Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Domestic penetration Essays

Domestic penetration Essays Domestic penetration Essay Domestic penetration Essay The financial section will provide pre-formatted profit and loss statements showing the relevant income and cost headings with guidance on assumptions that will need to be made to put specific values. In addition, there will be associated spreadsheets for cash flow. There may also be a balance sheet with headings for the assets and liabilities (Martin, 2010). Another important thing to conduct is a feasibility analysis which would be beneficial for franchisors to successfully develop enough domestic penetration. An objective franchise feasibility analysis by a recognized expert will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the underlying business model (Franchise Foundations, 2011). A franchise feasibility study will analyze, grade and prioritize the company on a variety of these and other factors. An objective franchise feasibility analysis will also document what steps, protective measures and documents need to precede the expansion effort (Franchise Foundations, 2011). Many of these can be done in-house by existing personnel with a little outside expertise. This will result in the most efficient use of time and resources. It will also produce the most professional and user-friendly results. After being successful domestically, expanding the business internationally is then achievable but there are important points to remember. Dealing directly with franchisees or by setting up a master franchise and giving that organization the rights to open outlets on its own are some ways how a franchisor may penetrate a foreign country. Sub-franchisees then pay royalties to the master franchisee then remit some to the franchisor. Master franchise system is pertinent for companies who have no confidence towards evaluating franchisees and when it would be expensive to oversee and directly control franchisees’ operations (Daniels et al. , 2007). To ensure success in international markets, franchisors must improve their understanding of the diverse cultural forces at work around the world. Sometimes, a concept will not fit a foreign cultural style at all. For example, a well known American bagel franchisor sold its rights to development in Lima, Peru, without realizing that Peruvians did not eat breakfast (Bardley, 2005). Adaptation to local cultural norms will often be necessary. An American restaurant franchisor allowed its Egyptian franchisees to develop special food products for the menu during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. In Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where local customs requires the seclusion of women in public places, this franchisor had to alter their restaurants to include family areas that women could visit (Chan, 1994). Hence it is important to know the factors of culture of a target market. Problems and conflict can occur in any commercial relationship, and franchising is no different. Thus, fundamental to the smooth running of a franchise business relationship is a business model that is profitable for both the franchisor and the franchisee. If this is a one-way street, franchise problems will be inevitable. There are still cases when a franchisor and a franchisee end up seeing each other in courts despite the fact that they have already built enough trust and rapport. Thus, after normal dispute resolution procedure that will at first attempt resolution informally, a formal written notice then will be made which will generally include the nature of the dispute, and desired outcome to resolve the dispute, and a timeframe for this to occur. In Australia, under the Franchising Code of Conduct, serious disputes that cannot be resolved between the franchise parties themselves should be referred to mediation (Asia-Pacific Centre for Franchising Excellence, 2011). But to further avoid a thing like this to happen, Berman and Evans (2006) relate that operating arrangements should take into account individual circumstances. Therefore, more franchisors will adopt, or at least experiment with restructured franchise agreements. This restructuring will affect both the terms of purchasing a franchise and the ongoing franchisor-franchisee relationship. As what Bank of America’s Small Business Advisory Service said, â€Å"The extra things that the franchisor agrees to do can be one of the best aspects of a good franchise relationship† (Kursh, 1969, p. 34). Conclusion As a rapidly growing opportunity of growing a business domestically and internationally, business franchising presents its own unique set of problems that need to be anticipated, addressed and should immediately be solved. Through intensive research from various references such as books, magazines, journals and the internet, the researchers identified the most common problems faced by both the franchisor and franchisee and these are: an entrepreneur may become a victim of fraudulent franchises; difficulties when setting up a franchise especially when franchisors do not provide essential assistance to the franchisees; franchisors’ not developing enough domestic penetration first is one problem why many franchises fail abroad; and tensions existing between a large number of franchisors and their franchises can lead to disagreements, conflicts, and even litigation. Detecting problems like these is always the first step required to successful solution. Many franchisors fail here – they are either unable to detect the real cause for the problem or don’t address it in an appropriate way. With the purpose of this paper to present various ways on how to solve these problems especially in a professional manner, the researchers emphasized the following solutions: acquiring all legal documents and conducting careful investigations and survey of existing franchise operators and customers; keeping a strong, effective program of managerial control in a franchise system; preparing a business plan and feasibility analysis to succeed domestically and internationally; having an improved understanding of the diverse cultural forces at work around the world to ensure success in international markets; building rapport between the franchisor and the franchisee the moment they meet for the first time in order to build trust; and in cases when conflicts between a franchisor and franchisee cannot be solved informally, a formal written notice then will be made which will generally include the nature of the dispute, and desired outcome to resolve the dispute, and a timeframe for this to occur. There are much more potential problems a franchisor and a franchisee could face. Rather than seeking readymade solutions, franchisors should learn how to prevent problems from occurring and how to tackle the issue in the best possible way. The strongest weapons in battling problems are the ability to detect problems early on, to teach the team to take action as soon as the problem arise, help all franchisee unit to perform as best as they can. Therefore, being proactive rather than being reactive can greatly help an entrepreneur; he has to do the reacting ahead of time by anticipating what the future will be, and to react accordingly before it actually happens. But in cases of unexpected problems that already caused much problem to a business, it is important to remember not to jump to any conclusions before reaching the root of the problem.

Monday, March 2, 2020

An Overview of Pontiacs Rebellion

An Overview of Pontiacs Rebellion Beginning in 1754, the French Indian War saw British and French forces clash as both sides worked to expand their empires in North America. While the French initially won several early encounters such as the Battles of the Monongahela (1755) and Carillon (1758), the British ultimately gained the upper hand after triumphs at Louisbourg (1758), Quebec (1759), and Montreal (1760). Though fighting in Europe continued until 1763, forces under General Jeffery Amherst immediately began working to consolidate British control over New France (Canada) and the lands to the west known as the pays den haut. Comprising parts of present-day Michigan, Ontario, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, the tribes of this region had largely been allied with the French during the war. Though the British made peace with the tribes of around the Great Lakes as well as those in the Ohio and Illinois Countries, the relationship remained strained. These tensions were worsened by policies implemented by Amherst which worked to treat the Native Americans as a conquered people rather than equals and neighbors. Not believing that the Native Americans could mount meaningful resistance against British forces, Amherst reduced the frontier garrisons as well as began to eliminate ritual gifts which he viewed as blackmail. He also began to restrict and block the sale of gunpowder and weapons. This latter act caused particular hardship as it limited the Native Americans ability to hunt for food and furs. Though the head of the Indian Department, Sir William Johnson, repeatedly advised against these policies, Amherst persisted in their implementation. While these directives impacted all of the Native Americans in the region, those in the Ohio Country were further angered by colonial encroachment into their lands. Moving Towards Conflict As Amhersts policies began to take effect, Native Americans living in the pays den haut began to suffer from disease and starvation. This led to the beginning of a religious revival led by Neolin (The Delaware Prophet). Preaching that the Master of Life (Great Spirit) was angered at the Native Americans for embracing European ways, he urged the tribes to cast out the British. In 1761, British forces learned that the Mingos in the Ohio Country were contemplating war. Racing to Fort Detroit, Johnson convened a large council which was able to maintain an uneasy peace. Though this lasted into 1763, the situation on the frontier continued to deteriorate. Pontiac Acts On April 27, 1763, the Ottawa leader Pontiac called members of several tribes together near Detroit. Addressing them, he was able to convince many of them to join in an attempt to capture Fort Detroit from the British. Scouting the fort on May 1, he returned a week later with 300 men carrying concealed weapons. Though Pontiac had hoped to take the fort by surprise, the British had been alerted to a possible attack and were on alert. Forced to withdraw, he elected to lay siege to the fort on May 9. Killing settlers and soldiers in the area, Pontiacs men defeated a British supply column at Point Pelee on May 28. Maintaining the siege into the summer, the Native Americans were unable to prevent Detroit from being reinforced in July. Attacking Pontiacs camp, the British were turned back at Bloody Run on July 31. As a stalemate ensured, Pontiac elected to abandon the siege in October after concluding that French aid would not be forthcoming (Map). The Frontier Erupts Learning of Pontiacs actions at Fort Detroit, tribes throughout the region began moving against the frontier forts. While the Wyandots captured and burned Fort Sandusky on May 16, Fort St. Joseph fell to the Potawatomis nine days later. On May 27, Fort Miami was taken after its commander was killed. In the Illinois Country, the garrison of Fort Ouiatenon was compelled to surrender to a combined force of Weas, Kickapoos, and Mascoutens. In early June, the Sauks and Ojibwas used a stickball game to distract British forces while they moved against Fort Michilimackinac. By the end of June 1763, Forts Venango, Le Boeuf, and Presque Isle were also lost. In the wake of these victories, Native American forces began moving against Captain Simeon Ecuyers garrison at Fort Pitt. Siege of Fort Pitt As fighting escalated, many settlers fled to Fort Pitt for safety as Delaware and Shawnee warriors raided deep into Pennsylvania and unsuccessfully struck Forts Bedford and Ligonier. Coming under siege, Fort Pitt was soon cut off. Increasingly concerned about the situation, Amherst directed that Native American prisoners be killed and inquired about the potential of spreading smallpox among the enemy population. This latter idea had already been implemented by Ecuyer who had given the besieging forces infected blankets on June 24. Though smallpox did break out among the Ohio Native Americans, the disease was already present prior Ecuyers actions. In early August, many of the Native Americans near Fort Pitt departed in an effort to destroy a relief column which was approaching. In the resulting Battle of Bushy Run, Colonel Henry Bouquets men turned back the attackers. This done, he relieved the fort on August 20. Troubles Continue The success at Fort Pitt was soon offset by a bloody defeat near Fort Niagara. On September 14, two British companies had over 100 killed at the Battle of Devils Hole when they attempted to escort a supply train to the fort. As settlers along the frontier became increasingly worried about raids, vigilante groups, such as the Paxton Boys, began to emerge. Based in Paxton, PA, this group began attacking local, friendly Native Americans and went so far as to kill fourteen that were in protective custody. Though Governor John Penn issued bounties for the culprits, they were never identified. Support for the group continued to grow in and 1764 they marched on Philadelphia. Arriving, they were prevented from doing additional damage by British troops and militia. The situation was later diffused through negotiations overseen by Benjamin Franklin. Ending the Uprising Angered by Amhersts actions, London recalled him in August 1763 and replaced him with Major General Thomas Gage. Assessing the situation, Gage moved forward with plans that had been developed by Amherst and his staff. These called for two expeditions to push into the frontier led by Bouquet and Colonel John Bradstreet. Unlike his predecessor, Gage first asked Johnson to conduct a peace council at Fort Niagara in an effort to remove some of the tribes from the conflict. Meeting in the summer of 1764, the council saw Johnson return the Senecas to the British fold. As restitution for their part in the Devils Hole engagement, they ceded the Niagara portage to the British and agreed to send a war party west. With the conclusion of the council, Bradstreet and his command began moving west across Lake Erie. Stopping at Presque Isle, he exceeded his orders by concluding a peace treaty with several of the Ohio tribes which stated that Bouquets expedition would not go forward. As Bradstreet continued west, an incensed Gage promptly repudiated the treaty. Reaching Fort Detroit, Bradstreet agreed to a treaty with local Native American leaders through which he believed them to accept British sovereignty. Departing Fort Pitt in October, Bouquet advanced to the Muskingum River. Here he entered into negotiations with several of the Ohio tribes. Isolated due to Bradstreets earlier efforts, they made peace in mid-October. Aftermath The campaigns of 1764 effectively ended the conflict,  though some calls for resistance still came from the Illinois Country and Native American leader Charlot Kaskà ©. These issues were dealt with in 1765 when Johnsons deputy, George Croghan, was able to meet with Pontiac. After extensive discussions, Pontiac agreed to come east and he concluded a formal peace treaty with Johnson at Fort Niagara in July 1766. An intense and bitter conflict, Pontiacs Rebellion ended with the British abandoning Amhersts policies and returning to those used earlier. Having recognized the inevitable conflict that would emerge between colonial expansion and the Native Americans, London issued the Royal Proclamation of 1763 which prohibited settlers from moving over the Appalachian Mountains and created a large Indian Reserve. This action was poorly received by those in the colonies and was the first of many laws issued by Parliament that would lead to the American Revolution.