Question One
Holden Outwear website stressed features exemplifies the design sensibility of the company including fashion-forward styling, the finest trims, top of the line and eco-friendly fabrication. It also exemplifies the hidden technical functionality to the max. The stitched seams are waterproof and have plastic adhesive and the fabrics are finished with a durable water repellent that outlasts finishes that are made to meet industry standards. The company has capitalized on its product features by producing and advertising items that meet the needs of its target markets. The company uses its advertising to reach out to the target market with the right message that will create awareness and convince customers to buy the products ("Trackable Down", 2018). Fashion-forward styling and finest trims are some of the designs that made the product look great. Eco-friendliness and adaptability to the needs of the customers are some of the technical features employed by the company to enhance its products and differentiate it from the competition.
The company seems to live up to the ideals of LeBlanc which is to make garments that look great yet hide a ton of technical features. The garments are not only appealing to the eye but have technical features that make them comfortable and protective to the wearer. The garments are designed to keep the wearer warm and dry during winter yet allowing them to continue with their activities. The specific needs of the customers are met by the products that offer functional benefits and creativity (Griffin & Moorhead, 2013). As the marketing director, LeBlanc has successfully incorporated his dreams in promoting the products of the company.
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Question Two
Holden has ten employees and a few are briefly introduced in the video. Hillary Lloyd is one of the employees who handle seal on seam tape as well as glue from South Korea. Hillary faces cultural issues working with the outside vendors for who she is responsible (Griffin & Moorhead, 2013). According to Hofstede, South Korea is a hierarchical society where individuals accept order in which everyone has a place. Such a hierarchy in an organization shows potential inequalities and centralization is also popular. The employees expect to be told what to do and bosses are autocrats. The country is also a collectivist society where individuals belong to groups and loyalty is paramount and overrides existing societal rules and regulations (Country Comparison, 2018).
The society is committed to establishing strong relationships where all members are responsible for all the other group members. Any offense in the society leads to shame and the relationships between the employers and employees are perceived in moral terms. The hiring and promotion of the employees must consider the employees in each group and management is responsible for managing groups. South Korea is a feminine society where individuals work in order to live. Equality is high and managers work to build consensus. It is highly likely that any conflicts are addressed through negotiation and compromise. Individuals focus on the well being and they do not show their status. Koreans avoid uncertainty and maintain high codes if beliefs and behavior. Similarly, there is an emotional need for rules and individuals work hard and are precise but resist innovation. The society is guided by virtues as well as practical good examples. South Korea also has a long-term orientation where companies exist to serve the society as opposed to making money (Country Comparison, 2018). Cultural differences between Hillary and the vendors might affect the working relationship and the achievement of the overall goal if there are conflicts between the two.
Question Three
Holden choice of outsourcing is a strategy as it focuses on the outside for inspiration as opposed to competitors who concentrate on the industry. The garments are designed to perform specific functions and some of the components are outsourced from other countries like South Korea, Japan, and China. The outsourced materials meet the functionality of the products, the needs of the users and appeal to their target markets. LeBlanc incorporates technology, the user and the business to achieve a competitive edge over its competitors. His vision enhances the overall strategy f the company, the outlook of the product and future direction. LeBlanc understands the needs of the customers and who they are. Similarly, he has established goals for what he hopes to accomplish. The goals have enhanced the growth of the business. The product initiative relates to the core strategy of the company and has helped the management to understand how the products will achieve the desired goal. LeBlanc faced an uphill task of developing a product that appeals to the target market (Griffin & Moorhead, 2013). Similarly, he should align product requirements according to the demands of the market and also deliver technical aspects to the team. The company has addressed some of these issues by outsourcing parts and labor from different countries in order to produce products that exceed the expectations of the customers.
Question Four
The strategy decision to move the headquarter to Los Angeles and to extend product lines into apparel for hiking bicycling, skateboarding and finally surfing were made to lower the production cost for the company thus drive a cost leadership strategy in addition to taking advantage of available market opportunities and to meet the needs of the customers that remain unmet by competition (Griffin & Moorhead, 2013). The company intends to use its strong brand to market the new products to its current and new customers. The strategic decisions were good for the company as it will enhance its competitiveness while lowering its production cost by 15% which will increase its profit margins. The two decisions are related because the company will be able to produce the new products at a lower cost in Los Angeles.
Question Five
Technological advancement, globalized logistics, and cheap outsourced labor have enhanced the ability for Holden to engage in manufacturing. However, the three have complicated manufacturing as companies have to consider emerging changes not only in their industry but also from the sectors to gain an insight and develop products that meet the ever-changing needs of the market (Griffin & Moorhead, 2013). Holden has successfully heeded the advice of c.ost reduction and being global by relocating its headquarters to Los Angeles and establishing its operations in China. Similarly, it targets different markets in America, Asia, and Europe.
References
Country Comparison - Hofstede Insights. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/south-korea,the-usa/
Griffin, R., & Moorhead, G. (2013). Organizational behavior (11th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western/Cengage Learning.
Trackable Down. (2018). Retrieved from https://holdenouterwear.com/pages/trackable-down
