Harley Davidson free essay sample

If you where CEO of Harley-Davidson, how would you compare the advantages and disadvantages of using exports, joint ventures, and wholly-owned subsidiaries as ways if expanding international sales? Selling products in different kind of markets is very important to let people know what you are selling. People have get involved with the product. In every part of the world they have their own kind of product, but by exporting you can try to convince people. An advantage of exporting is that it creates jobs in other countries. A disadvantage is that the local product will suffer by the imported product. A company is taking a risk by cooperating with another (most likely) unknown company, but that will be a risk that you’ll always have to take. 2. Given Harley’s legacy of quality and craftsmanship, what complications might the Chinese business environment pose for the firm to manufacture there? In China they try to produce as cheaply as possible. We will write a custom essay sample on Harley Davidson or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page They work with a lot of machines, while Harley’s are often handmade. Also the materials of heavyweight motorcycles are very expensive. This is not the way, Chinese companies are based on. Another thing that features the Chinese business environment is that they try to produce so much an cheap as possible, and this is not originally meant for Harley’s. 3. Harley’s positioning, at least in America and Japan, has shifted from providing a product (motorcycles) toward more of providing a service (way of life). How does this positioning affect its potential to succeed in Asia, Africa and South America? In common people in Asia, Africa and South America don’t really care about such things, that’s when I’m talking about common people who have difficulties in life. The only need products to survive and to transport themselves. So I don’t think such things will succeed in these continents. Though there are many people, especially in Asia, who like everything which comes from Europe and USA. But this is a very small segment. Harley Davidson free essay sample Harley Davidsons Vision statement is, We fulfill dreams inspired by the many roads of the World by providing remarkable motorcycles and extraordinary customer experiences. We fuel the passion for freedom in our customers to express their own individuality. Mission: â€Å"We ride with our customers and apply this deep connection in every market we serve to create superior value for all our customers† (Every Day Values, 2012) this has always been something that Harley Davidson has always successfully managed to do. Harley Davidson motorcycles have traditionally been made very well and up to date, have been the epitome of American made Motorcycles, and maintained their value longer than most other motorcycles. For these reasons Harley Davidson has enjoyed an untarnished reputation for as long as most people can remember. It has been a long and hard road for Harley Davidson, with its ups and downs, but it has survived, and still flourishes. We will write a custom essay sample on Harley Davidson or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This paper will critically examine Harley Davidson’s mission and vision and whether or not it is aligned with their stakeholders’ needs and goals. It is clear that Harley Davidson’s vision of itself is a company that fulfills the dreams of its customers, while providing high quality products and experiences. Currently Harley Davidsons mission and Vision is aligned with the needs of its stakeholders, primarily it consumers and its employees. Harley Davidson not only has a Mission and Vision, but it also has Values, Expected Behaviors, and Strategic Pillars. These promote creativity, continuous Improvements, and leader development. Consumers are actually fulfilling more and more dreams, which is evident by increases in sales. There are many reasons for this, Harley Davidson listens to its consumers and values their input. They also created the Harley Owners Group (HOG) so that the Company can receive feedback from its riders and continue to make their experiences better and better by improving the products. â€Å"They conduct four US national rallies, two touring rallies, and 44 state rallies. † (Fred, 2008). Where the can receive feedback from riders and enjoy some customer bonding as they share in the excitement of riding. Harley Davidson just made major improvements in 4 key areas of their current line  of motorcycles, with the input of their riders. Control; Larger engine, brighter lights, and Anti-locking Braking System. Infotainment; color touch screen radio with Bluetooth, GPS, and CB communication all in one unit which can be controlled by voice commands, allowing a rider to keep both hands on the bars. Feel; redesign of Fairings, improved passenger room with back rest and arm rests. Style; Redesigned trunk and saddle bags, with on touch latches, lighter wheels and intuitive hand control switches. â€Å"Weve been one with our riders and dealers for 110 years, and were now doing a much, much better job bringing their insights and needs into great new bikes; and getting the job done 30 percent faster so they can enjoy it all sooner! The worlds best – and best-selling – touring bike just got a whole lot better because of the inspiration of our riders and the talent and dedication of our employees. † (Hoyer, 2013) The needs and goals of the employees at Harley Davidson are being met. Open communication at all levels is used as a major key to achieving teamwork and employee participation. When employees feel like a participant they will have a mutual goal: the long term success of the Company. (Fred, 2008). This is one of the area’s Harley Davidson has placed special emphasis on. With restructuring there assembly lines it became a necessity to know if something was not correct in the process, open communication allowed employees to communicate with leaders to resolve issues quickly, minimizing loss. Employees are also encouraged to participate in Harley Davidson Learning Center for its employees; the center was created after restructuring of the workforce to create semi-autonomous workgroups. The center is dedicated to lifelong learning, but is also used to hone skills, learn new skills and if needed remedial training. Employees can find any job specific training available at the Learning Center. Conclusion A mission statement should not be something a company just says, it should be what they live by and what guides them in all aspects of its operations, Harley Davidsons Vision and Mission are in line with what the stakeholders want, who better to relate to a motorcycle rider that a fellow rider. The only suggestions I would make to Harley Davidson was to incorporates there Values, Expected Behaviors and Strategic Pillars, into their mission and vision. I am not sure how it should be done, but it seems without these 3 â€Å"other† areas you don’t get a full picture of what Harley Davidson is really about, which is taking care of it Customers, employees and stakeholders.