2009 Chrysler Fiat Strategic Alliance

The company had no choice but to look for a partner. During this process, Chrysler explored the possibility of a tie-up with GM, Ford, Volkswagen, Tata Motors, Nissan and Fiat. Eventually Chrysler decided on creating a strategic alliance where Fiat agreed on taking a 20 percent stake in Chrysler. In the next five years, the tie-up may increase Fiat’s ownership of Chrysler to 35 percent. Both companies show compatibility in their product portfolios, global operations, and technology sharing areas. Case ObjectivesThe primary objective of this case is to analyze and discuss Chrysler’s 2009 strategic alliance with Fiat and its current and future prospects. Issues that are at the helm of this tie-up are technology sharing, global integration, quality control, and reorganization of brand portfolios. Students need to look at the intricacies of strategic alliances between two or more companies as well. As of May 2009, Chrysler is going through its Chapter 11 and corporate restructuring in the U. S. The company continues to shrink in terms of its manufacturing and global operations.Suggested Teaching Approach and Student Assignments Since the case is timely, it is recommended that class discussions should be based on the companies’ histories and their evolutionary growth (see Tables 2 and 3). Also important are topics such as strategic alliances, auto industry’s technology platforms, and brand portfolios. The questions included in the case for class discussion will require Web-based and library research on the part of students. It is recommended that the instructors provide a supplementary list of references on the auto industry (see: WardsAuto. om, JDPower. com, Automotive News, Google Search, Business Source Complete, Hoovers. com, Reuters. com, Value Line, Standard Poor’s Industry Surveys, etc. ). This will help students to be fully prepared for the case. Finally, students should be encouraged to visit Chrysler, Fiat, and other auto manufacturers’ Web sites before discussing this case in the classroom. Discussion Questions Answers Question 1. What are your views of the 2009 Chrysler-Fiat strategic alliance and its future prospects in the auto industry? Question 2. Analyze and evaluate Chrysler and Fiat’s strengths and weaknesses before and after their 2009 strategic alliance. Question 3. Compare and contrast Chrysler and Fiat with five other global auto manufacturers (GM, Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen and Daimler) in the areas of global operations and manufacturing issues. Question 4. Analyze Chrysler and Fiat’s brand portfolios in the world auto industry. How do you see both companies revamping and overhauling their brands in the short- (1-2 years) and long-terms (5-6 years). Question 5. What did you learn from the Chrysler-Fiat Strategic Alliance regarding managing multinationals in the changing global business? Case Analysis The Chrysler-Fiat strategic alliance will provide a meaningful opportunity to both companies regarding dealing with survival and expanding their markets in Europe and North America. As of 2009, it is evident that the companies are off to a good start. Both firms have marketable brands in their market segments but lack a collective effort. The case is a good example in the area of cross-border alliances that take place between two or more companies.Since 2008, Fiat has actively sought a partner in North America because of the attraction of the market. This is also attributed to the auto industry’s consolidation, restructuring, and cost-cutting activities. Chrysler and Fiat ended up seeking an alliance because of their compatibility, product portfolios, and markets. In Chrysler’s case, the main motive was to seek a partner who could help strengthen its financial problem regarding new technologies, markets, and quality standards.

Personal and Social Relationships Research Paper

Personal and Social Relationships - Research Paper Example On the other hand, there are some who find it hard to reveal the experiences they have had before to people around them. (Lerner, 1986) When it comes to making friends, what matters is whether you have the same kind of experience the other person has and also the readiness you have to share with the other person. At the same time, you should be willing to listen to their experience because he or she might be having a different experience other than yours or nearly the same. This is very important because it makes them feel that they are recognized by the person to whom he is sharing the same experience. Because of this he or, she will al, ways be willing to share with the same friend and this, in turn, strengthens your relationship. (Kling, 1996) On the other hand, it is easy to for one to lose a friend if you don’t give him time to share out what he has to with you. If a friend listens to you it is very important that you equally give him or the same attention. Friends are ve ry important because in time of need they will always be ready to stand for you before other people. Their company also proves to be very interesting when hanging out. (In Smelser, 1963) Some people may find it difficult to relate wi, the others because they have specific interests only in particular areas. It might be because that people around them don’t share similar interests. ...They normally meet and discuss certain issues which all of them tend to prioritize. Currently, the internet has greatly contributed to grouping these people with specific interests together. Regardless of place and time they can easily interact through the Sometimes at the early stages of a relationship it may feel easy and exciting but for a long-lasting relationship, both partners must be actively involved by giving their efforts in building the relationship. Building a good foundation is very important for a relationship and this involves respect between the partners as well as appreciating wh at your partner has done for you. For example, in couples, they always tend to appreciate whatever has been done for them even if it is something small. This may also mean taking into consideration what your partner says and then giving compliments. This makes either of the partners feel that he or she is valued in a relationship. (Brody, 1994). Furthermore, the partners in the relationship may try to discover what they both have in common so that whenever they are spending time both will be enjoying the same things. As much as people are not perfect any of the partners can make a mistake in a relationship and because of this, there must be an established way of apologizing for the mistake. This is important because it makes the other partner feel that you are responsible for the actions you did. Sometimes partner in a relationship may get a topic which they will never come to an agreement and on such occasions, both have to agree to disagree and continue with the relationship. (Mar inelli, 1999).

Women Rock Musician in History from the beginning in Unites States Essay

Women Rock Musician in History from the beginning in Unites States - Essay Example Rock and roll resulted from the convergence of rhythm, blues, and country musical genres plus a series of hi-tech developments, which creates an innovative market for the music. Blues are known to have developed from songs sung by African-Americans while working; they had originally been brought to the USA as slaves. While working at plantations, they used to communicate by means of â€Å"call and response,† fooling the plantation owners, saying that the music was happy though they actually used it to discuss issues about the owners; and just as rhythm and blues developed from blues, rock and roll developed from rhythm and blues (R&B). Among the great women that have made a contribution in the history rock and roll especially when it comes to playing instruments in bands or in singles included; Wanda Jackson (guitarist), Nancy Wilson (guitarist), Meg White (Pianist), Bonnie Rait (guitarist), and, other artists of today like Lady Gaga, who started playing the piano at a tender age and Taylor Swift who plays the guitar. Some of the technological advancements during the commencement of rock and roll in the 1940s included phonographs, which were initially bulky and could be damaged easily, so most people were tired of them, even though they were common. However, during the same time when rock and roll started, significant transformations were evident; the records that primarily played at 78 rpm (rounds per minute) were enhanced, and those that replaced them played at 33 and 45rpm, making them less bulky and easy to handle. American Rock (United States Rock) Women played key roles in the growth and development of the rock and roll genre, starting with early blues artists like Ma Rainey (Mother of the blues) and Bessie Smith (Vocalist from the black community), who were surprisingly the only women who recorded blues in the 1920’s, and Mother Maybelle Carter who recorded the first country music in 1927. These three plus other prominent women put on great effort towards establishing equality and basic human rights for the female gender emphasizing on the right to vote and working towards social justice (National Museum of Women Arts, 1). Moreover, other women involved in the campaign included; Ruth Brown and Lavern Baker (R&B singers), the famous rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson, Mahalia Jackson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe who mastered the guitar by the age of six, Memphis Minnie and Billie Holiday; some of who were talented and creative when it came to the different genres and were definitely trailblazers of rock and roll in the 50s. Significantly, as from 1950, rock and roll dominated most of the other music genres, making it a major force in American record sales, and crooners such as Patti Page found themselves pulled out of the pop charts due to the development and growth of rock and roll artists (Saatchi Gallery 1). Rock and roll bands and artists that dominated the pop charts during the 1950s included the Shirelles and the Supremes hence later on there were others like Janis Joplin, Grace Slick, Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Laura Nyro who ruled in the 1970s, setting a platform for the artists that are there today i.e. Carrie Underwood. Concomitantly, as rock and roll advanced, more divisions of it continued to emerge, such as surf music, which involved instrumental rock and roll, garage rock that was in the form of amateurish rock music, blues rock that often emulated jazz, folk rock that was identified with progressive or labor politics, and country rock that emulated country music. Others not so common were roots rock, psychedelic rock and southern rock, and by the 1970s there had been more such as progressive rock, glam rock, soft and hard rock (that are even common today), early