Kinko's to Thailand Prospectus   Term Paper ID:27507 Click to get this paper

Essay Subject: Examines the prospects for introducing a Kinko's franchise program into Thailand. Details the Thai economic situation & proposes an implementation plan.... More...

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Paper Abstract: Examines the prospects for introducing a Kinko's franchise program into Thailand. Details the Thai economic situation & proposes an implementation plan. Paper Introduction: Overview Thailand is a nation ready to embrace a Kinko's franchise program. By introducing Kinko's as a specialty and hi tech printing shop, it will be possible to capture a large portion of that nation's printing market. Kinko's franchising in Thailand will be successful because we will aim for a training program in-country which emphasizes the training of Thai-born managers and introduces the latest printing equipment. It also focuses on accessibility to the latest personal computers and computer programs as well as offer courses in personal computer use, and will be driven by an advertising blitz which will emphasize our accessibility for the growing middling and small entrepreneurial class. Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. 15). Is this estate real? Facing new realities: Politicians'spending clashes with the need for fiscal discipline. U.S. Phupoksakul, N. Computerservices and software totaled $355 million in 1995 (Miller, 1995). The rest ofthe market sales came from purchases of software and services. For example, Thailand has instituted a number of businessincentives which take effect only if foreign companies relocate a minimumof 5 workers into the nation and spend $4 , to establish regionalheadquarters (Gillote, 1996). Gillote, T. Miller, S. Kinko'swould bring in the personal to set up a regional headquarters and institutea Bangkok-based training program for future Thai managers. It is in this area that Kinko's has amarked advantage since we have the resources to introduce the latestequipment as well as perform quick upgrades for future innovations. Kinko's could establish its headquarters in Thailand's economiccenter, Bangkok, and from this point control an expanding network offranchise stores located in cities and towns across the nation. Kinko's would emphasize easy access tolarge numbers of the latest computers and programs, fax capabilities,Internet connections, and perhaps most importantly, a comprehensive set oftraining programs offered to the public. Thus,Kinko's franchises would be well positioned to take advantage of localdemands for more printed material as well as the projected increase infranchising licenses given out by the government to foreign companies(Savage, 1994). In addition, theThai government has made education and retraining toward skilled labor ahigh priority. Savage, R. Our Kinko'sfranchises will look to establish centers along routes which havebenefitted from the government's infrastructure program in terms ofreliable communication's wiring, establishment of adequate roads, and theintroduction of reliable water and electrical supplies.Cultural Culturally, Thailand is undergoing a transformation as it increasinglyembraces Western products and entertainment. This body and the King are balanced by a 16-member cabinet and Prime Minister lead-government. Bibliography Fairclough, G. Thus, Kinko's isassured to attract employees from pre-existing companies looking to traintheir employees in the latest computer programs as well as the smallentrepreneur and personal computer owner in need of basic computer skills.Political/Legal Politically, Thailand is governed by a relatively stableconstitutional monarchy. 48. Legislative functions are controlled by a 63 member National Assembly. The middle-class in Thailand is very important to our future plans because theyrepresent the nation's fastest growing number of entrepreneurs (Gampell,1996). (1995). Thus itis vital that a program strictly tailored toward the needs and culture ofThailand be developed. It also focuses onaccessibility to the latest personal computers and computer programs aswell as offer courses in personal computer use, and will be driven by anadvertising blitz which will emphasize our accessibility for the growingmiddling and small entrepreneurial class.Economic Thailand is now the leading economic power of the member nationsaffiliated with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).Thailand is also situated in one of the world's fastest growing economicregions. This bodes well for attempts to bring Kinko's franchises toregions outside the capital and position them to take advantage of thedevelopment of new economic centers within the country. Thisdepartment has proven extremely open and friendly to foreign corporations(Gillote, 1996). p. While the majority of the printing market iscontrolled by local Thai shops, these 4 shops are struggling to upgradetheir aging equipment in order to meet the demand for new, more efficienttechnologies (Phupoksakul, 1995). (1996 Sept./Oct.). (1994 Nov. The conditions and potential of Thailand for the operation of Kinko'sfranchise as laid out in this paper are quite impressive. 4 printing shops generated $7billion in printed matter in 1994 yet currently the total foreign franchisemarket in that nation was estimated at only $15.3 million (Phupoksakul,1995; Savage, 1994). 24-34. However, Kinko'smust take advantage of this window of opportunity now with a program whichis well thought out and ready for immediate implementation upon hitting theground in Thailand. On the contrary, Thailand has actively embraced these foreigninfluences. The efforts by the Thai government to attract foreign investment showsa willingness to accommodate companies looking to grab a share of the Thaimarket. Gampell, J. Eventually, the Thai operation could serve as a model forexpansion into other Asian economic hot spots. (1996 Aug. An example of foreign investment-friendly legislation is the investment law of 1995 guaranteeing companiesnearly complete freedom to market their products throughout Thailand.These privileges do not apply to the capital of Bangkok which the Thai areattempting to turn into a Hong Kong style trading and mercantile Meccacontrolled domestically. Somespeculate that this aura of good feeling stems in part from the fact thatThailand has never been colonized and has not suffered repeated, long terminvasions. Again, these factors allow Kinko's to take advantage of awell educated pool of workers while building a work force capable ofresponding to the unique needs of the Thai public. 15). Department of Commerce. Printing and graphic arts equipment: Industrysector analysis. Market Research Reports: National Trade Data Bank andEconomic Bulletin Board. Far Eastern EconomicReview. 38-4 . The computer market in Thailand has experienced explosive growth inthe 199 s. The goal would be for thesemanager/trainees to introduce a Thai influence on Kinko's in-countryoperations. In this way Kinko's would introduce a product with a "Thaiflavor" which would make our Thai clientele feel comfortable with embracingthe company. Thailand - Multimedia computerhardware/software/services. Thailand is a nation looking toemerge from an agricultural and textile based economy into a high techmanufacturing and communications hub (Fairclough, 1996). U.S. The Board of Investment has overseen or pushed through legislationoffering attractive privileges for foreign companies including, taxholidays of up to eight years, export subsidies, investment guarantees, andexemption from certain business taxes. (1995). Market Research Reports: National Trade DataBank and Economic Bulletin Board. The recruitment of educated and motivated staff and managers among theThai people is not a difficult prospect. The expanding market forprinting materials is uniquely suited to Kinko's ability to produce highvolumes of black and white or color prints, color photographic copies, andother printed materials (from business cards to flyers and envelopes),quickly and cheaply. Far Eastern EconomicReview. Thai managers would also help Kinko's avoid culturalmisunderstandings while introducing a product tailored totally to our Thaiclientele. Thailand's drive towardmodernization has also deeply affected the nation's cultural character.Huge high-rises are replacing traditional homes and shops in Bangkok whilea growing middle-class is beginning to flex its economic muscle. 1). The huge growth of printing and computer markets in 1995 alone makeThailand very attractive for Kinko's franchising. The Thai are also attempting to encouragedevelopment of regions outside the capital, known as "zone three," byembarking on an ambitious plan to improve the nation's infrastructure.Thailand has also instituted advertisement campaigns announcing thenation's attractiveness for foreign investors and franchises (Gillote,1996). It must also be noted that the generous taxexemptions, investment nets, and stable political and economic base inThailand make investment a relatively low risk venture. However, this also means that Thailand is still a nation fardifferent in character from Western or Western influenced nations. Inaddition, the first crop of Thai franchise managers would be recruited forinheriting the established training program. The growing computer market in Thailand is also well suited to Kinko'sfranchising development. Department of Commerce. Overview Thailand is a nation ready to embrace a Kinko's franchise program.By introducing Kinko's as a specialty and hi tech printing shop, it will bepossible to capture a large portion of that nation's printing market.Kinko's franchising in Thailand will be successful because we will aim fora training program in-country which emphasizes the training of Thai-bornmanagers and introduces the latest printing equipment. Thailand has so far displayed little fear of foreign influence on itsculture and national character as have other nations experiencing rapidgrowth. The lion's share, 73% of this market, came inthe area of personal computer and computer accessory sales. It isthis middle-class which will provide Kinko's base clientele. These incentives and the general atmosphere of friendliness towardforeign nationals make Thailand ideal for Kinko's expansion plans. (1996 Aug. Current projections put the increase of this market at7.5% annually. Fast growing economic regions are huge consumers of printedmatter as well as comprehensive and fast means of communications, whetherit be by faxes, phones, or the Internet. Thailand's increasing connection to world marketshas meant an explosion in the need for computers as well as personneltrained to use software programs. The total market for printing and graphic arts wasestimated at $245 million in 1995 and is expected to increase by 5%annually (Phupoksakul, 1995). Our goal wouldbe for 1 % Thai-born managers in our stores by the year 2 . An international franchise sampler.Franchising World, online edition. This is due to the fact thatThailand boasts a literacy rate of 93% (Gillote, 1996). Serious business in the land of smiles.Trade and Culture, pp. The computer market from 1994 to 1995 alone increased 5 % toapproximately $1.3 billion. As foreign investmentin Thailand expands, Kinko's emphasis on Thai employees and a respect forThai culture will help avoid any anti-foreigner backlash which couldeventually occur. The government operates a Board of Investmentwhich oversees 8 % of all foreign direct investment in the nation. Thailand has openlyembraced foreign capital as well as direct development of franchises andmarkets in recent years. Additionally, the market breakdown for printing materials in 1995 wasas follows: pre-press equipment such as film, plates, color separating, andtypesetting accounted for 2 % of the market share ($49 million), sales ofpress and printing equipment accounted for 57% of the market share ($14 million), after press equipment such as binders accounted for 23% of themarket share ($56 million) (Phupoksakul, 1995). pp. If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.