedicated to provide customers b etter performance and low-cost service in today’s highly competitively market.In order to get the victory in the competition, DHL should set a reasonable price, provide a faster and larger amount of scheduled service, improve the function of tracking goods, enlarge the business geographic area, enhance its dependability and innovate new service for customers. In addition, DHL should make more efforts on emission reduction. The performance management and GOGREEN program may help DHL to accomplish this target. In a word, the art of logistics is essential to every organization while DHL has shown its great management and operations to enable a leading position in the world’s market.References 1. Ahanori, Y & Nachum, L 2000,  Globalization of Services: Some Implications for Theory and  Routledg: London 2. Degraeve, Z & Roodhooft, F 1999, â€Å"Effectively selecting suppliers using total Cost of Ownership†,  The Journal of Supply Chain Management, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. 5-10. 3. Kiely, D 1999, â€Å"Synchronizing supply chain operations with consumer demand Using customer data†,  The Journal of Business Forecasting Methods & Systems, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 3-9. 4. Kostecki, M 1996, â€Å"Waiting Line as a Marketing Issues†,  European Management Journal, vol. 14, no. 3, pp. 295-303. Logistics Logistics process Definition of logistics Logistics is a function that is flexible and changes according to the various constraints and demands imposed upon it. Logistics is – Supply + Materials Management + Distribution and logistics is basically the overall management of distributions and supply. There are many different transport methods including- * Air- This is used to deliver goods fast and also internationally. * Water- This can be used to transport goods slower. Sometimes unreliable. * Road- This is to be used nationally, and used by the most ranges of business. This is the most popular way of transportation. Rail- This is the quicker way of transporting goods. Royal Mail use rail to transport goods to their regional offices. * Container- Containers are used to deliver goods simply because they don’t need as much security and also cost less in transport, meaning more profits. When we compare different retailers, we have to take into consideration: * The amount o f stores that the retailer has. * Where the location of the stores are * The supply chain. For example: Tesco has over 7500 stores in the UK, which includes a mixture of high street, out of town and local stores.They have a wide supply chain which stretches globally as they try to source the cheapest products to sell in their supermarkets. Independent stores may have only a few stores at the most (for example Merrie England). The location of the stores are on the high street and in town centres and the supply chain will only reach nationally. Small retailer – Small retailers usually use wagons to transport from manufacturer to retailers, and mostly use wholesalers. These are more likely to have less suppliers to work with then larger retailers because of the size of the stores.Multinational retailer: the retailer buys it direct from the multinational manufacturers and then supplies to the customers, normally using wagons from the distribution centres. Relationship with suppli ers All retailers, whether they are small or large, have to have a relationship with their suppliers. This is so they can get the best products at the best price and can also introduce new products. By having a good relationship with the suppliers, they know if they are getting the best deal and can also have a good payment plan, whilst also having good interactions by using electronics.Product search * Logistics * Electronic data interchange * Supply chain integration * Ordering and payment * Invoice orders The supply chain for a large and small business is more or less the same- especially the logistics and distribution stage. However, larger businesses have to have warehousing to store all of their surplus stock, or to store and to distribute to all of their stores. Examples of this can be supermarket warehouses, which take all of the bulk stock and then separate them into store deliveries, then use their wagons for store deliveries.This not only saves the business time but is al so cost effective as the larger the order, the cheaper the product should be for the supermarket. This means that the stock that supermarkets and other larger businesses take will be cheaper than smaller businesses. Stock Management By having management on how much stock needs distributing to independent stores, they can reduce waste, and overall, saves the business time and money by putting them into the correct stores. It also keeps customers happy, because if the stock is to hand, then customers won’t complain and/or go to other competitors. Warehousing/Stock RoomsLarger Retailers will have lots of different warehouses to meet the customer needs and to also deliver to different stores across the country. By warehousing and storing the products in a safe, cool and dry place, it will keep the products fresh (if they are food/drink items), or safe and without the risk of overheating/getting water damage to the products. By keeping the products in these conditions, they will b e stay in perfect condition until you need them. Internationally Small Independents won’t need to distribute internationally, so won’t need to use rail or air transportation methods to deliver their stocks.Also, because of how small they are, they are also less likely to need to source their items from abroad aswell, unless they are a business that relies on international sourcing. However, larger retailers have to rely on sourcing from other countries, especially supermarkets that have to get their fresh foods (including fruit and vegetables) from other countries. This means that they have to rely on air travel to bring in their items. They also have to rely on fast transport methods, such as containers and wagons to deliver their items to the distribution centres before delivering it to local independent stores.Use of Electronics Smaller Independent shops won’t need to rely on electronics as much as the larger retailers, because of how big their stores are and how they get their stock. Small independent stores will normally get their stock from cash and carry’s so will normally use man power to get their items. However, larger stores will have to constantly source their items from different retailers, and have to rely on electronics to order items from the distribution areas. This means that if any problems occur with the electronics surrounding the business, they could have problems with orders and could therefore run out of products.