Human Cloning Ban An Ethical Debate

Human cloning is illegal in some states, and institutions that receive U.S. federal funding are prohibited from experimenting with it, but there is no federal ban on human cloning in the United States. Should there be? Lets take a closer look. What Is Cloning? Cloning refers to the development of offspring that are genetically identical to their parents. While cloning is often referred to as an unnatural process, it occurs quite often in nature. Identical twins are clones, for example, and asexual creatures reproduce by cloning. Artificial human cloning, however, is both very new and very complex. Is Artificial Cloning Safe? Not yet. It took 277 unsuccessful embryo implantations to produce Dolly the Sheep, and clones tend to age rapidly and experience other health problems. The science of cloning is not particularly advanced. The Benefits of Cloning Cloning can be used to: Produce embryonic stem cells in large quantities.Genetically alter animals to produce organs that can more easily be transplanted into humans.Allow individuals or couples to reproduce through means other than sexual reproduction.Grow replacement human organ tissue from scratch. At this point, the live debate in the United States is over cloning of human embryos. Scientists generally agree that it would be irresponsible to clone a human being until cloning has been perfected, given that the cloned human would probably face serious, and ultimately terminal, health issues. Would a Ban on Human Cloning Pass Constitutional Muster? A ban on embryonic human cloning probably would, at least for now. The Founding Fathers didnt address the issue of human cloning, but its possible to make an educated guess about how the Supreme Court might rule on cloning by looking at abortion law. In abortion, there are two competing interests—the interests of the embryo or fetus, and the constitutional rights of the pregnant woman. The government has ruled that the governments interest in protecting embryonic and fetal life is legitimate at all stages but does not become compelling—i.e., sufficient to outweigh the womans constitutional rights—until the point of viability, usually defined as 22 or 24 weeksIn human cloning cases, there is no pregnant woman whose constitutional rights would be violated by a ban. Therefore, it is quite likely that the Supreme Court would rule that there is no constitutional reason why the government cannot advance its legitimate interest in protecting embryonic life by banning human cloning.This is independent of tissue-specific cloning. The government has no legitimate interest in protecting kidney or liver tissue. Embryonic Cloning Can Be Banned—Should It Be Banned in the United States? The political debate over human embryonic cloning centers on two techniques: Therapeutic cloning, or the cloning of embryos with the intention of destroying those embryos to harvest stem cells.Reproductive cloning, or the cloning of embryos for the purpose of implantation. Nearly all politicians agree that reproductive cloning should be banned, but there is an ongoing debate over the legal status of therapeutic cloning. Conservatives in Congress would like to ban it; most liberals in Congress would not. FDA and the Prohibition of Human Cloning The FDA has asserted the authority to regulate human cloning, which means that no scientist can clone a human being without permission. But some policymakers say theyre concerned that the FDA might one day stop asserting that authority, or even approve human cloning without consulting Congress.

The Correlation Between Looking Preferences And Reaching...

This current study has been formulated on the basis that infants 2 years of age, and even below, have the cognitive capacity to express preference when manipulating objects. Previous research which has been observed shares similar concepts with this current study. This study, conducted by Christopher Newman, Janette Atkinston, and Oliver Braddick (2001) in which the relationship between looking preferences and reaching was explored in infants 5-15 months’ old infants. To be more specific, they used preferential reaching between objects of different sizes in infants of different ages to explain the dissociation in the development of visual processing and orientation in object manipulation. The infants were presented with cylinders of different sizes, a small, medium, and large cylinder was presented for the infants to interact with. According to Newman, Atkinson and Braddick (2001), â€Å"The largest object was too large for the younger infants to grasp easily with one handâ⠂¬  (p. 563), and this had most likely had a role to play in the preference of the infants. In regards to the results of the study, Newman, Atkinson and Braddick (2001) found â€Å"Infants of all ages in this experiment reached almost compulsively for objects presented to them. However, although 5-8’/2-month-old infants showed no preference when reaching to objects of different sizes, 8’/2-12-month-old infants showed a strong preference for smaller objects† (p. 568). â€Å"It is likely, therefore, that this effectShow MoreRelatedAffirmative Action Is Important For The Future Of The Diversified Generations Of America Essay1641 Words   |  7 PagesSpeech, he states â€Å"I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character† for this reason affirmative action in higher education admission should alter for it creates a perpetual racial preference in admission. Affirmative action is controversial due its issue of whether the generation of today should pay for the past injustices done to certain ethnicities. 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Management Organizational Changes Fector

Question: Discuss about the Management Organizational Changes Fector. Answer: Introduction Each and every organization needs to adopt the change in order to sustain in this competitive world. On the other hand, the role of HR manager is one of the critical factors that influence the impact of change on the organization. Besides that, Dubai Financial Market is one of the most reliable supermarket chains of the UAE. Various types of factors and approaches which involved managing change will be discussed in this report. Also, the impact of change on the employees and the stakeholders will also be explained in this paper through proper arguments and justification. Moreover, how the management of Dubai Financial Market manages change by implementing innovative idea and techniques that also is focused on this assessment. Apart from that, this report is based on the change management that will enhance the performance of Dubai Financial Market by improving the Human Resource Management. Also, the selection and recruitment system are the significant elements which influence a succe ssful change process. Internal and external factors for change management Today, business is moving fast, and change is needed to develop the business in a proper way. Change is needed in Dubai Financial Market to meet the new demands of the customers. Based on technology, a change that results from the adjustment of new technology is standard in most organizations. Change can lead to the development of economic and financial situation of the company. A strong economy of the company states that the organization will be engaged in recruiting new skilled staffs and employees (Alexeev, 2014). Moreover, a change also leads to competitive advantage. A change management has internal and external forces which are described below: External factors Competition- change is needed in the competitive landscape like mergers and acquisition, offering of new products, bankruptcies and so on. These changes impact the operation and strategy of Dubai Financial Market (Call for Papers: Journal of Change Management, 2015). Technology- The technological changes are a constant threat and it embraces new technologies ahead of the competition needs flexibility. If Dubai Financial Market can implement a unique technology, then they can achieve future objectives. New Laws and practices Several researches and theories say that newly created and identified laws could dramatically change the way in which operations are conducted in the organisation. For example, nowadays companies have to spare certain percentage of their profit to contribute in the field of social responsibility and environment sustainability. Failing to keep in pace with new legislations may affect the companys reputation. Globalization Globalisation is one of the factors which majorly affect the organisation. With an advent of globalization, an organisation needs to adopt the global product, services, culture, people, and religion locally (boundless.com, 2016). Internal factors Change in Management- A management change includes new CEO which impact on corporate strategy and culture. The management change also includes identification of risk associated with the business (Change management, 2007). Restructuring the organization- Organizational restructuring is an internal factor for change management. The development of new strategy or modifying the existing one helps to grow the business. Besides, training is needed during change management. Intrapreneurship When we talk about internal factors which drive change in an organisation, the Intrapreneurship cant be missed out. Irrespective of the external ideas and changes in the environment, there are possibilities where new creative opinions arise within the wall of organisation. People within the company can carry different thoughts and ideas to change the existing system and that needs certain internal reconsideration. Impact of change management on the organization A modification of an organization affects the company positively or negatively. Change can lead to the employee turnover. Some of the employees of Dubai Financial Market may not like the change and wants to leave the company. At that time, new employees are hired. If the change is technological change, the hiring of new skilled employees benefits the company. After the change, the company can respond faster to the demands of the customer (Fernndez-Prez, Fuentes-Fuentes and Bojica, 2012). It also helps to align the existing resources within the enterprise. Besides that, an effective change in a particular business reduces the risk connected with the firm. It also helps in managing the cost of change. Three ways by which change management impact on the organization: Communication- New channels of communication are opened after a change management. After the modification, Dubai Financial Market should improve the communication process or modify them so that they can deal with the customer appropriately. Coping with change- Both the organizations and the employees need to address the modification. The effectiveness and efficiency of Dubai Financial Market are maintained by acknowledging the concerns of employees (Newton, 2010). The coping process increases trust and confidence among the workers of Dubai Financial Market. Capturing learning After the change, the existing members of the company needs to capture fast the new rules and regulation of the enterprise. The rapid learning technique made an average employee and experienced one (Greener and Hughes, 2006). More knowledge will lead to an increase of more experience level. Role of approaches with a process of the change management There are various types of approaches are engaged in the process of change management implementation. One of the major approaches is selection process of efficient HR manager, active communication system, and employee retention. Each and every factor are related to employee performance, organization structure and culture. In other sense, the recruitment process that is in use within the organization and influenced by three major approaches such as communicate with candidate deeply, analyse the knowledge of candidate and determining decision-making sense in the difficult situation. On the other hand, the management of Dubai Financial Market needs to focus on the Human Resource department and appoint efficient HR managers who eligible to recruit appropriate employees for the organization. In other sense, the HR managers should strictly conduct the interview process and analyze the ability of the candidates (Newton, 2010). First of all, HR managers should provide the laptop to display i ndividual projects of the candidates. Besides that, with the help of the internet, the HR managers can identify and justify the personal details of the candidates through accessing various resources. In other words, the management should provide effective training to each and employees who get selected by the HRM of Dubai Financial Market. Behavioural response of change inside the organization After a change takes place in an organization, a change in the behaviour of the employees is observed. Some of the employees fear the unknown, and they get worried about the change. As a result, there are three behavioural responses in the organization to those who are interested in participating in the change management. They enrol themselves in the modification. They get training on adapting the new situation of the company. The individuals devote their energy and time to the particular moment. The individuals accept and face the challenges which arise during a change procedure. Besides that many employees could not properly adopt changes which recently occur in the organization. As a result, the managers have to pay additional time to rearrange the activities of the employees. In addition, the behaviour of employees becomes violent when the authority declares the notice of required training for change management (Fernndez-Prez, Fuentes-Fuentes and Bojica, 2012). Moreover, the resp onse of HR manager will become mature and he/she helps the employees to adopt change in the organization. On the other hand, efficient and intelligent employees started to behave more obediently with the management for promotion through employee performance. Model for change management Let us now discuss the several models for change management. These models will demonstrate how the change can be cultivated and managed within the organisation with minimum opposition. The report will study three change management models which are given by Lewin, Kotter, and McKinsey (Normandin, 2012). The first model is Lewins model where there are three stages: Un-freeze, transition and refreeze the moment. Here, first we would motivate people to change their perspective, convince them for a change and then implement the change in the organisation. The second model is about 7 S Mckinsey model which says that change is the integral part of any organisation when it expands its business in new demographics or places. It has to identify the possible opportunities and threats in order to avoid the uncertainty. It covers seven aspects of the system Shared values, Strategy, Structure, Systems, Style, Staff, Skill. The third model is about Kotters change model where the author emphasis on the need for change in an organisation. It follows the seven step process to execute the change at the workplace. It is a little bit lengthy process to follow all seven steps which are Increase the urgency for change, Build a team dedicated to change, Create the vision for change, Communicate the need for change, Empower staff with the ability to change, Create short term goals, Stay persistent, Make the change permanent. Implement Lewins model for managing change in an organisation Out of the three, Lewins model is broadly utilized by many of organisation in todays corporate world and I would like to implement this model in my organisation. Unfreeze It is observed that people resist the change strongly. So in order to make the change process smooth, we need to motivate people by explaining the benefits of change in their work life and career. It will help us to unfreeze the moment. And then we can go to transition stage. Transition When we unfreeze the resistance, it means that the change has originated. The employees will move towards the transition phase and change the direction of thoughts. This stage will last for some time and here employees can be led as per the leadership command and opinions. Refreeze Once the transition stage is complete, it means that change has been acknowledged approved by the organisation. Now the organisation will be stable again and the change will be executed successfully. Role of Human Resource Management to support the change management There is a significant role of Human Resource Management in the organization. With the help of some ways, the HR can support the change management. The management is an organ which is used in multipurpose. It manages the HR manager; it administers the employee, and it also controls the organization. So to run the organization in a right way, the HR manager needs to support the every employee in the organization. In other words, HR manager should recruit such employees who are eligible for that process. They should have different abilities about different works. As if when any changes will come in the organization; they can solve this by applying their intelligence. On the other hand, the HR manager has to be professionally friendly to improve their contribution to work. He or she also has to make a favourable environment by implementing some technology. The HR has to improve the training process through providing proper technology about the organization and has to make a good workpla ce. The HR should give the feedback to the employee and receive the feedback from the employee. For that, the employee will be updated about the current position of the organization and can easily handle any problem correctly and meet the challenges. Besides that, the HR has to help all the employees about their job. HR has to understand their requirement and motivate them in the job by fulfilling this at the time. Then they will be more motivated to accomplish their job (Bojica, 2012). The development of the organization depends on the proper management and HR needs to manage every employee in a perfect way. By all together, the HR manager plays a unique role to influence the support of individuals during the change. Conclusion This paper clearly notifies the significance of change management which seriously improve the organizational performance. The management of the Dubai Financial Market needs to focus on their old employees and training process. Besides that, the management should recruit more efficient trainer who able to provide effective training to all newly appointed employees. In addition, the HR manager should observe the activity of trainer and report to the higher authority of the Dubai Financial Market. Moreover, in order to implement a successful change management, Dubai Financial Market needs to rectify above mentioned internal and external factors which critically influence the change. References Alexeev, D. (2014). Russian Politics in Times of Change: Internal and External Factors of Transformation.Connections: The Quarterly Journal, 14(1), pp.105-120. boundless.com. (2016, May 31). Inside and Outside Forces for Organizational Change. Retrieved March 2017, from https://www.boundless.com/ Call for Papers: Journal of Change Management. (2015).Journal of Change Management, 15(3), pp.253-255. Change management. (2007). 1st ed. Oxford: Pergamon Flexible Learning. Fernndez-Prez, V., Fuentes-Fuentes, M. and Bojica, A. (2012). Strategic flexibility and change: The impact of social networks.Journal of Management Organization, 18(01), pp.2-15. Greener, T. and Hughes, M. (2006). Managing change before change management.Strategic Change, 15(4), pp.205-212. Newton, R. (2010).Change management. 1st ed. Harlow: Financial Times Prentice Hall. Normandin, B. (2012, August 28). Three Types of Change Management Models. Retrieved March 2017, from https://www.quickbase.com: https://www.quickbase.com/blog/three-types-of-change-management-models

Internal Campaign Planning for Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities

Situation Analysis In Japan, there are more than seven million people with disabilities. Most of these people face discrimination when it comes to job recruitment due to the attitudes of most employers towards persons with disabilities. So as to address the situation, the government came up with the disabilities act. The key mandate of the act was to protect the employment rights of persons with disabilities.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Internal Campaign Planning for Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In complying with this act, our organization is strategizing on ways of implementing successful inclusion. This will require effective internal communication aimed at creating awareness among the employees and other relevant stakeholders. Internal communication Internal Communication refers to communication that takes place within an organization. In most organizat ions, internal communication is mostly between the management and the employees or between the management and other stakeholders. An effective campaign planning will require effective modes of internal communication so as to enhance dissemination and exchange of information in a more consistent and coordinated manner Benefits of Internal Communication First, internal communication enhances the experiences of the employees. Second, internal communications keep the employees informed and involved. Here, employees are kept informed on how to carry out their jobs, arising issues that may affect them and the priorities of the organization. Employees are also informed on emerging policies and procedures. Third, internal communication improves the coordination of communication activities and sharing of best practice. Finally, internal communication enables an organization to deliver its priorities to citizens, partners and other stakeholders. The Key Internal Communication Planning (ICP) S teps The size of the organization will largely impact how we plan for internal communication. For instance, if the organization is small, a branch manager can solely draft an internal communication strategy especially if the elements of internal communication are his minors.Advertising Looking for critical writing on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Alternatively, the manager can consult with the staff in making decisions. On the other hand, internal communication includes more players in larger organizations. Such players may include senior executives and human resource managers among others. However, the general ICP process consists of eight steps. These steps include: identifying the culture wanted, identifying the communication tools that are available, determining the tools suited attainment of the vision, describing how each tool will be used, planning for remediation, planning for implementation, a ctual implementation, and monitoring and evaluation. Identifying the Culture Wanted The culture we seek to create should promote the realization of the organization’s vision. In the case of our organization, our vision is to attain full inclusion of persons with disabilities in the organization. Thus we need to come up with values, principles and procedures that will bring this vision to life. Identifying Communication Tools that are Available Since internal communication is a broad area, we need to identify the most effective means of creating the corporate culture that we desire. Some of the communication tools that are commonly used include: training, websites and internets, internal memos, newsletter, slogans, brochures, manager to staff communication, team addresses, policies and procedures, management behavior that sends messages and staff to management forums. Determining the tools suited for attainment of the vision Here, the tools that are most suitable for attainmen t of the vision are selected. In our case, training, brochures, websites and internets, internal memos, newsletters, slogans, manager to staff communication, team addresses, policies and procedures are all suited for the attainment of our vision. Developing a description of how each tool will be used It is important for people in charge of the communication tools to be well informed on how their tools fit into the entire context. For instance, managers need to understand how to write internal memos that match to the goals of internal communication. A corporate newsletter editor also needs to be well informed so as to convey information that promotes the desired culture.Advertising We will write a custom critical writing sample on Internal Campaign Planning for Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Planning for remediation This means that people in the organization needs to be informed on how to c ommunicate. For instance, a corporate newsletter editor may need to learn what inclusion of persons with disabilities entails for him to be able to communicate effectively to the entire staff on this issue. This can be done by prior training. Plan for Implementation Planning for implementation requires that we know what we need to communicate and means of communicating it. Here, we can assign responsibilities to different members and dates for implementation process. Actual Implementation This will entail carrying out the actual plan so as to realize the desired culture or vision. Monitoring and Evaluation It is important that the effectiveness of the communication tools be assessed from time to time. This is because over time, some communication tools may become ineffective, thus requiring replacement. Annual surveys can be used to monitor progress. Case Analysis of Companies that have Achieved Inclusion These two companies have already attained successful inclusion in their compan ies. Thus, understanding their campaign strategies can be of much importance to our organization. Toshiba Company Toshiba Company began implementing inclusion in the year 2007. (Toshiba, 2011).The main campaign strategies that Toshiba used to attain inclusion were: education and training, newsletters and brochures. Toshiba (2011) highlights some of the activities that enhanced employees’ awareness of the importance of inclusion as: Education and Training for the Employees The company recruited experts who trained the employees on possible ways of supporting persons with disabilities at work place. The employees were also informed about the rights and limitations of persons with disabilities.Advertising Looking for critical writing on communications media? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Development of â€Å"Kirameki† Newsletter This newsletter was developed so as to raise awareness on the importance of diversity and inclusion. The newsletter which was also available in English translation used to be distributed to all employees. According to Toshiba (2011), over a hundred thousand copies of the newsletters used to be distributed to individual employees and group companies. The newsletter’s main purpose was to raise awareness on the importance of inclusion and respect for diversity (Toshiba, 2011). Brochure on Systems to Support Persons with Disabilities The company designed brochures concerning the need of supporting persons with disabilities at work place and distributed them to all employees. The brochures highlighted the limitations faced by persons with disabilities and demonstrated possible ways of supporting them at work place. This equipped the employees with the knowledge required in supporting inclusion of persons with disabilities at work pl ace. Adoption of Slogans Slogans such as â€Å"made for life† were used to campaign for inclusion of persons with disabilities in Japan. Ernst Young Company This company was able to successfully implement inclusion by building understanding among people and providing guidance on work habits among its employees (Ernst Young, 2011). To start with, the company created a group known as Ernst Young Accessibilities People Resource Network that provided guidance and raised awareness of work place issues that affected persons with disabilities (Ernst Young, 2011).This group also held many internal conferences aimed at discussing ways that the firm could support persons with disabilities. Secondly, the company created a group that was known as Abilities Network Championship. This group ensured that disabilities-awareness messages and educational materials were included in local meetings (Ernst Young, 2011). Finally, the company created an assistance program known as Network for P arents of Children with Special Health Care Needs. This program was aimed at ensuring that employees who have children with special needs were given fed with relevant information. Conclusions and Decisions Since inclusion of persons with disabilities is likely to cause anxiety, campaign planning is immensely important. So as to come up with an effective internal campaign strategy on inclusion, ICP is required. Considering that inclusion may take a long duration before it is fully experienced, it is important to take a long term approach to guide ICP. For instance, we can take strategic ICP which is a long term approach as opposed to event based tactical communication planning which is usually short term. Before commencing ICP, it is important that we bear in mind the kind of work place that is intended and the values, principles and procedures that need to be in place so as to attain the intended goals of the organization. Just like in any other strategic planning, we first need to come up with a vision for the organization followed by a well planned communication approach aimed at bringing the vision to reality. Next, it is important that we take a very broad approach to internal communication. This can be achieved by ensuring that we do not only formulate statement of principles and display them on notice boards but also consider the behavior of managers and other internal decisions. The behavior of managers and decisions made represent the real communication tools and if they are ignored, a conflicting situation will arise between the formal communications and the management actions and decisions. Thus, it is important that we come up with a consistent and a comprehensive approach to internal communication. In addition, since Ernst Young and Toshiba companies have achieved successful inclusion, we can adapt some of the communication tools and strategies that they used in their campaign. These include: use of education and training, newsletters, brochures, slogans and networks. The networks should be aimed at promoting inclusion by building understanding. To start with, education and training can be carried out by recruiting experts to train the employees on possible ways of supporting persons with disabilities and the rights and limitations of persons with disabilities. Secondly, newsletters can be developed so as to raise awareness on the importance of diversity and inclusion. The newsletters should also be available in English translation so as to cater for diversity. Individuals and group companies should be given copies of these newsletters. The newsletter’s main purpose should be to raise awareness on the importance of inclusion and respect for diversity (Toshiba, 2011). Consequently, the company can design brochures that explain the need for supporting persons with disabilities. The brochures can then be distributed to the employees. Finally, relevant slogans that relate to inclusion can be formulated so as to raise awar eness. References Bottom of Form Ernst Young (2011). Bringing people together. Retrieved from https://www.ey.com/en_gl/who-we-are Toshiba (2011). Corporate social responsibility: respect for diversity. Retrieved from http://www.toshiba.co.jp/csr/en/index.htm This critical writing on Internal Campaign Planning for Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities was written and submitted by user Madeleine U. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

LM Company Strategic Plan

LM Company Strategic Plan Abstract The market, which any organization serves, is dynamic in nature. This is mainly attributed to changes in the environment in which the organization is existent. The various environments which affect organizations include: Political, Economic, Social, Technological and Environmental.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on LM Company Strategic Plan specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Constant monitoring and evaluation of these environments should therefore be carried out to track any changes that may occur and undertake appropriate measures. These issues should be addressed with immediate effect as failure to do so may cause dire consequences for the organization. This paper will therefore focus on these issues in one fruit producing company, LM as well as a functional strategic plan that will steer the organization in the right direction. Introduction LM is a fruit producing company that has been in business for th e last ­ 20 years. Overtime, the company has reported robust growth over the last few decades which has mainly been attributed to the rapidly changing consumer lifestyle trends. The current health campaign witnessed all over the country has increased demand in fresh fruit and vegetable products. LM has gone out of its way to make sure it meets these needs in a bid to satisfy the customer. As a result of this intervention, the organization has been catapulted to higher levels leading to increased profit margins. The industry has also witnessed entry of new businesses aiming to cut a niche in the rapidly growing market. This has prompted the company to review and adjust its plan in order to position it in such a manner that it will continue surviving and thriving in the market. As a result of the new developments, the organization’s strategic plan will ensure that it addresses these challenges appropriately as well as provide a roadmap for the organization for the next five y ears. Organizational profile The combined produce industry is one that has seen tremendous growth over the last decades as a result of a shift in lifestyle trends with most consumers advocating for fresh fruits and vegetables. LM is one of the companies that identified this market gap and as a result decided to exploit this opportunity. The next 55 years is nothing but a tells of these products include fruits such as apples and cherries and vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, onions and the like. Customer support LM emphasizes on providing customer support and this is evidenced in the 24 Care centre that offers assistance to customers, addressing their queries. This is also proven by providing full support in the supply chain as it deals with the entire process, starting from farming, packing, logistics and finally to sales. The LM family LM treats every employee, customers and suppliers as family. This helps foster a sense of belonging and association hence nurtures l oyalty. It has a diverse network of growers situated in different states and even countries all having good values and work ethic. Although they may differ in age, language or gender, all are united by one fact, their passion for farming. They are all recognized as part of the LM family. This network ensures that supply of products is constant and subdues any demand eventualities hence guaranteeing fresh quality produce to our customers. Leadership LM success would not have been possible without the dedicated workforce that has made LM be what it is now. The leadership and vision of the management team, starting from the founder and chairman, Joe McGee and President and CEO, John Oxford, down to the employee in the apple orchids, the growth of the company would not have been experienced. They their vast knowledge in the produce market have provided guidance and helped steer the organization in the right direction.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on LM Com pany Strategic Plan specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Strategic plan According to May, a strategic plan is a firm’s roadmap that details direction that â€Å"guides an organization to achieve its set objectives† (25). Strategic planning, according to Steiner, is an â€Å"organization’s process of defining its strategy or direction and making decisions on allocating resources to pursue this strategy† (16). It seeks to answer the following questions: What do we do? How do we excel? Where do we see ourselves in the future from now? New entrants in the produce market have prompted the need to develop a strategic plan that would steer the organization in the right direction. This will help ensure the organization remains relevant and successful in a competitive environment. The LM strategic plan will therefore provide focus for the organization and also ensure proper utilization of available resources, embracing new t echnologies that would increase production, and embrace relevant technologies that would improve the quality of produce and most importantly, provide alternatives for the development and growth of supplier alliances, retaining the current suppliers as well as attracting new and able suppliers for the constant supply of fresh produce. This will take LM to a new level to even compete in the global platform. IM 2013-2017 strategic plan The strategic plan is detailed to ensure that the organization adopt relevant strategies that will guide the organization in the right direction. It details the challenges that are currently being experienced by the company, provides strategic objectives that will guide the organization in the specified time and strategic goals that aim at achieving the identified objectives. LM external environment The external environment is comprised of the Political, Economic, Social, Technological and Environmental (PESTEL) aspects. However, the external environment is one that is beyond an organization’s control and therefore, the PESTEL analysis is a preventive measure. In the view of evaluating these environments in order to identify their relevance to the organization, a PESTEL analysis should be carried out. The variables that affect the company strategy as per the analysis are detailed below: Political aspect- Following efforts made by the government and other law makers in the industry following their endorsement of encouraging healthy eating habits, this has translated to improved business for the organization. Economic aspect- Throughout the years, rapid diversification of the market has been experienced. This has contributed to increase in food production. It has therefore led to development of strong competitive pressure in the industry that has not particularly favored the organization.Advertising Looking for term paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This, coupled with increasing prices of farm inputs that have led to increase in supplier prices as well as high inflation experienced in the market has compromised the strategic position of the organization in the market. This has prompted the need to come up with measures that will deal with these issues as provided by the 2013-2017 Strategic plan. Social aspect- Changing lifestyle trends, with most people opting for healthy food has seen the adoption of fresh produce as opposed to pre-packaged produce. Recent demographic surveys have also revealed increase in population growth rate hence increased demand for food products. This makes business better for the organization. Technological aspect- Technology is ever changing, aiming to simplify work done by human beings. The organization is on the receiving end with this one as it has not adopted advanced technology fully in its processes hence lead to lost or expensive business. Legal aspect- LM has a large aspect of external growers who are guided by contracts offered by the organization. There is need for stricter contract enforcement to ensure that produce are delivered well in their time schedules. Apart from the PESTEL analysis, a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis is also applicable, particularly in the Opportunities and Threats aspects. This analysis focuses on analyzing the opportunities that are available for the organization as well as the threats facing the organization in the market such as ready local and regional markets. The above variables will affect the organization in one way or another and contrary to this will place the business on the losing end. Proper undertaking of this analysis will provide guidance to the organization in ways of improving its undertakings. LM’s internal environment This environment is one that is within the organization’s control since it deals with internal aspects of the organization, therefore, a SWOT analysis is carried out. In accordance with the organization, the following strengths and weaknesses are exhibited. Strengths Dedicated workforce- The organization is fortunate to have hardworking and resilient employees as well as suppliers who enable the smooth running of the organization’s day to day operations. Diverse supplier networks- The organization has a diverse networking ranging from growers from different states to different countries. This ensures the constant supply of produce hence guaranteeing supply of products to customers. Stakeholder participation- Participation from government, customers, suppliers and creditors help establish the organization and ground it firmly amidst increasing competition pressure. Weaknesses Low adaptability of advanced technology- Advanced technology benefits organizations in the sense that it lowers production cost hence translating to lower wholesale and retail costs. It also positions the organization in the competitive market. Unfortunately, LM h as not been able to fully adopt new technology hence causing lost business opportunities. Increased competition- LM over the years has faced stiff competition from existing and new competitors. This has resulted to the loss of business for the organization. Therefore, in a bid to address this issue, the organization should adopt the competitive strategies for survival (Michael 233). LM resources LM most prized resource is human resource. This is because it manifests itself in the growers, who supply fresh produce to the organization, as well as employees who run the day-to-day operations of the organization. Other important resources are LM farms which help supplement the organization’s produce, as well as equipment which are used throughout the process. Capabilities The organization has the potential to grow beyond the current level. This is because once it adopts new technology, output will surely increase. It can also improve the sales levels by diversifying the product ba se by adopting products with established markets as well as those in high demand. Core competencies Close supplier relationship- The organization strives at maintaining close links with suppliers. This helps foster stable relationships that have present or future advantages. All operations therefore are carried out in good faith. A good working relationship with suppliers provides a base for good business on behalf of the organization. Employee loyalty- LM considers every employee as family. The feeling of belonging is important as makes individuals to feel wanted and valued hence do their best in their duties. Therefore, this means improved and efficient service. Strategic goals The objectives as detailed indicated below will provide guidance to the organization in the period specified, 2013-2017: Enhance competitiveness of the organization Embrace technology for improved productivity Improve effectiveness of the supply chain Expand product base Strategic Goal 1: Enhance competit iveness of the organization Due to the increased competition in the market, seeing the rise of new entrants and efforts made by the existing competitors, they have posed a threat to the organization. Therefore, in order to deal with this, the organization should incorporate Information and Technology systems in their processes. This will improve customer service hence improve their loyal relationship with the organization. Another way of achieving this goal is by undertaking proper market research. This will help establish gaps in the market that provide the organization with opportunity for improved business and improved product delivery that will satisfy changing customer needs. Researches will also assist the organization determine appropriate fruit products with wide profit margins and in high demand, that the organization can opt at producing for improved business (Philip 348). LM should also embrace value addition. According to Belkaoui, this is the process of improving the or iginal state of a product by â€Å"modifying it for its end use by the consumer† (40). The organization should invest in the appropriate technology to make this possible. This will improve the position of the organization in the market hence steer clear from competitors. Strategic Goal 2: Embrace technology for improved productivity Technology will go a long way in improving productivity. Recent systems that can be applicable for LM include the Enterprise Resource Systems, (ERP). According to Harwood, ERP is a set of integrated systems â€Å"operating in a business that control business functions more effectively and efficiently† (11). This will assist different departments within the organization to communicate, such as the finance department and the operations departments. Another technology that can be adopted is one that interconnects supplier networks sites to the organizations’ own. Therefore, in case there is a decrease in the levels of certain products i n the organization’s inventory, the supplier is promptly notified and therefore fills up the deficiency. This translates to improved business as there is constant supply of products. Strategic Goal 3: Improve effectiveness of the supply chain Proper monitoring of the Supply chain will seek to identify ways and means of reducing costs in the process. This will enable the organization save up and divert the money to other processes that really need it. The organization could also improve the participation of customers by involving them in the process. For instance, LM could adopt an online ordering system that will allow them place their orders electronically. The website should therefore be updated and made user friendly for easy navigation. Strategic Goal 4: Expand product base LM should look into other products in order to diversify their product line. This will translate to improved business. The organization should invest in research in a bid to identify suitable products it could adopt based on market demand and projected sales revenues. Conclusion Therefore, the organization should keep abreast of changing trends in the market and supplement them in the Strategic Plan. This plan should not be static but flexible in order to provide room for change based on the prevailing market trends or aspects affecting the organization. The organization during the planning process should take into consideration its financial position, it should also ensure it implements change effectively in areas where it is required for reception by employees. The organization should finally provide updated financial reports to assess whether it is in the right financial position to implement change. This will make the organization implement the strategic plan effectively. Belkaoui, Ahmed. Value added reporting: Lessons for the United States. Washington: McGraw-Hill Publishers, 1999. Print. Harwood, Samuel. ERP. New York: Sage Publishers, 2003. Print. May, Gary. Strategic pla nning: Fundamentals for small businesses. New York: Sage Publishers, 2010. Print. Philip, Sadler. Strategic management. London: Kogan Page Publishers, 2003. Print. Michael, Porter. On competition. New York: Joessey Publishers, 2008. Print. Steiner, George. Strategic planning. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishers, 2010. Print

Starting A Copywriting Business

Starting A Copywriting Business Starting A Copywriting Business Starting A Copywriting Business By Ali Hale This is a guest article by Andy MacDonald. Today companies are realizing that cleverly written copy can seriously affect the responsiveness to their ads and marketing collateral. Online and offline content has to be designed in a cleverly written manner to induce the reader to purchase the business’s products or services, or otherwise do what the advertiser wants them to do. If you have excellent writing skills and have copywriting experience, this could be the ideal business venture for you. To start this type of business, you would need excellent writing skills and past experience with writing creative advertising copy. So let’s take a look at a few key areas involved in starting your own copywriting business. Since you are providing a service that has no inventory, your initial costs will be minimal. You will have to pay for the design, development, and hosting of your Web site. You will have to invest in an appropriate computer, software and a printer. Other costs that you will incur are associated with promoting your copywriting service online and offline. The cost to start this type of business will generally range from $4,000 to $10,000. (Note from the editor: I believe you could start operating with even less, perhaps $100. Setup a domain name with a free and clean WordPress theme and you are ready to go.) If you were starting this venture a home-based business you could run the business single handedly for as long as is necessary; however if you wanted to start this as a full-time business all you would need to get going is one full time employee. If your business requests exceed what you’re capable of handling, you might consider hiring an additional employee as and when required. This business has strong international potential, and with the presence of the Internet, its the kind of business which can be run from anywhere in the world. If you were fluent in other languages you could even advertise for copywriting jobs in other countries. This of course depends on your level of knowledge with the foreign languages and cultures. It is important to remember that if you are writing copy for a company from another culture, you should understand the culture for which you are writing the copy. In many instances advertising firms have designed and implemented a marketing campaign before understanding what the culture was all about. This has resulted in offending millions of individuals with advertisements that offend the home country’s culture. If you decide to take on any international projects, make sure you do your research first before you write your advertising copy. One bad experience could seriously hinder the future of your copywriting business. With the internet playing an ever-increasingly role in everyday life, there are now many ways you can advertise and promote your new business on and offline. Here are a few tips on where you should be promoting this type of business. Participate in newsgroups and discussion forums related to marketing and advertising with a cleverly designed signature file. Participating in advertising and marketing-related mailing lists would enable you to display your expertise while directing traffic to your Web site. Develop links from as many advertising, marketing, and business-service-related Web sites, meta-indexes, and directories as possible. Use caution with your link trading strategies though! Participate in marketing related e-zines through contribution of appropriate articles that feature your expertise and knowledge of your craft. And finally, a few tips on where you could earn additional income with this type of business; you might want to consider offering graphic design services to your clients. Since this would complement your copywriting service, you would be able to develop extensive promotional pieces for your clients. Another option is to offer ghost-writing services, press release services, advertising copy, marketing copy and any number of other related topics. Copywriting is now big business both on and off the internet. Advertisers are increasingly looking to skilled copywriters to craft their promotional copy, trying to gain every edge over their competitor. A highly skilled copywriter can earn thousands of dollars per month if he has the time and skills to dedicate to such a venture. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Freelance Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:20 Words with More Than One SpellingDriver License vs. Driver’s LicenseDouble Possessive

Communication, Conflict and Decision-Making Essay

Communication, Conflict and Decision-Making - Essay Example At this juncture, we will acknowledge that communication meets some barriers, which hinders effective delivery of information to the intended parties. Unsuccessful communication results in conflict of opinions or ideas among the involved parties. In communication, conflict results when there is a dissonance or incompatibility of ideologies and beliefs held by the parties involved. Although conflict may results in both negative and positive consequences, this social dissonance may enhance maturity of social skills among the involved individuals. Conflict management entails employment of mechanisms that facilitate development of positive consequences from a social disagreement. Effective conflict management exercises enhance learning among members of a society on how to handle incompatible opinions in future. Conflict management incorporates the aspect of decision making in solving an underlying problem. A conflict ends after one or both parties involved select the best course of actio n from the available alternative courses of action (James, 2009). From a theoretical perspective, conflicts form an inherent element in social relationship. Within any given social setting, people subscribe to different beliefs and values in life. Therefore, conflicts arise in any society comprising of members with varied philosophical patterns (Erich, 2011). Courtesy of cultural norms, individuals possess natural mechanisms meant to facilitate conflict resolution processes whenever a conflict arises. Effective communication forms the basis of conflict resolution mechanisms. It is through a health conveyance of information between two parties that a conflict reaches a positive end (Stacks & Michael, 2008). I applied some theoretical elements of conflict resolution in past social experiences unknowingly. As a student, I usually fall into conflict situations with friends and

PESTLE Analysis Ford Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

PESTLE Analysis Ford - Lab Report Example The major product segment of the company includes cars, trucks and utility vehicles (Ford, 2013b). Ford cars are perceived as affordable as well as luxury cars in the market. The large product portfolio, including products such as Sedans, Hatchbacks and SUVs, cater to large group of customers. The company has differentiated itself from other automobile companies though its vision and understanding of the impact of culture on the automobile industry in future. In the present report, the current strategies and tactics implemented by the company are discussed and analyzed. A macro environmental analysis has been done to find out the present socio-cultural and environmental factors affecting United Kingdom and how the organization needs to make strategies in order to cope up with these situations. Methods and Reasons The company embraces all the traditional objectives which were given by its founder. However, looking at the current environment and continuously changing business and polit ical culture, the brand has also established many strategies to compliment with the change. Ford is the current leader in innovative cars (Ford, 2013c). Features concerned with safety, advanced technology and effort for energy and efficacy are important factors which influence the strategies of the company. Employees in the organization work together as a team and as a global and lean enterprise for leadership in automobile (Mistry, 2005). The company operates by aggressively structuring with the objective of profitable operations. The current demand for automotives is very volatile and the mix of models has to be constantly changed to meet the demands of the customers. The organization focuses on accelerating developments of those products and services which are valued by their customers. To remain profitable and well as growing, the company always makes sure that financial planning is appropriate and the balance sheet is continuously improving. The brand operates on the goals of p roviding profitable growth. The brand has its presence in over 30 countries and the company has taken all measures in providing exact requirements of the different market. Looking at the different market preferences, the company has specialized in providing personalized designs and models suiting the geographic and demographic profiles of the markets where the organization is operating. PESTLE Analysis Political Continuous growth in campaigning and elections has widened the political environment in the United Kingdom. Presence of small clusters of specialty groups makes it extremely difficult for a large organization to concentrate on one political group. Factors such as exchange rates, oil prices and free trade flows have a direct impact on the functioning of automobile sector. In the present political scenario, volatility in oil prices due to various political unrest in Arab as well as major oil producing countries, have resulted in revamping of the strategies and budgeting by maj or automobile companies. Foreign regulations and laws and foreign ownership regulations may also impact the overall revenue generation of the company in the countries where it is operating. Economic Like the rest of the automobile companies, Ford motor has also suffered huge losses due to the current recession and volatile economic and business environment. The recession that occurred in 2008 was followed by downfall of the banking industry. However, Ford has been able to stay afloat and keep a profitable business during

What Are the Key Factors Which Lead to the Downfall of the Romanov Dynasty Essay Example for Free

What Are the Key Factors Which Lead to the Downfall of the Romanov Dynasty Essay 1917 saw the conclusion of the reign of the Romanov Dynasty, as well as the demise of Russia’s last monarch, Tsar Nicholas II. It is evident that the downfall of the Romanov Dynasty was directly linked to key factors such as the autocratic style of the Romanov dynasty and the nature of the social structure, as well as the evolving nation of Russia, as a result of industrialisation. The Romanov family was viewed by the people of Russia as leaders ‘sent from God’. However as the 20th century neared, this mystical admiration the public possessed for the royal family receded and was replaced by intellect. A growing sense of political and social awareness of the lower classes, as well as the introduction of democratic ideas from the West had sparked a change. The twentieth century saw the birth of new ideologies such as Leninism, Marxism, Liberalism and Socialism. These ideologies proposed new models of government techniques and questions the ruling of the Romanov Dynasty. Tsar Alexander II sensed the rising threat of terrorism threatening the Imperial family and more importantly the Dynasty’s autocratic rule. The responsibility of Russia was bestowed upon Nicholas II, son of Alexander II, based on the dynasty’s ritualistic practice of passing the throne to the Tsar’s eldest son or closest senior male relative. Nicholas II was reluctant to accept the responsibility of Russia, as well as its 126 subjects; however he acknowledged the burden of the crown as a spiritual experience destined by God. By the beginning of the 20th century, Russia had established itself as a vast empire, however in comparison to other countries; Russia was a ‘backward society’ with mostly undeveloped resources. At this time, Russia had established rigid class distinctions, with 88% of the population farming the countryside as serfs, whilst land and high government positions were owned by 5% of Russia’s population. In 1816, serfdom was abolished and peasants were free, however were required to pay compensation for land that they believed they already owned. Although agriculture remained the principle means of maintaining a livelihood for the lower class, peasants often struggled to live above starvation level, as they used inefficient farming techniques and had little land available to them. Those who struggled with agrarian lifestyles flocked to the cities, consequently causing a major increase in the urban population. As a result factory working conditions also suffered. Factory workers received low wages, at times only 25-30% of British workers, as well as long working hours, sometimes extending to 15 hour shifts. Workers were forced to endure these conditions, with little hope of assistance, as the Russian government had provided no means by which workers could express their grievances or dissatisfaction with their present conditions. The Tsar’s power was unlimited with no political party or constitution to inspect the Tsar’s ruling, as well as a secret police, known as the Ohkrana, which terrorised those threatening public order. ‘I shall uphold the principle of Autocracy as firmly and as undeviating as did my late father’ (Nicholas II, first proclamation, 29th January, 1895 source:Punch,9 February 1895 ) This proclamation illustrates Tsar Nicholas’s incentives to intimate his father Alexender II, by means of resisting modernisation and change, in the nation of Russia. Despite these obvious signs of corruption within the Tsar, the public, largely due to the coercive influence of the Russian Orthodox Church, continued to hold a mystical admiration for the Tsar and the royal family. However, while the myth of Tsar Nicholas or the public’s ‘little father’ retained some currency, the events of the years 1904 to 1905 disrupted this myth dramatically. In 1904, the government’s decision to go to war against Japan highlighted its weakness. The two countries had been competing for years over territory and influence in the Korean peninsula of Manchuria. Nicholas, along with most Russian’s believed that a brief encounter with Russia’s vast navy and army would be the solutions to their present conflicts with Japan. Nicholas was wrong. The war ended with the humiliation of Russian defeat, in August 1905. Confirmation of the Russian government and military weakness heightened discontent and fueled many reform movements. Meanwhile other incidences, such as the massacre or ‘Bloody Sunday’ on the 9th of January 1905, sparked political unrest in the capital of Russia. On this day a large crowd of people marched towards the Winter Palace, in St Petersburg, presenting a petition to the Tsar. The petition demanded a series of measures that would improve the position of those being exploited by their factory owners. â€Å"Don’t refuse to help your people, lead them out of the grave of disfranchisement, poverty and ignorance Tear down the wall between you and your people, and let them rule the country with you Look without anger at our requests, they are not intended for an evil but for a good cause, for both of us† (Petition of the Workers and Residents of St Petersburg for Submission to Nicholas II) This extract displays the continuing confidence in the Tsar and assurance that he will overcome his evil advisors and attend to the struggling lower classes. However this confidence in the Tsar was completely destroyed by the following event. Under command, troops, who were guarding the palace, opened fire on the crowd, killing 100 protestors and wounding almost 300. Although it is still unknown who directed the final orders, Nicholas’s absence from the protest, eroded the iconic image of the Tsar and the myth upon which the Tsarist system was sustained. Hostility towards the blood bath was generated from the lower proletarian classes and reverberated upwards throughout the empire. As a result nine months of strikes, peasant revolts and mutinies among the army and navy, followed. Workers began to form councils, known as soviets, where worker’s representatives would voice their grievances and political protest campaigns were fashioned. Under immense pressure from these disturbances, the Tsar was forced to make compromises to the demands of the people in order to preserve the support of the public. On the 17th of October, the Tsar introduced the October Manifesto. This granted the people of Russia the freedom of conscience, speech, meeting and association. The manifesto also promised the introduction of a Duma, or parliament, elected by universal suffrage. The design of the Duma was to provide the people of Russia with the power to create and approve laws. The intentional exclusion of the word ‘constitution’ ensured that the Tsar autocratic power remained unscathed. The Duma was the Tsar’s puppet; he could dismiss and announce the duma, personally choose and dismiss ministers and declare new laws unaided, at any time. The first two Duma’s lasted only a few months before they were later dissolved, by the Tsar. The third Duma survived as a result of an alteration in the electing process of representatives. Subsequently the Duma became dominated by land-owners and businessmen who were more conservative and ‘trustworthy’ elements to the Tsar. This alteration destroyed the sole purpose of Duma as it hindered all classes from expressing their opinions. Although evidence of reform in the government was present, the manifesto did not address current problems affecting the lower classes such as poverty, low wages and poor working and living conditions. The grievances of the lower classes remained unheard and the gap between the Tsar and his subjects widened. For these reasons recently legalised parties such as the Social Democrats and Socialists revolutionaries had a willing audience. By the end of July 1914, the revolutionary discontent echoed the events of 1905 revolution. When World War II commenced early August 1914, Russia was in no state for battle. Although intensified emotions of patriotism temporarily calmed civil disputes, the hardships of the war brutally hit the home front. Russia’s undeveloped economy struggled to sustain the war efforts and keep up with increased demands. By late 1914, dreams of a short successful battle were doubtful. In addition to previous hardships, concerns of high causality rates, inadequate medical care and shortages of resources, such as food, weaponry and ammunition were affecting the Russian front. In Mid 1915, Nicholas II, with the aim of improving Russia’s current stance in the war, accepted the position as Commander-in-Chief of the Russian forces. Nicholas II had few military skills and was surrounded by ministers who had been chosen by himself, therefore were also sufficiently inexperienced. Meanwhile, German-born Tsarina Alexandra was temporarily responsible for the home front whilst her husband was away. The Tsarina was greatly influenced by Grigori Rasputin, a Russian mystic who was praised by Alexandra for his fanatical abilities to help her haemophilic son, Alexi, the heir to the throne. Tsarina had little political ability and looked towards Rasputin for advice. Due to the nepotism within the royal family, Rasputin was able to quickly posses doctrinal powers and become a influential member of the Russian court. The influence Rasputin had on the royal family as well as the scandalous relationship assumed to be between Alexandra and Rasputin discredited the Tsarist government. These scandals affected the way the public viewed the royal family and supported the idea that the royal family was easily dominated by religious mystics. By late 1916, discontent within Russia had reached crisis point. The duma and the majority of Russia’s upper class no longer supported the Tsar. The Tsar had lost his authority in the eyes of the public. By 25th of January 1917, St Petersburg, the capital of Russia, was at a standstill. Numerous factories were shut, shops closed, public transport ceased to run and radical political leadership seemed to be using all possible means of protest. Unlike 1905, troops did not restrain the strikes; some even rebelled and joined the workers. Tsarist authority had vanished. On the 2nd of March 1917, Nicholas II abdicated and within a few hours, the Grand Duke, Nicholas II’s brother, refused the responsibility of the throne. This was the definitive end to the Romanov Dynasty. In conclusion, although the Tsar’s character had great effect on the downfall of the Romanov Dynasty, it was ultimately the fault of Romanov dynasty’s ineffective style of government. As Russia became more industrialised, larger, and far more complicated, the inadequacies of autocratic Tsarist rule became increasingly apparent. Ritualistic beliefs such as the nepotistic process by which successive monarchs were selected, was unsuitable in an ever evolving world desperate for change and development. The Romanov Dynasty’s Autocratic approach to leadership had been successful for the previous three centuries, however as the twentieth century approached, the need for social and political reform advanced with it. For this reason, Nicholas II, was a victim of a time warp, where despite his best efforts to maintain authority of the autocratic crown, was forced to abandon inherited methods of leadership. He was trapped in a modernising world with outdated beliefs and traditions. Nevertheless, to a minor extent Tsar Nicholas was responsible for his own demise as he was aware of the changes occurring within the nation, however he didn’t not administer the needs and wants of his subjects.

Bipolar Disorder Essay examples -- Causes of Bipolar Disorder

In life we all go through experiences that cause our moods to change for better or for worse. There are times that we experience degrees of great joy and happiness just as other times we experience great sadness and despair. These polar emotional opposites can be brought about by a cornucopia of circumstances such as the joy and excitement of getting married or the birth of a child to the deep sadness and grief over the loss of a loved one or one’s employment. Feelings of joy and feelings of sadness are normal parts of human life. Some however are unfortunate enough to be force to cope with these emotions to the extreme and on a regular basis. Some individuals must further cope with an ever present emotion rollercoaster, switching from one emotional extreme to the next with regularity. This personality disorder is known as bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is the condition in which one’s mood switches from periods of extreme highs known as manias to periods of extreme lows known as depression. The name bipolar comes from the root words bi (meaning two) and polar (meaning opposite) (Peacock, 2000). Though often bipolar disorder is developed in a person’s late teens to early adulthood; bipolar disorder’s early symptoms can sometimes be found in young children or may develop later on in life (National Institutes of, 2008). Bipolar disorder has been found to affect both men and women equally. Currently the exact cause of bipolar disorder is not yet known, however it has been found to occur most often in the relatives of people diagnosed with bipolar disorder (National Center for, 2010). Individuals with bipolar disorder typically experience unusual extremes of happy and sad emotions compared to those without bipolar disor... ...otechnology Information. (2015). Bipolar disorder, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Web. 21 July 2015. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001924 †¢ NIH, National Center for Biotechnology Information. (2015). Cyclothymic Disorder, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Web. 22 July 2015. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002517 †¢ Russ Federman Ph.D., (Feb 13, 2014). "Misdiagnosis of Bipolar Disorder". psychologytoday.com Web. 15 July 2015. https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/bipolar-you/201402/misdiagnosis-bipolar-disorder †¢ Abraham, R.A. (2015, February 25). â€Å"Causes of bipolar disorder†. webmd.com Web. 28 June 2015. http://www.webmd.com/bipolar-disorder/guide/bipolar-disorder-causes †¢ Frans, E.M. (2008). Advancing Paternal Age and Bipolar Disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry, 65(9), Web. 19 July 2015. http://archpsyc.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=210144

Dansk Minox Case Study Essay

Introduction My name is Kevin Chen and I am a senior consultant of the Boston Consulting firm. Per the request of the A/S Dansk Minox, a food products manufacturer, I am preparing this analysis to identify the existing problems within the business of A/S Dansk Minox and provide possible recommendations. As a consultant, I will present the analysis without bias and for the best benefits of A/S Dansk Minox. In the following analysis, I am going to answer the following question: Should A/S Dansk Minox bring the new product, complete meal, to the market?Company backgroundThis case is set in Denmark in 1967 when the â€Å"boom† in consumer food products was just beginning more working mothers, more disposable income, more choices in convenience food products. A/S Dansk Minox, a company in Denmark, specializes in manufacturing a variety of vacuum-packed meat and other products. DM has about 30 products and has a great position and brand in the market. A/S Dansk Minox provides the vacuum packed products and consumers combine the vacuum packed packages along with the homemade salad for their meal. Through consumer research, A/S Dansk Minox recently identifies that there is a huge market potential for vacuum packed complete meals. The meal contains a standard â€Å"sliced pork in gravy†, the product that A/S Dansk Minox is making, with 550 grams of red cabbage salad. Vacuum PackingVacuum Packing is a storage method that preserves variety of food. For example, pork, beef or vegetables. If properly refrigerated or frozen, vacuum packaging works well in keeping the food fresh for longer periods. The plastic bags are usually used to vacuum packaged. The air is removed creating a vacuum in the bag and the food is left in the bag. In order to maintain vacuum, the bag is sealed. By the researches from Fante’s Kitchen Wares Shop, there are a lot of benefits for vacuum packing:1. Longer storage life of foods. According to researches, foods maintain their freshness and flavor 3-5 times longer than with conventional storage methods, because they don’t come in contact with oxygen. Due to the elimination of air to absorb the moisture from the food, vacuum packing prevents dry out of moist foods,Because bacteria mold and yeast cannot grow in a environment without oxygen, foods maintain their original appearance. Insect infestation is eliminated because there’s no oxygen coming in the bag. The production process of vacuum-packed products can be illustrated by the flow chart 1) attached in appendix. Business environment:The current business environment that A/S Dansk Minox operates in can be analyzed as follows. Threat of New Entrants and Barriers to EntryAs the customer research done by A/S Dansk Minox revealed, there is still market opportunity for the vacuum packed products. In order to produce vacuum packed products, for example pork, vegetables, it is necessary for companies to purchase the production equipments for the procedure of vacuum packing, meat cutting, sorting and packaging. It is crucial to purchase the machines that reduce production time and cost, increase efficiency. Therefore, in order to enter into this market, the initial capital investment in purchasing equipment could be substantial and it creates barriers to entry. However, the equipments are relatively easy to operate, so the training cost and time to the workers could be minimal. Moreover, the food product manufacturing industry is not technology intensive and the equipment could be purchased in many distributors, this factor in turn makes the new entry easier. Also, once the initial machines purchased, it is relatively easy to introduce new product lines. Intensity of Rivalry Among CompetitorsThere are a number of vacuum-packed cooked products manufacturers also in the business. Certain competitors of A/S Dansk Minox are expanding aggressively and had already introduce the red  cabbage salad in vaccum-packed, canned or frozen form. There is low differentiation among competitors and price is the key factor in this particular industry. Due to the high initial investment, the potential exit barriers could be high in this diverse competitive industry. Product SubstitutesFor this particular product of vacuum-packed red cabbage salad, the Danish housewives very often make it on their own. Therefore, the family could choose make the salad or buy it from A/S Dansk Minox. The switching costs are fairly low and the family could have a choice of buying the products from other manufacturers if the price and quality match their standard. In term of food storing methods, the red cabbage salad could be in the canned or frozen form as well. They are the substitutes depend on the family’s preference and evaluation of price and quality. SuppliersThe suppliers of A/S Dansk Minox are the vendors that provide raw material of pork, cabbage and other possible material for the process of packaging. Since pork and cabbage are consumption goods, the price is affected by the demand and supply of the material. Luckily for A/S Dansk Minox, the suppliers will not have huge bargaining power since the material of pork and cabbage is wildly available in the market and the supply chain is considered to be relatively stable. BuyersSince the pork and salad are very popular food in Denmark, so the potential buyers of the product could be anyone in the country. Since people now have more disposable income to spend on food products, also the vacuum-packed products like pork and cabbage are wildly considered as more convenient products,More specifically, the women in the work force, working mothers, represent the increasing portion of the buyers. Since this salad is quite time-consuming to prepare at home, the working mother prefer to purchase pre-prepared vacuum-packed products. The complete meal products are the perfect products for them. Company Strategy:The strategy of the A/S Dansk Minox is Cost leader. A/S  Dansk Minox is operating in a large market and the potential customers could be any family in the country. The demand of vacuum packed product by is highly elastic, which means the demand of the products are highly influenced by the price. In order to maintain a competitive price and compete with the competitors, A/S Dansk Minox produces the products massively. Strength:Biggest strength of the organization is the brand loyalty that already exists. Having 30 products in the market, A/S Dansk Minox is wildly recognized by the consumers and is a trusted name. Once the new products introduced, it could enjoy the benefits of being a line of the company. Opportunity:By conducting a consumer research, A/S Dansk Minox recently identifies that there is a huge opportunity for vacuum packed complete meals, even the competitors already introduce the ready-made red cabbage salad to the market. The opportunity came from the facts that the disposable income of people increases, resulting in more spending on food products. More and more people prefer convenient food to making it by themselves. In addition, the ready-made combo of â€Å"complete meal† is especially to working mothers, who want to reduce their time on the time-consuming salad dish. The percentage of working mother in the work force is expecting to increase in the future, reflecting the great opportunity of introducing the new complete set product. The major problem that A/S Dansk Minox facing now is: Should A/S Dansk Minox bring the new product, complete meal, to the market? If yes, then how much the unit price should be?The price is uncertain due to the cost allocation problem raise by the new product, leading to long discussions between the marketing and finance departments. Company identifies the cost driver as ‘per kilogram’ of material and the new product price at D.Cr 8.20 is proposed by finance department. Marketing department suggests that the cost driver ignores the price of cabbage is way cheaper than pork, however allocating a similar overhead cost. Hence they proposed a price of D.Cr 6.85 for the combo pack. In order to find the solution for the problem above, I will examine the  following three alternatives:Summary of alternativesABCStatus Quo: Not introduce the â€Å"complete meal product†; abandon the new projectIntroduce the â€Å"complete meal product† at a consumer price of D.Cr. 6.85Introduce the â€Å"complete meal product† at a consumer price of D.Cr. 8.20Alternative A: Status QuoAlternative A is to abandon the new project of New Pack – not to introduce the â€Å"complete meal product†. As the new product will not be introduced, it will generate no additional profit to the company, i.e. the profit in 1966 will be the net profit without the introduction of the new product. Consequently, the pricing arguments between the marketing and finance departments of the Danish company will no longer exist. In addition, since the new product is not introduced into the market, the customers of the standard pack will stay with the products. Accordingly, th e sales of the old product will continue to rise in response to the increase in the market demand. Alternative A: Not introduce the â€Å"complete meal product† New PackSales:0Total variable costs0Allocated fixed costs0Profit0Alternative B: Introduce at a consumer price of D.Cr. 6.85Since there was spare capacity available for the production of the new â€Å"complete meal† product, the total amount of the fixed costs will not change due to the proposed production of the new product. Also because these fixed expenses are costs that have already been incurred and that cannot be recovered, they are considered as sunk costs. In business decision-making such as the decision to add or drop a product or service, only incremental costs (variable costs) are relevant to a decision. Therefore, the full costing method (the standard cost accounting) – the attempt to allocate the company’s fixed costs to the different products produced during a certain period of time, is not appropriate for this type of management decision making. The proper approach to support decision making to improve a company’s profitability is a contribution analysis:Revenue – Variable Costs = Contribution Margin per unit(Contribution Margin per unit x total units produced) – Total Fixed Costs = Incremental Profit/LossAs a result, the company’s profit in 1966 will be increased by $99,450 (See Table 1 for detail) if the new product is introduced at a consumer price of D.Cr. 6.85. Compared to Alternative A, A/S Dansk Minox is better off by the increase of $99,450 in profit. In the event that the company is not capable to produce 85 tons of new products, the profit increased above will not be achieved. From the table shown below, in order to achieve the profit by selling 30 tons new products at D. Cr 8.20, we need to at least sell 52 tons of new product at D. Cr 6.85. Contribution Margin for a consumer price of D.Cr. 6.85 x Minimum sales volume= incremental profit for introducing the product at a consumer price of D.Cr. 8.201.17X = 60,900 *X = 52,051* see alternative C for detailLong term decisionHowever, the contribution analysis is primarily useful for short-term decision-making. For the long-term purpose, the company still needs the full costing analysis to calculate the profit of each product. Within company’s capacity, the production Fixed Expense for the new â€Å"complete meal† will be the same as existing products as D.Cr. 0.54 per kilo. All other overhead will be the same as the existing product as well. In the event of exceed capacity, need to allocate additional Production Fixed Expenses. in order to get the correct number of profitability, A/S Dansk Minox needs to find an appropriate cost driver to allocate the production fixed expenses. As indicated by the marketing department, the total sales quantity (expressed in kilograms) may not be a proper way to allocate the fixed costs. A/S Dansk Minox could consider using the selling price of product as the allocation basis, since the consumer price is more relevant to the fixed overhead and better matching expense with profit. Therefore, from the following table, we proportional apply the Production Fixed Expense:new packStd.Pack6.854.85X0.54X=0.76Therefore, in the long run, 0.76 production fixed expense should be allocated to 1 Kg of â€Å"complete meal†. Please note that we assume selling price at D.Cr. 6.85. In the case of retail selling price as D.Cr. 6.85 and with an allocation of D.Cr. 1.20 for production fixed expenses, the total unit cost will be D.Cr. 5.22. Alternative C: Introduce at a consumer price of D.Cr. 8.20In spite of the marketing department’s arguments, company could decide to set the price at D.Cr. 8.20 so that the full fixed expense could be covered. In this case, the uncertainty of allocating fixed overhead is eliminated and the company ensure that the new product is making profit. However, the selling price is too high for the customer in turn decreases the competitiveness of the product. Therefore, the product could be sold at a lower volume than it is budgeted. In the following, we reasonably assume that the sales volume drop to 30 tons when the price is at D.Cr. 8.20. Please see table 2 at appendix for detail. The profit in 1966 will be increased by $60,900. Compared to Alternative A, A/S Dansk Minox is better off by the increase of $60,900 in profit. ConclusionsIn order to better evaluate and compare all the qualitative and quantitative alternatives we analyzed above, we need to take into consideration of certain key decision-making criteria:1.Improve profitability (measured by contribution analysis, short-term decision making)Increase profitability and improve shareholder equity is the primary goal of a company. By improving profit, the company’s cash flow is possibly increased, so that company’s ability of meeting liability is enhanced. In the event of possible investing opportunity arises, the company will be financially flexible enough to take it. 2.Consistent with the corporate strategyThe alternative we take should be consistent with the strategy of the company, so that the action will be towards the company goal and will be sustainable. 3.Lost of customers by the Standard PackTo better evaluate the alternatives, some important qualitative factors should be considered, potential lost of customer by standard pack resulting from the introduction of the new product is one of them. 4.Within capabilityAre the alternatives attainable? Or they are out of the capacity of the company and will not be able to achieve?The following table shows how we compare the different alternatives by applying these criteria:ABCStatus Quo: Not introduce the â€Å"complete meal product†; abandon  the new projectIntroduce the â€Å"complete meal product† at a consumer price of D.Cr. 6.85Introduce the â€Å"complete meal product† at a consumer price of D.Cr. 8.20Improve profitability using contribution analysis (short-term decision making) NoAssuming 85 tons of new products are sold at price of D.Cr 6.85, so the profibility will be improved by D.Cr. 99,450Assuming 30 tons of new products are sold at price of D.Cr 8.20, so the profibility will be improved by D.Cr. 60,900. Consistent with strategyN/AThe company’s strategy is cost leader, the price of D.Cr.6.85 is consistent with the company’s strategy and increase the competitiveness of the company.The company’s strategy is cost leader. the price of D.Cr.8.20 might be too high for certain customer, resulting in losing the competitiveness of the company. Lost of customers by the Standard PackNoIt is confirmed that there is still a great untapped potential for the new product so the customer will continue to buy both new and old products. Sales of standard pack will not be affected.Since there is still a great untapped potential for the new product so the customer will continue to buy both new and old products. Sales of standard pack will not be affected. Within capabilityN/AThere are spare capacity available for the company and the production will not exceed at this moment. If the new product keep increasing in the future, there is possibility of exceeding budgeted capacityThere are spare capacity available for the company and the production will not increase too much due to the high selling priceIn conclusion, by comparing the alternatives against the key decision-making criteria, alternative B, which introduces the â€Å"complete meal product† at a consumer price of D.Cr. 6.85 is the best option for A/S Dansk Minox. Since the main goal for A/S Dansk Minox is generating higher cash flow, improving profitability should be the primary criteria that we should consider in decision making. Alternative C improves profibility by D.Cr. 99,450, which is D.Cr 38,550 higher than alternative B and D.Cr 99,450 higher than alternative A. Moreover, alternative B is consistent with the company strategy. From the content that we demonstrated previously, the business strategy of the company is cost leader. A/S Dansk Minox produces the products massively in order to keep a low selling price and match with the competitors. Therefore, introducing the new product price at D.Cr. 6.85 does a better job in fitting in company’s strategy than the other alternatives. In addition, alternative B will not have huge impact to the existing products and it works within the capability of the company, comparing to other options. Recommendations A/S Dansk Minox is facing an exciting opportunity of introducing a new product line that could possibly increase the profit hugely. We highly recommend the company introduce the new â€Å"complete meal† at price of D.Cr. 6.85, also taking the following steps:1.Introduce the â€Å"complete meal† to the whole company and the public as soon as possible in order to let more people know about the new product. 2.Inform the production department and add the new product into production plan. Evaluate the difficulty of implementing the new product line. 3.Inform the marketing department. Ask for possible promotion theme and plan that could make the biggest sales impact. 4.Call retailers at each level of selling channel regarding the introduction of the new product. 5.after few months, conduct customer research in order to evaluate the success of the new product or possible commandsNot only alternative C is a solution that relatively easy to be implemented, it is also expected to generate highest cash flow to meet the company’s operating goal. By setting the price of new product at as low as D.Cr. 6.85, the demand of the product remains high and the company strategy of cost leader will be maintained. Introducing the new â€Å"complete meal† increase the competitiveness to utilize  the company’s strength and help company to survive in this highly competitive market. Appendices:Flow chart 1)Table 1Alternative B: introduce the â€Å"complete meal product† at a consumer price of D.Cr. 6.85New PackConsumer Price6.85Turnover Tax(0.76)Consumer Price Before Tax6.09Retailer’s Margin (1.31)Price to Retailer4.78Variable Costs:Material: Pork 1.67Labor: Pork 0.25Material: Cabbage 0.5Labor: Cabbage 0.25Packaging 0.26Transportation, Storage0.2Margins and Discounts to Wholesalers 0.38Sundry Variable Costs 0.1Total Variable Costs(3.61)Contribution Margin1.17Sales volume @ 85 tons 1x 85,000 kgIncremental Profit99,4501 Assume the actual sales volume of the â€Å"complete meal product† is the same as the sales budget when the â€Å"complete meal product† is introduced at a consumer price of D.Cr. 6.85. Table 2Alternative C: introduce the â€Å"complete meal product† at a consumer price of D.Cr. 8.20New PackConsumer Price8.20Turnover Tax(0.91)Consumer Price Before Tax7.29Retailer’s Margin (1.57)Price to Retailer5.72Variable Costs:Material: Pork 1.67Labor: Pork 0.25Material: Cabbage 0.5Labor: Cabbage 0.25Packaging 0.26Transportation, Storage0.2Margins and Discounts to Wholesalers 0.46Sundry Variable Costs 0.1Total Variable Costs(3.69)Contribution Margin2.03Sales volume @ 30 tons 1x 30,000 kgIncremental Profit60,9001 The actual sales volume of the â€Å"complete meal product† is 30 tons when the â€Å"complete meal product† is introduced at a consumer price of D.Cr. 8.20bibliographiesA/S Dansk Minox Gordon Shillinglaw, Columbia University ISBN 0-538-88967-5 to Accounting