PepsiCo Supply chain Essay

For the entire document (with exhibits and important disclosures associated with its content, if applicable), view original document (PDF) The changing beverage marketplace has resulted in some major transformations amongst the industry’s chief competitors. The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo Inc. have both recognized the changes and have taken action to preserve their success with their all-important systems of bottlers. We expect these changes to be beneficial including the opportunity to focus on innovation and to improve the cost effectiveness of bringing the product to market. In 1899, two lawyers from Tennessee secured exclusive rights to bottle and sell Coca-Cola for only one dollar (www.coke.com). Asa Candler, then President of The Coca-Cola Company, was not convinced that selling the product in bottles was the way to go. No one could have predicted how popular Coca-Cola and its main competitor, Pepsi-Cola, would become. The relationship between company and bottler has always been very important. Today, 54 billion beverages of all types are served every day.1 Products from PepsiCo Inc. (PEP) and The Coca-Cola Company (KO) account for more than two thirds of the sales in the carbonated soft drink (CSD) category.2 These companies have battled with each other for many years and in the process have had to adapt to consumer shifts and increasing complexity concerning product distribution. Once again, the marketplace for non-alcoholic drinks in North America has evolved away from the current model. To achieve longer term profitability and growth, PepsiCo and The Coca-Cola Company have both decided to buy the majority of their North American bottling operations. In this report, we will explain how the market has changed and why we expect PepsiCo and The Coca-Cola Company to be better off in the future. To begin, we need to explain the traditional role of the parent company and its system of bottlers. The parent company (The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo), also called the â€Å"concentrate company,† is basically in charge of producing the concentrate or syrup that is used in a manufacturing process which ends up as a bottle or can of Coke or Pepsi on a shelf in a store. More importantly, it is the concentrate company’s job to create demand through advertising, marketing, and strategic planning. The bottlers buy the concentrate and then manufacture the product so that it can be distributed to a network of retailers and dealers. One major change that has taken place has been the  consolidation of the retail industry. In particular, the discount retailers (Walmart & Target) have allocated a larger portion of square footage to food. For example, about half of 2009 revenues for Walmart (WMT) was attributed to grocery. This compares to 28% of revenues only five years ago. For Target (TGT), food accounts for 16% of sales. Currently, Walmart is the largest grocer in the U.S. with about double the market share of the next largest competitor, Kroger (KR). In 2001, Walmart and Kroger were neck and neck. In 2007, the top fifteen food retailers accounted for 64.4% of U.S. sales compared to 50.1% in 2001. Exhibit 1 in the original PDF shows the evolution of market share from 2001-2007.3 The growth of Walmart is especially impressive. In North America, 19% of revenues for PepsiCo were allocated to Walmart (including Sam’s Club) up from 13% in 2006.3 In short, the food retail segment has become more concentrated and more powerful. The demands for better service from The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo have increased. Retailers require more flexibility, innovation, and speed. Consumer beverage choices have shifted production away from the bottlers. Consumers have become more health conscious. Consumers are now more concerned about calories and are interested in drinks that are convenient and healthy. Consumers are buying less carbonated soft drinks and more in new beverage categories. These new categories of beverages include sports drinks, liquid tea, liquid coffee, energy drinks, and bottled water. Exhibit 2 in the original PDF illustrates the change in market share over a five year time frame.4 Overall, The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo have maintained their total share of the non-alcoholic beverage industry through product expansions, innovation, and acquisitions, including transactions such as PepsiCo’s acquisition of Gatorade and the Coca-Cola Company’s acquisition of Odwalla. The manufacturing process to produce a can of Coke is different from producing a bottle of Powerade. The added complexity of certain products has shifted the manufacturing process away from the bottler. Generally, most sports drinks, teas, juices, and dairy based drinks are manufactured at the concentrate company while carbonated drinks and bottled water are manufactured by the bottler. Those drinks produced at the concentrate company are called, finished goods. These changes have resulted in less profit for the bottlers. The bottlers did not benefit from the growth and higher profitability in finished goods. Capacity utilization has  been down with lack of growth in carbonated soft drinks. Also, bottled water, which was able to offset some of the lower growth in carbonated soft drinks, has been slowing over the last couple of years. In the future, most analysts in this sector agree that higher growth products will require a more complex manufacturing process. Under the old model, this would have been bad for bottlers. Years ago, most large bottlers made a significant capital investment which counted on sustained growth in carbonated soft drinks. Profit strained, the bottlers were less willing this time around to invest in new beverage categories. This was one of the reasons why the bottlers missed out on the popularity of noncarbonated soft drinks. The combination of concentrate company and bottler should yield cost savings and efficiencies allowing for additional reinvestment. Overcapacity and redundant distribution will be rationalized. One example is the sale of both fountain and bottled products to the same location by two different distribution channels. Going forward, one channel will service that particular customer. The combination should lead to a greater use of warehouse distribution versus the current direct-store-delivery system, which is used by the bottlers. The warehouse delivery system (product gets delivered to the retailer’s distribution center and the retailer ships the product to the store) is one that is in demand from large retailers given the lower cost, leaving the retailer with the opportunity to extract more profits from the customer without raising prices. In addition, a more efficient distribution system and less negotiation between organizations (pricing/volume decisions) should allow the product to reach the market more quickly. Despite the ownership structure, the concentrate company and bottler relationship has always been strong. Both entities need each other to survive. We believe the recent transactions are a positive strategic move for both The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo and for the industry. The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo are clearly protecting their investment in their key bottlers and securing their strategic position given changes in the consumer and retailers. Going forward, we expect that these companies will continue to adapt to succeed. These particular transactions make sense and should allow these companies to remain competitive and innovative.

Company Profile Essay

Introduction BAYO is example of a specialty store that now competing to other leading specialty store. We aim to meet the following objectives upon conducting this study: To Identify the retail format of BAYO and its competitors, To study and understand the company’s retail format, To identify the advantages and disadvantages of BAYO with its competitors, To identify the strength and the weaknesses of BAYO and aTo help improve the service provided by BAYO to its customers. Brief history of the company BAYO started out as a made-to-measure dress shop in Makati. The need to expand grew bigger when BAYO launched its ready-to-wear line. In 1992, the growing demand triggered the establishment of Lyncor, Inc., then a manufacturing firm, to support BAYO. â€Å"BAYO,† an ilonggo term which means, â€Å"dress† in English was chosen by the owners of the company since they are from Bacolod. BAYO reflects a clean, classic image. BAYO caters to women who embody the laid-back, casual lifestyle who have preference for stylish yet classic apparel. BAYO is a testament of what the Filipino can do in today’s competitive environment. BAYO is proud of what it has achieved as a Filipino retailer and it expresses its full pride in being Filipino. This is what set the brand apart, its devotion to staying true to its roots as a Filipino brand. It has no pretensions on what the brand image is all about and rather keeps in tune with the brand’s origin, which is still Filipino. BAYO revolves around who the Filipina truly is in all her different facets and how she evolves with time but still maintaining her distinct cultural attributes. Company profile People behind the company: Lyn Agustin and Corcor Bitong, the owner of BAYO. What the company does: BAYO, a ready-to-wear clothing company that now has a total of 53 branches – 18 franchised and 40 company-owned – within Metro Manila and Bacolod City. When the company started: Agustin and Bitong started their business in 1992 and started franchising in 2001. How the company grew: Agustin and Bitong started out a simple made-to-measure dress shop in Makati City. But when their demand and clientele grew, the sisters, together with their husbands, established Lyncor Inc., a manufacturing firm and began market their women’s clothing designs in earnest. BAYO philosophy BAYO has always taken pride in our continuous effort to provide the Filipino people with the following: †¢ Quality Merchandise. †¢ Quality Service. †¢ Reasonable Prices. †¢ Comfortable and world class shopping experience. †¢ Fair labor BAYO started out as a made-to-measure dress shop in Makati. The need to expand grew bigger when BAYO launched its ready-to-wear line. In 1992, the growing demand triggered the establishment of Lyncor, Inc., then a manufacturing firm, to support BAYO. â€Å"BAYO,† an ilonggo term which means, â€Å"dress† in English was chosen by the owners of the company since they are from Bacolod. BAYO reflects a clean, classic image. BAYO caters to women who embody the laid-back, casual lifestyle who have preference for stylish yet classic apparel. BAYO is a testament of what the Filipino can do in today’s competitive environment. BAYO is proud of what it has achieved as a Filipino retailer and it expresses its full pride in being Filipino. This is what set the brand apart, its devotion to staying true to its roots as a Filipino brand. It has no pretensions on what the brand image is all about and rather keeps in tune with the brand’s origin, which is still Filipino. BAYO revolves around who the Filipina truly is in all her different facets and how she evolves with time but still maintaining her distinct cultural attributes. BAYO’s strength lies in its ability and skill to create classic and stylish apparel and keeping in tune with what its market demands. Its focus is centered on its products, making them of good quality at very affordable prices. BAYO offers classic pieces of ready-to-wear apparel from blouses, tees, pants, jeans, skirts, accessories such as footwear, bags, jewelry and other merchandise, which can be easily be mixed and matched. BAYO aims to create a lifestyle for women by providing them with diverse range of products. BAYO’s corporate structure has a very casual environment as well as a friendly atmosphere between management and employees. People treat each other like family, which makes it easy to communicate and deal with each other. This contributes greatly to the success of BAYO because it paves the way for a better working environment, which in turn promotes teamwork. BAYO’s national commitment is to be able to provide employment and to be able to raise the local industry to higher levels. Its goal is to be able to penetrate the global market and promote it as a Filipino brand. Statement of the problem: 1. What is their merchandise? BAYO is focused on providing wide variety of merchandise assortment and other accessories. They did not only focus on clothing but also offer complementary accessories to have overall makeover. 2. What is their Store Design? BAYO arranged and designed their products according to color. This is one way to attract customer’s attention. The store’s wall is made of glass so that customers can see the products through the glass. They also have chairs for customers to sit on while waiting. They also have a separate rack for accessories and every week they have a new set of design of their product. 3. What is their Market Segment? Geographic City and Municipality: Makati City and Taguig City Population Density: Urban and Suburban Demographic segmentation Age: 17-22 and 23 up Gender: female Family life cycle: Single, young, married, in a relationship, married with children, separated and others. Occupation: Young urban professionals, students, housewife, white collar jobs. Psychographic Segmentation Females usually go to mall to seek for a need or to window shop realizing that females are innately sophisticated. Because of this reason probably they are the possible target audience. As clothing stores the focuses on women’s apparel, we are targeting females that are willing to submit or adopt the latest fashion. Instead of targeting females in the upper class, we focused on the market segment in the middle class realizing that upper class would prefer to visit stores having more expensive products. Behavioral Segmentation Females generally provide sufficient time in visiting malls to look for products that will make them feel more beautiful. They give more effort in choosing, scrutinizing and deciding on which product they want to purchase from the factors of price, design, fashion and quality. Usually, females buy a product to have self-esteem and be in. Primarily, females who seek for job, already workers and students probably have the intention to go to BAYO store as well as using it for applying for a job and hang-outs. Need Segmentation †¢ Females that are looking for classical but casual wear †¢ Accessories that will complement in the casual wear that will fully satisfy the taste, preference, occasion, professions and social activities for the customers †¢ Apparel with good and high quality materials that can be used in applying in profession and occasionally purpose. 4. Why did they situate on that Location? BAYO’s location in MARKET-MARKET TAGUIG is advantageous because it’s located near at activity center which you can find a customer, and their location of the store is easy to be seen because it is near at entrance and it is good for competition. BAYO location in Market-Market has a 96.50 square meter and they are one of the branches of BAYO. 5. What is their marketing approach and their market positioning? sss Based on observation, BAYO intensified their advertisement by having lots of billboards. Also, BAYO strategically use well-known artists to promote their products so that it will be attractive and convincing. These appeal made the products easy to remember. They also have a company sale which is held every whole month of July and the other sales promotion of their store is depending on the mall sale. BAYO Company have a color campaign, those are Yellow for Happiness, Pink for Sweetness, Orange for Creativity and Purple for Sophistication. 6. Who are their competitors? Their competitors are penshoppe, folded and hung, forever 21, kamiseta, tribal. 7. Who are their target markets? Their target markets are the teenagers or middle ages. 8. What is their customer service? BAYO is giving a high customer service by means of providing free iron and fold for purchased apparels. There is also a salesperson assisting the customers in the dressing area. 9. How do you handle your customer’s complaints? BAYO should know first their complaint about their product and give them possible solution to satisfy their customers. 10. Do you have your regular customers? BAYO have their regular customers like teens and middle ages.

Cause and Effect Essay - Moving to a Large City Cause Effect Essays

Whoosh! That is the precise sound I heard as the crazed flock of travelers headed for the train terminal. My best friend, Stacy, and I were left disoriented and understandably confused once the crowd thinned. We were at Madison Square Garden at the train terminal awaiting our train back to the hotel; it was our first trip to New York City. As one may imagine, it was a fascinating and surreal voyage into extreme urban life. It was so enthralling and exciting that afterward I felt compelled to make a permanent trek to a large city. Due to my experiences in cities like Atlanta and New York, I have an increasing desire to live in a large city because of the various forms of entertainment, myriad of transportation, and the never-ending excitement typical of such a fast-paced lifestyle. My main reason for having such a strong urge to move to a city like New York is the variety of entertainment such a city offers, such as shopping, unique eateries, and shows like concerts and musicals. During my stay in New York, I was s...

Corporate Social Responsibility in Business Essay

Corporate Social Responsibility in Business - Essay Example Is Corporate Social responsibility a realistic possibility that takes place in company or is it a public relations gimmick for â€Å"window dressing†. CSR is realistic but its realism goes as far as a pipe dream in literature. Companies have turned the noble idea into a PR strategy to endear themselves to target prospects.  How do companies choose beneficiaries of their CSR projects in your view? Companies demonstrate CSR towards the masses that will raise their turnovers.  Ã‚   Businesses are meant to grow benefits over a period of time. Does SCR stand to benefit firms in the long term? Marginally they do. A company that gives back to society (on purpose or not) endears itself to them. It is an indirect guaranteed marketing.  Ã¢â‚¬Å"BLT is a noble concept that has been misinterpreted and misused by the corporate world â€Å" BLT is a choice for the companies not a necessity. It’s a ‘checklist’ for the progress of an all round company.Corprates with CSR strategies have very poor approaches to its implementation. What are these approaches and why are they weak? The strategies are crafted without insight of the future and there are no laid out schedules of how to achieve the milestones.How much do you agree with Fiedman’s quip that â€Å"by fulfilling economic charter of maximizing profits, does a firm meet its societal responsibility?† The societal expectation on any company is profitability.  What in your view is the difference between BLT and CSR?

Supply Chain Management and Aggregate Planning Essay

Supply Chain Management and Aggregate Planning - Essay Example The supply chain idea basically changes the nature of organizations; control is no longer based on straight ownership and control, but rather based on incorporation across interfaces among functions and companies. This has penalty for the dimension of performance. Traditional dimension approaches may have to be eliminated and a supply chain measurement system developed. Traditional performance actions may limit the potential to optimize supply chains as management does not "see" supply chain wide areas for development. This note raises issues dangerous to measuring supply chain performance. A new dimension approach ought to lead the way for supply chain competitiveness and ought to direct management attention to areas for supply chain optimisation. A beginning structure for measuring immeasurable performance is developed. "One can frequently divide the work a program does into theoretically separate tasks: each encapsulates a control flow and the whole task accesses some common, shared state. High-performance program frequently written with preventative task management wherein implementation of task can intersperse on uniprocessors or over lap on multi processors. The conflicting approach, serial task Management, run each tasks to attainment before starting the next task. Its advantage is that there is no divergence of access of the shared state, one can define inter-task invariant on the shared state and be assured that as the one task is running no other variants can infringe the invariant. The strategy is unsuitable however when one wishes to exploit multiprocessors parallelism, or when slow task have to not defer afterward task for a long time." (Adya, Howell, Theimer, Bolosky, Douceur, 2000) Aggregate planning: Once the strategic choice has been made operation manger move to the planned operations decisions. No doubt, aggregate planning deals with planning the in general production activities and the operating resources required to do them. The arrogate plan provides a big picture to operation manager of the sales insist forecast and capacity plan, aggregate plan establishes account levels and manufacturing rates Conclusion To sum up this discussion we may say that the supply chain concept basically changes the nature of organizations; control is no longer based on direct possession and control, but rather based on incorporation across interfaces connecting functions and companies. Traditional performance events may limit the potential to optimize supply chains as management does not "see" supply chain wide areas for development. A new dimension approach should lead the way for supply chain competitiveness and ought to direct management notice to areas for supply chain optimization. A introduction scaffold for measuring vast performance is developed. Work Cited Arntzen, B., G. Brown, T. P. Harrison and L. Trafton, "Global Supply-Chain Management at Digital Equipment Corporation," Interfaces 25, January 1995, 69-93. Breitman, R.L. and J.M. Lucas, "PLANETS: A Modelling System for Business Planning," Interfaces 17, January-February 1987, 94-106. Chapman, Paul T., "Achieving Operations Excellence Through Better Operations Planning," IIE Solutions, August 1996. 1-7 Chen,

The Foundation of Management Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

The Foundation of Management Theory - Essay Example The leading consumer good company, Procter and Gamble (P&G), has recently planned to take a few more weeks to pay back its suppliers. The amount is $ 2 billion and thus, the company has planned to arrange the cash by taking up wise cash management practices. b) Glaxo Smith Kline’s (GSK) management has planned to put an end to the frenetic expansion of the brand, Horlicks and focus on launching new varieties in the biscuits segment. 2) Organizing is the next step which follows planning. Organization of the resources means bringing them together and employing them in the right place, thereby achieving the goals of the company. It is a process as well as a structure. It deals with arranging the ways for executing the plans of the business for attaining its goals. It gives an appropriate structure to the administration of the organization and works hard for its future improvement. It involves different aspects like a span of control, segregation of departments, foundation of super ior-subordinate relationships, a delegation of authority and provision for coordinating a range of business activities. Examples a) Organization of the necessary resources is needed for executing a successful plan. In the case of P&G, it is important to collect all the financial data of the company and make the decision of extending the credit period for the suppliers. Thus, the organization of the proper resources is required in this case. b) The extensive market survey of GSK regarding the expansion of Horlicks has made them aware of the fact that the process of extension is becoming chaotic. Thus, the information is organized properly in order to take the decision for ceasing the extension of the brand. ` 3) Staffing Staffing can be referred to as the requirement of manpower for executing certain business plans. Staffing is a part of the managerial function consists of selection, recruitment, training and development, performance appraisal and determination of salaries and wages. The requirement of this process arises at the initial stage and there is a regular need for time to time replacement of the staffs along with diversification and expansion of the business activities (Morden, 2004). The basic need of every business is the stable, efficient and cooperative staff for management of the business activities. Thus, it can be deducted that manpower is a significant asset for the business unit. In most of the organizations, the development and planning activities of manpower are delegated to the human resource department managers and the personnel manager (Griffin, 2006). â€Å"Right man for the right job† is the main principle for the staffing process, successful operation of the organization is dependent on the skillful labor (Griffin, 2006). Examples 4) Controlling Controlling is referred to as the most vital function of the management. It is highly necessary in the case of individuals and departments so as to avoid wrong actions and activities. C ontrolling includes three broad aspects namely, setting up benchmarks of performance, evaluating work-in-progress and inferring results achieved and lastly, taking remedial actions when required.

Differences between Realism and Neo-realism Essay

Differences between Realism and Neo-realism - Essay Example The benefit of understanding theories of International Relations is that it permits an individual to carry out complicated analyses of ideas regarding International Relations. Theories of International relations are split into two groups, those that solve problems, and those that are decisive. Problem solving theories take the world as it is and tackle problems the way they exist in the system. Critical theories, on the other hand, raise the issues of originality of the obtainable organizations; they are likely to be rejected. Nevertheless, the two theories that this essay is going to focus on are under the category of problem solving theories. Realism theory was created before neo-realism. It is also the universally espoused theory of international relations that is greatly appreciated amongst researchers and learners. Advocates of realism have an unenthusiastic view about human nature; they believe that people are obsessed with their personal welfare. Their argument is based on the competition they have among them that. Therefore, to them realism portrays international relationships as a battle for power among self-centred countries and is equally  cynical regarding the views of eradicating conflicts and war. Additionally, studies indicate that international relations have been subjugated by realism for over 60 years. However, during this time, the theory of realism has gone through various transformations. These transformations are categorized into two schools, namely classical and neorealist (Bajpai & Mallavarapu 2004, p.491). Therefore, in order to identify the differences between realism and neo-realism, one has to critically understand them and be able to tell if neo-realism is an advance of realism. For that reason, the rationale of this essay highlights the differences between the two realist theories The Role of Morality Realism and Neo-realism are two diverse schools of thoughts .They show their differences from the international relations point of view. They differ in their manner of handling problems that are caused by the disputes of international relations. Consequently, even if the two theories are different, various aspects make them similar; some of these factors include the balance of power and anarchism. For instance, they both believe that there is existence of anarchy in international systems in which every state act autonomously, and is at liberty from interruptions from any global dominating body. In the state of anarchy, every country relies on itself and its major concerns; hence, it only deals with its own safety measures. In addition to that, both schools of thoughts have the similar opinion that the state is the prime actor in the international ground. Neo-realist scholars such as Kenneth Waltz think that anarchy among states is unavoidable, but do not trust that human nature have the capacity to handle the issues (Joseph, 2010, p.176). Power and conflicts The theory of the balance of power can be traced as far back as Thucydides who accredited it to the start of the Peloponnesian War. For classical realists like Morgenthau, the balance of  power was â€Å"a universal social occurrence that was instituted on all stages of social relations.† He  believed that the balance of power would appear â€Å"of need† as countries tried to declare their  control on the global arena. Morgenthau viewed the balance of power in the nineteenth century because of a sturdy global culture guided by the powerful nations in which it was made (Keohane 1986, p.631). Realists consider power as a stop in itself while neo-realists see  power as simply a way of bringing a solution. Moreover, as much as realists of all influences concur that those who take part in

Government Attitudes Toward Foreign Direct Investment Essay

Government Attitudes Toward Foreign Direct Investment - Essay Example Other stockholders may be attracted to companies due to their improved performance thus enhancing the capital base of the companies. Employees are another set of stakeholders the companies should hold in high esteem. They will be satisfied if they have safe working environment, high compensation compared with other companies and job security. Though employees may be difficult to manage, if abused can tarnish image of the companies for long time. Customers are stakeholders also in the companies. Higher quality goods, low prices of products, and timely recognition can glue many customers to the companies. Customers are the ones that put companies in business; if they decide not to patronize certain companies, that is enough to cause the companies to collapse. Society basically wants to see corporate responsibility from companies operating within them. Provision of social services, ethical and trustworthy behavior, employing local residents likely would satisfy and make them feel welcome into the companies. Moreover, the process to satisfy these stakeholders is always difficult for companies operating aboard because of challenges from MNEs' attempts to achieve global objectives across its countries of operation. At any given point in time each country has vary needs to be tackled, so if MNEs objectives and goals do not include such needs there is bound to be problem. Where MNEs locate their plants equally matters because this can influence which countries prosper and which would suffer. Stakeholders in different countries have their own goals which may be different from objectives which MNEs seek to achieve. In event of such divergence in objectives, MNEs policies and activities may become counter productive. Furthermore, factors that make it difficult in evaluating the overall effects of FDI are: technological development, competitors' actions and government polices. The reasons are that given trade-off between objectives of MNEs it is likely that some stakeholders would gain while others gain. For example in technological advances, operations of MNEs are highly mechanized and computerized which require less individual to man such installation and equipment; many will be left unemployed while those employed will enjoy high compensation. Many people are against FDI reasons being that actions of MNEs in relation to inequitable distribution of income, political corruption, environmental pollution, social deprivation etc are enormous. On the other hand, others link MNEs to certain actions like higher tax revenue to government, employment, innovation, and increased exports. Either of the arguments is justified depending on whether governments restrict or encourage FDI respectively. On the who le, MNEs have resources and potential that can contribute to various national objectives like increasing production, ensuring national competitiveness, and creating avenues for foreign exchange. Parts of political and economic concerns host countries have are balance of payment effects which is seen in term of cash flows. This a times could result in deficit. To eliminate these deficits, capital reserves are used or the economy attracts more capital. However, to prevent excessive capital outflows incentives, prohibitions and other government interventions are used. Balance of payment has a characteristic in which gains are considered a zero sum game meaning one country's trade surplus corresponds to another country's deficit. In order to analyze

Module 6; Team Leader Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Module 6; Team Leader - Essay Example In the absence of wise and effective leadership, teams could exhibit rudderless behavior due to lack of purpose and direction. Nevertheless, there are specific styles and characteristics of leadership that favor the optimal functionality of teams (Sohmen, 2013). Similarly, teamwork cannot exist in the absence of reliable and favorable leadership. For optimal organizational performance, teamwork and leadership must be coordinated and balanced. If I were in charge at my own organization, I would watch out for both negative and positive behaviors where I would work on eliminating the negatives and further strengthening the positive behaviors. The positive behaviors include belief where the employees believe that they have the capacity to meet the predetermined goals, focus in that the employees have understood the direction and that they show unified focus when working, and motivation where the employees are showing the need to succeed (Sohmen, 2013). The potential negative behaviors would include competing factions among the team where members of a certain group are extremely passionate concerning their selected viewpoints as well as other behaviors that include lack of direction, belief and motivation. Identifying such behaviors would ensure that the leader has a picture of what is going on in the organization, which would help them in determining the next course of action. Measuring team behavior is a challenging issue and requires appropriate skills to accomplish. To measure team behavior in my organization, I would first assess their contribution to the organization’s goals. If the team has been fulfilling its tasks as required and within the provided period, then the behavior of the team is good. However, if the opposite is true, then the team requires additional input. I would also assess their communication while they are working on a project. If the team is constantly arguing and conflicting over the

Closure of Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Closure of Business - Essay Example The promotion of the welfare of the working class is a recognized policy but an employee’s tenure is not a perpetual right intended to destroy or oppress the employer. The employer, therefore, has the prerogative to exercise in good faith the right to close the operation of the business, either totally or partially. The employer cannot be compelled to continue to operate its business but must nevertheless comply with legal processes before it can implement the cessation of its business or reduction of its operations. To manifest good faith, the employer must define the criteria in an objective and fair manner on who will be retained and who will be let go through the redundancy plan and thereafter, notify the employees affected in writing. It is not enough though to notify the employees, the issue must be explained to them individually. It is further required for the employer to consult and listen to the suggestions of the employees to forestall termination. And, if other alte rnatives or options are available then the same must be explored as opposed to the implementation of redundancy or termination phase.There are two options presented by Sally thus it shall be discussed separately.The first scenario is to close the shop completely due to losses. The lack of business transaction validates the severance of employment. Since it is within the discretion of Sally to cease business operation, she cannot be compelled to continue operating at a loss due to misplacing sympathy to the employees.... It is not enough though to notify the employees, the issue must be explained to them individually. It is further required for the employer to consult and listen to the suggestions of the employees to forestall termination. And, if other alternatives or options are available then the same must be explored as opposed to the implementation of redundancy or termination phase. There are two options presented by Sally thus it shall be discussed separately. The first scenario is to close the shop completely due to losses. The lack of business transaction validates the severance of employment. Since it is within the discretion of Sally to cease business operation, she cannot be compelled to continue operating at a loss due to misplace sympathy to the employees. However, she must pay redundancy payment to the dismissed employees who have rendered continuous service at least two years reckoned at the date of the dismissal. If an alternative work offer is made to the employee that is of similar conditions, pay, status and other benefits to the employee’s present position, he is free to accept or reject the offer. However, if it is shown that the offer is unreasonably rejected the employees can no longer demand redundancy pay and worse consequence of such refusal shall exempt the employer from paying the same. Applying the foregoing standard, Greg shall not be entitled to redundancy payment as he can be re-assigned to Sally’s other business offices pursuant to his contract. If the offer to be re-assigned is refused by Greg, he cannot make a claim for redundancy payment. Nevertheless, Greg can fight the re-assignment on ground that it is a diminution of his present status not to mention that his salary is substantially reduced. In all

Essential elements Essay Example for Free

Essential elements Essay Failure in business ethics is a real threat to the future of every corporation. Business ethics as an issue is a hundred times more powerful than the internet or globalization and can destroy your business in a week. To make matters worse, standards of business ethics are changing rapidly in response to random events which capture public imagination. In business ethics, what was good is becoming bad and what was considered bad is now good. Standards for business ethics that have worked for decades are looking old fashioned or immoral while other practices that raised questions are becoming totally acceptable. So what is going to happen next in business ethics? How can corporations use business ethics to restore confidence and protect themselves against tomorrow’s headlines? What will be the new â€Å"Gold Standard† for business ethics and corporate governance? How much further than legal minimum requirements for business ethics should corporations go to ensure sustainable success? When business ethics goes wrong who gets blamed? Impact of media allegations of dishonesty, fraud or corruption of senior executives or directors – and how to protect business ethics reputation . Why goalposts for business ethics will go on changing, and how to get ready? are all the questions to be pondered upon . Methodology of Inquiry should be able to reflect upon all above mentioned issues. Ethical decision making is about deciding between two rights. Leadership requires doing the right thing for the people of the organization, the organization itself and those the organization supports. But, what is the right thing? When faced with the difficult decision of choosing between two rights, some people seek the easy way out; avoidance, delay, or compromise. Ethical decision making is required when you face a decision about whether to do something that the organization, the profession or society considers right but which conflicts with your strongly held values and principles. What should you do, go with the flow and obey the wishes and pressures of the organization, the profession or society? Or should you act in accordance with your own values, principles and moral or ethical beliefs at the risk of your job, your career and your social standing? Ethical decision making is required to resolve ethical dilemmas or moral ambiguity between your own values and principles for living. Doing our part to create a more just and loving world for all mandates a strong commitment on the part of Ethical Societies and their members to their surrounding communities are something that is actually needed . Applied ethics in effective inquiry system consists of the analysis of specific, controversial moral issues such as abortion, animal rights, or euthanasia. In recent years applied ethical issues have been subdivided into convenient groups such as medical ethics, business ethics, environmental ethics, and sexual ethics. Generally speaking, two features are necessary for an issue to be considered an applied ethical issue. First, the issue needs to be controversial in the sense that there are significant groups of people both for and against the issue at hand. The issue of drive-by shooting, for example, is not an applied ethical issue, since everyone agrees that this practice is grossly immoral. By contrast, the issue of gun control would be an applied ethical issue since there are significant groups of people both for and against gun control. The second requirement for in issue to be an applied ethical issue is that it must be a distinctly moral issue. On any given day, the media presents us with an array of sensitive issues such as affirmative action policies, gays in the military, involuntary commitment of the mentally impaired, capitalistic vs. socialistic business practices, public vs. private health care systems, or energy conservation. Although all of these issues are controversial and have an important impact on society, they are not all moral issues. Some are only issues of social policy. The aim of social policy is to help make a given society run efficiently by devising conventions, such as traffic laws, tax laws, and zoning codes. Moral issues, by contrast, concern more universally obligatory practices, such as our duty to avoid lying, and are not confined to individual societies. There should be an honest and ethical conduct including the handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships ; full , fair , accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports that a company files with the Commission . Accountability for adherence to the code hastens the system of inquiry of the paper. The system of inquiry should be so effective and quick that no time should be wasted at any level of inquiry. System of inquiry is thus not a set of hard and fast rules which once made are to be followed blindly. It in fact is a framework which needs to be firstly made seeing all perceptives and then renewed from time to time as per sociological requirements and most importantly rules should be kept flexible as the rules are for the people not that the people are for rules . Essential elements of an ethical frame work – include contextual input , purpose with actions at issue , path finding function , problem solving function , implementing function quality judgment and lastly its output. Thus , systems inquiry incorporates these inter- related domains of disciplined inquiry systems theory. Systems methodology provides us with a set of models , strategies , methods and tools that instrumentalizes the whole systems inquiry. In today’s highly competitive , performance – driven business climate , regulations are not enough ; professional codes are not enough ; the old model of business ethics is not enough – what is required is a framework – that must be able to identify the ends as well as the means. Bibliography: http://www.en.wikipedia.org

Green Revolution Essay Example for Free

Green Revolution Essay Interaction between humans and the environment has always had a great importance in the development of humankind; according to Marx, what differentiates humans from other animals is the fact that humans can transform their surroundings to suit their needs, through labor. The Green Revolution is not the exception to that. In times of need the human being manipulated its environment to be suitable for its development, however, the question lingers, how efficient was it, how positive? The Green Revolution, from 1945 to the present, was motivated by the need to increase the production of food to supply for the increasing demand as population grew, to promote national self-sustainability in terms of food. However, during that period the effect of the Revolution have been detrimental to the environment and society: they have damaged agricultural diversity and heritage, damaged the lands, and put at risk food security; also, they have widened the gap between the very rich and the very poor, monopolizing the food industry. The Green Revolution originated after an urgent need to promote food security with a growing trend in global population, as a way to promote self-sustainability and independence. As it is clear in the report given by the Food and Agriculture Organization (DOC 2), in the period ranging from around 1929 (great depression) and 1945 (end of World War II) the global food supply index was below the world population. What this means is that there was literally not enough food being produced world wide to feed the world population. This struggle of human kind to stay afloat in supplying the minimum needs for survival meant that a change needed to occur. The answer, as Dr. Norman Borlaug stated in his Nobel Lecture (DOC 4) was not simply planting more in the developing nations, since the lands in those areas were â€Å"tired, worn out, depleted of plant nutrients†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Clearly, what the document refers is that a new, more effective way of growing food had to be developed. In fact, Dr.Borlaug states that the priority of the developments of the green revolution concentrated in the millions that were lurked by hunger, a large problematic that clearly was under the spotlight. As a proof that the world was prioritizing the deficient food supply is the statement given by President Harry Truman (DOC 3). President Truman was the leader of the most powerful nation in the world at the time, the one with the largest technological developments, and his word was the one that would set the course of the world. This particular speech is vital, since it is the inaugural speech, where he was to set the priorities of the government and address the world with what the United States had as a course for the future. In this speech, he clearly refers to the shocking figure that â€Å"more than half the people of the world are living in conditions approaching misery† and says that the United States will help provide â€Å"technical knowledge†¦ to produce more food† In the speech President Truman refers often to liberty, thus meaning that self-sustainability will provide freedom. This speech is the perfect example, the jewel of the trend that the world was seeing with regard to prioritizing food. The mention of â€Å"technical knowledge† is vital in the construction of the green revolution as a response to the lack of food, with technological developments in the agricultural field. Some have said that the Green Revolution has been a success in improving the food industry, and improving living conditions for everyone; nevertheless the numbers today reflect a mediocre success. Indian minister for food and agriculture (1964-1967) states in an interview (DOC 5) that the farmers of the state of Punjab competed to use the technology that was introduced by the green revolution the best. It is stated with a positive connotation, as to refer to the great feats of Punjab. This seems very positive, however, the most likely reason for this to have occurred is the fact that multinational corporations were kicking them out of the market and they were forced into utilizing the technology that those same corporations were imposing on them. If this were true, which it most likely is, as it has happened in many places around the world, it would discredit the great success that the Green Revolution supposedly is. Furthermore, the claim is that the Green Revolution has brought prosperity, however, to whom, to the ones that were rich already? A perfect example of this negative impact of the Green Revolution is the conversation between Mrs. Dula and the United Nations official (DOC 6), which gives a not very realistic perspective of the impact of the green Revolution and is concentrated exclusively in the sector of the very rich. This document is indeed quite revealing, as the speaker is an aristocratic woman of Mexico, probably a housewife who sees the world through the optic of his husband, a man who earns a salary if the revolution which he works for is successful; in fact, she is most likely part of one of the clubs she talks about herself. The occasion of this statement is a simple conversation with a UN official, probably at some sort of a social event, where the high class is all joined together, with perfectly slanted people who are not really analyzing the global impact of the Green Revolution. This document gives a crystal clear proof of how much the Green Revolution has made the â€Å"rich Mexican farmers† richer probably at the expense of making the poor laborers, poorer, however, this document presents only one, very bright point of view to sell the revolution. With regards to India once again, socially, they sell the idea of improvement, like in the report of the State of Punjab (DOC 9) where it says that the Green Revolution has seen with it the â€Å"emergence of middle and rich peasants† a very undesirable euphemism to conceal the actual situation. This document seems to give a perspective of social growth and development, of a population going for education, yet once again, it seems very idealistic in its tone, when in reality India has totally different conditions. With regards to that, India has one of the largest Gini index’s in the world, meaning a huge social inequality, and has one of the smallest middle classes in the world, which has diminished even more throughout the years, meaning that in reality, India may have had a somewhat positive year, but the general trend is of a very pronounced downturn in social progress, all related to the Green Revolution which is destroying the small farmers. The Green Revolution, in truth has brought more ill than it has brought good, in the environmental and social aspects. Regarding environmental harm, the FAO Wheat Yield report (DOC 1) is very good in demonstrating the introduction of massive scale crops that the Green Revolution brings forth with it. The introduction of these crops damages the lands since they are not prone to such production. The graphs show that in both Mexico and India the crop yields were extremely irregular, and as time passed they have become even more, this is due to the fact that they are not proper to those areas and its planting is something totally synthetic and with complete disrespect towards the natural balance. The article by Dr. Vandana Shiva (DOC 8) reveals how much damage the crops, especially Genetically Modified Organisms; do to the land they are planted in. The â€Å"reduced genetic diversity, increased vulnerability to pests, soil erosion, water shortages†¦Ã¢â‚¬  are effect that will leave marked the land for a long time, as Dr. Shiva states, and are a threat to future generations, which will have totally barren land where it will be impossible to plant food. Dr. Shiva also refers to the social problematic that the Green Revolution is planting alongside its seeds. For instance the fight for water to provide irrigation, previously not needed in India, has lead to â€Å"conflict and violence† and as it has become a worldwide trend, the career for water dominance is â€Å"leading to both local and interstate water conflicts. † This clearly shows how disadvantageous the spread of the Green Revolution has been, since it has brought unmeasured changes that have not been made responsibly, but rather abruptly, causing enormous damage. Dr. Shiva is an Indian Physicist, and being from India she probably has had a very direct contact with the Green Revolution, considering that one of its birthplaces was in fact the State of Punjab. In this occasion she is writing for the Ecologist magazine, a publication read by people with primary interest in the environmental issues, including organization leaders and maybe politicians who will probably get concerned, especially due to the tone of annoyance and hatred that she employs in the article. Expanding on social implications, the Guatemalan National Coordinating Committee of Indigenous peasants (DOC 10) gives a different perspective. Although it may sound somewhat as mysticism from indigenous people, saying that they have contaminated the seeds is not a joke, considering the hormones that can be found in GMO plantations. This also acknowledges a vital issue, the loss of diversity and heritage that society is killing with the systematic Green Revolution trends, like the Mayan traditions, which have been present for â€Å"five thousand years. Furthermore, the social disaster does not stop there, but stumbles over women, which according to the FAO Newsletter (DOC 7) have been forced to change their job. In this case the implications have made woman, traditionally in other roles, have even less opportunities to succeed, as the increased need for cash income made the woman be forced to work. This implies a social catastrophe since it denies the right of woman to equal opportunities, which are stripped off with the Green Revolution, which makes them simply one more laborer forced to work. Additional to the information presented in the documents it would be vital to contain the point of view of a small scale male farmer that has to compete with the multinational corporations, which have been installed after the start of the Green Revolution circa 1945. This would be important since it would show the first hand effects of the monopolies that the Green Revolution has brought, with regards to the social impact it has made, and whether that impact is positive or negative. As discussed throughout the essay, the Green Revolution, which has lasted from 1945 until the present day, was originated with a need to secure food production in a starving world. However its effects were not so positive, since today many starve, and the Green Revolution has damaged the environment and widened the gap between the social classes. The setup of crops that have give no benefit to the places in which they are grown, with complete disregard to the ecological balance that was being destroyed have caused issues ranging from soil erosion to water shortages and crops with pest vulnerability. The Green Revolution has also made the rich farmers richer at the cost of the poor being poorer, since the costs of the new technologies are not easily accessible, but the yields that they provide take the small farmers out of business. In general, although certain governments sponsor the Green Revolution and make it seem positive, it has brought about large changes in the way humans interact with the environment, with a generalized destruction of it to get short-term solutions to the problem of food shortages.

The Lives Of Others Film Studies Essay

The Lives Of Others Film Studies Essay The Lives of Others is set in 1984 East Berlin, five years before Gorbachevs glasnost policies, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The film centers on the East German Ministry for State Security, which is a secret police known as the Stasi, created by the German Democratic Republic (GDR) in an attempt to maintain its power and protect the survival of Socialism in East Berlin. The secret police force consisted of 100,000 investigators and over 200,000 informants. The Stasi investigated any and all citizens in Berlin who posed a threat to socialism. The investigations often included wiretapping and tailgating, with every action being meticulously documented. As a result of the Stasi, those who were found guilty were arrested, interrogated, imprisoned, and in many cases, blacklisted. In the film, loyal Stasi officer Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler is assigned to spy on playwright Georg Dreyman. Wiesler wiretaps the apartment, and investigates Dreymans activities, writing a detailed report every ev ening. Fear is a common theme throughout the film. Every citizen fears the GDR and the Stasi, knowing that their lives can be critically altered if they do not oblige to the system placed before them. Early in the film we see Dreyman neighbor watching the surveillance team bug his apartment. Wiesler is aware of the womans observations and provides strict orders for her to keep quiet, and reminds her of the consequences if she does not obey. Later in the film the Dreyman asks the woman to help him with his tie, and the neighbor is uneasy about associating herself with Dreyman because she does not want to be associated with him. That scene conveys a message about how a Stasi investigation can harm not only a persons career but their social lives as well. Dreymans friend and former director Albert Jerska is an example of how the Stasi can damage and destroy an individuals life. Jerska was once a prominent stage director with an optimistic outlook on life, after an investigation Jerska was blac klisted and could never direct again. The effects of his blacklisting affected the way others treated him, as they wished to distance themselves from him in fear of the Stasi. As a result of the Stasi, Jerska lost all hope in life and took his own life in order to escape the restrictions placed on him under the GDR. The power of blacklisting is displayed maliciously in the film, as Dreyman girlfriend, Christa-Maria Sieland is forced to become an informant for the Stasi in order to preserve her career as an actress. That scene offers the audience and explanation on how the GDR was capable of convincing citizens to report on their friends and family. Hauptmann Gerd Wiesler, the loyal Stasi investigator, is an example of the ideal German citizen in the GDR. He is introduced as an educator, teaching his students how to become Stasi investigators. He never doubts the GDR and shows no mercy in fighting the enemies of socialism. His personal life in the film conveys a message of what life was like for the investigators living the socialist lifestyle in the GDR. Wiesler lives a lonely life in a dull apartment, eating food from a tube, and watching the evening news. His life is dedicated to the GDR and because of that, his life is empty. To suppress his loneliness, Wiesler orders prostitutes to fill the void in his life. Listening to the lives of others makes Wiesler aware of his loneliness, and he compares his life to Dreyman, envying his happiness. After discovering the motives behind the investigation, Wiesler cannot help but feel compassion for the writer he is spying on, and ignores Dreymans anti socialist actions in his nightly re ports. Although Wiesler is a loyal socialist, he becomes dissatisfied with the Minister of the GDR, and questions the ethical reasons behind government monitoring. Within a few months, he went from a proud socialist citizen to an apathetic Stasi employee. In November 1989, the GDR police unexpectedly opened the borders in Berlin, and reunited east and West Germany. Germans began tearing down the Berlin Wall and were making way for reunification. The end of the GDR marked a turning point for capitalism in East Germany. The film Goodbye Lenin! centers on Alex, a young man whos proud socialist mother falls into a coma weeks before the fall of the Berlin wall. Eight months later, she wakes up in the unified Germany, but has no idea that these changes have happened. The doctors explain her fragile condition to Alex, explaining that any excitement could lead to a fatal relapse. Alex and his sister Ariane are placed as caregivers to their mother and are forced to come up with creative ways to keep their mother from discovering the truth that everything she believed in has collapsed. Different from the Lives of Others, this story follows the lives of an ordinary East Berlin family struggling to cope with the changing world. Goodbye Lenin! is set during the fall of the Berlin Wall, which allows the audience to witness the changes in East Germany and how they affect the population. By opening up to the western world, Berlin was introduced to capitalist markets, and easterners wanted to become a part of it. The film displays how the youths in East Germany were more excited about the reunification than the older generation. The young people traveled to the west for the first time, and viewed West Germany as though it was a huge shopping mall. Ariane represents the younger generation, and how the youth was attracted to consumerism due to the division. Ariane changes her style from the old bleak colors of the GDR and adopts the bright colors of the west. She even starts changing things around the house by throwing away all the furniture and piling it outside with the rest. The new open market economy offered a variety of products from different brands allowing citizens to purchase items of higher quality that had not previously been available. There is a scene in the film in which Alex is desperately trying to maintain the illusion that the GDR still exists, while Ariane grows upset with his behavior because she prefers the new products. She makes a statement about the diapers in the scene explaining how the ones from the old GDR are of poor quality and how she prefers to use the new ones that are available. Ariane is eager to adopt change since it is completely new to her, and she makes choices that are not always in her best interest, such as leaving the university to sell hamburgers at Burger King. The actions made by Ariane represent how eager the East Germans were to get rid of socialism but failed to question how the German economy will be affected by the reunification. The former and the new economic system displaced many citizens, especially those who were most comfortable with the GDR. Following the fall of the wall, citizens in the East experienced massive unemployment due to the overcrowded job market. In the film, Alex finds a new job by submitting his name into a job lottery, which he is lucky enough to win. The unemployed characters in the film, mostly the older generation, have a difficult time adapting because everything they believed in was over. Economic change not only effected employment but also the currency of the former GDR. After discovering the location of his mothers money, Alex goes to the bank to convert the old currency into deutschmarks only to learn that the deadline has passed. Alex immediately becomes distressed when he discovers that his mothers life savings had become useless pieces of paper. That scene reminds the audience that although East Germany has been freed from socialist oppression, they now face new economic ch allenges. The cultural wave of capitalism that Germans openly support is the same capitalism that has destroyed the savings of millions. Throughout the film, Alex is desperately trying to maintain the illusion that the GDR still exists for the sake of his mother. He seeks out old food brands, forces everyone to wear the old style of clothing, and creates fictional TV report. His extreme tactic to preserve a world for his mother is not so different from the way she raised him. In the most powerful scene in the film, Alexs mother confesses the truth about his father. She reveals that she had once had a plan to move the family to West Berlin to meet with their father, but changed her mind because she feared the GDR. Her confession challenges everything her children were taught to believe, as she reveals that her loyalty towards the GDR was not genuine, but was instead a product of fear. She never left for Berlin and dedicated her life to socialism to ensure that her children would not be taken away from her. The mothers confession relates to the Lives of Others because it displays the fear that ordinary citizen felt towa rds the Stasi and the GDR. Goodbye Lenin! tells a fun, heartfelt story about an ordinary family during the reunification of Germany. The power of the Stasi and the influence they have on people is depicted very gently in the film. The director shows the forcefulness of the agents and how they would go about investigating a home, but failed to show how and why the Stasi provoked fear, and instead relied on the audiences memories of the horrific past. The film pokes fun at the old system of the east while conveying the hardships that citizens experienced in a pleasant and family-friendly tone. The film did not accurately represent the dark time in the German past. The Lives of Others on the other hand, is a harsh, realistic depiction of the dark side of former East Germany. The film has a darker tone and is shot with low lighting to convey the dreary feeling of what it was like to live in East Germany. The films story included death, drugs, and corruption to accurately portray Germanys past. The most disturbing aspect in the films are the scenes with Stasi officers discussing surveillance operations. Their conversations are casual, and spying on the lives of others is an everyday norm. The Lives of Others and Goodbye Lenin! are two films that allow an audience to relive Germanys gloomy past. The films displayed every aspect of life in East Germany, and the restrictions citizens faced. The clothing available to the Germans were dull and grey, and the single product markets demonstrate how oppressed these people were, and they all knew it. On the other side of the wall capitalism flourished, and citizens were not forced to follow a government they did not support. It is this unbelievable to think that twenty years ago such oppressive governments existed throughout Europe. It is important for films like these to be made to show people around the world the realities of what it was like to live during the GDR.

Theme of Courage in To Kill A Mocking Bird :: Harper Lee

To Kill A Mocking Bird-courage Within the novel "to kill a mocking bird" the character Atticus finch defines courage as, "Courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what." Atticus takes the first step by being courageous to take the Tom Robinson case, defying the towns liking of prejudice, even his own sister thinks that he is disgracing the family by taking the case he explains with concern "The only thing we've got is a black man's word against the Ewells'. The evidence boils down to you-did-I-didn't. The jury couldn't possibly be expected to take Tom Robinson's word against the Ewells'. Scout believes at the beginning of the book that courage is all to do with physical feats like fist fighting. Scout and Jem though Atticus was courageous when he shot the mad dog, but Atticus just shrugged it off telling his children that that is not ?real courage?. The children soon see that moral courage is more valuable after Miss Dubose said "Your father's no better than the niggers and trash he works for!" Chapter 11, Page 113 after they walked past her house. On the way back Atticus just walked by and told Mrs. Dubose, ?you look as pretty as a picture? Mrs. Dubose was so stunned that she could not say a word back to him. Later Jem and scout leaned how courageous Mrs. Dubose really was after Jem cut up her camellia bushes, the kids found out that she was a morphine attic brave enough to get off the drug that killed her. Atticus was incredibly courageous taking on tom Robinsons case against the prejudice of Macomb County and he shows incredible courage when he says, "Simply because we were licked a hundred years before we started is no reason for us not to try and won." He wants the people of Maycomb to hear the truth about Tom Robinson, "That boy may go to the chair, but he's not going till the truth's told." Chapter 15, Page 146. He was against the whole white community including his own sister practically said that he was a disgrace to his family Atticus tells scout when she asks him why he is taking the case he says "For a number of reasons. The main one is, if I didn't I couldn't hold up my head in town, I couldn't represent this county in the legislature, I couldn't even tell you or Jem not to do something again.

Marxist Criticism Essay -- Karl Marx Marxism Essays

Marxist Criticism Introduction Marxist literary criticism is based upon the political and economic theories of the German philosopher Karl Marx. In works like The German Ideology and The Communist Manifesto, written with Frederick Engels , Marx proposes a model of history in which economic and political conditions determine social conditions. Marx and Engels were responding to social hardships stemming from the rise of capitalism. Appropriately, their theories are formulated specifically to analyze how society functions in a state of upheaval and constant change. A materialist view of history Using Hegel's theory of dialectic , which suggests that history progresses through the resolution of contradictions within a particular aspect of reality, Marx and Engels posit a materialist account of history that focuses upon the struggles and tensions within society. As society forms more complex modes of production, it becomes increasingly stratified; and the resulting tensions necessitate changes in society. For example, the introduction of heavy machinery into the feudal economic system fragmented existing social structures and necessitated a move towards capitalism. The base and superstructure model Within Marx's dialectical account of history is the idea that a given individual's social being is determined by larger political and economic forces. Marx writes that "it is not the consciousness of men that determines their being, but, on the contrary, their social being that determines consciousness." Simply stated, the social class into which a person is born determines her outlook and viewpoints. Marx then expands this concept of determination into one of the central concepts of Marxism--that of base and sup... ...with theories that focus upon how literature functions within social, political, and economic structures, than it does with theories that focus only upon the text. Marxist criticism has had an enormous influence on feminism , new historicism , and most recently, cultural studies . As a system that looks for causes beneath the surface of society, Marxist criticism has much in common with psychoanalytic criticism . In fact, it is possible to make a rough comparison between the Marxist model of base and superstructure and the Freudian model of unconscious and conscious. Works Cited Eagleton, Terry. Marxism and Literary Criticism. London: Metheun Books, 1976. Selden, Ramden. A Reader's Guide to Contemporary Literary Theory. Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1985. Williams, Raymond. Marxism and Literature. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1977.

My writing styles Essay -- Essays Papers

My writing styles There are many writing styles that many people pick up as they go through there many years of schooling. Each person picks up the same type of writing styles but as years go by people seem to pick up there own little types of writing style that separates them from everyone else. As I have gone through many years of English classes I have acquired more and more skills and many more are sure to come as I continue my education. My writing skills have only gotten better from the time of ninth grade English class until today. Since my days back in junior high school I was only taught the basic skills to write papers and since then they have grown to make me a decent writer. I have many strengths and also many weakness that I still need to work on. Many people have there own strengths in writing and there own weaknesses that they need to work on. I consider myself a half way decent writer because I have a couple of weakness that I still need to work on for me to be the writer that I want to be. One of my major weaknesses in my writing ...

Educating Rita Notes

Into the World examines how various texts represent stages of growing up and maturation. transitional phase, marked by new challenges, opportunities and relationships described as a ‘rite of passage’, a time of change and adaption from one world of experience into another. offers knowledge, understanding and insight as well as more arduous and difficult consequences. Worlds encountered are varied as well as the unique and individual ways that people cope with the pressures of moving out ‘into the world’.When responding to texts, students are to demonstrate the different pathways (worlds and ways of coping) that are available. Educating Rita – Willy Russell explores notions of personal growth and self awareness through the transformation and process of change that occurs in Frank and Rita. the playwright describes the play as â€Å"a love story†, although the relationship that unfolds between Rita and Frank is also a story about â€Å"literatur e, language and education†. n educative relationship between teaching and learning is examined through the transition from ignorance to knowledge and enlightenment. an educational context is used to explore the development of skills, attitudes, values and outlook that takes place in Frank and Rita. Frank and Rita’s interaction as teacher and student triggers a re-evaluation of self and their relationship with their world. The bond they form generates the emotional impetus (force) needed to undergo fundamental (so basic as to be hard to alter, resolve, or overcome) change. his is represented through Rita and Frank’s juxtaposition of class, background, social expectations and values. in the introduction of the play, Russell explains that he aimed to achieve this in a way that â€Å"engaged† an audience and â€Å"was relevant to those who considered themselves uneducated, those whose daily language is not the language of the university or the theatre. † the play explores fundamental notions of education including the motivations and dreams that inspire teacher and student alike.Educating Rita has proved to be highly successful because Bildungsroman elements of self-realisation, allow it to â€Å"transcend barriers of language, class and race† and strike an empathetic chord with audiences. the genre of Bildungsroman has an educative focus that looks at the inter-relationship of man and society. the focus is the extended journey of personal development that the protagonist undergoes. the tone is typically personal, reflective and highly subjective. erceptions of self and social identity are examined and as such the characterisation is psychologically complex and morally ambiguous (unclear or inexact because a choice between alternatives has not been made). changes that occur are often motivated by a desire for self-improvement or self-fulfillment and can result in a greater self-knowledge. these features are clearly seen by the altered outlooks both Rita and frank exhibit by the end of their time together. STRUCTURE: fifteen scene, ‘two-hander’ script with only two characters. each scene depicts one of rita’s visits, charting the growing relationship between teacher and pupil. Educating Rita Notes Into the World examines how various texts represent stages of growing up and maturation. transitional phase, marked by new challenges, opportunities and relationships described as a ‘rite of passage’, a time of change and adaption from one world of experience into another. offers knowledge, understanding and insight as well as more arduous and difficult consequences. Worlds encountered are varied as well as the unique and individual ways that people cope with the pressures of moving out ‘into the world’.When responding to texts, students are to demonstrate the different pathways (worlds and ways of coping) that are available. Educating Rita – Willy Russell explores notions of personal growth and self awareness through the transformation and process of change that occurs in Frank and Rita. the playwright describes the play as â€Å"a love story†, although the relationship that unfolds between Rita and Frank is also a story about â€Å"literatur e, language and education†. n educative relationship between teaching and learning is examined through the transition from ignorance to knowledge and enlightenment. an educational context is used to explore the development of skills, attitudes, values and outlook that takes place in Frank and Rita. Frank and Rita’s interaction as teacher and student triggers a re-evaluation of self and their relationship with their world. The bond they form generates the emotional impetus (force) needed to undergo fundamental (so basic as to be hard to alter, resolve, or overcome) change. his is represented through Rita and Frank’s juxtaposition of class, background, social expectations and values. in the introduction of the play, Russell explains that he aimed to achieve this in a way that â€Å"engaged† an audience and â€Å"was relevant to those who considered themselves uneducated, those whose daily language is not the language of the university or the theatre. † the play explores fundamental notions of education including the motivations and dreams that inspire teacher and student alike.Educating Rita has proved to be highly successful because Bildungsroman elements of self-realisation, allow it to â€Å"transcend barriers of language, class and race† and strike an empathetic chord with audiences. the genre of Bildungsroman has an educative focus that looks at the inter-relationship of man and society. the focus is the extended journey of personal development that the protagonist undergoes. the tone is typically personal, reflective and highly subjective. erceptions of self and social identity are examined and as such the characterisation is psychologically complex and morally ambiguous (unclear or inexact because a choice between alternatives has not been made). changes that occur are often motivated by a desire for self-improvement or self-fulfillment and can result in a greater self-knowledge. these features are clearly seen by the altered outlooks both Rita and frank exhibit by the end of their time together. STRUCTURE: fifteen scene, ‘two-hander’ script with only two characters. each scene depicts one of rita’s visits, charting the growing relationship between teacher and pupil.

Time Machine

Eliot states that, â€Å"Home is where one starts from, as we get older, the world becomes stranger, the pattern more complicated. † I do agree with T. S. Eliot, and I do have one story about my past that will prove his quotation. When I was 4 years old, I thought that life was a fairy tale. A typical fairy tale where I would be married to a handsome prince, and we will live happily ever after. Life would be very simple and laid back.All I needed to do was to learn how to read, write, and count numbers. I didn't have any bills due at the end of every month, and I did not have to work very hard to get what I want. I remember those days where crying gave me everything I desired. I wish that I can stay young forever; however, that is not how life works. Life is about growing up and maturing whether I like it or not. As I get older, things become more complicated, and I learned that not everyone will always stay by my side. Especially my dad who died in the early age of my life. M y dad had been a huge art of my life.He molded me and taught me a lot of things about life. I learned that there will come a time where I have to stand up on my own, and not depend on someone to defend me. Time is the only thing that I could never bring back, no matter how hard I try. I Just wish I could make things right with my dad so he would know that I really love and cherish him always. I was seventeen years old when I lost my dad. I could still remember his warm smile that brightened up my darkest day. My dad have a slightly squint-eyes that guided me to the inner side of his soul.With is deeply tanned skin and calloused hands, I could proudly say that he worked hard day and night Just to give my family a better life. One day, a single car crash took away the life of my dad. If I could be with my dad again, I would treasure him more and take another chance to correct my previous mistakes. Regrets make my life miserable in different areas. Never a day that passes by that I do not ask myself, â€Å"What if my dad were still alive? † This thinking drives me crazy, and I wish I could travel back in time so I could make some changes; however, that is Just an illusion.Time is the only thing that we could never bring back, no matter how hard we try. I just wish I could make things right with my dad so he would know that I really love and cherish him always. My dad worked odd Jobs, took night classes to get his high school diploma, and raised us with love and discipline. I knew I wasn't an easy kid but he never complained, not even once. As a teenager, I always envied my classmates who have everything they ever wanted in life. Their parents were executives, ambassadors, or celebrities.One time, I saw Tiffany bragging about her Calvin Klein lack leather Jacket, a white mid-thigh length Dolce and Cabana sundress, and a pair of knee-high Giorgio Airman leather black boots. I felt insecure when I looked at myself, wearing my usual clothing; baggy t-shirt and Jeans. When I got home, I excitedly ran and knocked on my parent's room. My dad gestured his arms widely so I could give him a warm hug. With a big smile, I asked my dad if he could buy me some beautiful clothes so that I could feel beautiful like the other girls in my class. His face suddenly changed and I could trace the confusion from his eyes.With a gentle and raring voice, he told me that real beauty is about being comfortable in my own skin. It is about knowing and accepting who I really am. It is not measured by the brand of clothes I wear nor the amount of cosmetics I put on. Inner beauty comes from the inside and captivates the heart of a true person. I could see the sincerity in his eyes as he looked at me with integrity. I could sense the emotion and honesty in every word that he say. The 21st of August, 2013, is the most unforgettable tragedy in my life because that is the day when my dad passed away.The moment I woke up to repaper for school, my mom knocked at my door and with a shaky, yet gentle voice she told me that my father died in a car crash back in the Philippines. When I heard that, I was speechless; I was lost. My body violently shook, the fear ran cold in my veins. I broke out in a nervous sweat, but I could not stop shivering like I was suddenly in southern part of Antarctica. My fingers had held a vice grip onto the legs of my tights, my nails dug holes into the seams. Tears drenched in every inch of my face, all over my cheeks, and over my chin.Liquid ran down my neck and devoured y clothes beneath it. I wanted to stop shaking; I wanted to be able to breathe again. I could not believe that my dad is gone and I could not do anything because I am in America. All off sudden, our happy memories started to play in my mind. I remember when he went to my high school graduation; he was so proud of me because I was one of the top students. My dad and I went to the salon to get ready for my graduation. We rarely visit salons and malls due to lack of budget, but this time he said that he could buy me a new shoes because I did a great Job in school.He wore his favorite polo with a Ana blue neck tie and his hair is brushed on one side. When the principal called my name, he proudly stood up and accompanied me to the stage. My dad walked on the stage with a smile that is brighter than the sun, he hung the shiny gold medal on my neck. I felt like I am on cloud nine. The flowers danced and rejoiced over my success. I heard the people clapped their hands while the principal announced all the achievements that I had during my high school years. I remembered the day when we were at the airport, the day when I last saw my dad's beautiful face.We did not have any conversation on our way to the airport. The car was filled with silence and I felt the sadness in his eyes. I have a lot of things that I want to tell him, but I could not figure out what words would exactly fit the emptiness and grief that I am feeling inside. The moment that I laid my feet on the airport, my shoulders became heavier, hours became minutes, and minutes became seconds. The lady announced that we have to fall in line because our plane would depart in less than fifteen minutes. My dad held my hands and hugged me.I saw my ad's tears ran down his cheeks, but he tried his best not to cry in front of me. His once tanned face became red and looked like he would burst in tears in Just a matter of seconds. His red lips became pale and his hands are shaking. He ran his fingers through my hair and put it beneath my ears. My dad looked at me with sincerity and told me that he loved me. The words were so heartwarming that it left me with tears. I did not want to look at him anymore because it would only make me cry harder. Those memories would forever be treasured in my heart.I would never forget those detersives moments that I had with him. I regret many things in life. If only I could go back in time; then I wouldn't have to worry anymore. I cou ld be with my loved ones for as long as I could. I would make our time together to be as memorable as possible. I could correct those errors, and maybe my dad would know how much I loved him before he died. Since time machines do not exist, all I could do is to accept the fact that everybody would leave me; nobody would stay with me forever. Death leaves a heartache no one could heal, and love leaves a memory no one could steal.Without all those trials and circumstances, I would never be the person that I am right now: stronger and braver than I was before. What I did wrong before is that I never treasured the people that surrounded me. I thought they would be with me forever so I took them for granted. Life is so unpredictable, which makes it challenging. Growing up is not easy especially when a huge part of my life is gone; however, that is how life works. People come and go no matter what happen. The main question is, are we prepared to lose someone during our Journey in life? 1 572 words

Mattel Toy Recall Essay

1. What are the main issues involved in the case? Mattel had five recalls in 2007 involving over 21 million toys. The problems were related to lead paint and poorly designed magnets. Most of the toys were made in China, which caused them to question the reliability of the Chinese manufacturers. At first, Mattel tried to put all the blame on the Chinese manufacturers as a denial tactic. They also claimed the media and government overly magnified the crisis. Mattel also failed to notify the CPSC of the defects within the time limit of 24 hours. It took them nearly a month and a half to notify the CPSC. Even though the recalls were in 2007, there were incidents/injuries reported in 2003 with children needing surgery because of the toy defects. One death was recorded. 2. Identify the major stakeholders and state how the issues in the case affect each stakeholder. Competitors: Because Mattel is such a large and trusted company that outsources, customers were nervous to trust other companies that outsourced. Who was to say they did not have the same issues as Mattel? Investors: Stocks dropped and investors lost money. They ended up suing based on allegations of failure to disclose recalls in a timely manner, and failure to have proper protocols to avoid recalls. Customers: Many children were injured and required surgery, and one child even died. Parents lost faith in Mattel and created lawsuits against them. Employees: Because of the accusations on the Chinese manufacturers, job security in China all but diminished. Job security and pay decreased in America too because of the fines from the CPSC, and the cost of the recalls. 3. How could this case be viewed from an ethical perspective? It was Mattel’s job to report the incident in a specific time limit, which they failed to do. They could have warned parents approximately a month and a half earlier, possibly saving children from painful injuries and surgeries. Mattel also put the blame on the Chinese and did not own up to their own mistakes. 4. What final conclusions or recommendations would you draw? Immediately tackle any issues or problems that arise to avoid a larger fiasco. Implement higher standards and checks to ensure the safety of the products. Follow all government statues and be sure that the outsource countries have the same or similar regulations and priorities that we hold.

Buad 3010 Text Bank Chp 1

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