Like Water For Chocolate And John Steinbeck s The Grapes...

In Laura Esquivel’s Like Water for Chocolate and John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, the female characters are presented in nontraditional ways for the times in which the novels are set. Each novel shows a clear distinction between the male and female characters, and it would make sense to feel a feminist vibe from the authors at certain points in the novels. In these novels, the female characters use the traditional distinction between gender roles to change the dynamics of their families and function within the novel. Before discussing the change from identifying the characters’ traits as female to relating their actions more to a male identity, and vice versa, the relationships between the male and female characters must be explored†¦show more content†¦In contrast, the beginning of Like Water for Chocolate barely mentions men in leadership roles. Tita’s father, who remains unnamed throughout the novel, is dead. Because he is an unnamed dead man he foreshadows the insignificance of the men in this novel. He is honestly better off dead than being emasculated by Mama Elena, or even Tita later in the novel. The only other men mentioned in the first chapter are Pedro and his father. Their encounter with Mama Elena was demeaning in itself. They were denied Tita’s hand in marriage and manipulated by Mama Elena into marrying Pedro and Rosaura. Power in this novel is clearly, from the very beginning, in the hands of Mama Elena, a woman. Will that power remain with her up un til her death or does Tita, by staying in her place cooking and nurturing, hold the power all along? The structure of Like Water for Chocolate is permeated in feministic tendencies. The subtitle reads, â€Å"A Novel in Monthly Installments with Recipes, Romances, and Home Remedies.† Does that not ring with the familiarity of women’s magazines from the 1800’s and early 1900’s like Godey s Lady s Book and McCall’s Magazine? Women would use these magazines to keep up with current fashion trends and to connect and share ideas with women they otherwise would not know. Communication is a powerful tool. Although, the women were sharing recipes, clothing patterns, and stories, they were still making connections

Apple 2012 Case Study Essay - 847 Words

BU288-ONL01 06. Case 14: Apple Inc. in 2012: Can it Sustain its Growth†¦ Key Issues Issue 01: Steve Jobs is now gone - can they do it without him in the long term? Issue 02: Sustain its growth and success Issue 03: Mac vs Personal Computer competitive positions Issue 04: Google moving into Apple’s smartphone market As the business manager of the Apple Corporation, I would need to look at the business and determine who are my direct competitors and determine where I am going to seek opportunities for a competitive advantage in some aspects of the business. It is impossible to speak of Apple and not associate the vision, charisma, and innovation of Steve Jobs (http://www.biography.com/people/steve-jobs-9354805#synopsis). He†¦show more content†¦Issue 02: Apple is a wildly successful company that generates billions of dollars in profits every year. This is one of the strongest examples of how a company with the right strategy, great products, a strong leader and the willingness to take some risks can become vastly successful. The market in which Apple is strong has intense rivalry for market share. Apple is challenged with staying ahead of its competitors and maintaining long-term relationships with its customers. In order to stay ahead of the competition Apple is forced to keep produc t innovation a top priority. I would maintain a Blue Ocean Strategy to market our product and maintain our competitive advantage (McGraw-Hill Irwin, Page 152). The company has a strong and loyal customer base which will allow Apple to concentrate the focus to highlighting the features of our products. I will not focus on what our competitors can and cannot do; I will focus the attention to the benefits of having Apple products. Strategic marketing campaigns highlighting the different uses and features of the popular iPhone and iPad will headline the campaign. Issue 03: The weak area of Apple Inc. is the fact that most of its products are all available in the market. Consumers around the world have many options to popular hardware and software devices and operating systems. Since PCs are the one that areShow MoreRelatedApple Inc 2012 Case Study2377 Words   |  10 PagesFact of the case On April 4, 2010, Apple Inc. launched its eagerly anticipated iPod amid great hype. The company started off as â€Å"Apple Computer,† best known for its Macintosh personal computers (PCs) in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Despite a strong brand, rapid growth, and high profits in the late 1980s, Apple almost went bankrupt in 1996. Then Jobs went to work, transforming â€Å"Apple Computer† into â€Å"Apple Inc.† with innovative non-PC products starting in the early 2000’s. In fact, by 2010, the companyRead MoreCase Study : Apple s Biggest Challenge830 Words   |  4 Pageschallenge is competition. In analyzing the 2012 case study, it can be said that Apple’s biggest challenge is competition and new entrants to the market. Their supplier power is high, buyer power is high, and substitute goods concerns is relatively high. The case study highlighted that as Apple continued to successfully produce great products, and increased sales worldwide, c ompetitors saw Apple as a threat and tried to copy their style. According to the case study, Apple’s biggest concerns for the companyRead MoreApple Case Study Report Essay1584 Words   |  7 Pages------------------------------------------------- Assessment 1 - Case Study Report 1 Question 1: 1 Question 2: 3 Question 3: 4 List of References 5 Assessment 1 - Case Study Report | Case: â€Å"The success of the iPod and iPhone raises the licensing question for Apple†¦ Again†(Source: Chap 1, Page 33) Question 1: Use the cyclic Innovation Model (Fig1.9, pg. 30) figure to illustrate the innovation process in this case and provide a brief description. Innovation is not only inventedRead MoreBuilding a Brand: Apple Inc Case Study916 Words   |  4 Pages1: Primary Research and Text Application One of the most iconic brands in the world is Apple. A good friend is the most passionate Apple fan known in our circle of acquaintances. He has been buying Apple products since he was old enough to afford them, and is one of the people in line for the latest iPhone or iPad when one comes out. His passion and loyalty to the brand is unmatched; he will often sear Apple branding clothing on weekends to family and friend get togethers and outings as well. InRead MoreCase Study 1- Apple Inc Essay examples1488 Words   |  6 PagesCase Case Study #1 Apple Inc. Dixie Corbin MGMT 670 Fall 2013 What does a competitive strength assessment reveal about Apples computer business as compared to the leaders in personal computer industry? Use the methodology in Table 4.2 to support your answer. Does it appear that the companys competitive positions in the media players and smartphones are stronger or weaker than its position in computers? Table 4.1 is in Chapter 4, page 65; Table 4.2 is the SWOT analysis, page 71. AppleRead MoreAnalysis Of Apple Computers Newer Product Lines Essay1736 Words   |  7 PagesExecutive Summary This paper chronicles the critical analysis of the Apple computers newer product lines, its competitors and recent inventions. It also identifies Apple Computers most up-to-date product lines, and procedures that they carry out in the market that is suitable for learning on the enterprise information that makes logical decisions about the future the company. The paper also has establishes what the company has incorporated in its recent development in technology to come up with newerRead MoreA Tax Avoidance Case Study Essay1340 Words   |  6 PagesThe idea that morally dubious goals may be legitimate inside capitalism will be discussed in light of a tax avoidance case study. Apple, a multinational technology company, has avoided paying its fair amount of income tax for years. This paper will consider the structural embeddedness of Apple’s legitimised goal—the maximisation of profit—through the ‘Double Irish Dutch sandwich’ tax haven model. Durkheimà ¢â‚¬â„¢s theory of collective conscience was used in explaining the legitimisation of the company’sRead MoreApple Value Chain Analysis Essays893 Words   |  4 PagesValue Chain Analysis Before making a strategic decision, it is important for Apple to understand how its activities or products create values for customers. One way to do this is to conduct a value chain analysis (VCA). VCA â€Å"refers to the idea that a company is a chain of activities for transforming inputs into outputs that customers value. The process of transforming inputs into outputs compromises a number of primary and support activities† (Hill and Jones, 2001, p.133). Each value is consideredRead MoreCase Study : Apple Inc. Essay1422 Words   |  6 PagesCase Study: Apple Apple Inc. focuses on the design, manufacture, and marketing of personal computers, mobile phones, multimedia devices, and portable music players. Apple Inc. offers consumers manufactured goods under the brand names Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad, Mac, iPod, and Apple TV. Enhancing the customer experience through their proprietary software applications iOS, X, OS, and watchOS brands; and services across their Apple Pay and iCloud products (Forbes.com, 2016). Explored in detail, Apple’sRead MoreApple s Best Strategic Decision1619 Words   |  7 PagesApple Inc. is a very well known tech company that was founded in 1977 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. It offers a variety of services, such as designing, and manufacturing. Moreover, products known or used by consumers today are the Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod†¦etc, basically anything that starts with an â€Å"i† is owned by this company. Furthermore, Apple is listed on the New York city Nasdaq 100 stock exchange index, which is composed of the top 100 tech companies in the U.S. It’s IPO was in Dec 12th 1980

Employment Relations and Human Resource Managementâ€Free Samples

Question: Differences between Employment Relations and Human Resource Management? Answer: Introducation According to Armstrong Taylor, (2014) the issues of employment have a close link to wealth, security, status and therefore contributes to a lot of debate across the divide. In the United States of America, the issues of employment Relations incorporates matters relating to the workplace and the changes of legal policies affecting workers and industries. Storey (2014), adds that the analysis of the policies follows thematic and chronological forms with the focus on the management practices in the organization and the development of the labour organizations, the effects of collective bargaining on the institutions, and the workers rights achieved through judicial and administrative avenues. Understanding the issues of employment and human resource management of different countries and region provides an essential understanding of the historical and contemporary management practices and other organization behaviors. For the managers, it equips them with requisite skills to enable them positively influence the productivity of the employee and how they relate to the industry, implement diversity and link these related activities to their corporate and business strategy. In addition, human resource practices in the organization highlight the issues of policy issues such as health care coverage, dispute procedures, and pensions. Human Resource Management Sparrow, Brewster Chung, (2016) defines the term Human Resource Management as the function in the organization which emphasizes on the matters of management, recruitment and guiding the employees who works in the organization. Therefore, virtually all the workplace programs and processes that are associated with the workers fall directly under human resource management influence. The HR manager is tasked with the provision of necessary tools, knowledge, training and coaching of employees, carrying administrative services, legal advice, talent management and the general oversight of the organization activities required for successful operation. Alfes, Shantz, Truss Soane, (2013) argues that there are also activities such as employee and community outreach which are sponsored by the department. Also, the managers are required to frequently mentor the employees and team as well as addressing philanthropic and all the events that deals with employees. Employee Relations The concept employee is associated to a particular country or an organization and is sued to describe the group efforts applied in the management of relationships between the managers and the workers. If the relations program is good, it means the administration is providing consistent and fair treatment without discrimination. In response, the workers are committed to their tasks and responsibilities and thus shows loyalty to the firm. The objective of these programs aims at preventing and resolving any issues that may arise from issues at the workplace. There is a relationship between HRM and employment relations because the managers apply strategy to accomplish employees related missions such as pay and remuneration benefits, ensuring work-life balance and providing the safe working environment (Dix, Oxenbridge, 2013). Therefore, one of the best and most efficient methods of managers providing good employee relations is adopting an HR strategy that is concerned with the high value of the stakeholders and workers. Stakeholders include people who have a high commitment on matters of finance, and they are directly affected by the success and failure of the company. Further employees should not be treated paid labourers but can be treated as actual stakeholders with powers to change the outcomes of the agency because they feel worth. For example, when employees are treated better in the workplace, they are committed to seeing the organization become successful (Bidwell, Briscoe, Fernandez-Mateo Sterling, 2013). The impacts of Trump presidency on HR practices Trump presidency and the related policies will have an impact on the business, economy and the eventually the HR practices in the United States. For example, the laws and policies enacted will affect both small and large business due to trade liberalization, and protectionism policies which will protect domestic industries and employees against the growing forces of globalization. As such, the changes will be both negative and positive because some companies will experience skills shortages and growth of domestic industries. Some of the proposed changes that might affect the HR practices includes Repeal of the Affordable Care Act, implementation of six weeks of paid maternity leave, employers are also needed to provide child care in the workplace and others (Noland, Hufbauer, Moran Robinson, 2016). The issues of reshoring likely to be implemented during Trump presidency is likely to impact on talent availability. Depending on trade policy to be introduced there may be a shortage of white-collar jobs which will force employees to look for talent in many locations due to economic policy changes. On the other hand, the issues of skill shortages will face the HR department arise due to reshoring. This is because it will raise the demand for skills and thus shortages of employees especially in the manufacturing, call centre jobs. These sectors are likely to be disproportionately affected by the economic policies, and thus the HR departments will require increasing the budget meant for training. Policies and other initiatives that will help the companies rebuild the competencies in the organizations are necessary (Park, Joaquin, Min Ugaddan, 2017). Further, changes in the immigration reform in the United States will significantly affect global talent movement. Variations in these policies under Trump presidency means there will be less H1-B visas that helps sourcing of skilled workers and some nationalities especially in Muslim nations are likely to lose access to visa programs. Therefore hr. Policies and practices will have to be adopted in sectors such as automobile manufacturing which means they need to look for an alternative to satisfy their skilled employees demands. Besides, companies that have different skills needs to implement necessary policies to monitor the issues such as disengagement and quitting (Park, Joaquin, Min Ugaddan, 2017). There is expected changes such as enhanced employees remuneration for under maternal leaves. Such policies outlining the benefits could lead impact on the talent retention and increase competition between companies. For instance, firms will focus on enhancing the parental leave policies with an objective of attracting top talent (Park, Joaquin, Min Ugaddan, 2017). Human Relation Issue Affecting Workplace in America This section discusses the recent development of human relation in the U.S. workplaces such as Union decline, collective bargaining and others. Union and management relations does not constitute a major in the US workplace because the number of unions has declined significantly. Over time, some of these organizations have come up with innovative organizing strategies and tactics in sectors characterized by low wages. These industries are mostly infested by immigrants like hotels service (Kaufman Taras, 2016). However, there has been a counterbalance contributed by other industries such as steel, airlines, and autos. Therefore, in the United States, HR managers must contend with the issues in the labour relations. For instance, few already unionized organizations have seen the number of unionized workers reduce. Therefore, it is essential to understand that in the non-union sector, the amount of compensation received by the workers and other workplace conditions are decided unilatera lly by the management (Marks, 2014). Besides, in the structure of the union sector embraces collective bargaining but there is a high level of fragmentation. This kind of fragmentation continues to increase due to how employee bargain for their salaries with employees. For example, most of the workers tend to negotiate themselves without the intervention of the union and representation. Despite this, there are some common features identified in most of the collective bargaining such as being detailed, the cover wide range of issues such as pay, working hours, pensions, holidays, health and life cover, union recognition, their rights and that of the employer. Other included in the mix includes how the manager determines the issue of workplace promotions, layoffs and the payments time. The duration time involved in collective bargaining is between one and three years depending on the organization (Kaufman Taras, 2016). National unions wield a lot of power due to their direct control of funds, use of effective strategies and have the powers to form and demolish local unions at their will. Thus the managers working in the automobile industry needs to understand the effects of such national union and how they can destabilize the companies. Local unions are tasked with engaging in daily activities of the movement such as bargaining and ensuring the employee rights are followed under the agreement reached between management and workers. On the other hand, they are often involved in bargaining on issues raised in the new agreements and any actions deliberated by the union such as strikes. This means they can formulate standard rules applied to these actions (Kaufman Taras, 2016). Employees are seen as Costs and Not an Asset From the 1990s the employee got privileges that are not there today. For instance, Hewlett-Packard, IBM among other groups provided lifetime employment, but this has changed in the modern organization. Types of worker participation such as job enrichment, work teams, quality circles and other similar became standard. Jobs were defined to provide for greater autonomy among employees, training and indoctrination were the most important points of emphasis. These types of practices were more Japanese because it was believed to encourage increased productivity (Marks, 2014). However, the managers of today are starting at different organization practices which mean the changes has taken place in rhetoric and practice. US HR managers have to pay fewer concerns to general policies in the organization, and this means the focus is not on the human resource development as a way of making a profit or an obligation. Compared to previous decades HR was hesitant to cut wages and fire people, but this has since changes such as laying workers (Bennett Kaufman, 2016). The management stick to core competencies and other functions are acquired from vendors who are not affiliated with any union. For example, employee counselling services are not provided by the organization directly but are outsourced from other business. Besides, employment relations in the United States has been characterized by less job security. This issues is not in the junior employees only but affects even those in the top level such as managers. This is because even top managers in the organizations are closely monitored by the board of directors and held responsible for their actions (Park, Joaquin, Min Ugaddan, 2017). HRM practices in the United States Human resource management department is vital in the organization, and when setting an organization, it is essential to get it right from the beginning. In the US the HR practices and policies consider employment At Will.' In such a case the manager or the employer have the power to terminate the relationship with the worker at any given time without explaining the reasons (Nkomo, Hoobler, 2014). Besides, for senior employees, it includes a contract which means it is rare for an agreement to be referred to the process of the hiring process. Therefore, this reveals a lack of security and stability which is also supported by policies and practices by HR department. For instance, employees do not have a preference for working with the same company for long and therefore job Switching is quite common. Employees work for like three years and leave for another organization because they are guided by their goals than those of the organization (Hattam, 2014). Just like the UK which provides free health cover for their workers, in the US this type of benefit is not there, and the HRM practices use other advantages and offer to attract workers to take jobs. In addition, the HRM policies and practices have other values and practices such as recruitment system which is mostly career based and the mode of selecting the qualified workers is guided by extensive interviews, a reference to experience, focus on training and development. Further, it is governed by the needs of employees and the specific requirement for the post. The practices and policies call for training expenditure to be allocated on the basis on employee and workers are required to undertake between 1-3days of development and training annually (Haddock-Millar, Sanyal Mller-Camen, 2016). On matters of compensation and promotion, the employees are rewarded based on their overall performance, and the status of the person is by how the individuals perform their duties. However, for one to be promoted to a higher position, the level of qualifications are evaluated to come up with a major decision. There are also no formal restrictions on how the managers can promote employee biased on qualification and performance criterias. Other HR practices and policies include participative leadership style; there is high concentration on innovation and the aspect of entrepreneurship. As such many of the employees in the organization are well-trained professionals, have the attitude that makes them pursue things, tend to dislike trade unions, result oriented and persistence in the workplace Employment Relation and HRM Practices in Australia There are a significant difference and similarities between Australias and the United States workplace regarding labour relations laws and human resource management practices and policies. The employment relationship in the country is set guided by Fair Work Act 2009 and other legislation as enacted by the parliament. The laws and policies call for minimum conditions and terms of employment; there is collective bargaining that is supported by rules and bargaining obligations which govern the industrial action. Besides, employees are allowed to make the flexibility arrangements to reflect their needs that fit in their situation (Bartram, Boyle, Stanton, Burgess McDonnell, 2015). Further, the laws and policies provide protections for employees against unlawful and unfair termination of the contract and any other agreements during employment. On the other hand, there is protection against the violation of workers freedom. For example, the employers and their employees are obliged to choose third party representation by a third party. This is provided for by provision and policies governing the responsibilities and rights of the workplace representation (Bartram, Boyle, Stanton, Burgess McDonnell, 2015). According to Plimmer (2015), there are differences and similarities between Australia and the United States. The distinction between interests and rights. Interests include the content contained in the union contract while rights are how the same contract is applied and interpreted in the workplace. As such, an agreement leads to rights. In cases of disputes regarding interests they are settled through collective bargaining and workers goes on strikes in cases where these negotiation fails to materialize. There is a set procedure which followed when the process is being carried. In the U.S. the contracts take a long time as compared to that of Australian awards and the rights and interests are made available to employees (Sablok, Stanton, Bartram, Burgess Boyle, 2017). Conclusion In conclusion, in the U.S, there is high diversity regarding employment relations. This has been increasing due to the decline of unions and growth in non-union in the workplace. Under the Trump presidency there is likely development of protectionism policies which will affect greatly the HR practices such as paid maternity, retention and hiring of skills and skill shortages due to immigration laws. Therefore, there is a wide variety of non-union and union employment relation and practices as evidence in collective bargaining outcomes and policies. Further, the issues of union revitalization are seen as tactics and strategies employed by unions to further their membership due to increasing inequality of income and other international pressures. Although there may be differences, there are some striking similarities with Australia such as the existence of collective bargaining, a decline of unions and the policies guiding the practices. References Alfes, K., Shantz, A. D., Truss, C., Soane, E. C. (2013). The link between perceived human resource management practices, engagement and employee behaviour: a moderated mediation model.The international journal of human resource management,24(2), 330-351. Armstrong, M. and Taylor, S., 2014.Armstrong's handbook of human resource management practice. Kogan Page Publishers. Bartram, T., Boyle, B., Stanton, P., Burgess, J., McDonnell, A. (2015). Multinational enterprises and industrial relations: A research agenda for the 21st century.Journal of Industrial Relations,57(2), 127-145. Bennett, J. T., Kaufman, B. E. (2016).The future of private sector unionism in the United States. Routledge. Bidwell, M., Briscoe, F., Fernandez-Mateo, I., Sterling, A. (2013). The employment relationship and inequality: How and why changes in employment practices are reshaping rewards in organizations.The Academy of Management Annals,7(1), 61-121. Dix, G., Oxenbridge, S. (2013).Inside the workplace: findings from the 2004 Workplace Employment Relations Survey. Routledge. Haddock-Millar, J., Sanyal, C., Mller-Camen, M. (2016). Green human resource management: a comparative qualitative case study of a United States multinational corporation.The International Journal of Human Resource Management,27(2), 192-211. Hattam, V. C. (2014).Labor visions and state power: The origins of business unionism in the United States. Princeton University Press. Kaufman, B. E., Taras, D. G. (2016).Nonunion employee representation: history, contemporary practice and policy. Routledge. Marks, G. W. (2014).Unions in politics: Britain, Germany, and the United States in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Princeton University Press. Nkomo, S., Hoobler, J. M. (2014). A historical perspective on diversity ideologies in the United States: Reflections on human resource management research and practice.Human Resource Management Review,24(3), 245-257. Noland, M., Hufbauer, G. C., Moran, T., Robinson, S. (2016).Assessing trade agendas in the US presidential campaign. Peterson Institute for International Economics. Park, S. M., Joaquin, M. E., Min, K. R., Ugaddan, R. G. (2017). Do Reform Values Matter? Federal Worker Satisfaction and Turnover Intention at the Dawn of the Trump Presidency.The American Review of Public Administration, 0275074017706674. Plimmer, G. (2015).Managing Employee Performance Reward: Concepts, Practices, Strategies. Cambridge University Press. Rothweiler, H. (2016). Linking HRM Practices and Institutional Setting to Collective Turnover: An Empirical Exploration.Administrative Sciences,6(4), 18. Sablok, G., Stanton, P., Bartram, T., Burgess, J., Boyle, B. (2017). Human Resource Development practices, Managers and Multinational Enterprises in Australia: thinking globally, acting locally.Education+ Training,59(5). Sparrow, P., Brewster, C., Chung, C. (2016).Globalizing human resource management. Routledge. Storey, J., 2014.New Perspectives on Human Resource Management (Routledge Revivals). Routledge. Van Dierendonck, D., Lankester, A., Zmyslona, M., Rothweiler, H. (2016). Linking HRM Practices and Institutional Setting to Collective Turnover: An Empirical Exploration.Administrative Sciences,6(4), 18.

Snowboarding vs Skateboarding Essay Example

Snowboarding vs Skateboarding Essay Skateboarding vs. Snowboarding By Santiago Durr ENG 1111 Brenda Phegley 9/20/2012 Durr ii Outline Thesis: Skateboarding and snowboarding, they are two sports that could look similar, but they differ in several ways which are: terrain, tricks, cost and pain. I. Introduction II. Background A. Skateboarding B. Snowboarding III. Terrain and season A. Skateboarding B. Snowboarding IV. Tricks A. Skateboarding B. Snowboarding V. Cost A. Skateboarding B. Snowboarding VI. Pain A. Skateboarding B. Snowboarding VII. Conclusion Durr 1 Skateboarding vs. Snowboarding One of the things that has had the greatest impact on my life has been skateboarding, and now there is a new similar passion coming into my life which is snowboarding. I used to think that the two sports would be similar; but as the time went on, I found out that this was not the case at all. The two sports differ in several ways: terrain, tricks, pain, and cost. Skateboarding was the first board sport to come into my life and I must give it the most credit for molding me into the boy I am today. We will write a custom essay sample on Snowboarding vs Skateboarding specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Snowboarding vs Skateboarding specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Snowboarding vs Skateboarding specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer It is not the board or the tricks, but the whole attitude that comes with it: The adrenaline pumping through your body as you outrun some overweight police officers and the excitement of learning something new every day. The best thing, I think skateboarding gave me was friendships; and although I am not good friends with some of the people I used to skate with, I have been able to build some wonderful friendships that I love and consider my family. Snowboarding has done good things for me as well, even though I have only been practicing it a year. I got into snowboarding when I came to the US. I was not able to practice it in my country because we do not have a winter season. Even though I hate to say this, I think snowboarding is more fun than skateboarding. The terrain for skateboarding is pretty much wherever there is concrete. However, skateboarding is illegal in most spots which make it difficult to stay in one place for a prolonged period of time. Snowboarding takes a mountain and lots of snow, and it is not illegal, so the last thing that crosses your mind is picking up your board and running from the police. The biggest and most frustrating difference is that skateboarding can be done during the whole year, while snowboarding is a seasonal sport. Durr 2 The tricks involved in the two sports are the second biggest difference. On a skateboard your feet are free to move around and off the board. Being detached from the board enables you to do such tricks as the â€Å"kickflip† or the â€Å"shuvit†. The â€Å"kickflip† requires the individual to jump above the board as the board spins underneath them. The â€Å"shuvit† is done by jumping above the board, while it turns 180 degrees and then landing on the board as if nothing happened. Snowboarding has an entirely different tactic for tricks. An individual is attached to the board, so jumping above the board is completely out of the question. Most of the tricks involve spins in which one turns 180, 360, or 540 degrees with the board. The tricks done in snowboarding also require a lot more height and speed than those in skateboarding which is why is have taken such affection for the sport in this short time. The cost for practicing skateboarding is not as high as the cost for practicing snowboarding. One just needs a board that costs around sixty dollars and it can be done just about anywhere with pavement and is usually for free. In snowboarding not only the gear necessary is way more expensive than needed in skateboarding, but there is also added cost of getting somewhere to do it. The pain that comes with the two sports is somewhat similar. After all, a bruise is a bruise and a cut is a cut. Skateboarding is the sport in which one would suffer from gashes and bloody wounds. Snowboarding is mostly sprained wrists and really bad bruises. Take it from me, falling on a solid sheet of ice hurts a lot more than any pavement. In the end, I have chosen to stick with snowboarding because of its faster pace and the height one can get off a well-made jump, but I will always have a special place in my heart for skateboarding.

Sinbad The Sailor Essays - Sinbad The Sailor, Sinbad, Free Essays

Sinbad The Sailor Essays - Sinbad The Sailor, Sinbad, Free Essays Sinbad The Sailor Sinbad, the Non-Classical Hero The stories on Sinbad the Voyager from the Arabian nights, are fantastic tales of voyages of a merchant named Sinbad. The stories are told as Sinbad tells them to a humble porter named Hindbad, who after complaining about his lack of financial fortune outside of Sindbads luxurious home is invited into Sindbad's home. Sinbad offers Hindbad dinner and a hundred sequins, a substantial amount, to listen to his stories. Throughout the stories of Sinbad the Voyager in the Arabian Nights the main character Sinbad lacks the classic properties of a hero and is only respected because of his exotic stories and his wealth. Sinbad throughout his stories fails to prove himself worthy and respected for any virtues that make up a hero. He lacks such fundamental virtues like courage strength and mental superiority. His only distinguishing traits are that of luck and perseverance and his love of travel. However although Sinbad may be an appealing and charismatic character its the stories that are appealing and not his behavior. The fantastic creatures and lands that Sinbad speaks of are the main attraction of the stories and Sinbad is merely a merchant traveler who lives to tell their tale. Although he is the one who manages to escape with his life when confronted with the perils however its luck that liberates him from the hazardous situations. Sinbad fails to show any courage in any of his seven voyages. His apparent acts of bravery are brought forth by his will to live, and are not influenced by any noble cause. He musters up enough courage to burn out the single eye of the giant on an island, but only in the desperation of having watched his companions eaten by the giant. Even in that situation they poke out the eye of the monster without any courageous encounter, in fact they poke out the eye of the monster when he is asleep and then they run for their lives. In Sindbads encounter with the roc, or the gigantic two-headed bird, he ties himself to the birds giant leg in order to escape from his giant nest. This act is also an act of desperation, once not other alternatives are available Sinbad turns to his only available option leaving his life in the hands of fait. Even such more modern characters who bear great resemblance to Sinbad such as Robinson Crusoe, shows more courage than Sinbad. Robinson Crusoe is also a sailo r and a voyager who becomes stranded on a remote island after his shipwrecks. Robinson Crusoe faces cannibals that frequent his island in order to save other savages from being eaten. Sinbad never attempts to save anyone but himself. Sinbad shows neither leadership skills nor traits of an individual, he is no different then the men traveling with him. He refers to his fellow travelers as comrades and does not see himself as being more important in any way. His crucial role, and his most prominent trait is that of his story telling skills. Most classical heroes posses a skill that is more refined than the average man, whether it is skill to battle or a superior intellect, often they are aware of this skill and are able to distinguish themselves. For example Ulysses, was also a sailor and a voyager, however his heroism came from his ability to lead men, and to use his intellect to escape seemingly unforgiving situations. His voyages were also as exotic as Sinbads, however even his people regarded him as the hero. Sinbad, believes that he deserves the luxurious life he leads because he endured so many hardships, however the hardships were brought upon him by his own will. He was never placed in a situation where he was forced to endure such hardships, but put himself in these high risk situations through his own love for traveling and sailing. His riches were not earned through hard work, but luck of escaping situations, which he placed himself in. Most classical heroes are rewarded, or offered a reward for their actions or commit their acts of bravery because of a noble cause. Mullan, fought to protect her sickly father from being drafted into the army, which was a

How to Write a Perfect Teaching Resume (Examples Included)

How to Write a Perfect Teaching Resume (Examples Included) if you’re a teacher (or looking to become one), it can be a daunting path: years of education, internships, certification hoops and tests. and once you get through all of those, you still have another stretch to look forward to: the job hunt. whether you’re just starting out or looking for your next opportunity as an educator, we’ve got some sample resumes that you can use as a guide. 1.Teaching paraprofessional / classroom aide resume2.Experienced science teacher resume3.School principal resumefirst up, let’s look at Greta’s resume. Greta is just out of school, and wants a job as a teaching paraprofessional (classroom aide) as a starting point for her career in education.download this resume in ms wordgreta berman 75 mockingjay lane farmingdale, nj 12345 (444) 666-7777 gretab@emaildomain.comexperienced, caring education professional with special needs student experience seeking a position as a classroom paraprofessional.core competencies  indi vidualized tutoring and lesson plansworking with students with diverse learning styles and educational needsgreat with kidsutilizing and modeling organizational skillsworking as part of a student-oriented teamknowledgeable about learning methods for elementary and middle school studentseducationplymouth rock university a.s., educationfrank sinatra high school high school diplomawork experiencespecial education classroom assistantfriendship school (magnet elementary school), springfield, nj august 2013 – june 2016planned lessons and curriculum in conjunction with the teacherassisted students with classwork and during recreational timesprovided 1-on-1 support for students with a variety of learning styles and needsmonitored classroom activitiesprovided afterschool care for special needs studentsplanned and executed group art projects for the classroomtutorbridges learning center, farmingdale, nj march 2011 – presenttutor students in reading and math at the elementary and middle school levelskeep students on track with curriculum and lesson plansassign homeworkconduct group tutoring sessions in addition to 1-on-1 lessonsplan and run parent tutoring training seminars to facilitate at-home tutoringaverage student grade improvements: 15 pointsgreta is very upfront about her goal, via her objective statement: she cares about students and wants to leverage her experience with special needs students into a next-level education role as a classroom paraprofessional. she doesn’t have tons of professional classroom experience yet, so she starts by emphasizing her core competencies (skills).next comes her education, to show that she’s on the education degree track, and has already gotten an associate’s degree in the field. her experience is broken into two parts: her professional experience, and her volunteer experience. volunteer experience isn’t necessary to list on your resume, but in a case like this, where it directly relates t o your work experience and your career path, it’s a good idea to include it. here, it shows that greta has a lengthy history of working with students outside the classroom.want to find the perfect paraprofessional job for you? thejobnetwork has you covered: search here for open positions nationwide.next, let’s look at Herman’s resume. Herman is a former teacher who’s trying to get back into the classroom after a break.download this resume in ms wordherman carson 1276 first st santa fe, nm 99999 (999) 777-8888 herman@emaildomain.comaward-winning high school science teachercommitted educator eager to resume teaching full-time currently substitute teaching district teacher of the year committed to positive student growth and learning outcomes strong classroom managementawards and certificationsdistrict teacher of the year, 2006 santa fe school districtnew mexico teacher certification renewed 2015experiencesanta fe hills high school (santa fe, nm) substit ute teacher (grades 9-12) august 2008 – presentsubstitute teacher rated highly for dependability, flexibility, and commitment to keeping students on curriculum.implement curriculum and study plans for long- and short-term assignments in earth science, biology, chemistry, and physics classestake attendance and manage classroom orderschedule and host student and parent conferences during longer-term assignmentsplan lessons for studentsst. albert high school (santa fe, nm)earth sciences/biology teacher (grades 10-12), 1998 – 2008girls’ soccer coach, 1999 – 2003created engaging lesson plans in line with state curriculum standards across several science disciplineschaired the annual st. albert science fairheld conferences with students and parents to update them on student progress and improve student outcomes as necessarycoordinated and coached the after school girls’ intramural soccer programherman has a bit of a challenge: he used to be a full-time t eacher (and apparently a popular one), but has been substitute teaching for a few years in the meantime. he wants to get back in his own classroom full-time, but how can he move closer to that goal with his resume?basically, he does it here by creating a banner/theme (that he’s a qualified, award-winning educator), then focusing on his long years of experience. notice he doesn’t go into specifics about why he was substituting for the past several years- he can use his cover letter or interview to offer more context about the whys. otherwise, he sticks with the standard reverse-chronological format, listing his experience and then wrapping up with his skills.looking for a job as a full-time classroom teacher? thejobnetwork has options all over the country: search here for open positions nationwide.last but not least, we have Derek, who is trying to move up a level to become a principal.download this resume in ms wordDerek Gabarelli 54 dog lane framingham, ma 33333 (333) 222-1111 dpgabarelli@emaildomain.comresults-oriented leader, administrator, and educator with more than 20 years of experience implementing curriculum, developing sustainable initiatives, and exceeding benchmarks.experienceassistant principalsamuel adams middle schoolnorth framingham, ma 2005 – presentimplemented the samuel adams success (sas) plan that increased student achievement and attendance rates over a two-year period, and successfully implemented common core curriculum and benchmarks.spearheaded the school improvement initiative in conjunction with six other district schools.applied for and received the massachusetts school improvement grant in 2014, with a focus on sustainable student initiatives.onboarded common core curriculum across all departments. identified testing goals, monitored progress, and course corrected to meet established benchmarks.manage $1.5 million dollar annual budget, with an emphasis on developing sustainability initiatives, minimizing studen t suspensions and maximizing professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.oversaw implementation of school breakfast program.identified and organized professional development opportunities to address gaps in staff teaching and student learning.manage a faculty and staff of 85.social studies teacherbranford middle school leominster, ma1990 – 2005  Derek wants the reader to know that he’s built the leadership skills necessary to take over as principal for a school. as such, he goes with a strong summary statement that emphasizes his high-level accomplishments, then goes right into his specific work experience. the reverse-chronological format works well here, as the reader can see that Derek has a strong background. Also, note that Derek doesn’t necessarily include every job he’s ever had- he focuses on the ones that support his goal of becoming a principal. sure, his college job waiting tables may have helped him develop resilience or peo ple skills, but those aren’t necessarily the skills he wants to emphasize to get to the next level of his career. it’s important to keep your resume energies focused on the skills and experience that matter most to the job for which you’re applying.on the hunt for a school administration job?  check out the following listings on thejobnetwork:school principalschool assistant principalschool guidance counselorWant more resume samples?How to Write a Perfect Administrative Assistant Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a Perfect Barista Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a Perfect Caregiver Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a Perfect Cashier Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a Perfect Certified Nursing Assistant Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a Perfect Cosmetology Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a Perfect Construction Resume (Examples Included)How to Write a Perfect Customer Service Representative Resume (Examples Included)How to Wr ite a Perfect Customer Service Resume (Examples Included)How to Build a Great Dental Assistant Resume (Examples Included)

Ideal Society in the Eyes of Locke and Swift Essay

Ideal Society in the Eyes of Locke and Swift - Essay Example It also states that, essentially, the natural state of mankind is anarchic. Anarchy exists anywhere and everywhere, whereever no legitimate government is found. In Chapter 4 ("Of Slavery") Locke justifies slavery, very much like More's Utopia, where slaves are allowed upto a maximum of two per household and they are allowed freedom based on their good behaviour. Thus the concept of an ideal society is comparatively varied in all the works analysed and ironically contain shortcomings that challenge the inherent ideological bias of their authors and the ages to which they belong. Locke's Second Treatise gives the vision of a free community, where all individuals are equal, and most importantly, possessed of natural rights. The notion of property is linked to this concept too. He maintains that men will inevitably want to acquire goods and will come into inevitable conflict. Locke's etymological explanation of "property," lies in his dervation of its meaning that is life, liberty and estate, including one's self. Thus he proposes that a natural law of morality should come to govern them before they enter into a social arena. Here the irony is underlined since Locke realizes that the natural rights must be compromised so as to enter into a social structure. ... But the tricky business is with abiding by these very standards of behavior. The civil society is formed for the rights of the property, and Locke asserts that there is a non-political interest within its members for the state's function is protection and keeping intact the property that belongs to one. If the purpose of government is the protection of property, the latter must exist independently of the former. Thus society must allow this property to become a private property. The people entrust this body of standards or laws with the members of the protectors or the State. But if there is an abuse of power and this body of government ceases to act in the way the people expect, or do not represent the people's ideals, and instead just represent either their selfish needs or some other ideal, there is the possibility of a revolt or rebel. Locke suggests that not only should they rebel but overthrow that government and thereby replace it with people who will represent them better. Taken into fact that Locke was justifying his opposition to Charles II, all these concern seem fitting to his cause of an iconoclasm that he expected out of the people when the government ceases to be the mouthpiece of the people it seeks to protect. Locke's Second Treatise justifies the revolution of King William so as to explain the circumstances, under which the people of the state have ultimate right to raise concern and seek rebellion and replace one government with a better o ne. The idea of an unlimited property and that of a corrupt government are addressed in terms of Governmental intervention; since if the government comes to possess people's property then it

Performance Management in Corrections Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Performance Management in Corrections - Essay Example There are several problems with this team member that need to be addressed appropriately by Gary when he has the meeting with this team member.   The first issue at hand is to discuss the team member’s strengths. Then, after having recapped what he appreciates about the team members work performance, he should then try to tackle the more pressing issues that make this team member’s work performance so dismal as of late. The first major issue is that the team member has unexplained absenteeism. The second major issue is that the team member has been sleeping on the night shift. The third major issue is that the team member is not making mandatory security checks. All of these issues are going to be discussed here. alerted by Gary that one should not be absent so much for work. Not only is this unreliable on his part, but it shows that he doesn’t care much for his job or think about the safety of his co-workers. It demonstrates a visible and obvious lack of professionalism, and as well as demonstrates that the team member is not taking his or her job seriously by continually having repeat absences occur. Gary must let the team member know that such behaviour will not be tolerated—and that if he or she does not change his or her ways, that person will no longer be employed on the team—standards that everyone has to indeed follow. member is not getting paid to sleep on the job; the team member is being paid to be awake during some of the most important hours of the day in order to stop problems from happening. If the team member is asleep, however, he or she cannot prevent small issues from snowballing into even larger ones. Sleeping on the night shift could be especially detrimental to a corrections officer if there was a prisoner at-large, and that could cost the team member his or her life. A lot of these people in the jail facility are hardened criminals, and it is very possible that this could pose a problem in the future if the team member continued to sleep on the job while other important things were going on and happening.

Research Evaluation Tables Essay Example for Free

Research Evaluation Tables Essay Through this study, Henri intended to determine whether dynamism in performance measurement systems was appropriate for any change an organization underwent, or if there were circumstances where revision to the performance measurement systems were not needed.  Henri also intended to determine if the link between dynamic performance measurement systems and the performance of an organization were contingent on a level of internal or external change. The third goal of this study was to add additional data on this subject to the scant body of research available on the dynamism of performance measurement systems. | Research Methods| Henri used quantitative/confirmatory analysis in this study. Henri used a mail survey to gather data. The survey used seven point Likery-type scales to assess changes to the performance measurement systems, to determine innovativeness and learning orientation of the organization and organizational performance. All of the tools used in the questionnaire were validated in advance. | Audience| Henri focused this study on two main audiences. The first was to provide information to manager, executives, and professionals charged with running organizations. Henri also intended to add additional research for managerial accounting literature. | Research Evaluation| The researchers in this study used Likert Scale questions to assess performance measurement at the organization. Likert Scales are frequently used when a researcher wants to measure attitudes about a certain topic (Plano Clark amp; Criswell, 2010). The researchers also demonstrated the validity of the study by having experts in the field test the instrument in three different groups and provide feedback (Plano Clark amp; Criswell, 2010). One problem with this study was the response rate was only 24 percent which increases the risks of bias in the study (Bowling, 2005). This study is written to cover the topic of how performance measurement should change, and when, which is a practical topics for managers to review. The overall conclusion of this study found organizations willing to periodically review performance measures have better overall organizational performance. This information would be beneficial to my agency because we use performance measures to make decisions in the organization. Evaluating performance measures to ensure they are still applicable to our work will allow us to adjust performance measures to increase overall organizational performance. McCoy and Kinyua completed a cross-sectional study reviewing General Find disbursements over a 12-month period. McCoy and Kinyua chose to look at funding instead of expenditures because they determined it was more accurate and completed. The researchers looked at the population of the countries, the income levels, government funding and also funding sources to identify countries in need of disbursements from the Global Fund more than others. The data was all collected from spreadsheets that were found on the Global Fund website. The date was prepared and present in text, tables and charts. | Audience| This study was intended for executives and decision makers linked to the Global Fund, government officials, donors and health care professionals in the countries receiving money from the Global Fund. | Research Evaluation| This study took the information from public documents located on the Global Fund website. The complete information could be analyzed and because it was factual information and not interview data there were fewer opportunities for bias in the data (Plano Clark amp; Criswell, 2010). The esearchers in this study followed the process of quantitative data analysis (Plano Clark amp; Criswell, 2010). A significant problem with this study and the recommendations are the external factors in each country which guide leaders in how they decide to spend funds obtained. Each country is different and many of the countries served have had documented corruption problems which could influence the reliability of the information. This information and process used is useful for the policy makers the study was intended for, but for practical management it is not specific in making recommendations for changes. This process could be used in more practical ways if the planning led to gathering data specific to the situation. The process of determining how to disburse funds depending on need could be useful in my organization. We have a fund to provide financial assistance to patients that are not able to pay for services. Looking at this study, it is important that we develop some methods to determine need based on other funding sources to more objectively determine funding.

jane austen Essay -- essays research papers fc

This 5 page paper considers the limited roles of men and women in Jane Austen's society and assesses the social conventions, enforced by gossip, that keep women in line. This paper specifically explores the characterization of Elizabeth Bennett in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and argues that she is a representation of a modern woman in a nineteenth century world. 6 pages in length. Typical of Jane Austen’s novels, the author strives to portray a more equitable relationship between the genders. In Persuasion, the character of Anne represents Austen’s conduit amid women and the patriarchal society in which they have been compelled for centuries to exist. The writer discusses the manner in which Austen perpetuates the ongoing struggles with regard to gender oppression is of critical importance in relation to Anne’s character; indeed, hers is represented by the author as one who exemplifies the need for a favorable and fair approach to professional and domestic life. Bibliography lists 7 sources. This 12 page report discusses Jane Austen’s novel â€Å"Mansfield Park† (1814). Jane Austen presents her late 18th and early 19th century world to readers of the 21st century with such clarity and distinction that it becomes impossible to not apply the universal truths of her time to the contemporary age. In â€Å"Mansfield Park† she presents the reader with a vision of stateliness, propriety, and the confines of good taste. â€Å"Mansfield Park† should also be thought of as Jane Austen’s venture...

Porter’s generic strategies Essay

Introduction Porter’s generic strategies of cost leadership, differentiation and focus can be (and often are) adopted by competitors in any given industry and can be provably successful in 21st century business. According to Porter: Effectively implementing any of these generic strategies usually requires total commitment and supporting organizational arrangements that are diluted if there is more than one primary target. . . . [These] generic strategies are approaches to outperforming competitors in the industry. Porter (1980: 35). Furthermore, Porter argues that â€Å"the firm failing to develop its strategy in at least one of the directions–a firm struck in the middle–is in an extremely poor position† and is doomed to essentially low profitability. Porter (1980: 41). In cost leadership situation an organization sets out to be the low-cost producer in its industry. It caters for many industry segments. If an organization can achieve and sustain overall cost leadership then it will achieve superior performance. Cost leadership can be obtained by focusing on key accounts, reaping economies of scale, controlling costs† (Sultan Kermally; 2003, 66-67). Main Body In order to achieve an proper competitive positioning and above average performance, Porter has proposed the following strategies which are termed as generic strategies: Cost leadership A differentiation strategy Focus strategy Cost leadership (attaining the lowest cost position) is clearly not within every firm’s ability to strive toward and attain. In fact, not more than one or two firms in any industry can give value arising predominately from cost-effective operations. By far the majority of firms succeed through the implementation of one of the other two strategies. Even in the case of supposed commodities, companies strive to raise other dimensions of value given to consumers rather than seeking just to compete on a cost basis. Mobil and Exxon are amongst the petroleum firms that attempt to position their gasoline as being superior in quality (anti-clog, non-freeze, etc.), additionally to which their service stations stock an increasing array of convenience items. Mercedes Benz focuses on the prestige and image-conscious end of the automobile market, while Toyota’s manufacturing efficiency gives it a cost and quality facilitator which is reinforced by its marketing wizardry. Combinations of these strategies are also probable, as when instant oil change (focus) specialists look to establish a low-cost position due to the high volume of business generated by a sensible response to customer’s minor automobile service needs. The cost leadership strategy frequently requires a `lean’ culture and is usually perceived as `unattractive’ with the constant focus on cost management and efficiency. A leaning to be production or operations led therefore emerges. This produces a concentration on standardization of products, components as well as processes with the minimization of variations/derivatives. A fine balance needs to be attained between maintaining a contracted range of products/services and meeting the varying needs of diverse customer groups. It is these tensions between either giving a differentiated approach to match customer require and gain competitive advantage, or pursuing cost leadership to gain profit margin and value advantage, that frequently leads in practice to a mixed approach. This means that the advantages of neither competitive position are attained. This being `stuck in the middle’ yields no competitive advantage and corrodes the position of the business unit. Differentiation would involve an organization in providing something unique to its target customers. The uniqueness can be related to products, the way it delivers its goods and services, the way it markets its products or anything that shapes a customer’s perception in relation to differentiation. This could be the way products and services are branded or designed and the customers perceive such offerings as unique† (Sultan Kermally; 2003, 66-67). The differentiation strategy is often the most `attractive’ in that it gives the opportunity for a more resourceful approach to the market. For this reason the organization tends to be marketing led. It is fundamental in these business units that the cost/benefit analysis of any new type of differentiation is thoroughly evaluated. In addition, sensitivity analysis should be used to look at the capability of the associated cost base at different levels of sales performance and in diverse market conditions. The primary challenge with differentiation is one of competitor replication, where the benefit is temporary and, once replicated, becomes an increase in the industry/market cost base for all competitors. This growing migration of the cost base can over time destroy an attractive market segment. According to Grant (1991): â€Å"Differentiation is different from segmentation. Differentiation is concerned with how the firm competes — in what ways the firm can proffer uniqueness to its customers. Such exclusivity might relate to consistency (McDonalds), dependability (Federal Express), status (American Express), quality (Marks & Spencer), and innovation (Sony). Segmentation, in terms of market segment choices is concerned with where the firm competes in terms of consumer groups, localities and product types†. Whereas segmentation is a feature of market structure, differentiation is a strategic choice by a firm. A segmented market is one that can be partitioned according to the characteristics of customers and their demand. Differentiation is concerned with a firm’s positioning within a market or a segment in relation to the product, service and image characteristics that influence customer choice†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Sultan Kermally; 2003, 66-67). Michael Porter also has addressed the issues of competitive advantage in relation to the nations. In his book ‘The Competitive Advantage of Nations’ (1990), Porter’s view has an impact in relation to global competition and consequently global marketing. He puts forward a view that national conditions influence a firm’s competitive advantage in globally competing industries. Then comes focus strategy that â€Å"involves an organization being selective in terms of the segments it wants to serve and focusing on these segments to the exclusion of other segments. The focus strategy can either be cost focus or differentiation focus. If an organization does not choose generic strategies it wants to focus on then as Porter puts it, it will be ‘stuck in the middle’. The extent to which a generic strategy can be sustainable will depend on competitors’ behavior and action. The organization constantly has to be a step ahead of its competitors† (Sultan Kermally; 2003, 66-67). Porter’s generic strategies are based on the competitive methods and possibility of the organization, both of which compromise its strategy. His recommendations have perceptive appeal. Unfortunately, Porter does not cite any contributing literature in the development of his typology. It is also unfortunate that Porter’s deductively derived typology was not convoyed by an attempt to validate its contents empirically. However, separate research efforts have been directed at subjecting Porter’s conceptualized typology to empirical verification. One of the first empirical tests of Porter’s hypothesis was conducted by Dess and Davis, who examined 22 firms in the paint and related products industry (Dess and Davis, 1984). A total of 78 executives from these firms completed questionnaires by representing the importance of 21 competitive variables (Woo and Cool, 1983). The resulting correlation matrix of this distinctiveness was subjected to factor analysis to isolate the competitive dimensions linked with Porter’s three generic strategies. The principal factor solutions hold three elements that were matched against Porter’s generic strategies. A panel of seven academicians was then surveyed to establish the importance of each competitive means for each of the generic strategies. Overall, general agreement was attained between the panel’s definition of cost leadership and differentiation and that resultant via the factor analysis. However, disagreement existed over the panel’s idea of focus strategy and that which was labeled through the beginning. So as to differentiate firms according to discrete patterns of strategic behavior, Dess and Davis entered the factor scores of each firm into a group algorithm. Performance data (return on assets and annual sales growth) were provided for 15 of these firms. The authors observed four separate clusters, of which three were hold as pursuing distinct generic strategies (cost leadership, differentiation, or focus). They labeled the fourth cluster â€Å"stuck in the middle.† Return on assets for both the cost leadership and differentiation strategies were considerably higher than that generated by the â€Å"stuck in the middle† strategy, lending some support to Porter’s argument that generic strategies produce superior performance. However, the focus cluster was also shown to have the lowest profitability, signifying that Dess and Davis’s results were not conclusive. The authors also raised questions concerning interpretation of factor scores, given concerns they had with the constancy of factor loading in the sample set. The study is also limited in that it implicated only one industry. In a separate study, White examined 69 business units from 12 different businesses from the Profit Impact of Marketing Strategies (PIMS) data base in order to determine the â€Å"proper† organizational requirements approved for Porter’s three generic strategies (White, 1986). A differentiation strategy was operationalized by high relative cost and price, whereas a cost leadership strategy was distinct by low relative price and cost. The organizational â€Å"context† of the business unit was operationalized along three dimensions: autonomy, frequency of reports/reviews, and functional coordination. Performance was determined according to return on investment (ROI), real sales growth, relative market share, and cash flow from investment. By statistically comparing different organizational characteristics, White was capable to demonstrate that businesses within a common strategy class had similar organizational contexts within the overall corporation. For businesses that followed a cost leadership strategy, higher ROIs were linked with low autonomy and more frequent reviews and measures of performance. For businesses following differentiation strategies, higher ROIs were linked with an opposite set of interorganizational characteristics. These results were reliable with Porter’s contention (Porter, 1980). However, when White employed other measures of performance (for instance, real sales growth), the previously mentioned relationships did not always hold. In addition, the combination strategy of both low cost and differentiation produced the highest overall ROI results and higher real growth consequences than a simple pure cost strategy. This suggests that, differing to Porter’s hypothesis, some successful businesses follow a combination of two or more â€Å"generic† strategies concurrently. Another study based on testing Porter’s hypothesis was performed by Woo and Cool. The primary aim of this study was to contrast the performance of Porter’s differentiation and cost leadership strategies with non-generic strategies. The study concentrated on domestic manufacturing businesses over the period from 1976 to 1979 and used the PIMS data base. Woo and Cool chose relative price and cost as representative of the major dimensions that reflect Porter’s differentiation as well as cost leadership strategies. Performance was represented by four factors: return on investment, real sales growth, relative market share, and cash flow to investment. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) procedure was performed that designated mixed results for the generic strategies. According to Woo and Cool, â€Å"In all cases, non-generic strategies as a group seem to achieve as well as the generic strategies.† (Woo and Cool, 1983, 17). These results seem to corroborate those findings of White. In addition, the use of discriminant analysis recognized differences in the functional components of Porter’s two generic strategies and revealed that (1) differentiation strategy was recognized with higher product quality and product R&D and (2) cost leadership was linked with lower discretionary spending and a heavy emphasis on forward integration. In all, Woo and Cool’s conclusions challenged two aspects of Porter’s hypothesis, namely, that generic strategies produce superior performance and that the useful components of particular generic strategies are static and deductively particular The generic strategies make the postulation that the company intends to persist in a concentration mode, that is, limit its horizons to a single product/service or attain a predominant portion of its sales in one industry. Few large or medium size firms confine their product horizons. Characteristically it is small businesses that start with such a focus. With success and growth usually comes a desire to reduce dependence on any one product/market. Diversified firms have more established sales and earnings. Risk reduction unquestionably helps improve shareholder value. Most firms have historically been uncomfortable about â€Å"sticking to their knitting† lest they knit a sweater that’s no longer in style or that someone else can make at half the price (perhaps with a machine they’ve just invented). The unwillingness to place all one’s eggs in one basket is quite comprehensible since it could result in binding the company’s future to just one product, a product that might be rendered obsolete or alternated by alternate products. Also, competitors could prove to be more competent at value formation by identifying the desired components of value more accurately or delivering them more efficiently. Continuous value enhancement in a single product area is positively laudable, but prudence dictates that other stakeholders’ needs (shareholders, employees, creditors, and suppliers, for instance) also be taken into thought. Diversification is an important strategy in assuring that the needs of a diversity of stakeholders are given careful enough attention to merit their strong support. Moreover, expanding the product as well as market scope of the firm widens its range of customers, providing even more opportunities for delivering value in completely novel ways. Diversification has, of late, come under fire for being the reason of many firms’ declining ability to compete with domestic and foreign rivals. It is, however, conglomerate diversification that distracts a firm from its work of value. When a firm has numerous product and service offerings, few of which have any association to each other, the objective becomes to exploit shareholder value (stock price and/or dividend). Commitment to a product line or to its customers is noticeably absent at the corporate level. Conglomerates not simply keep their eggs in different baskets, they often forget where their baskets are! On the other hand, concentrically diversified firms–General Electric, Matsushita, Procter and Gamble, IBM, and Honda, to name a few–seek new product or market opportunities with a view to ongoing their prior success in value creation. IBM, for instance, has excelled at providing engineering, installation, maintenance and other types of services to customers. This source of value has been deliberately developed and maximized regardless of whether the product is a mainframe computer, a microcomputer or peripheral equipment. Procter and Gamble, whether in consumer non-durables or in its more recent food/pharmaceutical ventures has, certainly, always been known for its clear conceptualization and faultless construction of value? However, its capability to unerringly communicate the value inhabiting in its products–through timely and well-planned distribution, superb promotion, and rapid assimilation of customer comments-is what enables P & G to exploit value in its erstwhile as well as new product areas. Thus, Porter three generic strategies are alternative, workable approaches to dealing with the competitive forces.†Ã‚   However, the uniqueness of Porter’s cost, differentiation, and focus strategies has been empirically supported by Dess and Davis, White, and Woo and Cool. These same researchers have also suggested that various combinations of these strategy taxa (cost, differentiation, focus) often result in superior performance. Here, the central matter is focused on the proper level of abstraction in conceptualizing generic strategies. As such, cost, differentiation, and focus (or their derivatives) have been equally viewed as representative of lower levels of concept and as such are more appropriately measured as strategy â€Å"types† or â€Å"strategic factors† that in combination make up the taxa or composite strategies. Conclusion Porter’s generic strategies can be linked directly to the competitive positioning strategy. Product specialization, high-quality offerings, and product innovation are all derivatives of Porter’s differentiation strategy; the combination strategy type recognized in this study relates to Porter’s cost and differentiation strategies. Porter also suggests four strategic alternatives in global industries: broad line global competition, global focus, national focus, and protected niche. These broad patterns resemble aspects of the internationalization dimension. For instance, the domestic strategy type identified in this study is closely linked to Porter’s national focus strategy. Porter also does not mention either exporting or mixed international strategy types. Porter has yet to differentiate fully his conceptualization of global strategy in terms of internationalization and competitive positioning. Indeed, his own perspectives of global strategy seem to have matured with time, perhaps as a consequence of mounting criticism leveled against his cost/differentiation generic strategies. To Porter, the essence of a global strategy can be captured through strategic focus. Yet by defining global industries throughout international parameters, it becomes imperative to determine both whether and how member businesses are in fact competing internationally. Later Porter expands his earlier conceptualization of global strategy by defining it as â€Å"one in which a firm seeks to gain competitive advantage from its international presence through either concentrating configuration, coordination among dispersed activities, or both.† (Porter 1986a: 20) With this definition, global strategy is no longer portrayed as just a function of the one-dimensional geographic experience captured by strategic focus. Rather, it is reflected in the essence of internationalization captured in this study. Porter has always faced a complex challenge subordinating his own four–largely internationalization–strategy types to his leading generic strategies. Indeed, by identifying global strategies through predominantly internationalization, Porter is seen implicitly supporting an agreeing strategic emphasis on both competitive positioning and internationalization. For instance, a broad-line global competitor will compete either on the basis of low cost or differentiation. Thus, cost and differentiation are dimensions of a global strategy, and the same a global strategy is rooted in cost or differentiation advantages. Work Cited Dess G., and Davis P. ( 1984). â€Å"Porter’s (1980) generic strategies as determinants of strategic groups’ membership and organizational performance†. Academy of Management Journal, 27, 467-488. Grant, R.M. (1991). The Resource-based Theory of Competitive Advantage: Implications for Strategy Formulation. California Management Review, Spring, Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 114-135. Kim, Eonsoo, Dae-il Nam and J.L. Stimpert (2004) ‘The Applicability of Porters GenericStrategies in the Digital Age: Assumptions, Conjectures, and Suggestions’ Journal of Management, 30:5, 569–589 Millar, D. (1992), ‘The Generic Strategy Trap’, Journal of Business Strategy, 13, 37–41. Parnell, John A. (2006) ‘Generic strategies after two decades: a reconceptualization of competitive strategy’, Management Decision, 44:8, 1139–1154 Parnell, John A. and Lewis Hershey ‘The strategy-performance relationship revisited: the blessing and curse of the combination strategy’, International Journal of Commerceand Management, 15:1, 17–33. Porter M. ( 1986a). â€Å"Changing patterns of international competition†. California Management Review, 28, 9-40. Porter M. E. ( 1980). Competitive Strategy: Techniques for Analyzing Industries and Competitors. New York: Free Press. Sultan Kermally; Gurus on Marketing Thorogood, 2003 White R. ( 1986). â€Å"Generic Business Strategies, organizational context and performance: An empirical investigation†. Strategic Management Journal, 7, 217-231. Woo C., and Cool K. ( 1983). Porter’s (1980) generic competitive strategies: A test of performance and functional strategy attributes. Working paper, Purdue University.

Mercury Athetic

Net Present Value of Mercury Athletic Enterprise The results of my financial analysis based on the Free Cash Flow Method considering the base case of financial projections and assumptions for Mercury Athletic Footwear collated and developed by John Liedtke indicate that that the project to acquire Mercury Althletic has a positive net present value at $243,025 (in thousands) [ given by PV(FCF)=86,681+ PV (Terminal Value) =156,343] which is also greater than the recommended acquisition price of $186,216 (in thousands),therefore Active Gear Inc. hould proceed with the acquisition of Mercury’s operation. Free Cash Flow The free cash flow from Mercury’s business operations was determined using the base case for the consolidated operating income, expenses, tax rate and depreciation to determine the net operating profits after tax (NOPAT) for the years 2007-2011. Free cash flow was then calculated using the formula (FCF= NOPAT + Depreciation-? Net Working Capital -?Fixed Asset s) which was evaluated at $21,240, $26,727, $ 22,097, $25,473 and $29,545 for the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively. The Cost of Debt and the Cost of Equity The next step was to determine the coast of debt, using the assumptions made by Mr. Liedtke which outlines a tax rate of 40%, the cost of debt of 6% for a leverage of 20% debt. The after-tax cost of debt (RD) was determined to be 3. % [using RD =(R*(1-Tax Rate), where RD =after rate cost of debt, R= cost of debt] The cost equity estimated using the CAPM approach, Surfside Footwear was selected as a comparable company since its EBIT Margin of 9. 3% was the same as the average consolidated EBIT Margin of Mercury Athletic for period 2004-2006, the Equity Beta for Surfside from Exhibit 3 was 2. 13. The risk free was determined to be 4. 69% using US Treasury Bills Yield given in the case Footnotes on page 7. The 5 year T-bill yield was selected as†¦

Ethical issues in US Immigration Policies essays

Ethical issues in US Immigration Policies essays The sun seems unrelenting as it beats down on the two families huddled together in a rickety makeshift boat. The rafters have been floating in the open sea for what seems to them like years. Their food and water supplies have run out and the littlest ones cry out of hunger. But the keep going. Because they know that once their feet touch the land of opportunity their prayers will be answered. Finally, their raft makes it to the ankle-deep waters and they are only a few short steps away from dry land and freedom. As quickly as the wave of relief and happiness rushes over the rafters, so does it disappear. The Coast Guard is there and telling them that they will be shipped back. So close to freedom. Other families know what its like to have freedom snatched away. After years of working six days a week for miniscule wages, sewing dresses or picking vegetables, they have had freedom and the opportunity of a better life taken away after being rounded up by Immigration Naturalization Services and deported back to Guatemala, Honduras, or Mexico. These are only two examples of the travesties that occur daily in the land of opportunity and freedom-the Unites States of America. The United States was built by immigrants, many seeking a new life in a new land. Before 1882, anyone could move to the United States. As the population grew, however, the Federal government decided to control immigration. But they have done this in a very inconsistent manner, letting some people in from one country more than others from another country. The current U.S. immigration policy is immoral, unethical and inconsistent in its dealings with immigrants. Early immigration laws aimed to preserve the racial, religious, and ethnic composition of the United States, which was then largely European (Wilbanks, 1993, p.1). The first immigration laws were aimed at nonwhites. In 1882, for example, the Chinese Exclusion Act suspended immigration from China for sixty yea...

Galvanic or Voltaic Cell Definition

Galvanic or Voltaic Cell Definition A galvanic cell is a cell where chemical reactions between dissimilar conductors connected through an electrolyte and a salt bridge produce electric energy. A galvanic cell can also be powered by spontaneous oxidation-reduction reactions. Essentially, a galvanic cell channels the electrical energy produced by the electron transfer in a redox reaction. The electrical energy or current may be sent to a circuit, such as in a television or light bulb. The electrode of the oxidation half-cell is the anode (-), while the electrode of the reduction half-cell is the cathode (). The mnemonic The Red Cat Ate an Ox may be used to help remember reduction occurs at the cathode and oxidation occurs at the anode. A galvanic cell is also called a  Daniel cell or a voltaic cell. How to Set Up a Galvanic Cell There are two main setups for a galvanic cell. In both cases, the oxidation and reduction half-reactions are separated and connected via a wire, which forces electrons to flow through the wire. In one setup, the half-reactions are connected using a porous disk. In the other setup, the half-reactions are connected via a salt bridge. The purpose of the porous disk or salt bridge is to allow ions to flow between the half-reactions without much mixing of the solutions. This maintains charge neutrality of the solutions. The transfer of electrons from the oxidation half-cell to the reduction half-cell leads to a buildup of negative charge in the reduction half-cell and of positive charge in the oxidation half-cell. If there were no way for ions to flow between the solution, this charge build-up would oppose and half the electron flow between the anode and cathode.

Rolex Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Rolex - Essay Example were being charged on products like gold along with silver utilized for the cases he specialized in was making the costs rise beyond what he could afford. The company was then registered as the Rolex Watch Company which has remained its name since then. However, after the death of Hans’s wife in the year 1944, the founder created a foundation that would handle the entire shares his company owned. He made sure that all the company’s’ income would from then on be going to charity thereby making the company the private trust it still is today. This implies that the company’s shares are not also traded on the stock exchange (Fernande, 2011). According to Fernande, the company has recently been witnessing a decline in its sales along with profitability. The company currently has a debt expenditure of over 2.28 billion dollars but has attracted private capital investments to the tune of 1.5 billion dollars. The company in collaboration with the individual investors aims at producing motor vehicle parts like gearboxes, wheel hubs for the purpose of diversifying their revenue collection efforts. In the year 2010, the company reported a loss of 73.48 million dollars from their net sales that were worth 1530.0 million dollars. This again showed a loss of over 9 million dollars from their previous year’s net sales worth 2593.0 million dollars (2011). The company is currently battling the sale of fake Rolex watches which have adversely affected their sales along with profitability. The company has opened up branches across many nations in the world to help in the distribution of their products. The revenue collected is directed to charity work across many parts of the world (Fernande,

History-Assess the short and long term impact of Iran's 1979 Essay

History-Assess the short and long term impact of Iran's 1979 Revolution - Essay Example The causes of the Iranian Revolution, despite a seeming absence of general crisis so characteristic of previous revolutions of such magnitude1, were manifold. The twentieth century history of Iran was characterized by aggravation of social contradictions. The modernizing policies of the Pahlavi dynasty (1926-1979) were at best inconclusive: the political and civic reforms of the first Shah of the dynasty, Reza Shah Pahlavi, were accompanied by ruthless suppression of both clerical and left-wing oppositional movements2. After his abdication in 1941, the country found itself mired in instability caused by the effect of the WW II and foreign occupation4. After the failure of the attempt of the secular nationalist government of Mohammad Mosaddeq to nationalize oil industry, which led to the coup d’etat against Mosaddeq on August 19, 19534, Mohammad Reza Shah re-assumed the dictatorial powers of his father. At that time, the clerical forces of Iran sided with the Shah, fearing left -wing secularist regime5. The government of Mohammad Reza Shah embarked on the ambitious program of the so-called ‘White Revolution’ in the 1960s, which was to facilitate the development of modern industries in Iran. Despite Mohammad Reza Shah’s populist pretenses, his modernization strategy privileged large, modern enterprises and the oil sector, which served the needs of international market, to the detriment of small businesses traditionally united into the network of bazaar 6. The state developmentalist policies led to the uncontrollable inflation7. The Shah’s land reform actually contributed to the crisis, as the new peasant cultivators were unable to tend the land as efficiently as large-scale farms would, thus leading to massive increases in imports of food stuffs and accordingly in their prices8. The attempts of the Shah’s government to control soaring inflation in the mid-1970s only aggravated the situation9. The revolutionary movement, whi ch sprang from the clashes between the religious students and the Shah’s SAVAK security forces in the late 1977, eventually turned in the country-wide disturbances with the general strike of October 197810. The government of the Pahlavis was swiftly disintegrating, and on January 16, 1979 Mohammad Reza Shah left Iran. From then on, the victory of the Iranian Revolution was guaranteed. The signs of the general crisis in the Iranian economy were much pronounced in the immediate aftermath of the Revolution. As a result of wide-scale strike movement of 1978-1979, the country stood on the brink of economic collapse. As of 1980, the industrial output fell by almost 20%11 in comparison with the 1977 level, while total GNP of Iran in 1981 fell to 81 percent of that in 197712. The Revolution heralded the beginning of spontaneous campaign of occupations and confiscations; the workers’ committees were formed in many sectors, first of all, in oil industry13. Even though the govern ment did not actually contemplate total nationalization of private sector, the complicity of large banking institutions in massive capital flight forced it to bow to the pressures of popular movements and demands of Khomeini-led Revolutionary Council (RC), and in summer 1979 the nationalization of banks, insurance companies and major branches of industries was carried out14. Nevertheless, the PRG policy remained cautious in such important economic spheres as land

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data - Essay Example Quantitative and qualitative research methods are usually compared, interchanged, and contrasted by researchers themselves. However, one should understand that the two methods are meant to answer different sets of problems. If done correctly, each method can be used as supplementary research and the findings can serve as supporting explanations to the other. Usually, the quantitative method provides theories and hypotheses, and the qualitative method explains, proves, or disproves them. This is exactly what happened to the research done in trying to explain the rise and fall of meth usage in several U.S. states. Looking at the numbers, researchers are dumbfounded to see a similar pattern existing in all states regarding meth usage, despite the different approaches the states use to combat it. The numbers provided by the quantitative research are too general and abstract --- failing to provide the necessary answers to formulate solutions to the said problem. Because of this puzzle, th e researchers used the qualitative method to try to find answers to the questions posed by the graphs. The researchers looked into the history of meth usage and found out descriptive results that tell a story about the connection of meth purity on the streets and the number of people using it.

Analyzing The ERP Implementation Of Companies Information Technology Essay

Analyzing The ERP Implementation Of Companies Information Technology Essay Looking into the business processes implementation of Tesco one of the leading food retail companies in the UK which has gone from strength to strength in the food retail and established it is presence in Europe, US and Asia and analyse Enterprise Resource Planning implementation in one of the leading food retailers operating in 14 countries around the world and how these operations are run and analyse the challenges faced and lessons learnt. PROJECT DELIVERABLES: 1. Identify five critical business processes 2. Plot the process map of the organization 3. Analyze the type of BPR implementation in the company 4. Analyze the ERP implementation in the company and the challenges 5. Business benefits and learnings Company Background We have selected to study the food retail giant Tesco PLC the largest food retailer in the UK employing over 470,000 people with revenue of over  £54 billion in 2009. There are about 4,331 Tesco stores in fourteen countries worldwide. This famous food retailer was founded in 1919 and in 1929 opened its first ever food retail store in Edgware, London. It has rapidly evolved over the years and has established itself a prominent position among the food retails giants in UK. Tescos Core Business is based in the UK and has operations mainly in USA, Europe and Asia. Fig 1: Tesco Operations around the world With its expansion to other countries Tesco had to standardize the IT systems and business processes to sustain the overseas business which has facilitated a unique and homogenized way of working in 3,263 stores in all 14 countries.This project involved standardising the business processes and IT systems used to dealing with customers and day to day running of stores, financial and in-store systems warehousing, payroll and distribution systems. This execution of business process was initiated a couple of years after Tesco-in-a-Box  system to even out an enterprise resource planning system Oracle in each region of business operation. Tesco carries out and provides services via online retail websites tesco.com and Tesco Direct and offers financial services through Tesco Personal Finance and broadband internet connections services. Fig 2: UK Food Retailers by Market share Tesco products fall under the category of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and (Non-FMCG) or durable consumer goods. Sourcing and Procurement TIS Tesco International Sourcing Hong Kong does the procurement, commercial design, management, quality control, production and deals with all the 50,000 product lines customs documents. The operation is of a phenomenal scale. This station deals with 800 suppliers in more than 1200 factories. International Sourcing manages the end-to-end procurement process TIS Tesco International Sourcing Hong Kong does the procurement, commercial design, management, quality control, production and deals with all the 50,000 product lines customs documents. The operation is of a phenomenal scale. This station deals with 800 suppliers in more than 1200 factories. Hong Kong-based global supply and sourcing operations was founded in 1970.It supplies 12 countries, supplies 60% of UK clothing, durable goods 41% UK, 44 countries from 50,000 sku, 58 seaports, 72.000 containers, 533 employees and No. 1 retailer in the UK buying office Six new regional purchasing offices will be soon opened by Tesco to boost local sourcing from close by supplier and farmers. Tesco procurement includes the following processes for acquiring goods: Procurement planning: identifying and determining which product or products need to be acquired, the quantity, quality and Product description Searching Suppliers: Having identified the products and product specifications, the search for suppliers and sources begins Tendering: Receiving quotes, offers, and negotiation with potential suppliers begins Supplier Selection: the bids, offers and proposal are assessed in order to choose the right one Formal Agreement: making certain that supplier will meet the expected requirements of the business and terms and conditions Signing the Contract: formal legally binding agreement is signed based on the mutually agreed business terms Purchasing Non-Food: Costs and Logistics Centralized procurement system is used by Tesco in its growing business. The procurement system is Oracle retail that supports Tescos centralized buying of non-food items in bulk and the centralized purchasing system facilitates order generation through which supply chain and procurement are controlled centrally. Buying Power: bulk buying discounts; critical mass drives down costs. Direct Sourcing: (65% UK clothing) eliminates intermediary agent mark-up: captures greater percentage of gross margins. International Purchasing: low cost factors of textile production (labour, materials) in Asia (India, Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia). Distribution: Initially utilized existing purchasing and distribution channels. Subsequent development of efficient dedicated N-F infrastructure: warehouses, logistics and specialized management systems. Inventory control All products of Tesco PLC have different shelf life and one of the key performance indicators accepted by Tesco PLC is the right products at the right time in the right condition Indexes of the products delivered by them to the consumer. Inventory control allows Tesco PLC to achieve low inventory levels thereby reducing costs and achieve greater value index. Inventory control however, does not aim to specifically reduce inventory, a sufficient inventory levels must be maintained to have a service level at the Depot of 95% RAD. It also helps to reduce distribution runs thereby saving transportation and logistics costs. Human Resource and Finance Human resources management is a pivotal element of any successful business company; the information received through this area should be continuously monitored and correct evaluation for professional development and social protection of workers. Nonetheless, owing to the fact that large amount of information which is processed in this area, the job gets harder day by day. ERP is depicted as a useful tool to assist and guide users to focus their work in direct relationship with staff, and to relate personal skills and aspirations of staff related to the companys goals and objectives. The crucial application and system of cash management helps manage your account which includes credit cards, banks and saving institutions and all these required functions are simply based in one place. The cash management applications offer making deposits, printing checks, cost of funds transfer and reconciliation of cash accounts facilities to accounting staff. Logistics and Distribution Logistics management deals with the activities related to the physical flow of goods and products, raw materials and the obtaining of materials from sales to the customers which include distribution of products and goods, storage and production. Logistics environment integration is achieved by bringing together all and every activity constituting it. Tesco distribution centres are responsible for ensuring that the goods are delivered to the stores on time. Tesco has primary and secondary distribution areas. Primary distribution has the duty of delivering the products and goods from suppliers to the Tesco depots. Secondary distribution has the job of getting products and goods from depots to Tesco stores. The team and channel of distribution is very important for Tesco operations who should try to make operations simple, cheaper and better and Tesco stores should get the right products at the right time in the right condition. Distributions are also fundamental in strategic decision making around opening new depots, and supporting the operators throughout the whole process from business case concept, through to build and opening. Level 1 business processes Tesco Retail Buying CENTRAL HEAD OFFICE Marketing Logistics Human Resource Management International Operations Non-Store Operations Property Finance Buying M Stores Suppliers Distribution Centre International = Flow of products = Flow of information Stores Customers Level 2 Business Processes Phase one of RPM Process: Understanding the needs of retail Customer Realization of requirements of new product Existing customers requirements tracking Available Information sources: Information obtained from internal sales data Information from consumer publications and suppliers Market research and Competitor analysis Phase two of RPM process: Requirements and design of product to satisfy customer needs Turning the realised need into product opportunity Mixing a few attributes to benefits customer Prescribed specifications of product qualities Phase three of RPM process Look out for a suitable Supplier Look and find a supplier that can provide, make and deliver the right product Evaluate and assess suppliers for suitability on the basis of value such as product quality, short lead time and price RPM PROCESS STAGES 4 and 5: Award the contract or Spell out order Stage 4: Place Order Detailed quantity such as packaging, size, variety, How, where and when the goods to delivered Stage 5: Assess the performance of Product for example, the sales and profits of product etc Assess supplier for on time and accurate delivery Including qualitative measures such as customer feedback Planning Logistics Warehouse capacity Location planning Scheduling Dispatching Provision of Human Resource Support Developing Human Resources information and facilities Making sure that the site is safe Supervision and management of Team Relations Administering and Planning benefits and compensation Provision of Financial Support Complete the Receivable Accounts Complete the Payable Accounts Give Financial Accounting and Controlling Support Perform Budgeting and Planning Capital Assets Planning Complete Cash Management Supervising and managing External Relations Type of BPR implementation Customer, competition and change are the three driving forces behind the ever-changing business world. Hence, companies are constantly seeking novel solutions for the problems in their businesses as of late, some established business and corporations have turned to the great solution of business process reengineering. Reengineering is critical and fundamental redesign of business processes in order to radically improve vital business measures such as speed, quality, cost, service and overall performance. BPR is not about small scale changes it is rather about radical rethinking and innovation, so BPR is not for companies desiring a 10% improvement, but for corporations and companies that expect and desire 1o fold improvement and increase. Business processes reengineering aims at the business processes and endeavours to radically redesign the strategic processes of added value which lies at the heart of business. When a company rethink what processes need to carried out in what way, then it decides up on how best that can be achieved. Reengineering targets the business processes of an organization such as the procedures and steps and resources used to make products and customer services rules which are applied to meet particular customers needs and demands. Analysis, identification, and redesign of an organizations core business processes are done by reengineering in order to obtain big improvements such as speed, quality, cost, service and overall business performance. The main motive behind BPR is the continuous implementation and development of advanced networks and information systems. Big companies are using more and more forms of technology to back up novel processes of business instead of sticking to their normal ways of carrying out work. BPR is one way of redesigning how an organizations work should be done in order to back up the organizations reduce costs and mission. BPR is not just a centralized storage system. It helps organizations pave the way for the automation of business processes based on the rules pre-defined. Business processes automation saves time, reduces costs and manual process handling time. Processes automation help eliminate human errors related to date entry for example in Excel and most manual work. ERP IMPLEMENTATION METHODOLOGY To meet the challenges of the modern business demands and run its business economically and efficiently Tesco PLC implemented the ERP in five fundamental stages: Phase 1: The Planning Phase Tesco established the necessary information and need for the implementation of ERP systems and successful implementation and redesign phases and laid the ground work. Phase 2: The Redesign Phase During the redesign stage training was given to the BPR team was trained and followed by the method of transforming the chosen processes and applying the solutions which were recommended Phase 3: The Implementation Phase Implementation phase turned the recommendations by the team to reality by realizing the redesign goals which involved planning for, prioritizing and implementing project to realize the redesign Phase 4: The Finalization Phase Finalized training program, end-user training, readiness assessment, production system prep, finalize cutover plan, communicate cutover plan, Inform external partners as necessary Phase5: Production master data conversion, Execute cutover plan, Monitor process system usage, On-site support, Issue resolution, Communicate on-going support process Tesco applied a gradual plan to implement ERP systems by adopting the step by step approach in the organization. The well-planned methodology resulted in low cost of integration in the state of careful and meticulous implementation. The chosen approach of implementation of ERP added hugely successful rate of implementing ERP. ERP systems fundamentally play the same role in the vast range of Tescos products. These ERP systems offer functionality to company internal all complex economic processing matters and providing realistic and up-to-date and accurate picture of the economic management of the company. On the basis of an intricate and current approach for managing the flow of information in the enterprise, today ERP systems are modular, open and controlled by parameters to be easily customized to the needs of the customer. One of the ERP systems keeping the latest development and functionality standards is ORASHEI a  large system supporting company internal economic management in complexity. The system allows for keeping tally of and processing all economic agendas as management of assets, material supplies, invoicing, tax documents, business trips, buildings and facilities, and financial flows. ORASHEI facilitates operative management of organizational units, planning, budgeting and evaluating economic data, especially in relation to MIS. ERP implementation benefits to Tesco The implementation of ERP in Tesco since it is first days has been nothing but a story of success giving the business full edge of service quality, efficiency, customer satisfaction and value for money products and massive savings across all business functional areas some of which are as follows: Productivity boost through using a common and homogenized sales applications and finance and human resources systems in all operations worldwide The applications and systems are centrally managed from the Bangalore IT service centre instead of each business in every country having separate applications The entire network is using uniformly Oracle financials both in core business and in global operations and finance applications and processes are centralized and consolidated globally across the Tesco group All systems and applications including Oracle financial which is used for e-invoicing and HR software PeopleSoft and measuring budgeting targets application Terradata are centralized Isotrak is a great hosted service which provides real time vehicle tracking and precise high service levels world class data centres Providing all the 26 UK distribution centres of Tesco a single transport fleet and transport management perspective Improving driver security through the provision of a key fob panic alarm that operates in or out of the vehicle, plus the ability, through vehicle tracking, to guide a swift security response Tesco distribution system has improved quantity of products dispatched per litre of fuel used by 8 percent by using Isotrak systems, outperforming its target of a 2.5 percent increase which amounts to saving over 54,000 deliveries per annum. A common platform of technology and business processes and technology together with a standardized business processes contributes to the Tesco group to be competitive and also maintain the overseas expansion and using purchasing centralised systems and processes makes the other country productive too. Supply chain efficiency has improved with Ortecs cutting edge supply chain optimization software, there is on going improvement and making certain the supply chain works effectively and efficiently, the operations cots are cut down Learning and recommendations from Tesco Implementation Even though the implementation is top driven, it is vital to clearly communicate the need and benefits of the implementation with the employees so that they understand the worth and need and give their support It is extremely important to generate energy within the team members and creating ownership in the organization. It is important to have a top-driven implementation especially for a company that is focusing on a growth of 20-30%. It really important to gauge and decide whether to buy ERP or develop customized systems within organization and set time frame for the implementation. There has to be clear setting up of accountability and ownership in the implementation stage and a special team has to be set up for regular monitoring and control Starting the integration with the finance module has been a time tested and proven implementation strategy that works almost every time Proper training has to be given to the employees during the implementation stage and monitoring has to take place to make sure the implementation has given desired results and that the user acceptance is ensured because of the ease of access and simplicity of the process Decide on the right implementation method of the systems to avoid failure assessing the needs and requirements and business demand and size. Trial runs are very important. There has to be a proper reporting and documentation system in any organization. This can be achieved by the implementation of ERP because it automates the reporting and documentation is available in electronic media. It is important to know the total cost of ownership and identify if the implementation will produce results. ERP most of all gives a transparency in a system that facilitates overall growth and empowers the people and motivates them as they know whats happening in the organization Conclusion ERP Implementation and IT system introduction and innovation have been a steady on going process at Tesco and always lies at the heart of business processes improvement and has been a story of success and achievement whether it is been partially Tesco developed system or collaboration. ERP/BRP and IT have not only contributed to core business growth, automation and efficiency of processes in business functional areas but also saving time, money, improving quality, safety and global growth and expansion and brand name in Tescos leadership drive.