Natura Cosméticos: Fragrance that Captured Brazil’s Heart

Natura Cosméticos S.A. is one of the leaders in marketing fragrances and cosmetics in the fifth largest cosmetics market in the world – Brazil. The company has strong 450,000 salesmen called “consultants” who pioneered direct selling in Brazil. Natura Cosméticos S.A. only trails Avon Products Inc.’s subsidiary in Brazil, the Avon Cosméticos Ltda.

Natura is said to have a distinct corporate value and has the reputation of a high corporate ethical standard. The company executives make sure that they are updated with recent developments in biochemical, chemical and pharmaceutical researches.

Natura’s story started with an economist named Antonio Luiz da Cunha Seabra who was with Sperry Rand Corporation when he established Natura in 1969. He started the business with just $9,000 and a handful of Jean-Pierre Berjeaut’s cosmetic formulations. The first store was in Sao Paulo. It started like a luxury boutique with four workers who promoted Berjeaut’s natural lotions and creams.

The store did not do well so Natura changed from a retail store to a direct selling business in 1974. The salesmen did a door-to-door marketing of the products and earned by commission. The sales force grew to 2,000 and the annual average sales rose to $5 million.

Natura’s growth in direct selling was the result of the company’s ability to anticipate the market trends. Before the retailers realize their need, Natura has already responded earlier. By the time the needs arise, Natura is already there with the solutions.

Direct selling has also enabled Natura to sell all their product lines as compared with focused sales only on best selling products with retailing. With direct selling, selling efforts are concentrated on all potentially earning products.

In 1990, Natura’s sales were reported at $180 million. But the economic recession in 1992 forced Natura to lay off 270 workers. During the recession, Seabra and another partner named Guilherme Peirao Leal purchased the stakes held by Yara Pricolli, another partner, for $25 million. Seabra and Leal recruited experienced executives from their large competitors and laid the basis for Natura’s further growth.

In 1994, Natura’s sales reached $350 million. The company held 14% of the Brazilian cosmetics and personal hygiene market. In 1996, sales reached $580 million. Salesmen were up by now to 160,000, with each consultant sold selling an average of $5,760.

In 2000, Natura’s portfolio reached 300 items. The recent years also featured Natura’s commitment to R&D making the company as Brazil’s biggest investor in scientific research and testing.

BYD: Building the Chinese Dream

Build Your Dreams, more popularly known as BYD Company, is the biggest manufacturer of rechargeable batteries. Founded by one of China’s wealthiest men, Wang Chuanfu, BYD is now emerging as a major car producer in China. BYD’s F# sedan was China’s bestselling car in 2011.

Since its creation five years ago, BYD has since become the world’s leading producer of cellular phone batteries. BYD’s product line includes batteries for iPhones, iPod, laptops and major mobile phone brands like Motorola and Nokia.

BYD ventured in car manufacturing in 2003 when it acquired a distressed state-owned automobile company. In 2007, BYD’s car company became a public company after being listed in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

BYD’s long-term targets include becoming China’s leading car manufacturer by 2018 and a major player in the car manufacturing industry around the world by 2025. BYD is set to introduce its e6 EV in the Californian market to make BYD the first Chinese car producer to sell in the US.

Healthy Groundwork, from Then Until Now

In the business worlds, the ventures that thrive often offer their patrons multiple dimensions of usefulness. In the consideration of products and services that serve customers with a unique approach, we’re likely to think about advances in technology and the commerce opportunities available through them. In truth, though, this approach proves the mark of successful entrepreneurs for centuries. For instance, the farmers facing harsh New England weather in our nation’s earliest days often failed to nurture their crops. It was those who engineered cross-pollination techniques that enjoyed healthy growth, soil that remained fertile given its various supply of nutrients, and, of course, sales and customers. It may appear an antiquated reference, but the methodology employed in these scenarios remains the foundation of many profitable businesses, even in 2012.

AI Exchange, Inc, co-founded by seasoned financial services professional and engineer Marco Bitran, holds recognition for its cross-industry integration. Established in 2011, the firm quickly garnered venture capital from major parties including Founder Collective, Common Angels, General Catalyst, and LaunchCapital. Bitran’s company offers patrons an innovative technology platform that supports alternative investment strategies and personalized transactions. Prior to establishing the group, Bitran garnered a diverse education and experience. He commands a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School as well as a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. At the outset of his career, Marco Bitran architected the successful business model for Digital Entertainment Media, Inc, an Internet streaming venture. Bitran formerly served Morgan Stanley, first as a Financial Analyst in the Investment Banking Division and subsequently as an Equity Research Associate with the Telecommunications Equipment Team.

Intel Corporation: Creating Intelligent Chipsets and Microprocessors

Intel Corporation is a designer and manufacturer of integrated digital technology platforms consisting of a chipset and microprocessor. Intel sells these platforms to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), original design manufacturers (ODMs) and producers of communications and industrial equipments.

The company’s platforms are primarily used for modern applications such as personal computers (PCs), tablets, smartphones, data centers, automobiles, medical equipments and apparatuses and almost all kinds of automated systems. They also develop and market software for technology and security integration.

Intel’s microprocessors are found on many branded computers. They are used in the computers’ central processing units to process data and control other devices within the system. Intel produces microprocessors with single or multiple processor cores.

The company’s microprocessors have also evolved over time. Before the release of the recent generations the Intel Core processors, Intel’s microprocessors have graphics chips separate from the processor package itself. But the new generations of the Intel Core processor family has integrated the graphics function and memory controls in one processor package.

Intel’s chipsets are also used to send data between the microprocessor and the other components of computer hardware like the display monitor, the input device and the storage device. The company’s System-on-Chip (SoC) has integrated the major processing functions with other components in the system such as the audio, video and graphics into one chip.

Mobile phones are also using Intel’s platforms and components. Most common of these components are power management integrated circuits, radio frequency transceivers and baseband processors. Platforms include Bluetooth technology, GPS receivers and software solutions.

McAfee, Intel’s subsidiary sells security solution software used in corporate environment as well as mobile and consumer systems. McAfee’s security software offers protection from attacks of malicious virus and even data loss.

Intel also sells flash memory items used in memory storage devices and digital camera memory cards. Their portable drives come in densities which range from 32 GB to as high as 600 GB.

Intel Corporation was incorporated in 1968.

Tata Group: Leadership with Trust

The Tata Group is composed of more than 100 companies in seven different industries: chemicals, consumer products, energy, services, materials, engineering and information and communications technology. The group is operating in over 80 countries.

The revenues of the whole group were recorded at $83.3 billion in 2011. More than half of the revenues come from markets outside India. Tata Group employs more than 425,000 workers worldwide.

Each Tata Subsidiary operates independently. Each company operates independently; that is, it has its own board and stockholders. Thirty-one of these companies are publicly traded, with combined capitalization of $86.53 billion as of May 11, 2012.

More than 60% of Tata Sons, the holding company, is devoted for philanthropic activities that create science and technology institutions, help medical researches, and promote performing arts. It was reported that Tata Group has spent 3% of the group’s 2011 net profit for development-related activities that year.

The conglomerate was established by Jamsetji Tata in 1868.

Defending the Organizations that Fight for Others: Bangerter Sheppard PC

Steven Bangerter’s law firm continues to attract new clientele purely through word-of-mouth referrals. The group maintains a unique niche in the litigation field for its abilities in fields of insurance defense and coverage as well as risk management for non-profit organizations. Founder and Partner, Steven Bangerter, commands various accolades for his abilities in these arenas, among them distinction within AM Best Company’s Directory of Recommended Insurance Attorneys for his “reputation, character, and experience.”

At Bangerter Sheppard PC, all staffed lawyers wield the AV Rating, the highest awarded by the Martindale-Hubbell. The firm maintains a loyal client base throughout two states with locations in Los Angeles; Oakland; and St. George, Utah; and the attorneys also hold license to practice in Nevada and Idaho. In dealings with charities and schools, Steven Bangerter and other professionals offer affordable guidance in risk management, corporate structure, and real estate. The firm also accommodates a wide range of individuals and companies seeking support in insurance. Whether representing a provider of insurance or a customer, the company presents ease in tort liability claims through a wealth of connections in the industry.

While Bangerter Sheppard began as a small operation in Northern California, it continued to expand with a proven business model that integrates a network of connections with a web of happy clients. Today, it employs four attorneys and also leverages expertise in fields of corporate litigation, professional negligence, real estate, and personal and catastrophic injury. Steven Bangerter’s past clients include Old Farm Homeowners Association, Pacific Land Trust, Rescue Alert of California, and many others. 

BMW: Surviving Difficult Times

Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, more commonly known as BMW, is a manufacturer of luxury cars and motorcycles. BMW has remained an independent company at the time when consolidations are popular around the world.

The company was established in 1917 although its beginnings can be traced to as early as 1913 when Karl Rapp began building aircrafts for the Austrian army as the World War I was anticipated. After the war, Bayerische Motoren moved to produce train brakes.

Rapp started producing motorcycles in the early 1920s. The first model was equipped with a flat twin engine. Its valves are inverted to keep the oil clean. The motorcycle was called R32. R32 held the record for the fastest motorcycle speed until 1937 when Ernst Henne drove the R32 at a speed of 279.5 kph in 1929.

Bayerische Motoren produced its first luxury car called Dixi in 1929. That year, Dixi won the International Alpine Rally. A better Dixi was introduced in Berlin in July 1929. It has better brakes, more attractive interior and improved handling.

After the World War I, BMW produced a new luxury motorcycle called R24. There were more than 10,000 units of R24 produced in 1949. In 1950, 17,000 units were produced, 18% of which were exported to other markets.

In the late 1950s, the market for expensive cars increased so BMW began producing the 700 LS model, a rear-engine car which became the company first long-term success in many years.

In the early 1970s, BMW became interested in motor racing. After dominating the Formula 2, BMW decided to compete in Formula 1. It produced the Brabham and won the Formula 1 World Championship in 1975.

Through the 1970s and 1980s, the demand for expensive cars grew bigger. In North America alone, 71,000 units were sold in 1984. In the 1990s, the greatest threats to BMW were the Japanese-made cars which adopted European designs but were sold at lower prices.

The 1990s is known as the Rover era. BMW purchased the Rover Group in 1994. The acquisition gave BMW a felt presence in the SUV market and stunned even Honda Motor Company who held 20% of Rover. However, the Rover deal failed miserably and the acquisition was referred to by the May 17, 2000 issue of the Financial Times as the “worst investment deal in German Corporate history.” Later, Ford Motors Co. acquired Rover’s SUV group from BMW.

BMW focused on manufacturing luxury cars especially with Rolls-Royce coming under the control of BMW in 2003.