annotation assignment

Annotations Assignment Instructions

Description of Assignment

Individual student needs to complete and upload 3 annotations.

Annotation Requirements

 Cite the source using APA citation format.

 Provide paragraph summarizing information obtained from the source which you expect to be useful in your analysis (see below for some sample annotations)

Required Sources of Annotations (must be three total)

 Two required sources should include any combination of company profiles, industry profiles or research reports from databases accessible through Fordham University’s library portal (see “Data Sources Access Procedures” document posed on GSBU)

Of these two, at least one of these needs to be one of the “Recommended Reports” (see “Data Sources Access Procedures” document posed on GSBU).

 The third annotation can be from any source of your choosing.

Example Annotations for McCormick & Company, submitted by: Anna Tate

GlobalData: McCormick & Company, Incorporated – Financial and Strategic SWOT Analysis Review. (2011, July)

This analysis report gives a very detailed report on McCormick’s company details such as important employee information, major products and services, company strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, company financials, and recent developments, reaffirming previous sources about the company information. According to the report, McCormick’s diversified product offerings, strong operational performance and effective brand portfolio gives it a competitive edge against competitors but at the same time, frequent product recalls and dependency on limited customers remains a common concern for the company. Moreover, intense competition, stringent government regulations and increasing demand for private labels impact the company’s performance. Strategic acquisitions, new product launches, and rising sales in the restaurant industry will provide new opportunities for the company though. The analysis report also shows that the company revenue and net income increased in 2010 from 2009 by million and 70 million respectively. Annotated by Anna Tate.

Kay F, L. (2011, September 29). McCormick raising prices as costs rise, profit falls. The Baltimore Sun, p.16a, Retrieved from LexisNexis Academic database.

According to Liz F. Kay from the Baltimore Sun, on September 29, executive from McCormick decides that it was necessary to raise prices to compete with rising raw material costs. Price increases could read “double-digit percentages on spices such as black pepper. (Kay).” However, the company continues to cut costs, an estimated 50 million dollars this year, 2011. McCormick’s decision to raise prices is certainly not a surprise as previous sources have repeatedly cited rising material costs as a major threat to McCormick. Annotated by Anna Tate.

Moneret-Vautrin DA, Morisset M, Lemerdy P, Croizier A, Kanny G. “Food allergy and IgE

sensitization caused by spices.” (2002, April) Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12078423

This article from the National Center for Biotechnology Information and U.S. National Library of Medicine reports on the statistics of people that have spice allergies. According to the report, allergies due to spices only make up 2% out of all types of food allergies. Only adults are allergic to spices and allergies to spices accounts for only 6.4% of food allergies in adults. Common spices that people are allergic to are garlic, onion, chive, coriander, caraway, fennel, and celery. Rare cases of sensitization to paprika and saffron are recorded. Prick-tests to nutmeg, ginger and clove are currently negative. Annotated by Anna Tate.

Rita, and Tara Lachapelle. "Flowserve Converges With McCormick as Buffett Targets: Real M&A

- Bloomberg." Bloomberg - Business & Financial News, Breaking News Headlines. Web. 09 Oct. 2011. <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-04/flowserve-converges- with-mccormick-as-targets-using-buffett-math-real-m-a.html>.

This Bloomberg article discusses McCormick and Co. and Warren Buffett’s interest in investing/purchasing the company. Because of McCormick’s position the market, its strong command over the spices industry, and its annual growth and revenues, Buffett sees McCormick as a great investment opportunity. This could lead to potential changes in the company’s organization, it’s product lines, and much more. If this acquisition takes place as we are researching McCormick, the team must watch the changes in the company, if any, as a result of the new ownership. Also, Buffett’s acquisition will lead to more money, which can be potentially used for product and service advancements. Annotated by Anna Tate.

Standard & Poor’s. (2011, September 26). Unilever N.V. Standard & Poor’s Company Profile. Retrieved from http://www.netadvantage.standardandpoors.com

S&P’s company profile of Unilever provided a brief summary of Unilever’s products, services, and other markets the company is involved in, which also makes Unilever a strong competitor against McCormick’s. With close to $59 billion dollars in group sales last year, where the food business accounts for 51% of the sales and 53% of operating profits alone, Unilever shows a vast potential in expanding their positions in the market. Unilever is a more diverse company compared to McCormick that can act as both an advantage and a disadvantage to both companies. Annotated by Anna Tate.