College and Herb Block Foundation Free Essays

Of every one of your courses, exercises, temporary positions, and work understanding, which one did you ? nd generally fulfilling or specifically fulfilling? Clarify why. The most compensating work experience that I have had was to function as a volunteer for the International office at Northern Virginia Community College. By and by, I considered chipping in capable work since it requires time exertion and responsibility. We will compose a custom paper test on School and Herb Block Foundation or on the other hand any comparative theme just for you Request Now Filling in as a volunteer with the International Office was significant to me since I had the option to help such a large number of understudies in accomplishing their fantasy about getting an American advanced degree. I had the option to support the International Students and to give them a superior comprehension of the assets that NOVA offers to universal understudies. Besides, my obligation was to orchestrate understudy social affairs and in this manner fabricate a feeling of network and union. My motivation for chipping in was to help universal understudies, a considerable lot of whom are away from home with next to no help at an extremely youthful age, with making a smooth progress in to another coulter. This is especially imperative to me since I am a double resident of America and Pakistan and comprehend the trouble of absorbing into another culture. FUTURE GOALS Based on your present accomplishments and interests, portray the sort of work that you intend to do in 10 years, both in your vocation and in your locale. I will likely get my Masters in Information System and Operation Management (ISOM). I picked this major since I have solid interest to find out about Information System Technology. In any case, I am likewise keen on business. I am amped up for my major on the grounds that ISOM, which is a blend of IT and business, will set me up to be fruitful later on. Moreover, in 10 years, I would like to be working with Multi Complex Corporations settled in an effective profession, subsequent to winning Masters in (ISOM) Information System and Operational Management. I am certain that in next 10 years, I will be in a place that will to use my abilities and utilize my aptitudes to take care of significant issues confronting our present reality. I see myself welcoming new and energizing difficulties in ISOM field. Additionally, I accept that all through my examination I will have the option to help my locale by giving them data about IT abilities and about its points of interest which would urge youngsters to study it. How has a relative, tutor, or individual experience been in? uential in your life? My own understanding and family foundation impact me and on my instruction. I am inspired to graduate school on the grounds that neither of my folks moved on from school. I am just the second individual in my family to go to school and bouncing to accomplish my objective of getting my Associates of Science in Information Technology and afterward going to a four years establishment. In addition, the difficult work of my folks has consistently moves me. Likewise, I am appreciative to them for supporting me in my endeavors in of getting training. Structure my social foundation point of view, frequently young ladies are not permitted to get instruction yet I truly value my family for giving me the chance to get decent training so I can have a more promising time to come. In 2012, I graduated with 3. 8 GPA structure T. C Willims’s secondary school and last semester at NOVA I got done with a 3. 4 GPA. I am energetic about my examinations. Be that as it may, my monetary circumstance has demonstrated to be an obstruction in my quest for scholarly achievement. My money related circumstance doesn't permit me to concentrate exclusively on my scholastics; this is the reason I am applying for the Herb Block Foundation Scholarships. I trust through this grant, I will have the option to complete my junior college vocation without accounts being a hindrance to my prosperity. With the assistance of the Herb Block Foundation I will produce a more promising time to come my family my locale and myself and at last the world on the loose. The most effective method to refer to College and Herb Block Foundation, Papers

Assessment for Teacher Essay Example for Free

Evaluation for Teacher Essay The main role of evaluation is for the student to give proof of learning by exhibiting the comprehension of substance and accomplishment of learning results. This gives an understanding of their qualities and zones of advancement. While for instructor, it gives a second to audit their appraisal systems as far as viability and encourage movement by giving productive input. It additionally illuminates the educational plan board, chiefs, and applicable staff to assess learning programs for any enhancements. Students are evaluated through different phases of learning venture by utilizing assortment of techniques and methodologies. They are typically surveyed developmentally previously or during the course and summatively close or its finish. Developmental evaluation gives a ceaseless wellspring of data about students’ progress, improvement and issues experienced in the learning procedure. It could be a â€Å"Initial Assessment† to decide earlier information or â€Å"Diagnostic Assessment† to discover territories of improvement and qualities. Criticism is a necessary piece of it. (NCFOT, 1999) said it â€Å"occurs when instructors feed data back to the understudies in manners that empower the understudy to learn better, or when understudies can take part in a comparative, self-intelligent process†(Principle 4). It has likewise been bolstered by a few educationists, for example, Scales (2008 p. 179), Black and William (1998: 17) and Reece and Walker (2007 p. 325). Developmental appraisals are not evaluated which permits adaptability to alter and modify the showing rehearses and mirror the necessities and progress of students just as propelling them. Notwithstanding, developmental evaluation in its perfectionist structure is only occasionally utilized (Brookhart, 1999). I feel that instructors ought to be offered preparing to as â€Å"how† and â€Å"when† to utilize it effectively. There are assortment of techniques by which understudies are surveyed developmentally, for example, Accreditation of earlier learning (APL), Observation, Oral Questioning, Discussion, Role play, Case study, Essays, Projects, Assignments, MCQs and so on which when utilized in blend has demonstrated viable in estimating an assortment of complex learning results (Reece and Walker, 2007, p. 326) It is helpful for advancement of â€Å"Cognitive†, â€Å"Psychomotor† and â€Å"Affective Domains† of learning as clarified in Bloom’s Taxonomy and could survey higher request aptitudes of these areas. A few instructors are transcendently worried about psychological learning with some utilization of psychomotor aptitudes yet full of feeling learning can be a valuable apparatus in changing perspectives I. e. sexual orientation, culture and so on regardless of whether it’s not a necessity of a course. Summative Assessment occurs toward the finish of the course, unit and so forth and is for reviewing and choice reason. It is utilized for illuminating bosses, organizations and so forth about learner’s by and large execution. It doesn't nonetheless, give data about point by point capacities of student and there is no input so it is bantered for its total unwavering quality and legitimacy. (Scales, 2008 and Rust, 2002). Students are surveyed summatively for the most part by Examination, Assignments, Portfolios, and Essays. They build up the expertise levels of ‘cognitive and psychomotor domains’ relying upon how successfully they are set out and the sort obviously. ‘MCQs’ and ‘Viva’ for example can give better inclusion of schedule just as appraisal of more profound information while expositions doesn't fill a similar need yet survey more significant levels of subjective area I. e. combination and assessment. Criticism is a significant component of appraisal and is legitimately identified with inspiration. So as to quicken learning process it must be opportune, positive and helpful. â€Å"Maslow’s progression makes us consider the absolute experience.. From physiological components. to connections (do we give positive respect and advancement criticism? ) to confidence needs (‘I’m no decent ’), his progression gives a valuable gadget to assist us with getting learning and motivation(Scales, 2008 p. 72). We have to keep records to track and screen the advancement of our students. They are various kinds of interior, outer and formal and casual records. Interior records incorporate imprint books, framework, student progress sheets/surveys and aftereffects of false tests. In ESOL, we track Initial meeting, Initial appraisal, spiky profile, ILPs, Diagnostic evaluation, Formative evaluation, perception reports, criticism reports, peer/self appraisals and Summative appraisals to survey the advancement of students and viability of program and educating. The outside records remember all the proof for type of composed work or inward check to sent to outer bodies I. e. test board, reviewing bodies, other instructive associations, bolster staff, and so forth.

Current Assessment Practices for Evaluating Clinical Students Research Paper

Flow Assessment Practices for Evaluating Clinical Students - Research Paper Example There are three sorts of evaluation these incorporate, understudy, program and framework appraisal. The understudy evaluation is significant as causes the assessor to discover what the understudies know. Assessors use appraisal to discover what the understudy know to decide their insight on the field. This aides in deciding the nature of abilities and level of execution of the understudy. Understudy evaluation likewise help to decide how the understudies carryout their work. Assessors likewise test the students’ level of inspiration and exertion towards their region of study. Program evaluation is the type of appraisal that decides the competency of a framework in a foundation. Program appraisal improves the program and keeps causes the program to accomplish its objective. Program evaluation helps in deciding zones that require extra instructional stressing. The appraisal additionally encourages the instructors to distinguish fruitless and effective lessons and techniques. Gui delines use examination of students’ results, eyewitnesses, self-organization poll, network study and meetings of understudies and educators to complete program evaluation. Framework appraisal is a type of program evaluation that is huge panic based. One do program appraisal, for instance, in is a study hall however framework evaluation happens in an entire school region or an enormous zone of association. As a rule, framework appraisal utilizes the outsider constants. A fantastic case of framework evaluation is the improving of educational plan that includes totally hierarchical territory. A fantastic case of evaluation considers that numerous nations do is the appraisal of clinical understudies. Review and Critical Analysis of the Current Assessment Clinical students’ appraisal is an evaluation that educators do to decide the skill of the understudies in the clinical field. Clinical understudies are significant understudies in the general public as they handle the wi ped out. The training of the clinical understudies is, requiring right type of evaluation as they manage people’s lives. The type of evaluation in the clinical field used to survey clinical understudies is severe. Clinical assessment happens toward the finish of arrangement comprise of two clinical meetings. In these two meetings, the understudies draw in with concealed and seen customer. The analysts look at the clinical understudies utilizing oral tests. The understudies draw in with two analysts in every one of the two meetings. The seen customer is one whom the clinical understudy has an entrance for in 40 days of task. The concealed customers in centers, for example, network facility are those customers who visit the center just because. The inconspicuous customers can likewise be those customers hospitalized for an extensive stretch or customers might be going to the center for a significant stretch however observing another specialist. The inconspicuous meeting of the clinical understudy is a meeting that includes client’s first arrangement at the center. In all events, there is advising regarding customers about the meeting, and concurrence with understudy assessment (McCarthy, 2011). The earlier day to the assessment, there is giving of certain subtleties on the inconspicuous customer to the clinical understudies. The data went to the clinical understudy help them to mirror the underlying life counsels in the language and language training practice. The data on the inconspicuous cli

Kellogg Dean Sally Blount has Announced Resignation

Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management’s Dean Sally Blount has announced that she will step down at the end of the 2017-2018 academic year. Blount is entering her seventh year as dean. The decision to take a one-year sabbatical to travel, write, and ponder her â€Å"final chapter in education† has come as a surprise to most. It was apparently made during one of the multi-day retreats of silent reflection that Blount has taken in Rhode Island over the past decade. She is the first and only woman to lead one of the prominent M7 business schools. Last month Blount successfully wrapped up Kellogg’s first-ever major capital campaign which raised $365 million, including a doubling of contributions to the school’s annual fund which surpassed more than $10 million for the first time. She was involved in every aspect of Kellogg’s new $250 million Global Hub which officially opened in mid-March. Blount’s impressive list of academic achievements include welcoming the most gifted incoming class of MBAs ever, with the highest GMAT score ever recorded at the school and the highest average of any of the world’s most well-known MBA programs with the exception of Stanford GSB. She also brought Kellogg to fourth place in the Poets Quants’ composite ranking, tying with UPenn Wharton and barely behind Chicago Booth, Stanford, and Harvard Business School. According to a video message to Kellogg’s community, Blount has an almost 30-year history with the school, which began when â€Å"Kellogg took a chance on a pregnant doctoral student.† Recently she was asked by the board to imagine that she was a new dean walking into the new Global Hub – what would she do next? While in Rhode Island, she realized that this question created â€Å"an opportunity for me to start thinking bravely about my own life in the ways that I have about the institutions I have led.† She hopes that thinking about these subjects will show her â€Å"what the person I want to become would do.† When Blount steps down, there will only be three female deans of Top 25 U.S. business schools: Judy Olian of UCLA Anderson; Erika James of Emory Goizueta; and Idalene F. Kesner of Indiana Kelley. None of the Top 20 business schools outside the U.S. has a woman as its dean. hbspt.cta.load(58291, '7de5e366-4f37-4aa9-8313-45a286c4665c', {}); For 25 years, Accepted has helped business school applicants gain acceptance to top programs. Our outstanding team of MBA admissions consultants features former business school admissions directors and professional writers who have guided our clients to admission at top MBA, EMBA, and other graduate business programs worldwide including Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, INSEAD, London Business School, and many more.  Want an MBA admissions expert  to help you get Accepted? Click here to get in touch! Related Resources: †¢ Best MBA Programs, a guide to selecting the right one for you †¢ Kellogg MBA Essay Tips Deadlines †¢ Want a Kellogg MBA?, a podcast episode

Plato s Theory Of Knowledge - 1413 Words

Plato’s theory of knowledge claims that knowledge is only achieved in what is eternal and unchanging. True knowledge is distinguished from all else by its unique nature of being perceived by intellection and without hypothesis. Throughout the Republic, Plato attempts to explain through several images of speech and conceptual examples the essence of what is and what is not true knowledge. Plato’s model of education is reflective of his belief that the purpose of education is to point towards knowledge of the form of the good and the formation of a good soul. How is knowledge achieved? Music and gymnastics in the process of working towards positive formation of the soul Why it is important: -Plato’s theory of forms-things that are in†¦show more content†¦Knowledge is not perception or appearance, as both are subjective matters of opinion. Formal knowledge does not include things that are physical, because these physical objects can change or be altered whereas purely formal knowledge is unchanging. Opinions are not as certain and concrete as knowledge, and have not been proven to be definitely true; therefore they are not considered to be a form of true knowledge. Also on the opinion side of the divided line is imaging, or imitation, including representations and likenesses that resemble something else. One problem that Plato raises with imaging is that there is [[QUOTE]]], and that images should instead be used to convey larger ideals that point towards the desirable and good. Between the regions of opinion and knowledge there exists a thick line of separation. On the side of the line opposite opinion is true knowledge, a knowledge that is not complete with awareness of individual objects but extends beyond the visible realm to explore the relationships between objects, the intelligible realm. Though not all people need to cross over this dividing line, it is important that some people do, especially some members of the guardian class that will be among the candidates for future positions of leadership. The pursuit of knowledge is of greatest importance for

Anabolic Steroids Use And Performance Enhancing Drugs

The Debate over Anabolic Steroids The use of performance enhancing drugs like anabolic steroids has been a debatable topic in the United States as early as the 1950’s. Former U. S. Representative Howard Berman expresses that â€Å"Steroids can seem necessary to compete at the highest level, and the quick rewards may seem to outweigh the long term consequences to users.† The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states that countless athletes, both young and old, face life threatening illnesses due to the use of performance-enhancing drugs, some of which will cause lifelong problems. The use of the illegal performance-enhancing drugs also poses an unfair advantage among athletes seeing as how not all players take part in the risky benefits steroids offer. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the use of anabolic steroids in the United States is illegal without the consent of a medical professional, while the possession and the distribution of anabolic steroids is a felony offense. By ana lyzing the historical past and the facts about steroids in sports one would conclude that anabolic steroids should be banned, especially since they are already illegal. Nevertheless, will banning performance enhancing stop athletes from subjecting themselves to drug dependency and a wide range of side effects that in some cases can be fatal? The use of anabolic steroids has been a major issue not only in the United States but around the world. As indicated by the NationalShow MoreRelatedAnabolic Steroid Use in Sports Summary1493 Words   |  6 PagesAnabolic Steroid use in Sports The competitive drive to win at all cost is fierce among athletes. Winning at all cost often includes using one of many performance enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids. Many athletes use performance enhancing drugs, like steroids, to achieve higher goals and set higher records than other drug-free successful athletes. Although athletes are performing at higher levels when using such drugs, what is the cost? Finally anabolic steroids should remain bannedRead MoreThe Effects of Performance Enhancing Drugs on Athletes996 Words   |  4 PagesEffects of Performance Enhancing Drugs on Athletes The risks of taking performance -enhancing drugs to improve an athletes’ performance outweighs the benefits. Along with the fact that all performance-enhancing drugs are illegal to use in sports, there are also serious side effects and addiction risks to the drugs. Athletes may choose from a variety of drugs and each may achieve different benefits. However, most of the time, athletes are uneducated in their decision to take the drugs, which canRead MoreEssay about Consequences of Performance Enhancing Drugs1509 Words   |  7 PagesNegative Effects to Performance Enhancing Drugs At the age of 21 Rob Garibaldi committed suicide and it is believed to be from his consumption of performance enhancing drugs. As a young boy, Rob started to play little league, trying to match his favorite sport hero, and dreaming to make it to the baseball major leagues. Prior to high school, Rob was getting pushed by his coaches he had and scouts start to follow him to have him take supplements and more things that will help him gain weight compoundsRead MorePerformance Enhancing Drug Abuse1511 Words   |  7 PagesPerformance enhancing drug abuse is a growing problem in adolescents and athletes. According to the Partnership for Drug – Free Kids, more than five percent of teens use performance enhancing drugs, or steroids increase muscle. Performance enhancing drug abuse creates addiction, the mental tension and pressure that coaches and peers bring to inferior athletes this draws teens and athletes to engage in these products, further encouraging teens to partake in the u se of performance enhancing drugs,Read MoreAthletes And Performance Enhancing Drugs1438 Words   |  6 Pageswhole life, I have had experience with performance enhancing drugs in the past and currently. I believe the safest way to achieve your goals is to train naturally, but many athletes do not have the patience for that and choose to take substances that put their health at risk. In most cases, if an athlete believes that they have reached their â€Å"peak† of performance or feel they are struggling to progress they will likely seek out something to enhance their performance. Depending on their sport, they willRead MoreAthletes Use Drugs For A Variety Of Reasons1194 Words   |  5 PagesAthletes use drugs for a variety of reasons, such as coping with stress or to enhance their quality of performance, and the effects of using performance enhancing drugs can have long term effects on an individual’s life. A commonly used drug in athletes goes by the name of anabolic steroids. The best way to help clarify your understanding of the importance of anabolic steroids is to define these steroids as a synthetic way to acquire the male sex hormone testosterone. The proper name for these steroidsRead MorePerformance Enhancing Drugs Should Be Legal1039 Words   |  5 PagesIllegal performance enhancing drugs should remain illegal they truly shatter the idea that hard work pays off, performance enhancing drugs are for cheaters, and cheaters never prosper. Performance enhancing drugs are far too easily accepted and used. Performance enhancing drugs are more prevalent, needed, and dated than many know. Athletes do not feel ashamed or the need to hide their use of performance enhancing drugs. Performance enhancing drug use is a universal thing, and using them has beenRead MoreAnabolic Steroids : A Fatal Attraction1734 Words   |  7 PagesAnabolic Steroids in Sports The market for top performing athletes in sports in the 21st century is a competitive one. Athletes are pushed to, be stronger, an heal from injuries faster. With the pressure to do well and get picked up by a professional team of sorts goes without saying that hard work is a must to elevate ones professional athletic career, but what if one has reached a plateau or hit a wall in a training regimen and just can not seem to push through? When some athletes hit the proverbialRead MoreSteroids And Other Performance Enhancing Drugs1407 Words   |  6 PagesSteroids in Sports Introduction The debate over athletes using steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs has always been a hot-button issue in the sports world. From major league athletes in baseball and football; to track stars and bicyclist in the Olympics, the use of steroids in sports has been a wide-range problem. Those who disagree with the use of steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs say that the athletes who use them are breaking the rules and getting an unfair advantage overRead MoreAthletes Don t Need Steroids1451 Words   |  6 Pagesneed steroids but they put their hard work and dedication to using it. They want to build themselves into an athlete that loves more competition in themselves and others. But why use steroids when you can do it all by yourself and not to cheat but succeed in life do what you can to be a better athlete in sports. Its seem too often these days: the metric rise of an athletic superstar, with fans that marvel at his strength, quickness and agility and then, in an instant the accusation of drug abuse

Corporate Philanthropy Innovation in Corporate Giving

Question: Discuss about theCorporate Philanthropy for Innovation in Corporate Giving. Answer: Introduction: Corporate Philanthropy is when the business decides to the promote welfare of the society in which they work and live. It is focused on treating people right, working for a cause to make changes for the betterment of the community (Levy, 1999). The organizations undertaking corporate philanthropy make donations to other organizations working for the development of the community or work directly by undertaking some initiatives. These donations could be in cash or by volunteering time or offering use of companys facilities. The organizations usually have a separate team looking after this aspect. The company aims to create and achieve a positive social impact by supporting these beneficiary causes. The business has to utilize its resources and put them to use, so that they become useful for the society. These philanthropic initiatives add value to the company, but the most important aspect is that these values have to align with the long-term goals of the company. For these programs to be successful it is important that they are strategically planned. They open up an entire platform for the company to perform its social responsibilities. They have to be viable for a long period of time. The company engaging in corporate philanthropy has to adopt ethical business practices (Koch, 2012). They should refrain from involving into any sorts of corruption whether grand, petty or political. The company can have a framework that involves certain principles in to their business practices. The foremost is to consider human rights, practices that do not violate or abuses human right policies should be supported by the business. Second is to follow labor laws, i.e. especially elimination of discrimination and child labor, valuing diversity in the organization, and following the right practices with the people employed in the company. Next is to be considerate towards the environment, realizing the impact that the business has made on the environment, encouraging environmental friendly techniques and promoting sustainable development along with undertaking few responsibilities to reduce the negative impact on the environment. Lastly, business should refrain from engaging into any form of corruption including bribery and extortion (The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact, 2016). Traditionally the companies undertakes corporate philanthropy in two ways, first is by matching the donations made by their employees to a nonprofit organization. Second is when the employees ask the companies to donate the money when the employees volunteer their time for the similar nonprofit organization. Most companies adopt either of the two approaches of corporate philanthropy. Apple Inc., US multinational company undertakes both the practices, the matching gift Program as well as the Volunteer Grant Program. The company matches the donations up to $10,000 in a year made to an organization by its full time employees. The Volunteer Grant Program undertaken allows the company to generously donate $25 for every hour that employee volunteers for the nonprofit organization (Apple Inc. Matching Gifts, 2016). Google, one of the leading companies in the world also follows Matching Gift Program for its part and full-time employees along with following Volunteer Grant Program that give a $50 grant to a nonprofit organization for every five hours that an employee volunteers (10 Companies Doing Corporate Philanthropy Right, 2016). Effectiveness of Corporate philanthropy initiatives is a matter of debate. Organizations feel that giving it back to the society is an obligation in the current business scenario, as it creates goodwill. But there are very few companies who have in real figured out how to strategically plan their philanthropy actions that aligns with their long term goals along with creating a positive social impact. One of the most prevalent practices of philanthropy is matching the donations made by the employees to an organization. This enhances the moral compass of an employee and also reflects their beliefs, values by leaving the choice of charity onto them. This somewhere reduces the burden of decision making of donation by the company. Scholars suggest that the chances of people making their own decisions in donating the money would be more appropriate than the company at large. However it is argued that strategic philanthropy does not come into the context when an employee is making his own choice. In strategically planned philanthropy there has to be some connections between the donations made and the business. When employees are making their own choice, there are very few chances that they align with the business and its long term goals. Companies should use the corporate philanthropy to get a competitive edge. In the long run, the goals of philanthropy and business should align in such a way that it creates more opportunities for the business while simultaneously creating a good impact in the society. Supporting the related industries is one such way that will help the business in increasing its productivity. The alignment of social benefit with economic benefit will generate pure business along with pure philanthropy. The social and economic value could be created by the company by selecting the best grantees, improving the performance of the grant recipients, and most importantly by advancing their knowledge (Porter and Kramer, 2002). Ethical practices refer to carefully consider the practices and policies regarding issues, such as promoter trading, bribery, discriminatory practices, and corporate social responsibility (Simpson and Taylor, 2013). Ethical behavior and social responsibility in business should go hand in hand. A business can gain trust of the society by performing social responsibilities ethically. Undertaking the responsibilities ethically would bring certain impact on the business, it would help the business in attracting more customers, thereby increasing profits when the sale increases. It would also increase employee retention, reducing the labor turnover and thereby reducing the cost of hiring and training the employees according to the needs of the company. It would also attract investors in the company and would create a positive impact on the share prices and market value of the company. All this in a way is a progressive environment for the business to flourish. Ethical behavior also provides an advantage of improving internal communication in the business, because it is important to share significant information with the people associated with the organization. Once the people related are aware of the values they would focus on improving the overall outcome for the sake of the companys growth as well as personal growth. It also helps the business in avoiding legal complications. Once a company follows ethical practices and abides the laws, like environmental, labor laws then it builds a strong shield for itself which protects it from getting into any legal trouble. It also makes the values of the company stronger. Most importantly it gains customer loyalty, which is the ulterior motive of any business organization (Idowu and Filho , 2008). Few ethical practices that could be followed by the business are like, considering environmental factors- to reduce the negative impact of business on the environment. A business big or small definitely has some carbon footprints on the environment; business should do some efforts to reduce them. Ethical labor practices by treating all employees with fairness and equality and abiding the laws of the land are equally important. Next comes is philanthropy, a business has a lot of resources that could be used by the society for development. All these resources put to efficient use by the business could create a positive impact on it and garner a lot of goodwill in the community. An organization could motivate its employees to volunteer their time in supporting certain causes or organization that work for nonprofit motives (Conference Board, 1972). A very inspiring example of one such corporate philanthropy is Toms Shoes- a company that donates one pair of shoes to a child who is deprive d of them whenever a customer buys one pair of shoes from their brand. This reflects that the company does undertake philanthropy in its true sense (TOMS, 2016). Corporate Philanthropy should be undertaken with planning and it should align with long term goals of the business, then only it serves the purpose. It should be planned strategically then it would be useful. What is observed in the modern trends is that companies spend big money in the names of philanthropy to promote a brand and not be just to the society. They associate themselves with big brands or sponsor high profile events in the name of philanthropy. But that does not even count on it. The true meaning of philanthropy would be when business would put its resources in a strategically planned manner for the better and development of the society to create a positive impact which would also give it a competitive edge in the market. Aligning long term goals of sustainability with current philanthropy practices is what is required for the business. Uselessly spending money in the names of philanthropy but not using it to get an edge in the business would not be beneficial in the lo ng run. The philanthropy practices should be focused and should represent an objective. The more improvement of society relates to business to more it will be economically beneficial for the business. For the long run, economic and social goals should align for the business to flourish. References Conference Board (1972). Effectiveness and Innovation in Corporate Giving: Proceedings of the Working Conference on Company Contributions Held in Toronto, September 30 and October 1, 1971. [Online]. Canada: Conference Board in Canada, Available at: URL https://books.google.co.in/books?id=9YO4NwAACAAJdq=effectiveness+of+corporate+philanthropyhl=ensa=Xved=0ahUKEwisx-XikJPPAhVDSSYKHXVFD5oQ6AEIJzAB. Accessed on 15 September 2016. Idowu, S. and Filho, W. (2008). Global Practices of Corporate Social Responsibility Business and Economics [Online]. Germany: Springer Science Business Media. Available at https://books.google.co.in/books?id=hGAsvy7P5hYCpg=PA111dq=ethical+practices+of+csrhl=ensa=Xved=0ahUKEwjEqaeUiJPPAhVB2SYKHdkGD4UQ6AEIGzAA#v=onepageq=ethical%20practices%20of%20csrf=false. Accessed on 15 September 2016. Koch, F. (2012). The New Corporate Philanthropy: How Society and Business Can Profit. Germany: Springer Science Business Media. Available at: URL https://books.google.co.in/books?id=7XXjBwAAQBAJpg=PA129dq=corporate+philanthropyhl=ensa=Xved=0ahUKEwj81_OA_5DPAhVD-GMKHVGGDLIQ6AEIQzAG#v=onepageq=corporate%20philanthropyf=false Accessed on 15 September 2016. Levy, R. (1999). Give and Take: A Candid Account of Corporate Philanthropy. US: Harvard Business Press. Porter, M. and Kramer, M. (2002). The Competitive Advantage of Corporate Philanthropy. [Online].Available at: URL https://www.expert2business.com/itson/Porter%20HBR%20Corporate %20philantropy.pdf Accessed on 15 September 2016. Simpson, J and Taylor, J. (2013). Corporate Governance Ethics and CSR. [Online]. UK:Kogan Page Publisher. Available at URL: https://books.google.co.in/books?id=XuXyGWRFu5oCprintsec=frontcoverdq=ethical+practices+of+csrhl=ensa=Xved=0ahUKEwjEqaeUiJPPAhVB2SYKHdkGD4UQ6AEIJjAC#v=onepageq=ethical%20practices%20of%20csrf=false Accessed on 15 September 2016. www.doublethedonation.com, (2016). 10 Companies Doing Corporate Philanthropy Right. [Online]. Available at: URL https://doublethedonation.com/corporate-philanthropy-examples-10-leaders/ Accessed on 15 September 2016. www.doublethedonation.com, (2016). Apple Inc. Matching Gifts. [Online]. Available at: URL https://doublethedonation.com/matching-gifts/apple-inc Accessed on 15 September 2016. www.toms.com (2016). About TOMS. [Online]. Available at: URL https://www.toms.com/corporate-responsibility Accessed on 15 September 2016. www.unglobalcompact.org , (2016). The Ten Principles of the UN Global Compact. [Online]. Available at: URL https://www.unglobalcompact.org/what-is-gc/mission/principles Accessed on 15 September 2016.

New Trends In High-Tech Recruiting Essays - Employment,

New Trends In High-Tech Recruiting There is a new trend developing in the recruiting of high-tech employees. Due to the competitive nature of the business, companies are looking for new ways to recruit individuals that not only have the business and technical knowledge required to perform a specific job, but they are also looking for candidates that fit well into the corporate culture of the organization. Tech Planet is one such high-tech firm that is using this new approach to recruiting. Instead of the normal first round job interview, applicants at Tech Planet sit down to an informal meal with employees. The goal is to socialize with the employees to determine whether the applicants belong in the organization. After the initial meal, employees vote on which candidates will be invited back for the next round. During the second phase, job applicants are asked to?bring an essay explaining how they feel about working with small businesses and how they envision their next job - plus an inanimate object that best describes them. Objects brought by potential candidates in the past have included Silly Putty, soccer balls, hair gel, and pictures of family pets. Several other companies, including executive recruiters, are transitioning from a traditional approach to this new unorthodox method of screening applicants. At some firms, candidates are asked to play touch football or Yahtzee with other employees. The belief is that these activities can demonstrate an individual's ability to work in a team setting and how they will get along with colleagues. Though this appears to be a new trend in the world of recruiting, some employment experts question the value of this new approach. They feel that companies may overlook the most highly skilled applicants in search of people who are just fun. Another trend in the high-tech business world is the scarcity of information technology employees. Recruiters are facing new challenges in filling open positions within both technology and non-technology firms alike. Typically, the high-tech firms, new start-ups with hopes of going public, are having an easier time filling their IT positions as they focus on higher wages, bonus compensation, and stock options. Conversely, non-technology companies with IT needs are finding it difficult to entice qualified candidates to fill their openings. They just can't offer the perks that other technology companies are offering and are losing potential candidates as a result. Today's generation is motivated more by instant gratification and high incomes than benefits packages including medical and dental insurance. In my experience as a manager, I have found it difficult at times to find the best candidates for positions for which I'm recruiting. Though there may be several applicants who possess the necessary technical and business knowledge to perform the tasks, there is a level of uncertainty regarding their ability to work within the culture of the organization. Formal interviews are beneficial in determining some behavioral tendencies, but it is still difficult to determine how individuals will work with others in the organization if hired. If we were to implement a new approach similar to the one depicted in the article, we might be better able to foresee how the candidates will work within their teams, with their co-workers, and with their managers. The interaction could also help uncover any negative tendencies that may be present that might not normally surface until the candidate has been hired into the organization. I agree with the employment experts that organizations may wind up hiring people who are just fun, but that's a risk that may be worth taking. Business and technical knowledge can be learned by most individuals that have a minimum set of skills, but personality and behavioral skills are much more difficult to alter. Personal skills are not typically learned through any coursework or training that individuals may attend but through life experiences, though these may include training of some kind. I would prefer hiring candidates who I felt reasonably confident would fit into the organization and could learn the required business and technical skills rather than hiring individuals who already had the business and technical knowledge but would not have the ability to fit in the organization. In addition, I feel that companies should do more market research to determine what types of

Autobiography of Malcolm X report essays

Autobiography of Malcolm X report essays Malcolm X was born as Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska but was raised in Michigan. His father was a civil rights activist and his mother a supportive house wife. When Malcolms mother was pregnant with him their home in Nebraska was raided by the Klu Klux Klan, who was strictly against the activism of his father. They escaped that night, but one fateful in Detroit day after Malcolms mother and father had a heated argument he stormed into town where he would be killed by a white mob who considered him to be uppity. After his fathers death Malcolms family started to deteriorate, most significantly his mother. Social Services eventually stepped in as the home literally fell apart, physically and emotionally. Malcolm and his siblings were placed under the care of some friends of the family while his mother was placed in a mental institution. Shortly thereafter Malcolm became mischievous getting into trouble at school. Social Services placed him into a home with a white woman known for ta king care of troubled children. He went to all white schools, where he was eventually adopted the white culture and fit in. He was even elected class president in the 7th grade. Everything seemed alright until one day Malcolm was asked by his teacher what he wanted to be when he grew up. After some thought Malcolm responded by saying he wanted to be a lawyer. His teacher responded by telling Malcolm that he was good with his hands and should be a carpenter. After that Malcolm wrote that something inside him had changed. He no longer brushed off the word nigger in the hallway and he wasnt the happy go lucky kid every one knew him to be. After while the white woman he was staying with (Ms. Swerlin) saw that he wasnt happy and had him move with the Lyons family where his siblings were for two months to finish middle school. After successfully finishing middle school Malcolm moved with his half sister Ella to Boston, M...

Interview with a Manager Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Interview with a Manager - Essay Example The operating expenses have been increasing at a rapid rate; the profitability margins have been reducing; the competition is intensifying; labour costs are rising and lastly demand is reducing; thereby making the overall situation extremely difficult for the business houses (Polese and Stren, 2000). Despite that the market still offers growth opportunities for the companies who are actively involved in the development of strategies that are flexible and has the ability to get adapted with the changing business environment. However, it has been also observed that the challenges that are being faced by the organizations are not always caused due to external turbulences but often the internal factors also become responsible for the complicated situation (Hall and Vredenburg, 2004). This study aims to uncover the different issues being faced by a company as a result of the turbulence in its internal and external business environment. Once the issues are identified the study will scrutin ize and screen the most vital issue faced by the company. The study will then try to identify the major issue being faced by the company and will try to identify the most feasible solution. ... The company chosen for this assignment is Vodafone UK and the manager chosen is Kevin Smith. Hence, before getting further deep into the study, a brief overview of the company as well as brief background information of the chosen manager is presented in the subsequent sections. Overview of the Company Vodafone Group plc also known as Vodafone is a UK based multinational company involved in the business of providing telecommunication services. The company was incorporated in the year 1991 in Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom. However, the company shifted its headquarters to London, United Kingdom. The predecessor of Vodafone was Racal Telecom from 1983 to 1991. In terms of the total revenue generated as well as the total number of subscribers, the company is considered as the world’s second largest telecommunication company just behind China Mobile. The company has presence in almost 30 countries of the world and operates in 40 countries with the help of partners. Currently th e company is headed by Gerard Kleisterlee (Chairman) and Vittorio Colao (CEO). It employs around 87,000 people across the globe and also provides income opportunities to numerous people who are the business associates of the company. Some of the products of the company include mobile telephony, fixed line, digital television and internet services. As of 2012, the net revenue of the company was ?46.417 billion and had an operating income of ?11.187 billion. The profit for the same financial year was ?6.957 billion. This figure clearly reflects the strong financial situation of the company (Agar, 2013). Although, the company has a strong position in the market, it still has to deal with several issues and these issues emerged from both internal and external environment of the

Building of professional competence Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Building of professional competence - Essay Example According to the research findings it can therefore be said that communication remains one of the vital elements to every professional in conducting his daily activities. Communication needs to be very effective in businesses in order to create a mutual exchange of understanding between the conveyer of the information and the readers. Business communication ensures that there is constant flow of information. More than often, communication plays an important role in giving information to the interested parties of an organisation including employees and shareholders notwithstanding the general public. In the presentation on Harrods holdings, effective communication was made to various parties. This comprised of the customers who were served in Harrod holdings and investors who were the key shareholders in the company. With regards to the customers the report gives information based on the location of Harrod holdings within its business actual position in the market. In addition, the co mpany’s managers give a convenient highlight on the presence of other boutiques that Harrod holdings have around other parts of the world. The report given based on Harrod holdings also shows the owners of the company thus, giving the public the image of the company. year that it was founded as well as the year and place of incorporation; this shows the depthness and clarity of giving information. Through the report we have learnt on the significance of improving our interpersonal communication skills. Working with others In coming up with a report on Harrods holdings the staff worked together in groups to manage the company’s sales portfolio. In this group every individual exhibited a high level of corporation as it is highlighted by the high volumes of sales. Working in a team combines the skills and the creativity of a diverse number of individuals in the group. Teamwork is the key to the success of every team. During our reporting on Harrod holdings we devised a te am process, roles and behaviours. In managing a team all members occupational obligations are supposed to be considered, thus, working out the time into each member busy schedules remains important in working as a group. In the meeting, determination of members strength and weaknesses assisted greatly in task allocation. We owe the success in our team to our abilities to compliment each other and distribute tasks accordingly. In the team we had cohesiveness and productivity given that our final common goal was set. Improving own learning performance More than often, individuals set out standards that are geared on improving the learning performance. As a result, the study on Harrod Holdings was able to set out standards based on key skill that we identified over time within the activities carried by employees. These skills have assisted the company in developing themselves as independent learners from within the group members especially, as the employees focused on achieving the goa l of giving an increased sales production to Harrod Holdings. This is relevant in the presence of process skills that focus on target-setting through effective planning. Later on, we focused on process skill advanced to learning of new techniques

How the Stock Market Crash of 1929 Affected the United States Essay Example for Free

How the Stock Market Crash of 1929 Affected the United States Essay The year of 1929 is marked by the Stock Market Crash in which most consider to be the beginning of the Great Depression. This was not the sole cause of the Great Depression, though. The Stock Market Crash was caused by an economy that was not stable enough to handle the high stock prices. The Stock Market Crash helped bring on the Great Depression which forced the United States government to make changes in the regulation of stock exchanges, providing much greater protection for investors. The United States was a young nation and was not always as powerful as it is now or was in 1929. The United States was formed from European citizens who wanted to start their lives over. So the United States had relatively little money compared to the financial status of the rest of the world. London at the time was considered the center of finance. The United States borrowed money from England and other countries to spur its industry. By 1960 it seemed that the United States would inevitably be the worlds most important business and financial power. The Civil War provided a boost for industry, which jump-started the gradual shift of financial power from London to New York. The United States had a valuable asset in the form of land. â€Å"The United States was forced to develop itself before it could worry about competing with the world. Hence, the amount of capital was far greater once available to be spent outside the United States. The year of 1914 can be considered the point at which the United States would never be second in the world again.† (Axon, 32) Europe was stricken with war and the United States was turned to for supplies. The â€Å"wealthy European countries were ravaged by war because of casualties, economic losses, and expensed of war over four years.† (Axon, 33) The United States only was in the war for a year and did not have its country damaged by the war. The United States emerged from World War I being owed billions of dollars for having financed most of the war and was acknowledged to be the leader of the Western world. The early 1920s were a time of booming industry, of soaring hope and confidence. The ups and downs of the stock market were hardly noticed by the average American. The average American was more concerned with their daily life than the state of the stock market. The economy was such that many new products and services were available to almost everyone, including the automobile, radios, and other products for the home. The stock market was controlled by professionals that worked for large firms who had good financial backing which made it easier to use the market advantageously. Small investors were never shut out of Wall Street but the professionals paid for stock tips and also rigged the market so that certain stocks would rise and fall. This gave small investors a much harder time in making money through the stock market. As the market began to grow more small investors entered the game and were really just gambling their money. Most were not successful but some got lucky or got a good stock tip and rode the rising market until they lost their money too with the Stock Market Crash. At this time nobody had any reason to believe that the stock market would not keep rising. â€Å"Throughout the 1920s a long boom took stock prices to peaks never before seen. From 1920 to 1929 stocks more than quadrupled in value. Many investors became convinced that stocks were a sure thing and borrowed heavily to invest more money in the market.† (PBS) As the market grew, the stock market became a way of life and was a highly discussed topic among common Americans who were eager to get a piece of the pie. Americans no longer were connected by the common bond of making a life for themselves like at the birth of the nation. The 1920s were an era of revolution in ideas, beliefs, inventions, and ways of living. â€Å"The nation was totally different after World War I than before. The United States experimented with Prohibition. The Jazz age rose from the streets of Harlem, NY. Women got the right to vote. The whole of society was convinced that anything was possible, not only in the stock market and finances, but also in every facet of life.† (Sherrow, 12) Most of this is taken for granted now because what was considered a new idea seems commonplace and because the Stock Market Crash of 1929 overshadowed the great improvements in society. Societys attitude affected Wall Street, though. The large investing firms thought that the government should not be allowed to interfere with the speculation of finances. This is a common feeling when the economy is booming, that the government is always trying to oppress. The exact opposite is seen when the economy is in a depression and everyone turns to the government for help. The federal government was very limited in its control of the market and could not impose new control efforts at the time because the nation would not agree. As we know now, the stock market would have been better off if the government would have stepped in when the stock market became dangerously high. One of the main causes for the stock market to become dangerous was because large firms or groups of individuals practiced unfair techniques when buying and selling stocks. This was known as rigging the market. The stock market flows more smoothly through normal buying and selling activity but when certain groups tried to make money in an unfair way they hurt others in the process which concentrated capital. Large pools could control prices more than was healthy for the stock market. Some made fortunes others lost everything. An example was â€Å"a cigar stock at the time was selling for $115 a share. The market collapsed. I got a call from the company president. Could I loan him $200 million?† (Blaszczyk and Scranton, 337) To the public, the stock market seemed as though it would surely make them money, and were buying. The craze was a â€Å"frenzied finance that made Ponzi look like an amateur. (Blaszczyk and Scranton, 337) The insiders were controlling the market though, setting the stage for the greatest crash of all time. The booming economy in the United States was not typical of the whole world. England had its share of problems concerning currency. The people wanted gold to again be used as it was before the war. They felt that it was a valuable metal and provided a solid backing for currency. The British government finally agreed, after a lot of pressure, to re-instate the gold standard but it was a new version where gold would be used to back up paper money and gold would be used to handle international debts. The pound was put into use, which created a problem. The pound was overvalued in terms of other currencies meaning that people had to pay more to by British goods. Naturally, people bought goods elsewhere to avoid the currency exchange rate of the pound. Instead of realizing what was happening, the British tried to lower the price, which in turn lowered wages and caused strikes to break out in England around 1926. Germans were not better off. Of course their country was destroyed physically by war, but the financial system was very poor at this time in Germany. Germany was forced to pay reparations according to the Treaty of Versailles plus the inflation was so bad that German currency was absolutely worthless. The German public was enraged about this and the fact that they lost a lot of what they considered their land because of the war. The new government installed in Germany after the war called the Weimar republic was a democracy. The German public could not adjust to this making governmental intervention a difficult task. France and the rest of Europe faced the same effects. Inflation was uncontrolled and the political systems were thrown into upheaval. Since the United States was so financially secure at this time, countries like Britain and France naturally asked for assistance. They appealed to the Federal Reserve Board to make cuts in interest rates in the United States. This would make the United States less attractive to investors and would maybe cause investment in Europe instead. By increasing the money supply in the United States, the dollar would be worth less and make American goods more expensive while lowering the price of foreign goods. At this time the United States thought that this would not benefit it at this time. After all, the economy was booming, nearly everyone was working, people were making money from the stock market, and life was generally pleasant. Taking actions that would have hurt the United States would not have been appreciated by businessmen and normal citizens as well. The United States paid little attention to these pleas. There has always been talk that if the Federal Reserve Board would have stepped in that there would have been no boom in speculation, greatly reducing the risk of a crash. The argument against this is the fact that the Federal Reserve Banking system has little control of the economy, but can only make changes spurring growth or decline. Other theories put the blame on foreign countries too. One allegation states that stock speculation and gambling the market was a trait the United States adopted from Europe. However, the get rich quick attitude of Americans is just as great as the Europeans. The California Gold Rush and the Florida Real Estate Boom prove this. The United States Government can still consume most of the blame. At that day and age, it was hard to expect economists to predict exactly what would happen with the stock market rising so rapidly. They could have realized that it was a dangerous situation. The government felt too threatened by  business. When the government stepped in businessmen, bankers, and society in general criticized them for trying to take action when none was deemed necessary. By 1928 the stock market had reached the point of no return. The stock market fluctuated greatly and the risk of the stock market became greater. The rigging of stocks became so common that people of great esteem thought nothing wrong of manipulating stocks in way that actually defrauded the public. By† the inevitability of a market collapse was upon the United States but nobody expected that a full-fledged business depression was to come about because of it.† (Axon, 47) At this time three million shares were traded each day. Slowly it rose to four and five million shares per day. By November 1928 a daily volume of six million shares was reached. It must be realized that industrial stocks rose at a normal rate at this time, approximately growing by a third. The individual stocks are what marked disaster. For example, the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) grew an unheard of 400 percent in 1928. In 1929 the stock market continued to grow at a dangerous pace. People borrowed money at high interest rates figuring to make enough in the stock market to cover the interest and still profit greatly. With people concentrating so much energy in the stock market, few realized that production could not keep up with the stock market. The automobile and construction industries had a small decline but people disregarded it as normal. Few Americans decided to sell-out for a profit. Most refused to believe the boom was coming to a halt. Stock market prices were now driven up by the sheer power of speculative demand. In other words, there was nothing concrete to back up the stock prices. By mid-October, the stock market was in a bad state. No major boom could revive the quality stocks that took a sharp dive. Fear began to take the place of greed in Wall Street. The word sell was now heard more than the word buy. Brokers asked for more margins or more cash from the customer to be paid into their accounts. The customers, of course, could not afford it and the brokers sold the stock. This pushed stock prices even lower. Everyone began banking the large operators on Wall Street would step in because they had much more to lose than the small investor. The problem was that they could not afford to because they were already in trouble because of the sharp decline in their stocks. October 24, 1929 was called Black Thursday because this hope was squashed and stock prices plummeted. Even after this there was still some hope. That same day, bankers moved in trying to restore some of the mess. They were trying to restore some of the optimism in the market. This was not the case as the following Monday, October 28, 1929, the market was flooded with selling orders. The big bankers were no longer there because they were in their own trouble. The people that were hurt the most are those that put their whole lives into the stock market and now walked the streets, stunned about their losses. â€Å"Some of the more badly declining stocks from 1929 to 1933 are as follows: Consolidated Cigar common stock fell from $115 to $3. General Foods dropped from $82 to less than $20. General Motors fell from $91 to less than $8. US Steel dropped drastically from $261 to just over $21. The railroad stocks were hit the hardest. The New York Central Railroad alone fell to $9 from $256.† (Klingaman, 111) The Stock Market Crash of 1929 marked a new era that was not immediately realized. Just as the rising stock market had provided industry with the capital to expand, the falling market caused industry to move into recession.

Scarlet Letter :: essays research papers fc

Scarlet Letter In Hawthorne’s, The Scarlet Letter, life evolves around a rigid and harsh Puritan view. In this society people are not free to express themselves as well as they are today. This is very sad because it is a necessity for humans to be able to express their deepest thoughts and desires. Unfortunately the Puritan society did not permit this so people had to find other ways to satisfy their needs. For two of these characters the satisfying of their urges condemn their fate in life. Hester and Dimmesdale, a reverend, have an affair, which costs Hester life, as she knew it. The only place where these two people were free was in the confinements of the forest. As much as freedom and confinement is a paradox it makes perfect sense. You will gain the freedom of expression in the confinement of that expression. The forest was the only place this could be accomplished. The forest was Hester and Dimmesdale’s sanctuary throughout the novel because they could freely com municate their love, their sin, and their future plans. Being able to confess to someone a sin you have committed is one of the finest feelings. The forest provided that ability to Hester and Dimmesdale. At one point Hester comes right out and brings up the committed sin. â€Å"What we did had a consecration of its own. We felt it so!† (pg. 179) When Dimmesdale first hears this bold statement he is somewhat distraught and tells Hester to â€Å"Hush!† and then he realizes the freedom they have. â€Å" May God forgive us both! We are not†¦the worst sinners in the world.† (pg. 179) There is no way that Dimmesdale would have become this bold if he were in spectacle of the Puritan society. Once again a warm blanket that the forest lay upon Hester and Dimmesdale. It is apparent that there is a mutual love between Hester and Dimmesdale. Although there are very few quotes which will directly state this fact there are many that will allude to this obvious fact. At o ne point Hester begs for Dimmesdale’s forgiveness and he grants it to her. I don’t think he grants it to her because of his religious beliefs but because he loves Hester. I also don’t believe that Hester would be so worried about Dimmesdale’s forgiveness if she did not love him. â€Å" ‘Though shalt forgive me! Though shalt forgive†¦ Will though yet forgive me?

In what ways has Sainsbury’s gained, kept or lost competitive advantage?

During this assignment we will be trying to find out the ways in which Sainsbury's has gained, kept or lost competitive advantage. Competitive advantage is something that makes a business, like Sainsbury's, better than its competitors such as Tesco or Asda. The ways in which Sainsbury's may have gained, kept or lost competitive advantage is through innovation, reputation and relationships; therefore these are the three factors we will be looking into to discover whether or not they have been able to have competitive advantage within their company. The innovation within the company will come from the introduction of new products and finding new ways of doing things within the company however, it also involves being innovative throughout the whole company and looking at how the employees think. Reputation and relationships come from the company being innovative, for example, if a company introduces new products better than other companies can then they will develop a reputation but they can also develop a reputation by keeping their prices low and appealing to a range of consumers. If a company is able to appeal to a wide range of consumers they are able to gain good relationships with customers, which is what a business needs to be successful. A good company also needs a close relationship with employees and suppliers as without these people a company would find it difficult to be able to run. However it is not only these three aspects that we will be looking at but also how Sainsbury's may add added value, the profit they make and their market research. We will be deciding whether or not Sainsbury's has gained, kept or lost its competitive advantage by undertaking a number of methods to successfully decide how the company has performed. These methods will include primary research, which will involve an interview or questionnaires, and secondary research such as the Sainsbury's website, newspaper articles or company accounts. I feel that Sainsbury's will have lost competitive advantage however by using the research we undertake we will be able to find the answer to our question. Research Findings Competitive advantage is gained through good innovation, a good reputation and good relationships. Since doing research on Sainsbury's we have discovered that they are losing their touch and customers because of mistakes they have made when it comes to innovation. However, through primary research in the form of an interview an employee of Sainsbury's feels that they are still pleasing customers. What innovative products have Sainsbury's introduced? * Nectar Card * Using Accenture * Internet Shopping How do you keep a strong relationship with customers? * All customers who are signed up to Nectar Card and other clubs receive regular newsletters and money-off coupons to show them we care about their custom. How does Sainsbury's feel they add value to their products? * Quality Service * Quality Food What market research does Sainsbury's undertake to keep giving people what they want? * Customers are regularly subject to in store questionnaires that they can fill out to tell us what they want. This helps Sainsbury's know how to please customers and to think how we can achieve this. How do you cope with competition? * Sainsbury's satisfies customers because we know what they want which is due to good market research. We also keep our prices competitively low and make sure that everything we do is of a high standard. Do you feel that you will ever regain enough market share to become market leader? * NO COMMENT How are shareholders taking the slump in share prices? * Any shareholders of Sainsbury's receive quality service from us and all of them are happy and proud to be associated with the Sainsbury's brand. Sainsbury's decided to outsource their IT capability to Accenture1 believing that they would benefit from huge cost savings giving them competitive advantage on their rivals. However, four years later Sainsbury's are losing a large percentage of their market share to rivals like Tesco1. When Accenture was first announced to be taking over Sainsbury's IT, Sir Peter Davis, who was Chief Executive at the time, said he felt that Accenture would ‘help us achieve real competitive advantage and efficiencies quickly and cost effectively.'2 However all this new system has done has send Sainsbury's into a slow deterioration failing to get goods onto shelves, which in turn has meant customers are unable to buy the goods they require. This problem is affecting the impact that Sainsbury's has on the market but they have tried to improve the situation with the introduction of the ‘Nectar Card', which is a card that customers can use to collect points when they purchase goods and in turn the points can be used to buy goods. Internet shopping has also been introduced by Sainsbury's where customers can buy all goods on the net and have them delivered to their door, however this is also an idea favored by Tesco, Waitrose and Asda. Tesco is market leader at the present moment with Asda following closely behind meaning that Sainsbury's is slowly slipping and are making their first ever loss this year3. Sainsbury's is now trying to regain the faith of customers by making sure that any relationship they build is a good and stable one. Sainsbury's aim to ensure that all colleagues have opportunities to develop their abilities and are well rewarded for their contribution to the success of the business. The company feels that if they meet their customers needs effectively by providing the best quality and choice to meet everyday shoppers needs they will thereby be providing shareholders with good, sustainable financial returns. The tactics that Sainsbury's has used to gain, keep or lose competitive advantage have all been discussed above and using this research we now have to decide whether or not the company has been successful in the ways it has used. Discussion Shareholders of Sainsbury's should be disappointed this year as it is the first time they have made a loss which in turn means that all stakeholders will lose out if they decided to sell their shares. It could also have a long term effect on the company because if shareholders decided to sell shares quickly before prices slumped anymore they would be unable to sell them on because people are not going to buy shares of a failing company or any company who has had financial problems in recent years. However if we were to look at the primary research undertaken we would see that an employee of Sainsbury's feels that any stakeholders of Sainsbury's, including shareholders, is happy to be with the company despite it losing money and no longer being market leader. The question asked about market share was passed by the employee but through secondary research we can see that Tesco is market leader and Sainsbury's isn't even in second place showing the rapid decline in peoples faith in the Sainsbury's brand. Sainsbury's are trying to keep competitive advantage through innovation, reputation and relationships but during my primary research we can see that they feel they have introduced innovative products in Internet shopping, Accenture and the Nectar Card. However, many other supermarkets favour Internet shopping which means they are not a monopoly in this market and are far from leading it by looking at their overall market share. Accenture is a system they introduced but has so far failed to work and is causing problems within stores, which means that because goods are failing to get onto shelves customers are deciding to do their shopping somewhere else. Not only has Accenture not been innovative but it has also destroyed relationships with stakeholders of Sainsbury's because they don't have faith in the company when it comes to stocking the goods they want and need. Research shows that Sainsbury's reputation is falling because it seems that Sainsbury's no longer holds a high stake of market share and has been overtaken as market leader. We can also see that the Sainsbury's employee feels relationships with all stakeholders in great with customers receiving regular newsletters and in store questionnaires. This is showing customers that they care but they are still losing custom because of mistakes and newsletters won't stop customers from going elsewhere if they think they'll get a better quality of service, food and value for money. One thing that Sainsbury's does well is appeal to all markets: those with children, single people, the elderly and married couples. The way they are able to do this is because the products sold is the stores are items that everybody needs but then they also have ‘clubs' that are open to different types of people, some of the examples of the clubs are Little Ones Club and Drinks Club. They are use their innovative Nectar Card to appeal to everyone and because you can use them in different stores they appeal to a wider variety of people rather than if they were just for use at Sainsbury's. To appeal to the public Sainsbury's also uses celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver, to advertise its goods, which is a way of bringing in a good reputation and appealing to all markets. If customers think that a celebrity is involved with a brand name they are more likely to use it because a celebrity involved often makes the public think that a place is worthwhile. Sainsbury's is faced with a lot of competition and although they are not market leader at the present they feel they are trying to regain a large chunk of the market share and win customers back. As we discovered during research, Sainsbury's are making their first ever loss this year which means that competitors are able to push further ahead in order to win over customers and make themselves market leader with a huge market share. During the interview with the Sainsbury's employee we can see that they feel the way they feel that Sainsbury's add value is through quality service and food. However through secondary research we found that service was poor due to Accenture as Sainsbury's were unable to get products on shelves as they ran out. This was due to Accenture being a failure to the company and losing them huge money. As the company's service was poor if customers weren't able to get the products they required it is most likely they would have gone to a competitor supermarket, which is why Sainsbury's are no longer market leader. Market research is often carried out in Sainsbury's according to the interview that was undertaken with the employee. They stated that customers of the company are often subject to in store questionnaires and asked what they want, how they feel and what changes they would like to see being made. However if we were to then look at secondary research it seems unlikely that any comments made by customers are actually taken into consideration as food is still unable to get on shelves and once again this shows by the fact that Sainsbury's are making their first ever loss this year. The employee stated that Sainsbury's care about their customers because they say that newsletters are regularly sent out however, we cannot see that what customers think is taken into account as Sainsbury's still seem to be running in the same poor quality way. Conclusion This assignment was to discover whether or not Sainsbury's have gained, kept or lost competitive advantage. To do this we had to do a mixture of primary and secondary research into the way Sainsbury's is run and the way the company is performing at the present moment. Once research was carried out we then discussed it and decided that there were a large number of factors that interconnected to what is felt has lost Sainsbury's competitive advantage. Looking at the discussion where we have analysed the research that was conducted we can see that Sainsbury's are a slowly failing company and this decline has been mostly since the introduction of Accenture. The innovation that Sainsbury's has had, has either been very poor for example Accenture, or has also been favoured by other companies including the current market leader, meaning that Sainsbury's has no competitive edge on other companies. We also saw that Sainsbury's felt that they added value to the company by quality of service and products but as we also saw in the discussion that led nowhere. To read this assignment and the research that was carried out to go with it you would automatically feel that this company was a failing establishment that was going nowhere and was sinking. It is possible that Sainsbury's could turn their misfortune around with help from experts who could help them appeal more to the public and reconstruct the way their stores work for example, once the contract with Accenture has run out do not renew it but until then improve all the other problems associated with failing. Sainsbury's will not become market leader for long time, if at all, if they do make the changes that are needed but to be able to be thought of as a ‘good' supermarket they need to change. Overall, to answer the title question it is evident that Sainsbury's have lost competitive advantage by ways that have been spoken about during research and the discussion and as read above we can see how it is possible for Sainsbury's to change themselves. Appendix During researching into Sainsbury's competitive advantage a telephone call was made to their head office in order for primary research to be carried out. We were transferred to their Corporate Communications Department and when they were asked about the competitive advantage they felt Sainsbury's had gained, kept or lost, we were informed that no information could be given at this time and were directed to the Internet to look for our own research.

The Apartheid Of South Africa - 1240 Words

Question 3: Throughout the history of apartheid in South Africa, there is a clear trail of causes and effects that tell us how institutionalized racism has impacted its people on a political, social, and economical scale. It started with the many political parties and labor organizations that were created around the same time South Africa was made a country and established its constitution. When apartheid started in South Africa, it was instituted by a party known as the Afrikaner National Party in 1948. They did this as a means to control the social and economical system in South Africa. The original reason for implementing apartheid was to make sure that the whites remained on top and that racial segregation was to be expanded. A major factor that institutionalized racism has impacted the political system was when the Afrikaner National Party eliminated the voting rights of colored people. On top of that, a factor that impacted the economical system of South Africa was when t he Bantu Education Act denied blacks the right to get higher education. This impacted the economical system because if blacks were not allowed to get a higher education then there was very little no no chance that they could get a good paying job and contribute to the economy as an avid spender, therefore the economy took a hit. Added to that, in 1960, the African government banned any African political organization. This resulted in imprisonment of arguably one of the most prolific leadersShow MoreRelatedApartheid in South Africa1118 Words   |  5 PagesApartheid In South Africa APARTHEID Apartheid is the political policy of racial segregation. In Afrikaans, it means apartness, and it was pioneered in 1948 by the South African National Party when it came to power. Not only did apartheid separate whites from non-whites, it also segregated the Blacks (Africans) from the Coloureds (Indians, Asians). All things such as jobs, schools, railway stations, beaches, park benches, public toilets and even parliament. Apartheid alsoRead MoreThe Apartheid Of South Africa1159 Words   |  5 PagesDuring the year of 1948, the lives of south Africans changed forever. The National Party, which was an all-white government, gained power and created hell for non-white citizens, their goal was to have white people continue to dominate the country and to keep each race separated from each other; even though at the time whites were only 20% of the population. The apartheid, which literally means â€Å"apartness† lasted until 1991, and during this time many acts were passed. One being that â€Å"non-white AfricansRead MoreThe Apartheid Of South Africa Essay1742 Words   |  7 PagesNelson Mandela and protesters during South Africa s journey away from apartheid. It’s a curious ponder, in fact, that America’s and South Africa’s ascents from racial discrimination were possibly involved with each other. 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He is Jacob Zuma. It is already his second term as a president.( News, B. (2016, August 5)) The country went over a lot of things, and the h istory of democratic political system is not very long for them. English and Dutch colonized South Africa in the seventeenth century. After South Africa got its independence from England, Afrikaner National Party became a majorityRead MoreThe Apartheid Of South Africa1750 Words   |  7 Pagesfirst black President of South Africa. Referred to as the living embodiment of black liberation, Mandela specifically fought against the government system of South Africa known as apartheid (Lacayo, Washington, Monroe, Simpson). Apartheid is an Afrikaan word meaning apartness and was a system of racial segregation for the South African people from 1948 until F.W. de Klerk became president in 1991. Although Nelson Mandela was both literally and metaphorically imprisoned by South Africa’s racist ideologiesRead MoreApartheid in South Africa1154 Words   |  5 Pagesbring an end to Apartheid in South Africa because he was a believer in basic human rights, leading both peaceful and violent protests against the white South African Government. His beliefs landed him in prison for twenty-seven years, almost three decades. In doing so, he became the face of the apartheid movement both in his country and around the world. When released from prison in 1990, he continued to honor his commitment to fight for justice and equality for all people in South Africa. In 1994, Nelson