Why Immigration Is Responsible For Crime Essay - 1586 Words

In what ways could immigration lead to higher levels of crime? Explain whether, or under what circumstances, it does. People migrate for various reason, such as working, studying and asylum seeking. In 2014, OECD data display the inflow of foreign population to the UK is 504,000; US has 1,016518; Canada has 260,411. It is a double-edged sword – productive immigrants contribute to the economic growth of the country and do not threaten the welfare of the natives. On the contrary, if the immigrants find it hard to adapt to the country, they would increase the cost of the country(Borjas, 1994). It is common that when one thinks about immigration, he would relate it to the negative influences that are brought by the immigrants, as Edith Abbott states in the report of the National Commission of Law and Enforecement(1931: 23) â€Å"The theory that immigration is responsible for crime, †¦ that all newcomers should be regarded with an attitude of suspicion, is a theory that is almost as old as the colonies planted by Englishmen on the New England coast.† Hence, we would like to explore whe ther, or under what circumstances does immigration lead to higher levels of crime. First, Bell et al. (2013) argue that immigrants with low labour market opportunities could lead to higher level of crime. Different attributes of the immigrants, especially in the labor market, are essential factors that determine the relationship between immigration and crime. In the study comparing the impact of theShow MoreRelatedImmigration Argument Essay958 Words   |  4 PagesImmigration is when people from all around the world leave their country in the hopes of living in this new place permanently, however immigration is a very controversial topic lately. Having two sides to the story, immigration is thought by many to be a problem because it causes more violence, over population, causes those who are country born residents to pay for immigrants, or even cause job loss, recently Donald Trump has talked a lot about his views on immigration causing a lot more controversyRead MoreImmigration Reform Of The United States1641 Words   |  7 PagesTutor: Institution: Immigration Reform ​Immigration is defined as the act of leaving your country of origin and going to another different one to stay there permanently (Dictionary.com). Reasons, why people escape or leave their original countries, are varied; ranging from war, poverty, natural occurrences such as earthquakes while others just take the step for fun purposes. A reform is a change from the way things were done originally and make them better. Therefore, immigration reform is a term thatRead More Immigration Needs to be Restricted in America Essays1048 Words   |  5 PagesImmigration Needs to be Restricted in America Illegal immigration will cost the United States $280 billion dollars from 1995-2004. And that only counts for the immigrants that enter this country illegally. What of the legal immigrants that come to the United States and find it harder than they thought it would be? Most of these immigrants just go on welfare. Legal immigrants participate in 20.7 percent of all welfare programs while native citizens only participate in 14.1 percent (Borjas).Read MoreImmigration And The United States Essay1678 Words   |  7 Pages Immigration has been a major uprising debate in the United States ever since immigrants immigrated from European countries in the late 1400s. It all started when Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492 by accident and took everything away from the Native Americans. Today more than one million people are coming into the United States from many different counties and for many different reasons. The main reason they are coming to the United States is for a better l ife, they come here chasingRead MoreImmigration Is A Crucial Topic For The Presidential Race1203 Words   |  5 PagesThe Nominees Immigration is a crucial topic for the 2016 Presidential race. It has been an of the issue for many Presidential races in the past. The two candidates I will be discussing and their policy views on immigration are the two that I will believe will be their party’s nominee, Donald J Trump with the Republican Party and Hilary R Clinton with the Democratic Party. Illegal immigration gets underreported and often swept under the rug. D.U.I. deaths and other incarceration statistics causedRead MoreHow Immigration Helps United States1600 Words   |  7 Pagesgeneralization; they are plenty of exemptions after all it is good to be hard working, it is good to want a better education for your children and to want a better way of living, everyone has the right to pursuit their dreams. I will focus on how immigration helps United States as compared to the mostly held view that it hurts America. The United States has long served as a refuge for people running from politics, economy, natural disasters, who seek to escape hunger, poverty, torture, and the oppressionRead MoreThe Legal And Illegal Immigrants1726 Words   |  7 Pagesgeneralization; they are plenty of exemptions after all it is good to be hard working, it is good to want a better education for your children and to want a better way of living, everyone has the right to pursuit their dreams. I will focus on how immigration helps United States as compared to the mostly held view that it hurts America. The United States has long served as a refuge for people running from politics, economy, natural disasters, who seek to escape hunger, poverty, torture, and the oppressionRead MoreOpposing Inmigration Essay597 Words   |  3 Pages â€Å"Why did American nativist groups oppose free, unrestricted immigration in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries†? nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The Untied States of America is commonly labeled or thought of as the melting pot of the world where diverse groups of people flock to in order to better their current lives. In our countries history this has proven to primarily be our way of living and how the people as a nation view immigration. However, in the late nineteenth and earlyRead MoreThe Death Of Omar Mohamed Kalmio1194 Words   |  5 Pagescausing the victim to have a collapsed lung. Even with this history of violent offenses, Kalimo only received a year in jail for this crime. Not to mention, within the same year he also was convicted of theft and only received a minor penalty (Immigrant Mass Murder, Again: Somali Quadruple Murders is sentenced in North Dakota 2011). Unfortunately, at the time of the crime Somalia was considered abandoned-corrupt and was not taking natives back into there country that would be deported. As of today,Read MoreOrganizational Management and Operations1213 Words   |  5 Pagesfederal organizational levels (CJA/484 – Criminal Justice Administration Capstone). The author will analyze how the organizational, management, administration, and operational functions at the local, state, and federal levels are similar or different and why (CJA/484 – Criminal Justice Administration Capstone). The leadership characteristics and responsibilities pertaining to each organizational level will be identified (CJA – Criminal Justice Administration Capstone). According to Walker Katz (2008)

Haagen Dazs Marketing Plan - 1213 Words

The marketing environment focus analysis external environment to effect our industry market and how to effect our customer relationship to make it successful The marketing environments can analysis both of micro-environment and macro-environment. The micro-environment can analysis our company how to serve our customer â€Å"which is included the company, supplier, marketing intermediaries, customer markets, competitor and public†.(Philip 2010). The macro-environment is analysis outside company to effect micro-environment â€Å"which is included demographic, economic, natural, technology, political and cultural† (Philip 2010).. First of all, I would like to one by one to apply Haagen-Dazs. Micro-environment [pic] Sources: The company†¦show more content†¦Haagen-Dazs is need to maintain the customer rate. Macro-environment [pic] Sources: Demography The term of population in term of the gender, to follow market research said that 60% customer is girl to buy our Haagen-Dazs ice-cream. 40 % customer is boy to buy our Haagen-Dazs ice-cream. This figure is source from Haagen-Dazs day to day statically. The term of age target, Haagen-Dazs set target around Generation Z and Generation X to sell Haagen-Dazs ice-cream, from the market research figure said that around 30 % source from generation X to buy Haagen-Dazs ice-cream, 25% sources from generation Y and 45% sources from generation Z to buy. Haagen-Dazs ice-cream The term of Occupation, To follow marketing research said that 30% sources from primary school, 30% sources from second school, 40% sources from audit to buy Haagen-Dazs ice-cream. This figure can observe from Haagen-Dazs marketing Report. Economic From the financial storm starts to recovery, the customer stats to continues spend money to satisfy their basic need and safety need, they starts to return high-class market, in this time, Haagen-Dazs is need to important the customer turnover to look at Haagen-Dazs have enough stock to sell with customer. In that time, Haagen-Dazs can to try push more develop finish product put into market, the customer starts to try more new product to enjoy their basic need. SocialShow MoreRelatedWhy Does a Consumer Buy an Ice Cream?1115 Words   |  5 Pageskind of candies, it ´s a treat and it ´s associate with having fun outdoors in the summer. But this is a limited vision of the reality because the ice cream market is far more complex than this and with the introduction of premium ice creams such as Haagen-Dazs, the rules changed completely. With the creation of a new market segment the reasons why average costumers bought the product changed because before the target were children that bought the ice cream has a candy and know are the adults that lookRead MoreHaagen-Daz5746 Words   |  23 PagesModule MARKETING COMMUNICATION Title Exam Project (60%) The Haagen-Daz brand was launched in 1961, yet remained relatively unknown before its sensual advertising repositioned the brand as an Adult Ice Cream. Within five months of the advertising launch, Haagen-Dazs became the best selling premium ice cream in Britain with a market share twice that of its nearest rival. Your remit is to investigate how the ice cream was repositioned so successfully from a little know niche product to a globalRead MoreA Study of Developing and Training in Haagen-Dazs in China3864 Words   |  16 PagesA study of developing and training in Haagen-Dazs in China 1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Introduction This part focuses on the overview  of  the  ice-cream industry, research  rational and research  questions which include what the strategy and tactic of Haagen-Dazs is in China, what issues the development of Haagen-Dazs is facing in China and what the future plan and development of Haagen-Dazs is in China. 1.2 Overview  of  the  ice-cream industry Chinese ice cream market is based on analyzing the resent years report on theRead MoreHaagen Dazs4237 Words   |  17 PagesMarketing Plan | Hà ¤agen-Dazs | Table of Contents Contents EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2 INTRODUCTION 3 1. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS: 3 a) Company description 3 b) Product description: 3 2. MARKETING ENVIRONMENT : 5 a) Microenvironment: 5 b) Macro-environment: 6 3. SWOT analysis: 8 4. SEGMENTATION, TARGETING,DIFFERENTIATION, POSITIONING: 8 a) Segmentation: 8 b) Targeting: 9 c) Differentiation: 10 d) Positioning: 11 5. CONCLUSION 12 6. REFERENCE LISTS 13 Read MoreHaagen Dazs Case Study13645 Words   |  55 PagesREFERENCES†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦47 I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Haagen-Dazs has been successful for over half of the century. What are the sources for these successes is always challenging marketers of Haagen-Dazs itself and the competitors as well. Preparing good marketing strategies is always the policy craved deeply into marketers teams. Having an overview of the current market situation of ice cream industry and Haagen-Dazs profile will provide some new insights for the future development ofRead MoreThe Amazing Success of Haagen-Dazs in Shanghai3045 Words   |  13 PagesBusiness Research Methods Date: December 6th 2010 The Amazing Success of Haagen-Dazs in Shanghai Haagen-Dazs ice cream, why is it so popular among Chinese people? The main purpose of this research is to understand the reason of Haagen-Dazs being so famous and popular in China, Haagen-Dazs’s success comes from how they managed to sell the Ice cream to the Chinese consumers, the brand is not selling just ice cream they are also selling luxury and status. Some important elements for this researchRead MoreCorporate Wars3372 Words   |  14 PagesClass: 11th Com J Subject: MARKETING THE INDIAN HIGH SCHOOL DUBAI JANUARY - 2013 Remarks: _______________________. Signature: ______________________. THE INDIAN HIGH SCHOOL, DUBAI BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE Certified that this project report â€Å"Corporate Wars† is the bonafide work of â€Å"KARAN NARWANI† who carried out the project work under my supervision. _____________________________. Teacher In-charge (Mrs.Megha Rohra) Firstly, I would like to thank my marketing teacher Mrs. Megha RohraRead MoreThe Ice Cream Industry : Ben Jerry s, Blue Bell And Breyers1550 Words   |  7 Pagescompetitors dominant the ice-cream industry: Ben Jerry’s, Blue Bell and Breyers. These three companies and Hà ¤agen-Dazs are the four of the most famous ice-cream companies favorite by customers. All three competitors are engaged in develop a natural cream and scrumptious flavors while all sharing similar opportunities and threats related to ice-cream industry. What’s more all three companies and Hà ¤agen-Dazs do a job in expand the global markets. 5.1 The Ben Jerry’s Company Ben Jerry’s is an United StateRead MoreHaagen Daz Case Study1484 Words   |  6 Pagestrigger of the purchase; Haagen Dazs is exclusive and sophisticated, Vianeta is posh, Calipo is fresh Super Maxy is cool, none of these are objective characteristics of the product, they are just emotions the brands chose to associate with their product, and these are the triggers that when consumers are in the right emotional set of mind will make them buy that ice cream over another. 2. Evaluating the Haagen Dazs marketing plan. Does it look consistent? Haagen Dazs (HD) defines its own brandRead MoreThe Strategic Management Process: Ben Jerrys Ice Cream3247 Words   |  13 Pages(high-fat-content) ice cream to Hà ¤agan-Dazs and is seeking international growth opportunities in Japan to boost flagging sales. Firms must continuously revisit both corporate and marketing strategies to maintain their competitive edge. In this paper, we will take an inside look at Ben and Jerry’s situation, conducting environmental scanning of the current (1997) situation, crafting and implementing our own marketing strategies, and evaluating these marketing strategies. Executive Summary

Action Speak Louder Than Words free essay sample

I strongly believe that actions speak louder than words. Because when a person do something, everybody who is around will Judge the results of the action and will conect the action to the person who did it. One good example of it is the politician who is involved in a political scandal. Regardeless the politician can proove his inocence, the most of people will conect the politicians image to the escandal, and maybe dont support him in the next election process. Another point which has to be observed is that people speaks about many things and someones speak a lot, all the time, about things that are no true. Thats why the socyet are getting used to not believe in words, but in acts. Because acts are more diflcult to be unreliable. The acts, always leave results and the the results are the best exemple of the reliability of the acts. We will write a custom essay sample on Action Speak Louder Than Words or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Im going to give one good exemple of how an act can speaks louder than words: once in my life, I was trying to get a new Job and had to do some selection tests. Because there was only 1 vacance and 10 candidates. The test selections included some group dynamics, and one of those dynamics were as follows: the the test aplicant asked to very candidate who really spoke english and all test takers answered that we really spoke english. So, the test aplicant, continued making other questions in our mother leguage ( portuguese). After 30 minutes, the test aplicant left the room and didn t come back. After 10 minutes, another woman come to us and talked in english: The test will continue in the room number 1546, at the 5th floor, in about 5 minutes. Who uderstood me, please leave this room right know and go to the new room where the test will be placed. After the woman left the room, only 3 candidates went to the room 1 546, at the 5th floor. By this exemple, is very easy to understand how the actions talks louder than words. Because, although all the candidates sad that they really spoke english, only 3 of them really understood the information that the test would continue in another room. I can over this essay, supporting the idea that actions is more reliable then words, saying that is easier to relly that a person is really capable to understand the topics discussed in an american university analysing the person toefl exam results than only if the person say that he is capable. Action Speak Louder Than Words By rohitdh

Jean Watson Essay Sample free essay sample

Dr. Jean Watson was born in West Virginia. and has held a distinguished calling. She obtained her Baccalaureate of Nursing. Masters of Science in Nursing in 1966. and an PhD in 1973 from the University of Colorado. She was a Distinguished Professor of Nursing and Chair in Caring Science at the University of Colorado. a chap in the American Academy of Nursing. and Dean of Nursing at the University Health Sciences Center and President of the National League for Nursing. Jean Watson held six honorary Doctoral Degrees. and earned doctors degrees in educational psychological science and guidance. Her research was in the country of human lovingness and loss ( Current. 2012 ) . The Theory of Human Caring was developed in 1979. The theory emphasizes the humanistic facets of nursing in combination with scientific cognition. Watson designed this theory to convey significance and focal point to nursing as a distinguishable wellness profession. Watson believes that caring is an indorsement of a professional nurses individuality. We will write a custom essay sample on Jean Watson Essay Sample or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Harmonizing to Watson. the nurse’s function is to set up a lovingness relationship with patients. She recognizes the patient as a holistic being comprised of head. organic structure. and spirit. The nurse is to expose unconditioned credence and handle all patients with a positive respect. When the nurse does this. disbursement quality clip with her patients. she creates carative minutes ( Fitne. 2012 ) . Carative minutes are created by a combination of a nurse’s attitude and competency. The nurse has the power to impact her patient’s environment. can may lend to the well being and healing of the patient. If the nurse attends the patient as a individual in a natural and caring manner in that minute with touch or a minute of presence. can supply a profound impact on a patient result. Watson believes these particular â€Å"carative† minutes transform both the patient and nurse and associate them in a particular bond ( Fitne. 2012 ) . The theory consists of 10 primary carative factors:1. The formation of a humanistic-altruistic system of values 2. The installing of faith-hope3. The cultivation of sensitiveness to one’s ego and to others 4. The development of a assisting trust relationship5. The publicity and credence of the look of positive and negative feelings 6. The systematic usage of the scientific problem-solving method for determination doing 7. The publicity of interpersonal teaching-learning 8. The proviso for a supportive. protective and/or disciplinary mental. physical. socio-cultural. and religious environment 9. Aid with the satisfaction of human demands.10. The aid of existential-phenomenological forces ( Current. 2012 ) . In mention to the metaparadigm of nursing. harmonizing to Jean Watson the human being refers to â€Å"a valued individual in and of him or herself to be cared for. respected. nurtured. understood. and assisted†¦ . is viewed as greater than or different from the amount of his or her parts† ( Current. 2012 ) . Health is defined as a high degree of physical. mental and societal operation. along with adaptative day-to-day operation. and the absence of unwellness. Environment. harmonizing to Jean Watson. is a caring attitude. while nursing is concerned with advancing wellness. forestalling unwellness. caring for the ill and reconstructing wellness. It focuses on wellness publicity. and believes that holistic wellness attention is cardinal to the pattern of caring ( Current. 2012 ) . Mentions: Current Nursing. com ( 2012 ) . Jean Watson’s Philosophy of Nursing. Retrieved on February 5. 2013 from: hypertext transfer protocol: //currentnursing. com/nursing_theory/Watson. hypertext markup language Fitne. com. ( 2012 ) . The nurse theoreticians: Jean Watson – A Theory of Human Caring. Retrieved on February 5. 2013 from: hypertext transfer protocol: //www. fitne. net/vlrc/user/content/nt_iop/index. hypertext markup language

How to Write a High School Book Review

How to Write a High School Book Review How to Write a High School Book Review Instructors are fond of assigning book reviews in high school. Most students think that book reviews are some sort of punishment that ensures they read the whole book and write a 500 word critique. However, book reviews are assigned to students so that they can develop a better understanding of the society in which they live and the world at large. How to write a high school book review is a nightmare for most high school students who despise reading, but it does not have to be if one follows some simple rules. First, one must understand the nature of a book review, which is the reader’s reaction to a specific book rather than a simple summarization of the work. A book review involves analyzing the validity of the content, purpose, and organization of the book. There are two basic kinds of book reviews, descriptive and critical. Descriptive book reviews evaluate the pertinent information offered in the book through exposition and description and is couched in the context of literary and historical values. These attributes are then supported by evidence from the work. The writer states and examines the perceived purposes and intentions of the author, often quoting some of the most compelling excerpts from the text in an effort to illustrate a point. However, in most cases, high school students are assigned critical book reviews to complete as part of their literature assignments as opposed to descriptive. In a critical book review, students must be conscious of two requirements. First, students need to be well informed of the work under review. This necessitates that the student understand the author’s purpose and how the sections of work contribute towards the purpose in writing. Gaining a basic knowledge about the author’s life experiences, as well as other works by the author and time period of publication, will often facilitate the student’s ability to understand the influences on the author’s works. Secondly, it is imperative for students to understand the genre of the text. Understanding the book’s genre is simply to be conscious of the art form of the book and utilization of its characteristics. Without knowledge of the genre, students have no literary understanding upon which evaluation s are based. The basics of a book review also include having a sense of what the reader expects to find in the critique. The reader should be able to glean from the critique some understanding of author’s thoughts and intentions without reading the original text. Main events and themes of the book are presented in a coherent and precise manner. Finally, in a review, apart from communicating the author’s purpose, it is prudent for the reviewer to express an opinion about the author’s success in achieving the purpose in writing the book. Students must be certain to provide adequate evidence to support personal opinions. In summary, completing a book review, just like making a book report, requires one to read through the entire text and offer a reaction to the content of the book, as well as its organization and the author’s ability to express ideas in a clear and concise manner. The student will find it helpful to develop and follow an outline as a way to organize ideas in a coherent manner. Finally, the student must spend time revising and proof-reading the critique. Visit to get professional book review help from academic experts who hold Masters and PhD degrees.

Essay Topics

Essay Topics Essay Topics Essay Topics Choosing an essay topic may be one of the most difficult parts of the essay writing process. Very often you are asked to write something interesting from you life experience. It is clear that there were a lot of interesting events in your life, but you need to choose the most significant one. Without good essay topic you can't express yourself as a personality. Choosing essay topics is difficult and takes a lot of time. But don't panic and relax. Once you've chosen a topic related to your life's event - check it. Tell somebody why you remember this particular event, how it changed you as a person, how you reacted. If the answers impress your listener you may start writing an essay. While writing an essay, use your own voice, don't let someone else tell you what to write. Tell your story and make the essay to be your own. Your essay should be original, but it doesn't means that you should write about something you don't know. In most cases, the tutor pays more attention to how a student writes covers a topic rather than to a topic itself. Your tutor wants to see fine writing that reflects mature thought, a mastery of the language, clear structure, and a topic that tells something new about you simply because you tell a good story. Essay writing requires grammatical accuracy. Your writing must be understandable, clear and direct. Essay Help If you decided to write about a single event in your life, you should use the narrative structure which can also be chronological. It can be filled with action, dialogue, and subtle details. Write chronologically doesn't mean that you should rattle off a schedule of events. It is better to provide many details about a very specific set of events. The sequence of events will help you to avoid the difficult task of transitioning between paragraphs. Even if the narrative is one of the most effective forms of writing for an essay it can also be rather difficult. Start writing your essay with a brief story, it is one of the most common and effective method. The focus of the essay is usually on the point of view of the narrator. Some students think they need to choose such college essay topic that will amaze the admissions committees. But that's not what colleges are looking for. Instead, they simply want to learn more about who you are and what your way of thinking is. Custom Essay Writing Services There are as many essay topics as there are students in the world.   The imagination of your tutors has no boundaries.   Based on our experience in custom essay writing, we were impressed by some essay topics assigned by the tutors.   It seemed that the given topic was impossible to research.   However, strives to meet the expectations of all customers and write a good essay on any topic.   It is easy to be our customer because you get professionally written custom essay prior to deadline and pay a reasonable price for it.

Marketing Mix Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Marketing Mix - Research Paper Example According to the research findings there are four significant elements of the marketing mix in as far as marketing a business organization’s products and services are concerned. These elements, also known as the four Ps of marketing include product, price, place and promotion. The marketing mix is therefore a combination of promotion, product place and pricing strategies intended to generate equally satisfying exchanges within a target market. According to Ehmke et.al business organizations have to design a successful mix of the product, price, place and promotion. Product refers to the goods or services offered by the business organization or firm to its customers. Other than the physical product itself, there exist also a number of elements associated with the product, which attracts customers. Other attributes of a product include features, brand name, warranties, options, services and quality. A business organization’s products appearance, support and function sum u p what an organization’s customer is essentially buying. Successful business organization managers pay keen attention to the needs their product package addresses for their prospective customers as it is the right products that satisfy the needs of their prospective customers. On the other hand, price refers to how much a business organization charges its products or services. Out of all the elements of the marketing mix, price is the only one that gives rise to sales revenue since all the other elements are costs. The price of a product or service is thus a significant determinant of the sales value made. According to Ehmke et.al (2005), determining the price of a product or service is often a tricky as well as a frightening exercise for a number of business organizations. Pricing has to take into account a number of internal as well external factors such as actual costs, prices of competing products or services, expected profit margins, as well as the likely legal restricti ons. However, in theory, prices are determined by discovering what the customers perceive is the value of the product or service on sale. Researching customers’ (consumers) opinions regarding pricing is therefore important as this points out how they value, what they are looking for in a product or service as well as what they intend to pay (Ehmke et.al, 2005).Product price ought therefore to be right, as consumers need to purchase in large amounts to produce healthy profits. Place refers to the channels of distribution that a business organization employs in order to get its products or services to its customers. Ensuring the product or service is at the right place and at the right time involves the channels or system of distribution. The choice of the channel of distribution by an organization depends on various circumstances. For instance, a number of organizations sell their products or services to wholesalers who thereafter sell it to retailers. Other organizations, on the other hand, prefer selling directly to retailers or consumers (Ehmke et.al, 2005). Promotion refers to how a business organization informs prospective customers about the availability of products, its prices and its place. The purpose of promotion is to ensure prospective custo

Ikea in Oman Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Ikea in Oman - Essay Example part of the company’s continuous global expansion strategy, IKEA successfully managed to set up a store outlet in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia back in 1983 and 1996 respectively (IKEA, 2008c). With the active assistance of International Al Futtain Group – Dubai-based business conglomerate of IKEA, the business is currently planning to open a store outlet within the jurisdiction of the Sultanate of Oman over the next three to four years from now (Business Intelligence Middle East, 2007). In general, Oman is well-known for its fishing and oil industry (Nations Encyclopedia, 2008a; U.S. Department of State, 2008). Since Malaysia is one of the world-class exporters of high quality rattan-made furniture including home dà ©cor items (One2furniure, 2008; Rinaat Cane, 2008), it is best on the part of IKEA to promote the selling of these furniture item throughout the entire market in Oman. With regards to IKEA’s expansion project in Oman, an international marketing plan which includes the international marketing objective(s), a thorough market situational analysis, a marketing strategy, implementation and control will be provided in this study as part of making the introduction of rattan-made furniture items in Oman successful. The corporate objective is to be able to successfully penetrate the company’s target market in Oman by effectively promoting the benefits of using rattan-made furniture over the use of other alternative materials like glass, wood, plastic, and metal. As part of the company’s international marketing objective(s), IKEA should: 1. Effectively promote the importance and benefits of using rattan-made furniture items such as living room sets, dining room sets, bedroom sets, cabinets, and office furniture over the typical wooden, plastic, or metallic home products through the use of appropriate marketing communication techniques (i.e. environmental impact and the excellent craftsmanship in Malaysia); PEST1 framework is often

Types of job interviews Essay Example for Free

Types of job interviews Essay 1. Traditional one on one job interview This is the traditional one on one interview is where you’re interviewed by a company representative, most likely the manager of the position you are applying for. If you get the job you will be working with this person directly. They will want to understand who you are and if your skills match those of the job requirements. You may be asked questions about your resume and your experience, what you can offer the company and what you can bring to the position. The interviewer may ask you questions such as â€Å"Why would you be good for this job?† or â€Å"Tell me about yourself.† The one on one interview is by far, one of the most common types of job interviews. 2. Group Job Interview Many times companies will conduct a group interview to quickly pre-screen candidates for the job opening as well as give the candidates the chance to quickly learn about the company to see if they want to work there. Many times, a group interview will begin with a short presentation about the company. After that, they may speak to each candidate individually and ask them a few questions. One of the most important things the employer is observing during a group interview, is how you interact with the other candidates. Are you emerging as a leader or are you more likely to complete tasks that are asked of you? Neither is necessarily better than the other, it just depends on what type of personality works best for the position that needs to be filled. 3. Panel Job Interview These can be difficult. In a panel interview, you will be interviewed by three to four interviewers. The panel may consist of different representatives of the company such as human resources, management, and employees. The reason why some companies conduct panel interviews is to save time or to get the collective opinion of panel regarding the candidate. Each member of the panel may be responsible for asking you questions that represent relevancy from their position. Government agencies typically conduct panel interviews and they are very strict on protocol. 4. Behavioural Job Interview In a behavioral interview, the interviewer will ask you questions based on common situations of the job you are applying for. The logic behind the behavioural interview is that your future performance will be based on a past performance of a similar situation. You should expect questions that inquire about what you did when you were in XXX situation and how did you dealt with it. In a behavioural interview, the interviewer wants to see how you deal with certain problems and what you do to solve them. 5. Phone Job Interview A phone interview may be for a position where the candidate is not local or for an initial pre-screening call to see if they want to invite you in for an in-person interview. You may be asked typical questions or behavioral questions. Most of the time you will schedule an appointment for a phone interview. If the interviewer calls unexpectedly, it’s ok to ask them politely to schedule an appointment. On a phone interview, make sure your call waiting is turned off, you are in a quiet room, and you are not eating, drinking or chewing gum. 6. Lunch Job Interview Many times lunch interviews are conducted as a second interview. The company will invite you to lunch with additional members of the team to further get to know you and see how you fit in. This is a great time to ask any questions you may have about the company or position as well, so make sure you prepare your questions in advance.

Essay --

Michael is struggling to remember small things. Michael is struggling to pay attention to his studies and is also stressing at work. He is told things and quickly forgets them or he’s hearing information and not being able to remember what he learned. Michael complains that he is stressing about work, but could that be causing him to forget things so quickly? Michael is suffering from what is known as short term memory. Short term memory allows limited space in a person’s mind which only allows the mind to remember up to seven items at one time. In order for short term memory to be stored it would have to be rehearsed which would cause it to be stored as long term memory which would stay in your mind for a long time. Short term memory or working memory can be manipulated in your mind causing you to forget something that you just heard. Michael is taking in this information but the information is being stored in his short term memory where something else might practically overwrite it and cause him to forget. Have you ever wondered how memories form? Memories are formed through conn...

F.Scott Fitzgerald Essay

East versus WestThe Midwestern states and the Eastern states of America are very different and marked by specific values and attitudes. While in the Mid West you find more traditional values (American values), for example living on one’s own, not needing anyone else and being self-supporting, the East has a closer connection to Europe and orientates itself by European values and qualities. The West is described as the country of â€Å"wide lawns and friendly trees† (p. 7,5 ), â€Å"prairies† and â€Å"lost Swede towns† (p. 125,19). There, agriculture is the major economic factor and the landscape is marked by long wheat and corn fields. During winter, the land freezes, they get â€Å"real snow† (p. 125,13) and the temperatures drops far below 0 ° C. When you look inside the houses, you see holy wreaths hanging in the windows pointing out the traditions that are followed by the westerners. The people living in the West tend to have a very strict and conservative attitude and not to be open for most changes. It was there, where  prohibition  started. | | On the other side of the Ohio, the major eastern side stream of the Mississippi, the Eastern states begin. They represent the modern America where the immigrants first arrived in order to start a better life (American Dream). Also, the East is much more densely populated and you find more big cities like New York. The Easterners are said to be open-minded and sophisticated. In the book  The Great Gatsby, East Egg and West Egg are used as metaphors for the East and the Middle West. While the â€Å"aristocrats† Tom and Daisy live in East Egg, the newly rich Gatsby lives in West Egg. Even though Gatsby shows off with his wealth and tries to fit in the â€Å"aristocratic† society, the fact that he is living in West Egg, shows that the distance between East and West does not become smaller, ecause West Egg stays the â€Å"less fashionable of the two† (p. 9, 9). Most of the settlers, who explored the western country, were Finnish. For that, the â€Å"Finnish woman† (p. 7, 10) who works for Nick, is another example of the connection between West Egg and the Middle West. | In the Great Gatsby, there are two cities, East Egg and West Egg, which are separated by the Valley of Ashes. Wh at city you live in between the two, shows if you are from a wealthy family (East Egg) or if you are new to wealth (West Egg). People in East Egg come from families that always had money. They’re more snobby, greedy, and mean than people from West Egg, as those from East Egg are generally less-sophisticated, and a more innocent type of people, as they haven’t been consumed by material possessions, money, and greed their whole lives. The Buchanans, for example, are a family of East Egg, which Tom Buchanan was born of a wealthy family, and the greedy Daisy, who married into this money. They have a very large mansion for a home, and are a somewhat of a stuck up family. East Egg is portrayed as corrupt in the novel, and and is moral-less, compared to the more humble West Egg. According to F. Scott Fitzgerald, the West Egg is â€Å"less fashionable† with â€Å"wide lawns and friendly trees. † Most of the people that live in the West Egg have morals and ethics to live by, rather than their own money, such as Nick Carraway. After Nick does Gatsby the favor of reuniting him with Daisy, he offers Nick the chance to take part in Gatsby’s business and earn more money. Even though Nick struggles to sell bonds, he politely declines, realizing that Gatsby was only returning the favor. This shows that Nick has dignity, and doesn’t live off the image portrayed by how much money he has or makes. In the book The Great Gatsby, East Egg and West Egg are used as metaphors for the East and the Middle West. While the â€Å"aristocrats† Tom and Daisy live in East Egg, the newly rich Gatsby lives in West Egg. Even though Gatsby shows off with his wealth and tries to fit in the â€Å"aristocratic† society, the fact that he is living in West Egg, shows that the distance between East and West does not become smaller, because West Egg stays the â€Å"less fashionable of the two† http://thegreatjaygatsby. logspot. be/2010/06/east-egg-vs-west-egg. html http://hcchonorsamericanliterature. edublogs. org/2012/03/20/east-egg-vs-west-egg/ http://answers. yahoo. com/question/index? qid=20090210150630AAg7YIw http://www. ovtg. de/3_arbeit/englisch/gatsby/minut_03. html http://www. ovtg. de/3_arbeit/englisch/gatsby/eastwest. html http://metatfios. tumblr. com/po st/17549510984/the-epigraph-and-the-great-gatsby

Piano Concerto in a Major, K. 488

Mozart completed the Piano Concerto in A Major, K. 488, in March 1786 and it is a graceful piece in three movements. It used a small orchestra with two flutes, two clarinets in A, two bassoons, and two horns in A, along with the usual string orchestra. The first movement embodies the form called a â€Å"sonata form with double exposition. † This form is common in concerti and one feature of this form is that the first exposition does not end with a double bar and repeat sign indicating a literal repeat of the exposition.Instead the first exposition is for the orchestra without the soloist, and does not modulate to and conclude in the dominant, but stays in the tonic key throughout. When the soloist enters a second exposition begins which does modulate to the dominant key (or relative major if the work is in a minor key), and the second exposition does indeed cadence in the dominant. The only other variance from a standard (non-concerto) sonata form is the traditional cadenza, which occurs near the end of the recapitulation of the movement. The second theme is presented following a transitional section.In the first exposition it is in the key of A, but in the second exposition it is heard in the dominant key of E Major. This phrase ends with a half cadence, and the following phrase ends with a PAC, creating a double parallel period. The closing theme is more intense in character and features interplay between the winds and strings as well as frequent use of the borrowed subdominant chord. It includes a number of different melodic ideas and concludes with a strong beat PAC in A Major in measure 62. The second exposition begins in measure 67 with the first theme stated by the solo pianist.The major difference in this exposition is the modulation to the dominant key of E Major, which takes place in the Transition section in measures 82-98. This second exposition ends in a surprising way in measure 142 with the half cadence falling on the fourth beat of the m easure and the music abruptly ceasing, creating a dramatic pause that is followed by an entirely new theme, which begins the development section. This new theme is in E Major and provides virtually all of the melodic harmony heard throughout the development section.Following this embellished theme in E Major, the music begins to fragment this new theme and moves into key areas associated with the key of A minor as opposed to A Major. The keys touched on include E minor, C Major, F Major, and D minor. An especially nice passage is found in mm. 170-178. It features the clarinet and flute in a canon based on the ‘new’ theme, while the soloist maintains a running sixteenth note figure. Harmonically it begins in the key of D minor and traces the circle of fifths to a cadence on an E major chord in measure 178.Since E Major is the dominant chord of A Major this initiates a prolongation of the dominant of A Major in measures 178-189. A sort of â€Å"mini-cadenza† occurr ed in 189-198, which leads to the Recapitulation beginning in measure 198. The Recapitulation restates all of the themes heard in the exposition, now all in the key of A Major, with the soloist and orchestra interacting, unlike the first exposition. A particularly long Coda section begins in measure 261 with the reintroduction of the development section’s ‘New’ theme, presented now by the soloist alone, and in the key of A Major for the first time.Like the beginning of the development section, including the dramatic pause, it is followed by the placid restatement of the ‘New’ theme by the orchestra (290). This breaks off though and leads through a series of forte chords to the traditional tonic 6/4 chord paving the way for the cadenza. The cadenza is fundamentally a greatly expanded prolongation of the V chord. Following the cadenza the orchestra enters in a forte tutti statement with material drawn from the closing theme first presented in measure 4 9. A decisive PAC in A Major occurs in m. 309 followed by a prolongation of the tonic chord to the movement’s end.

Samuel Johnsons Dictionary of the English Language

Samuel Johnsons Dictionary of the English Language On April 15, 1755, Samuel Johnson published his two-volume Dictionary of the English Language. It wasnt the first English dictionary (more than 20 had appeared over the preceding two centuries), but in many ways, it was the most remarkable. As modern lexicographer Robert Burchfield has observed, In the whole tradition of English language and literature the only dictionary compiled by a writer of the first rank is that of Dr. Johnson. Unsuccessful as a schoolmaster in his hometown of Lichfield, Staffordshire (the few students he had were put off by his oddities of manner and uncouth gesticulationsmost likely the effects of Tourette syndrome), Johnson moved to London in 1737 to make a living as an author and editor. After a decade spent writing for magazines and struggling with debt, he accepted an invitation from bookseller Robert Dodsley to compile a definitive dictionary of the English language. Dodsley solicited the patronage of the Earl of Chesterfield, offered to publicize the dictionary in his various periodicals, and agreed to pay Johnson the considerable sum of 1,500 guineas in installments. What should every logophile know about Johnsons Dictionary? Here are a few starting points. Johnson's Ambitions In his Plan of a Dictionary of the English Language, published in August 1747, Johnson announced his ambition to rationalize spellings, trace etymologies, offer guidance on pronunciation, and preserve the purity, and ascertain the meaning of our English idiom. Preservation and standardization were primary goals: [O]ne great end of this undertaking, Johnson wrote, is to fix the English language.As Henry Hitchings notes in his book Defining the World (2006), With time, Johnsons conservatism- the desire to fix the language- gave way to a radical awareness of languages mutability. But from the outset, the impulse to standardize and straighten English out was in competition with the belief that one should chronicle whats there, and not just what one would like to see. Johnson's Labors In other European countries around this time, dictionaries had been assembled by large committees. The 40 immortals who made up the Acadà ©mie franà §aise took 55 years to produce their French  Dictionnaire. The Florentine Accademia della Crusca labored 30 years on its Vocabolario. In contrast, working with just six assistants (and never more than four at a time), Johnson completed his dictionary in about eight years. Unabridged and Abridged Editions Weighing in at roughly 20 pounds, the first edition of Johnsons Dictionary ran to 2,300 pages and contained 42,773 entries. Extravagantly priced at 4 pounds, 10 shillings, it sold only a few thousand copies in its first decade. Far more successful was the 10-shilling abridged version published in 1756, which was superseded in the 1790s by a best-selling miniature version (the equivalent of a modern paperback). Its this miniature edition of Johnsons Dictionary that Becky Sharpe tossed out of a carriage window in Thackerays Vanity Fair (1847). The Quotations Johnsons most significant innovation was to include quotations (well over 100,000 of them from more than 500 authors) to illustrate the words he defined as well as provide tidbits of wisdom along the way. Textual accuracy, it appears, was never a major concern: if a quotation lacked felicity or didnt quite serve Johnsons purpose, hed alter it. The Definitions The most commonly cited definitions in Johnsons Dictionary tend to be quirky and polysyllabic: rust is defined as the red desquamation of old iron; cough is a convulsion of the lungs, vellicated by some sharp serosity; network is any thing reticulated or decussated, at equal distances, with interstices between the intersections. In truth, many of Johnsons definitions are admirably straightforward and succinct. Rant, for instance, is defined as high sounding language unsupported by dignity of thought, and hope is an expectation indulged with pleasure. Rude Words Though Johnson omitted certain words for reasons of propriety, he did admit a number of vulgar phrases, including  bum, fart, piss, and turd. (When Johnson was complimented by two ladies for having left out naughty words, he is alleged to have replied, What, my dears! Then you have been looking for them?) He also provided a delightful selection of verbal curios (such as belly-god, one who makes a god of his belly, and amatorculist, a little insignificant lover) as well as insults, including fopdoodle (a fool; an insignificant wretch), bedpresser (a heavy lazy fellow), and pricklouse (a word of contempt for a tailor). Barbarisms Johnson didnt hesitate to pass judgment on words he considered socially unacceptable. On his list of  barbarisms were such familiar words as budge, con, gambler, ignoramus, shabby, trait, and volunteer (used as a verb). And Johnson could be opinionated in other ways, as in his famous (though not original) definition of oats: a grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people. Meanings Not surprisingly, some of the words in Johnsons Dictionary have undergone a change in meaning since the 18th century. For example, in Johnsons time a cruise was a small cup, a high-flier was someone who carries his opinions to extravagance, a recipe was a medical prescription, and a urinator was a diver; one who searches under water. Lessons Learned In the preface to A Dictionary of the English Language, Johnson acknowledged that his optimistic plan to fix the language had been thwarted by the ever-changing nature of language itself: Those who have been persuaded to think well of my design, require that it should fix our language, and put a stop to those alterations which time and chance have hitherto been suffered to make in it without opposition. With this consequence I will confess that I flattered myself for a while; but now begin to fear that I have indulged expectation which neither reason nor experience can justify. When we see men grow old and die at a certain time one after another, from century to century, we laugh at the elixir that promises to prolong life to a thousand years; and with equal justice may the lexicographer be derided, who being able to produce no example of a nation that has preserved their words and phrases from mutability, shall imagine that his dictionary can embalm his language, and secure it from corruption and decay, that it is in his power to change sublunary nature, or clear the world at once from folly, vanity, and affectation. Ultimately Johnson concluded that his early aspirations reflected the dreams of a poet doomed at last to wake a lexicographer. But of course Samuel Johnson was more than a dictionary maker; he was, as Burchfield noted, a writer and editor of the first rank. Among his other notable works are a travel book, A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland; an eight-volume edition of The Plays of William Shakespeare; the fable Rasselas (written in a week to help pay his mothers medical expenses); The Lives of the English Poets; and hundreds of essays and poems. Nonetheless, Johnsons Dictionary stands as an enduring achievement. More than any other dictionary, Hitching says, it abounds with stories, arcane information, home truths, snippets of trivia, and lost myths. It is, in short, a treasure house. Fortunately, we can now visit this treasure house online. Graduate student Brandi Besalke has begun uploading a searchable version of the first edition of Johnsons Dictionary at johnsonsdictionaryonline.com. Also, the sixth edition (1785) is available in a variety of formats at the Internet Archive. To learn more about Samuel Johnson and his Dictionary, pick up a copy of Defining the World: The Extraordinary Story of Dr. Johnsons Dictionary by Henry Hitchings (Picador, 2006). Other books of interest include Jonathon Greens Chasing the Sun: Dictionary Makers and the Dictionaries They Made (Henry Holt, 1996); The Making of Johnsons Dictionary, 1746-1773 by Allen Reddick (Cambridge University Press, 1990); and Samuel Johnson: A Life by David Nokes (Henry Holt, 2009).

Cómo recuperar la ciudadanía americana

Cà ³mo recuperar la ciudadanà ­a americana Es posible que una persona que en el pasado fue ciudadano de los Estados Unidos y perdià ³ esa condicià ³n puede recuperar la ciudadanà ­a, siempre y cuando se cumplan los requisitos que pide la ley. Es cierto que en la actualidad, y con las leyes que hoy aplican, es muy difà ­cil que un ciudadano de los Estados Unidos pierda su nacionalidad, excepto en los casos de hechos gravà ­simos en contra del paà ­s o cuando una persona asà ­ se desea expresamente. Sin embargo, hasta hace poco, era  un hecho no infrecuente. En este artà ­culo se informa quià ©nes perdà ­an segà ºn las leyes antiguas y pierden segà ºn las actuales la ciudadanà ­a de forma involuntaria y quià ©nes pueden recuperarla, quà © requisitos deben cumplir y quà © trmites deben seguir. Casos en los que antes se poda perder la nacionalidad de EEUU involuntariamente Hace aà ±os, las leyes que regulaban la nacionalidad americana eran distintas de las actuales y,  bajo la legislacià ³n que aplicaba en el pasado, un buen nà ºmero de ciudadanos perdieron la ciudadanà ­a sin que esa fuese su voluntad, simplemente porque asà ­ era la ley. Por ejemplo, y en primer lugar, las personas nacidas fuera de Estados Unidos entre 1934 y 1978 y que adquirà ­an la ciudadanà ­a estadounidense porque uno de sus padres tenà ­a dicha nacionalidad, podà ­an perderla si no se mudaban a Estados Unidos y tenà ­an presencia fà ­sica en este paà ­s por un nà ºmero de aà ±os. Es lo que se conocà ­a como el requisito de retencià ³n.   Asimismo, en segundo lugar, en el pasado y antes de que Estados Unidos reconociese la doble nacionalidad  se castigaba con la pà ©rdida de la ciudadanà ­a a los estadounidenses que adquirà ­an otra nacionalidad. Incluso aà ºn despuà ©s de admitirla, surgà ­an problemas para los americanos que vivà ­an en un paà ­s del que tambià ©n eran nacionales que prohibà ­a la doble nacionalidad y exigà ­a, en algà ºn momento, la renuncia al pasaporte americano para poder conservar el del paà ­s en el que vivà ­an. Incluso algunos paà ­ses exigà ­an prestar unos juramentos de lealtad, que las oficinas consulares americanas consideraban que eran una renuncia a la ciudadanà ­a de los Estados Unidos. En tercer lugar, otro caso en los que la ley preveà ­a la pà ©rdida de nacionalidad se daba cuando con anterioridad a septiembre de 1922 un estadounidense que residà ­a fuera de EE.UU se casaban con un extranjero. En cuarto lugar, otro ejemplo de pà ©rdida de nacionalidad involuntaria era el de las personas que adquirà ­an la nacionalidad mediante naturalizacià ³n y la perdà ­an si no continuaban residiendo dentro de los Estados Unidos. Sin embargo, tener en cuenta que esto ya no sucede ahora. Por à ºltimo, y en quinto lugar, un caso distinto pero relacionado con este tema es el hecho de que con anterioridad a 1934 los nià ±os nacidos en otro paà ­s sà ³lo podà ­an adquirir la ciudadanà ­a americana por parte paterna. Es decir, los nià ±os nacidos fuera de Estados Unidos que eran hijos de mujer estadounidense y padre extranjero no recibà ­an la ciudadanà ­a. Se puede recuperar la nacionalidad estadounidense? En primer lugar destacar que cuando la ciudadanà ­a se pierde de un modo voluntario es para siempre. No hay vuelta atrs, asà ­ que antes de dar el paso es conveniente pensarlo mucho e incluso consultarlo con un abogado de inmigracià ³n. Los casos ms comunes son los de renuncia para no pagar impuestos. En lo que respecta a los casos de pà ©rdida involuntaria, la respuesta depende del caso. En algunos casos no es posible recuperar la ciudadanà ­a de los Estados Unidos, mientras que en otros sà ­. Y es que la Ley de Correcciones Tà ©cnicas de Inmigracià ³n y Naturalizacià ³n que se aprobà ³ en 1994 y que se conoce por sus siglas en inglà ©s de INTCA abrià ³ el camino a posibles recuperaciones en casos especà ­ficos. Por ejemplo, por aplicacià ³n de esta ley se reconoce la ciudadanà ­a americana a las personas nacidas fuera de los Estados Unidos con anterioridad al 24 de mayo de 1934 que tenà ­an un   padre extranjero pero madre ciudadana cuando à ©sta cumplà ­a el requisito de aà ±os vividos en EU antes del nacimiento del hijo o hija, al que ahora por aplicacià ³n de INTCA se le reconoce su condicià ³n de estadounidense. Adems, se establece un camino para la recuperacià ³n de la nacionalidad para todas aquellas personas nacidas fuera de EU entre 1934 y 1978 y que la habà ­an adquirido al nacer porque uno de sus padres eran estadounidenses pero ms tarde la perdieron por no cumplir el requisito para retenerla de presencia fà ­sica en los Estados Unidos. La forma a seguir, por aplicacià ³n de la seccià ³n 324 (d) de la Ley de Inmigracià ³n y Ciudadanà ­a (INA) es hablar con el consulado o embajada de los Estados Unidos ms cercano al lugar de residencia y solicitar prestar el juramento de lealtad al paà ­s. Lo que se conoce en inglà ©s como el oath of allegiance. Y con esto es suficiente para recuperar la ciudadanà ­a. A mayores, aunque no es necesario sà ­ que es conveniente solicitar un Certificado de Ciudadanà ­a (formulario N-600) para poder probarla y tambià ©n para pedir algunos de los posibles beneficios como, por ejemplo, el pasaporte. Asimismo, desde 2002 podrà ­an recuperar la nacionalidad estadounidense las personas que la perdieron con anterioridad al 22 de septiembre de 1922 por haberse casado con un extranjero y residir fuera de los Estados Unidos. Y tambià ©n los que con posterioridad a dicha fecha la perdieron por contraer matrimonio con un extranjero considerado como inelegible para la ciudadanà ­a.   En estos dos à ºltimos casos del prrafo anterior,   la recuperacià ³n se hace mediante un trmite de naturalizacià ³n. Hay que cumplir con requisitos adicionales y en algunos casos incluso no es necesario. Por sus particularidades, las personas en estos casos de pà ©rdida de nacionalidad por cuestià ³n de matrimonio deberà ­an asesorarse con un abogado sobre el procedimiento a seguir. En los dems casos en los que se ha dejado de ser americano involuntariamente se pueden escribir una carta muy detallada con especificaciones de su caso y pidiendo recuperar la ciudadanà ­a. Incluir entre otros datos el nombre completo, la fecha y lugar de nacimiento, telà ©fonos de contacto, las razones por las que se pierde la ciudadanà ­a y tambià ©n cul era la intencià ³n hacia dicha ciudadanà ­a en el momento en que se produce la pà ©rdida. Enviar la informacià ³n a: U.S. Department of StateOffice of Leal Affairs (CA/OCS/L)600 19th  Street, N.W.- 10th  Floor600 19th Street, NWWashington, D.C. 20431 Si se utiliza servicio de correo exprà ©s. Por el contrario, si se utiliza correo ordinario la direccià ³n es la siguiente: U. S. Department of StateDirectorOffice of Legal Affairs (CA/OCS/L)Overseas Citizens ServicesU.S. Department of StateSA-17, 10th FloorWashington, D.C. 20522-1707 Tambià ©n se puede contactar por correo electrà ³nico, telà ©fono o fax: Tel: 202-736-9110Fax: 202-736-9111Email:  ASKPRIstate.gov Corresponde al gobierno decidir si concede o no la peticià ³n para que una persona recupere la ciudadanà ­a y lo har teniendo en cuenta los mà ©ritos particulares de cada caso. Es conveniente saber que el proceso puede demorarse varios meses antes de tener una respuesta. Lo habitual es una demora entre 4 y 6 meses. Por à ºltimo, si la peticià ³n es concedida la persona tendr que jurar lealtad a los Estados Unidos  y sà ³lo a partir de entonces volver a gozar de los derechos de ser americano como, por ejemplo, votar en las elecciones, ser elegido representante, viajar con pasaporte de ese paà ­s, tener acceso a ayudas sociales reservadas para ciudadanos y pedir los papeles para familiares. Aclaraciones, derechos y obligaciones a tener en cuenta Por lo tanto, los hijos que se tuvieron en el tiempo en el que una persona perdià ³ la ciudadanà ­a y antes de recuperarla no obtienen automticamente ningà ºn beneficio, en otras palabras, no se convierten ni en ciudadanos ni residentes permanentes. Sin embargo, si se cumplen los requisitos, la persona que fue ciudadana, perdià ³ la ciudadanà ­a y posteriormente la recuperà ³, podrà ­a iniciar los trmites para pedir la green card para esos hijos y otros familiares  en el momento en que recupera la ciudadanà ­a.   Asimismo, tener en todo momento presente que la ciudadanà ­a americana brinda derechos, lo cierto es que tambià ©n lleva aparejada obligaciones, incluso para las personas que residen habitualmente o siempre fuera de los Estados Unidos. Respecto a esos à ºltimos, siguen obligados  pago de impuestos  y, en el caso de varones, es aconsejable familiarizarse con el Servicio Selectivo, ya que es necesario registrarse. Este artà ­culo es meramente informativo. No es asesorà ­a legal.

Consider the role of the hero in a Sixteenth-Century work and a Essay

Consider the role of the hero in a Sixteenth-Century work and a Seventeenth-Century work (16th and 17th Century English Literature) - Essay Example Britomart, the central character Book III of in Spencer’s â€Å"Faerie Queen† is assigned with the role of a sophisticated representative of the Elizabethan patriarchal society, the eponymous heroine in the â€Å"Duchess of Malfi† appears to be the projection of a freewill feminine zeal against the patriarchal authority of the Jacobean Era (Roider). Though the texts deal with the patriarchal zeal of the authors’ societies, their central characters reflect these patriarchies in opposite fashions. While the silhouette of Britomart’s character is determined by the author’s conformation with the existing patriarchal structure of the society, the heroine in â€Å"Duchess of Malfi† appears to be in conflict with her society. On the surface level, Britomart’s quest for the Queen seems to glorify the position of women in Elizabethan society. But if she is examined from a more critical perspective, she appears to be a perfect patriarchal heroine who, though, is free of the negative chauvinistic view of the society. The gender constructs of both of the Elizabethan and Jacobean societies appears to be the same and to be the typical features of a patriarchal society. But the compliance levels of the two heroines with the expectations of patriarchy from the â€Å"inferior sex† differ from each other. In his analysis of the social constructs, Adam Polgar refers to the fact that Britomart’s characters is laden with what the Elizabethan expects from a woman. She is not only the warrior lady in concrete sense, but also a moral warrior who fights for her chastity, the moral expectation of her society. He more likely views Britomart’s quest for her future husband as her effort to save her chastity and loyalty to her future husband. Therefore she appears to be the perfect heroine for the Elizabethan readers. According to him Britomart’s armor that symbolizes her chastity, is the social construct of her gender and she complies with this

Seagate Technology Plc. (STX) Company Analysis Essay

Seagate Technology Plc. (STX) Company Analysis - Essay Example In the next section, a more comprehensive analysis is rendered considering the whole economy, with both an industry analysis and company analysis as part of the overall analysis of this paper. It included both qualitative and quantitative assessments of the company to have an idea of the various threats and challenges it is currently facing as well as the opportunities in the market. The third section is the conclusion portion of this paper and summarizes what has been stated in previous sections. It also reiterates the important points raised by the company analysis so that a potential investor can make an informed judgment on the company based on facts the paper has presented so far. The fourth and last section is the recommendation which suggests a buy position for the company but only for the medium term investment horizon and further subject to a periodic quarterly review. This is because the very nature of the computer industry is that of rapid technological change and short pr oduct life cycles that can render even market leaders with an uncertain viability in a â€Å"nightmare moment† (strategic inflection point). Keywords: buybacks, data storage devices, flash memory, hard disks, hard drives, Seagate Table of Contents Section Page Number Executive Summary..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.......1 A. ... ..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..................... 4 B.1 Economic Analysis†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦... 4 B.2. Industry Analysis..†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦................................................†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦5 B.3. Company Analysis†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦................................................................................6 B.3.1 History and Other Information.†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..........................................†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦7 B.3.2 Qualitative Fundamentals†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...8 B.3.2.1 Management Team†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦8 B.3.2.2 Business Model†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.8 B.3.2.3 Competitive Advantage†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.8 B.3.2.4 Board of Directors†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..9 B.3.2.5 Negative Factors†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.9 B.3.2.6 Share Buyback Program†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦10 B.3.3 Quantitative Fundamentals.........................................†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦...†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....10 B.3.3.1 Balance Sheet (3-year trend)...................................................................11 B.3.3.2 Income Statement (3-year trend ).................†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦....12 C. Conclusion.................................................................................................................13 D. Recommendation.......................................................................................................13 E. Bibliography..........................................................................................................14-16 A. Introduction This paper is a research report on the

E-Logistics and International Supply Chain Management Essay

E-Logistics and International Supply Chain Management - Essay Example This report stresses that the service management activities of a company aptly use the internet and other information and communication technologies. This is because it is the only source of information for the customers of the business. The use of internet is done to provide real time data to the customers, especially related to the interfaces with the functions of the operations and logistics departments. The internet has major impacts ion these processes in both the downstream activities and the internal parts of the supply chain. The internet is used for the recognition of events and understanding the opinion of the customers and is also used to communicate effectively with the customers regarding their needs and the responses of the company. This paper makes a conclusion that the impact of the internet is a major area of focus in the supply chain management process. The development of e-SCM is only a step forward to integrate internet effectively in the supply chain and logistic processes. The main impact of internet is that it allows the sharing of real time data which is very useful for the smooth functioning of the supply chain management system. The use of internet can lead to several benefits like there reduction in the costs, maintenance of optimal inventory levels, proper allocation of stocks, advanced planning and proper forecasting of the demands and quick response to the anticipated market demands.

The Criticality Of Retaining Skilled Employees Management Essay

The Criticality Of Retaining Skilled Employees Management Essay Introduction: Purpose of the report: The report is intended to analyse the key factors involved in employee retention and also focus of the measures to be taken up by the employer for reducing the attrition rate of skilled workers. The solutions discussed suggested in the report could be possibly applied in the case of Keeping Suzanne Chalmers. The commentary also aims to discuss further the reasons of the employee leaving the company. Scope: The information in the report ranges from examining the factors for Suzanne Chalmers quitting the job to the measures taken by Thomas Chan to stop the attrition. Further the analysis in the commentary will discuss in general the reasons responsible for such situations in organisations. Background: The credentials of the report would be the case study of Suzanne Chalmers a top talent in the area of internet protocol working at API who decided to quit the organisation even though was offered options like higher salary, larger working space, unpaid leave for two or three months complete with paid benefits and increase in share options. Limitations: The report revolves around the employee retention of Suzanne Chalmers and the tactics tried by the employer Thomas Chan and is limited for being offered only a few number of reasons to stay back in the employment. The analysis of the case is based and compared on the theories of four drive and the theory of expectancy. Summary of the issue: The case of Suzanne Chalmers working at Advanced Photonics Inc. as a software engineer in internet protocol is a typical example of the issue faced by many employers in the current market were in employees who are talented for the job and hold key position in the company after earning many accolades for outstanding performance over years and responsible for finishing projects contributing a fortune to the company deciding to leave the company on a very short notice without proper reasons. The summary of the report discusses about the means and ways the employer can practice to hold the employee back at work and other reasons accounting for the employee to decide to leave the job and possible solutions around the issue. It also confers about the resolutions tried by the employee in the case of Suzanne further converses about the employee behavior in general towards their job and the responsibilities entrusted onto them by the employer. The expectations of the employee and employer in general have also been mentioned in the report. In the case of Suzanne Chalmers the employee quits the organisation at a stage of her career were she is under the age of 40 years just like many other employees who quit the company. It is also noted that the reason is not stress or long hours. The vice president of Advanced Photonics Inc thought that the reason was more money. The generous share options which had skyrocketed on the stock market giving many employees more money than they can make use off. It has been observed that their finance independence gave them less reason to remain with the organisation. It was noted that the employee after quitting the organisation and taking a break returned back to market and joined a start-up software firm in the same locality. The meeting between the vice president and the employee is discussed further moving to the solutions for retaining employees in general. The motivation factors for the employees in an organisation have been elaborated in the report. The report would also discuss emotions of the workforce as well as values and attitudes of management. Importance of employee turnover: Abbasi and Hollman (2000) sought to determine the impact of employee turnover on organizations and found that excessive employee turnover often engenders far-reaching consequences and, at the extreme, may jeopardize efforts to attain organizational objectives. In addition, Abbasi and Hollman (2000) indicated that when an organization loses a critical employee, there is negative impact on innovation, consistency in providing service to guests may be jeopardized, and major delays in the delivery of services to customers may occur. The study also showed that a decline in the standard of service provided to guests could also adversely affect the satisfaction of internal and external customers and consequently, the profitability of the organization. As part of the process of developing and implementing strategies to maintain and increase competitiveness, organizations face the challenge of retaining their best employees. As such, this research was designed to analyze and determine the most effective ways for one employer to retain its critical employees. The company in this study has been successful at maintaining a relatively low turnover ratio, but the employees who left the organization have been critical employees, thus presenting a significant challenge. The results of this research effort potentially could be used as a framework for guiding employee retention in other large, complex organizations. Criticality of Retaining Skilled Employees: Fitz-enz (2002) stated that the average company loses approximately $1 million with every 10 managerial and professional employees who leave the organization. As mentioned previously, the combined direct and indirect costs associated with one employee ranges from a minimum of one years pay and benefits to a maximum of two years pay and benefits. Thus, there is significant economic impact when an organization loses any of its critical employees, especially given the knowledge that is lost with the employees departure. It will become significantly more important in the years ahead to recognize the commitment of individuals to an organization, as well as the organizations need to create an environment in which one would be willing to stay (Harris, 2000). Organizations will need to either create an intellectual capital environment where the transmission of knowledge takes place throughout the structure, or continue to lose important individual knowledge that has been developed during the length of service (Harris, 2000). This deep knowledge is what many believe will help to meet the needs and expectations of the customers and to create and sustain a competitive advantage within the global economy in which organizations are competing in today. The critical factors derived out of eminent motivation theories and the implications for developing and implementing employee retention practices can be described as follows: Needs of the Employee Employees have multiple needs based on their individual, family, and cultural values. In addition, these needs depend on the current and desired economic, political, and social status; career aspiration; the need to balance career, family, education, community, religion and other factors; and a general feeling of ones satisfaction with the current and desired state of being. Work Environment Employees want to work in an environment that is productive, respectful, provides a feeling of inclusiveness, and offers friendly setting. Responsibilities Given that one feels competent to perform in a more challenging capacity and has previously demonstrated such competencies, an employee may feel a need to seek additional responsibilities and be rewarded in a fair and equitable manner. Supervision Managers and other leaders more frequently than others feel a need to teach, coach, and develop others. In addition, these individuals would seek to influence the organizations goals, objectives and the strategies designed to achieve the mission of the organisation. Fairness and Equity Employees want to be treated and regarded in a fair and equitable manner regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, geographic location, or other similarly defined categories, With increased effort and higher performances employees also expect to be regarded more significantly than counterparts who provide output at or below the norm. The employees effort and performance at a particular level is influenced by their individual goals and objectives and which would vary by each individual. An outcome or reward that is perceived to be highly significant and important can result in a higher level of effort and performance by the individual employee. Effort Even though employees may exert higher levels of effort into a position based on a perceived significant reward, this could be a short-term success if the task itself does not challenge or provides satisfaction to the employee. Employee Development Employees prefer to function in environments that provide a challenge, offers new learning opportunities, significantly contributes to the organisations success, offers opportunities for advancement and personal development based on success and demonstrated interest in a particular area. Feedback Individuals prefer to have timely and open feedback from their supervisors. This feedback should be an ongoing process during the year and not limited to formal performance reviews once or twice per year. In addition, the feedback should be from both the employee and the supervisor. Employee Retention at Advanced Photonics Inc : As implicated in the case study Thomas Chan the vice president at the organisation has observed that employees even though were under 40 years, which is too early to retire quitting the job at API. It has also been witnessed that it is not for reasons like stress or long hours but the organisations share options that skyrocketed on the stock market which left many employees at API with more money than they could possibly spend. It has also left the employees to be millionaires giving them financial independence leaving fewer reasons to stay in employed at API. In this particular case Thomas was approached by Suzanne Chalmers who has been employed at API for four years in the field of internet protocol as a software engineer supporting the software that directed fibre optic light through APIs routers. It is also mentioned that internet protocol is a very specialized work and Chalmers was one of the top talents in that area. Theory of Expectancy and Four Drive Theory: Four Drive Theory: As it is known that emotions play a significant role in employee motivation which is not supported by many theories and researchers. But, the four drive theory emphasizes the concept and relevance of emotions in employee motivation. The theory was developed by Harvard Business School professors Paul Lawrence and Nitin Nohria. According to Steven M, Mara O, Tony T (P. 178, 2009), a motivation theory that is based on the innate drives to acquire, bond, learn and defend, and that incorporates both emotions and rationality. It has been derived that employees with higher emotional intelligence are more sensitive to competing demands from the four drives, and are better able to avoid impulsive behaviour from those drives, and can judge the best way to act to fulfill those drive demands in a social context. Recommendations of the practical implications of the theory are explained in two parts. First being that best workplaces for employee motivation and wellbeing offer co nditions that help employees fulfill all four drives. Employees continually seek fulfillment of their innate drives, so successful companies provide sufficient rewards, learning opportunities, social interaction and so forth for all employees. The second recommendation is that fulfillment of the four drives must be kept in balance; that is, organisations should avoid too much or too little opportunity to fulfill each drive. The reason for this recommendation is that the four drives compensate each other. Expectancy Theory of Motivation: This theory offers an elegant model based on rational logic to predict the chosen direction, level and persistence of motivation. According to Steven M, Mara O, Tony T (P. 178, 2009), expectancy theory is a motivation theory based on the idea that work effort is directed toward behaviors that people believe will lead to desired outcomes. The concept also says that work effort is directed toward behaviors that people believe will lead to desired outcomes. One of the appealing characteristics of expectancy theory is that it provides clear guidelines for increasing employee motivation. The Expectancy Theory of Motivation was developed, by Victor Vroom of the Yale School of Management, in the year 1964. He was of the opinion that people made a conscious choice while deciding whether or not to perform at the workplace. However the choice that was made by the employee depended entirely on the employees level of motivation which in turn was a function of th ree factors which are effort, performance and outcome. Current trend of Employee job satisfaction and Suzanne Chalmers: In the current generation employee is not completely satisfied with higher salary packages but is looking for more than that and stressing on innovative ways of retaining the employee. The reasons for choosing an organisation for employment can be categorized as location of company, compensation, the job, company reputation, career development, career path, job security, organisational culture, challenge, training and development, empowerment and attractive benefits. Like wise potential reasons for employee to leave the organisation can be classified as salary, lack of challenge and opportunity, lack of career advancement opportunities, ineffective leadership, inadequate emphasis on teamwork, not having the opportunity for a flexible work schedule, too long of a commute, lack of trust in senior management, inadequate opportunity for training and development and low overall job satisfaction. The case of Suzanne Chalmers can be listed for lack of challenge and opportunity and lack of c areer advancement. The employer took care of everything but lacked on the above mentioned factors leaving the employee with no other choice but to quit the job. Conclusion: If the organisations take up better employee retention plans and offer employees with more valued reasons to stay back with the organisation. The firms can possibly come up with innovative employee retention programs by offering the employees with better location of the company or the branch which is closer to their living place, compensation, better job matching their qualification, career development, career path, job security, organisational culture, challenge in job, training and development, empowerment and attractive benefits. Applying the thoughts of Four Drive theory has been proved to be very important in the current situation as emotions play a major role in motivation of employees.

Research Paper on Gregory Rasputin -- Biography biographies bio

Grigori Rasputin was not a very great person in history. A great person in history does good and important things for his people, country and the world. Early Life and Family: Grigori Efimovich Rasputin was born on January 10, between 1864-1872, along the Tura River in the village of Pokrovskoye. Rasputin was married to Praskovia Fyodorovna in 1889. His mother was Anna Egrovna and his father was Efim Rasputin. Grigori had three children with Praskovia, named Varya, Maria and Dmitry. Because of his constant drunkenness and "sexual appetite," the people of Pokrovskoye resented Rasputin. He grew tired of peasant life and in 1901, left behind his family and home in Siberia as a pilgrim. During his travels, Rasputin visited Greece and Jerusalem and, in 1903, Rasputin arrived in St. Petersburg where he claimed to be a holy man with healing powers. In St. Petersburg, Rasputin was able to catch the attention of St. Petersburg's religious leaders with his stories and beliefs. Years as a Monk: At the age of 18, Rasputin spent three months at the Verkhoturye Monastery. Because of his exceptional physical endurance and perseverance, Rasputin was successful at Verkhoturye. During his time at Verkhoturye Monastery, Rasputin became fascinated with the Orthodox faith known as the Skopsty. Followers of this faith believed that, in order to reach godliness, you had to sin. This religious attitude explained Rasputin?s controversial personal life of drinking and sleeping with women. Rasputin left the monastery and traveled throughout Russia and the holy land as a holy man and healer. During his travels, Rasputin caught the attention of the Russian church with his knowledge of peasants and religious teachings. In 1905... ... disturbed by a group of Petrograd workers, after the February Revolution. They carried Rasputin?s body to a nearby forest and burned it. In Rasputin?s last days, he became suspicious and wrote a prophetic letter describing his death. In the letter, Rasputin wrote that if he were to be murdered by a noble, that noble would be cursed for twenty-five years and Russia would fall into chaos. Bibliography Arnold, Phyllis. The Soviet Union. Edmonton AB: Westweb Press, Canadian Social Sciences Services Ltd., 1984. Beeche, Arturo. The Evil Monk. www.eurohistory.com/rasputin.html, 2006. Fuhrmann, Joseph. World Book: Rasputin. Chicago IL: World Book, Inc., 2001. ________. Grigori Rasputin. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rasputin: Wikipedia Inc., 2006. Moynahan, Brian. Rasputin: The Saint Who Sinned. New York: Perseus Books Group, 1999.

The Growing Dependence On Computers

Computers have been very helpful to society over the last few decades. Nowadays laptop and desktop computers are used in almost any place, at home, at work, at school, in a car and even in the kitchen. Computers help us in our everyday tasks; they let us socialize with friends from around the world, work from home and even allow us to relax watching a movie or playing a game. However the reliance on them has grown greatly in the last couple of years, as statistics show that the percentage of households with internet and desktops or laptops has increased almost 80% over the last twelve years, which begs the question: is dependence on computers a good habit or should we be more serious about its consequences? Computers make our lives easier and give us the possibility to connect to the Internet and learn new things. They make it possible for us to keep in touch with our friends, shop online or even receive classes online. Machines nowadays make it simpler than ever to organize digital media with only one click, instead of organizing physical discs, which is more time consuming and frequently get damaged. This gives us more time to do more creative or productive things in our life. Additionally, the modern communication system is fully based on computers; we cannot imagine any of this electronic communication without them, for example cell phone networks. This is essential to most of us, since we are always online in chat rooms interacting with our friends or downloading music on the go. So, as computers get better and better, communication and download speeds will increase to enhance our lives. In addition, science and medical research is fully dependent on computers, which help process mathematical calculations quicker and more precisely, for instance cures for HIV and cancer are now being calculated by hundreds of computer so one day there exists a successful treatment for these diseases. Moreover, science experiments like the building of spaceships will be improved because computers will be able, in the future, to compute better ways of building space rockets, which can go farther and quicker to planet like mars which therefore can be tested by astronauts to see if life can continue on that planet. Science and medical research will be more developed as computers become more intelligent and faster. However, on the other hand, there are several arguments against computers. For example, when someone has become addicted or obsessed with a computer. If a person spends too much time in the cyber-world they can become lazy, develop anti-social tendencies and sometimes experience a negative change in behavior, and in severe cases the person will no longer be able to function properly without it. It is common to see the side effects of someone who has spent a long time in front of a screen; they might develop weight gain, strained eyes and headaches, along with other unpleasant effects. Although, it can be argued that it is the fault of the person, rather than of the computer. Nevertheless, most importantly is the safety issue. Social communities like Facebook that allow people to post personal information and photos to the internet can be really dangerous, since anyone with a basic knowledge of computers can see your photos and information. However, probably the most important issue is that our comfort level with computers grows, so everyday we do more things like buying online with a credit card, which again can be accessed by a smart hacker and then use all your money. Yet, these are just a few common examples of issues with computers, which are not harmful or threatening to our own life. In a few decades, however, cars will be driven by themselves, obviously controlled by computers, and what if something goes wrong inside the chip of our car at a high speed? This would be a deadly mistake caused by a computer. Thus, why do we rely so much on computers, which still after many years in the market have still got errors in programming, bugs and threats to new viruses? In my opinion, computers do indeed make our lives easier more often than making it harder, but as we depend more on them it puts ourselves at risk because of the evilness of others. Nowadays, we should only rely on computers when our life is not in danger, since both computers and malicious people can be a threat for any human being, now and probably in the future as well.

Organisational Environment

2 2. 1 The General Environment The General Environment 2. 2 Scanning, Monitoring, and Forecasting Changes in the Environment Key Work Strategic decision making under conditions of uncertainty 2. 3 Scenario Planning Key Work Strategic inflection points and their impact on strategy Tools and Techniques Undertaking scenario planning 2. 4 PEST Analysis 2. 5 SWOT Analysis 2. 6 The General and the Competitive Environments Tools and Techniques Writing a PEST analysis ? Main Reference Schoemaker, P. J. H. (1995). Scenario planning: a tool for strategic hinking. Sloan Management Review, 36(2), 25. Learning Objectives After completing this chapter you should be able to: †¢ Define what constitutes the general environment †¢ Evaluate the role of scanning and monitoring in detecting environmental trends †¢ Apply scenario planning to decision making in uncertain environments †¢ Evaluate PEST as a framework for analysing the macro-environment †¢ Explain the use of SWOT anal ysis †¢ Evaluate the relationship between the general and the competitive environment 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 36 2/1/11 11:03:51 AM 7 Introduction 2 In the previous chapter we looked at what strategy is and introduced a number of different perspectives on strategy formulation. We addressed the importance of values in determining why an organization exists, and looked at how an organization’s values, its vision, and its mission guide individuals’ behaviour by signposting what is important to the organization. We explained the importance of an organization being willing to change the assumptions that underpin its theory of the business if it is to adapt to changes in its environment.We also introduced a strategic management process which involves strategy analysis, strategy formulation, and strategy implementation. We noted that this essentially linear approach is useful for exposition but may not always accurately replicate decisions in the business world. With this caveat in mind we can start to evaluate some tools of analysis that can be used for strategy analysis. What happens in the general environment is important to an organization. This is because changes that take place in the general environment may point to trends that can substantially impact upon an organization’s competitive environment.These changes, sometimes called discontinuities, fractures, or tipping points, that fundamentally impact on the competitive environment will be considered in this chapter. The tools of analysis an organization can use to discern changes in its general environment will also be considered. This includes scenario planning, which will be assessed as an aid to organizational decision making in uncertain environments. The benefits and limitations of a PEST framework, which includes political, economic, social, and technological factors, will be addressed.A SWOT analysis and its links with scenario planning and PEST analysis will be brief ly discussed before being taken up in detail in a later chapter. The aim of the chapter is not simply to apply these techniques but, importantly, to understand their limitations. The chapter ends with a discussion of the links between the general and competitive environment. †¢ Section 2. 1 defines the general environment and explains its importance to the competitive environment. †¢ Section 2. evaluates the role of scanning and monitoring the general environment to try to discern discontinuities that have the potential to disrupt an organization’s competitive environment. †¢ In Section 2. 3 we assess the role of scenario planning in helping organizations to deal with uncertainty in their environment. This section also includes how to undertake scenario planning. †¢ Section 2. 4 evaluates PEST analysis as a tool for analysing the macro-environment. It shows how an organization can detect and monitor weak signals in the hope of recognizing the discontinuiti es or trends that shape the environment. †¢ In Section 2. we explain the use of SWOT analysis with reference to the general and competitive environment. †¢ The chapter concludes in Section 2. 6 with an evaluation of the relationship between the general and competitive environments. 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 37 2/1/11 11:03:52 AM 38 part 2 Strategic Analysis 2. 1 The General Environment 2 The external environment facing the organization consists of both a general environment and a competitive environment. The competitive environment consists of the industry and markets in which an organization competes. The competitive environment is analysed in detail in Chapter 3.The general environment, in contrast, is often referred to as the macro-environment. This is because changes that occur here will have an effect that transcends firms and specific industries. Figure 2. 1 shows the relationship between the general environment, the competitive environment, and the organizati on. It should be noted that, other things being equal, it is the competitive environment that has the most direct and immediate impact on the organization. The General Environment Political Economic The Competitive Environment Potential Entrants Power of Buyers The Organization Power of Suppliers Competitive RivalrySubstitute Products/Services Social Technological figure 2. 1 The organization and its external environment That said, organizations must continually scan and monitor their general environment for signals, often weak or barely perceptible, which might indicate a change in their competitive environment. For example, firms in the industry that produced typewriters would have been unwise not to scan the general environment for signs of change, in this case technological change. The advent of micro-technologies was a 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 38 2/1/11 11:03:52 AM the general environment 2 lear threat to the typewriter industry, usherin g in as it did the era of the word processor. It is easy to forget that individuals who relied upon the use of the typewriter were initially sceptical about learning how to use the new technology. Nowadays one is hard pushed to see typewriters in use. In order to scan and monitor their environment, firms require tools of analysis or models that will allow them to factor in the changes in the general environment and evaluate their impact. One such approach involves scanning the environment to detect signals that will act as a signpost for future changes in the organization’s industry.In addition, an organization must monitor its environment to discern patterns and trends that are beginning to form and try to forecast the future direction of these trends. Ginter and Duncan (1990) argue that macro-environmental analysis can act as an early-warning system by giving organizations time to anticipate opportunities and threats and develop appropriate responses. Therefore, the aim of macro-environmental analysis is to aid the organization in discerning trends in the general environment which might impact upon its industry and markets.The organization is then able to formulate a strategy and use its internal resources and capabilities to position itself to exploit opportunities as they arise. At the same time the strategy will be acting to mitigate the effects of any threats. However, as we shall see in Chapter 3, there is a belief that the pace of change in the macro-environment is increasing, and is becoming more turbulent and unpredictable. This uncertainty effectively shortens the lead time an organization has to anticipate and respond to changes in its environment. 39 2. Scanning, Monitoring, and Forecasting Changes in the Environment The purpose of scanning and monitoring the general environment is to try to discern changes, however small, that have the potential to disrupt an organization’s competitive environment. Once these changes are discerned, it is up to the organization to monitor them and see if they might become a trend that can affect its industry. Clearly, experience and intuition will be involved in trying to forecast where these changes will eventually manifest themselves, or indeed if they will have any impact at all.We look at scanning, monitoring, and forecasting changes in the general environment below. 2. 2. 1 Scanning the Environment It is often said that there are two certainties in life: death and taxes. However, a third certainty can be added: change. If the external environment facing organizations was 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 39 2/1/11 11:03:52 AM 2 40 discontinuities threats faced by organizations that have the potential to undermine the way they do business weak signals barely perceptible changes in the external environment whose impact has yet to be felt 780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 40 part 2 Strategic Analysis stable and simple to understand, then firms wo uld be faced with an enviable situation of having relatively little change or, if change occurs, it would be easy to forecast based on historic trends. Some commodity markets exhibit a relative degree of stability, making predictions or extrapolations based on past data quite reliable. However, most environmental conditions facing organizations are complex, uncertain, and prone to change. They are complex because of the sheer volume of data that exists in the environment.Therefore any analytical tool or framework can only extract and simplify a tiny proportion of this data. At the same time, any given source of data, for example economic data on the well-being of the economy, is ambiguous as it can be interpreted in a number of different ways. If past performance is no guarantee of what will occur in the future because of uneven changes and discontinuities then attempts at forecasting the future are fraught with uncertainty. Discontinuities refer to the threats faced by organization s and industries that have the potential to undermine the way they do business.We have already mentioned the typewriter industry; other examples include Amazon. com and Dell, which have both taken advantage of the Internet to change the way established products are customized and delivered to end consumers. Fahey and Narayanan (1986, quoted by Mercer 1998) suggest three goals for an analysis of the general environment. First, the analysis should provide an understanding of current and potential changes taking place in the environment. Second, it should provide important intelligence for strategic decision makers.Third, environmental analysis should facilitate and foster strategic thinking in organizations. For Fahey and Narayanan, scanning may reveal ‘actual or imminent environmental change because it explicitly focuses on areas that the organization may have previously neglected’ (see Mercer 1998). Scanning the environment as a general activity has been made far more c ost effective with the advent of the Internet. Prior to the Internet, the view was that scanning was a costly activity which could only take account of a fraction of the information that existed in an organization’s environment.By redefining search costs, the Internet has changed the economics of undertaking scanning. At the same time it has provided an opportunity to access a wealth of data which requires time and effort to structure properly. Scanning, therefore, is an opportunity for the organization to detect weak signals in the general environment before these have coalesced into a discernible pattern which might affect its competitive environment. Weak signals refer to minor changes in the external environment that an organization’s scanning of the environment may barely register. This is because their impact has yet to be felt.The key for organizations is to be able to read these signals correctly and monitor them until they coalesce into a more clearly discerni ble pattern. However, there are errors that can follow when looking for patterns. The first is that the organization may fail to identify these signals. The second is that the organization may discern a pattern that is not there but is based on the assumptions and mental models that managers carry in their heads. We saw in Chapter 1 how senior management’s reliance on its existing theory of the business can affect the success of the organization by blindsiding them to changes /1/11 11:03:52 AM the general environment 41 taking place in the environment. Ansoff (1984) makes the point that the detection of weak signals requires senior management commitment and sensitivity on the part of the observers. This means that the organization must be diligent in continually scanning its macro-environment for weak signals. When it believes that it has discerned something significant occurring in its general environment, this broad scanning can turn into a more focused monitoring. 2 2. 2. 2 Monitoring the EnvironmentWhile scanning the environment may make organizations aware of weak signals, unless these are carefully monitored the resulting patterns will be missed. Monitoring can be seen as the activity that follows these initially disparate signals and tracks them as they grow into more clearly discernible patterns. Monitoring allows an organization to see how these general environment trends will impact on its competitive environment. Whereas scanning is a more broad-brush approach, monitoring uses a finer brush stroke.However, the two are inseparable, since without an identification of weak signals in the general environment there is no focus for an organization’s monitoring activities. One way in which an organization might monitor weak signals is to set thresholds such that any activity which occurs above the threshold will be monitored. This might include, for example, when an interest is shown by a major competitor in a particular social or technologic al change. This interest then becomes the threshold at which the organization itself starts to take an interest. 2. 2. 3 Forecasting Changes in the EnvironmentThe purpose of scanning and monitoring the general environment is to aid the organization in developing viable forecasts of future trends before they become an unmitigated threat. This is particularly useful when dealing with discontinuities which themselves will usually evolve from weak signals that exist in the environment. The objective is to use this information to develop robust strategies that ensure a degree of competitive advantage. Van der Heijden (1996) identifies three main types of uncertainty. 1. Risks. This is where past performance of similar events allows us to estimate the probabilities of future outcomes. . Structural uncertainties. This is where an event is unique enough not to offer evidence of such probabilities. 3. Unknowables. This is where we cannot even imagine the event. Most managers are capable of d ealing with the type of uncertainty that appears in the form of risks. Also, what is unknowable cannot, by definition, be forecast and 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 41 2/1/11 11:03:52 AM 42 structural uncertainties where no probable pattern of outcomes can be derived from previous experience part 2 Strategic Analysis herefore the organization must wait for the event to occur before it can react to it. This leaves structural uncertainties where no probable pattern of outcomes can be derived from previous experience. In such a situation, van der Heijden suggests scenario planning as a useful tool of analysis to help the organization make sense of an uncertain and dynamic environment that has little in the way of clear road maps. 2 For information on strategic decision making under conditions of uncertainty go to the Online Resource Centre and see the Key Work feature. www. oxfordtextbooks. co. uk/orc/henry2e/ . 3 Scenario Planning Schoemaker (1995) states that ‘scenario planning is a disciplined method for imagining possible futures’. It is ‘an internally consistent view of what the future might turn out to be’ (Porter 1985, p. 446). The oil multinational Royal Dutch Shell has used scenario planning since the 1970s to help it generate and evaluate its strategic options. Scenario planning has given Shell a better success rate in its oil forecasts than its competitors, and it was the first oil company to see overcapacity in the tanker business and Europe’s petrochemicals (Schoemaker 1995).Kahane (1992) reminds us that: In the oil industry, experts have sometimes been able to suggest, but rarely to predict, the key turning points in crude oil prices . . . The Shell approach to strategic planning is, instead of forecasts, to use scenarios, a set of stories about alternative futures. scenario a challenging, plausible, and internally consistent view of what the future might turn out to be tipping poi nt an unexpected and unpredictable event that has a major impact on an organization’s environment 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. ndd 42 These stories promote a discussion of possibilities beyond the most likely one and encourage the organization to consider ‘what if’ questions. Therefore, a scenario can be seen as a challenging, plausible, and internally consistent view of what the future might turn out to be. They are not forecasts in the sense that one is able to extrapolate using past data. However, they do deal with the future and provide a tool of analysis for the organization to structure the surfeit of information that is contained in the present.In particular, scenarios help organizations recognize the weak signals that signpost changes in its environment. It is these weak signals which precede environmental discontinuities, fractures, or strategic inflection points that help shape the competitive environment (Morgan 1988; Grove 1996). If an organization is to remain proactive in its competitive environment it must not allow the rules of the game to be changed to its detriment, that is, it must be capable of dealing with a tipping point (Gladwell 2000), an unexpected and unpredictable event that has a major impact on an organization’s environment. /1/11 11:03:53 AM the general environment 43 For a discussion of strategic inflection points and their impact on strategy go to the Online Resource Centre and see the Key Work feature. www. oxfordtextbooks. co. uk/orc/henry2e/ 2 Strategic decisions are almost always fraught with ambiguity and uncertainty which create complexity for decision makers. As human beings we are subject to biases and imperfect reasoning about uncertainty, that is, as individuals we will tend to misread events that are unlikely and either ignore or overemphasize unlikely but significant events.In an attempt to resolve these shortcomings, most companies will use some form of discounted cash flow coupled with sen sitivity analysis when analysing risky strategic decisions (Gertner 2000). The problem with these quantitative approaches is that they imbue the decision making with a false sense of objectivity and can be misleading. For example, sensitivity analysis is seen as overly simplistic in that by varying one parameter at a time it fails to incorporate any links or correlations between them.Scenario planning is an approach to decision making under conditions of uncertainty that helps to overcome many of the shortcomings of traditional decisionmaking methods; that is, scenario planning allows organizations to change several variables at the same time without keeping other variables constant. Crucially, scenario planning helps to overcome some of the biases and imperfect reasoning that human beings make under conditions of uncertainty. Scenarios are a tool of analysis to help improve the decision-making process set against the background of a number of possible future environments.They benef it the organization by readily helping managers think in a more systematic way. This allows individuals to more readily recognize change in their business environment instead of ignoring or rejecting it. Van der Heijden (1996), a former head of scenario planning at Shell, states that the benefits of scenario planning for Shell have been: †¢ More robust strategic decisions. †¢ Better thinking about the future by a ‘stretching mental model’. †¢ Enhancing corporate perception and recognizing events as a pattern (the recognition and monitoring of weak signals until they coalesce into a pattern is clearly important here). Improving communication throughout the company by providing a context for decisions. †¢ A means to provide leadership to the organization. The process of scenario planning should have the objective of positively influencing the strategy of the organization. This requires that the scenarios devised should stretch the imagination of manage ment while also remaining plausible. In order to achieve this, organizations must be prepared to invest resources in educating managers to help them make the best use of scenarios.They need to recognize that developing scenarios takes time and is most effective when managers from different 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 43 2/1/11 11:03:53 AM 44 part 2 Strategic Analysis 2 parts of the business interact. By constructing multiple scenarios, an organization can explore the consequences of uncertainty for its choice of strategies. Furthermore, an organization can formulate strategies knowing that the assumptions on which it competes, what Drucker (1995) refers to as its theory of the business, are surfaced and adequately assessed. See Case Study: Novacroft which highlights some of the difficulties of taking account of a changing environment). case study 2. 1 Novacroft—Dealing with change Over the past five years Novacroft, which designs, develop s and manages smartcards for travel and leisure-service providers, such as Transport for London, has enjoyed strong demand thanks to policies promoting public transport and Oyster-style integrated ticketing systems. But proposed public spending cuts and tough trading conditions in the travel industry make future investments more doubtful, according to Novacroft’s managing director Debra Charles. Our market should be both emerging and growing, but there are economic barriers,’ she admits. ‘Organisations, especially in the public sector, have to make savings. Our competitors are financially stretched so they are selling cheap. We must innovate to find new clients as well as saving our existing customers money. ’ Charles, who has a background in both technology and marketing, launched Novacroft in 1998 with money inherited from her parents. As the company’s name suggests, she was inspired to start a firm that would use the web to develop new ways of wo rking. I thought it would be great to create a transparent online database so that organisations could see what was happening with their money and their clients,’ she remembers. Now, the Northampton-based firm manages more than 1m customer records for clients that issue pre-paid travel tickets and other smart cards. Staff verify and process paper or online applications before loading the information onto a chip, producing plastic cards, processing payments and providing a help centre that answers cardholders’ queries. Novacroft can also analyse records ranging from call notes to scanned documents to help clients understand their customers’ habits.One of Novacroft’s highest profile contracts is to manage the concessionary Oyster cards for students, children and 16- and 17-year olds on behalf of Transport for London. As well as checking that applicants have given correct information about their age, address and place of education, the company’s helpl ine deals with questions such as how to replace lost or stolen cards. The company also manages concessionary travel cards on behalf of the Scottish government and handles online applications for Young Persons, Family and Senior Railcards for the Association of Train Operating Companies. 780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 44 2/1/11 11:03:53 AM the general environment 2 ‘In the past, clients might have used several different firms to produce cards, provide databases and integrate systems, but we have all that under one roof,’ explains Charles, whose chief rivals are major systems integrators such as Accenture and Logica. ‘We have been successful in getting big companies on board through the tender process because we have invested in hiring and training the right people and really thinking about what the customer needs. We even self-impose penalty clauses. ’As a result, Novacroft made a substantial profit last year on a turnover of ? 6m, up from ? 4. 9m in 2007. The company has 96 employees, which rises to approximately 200 when extra staff are brought in to the call centre during the busy start to the academic year. Finding new clients by maximizing the range and quality of service is a key challenge for Novacroft. As Charles points out, in the aftermath of the bank bail-outs, pledges such as transport secretary Lord Adonis’s promise to consider incentives for train operating companies that introduce smart ticketing look far from secure. Can we really assume that these statements are facts or that money is ringfenced? ’ she says. ‘The real certainty is that the government and train operating companies have to save money. ’ In recent months Novacroft has worked on scenario planning to consider how the company might react to changing demand. The company prides itself on a ‘foxy’ approach to market conditions, moving nimbly and using all its available tools to tackle future trends. ‘We spent 14 ho urs in a hotel room thinking about what we know, what we don’t know and studying the rules of the game and our competition. Understandably, Charles is reluctant to reveal her conclusions, but she is very confident that the exercise was worthwhile. ‘We have created a massive opportunity that’s totally outside what our competitors are thinking about. ’ Some diversification into products such as money cards is likely, while building databases that clients can outsource to India is another possibility. Improving efficiency to keep prices competitive for cash-strapped public sector organisations is another priority. Since March, Charles has introduced a series of lean management techniques that have cut osts by more than ? 80,000 while maintaining service standards. For example, a study of customer service queries revealed that the number of calls processed by the help centre could be cut by improving online information. The company is also reaping the benefits of investing around ? 40,000 in staff leadership training over the past three months, she says. Charles believes that, despite the slowdown, Novacroft could achieve a turnover of up to ? 20m within the next five years. ‘We stand for innovation, service delivery and value for money—and that’s always attractive. ’ 45Source: ‘Smart ticketing business Novacroft is looking to play its cards right’ Daily Telegraph, 14 August 2009 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 45 2/1/11 11:03:53 AM 46 part 2 Strategic Analysis Questions 1. In what ways might scenario planning help Novacroft to remain competitive? 2. What remedies might Novacroft pursue to reduce its reliance on public sector finance? 2 3. Comment on Debra Charles’s confidence in Novacroft’s business model. 2. 3. 1 Undertaking Scenario Planning1 Scenario planning is relevant to almost any situation in which a decision maker needs to understand how the future of his or her industry or strategic usiness unit might develop. It divides our knowledge into two areas: (1) things we think we know something about, and (2) things we consider uncertain or unknowable. The first area is based on the past and continuity. For example, an organization can make fairly safe assumptions about the direction of a country’s demographic profile. The uncertain elements include such things as future oil prices, interest rates, and the outcomes of political elections. Even here it is not necessary to account for every possible outcome, since simplifying the outcome is fine for scenario planning.Therefore, an organization might simply categorize future interest rates as high, medium, or low, rather than trying to work out every possible permutation. Also, as scenarios highlight possible futures but not specific strategy formulations, outside opinions such as those of consultants can be included in the process. A process for developing scenarios is as follows. 1. Define the scope. This involves setting the time frame and the scope of analysis. The time frame can be determined by factors such as product life cycles and rate of technological change. The scope of analysis may include products, markets, and geographical areas.Once the time frame is set, the question becomes: What knowledge would the organization benefit most from in that timescale? 2. Identify the major stakeholders. Those who can affect and are affected by the organization’s decisions. The organization needs to know their current levels of interests and power, and how these have changed over time. 3. Identify basic trends. Which political, economic, social, technological, and industry factors will have the most impact on the issues identified in Step 1? The impact of these trends on current strategy can be listed as positive, negative, or uncertain. . Identify key uncertainties. Which events that have an uncertain outcome will most affect the issues the organization is concerned with? Her e again the 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 46 2/1/11 11:03:53 AM the general environment 47 organization might consider political, economic, social, and technological factors, in addition to industry factors. For example, what will characterize future consumer trends? An organization should develop possible outcomes for each of these uncertainties. These should be limited to keep the analysis simple. 2 5. Construct initial scenario themes.Once trends and uncertainties are developed, the organization has the basic building blocks for scenario planning. It can then identify extreme world views by juxtaposing all positive elements in one scenario and the negative elements in another broad scenario. 6. Check for consistency and plausibility. This involves checking to see if the trends identified are compatible with the chosen time frame. If they are not, then remove all the trends that do not fit the time frame. Do the scenarios combine outcomes of uncertainty that actually go togethe r?In other words, ensure that inconsistent outcomes are not put in a scenario, such as having full employment and zero inflation together. Lastly, have major stakeholders been placed in a position they will not tolerate or cannot change? In this case, the scenario described will probably change into another one. The key then is to identify this ultimate scenario. 7. Develop learning scenarios. Here the role is to develop relevant themes for the organization around which possible outcomes and trends can be organized. The scenarios can be given a name or title to reflect that they tell a story.This also helps individuals to remember the scenarios. At this stage the scenarios are useful for research and further learning within the organization rather than decision making. 8. Identify research needs. At this stage, further research may be required to understand uncertainties and trends more fully. This is because organizations are knowledgeable about their own competitive environment bu t less knowledgeable about other industries. Therefore, the organization may need to study changes, in technology for instance, which have yet to impact its industry but may ultimately do so. . Develop quantitative models. Once further research has been gained, the organization may wish to revisit the internal consistency of the scenarios and decide whether it might benefit from formalizing some interactions in a quantitative model. 10. Evolve towards decision scenarios. The ultimate aim of this process is to move the organization towards scenarios that can be used to test its strategy formulation and help it generate new ideas. At this point it is helpful to double check Steps 1–8 to see if the scenarios take account of the issues facing the organization.If the scenarios are useful to the organization, they might have the following characteristics: (1) they address the concerns of individuals in the organization; (2) the scenarios are internally consistent; (3) they describe fundamentally different futures 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 47 2/1/11 11:03:54 AM 48 part 2 Strategic Analysis 2 as opposed to being variations on a particular theme; and (4) each scenario describes an equilibrium state that can exist for a considerable period of time as opposed to being merely short-lived.In summary: scenario planning attempts to capture the richness and range of possibilities, stimulating decision makers to consider changes they would otherwise ignore . . . organizing . . . into narratives that are easier to grasp and use than great volumes of data. Above all . . . scenarios are aimed at challenging the prevailing mind-set. (Schoemaker 1995, p. 27) It is perhaps worth reiterating that scenarios are not intended to predict the future. They are designed to help managers deal with a highly uncertain and dynamic environment.They may be aimed at the general or competitive environment (for a discussion of why scenario analysis shou ld be applied at the industry level see Porter (1985)). Porter, whilst recognizing the value of multiple scenarios for an organization’s choice of strategy when considering scenario planning at the macro-level, argues, ‘Macroscenarios, despite their relevance, are too general to be sufficient for developing strategy in a particular industry’ (Porter 1985, p. 447). Whether this statement is accepted may depend more on the industry being addressed rather than scenario planning per se.Scenarios encourage management to ‘think the unthinkable’, to question and surface assumptions they hold about the environment, and to be prepared to view events from a radically different perspective. Scenarios are a tool of analysis that examines the impact of uncertainty on organizations and industries by explicitly identifying some of the key uncertainties—the scenario variables. For scenarios to be effective, they must encourage the creation of robust strategie s that match the organization’s limited resources with the endless challenges in the external environment.To do this, scenario planning must ensure that as many as possible of the long-term opportunities and threats facing the organization are identified and addressed. For more information on how to undertake scenario planning go to the Online Resource Centre and see the Tools and Techniques feature. www. oxfordtextbooks. co. uk/orc/henry2e/ 2. 4 PEST Analysis A useful tool when scanning the general environment is PEST analysis. This refers to political, economic, social, and technological factors. It is worth noting that some commentators include legal and environmental factors separately, preferring to extend the acronym to PESTLE.However, the legal element of the acronym can be 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 48 2/1/11 11:03:54 AM the general environment 2 subsumed within the political factor. In addition, the use of the last E (which refers to environmental factors) is o ften meant to signify the effects of our lifestyles on our environment, such as the use of fossil fuels and their impact upon climate change. In this respect it can be captured within the ‘social’ factor, or indeed within all four factors in one form or another.Therefore, it is not important whether we use PEST (or STEP) or PESTLE, but to understand how this framework can be used and to be aware of its limitations. As long as the choice of acronym is clearly defined we have a consistent approach. What will PEST do for the organization? PEST analysis is simply another tool to help the organization detect and monitor those weak signals in the hope of recognizing the discontinuities or fractures shaping the environment. PEST analysis can be used to help detect trends in the external environment that will ultimately find their way into the competitive environment.It provides a link between the general and competitive environments in that weak signals in the general environm ent can become key forces for change in the competitive environment. Although we will deal with each factor in turn, it should be noted that interrelationships between the factors exist. For example, a social trend of healthier eating and consumers’ increasing distaste for factory farming (the crowding of animals and fowl in confined spaces prior to their sale for human consumption) may signal to supermarkets a change in consumer behaviour and spending patterns. 9 2. 4. 1 Political Factors The political factor of PEST deals with the effects of government policy. Inasmuch as government policy is worked out through legislation, it encompasses all legal elements of this analysis. This includes items such as government stability, taxation policy, and government regulation. Government stability is not a major issue in Western economies. However, where multinational corporations operate across international borders, the stability of governments and political systems in those countr ies needs to be taken into account.These corporations need to be assured that there will not be any sudden and detrimental changes that might jeopardize the substantial investments they will have made. The safety of their personnel operating in these countries will be paramount, as will the existence of an infrastructure which allows the efficient transfer of goods and services as well as financial assets. For instance, a government policy of deregulation or privatization has the effect of opening up markets to competition.Previously comfortable industries feel the chill wind of change, and organizations within the industry are forced to innovate and cut costs to remain competitive. This is because new entrants will often enter a market with lower cost curves and more innovative products and services owing to a better use of technology and a clearer understanding of consumer needs. To avoid being surprised, companies need to be scanning their environment for signs of change in gover nment policy which might impact on their industry. 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 49 2/1/11 11:03:54 AM 2 50 corporate social responsibility ecognition that organizations need to take account of the social and ethical impact of their business decisions on the wider environment in which they compete part 2 Strategic Analysis An air or sea disaster which costs human lives may prompt tighter government regulations in the areas of health and safety, particularly where an investigation shows that the disaster could have been avoided. Companies operating within these industries should not be waiting to react to the outcome but should have worked out the ramifications of government involvement and be positioning themselves to take advantage of government regulation.The reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and new fuel consumption standards for cars came about as a result of intergovernmental regulations. This, in turn, was a result of widespread concern by consumers and environmental gr oups about climate change due to increased levels of ‘greenhouse gases’ in the atmosphere. This highlights the links between social trends and political change. Government regulation need not be something for companies to fear.Porter and van der Linde (1995) point out that environmental regulations, such as reducing pollution, may act to spur competitive companies on to innovate and reduce costs to counter the increased costs of regulation. While the US car makers fought new fuel consumption standards in the vain hope that they would go away, the Japanese and German car makers developed lighter and more fuel-efficient cars. The companies that reap the competitive benefits will be the early movers: ‘the companies that see the opportunity first and embrace innovation-based solutions’ (Porter and van der Linde 1995).To do this, managers need to develop a new mindset which recognizes environmental improvement as a competitive opportunity rather than a threat. T here is evidence across the Anglo-American economies of the UK and the US that some organizations are beginning to recognize that good business can involve corporate social responsibility (CSR). For example, the world’s leading media company, Time Warner, produced its first comprehensive report on its corporate social responsibility activities in 2006. It states: Corporate social responsibility is not an afterthought at our company. It is central to what we do.That’s because Time Warner cannot be a great company unless we are a good company . . . It’s simply good business to do so. (Time Warner 2006) In the US the Sarbanes–Oxley Act 2002 resulted from the corporate collapse of Enron, WorldCom, and Tyco. There was widespread concern that boardroom executives (including non-executives) and the accountancy profession had failed to safeguard shareholders’ interest, and in the case of Enron had actively operated to pervert that interest. Internal audito rs were seen as ineffectual and often completely unaware of what powerful executives were doing.This legislation can work to the advantage of companies that are proactive in their response to it. For example, shareholders will be more confident in investing in a company which can show that it already has stringent ethical guidelines in place and that any breach of those guidelines will be taken seriously. The Building Society Act 1986 allowed building societies in the UK to offer current accounts and financial services that were previously the preserve of banks. This had 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 50 2/1/11 11:03:54 AM the general environment 51 ar-reaching effects on the financial services sector, intensifying competition for customers and leading to consolidation within the industry. A player within the industry would have been wise to conduct some form of PEST analysis in order to determine the effects of these politically driven changes within the industry and on their org anization. 2. 4. 2 Economic Factors 2 Key economic indicators include interest rates, disposable income, unemployment rates, retail price index (inflation), gross domestic product (GDP), and exchange rates. However, economic data can be notoriously fickle and ambiguous.In addition, an economic indicator can never provide a complete picture (even of the subset of data it purports to track), but rather provides a snapshot and simplification of complex economic phenomena. This makes scanning and monitoring the general environment for signs of economic shifts which might impact an organization’s industry a little difficult. The strengthening of an economy will generally benefit industries, but the extent of its effect will vary according to which economic factors are most affected. For example, the construction industry and manufacturing are most susceptible to increases in the rate of interest.Manufacturing organizations which export goods abroad will be scanning the general env ironment for signs of an appreciation in exchange rates, the effect of which will be to make it harder for them to sell their goods abroad but relatively easier for importers to sell their goods in the domestic market. In order to remain competitive, manufacturers exporting abroad will need to make efficiency gains and innovate so that they can offset the unfavourable exchange rate with a reduction in price or increase in quality. strategy focus PEST Analysis— The Construction IndustryThe construction industry worldwide is renowned for operating on narrow profit margins. Any sudden and prolonged rises in interest rates can have a profound effect on industry profitability. The key for players in this industry is to borrow funds at an interest rate which allows building projects to be completed successfully, on budget, and on time. Where there is slippage of large-scale construction projects, as was seen with the Channel Tunnel, this immediately brings into doubt their financia l viability. Any delay inevitably increases the final project cost.Investors will be acutely aware that their investment in a project has an opportunity cost, that is, their money might be better invested elsewhere. If interest rates begin to climb this 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 51 2/1/11 11:03:54 AM part 2 Strategic Analysis Construction firms already scanning and monitoring their environment can anticipate economic trends and prepare for them.  © iStockphoto. com/David Newton 2 52 exacerbates the situation, as investors will demand a greater return. The consortium of banks financing loans will want to rearrange the interest ates on offer to reflect the increased risk and changing economic conditions. UK and US banks are known for their preference for short-term financing and unwillingness to invest in the equity of construction projects, in contrast with their Japanese counterparts. This makes the monitoring of data and detecting any chang es in the environment of great importance. Investment banks will readily pick up any adverse change in the economic fundamentals of a project. Therefore, the organization must not only be aware of these changes but also have contingent plans in place for dealing with them.It also helps if the organization is aware of the interrelationships between economic variables—that a rise in inflation will probably cause the monetary authorities to consider increasing interest rates. They can then work through the ramifications of such changes on their projects. If one of the government’s political priorities is to manage the economy, we can see a relationship between economic and political factors. Construction firms already scanning and monitoring their environment will be expecting these trends and therefore be prepared.Central bankers, such as the chairman of the US Federal Reserve Bank and the Governor of the Bank of England, are faced with a number of dilemmas. For instance , the economic data they will be tracking and monitoring will contain conflicting views. This forces them to use their judgement to look for similar patterns that have occurred in the past as a basis on which they can make decisions. This is not all that they have to contend with. The balance of economic data being monitored may lead them to believe that the economy is overheating. Their response may be a quarter-point increase in interest rates.However, the time it takes to implement the interest rate rise and for this to impact on the economy may take a further six months. In that time it is conceivable that more recent economic data will point to the economy actually slowing down. Therefore, the effect of the rise in interest rates will be to accelerate 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 52 2/1/11 11:03:55 AM the general environment 53 the likelihood of an economic downturn. This reinforces the need for sombre and intelligent judgement when using PEST analysis. 2. 4. 3 Social Facto rs 2Social factors include cultural changes within the environment and are often referred to as socio-cultural. In the UK, increasing consumer concern with genetically modified food (GMF) and lobbying from consumer groups forced the government to scale down its introduction of genetically modified crops. Clearly, such social trends are of great importance to companies which research and produce genetically modified products. Many have been caught unawares by the strength of consumer response and find that they must first allay consumer fears if their products are to be fully accepted.Indeed, the frozen food retailer Iceland was one of the first retailers to state emphatically that none of the food products it stocks contains genetically modified ingredients. In doing so Iceland had accurately read a change in social trends and recognized that it would influence consumer spending patterns. Other supermarkets were quick to follow. strategy focus Demographic Changes Courtesy of Johnson & Johnson The US and Western Europe face an ageing population with attendant problems for pension fund provisions. As the base of the working population continues o shrink, while advances in medical science and healthier eating ensure that people continue to live longer, companies are faced with shortfalls in the pension fund provisions they make for employee retirement. One solution is to encourage employees to take out personal pension plans that will supplement any state provision. Another solution being considered by governments is for employees to consider working for longer. In this way they can build up their pension fund to an acceptable level and avoid any shortfall. In response to a falling birth rate, companies like Johnson & Johnson, involved with the provision of baby-care products,In response to a falling birth rate, companies have effectively targeted these like Johnson & Johnson have targeted their products at an adult female baby products at an adult female audienc e. 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 53 2/1/11 11:03:56 AM 54 part 2 Strategic Analysis 2 audience. For example, their baby lotion is now marketed as being kind and gentle to women’s skin, as well as that of babies. This represents a response to changes in the general environment that directly affect their industry. Retail organizations in the US and Europe are increasingly responding to the changing demographics of an ageing population by employing lder personnel. They recognize that retired employees possess a wealth of experience and respect for others that can be used to add value when serving customers. 2. 4. 4 Technological Factors Without doubt some of the major changes taking place in the general environment that are impacting the competitive environment are technological. One merely has to think about how Amazon and Dell have used the Internet to change traditional retailing within their respective industries. For instance, for a small retailer operating in a remote l ocation, the financial outlay of marketing its product to customers nationwide would prove prohibitive.However, with the advent of the Internet, a retailer can access these consumers with a basic web page advertising its wares worldwide. It is interesting to note that small family businesses find their goods being demanded far outside their national borders because of awareness of their products through the Internet. Technological factors include the rates of obsolescence, that is, the speed with which new technological discoveries supersede established technologies. The rate of change in technology and innovations has the effect of causing new industries to emerge and also changes the ways in which existing industries compete.Technological advances include the Internet, the use of sophisticated software (increasingly being used in the design and testing of automobiles), genetic engineering (see Section 2. 4. 3), and nanotechnology. The rapid rate of change of technology has changed the dynamics of industries such as newspaper publishing, banking, financial services, and insurance. This has allowed new entrants to enter the market at a lower cost base than incumbents, thereby offering more competitively priced products and services and gaining market share in the process.Direct Line insurance in the UK cuts out the insurance broker (intermediate) by providing insurance quotations direct to the consumer over the telephone. This allowed it to gain rapid market share and eventually become the marker leader. It changed the rules of the insurance industry, forcing incumbent players to follow suit or face a loss in market share. As the insurance industry becomes increasingly commoditized, differentiation becomes harder to achieve as organizations compete on price. Direct Line’s first-mover advantage is being eroded, as competing firms such as Norwich Union prove capable of competing on a price basis. 780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 54 2/1/11 11:03:57 AM the g eneral environment 2 First Direct, a subsidiary of HSBC, pioneered the use of telephone banking in the UK. At the time competitors were slow to follow suit, but, once it was established, all players offered a telephone banking option. The same is true of Internet banking. Telephone and Internet banking provide obvious consumer benefits as the financial cost of undertaking transactions within a bank branch is far in excess of the same transaction undertaken by telephone or online.In fact, when the transaction is undertaken online the cost falls substantially. Therefore, organizations must be prepared to innovate and adopt new technologies if they wish to remain competitive. The Internet has been compared to the Industrial Revolution in terms of the changes it has brought about. The pace of change of technology is increasing. Its unpredictability is increasing. Markets are becoming increasingly turbulent. This makes it important to try to detect the weak signals which grow into discer nible patterns that have the potential to change how industries operate.Moreover, if tipping points are unexpected, we need to change our thinking via the use of scenario planning to expect the unexpected. Organizations may not be able to predict these events but they will be in a stronger competitive position to respond to them once they have occurred. While the impact of technological change and changing consumer preferences continues to challenge the business model of traditional high street retailers such as the UK’s WH Smith, such changes are not exclusively the preserve of the private sector.Organizations in the public sector also face changes, often socio-political in nature, and here too an understanding of PEST analysis can benefit the organization. (See Case Study: Radical Change in the NHS, which highlights some of the important factors driving change within the National Health Service). 55 case study 2. 2 Radical Change in the NHS Senior officials have set ‘ aggressive’ targets to reduce the number of patients referred to specialists, or treated in Accident and Emergency departments, while GPs will be asked to cut down on the amount of time spent in consultations.The plans are being issued as senior managers warned that the NHS is about to face the greatest financial pressures since its inception. They fear that when the current spending round ends in 2011, the impact of an anticipated real-terms freeze or cuts—coming as the demands on the NHS of an ageing population increase— will be devastating. The NHS Confederation, which represents NHS managers, will tell this week’s Labour Party conference that the impending challenge is so great that hospital closures and job cuts must be enforced across the country. 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 55 2/1/11 11:03:57 AM iStockphoto. com/Sturti part 2 Strategic Analysis 2 56 The National Health Service It comes as two leading think tanks predict a future funding gap of between ? 20bn and ? 40bn within six years of 2011. Regional health authorities have ordered hospitals and primary care trusts to draw up plans for cuts worth billions. In London, NHS trusts have been told to divert more than half of A&E patients, and those seeing specialists, to cheaper ‘polyclinics’ run by groups of GPs. Meanwhile, family doctors will be asked to speed up their consultations, reducing the average time per patient from 12 minutes to eight.The instructions drawn up by NHS London, and seen by The Sunday Telegraph, order trusts to demonstrate that they can deliver an ‘aggressive scenario’ in response to funding pressures. Under its ‘affordability assumptions’, already-controversial plans to reduce the number of patients treated in hospital are given more demanding targets in an attempt to cut costs. Sixty per cent of activity which now takes place in A&E departments should happen in community clinics within five years, the docum ent says, along with 55 per cent of outpatient treatment.Thirty per cent of outpatient appointments will be stopped altogether. Managers say not all appointments are necessary, though many doctors argue it is impossible to know in advance which patients do not need to be seen. The number of diagnostic tests carried out will be cut by 15 per cent, while the amount of surgery will be reduced by seven per cent. Although the ‘polyclinic’ model, to reduce demand on hospitals, is supposed to shift more treatment into the community, GPs will be told to reduce their average appointment time by one third, from 12 minutes to eight.Senior managers in other regions, who will draw up their own plans later this year, said rural communities faced particular pressures, with small maternity and district general hospitals likely to struggle in the funding crisis. In a speech tonight to the Labour Party conference in Brighton, the NHS Confederation will warn that the service across the co untry faces unprecedented difficulties, which require ‘bold and decisive measures’. Its policy director Nigel Edwards told The Sunday Telegraph: ‘The NHS has never experienced a financial challenge of this magnitude or duration in its history. 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 56 2/1/11 11:03:57 AM the general environment 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 57 2 He said improving the operation of the NHS, and treating more patients earlier in primary care, would not be enough to balance the books. Delegates will be told: ‘Savings only start to become available when we can shut entire buildings, sites and reduce staffing numbers. ’ The organisation, which represents NHS managers, will also call for ‘uncomfortable decisions’ to be made to limit staff pay. Under a three-year deal already agreed, nurses will receive a rise of 2. 5 per cent in April. Sir Robert Naylor, chief executive of University College Hospital in London, said pay should be fr ozen for NHS staff after that point. If it was not, every one per cent pay rise could cost 10,000 job cuts, he said. The chief executive said that while he supported plans to treat more patients in the community, he was concerned that PCTs were planning to cut back on hospital services before alternatives were put in place. ‘The investment in those services has to come first or where do the patients go? he said, criticising ‘oversimplified’ analyses which failed to take account of increasing public demand. Dr Laurence Buckman, chairman of the British Medical Association’s GP committee, described the plans as ‘desperate and inadequately thought through’. Dr Buckman, who works as a GP in London, said targets to reduce outpatient appointments by 30 per cent would put patients at particular risk. He said: ‘All this means is that those people who are refused a referral to a specialist will be forced to go privately, or go nowhere. This will be difficult for doctors, but patients will be the real victims. While some specialist referrals turn out to be unnecessary, GPs only asked for a specialist opinion when they needed it, Dr Buckman said. A study by the King’s Fund and the Institute for Fiscal Studies forecasts a funding gap of between ? 20bn and ? 40bn by 2017, if funding for the NHS receives no increase, or gets a real-terms freeze which only keeps pace with inflation. Sue Slipman, director of the Foundation Trust Network, which represents the best hospitals, warned of an ‘Armageddon scenario’ which could unfold without decisive action on pay, and terms and conditions.She said: ‘There is a trade-off between saving jobs, and pay increases, and in the current climate, protecting jobs needs to be a priority. ’ Katherine Murphy, from the Patients Association, accused NHS managers of wasting billions on management and repeated organisational restructuring during the boom years of record inv estment. She said there was no evidence that plans to shift patients into the community would provide safe care. ‘Elderly patients often require intensive support which often means lots of staff, in hospitals. The need is only going to get greater—these plans look like madness,’ she said.A spokesman for NHS London said its documents provided planning scenarios, rather than forecasts, to cope with a changing economic environment. He said 57 2/1/11 11:03:58 AM 58 part 2 Strategic Analysis the NHS was investing heavily to ensure care was provided in the most appropriate setting. Source: ‘Plans for swingeing hospital cuts as NHS on brink of Armageddon’ Sunday Telegraph, 26 Sep 2009 2 Questions 1. Outline the PEST factors driving change within the NHS. 2. Which PEST factors do you consider to be the most important, and why? 3.How can an analysis of PEST factors help the government and NHS chief executives to resolve the crisis in the health service? 2. 4. 5 Limitations of PEST Analysis The economic example illustrates some of the limitations of dealing with macroenvironmental analysis. First, PEST analysis is not simply writing a ‘shopping list’—the use of disparate bullet points without any consideration of their wider ramifications. In listing the economic factors, for example, one must clearly draw out the implications of each factor on the organization’s environment.In addition, the rate of change of PEST factors in the general environment and their increasing unpredictability act to limit the use of PEST analysis. Some have argued that the competitive environment is the only true arena for the organization to analyse since it is the competitive environment that has the greatest impact on a firm’s markets and products (Porter 1985, particularly Chapter 13). Whilst there is agreement that the competitive environment has the greatest effect on an organization’s ability to achieve competitiv e advantage, it would be unwise to refrain from analysing the general environment.For information on how to write a PEST analysis go to the Online Resource Centre and see the Tools and Techniques feature. www. oxfordtextbooks. co. uk/orc/henry2e/ 2. 5 SWOT Analysis SWOT analysis refers to strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Strengths and weaknesses refer to the organization’s internal environment over which the firm has control. Strengths are areas where the organization excels in comparison with its 9780199581610_035_063_CH02. indd 58 2/1/11 11:03:58 AM the general environment 2 competitors, while weaknesses are areas where the orga