Story of my life Essay Example

Story of my life Essay The Story of My Life Interesting enough, my life began on a Thursday night, on December 17, 1987 In Atlanta Georgia, where I was delivered at 9. Pm to my mother, Ruth Dye and father, Tony Jiffies. I was the second child for my father and the third for my mother. I Just didnt know anybody or where I would end up In life after that moment. As I grew up, my life changed at each milestone In a person life. I had a rough and very fun childhood. I remember playing outside with family and friends, eating around the dinner table with my family and sleeping with my grandmother until I was 15 years old. My life was filled with more great memories than the bad, even though lived in poverty stricken neighborhood. My grandmother never once, made it seem that way because she made sure we were fed, bathe and had clean clothes and shoes on our feet. Even though, neither my mother nor my father was in my life, when I was younger, my father decided to change that when I was 15 years old. He wanted me to be more than cousins that had three kids on their hips and one on the way. He told me, If you are ready to leave, you can go with me, right now. I was hesitant at first, but I decided this might be my chance to get out of the situation I was In. At that point, my grades had started slipping, I started not to go to school, but I know I TLD want that for myself. I took that leap of faith and I went with my dad and the rest Is still writing its story. We will write a custom essay sample on Story of my life specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Story of my life specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Story of my life specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer

Company Analysis

Company Analysis Executive summary Founded as a small company in 2008, Google has grown to be a major technology company operating in almost all countries around the globe. Like many global companies, Google management and major operations are based in Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View California.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Company Analysis Google specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Google is the leading world technology firm that aims at improving people’s information and attachment. The company’s aspiration is to improve the lives of multitude number of world inhabitants. To categorize information and make it helpful and easily reached in the globe is the mission of the company. The company’s website is the most acknowledged in the whole world. This is because of innovations in the advertisement and web search. Furthermore, the company conveys relevant cost-effective online advertisement to genera te income. It also provides other businesses with its Ad Words program to promote their products and services. Additionally, Google network uses Ad Sense program to provide relevant ads to improve user experience and to breed profits. It engages in public offering initially completed in August the year two thousand and four. The company overview The foundation of this company was long back in the year nineteen ninety-eight. The company is a major internet services provider both in United States and all over the world. It is based in Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View California. In the fiscal nineteen ninety-eight the company was fully incorporation in accordance to the California state company laws and regulations (Google, 2010). Another subsidiary of the company established later established in August the year two thousand was incorporated in the in the state of Delaware. Currently the company is found in many countries around the world.Advertising Looking for research pa per on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Google is a hi-tech company that upholds online website index contents for providers, advertisers, and users. It provides program advertisement based on auction known as Ad Words and Ad Sense. This enables liberation of ads through Google network websites. Programs like Google Display and Ad Word advertisers include interactive ads, images, texts, and videos. The company has Exchange Double Click Ad that is concurrent to public sale for trade of display ad space (Google, 2010). Furthermore, You Tube provides use to advertisers for ad formats, interactive, and videos. The company’s Google Mobile has optimized Google mobile phone application. These devices allow the advertiser to sprint campaign on ad search, download, and browse. Additionally, it has Google local to deliver information locally on the web. The company offers an open mobile source software platf orm and operating system that is Android and Google Chrome OS. It enables different individuals share a variety of ideas online using Google+, Web browsers, and Google Chrome. The company has also provided a podium for customers to exploit internet and TV on a solitary screen. Google Books employed by the company exhibits a place for consumption, searching, and discovering books printed online (Google, 2010). Moreover, the company supplies Google Applications such as Google site, Google translate, Google Calendars, Google Doc, and Gmail for device collaboration and computerizing obscured messages set. The company governance The company s committed to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance and business conduct according to the corporate governance guidelines (Google, 2011).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Company Analysis Google specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The company also believes t hat these guidelines are essential in running the business in an efficient manner and in serving its stakeholders as well as maintaining the integrity in the market place. Board of Directors currently manages this company (Google, 2011). Eric Schmidt is the Principal Executive Officer. He is the chairperson of the board of directors and chief executive officer. Patrick Pichette is the senior vice-president and chief finance officer (Principal Accounts and Finance Officer). Mr. Sergey Brin holds the position of director and president of technology. Subsequently, Larry Page is the director and president of products. Finally, Shirley Tilghman, Ram Shriram, Paul Otellini, John Hennessy, and John Doerr all serve as Directors. The directors’ responsibility is to oversee the day-to-day operations of the company. The directors run the company with the help of various committees including executive compensation committee (Google, 2011). In addition, shareholders make the company major decisions. The company shareholders are composed of the individual shareholders, institutional shareholders and the mutual fund owners. The company governance efficiency is evident in growth rewards. For instance, the company has experienced a substantial growth of major users, advertisers, and consumers reallocating to online from offline (Dwivedi, 2008). In addition, the company is experiencing rapid improvements in search technology. As a result, speedy deliverance of relevant search outcome and comprehensive index has expanded. Furthermore, speedy innovations have enabled the company to develop products including Place Search, Instant Previews, and Google Instant. Besides, aggressive venture into new businesses such as enterprise, cell phone, and display has led to faster growth of the company. A strategic investment in decisive products like Chrome OS, Chrome, and Android is evident in the past years.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This has followed the company’s philosophy of open platforms and infrastructure for the achievement of web users. Investment in technologies, services, products reflects the management focus on efficiency and customer satisfaction (Dwivedi, 2008). Ethics and Social responsibility Google has broad defined values that are shared by all the stakeholders particularly the employees and management. The central values are geared towards providing users with dispassionate access to information (Chaffey, 2007). In addition, the central values are designed in such a way that it helps the company to focus on the needs of customers and provide the best services or products. In essence, the company values are meant to abide by the legal requirements, industrial regulations and respect to the competitors (Chaffey, 2007). These common values form the basis in which the company formulated its code of conduct. The approach of the company is to have a code of conduct that fosters highest stand ards of ethical business (Mahaney, 2005). The belief is that high ethical business standards help the company employ great individuals, build great products and services that attract loyal users. The company beliefs are coined in its mission statement that emphasizes mutual respect and trust among employees and users. The company believes that trust and mutual respect are the basis for its success. The company code of conduct is geared towards serving their users. For instance, the company upholds integrity, privacy in addition to freedom of expression while serving users. Moreover, the code of conduct encourages respect among the stakeholders as well as avoiding conflict of interest. Most important is the preservation of confidentiality and protection of the company assets. These include the intellectual property, the confidential information, and the company equipments (Reuters, 2009). Further, the code of conduct promotes financial integrity and responsibility as well as abiding by the legal requirements. Besides setting up the ethical standards, the company engages in corporate social responsibility (CRS) activities. These include creating awareness in various fronts such as the climate change, education, public health, and sanitation (Chaffey, 2007). However, these activities are connected in some way to the company long-term revenue generation. Google Foundation is an institution created by the company to implement its corporate social responsibility programs. It has undertaken various initiatives including developing renewable or green energy, predict, identify, prevent, and enable rapid response to various risks associated with climate change and infectious diseases. It is equally intended to improve public services through public awareness and empowerment. Google foundation also promotes the development of small and medium sized enterprises through capitalization and risk management. In its commitment to provide appropriate services to its users and t o act responsibly with communities where it operates the company has been fraught with problems. For almost all its operating period, there have been concerns whether the company products infringes the privacy of users as well as others (Chaffey, 2007). Concerns about the company practices regarding the collection, use disclosure as well as the security of personal information or any other privacy related matters have resulted in the damage of the company reputation. However, most of these concerns have been unfounded. While the company thrives to comply with its code of ethical regulations, any perceived failure has resulted in court actions by other entities and that have potential adverse effect on the company reputations and the brand image. Compliance with both local and international regulations has also posed a great challenge to the company. For instance, the difficulties experienced by the company operations in China and compliance with the Chinese regulations resulted in i ts censorship by not only the Chinese government but also various governments (Reuters, 2009). These censorships portrayed the company as antisocial and undemocratic. This hugely negated the company reputation. As a result, the company loses much of its market share especially in highly government controlled economies. As regards to social responsibility, the company commitment to green energy program has become under scrutiny. The environmental protection agency (EPA) tends to follow the alleged release of a refrigerant in one of the company’s data facilities. The EPA also follows and scrutinizes other issues relating to environment protection. The investigations could have resulted in administrative actions, criminal or civil penalties or fines (Google, 2010). However, these allegations have been proved unfounded as the EPA as most of the documents investigated were justified by the energy regulations. Organization Board of directors is the highest decision making organ by the company. Though the company tends to minimize the bureaucratic structures, the board of directors makes all decisions. The bureaucratic structures are minimized through various committees as well as encouraging teamwork in almost all operations of the company. The company culture of enhancing equality of employees, teamwork as well as encouraging individual talent growth is critical in structural organization. In addition, the freedom in individual and team decisions enhances effectiveness and efficiency in the operations of the company (Google, 2011). The short vertical structure and the encouragement of horizontal integration have been essential in enhancing creativity among the employees, which in effect create better products for customers. The company adopts the modern management practices and organization structure that enhances free decision-making, encourages teamwork and creativity. The company takes great pride in its culture that is based on creativity and collaborati on (Mahaney, 2005). The company culture of collaboration promotes the iteration of ideas used as solutions to complex challenges. The company also encourages transparency and open dialogue among its employees. In essence, the company embraces a culture of transparency, dialogue, collaboration, and creativity. In addition, the company encourages the culture of diversity. Employees of the company have the freedom to act on individual ideas despite the company responsibilities (Mahaney, 2005). The employees are also employed based on their diverse ideas, backgrounds, and perspective. The company provides a favorable environment where such work diversities are effectively nurtured, and thrives. In addition, the company embraces a culture that promotes and defends important talent. These policies include, effective communication, data drive decisions, stopping being evil, striving to reach consensus, encouraged creativity, making coordination easy, packing projects in, catering for emplo yees needs, and hiring through commission (Mahaney, 2005). Moreover, the company encourages employment practices that attract and retaining the best talents and skills. Further, the company practice employment procedure that is fair and based on standards to facilitate greater personality appointment by the company. The company is offering an extreme package of typical remuneration as well as good working environment to retain the best talent (Mahaney, 2005). Additionally it provides hard working engineers with commuter buses, parched cleaners, car washing, haircuts, kneading and laundry room, gymnasium, and dining facilities. Planning According to Olsen (2006), all businesses small or big require strategic plans to attain their goals particularly in situations where the business is fast growing. In strategic planning, the business must able to analyze trends that determine the future of the business. The company must also set measurable and realistic goals that can be attained (Ols en, 2006). Moreover, for the organization to succeed in its growth and development, it must make strategic planning continuous practice of the organization. In addition, the company must prioritize various strategies that must be implemented simultaneously. The company should also set defining vision for the company that guides all planning and strategies (Olsen, 2006). In the case of Google, all strategic planning is under the head of strategy and planning and operations. The company’s operations consist of a global team that ensures the business complex activities are efficiently managed (Mahaney, 2005). The department comprises of experts that are consistent, systematic, and pragmatic in their implementation of the company plans. This department come up with revenue plans, develops high-level goals, and instigates activity programs that speed up organizational development and improve output. In essence, the department is responsible for developing main activity areas in li ne with the organizational strategy, forecasting, and analytics. The department manager personally oversees the implementation of key strategies as well as operations projects (Chaffey, 2007). Therefore, the department is responsible for the delivery of yearly programming and reporting. The company general business planning efficiency is observed in its ability in perpendicular and aggressive analysis, business analytics, as well as the production of business intelligence to the management (Chaffey, 2007). Leadership Google leadership policy has always been laissez-faire. The company has been engaging in employing highly skilled engineers and supporting the most brilliant rich the higher leadership positions. Once in leadership, they make their own decisions and plans on how to achieve the required goals and objectives (Dwivedi, 2008). However, this has not been the case as time changes. New leadership qualities have to be incorporated apart from the technical skills that the compan y has been emphasizing. Some managers could no attain the outcome given the changing environment. Therefore, leadership qualities such as good coaching, team and micro-management, interpersonal skills, sensitive towards results and productivity, good communication, strategist and career development were highly encouraged (Dwivedi, 2008). Technical skills have not been highly emphasized since all employees have almost similar qualification in this area. These competencies are important for the company since they are the focus towards increasing returns. The reason why the company has been emphasizing these qualities is that they require little changes in personality. In addition, there is the likelihood for augmented advancement (Dwivedi, 2008). Most importantly, these leadership qualities are important in the Google culture. The company top management has adopted various leadership styles to develop a cordial relationship with the employees. For instance, the management has been emp hasizing on the clear vision and strategy for its team of technical employees (Google, 2011). Moreover, the company has been putting a lot of interest on the employee’s personal development. The employees career development. Lastly, Google leadership helps their clients and employees to think through issues that may arise. According to Armstrong and Kotler (2009), there are leadership assessment tools that organizations utilize to provide feedback on leadership styles. In the case of Google, leaders have incorporated six important strategies in their leadership styles. These include visionary strategy, affiliative strategy, participative strategy, and coaching strategy. In the visionary strategy the company leadership creates, sell, and are held accountable for the delivery of the company vision (Mahaney, 2005). The affiliative strategy recognizes the individual contribution to the company and his needs. The leadership adopts participative strategy to create teamwork that is essential in generating ideas as well as offering solutions to any unanticipated problems (Mahaney, 2005). Controlling The operational conduct and regulation of systems, apparatus, or machines means control. Institutions regulating its business processes apply this. Such processes include financing, distribution, and production. In fact, control help businesses avoid and trim down the increase of bottlenecks and mistakes (Armstrong Kotler, 2009). In the traditional context, control is an aspect of management ground rules. These aspects are, coordinating, planning, and organizing. Hence, it is the most important apparatus used by managers to persuade the staff members to work and attain the set goals. Another meaning is, to seek out observance with set conformance objectives and significance that is, quality criterion, standards, and arrangements (Armstrong Kotler, 2009). All these facilitate and confine the organization to assess performance and supervise development. For Google C ompany to organize its business management well, it must have a control system. Research has recognized four domestic control gadgets put into practice by the company. Culture, social structures, expertise, and in-house controls are the mechanisms used for implementation (Chaffey, 2007). Thus, a broad definition of the internal control entails the formula and standards employed by the company to safeguard its materials and goods. The company tends to recruit more workforces to assist in conducting its businesses as it grows. Conversely, absence of procedure and policy in implementation makes protection of assets impossible. Moreover, it will encourage disagreement between the organization staff. Google Company has discovered four forms of control tools namely, dialectic of control, civilization, social culture, and individual control (Reuters, 2009). Whereas social culture is the fixed controls amid incentive proposals, career ranking, distinct work explanation, regulations, course of action and guidelines. Similarly, culture is the employees shared customs and significance that sway attitude, regulate perception, and nature behavior (Chaffey, 2007). Shared beliefs prevent the need for open and wide-ranging decree and processes. It further stops provision of viewpoint curiosity and rules where members can assume unlimited particular statute to outfit unstable condition. These objective reinforcements are by employees’ internalized socialization and rules. On the other hand, dialectic of control explains the poised category for assistants’ trial power to their superiors. The knowledge of personnel is the key positive feature in Google Company. This is important in controlling the conduct of workers, bureaucrats, and executives. Corporate governance guidelines are set by a panel of directors to enable the management to function efficiently. The corporate configuration has also instituted both internal management and suitable financial control. Thou gh this company rapidly expands, it upholds modest company management practices (Mahaney, 2005). Therefore, hiring the right person ensures control implementation in the company. The hiring policy favors aptitude rather than knowledge and is discrimination free. Hence, a reflection of world audience served by the search engine. Furthermore, the expansion in Google developments has demanded recruits who distribute a compulsive commitment (Chan, 2007). The recruiting process is one of the control measures put by the company. For first-class control to be established, employees fill up the forms of application in their own inscriptions. The company conducts two to three interview follow-ups to potential employees over other associates. In the Google Company, the committee does hiring to prospective candidates by soliciting hard-hitting questions to direct incompetent interviewee (Mahaney, 2005). Specialized and responsible panels make the company projects. This makes determination of s uccessful and well-organized job easy through separating responsibilities. Thus, administration schedule realization is much easier. Specialization helps one become conscious in the intellect of making work execution more resourceful and successful. The company has also put control measures in financial management. The major controls are in the financial disclosures that must comply with the set of procedures. The company management normally institutes these procedures, and they include the statutory regulations such as the exchange act. The management must evaluate the financial control and disclosure procedures in pursuant to the regulations provided in the exchange act. The financial disclosure control and procedures must be effective and provide a reasonable assurance that the information provided is reliable (Chan, 2007). According to the act, the financial information must be processed, recorded, summarized, and reported within the required period. The management require that such information should be communicated more so to the executive officer and chief financial officer before its release to the public. Moreover, the management must approve such information and must make decisions regarding disclosure (Chan, 2007). Internal controls include evaluating the effectiveness of the company financial reporting based on the framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Tread way Commission. The framework is known as the Internal Control – Integrated Framework. However, the assessment results should be reviewed with the audit committee or an independent auditor (Google, 2010). In designing and assessing the disclosure controls and procedures, the management should recognize that any control measures only provides reasonable guarantee of attaining the preferred control aims. Despite this limitation, the company internal financial controls and procedures reflected the resource constraints. Therefore, the management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs. References Armstrong, G Kotler, P. (2009). Principles of marketing. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson. Chaffey, D. (2007). Google case study-covering Google business strategy and technology case. Retrieved from davechaffey.com/E-commerce-Internet- marketing-case-studies/Google-case-study/ Chan, J. (2007). Google’s acquisition strategy. Retrieved from http://fishtrain.com/2007/09/13/googles-acquisition-strategy/ Dwivedi, J. (2008). Google’s robust strategy and business model. Retrieved from iproceed.com/blog/2005/02/googles-robust-strategy-business-model.html Google (2010). 2010 annual report. Retrieved from investor.google.com/pdf/2010_google_annual_report.pdf Google (2011). 2011 annual stockholders meeting. Retrieved from http://investor.google.com/proxy/2011/index.html Mahaney, M. (2005). GOOG: increased conviction in Google. San Francisco: Citigroup Global Marke ts, Inc. Olsen, E. (2006). Strategic planning for dummies. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley Sons. Reuters (2009). Google drives into navigation market. Retrieved from independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/google-drives-into- navigation-market-1811289.html Company Analysis The purpose of this company analysis is to discuss the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of Procter Gamble. However, this report concentrates more on Porter’s five forces, resources, and capabilities of PG, present strategies, and Resource Base View (RBV) model to recommend the company.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Company Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Current Strategic Situation: Growth Strategy: Chairman and CEO of PG Bob McDonald stated that Purpose-inspired growth strategy is beginning to work because this strategy is touching and improving more consumers lives in all over the world, for instance, expansion tasks of Ambi Pur with Febreze contract; Operational strategy: Procter Gamble reported that it would carry out an environmental sustainability program throughout its operations to reduce carbon emission by 20% and it would also focus on water and energy utilization and w aste removal from corporate plants; Product development strategy: PG always interested in introducing new products considering consumer demand and they concentrate more on product innovation, and it has already developed few new brands, such as introduce of the second wave in toothpaste or oral care brand, coverage of Western Europe by Pampers Dry Max and ingredient variation in Pantene and so on. However, Home Care, Fabric Care, Hair Care, and Oral Care are the most successful segments; Figure 1: 1950-2009 PG Product Strategy Source: Smith (1) Customer Relationship Management: Now, PG is concentrating more on serving more customers by implementing new CRM policies along with continuous innovation and expansion of brand portfolio upper, vertical or downward value integration; Organizational Chart: It reshaped organizational chart to implement its strategies properly where global business units focus more on global buyers, competitors, and brands, which function as the media of in tended innovation, profitability, and ROI by using its efficient and expert employees to deliver the best performances to gain competitive advantage; however, the following figure shows the organizational chart of PG Figure 2: Organizational chart of PG Source: Procter Gamble (1)Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Pricing Strategy: Smith (1) pointed out the view of the CEO and argued that PG offers low price to introduce new products in the existing market, and the aim of CEO is to increase competition and at the bottom and the decade long stagnation to decline in middle-class income; however, PG offers only 10% price reduction on average. Figure 3: 2010 PG Product Strategy Adjustments Source: Smith (1) Resources and capabilities of PG: Figure 9: Resources of PG Source: Self-generated Financial Resources: According to the annual report, the financial position 2010-11 was outstanding as PG’s organic sales grew 4%, Organic volume grew 5%, Core earnings per share grew 8%, PG’s dividend has increased at an annual compound average rate of approximately 9.5%; however, it returned about $7 billion to shareholders through the repurchase of PG stock. According to the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement of PG, its present key financial variables are Key variables 2011 ($ million) 2010 ($ million) 2009 ($ million) Total Sales Revenue 82,559.0 78,938.0 76,694.0 Gross Profit 41,791.0 41,019.0 38,004.0 Operating costs 25,973.0 24,998.0 22,630.0 Operating Income 15,818.0 16,021.0 15,374.0 Net income (loss) 11,797.0 12,736.0 13,436.0 Total Assets 138,354.0 128,172.0 134,833.0 Total Liabilities 70,714.0 67,057.0 71,734.0 Total Stockholder Equity 68,001.0 61,439.0 63,382.0 Total Cash Flows From Financing Activities (10,023) (17,255) (10,814) Table 1: Financial information of PGAdvertising We will write a custom essay sample on Company Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Source: self-generated from Yahoo Finance (1) Organizational resources: Staff of the PG is one of the significant assets, and it has 127,000 employees according to the annual report 2011 of PG who worked in inside and outside the US market and the help the company expanding business; Physical resources: This resource includes constructions, property, equipment, furniture, and so on; however, the following table shows the total amount of property of PG Key variables 2011 ($ million) 2010 ($ million) 2009 ($ million) Property Plant and Equipment 21,293.0 19,244.0 19,462.0 Technological resources: Graul et al. (54) reported that this company invests more than $2 billion for the development of technology in 2005, it has more than 29,000 patented technologies along with twenty technical centers in four continents; Intellectual and human reso urces: According to the annual report of the PG, RD teams enrich with more than 200 scientists, chemists, and so on; besides, they are responsible for identifying, developing, and using leading health care technologies to develop health care products; Reputation resources: Procter Gamble affords a high brand value, which tends to expand in the future and this reputation is the outcome of consumer perceptions about the quality, trust, and ethical factors in every market segment; however, the subsequent table demonstrates goodwill of PG for three years Key variables 2011 ($ million) 2010 ($ million) 2009 ($ million) Goodwill 57,562.0 54,012.0 56,512.0 SWOT Analysis of PG: Figure 4: SWOT Analysis of PG Source: Graul, et al. (71) Strengths: The internal strengths of PG are significant scales of scope and economies, share price, sales growth, human resources, financial capabilities, supply chain, product innovation and overall performance in the global market. Leadership Brands: According to the annual report of PG, its fifty leadership brands are some of the world’s most famous household names and twenty-four of these fifty brands each make above $1 billion every year, which indicates 90% profits generate from these brands; Market Share: it has a worldwide business operation and has a significant share in the global market; Innovation: It is one of the most critical factors for this company to compete with high customer satisfaction. Also, the demand of the customers change on time, and the management of PG maintains a specific strategy to meet the demand of the buyers; Sales Volume: Sales revenue from the consumer product line has increased all over the world; Human Resources: PG has more than 127,000 dynamic and high educated employees to carry on the business in the adverse economic situation, and it also has research team to introduce new products; Experience: PG established in 1837 and served the US Army, so, it has long-experience alon g with the glorious historical background to operate global market with strong brand awareness; Other: Corporate social responsibility, investment plan, human resource management are key strategies of the company. Weaknesses: Besides strong points, PG has to concentrate on many other factors, such as Market expansion: It has many familiar brands in global market, but the perforce of the company in developing countries is not outstanding as it earned only 35% of total profits from the operation in developing countries; however, it has opportunity to increase loyal customer base in developing countries by decreasing price of the products; Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Figure 5: Net sales by market maturity and geographic region Source: Procter Gamble (62) Operating expenses: The total operating expenses of PG are increasing each year, for instance, these expenses were $25,973 million in 2011, which was more than $985 million from last year expenses; Political factors: Unrest situation in many countries may effect on the supply chain management system of the company, and it could adversely affect sales revenue; Strategic decision: Unilever, Johnson Johnson and other competitors have taken measures to diversify product line and implemented new marketing strategies; for instance, these companies arranged integrated marketing communication campaign to increase customer base. Opportunities: External opportunities of PG includes New product development: PG has a strong capability of developing new products using existing resources and capabilities along with long experience perform; thus, it has the opportunity to capture marketing leading pos ition; Joint venture: It has the financial strength to joint venture with large competitors like Unilever to reduce market competition; Stock Performance: the performance of PG in Stock market is satisfactory from the very beginning though the share price of the company decreased in 2009; however, the following figure demonstrates the position of PG in Nasdaq Figure 6: Basic chart of PG Source: Yahoo Finance (1) Performance in Recessionary Economy: PG has experienced huge success in spite of global financial crisis while most of the companies have endeavored to survive, which gives confidence to the management of the company to go ahead with existing resources and capabilities; Threats: External threats of PG includes Legal: Nowadays, multinational companies need to concentrate more on the legal issue to reduce unexpected costs, for instance, BBC News (1) reported that PG was fined â‚ ¬211.20 million to fixing the price of washing powder in eight European countries; Compet ition: Strong competition among the market players is one of the main challenges for PG because competitors captured a significant market share of consumer products, for instance, Sunsilk of Unilever captured shampoo market; Compensation: Controversial issues could adversely affect on the company such as toxic shock syndrome and tampons, price fixing controversy and logo controversy created hindrance for the business operation and increased costs. Porter’s five forces model analysis of PG: Figure 7: Porter’s five forces model of competition for PG Source: Self-generated form analysis Barriers of new entrants: The consumer product industry has to face intense competition both in the national and international market due to the existence of local competitors of different products and many brand items have produced by these companies to attract segmented customers. As a result, threats of new entrants are moderate to high for this company while it should not require hi gh investment to produce few items in the local market, but the aggregate risk is low; thus, it not difficult for the new companies to occupy the market share of PG; Bargaining power of suppliers: The bargaining power of suppliers is moderate because of the availability of suppliers; however, this power accelerates when PG like to switching off suppliers; Bargaining power of buyers: the bargaining power of buyers is now high because of the current pressure of the global economic crisis, low switching off costs, availability of similar products, frequent change of customers’ demand, and unrest political position in Asian and European countries and so on; Threats of substitute products: PG faced intense competition from direct and indirect competitors, and these companies produced many consumer products those can reduce the demand of any brand of PG, for instance, PG’s feminine products replaced by the substitute due to toxic shock syndrome and tampons controversy; Rival ry among existing firms: PG has to compete with many direct and indirect companies at both home and abroad, for example, major competitors of this company are Unilever, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Johnson Johnson, Clorox, Colgate-Palmolive, etc. However, the rivalry among existing companies is extremely high, and these companies frequently change their functional plans to increase sales volume and take measures to get undue advantages from the market, for example, PG and Unilever fixed the price of washing powder in eight EU nations to increase sales. To compare the position of PG in industry, the subsequent figure shows direct comparison Figure 8: Direct Competitor Comparison of consumer product industry Source: Yahoo Finance (1) Resource Base View (RBV) model: Resources Sources of Competitive Advantage Rare Valuable Inimitable Non-substitutable Core Competencies Innovation: it has 50 established brands along with 300 consumer products in four segments like PG Beauty, Family Health, Household Care, and Gillette and it has now seven core segments like beauty, Health, Baby Care, Fabric, Home Care and so on Yes Yes Possible as it has already established as successful inventors in consumer product markets; however, it is hard to measure the volume of innovation It is feasible if PG can use research and development team properly Patents: it has more than 29000 patented technologies Yes Yes It is feasible, not probable It is feasible, not probable as it should involve huge investment Go to Market Expertise: Capabilities Yes Yes Hard to attain It is tough to attain as competitors, for example, Unilever is functioning on this now. Brand Management: Development of brand image along with the trust of consumers Yes Yes Achievable through market leadership hard to overtake Difficult in market leading Brand Leadership: 50 brands each produce $1 billion sales annually (90% of total earnings) Yes Yes Feasible except hard in non-commoditized markets Feas ible though it is hard in non-commoditized markets Resources Capabilities Existing RD: twenty technical centers in four continents Yes Yes Yes, however, it involves high entry expenses hard to substitute or compete with IP Global Scope Advantage: business operation in more than 180 countries Yes Yes Feasible in spite of high reproduction costs Feasible in spite of high reproduction costs Large scale manufacturing operations; locations in 42 countries Yes Yes Yes Yes Economies of Scale with leveraged Buying Power and supply chain management Yes Yes Yes, it is necessary to have collaboration from keen partners and top-management Yes, it is necessary to have the cooperation from keen partners and top-management Economies of Scale with Global operations Yes Yes Yes Yes Expansion in Emerging Markets like China, India Bangladesh Yes Yes Feasible though it needs high reproduction costs Feasible though it needs high reproduction costs Value Added Networks for B2B Customers Yes Yes Yes, it is essential to have cooperation from enthusiastic associates and management Yes, it is essential to have cooperation from enthusiastic associates and management Electronic Data Interchange only available in the US and it should require development Yes Yes Yes Yes Enterprise IT Strategy for cost reductions, positive customer impact, functioning competence, and return on investment Yes Yes Yes but it hard to apply due to requiring high investment Yes but it hard to apply due to requiring high investment Recommendation Strategy 1: Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) Campaign Decision Criteria for Strategic Alternatives Evaluation Criteria Evaluation Criteria or why choosing this strategy Image creation This company has fifty leadership brands in the global consumer product markets; however, it has to face intense competition, so, the decision-maker should focus on IMC campaign to develop brand awareness; Aligns with mission Since this company wo uld like to provide the best quality products, IMC campaign would help the company to aware target customer regarding the quality of the products Exploits core competency It has already developed the product quality to avoid any controversy like toxic shock syndrome and tampons, and IMC campaign could give this message to the customer Competition To compete with large competitors, it will play a vital role Creating a loyal customer base As competitors offer similar products at a low price, then it is difficult to say that IMC help creating loyal customer base though it would increase sales Financial risk Considering previous experience, it can say that the IMC campaign has no financial risks for PG The short and long term Growth rate It would only meet the short-term growth rate Think customer first As IMC Campaign would emphasis on the positive factors of PG, the customer must be benefited from it. Strategy 2: Reformation of the Pricing Strategy Decision Criter ia for Strategic Alternatives Evaluation Criteria Evaluation Criteria or why choosing this strategy Create a brand image It would help PG creating the brand image in developing countries Aligns with mission Sales may decrease anytime due to adverse economic condition; therefore, restructuring pricing strategy match with the mission of the company. Exploits core competency Operating at economies of scale is one of the PG’s core competencies, so, capacity utilization development by reducing production cost assist the company offer low price; Competition PG would be able to hit this competitive market Creating a loyal customer base The purchasing power of the customers reduced due to recession; so, reforming pricing strategy is the only solution to sustain as a market leader; Financial risk Adopting this strategy has minimal financial risk; however, the European Commission could impose fines for breaking competition law in the EU zone The short and long term Grow th rate It can meet long-term growth in the global consumer product market Think customer first It upholds the concept of think customer first. Strategy 3: Reduction of operating costs Decision Criteria for Strategic Alternatives Evaluation Criteria Evaluation Criteria or why choosing this strategy Create a brand image It is an internal factor to hold an existing market Aligns with mission This strategy would increase profit and match with the mission of PG Competition Help the company compete with existing resources Creating a loyal customer base This strategy would not help PG building a large customer base but increase profits from existing sales volume Financial risk Reduce financial risk in the global financial crisis through this company experienced success in the economic challenges The short and long term Growth rate Meet both short and long-term growth Think customer first It mainly focuses on reducing the switching off costs for the customers of competitors. BBC News. Unilever and Procter Gamble in price-fixing fine. 2011. Web. bbc.co.uk/news/business-13064928. Graul, Lee Ann, et al. Procter Gamble, Unilever, and the Personal Products Industry. 2006. Web. http://info.umuc.edu/mba/ep/Presentation/EP_Olp/data/GSA.pdf. Procter Gamble. Annual report 2010-11 of PG. 2011. Web. http://annualreport.pg.com/annualreport2011/financials/. Smith, Tim. â€Å"PG Shifts Pricing Strategy to Meet Post-Recession Market.† The Wiglaf Journal. 2010. Web. wiglafjournal.com/pricing/2010/09/pg-shifts-pricing-strategy-to-meet-post-recession-market/. Yahoo Finance. Balance Sheet of Procter Gamble Co. 2011. Web. http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bs?s=PG+Balance+Sheetannual. Yahoo Finance. Direct Competitor Comparison of Procter Gamble Co. 2011. Web. http://finance.yahoo.com/q/co?s Yahoo Finance. Income Statement of Procter Gamble Co. 2011. Web. http://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s=PG+Income+Statementannual.

How does body dissatisfaction in men lead to eating disorders such as Literature review

How does body dissatisfaction in men lead to eating disorders such as anorexia - Literature review Example om, whether or not age, sexual orientation, or social class have a part to play, whether or not body dissatisfaction in men contributes to health problems with alcohol and drugs which can in turn lead to eating disorders, and questioning whether the media has a role to play in this as well. Through seeking to answer each of these four sub questions, the literature review will seek to engage the reader with a further analysis and discussion of some of the relevant findings and existing research that has been published with respect to eating disorders within the male population. Although it is reasonable to assume that many of the contributions which have thus far been put forward and published will be helpful in seeking to understand the questions which have thus far been elaborated upon, the literature review will also be concentric upon providing counter arguments, critiques, and limitations of the articles that have been utilized. Accordingly, it is the hope of this particular anal yst that the literature review will provide a more informed basis for an understanding of eating disorders within the male population and the means through which they are currently understood; as well as providing metrics for potential future research questions and gaining a further level of inference upon the situation as such. According to research by Cohn & Lemberg (2014) over 2.1 million men within the United Kingdom suffer from one form of eating disorder or another. This figure comprises approximately 1.5% of the entire adult male population. Although this figure is necessarily small, at least as compared to women, it is nonetheless relevant and affects the life, psychological outlook, and happiness of hundreds of thousands of individuals within the United Kingdom. Perhaps more importantly, the research by Cohn & Lemberg (2014) indicates that the single greatest danger associated with the prevalence of eating disorders within the male population of the United Kingdom is

Diagnosis of an infected patient Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Diagnosis of an infected patient - Essay Example The Bacillus is a very resilient bacterium because it can produces spores (actually, oval endospores which are not true spores) which remain dormant over long periods of time and then re-activated whenever the right environmental conditions are present for it to reproduce again. Its spores can theoretically be dormant for many years in the soil but can still infect after a lapse of several decades. Bacillus can be either aerobic (oxygen-reliant) or facultative anaerobic (having ability to be aerobic or not). It is gram-positive when stained although some Bacillus are gram-negative too. Escherichia differs from Bacillus in that it is non-spore forming, gram-negative when it is stained, and it is facultatively anaerobic although it is like Bacillus in being rod-shaped also in form when viewed under the microscope. Many strains under the Escherichia species are known human pathogens which cause many urinary tract infections (UTI) as well as common intestinal ailments like diarrhea and dysentery. However, some strains are beneficial and known also by the alternative living arrangement called commensal which is a relationship between two kinds of organisms where one organism benefits without necessarily harming the other organism. Mycoplasma is the smallest known bacteria and do not have a cell wall which allows it to be flexible enough and take many different shapes, depending on its environment. It is also resistant to most medicinal drugs which specifically target cell walls synthesis like penicillin or antibiotics as its lack of a wall prevents a precise targeting mechanism for a drug to work on it. It is considered as one of the smallest living cells ever discovered and many of its strains are cause of ailments as it is pathogenic and parasitic. Mycoplasma is anaerobic (survives without oxygen) and it is gram-positive when stained. It was mistakenly thought to be a fungus when first

Impact of Globalization on General Motors Essay

Impact of Globalization on General Motors - Essay Example These include simplifying the process where possible, finding cheaper but high quality material to help with the manufacturing process (Reader 2006, p.7). Additionally the company believes that innovative technology will help it attain better production hence increasing output but the question is how globalisation in the automotive industry affects GM. Globalisation is a double-edged sword that cuts both ways in this case it has both the positive and the negative impact on any industry. However, the degree of managing these effects determines the success or failure of a company in a particular industry. When examining the effects of globalisation in a company for instance GM, we have to look at all the department, branches, plants and any subsidiaries of the company. The reason for this is that globalisation is a multifaceted phenomenon. For instance, we have to look at how globalisation has affected GM employees, the production process, the marketing aspect, the information technolo gy aspect and the management aspect (Alias 2008, p.10). The complexity of the automotive industry demands that the company should effectively deal with the impact of globalisation because if the competitors are able to deal with it more effectively than the GM then this can be catastrophic or detrimental to both the company image and the market. The world is moving towards becoming a global village hence having a very fast rate of globalisation. As a result, companies should strategise and gear up for this cause to avoid eradication due to drastic changes. However, in dealing with the effects of globalisation on the GM it is important to separate all the sections and critically examining them individually ratherthat having a... The paper tells that increased globalisation has led to increased competition in the automotive industry with registration of new entrants who have better ways of manufacturing and production of vehicles. However, one of the biggest competitors to GM is the Japanese company Toyota manufacturing durable and affordable vehicles. Additionally, due to the persistent hard economic times more and more people are opting to buy fuel-efficient vehicle and vehicles whose spare parts are easily available. The Toyota Company has managed to tap into this market both locally and globally hence giving GM very stiff competition. Additionally, due to globalisation vehicles are becoming cheaper hence reducing the profit margin of GM. Because of this, it forces the company to seek ways of cutting down costs in order to increase the profit margin because they cannot increase the prices due to the demand and supply forces of the market. Globalisation has also made information readily available to consume rs in the market. Additionally, the introduction of ecommerce solution has also cut down on the cost of business transactions. Customers are now able to purchase vehicles from another counter through the internet and go through all the relevant processes that will enable him or her get the vehicle at his or her disposal. GM has to deal with these globalisation effects in order to stay afloat in business. The distance between countries is closing up very fast due to the development of efficient ways of transportation and business transactions are becoming easier due to the technological development.

Monoamine Oxidase (Warrior Gene) and Maori Behaviour

Monoamine Oxidase (Warrior Gene) and Maori Behaviour Monoamine Oxidase (Warrior Gene) and  Its Relation to Maori Behaviour Roberto S. Recto Jr. Abstract This essay tackled primarily on the significant link between Monoamine Oxidase (Warrior Gene) and Maori behaviour. Specifically, this may determine the possible causes of the aggressiveness of the Maori population group as observed by other researchers and scientists as explained on their arguments. The study discussed the census of the population and conviction rate of Maori population with other population group. This study also correlates the specific behaviour of an individual to other factors such as parenting and environmental factors, not solely to the warrior gene. Irregularities in Monoamine Oxidase’s level in the body have negative effects that were also discussed on this paper. Domestic violence during childhood was also explained briefly and its negative effects to behaviour of an adult person. Negative behaviours that developed may be controlled and managed especially here in New Zealand with the help of the legislation. Introduction Maori population is 682,200 out of the total New Zealand population of 4,433,000 as of 30 June 2012 according to New Zealand’s latest statistics. Maori make up 15.4 percent of the total population here in New Zealand. Despite a few number of Maori people lives in New Zealand, they commit more crimes and are punished in prison than any other population group. Reasons for this apparent fact have not yet been fully discovered or defended (Statistics New Zealand, 2012). 8,618 is the total count of prisoners in New Zealand, 51 percent (4,391) of which are Maori, 33 percent (2,835) are Europeans and 12 percent (1,006) are Pacific people (Statistics New Zealand, 2012). Some studies may blame domestic violence or poverty as the cause of Maoris committing crime. Others may also blame it way back on their ethnicity and culture. David Rankin, a Ngapuhi elder once said that they have come from a warrior race but because of colonization, they have no more battles to fight and they have too much time on hand so that their inner violent energy is not used up (Dinsdale, 2012). But what is the real cause of this? If nature, culture or ethnic origins are the not the cause of this Maori behaviour, what else? Just this decade, a new controversial idea was offered that became an issue both on scientific and political commentators. Dr. Rod Lea, a researcher from New Zealand and his contemporaries proposed that Maoris carry a â€Å"warrior gene† (Monoamine Oxidase) that makes them more prone to aggressive behaviour that may lead to violence, risky behaviours and criminal acts. He also said that it obviously means that they will be violent or may do risky behaviours but that doesn’t mean that once you are a carrier of this gene, it won’t automatically make you a criminal (Lea, R., Chambers, G. 2007). There may be some other factors at play that may affect their behaviours such as lifestyle, upbringing-related exposures and others. This specific gene was also associated to high rates of alcoholism, smoking and gambling in the said population group (Once were warriors: gene linked to Maori violence, 2006). Monoamine oxidase as the warrior gene Monoamine oxidase aka the warrior gene was coined by a scientific anthropologist Ann Gibson on an Annual Meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists. (Gibbons, 2004). These enzymes are are involved in the breakdown and synthesis of neurotransmitters. Examples of which are serotonin and dopamine which controls emotions and moods. Being part of the breakdown, Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is capable of manipulating and influencing the person’s mood, emotion, feelings and behavior. Levels of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in the brain conclude how fast metabolism of these neurotransmitters occurs. Variations in level of MAO’s in the brain can affect the individual from panic attacks and anxiety disorders to violence and aggression (Anonymous, 2004). The Argument As stated on the introduction Dr. Rod Lea is a researcher from New Zealand. He and his contemporaries proposed that Maoris carry a â€Å"warrior gene† (monoamine oxidase) that makes them more prone to aggressive behaviour. The â€Å"warrior gene† has been linked to criminal acts and associated with risk taking, plus gambling, drug dependence and aggressiveness. Though this gene has been linked to different aggressive and risk taking behaviours, there is no concrete proof that this is the cause of such behaviours. Dr. Nicola Poa a research fellow at Christchurch School of Medicine negated Dr. Rod Lea’s idea. She said it is unheard or unlikely to link a behavior to its said host. Dr. Nicola also said there is a huge ethical behavior behind every action of Maori people. She also stated that it would be a big leap to conclude and connect that this gene would affect the behavior of an individual. She suggested that psychologists and psychiatrists should be involved in this kind of study. Genes are just the basic building blocks of a human being (Stokes, J., 2006). On the other hand, Dr Sam Hancox, a doctor in Otago Universitys at Dunedin Multidisciplinary Area, proposed that the connection between genes and human behavior should also take into consideration environmental factors. He said that a single gene can’t explain everything. It will always be a mixture of different factors (putting emphasis on environmental influences). I quote Dr. Sam Hancox: There is no specific gene for making a great rugby participant, but then if you have the wrong player or participant, no amount of coaching and teaching is going to guarantee he will be an All Black team player. You have to have the perfect set of genes and the perfect set of coaching and teaching. (Stokes, J., 2006). Another research was conducted in 2002. The Otago-based unit researched the results of changes and variation of the Monoamine Oxidase on maltreated and abused children. This research proved that one of the greatest factors of human behavior is his environment and experience. Researchers found some of the population group that they conducted their research on developed antisocial behaviors with high levels of Monoamine Oxidase, despite being maltreated. However 85 per cent of those who are severely maltreated and abused with low levels of the â€Å"warrior gene† also developed antisocial behaviors (Stokes, J., 2006). Another scientist emerged and contradicted Dr.Lea’s research and hypothesis. Dr. Gary Hooks point of view challenges the idea and concept that Maori’s are genetically wired to be aggressive, wild and commit acts of violence. Dr. Hook said there was an obvious flaw on Dr. Lea’s hypothesis especially in their scientific reasoning. Not only was the science criticized, but the ethics of claiming that genes are to blame in Maoris behavior is also questioned. He agreed that conviction rates for domestic violence of Maoris are more compared to other population groups in New Zealand but there is no indication that this is because of Monoamine Oxidase gene that are present in their bodies. This gene has nothing to do with their behavior. Maori nature was not the reason for high criminality rates, he said. Maybe the cause of such behaviors is due to the fact that Maoris are colonized for 160 years by a â€Å"Eurocentric† justice system. (Chapman, K., 2009) Dr. Rod Lea’s argument has been usually weak and unsupported because other factors may affect the behaviour of an individual such as the way they are brought up, social status, economic status and other lifestyle factors. (Stokes, J., 2006). Behavioural effects of MAO irregularities Accepting the argument that the â€Å"warrior gene† is related to Maori’s behaviour and traits is weak. There is no proof of exact evidence that this gene underlies a behavioural variation in man. Was the hypothesis made by the scientists and researches are way too impossible? Or was it a reasonable explanation for violent behaviours? MAOs are extremely vital for proper functioning of the brain as they inactivate or activate neurotransmitters. When this genes are in great quantity, there will also be great inactivation of these neurotransmitters. Depression, criminal deeds, phobias, dependence, addiction and other Neurological disorders can occur. (Batts, S., 2006). Abnormal Monoaminase Oxidase levels may manifest negative behaviors such as the following but not limited to Anxiety, personality disorders, antisocial behaviors, violence and risk taking, aggressive behavior, impulsive aggression, mental disorders, obesity, impulsivity, depression and suicidality impaired impulse control, mental retardation (such as autism, seizures, sleep disturbances) and panic disorders (Raumati Hook G. 2009).This might be the reason why scientists are associating this gene to Maori Behaviors. It seems like these scientists are placing the Maori culture under the category of mental health that being a Maori is a disease. They should also put into consideration that behavioural abnormalities cannot and should not only be isolated as to genetics. Environmental conditions should also be in the picture. The warrior gene versus Childhood experiences versus Maori self determination Concluding or proposing that the gene is to blame on Maori behaviour is the same as categorizing Maori behaviour as psychopath, with borderline psychosis or with psychological problem. Yes there are a huge number of diseases and ailments that may be associated with Monoamine Oxidase deficiency, but for the majority of people it functions quite well and consistently. Though conviction counts for domestic violence of this population group exceed those of other group, there is still no definite indication that the genes carried by Maoris functions differently from other ethnic groups and certainly has no evidence that it has something to do with having an aggressive or negative behaviour. (Stokes, 2006) Unpleasant childhood experiences negatively influence adulthood and how a man sees life, as seen on a recent study. The study was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). According to the study, one out of four young adults was relentlessly maltreated during their childhood days and approximately half of adults in England have suffered an unpleasant childhood experience. Approximately one out of ten adults has experienced four or more undesirable experience during their childhood.There are different kinds and forms of childhood adversity; it may range from physical abuse to emotional neglect and stress. Examples of these forms of experiences are sexual abuse, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical abuse, physical neglect, substance abuse in home, mental illness in home, incarceration of family member, parenteral separation or divorce and witnessing against mother (McDonald, K. 2014). Tino Rangatiratanga or Principle of Self-determination is the sovereignty, independence, self-control and self-determination of the Maori people. The idea of Tino Rangatiratanga reinforces and allowing MÄ ori to take control of their own culture, fate, destiny and fortune (Smith, G.,1990). This may also be a factor in Maori behavior wherein they believe that they are the man for themselves. They control what they can. And Maori parents may or may not carry this behavior during their parenting that may affect the upbringing of their child. This may lead to negative behaviors as supported by the previous arguments. Despite of all the criticisms to Maori population group, they still have good traits in their hearts and culture. Manaakitanga is defined as being hospitable. They take a great pride in entertaining and hosting visitors to their land. Manuhiri on the other hand means the highest honour and respect are given by these people to visitors. Kaitiakitanga means guardianship (New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, n.d.). In relation to our study, Maori people are stewards and guardians of their own land. They are keeping it sacred and healthy for their â€Å"children† and â€Å"grandchildren† to inherit. Conclusion As a conclusion of this paper, Genes are not to blame on how people would behave in a society. Genes may be a factor, but it is still not concrete enough to prove everything. Environmental factors should also be taken into consideration especially on Maori’s parenting preference. Parenting has always been an issue not only in Maori’s population group but in every culture on how children would grow up. As I have learned on Values Education during my grade school days, a child’s mind is a clean paper wherein parents are the authors of what the content would be. I also believe that unpleasant childhood experiences will negatively influence adulthood that may lead to aggressiveness and negative behaviours. Every culture and population group have their own positive and negative charaecteristics that other culture may notice. Being aggressive and observed as being violent does not and should not only pertain to Maori’s population group. Putting the spotlight on this population group regarding aggressiveness is quite biased, to think that other population groups are way more aggressive to the point that they are killing and mutilating body parts of their own people. So for me, choice is the biggest factor of what you would become; a choice of who you want to be and what you want to be, combined with environmental and other factors. And if ever negative behaviour arises, it can be managed with the help of good support systems such as our family, friends, government or private institutions and others. Management of Domestic Violence As we discuss this research, domestic violence became a highlight. New Zealand has a law regarding rehabilitation and management of this matter. Domestic violence can never be prevented because it is a choice, but we can manage the outcome it has done with the person involved. Managing the outcome may prevent negative effects that domestic violence has done to an individual. The Domestic Violence Act of 1995 provides rehabilitation programme for those who are victims of domestic violence with protection orders. The Court contracts with other approved organizations and specialized individuals to offer programmes and rehabilitation. These said programmes contribute to the law’s principal goal of providing better protection for the victims of domestic violence. When the court decides that there should be a Protection Order, the person involved may request a programme that may provide information, support (whether psychological, emotional, physical etc.) and education that is related to domestic violence. This request can be made until the third year of the release of the Protection order.( Cram, F., Pihama, L., Jenkins, K., Karehana, M., 2002). Word Count: 2363 words â€Å"References Anonymous (2004). Progress in monoamine oxidase (MAO) research in relation to genetic engineering. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14697876 Anonymous (2006). Once were warriors: gene linked to Maori violence. The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved from http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/once-were-warriors-gene-linked-to-maori-violence/2006/08/08/1154802890439.html Batts, S. (2006). The Maori, MAO Inhibitors, and the â€Å"Warrior Gene†. Retrospectacle: A Neuroscsience Blog. Retrieved from http://scienceblogs.com/retrospectacle/2006/08/10/the-maori-mao-inhibitors-and-t/ Chapman, K. (2009). Maori â€Å"warrior gene† Research Slammed. Retrieved from http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2855426/Maori-warrior-gene-research-slammed Cram, F., Pihama, L., Jenkins, K., Karehana, M. (2002). Evaluation of Programmes for Mà ¤ori Adult Protected Persons under the Domestic Violence Act 1995. Ministry of Justice. Retrieved from http://www.kaupapamaori.com/assets/evaulations_programmes.pdf Dinsdale, M. (2012). Maori a violent people Rankin. The Northern Advocate. Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450objectid=11051172 Gibbons, A. (2004). American Association of Physical Anthropologists meeting: tracking the evolutionary history of a â€Å"warrior† gene. Retrieved from http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/summary/304/5672/818a Keller, T. E., Cusick, G. R., & Courtney, M. E. (2007). Approaching the transition to adulthood: Distinctive profiles of adolescents aging out of the child welfare system. Social Services Review, 81, 453-484. Lea, R., Chambers, G. (2007). Monoamine oxidase, addiction, and the â€Å"warrior† gene hypothesis. Journal of the New Zealand Medical Association, 120(1250). Retrieved June 12, 2008, from http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/120-1250/2441/. McDonald, K. (2014). Adverse Childhood Experiences Affect Adult Behaviors.Psych Central. Retrieved on January 26, 2015, from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/06/28/adverse-childhood-experiences-affect-adult-behaviors/ New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (n.d.) MANAAKITANGA, KAITIAKITANGA HOSPITALITY, GUARDIANSHIP. new zealand trade and enterprise retrieved from https://www.nzte.govt.nz/en/how-nzte-can-help/te-kete-tikanga-maori-cultural-kit/manaakitanga-kaitiakitanga-hospitality-guardianship/ Raumati Hook G. (2009). â€Å"Warrior genes† and the disease of being MÄ ori. MAI Review. Retrieved from http://www.review.mai.ac.nz/index.php/MR/article/viewFile/222/243 Smith, G. H. (1990) Research Issues Related to Maori Education. Retrieved from http://www.rangahau.co.nz/research-idea/27/ Statistics New Zealand (2008). Retrieved from http://www.stats.govt.nz/default.htm Statistics New Zealand (2012). Retrieved from http://www.stats.govt.nz/tools_and_services/media-centre/additional-releases/maori-population-estimates-15-nov-2012.aspx Stokes, J. (2006). Maori warrior gene claims appalling, says geneticist. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved from http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1objectid=10395491 â€Å"

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Debate :: essays research papers

For many years schools have banned books from being taught to their students because of parent complaints. These books have been shunned from the criteria, which may or may not affect the student’s understanding on a specific subject. People have been fighting to have these books banned because of excessive use of profanity, violence, sex, drugs and many other reasons. They do not look further in the books to see exactly what the author is trying to portray. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain, is banned in various places in the United States. This book should not be banned because, this book shows an important part in our history, it is not pro-racism, and it shows how far along we have come since then.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is very important to the American culture. When Mark Twain was around, the use of the word â€Å"nigger† was quite common. That was how they referred to African Americans in that time. In the book, Twain makes Pap look like the worst possible white trash where as Huck and Jim, the slave, get closer throughout the book. The book shows how people felt towards African Americans back in the day and how it was wrong. They considered them as â€Å"inhuman.† In The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn, Aunt Sally seems to be a nice person, but when the little black boy was killed she does not care since â€Å"no human was hurt.† This shows how far along we have come since this time period. Huck plays three jokes on Jim, but in the end begs for his forgiveness because he felt he had done something indeed quite wrong. This shows that not all Southerners in the day were â€Å"racist.† Mark Twain makes fun of how many people in the South were wrong to think badly towards the African Americans. This book is a very good book to get an understanding of how things were wrong back then and how far we have come since then.

Magnesium Oxide Chemistry Report Essay

In chemistry, compounds can be distinguished by using the empirical formula. The formula provides the simplest positive integer ratio of elements in a compound. The empirical formula is largely useful in determining the ratio of elements within ionic compounds where the structure is of a non-directional nature of bonding where any ion at any time could be surrounded by 4, 6, or 8 oppositely charged ions. This creates a pattern of endlessly repeating lattice of ions they do not exist as a free unit of atoms but in crystal lattices with repeating ions in specific ratios which is why empirical formula is used as a form of identification for defining an ionic-bonded substance. Calculating the empirical formula: To calculate the empirical formula for when two reactants undergoes a chemical reaction, the following 5 steps should be taken: 1. Record the masses of all the elements present in a given compound. 2. Convert the masses into moles (dividing by atomic weight in grams). 3. Then divide through by the smallest number of moles to get a ratio. 4. It the numbers are not whole numbers, multiply by a suitable small factor to get a whole number. 5. Finally, round off the numbers in the previous step if applicable to get the prime numbers which indicates the empirical formula. To demonstrate with a simple example; The molecular formula of butane is C4H10, however as the ratio of carbon atoms to hydrogen atoms is 4:10; it can be reduced to the ratio of 2:5. We can see that it is the simplest ratio while remaining as an integer. Butane can now be represented in empirical formula as C2H5. Regarding the Mole and its formula: The mole is the quantity of a substance which contains as many elementary units (atoms, ions, molecules) as there are atoms in exactly 12 grams of carbon-12 isotope. A mole of an element is the mass in grams that is numerically equal to the atomic weight. Also, a mole of a compound is the mass in grams that is numerically equal to the molecular weight. In simpler words; A mole of a substance is simply the atomic / molecular weight in grams. eg; A  mole of copper (atomic weight 63.6) is 63.6grams. Therefore in a diagram; The number of atoms or molecules in a mole of any substance is the Avogadro Constant which is 6.02 x . The molar mass is taken to be the relative atomic mass of an element which is the average mass of atoms present in any naturally occurring element relative to the mass of one atom of carbon-12 isotope taken as exactly 12 which gives formula weight (sum of the atomic weights of the atomic species as given in the stated formula for the compound.) The quantitative stoichiometric relationships governing mass and amount is used in the following experiment regarding the combustion reaction of magnesium metal. Magnesium is reacted with oxygen from air in a contained crucible, and the masses before and after the oxidation is measured. The resulting masses are used to calculate the experimental empirical formula of magnesium oxide, which is then compared to the theoretical empirical formula. A crucible and Bunsen burner will be used to heat magnesium metal for burning. Equipment: AIM: The purpose of this experiment is to perform an experiment of the combustion of Magnesium and gather precise and accurate data of masses and thus find the number of moles of the substance through the stoichiometry mole equation in order to evaluate the empirical formula of Magnesium Oxide. METHOD: 1 The Bunsen burner was set up with the tripod. The pipe clay triangle was placed over the tripod, ensuring that it is secure. 2. The crucible containing the magnesium was positioned in the pipe clay triangle securely with the lid on. 3. The gas was turned on and the Bunsen burner ignited to a blue flame. 4. The crucible was fired strongly for 5minutes until the bottom of the crucible glowed red over the blue flame to rid of contaminants. 5. The flame was removed and to cool the crucible with lid.  6. A piece of magnesium about 5 cm long was cut.  7. The surface of the magnesium ribbon was thoroughly cleaned with steel wool and its appearance was recorded 8. The cooled crucible and lid was weighed  (1st mass to 2dp) 9. The cleaned magnesium was coiled to fit inside the same crucible and covered with the same lid. 10. The crucible containing the magnesium with the lid on was weighed. (2nd mass to 2dp) 11. The crucible containing the magnesium was positioned without the lid onto the pipe triangle setup, ensuring its security. 12. The gas was turned on again and the Bunsen burner was ignited to a red flame (air hole fully open). 13. As the magnesium began to glow, the crucible was covered with its lid carefully with tongs. 14. Heat strongly for about 10 minutes lifting the lid a little VERY carefully occasionally to admit oxygen. 15. Keep heating and lifting the lid until ALL the magnesium turns into gray-white powder or until no further reaction can be witnessed to ensure complete reaction (for around 5 minutes) 16. Turn off the gas and allow the apparatus to cool.  17. Weigh the completely cooled crucible containing magnesium oxide with the lid carefully. (3rd mass to 2dp) RISK ASSESSMENT: Wear safety glasses. It is important to have eye protection during the combustion of Magnesium as the burning Magnesium in the crucible produces a very bright light which emits a harmful intensity of UV light which can cause eye discomfort or damage. Do not inhale the smoke produced when Magnesium is burned. Magnesium Oxide smoke can cause irritation in the nose, eyes and lungs and in large amounts, may cause metal fume fever. Use tongs at all times when handling hot objects. Careful handling of hot equipment such as the crucible and its lid during the heating is important as the very high temperature can burn skin due to improper or insecure handling. Do not cool the crucible or lid under cold water immediately after heating. This can cause the equipment to crack and the shards may easily pierce the skin. If the crucible crack during the experiment, it is vital that the person discontinue any progress with the experiment and proceed to clean the broken equipment away immediately and place into the broken glass bin. RESULTS: MASSES BEFORE HEATING AFTER HEATING Mass of Magnesium 0.08g n/a Mass of oxygen n/a 0.05g Mass of Magnesium Oxide n/a 0.13g Mass of crucible + lid 24.36g 24.31g Total mas of Mg oxide in crucible + lid: n/a 24.44g Total mass of crucible + lid + magnesium: 24.39g n/a Percent composition of Magnesium in compound: Mass of Mg in 1 mole/ Mass of MgO in 1 mole  % composition of Oxygen in compound: Upon observation, the 5cm Magnesium ribbon had a slightly greasy texture and a brittle and coarse surface. It had a hazy, dark metallic sheen to its appearance. After polishing its surface front and back thoroughly with steel wool, there was a change in its appearance. It had a shiny and glossy silver lustre with a smooth clean surface, no longer feeling waxy. The steel wool’s purpose was to remove the oxide layer of carbonate and sulphate which has coated the Magnesium ribbon’s surface due to its slow oxidation in air with CO2 and SO2 and other possible contaminants (which may have caused the strip to feel greasy). The oxide coating on the Magnesium would have made the ribbon more resilient to ignite immediately and thus hinder the combustion  of the metal and prolong the time it takes for the metal to fully combust. The procedure of rubbing Magnesium’s surface with steel wool was beneficial in order to expose fresh Magnesium to facilitate the contact of the r ibbon with the flame quicker and thus a faster complete combustion. The crucible and lid used had minimal surface stains on the outside however it was heavily contaminated with residual substances towards the inside base. By firing the equipment under a blue Bunsen flame thoroughly, it became apparent that any moisture or volatile materials present are burnt off by 5minutes to reveal a clean crucible free of stains or moisture. The purpose of firing the crucible at a high temperature was to quickly eradicate any stubborn chemicals which may have resisted cleaning by water, as well as any moisture the crucible may hold to provide a clean and dry equipment which can ensure accuracy and validity of calculations of masses. In order to activate the reaction of Magnesium, a source of energy was needed. The flame provided a source of heat which prompted a chemical reaction to proceed. When the magnesium was supplied with energy in the crucible, it reacted with a limited quantity of oxygen by using the lid to prevent high exothermic energy (Magnesium would react vigorously if heated in the presence of unobstructed air flow) and the escape of any magnesium oxide during the combustion. It became oxidized to become an ionic compound Magnesium Oxide. After the experiment of combusting Magnesium, the residue in the crucible is observed to be in a fine white powder form of Magnesium Oxide, an ionic compound. The exothermic reaction of combusting Magnesium produced a very bright light within the crucible due to the rapid heating of the Magnesium, where it quickly absorbs energy through ionisation. Magnesium ionises to become a cation while Oxygen ionises to an anion, forming an ionic bond due to electrostatic forces. DATA ANALYSIS: In this experiment, through the combustion reaction of Magnesium, a word equation forms between Magnesium, Oxygen and the ionic compound Magnesium  Oxide. Magnesium + Oxygen ïÆ'   Magnesium Oxide When ignited, magnesium has reacted with oxygen to form the products Magnesium Oxide. By taking the mass of equipments’ used and its mass during and after the reaction, the mass of Magnesium, Oxygen and Magnesium Oxide can be calculated. The mass of the reactants should very closely or mirror the mass of products by Law of Conservation of Mass. COLLECTING MASSES: (mass 1) Crucible + lid = 24.31g (weight after ridding of visible contaminants on crucible) (mass 2) Crucible + lid + magnesium = 24.39g (weight after polished magnesium is placed in fired crucible + lid) (mass 3) Crucible + lid + product = 24.44g (weight of reacted substance MgO in the crucible with lid) To calculate the mass of Magnesium metal = Mass 2 – Mass1 = 24.39g – 24.31g Mass of Magnesium = 0.08g To calculate the Mass of Oxygen incorporated = Mass 3 – Mass 2 (the increase in mass corresponds to the mass of oxygen) = 24.44g – 24.39g Mass of Oxygen = 0.05g To calculate the mass of oxide product formed = Mass 3 – Mass 1 (to validate through law of conservation of mass) = 24.44g – 24.31 Mass of Magnesium Oxide = 0.13g Now that the mass of each substance which took part in the reaction is found, the number of moles can be found through the relationship below. Number of Moles = Mass / Molar Mass Or N = The number of Moles can be calculated by knowing the mass of individual substances in the experiment divided by the molar mass (given on the periodic table as atomic mass number) to experimentally determine empirical formula for the ionic oxide. CONVERTING TO MOLES: Number of Moles of Magnesium: N = 0.08g / 24.31g/mol = 0.00329082692 moles Number of Moles of Oxygen: N = 0.05g/16x2g/mol (oxygen is doubled as it exists as a diatomic molecule) = 0.0015625 moles DIVIDE BY SMALLEST MOLE VALUE The number of moles of Magnesium is larger than the number of moles of Oxygen: 0. 00329(to5dp) moles > 0.00156 (to5dp) moles By dividing each by the smallest mole value of 0.00156 of Oxygen, Magnesium and Oxygen mole ratio is calculated respectively. Magnesium Mole ratio Oxygen Mole ratio = 2.11(to2dp) = 1 Multiply UNTIL WHOLE: The next step is to multiply any decimal numbers by a small whole number and do the same for the other whole number ratio until the decimal number reaches a near whole number (which can then be rounded up). Magnesium Mole ratio is in a decimal number of 2.11, and as it is very close to 2(with 0.11 extra of being a whole number), the number 2.11 is round down to 2 so the process of multiplying until whole is omitted. We obtain the mole ratio as follows: Magnesium : Oxygen 2 : 1 With 2 moles of Magnesium reacting with 1 mole of Oxygen, this should suggest 2 moles of MgO after balancing the equation. 2Mg(s) + O2(g) → 2MgO(s) To confirm, the law of conservation of mass is applied which states that in a balanced equation, matter is conserved: Total mass of reactants = Total mass of products Thus, by adding the mass on the left hand side (reactants), it should equal the right hand side (product). Magnesium + Oxygen = 0.08g + 0.05g  Magnesium Oxide = 0.13g It is found that there is no difference in mass between the left side of 0.13g of Magnesium + Oxygen to the right side of 0.13g of Magnesium Oxide in the equation considering the possibility of experimental errors, which represents a positive outcome as an theoretical equation is established and proved to be true. The empirical formula for Magnesium oxide is MgO, which is the correct formula and thus the aim of this experiment has been met. DISCUSSION: The experiment demonstrated the ability for a substance to exist in the empirical formula composition as the simplest ratio of elements present in the compound. It also demonstrated quantitative stoichiometric relationships between the number of moles, mass and molar mass in a chemical reaction. The theoretical result for the combustion product of Magnesium and Oxide is MgO, which in comparison to the experiment result of MgO was proven to be the same. This experiment had demonstrated the basic chemical reaction and the change in states between elements in order to form a stable ionic compound. Through the ionic bond between a metal and a non-metal, Magnesium Oxide was the product of two reactive elements Magnesium and Oxygen. Theoretical laws of conservation of mass and constant composition, lead to the formation of a relationship between the reactants (Magnesium and Oxygen) and product (Magnesium Oxide). The total mass of the products of a reaction must equal the total mass of the reactants. (0.8+0.5 = 0.13) The coefficient of a substance indicated the amount of portions each substance existed in, based on the law of conservation of mass. (2 moles of Magnesium, 1 mole of Oxygen, and 2 moles of Magnesium Oxide). And lastly, the empirical formula of a compound gave the lowest whole-number ratio of the atoms that is the identical with the mass ratios measured by experiment. (MgO) Any portion of a compound will have the same ratio of masses as the elements in the compound. Metal and a non-metal > reaction of 2 substances taking place> Ionic bond of elements>changes in states and formation of a stable compound >the construction of an unbalanced chemical equation -> evaluation of masses of the reactants to products> the law of conservation of mass/and constant composition ->the masses of left side  equals right side provide moles to balance the overall equation >establish empirical formula for end product. 3 experimental errors that may have effect on result Magnesium Oxide forms fumes which may escape the crucible when allowing a passage for oxygen to pass when the lid is lifted. Incomplete combustion of Magnesium (as no stirring rods was used to check/sift through the oxide to prevent calculation errors) Unthorough firing of crucible and lid (due to contact between tongs and crucible, certain areas may be missed) 3 improvements to method to improve results: Monitor the reaction of Magnesium with oxygen carefully, and keep the lid in place on the crucible containing the magnesium instead of off in step 11. Heat the magnesium for five minutes longer, lightly rotating the crucible at its base to ensure complete combustion. Fire the crucible and the lid twice to ensure that its’ completely dry and clean. CONCLUSION: An experiment was performed to calculate the empirical formula of magnesium oxide by comparing the masses of solid magnesium metal to the magnesium oxide solid product in a crucible. The concept of stoichiometry mole equation leads to finding the empirical formula of magnesium oxide. One major finding during the experiment was that burning magnesium caused its mass to increase as it reacted to oxygen. The amount of mass increase is proportional and able to be calculated through weighing the mass of product Magnesium Oxide and subtracting the original Magnesium mass to calculate the mass of Oxygen which partook in the combustion. The Empirical formula had indicated the proportion of Magnesium to oxygen (1:1) and identifies the compound to be Magnesium Oxide. The balance was very accurate in taking precise measurements of masses and the supervision of the experiment during the burning had been careful to prevent any loss of Magnesium Oxide mass to escape which in turn caused my mass results to apply to the law of conservation of mass without any experimental errors.

Analysis of Decision-Making Model Essays

Analysis of Decision-Making Model Essays Analysis of Decision-Making Model Essay Analysis of Decision-Making Model Essay We all make determinations of changing importance in the workplace every twenty-four hours. so the thought that determination devising can be a instead sophisticated procedure may at first seem unusual. However. surveies have shown that a big per centum of people are much poorer at determination doing than they think. An apprehension of what determination doing involves. together with an effectual techniques. will assist bring forth better determinations. Decision devising is the survey of placing and taking options based on the values and penchants of the determination shaper ( Harris. 1998 ) . Making a determination implies that there are alternate picks to be considered. and in such a instance we want non merely to place as many of these options as possible but to take the 1 that best tantrums with our ends. desires. life style. values. and so on. To make this I will use Rick Robert’s 7 Step Decision Making Model and use it to a recent work-related d etermination. I will besides depict how critical thought impacted this determination. The 7 Step Decision MakingModel by Rick Roberts has. you guessed it. seven different stairss. The first measure is to place the determination to be made. Under this measure. one will besides hold to find whether you are doing a pick between two or more options. The following measure is to understand yourself. What skills. involvements. values. and personality do you hold? The 3rd measure is to place the options. What are the current options and are there others available. Step four is to garner information and information. Take a expression at bing resources and place extra information and resources that may be needed. Step five is to measure the options. List the pro’s and con’s of each option. Identify the value and demands that are met by each. Acknowledge any hazards. present and future. involved with each option. The following measure. measure six. is to choose one of the options. If you don’t hold adequate information to choose one of the determinations. so reappraisal or revise one of the above stairss. The concluding measure is to plan a class of action to implement the determination. This 7 Step Decision-Making Model helped me with a recent determination that needed to be made at my occupation. I was offered a sidelong publicity. which would necessitate me to travel from one location to another. I used the different stairss to find whether I should accept the place. First I identified the determination that needed to be made and that I had two picks. whether I should accept this new place or non. Following I evaluated myself. Did I possess the accomplishments to execute this new occupation? Did the place tantrum with my personality? The 3rd measure determined my options. which were to accept the place or base on balls on the offer. My following measure was to garner all the information on the new place. I researched the occupation duties. radius with other employees who were executing the same occupation. and toured the new location that I would be working at. Following I evaluated the pros and cons of my determination. The pros were that I would be interacting with a new client base. spread outing my capablenesss as an employee and doing myself more marketable for a future publicity. the new environment was less nerve-racking. and I would be able to interact with other sections more. The cons of my new place would be that I would hold a longer distance to go to work. I would be unfamiliar with my new duties and would be larning from abrasion. and eventually I would be traveling into a smaller office. Following I moved on to step six and selected one of my options and decided to accept the place that was being offered. I so followed step seven by set uping a meeting with my supervisor and manager to rede them of my pick. Critical thought was really of import in doing this determination. since I needed to do a determination based on the benefits of my pick instead than allowing emotions guide me. Critical thought is make up ones minding rationally what to or what non to believe ( Norris. 1985 ) . Rick Robert’s 7 Step Model helped see that I looked at my picks from different angles and removed the factors that would non hold efficaciously influenced me. Decisions can be much more complex than they appear. Since our mundane lives and success is dependent on our ability to efficaciously place and put to death these determinations. it is indispensable that we find a method to this. I hope that Rick Robert’s 7 Step Decision-Making Model has given you a tool to hone this procedure.

Lateral Sands Managerial Operation and Challenges Therein †Business

Lateral Sands Managerial Operation and Challenges Therein – Business Free Online Research Papers Lateral Sands Managerial Operation and Challenges Therein Business Executive Summary: Scott Goodheart, The CEO of Lateral Sands was interviewed in regard to managerial operations within the company. With much experience under his belt he was able to explain many intricacies of the present and future of the company. Lateral Sands, an engineering services company, has been in operation for approximately 5 years and have reached a stable point where enough business is supporting the company. Although there are always challenges to be overcome, they are planning to expand to meet future market needs. Expansion opened many doors and mindset that need to be considered. Scott, having done much research in the area has contemplated opening a research centre in India. After much consideration, Scott and his upper level management, they plan to have the centre operational by the end of next year. The expansion will enable most of the ‘grunt’ work to be done via cheaper Indian engineering and will enable higher-level engineering and project management to be effectively utilized. Being the CEO of the company, Scott has had to contemplate the pros and cons of this expansion. From our conversations, I feel that they may expand from a services company and jump into product manufacturing. Although I do not foresee it in the immediate future, I think it is very much a possibility. Scott manages the business in a very peculiar way. By keeping his employee base as happy as possible (within reason of course) and by treating them as equals with encouragement on their self-management, he is able to successfully operate. By keeping his employees happy, he is able to extend the time they stay with Lateral Sands, and in turn this increases productivity (people know each other and work well together) and efficiency. Overall, the environment he tries to create is his way of creating boundaries while encouraging innovation. Introduction Lateral Sands, an engineering services company, founded in 1999 by a group of highly experienced professionals in hardware, software and technology management, was the company of my choice for this case study. Scott Goodheart, as depicted in Figure 1, is the Chief Executive Officer for the company and the interviewee. A BEc and MBA graduate has led to an extensive financial and project management background, with experience ranging from corporate banking (NAB – National Australia Bank) and smaller corporate consultancies. Scott considers himself a jack-of-all-trades but doesn’t have the engineering background (no technical background). Tony Costa is the 2nd in charge at Lateral Sands. He is in control of project management and markets the business, as it needs to be done from a technical point of view. Any other really experienced engineers donate 20% of their time to different managerial tasks. In California, the once had a senior person who did things specifically, bu t the ridiculous amounts of money they were paying (American Dollars) meant they had to bring him back down and now they only use him when they need him. Figure 1 – Scott Goodheart CEO Lateral Sands Lateral Sands has its corporate head office here in Perth, with a sales office in California as shown in Figure 2. Even though the company consists of more than 20 people (including California), I would consider it a medium sized business due to the size of the projects (monetary values) that are involved. As the company has established itself quite well over its 5 year operating time, a number of changes have become possibilities for future expansion. As with any company, there are a number of challenges to be overcome for the construction of a successful business. Lateral Sands had had a fairly short operational life, but has still been faced with many difficulties internally and externally. The macro and micro issues in the specific industry will be analysed, as well as their earlier challenges, and how knowledge and past experiences has influenced decision-making. Figure 2 – Lateral Sands Current Global Locations Lateral Sands has some macro and micro issues (challenges) that are dictating how the business should be operated at present. There location on Earth has led to much difficulty in marketing the business and recruiting personnel. The market success of the business in the Silicon Valley is dependent on the people they need to recruit and integrate into their operations. Time differences are also an issue between America and Australia. The contemplation of opening a research department in India or any other cheaper area is also ‘on the books’. Micro issues include their project managing setup and abilities – how the business runs for a project. Staff happiness is also a critical factor in the future affluence of the company. Scott sees staff as the most valuable asset Lateral Sands has. As they are the biggest cost the company has at present, their happiness and integration is the company’s operational efficiency and source of income. These plus more issues will be looked at in more depth during this case study. During the interview with Scott, we discussed much about how he feels management and employees should interact. Although I agree with his methods at present, with future growth of the company and expansion, new hierarchies will need to be established for correct business functionality. Analysis There are many areas of interest that I could investigate for this assignment. The first I will look at is staff. Scott Goodheart stressed more and more just how valuable staff members are at Lateral Sands. The have recently relocated the company from West Perth to Subiaco. He feels that Subiaco has much more to offer his employees in comparison to West Perth. The culture and life within Subiaco is the environment he is looking for. Cafes and restaurants, theatre and social hubs are the environment he would like to have close to his working environment. The signing of a 3-year lease shows just how much he believes his employees can benefit from Subiaco in comparison to West Perth. He very much wants a very broad skilled employee, and the sociality of Subiaco enables engineers to become less robotic and more human. Subiaco is not a cheap suburb to house a business, and if cost effectiveness were the main issue of relocation then Balcatta or Tech Park (Curtin area) would be more approp riate. company recruitment. As I mentioned earlier, staff are the biggest overhead that Lateral Sands has at present. Reducing the number of non-income producing staff and the quality of staff that are kept can dramatically increase profitability for the business. Scott mentioned that Lateral Sands ability to recruit in Australia is becoming a huge problem. They are after experienced hardware designers, which are nowhere to be found. The solution to this problem has been the hiring of students to fill these spots. Although not experienced, with correct integration a successful employee can be moulded to suit the company’s needs. Training then becomes the main issue for student recruitment. A benefit to Lateral Sands from my point of view would be the mixture of young and older engineers. To broaden and diversify your workforce can (if managed correctly) be better overall for the business. A younger engineer will (more likely) stay in the business for a long time, and with the aid and shared experience of the more experienced, older engineers; future experienced engineers can be developed. When recruiting Scott takes much consideration into the abilities of potential employees and how they will integrate into the business. He very much encourages self-management (within boundaries of the company) and innovation. Engineers at Lateral Sands directly converse with their clientele in the Silicon Valley or elsewhere. Because of this all the engineering employees need to have very good interpersonal skills. Scott mentioned how different cultural backgrounds make communication between nations more fragile but not impossible. Any wrong moves can easily lead to clientele alienation etc and can become a big problem when the company tries to acquire more business in the future. Another challenge for Lateral Sands is its remote location. Being based in Perth and having clientele worldwide (mostly in the Silicon Valley) has lead to the opening of the Californian sales office. The time differences are a constant challenge for the company as in the Silicon Valley they tend to work late and finish later. So from about 9am till noon in Perth they are able to contact their clients, which is 4pm – 8pm in California. This limited contact time only hinders but does not stop perfect communication and they have had little problems with the difference due to correct project managing. Communication and non-documentation has lead to some rather sticky situations for Lateral Sands. Some of the management situations in other companies (e.g. 60 employees) have been quite shocking for Scott. These situations have been quite frenetic and to quote Scott – â€Å"its like an organism that has just grown very, very quickly and is almost out of control. Its organised chaos and they do work towards an endpoint, and quite often we are trying to help them with their project management, verification of documentation or even incorrect specs.† These are all serious issues for a services company as with Lateral Sands. The fact that they are contracted to do a specific task in a certain time does not get helped by incorrect specifications or documentation errors or the lack there of. The job is not made impossible with errors but only more time and fund consuming then originally estimated. Remote marketing is a serious problem, which only seems to get harder. Scott has had to market Lateral Sands to Americans and as he puts it they always want to see physical evidence that the company has handled the task previously. The difficulty comes in convincing the Americans that they can port other knowledge across and apply it to a project successfully. The 100% success rate on projects (as mentioned on their website) is a fact that would be a valuable marketing tool when dealing with the Americans. He also mentions that we are culturally different to the Americans in the way that we are educated. We are adaptive and creative, and effective sidestepping has been needed in the past. Some convincing and a good track record have won over some American companies to hire Lateral Sands and the fact that they are cheaper (Australian Dollars) doesn’t hurt much either. Also to organise marketing it requires that somebody be there (in America). Also, choosing marketing strategies and amounts to spend is quite difficult. A marketing strategy for Lateral Sands could be advertising, word of mouth, or to â€Å"press the flesh† (face to face to make them comfortable with Lateral Sands and the concept of who we are and what we offer). Either way it takes people to be in America and to pay Americans in $US, becomes very costly ($US and living in the Silicon Valley is expensive and they expect a little more). As the other option, Scott could pay an Australian to fly over there to organise marketing. I asked Scott if he would consider hiring an Indian worker (in the future Indian research centre they plan on starting). He responded very abruptly with a no. The Perth office will handle most issues and the Indian centre will only be for research purposes due to the low costs involved. Lateral Sands is a services business as I mentioned earlier. Scott mentioned that they have considered expanding into manufacturing actual products. However this would lead to stock control etc issues that they at present don’t really have anything to do with. Macro-wise they just focus on getting the money in and keeping employees happy. He estimated that 70% of the overhead at Lateral Sands is staffing costs. He also gave an example that if they had a 10 Million turnover then approximately 7 Million would be outgoings. But if they went down the Indian isle, then recruitment becomes a major expense. For example he mentioned India, where the turnover of employees approximates to about one third of your workforce every twelve months. A micro issue or challenge the company faces in the future and currently is the main point of how you are managing you projects and you staff. He looks at the individual and the company cumulatively as a group. The same goes for when dealing with a client as an individual and collectively. Scott suggests that is really the trick involved with the services business, and it is this reason why managing a services company or in the way Scott manages Lateral Sands becomes less complex. The biggest management decision for the company at present but looking towards the future is expansion worldwide. He and upper level management have to decide the viability of expanding into a production and services company. Venture capitalists are hesitant about financing a large jump like that. It is not very often that a services company can successfully jump into a products business. There will be problems left right and centre. There will have to be a different technology strategy (e.g. research in In dia etc), there will be different expectations of salaries, different amounts of hours to be worked, and then other issues like documentations issues of their own. Basically a total company management restructuring would be in order. Their expansion into India could be the first step in that direction. Scott mentioned that other companies they deal with say venture capitalists are now demanding that at least some of the design process is done offshore (India or Romania where its cheaper). A lot of money will be invested into research, and Scott mentioned that architecturally if they can handle it here (Perth) and get the grunt work done in India (or a cheaper company of your choice) then why wouldn’t you? I agreed with most of what Scott had mentioned and he portrayed the image that he had done much research into the expansion of Lateral Sands. Scott vented to us, some issues flowing through his mind about expansion into India. Some pros and cons about the expansion were mentioned to David and I. India is an old colonial ex British enclave with similarities between code of laws and company structuring. Being able to intricately understand the operations within the country of expansion is critical. Cons for the expansion had also been mentioned. If expanding into Bangalore (Figure 3), there are many infrastructure problems; traffic is a major problem, power outages very often (3-4hrs between generally). With all this in mind and the very emotive subject of company expansion I will quote directly from Scott his feeling on expansion. â€Å"There is a lot of compelling evidence for us not to be in Bangalore, but I couldn’t give a rat’s arse about where we are as long as it’s cheap!† Figure 3 – Bangalore the capital of Karnataka, India Conclusions/Summary Lateral Sands is about to jump into a new, exciting era that would be great to become a part of. The successes and failures of the business are going to be greatly affected by the managerial decisions made within the next couple of years. Presently they are facing challenges in relation to obtaining business and new clientele. Market changes are forcing them to expand into India to meet current cost effectiveness. By opening a research centre of around 40 people (the same as 15 Australian wages) there are many possibilities of expansion into the production industry and not just the services industry. Restructuring of the company will have to take place before changing industries, let alone acquiring the finance necessary to establish a firm foothold in the industry. However, Scott is quite confident that the company as a whole, with the employees that have been trained and grown with the company, will be able to overcome any obstacle they may encounter. Financial withdrawal of a project by another company has only been an issue once for Scott, but once again he is quite confident they will bounce back again. The issue of remote marketing appears that it will always be of concern due to the remote location of Perth. If I were to have owned Lateral Sands I most likely would have established a similar setup to what they have at present. The main, well established head office in a fairly cheap area to operate in (namely Perth) and sales office in any place where new business is a high possibility (Silicon Valley). I would see that the trick is to have the head office in a stable country where you are economically and politically safe, and expand (or venture if you will) into any areas of immediate or future benefit to the company. India’s advancement technologically has been a fast one, and moving to join in the growth may or may not be a wise move at present, but the cost benefit ratio seems fairly stable at present, even with natural disasters becoming more and more frequent in the world today. Scott’s viewpoints on recruitment and employee relationships are quite understandable. If in his position, I would employ a similar technique. Staff turnover is always a problem for a stable, more in depth business as with engineering. As the skill needed for a particular task or jobs are developed over time, a new recruit is unable to perform at the level a CEO would wish (at least not straight away). By appealing to his staff members needs, he is able to create a more stable working environment. Scott believes that a workers environment can dictate his/her actions in today’s world, and having had some experience with non-conformist employees his experience and strict recruiting shows this to be a fact. A friendly, peaceful, hard-working and innovative workspace is the final result. Research Papers on Lateral Sands Managerial Operation and Challenges Therein - BusinessAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaThe Project Managment Office SystemMoral and Ethical Issues in Hiring New EmployeesOpen Architechture a white paperBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfThe Relationship Between Delinquency and Drug UseMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductGenetic EngineeringPETSTEL analysis of IndiaResearch Process Part One