Introduction
Coca-Cola Company is the biggest beverage manufacturer, distributor as well as marketer of soft drinks globally. As Pendergrast (2000, p. 42) adds, the company is among the biggest corporations in the USA, well known for its key beverage coca-cola. Today, Coca-Cola Company offers about 400 brands in more than 200 nations and serves nearly 1.5 billions servings every day.
Revenue
From the company reports, the performance of coca-cola company is excellent, for example, the 2005 annual report indicates that coca-cola sells its products in over 195 countries (Times News Network, 2005). In addition, the report reveals that over 50 billion beverage servings of different kinds consumed worldwide each day, those carrying the coca-cola trademarks account for nearly 1.5 billion. The 2007 annual report shows that the company has revenue of $ 28.857 billions, during that year, the company recorded a net income of $ 5.981 billion, and this confirms the soundness of the company.
Human resource
Coca-cola Company understands that its achievements have been made possible by its two main assets; these are its brand and its human resources. These two main assets offers the company a chance to keep its core promise of refreshing the mind, the body and the spirit while inspiring moments of optimism. Thus, Pendergrast (2000, p. 43) notes that, the company highly values its employees and their contributions that they continue to make to the company.
Murden (2005) tells us that, the company is committed to maintaining a workplace that is free from any discrimination or any kind or harassment based on sex, race, region, age, social origin or any other basis. The foundation for recruitment, selection, training, reward and promotion at the company is strictly qualification, individual performance, abilities and experience. Coca-Cola Company compensates its workers competitively in relation to the industry as well as local employment market. The company operates in compliance with appropriate wage, working hours, overtime as well as benefits laws. The company further provides employees with opportunities to advance their skills and abilities and offer promotions where it’s possible.
Forced labor and child labor
Coca-cola Company does not accept use of any form of forced labor, such as prison labor, military labor, indentured labor, bonded labor or slave labor. As for child labor, the company follows minimum age stipulations of applicable laws as well as regulations. Consequently, the company forbids the hiring of persons who are below 18 years. The company forbiddance of child labor is inline with International Labor Organization (ILO) standards (Pendergrast (2000, p. 43).
Provides safe and quality products
Coca-Cola Company has always strived to offer safe and quality products to its consumers. Clifford (2004) states that, in a study carried out by American Medical Association on high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) that is used in sparkling beverages established that HFCS does not contribute to obesity or diabetes problems. Coca-Cola beverages products use various kinds of sweeteners, the use of these sweeteners depends on a product and consumer preferences. The use of HFCS in beverages as a sweetener in the United States is common and it has been established that it offers many consumer benefits, like sweetness, pourability as well as shelf stability (Clifford, 2004). Indeed, all products from coca-cola contain ingredients that are safe for humans and adhere to stipulations and regulations of the country where the company products are sold.
Supporting communities
Coca-Cola Company has continued to assist communities in improving their welfare. Even though poverty is a global concern, Africa bears a lot of poverty. The company has a belief that it can assist Africa achieve what it requires most; sustainable wealth creation, by applying the company’s special distribution concept and expertise. The company thus uses its core strengths in a manner that can benefit its business as well as the local communities that the company serves. in order to meet this objective, the company in its 2008 sustainability review manual , plans to expand its distribution network in Africa, with the aim of creating between 1,300 and 2000 new autonomous distribution channels , creating 5,300 to 8,400 new job opportunities and generating a new revenue of about $520 million within local economies (Ricardo, 2007).
Creating sustainable environment
In 2007, the company invested a lot of money in designing and also producing the “Drink2Wear” fashion apparel created from recycled plastic bottles. Through this initiative, the company produced T-shirts from a variety of recycled plastic bottles that featured playful slogans like “make your plastic fantastic”. After this venture proved to be a success, the company started marketing these T-shirts to its customers. The company also operates within strict quality standard to protect water sources, since it’s the most important resources that the company needs in producing its products (Ricardo, 2007).
Conclusion
From this discussion, we conclude that, Coca-Cola Company is among the best companies. This can be ascertained by its excellent human resources practices of valuing its employees, its avoidance of child labor or forced labor. But, it strives to ensure that its products are safe and of high quality. In addition, the company is involved assisting local communities and keeping our environment clean and sustainable. Indeed, this is what a world class company ought to be.
Reference:
Mark Pendergrast: For God, Country and Coca-Cola. Basic Books: 2000, pp. 42- 45.
May Clifford: How Coca-Cola Obtains Its Coca: The New York Times: July 1, 2004
Mireles Ricardo: In Mexico, Big Cola is the real thing; Logistics Today. January, 15, 2007
Terry Murden: Coke adds life to health drinks sector: Scotland on Sunday; January 30, 2005)
Times News Network: Fizzical Facts: Coke claims 60% Market share in India: August 5, 2005
