Discuss how Starbucks downsizing in the USA impacts their global Essay

Discuss how Starbucks downsizing in the USA impacts their global growth strategy - Essay Example It is worthwhile to mention that Starbucks considers factors such as purchasing power of potential customers, demographics, societal norms and standards, consumers’ attitudes, perceptions and inclination towards its brand, the competitors’ strategies and their pricing policy, the availability of raw material in host nations, the exchange rate fluctuations, corporate tax rates, interest rates and government support to formulate and implement its strategies and make decisions for long-term business growth and monetary gains. (Merced, 2008) and (White, 2008) The strategic planners at Starbucks started observing fall in sales revenue and volume in 2008 when USA suffered with a sub-prime property mortgage crises and trade deficits. This in turn resulted in bankruptcies and closures of many financial and production related business institutions thereby intensifying the unemployment issue and deteriorating future employment prospects. The skyrocketing international oil prices also resulted in inflation that then forced customers to tighten their belts and demand fewer luxurious products such as Automobiles and Coffee. Hence, Starbucks planned to expand its Chinese operations where a large pool of potential customers has an inclination towards branded products offered by supranational organizations. Chinese government also supported Starbucks so that it could enhance interaction and communication with Chinese farmers in Yunnan (an agricultural area), which produces over 30,000 tons of Coffee Beans. In simple words, this region alone accounts for over 95% production of Coffee Beans, so Chinese officials seek help and guidance of Starbucks in business management, production and marketing process to ensure higher yield per acre and premium quality for domestic use and exports. (White, 2008) and (Haoting, 2009) Indeed, China is a best available alternative for Starbucks since it has

Information Security at Al Nahda Hospital Essay

Information Security at Al Nahda Hospital - Essay Example This is because internet users are potential customers and suppliers, and potential threats, as well. In case information stored in the hospital premises is tampered with, serious, adverse effects may result, because there are so many people who are dependent on this information. It is the responsibility of management to liaise with other departments to protect an organization’s information assets. This report analyses and evaluates information security at Al Nahda Hospital. In this report, the main categories of information assets that may be at risk and have to be protected have been described. The report also appraises the actual and potential threats and vulnerabilities of Al Nahda Hospital’s information assets. The report then formulates a security plan that describes counter measures that will manage the threats that put Al Nahda Hospital’s information assets at risk from a risk management perspective. A comprehensive information security education and awar eness program for use by management, staff and contractors for Al Nahda Hospital is also provided in this report. The report also explores the social, legal, and ethical issues or constraints that may be associated with the implementation of the comprehensive information security plan at Al Nahda Hospital. Finally, the report recommends valid actions that can be taken to improve the information security situation of Al Nahda Hospital. Introduction Al Nahda Hospital is a government hospital which is located in Oman. The hospital has a client server application called â€Å"Health Information Management system (HIMS)† on a local network. It also has applications that have been developed with oracle database, forms and reports. Al Nahda Hospital’s medical staff users can access and use the system from a local network using desktops, Personal Computers, or they can use laptops with WIFI, during wards round. Also, this system is connected to the headquarters with MPLS line. Users have access to both the operating system username and password and the database username and password. After a careful assessment of the information security situation, a security plan for the protection of the information holdings of the Al Nahda Hospital is required. The security plan will ensure that the security personnel oversee the security of information from deliberate and accidental threats to the hospital so as to improve Al Nahda Hospital’s information security. 1.0: Main Categories of Information Assets that may be at Risk and have to be protected Al Nahda Hospital’s information assets may be at risk, as far as the information status is concerned. These assets may be categorized into information assets, software, hardware, systems and people. 1.1: Information Assets Information assets of Al Nahda Hospital that may be at risk and need to be protected include documented information. Documented information contains both printed or written information an d electronic information stored on the hospital’s servers, website, extranets and internets. Electronic information can be stored in laptops, personal computers, cell phones, CD ROM and USB sticks, among other devices. The information that may be threatened