The Coca-Cola Company: Operational Management2

The Coca-Cola Company: International Operations

Introduction

As discussed in one of my discussion posts regarding Quality Management, I am expanding on that idea in order to write an essay regarding Operations Management. Quality Management is an Operations Management issue and innovation impacts an organization’s long-term success. This post will consider the challenges in differentiating the two and how they also are integral to each other. The organization that I will choose in order to discuss this point which also affects where Quality Management applies is The Coca-Cola Company.

The Operations Management of Coca-Cola needs to ensure that their product is distributed throughout the world. Coca-Cola is currently available in South America, North America, Europe, Africa, all Asian countries and Australia and New Zealand, as well as available in Icelandic countries as well. Coca-Cola is all over the world (Coca-cola.com, 2016). In order for Coca-Cola to be widely available and continue to remain relevant to each upcoming generation of young people, as well as to stay true to their existing customers, Coca-Cola utilizes quality management skills in order to make key decisions to offer a variety of beverage products for its worldwide customers. They also continue to ensure that they are readily available, as well as readily accessible to clients all over the world – with this product anyone can be a potential client of the beverage, unless they are very young or potentially also very senior. Outside of that, Coca-Cola has unlimited potential to reach a wide variety of customers and they keep their loyal customers happy by offering new varieties of Coca-Cola all of the time, as well as “thinking outside of the box” where in the 1980s they offered Cherry Cola and this product is still available for store owners who find their customers desire this product in stores all over the world. Coca-Cola also came up with many innovative packaging ideas such as having small Coke bottles, cans, two litre bottles, offering cans in sizes of 10 and 24 and a variety of other packaging options in order to keep innovative, relevant and continue to beat out their main competitor Pepsi. As well, Coca-Cola also continues to bank on their brand name by having stores where you can purchase clothing and other products that bear the Coca-Cola label. Next, I will discuss how Operations Management has made a significant difference in the general operations of the Coca-Cola Company.

Operations Management at Coca-Cola

“Diversity is an integral part of who we are, how we operate and how we see the future” (Coca-ColaCompany.com, 2016). The Coca-Cola Company not only focuses on diversity but also enforces proper workplace and human rights choices and practices with their company (Coca-ColaCompany.com, 2016). They also have a sustainability report which outlines how they effectively have eliminated the waste from their empty Coca-Cola cans all over the world and how much endorse recycling. Coca-Cola has also made healthier choices by introducing Vitamin Water which is a product that is owned by Coca-Cola and is highly popular, particularly young people and is a viable choice as a beverage towards a healthier and more balanced lifestyle (Coca-ColaCompany.com, 2016). The company holds and sponsors many parades and also was a strong supporter of this year’s 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janiero in Brazil. The company also stays current through a strong and popular online presence through social media and affiliate marketing plans with partnering organizations in order to continue to stay current and to stay relevant in today’s ever-changing culture of beverage consumers (Coca-ColaCompany, 2016). Coca-Cola Company also owns the popular beverage Sprite and Minute Maid, as well as the popular drink on the African continent Fanta and the popular glacéau vitaminwater in the French speaking parts of the world. Powerade is a sports drink that is popular among athletes and athletic people. Dasani and Coke Zero are both beverages that offer a healthy drinking alternative – Dasani being a bottled water beverage and Coke Zero being a beverage that has zero calories which is similar to Coca-Cola in its taste. All of these choices and brands continue to offer more in the operations management of this company.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Coca-Cola’s Operation Management is consistently coming up with innovative ideas in order to support Quality Management. It has a diverse workforce that also has a strong objective on a harassment free and ethical working environment. The company also supports the bottom line of making money by having a sustainability model within its operations to ensure that they are giving back to its loyal customers and also to the environment to ensure that they will continue to keep their customers, as well as garner new ones.

Reference

Coca-Cola.com. (2016). Coca-Cola.com. Atlanta, GA, United States: Coca-Cola Headquarters.

Retrieved from: www.cola-cola.com

Coca-ColaCompany.com. (2016). Workplace Culture. Atlanta, GA, United States: Coca-Cola

Headquarters. Retrieved from: http://www.coca-colacompany.com/our-company/diversity/workplace-culture