Case blue nile Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Case blue nile - Essay Example SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis deals with examining the internal and external factors impacting the actions and performance of the organization. While strengths and weaknesses can be identified by scrutinizing the internal factors, opportunities and threats are revealed by investigating the various macro environmental aspects like political, social, economic, legal and environmental forces. The biggest strength of Blue Nile is its ability to keep its costs under control. The company has a vast array of products in its repertoire and thus provides its customers a wide choice. It has an economical supply chain, a lean hierarchy and does not give any mark up to the wholesalers and retailers. All these aspects help Blue Nile to keep its operating costs low. The online retailer boasts of exceptional customer service. Blue Nile provides grading reports on its website that enables customers to purchase just the ‘right kind’ of jewelry. Every diamond marketed by Blue Nile is graded either by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or by the American Gem Society Laboratories (AGSL). Blue Nile also maintains favorable relations with its suppliers. The company has managed to ink pacts with numerous suppliers and therefore is not dependent on one particular supplier for the purchase of diamonds. Blue Nile offers its customers more than 60, 000 diamonds and hundreds of settings. However, the company derives majority of its revenue from the sale of engagement rings. The company has not been able to chalk out a strategy to increase the percentage of consumers to buy jewelry items online. Another weakness is that the company’s net profit margin at 4.2 percent is very low especially when compared to the net profit margin of 9.8 percent at Tiffany. Blue Nile provides ‘trust, guidance and value’ to its customers. These features are now being provided by its competitors as well. If

Video Project Reflection Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Video Project Reflection Paper - Essay Example In our case, the whole concept of professionalism boarded on respect, both for other members as well as for oneself. The task and the entire project were daunting, and it took a toll on everyone’s schedules; without self-respect, we would not manage to get everything going within the stipulated timeframe. Fortunately, most of us were extremely focused and aligned with the project’s requirements. As such, we exhibited a great deal of professionalism with respect to the expedition. However, a little lack of professionalism still surfaced, at some point some would not complete their duties in time, but with the help of others, they were successful in the end. On the same note, members were highly respectful and patience with regards to the opinions of other members. Each opinion, regardless of how wrong it may seem, was accepted and later isolated with facts, and in a way that left everyone satisfied. In any situation where more than one person is involved, conflicts of interest are bound to arise. Likewise, our team had to struggle with conflicts resulting from different points of view. Working in a team is never an easy task; everyone has their opinions, all which have to be harmonized and integrated with the overall objective of the project (Schon 9). On this note I found myself in a tight corner- most of the time having to deal with a mixture of feelings. From the onset of the project, I felt somewhat awkward; some members seemed to dislike the tasks they were allocated. Furthermore, the team had to evaluate all the different opinions given by the members. As is not enough, the introverted team members who rarely contributed to the discussions felt out of place, and somehow unrecognized. To contain the conflict that could probably blow out of proportion, everyone was required to contribute each time a motion popped up. The collectively, each proposal was evaluated in a more c omprehensive and inclusive