Author: chris

Term paper project

• Times New Roman, with 12-point font size
• Double Spaced
• 1-inch report margins
Topic:Establishing a Construction equipment sales and distribution business into the new Republic of south Sudan
Commodities :Caterpillar construction and mining equipment
Country background
Republic of South Sudan is a newly independent state which has been at war for over 30 years until it won independence last year. The country is vast rich in minerals barely has any infrastructure, no roads, electricity but has a big population. The state has been offered a lot if aid to help infrastructure development and I am sure the need for construction and mining equipment is highly needed.
Internal environment
Planning, Caterpillar will introduce a variety of products by starting with the most needed equipment as per the market assessment report. Earth movers like Bulldozers, Graders and excavators will open the market along drum rollers, loaders and electrical generating appliances. By introducing the earth moving and electrical generating equipment we will focus on road building, construction powering the growing manufacturing sector all primary needs in infrastructure development.
Leading, Caterpillar equipment is widely used in the neighboring states but scanty in Sudan because the construction industry is just starting. However we expect that once Caterpillar through its dealership in Juba establishes itself, we will be in position to make a large impact on the market. Our dealership will manage the field marketing implementation while our corporate marketing division will manage the overall marketing strategy. Caterpillar will use its wide presence in the region to achieve a quick impact on the ground by availing equipment and after sales service.
Organizing, Caterpillar has no recognized competitor in the region but has a wide network of dealerships and representation. Through the dealership network which holds substantial quantities of inventory we anticipate to have sure that we will be able to satisfy the market. Once Caterpillar is well established, the strategy will move to supporting the current market while introducing mining equipment. Caterpillar will cease on the government policies favoring the construction and mining industry to enter and consolidate its market.
Implementing, Caterpillar intends to use its operations and logistics departments to support the intense start phase. Caterpillar corporate marketing will direct the introduction into the market, support our dealership and monitor the impact of the market plan. The initial establishment for equipment will be in the Capital Juba and power generation will be in Malakal. Power generation will target the mining, petroleum and manufacturing industries. Road construction equipment will focus on providing more access in terms of roads infrastructure to the hinterland.
Controlling, Corporate marketing and Operations will develop and implement control mechanism on product sales, promotion and marketing approaches during the implementation phase. Caterpillar field support teams will evaluate the impact of the company strategy and report back on the successes and challenges in the field. Caterpillar will make periodical evaluations on sales, distribution, equipment performance and after sales service needs. Trends in sales and operational data will be crucial for consolidating markets and sales.
External Environment
South Sudan is a new independent state that chose to secede after a 23 year war with the Sudan. The war cost over a million lives sent half the population in exile with others being permanently resettled in other countries including the USA. The political problems in South Sudan are immense. The country is polarized in ethnic political and ethnic grounds, a conflict has been looming with the Sudan since they voted to secede over oil wealth, in fact they almost went into full-fledged war early 2012. South Sudan is a landlocked country with only two gate way to the Sea. Northwards through the Sudan up the river Line onwards to the Red sea or southwards through Uganda then Kenya on to the Port of Mombasa located on the Indian ocean. All imports and exports go through the south as the North has been closed by the Sudan. Internal
Political
South Sudan’s political problems are highly interconnected with problems from Neighboring states. The rebels in Northern Uganda frequently cross into S. Sudan to kill, pillage and loot from traders and citizens. They cross back to Northern Uganda and do the same. Kenya is still healing from the last political upheaval in which thousands of people were massacred after a contested election. Internal political problems spread all over the country. Moreover the government is not doing much to improve on the political situation. These problems are going to affect the distribution of construction projects due to instability and security problems. It is likely that the much needed construction equipment and projects will take longer to complete.

Discuss one of the following entry modes that will be suitable for your product/service to be sold in the country you selected. Your options are Import/Export, Licensing, and Franchising. Post your comments to this thread.
As our business is going to be in an international market our agreed mode of entry will be based on the current business conditions combined with external and internal environment sits where. We have considered all possible useful modes of entry into the South Sudan market and we have no doubt that the preferred mode is the export mode. In the export mode we will use the direct approach which is more straight forward and will be most convenient entry mode in this case. As this is completely a new country with special challenges the export mode will conveniently suit our business essentially because it will allows us to effectively market our products, while providing greater control over our products, brands and operations. Unlike other approaches used by Caterpillar through representation, our business will ensure that we get directly involved in order to ensure we retain an upper business hand in marketing and operation. We have to capture a major market share in South Sudan.
Caterpillar is however planning to go into a joint venture as part of its business sustaining and consolidating strategy. Considering that the long term plan for our business will be to transform ourselves into manufacturers the joint venture approach will enable us attain access to technology, core competences or management skills gain entry to neighboring country markets and create better distribution channels and better manufacturing.
Discuss another of the following international functions that needs many modifications when you have arrived in the foreign country where you are selling your product/service. they are International Operations, International Human Resource Management, and International R&D. Post your comments to this thread.
International human resource management would have to be modifiedand we willdevelop human resource (HR) strategies that effectively utilize a multinational work force. This international work force would have to adapt to the values and cultures of the Sudanese society. Labor costs should be adapted to the salary scales of the local community, employment of local nationals into the work, train and provide skills to the local work force. The modifications in labor force would make it possible to balance local demands and global priorities and effectively represents local considerations and constraints in the decision-making process

There are costs and benefits for the host country and the investors. Write about what the costs and benefits to you are and to the country you are bringing your product or service to. Post your comments to this thread.
The costs and benefits are increased investment and revenue in terms of taxes to the host country, increased employment, avail construction equipment quickly for national development, facilitate infrastructure development, We will attain a wide market and increase our competitive advantages.

Persuasion and aggression

Persuasion: chapter 7 page225

Persuasion is the act of changing ones behavior or believes on something or somebody (Seiter and Gass, 2010). It is usually achieved through conveying of information or reason to the other part.  On many occasion, persuasion uses tactics to try and change the feelings, events or information one has. Persuasion is evolving and thus it is difficult to understand its elements. Researchers are coming up with new methods of persuasion each and everyday to make their work more relevant.  Thus we experience persuasion in our everyday lives almost everywhere.

As a student, I have seen and experienced many instances of persuasion.  The elections were first approaching and politicians in our county were making their bid felt through numerous persuasions.  Many advertisements were aired by different politicians as they tried to outdo each other. They tried to persuade people to vote for them.  They gave long speeches on reforms they were to implement.  They said that this would help common citizens improve their lives.  Politicians made reform and change as their main agenda, which gave people hope for a better future.  Although they gave good speeches that seemed to be a savior to the people, there was a tendency that they merely did it to be elected and forget about the issues.    The previous regimes had persuaded people to vote, but it was a shame that nothing seemed to be changing once they were elected into office.

The best persuader carried the day and was elected. The citizens were convinced he would give them the change they wanted, but the usual politics came into play.  Thus persuasion is merely meant to convince people.  The result may be useful to the society or rather tragic.

Aggression: page353

Aggression is a hostile or forceful act aimed at causing or increasing harm (Berkowitz, 1993).  Aggression can either be psychological (emotional) or physical.  Generally, aggression occurs almost everywhere in the world however mild it might be.  There are many factors that lead to aggressions in society such as land, acquisition of property and sharing of resources among others.  Aggression rates are different in all of the aforementioned factors; however, they still inflict harm to society.  Many theories have been written on aggression and others continue to emerge.  The most notable theory is psychoanalytic theories of aggression by Johan, which analyses the emotional effects of aggression.

In the recent past I had an observation of aggression while on a trip to Kenya.  There were two communities in the coastal region who were fighting over grazing land.  One community, the Orma, as reported by the media, went and torched villages inhabited by the Pokomo community.  The Pokomo in retaliation went and maimed more than 100 Orma people.  The Pokomo people used very rude weapons against the Orma community that left the whole country in great pain.  What the two communities thought was a self defense against each other or provocation, resulted in killing of innocent people. People were left wondering how low the human touch had deteriorated to, to a point of such a massacre.

Aggression is definitely harmful and can be reduced.  The society should come out and condemn aggression in the strongest terms.  Children in society and schools should be taught on the values of good relation with others. Violence can be a thing of the past if we embrace good morals in our society and avoid provocation at all cost.

References

Berkowitz, L. (1993). Aggression: Its causes, consequences, and control. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Seiter, H. Gass, S. (2010). Persuasion, social influence, and compliance gaining. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.