Blockbuster Hbr Case

One of Blockbuster’s biggest value drivers is geographic location. Most people, especiall in urban areas live pretty close to a Blockbuster location. Availability of titles is also a value driver that not all video stores can provide. Their reputation is also a value driver. Economies of scale are one of Blockbuster’s largest cost drivers. The ability to negotiate with movie studios with leverage while their competitors can’t as effectively win lower prices for inventory purchases gives a huge advantage. The aforementioned reasons are ammunition to defened against competitors. Geographic location and leveraging the brand name recognition are two of the most important advantages that Blockbuster has that none of its competitors can easily overcome. After the formation of Blockbuster, the first major technological substitute to come along was the DVD (the digital versatile disc) and the DIVX (digital video express disc). There was a fierce battle between these two rival substitutes as they waged war. Both were looking to become the sole technology that would replace VHS. Blockbuster remained on the sidelines for the first few years after these technologies were introduced even though 8 major motion picture studios had committed to either DIVX or DVD (6 for DIVX and 2 for DVD) Once Antioco had made a decsion as to back DVD for a multitude of reasons, Blockbuster’s decision would lead to the demise of DIVX. Antico decided that DVD offered the most promise. They were more widespread, DVD player units were more readily available and they were cheaper. About a year after Blockbuster decided to back DVD, Circuit City decided to give up on the DIVX technology. Blockbuster also faced competition from consumer’s decsion to buy DVDs as opposed to renting them(sell through). Antioco saw this as a potential threat and decided to sell through used DVDs at a discount at Blockbuster stores. Along with some promotions, such as a free rental with the purchase of a movie, Antioco’s plan was expected to triple Blockbuster’s share of the video sales market. In 2003 Disney developed a technology much like DIVX called EZ-D. The plan was eliminate the return of rented videos as the disc would be discared 48 hours after opening because a chemical would render it useless. The technology ultimately failed as Blockbuster did not back the technology because for just a few dollars more (EZ-D discs retailed at $5-$7) consumers could outright purchase a DVD with unlimited use. One of the newest substitutes to threaten blockbuster is online video sales. This market is cannabilizing Blockbuster’s sell through numbers and Blockbuster is countering with their own online sales. Another is home delivery service. Even though this service had promise with more than a few firms, they all failed for a multitude of reasons and never posed a real threat. Netflix, a video subscription service with no late fees is also a substitute that Blockbuster is facing. After much initial success, Blockbuster decided to start their own subscription pricing model in which consumers can pay a flat fee each month for unlimitied rentals at their retail outlets. Eventually adding the feature where consumers can opt to either receive/return the discs through the mail similar to netflix or to receive/return them at a retail location to satisfy an immediate need. This option gives them a competitive advantage over Netflix.

Distance Education (online education) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Distance Education (online education) - Essay Example However, it is to be born in mind that many of the distance learning systems also follow the semester system or quarter terms in terms of their academic schedule and the learners are asked to submit assignments and projects via Web or e-mail. Most of the online courses are either instructor-led or instructor-facilitated courses. Similarly, the online education system offers opportunity for the learners to receive timely instructions, clarifications and guidance from the instructors via internet. In the same way, the distance education emphasise that education is a continuous life long process and even learners who are unable to attend regular schooling or on-campus programs can achieve various degrees at the Associate, Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate levels. This paper seeks to explore the various aspects of distance education and in doing so the paper also deals with the major advantages and disadvantages of distance education (online education). The success or failure of distance education depends on various components. As Helm & Helm point out, â€Å"the electronic mail (e-mail), scheduled internet relay chat, and the World Wide Web are considered internet based components to online distance learning courses† (Helm & Helm 2) and therefore it is imperative that aspirants who wish to join online courses should have the necessary infrastructure for the same. Similarly, knowledge of the technology and essential computer skills are the two necessary prerequisites for online education and as Johnson and Manning point out, online education benefits the learner the most as one can plan one’s own schedule, save time and money, can complete many courses sooner than the regular stream, and can get rid of all sorts of pettiness and bias that prevail in traditional classes (Johnson, & Manning 12). Convenience and flexibility are the two factors that attract many learners towards distance or online

Assignment 5 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

5 - Assignment Example † All organizations need to realize the important of human resources and the value they give to the firm via their services. Human resource functions are critical for all companies regardless of their niche or size. The employees of the organization are the main resources that execute the objectives of the firm. However, while setting a human resource unit, an organization should look at the service composition of the department. These may include payroll and tax administration, legal compliance, liability protection, negotiation of benefits, administration of benefits, acquisition of talent, hiring employees, managing performance, leadership training, attendance and time monitoring, employee development, and guidance and review on termination. All these specific functions of human resource management need to be performed in a systematic mode so that all needs of the employees are catered by the firm in a successful manner. Performing human resource management functions success fully will allow organizations to gain a strong competitive edge in the business market. According to a 2010 study by the Human Resource Professionals Association (HRPA), chief executives believe that their human resource departments are crucial components of their businesses (3). Regarding performance, the study documented that senior HR is as essential as any other organizational pillar of a company. Fifty per cent of chief executives in the study had led their companies through enormous growth from 2008 to 2010. The other half had been leaders of companies that went through severe economic challenges during the same period that led to downsizing. In the two cases, the HR department contributed significantly to the management of effective work levels. This was crucial for the resilience of the organizations during the time of turbulence ("The Role and Future of HR"). The chief executives of the companies that experienced growth, acknowledged the importance of HR in attracting tale nt. The ones from companies that downsized were of the opinion that the most critical contribution of HR was in ensuring that the communication with employees remained transparent during the difficult times. They also helped in retaining the best talent. Retaining talented employees is crucial for long term success as market is becoming competitive with every passing day. From the study, it is clear that the HR department is a business partner that has the ability to see a company through moments of great success and economic threats alike. Consequently, a weak HR department would help bring a company to an early demise ("The Role and Future of HR"). Therefore, it is important for all organizations to ensure that they have a competitive HR department to manage their human resources. How Poor, Neglected â€Å"Operations† Is in Fact the Ugly Duckling That Can Mature Into A Swan Many MBA graduates avoid working in the operations departments of organizations because they hold the se areas with a low opinion. The fresh MBAs have in mind that these jobs are done by low qualified people and hence they do not accept such offers. Most companies are out to improve their operations to attract more talent because without operations businesses cannot exist. The second part of this paper provides information on how a company can improve its operations. Over the past five years, most companies have experienced a slump in their growth. At the same time, the costs of sales and marketing have been increasing.