One Man's Perspective

If I had the choice of being an investor or a customer, I would rather be a customer, business or as an individual.  First of all, my return on investment might be higher if I was a vendor selling sodas made from Coca Cola syrup than if I had invested a $1,000 or so.  Also, the quality of Coke products is never questioned as their brand name is known for high quality and taste.  As for investing in Coca Cola, the product remains both recession resistant and unable to flourish in good times.

Most Interesting Detail

The most fascinating detail I learned throughout my following of The Coca Cola Company was how authority and decision-making had been decentralized in ome areas and centralized in other areas.  The Board of Directors deals in matters that govern the long-term financing and profitabilty of the company, while the Operating Group and Functional Group Leadership deal in more specific areas, such as geographic area or function.

Coca Cola's Secret Ingredient...Passion

The Coca Cola Company attributes their success to their unique culture.  They have a slogan, "one company, one team, one passion," which they use to describe how culture has been use to create success for their company.  "One company" describes how everyone shares the same passion and in an environment that allows for free-flowing ideas.  "One team" pints to its people and their relationships as keys to success.  "One passion"  respresent Coke's fair and inclusive workplace and thei service to the community.

A Blessing in Disguise

Who would have thought that the resignation of a member of Coca Cola's Board of Directors, who had served on the board for over 20 years, could be a positive move for the company.  At he end of this year, Cathleen Black will resign from Coke's Board of Directors to serve as New York City's School Chancellor.  While at Coke, Cathleen Black has long fought against the movement to ban surgery drinks in public schools.  Cathleen Black's appointment should help in their battle against removing sugary drinks from schools.

Following the Leadership

Every company has its corporate structure that includes a chain of command that ends with the Chief Executive Officer.  The scope of the decisions made increase with the level of management with top management making the most important decisions.  So, who exactly makes the decisions at the Coca Cola Company?  The Coca Cola Company has 3 layers of leadership:  the Board of Directors, Operating Group Leadership, and Functional Leadership.  The Board of Directors are elected by shareholders to oversee their interests in the company.  The Operating Group Leadership is divided into geographic markets and in some instances large operations like McDonalds.  The Functional Leadership is headed by a Chief Administrative Officer who oversees top managers in Legal, Human Resources, Global Community Connections, Strategic Planning, Information Technology, Research & Innovation, Science, Global Quality and Product Integrity, Transformational Productivity and Strategic Security.  Coca Cola's system may be complex, but it's thorough.

Will Going Red Keep Coca Cola in the Black

The Coca Cola Company continues to foster their long-term committment to China in a 3 year, $2 Billion investment plan.  Coca Cola has viewed China as one of the world's largest and fastest growing beverage markets.  Recently, the Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partner, COFCO Coca-Cola Beverages Ltd., continued their expansion in China by opening two new bottling facilities in less developed central and western China.  Following the two new additions, Coca Cola will operate 38 bottling plants in China.

http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/presscenter/nr_20090624_two_plant_openings_in_china.html

Power through Integration

More amazing than the products themselves is the Coca Cola Company's distribution system.  The Coca Cola Company pursues forward integration by purchasing distributors, making strategic allinces with distributors, and selling soft drink syrup to retailers.  Most recently Coca Cola signed an agreement with Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc. to distribute certain DPS brands.
http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/presscenter/nr_20100603_snapple.html

And the Differentiation Continues...

What beeter company can represent the broad differentiation strategy than Coca Cola.  Since its beginning, Coke has diversified into many products.  It began in 1960 when they acquired Minute Maid Corpoation, a producer of fruit drinks.  It also merged with Duncan Foods Corporation, bought the Belmont Springs Water Company Inc. which produces bottled spring water, acquired Aqua Chem Inc and Taylor Wines Company, just to name a few. The Coca Cola Company also expanded its product line by producing Fanta, Sprite, TAB, Fresca and diet colas.

Coke Culture: When a strength becomes a weakness

Coca Cola may be considered one of the greatest brands.  Former CEO Neville Isdell once said "the specialness of Coca-Cola permeates the company and is part of the very positive elements of the culture."  Coca Cola has a tremendous reach, with an excellent manufacturing and distribution system.  However, much like many other companies, Coca Cola was forced to lay off workers during the economic downturn.  Many employees looked at Coke as lifetime employment and feel their trust has been broken.

http://www.beverage-digest.com/editorial/041008.php

Coke Zero Turns Five!!!

The Coca Cola Company has numerous reasons to celebrate the success of Coke Zero.  The product turns five this year.  Since its release in 2005, the company has targeted young adults through humorous commercials and through the use of social media networks.  Building off the popularity of their commercials, the Coca Cola Company developed the Coke Zero Facial Profiler, a Facebook application that allows users to find their look-alikes using face-detection software.  Coke Zero is one of few brands to surpass one percent market share and the only one to maintain it.

http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/presscenter/nr_20100920_zero.html

Coca Cola Eyeing Health Conscious Consumers

The Coca Cola Company's product, Odwalla, is about to introduce a heart healthy beverage that contains 0.4g of plant sterols per 8 fl oz serving.  Coca Cola has already ventured into healthy beverages.  Perhaps they see a trend or shift in consumer preference to healthier drinks.  On the other hand, they could be making sure they have all areas of bottled beverage covered.  When will they venture into beer?

Coca Cola is Sinful?

Rumors have been flying around for about a year about the possibility of taxing soft drinks with a "sin tax."  While Coca Cola as well as consumers who will ultimately pay more for consumption see this as a threat,  the government has found an opportunity to raise funds and potentially reduce health costs as a result of obesity.  Th only opportunity I see for Coca Cola is if they sell more diet drinks and bottled waters because they are not bad for you.

Why I Chose The Coca Cola Company

I chose to follow The Coca Cola Company throughout the semester for a multitude of reasons.  First, I am an avid consumer.  I prefer Coca Cola with food or to sip on while driving long distances.  Second, the company has expanded its product line far beyond soda since the company began.  I'm not referring to additional flavors.  The Coca Cola Company has ventured into waters, juices, teas, coffees, and sports drinks.  Third, Coke is a consumer staple and has been considered recession proof.  Lastly, although it is now commonplace among the beverage industry, I was impressed with idea of manufacturing syrups and selling them to retailers such as restaurants.