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Summary of McDonald’s strategies and performance

The McDonalds Corporation is a successful global restaurant that operates chains around the globe. The organization has employed global expansion and effective management strategies to enter new markets and gain a share of the diverse, fast food market. It is clear that McDonalds has achieved this massive success. The business has established best practices in the global food industry. However, it has also experienced international growth challenges trends in the recent past. These factors have seen the company perform poorly in its different businesses in both local and foreign nations. (Mourdoukoutas, 2013)

One of the strategies employed by McDonalds is the creation of both customer and brand loyalty for its products and services. Right from the beginning, the founder, Ray Kroc ensured that the French fries customers bought in one restaurant would be similar to another McDonald restaurant by developing a sophisticated operating and delivery system. He proved himself an industrial pioneer who revolutionized the American restaurant industry by imposing discipline on the production of milkshakes, hamburgers, and French fries. The consistency made McDonald’s the brand name that defined American fast food. In the restaurant industry, the McDonald’s is well known for high-quality foods and services evident in the quantity of customers they serve. The making of a uniform and consistent product for customers is one of the most important aspects of McDonald’s success. (Beef Central, 2015)

Irrespective of where customers purchase their products, once they see the ever-present “golden arches” they know exactly they are expected to get. McDonald’s Mission Statement has helped the business to focus on what really matters both to itself and to stakeholders. It has acted as a guide to strategic and routine operational decisions. In addition, it represents the glue that binds all the franchises under the organization together. Another strategy employed by McDonalds is rapid expansion. Right from the beginning, McDonalds expanded by franchising. By 1960, more than 200 McDonald’s outlets were operational. McDonald’s Corporation has been recording declining sales and profits both in its local and foreign businesses. On the other hand, competitors have been formulating strategies to attract more customers to their business. In 2015, McDonald’s reported 30% drop in profit and 11% decrease in revenue for the first three months of the year. It announced hundreds of store closings. The company has been trying to fix its problems particularly in the U.S market that generates 40% of its profit. It is simplifying its menu to appeal to its customers. It is testing all-day breakfast and has slowed down service and focused efforts on reducing errors in orders. (Mourdoukoutas, 2013)

The reality is that McDonald’s recent performance has been poor. In 2015 first quarter, the company recorded US$5.6 billion in global revenue down from $6.7 Billion in 2014 first quarter. The net income recorded amounted to $ 811 million down from $1.2 billion in the year 2013. Part of the business expenses arose from charges linked to restaurant closures. In the US and Canada, 220 restaurants were closed as well as 130 in Japan. The company is expected to close other 350 restaurants worldwide to avoid further loses. McDonald’s largest division in the United States saw a decrease in sales of up to 2.6% reflecting low customer traffic and negative sales amidst high competition. (Mourdoukoutas, 2013)

The operating income decreased by 11% as a result of weak sales and restructuring and closing activities. In its Europe’s division, the business experienced a decline in sales of 0.6%. First quarter operating income decreased by 20% partly as a result of currency and inflation pressures in Russia and continuing macroeconomic pressures facing much of Europe The business’s Pacific, Asia, Middle East and African divisions saw first quarter sales decrease by 8.3%. Asia region had a prolonged impact of consumer perception issues particularly in Japan over food safety breaches. The operating income in these regions decreased due to restaurant closing in response to poor performance.

1. Discuss the legal rules and regulations on assisted suicide: one state legalizes the assisted suicide, and the other state does not.

In the United States, Oregon and Washington have legalized physician-assisted suicide. This law established by states provides citizens in the state with a right to assisted suicide commonly known as ‘death with dignity.’ In these states, physicians are empowered to aid patients to end their life and have been provided with a legal excuse to a charge of assisted suicide. The law in these states gives specific conditions when and under what circumstances a patient can be allowed to get assistance to end their life. Some of the requirements include that the patient is expected to die within a specified period and that the procedure must follow certain consent guidelines.

In states where there is no law legalizing physician-assisted suicide, an individual or a physician is guilty of promoting suicide attempt when they intentional leads to or assists another person attempt suicide.

2. Discuss the legal issues on assisted suicide (e.g., 2nd-degree murder).

The legal issues arising from physician-assisted suicide is that doctors can be charged with second-degree murder as they would be killing or aiding in the death of a patient intentionally. The legal perspective of homicide is described by the act of bringing about their death or assisting in ending their life, which is the act of assisted suicide. In care facilities, a legal issue arises when a doctor whose responsibility is to do good, aids in the death of a patient who requests assistance to commit suicide. The doctor may be charged and found guilty of assisting another person to commit suicide.

3. Discuss the ethical issues of assisted suicide (e.g., right to die).

Various ethical issues arising from traditions of nursing and medicine have led to opposition of assisted suicide by nursing and medical organizations. The patient’s in care facilities have a right to know their prognosis to make decisions concerning the implementation of life-prolonging treatment. Although patients have a right to make a decision about what they want, the ethical issue that arises is whether they are mentally competent and can make properly informed end of life decisions about their condition. Also, an ethical issue that arises from a patient who has a right to die and seeking to end their life since they are suffering is whether the suffering should be viewed according to the patient’s view or considered in other people’s perspective. An ethical issue on assisted suicide on an individual who has a right to die is whether the approach used is widely acceptable.

4. Shall the person (i.e., a family member) be charged a crime (e.g., murder), who has provided any kind of assistance to another person’s suicide?

A family member who provides any kind of assistance to another individual so as to assist end their life is guilty and may be charged with a crime of manslaughter. The crime is that the person purposely aids another commit suicide regardless of whether the patient was willing or made own decision to end their life. The kind of assistance may include giving advice on how to end life, giving a book that provides guidelines on suicide or even providing pills or medicine or other physical means that causes death.

5. Your feedback and solutions to the issues of assisted suicide, legal and ethical

The subject of assisted suicide whether by a family member or an organization or a physician raises sharp contrasting opinions. Individuals commit or have thoughts of committing suicide for various reasons that range from ending the suffering caused by terminal illnesses or other problems. Governments and states should formulate and enforce laws that prohibit assisted suicide without proper guidelines or advice. The individuals seeking advice on assisted suicide or those who want to commit suicide should have adequate knowledge of the outcome of their actions. Federal and state government should also increase assistance to patients who are suffering or have pain due to some illness.