Fried Chicken fly far

KFC
http://www.kfchk.com/

Background

KFC, Kentucky Fried Chicken, is a chain of fast food restaurants which mainly sells fried chicken. But, it also sells a wide variety of food, including hamburgers, desserts, salads, etc. It is found by Colonel Harland Sanders in 1952, with his first idea of selling fried chicken was in 1930. Although it was a little bit late than the expected, now, KFC is one of the top 100 enterprises in the world.

How KFC engaged in globalization

Product

Under globalization, KFC has set up many branches all over the world. Ingredients, cooking method used for cooking chicken of KFC has some difference in various countries because of eating culture or taste difference. Category of food in KFC is also not the same all over the world. KFC create own menu for their countries. Some kind of food is only available for selling in that particular country’ KFC. For example, in Hong Kong, people like to eat rice. Therefore, KFC has promoted mushroom rice for people in Hong Kong.

Mushroom riceChicken king rice

In Australian, we can find that cheesy BBQ Meltz and coconut pie is available for selling in KFC. This kind of food may not be found in other countries’ KFC. In other words, globalization allows KFC to create special and new food for people in various countries.

Cheesy BBQ Meltz

Coconut pie

Reference:

http://www.muzi.com/cc/english/10770,19931.shtml?q=1296072

Branches’ name

As the effect of globalization, KFC would start their business all over the world. Although KFC is already famous, it not only uses the name “KFC”. Under the different of language, KFC has used different names in different countries. For example, in Philippines, KFC stands for “Kapag Fried Chicken......,mag-KFC” which means “if fried chicken … have KFC”. KFC has successfully transfer their name into others meaning even in different culture. It’s a mix of globalization and creativity. Also there will be some limit in a new culture.

In Canada, there is a ban for using language other than French. So KFC has renamed as “Poulet Frit Kentucky”. The name “PFK”, which is similar to “KFC”, means Kentucky fried chicken. It is a creative way to avoid illegal and would remain the representation.

Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KFC#International_operations

http://www.xtimeline.com/evt/view.aspx?id=50958

Promotion

Another evidence also shows us that globalization has enabled KFC to be more creative and innovative is that the promotion ways of KFC. Globalization can be regarded as the improved communication from the people all over the world. The main channel empowers international communication is the internet. The materials from the internet can show how KFC becomes more creative through globalization.

As you can see from the above picture, KFC provides coupons for you with certain discounts. But, it is creative that you are not provided the physical coupons, instead, the coupons are in the form of virtual that you have to print them by yourself, which do not have a limit to download.

Another online promotion way is that KFC has set up the Colonel’s Email Club that you can join the club. Then, KFC will send you the latest news and promotion campaign regularly once you joined the club.

Moreover, KFC promotes in the website other than its own official site, for example, Youtube. Apart from the formal advertisement (say, broadcasted in TV), it also creates some special video and advertisement which are posted in the internet. As the rule or the standard in the internet is freer, the promotions and advertisement created for the internet could be more creative than the formal.

Impacted the creativity and innovation processes

We found that globalization has somehow impacted the creativity and innovation process. The sense of protecting the Earth has increased through globalization. So, it prompts KFC to think of social responsibility. KFC has stated in its official website that the greater food KFC provides, and the more money it earns, the better the welfare for the society, including education, diversity and animal welfare.

For example, if you have excellent academic results, or serious financial problems, you can apple for the KFC Colonel’s Scholars for your study. This scholar of KFC is just one of the examples that KFC does for the social. As KFC mainly sells fried food, which is regarded as “rubbish food”, so, KFC is always blamed for selling those unhealthy foods in many countries.

eating culture

KFC is famous for fried chicken. Under globalization of KFC, it has a big impact in eating culture in various countries. Take China as an example; before KFC enter the market of China, most people mainly eat traditional food such as rice or porridge in their daily life. Most of them like to eat rice or traditional food in restaurant or other place. However, when KFC enter the market of China, it changes people eating culture from eating tradition food to fast food (fried chicken). People go KFC frequently for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sometimes, even gathering with friends, party or family, most of them choose to go KFC instead of restaurant. Therefore, under globalization of KFC, western eating culture has transfer to china and other countries. Tradition food is not the main food for people anymore. AS you see that the number of branch of KFC is rapidly increasing. It implies that our eating culture has affected by KFC very much.

Another famous thing of KFC, it is no doubt that the trade make of them – the Colonel Sander. Who is also the founder of KFC. This elder, as a icon, has impacted deeply all over the world. In many of the branches, there must be the figure stand in front of them. Because it already be an image that, where he standing, where would enjoy the fried chicken.

This icon makes a lot of reaction. We would find a lot of funny pictures about him which are created by all other over the world. It would show that Colonel Sander is no longer the representative of a company.

Example in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is the special administration region of China. The main food Hong Kong people eat is rice, especially in the past. Although rice still is the main food we eat everyday, the culture of eating rice everyday is somehow affected by the globalization that the KFC has established branches in Hong Kong. If you want to have meals in KFC, you may choose mashed potato or crosscut fries instead of rice. Some Hong Kong people would also learn the cooking method that they will cook some dishes together with mashed potato instead of the traditional rice.

Suggestion

So, are there any ways to improve business creativity and innovation? If all the local organization, governments can provide more support for innovation and create an atmosphere of advocating creativity, the world can be full of ideas and creativities.

We suggest that the government can set up some research facilities for local companies so that they can have sufficient space and facilities to conduct research. On the other hand, some award programs can be granted to local companies for excellent and meaningful research so as to provide more incentives to local industries to stimulate their ideas.

Moreover, the government can offer some subsidies for national industries, for example, manufacturing industry or cultural industries like film-making, music and publishing, and even for foreign investors in technology intensive sectors. This action can give out a message that the government is enthusiastic to enhance the creativity and innovation of each industry.

We believe that an enforceable law of protect intelligence property right can effectively improve the creativity and innovation of organizations and individual. Let see the current situation of China. What is the reason of the serious problem of pirated products? It’s because the China Government cannot enforce those patent and copyright law. This problem can lower the revenue of industries and ultimately lowers the incentives to invest. This really frustrates the creativity and innovation of organizations and individual.

Education is also important for the creativity and innovation of organization and individual in the future. The Government can carry out some learning program or development scheme in educational institutes for further development of creative talents in the business and technology field. This action can maintain a steady supply of talents in creativity and innovation field to the business industry.

Revision

Thank you for all yours comments.

According to the blog, it mentions that KFC provide different types of food in various countries to cater the taste of local people. It just like localizes KFC food but not globalization. However, it should be clear that fried chicken is introduced to all countries under globalization. Fried chicken is a symbol of KFC which is famous for its fried chicken all over the world under globalization. Although each country has its own menu, fried chicken must be included in the menu of KFC in all countries. KFC which provides various foods in various countries just want to keep diversity and it is a tactic to make KFC success under globalization. We agree that coconut pie in Australian or mushroom rice in Hong Kong is just like localization but not globalization. However, it is no doubt that fried chicken is the globalization of KFC. What come to our mind at the first time when we hear the name of KFC is fried chicken.

Also, KFC has put a big effort in globalization. They have the big farm in U.S. to breed the chicken and export to different countries. They specialize in cooking chicken. These are globalization process of KFC.

On the other hands, KFC also change the elder’s diet habit. It is common that we see the elderly have a tea in KFC. However, I agree that we still prefer to go yum cha in the restaurant because eating too much fried chicken is not good for their health. Also, I think KFC also become gathering place for the elderly but not just young generation. Most of them like to buy a milk tea and sit for a long time to cheat with their friends in KFC.

Social responsibility = environmental protection?

Some of you may doubt about it seems that not much have been done by KFC to protect the environment. Maybe, here, we clarify that the social responsibility that KFC cares is not mainly focused in environmental protection. Or in other words, it is nothing special about environmental protection that how creative do you want with protecting the Earth? Just using recyclable utensils?

Actually, what are shown in the official website of KFC about the social responsibility are the Colonel’s Scholarship, social diversity, supplier code of conducts, and animal welfare program.

For the Colonel’s Scholarship, it is creative that KFC is a fast food shop, but, why does it need to sponsor student for further study? We think the idea is creative that KFC relates many things to education. Also, maybe, KFC understand the rationale that by using recyclable utensils which is too simple and not enough in protecting our environment and combating global warming. But, can we invent some things or ideas that can protect our environment, say, a better fuel for frying chicken, or advanced environmental friendly utensils. However, we think KFC can sponsor more R&D

Social diversity would also be another funny and creative idea that KFC targets in social diversity. Inside its management hierarchy, different people with different nationality would be hired and make decision. It is a globalization inside itself that KFC would present the whole world as people around the world are hired in KFC. Also, because of different national culture between different people, the ideas would be very great and are likely to be creative and innovative. So, this strategy can really help KFC to be more creative and innovative.

For more detail, please go to this website: http://www.yum.com/responsibility/diversity.asp

Rice= main food of Chinese/Hong Kong people

2411greentea thought there is a contradiction in our blog. Maybe, we should clarify what we mean. The main food of Chinese, including Hong Kong people, is still rice. But, western eating culture, including the culture of KFC, has affected our eating culture, or eating habit that we no longer eat rice only. Maybe, we eat spaghetti, or mashed potato. However, do you think that globalization can change everything? The answer seems to be no in this case. So, each foreign restaurant or fast food shop must think of some local features and implement them so as to suit the culture and taste of the local people. Moreover, you can also say that the change in Hong Kong people is that they now love fast food as they save time and convenience that many of them are so busy.

Some of you would like to ask about what KFC has done for the green culture. One of you has pointed out that KFC has used recyclable cutlery since 2007, such as, using plastic cup instead of paper cup, distributing metal-made spoon and fork which are washable to replace disposable cutlery. And also, KFC is concerned about other environmental aspects, including energy saving. But, the measurements may not be creative as they are just simple ideas. For more details,Please go to the following website: http://www.yum.com/responsibility/diversity.asp

How can KFC improve its creativity?

I

nvolve Frontline Employees

Some of the best ideas for process improvement lie with the process owners. This is not a new concept, but it bears emphasizing. Frequently, the process owners are frontline people who do not have the chance to participate in improvement efforts. While they may not be formally trained in quality tools, their closeness to the process is a vantage point second to none. Every project or deployment needs to ask the question: "Who knows the process or sub process best, and how are we assessing their unique knowledge and insight?"

Improvement efforts are often staffed by technical experts and mid- to senior-level managers. To avoid missing key opportunities that frontline people could identify instinctively, project leaders need to make participation broad and inclusive. This can be done in a variety of ways, including interviews and group brainstorming sessions, or through asking process owners to be on the team.

To be able to effectively elicit insights from a diverse array of down-the-line personnel, at a minimum, project leaders need facilitation skills training, coaching and practice.

Enable Cross-fertilization

Actively involving process and project leaders in an improvement effort will create cross-functional conversations and foster new connections. Not only can this interaction uncover creative ideas that might not be apparent in analysis alone, but it also invests the owners in the solution derived.

Part of any solution should include ongoing dialogue and coordinated responses through shared metrics and governance, regular joint problem-solving sessions and so on. These exchanges are invaluable. Improvement efforts should be viewed as enabling cross-fertilization in addition to simply solving a particular problem.

Break Down the Barriers

In general, what is done routinely does not stimulate creativity. Stirring the pot does – as in breaking down the constraints on lower-level workers interacting with senior managers. Just as accessing the ideas and experience of frontline people in cross-functional brainstorming can yield unexpected benefits, so, too, can involving frontline people in making recommendations to senior management.

Building in vertical connections and idea sharing can infuse energy and creativity into any project or deployment. But care needs to be taken to allow for adequate preparation so that everyone shines in these discussions, reinforcing the idea that innovation can (and should) come from every level.

Think of Projects and Initiatives in Terms of Strategic Priorities

One of the most seductive pitfalls is to become comfortable with doing projects that are in themselves attractive, without paying sufficient attention to overall optimization. It is common to find deployments filled with projects that have attractive returns on investment but do not move the needle on performance parameters that matter in the marketplace. In selecting projects and building a portfolio of improvement initiatives, clear linkage to strategic priorities needs to be established, not just at the outset but on an ongoing basis.