LP6.2 Lien v. Lien Essay

A. What type of business entity did Pete Lien & Sons, Inc. , operate when it was originally founded in 1944?. Pete Lien & Sons, Inc. operated a partnership when the business was originally founded in 1944. B. Who were the original three partners of Pete Lien & Sons, Inc. , when it was founded? The original partners were Bruce Lien, his brother Charles Lien, and their father Pete Lien Sr. C. When Pete Lien & Sons, Inc. , incorporated in 1952, the partners became ___________ of the corporation. When Pete Lien & Sons, Inc. , in 1952, the partners became equal shareholders of the corporation. D. How many people served on the corporation’s board of directors at the time of the lawsuit? At the time of the lawsuit, seven people served on the corporation’s board of directors. E. At the time of the litigation, who owned the majority of stock in the corporation and received more income and dividends than any other shareholder? Bruce Lien owned the majority of stock in the corporation and received more income and dividend than the other shareholders. F. What allegations did Bruce Lien assert his complaint in the civil action that he brought against the corporation and the other members of the board of directors in April 2000? Bruce Lien alleged minority shareholder oppression, breach of fiduciary duty and tortuous interference with prospective business relations or expectancy. G. Under what South Dakota statute did the trial court find that there was a shareholder deadlock in failing to elect directors? (example: (SDCL __-__-__) Under SDCL 47-7-34(3) That the shareholders are deadlocked in voting power, and have failed, for a period which included at least two consecutive annual meeting dates, to elect successors to directors whose terms have expired or would have expired upon the election of their successors H. What did the trial court determine to be the most equitable manner of breaking the deadlock? The trial court determined the most equitable manner of breaking the deadlock was a blind auction between Bruce and all the other shareholders for the sale of the corporation. I. When the trial court’s decision was appealed, did the South Dakota Supreme Court, agree that a deadlock existed? No, the Supreme Court did not agree a deadlock existed and reversed the trial court’s rulings. The Supreme Court stated, there was no showing that the shareholders were deadlocked in voting power because of Bruce’s refusal to attend the meeting and participate in the voting for new directors.

Ethics Exam Essay

1)Give the complete definition Aristotle offers of eudaimonia? EUDAIMONIA MEANS HAPPINESS/ FLOURISHING DEFINED AS AN ACTIVITY OF THE SOUL IN ACCORDANCE WITH COMPLETE VIRTUE WITH ADEQUATE EXTERNAL GOODS IN A COMPLETE LIFE This involves one’s life as a whole and consists in action in accord with reason Eudaimonia is not achieved through pleasure, wealth, honor or even virtue on its own. What is an external good? Are external goods necessary or sufficient for happiness? While internal goods are more important, adequate external goods are necessary but not sufficient condition for eudaimonia. External goods from Aristotle’s view include good birth, sufficient wealth and friends. These external goods enable a person to practice complete virtue, because in many practices we use wealth (generosity), friends and political power (justice). Aristotle also includes good birth, good children and even outer beauty. Claiming that we cannot have the character of happiness if we look repulsive, we are childless, ill-born or live in solidarity. (Book one chapter 8) Is virtue necessary or sufficient for happiness? Happiness depends primarily on character and action in accordance with complete virtue, it is not something we can passively receive from other people or external circumstances and good fortune. it is Aristotle’s view that virtue is necessary but not sufficient for eudaimonia. Virtue alone cannot bring happiness because someone who suffers the worst evils and has no friends or external goods would not be considered happy by any means besides idealistic philosophy What is the most important aspect of happiness? Why? What kind of activities is Aristotle referring to? 3 different types of activity 1. Activity done for it’s own sake 2. Activity only done for the sake of an end 3. Activity both for it’s own sake and for the sake of an end Happiness is the highest goal because it is complete in it’s self, done for it’s own sake. 2) What is Aristole’s view of self love? When is it good and when is it bad? Why do people confuse this? P146 3) GIVE EXAMPLES of 3 virtues in aristoles, showing each is a mean in regard to feeling or actions (be specific) and say what the extremes of the excess and deficiency are. Courage the mean in regard to feelings of fear and confidence in threatening situations excess: arrogant, reckless, rash, lack fear when needed deficiency: fearful, cowardice, timid Generosity the mean in regard to the action of giving and taking resources excess: wasteful, irresponsible, impulsive deficiency: selfishness, stinginess, greedy Friendliness is the mean with regard to actions that cause pleasure and pain in others excess: people pleaser deficiency: quarrelsome 4) Why are the pursuits of pleasure and honor rejected as the good life?p4 and p19 1. The vulgar perceive happiness as pleasure, a life of gratification appears slavish like animal activities/grazing cows. 2. The political person perceives happiness as honor, insufficient because it can come and go and depends on those giving honor making it too external and superficial 5) Are virtue and vice voluntary? Can we change who we are? Explain aristotles view and your own Yes, virtue and vice are voluntary, both virtue and vice are in harmony with our desires and reason. vice develops after the character of someone becomes so that they preceive what is bad as good, this person according to aristole is still held responsible for their activity even though they can’t on their own change their character due to their perception. I think we can change with outside intervention. 6) What is the relationship between knowledge and virtue in Aristotle? Are the virtues of thought necessary or sufficient for moral virtue? What kind of wisdom matters here? p162 7) What are the three types of friendship? Why is the best one the best?p121 1. Loving the other due to utility 2. loving the other due to pleasure 3. loving the other for their own sake (complete friendship) only people of virtuous charcater can have complete friendship because it requires simular virtue between 2 people and ability to know and have confidence in the other persons character. It is the only friendship that continues past utlity and pleasure. 8) What are the three features self-love and friendship have in common? 1. Enjoy spending time together 2. Love the other for their own sake 3. share in pleasure and pains With self-love: Enjoy yourself, love yourself for your own sake, have intrinsic value within yourself, and share in your own pleasures and pains. 9) What is the difference between theoretical wisdom and practical wisdom, or prudence? How is each acquired? P90 Practical wisdom or prudence – a state of grasping the truth, concerned w/action, things that are good or bad for a human being prudence and virtue are necessary and sufficient for one another 10) What is the difference between continence and virtue? Is incontinence or vice easier to cure and why? p110   incontinence: to know (or maybe just believe) what is the good action and choose otherwise, your desire is different than your reason 11) Aristotle’s ethics depend upon no metaphysics or myths regarding the gods or the afterlife, yet he does make the assumption about human nature that equates goodness with happiness. What are these assumptions? Virginia Held What are Virginia Held’s claims are the 3 main masculine biases in history of ethics? Are they relevant today? 1. Dichotomy between reason and emotion Reason:rational:male as emotion:irrational :female Reason controls emotions 2. Split between public and private Mothering: natural and biological, women just reproduce life, driven by instinct, irrelevant to morality Man is human making history cultural, transcending his animal nature 3. Concept of self as individualistic rather the dependent and having particular relationships. How it effects today: â€Å"just add women mentality is not enough to fix how emotion and private life has been left out of ethics. New theories are needed that include emotions, nurturance of children and social relations beyond the scope of business. This requires reevaluating the importance of the home and children. Achtenburg What are the 2 necessary moments in feminism? Which do you think is important right now? 1. Claiming general human characteristics that have wrongly been called male (universal principles, dispassion, autonomy) 2. Elevating characteristics considered to be only female and devalued, (passion, particular relationships and community and connection, Feminist care ethics say embrace elevate gender dichotomy) I think it is important right now to elevate those â€Å"female† characteristics as valuable, for the private to be of value as equally as the public How does Aristotle provide a solution to the split between reason and emotion? 1. For a person with well-developed character emotions and reason are in harmony, not mere continence, emotions and reasons have the same aim. 2. Emotions are types of cognition, all types of pleasure and pain are from perceiving particulars that are good as good and that are bad as bad MacIntyre What is the tension between patriotism and liberal morality? Why does each view see the other as a moral danger? Patriotism is a kind of loyalty to a particular nation this conflicts with liberal moral theory because liberal morals uphold impartiality. Patriots see liberal morality as a threat to social bonds within a community and that it endangers the survival of such because it abandons all reason for defense. Liberal moralist think patriotism justifies war and can lead us into blindly following our government

Women in Shamanism Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Women in Shamanism - Research Paper Example When giving a reflection on the mainstream history, it is important to understand that the references on women, and the power they possess emanates greatly from the periods of the Goddesses. On the other hand, Znamenski (351) denotes that there is very little written on the role of women in advocating for religious doctrines, as well as issues in politics, rites of passage, economic affairs, world leadership etc. Scholar further denotes that women who have been written about, such as Jeanne d’Arc and Mary Magdalene have had a false representation, through the views of the masculine, or either victimized for their courage and bravery in speaking up (Holyoak, 413). It is important to understand that the society placed certain requirements for women. They had to be wives, mothers, as well as perform other feminine duties in their homes. Women who took up the roles of shamanism were unable to fulfill these roles that the society expected of them. Over the years, female shamans have suffered great discrimination and bad treatment from their communities. For example in the Korean communities, female Shamans did not have any respect from the people, and they used to live in a very poor life. Scholar denotes that these shamans have always been viewed as witches, and this is because of the manner of their dressings and behavior (Znamenski, 351). These people normally dress in very ugly dresses, wearing scary masks, and behaving under trance, as if speaking to spiritual objects. Some communities believe that Shamans have the capability of travelling to the unseen world, and communicating with spirits (Znamenski, 352). Some communities associate these aspects with black magic, and demonic forces. Based on this ground, Scholar believes that female Shamans only masquerade as medicine people, but in real sense they are witches, having learnt their trade from demonic forces. It is important to denote that the culture of contemporary

All art is a lie that helps us see the truth more clearly- Pablo Essay

All art is a lie that helps us see the truth more clearly- Pablo Picasso - Essay Example When we say art, we mean something that a person can look at and interpret. Art is a visual perception of its author; it highlights the main subject to depict its reality. The exaggeration of the illusion can be considered as a lie that reveals the truth behind the scenes much more clearly through the art performed, painted or sung. (Simon, 2007) In his own quote, Picasso illustrates an artistic touch to call art, a lie. By that he meant the illusion, the self created image of any topic and the observed scenario which an artist creates to send the message through. Hence, using all the human senses, the artist uses self expression to make analysis about the truth that lies behind the mirror. It is on one part the mirror image but much more of a deep scan that illustrated all the parts. Many artist find that in variety of subjects, much like Yehudi Menuhin, the famous American violinist on NY Times explained: â€Å"I look upon music as the most complete exposition of the body and spir it of man – and of our universe† (NY Times, June 1986)... , The Romantic Manifesto, 47) The excerpt explains it very deeply of how no real apple can actually look like the painted apple but yet gives the direct image of how delicious and ripe the apple is. Art hence covers dimensions of a human brain for it to pursue its desires. Arts that include poetry and theatre performance play a major role in defining how a simple lie, much like Ayn Rands’ Visual Abstractions can sum up major historical events and move people to find the truth amongst the words. In stage direction, now a day, art is being judged on the amount of hits it can get rather the quality of work and the meaning behind the scenes. It is taken as a time past rather, as Harold Clurman says â€Å"as a real communication through the mask of a fable†. (Lies like Truth, 1958) Poetic illusions As Art discovers many dimensions, it plays with words and thoughts, creating images and lies that a person is inclined to look into, to make it a reality. Shel Silverstein through is versatile poetic sense creates an illusion of a tree that can speak, â€Å"Once there was a tree... and she loved a little boy. And every day the boy would come and he would gather her leaves and make them into crowns and play king of the forest. ....... and the tree was happy But the time went by And the boy grew older. And the tree was often alone† (The Giving Tree) In this exemplary piece of art, the poet looks into a lie that is a tree that can speak, but infact is much more than that, for many the tree can be our family on which we stand by every day and they are there to help. Through art, Silverstein emphases that how reality revolves around how human wants are never ending but by the end of everything we go back to nature, where it all start. Too look behind the lie is the art of the reader,

A GAINST THE ODDS Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

A GAINST THE ODDS - Movie Review Example The NAACP plus the Urban League began the task of educating African-American in the performing and visual arts so as to respond to the racial stereotype of African-American in the 20s. Against the Odds: the Harlem Renaissance was both an art society and a compound political awakening to change. African-American historians narrate the efforts African-American political leaders made in order to convert Americas belief of the black populace from negative to positive. For instance, David Levering Lewis, the writer of When Harlem Was in Vogue, clarifies that the Harlem Renaissance was not on the subject of aesthetics, but it wanted to improve the lives of the African-Americans (Edwards 1). In conclusion, this film explores the rich and complex account of the Harlem Renaissance. Its production quality is brilliant. Lighting and sound in every scene is steady. Against the Odds: the Artists of the Harlem Renaissance, finally, would be an excellent addition to public and school library

American Indians and horse culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

American Indians and horse culture - Essay Example Makes me wonder how nomads make it? They abuse and take off. No holds bar to sentimentality or reason because this does not stay factual to them. They keep on relocating- must they be finding something they subconsciously know can never be theirs? The persistence results to instability and desire for what is not present. It seems as if we people, from all cultures relish the idea of wanting the impossible. The myth that lies between nomads comes real today because people endlessly desire and at the end of it all, they lose all of the little they ever had. Do people want anything they are not ? Unconventional approach is what the writer used in this poem and the directive phrases and words comprise a tone of demand that yields the inner questioning he has for himself. There is a constant mention of the horse culture. The relation of each of the characters presiding in the plot are brought about a commonality and this would be the horse culture. Inconsistent, unstable and restless – qualities of the people he is referring to. This I believe are the same people I deal with each and everyday. Everybody is a half-breed struggling to learn about their horse culture – One of the last lines in the poem that struck me the most and led me to my thesis statement. The struggle and competition is never ending because people want more and more when there is not much to consume aside from each other. This American Indian heritage symbolizes the globalization of all humanities that have converged to meet the demands of disorienting racial discrimination. People are opening their minds all across the globe to get the best of everything – since standards are rising, they must keep up. Their own â€Å"ghosts† – at least they ones they named for themselves are rapidly approaching and they must escape.

Management Principles of Pursuit of Happiness Term Paper

Management Principles of Pursuit of Happiness - Term Paper Example In any business, money is the language people speak, even in the business of families. When money is not smooth-flowing, members of a company or family could break apart, leaving broken relationships. This is a common mistake made by the untrained or novice businessman, foreseeing a great future in a business without making careful studies of the feasibility of an enterprise before investing in it. In the case of Gardner, he bought all the machines he could and though he worked hard to sell them compounded with good communication skills, he still lost his wife. However, serendipities could happen when perseverance is present as seen in the life of Gardner when his selling of the machines led him to places which brought him to the success in stockbrokerage. Gardner proved to have keen eyes for success when he looked enviously at a stockbroker’s car and asked him what he did and how he did it, showing qualities that are essential to successful management. He was not only observa nt but he had a way of expressing himself without reservations, he had good communication skills. Honesty was one he could have never thought would be the very key for his having a chance in his dream job as it is shown in his confession to the interviewers that he tried to make up a great story why he went to the interview dressed like a garbage man. Although choosing appropriate clothes is as important as the product in every business, Gardner was able to persuade his interviewers that he could do the job by selling himself first, his abilities and capabilities. Although he was a leader of a basic unit of society, his family; he seemed to be unsuccessful managing it, failing to keep his wife to work with him in their pursuit of the happiness they both longed for. Despite the trials they have been through, he stood to the discipline of never hitting a woman or leaving his son, borne of a desperate need for the father he never knew. This became his personal motivation, to stay with his son and not give him the chance to have a piece of the abuse he experienced in the hands of his stepfather when he was a child, and to work hard to give his son the care he needed as his wife left them for New York. Birthed from such a need, the high-paying job of a stockbroker became to him a challenge and a motivation as he had the opportunity to grab the job, with it not needing a college diploma to qualify as an applicant. Crossing the bridge to take the training as a stockbroker became painfully difficult when he learned that the six-month long training is without pay. Faced with the dilemma of raising his son alone, he had to stand firm, making sacrifices to be able to accomplish every task that was set before him. This is where Gardner’s planning and strategic management skills became evident when he had to work while training and at the same time attending to his parental responsibilities. He managed his time pretty well, studying in the train and working while ta king his leisure time with his son, juggling his various responsibilities and making wise use not only of his time but also of all resources available to him. Moreover, when he was in the training scene, Mr. Witter became one of his motivations, praising him for his wit and hard work, driving him all the more to be productive. He was a natural strategic planner, valuing every tick of the clock so that he even estimated an eight minute productive time he had, from refraining to drink, and hanging in between calls. He was a team-player,

Will new background checks on gun purchases assist with decreasing gun Research Paper

Will new background checks on gun purchases assist with decreasing gun violence - Research Paper Example This gives rise to organized gangs and illegal trades, which heighten conflicts, thus necessitate the use of the guns in harming others (Kemshall 12). It is therefore with the knowledge that the American streets have more informal guns than the formally accounted guns thus explaining the high crime rates that the government formulated new background check on gun purchases. This policy seeks to review the current laws governing the purchase and ownership of guns thus improving more accountability. The efficacy of such a policy depends on its implementation to regulate the rising crime rates in the countries major cities. The crimes in the cities have an effective pattern that thrives on the formation of organized gangs. Such gangs operate on illegal businesses such as the trade of drugs; drug peddling is the greatest cause of street violence in the country. The illegal trade is worth billions of dollars an amount that requires security to manage. With weaker guns management policies, drug peddlers gain access to guns with which they secure their trades. The heightened rate of conflicts among such guns reciprocates in the use of the very guns in causing harms to other opposing gang members and other innocent citizens. Siegel (19) explains that another group of potential source of gun violence is robbery. Robbery and violent attacks is more prevalent in the American streets all of which are executed by the use of guns. Robbers need force to scare their victims before stealing from them, the most perfect source of scare to most of the people are guns, this therefore necessitate the frequency with which robbers use guns and violence in their robberies. Additionally, guns aid the robbers thwart resistance from their victims. The other type of gun use arises from the unregulated licensing of gun users, in a country with more people officially owning guns, every frustration and conflict attracts the use of guns thus causing more casualties from very light feuds. It is with this understanding that the government formulated the new background check on the purchase of guns in a bid to regulate the private ownership of guns. This in a way seeks to curb the rising crime rates. This new policy is an improvement to the Brady Handgun Violence prevention Act of 1993which required the federal firearms licensees to analyze every prospective firearms buyer and determine their suitability to purchase the arms. This new policy makes this analysis more stringent by dictating that just a single state organ have the ability to dispense guns to the public. With a single dispenser, it becomes to investigate every illegal gun in the street and determine its origin. Furthermore, such a single outsourcer provides effective documentation of the guns and their buyers to ease federal investigations in case of a crime. The legislation further dictate that the gun dispenser share its database with the federal bureau of investigation and any other state investigation body t o fast track investigation processes of any case involving the use of illegal guns (Kemshall 41). This law further requires that the licensing body investigate the mental state of the gun buyers. In doing this, the federal body determines the suitability of the gun buyer to use the firearm responsively without causing intentional arm to the society. The gun purchase further requires the establishment of the need for the gun, the government laws permit top government officials to own guns. Such officials include government secretaries, judges, magistrates, attorneys and other top ranking civil servants. These people attract public attention towards themselves and they conflict with a number of people in the dispensation of their

How do you see this issue affecting New York City in the next Five Term Paper

How do you see this issue affecting New York City in the next Five Years - Term Paper Example These grants are meant to cut outlay by a third. This must have ensued after the former president Bill Clinton stated in his convention speech that Medicaid expenditure on the elderly accounts for over a third. This new bill proposed by the republicans will permit states to change the minimum eligibility, canons of care, as well as federal rules, which now safeguard adult children from being charged for their seniors’ Medicare. The official election may resolve Medicaid’s future. Nevertheless, many federations challenged with escalating Medicaid rates and budget shortfalls are now trying to cutback the budget of lifetime care by greatly altering Medicare coverage by using federal waivers. Waivers taken or obtained by twenty six states, comprising California, New York, Illinois, Texas and Illinois, would affect nearly three million persons, most of who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. Lastly, the suggest that plans vary; nonetheless, typically they attempt to cut down costs by offering private managed-care establishments a fixed figure for a long term of care from hospital visits and doctor to nursing home settlement to aid at home, supposing that adequate care will occur in less costly settings. Hospice and Its Costs June 27, 2011, 1:14 pm By The New York Times This article provides an insight on the fact that hospice care bill is increasing at an astounding pace, and it has stimulated charges that most benefactors, especially commercial corporations which are incongruously enrolling patients. This, according to the article, can be explained by moving of hospice into the mainstream where it is currently serving about 1.1 million Medicaid patients annually. This has resulted in mounted concerns concerning excessive costs and misappropriation. The article claims that for the 28 + years that Medicare has recompensed benefactors for hospice provisions, it has, however, been acclaimed for providing critical health and emotional aid to dying patients as well as their families. Proper use of hospice care can save the government money. Studies have revealed that affording dying patients comforting care within their own households, or within a hospice institution

Labor & Management Relations Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Labor & Management Relations - Research Paper Example As for employees, the job market in the United States has been turned upside down in the last couple of years, as a major result of the economic turmoil facing the country (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011). According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2011), the average unemployment rate across the United States remained steady for February and March 2011 at an estimated 8.8%. Thus, while working for a company like Wal-Mart may not be ideal, it may be one of the few forms of employment that many Americans are able to secure under the current economic circumstances facing the country today (Glasmeier, 2006). Unfortunately, the retailer is taking obvious advantage of the desperation of customers and employees. In remaining a major force in the retail industry, gaining power through the economic crisis on multiple levels, the actual costs behind its low prices are definitely not a part of the organization’s publicized marketing strategy (MSNBC, 2005). ... These customers do not need to be made to feel badly about their shopping experience, Wal-Mart has an opportunity that they are failing to realize. At this point, they have a massive market share, which will most likely return to what it was prior to the 2008 economic collapse, in the next couple of years when the economy bounces back from its brief devastation; based on historical data (Microsoft, 2011). However, without implementing a training program that drives customer loyalty through employee satisfaction, Wal-Mart has the potential to lose their significant gain, to competitors like Target, when unemployment rates are down and the economy is booming once again (Microsoft, 2011). Thus, this paper will examine the many reports of federal law violations and unacceptable human rights standards to which the big-box retailer has become accustomed in its time of economic prosper and impermanent power. According to Cram (2005), â€Å"In 2002, 43 distinct charges were filed against Wa l-Mart for violations of the National Labor Relations Act and since 1995, 60 complaints have been filed against Wal-Mart with the National Labor Relations Board.† In response to these charges, this paper will also recommend implementation of a training project that will ultimately help to improve the image of Wal-Mart in the eyes of its most important assets, its human resources. Assessment The number of employee complaints and lawsuits against Wal-Mart for its poor, and in some cases illegal, employment and employee relations practices that have been steadily rising throughout the past decade, makes this problem worthy of addressing; particularly at the local level where managers have

Strategic Management in Dynamic Environments Essay Example for Free

Strategic Management in Dynamic Environments Essay After some good discussions and ideas regarding the expansion plans of the furniture company, the realization comes about that the main factor to consider is the competition that will be encountered in the expansion country of choice. As a result, there needs to be further research done regarding the top competition for the furniture company in China. After researching furniture companies in China, the two companies that have been chosen are IKEA and Markor International Furniture Company. IKEA is a company that started out small by a five year old boy with an entrepreneurial spirit selling pencils and match sticks to neighbors. Because of his drive and determination to help out his family, the IKEA brand started in 1943 and is a global giant that has stores in forty-one countries, with twelve stores in various neighborhoods of China. The vision of IKEA is to create a better daily life for the many, and their business plan is to offer a wide range of well designed, functional home furnishings at prices that are low enough so as many people as possible can afford their furniture (IKEA, 2013). Markor International Furniture Company was founded in 1995 and has lumber resources that are imported, produces various styles of high-end furniture with different cultural elements, and exports to Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan, the U.S, as well as other countries. Markor ranks as one of the top furniture stores in the industry and in the areas of equipment level, production scale, industrial and technical production, as well as marketing, product development, and management. In 2002, Markor created its own brand of furnishings; Markor Home Furnishings and began working with Ethan Allen, one of the largest furniture retailers in the U.S, and opened around thirty stores across China (Markor, 2013). As we look at IKEA and Markor, it is evident that both these companies have strengths and weaknesses. Because of those strengths and weaknesses, it is important to do a SWOT analysis since it will not only analyze the strengths and weaknesses, but also the opportunities and threats. The strengths of  IKEA include brand recognition and image, internationally known, unique business model, and a long-term joint venture with their supplier, which equals quality products. The weaknesses are privately owned, a reliance on European markets, lower level of customer service, and real estate (large land masses). The opportunities are further international expansion, smaller store locations, moving towards being global and more high-end furniture. The threats are competitors (direct and indirect), shipping prices and rising commodity, copycat companies, and a threat to the performance of the company in specifically the American and UK markets. IKEA is a direct competitor to us because of their established global presence and brand recognition, and furniture styles that look high-end, but are inexpensive. They also have several locations throughout China. In some ways IKEA has an advantage over us because of their inexpensive products, but are of quality. However, our advantage over them is that our customer base wants furniture that is of quality and furniture that is already assembled (IKEA, 2013). The strengths of Markor is their collaboration between Ethan Allen and their own brand Markor Home Furnishings and a strong operating performance, known internationally, free shipping, marketing strategy, and economies of scale. The weaknesses are an over dependence on domestic regions, high employee turnover, expensive products. The opportunities are recovering economy, strategic acquisitions, and additional global expansion. The threats are falling housing investments in the U.S, labor and wage issues in China, aging population on main shopper sector, and competition (direct and indirect). Markor is a direct competitor for us because they are a well established company in China with a working relationship with Ethan Allen and export to countries like Australia, Canada, Europe, Japan, and the U.S. They also have a wide range of high-end furniture with influences from the countries they export to and a direct competition to our product line. The advantage they have over us is that they are an established company with various locations throughout China (Markor, 2013). When discussing a cooperative strategy with our competitors, this is something that is highly possible with Markor. Since this company has already established a working relationship with Ethan Allen, why not add more partnerships to the mix. This form of relationship will have benefits for involved by adding value to each company. As far as  IKEA, not so sure that a cooperative strategy is possible, IKEA is a company that has its own way of doing things and their own ideology. If it were possible, our company would have to do things IKEA’s way. Another strategy that the furniture company should perform is building a competitive market profile. This process helps companies to identify and communicate with the forecast that offers the best opportunity for success. This type of profile is a concise description of the type of prospects the company wants to sell to. In order to do this there are certain steps to follow: identify the target market for our products as accurately as achievable; profile business customers by a set of different attributes consisting of size, location, and industry, as well as decision makers; research the preferences and interest of that target market; build a profile that is more detailed of the target audience on our website regarding their specific requirements; identify the benefits of the products that represent the best value for our customers; and create a positioning statement that I distinct for each sector of customers. Although this will vary depending on the area of expansion, but these steps will help the company go into the market as a strong competitor (Marketing, 2013). References IKEA. (2013). The IKEA Way. Retrieved from http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_CN/about_ikea/index.html MarketingMo. (2013). How to Articles: Competitive Positioning: Start with a Market Profile. Retrieved from http://www.marketingmo.com/how-to-articles/competitive-positioning/competitive-positioning-start-with-a-market-profile/ Markor International Furniture Co. Ltd. (2013). About Markor. Retrieved from http://www.markorfurniture.com/en/0230.html

The Challenges In Implementing Erp Systems

The Challenges In Implementing Erp Systems ERP is the process of integrating all the business functions and processes in an organization to achieve numerous benefits. First, a single point of data entry helps to reduce data redundancy while saving employees time in entering data, thereby reducing labour and overhead costs. Second, the centralization of information, decision-making, and control leads to increases in efficiencies of operations and productivity, as well as coordination between departments, divisions, regions, and even countries. This is especially true for multinational corporations (MNC), in which global integration could result in better communications and coordination around the world. The global sourcing and distribution of parts and services could also provide appropriate benchmarks for operations around the world. Third, the sharing of a centralized database provides business managers with accurate and up-to-date information to make well informed business decisions. Further, it reduces data redundancy while improving data integrity at the same time. Fourth, functional integration will consolidate all sorts of data, such as financial, manufacturing, and sales, to take advantage of bulk discounts. ERP is especially important for companies who are intimately connected to their vendors and customers, and who used electronic data interchange (EDI) to process sales transactions electronically. Therefore, the implementation of ERP is exceptionally beneficial to businesses such as manufacturing plants that mass-produce products with little changes. Nevertheless, the revolutionary and innovative ERP software system quickly expands into other business areas such as finance and retailing. ERP also provides companies with a competitive advantage over their competitors. But despite these several benefits, there are also certain challenges faced by ERP, especially during the implementation phase. Some of the challenges faced during the implementation of an ERP system are explained in the following sections. Typically ERP systems are very costly, take a lot of time to implement and have a risk associated with implementation, and also affect the job profiles of many employees. Thus the three major dimensions involved are money, time and people involvement. In addition, there is also a requirement to re-engineer existing business practices to match the needs of the new ERP system. AN ERP IMPLEMENTATION PLAN The following flowchart depicts several activities that must be performed before implementing an ERP system. Step 1: Managers must conduct a feasibility study of the current situation to assess the organizations needs by analyzing the availability of hardware, software, databases, and in-house computer expertise, and make the decision to implement ERP where integration is essential. They must also set goals for improvement and establish objectives for the implementation, and calculate the break-even points and benefits to be received from this expensive IT investment. Step 2: The second major activity involves educating and recruiting end users to be involved throughout the implementation process. Step 3: Managers form a project team or steering committee that consists of experts from all functional areas to lead the project. Step 4: After a decision is made to implement ERP, a team of system consultants will be hired to evaluate the appropriateness of implementing an ERP system, and to help select the best enterprise software provider and the best approach to implementing ERP. In most situations, the consultant team also recommends the modules that are best suited to the companys operations (manufacturing, financial, human resources, logistics, forecasting, etc.), system configurations, and Business-to-Business applications such as supply-chain management, customer relationship management, e-procurement, and e-marketplace. Step 5: Adequate employee and manager training must be provided to all business, stakeholders, including managers, end users, customers, and vendors, before the system is implemented. Such training is usually customized and can be provided by either internal or outside trainers. Step 6: The system installation process will address issues such as software configuration, hardware acquisition, and software testing. Step 7: Data and information in the databases must be converted to the format used in the new ERP system and servers and networks need to be upgraded. A post implementation review is recommended to ensure that all business objectives established during the planning phase are achieved. Needed modifications are tackled during this phase too. Issues Faced while Implementing an ERP Although issues faced while implementing an ERP are numerous, but this report classifies them majorly into selection related issues, technical issues, psychological issues, organisational change related issues and time and cost related problems. Selecting an appropriate ERP The first and foremost challenge faced by many organisations is deciding what sort of an ERP system they should select to implement. The managers must decide on the size, type and scope of the ERP system they actually require and how to choose the best solution amongst the existing hundreds of systems in the market. This selection problem arises for all businesses without exception and should be considered as seriously as possible for the reason that ERP system choice defines a companys strategy for at least the following 6 to 10 years and, no doubt, has a major impact on the future success of the entire business. To decide on the implementation of a successful ERP program, the managers should have an in-depth understanding of the organisations current business processes, organisational structure, culture, work environment and financial and economic strength. Due to enormous impact on the competitive advantage of the company, top management must consider the strategic implications of implementing an ERP solution keeping in mind the size of the company and the modules installed. Management must ponder about several topics like:- à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Does the ERP system strengthen the companys competitive position? à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ How does ERP affect the organizational structure and the culture? What is the scope of the ERP implementation only a few functional units or the entire organization? à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Are there any alternatives that meet the companys needs better than an ERP system? à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ If it is a multinational corporation, the management should be concerned about whether it would be better to roll the system out globally or restrict it to certain regional units? Only when all these points have been taken care of, can an ERP system be selected for further implementation. Technical Issues Once the appropriate ERP is selected, the arduous task of implementation has only begun. The next part of implementation issues are related to the technical aspects of the project both hardware and software. These issues include the existing servers and workstations to be updated and new and modern ones to be ordered, purchased, and replaced. The internal network also has to be analyzed and modernized if required; the speed and bandwidth of the existing Internet access should be taken into consideration, along with possible technical concerns about the mobile devices being used. If these questions are underestimated, they can dramatically impact the overall result of the project and easily result in slow performance in the first few weeks, or in some cases months of ERP implementation hence resulting in a slackening of the existing pace of business. However the situation has been changed during the last few years, and plenty of software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications that have shown up on the market now allow the cost and headache of hardware problems to be minimized. More specifically, ERP systems need a Graphical User Interface at the front end, and are based on a client-server technology. They require the ability to access and share data across all applications across different platforms. Some servers and equipment might have a need to be custom built, and that can also cause a time lag in ERP implementation. In short, it can be said that the unique hardware and software needs of an ERP system, along with the continued use of pre existing applications in an organisation can prove to be tricky and are a major consideration while implementing an ERP. Data quality and consistency issues This issue is common in companies that are implementing ERP for the first time and transferring their legacy data into the new system from Excel spreadsheets, manual records, or old disparate applications. Basically, the question is that old data that have been used and stored for years can for many reasons appear approximate or even incorrect in the new ERP system. Integration of data from other older systems with the new ERP system is a major concern while implementing the system. A particular company might have accounting and finance systems operating on different mainframes (say IBM 370 architecture), MRP systems on a high end VAX, and a logistics system on an AS 400. The legacy systems of this company might be coded in COBOL. Thus, the implementation of a new ERP system for such a company needs to be done very carefully and requires technical judgement for the implementation of this new system. People related Psychological Issues This is the most difficult type of issue to resolve. These are the questions and issues that originate from the aspect of human nature that never accepts any change without seeing the visible advantages of it. People-related issues such as corporate philosophy and leadership style can play an important role in the ERP implementation process. Research has concluded that active top management support and commitment are essential to the success of any system implementation. Frequently, executive councils and steering committees consisting of top managers are developed to plan and manage the IT initiatives. Employees can be quite wary of any kind of change in the business processes, particularly during periods of economic downturn. Ill-trained employees who fight the changes in the business process tend to be poor performers. Therefore, to increase the chance of a successful ERP implementation and to reduce users resistance to change, employees, especially those who are very knowledgeable with the operations, must be involved in all stages of the implementation process. Employees must also be educated about the ERP installation. Such educational endeavours should include a concise introduction to the basic concepts and architecture of ERP systems, including actual screen shots of the function modules. During these training sessions, it is important to discuss the managerial issues involved and to build a basic understanding of the integration concepts prior to the actual installation of the ERP system. Further, any Business-to- Business initiatives, reengineering projects, alliances, an d the introduction of new technologies should also be addressed. Project managers must take charge of the implementation process at all times. They must oversee the reengineering of the key business processes, reassign job responsibilities, restructure the organizations chart, and redefine work relationships. Further, they must also learn how to manage the software vendors and any outside consultants. Employees working on an ERP implementation project put in long hours (as much as 20 hours per day) including seven-day weeks and even holidays. Even though the experience is valuable for their career growth, the stress of implementation coupled with regular job duties could decrease their morale rapidly. Leadership from upper management and support and caring acts of project leaders would certainly boost the morale of the team members. Other strategies, such as taking the employees on field trips, could help reduce the stress and improve the morale. Organisational Changes ERP implementation brings significant changes into a companys conventional business model and the day-to day practices it has been using for years or even decades. ERP implementation requires organizations to reengineer their key business processes in fundamental ways, revamping old ways of conducting business, redefining job responsibilities, and restructuring the organization. For major multinational corporations (MNC), the ERP systems must be customized to address global issues where different countries have different ways of doing business, and to incorporate country-specific business practices pertaining to accounting, tax requirements, environmental regulations, human resources, manufacturing, and currency conversion into the integrated systems. While integrating the information systems across various countries, three types of misfits (relating to data, process, and output) can occur due to incompatibilities between software functionality and organizational requirements as well as differences in cultural and regulatory environments. The unique context of each country in which an organization operates must be carefully included into the traditionally Western-biased business practices inherent in the ERP systems. Implementation Cost and Time Implementation Cost: Even though the price of prewritten software is cheap compared with in-house development, the total cost of implementation could be three to five times the purchase price of the software. The implementation costs would increase as the degree of customization increases. After training the selected employees, strategies such as bonus programs, company perks, salary increases, continual training and education, and appeals to company loyalty work to retain them. Other intangible strategies such as flexible work hours, telecommuting options, and opportunities to work with leading-edge technologies are also being used. Implementation Time: ERP systems come in modular fashion and do not have to be implemented entirely at once. ERP packages are very general and need to be configured to a specific type of business and may follow a phase-in approach with one module implemented at a time. Some of the most commonly installed modules are sales and distribution (SD), materials management (MM), production and planning, (PP), and finance and controlling (FI) modules. The length of implementation is affected by the number of modules being implemented, the scope of the implementation, the extent of customization, and the number of interfaces with other applications. The more the number of units, the longer the implementation time. Further as the scope of implementation grows from a single business unit to multiple units spread out globally, the duration of implementation increases. Conclusion An ERP implementation is a huge commitment from the organization, causing millions of dollars and can take up to several years to complete. However, when it is integrated successfully, the benefits can be enormous. A well-designed and properly integrated ERP system allows the most updated information to be shared among various business functions, thereby resulting in tremendous cost savings and increased efficiency. When making the implementation decision, management must considered fundamental issues such as the organizations readiness for a dramatic change, the degree of integration, key business processes to be implemented, older applications to be included, and whether or not new hardware needs to be acquired. In order to increase the chance of user acceptance, employees must be consulted and be involved in all stages of the implementation process. Providing proper education and appropriate training are also two important strategies to increase the end user acceptance rate. The o rganization is also going through a drastic change, with changes in the way businesses are conducted, the organization being restructured, and job responsibilities being redefined. And finally, the cost and time of implementation of an ERP system also are a major challenge faced during the implementation process.

Victim Profiling Is A Subject Criminology Essay

Victim Profiling Is A Subject Criminology Essay Victim profiling is a subject that has continued to attract a lot of public imagination. Many investigators have studied human behavior and crime in the broad context of victim profiling. Currently, victim profiling is not a subject that can be viewed secretively as a mysterious technique employed by the U.S police force when seeking to solve crime. Its main objective is to understand a crime from both the victim and perpetrators perspectives. It involves both investigative psychology and crime scene analysis. The subject has also received a lot of media attention as a technique employed by the police. As the police try to ensure public safety, they will use several tools to apprehend criminals. Despite the tremendous advances made in victim profiling, the technique is characterized with various problems. Victim profiling systems needs to be improved to ensure it provides accurate and reliable information. It should be noted that if victim profiling is improved and properly implement ed, it will continue to be a valuable and exciting scientific tool for criminal investigations. Keywords: Victim profiling, criminal investigations, crime scene Victim Profiling Victim profiling can be defined as a set of approaches and techniques used to predict the characteristics of an unidentified offender through investigating and analyzing the evidence obtained from the scene of crime. By analyzing the scene of crime, an investigator aims to understand the personality, demographic and behavioral characteristics of the offender. The characteristics obtained from the crime scene can be used to identify the behavior patterns of the unknown offender. The paper will address the issue of victim profiling, problems that make it less effective and also provide evidence of ineffectiveness. Finally, it will suggest how these problems can be addressed in order to improve the effectiveness of victim profiling. Victim profiling generally determines the cause and effect relationship aspects between the scene of crime, victim, witness and the offender. The technique is mostly used in crime scenes where the identity of the offender is not known and in serious types of crimes such as murder and rape. The process uses crime scene information to create a psychological portrait of the unknown perpetrator (Muller, 2000). A profiler will take information such as the state of the crime scene, nature of weapons used and what was said or done to the victim to come up with a victim profile. In addition, it can include information such as geographic pattern of the crime, mode of entry and exit from the crime scene and where the offender resides. The real process of victim profiling may differ from one investigator to another depending on ones level of training. However, the aim of the process will still remain the same which is to deduce the personality, physical and behavioral characteristics of the perpetrator (Muller, 2000). It should be noted that a victim profile by itself will not catch a criminal or solve a crime. However, the profile will play a big role in assisting the police in their investigations. A victim profile may not be very accurate in suggesting with certainty the real perpetrator of a crime. Nonetheless, it greatly assists the police by providing the right direction in crime investigation. For instance, when the police have not found any leads in a crime, a victim profile can prove potentially important by suggesting helpful hints which the police may have overlooked. According to Muller (2000), there are some crimes where victim profiling may not be necessary. However, it is very suitable in crimes where the unknown offender leaves behind signs of psychopathology or in situations where the crime scene illustrates some form of ritualistic or violent nature. There are several approaches of victim profiling such as geographic profiling, crime scene analysis, investigative psychology and diagnostic evaluation. Diagnostic evaluation basically relies on clinical judgment. Crime scene analysis approach is the most popular technique of victim profiling and was developed by the Behavioral Science Unit of the American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Crime scene analysis approach relies on deductive reasoning, intuitive thinking and pattern identification done by experienced investigators. On the other hand, investigative psychology relies on behaviorism. It is based on the fundamental principle that the manner in which a crime is committed can illustrate the behavioral characteristics of the offender (Young, 2006). Geographic profiling approach emphasizes on the crime scene location in providing offenders information. The Problems of Victim Profiling Since victim profiling cannot be regarded exclusively as a science, debates have been raised over its effectiveness. There are various methods of carrying out victim profiling. As a result, varied opinions have emerged over which approach is considered the best. Some people question the scientific validity of an offenders victim profile because it is seen that it is hugely based on guess work. For instance, in a murder case, the manner in which a victims body is left can mean various things which may not really be the same considering the many factors that may need to be looked at. Therefore, if victim profiling is not done accurately, it can generate wrong leads and throw off investigations (Young, 2006). Over-generalizations and stereotyping can also impact on the effectiveness of the victim profiling technique. For instance, a cloud judgment may be used to reason that most offenders in rape cases are single men living with their parents. However, this may not necessarily be the case and can lead to creating a false victim profile if the offender turns out to be a married man with his own family. The other problem that hinders the credibility of victim profiling is lack of adequate data or insufficient interpretive capacity (Kocsis, 2007). These problems may fall short in providing a definitive and comprehensive identification of an unknown offender. This can be the case considering the uniqueness of offenders variables such as the modus operandi. The validity of victim profiling has emerged as a major problem. According to Kocsis (2007) the validity of the technique may be questioned since offenders information is based on anecdotal accounts. Despite the usefulness of these accounts, they cannot be confidently relied upon to confirm the validity of victim profiling. Most of these accounts are co-authored by investigators who might be led by typical human psyche of success rather than failure (Kocsis, 2007). As a result, these anecdotal accounts may sometimes lack objective reasoning which may affect the accuracy of the process. Several people have criticized the psycho-investigative techniques currently used in victim profiling. These techniques are based on intuitions/instincts which affects the scientific validity of victim profiling. Another problem in victim profiling that needs to be addressed is the absence of regulation. Due to lack of regulation, several unreliable statements may be made on the media by inexperienced or self-appointed profilers (Kocsis, 2007). Due to lack of regulation, disparities exist in the level of skills required from a profiler. Also, disparities in the skill levels may affect the overall quality of the process. Lack of uniformity is the other problem faced in victim profiling. For instance, the nomenclature used in describing the process lacks uniformity. The process has been referred to in many terms such as victim profiling, criminal profiling, offender profiling, criminal personality profiling and criminal psychological profiling. The reliability of data used in victim profiling is a major issue that affects its effectiveness. The unreliable information relied upon may lead to inaccuracies hence affecting the usefulness of the techniques. The problem of unreliable data affects the reputation of the technique among professionals. Some critiques have argued that victim profiling is based on false typologies not supported by empirical theories. Due to problems associated with its unreliability, it can lead to inaccurate profiles which may derail investigations or may lead to biasness towards a wrong suspect. Evidence of its Ineffectiveness The 2002 Beltway Serial Sniper Shootings that happened in Eastern United States as an evidence of over-generalizations involved in victim profiling. Several victim profiles were made after the shootings. When the suspects were later apprehended, it emerged that the victim profiles had little similarities with the suspects. Another example of over-generalizations in victim profiling is the case of Granny Killer which occurred in Sydney, Australia in 1989(Kicses, 2007).The victim profile identified the unknown killer as a young male of African descent. When the culprit was eventually found, he turned out to be an elderly Anglo-Saxon. Evidence to illustrate lack of uniformity can be observed in the several terminologies used to refer to the process. The process does not have a uniform baseline of defining a serial murder. According to Muller (2000) some people classify a person who has killed two people as a serial murderer. To others, one needs to have killed up to four people to become a serial murder. Therefore, a cut-off point is necessary of identifying whom to label as a serial murderer. Pinizzotto and Finkel (1990) carried out a research to determine the accuracy of victim profiles and the qualitative differences among profilers in a series of cases. The profilers included professional profilers, psychologists, students and detectives. According to the findings, the accuracy of the different profilers varied depending on the case investigated. Profilers were found to be more accurate than other groups in cases of sexual offense. However, the profilers were realized not to be accurate as the detectives in ca ses of homicide. The study also realized that professional profilers wrote more detailed and richer reports than non-profilers (Pinizzotto and Finkel, 1990). This study can act as evidence to show that not just anybody who bears the name profiler has the capability to effectively do victim profiling. Therefore, there is a need for a proper regulation to ensure that only professional profilers with the required set of skills engage in victim profiling. How to Improve victim Profiling Since victim profiling is still developing, its credentialing and regulation needs to be given more focus. This can be achieved through better communication among investigative agencies on better ways of linking the different approaches of victim profiling. Victim profiling practice needs to be incorporated into a professional body to ensure that it is regulated. Such a regulatory body will help ensure that only people with the required set of skills are allowed to do victim profiling. Secondly, more research needs to be done on victim profiling practice. Such research needs to be open to scientific scrutiny to ensure that they provide reliable and accurate information. Currently, victim profiling is regarded more as an art. If more research is done, the practical techniques of the field will be improved by scientific approach. This will ensure that victim profiling delinks itself from using literature based unreliable data to becoming a vital tool in crime investigation. In addition, victim profiling can be improved through development of standards which will provide the process with uniformity. Developing standards of uniformity will ensure that communication problems are reduced through use of common terminology. Also, creation of standards will minimize cases of disparities in the practice which arise due to different methodological procedures. Also, victim profiling can be improved through training and educational requirements for the profilers. Improved training will improve the profilers competency and skill set. As a result, the profiler will be able to avoid biases regarding offenders from influencing a victim profile. Implementation to the System As technology continues to develop, there is a need to integrate modern computer technologies in victim profiling. For instance, the Canadian police have introduced Computer-Based Violent Crime Linkage Analysis System (VICLAS) (Young, 2006). VICLAS allows detailed documentation of all solved and unsolved cases of sexual assault, homicide and missing persons. The computer program contains a feature that links various crime databases to improve the analytical capacity of the system. Implementation of such systems among various investigative agencies and the police will improve victim profiling technology. Furthermore, it will give the process a more scientific inclination. The different approaches of victim profiling need to be integrated into an effective tool for predicting criminal characteristics and behavior. Geographical profiling, crime scene analysis and investigative psychology need to be correlated to standardize and conceptualize victim profiling technique. Implementing such developments will increase the validity and reliability of victim profiling. Profilers and investigative agencies need to develop better trust to ensure the success of victim profiling. Profilers and investigative agencies need to share crime scene data to assist in determining the existence of similar cases in surrounding areas. Similarities can be realized through comparing notes on offenders modus operandi and any form of signature left. In addition, profilers need to avoid inductive and indiscriminate profiling and adhere to sound decision making and behavioral science principles. Biasness, personal beliefs and over-generalizations need to be set aside in favor of deductive reasoning. Conclusion Victim profiling is a technique that is still developing and there is a lot that needs to be done. Victim profiling needs to be accurately and reliably in order to be helpful in crime investigations. There are several problems associated with victim profiling such as lack of uniformity, absence of regulation, inadequate information, validity and accuracy concerns. However, the effectiveness of victim profiling can be improved through better training and education of profilers. Also, more emphasis on research is necessary in order to make it more scientific. Furthermore, the technique needs to be professionalized by incorporating it into a professional body to regulate the competency of people who can perform it. Creation of uniform standards in the different approaches of victim profiling, improving linkages between profilers and other investigative agencies, and adoption of modern technologies are other ways of improving the effectiveness of victim profiling.

Narrative Assignment †Julian Bond Speech -- Civil Rights Event

Narrative Assignment – Julian Bond Speech When I entered the hall where the famous civil rights leader was going to speak, the crowd filing in reminded me more of a church congregation than of a university campus audience. The general mood had an air of formality about it and many people were dressed up for the occasion. Conversations were going on around me but in quiet, almost respectful tones as everyone located their seats. The surroundings at Smith Memorial Hall helped to set this formal mood, too, because the hall could be mistaken for a church with organ pipes in the background and flower arrangements set up on the podium. Unfortunately, any expectations that I had about Julian Bond giving a high-powered, energetic speech about the exciting days of the civil rights movement were fading fast even before the event got started, and I braced myself for a boring Friday night. While the University Chancellor gave the introduction to Julian Bond on the 50-year anniversary of the landmark Brown v. Board of Education court decision, my interest in this civil rights figure gradually began to grow. Bond’s has a long list of accomplishments and has devoted his entire life to the fight for justice and equality in America. The audience, myself included, had to be impressed by his resume, because it was one that very few of us could ever even dream of achieving. Bond was a founding member of the NAACP, a close friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, and an active participant in many of the major events of the civil rights struggle that changed the course of U.S. history. He also served for 20 years in the Georgia Legislature and is now a professor of history at the University of Virginia. With this outstanding l... ...n our resources and has actually made our country less safe. He said that he admires Al Sharpton greatly, even though as chairman of the NAACP, he can’t endorse any particular candidate for President. In one of his final responses, Bond said that he has a great deal of hope for the younger generation and encouraged them to follow the example of his generation because they learned how not to afraid to fight the rich and powerful forces in America. Bond’s speech exceeded all of my expectations and I came away with a great deal of admiration and respect for his opinions, many that I personally share with him. It is one thing to learn about the momentous achievements of the civil rights movement in class, and a whole different thing to hear it coming from one of the movement’s original leaders. The evening spent with Julian Bond was one that I was very glad I attended.

Feminism: Destroying America :: essays research papers

Today’s America is being overrun be people who believe in change, people who think that every individual should be brought up with the exact same conditions, no matter what their physical or psychological differences. People who use term â€Å"politically correct† whenever they perceive an injustice toward someone because of the orthodox way of life in America that has remained constant for decades. Now, these people, these feminists, want to change everything because they think people (more specifically, woman) have been getting the short-end of the stick for years. Now, these feminists are infiltrating our government, corporations and schools, slowly assimilating individuals into their group. The patriarchs of this society (that is those who believe things should stay as they are) are allowing this to happen because of fear of what the feminists might present against them.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Take for example a feminist female, who is climbing up the corporate ladder at a major corporation. She claims that because she is a woman, she is being held up by men in the corporation from advancing, even though they say that she has an equal opportunity to advance in the ranks of that corporation. She accuses the authoritative figures of acting on their sexism (which is by law illegal) and creates a fear factor among those in authority. She then gets promoted because of this fear, even if she does not deserve it. (Fr. Fischer) This creates a multitude of problems. First, the company is shortchanged because of an insufficient and unprepared leader. Second, the people who deserve the positions loose hope, and don’t put forth all their effort. And finally, the subordinates under the poor leader do not perform with the best efficiency. It seems that even if the feminists did not coin the term â€Å"the squeaky wheel gets the oil† they surly live by it. (Captain Richard Leisenring)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The youth of our society is being brainwashed by the feminists. More specifically, boys are being taught to act like girls, learn like girls and play like girls in our schools. This may not be a conscious act of the schools, but the majority of elementary and middle school teachers are females and cannot help teaching female values to our youth. Whether they like it or not, they teach like a woman, and woman teach everything who they seem it to be easiest to understand. (Fr. Fischer) However, it is often not the easiest way for the male â€Å"hard wiring† to understand.

Why World War II Broke out in 1939 Essay -- essays research papers

Hitler’s Aims Hitler was never secretive about his plans for Germany. His aims were explained in detail in his book Mein Kampf, of what he would do to make Germany a great nation again. His main aims were to: Abolish the Treaty of Versailles Like many Germans, Hitler believed that the Treaty of Versailles was unjust. He hated the Treaty and the German politicians were in his view, â€Å"November Criminals†. The worst aspect of the Treaty was that it was a reminder to the Germans of their defeat in the First World War and their humiliation by the Allies. His promise to the German people was that if he was the leader of Germany he would reverse this. By the time Hitler came to power, some of these terms had already been changed. The largest if these was Germany no longer had to pay reparations. However, most of the conditions were still in place. Expand German Territory Another term of the Treaty was that land was taken away from Germany. Hitler wanted this territory back. He also wanted an Anschluss with Austria, and with any other German minorities in other countries such as Czechoslovakia. As well as regaining old land, he also desired to make an empire in the east, for the Germans to have Lebensraum, or living space. Destroy Communism A German empire in the Soviet Union would also help Hitler with one his other objectives, which was to defeat communism. Hitler was anti-communist. He also believed that Bolsheviks had contributed to Germany losing the World War. This aim was accepted in the West, due to the growing fear of communism. Therefore, people were lenient towards his other aims. Rearmament As soon as Hitler came to power in 1933, one of his first steps was to increase Germany’s armed forces. Consequent... ... take over the border districts of Czechoslovakia. 3. Britain and Germany would never go to war. On 1 October German troops marched into the Sudetenland with no resistance. Although the British people welcomed the Munich Agreement, they did not trust Hitler. In March 1939 they were proved right. On 15 March, with Czechoslovakia in chaos, German troops took over the rest of the country. There was no resistance from the Czechs. Nor did Britain and France do anything about the situation. However, it was now clear that Hitler could not be trusted. For Chamberlain, this was a step too far. Unlike the Sudeten Germans, the Czechs were not separated from their homeland by the Treaty of Versailles. This was an invasion. Britain and France told Hitler that if he invaded Poland they would declare war on Germany. The policy of Appeasement was ended.

Ford Motor Company: Options for a Successful Future

The future of Ford Motor Company and its ability to remain at the top of the automotive industry requires the company to focus on products, resources, planning, and implementation. Decisions must be made relative to product lines, sales. and re-directing the organization’s resources for future success. In order to do so, four options have been recognized and the company must determine which options are best suited to move the company in a positive direction. Discuss at least three criteria the company should use to decide which of the four listed options is best and the reasons why each criterion should be used. Ford Motor Company has the option to close down older plants in an effort to realign production and sales. The criteria identified in order to determine if this option is in Ford’s best interest include: What will be the total cost to the company to buy out employees, close plants and the political ramifications of this decision? What are future trends? What is the differential between production and sales? The second option for Ford Motor Company to determine is whether to produce only smaller cars, eliminating or sharply reducing the SUV and truck lines. In order to determine the validity of this option, the company would need to evaluate the following: Can fuel economy be realized in these particular vehicle lines without significant cost being passed on to the consumer? Will there be a continuing market for SUVs? How will reducing or eliminating truck lines affect overall sales? Option number three requires reducing the North American presence and focusing more on international markets where Ford has been very successful. The determining criteria for this option includes: What is the sustainability of the Ford brand in the international market? How will reducing or removing North American presence affect the overall brand? Can reducing North American presence act as a catapult and raise demand for Ford vehicles in that geographical location? The fourth option to be considered by Ford is the possibility of selling its luxury line – the PAG group. The determining factors for choosing this option would include: Performing a profit and loss analysis of the group to determine the losses sustained by the company relative to continuing to invest in this product line. Could redirecting investment from this product be better spent lsewhere? In light of the possibility that market conditions can and do change, discuss at least three examples of how the company should build-in flexibility to back up its decision-making process. The possibility of market fluctuation is imminent. Therefore, Ford must be certain to build in flexibility to sustain change. Using an options based approach will allow flexibility by reserving resources such as time, people, money, or production capacity. (Williams, 2010). By maintaining flexibility, Ford will be better equipped to adjust to changes and fluctuations in the market. Discuss how an effective action plan can be created and how progress can be tracked. Creating an effective action plan involves setting both short term (proximal) and long term (distal) goals. Achieving short term goals is motivational to the employees who will assist in the achievement of the long term goal. Short term goals are more easily attainable than long term goals. However, long term goals are essential. Another way to track the progress of an action plan is by providing frequent feedback regarding performance to workers and employees. This will allow Ford to make adjustments in order to achieve goals. Williams, 2010) List at least three steps that make-up a workable plan and explain why each is important. Setting goals is the first step in creating an action plan. Goals should be specific, attainable, realistic and timely (S. M. A. R. T. ). (Williams, 2010) Once goals have been set, a workable plan that develops commitments to the goals must be created. Enlisting the commit ment of upper level management and employees is essential to achieving goals. An effective action plan indicates who, what and when for accomplishing goals. (Williams, 2010). The best options for Ford Motor Company would be to limit production of SUVs. Today’s economy lends itself to more fuel efficient, eco-friendly vehicles. With gas prices soaring to new heights on a weekly basis, maintaining a large SUV is simply no longer cost effective for the average American family. The price point for this type of vehicle is also a downside to ownership. However, the truck lines produced by Ford should remain intact. Ford’s truck line has become known as a reliable brand and people take stock in the Ford brand when it comes to company fleet vehicles, construction vehicles and even the agricultural and farming industries rely on the Ford truck brand. Without question, Ford should sell the PAG group. With losses i n the billions and rising, resources from this product line could be redirected into better selling ventures such as the smaller vehicle product line discussed earlier. Ford does not have to rely on the PAG group for growth and profits. This venture is simply a dog that needs to be put down. The option to reduce SUV production and sell the PAG group would be the options best suited to produce growth and stability in Ford Motor Company. These options allow Ford to focus on the traditional product lines of smaller and more economical vehicles and durable truck lines. Producing more cars than it can sell at this point in time would be detrimental to their future success. More inventory does not equate to more sales. The PAG is a loss that continues to be a thorn in Ford’s side. Eliminating this group would free billions of dollars for re-investment into fuel consciousness research for smaller vehicles while upgrading the truck lines. Implementing these options will contribute to Ford’s longevity, profitability and growth.

British Air Essay

Strategy: In this context, strategy is to be taken as the nature and also the direction a company can take in light of the choices which are at its dispose. Therefore, from this definition of strategy, strategic responses can be inferred to mean the responses that an organization takes in achieving its strategies and hence strategic responses. Nature: refers to the very essence of the company, for instance BA is an airline and hence in the airline industry. Direction: refers to where the organization in question (BA) is headed and hence strategic responses. Pestle Analysis: It refers to a methodology whereby the macro environment is analysed. It will be used to analyze the political, economic, sociological, technological, legal and environmental forces affecting the airline industry under which BA operates and to which this forces impacts on the strategic making of BA. Abstract The airline industry is in the service industry which experiences very volatile changes all over the world and hence companies have to keep up with the changes as well as plan for future changes and challenges in the service industry of airlines through strategic making. Strategy making is an important aspect in the organization in light of the organization succeeding in the environment it is operating in. Though the airline industry is changing like any other typical service industry, it does not mean that the airline industry can afford to lag behind or sleep in terms of making strategies suitable for the now markets tastes and the then (future) markets tastes. Therefore the paper critically reviews the corporate strategy of British Airways (BA), the company’s competitive strategies through critical appraisal of the company’s strategy, industry and company analysis. However, an overall industry analysis is undertaken before any analysis of the company’s strategy through analysis of a three dichotomies impact in the company and in the context of three paradoxes in the company and the perspectives which are applicable to the paradoxes. Industry Analysis Overview BA is a renowned airline in the UK and among the largest airlines in the world, facts which are derived from fleet size of the airline, the number of passengers carried and the number of international flights made by the airline. It was established in 1971 with the motives of gaining control of BOAC and BEA which was the then nationalized airlines alongside other two airlines, which were Cambrian Airways and the Northeast Airlines. The merger of the four companies that formed the presently BA airline was effected in 1974 and become a state owned company. However, the company was later privatized in 1987 and its expansion was gained through acquiring the British Caledonian together with Dan Air in 1992. BA is currently trading in the UK Market share as the largest airline in terms of the fleet size and boasts of being in 2nd position in terms of its market share (IATA 2012), trading under the name of International Airlines Group following a merger in 2011 with Iberia. In the global arena, the presence of BA is felt through the company being 5th largest airline in terms of the passengers who are flown using the BA airline (See; Figure 1, position of BA in the global arena). Current and Future Key Issues Affecting the Airline Industry In researching on the current and future key issues affecting the airline industry together with researching the trends and the competitive forces that are affecting the airline industry in the modern times, in light of BA strategy making and the influences that are to effect on BA, a pestle analysis, SWOT analysis and the Porter’s Five Force Analysis are the tools that are going to be utilised. However, for greater specificity, the focus of the pestle analysis is the European Airline Industry. Pestle Analysis Political Issues Having state owned airline, which are owned by governments and therefore enjoys government protection resulting to regulated competition. This classic example of government regulation of international air was seen in BA in the merger of British Caledonian together with Dan Air in 1992, to combat competition on long haul routes. Development of aviation policies which are politically generated, for instance, the Aviation policy in UK of increasing the capacity at Heathrow, which according to Civil Aviation Authority are only short term measures that would do Europe no good in terms of competing with other global competitors for instance USA, China and India. The idea is to have more capacity through building other airports (Reals n.d.). In UK, airlines’ belonging to another country are not allowed to operate within the route of another country (cabotage) and hence eliminates competition in the airline industry in the UK for there is no competition from the non – European countries. Increase in APD (Air Passenger Duty) by 8% for which all airlines have to comply and which can translate to less travels to the UK for ADP ultimately increases the cost of travels (BBC News 2012, 1st April). Airlines constrains in terms of adhering to government policies for instance the pledge by the UK government to reduce carbon emissions by 60% reflected in the UK Climate Change Bill. Economic Factors Severe crisis in world economics where financial systems have been destabilized and paralyzed and therefore needs to be restored to stability, otherwise translates to less travels by air. Stiff competition in the airline industry in the UK due to presence of competitors who even offer low fares flights. Competition was brought about by the deregulation of the Airline Industry in UK Socio – Cultural Factors UK’s ageing population which is approximated to rise over the years. Projections in UK’s populations estimates that there would be more elderly people than there are presently (see; Figure 2 and Figure 3 for the projections) Accessibility of airline travels by the lower social groups in the UK Technological Factors Development of cleaner engines in the aviation industry which means that airlines like BA have to adopt the new technologies and also in light of the pledges in support of government’s policies to reduce carbon emissions. New operating procedures which can be as a result of sudden changes in weather patterns The use of Bio – fuel by the airline industry is the various developments in the world of technology that the airline industry has to deal with. Environmental Factors Development of environmental policies for instance the UK Climate Change Bill Health scares which mostly are as a result of the changes in climate and weather patterns for instance earth quakes and bird flues. Emissions policy in the UK, for instance the move to have airlines charged for their share of green house gas contribution on flights that are to and fro Europe. Legal Factors Open sky agreement ending the protection of national carriers and introducing completion in the airline industry. EU regulatory changes; for instance the increased call for better care of the customer US regulatory changes; for instance the ban on liquids and gels past the screening checkpoints affects the customers of air transport mode who may be in possession of such goods (liquids and gels). BA’s SWOT Analysis Strengths A Strong Brand Global appeal Established Fleet Operations Latest fleets that provide the calm to its customers Innovativeness in the development of products and services by the company Strong analytical and marketing skilfulness Weaknesses The organization’s culture (the â€Å"us† culture) Decline in operations efficiency Unhealthy financial performance Lack of provision of competitive customer packages Poor marketing strategies that are to reinforce competitiveness of the company to the standard of its competitors Opportunities Global tourism, which continues to increase due to globalization Technological advancements in the airline industry UK’s ageing population Corporation tax reductions Threats Competition from low fares airlines (e.g. British Airways Low Cost Airline {BALOW}) Increase in ADP by 8% Oil price volatility Increase in regulatory conditions and laws which are varying Substitute means of transport like electric trains and buses The ever changing customer behaviour which is hard to predict Porter’s Five Force Analysis Porter’s Five Forces study is important in order to check whether BA’s proposed strategies are to become profitable to the organization (Porter 2008). Diagram illustrating a simplified 5 Forces Model By Micheal Porter; adopted from http://www.brs-inc.com/porter.asp, Analysis distinct to BA as provided below: Degree of Rivarly BA operates both the small and the long flights BA is different in policies and terms with their competitors in the airline industry Other companies like Virgin Atlantic criticisms of some of BA’s strategies for instance the merger of BA with AA and thus disregarding the company’s strategies to its customers. Threat of Entry Competitors are discouraged from entering the market by; Existing firms in the airline industry having a competitive advantage Changing new technlogy Transformed government policies Threats of Substitutes Internal substitutes include;busses, cars, electric trains External substitutes include; international airlines like EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic Buyer Power Availmability of the internet to consumers increases the consumer’s conciousness and exposes the consumers to BA competitors. Supplier Power Supplier’s makes use of trade unions to have a high bargaining power Market characterised by suppliers having a high power BA has only two supply manufacturers of its aircrafts and a sole fuel supplier The Paradox of Markets versus Resources The airline industry being a very volatile industry has to survive through tough financial times, for instance economic recessions. In light of all the changes that occur in the airline industry, an organization has to continuously adapt to the environment in which it is operating in. In light of BA’s environment, i.e. the service industry, it is paramount that the organization’s strategic thinkers acknowledge that imitation of what other companies are doing in the market may not always produce the same results and hence BA needs to constantly study the market to identify the asymmetries that keeps emerging in the service industry and hence develop the asymmetries to capabilities for the organization. This therefore proposes that the organization has to keep in touch with the market for instance through continuous research and development of the organization’s products and services and in light of the company’s strategy of becoming an airline of choice to customers of long and short haul premium. BA differentiation from its competitors is seen through continuous research and development of the industry which can be inferred through the analysis of the SWOT, PESTLE and the Porters Five Forces tool, continuous improvements of the company’s products and services to its customers for instance through maintaining the organization’s networks in the long, short and cargo segments. In addition, BA as a front-line in the airline industry has an advantage over its competitors due to its long presence in the industry which dates to the years where it was a state owned airline. This clearly shows that in adopting some strategies for instance the acquisition of Iberia, BA tries to make its presence felt in the global arena. In addition, the organization resources allows the organization to apply the inside out logic as compared to its competitors who may not have a good command of resources at their dispose and therefore making BA have a competitive advantage. The inside out logic follows that for a firm to gain a competitive advantage over its competitors, it must have the capability of converting the processes of production in a quick and cheap way and which BA has exhibited and continues to exhibit through its various acquisitions of other airlines and through mergers formed with other airlines. BA’s strategy that is consistent with achieving its strategy of being an airline of choice to customers of long and short haul premium is through acquisition of other airlines so that all customers are within in its reach enabled through the mergers and the acquisitions. While the theories of completive advantage suggest that for an organization to gain competitive advantage, the organization must establish a cost effective way of attaining its strategies. This means that the company’s operational costs are lowered and this leads to the company having a competitive advantage over its competitors. Therefore, BA’s strategy of mergers and acquisitions is geared or leans towards the company having a global presence in the world and hence appealing to its customers and reduction of operational costs. The reality of the environment that the organization operates in is realised through the SWOT, PESTLE and analysis of Porters five force (Fine 2009). In as much as an organization has to adapt to the environment for instance through continuous development of services and products to meet the ever changing needs of the consumer, the resources that are at the dispose of an organization in light to adapting to the current trends, tastes and preferences of the consumers in the industry can indicate otherwise. A company’s resources refers to the tangible and the intangible resources for instance land, money and materials which are tangible while the intangible resources include the rational resources for instance the relationships and reputation and the competencies which include the knowledge and capabilities. One of BA’s strategies is becoming an airline of choice to customers of long haul premium and which is counter acted by strategies for instance through continuous research and development in order to identify the tastes and the preferences of the customers, continuous improvements in products, services and networks and through maintaining its presence in the long, short and cargo segments. However, these strategic responses are evaluated against a background of whether the market needs of the consumers are the once to guide the strategy making process of the firm or the firm is the one to leverage the strategies that BA is to take owing to the fact that whether there are adequate resources to respond to the needs of the markets so identified through the research and development process in order for BA to attain its strategy of becoming the airline of choice to customers of the premium long haul (Clegg, Kornberger & Pitsis 2008). BA’s markets versus Resources The strategic responses put forth by BA illustrates its commitment towards attaining it strategy of becoming an airline of choice to customers of premium long haul which is achieved through BA building a terminal which increased the operations of the airline. In addition, BA also appeals to customers through transforming the customer’s service in that the customer service exceeds punctuality and hence customers are more satisfied which represents the rational resources of the company. BA has also continued to grow in order to meet at the crossroads with the needs of the customers through launching of routes from London to St Kitts, launch of the open skies and also flights from continental Europe to countries in North America. In addition, BA also made L’Avion and started to fly from London to NY JKF. The expansion is made in the efforts of BA coordinating its efforts to have a more international perspective that is cable of meeting the demands of the customers. BA Plc (2010), recognises that there are 5574 BA resources oversees and approximately 35, 920 in the UK. However, greater specificity is to be achieved through coordinating the resources and market availability (Schneider, Gunnarson & Niles-Jolly 1994). BA’s commitment to the needs of the customers is seen through the purchases of aircrafts which are modern which are also in the effort of appealing to customers. Other ways through which BA appeals to its customers is through being corporate responsible through its commitment in reducing carbon emissions (Johnson, Scholes, & Whittington 2008). Therefore BA is driven by the outside – in logic other than the inside – out logic for the balance between the company’s resources and the markets availability will always indicate a different shift where the company strategies are more bound towards meeting the demands of the market and hence the outside – in logic prevails. The Paradox of globalization versus localization Globalization is a strategy that is being adopted by international corporations in order for them to gain a competitive advantage over competitors. Strategic tensions that a company for instance BA has to face in light of globalization revolves around the concept of globalization that is to be adopted in light of achieving strategic goals. For instance, one of BA’s strategy is to increase its global presence with the strategic tensions in attaining this objective being whether global is to be taken in the terms of a worldwide scope that is to refer to the geographic presence of BA in the world, worldwide similarity of the BA’s products for instance, using the word global to refer to the homogeneity of BA’s products around the world or whether globalization (Thompson, Strickland & Stappenbech 1994) would be in the context of the integration of the operations of BA, that is linking the world as a system through its services (See Figure 5 for illustrations of the di mensions of globalization). A different tension lies in whether BA is to respect the differences that exist between markets defined by national boundaries which can be done through designing products and services that meet the needs of customers in different countries. The paradox of globalization and localization is a challenge that BA has to address in light of its strategy of having a global presence with questions ranging on how the company can address the globalization synergies and at the same time remain relevant in addressing the local synergies. BA’s Globalization and Localization To begin with, one of the ways through which BA’s strategy of global presence is achieved is through the strategic response of having a global connectivity for all the customers and this is achieved through BA establishing tier in most of the major cities in the world or through expansion which is gained through BA partnering with other airlines for instance the low fares airlines or through mergers for instance the merger of BA with Iberia, code sharing with Kingfisher carrier in India (in 2010) and the recent acquisition of BMI from Lufthansa in 2012. In addition, BA is one of the largest airlines in the UK a position that the company has gained through having a large fleet size, flies to over 300 destinations in the world and has shareholdings in BA city Flyer, Comair, Flybe, Open Skies, AIG, ICCR and BMI. In addition, the global presence of BA is felt through BA being the 5th largest airline by scheduled passengers. Without much further ado, the paradox of globalization versus localization for BA is congruent with the dichotomy of whether BA develops a business model distinctively different from its competitors or whether industry logic is the one that largely determines the firm’s strategy. In analysis, the drivers of globalization are market drivers, government drivers and competitor’s drivers which have less to do with BA developing a business model that is distinct from its competitors. As a major airline in UK, BA enjoys economies of scale and understands that it must have the oligopoly characteristics where firms operating in an oligopoly market cannot act independently on their own (De Wit& Meyer 2010) and hence disputing the fact that BA can develop a business model distinct from its competitors (Porter 1985). Owing to the drivers that make a firm to be globalised, BA’s strategies are interdependent with its competitors. For instance, deregulation brought new agreements for example the EU – US Open Skies agreement in 2008 which brought a shift to competition in Transatlantic Routes and as a result the US Carrier Deltas, US Airways and the Continental started operations at Heathrow in 2009. Therefore, it is less convincing to claim that BA develops a business model distinct to it for clear facts exists to establish the claim that it does not act independently of its competitors and one of the ways it does so is through the strategy of having a global presence in response of what its competitors are achieving (the operations of other airlines which are taking advantage of deregulation to coin agreements and operate in other countries) (Roth & Ricks 1994). The paradox of Responsiveness and Synergy This paradox brings into focus a company’s dilemma of how to respond to the competition in the industry and whether the company can match the demands of the market and at the same time maintain the responsiveness of the business. In order to have synergies in an organization there is need for a company to unify the different activities carried out in the organization which in some instances may make a company lose its business responsiveness. For a company to attain synergies and at the same time attain responsiveness (Mintzberg, Quinn & Ghoshal 2002), the organization must draw out clearly its corporate scope for instances of how many businesses the company should have, corporate distribution, for instance the weight that is to be placed on each business unit in the organization, integrated mechanisms for instance of how the synergies in the company’s business should be achieved and the management mechanisms that ensures that the synergies so developed are a reality to the company. The meeting point of a business responsiveness and the synergies so created, results to the paradox of responsiveness versus synergy. Business demands presents a business to forces that pull it apart while the synergies pul ls the company into an integrated whole. BA’s Responsiveness versus Synergy One of BA’s strategies is to meet the ever changing needs of the consumer for instance meeting the needs of the ageing population which requires the company to provide more value to the products offered to this market segment, reinforce the company’s brand, development of new products and also through enhancing customer loyalty (Mintzberg & Ahlstrand 1998). For the company to achieve the above strategy through the strategic responses discussed above, there is need to coordinate the various units of the organization into a functional whole whereby units so entrusted with the development of new products, researching on upcoming market trends are an integrated whole of the organization and hence the synergies. For instance, the finance department of the organization needs to avail funds to the research and development of the organization so that proper research on upcoming trends is conducted effectively. This principle is consistent with making the parts an integrated par t of the whole for the whole to function as one unit, that is the organization (Raynor 2005). The paradox of responsiveness and synergy can be best achieved when the management and the leadership style demonstrates control or managed chaos. In a controlled leadership, a company attains responsiveness (Porter 1996) and at the same time attains synergies because the management of the organization is organized in such a way that the different businesses or the department in the organization are headed by leaders who have the same goals. In a leadership where there is chaos, the synergies and the business responsiveness losses focus for the management is not organised to attain the responsiveness and the synergies (Mintzberg & Ahlstrand 1998). . Conclusion In light of the volatility of the airline industry, the strategies that BA has put in place are best achieved when the paradoxes of globalization versus localization, markets versus resources and responsiveness versus synergies are analysed in the context of the dichotomies applicable to paradoxes. In so doing, BA will not only maintain its current position as being the best airliner in the UK, but also attain competitive advantage over other airliners who are its competitors and also potential entrants (McGahan & Porter 1997). Bibliographies Reals, K. n.d., UK will Suffer Unless Long – Term Aviation Policy is developed: CAA. Retrieved from; http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/uk-will-suffer-unless-long-term-aviation-policy-is-developed-caa-366738/, Retrieved on 28th May, 2012. De Wit, B. & Meyer, R. 2010, Strategy Process, Content, Context. New York; Cengage Learning. 4th Ed. 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