Index IntroductionElements of operational efficiency with its operational strategyAlignment of tasks with the operational strategyFormulation of the operational strategy for Coca Cola (competitive priorities)Analysis of competitive priorities of production ProcessConclusionIntroductionCoca Cola is a multinational company that produces non-alcoholic soft drinks. The company has competitive brands in the global market which have allowed it to compete effectively over the years. Some of the common soft drinks that the company provides in the market include sprite, Fanta, and Coca Cola (Coca Cola, 2016). The company has also introduced alternative brands to the market such as mineral water, powerade and minute maid, among others, to reach new customers and increase sales revenue. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayCoca Cola supplies its products to over 200 countries around the world (Coca Cola, 2016). The company has several missions that include inspiring people by creating products that add value and make a difference in customers' lives; and refresh the mind-body and spirit of customers globally. To accomplish its mission, Coca Cola has set achievable goals. The company inspires people by creating a supportive and friendly environment for its employees. They also built a mutual loyalty with their business partners that allowed them to succeed in key areas of their operations. The company has also proven to be socially responsible by providing support to sustainable communities globally. Elements of operational efficiency with its operational strategy Coca cola has been successful in its brand development strategy. They have been able to maintain their brand image over the years. By building brand loyalty, the company has been able to attract and retain its customers and as a result has been able to combat new competition by creating a barrier that makes it difficult for new entrants to penetrate the market and compete effectively . To remain competitive in the global market, a company must develop long-term strategies (Bhasin, 2016). One of Coca Cola's long-term goals is to conduct its operations differently and differentiate its products from those of its competitors. Coca Cola uses business intelligence strategy as a business tool that allows them to conduct market research and identify the needs of their customers in each market segment. The company uses information technology to track the performance of its products in the market and to ascertain the needs of various customers. Business intelligence can be technologies or applications that track information about various business operations that can be used by stakeholders to make informed business decisions. Business intelligence also allows stakeholders to ascertain the company's performance; as a result, they would be able to make strategic decisions. Business intelligence tools update the company on the daily performance of its products in the market by transmitting information from different geographic locations to the company headquarters. Coca cola has been able to maintain a unique supply chain management over the years whereby their drinks are supplied to many bottlers around the world. world that have a consumer base and control over a specific geographic area. Coca cola has a largest distribution center in north america which serves asdistribution point for other retailers and food service providers. The company also has an effective promotional strategy. Coca Cola uses shelves in various retail stores to display its products clearly in order to attract customers. This strategy worked for the company as it allowed them to attract and retain new customers. Align Activities with Operational Strategy Distribution method is one of the key tasks that can never be aligned with operational strategy. This is simply because the company has a particular distribution method which is procedural. It is impossible to be aligned with operational efficiency simply due to communication challenges and problems that could negatively affect distribution costs as well as contribute serious problems to the company's loyal customers. Some of the weaknesses of this task are that it can ruin the company's reputation thus leading to a decline in the consumption rate. Product pricing is also another task that is not in line with the operational strategy. Coca Cola usually offers its products on promotion at relatively low prices during different seasons of the year. For example, in Pakistan, there are specific seasons when Coca Cola offers its products at low prices to reach more customers and increase sales volume (Cooper, 2017). Low prices lead customers to doubt the quality of the products and as a result the sales volume would decrease. Furthermore, when prices increased, the company would lose customers who would be forced to purchase other alternative products at cheaper costs. Finally, brand loyalty is also another task that cannot be aligned with operational efficiency. This is mainly because the company may insist on maintaining the quality of its products, but customers always raise other doubts about the health of the products. As a result, the company's reputation would be tarnished and the company would risk losing customers and losing revenue. Formulation of Operational Strategy for Coca Cola (Competitive Priorities) Costs Regarding the cost of products, Coca Cola should offer their products at low prices so that they can benefit from an increase in sales volume. The profit margin might decline, but the company would end up attracting and retaining new customers. Producing more products would provide the company with economies of scale which, in the long run, would allow them to reduce production costs. A low pricing strategy would influence customers' purchasing behaviors as they would purchase products not based on quality but its costs (IFM, 2017). Quality The company should ensure that the quality of its products meets the standards required for human use. The company must comply with regulatory standards in several jurisdictions. The products should not raise health concerns and must be consumable by consumers of different ages and must not have any restrictions. Instructions on the ingredients and consumption of the products should be clear to be easily understood by customers. Time The company should undertake its operations in a timely manner. This would ensure that customer needs are met effectively within a specific timeline. So the delivery of business services should be faster and this would enable them to improve customer satisfaction. Providing immediate responses to customers would allow the company to maintain trust between them and their customers. Flexibility The company should be flexible by quickly adapting to potential future changes. The company should be able to modify its plans.
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