Building a Company Without Borders

HBR. ORG Bart Becht is the CEO of Reckitt Benckiser, headquartered in Slough, England. Building a Company Without Borders An Italian Is Running The Uk Business A Dutchman Is Running The U. S. Business An American Is Running The German Business By Bart Becht A Frenchman Is Running The Russian Business An Indian Is Running The Chinese Business A Belgian Is Running The Brazilian Business T The Idea You may never have heard of Reckitt Benckiser, but in the past few years the company has outperformed its rivals P&G, Unilever, and Colgate in growth—even during the downturn. Here’s how. ey say you can’t go home again. If you work for Reckitt Benckiser, you can go home—but you may not want to, and you certainly won’t have to. Many companies, when they describe themselves as global, mean they have operations around the world, they work virtually and in all time zones, and their key people are developed through stints in other markets. Our version is more comprehensive. Most of our top managers haven’t held jobs in their countries of origin for years and view themselves as global citizens rather than as citizens of any given nation. We have operations in more than 60 countries. Our top 400 managers represent 53 di erent nationalities. We’ve spent the past 10 years building this culture of global April 2010 Harvard Business Review 103 This article is provided compliments of Reckitt Benckiser Group. HOW I DID IT mobility because we think it’s one of the best ways to generate new ideas and create global entrepreneurs. And it has paid o . Products launched in the past three years—all the result of global cross-fertilization—account for 35% to 40% of our net revenue. For example, Finish, an all-in-one dishwasher tablet you drop into your machine, is now the leader in its market category. Recently we successfully introduced QuantuMatic—an automatic dispenser of dishwasher detergent that doesn’t need to be re lled for up to a month. With constant innovation like this we’ve enjoyed steady, pro table growth, even during the downturn. Since 2005 we’ve outpaced all our big competitors. During the recession we’ve invested more than ever in marketing, and we grew at a rate of 8% (at constant exchange rates) in 2009. A Company Without a Country The RB â€Å"Powerbrands† Though the company’s corporate brand recognition is very low, its products are well-known. RB focuses on 17 powerbrands: Air Wick Calgon (water softener) Cillit Bang Clearasil Dettol Finish French’s PREVIOUSLY ELECTRASOL Gaviscon AMERICA IN NORTH Harpic Lysol Mortein Mucinex Nurofen Strepsils Vanish Veet Woolite 104 Harvard Business Review April 2010 Reckitt Benckiser resulted from a merger in 1999 of Reckitt & Colman—a British purveyor of household cleaning products with a great stable of brands—and the Dutchlisted Benckiser, a much smaller but betterperforming consumer goods company. But we don’t want to be known as an AngloDutch enterprise, or by any other label based on our operations or history. We’re not any country’s company—we’re a truly multicountry company. That is by design. Postmerger we mixed the national cultures quickly in every corner of our operations. Premerger many of the local businesses had been running themselves more or less independent of the rest of the world and without regard to overall corporate priorities. We transferred people who embodied RB’s values into key positions in new markets. Managers from one side of the merger were purposely moved to another territory, and then moved again. Now in every country we have people of many nationalities as well as local citizens. Today an Italian is running the UK business, and an American is running the German business. A Dutchman is running the U. S. business, an Indian the Chinese business, a Belgian the Brazilian business, and a Frenchman the Russian business. It’s not that you can’t advance at RB in your local company. You can. But we also offer unique global mobility and experience to people who want to grow their careers on a world stage. To facilitate this mobility, we established compensation rules that apply equally to our top 400 managers in all markets, making international transfers easy. We have just one employment contract, and our salary ranges were developed with global benchmarking. Our annual cash bonus structure and long-term incentive plans are the same for everyone, as are our pensions, medical plans, and other benefits. We have no expatriates in the traditional sense, no tax equalization or guarantee of a job back in one’s home country. When employees take jobs in other countries, they’re transferred as â€Å"local hires. † We’ve built in standard protocols to make it easier for people with families to move. For example, we fund whatever school the employee chooses for his or her children because we understand how important that is to a family’s adjustment. That way, we can instantly accomplish a transfer—we don’t have to negotiate a lot of convoluted contractual nonsense. We have moved people to new countries in as little as two days. We also do something pretty rare with graduates. In some markets we help foreign students to get work permits in the countries where they’ve been studying. The very fact that they have traveled to study means they are internationally minded and thus likely to be keen to work in other countries as well. At a lot of companies it’s assumed that employees, having â€Å"seen the world,† will sooner or later return to their home countries to continue their careers. Our idea is that you focus primarily on the best job possible for you, regardless of country. That kind of life isn’t for everyone, and not everyone has to follow that path. But those who love it really love it. It’s exciting, and it gives pace, challenge, learning, and a buzz to people’s careers—along with the satisfaction of being able to be entrepreneurial and innovative. We try to put our high potentials in stretching situations around the globe. For example, we had one excellent employee who wanted to be moved to an international marketing job. We had an opening in India, but that would have been a poor choice for him—he’s Indian. Our previous three marketing people in India were German, French, and British. If this employee wanted to grow, he needed to acquire different experiences and learning, so a better development opportunity would be for him to work in Brazil or Mexico. Our high potentials have to find their footing very quickly, and most of them grow tremendously when we take them out of their familiar zone. This article is provided compliments of Reckitt Benckiser Group. HBR. ORG Reckitt Benckiser at a Glance A DECADE OF GROWTH , MILLIONS , ?, ? Total , Net Revenue (? M) , , , , , , , OPERATING PROFIT , Operating Pro? t (? M) NET REVENUE , Employees ?, ? , Total , Net Revenue (? M) Operating Pro? t (? M) Employees SOURCE RECKITT BENCKISER Even their failures in new markets are important learning experiences for our high potentials. One of our top managers, who is Dutch, still talks about the hard lesson he learned when we transferred him to Turkey. In The Netherlands, where he had worked before, billing and receivables were predictable and orderly. In Turkey the currency suddenly collapsed by 70%—while he was focusing on market share rather than on delinquent receivables. As he puts it, there’s nothing like a currency failure to change your views on tight financial management. If you don’t express your opinion, you don’t have an opinion, and that’s a fatal weakness for people who want to do well at Reckitt Benckiser. That means our meetings are a bit chaotic. Everybody wants to be heard, so it’s more like an Italian family dinner than a nicely organized board meeting. What takes over in our meetings is an intensity and a feeling that we have to ght for better ideas. Con ict is good. We don’t care about consensus. Not having it doesn’t slow us down and doesn’t mean that people aren’t aligned. We make decisions fast and then all stand behind them. What isn’t tolerated is conflict that simply slows down decision making or is for political or personal gain. Almost every key decision is made in the meeting at which it’s rst discussed. We expect people to come armed with facts, be prepared to argue their point of view, and be willing to live with the decision we ultimately make. Get 80% alignment and 100% agreement to implement. And move quickly. But I also don’t believe in crushing minority views. If we have 10 people in a room, eight of them agreeing on one thing and two passionately believing something else, we don’t try to resolve it to everyone’s satisfaction. We allow those two to experiment with their ideas—even if everyone else thinks they’re wrong. At the end of the day, what counts is not what the 10 people in that room think, it’s what the consumer thinks. So we let them run maverick smallscale experiments to get consumer feedback. Sometimes our biggest ideas come that way. About six years ago we had a huge internal debate about a product called Air Wick Freshmatic, which automatically releases freshener into the air on a schedule. It originated when one of our brand managers in Korea observed a new kind of automatic scent dispenser in stores there. In his opinion it was not a well-designed product, but he thought the idea was intriguing, so he brought it to a group meeting at our headquarters. Vigorous debate ensued. April 2010 Harvard Business Review 105 With so many different native languages in our company, it was necessary to make English the official language for all meetings. I’m Dutch, but I don’t speak Dutch with any of my Dutch colleagues, because if others are around, it excludes them. We are one team with one language. English isn’t most people’s native language, and often our English isn’t pretty. But the way we see it, it doesn’t matter as long as you give a view. If you don’t express your opinion, you don’t have an opinion, and that’s a fatal weakness for people who want to do well at Reckitt Benckiser. You have to stand for something, no matter how bluntly you communicate it. Con? ict Is Good This article is provided compliments of Reckitt Benckiser Group. HOW I DID IT HBR. ORG RB’s Performance-Based Remuneration Reckitt Benckiser believes it has designed a compensation plan to foster its innovative and entrepreneurial culture. The company has touted performance-oriented pay in its annual report as key to RB’s strong growth. According to a 2006 Harvard Business School case study, the plan, which applies to the company’s top managers (including the CEO), consists of three parts: base salary, short-term incentives, and long-term incentives. Base salaries are set near the median for competitors’ pay. The real bene? comes in the form of bonuses. A manager who meets all targets will typically receive 40% of his or her base salary as a bonus that year. A manager who blows the targets out of the water A manager who blows the targets out of the water can earn a bonus of up to 144%. (usually that means doubling the target numbers) can earn a bonus of up to 144%. Long-term compensation, in the form of options and perf ormance-related restricted stock, depends on meeting three-year corporate growth targets for earnings per share. New long-term goals are put into place each year. Karen Dillon A couple of our managers believed it should be a consumer product in Europe, but a lot more thought that made no sense— it might work in Korea on a very small scale, but it would never work in Western markets. For one thing, it would have to be priced well above the standard air freshener, and it wasn’t clear that the market would support that. Also, this would be our rst foray into something electronic, with wires, batteries, interval switches—a complex technology combination. The product would require new manufacturing facilities if it went to any scale. But two people meant we had to source materials we had no prior experience with. Today Air Wick Freshmatic is sold in 85 countries, with a wide range of options for consumers. It generates well in excess of ? 200 million annually. That product had the most successful launch in our history. Of course, things don’t always work out that well. We’ve launched some beautifully thought-out products that we were passionate about—but consumers weren’t. A few years ago we introduced a wonderful product to clean your microwave: You put a little sachet into the oven and start it. While If someone wants to stand up under stress and say, â€Å"No, I passionately believe in this,† then I’m willing to take a chance. saw the potential and were willing to ght for the chance to prove it. If somebody wants to stand up under stress and say, â€Å"No, I passionately believe in this. You guys are all wrong! We’ve got to do this,† then I’m willing to take a chance. So in this case I said ne, here’s the money— go gure it out, but do it on a small scale. And that’s what they did. In January 2004, initial testing of the idea with consumers in the UK produced extraordinary results. By the end of the year the product was in more than 30 other countries, and we’d overseen the building of a new factory in China to make it—which 106 Harvard Business Review April 2010 the oven is heating, the sachet pops and spreads cleaner around. When it’s nished, the sachet has become a cloth to wipe your cleaner away. It was a beautifully designed product. But it turns out that people don’t actually want to clean their microwaves all that often, so we pulled it from the market. If we are going to fail, we want to fail small and quickly. Failure is actually a huge incentive for the kind of people who fit well with our company, because they’re so personally competitive that they’ll work even faster for the next success. Everyone wants to do something to get on the map. I just moved one manager from Chile to Turkey. He earned that move because he had done something very challenging in his market—he’d launched one of our â€Å"powerbrands,† the sanitizer Dettol, in Latin America. It wasn’t the biggest success we’ve ever had, but the point is that he did it. He was the guy who brought Dettol to Chile and created a platform for its growth. That’s his mark on the business. That kind of thing earns you a promotion in this company, and the promotion will probably take you to another part of the world. Some people look at us and think they’d have to be nuts to work here. We’re looking for people with a certain level of maturity, intensity, and competitiveness. If you bring all of that to Reckitt Benckiser, it will be rewarded. (See the sidebar â€Å"RB’s Performance-Based Remuneration. †) As the CEO who has guided the company for more than a decade, I’d like to take credit for having a brilliant strategy or unique insights into the global marketplace. But in reality the â€Å"vision† slide we use today is the exact same one we’ve used since the merger. We have a very simple approach to the business: Focus on 17 powerbrands in fast-growing categories, innovate and invest behind them—and do so in every market. At the end of the day, what is most distinct about Reckitt Benckiser is its people and culture. I can tell in three minutes if someone would be a good t for our company. We’d rather have a position open for a long time, if necessary, than put the wrong person in place. It’s that important. HBR Reprint R K This article is provided compliments of Reckitt Benckiser Group.

Customer Service Policies Essay

Research has indicated that there are a number of areas of customer service that are a priority for people. In particular, delivery, timeliness, information, professionalism and staff attitude are deemed important. Aspects of these key areas include a prompt initial contact with the customer and the ability to keep to agreed timescales, provision of accurate and detailed information with regular development updates, keeping promises and dealing with problems and issues in a professional and timely manner. Throughout all contact with customers, staff should aim to meet their needs through professional, courteous and efficient service. Staff will: * treat all customers with respect and courtesy; * listen to what customers have to say; * personalise service to the needs and circumstances of each service user where practical; * always do what they say they are going to do, or update the appropriate people promptly if things change, offering an explanation for the change; * respond to enquiries promptly and efficiently; * consult customers about their service needs Customer service is an organization’s ability to supply their customers’ wants and needs. Excellent customer service is the ability of an organization to constantly and consistently exceed the customer’s expectations. Accepting this definition means expanding our thinking about customer service; if we’re going to consistently exceed customers’ expectations, we have to recognize that every aspect of our business has an impact on customer service, not just those aspects of our business that involve face-to-face customer contact. Improving customer service involves making a commitment to learning what our customers’ needs and wants are, and developing action plans that implement customer friendly processes. Talmac delay policy| If your aircraft remains on the tarmac no later than two hours after leaving the gate for a departure, or touches down after an arrival, we will provide food and potable water from the normal on board catering. Whilst the aircraft remains on the tarmac, medical attention will be given if needed.| Customer service plan| Our staff is dedicated to ensure always a safe and enjoyable journey.| Flights delays| Will provide customers at the airport and onboard a delayed aircraft with timely and frequent updates regarding the delay, beginning 30 minutes after we become aware of such a delay.| Essential customer needs during extraordinary delays| On very rare occasions ,extraordinary events may result in lengthy onboard delays ;in this case we will make reasonable efforts to ensure that your essential needs, such as food, water, restroom facilities, and basic medical assistance are met.| Cancelling reservation policy| A reservation may be cancelled online or through the c ompany call centre within 24 hours of ticketing, for a full refund.| Assistance in case of delayed flights policy | Our company will take all the reasonable measures necessary to avoid delays on carrying you and your baggage. If a flight is being cancelled, or delayed by five hours or more, fail to stop at your place of stopover or destination, you can choose one of the three remedies set up below:1. We will carry you as soon as we can to the destination shown on your ticket, without charging you extra.2. Giving you or obtain for you an involuntary fare refund , without charging you extra.3. Giving you additional assistance , such as compensation ,refreshments and other care .| Baggage delivery| In the event that your checked bags do not arrive on your flight ,we will make reasonable efforts to ensure that the bag is returned to you within 24 hours.| Baggage liability| Liability for lost, damaged or delayed baggage is 1,131 Special Drawing Rights(SDR) per passenger.| Ticket refunds| Foe all tickets and services purchased from our company with a credit card or cash, refunds will be provided withi n 7 business days of receipt of the required refund information. | Accommodation of customers with special needs| We provide passengers with disabilities and all other special needs dignified, professional and courteous service and proper accommodation at all times ,including during lengthy tarmac delays.| Flights with oversales| If at departure time more customers with confirmed reservations are present than there are seats available, gate agents will first ask for volunteers who are willing to give up their seats in exchange for compensation and a confirmed seat on a later flight.| Lowest fare availability | Customers calling our reservation office or visiting our ticket offices or counters to purchase a ticket for a specific day and time will be offered the lowest fare available through our company, exclusive of Internet only fares.| Reasons for Customer Service Policy Developing customer service policies are the life blood of any business. Although customer policies are unique to each business ,there are still some guiding principles that all corporations should adopt. Successful customer service policies are guided by the following principle: knowing what your customers want and delivering on it .Having only a vague idea of what customers want means there can be no concrete policy in place for when problems or misunderstanding arise. Knowing what customers want will also lead to correct business decisions. In order to be competitive ,all businesses must have outstanding customer service practices and policies. Customer policies and relationship standards should be part of your mission statement, neither receiving substandard or preferential treatment over employees, contractors ,or even stakeholders. Providing great customer service is a great step in building a relationship with your clients. The greater the relationship you develop ,the more likely it is that your client will become an evangelist for your brand and your organization. Customer service department need way to measure their success. Employees can’t expect to provide your idea of great service if they don’t know what that means. In the book Award-Winning Customer Service, Renee Evenson writes ‘’Before you can expect the people in your organization to provide outstanding customer service ,they have to know how to give outstanding customer service.’’ Policies set service guidelines and train employees. Customers demand to be treated like their money matters .Having a policy is a pre-requisite to business. Just providing a body in a store to answer questions or having enough staff in a call centre to answer calls quickly will go unnoticed. A customer service policy is a way to design a standard to go beyond expectations. A customer service policy is a tool to give guidance to employees on how to solicit information from customers to improve products. Train your staff to be problem-solvers and to incorporate up-sell tactics to capitalize on the doors they’ve open by providing great service.

Praxis Paper Business Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Praxis Business - Research Paper Example 1.2 Introduction Many business environments are appreciating the importance of technology at the work place. Before, processes were manual, but today automated systems have been integrated in almost every business unit. In turn, practices, which are conducted by business, have improved. This is the reason why SUPERVALU has come up with an information system, which is comprehensive. Evolution of information systems greatly improves processes. In order to obtain competitive advantage, information systems should be planned for strategically. Before new systems are purchased, managers must first make decisions based on the capability of the system (Laudon & Laudon, 2009). 1.3 Profile of the people interviewed at SUPERVALU The people, interviewed for this research, work at SUPERVALU in managerial capacities. Greg Harness is in charge of the Information technology Department. He assumes the title of the Project Manager of IT. Harness is well educated and his experience is vast. He has expe rience in information technology having worked in this field for twenty years. The other person interviewed is Susan Morris, who is in charge of customer experience at SUPERVALU. She is well informed about matters, which concern the company. Her experience in management is vast and is aware about the functions of the IT department. 1.4 Competitive advantage achieved from using and Implementing Information Systems Customer satisfaction is the reason why they had to improve their systems. In order to achieve efficiency and accuracy at the company, it makes use of Radio Frequency systems. In turn, it is able to monitor profitability and customer satisfaction. According to Morris (2011), the operative movements at the store are accountable, due to the effectiveness of the system. The system also ensures that optimum efficiency is achieved as evaluation and monitoring of information occurs (Friedman & Hoffman, 2001). The stocks, which are at the stores, are known through a process known as ambient area. The latter is achieved as a result of the existing system (Laudon & Laudon, 2009). This means that problems do not arise when delivery by suppliers is late. Also, there is premium product availability, due to the existing system. She believes that this system has improved the process as the store and in turn, customers are extremely satisfied. According to Harness (2011), the teams at the various stores are happy about the introduction of the new systems. Their work environment has improved greatly, and everyone feels that work has become more accommodating. The terminals, which have been out in place, are extremely user friendly. One does not have to be an expert in computers to use the terminals. Since the system is reliable, the teams working at the stores are loyal to the company. Expansion has been made easier by the system, as customers in their Northern Ireland, stores are served well. In turn, many customers have praised and commented about the service being offered (Britt, 2010). They have witnessed an improvement in various aspects at the stores. Other competitive advantages, which have occurred, are availability of products, and delivery has become extremely accurate. Job enhancement has occurred, due to Information systems implementation. Tasks are now prioritized and time saving takes place. The system handles matters concerning information and data handling. The latter was previously done by

The role realism plays in the Novel farewell to arms Research Paper

The role realism plays in the Novel farewell to arms - Research Paper Example He uses plain language that can clearly describe how real the actions in the novel were. Ernest’s novel resolves around the real happening of the world war. He brings in the real actions in a narration style. This style ensures that all the scenes and occurrence are described in clear and simple manner that makes it easier for the readers to understand them. The simple language used ensures that the description of the novel can have similar description from different readers since the narration in clear and does not need deep thinking, which bring make readers understand it differently (Halliday, 214). The theme of love, war, friendship, individualism, identity and patriotism are all described in a plain language that shows bow real were the occurrences. However, realism has played a big role in creating these themes and also characters. In the novel, war is has been glamorized. It has been described in a real way that shows clearly how the war was. War is described in a horri fied way according to how the ambulance driver views. War is a game where only the poor people are one who suffers. This is true even in the reality. In most cases, the poor are the one who are affected by war. This is evidenced in the novel where Henry eats the macaroni that was hit by the mortar. War is not a patriotic action but is a very tiresome activity. Rinaldi refers war as a disease. This is because he suffered from gonorrhea that he thought everyone has the diseases. However, from is view, war is great but when it is too much I can make pleasurable thing to be tiresome. Like a disease, wars spreads until people wish there could a cure for it (Halliday, 219). Therefore, cure will allow people to breath well before the next outbreak is realized. The novel also describes the real brutality that was taking place the war. It gives the real happenings of war. Some people like Henry removed themselves of the war while others who were naive still embraced the war. The novel descri bes how the Italian army caused violent chaos and destruction. Henry shot an innocent engineer who refused to free the car from the mud. This killing showed that war has inevitable occurrences. From the author’s suggestion, war is dark and murderous activity that refuses to preserve or protect the true love (Lehan, 67). Realism has been used to build the theme of games and divertissement. People are tired of war. They are trying to do other activities to deviate themselves from it. They want to avoid thinking about the war by engaging in other activities. This is realistic in a way that when one wants to avoid other things, he or she has to engage in other activities that bring diversion (Phillips, 29). Many characters in the novel try to diversify themselves from the horrors of were. They involve themselves with pleasurable activities. Henry and Catherine deviate themselves from war by flirting to forget their personal troubles. This flirting helps henry to forget about the war and enables Catherine to forget thinking about her fiancee she lost in the war. They involve themselves in horse races to ensure that their minds are far ways from the war troubles. Henry’s relationship with Catherine has caused him some suffering. To avoid thinking about that, he involves himself in pooling game with Count Greffi (Halliday, 224). Realism has also been used to

The Brain and Consciousness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The Brain and Consciousness - Essay Example Many of the experiments discussed on class regarding blind-sight, and the responsiveness of the body to stimuli which affect the body through a visual blind spot could well be explained by the autonomic functions of the brain stem. (Corey, et al. 1995) This portion of the brain is responsible for many autonomic function of the body, such as respiration, heart beating, etc. Advanced training, what is often referred to as subconscious responses to external stimuli, could well be the part of neural learning which happens in the brain stem. The received stimulus does not have to transmit as far as the brain cerebral hemisphere for the body to 'know' how to respond. Thus, learned behaviors become more of a subconscious, autonomic function because of brain stem responses. The visual cortex composes approximately 1/3 of the brain surface area, and if primarily responsible for receiving and processing visual input. The visual cortex is highly pattern recognitive, therefore it processed patterns in order to break down the input signals and make connections for the mind to understand. Visual understanding is an important part of thought and understanding. The proof of which is the importance and presence of dreams. Regardless of the dream theory one ascribes to, each theorist and their theories lead in the same direction.

Infant Car Seat Products Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Infant Car Seat Products - Essay Example The company uses great fabric such as cotton and lycra that washes and wears. Tchou Tchou offers functional infant car seats at affordable prices. The company offers infant car seats at great colours and styles for kids. For more than seventy years, Tchou Tchou has been committed to providing the highest levels of quality, service and safety in day-to-day business. Tchou Tchou has a history of excellent employee retention and employee loyalty. About ninety percent of the company's factory workers speak English as a second language. This free replacement campaign is meant to help meet customers' high expectations of Tchou Tchou's products. Kathy Dolan, Tchou Tchou CEO states that "the responsible handling of product defects is an integral part of our customer service." Tchou Tchou is actively seeking out wholesalers, supermarkets, specialist traders and retailers who received infant car seats with between 1st January 2008 and 31st April 2008. For this purpose, we have established a special service hotline and service email address. All issues concerning recall procedure can be clarified at +43 4524 500 1777, 7.00 am - 5.00 pm, CET and service.infantseat@tchou.com. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, Tchou Tchou is America's leading brand in infant car seat. The company has extension offices in Canada, Mexico and Australia. In 2008, Tchou Tchou employed 6,000 American workers and paid US $ 20 million dollars in taxes. The company is an equal opportunity employer. Contact person for press enquiries: Terry Calloway Tchou Tchou PR Group 6112 Pittsburgh, PA Tel.: +43 (0) 4524 500 1777 terry.calloway@tchou.com Rationale of the Press ReleaseThere are several issues I had to consider while composing the press release. The first one is the integrity and goodwill of Tchou Tchou. I had to safeguard the integrity of the company by stressing that it is a good corporate citizen: it has provided many jobs and paid taxes. The second issue is I had to highlight that the company is known for employee retention and loyalty. This shows that it is a caring company. The third issue is the emphasis on consumer safety and protection over and above the company's profitability. The company presents a voluntary recall and product replacement program. The company assigns persons to attend to complaints and inquiries. The press release states that the company is more than seventy years in existence. The fourth issue is the importance of presenting a positive outlook on this company defect. I had to include the basic facts in the press release such as the pieces of glass that are included in the product that resu lted in this voluntary product recall. I excluded the data on an irate customer who called up to bring our attention on the defect. This was unimportant and it does not help in coming out a press release with a positive tone. I also excluded the data on pinpointing the exact store which sold the product which had pieces of glass on it. This was unimportant and it will just generate negative press for the retailers whom the company also needs to protect. The fifth issue was to present a helpful

Modern finance assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Modern finance - Assignment Example The formula is structured this way in order to make its analysis easier and more standardized. c. The investor in this case, by applying the model, understands the non feasibility of exercising the call option, since the price of the asset is lower than the strike price of 110. Question 2 a. Re = Ra + D/E(Ra-Rd) Firm A: 14% + 0.4(14%-9%) = 0.16 or 16% Firm B: 14% + 0.5(14%-9%) = 0.165 or 16.5% The return to equity represents the return required by shareholders. In this scenario, with all other factors constant, as the Debt to Equity ratios only differ, the results show that for Firm B, the shareholders require a 0.5% higher return than Firm A shareholders, due to the higher leverage. b. given the data, we also know that Risk = variance = w^2(a)*sigma(a)^2 + w(b)^2*sigma(b)^2 + 2w(a)w(b)*p*sigma(a)*sigma(b) i. 0.52*0.052 + 0.52*0.062 + (2*0.5*0.5*1*0.05*0.06) = 0.00303 Std dev = 5.5% ii. 0.52*0.052 + 0.52*0.062 + (2*0.5*0.5*-1*0.05*0.06) = 0.00003 Std dev = 0.5% iii. 0.52*0.052 + 0.52 *0.062 + (2*0.5*0.5*0.5*0.05*0.06) = 0.00228 Std dev = 4.77% c. ... Risk averse investors will usually never invest in risky assets and will play it safe. This means they will remain on or close to the Y axis of the graph below, taking on minimal or no risk and earning a low return. Investors with higher risk preferences will balance their portfolios with risky and risk free assets to achieve an optimal balanced portfolio which offers a return in line with risks. Their goal will be to reach the efficient frontier as shown below in the graph. Adding a risk free asset to a risk averse investors portfolio will not affect his return much. However, doing the same with a risk taking investor may reduce the return earned by the portfolio. As money used in the risk free asset could otherwise be utilized in higher risky assets to obtain a higher return. References Botkin, S. C. (2007). Lower your taxes-big time! : wealth-building, tax reduction secrets from an IRS insider. New York, McGraw-Hill. Chriss, N. (1997). Black-Scholes and beyond option pricing model s. New York, McGraw-Hill. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=51958. JA?GER, C., & BO?Ckhaus, C. F. (2011). The Black & Scholes formula and resulting advancements derivation and interpretation with special focus on the validity of the underlying assumptions. Aachen, Shaker. Siegel, J. G., Shim, J. K., Hartman, S., & Siegel, J. G. (1998). Schaum's quick guide to business formulas 201 decision-making tools for business, finance, and accounting students. New York, N.Y., McGraw-Hill.

Human Behavior Task Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Human Behavior Task - Essay Example Therefore, proper OB will assist the managers to get people prepared for participating and interested in the organizational processes. This not only deals with the employees but also ensures change and innovation managements across the various stakeholders involved in the functioning of the organization. In this paper, we will focus on both theoretical support and practical examples to reflect more on the critical OB concepts. Research Question: How an understanding of OB concepts helps managers to overcome the challenges? Literature Review: Supporting Theories Organizational behavior is a sector independent management specialty, which demands considerable research and study today. In the 1990s, world wide adoption of open markets and subsequent globalization led to more dynamic developments and tendencies inside the various organizations around the world. Changing organizational practices become more important than ever since managers from different cultures, countries, backgrounds, and management schools began to interact and handle more diversified labor force. As a result, in today’s business environment, dynamics of OB extensively involve an understanding of real world organizational changes. Hence, experts like Brief and Dukerich (1991) have raised the critical question that whether theory in OB is useful or not. Yet, they state, â€Å"On a more positive note, it then is argued that theory in organizational behavior has practical value even though it may not be useful in a more narrower sense.† (Brief and Dukerich, 1991, p.327) Several theories in the realm of OB do suggest that robust concept of the subject can help managers to handle challenges. Motivation theories related to personality theory help the managers to motivate their subordinates, peers, and themselves. This behaviorist pattern is further reinforced with the help of organizational level theories that utilize group leadership and group dynamics concepts. So, theoretical approac h has helped the sphere of OB to evolve on a more scientific and rationalistic scaffolding. (Miner, 2006) In today’s multicultural and multinational business environments doped with competition and rivalry, understanding of OB can further help the managers to develop proper leadership practices and counter the challenges they face. Leadership theories become functional in this behaviorist segment. Avolio et al (2009) have proved that theoretical perspectives on transactional, transformational, and/or charismatic leadership do impact the function of an organization with the help of empirical research. Organizational behavior, in fact, is an interdisciplinary field of study, which covers various theoretical concepts. Thereby, the scope of OB involves theory based practical trials. Hence, OB concepts help managers to develop both subjective and objective understanding of the organization in general. They thus become instrumental for the managers to counter various challenges of the modern business world; and organizational change remains a prime focus area that requires holistic managerial commitment. (Alange and Steiber, 2009) Case Example In this section, we will discuss that how implementation of OB concepts help managers to overcome challenges in real world scenarios. The Case of Yasar University Yasar University is located in Turkey. It was established in 2001 â€Å"with the goal of helping students excel both academically and as members of society.†

World War 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

World War 3 - Essay Example Moreover, reviews by other authors such as Irvin Howe revealed that Mills article lacked sufficient evidence and factual arguments. Despite such critics, Howe was castigated by student Movements who supported Mills views at the time. The article written by Mills came in the wake of nuclear arms production which he believed was setting the stage for an eminent global war. Interestingly enough, his book received record positive reviews from activists with sales totalling one thousand copies. This was due to the general atmosphere at the time by supporters that a nuclear disaster was imminent. An in depth analysis of Mills theories concerning his believe of a nuclear World War 3, provided sufficient grounds for criticism by Ted Goertzel. One theory that Mills advanced revolved around the role of the power brokers in America and Soviet Union. To this end, Mills believed that the executive and military stakeholders in Pentagon were a dominant force in America’s political sphere. Furthermore, he equally believed that the Kremlin leaders of the Soviet Union were also fomenting its nuclear power for pursuing an impending Armageddon (Groertzel 242). To this end, Mills argued that both power brokers in America and the Soviet Union were manipulating the minds of innocent civilians through the media and consequently leading them towards a nuclear warfare. However, Goertzel disputes this line of thought due to several reasons. Foremost, Goertzel argues that Mill’s failed to justify his theory of military domination in the United States economic sphere. To this end, Goertzel stated that one measure of examining control of power by a specific group was through its control of national income and resources. Thus, if Mills theory on power control by the military was true, it would have reflected on the country economic indicators. Consequently, to poke aspersion into Mills theory, Goertzel draws in statistical evidence from the Gross

Management and Chemical Engineering Essay Example for Free

Management and Chemical Engineering Essay I have completed my Bachelors of Technology in Chemical Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India (IITG). I am seeking a position in your organization in order to enhance my skills and practical experience, while being resourceful and innovative. I have worked hard in my undergraduate studies, striking a balance between compulsory courses like Fluid Mechanics, Process Equipment Design, Process Control and Instrumentation, Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, related wet lab courses and supervised research under the guidance of Dr Chandan Das (Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, IITG) Dr AK Golder (Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, IITG). My Bachelor Thesis Project was on Biosorption of heavy metals to purify industrial effluents under the guidance of Dr. Chandan Das (Associate Professor, Dept. of Chemical Eng., IITG) and Dr. AK Golder (Associate Professor, Dept. of Chemical Engineering, IITG). When I look back now, I realize the role of an inspiring mentor in a student’s life. Dr. Das and Dr. Gloder gave me a whole new direction to explore my research skills and the interest in reading research articles while doing my undergraduate courses in mainstream Chemical Engineering. After graduation I joined Jindal Steel and Power Ltd as a Project Engineer where I practiced what I learnt during my educational life. Post completion of one year, I joined SPI Pvt. Ltd. As an Assistant Manager. I choose this as apart from technical skills, I also wanted to gain a good understanding about the business processes and its various elements. While working there my interest became more focused towards managerial skills. It was there where I decided to go for my higher education in Masters in Management as managerial knowledge via a reputed and esteemed university will help me to learn a wider scope of business management skills which was missing in my technical career. In my education thus far, I have been actively involved in sports and co-curricular activities including making manual robot, organized Rock-o-Phonix for three consecutive years (2008, 2009 2010) and represented IIT-Guwahati in Inter IIT sports meet in Football which has helped me to develop upon simplicity in approach, patience, team work, confidence, loyalty, ability to manage loads of stress and adaptability. To work using the in-hand knowledge and indigenous creativity simultaneously is my biggest asset. Education I believe is not just excelling in courses that we take and cracking their exams but a continuous process of development and self-realization. Not just asking â€Å"what to do† or â€Å"how to do† but â€Å"who am i† and â€Å"what is my purpose† too. My long term career goals are to become socially responsible individual and to get the dream job of working in the field of interest. If given the opportunity of pursuing the graduate study in field of management I would be getting involved in a project that will help me grow intellectually and professionally and result in useful outcomes.

Strategic Planning for Starbucks

Strategic Planning for Starbucks Introduction Most Admired Companies by Fortune magazines coffee in the U.S. and Starbucks is the ninth and, above all, the company received the prestigious award of happiness. This recognition has Starbucks in planning long-term strategic management, which helped them also, enabled the world to grow your business. The company increased its Starbucks stores fifteen percent for 1987 and for more than six thousand two hundred thirty branches in the country. The criterion is that successful companies to maintain local interest in almost all societies in which they and the criteria are the financial strength to work for the faculty of social responsibility, services and quality products, the value of investment long term and quality management. The company is the distributor of coffee and the foreground is the brand of specialty coffee in the world. The company operates seen produce environmental, economic and social. Starbucks also has sales operations in more retail sales and production to drink Fra ppuccino coffee drinks and Starbucks coffee and ice cream joint venture (Seattle, 2003). The review of the performance of organizations by the Director of the company or the owner and the preparation of the plan on the basis of this review is strategic planning and some factors involved in this process are important issues that must be aligned, comments must be the daily work be separated and must be checked regularly. All these have to be clearly marked to develop a better strategic plan in some respects, †¢ What is the current state of the organization? †¢ What are the objectives? †¢ What are the strategies of the companys novel is in terms of risk? Strategic development of a better all organizations must focus on issues of vision, values, goals, tasks, programs and strategies (Business Papers, 2009). The main competitive strategy of organizations around the strategy of market behavior is to explain the system ahead of other competitors, the companys strategic direction. Porter model provides comprehensive information on the companys strategy and the corresponding threats and opportunities in the external environment of the company. Five workers were highlighted, which is defined through which every society and in all markets, profitability, competitive intensity and attractiveness of a company (Olivia Hunt, 2007). SWOT Framework Analysis SWOT analysis identifies strengths organizations, threats, vulnerabilities and opportunities. Strength: The main strength of Starbucks is from a customer and is very satisfied with the taste and quality of coffee. The company owns a brand of high and businesses are in good financial shape. The organization seeks to expand its high-speed pace and started in several stores in the United States in 2009. Brand awareness also helps the organization is successful, the strength of Starbucks in places that are convenient as shopping centers, etc. Library has excellent customer service. Strong mission and ethical values of the organization has a leadership role in the environment in all facets of the organization. Weaknesses: Starbucks organization has a good reputation for the creation and development of new products, but now with time. Prices compared with competitors are very high and operating costs are high. The company profits are dependent on coffee products. After less control over the operations outside the United States is the greatest weakness. Opportunity: The organization Starbucks is having a too good reputation in the markets to seize the opportunities in business process. The diversification of products is different forms like whole grain sales in supermarkets, the entry of the organizations in international markets such as Bangladesh, Pakistan and India. Starbucks co-brand with various food manufacturers. Threats: The recession in the present can affect sales in the international market could also pose a threat. Competitors are higher in developing countries, price changes can be a threat to Starbucks. Strength in international markets Starbucks faces due to political and cultural problems, differentiation from competitors minimized by imitation (John Williams and Tony Curtis, 2006). Starbucks have been chosen the topic because the organization has more strategic plans and research carried out showed that the organization was successful in its business markets. Task 2 Marketing Strategies The strategic decisions of organizations are Porters Five Forces, SWOT analysis and Ansoff analysis. Starbucks strategic decision can be explained by Ansoff Matrix Strategic options for organizations such as the action-oriented creative alternative uses that the responses to the external situation facing organizations. The benefits of strategic options, especially on trends, facts, dangers and global market participants are based. There are several strategic options as a support five forces, Ansoff Matrix and SWOT analysis pestle. Starbucks to recognize support five forces that these analyses of the global market options are explained. Five Forces Porter Potential new entrants: This option to analyze the organization to the current environment will help the organization competes. There is an increase in industry size of the coffee industry of scale. Some of the organizations such as Dunkin Donuts and McDonalds has distribution channels can be transported around the world through the coffee at low cost much new to other organizations towards the world market. Starbucks has to be cautious and other large organizations benefit from economies through the purchase of bulk coffee beans from the farmers to accept lower prices. There are some disadvantages in comparison can be forced to the costs imposed new entrants into the economies of scale. Deputy: There is a decrease in the products in the specialty coffee chemistry and many organizations have the industry with the threat in the type of products that have been recorded. The replacement of commodities will continue under the threat of the coffee industry are the drinks of Coca-Cola and Pepsi provided. Suppliers to negotiate, the bargaining power has changed in many ways, and it was through the growth of the coffee industry. The first time Starbucks has the authors, the coffee beans at low prices Starbucks started to be influenced to buy the coffee. The organization has reduced the capacity of the buyer to another, however. Industry rivalry: Since 1987 Starbucks rivalry rivalry with industry drastically changed in the early days of Starbucks coffee industry had to complete with coffee shops in the small, but now more of the competition, and this is the size of the industry. The main competitor of Starbucks is the Minneapolis-based Caribou Coffee, and this has created the third. The organization has made many changes to compete with their competitors who have modeled their coffee shops and newspapers and magazines have introduced Wi-Fi to attract customers. Bargaining power of buyers: The life force that the bargaining power of buyers has made, and this has applied to the modern coffee industry. The buyer of the specialty coffee industry is still single customer and that makes the industry easy to negotiate with customers. Negotiations with customers can depend on the type of buyer and Starbucks are two types of buyers, the children are able to say or individual buyers often large and multinational organizations (Argenti, 2004). Stakeholders Starbucks has stated a number of social indicators; the organization has also listed a number of stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, environmental groups, shareholders, coffee farmers, community members and staff. Coffee producers: Since 2002, the organization says that Starbucks has its price support for coffee farmers in the profit and supports families of farmers. The organization is responsible for managing the policy-maker today, the politics of environmental policy, economic, social and quality of manufacture, sale and cultivation of coffee, which is when the farmer and the cafe called the fairness in that it comprises 2004. In 2005, for the definition of principles is concerned COFFEE in the world procurement team has to be rolled out. In 2004, when coffee was 1.6 percent was purchased from Fair Trade suppliers that have been collected. After that, support the victims was obvious, and the Starbucks organization offering credit available to coffee producers. For the smaller coffee producers, the organization, indicating nearly six million dollars for the benefit of the interest rate of 2.5 percent. This is a support center for farmers in Costa Rica that provides technical assistance to f armers and also provides training for sustainable production of high quality coffee supplies. Manufacturer: As a Starbucks and evidence must meet the individual providers to demonstrate some of the rules. Some are specific indicators of economic responsibility, social responsibility, and employment measures, product quality and work management. Tracks status of purchase, better conditions and higher prices for suppliers, received high marks. Starbucks organization is with suppliers of bakery and dairy products in 2004, adopting strict measures to promote sustainable produces participate. Employees: The main objective of the business philosophy that makes the members feels comfortable and valued and treated with dignity and respect. In Fortune magazine, Starbucks was placed at the 34th level in 2004 and which has been considered to be among the top most organizations in the world. The benefits for employees are given in Starbucks which are independent of the age which also includes contributions of the employees to the organization. This channel will also promote two-way communication and this review included the mission, where members of the situations that can inform the direction in which the experience is to work with the guiding principles (Andrew L. Friedman and Samantha Miles, 2006). The organization must adapt to employees who are highly qualified and able to offer the customer service people. The benefits of the company have the capability of employees through training, have improved in the right way can provide good customer service. Been divided the company also benefits the employee and the relationship between market value of organizations and their contributions. Farmers, if not the coffee beans of high quality products, the market value of organizations is reduced and the competition is to cross the profit margin. By adopting some of these principles and strategies the organization can provide the at most fine quality coffee to customers throughout the world (Mark Brown, 2010). The direction of the organization should focus on strategies of the company by the models fit the organizational capacity of concentration. Starbucks management to focus more on staff, contributing greatly benefit organizations, the staff should be treated as a partner. Task 3 For any organization to succeed in its business process then its team has to understand the policies in the strategic and loss account, which provides more success than others to understand. This is the vision, mission, goals and values. The vision is the statement or the motto explaining the organizations goal or organizations can say whatever they want which includes their desire and targets. This should be echoed all types of people in the organization that helps employees who are fired, and even more proud that, as they have become part if the success of organizations. For the future of the vision statement of the organization indicates the direction and shape. The mission statement is the exact explanation of what the organization actually does, and this explains why the company exists today. Organizations of each member or employee must be able to carry out the mission of the company said. Each company has its own mission statements and management should be able to keep the def inition of the statements. Values are the strategic states, which are grounded and define how people behave in society as a whole, and this will give value to suppliers, internal customers and the community. This is mainly explained the measures, the adoption of the values that people will have in the organization are. This makes the employees of the organization to give each other see their expertise to the company to greater success. The determination of the effectiveness of organizations and has developed a very precise and clear sense of priorities, beliefs and direction because these are the values that well understood. In identifying these organizations goals, values and takes a practice that leads to performance feedback (Susan M. Heathfield, 2010). Starbuckss mission is to nurture and inspire the human spirit like a cup, a neighborhood and a person at a time. For the maintenance of the Mission of the Organization for the recording, the international brand has taken the aggressive approach in the different distribution channels such as retail, fashion, hotels and airlines. The vision of Starbucks is that the organization is to restore the old tradition of Italian coffee house back to the international world wants. The other important vision of Starbucks gave the customer a superior experience feeling of Art, where they also have a place to think and think and can make a great cup of coffee. A research project was conducted by researchers that have been made by the team of people in the techniques of coffee. Developed on the basis of this process, Starbucks, the identity of the corporate structure and has also created a store at the base of templates: roast, taste, cultivation and brewing. The targets are based primarily on customer satisfaction and these differ. The performance also defines the key to success. The key objectives are five and share risks and share rewards, market entry, development of common products, the confirmation of government regulation and technology. Other benefits include the distribution and political connections that depend on access and relationships (dollars start, 2010). Business Ethics Economic Ethics of Starbucks supports the mission, protecting the reputation and culture through the resources that the partners who make ethical decisions can help with the work. The maximum received reports of ethics in relation to issues of employee relations, and this trend is consistent with other companies and this is the alternative coverage as part of the compliance program (Business Ethics, 2010). Organizational Culture The corporate culture at Starbucks is the structure of beliefs, assumptions and values think and act accordingly within the company. The organization hired the Roman people and provides training to them during this process; employees learn the operation of machines and customer service and after staff which has been described in the culture of the organization (Cesario minor, 2009). The most important factors in the organization of Starbucks are the best quality of service and coffee beans. The Starbucks customer service should be high quality as the products of young Starbucks customers and low-income and less educated people rank as well as people and this training can make the organization, to see how a strategy for deployment and attracted the marketing opportunity. Task 4 Changes in Marketing Environment The Starbucks organization provides with the manifestation of the way changes are made. For example, if the house was the organization changed voice mail and sent a letter to staff, together with details of changes (Lucy, 2008). The organization is a coffee house with operations around the world, the person who organizes Howard D. Schultz has made efforts to alert the organization began during the Great Depression in 2008. Efforts were made to the customer experience, which has gained back only a few channels, if the employee has heard of the barista. In 2009, Starbucks has a reminder of the laity opens its employees and has closed some stores, but after that the benefits of the company to began renovating the shares, the revenue growth that has raised more than $ 24 per share. Then in 2010 the organization received more benefits in the second quarter of the reason is, began regular customers and visited more money spent. If the organization grows began there was an increase in customer traffic. This organization of Starbucks, the food offerings and also led to increased efficiency of the machines of automatic espresso machines. The recession of 2008, the company must change the economic climate, spending ha bits on luxury items (The New York Times, 2010). Functional areas: Each organization is radically different ways by the structures, rules, positions and recognized chains of dynamic structures in which the communications staff of the organization is divided into fixed and is expected instead to keep width according to requirement. The basic methods of the organization are the people on the basis of the methods according to geographical areas of the product. Function: This function divides the company into teams with the same fields as accounting, human resources, finance, marketing, etc. Due Process: This section makes people according to the processes, the implementation of the process successfully. For example, the retail industry organizations, such as Travis Perkins, Dixons and Argos, and these staff organizations to serve the customer equipment, packaging and presentation. Product: This group of people as a team for the products they produce. As each company has different departments and groups are divided by service. By geographic area: This explains that large organizations are in different geographical regions and different places or countries enlarged (The Times, 2010). The Starbucks organization is independent of some of the external relations; this has been the consistent process for the selection, management and search for a partner that develops high quality. Starbucks functional areas, the technical product development, procurement and purchasing operations, operations for the understanding of the activities of the organization say they will help supply relationship. The organization divides its employees to the division, as it helps the employee to work effectively and give the results of efficacy (Ranjay Gulati, 2010). Starbucks functional areas supports the organization in achieving competitive advantage in the world with this organization the advantage of always looking for new ideas, new experiences, new products for customers. Market trends are running in the Starbucks also questioned. This study contributes to the manufacture of their products at the best part of the community (Claudia Espejo, 2008). Task 5 Implementation of marketing strategy Milestones table sets out the objectives of Starbucks, strategy and objectives, and their release of Sales and Marketing Program. For each case is a landmark, it provides a qualitative and quantitative information on start dates and end budget figures, the responsibilities of departments and directors. When preparing a table of Milestone is important to consider the following points (strategic planning, 2010): Key points for monitoring critical business development in the organization. Specific steps to reduce the risk due to the increased viability For derivatives, the changes business plan in the plan can be overcome by available resources and contingencies are developed in accordance with the strategic plan. Available systems exist to determine the progress of society to achieve the milestones approved The objectives and the analysis is an integral part of the daily process of planning and management. Effective marketing strategy can succeed with products and services for developing the strategic plan and overall business planning (strategic planning, 2010). After the development and implementation of organizational effectiveness, efficiency and economy must be assessed. Assessment programs enable the organization to bridge the gap between the customers and organization. Evaluation methods help suppliers to be informed of decisions on profitability and that these programs can represent savings in reference to the expectations of local and international market. Evaluating the effectiveness, economy and efficiency cannot (Services, 2010): Improve management of evaluations, implementation and impact assessment, market and process the results. Improved long-term evaluation and strategic planning of the procurement notice. Improvement of deadlines, budgets and annual plans. Cases of validation programs regarding the uniqueness of the particular market. Improve and support for the use of screening tools that show the profitability and economic value of specific projects and programs Investigate whether the procedures and protocols of the EMV standard (assessment, measurement and verification) to behave with the expectations and demands close Planning and implementation of quality assurance. After the implementation of the new strategy is important to continuously monitor and can be explained by the following examples: Environmental strategies: They involve changes based on location, time or place where you can enjoy the behavioral problems and examples include: the change of the communities with the implementation of the new strategy, avoiding the configuration situations, because unexpected behavior of customers, etc. Behavioral strategies: These involve changes because of the consequences or past behavior of customers and employees. These can be explained by examples: an increase in corporate social responsibility to achieve the objectives of the organization, improvement of the reward for keeping the desirable conditions for employees, etc. Key Milestones Year Milestone 1979 Starbuck was born 1996 This year first Starbuck store was started and this was the first global store. 1999 This year in Beijing Starbucks was started. 2004 The share of the profits has increased with 90 percent. 2005 Fiscal goals have been achieved (Sarah E. Lockyer, 2004). Conclusions Starbucks has begun planning for the strategic management with the objective of achieving long-term prices on the prestigious U.S. magazine Fortune. The main criterion was to study the relevance at the local level so that, in terms of social responsibility, services and quality products to the value of long-term investment plan to operate and maintain the quality management. He used the principles and techniques and tools to develop marketing strategies and education. Marketing strategy, which was followed by the pattern of the five ports of Starbucks Corporation, it helps to know the inclusion of the following marketing strategies of the company. Have the potential entrants, substitutes, suppliers, bargaining power, competition in the industry, and bargaining power of buyers, the coffee producers, suppliers and employees. The successful organization can be developed more when its employees understands the strategic states such as vision, mission, objectives and values. The developme nt of these criteria, the Starbucks can aggressively as an international brand of different channels, like the fashion industry airlines, hotels, and commercial approach. To protect the reputation and corporate culture of the organization, the management has to follow some of the business ethics and values which in turn make the involvement of the employs. Organizational culture plays an important role of values, beliefs and assumptions about the recruitment process for all companies and customers. Maintain the best quality is the key to the success of Starbucks because it helps to attract customers from all communities. Due to the international economic crisis in 2008, the companys efforts to customers and other suppliers due to take over the strings. In addition, the company has evolved over climate change in marketing spending in the areas of functional luxury products, such as the role which is the method by product and by geography. Finally, the planning of the new marketing st rategy and its implementation are carried according to the changes that occur in settings made by the market.

Taxi Driver, Directed by Martin Scorsese Essay -- Film Films Movies Mo

â€Å"Taxi Driver† New York City that is depicted in Taxi Driver seems to be too real to be true. It is a place where violence runs rampant, drugs are cheap, and sex is easy. This world may be all too familiar to many that live in major metropolitan areas. But, in the film there is something interesting, and vibrant about the streets that Travis Bickle drives alone, despite the amount of danger and turmoil that overshadows everything in the nights of the city. In the film â€Å"Taxi Driver† director Martin Scorsese and writer Paul Schrader find and express a trial that many people face, the search for belonging and acceptance.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The character of Travis Bickle roams the nights in his taxi cab, and witnesses all of this â€Å"open sewer†, loathing the people who live within it’s realm. Travis is a complex character in his hate for the world in which he works. The streets on which he works are the same streets that he makes his living, and pays his rent, buys his booze, and eventually buys his guns. He is a victim of the world that he hates, because it is the only world he knows. This is viewed best in the scene where Travis takes Betsy to the â€Å"movies†.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When Travis was in the cafà © with Betsy earlier in the film, it would be hard to say that there was really anything to odd about it. But later on in the film, on Travis and Betsy’s second date, things become clear that Travis has a different understanding of what is socially acceptable. Travis can’t seem to understand why Betsy doesn’t want to go see the pornographic movie that he has taken her to. He thinks that this is a place where couples go, and seems to think that it’s a decent place to go on a date. There is something alluring about Travis’s naivete, something comical, and maybe a little ironic. Travis isn’t naà ¯ve to the world of drugs, sex, and smut; Travis is naà ¯ve to the world of decency, where the majority of society attempts to dwell.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As Travis’s taxi drives down the road, the viewer gets the chance to view the streets through the eyes of Travis. You see things through the windshield and rearview mirrors, all luminescent in the neon glow of the night. The streets are filled with different sorts; prostitutes on the street corners, pimps in the cafes, and homeless people wandering through the mess aimlessly. As film critic Leonard Quart put’s it â€Å"The city seen through Travis’ windshield a... ...ally acceptable world of Betsy, his infatuation, Travis is much of the same.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Aside the Director, and screenwriter, many people can relate to Travis’s struggle between worlds, and the uncertainty of how to attain status in the better of the two. This film depicts the striving that we take to find morals. This quest isn’t always successful though. This is viewed in â€Å"Taxi Driver† as Travis’s assassination attempt on a presidential candidate, which fails. Film critic Amy Taubin explains this best when she writes, â€Å"†¦.the assassination failed is only fitting, since Taxi Driver is a film steeped in failure—the US failure in Vietnam, the failure of the 1960’s counterculture and†¦the failure of masculinity as a set of behavioral codes on which to mold a life.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The film â€Å"Taxi Driver† is a true undertaking of the human longing to fit in, and be adequate. It depicts all aspects of this, by showing the triumph of Travis’s heroic emancipation of Iris, and the failure of the assassination of the presidential candidate Palentine. â€Å"Taxi Driver† shows all of this in a least expected but very beautiful way, it is a timeless ballad to all unsure, astray, and wandering personalities.

Symbols and Symbolism in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner :: Rime

Symbols in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner A close reading of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner will reveal that the Ancient Mariner-who is at once himself, Coleridge and all humanity-having sinned, both incurs punishment and seeks redemption; or, in other words, becomes anxiously aware of his relation to the God of Law (as symbolized by the Sun), and in his sub-consciousness earnestly entreats the forgiveness of the God of Love (represented by the Moon-symbol). ... For Professor Lowes, while he has disclosed a Coleridge of amazing intellectual grasp ... stops short on the border line of purely imaginative experience. In his long study of The Ancient Mariner, he seems to miss the essential allegory.... when all is said, his unsparable book is content to be a review of Coleridge's intellectual and creative relation to his available sources in books, in conversations and in his life history, not (save on occasion as supplying a casual argument) to articulate part with part in the poetic intention as a whole .... ... There is nowhere here or elsewhere in the book [The Road to Xanadu] a hint of the history behind the Mariner's glittering eye, a suggestion of the poet's bold transfer of the glitter in the dead seamen's eyes (Death) to those of the Mariner (Life-in-Death). The poet introduces the Mariner abruptly and repetitively as one with a glittering eye. A similar emphasis is given to the epithet bright-eyed (as in the penultimate stanza of Part VII); and when the fearful question, "Why look'st thou so?", is asked, our thoughts revert to that sinister glitter. Now consider this stanza in Part III: One after one, by the star-dogged Moon, Too quick for groan or sigh, Each turned his face with a ghastly pang, And cursed me with his eye, and these stanzas also from Part IV: The cold sweat melted from their limbs, Nor rot nor reek did they: The look with which they looked on me Had never passed away. An orphan's curse would drag to hell A spirit from on high; But ohl more horrible than that Is a curse in a dead man's eye! Seven days, seven nights, I saw that curse, And yet I could not die; and these again from Part VI: All stood together on the deck, For a charnel-dungeon fitter: All fixed on me their stony eyes, That in the Moon did glitter.

Social, Economic and Political Factors Involved in the Spanish Civil Wa

Social, Economic and Political Factors Involved in the Spanish Civil War With reference to any civil war in the 20th century examine the social, economic and political background to the divisions in the society involved. To what extent were the problems which caused the war resolved in the post-war period? The state of Spain during the early years of the 20th century can be said to have been a state of great "unease". Spain was one of the first powers to loose her imperial influence, the state was politically unstable, industrially weak and had suffered some humiliating defeats. It can be said that these were the main causes that lead to the great instability of Spain during the Civil war and post civil war periods. Left-winged radicalism and nationalistic movements, such as the Catalan movement frequently came into conflict with the central government, which lead the government to use corruption more and more frequently as a form of control. The result was a military coup in 1923 lead by Miguel Primo de Rivera. Rivera preferred a more direct way of governing, with a strong Christian base and a very anti-communist attitude. He did not like party politics, preferring to govern pragmatically, at first with a military cabinet, but later on (1926) he decided a systematic government would be more efficient. So he introduced the `National Assembly' intended to represent different classes and groups, probably to soften the opposition; as well as the Union Patriotica, created to mobilize popular support for his regime. Rivera also managed to strengthen the Spanish infra-structure, but the funding had to come from loans from other nations, because the upper classes would not a... ...d. A great success was the 1953 Madrid Pact between Spain and the U.S.A, which provided Spain with quite a substantial amount of military and monetary aid in return for access to its military bases. This pact, as well as the better relations between Spain and the other powers and the great stability brought about because of the enormous repression that came with his regime, led Spain to booming years during the 1960's. The Spanish people saw a better Spain, economically, but it was still in a very primitive state politically and socially compared to other european nations, who were not under military rule (with a few exceptions, of course). The end of the Franco regime left many scars in the social and political side of Spain. People had been submitted to a suppressive state, where very little regard for any basic human right was given.

Feminism in Education: Gender Equality

Prior to 1870 education was not formally recognised and only available to the elite few who could afford to educate their children privately or at private schools. The poorer people of society would have to rely on the education of the church and its moral teachings rather than academic teachings. Although the 1870 Forster Act was to bring education to all children between 5-10 years old, it was not welcomed by everyone. Some thought it would lead to the masses ‘thinking’ for themselves and see their roles in society as unfair, causing them to revolt.Others such as the church were funded by the state with public money to provide education for the poor and these churches did not want to lose that influence on youth. Although this gave children a few years of formal education , still only the richer children had the opportunity to further their education until they were 18/19 years old, thus education still being based on social class until the 1944. The 1944 Butler Educat ion Act saw the introduction of a three stage structure that is still in place today and gave all pupils an equal chance to develop through education.It introduced primary education, up to the age of 11, Secondary education, from 11 to 15, and further education which was non- compulsory after the school leaving age. One of the ground-breaking results of the Act was to educate and mobilise women and the working class. It opened secondary school to girls, and the working class, and as a result, a far higher percentage attended higher education after secondary school. This newly found education increased working class awareness of their disadvantaged social position and created a bitter class division between the working and middle class.The most present act of education is the New Labour. The Labour government famous with its motto, â€Å"Education, Education, Education† focused their campaign on a better education system but kept many old policies such as consumer choice leagu e tables and competition. They mainly focus on market choice and value for money in today’s education. Education, since is formal existence, has always seen a gender divide in the achievement of young people and there is many studies that link gender to education and achievement.Feminists analyse the school curriculum from a gendered perspective. Feminist argue that education plays a major role in promoting gender inequalities in society through classroom interactions, labeling and school curriculum. They highlight the existence of a gendered curriculum within schools. Since the 1944 Butler Act they have been concerned with the discrimination of girls and the difference in exam results between boys and girls The different branches within feminism offer different degrees on how this is.Liberal Feminists see that sex discrimination should be tackled through education legislation and policies and has had some success in highlighting these inequalities through the work of the Equ al Opportunities Commission. They see this as being enough to combat the problems within education due to gender but Radical and Marxist feminists feel this is only the surface of the problem and it is much deeper. Radical feminists emphasise a conflict between men and women.They see men as in the dominant position within the education system to further their own interests and this patriarchy is their main problem. Their main goal is to eradicate patriarchal control and free women. They believe that inequality will be brought to an end when women are free from physical and emotional suppression. Marxist feminists believe that social class has its part to play in inequalities and that education is their to support the needs of the ruling class.As the ruling class do this the womens role is therefore to support men so are the lowest rung of society within a Capitalist society. They argree with Marxist about the hidden ciricullum but they feel that both the formal and the hidden are wa ys of enforcing these unequal roles within education A study that supports the feminists point of view would be Sharpe (1976) ‘Just like a girl: how girls learn to be women. This study involved interviewing 249 working class girls who lived in London.It found that many of the girls held traditional views of their role within society- motherhood , marriage and family life. Through the education system they were being set up for these roles or for jobs that were classed as womens work, ie shop assistant, office work, work with little or no promotion opportunities or job satisfaction. To support this study, Kelly (1982) also found differences with reagards to gender in the t oys that were being given to children.Although these studies did prove there were some equality between the sexes with regards to the way they children were being educated, they really investigate more the issue of stereotyping. As it is from a feminists point of view if fails to recognise that males were als o underachieving at the time of Douglas’s study. It also may be a bit dated as it was conducted again in the 1990’s with vast differences. Females were now placing much more emphasis on their career and independence.This emphasises the way society has moved on and there is less of a role perception today. Also the data may have been subjective and open to interpretation as they used the method of interviews. As the studies do show some equality between the sexes, I think these theories may be a bit dated. When these studies were conducted boys were achieving more than girls, roles have changed in today’s society and feminists fail to recognise this or offer an explanation.

Cause and Effect- Steroids

Cause and Effect Analysis 1 A Cause and Effect Metacognative Analysis Bryan J. Critical Reading and Thinking, Section 409 March 11, 2010 Cause and Effect Analysis 2 Casual Metacognitive Analysis Introduction I am focusing on the cause and effect genre in this paper to inform the reader about steroids and how they have become a common phenomenon among athletes. What some people may not know are the negative effects steroids have on a person’s intellectual/spiritual, social-emotion, and physical appearance.For instance, a person on steroids may have an effected social- emotional relationship with others due to the increase in testosterone, causing many users to lash out with violence and rage, a term that has been coined â€Å"roid rage. † My purpose in writing this essay is to shed light on the negative effects of steroids. By using cause and effect you will be able to determine the cause, which is steroids, and the many different effects they have. This is an important tool to really show just how a substance like anabolic steroids can affect someone.It is also important for my field of study, exercise science, to teach people about the negative side effects. Cause and effect analysis has taught me how to become a better reader, and writer, by showing me exactly how to analyze what I’m reading, and have it sink it, rather than go in one ear and out the other. The use of cause and effect in this essay will give the reader a more in depth perspective of the effects steroids have on the human body. Audit Awaareness For this essay I chose two articles to compare and contrast.The first article I chose was â€Å"Performance enhancement is not the only effect of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes. † The first article by ADIS International Limited did an excellent job giving us an in depth look on the ins and outs of steroid use. The second article I chose was titled â€Å"High-Dose Anabolic Cause and Effect Analysis 3 Steroids in Str ength Athletes: Effects upon Hostility and Aggression†, written by P. Y. L. Choi, A. C. Parrott, and D. Cowan. This article is an account of tests that P. Y. L. Choi et al. onstructed while testing the effects that steroid use has on strength athletes. It used a control group, that contained non users, and a group of three subjects on steroids. Both articles spoke of the negative side effects that steroids have, and described their uses. The second article, however, had more detail and provided real life examples of how far steroids could affect someone, negatively. FOR INSTANCE†¦While evaluating both articles I noticed that the evidence provided was relevant to the claim each was trying to make, that steroids generally provide more negative effects than good ones.The second article provided graphs to show the different levels of aggression and hostility in the subjects being tested, and the first article did not. Both articles had contradictions that could sway a reader away from believing that steroids were a negative alternative to supplementing. In the second article P. Y. L Choi et al. discuss how their study could be weak, â€Å"It was ‘open’ rather than ‘blind’. Drug conditions varied widely between subjects. † Over all, each article provided substantial evidence leading a reader to believe steroid use provides more negative effects than positive.I believe the authors in article one and two had the purpose of showing how steroids work, and to show how using them could lead to serious health risks and emotional instabilities, which could damage relationships you have with others. Nature of Casual Argument There was one cause for this subject: steroids. However, it had multiple effects, such as performance enhancement, and the bad side effects including increased aggression, hostility, decreased sex drive, weight gain, infertility, cardiovascular risks, and interfered with personal Cause and Effect Analysis 4 el ationships. The author for this article used a chart that gave a description of how steroids affected both male and females. In males it had acne, increased facial and body hair, increased aggressive behavior, increased appetite, and balding. In females it reduced breast size, menstrual irregularities, deepening of the voice, and enlarging the clitoris. While stating the negative side effects this article also included legitimate purposes for using steroids. Steroids can treat growth retardation, breast carcinoma, osteoporosis, edema, and anemia.What this article is trying to state, however, is that when used improperly, such as using more than the recommended dose, generally for enhancement purposes, the effects can be negative. Informative Article Summary The article comes from a textbook entitled â€Å"Drugs & Therapy Perspective,† the title of the article is â€Å"Performance enhancement is not the only effect of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes. † The arti cle talks about effects other than just performance enhancement when using steroids. The author’s opinion appears to be that steroids are not the way to go for enhancing performance athletically.This article first talks about how steroids work. Anabolic steroids are understood and almost guaranteed in all cases to create a deepened voice, increasing the user’s power, and creating more hair on your body. There are two different ways steroids can be used: through necessary doctor prescribed means, or by personal use, normally involving higher doses of the drug. While steroids can be beneficial in treating certain conditions dealing with its therapeutic use, it can also be used in frowned upon ways such as increased doses for personal use, in hopes of seeing results whether it is in competition or for muscle mass.Some of the main, and most common side effects steroids have, are an increase in the user’s weight, power gains, Cause and Effect Analysis 5 and problems with their physical and emotional well being. While stating that it does make some people stronger, it gives information from studies to show that anabolic steroids provide no long term energy. Most athletes have adverse effects when abusing steroids. Steroid abuse can also lead to infertility, cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, heart attacks, heart failure, and even mortality.Towards the end of the article it talks about the effects that a person’s mental state goes through, such as increased rage, and lack of patience or short fuse. It ends off by including more effects to the many we now know, by adding in that if taken during your adolescent stages, your growth plates close up and your growth may be stunted Authorial Purpose The author’s main point in writing this essay is to inform his audience which may consist of athletes, any people currently on steroids, or even people just thinking about them.This gives detailed accounts of effects that steroids have, and t he adverse side effects. The article responds to any arguments that the readers may have by suggesting positive steroid use, and goes on to say that when abusing them, just like any other drug, you would more often than not receive adverse effects from anabolic steroids. Read Like a Writer When stating the positive uses for steroids, such as therapeutic reasons, it provides an answer for anyone who has an argument for steroids. It reaches common ground with the readers by providing several different side effects rather than just one.For instance, in (para. 7) â€Å"The abuse of AASs in healthy young athletes has been associated with serious cardiovascular events (e. g. cardiomyopathy, atrial fibrillation, QT dispersion†¦acute heart failure and sudden cardiac Cause and Effect Analysis 6 death. † The cause and effect argument is made by informing the reader of the many dangerous side effects that relates to steroid abuse, as seen in the previous sentence. The author incorp orates counter arguing by information relevant to both males and females, rather than just one sex.By doing this he has now expanded his argument to a more vast audience. The author is not one-hundred percent against steroids, just the abuse of them, and it is not biased in doing so. This provides for a well written article, and one that anyone could read and leave being well informed of the adverse side effects of steroids, and not have much of an argument for them. Before reading this article I was not aware of over half of the effects steroids have on the human body and thought taking them in the offseason for baseball wouldn’t be such a bad idea.After reading this article and making a cause and effect essay on it, I was really able to clearly see that the side effects outweigh any achievable goal in which one may meet. Information Literacy The author for this article is unknown, but it comes from an accredited journal titled â€Å"Drugs & Therapy Perspective† and w as written in 2005. It is a rather recent article, and provides accurate information on the use, and abuse of steroids. It provides information from different studies, and self-reports to show the adverse effects of steroid abuse.In (para. 4) The author goes into the legitimate therapeutic reasons one may consider in taking steroids â€Å"AASs have a number of legitimate therapeutic uses including the treatment of male hypogonadism and growth retardation†¦. and some forms of anemia. † The author’s objective is not only having one side on steroids, but showing the positive with the negative. They presents the subject in a way that anyone could read and understand just what would happen if they were to abuse steroids. Cause and Effect Analysis 7 Professional ScenarioAfter reading this article I am now able to apply the knowledge I’ve learned to my career. I am planning on going into the field of exercise science, and wish to train athletes. I will never sugge st to anyone I’m training to abuse steroids, but rather avoid them entirely, and to enhance their performance naturally through over the counter vitamins, plenty of exercise, and eating healthy. There is no need to take steroids unless you want the easy way out. The negative side effects of them outweigh, in my opinion, the positive effects.While they may increase some performance, and make your muscles larger, they can affect you for the rest of your life by making you infertile, aggressive, or may end your life permanently. Also, I am an athlete myself, I play baseball, and I’ve seen so many athletes succumb to steroids, and end up losing their career over it. Every year dozens of MLB players are found to be on steroids, and are suspended, and their reputation and records ruined forever. You lose all respect, and dignity, when the fact that you’re using steroids to comes into the light.They may make you faster, or hit a ball harder, but when someone finds out those monster homeruns were boosted by being chemically induced, instead of a natural gift, or a result from being the best you can be, you basically lose the joy of every homerun you’ve ever hit, or base you’ve ever stolen. Conclusion The author does a great job in providing sufficient details in this cause and effect analysis. The author touched on a lot of the physical and emotional problems you will run into when dealing with abusing steroids.It becomes clear to me at the end of reading this that steroids are not up to par on the risk to reward plain. His use of steroids as his cause provides for a Cause and Effect Analysis 8 multiple effect pattern. I am now fully aware of what really happens to your body when you mess with this type of drug. Having knowledge on this topic will benefit me in my major because I am now able to preach to young athletes the dangers, and can now make some safer alternatives to performance enhancement. I am a better reader because of th e cause and effect genre.Thanks to cause and effect I am now able to see all points the author is trying to make in his argument and better understand the effects of any cause someone may write about. Cause and Effect Analysis 9 References ADIS International Limited. (2005). Drug reactions and interactions. Performance enhancement is not the only effect of androgenic-anabolic steroids in athletes. Drugs ther perspect 2005; Vol. 21, No. 8 Choi, P. Y. L; Parrott, A. C. ; and Cowan, D. (1990) High-Dose Anabolic Steroids in Strength Athletes: Effects upon Hostility and Aggression. Human Psychopharmacology 1990; Vol. 5, pages (349-356).

Planning Function within the Different Levels of Management in Organizations Essay

Management of a business involves the four general functions of making plans, organizing, exercising leadership, and fostering coordination. Planning constitutes the process of determining goals and objectives, identifying strategies and techniques, and accessing or allocating the necessary resources to support implementation. Plans integrate the competencies and resources of the organization relative to the map of the actions designed and intended to achieve goals and objectives. Daft, 2000) As a fundamental management process, planning occurs at the different levels of the business organization. Planning at Different Levels of Management Management levels can be hierarchical or functional. Hierarchical levels of management refer to the chain of command in the organizational structure reflecting the designation of decision-making, reporting and accountability. Functional levels of management pertain to management roles according to function. Daft, 2000) Generally, there are two hierarchical levels of management, the senior management and front line management. Senior management takes charge of strategic planning since the focus is conceptual, directional and visionary plans encompassing the direction of future actions, the expected outcomes, the availability and utilization of resources, and contingency ideas for issues likely to emerge. The thrust of planning at this level is long-term outcomes. Front line management handles operational planning because the focus is specific, measurable, tactical, and applicable plans covering daily activities and issues such as task assignments, quotas, deadlines, funding, and other day-to-day issues requiring planning. The focus of front line management planning is short-term expectations and outcomes. Although differing in the nature of planning functions, strategic plans provide guidance to operations plan while operational plans influence future strategic planning. Daft, 2000) Functional management involves a wide network of horizontal and vertical levels usually designated into departments and sub-departments or working teams distinguished according to functions. There could be a number of departments in an organization including sales or marketing departments, purchasing department, accounting department, human resources department, and other departments depending on the nature, scope and scale of operation of the business organizatio n. Planning at the department level depends on the respective functions so that the scope of planning covers the designated functions. The sales or marketing department focuses on marketing planning and advertising planning covering goals such as brand equity building, value creation for consumers, distribution, promotional plans, and pricing. The human resource department engages in leadership development, management development, career development, performance, staffing, and training and development planning. The other departments take charge of planning on other function areas. Daft, 2000) The functions of these departments are interconnected since planning done by the marketing department has a link to the competence of human resources especially leadership. Within the departments is a hierarchy, with department managers or directors handling strategic planning and the managers of the different sub-departments or working teams handling operational planning with the plans focusing on functions. Integration of Various Kinds of Plans The overlap between hierarchical and functional management planning reflects the interconnections of various plans. There are also a number of practical reasons for integrating different plans. One is the need to translate a vision and goal into action to support fulfillment (Griffin & Thomas, 1999). In the case of strategic and operational plans, strategic plans are conceptual in nature providing a guide or picture of the expected outcome while operational plans are practical by focusing on particular actions and techniques that support movement towards the achievement of envisioned concepts (Daft, 2000). As such, integrating strategic and operational plans ensure that action finds guidance from the vision and goals translate into specific actions directed towards actualization. Another is the likely interconnectedness of plans. With regard to functional management, a plan requires alignment with other plans to ensure successful realization. (Griffin & Thomas, 1999). Customer service forms part of marketing planning and human resource planning so that training plans under the HR department should coincide with marketing plans for value creation. Last is the essence of organizations as a single unit made up of different parts that need to work together to sustain the body. Successful organizations are those with aligned or integrated plans. Real Life Application Successful planning doe not only require integration but also relevance to changing market conditions. Strategic plans could change in order to make the organization more responsive to issues. An example is the shift in the strategic plan of Wal-Mart from the vision of a retail store offering the lowest prices to consumers to a store providing employment to thousands of people in impoverished areas (Wal-Mart, 2008). This came as a response to the corporate social responsibility issue of its payment of wages below the minimum wage and resistance to the call of worker groups for unionization. By shifting its strategic plan, Wal-Mart reaffirms its commitment to corporate social responsibility by helping impoverished families with jobs created by establishing stores in these communities. By focusing strategic plans towards communities, the company is able to express its concern not only towards consumers but also to its present and future employees who are members of the community. Conclusion Planning is an important aspect of organizational management. To succeed in planning, it is important to understand how planning occurs at the different management levels of the organization, the importance of integrative planning, and the consideration relevant and responsive planning by adjusting to changes in business context.