Internal Control System Checklist

Internal Control System Checklist ACC/544 Monday December 03, 2010 Dr. YouKnew Abstract Internal control systems are purposed to aid in managing an array of risks, while monitoring the integrity and reliability of operational and financial data. Internal control systems ensure the proactively of audits, at the same time as serving to ensure that policies and procedures are enforced to protect the company’s financial information, limiting accounting inaccuracies and fraud. The following checklist is a tool to ensure that the objectives of internal control systems are met. Internal Control System ChecklistEthical Governance and Standards Ethical standards are the groundwork for internal control systems, where integrity is the basic principle. Business ethics show characteristics of acceptable business conduct, while ethics in internal control systems ensures that these standards are communicated, executed, reinforced, and monitored. When considering the following checklist for e valuating internal controls, three phases of the control evaluation are also applied. The three phases are understanding, assessment, and testing. I. Ethics & GovernanceYESNOComments Are the ethical standards exemplified by the board of directors?Are ethical standards reviewed with new employees either in orientation or by pamphlet? Are the ethical standards woven into employee evaluations? Are handbooks provided for ongoing review of ethical standards? Is there a process in place to review and correct bad ethical calls? Are ethical standards woven into business standards? Are fraudulent attempts in reporting communicated as intolerable to employees and management? Electronic Data Processing Electronic data processing guarantees against improper human intervention with computer processing and other transactions in a given organization.Computer programs help prevent access to certain information across departments and roles. Within the phases of the control evaluation the auditor wou ld want to ensure that each user completely understands his role and to protect the privacy of information given access. Ongoing assessment should be afforded to help each department head better manage user access and testing to ensure compliance. II. Electronic Data ProcessingYESNOComments Are policies in place to include reference check, security, and termination of employee security measures?Are the duties within the data processing system adequately segregated per role? (such as technical support, software developer, ect. ) Is the Electronic Data Processing system separate and independent from the operating and accounting departments? Is the Electronic Data Processing system such that it prevents duplicate documents from being introduced to the system? Are there adequate controls preventing changes to master files? Are there adequate controls over data entry to include supervision, current instructions, key verification of important fields and self check digits?Financial Reporti ng One of the three distinct objectives of internal control is to meet the responsibility of ensuring that financial statements are reliable. The term reliable involves the preparation of financial statements that are fairly presented in conformity with applicable financial reporting framework employed by management. The system of financial control over financial reporting therefore includes the design and implementation of policies and procedures necessary by managers to provide reasonable assurance that the ompany’s statements are presented in accordance with the basis of accounting. Evaluation of financial reporting within internal control system should place emphasis on testing and assessment. The following checklist addresses some key areas of testing and assessment of internal control of financial reporting. III. Financial ReportingYESNOComments Is the statement of financial position prepared monthly and reviewed by management and the finance committee? Are the responsi bilities for the final review and approval of financial reports segregated from those for the preparation of reports?Are monthly, semi-monthly and annual reports prepared comparing income and expenses with approved budget and reviewed by the management and the finance committee? Did the company employ a char of accounts? Are the tasks for maintaining the general ledger suitably segregated from those for the custody of assets? Is there a written accounting policy and procedural manuals distributed to appropriate personnel? Checklists mainly service as a tool that both managers and auditors can use to review a specific departments internal control and for ongoing purposes also.Checklists should be both drafted and assessments completed by management who are accountable for the business processes. When completing the checklist, simple yes or no responses prove a strong or weak internal control system where additional notes for improvement are observed. Multiple questions are needed to make the proper assessment of a control system. In conclusion, internal control checklists are integrated with control evaluations to provide the best information about the functionality of a system where changes or adjustments can be made.

Sonveyor Belt project part6 Essay

You have received revised estimates for the remaining activities at the end of the fourth quarter: -Prototypes will be completed on 3/8/11 -Serial I/O drivers will be completed on 6/30/11 -System hardware/software test will start on 7/11/11 and take 25 days -Order circuit boards will start on 8/8/11 and take 5 days -Assemble preproduction model will begin on 10/14/11 and take 18 days -Project documentation is expected to start on 8/8/11 and will take 55 days -Network interface is expected to start on 8/8/11 and will take 99 days -Shell is expected to start on 8/8/11 and will take 55 days -Integrated acceptance testing is expected to start on 12/29/11 and will take 54 days You have received revised estimates for the remaining activities at the end of the fourth quarter as given in Part 6 of the Conveyor Belt project in Appendix 2. Enter the revised estimates in the start dates, completion dates and durations into the Gantt Chart/ Table /Entry view in the respective columns. This will result in revised estimate of the project completion date. Part 6 (Status Date January 1, 2011) 1.There is no need to change the status and current date from what was set earlier, i.e., January 1, 2011. 2.Enter the new status information for the project in the Tracking table. 3.Produce and copy/ paste the Earned Value Report, Earned Value Cost Indicators Report, Earned Value Schedule Indicators Report and the Tracking Gantt Chart into the Word document. 4.Answer all the questions given in Part 6.

The Confederate War

Ever since the Civil War ended there have been numerous books written regarding the reasons why the Confederacy lost the war. Most of these books seem to believe that the Confederacy lost the war because they lacked the desire to win. In Gary Gallagher’s The Confederate War, Gallagher offers a different reason for the Confederacy loss than most books written about the Confederate War.Gallagher has thoroughly researched newspapers, diaries, books and historical documents which support his argument that the Confederate War was lost due to a lack of sound military planning and not the widely known thought that the Confederacy lacked the desire to win the war. Many historians believe that the Confederacy failed to succeed due to failed alliances within the confederacy. Gallagher states in his book â€Å"that Historians argue that the confederates lacked sufficient will to win the war, never developed a strong collective national identity and pursued a flawed military strategy tha t wasted precious manpower. † (Gallagher, 1997, p.3) Gallagher argues that the South had a strong desire to win the war and a strong sense of national togetherness but what was lacking was a good military strategy to win the Civil War. Gallagher has provided proof of his arguments through his vast amounts of research that the Confederate soldiers had a strong desire to win and the people did ban together with a sense of national pride. He also shows that they did have a weak military plan. I believe that Gallagher’s book offers a unique look at the Civil War. He adds a different twist to the contemporary thinking of the events and people involved in the Confederate War.I think anyone wanting to learn about a different aspect of the Civil War would find this book thought-provoking and insightful. I believe anyone studying the Civil War would benefit from learning about this authors different point of view. Gallagher’s book offers a unique look at the Civil War fro m the Confederate point of view. He quotes newspaper articles, private letters and diaries from and about the Confederate soldiers during the war which I found inspiring and certainly led me to value Gallagher’s insights. After reading this book I find myself agreeing with Gallagher’s point of view, he offers a very convincing argument.

I must write a after action review (AAR) based off my deployment to Essay

I must write a after action review (AAR) based off my deployment to Afghanistan - Essay Example It therefore exposed me to various aspects of combat missions and on strategic management of operations while on such deployment missions. Among the main areas that the deployment gave me an exposure in are together with the concept of acquisition, concept of command and control, MTOE (modified table of organization and equipment) as well as on power efforts within Afghanistan. Besides, I learned a lot on the responsibilities and the main competences that an acquisition officer within such missions is expected to have in order to realize effectiveness in the entire operations. First, I must admit that the tour served a great learning experience especially in practice of what military science class had taught me. For instance, unlike what theory supposes, that current field operations influence much the concept of acquisition, the tour taught me that the concept of acquisition is and should be centered on the old (tradition) garrison operations. Concerning the command controls, it is worth noting that as much as a command coronel has the power to command the teams he/she leads, other vested interests in pleasing the project managers and the superiors end up confusing and hence effectiveness is compromised on such missions. This could not be well phrased while in the class context but when one is given such a responsibility in the field as I had, I managed to have the practical aspect in the command and control within military science. Moreover, the field experience showed me that the MTOE does not necessarily support the war that the fighters need. It was also through this trip that I understood that redundant operational energy power efforts within Afghanistan could be blamed on the multiple power providing organizations that were in operation within the country. Among most other things learnt from the places visited and over the tasks assigned were on strategic planning, roles assignment and responding to emergencies whenever need arises. When I went out for

XCOM WK7 ASSIGNEMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

XCOM WK7 ASSIGNEMENT - Essay Example The following report will focus on the benefits of this proposed tuition reimbursement to the employees and the company at large. Students taking a bachelor’s degree in business and communication degree gain skills in business practices and principles necessary in areas of marketing, networking, public relations, and advertising. Opportunities in business administration are also available to graduates of business and communication due to intense training in management and corporate communication. Sharpening of their skills in business management has led a choice by some graduates to start their own enterprises or become business consultant. Graduates in business and communication undergo training in making highly effective presentations, negotiations and speeches (Kupritz, 2011). They therefore develop strong language skills, technical skills and efficiency in working with a diverse range of people which the global market possesses. According to the dynamics in the American job market, employees with a degree in business and communication are better off than their colleagues how do not possess an equivalent qualification. This is because business and communication graduates have high chances of being absorbed in a variety of departments to work as Communication Managers, Public Relations Managers or Technical Writing officers (Freeman, 2007). Employees will benefit from new professional opportunities and hence the betterment of their career growth. If an employee graduates with a degree in business and communication, the employee shifts from being a casual laborer to being a more specialized employee in areas such as research and development, accounting and finance, management, strategic management, procurement and human resource management and corporate communication. These departments popularity has received immense focus in today’s world of business due to their tremendous contribution in

Spss8 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Spss8 - Essay Example 2. Is the type of beverage ordered with lunch at a restaurant independent of the age of the customer? A random sample of 309 lunch customers is taken, resulting in the following results. Determine whether the two variables are independent at 95% level of significance. (4 points) The p value is .000, which is lower than 0.05 suggests a relationship between age and type of beverage. The null hypothesis is thus rejected and the conclusion is that type beverage and age are related. 3. In one survey, successful women meeting managers were asked to state their personal definition of success in terms of several categories from which they could select. Thirty-nine percent responded that happiness was their definition, 12% said that sales/profit was their definition, 18% responded that helping others was their definition, and 31% responded that achievement/challenge was their definition of success. Suppose that you want to determine whether men meeting managers felt the same way and took a random sample of men meeting managers, resulting in the data shown. Use the Chi-square test to determine whether the observed frequency distribution of data for men meeting managers is the same as the distribution for women meeting managers. Let ÃŽ ± = .05. (4 points) The test statistics table shows a very small computed Chi-square value 201.56 and a very small p-value 0.00, which is smaller than 0.05. Therefore, H0 is rejected, and hence there is a difference between the successful women and those who were randomly sampled. 4. Is there a relationship between having a lap-top computer and a person’s profession? A survey of 187 managers of three professions: travel manager, lawyers and accountants, was conducted to investigate this question. Results are presented in the following table. Test whether having a lap-top computer is independent of profession at 95% level of significance. (4 points) The p value is

Business Law - the law of contract Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Business Law - the law of contract - Case Study Example The prospective buyer, by offering that price is himself the offeror and his offer, if accepted, create a binding contract. 1 For this case, James just noticed a gold watch with a price tag of 25 hence it neither does nor compels the store person to sell the gold watch at that particular price. The price tag with the gold watch was just inviting others to make an offer of their own on how much they are to buy the watch. A binding contract would have been created when the store person (Elizabeth) would have accepted the offer made by James since the price with the gold watch was just inviting customers to make their offer. Normally, invitation to a treat is used to request expression of interest from the customers. For this case, any product with a price tag does not compel the store person to sell his product at that price but requests, an expression of interest from the customer to make their offer and binding contract of sale would occur when he agrees to sell at that price. 2 Invitation to treat must be distinguished from an offer. This is because, invitation to a treat invites for people with to make on an offer whereas, in a offer, the offeror make in an offer and just wait for people to accept that offer. In order for a coIn order for a contract to be enforceable, it must fulfill certain basic requirements. There must be an agreement based upon genuine consent of the parties, supported by a consideration and made for a lawful object between competent parties. A relevant case studied in the issue of invitation to treat is that of: Pharmaceutical Society of Britain v. Boots Chemists of 1953 Goods were sold in Boots Chemist shop under the self-service system. Customers selected their purchases from the shelves, put them into baskets supplied by Boots Chemists and took them to the cash desk where they paid the price. It was held that the customer made the offer when he presented them at the cash desk, and not when he removed them from the shelves.3 The price tag with the gold watch was merely inviting James to make his offer on the price he would like to buy the gold watch at and does not compel him to sell at that price. For this case, a contract would have been made when James collects the watch from the shelves and place it on the counter if Elizabeth agrees to sell it at that price. But since the 25 price with the gold watch was merely inviting customers to make an offer but not sell it at that price. By taking the money from James, it would mean that Elizabeth had agreed to sell the gold watch at that price. For this case, it would be immaterial for James to state that he has a right to purchase a gold watch at 25 as indicated on the price tag. He would not succeed in any court of law for him to be sold the gold watch at 25. Another case studied on invitation to treat was that of:- Fisher v. Bell of 1961 On this case, Bell a shopkeeper, displayed a flick knife priced at four shilling in his shop window. He was charged with offering for sale an offensive weapon contrary to the restriction of offensive weapon act. It was held that a mere display of the goods in a shop window is not by itself an offer for sale. Bell was not bound to sell the knife to any one entering his shop and offering to him four shillings. 4 A mere display of a gold watch at 25

Caring For A Pregnant Woman Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Caring For A Pregnant Woman - Essay Example Alternatively, communication skills are vital as a learning nurse because it helps the pregnant patient in maintaining her personal hygiene and attending prenatal services. Offering the patient a consistent healthcare review including other care plans is fundamental to improve their social welfare especially during medication (Gates & Barr, 2009). Continued good health can also be enhanced through constant daily encouragement, therapy, and treatment that matches the patient’s needs. This should involve other professionals such as social workers, speech therapists, and physiotherapists. 2.Advanced Labor However, in the case of advanced labor, as a learning disability nurse, I would involve other fellow nurses with different specialties. In other words, my first reaction would be to seek for external assistance to effectively facilitate the birth of the baby. Additionally, I would examine the patient's mental and physical well-being to reduce other existing barriers that could interfere with the unborn child. Therefore, in helping the birth of the baby, arranging for emergency missions while providing social care is critical to assist in tests and evaluations. Considering the evidence-based outcome in regards to individual care ensures that the delivery of the placenta and membranes match the health care needs and objectives of the pregnant woman. Putting the patient through anxiety management programs and behavior sessions aids in reducing nervousness that could interfere with the advanced labor (Hannon & Clift, 2010).

What Lessons can be learned from the Global Financial Crisis of Assignment

What Lessons can be learned from the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-08, About the Effectiveness of the Transmission Mechanism of Monetary Policy - Assignment Example The crisis has adversely affected the financial as well as economic stability of a large number of countries, imposing inevitable unfavourable impacts on the financial institutions, national governmental structures and stock market performances worldwide. It had also created a strong adverse effect on the business world, leading to gradually deepening fluctuations in the housing markets and increased unemployment rates in the majorly affected economies such as the US (as the epicentre of the crisis) and the European nations among the majors. It has been identified the most common cause for the crisis situation was associated with the low interest rate policy practiced by the Federal Reserve along with central banks (Grail Research, 2009). As assumed in the transmission mechanism of monetary policy, such violations in the interests rates are likely to lead towards a severe instability in the housing markets, disposable income disbursements in the economy, credit demand, exchange rate fluctuations, stock market volatility and overall wealth generation obstructions (Bank of England, n.d.). Evidently, the crisis situation also exhibited fluctuations and instability in various other key determinant factors that are supposed to act as major components to economic development, which include subprime mortgages, ineffective regulatory policies and leveraging the banking sector as prima facie (Grail Research, 2009). In this crisis situation, the Federal Reserve and central banks of different countries were identified to focus on building their respective monetary policies on the basis of short-term interest rates, which can also be accounted as a major cause to have a strong influence on the aforementioned factors in the global money market (Lewis, 2010). As can be observed from the brief discussion presented above, the context of the recent global financial crisis 2007-08 represents a complex phenomenon of interest rate based monetary policy measures taken by countries in the post-modern era. To obtain a succinct understanding of the entire occurrence, this essay will base its discussion on the conceptual framework of transmission mechanism of monetary policy. In this regard, the sole aim of the essay will be to conclude on the effectiveness of the transmission mechanism of monetary policy in addressing the lessons learned from the recent occurrence of the global financial crisis in 2007-08. The Transmission Mechanism of Monetary Policies The transmission mechanism of monetary policies depicts that there are different procedures on the basis of which, interest rates in an economy can be identified and assessed to be affecting the economic conditions of a country as a whole (Refer to Appendix Figure 1). As per this theory, the decisions in relation to interest rate are seemed to influence other market interest rates, which include deposit rates of bank and mortgage rates to a significant level; thus, creating a significant effect on the economic st ability of the nation. The interest rate policies further affects the expectations along with confidence of the market investors, on the basis of which, these policies tends to influence the future development of an economy (Bolvin & et. al., 2010). Additionally, the interest rate policies influence exchange rates along with asset prices to a substantial extent. Changes in interest rates are further recognised to have an influence on the spending, investment as well as saving behaviour of the people and firms operating in an economy, playing the role of a major determinant of

Analyze a particular area of the film industry Essay

Analyze a particular area of the film industry - Essay Example I am not the lone exception. My career objective has always been to offer the best for my customers keep them updated on the changes immediately and learn to cope with the challenges that arise so as to try to come up with a conducive environment for my customers. Successful businesses are customer focused. They let their entire business evolve around their customers. It involves thinking on how one can sell what they want to create. Using creativity to avail what a customer wants. Finding means and ways of reaching large numbers of people. Not only majoring their marketing to only their nations but also reaching the entire world if possible. This is today made easier through the advancing technology in marketing (Armstrong and Sweeney, 1994). Operational marketing attracts and keeps customers by providing prompt services to them. They do this at the shortest time possible at the highest level of quality. They meet and exceed customer expectations in cost and time frame. They are inc orporated in the marketing and advertisement so as to ensure its process remains of highest quality at the same time allows the company handle a large number of transactions as fast as possible. They act as the links between the business and the customers (Honeycutt et. Al., 1995). Practical aspects of marketing on film industry/culture sector. Several practical aspects of marketing on film industry/ culture sector have been realized in the past few years. This has led to the advancement and easiness in marketing as a whole. Just to mention few-: Digital marketing is a highly practical and advance level course for those who work in independent film festivals. Its main aim is to develop a network of digital marketing experts. To ensure the sector of the cultural cinema uses appropriately the potential of digital marketing to engage the audience. This has made marketing even faster (Jackson and Artola, 1997). Mapping of the creative industry has helped in the solving of the complex ch allenges faced in the past centuries. It solves the problem of polarization and inequality between nations. It avails strategies to unleash the creative potential of each and everyone to respond to the far reaching cultural, economic, technological and social shift that man is living through (Jeurissen and van, 1998). Job creation-: a majority of the developing and the industrialized countries have started programs for promoting the micro, small and medium enterprises at the courtesy of their job creation. This helps the youths and those without permanent jobs to be self employed hence reduction of the rate of unemployment. This has also led to the wide spread of the film industry. Remote areas can now access the industry through the various awareness being created in their vicinity (DCMS, 2001). Emergence of new industries-: the satisfaction of peoples thirst and demand of cultural products in social, cultural and technological changes has increased. This is due to the emergence of new industries. It has led to new forms of entertainment, distractions and inspiration. They include computer games, web designs among others (Hesmondhalgh, 2002). They have replaced older cultural industries. It has also brought a very positive gain on the youths. It helps in curbing the loitering and bad behaviors that may arise due to idleness. Film and screen studies helps in the development of critical understanding of film and screen theory. To criticize and appreciate the relationship between film, media and culture. To provide

Marijuana Should Be Illegalized Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Marijuana Should Be Illegalized - Essay Example Marijuana also has many other names such as ganja, pot, weed, and grass among others, as many people refer to it differently. Marijuana is derived from the leaves or stems of the plant Cannabis sativa that contains 400 other chemicals some of which are unique to the plant only. The main chemical composition in the drug and one that has the most diverse effects is the chemical delta-9-tetrahydro-cannabinol or THC. This chemical is rapidly absorbed in the blood stream and enters the brain cells in a matter of minutes. The use of marijuana and the effects vary from user to user depending on the method of intake, but the most common mode of intake by most users who use it is through smoking of the dried leaves, stems or the seeds. It may also be ground and taken with other food substances such as tea or sprinkled with other food additives. The THC once absorbed in the blood has some short term and long-term effects to the user depending on the number of joints smoked. The chemical can st ay in the blood streams and brain for time ranging from 10 minutes to 8-10 hours, and affect users differently also as they differ in levels of drug handling capabilities. Small amounts of the plant enhance the user’s perception of the world and heighten the appreciation of music, foods and increases brain functions. Long terms effects reduces the amount of oxygen that reaches the blood and increases the levels of carbon monoxide in the brain cells that leads to alteration of the brain functions of the users. This reduced oxygen reduces the thinking ability of the user, causes drowsiness and restlessness. The user may also suffer from hallucinations and the extended sense that he/she owns the world or they are beyond the others. The THC in the blood enters the heart vessels and reduces the amount of oxygen that enters the heart to be pumped to other parts of the body. This in the long run over works the heart as it tries to pump more blood throughout the body to meet the oxyg en deficit. The heart increases the heartbeats to pump more blood making heart muscles to weaken, thus, the user may die of heart failure or heart attack as he/she continues to use marijuana in their blood stream. Since the user gets a heightened sense of surroundings, he/she becomes what is termed as ‘high’ and may become a nuisance to the others in the community. Cannabis may also make the user to be irritated by others in society and may turn aggressive as they try to assert their position. Addicted users if denied marijuana become moody, stressed, restless and angry at everything and everyone and may turn violent to others in the society. There is the increased need for society to assist in campaigns against drug abuse and to curb the use of marijuana by other members of society. First, there is the need for community involvement in nationwide campaigns and awareness programmes against the use of these drug. The community can carry out education awareness to mostly the youth and adolescents who are mainly influenced by peer pressure to use drugs. Community organizations can carry out programmes and developmental schemes to keep young adults and children busy when at home during holidays and when unemployed. Community youth recreation centers could be developed in most states across the country where the youth can receive education on drugs, also have fun, and constructively

Global Warming Issues Facing the U.S. Today Essay Example for Free

Global Warming Issues Facing the U.S. Today Essay Throughout history, the fastest increase rate in the average global temperature has been recorded during the past 50 years, and experts further believe that the trend is alarmingly accelerating. Global warming is a complex phenomenon, and its full-blown consequences are difficult to foresee ahead of time. Nevertheless, every year scientists gain more knowledge of how global warming is upsetting the planet, and many have the same opinion that definite outcomes are expected to take place if present trends persist. Unless Americans reduce global warming emissions, distressing and almost irreversible impact on the country, planet and its life will be greatly expected in the near future. United States Issues Air pollutants, particularly carbon dioxide that is accumulating in the atmosphere is condensing extensively, trapping the heat of the sun and causing the earth to warm up. Despite the fact that Americans make up merely 4 percent of the world’s inhabitants, yet through fossil-fuel burning, they generate roughly 25 percent of the worldwide carbon dioxide pollution, which is considerably the largest share of any nation (â€Å"Global Warming Basics†). In the United States, the largest sources of carbon dioxide are the coal-burning power plants, producing 2. 5 billion tons annually; while automobiles running throughout the country’s streets are the second largest source, producing almost 1. 5 billion tons each year (â€Å"Global Warming Basics†). In the United States, global warming is already causing damage in its numerous regions. In June 2006, a panel organized by the United States National Research Council, the leading science policy body of the country, expressed confidence that the planet is the hottest it has been in at least four centuries, and probably even the last 20 centuries (â€Å"Global Warming†). Snow buildup in the United States has declined by almost 60 percent and winter seasons have abridged in a number of regions of the Cascade Range in Washington and Oregon since the early 1950s (â€Å"Global Warming Basics†). Oregon, Arizona and Colorado suffered their most terrible wildlife seasons, and drought produced relentless dust storms in Kansas, Colorado and Montana, and floods caused hundreds of millions of dollars in destruction in North Dakota, Kansas, Colorado and Montana. All the same, by the last part of the century, global warming is expected to further elevate the typical temperatures of the United States to three to nine degrees, which is expected to affect more of the country’s species and wildlife that cannot endure warmer environments. Americans wellbeing is as well in jeopardy, as abnormal climate changes may bring about the spread of certain illnesses, a greater possibility of heat stroke, poor air quality, and the flooding of the country’s foremost cities. Conclusion America must take a leadership function in solving the global warming crisis. Technologies exist today that make power plants produce electricity from nonpolluting sources, cars burn less gas and run cleaner, and electricity consumption lower and more efficient. Americans can take the initial move in seriously campaigning for energy conservation and manufacturing of more efficient appliances, as well as increase their reliance on renewable energy sources such as geothermal, sun and wind. Currently, the challenge for the country is to be certain that these solutions are implemented. Unfortunately, while the technologies are present, the country’s political and corporate will to put them into extensive exploitation are waning. Without doubt, every Americans must demand for it if development and environmental sustainability are desired to be achieved. Works Cited â€Å"Global Warming. † 2008. Standford SOLAR Center. 16 March 2009 http://solar-center. stanford. edu/sun-on-earth/glob-warm. html. â€Å"Global Warming Basics. † 18 October 2005. Natural Resources Defense Council. 16 March 2009 http://www. nrdc. org/globalWarming/f101. asp.

Allied Irish Bank SWOT Analysis and Strategic Evaluation

Allied Irish Bank SWOT Analysis and Strategic Evaluation Allied Irish Bank performed the Market Entry Strategy to expand their business size. Stated below is the brief of their strategic evaluation in the aspect of suitability feasibility acceptable. Suitability Build on/exploit strengths In the late 1990s and early/mid-2000s, and capitalized on the buoyant housing market, booming business banking profits and much lower write-offs than in previous years, such profitability and growth have had a significant positive effect on the Irish Economy. That helps AIB having good capital base for future market development such merging. Shape Managements sense in the company, they clearly realized that internationalization is a good way for business expansion. Good/tailored services to be provided by the company towards customers, it can be helpful for the business penetrating into the market. Simultaneously, they are easily winning the reputation too. Good experiences in managing banking business, that helps the company to control over the new merging company. Overcome/avoid weaknesses Cultural Difference the company cant fully twin their culture to other countries, as easy to generate other contingencies problems. Complicated organizations chart caused human resources problems, like salary expenditure increased, hard to manage†¦. Exploit/Develop Opportunity Economy Growth in East Asia, that creates new opportunities for the company. Through Merging, obtaining the other customer base, co-efficient is expected. Counteract/avoid threats The other countrys government may not allow foreigner to obtain national bank and may set some restriction as a barrier. Expanding too fast may cause lack of capital if the business is running not as good as expected. Feasibility From 1966 to the end of 2005, the assets of $323.8 jumping up to 133 bn. Employee 24000 people and 750 offices now, that proved the company is profitable, emerged in the obvious capital gain and more employee needed Acceptability As the company asset built up rapidly, no wonder the companys price in stock market will be going up as well. That can fulfill the stakeholder needed. The company becomes biggest bank in Irish and gradually penetrate into other market and seems grow healthy. Stakeholder should also satisfies for the continually grow. Never heard that the company has any news about layoff, so assuming that the companys finance is good and staff is working stably. As company focused on the tailored service, their customers loyal should even be higher. Page 4 of 12 Subject : Strategic Management Name of Student : Chan Sheung Ming Student ID#2102 5544 Section A : Question 2 Here is the Strategic Development Plan of Allied Irish Bank (2007 2012) Background of the Company Allied Irish Banks (AIB) was structured in 1966, they brought together with the three distinctive Irish Traditional Banking companies: the Provincial Bank in 1825 the Royal Bank, eleven years later for mercantile links; the Munster Leinster that was formed in 1885, considered as the largest banks with the most large scale of branch network During that moment, the alliance was thinking out a best way to overcome the fragmented nature of the Irish banking industry. Hence in the middle of 1960s Ireland was changing fast and the merger had strengthened the position of the bank in the developing global business era. Over the decades, the company had showed an increasing expansion in the global arena, from its establishment of branch network in Britain during 1970s to its investment in the USA during 1980s Four decades since its establishments, it and be said that AIB has a dynamic and successful organization. As a result, in 1966, AIB had showed aggregate assets of Є323.8 million that had grown to Є133 billion AIB Groups is considered as the leading banking and financial services organization in Ireland that operates principally in Ireland, Britain, Poland and the USA. It has more than 24,000 employees word wide in more than 750 offices . It has four main divisions: AIB Bank (Republic of Ireland); AIB Bank AIB Capital Market; and Poland. SWOT Analysis (S)trengths Strong position in the home market; Good Image of the organization to the home market and other countries; Specializes in straight forward approach banking; Relationship oriented approach. (W)eaknesses Do not have enough knowledge and experience towards global banking; Not willing to take the risks; Afraid to jump to the bandwagon of internalization. (O)pportunities Blooming domestic economy; Large increases in the credit growth in 1990s and mid-2000s; Development of non-traditional bank; Trends towards international banking market; Exploit the Irish ethnic market in the UK; Access to Asian market; Merging and acquisition. (T)hreats Growing number of competition; Competition from businesses or banks that are offering e-banking. The SWOT analysis of AIB which pertains on the different characteristics or attributes of the organization as well as the external environment that can affect the entire decision-making process of AIB. The strength of the company focuses on its strong position in the home market. Thus, it enables the company to have a good image in other countries where in it also offers their services. In addition, the company also specialized in straightforward banking approach and relationship oriented approach where in it is considered as their primary advantage towards their relationship with the customers. The said aspect is the reason why AIB was voted as Britains greatest bank. On the other hand, the weaknesses of AIB focuses on its immaturity n terms of international banking, or lack of much knowledge in management in distance. The most visible example is their withdrawal from the Singaporean market. As a result, the company no longer has interests in taking the risks in other important markets in Asia, primarily in China. There are different opportunities that can be exploited by the company in order to improve and expand. First is the blooming domestic economy as well as the large increase in the credit growth during 1990s and mid-2000s. In addition, there is also a growing trend towards non-traditional banking or e-banking. This is due to the massive impact of the Internet. Thus, it is important to consider that in terms of emerging markets, the leaders in e-banking are found in Asia, and Singapore is considered as the primary e-banking customers, garnering 5% ( 2001). Thus, it shows that it will be important to focus on the Asian market, primarily in China, that is facing fast growth in terms of economic aspects. This can be done by the process of merging and acquisition. The major threat for the company focuses on the growing number of competitors in the industry, particularly those banks that are offering e-banking features and services. Mission The mission of Allied Irish Bank is to strengthen both domestic and international performance and position in the market of the bank. Objectives The following are the objectives of AIB: To maintain the competitive advantage of the company; To expand the size and branches of AIB in different part of the world; To promote efficiency, stability and effectiveness of AIB banking system; and To meet the changing demands, needs and preferences of the people towards their banking experiences. Strategies The Ansoff Growth Matrix is a tool that is used in order for a business to decide regarding their product and market growth strategy. It suggests that a business ability to grow depends on whether it markets new or existing products in a new or existing market (2007). The strategy of AIB will focus on Market development or offering the same product to a new market. This is important due to the growing influence of globalization to the banking system, thus going global is one of the most important way of expansion of size that will help to increase profits. In the case of AIB, the company had been able to apply new technologies including the Internet in their services, thats why it will be important for them to explore and exploit other nations or markets, particularly China. This is due to the continuous growth of Chinese economy. However, alongside with the said strategy, it will also be important to focus on improvement of the core banking system, together with the human resource management. Recommendations The following are the recommended strategies: Improvement of the System Application of Information System and IT in an organization is one of the most important actions that can be done by the organization due to the fact that it can help them to manage all of the data and information that are important and use it in the process of decision making. That is why it will be important to focus on application of core banking system that will give way for future enhancement or changes in the internal and external aspects of the company. In order to support the growth plans from 2007 2012, improve AIBs speed to market for new product introduction as well as to provide greater back-office integration, it is important to make a move to transform the core banking system by using packaged banking application that will ensure scalability, performance as well as reliability. This is important due to the growing competition, where in all of the major players in the world of banking are looking for innovative ways to modernize and improve their core systems that can help to reduce the operational costs by changing the massive server farms to a more flexible as well as efficient systems ( 2007). This strategy will focus on the product development, where in it will focus on the initiative of the company to offer new products. By doing this, it will enable AIB to gain competitive advantage by means of offering differentiate products or services towards the customers. As of now, more and more people are becoming aware of the security issues regarding their money, thus the technological advancement of a bank can affect the image of the brand, thus will help to create a feeling of security for the clients. Development of Centralized HR Activities It is important to consider that AIBs human resource management as the companys strengths due to its ability to motivates the employees, particularly the managers to work at their bests, as well as to communicate and relate to the customers in order to give what they needs and want to understand. However, the company is having difficulty in managing in a distance. This is due to the different issues, primarily culture and tradition. It is important to consider that culture plays an important role in the process of motivating employees. It will be important for AIB to apply international standards or principles, however it is important to know that people from other country, primarily Asia, has a different perspective and understanding towards several things, specially in terms of management that are related to leadership styles and approach. This also goes the same as the clients of the company. There are different characteristics between their client from the US and Asia. The said f actors must be considered in order to ensure that all of the rules, regulations as well as policies will meet the expectations and needs of all the stakeholders that are involved in the entire process of the company. This strategy will help the company to have a good customer relationship that will help to strengthen their connection with the customers. The said aspect is very important due to the fact that the attitudes, behaviors and knowledge of the employees, specially the branch managers and front personnel can affect the perception of the clients towards the bank. If the employees or personnel were knowledgeable enough, they will be able to answer the queries of the clients; therefore, it can help to build up trust, and later on strong and long lasting relationship. Expansion to Asian Market, Particularly in China As of now, Asia is considered as one of the most profitable on a pre-tax return on asset basis. As a matter of fact, the report of BCG in 2007 showed that the wealth managers in the Asia-Pacific reported a median pre-tax margin of about 45.5% during 2006 that beats the overall global profitability of 34.7%. As a result, the industry is expected to continue to growth to about 20% to 30% a year, together with the increasing number of well-heeled individuals as well as greater awareness regarding shifting of cash in the banks (2008). The improving and booming economy of China has been accompanies by the fast-growing banking sector of the country. It has been showed that by the end of 2007, the total assets of banking sector of China had reached a total of 52.3 trillion, showing a great annual growth of 17.4% from 2003 2007. The banking industry in the country is considered as the primary provider for capital of about 80% of the non-financial enterprises fundraisings in the most populous nations in the world as well as the fastest growing major economies ( 2008). This strategy will help the company to expand to a vast market, particularly China, due to the development of its economy. Section B: Turn Around Management in Marks Spencer Background of the Company Marks and Spencer emerged as one of the largest retail companies in the world that had become a limited company in 1903 in Manchester, Britain ( 2006) Marks and Spencer plc is the largest retailer in the UK. It has 300 company-owned stores, with more than 68,000 employees around the world that sell clothing, footwear, gifts, home furnishing and food to more than 13 million shoppers. Most of the products being sold under the private label St Michael brand ( 2006 (. In addition, the company also owns and operates more than 100 stores in different part of the world such as Europe, Hong Kong and Canada. There are more than 85 franchise stores of the company that can be found in Europe, Far East, Australia, the Middle East, the Bahamas and Bermunda . MS owns the Brooks Brother, its chain of store of mens clothing that has more than 170 units in Japan as well as the US. In addition, MS also owns 20 stores of King Super Markets grocery store chain in New Jersey Causes and Symptoms of Decline It is important to consider that the primary cause of any decline in profitability is bad management. This is because if management were enough and applicable in the process of tracking the success of the companys products and changes that are likely to take place in their respective markets, and if the company is taking the correct actions, then profits would not decline. However, as such success would require omniscience; even the most systematic managers will make mistakes (1996.) Poor Management All of the problems start at the top, thats why poor management is often the primary reason to the decline in profitability. This is due to the fact that those personnel or people that are responsible for the different operations of the company are making wrong decisions regarding the specific strategic decisions that are being made or even to the personnel that are being employed in order to implement the said decision ( 1996, ). In 2002, , a Belgian executive who is responsible in the turn around of MS, that causes the company to report a four consecutive increase in terms of sales, hand over to Roger Holmes, considered one of the youngest chief executives of blue-chip Brits companies (2002). The said event is considered as one of the primary reason for the decline of MS, due to mismanagement by the CEO. Most of the senior and middle management reported that they are disappointed with the lack of progress, due to leadership problems of Holmes such as being to nice, taking too long to make decisions and lacking relevant in terms of experience. Another cause of decline of MS is the complicated structure where in beyond the main board was an operating committee with 19 members. The said aspect is due to the fact that CEO was not that familiar with the core products of the company. Financial Control It is also important to include that poor financial control is a common cause of falling profitability due to poor budgetary control, inadequate costing system as well as the inability to monitor as well as control cash (1996). In the cause of MS, Holmes believes that throwing more money at the problem can be the best way to boost profits. This can be seen in the massive actions of the company which involves acceleration of transformation of the business by firing employees, and development of stores and other line of products ( 2004). Marketing Efforts Lack of trust from the customers is considered as one of the causes as well as symptoms of decline. This has been one of the primary problems of the company. Customers had complained that the trust had been damaged, due to the fact that the company was already offering low-quality products. In addition o that, the company had a problem regarding their innovation process, which is considered as very important aspect in any company. Production and Operations The fallen quality of the product is one of the primary aspects that focus on the production and operations aspects of the company. In MS, it was due to poor labor relations of the upper management. Environmental Factors The changing demands, tastes preferences and needs of the customers are the primary factors that can affect any company. However, in the case of MS, the company did not focus on strategies that will help them to meet the said change. The said aspect is important because it can greatly affect the perception of the customers in any brand. In addition to that, more and more customers are looking for products in lower price but in good quality. Thus, in order to meet the said expectations, the company decided to implement different strategies that will help them to lower their price, like their competitors, however, the said aspect affected the quality of their products that later on affected the demand of the customers. As a result of the said causes, the company encountered falling profitability, falling dividends, increased debt, decrease liquidity and falling sales (1996). This can be observed on the fact that despite of more than 10 million customers every week, the company have not yet recaptured the glory days between 1997 and 1998 when it had made over  £1 billion pretax profits. In 2004, MS announced a decreased in sales of 3.6%, compare last year (2004). Recovery Strategies The management was changed in 2004, as part of the entire organizational change when Robert Rose took place. Rose focuses on the five core values of new MS: quality, value, service, innovation and trust. This is due to the fact that Rose believe that Holmes management focuses on the management processes instead of products, costs and disapprove of their decision for not growing out of town. As part of that, Rose decided to have a partnership with HSBC in order to manage the financial division of the company. This is due to the fact that the company, under the previous management showed characteristics such as no coordination across department; as well as the fact that the product proliferation by sub brands had weakened the core proposition. Aside from that, it was also found out that the process from drawing board up to the shop floor was kind of slow that resulted to lack of innovation due to weak pricing strategy. The change strategy of the company focuses on abandoning , because it was not targeted at natural MS customers; obtaining Per Una from Davies for  £123 million; canceling more than 500 food products; developing supply chain and sourcing in order to reduce the overhang of the stock; stopping waste and unnecessary administration costs; improving different core services; returning  £2.3 billion to the shareholders; moving to out-of-town retail centers; restructuring and redundancy; changing the mentality of the employees; and closing or upgrading the companys stores The said strategies had been done by focusing on the internal communication process, as well as focusing on the needs and demands of the customers in terms of styles and qualities of their products, as well as the services that are being rendered by the employees towards the customers. Current Strategies In 2007, under the new management, MS had reported its strongest results since 1998, showing a profit of 29%. In addition, the company increased their appeal beyond the middle-aged, middle-class housewives by offering younger brands such as The Limited Collection. The said strategy enables the company to focus on one particular segment of their customers. The primary problem of the company is the pricing process; this is due to the fact that MS primarily perched at the top end of the mass market by selling high-quality products that the customers were willing to pay a little more for. However, due to the changing preferences of the customers, together with the growing competition with other stores, primarily Tesco, that is offering the same type of products, the company decided to focus on lowering the price of the products that they are offering. Aside from that the company also focuses on their food division in terms of marketing, by showing to their customers the importance of the quality of their products (2008).

Leadership styles and strategic management

Leadership styles and strategic management Introduction Link between strategic management and leadership Analyse the Impact of management and leadership styles on strategic decision Evaluate how leadership styles can be adapted to different situation Example . INTRODUCTION: Managers are who do things right and leaders are who do the right thing The general concept according to my understanding from various literature reviews are that Leaders leads people and managers manage all things in organization, furthermore to my concepts the important point is that leaders are the people who bring changes in organizations and managers may be considered as people who sustain the day to day organisational activities. The main point in this task 1, to explain the link between Leadership and management of an organisation, here I am elaborating leadership and management of Martin McColl, this organisation having approximately 1,000 outlets and 50,000 employees across United Kingdom, the main focus of the company is on Books, Cards, Magazines, Confectionary, Toys and Drinks etc. Link between strategic management and leadership: Orders which are passed down from leader and the managers role is to pass orders down the chain of command A leader is described as someone who has the capacity to create a vision, and to translate it into action and sustain it (Bennis, 1989), this statement can also be justified as there are differences between management and leadership, although functionally they can be combined in the same individual (John Kotter, 1990). Leadership without Easy Answers by Ronald A. Heifetz, According to In business, we see an evolution of the concept of leadership. For decades, the term leadership referred to the people who hold top management positions and the functions they serve. In our common usage, it still does. Recently, however, business people have made a difference between leadership and management, and applying leadership has also approached to require delivering a vision and affecting others to understand it through non-coercive means. Roosevelt says about link between leaders and managers that People ask the difference between a leader and a boss, the leader works in the open, and the boss in secret. The leader leads and the boss drive. This report review explains the relationship between leaders and managers that they perform on their capacity within the company, they effort together to complete the targets of company. Leaders consider about targets and are effective instead of responsive in molding concepts. Managers perform to control choices. Leaders progress fresh methods to long-standing difficulties and open concerns to new possibilities. A manager is a trouble solver- what troubles have to be resolved and what are the finest means to complete outcomes? Link between leaders and management has robust domination in organization. Managers Leadership Managers administer. Leaders innovate. Pursue the established course. Create the course that managers Pursue. Safeguard that people complete objects. Safeguard that people want to complete objects. Safeguard that people complete objects. Safeguard that people complete the right objects. Safeguard that people complete objects better. Safeguard that people complete better objects. Source: international business-society management by Tulder, Zwart. Example in Mc Coll: As I defined the report review over, I am assessing these reports with the assistance of Martin McColl example. Martin McColl under the Steve Leadership management is extremely victorious. There is a solid link between leader and management. Leader and managers retains link over video meetings, mails and telephone. Meetings for internal dialogues are maintained to a set of procedures calculated to maximize production, and reduce expense, to complete a result. Centre is on external factors, especially the customer and the impact of the company. Importance in Martin is known always to action that boosts the consumer experience, increases competency or enhances income and profitability. There is a huge understating of mutual regard developed between the leadership group and the teams. People are suitably interested, and satisfied for their functioning which is based upon their rewarded modality. It is valuable to remember here, that not everyone is encouraged by a regulatory reward, or a paradigm trophy. A Great Leader recognizes this, and exercises to their improvement. On 28 Nov 2010 major snow fall hits Scotland. There were difficulties with many ways. Managers must come on time thats managers responsibility. On the day of snow martin McColl managers arrived on time in all branches while journey was very problematic due to the heavy snow but all managers came on time and have done their work because it was not easy for anyone to come out house. So that was a great success under the best leadership. Managers are also leaders. Link between leaders and management has strong impact in decision making in organization and this impact effect in every place and every area in McColl such as finance, marketing, policies. impact of management and leadership style on Strategic Decision: Decisions are at the heart of leader success, and at times there are critical moments when they can be difficult Organizations all over the world are entirely involved with knowing, finding and rising leadership. Irrespective of the kind of organization, leadership is perceived to perform a dynamic role in forming high performing teams. Leaders are handling greater confronts than ever earlier due to the amplified environmental trouble and the varying nature of the organization. The existing era not only needs having a reasonable edge and constant profitability then again also the safeguarding of ethical values, submitting with civic responsibilities and forming a safe and fair job environment. Leadership is one of the serious elements in improving organizational functioning. Being accountable for the growth and implementation of tactical organizational decisions, leaders must obtain, develop and utilize organizational capitals optimally in manner to carry out the best goods and facilities in the best value of participants. In short, valuable leadership is the major cause of reasonable benefit f or every type of establishment (Zhu et al., 2005; Avolio, 1999; Lado et al., 1992; Rowe, 2001) Decentralised structure: In Martin McColl autocratic leadership style portrays that manager keeps as much command and decision making authority as possible. These leadership kinds develop several sources of power and impact variously on the levels and extent to which staff consider them as making a impact to organizational decision making. Both the excellence and extent of staff contribution in decision-making cultivates to wane. Each store of McColl has a store manager who can make accurate decisions regarding their store. The store manager is accountable to a regional manager high-ranking managers have time to focus on the most essential decisions. Collaboration with group members: Martin McColl leader takes decisions in association with team partners, often using majority rules or similar social decision schemes, whereas a counselling leader takes decisions, after discussion with team fellows about their ideas. Empowerment: McColl managers manage to be more concentrated on output targets and attainment of goals. Their influence is based on their capability to complete targets, often as a outcome of quick decisions. Decision taking is a process of empowerment. In McColl stores, encouragement is increase motivation and therefore means that staff output increases. Knowledge skills: People lower down the chain have a greater understanding of the environment they work in and the people (customers and colleagues) that they interact with. This knowledge skills and experience may enable them to make more effective decisions than senior managers. Faster Changes: Participative styles in McColl enabling departments and their employees to respond faster to changes and new challenges. Whereas it may take senior managers longer to appreciate that business needs have changed. 1.2 Example in Martin McColl: Martin McColl is UK based corporate company. Martin McColl has a democratic leadership where subordinates involve in decision-making. Company has a board of directors and Steve is a head of directors. It is seen that Martin has authoritarian systems in which their people work as directed. Merger and acquisition continued in martin McColl. In 1998 Forbuoys acquired Martin Retail Group which was before RS McColl. In 1999 company launch new convenience concept McColls. In 2004 the company acquired Dillon stores. In 2005 company changed its name to Martin McColl Retail Group and now martin is the UKs leading neighbour retailing group. These changes allow leaders and managers to makes good decisions which give the strength to business. These changes brought many changes such as economic condition been changed, development changed, competition increased this changes brought new markets like stationery stores, specialist card shops. Furthermore supermarkets like Tesco and Sainsburys were selling everything that Martin did. So there was a big competition. Knowledge sharing and strong communication always been there so the strategy of Martin was focus on its core activities and increase, improving buying power sell higher margin items and makes their with sales of newer lines. Company have a wide variety of roles at two head offices in Scotland and Brentwood. Here company centralise core business divisions including Central Retail Operations, Trading, Marketing, Finance, Supply Chain, Business System etc. In all these above cases, management and leaders realized that changes were occurred and react actively. And in all these cases, they responded only when the competition forced them to do so. Conclusion: In taking decision, reflect the right between leadership type and the features of organization. Similar more significant, retain that things change. Look for adjustment. The well and good leaders are who have educated how to move from one leadership type to another as situations needs. If one candidate expresses evidence of being able to shift easily among several of these type, that might tip the balance. 1.3: Leadership style adaptation to different situation: Leadership style is the typical approach of a particular person used to lead people. Management theorists try to discover one best leadership style for all situations. Researchers say that there are internal and external environments that have significant impact on leader effectiveness. For example in restrained outer opportunities leaders are obliged by competition, legislation, technology, changing markets and restrained resources when taking planned decisions. Fiedler (1967), who led broad research on the situational aspects of leadership efficiency, recognized factors that define what style of leader-implemented best. He assessed connections between test scores of leaders and their function associated to situational issues. The relations-motivated leader performs best where the leader situation is not sound. Task-motivated leaders perform best when the leader-member relation is good and the leader power position is sound. The latter category represents irrelevant member relation and a weak leader who is trying to deal with an inadequate condition. Because that co ndition is critical, Fiedlers model would require a task-oriented leader to retain the situation from falling apart. An obvious substitute would be to replace the leader. To deal with the issue of identical style to the situation, Vroom and Yetton (1973) developed an attitude that deals with leader-subordinate communication. He identified that an applicable style depended on conditional variables involving the leaders capability, the job structure, and the employees enthusiasm to take a solution. They achieved that the main factors in contribution of leader power are the expansion of technical effectiveness and subordinate inspiration or recognition. If technical effectiveness is not critical and inspiration and recognition are not essential, the decisions are taken by the leader solely. On the an other hand, if the technical difficulties are significant but inspiration is low, the leader tries to get more information. When scientific effectiveness is irrelevant but inspiration and recognition are important, delegation gets a valuable method. Lastly, if the difficulty is extraordinary on the practical level and there is a demand for recognition, then the decision is distributed with the team. The conditional factors of leadership reveal there is frequently, but not essentially optimally, a stability in the performance of a leader when he or she presents in various situations. As the organization flourishes, team building and the exchange of views become more significant. Involvement tactics are used more often. Now the organizational divisions are produced and the major question is how the job should be divided. This needs discussion. Once the organization is into manufacture, duties are more regular, but time is critical. This asks for more focus. Throughout, indirection, utilization, redirection, and repudiation can be used. The tactics and when to exercise them are summarized in Table 2. According to Daniel Goleman six styles of leading have different effects on the emotions of the target followers and each style appropriately as the circumstances. Which are: Visionary leader, Coaching leader, Democratic leader, Affiliative leader, Pace-setting leader, Commanding leader. As Goleman provides a good framework of leadership styles so I can say that its certainly true that no leader always leads in a particular kind but adapts to situations. Few styles are there counting Goleman styles, these styles are generally the most effective. Attached table 1. There are five basis of power Coercive power, Reward power, Expert power, legitimate power, and Referent power. These five bases of power presented by French and Raven in 1959. Among the five bases of power there are three bases in which the Steve leadership is founded. These are legitimate power, expert power and referent power. Through his position he is able to lead the companys people. His practice in the company makes him very knowledgeable of the company and its customers. He encourages people and constantly empowers them. He is also charismatic. Example of Martin McColl: Employee Relationship: As a participating leadership in the past few years Martin performance and profitability have been transformed by employee engagement; which show a clear improving engagement and improving performance of employee. Martin engaged employees indicate they have a good understanding of how to meet customer needs. Individual employees in companies with strong engagement strategies described to us how their working lives have been transformed for the better. Customer focused strategy: Martin leaders have vision thats why they set objectives of company and have customer retention strategy for this they having promotional sale and delivering newspaper. Martin McColl customers are familiar with what newspapers and magazines in their local store and know the prices they normally paid. As a result, Martin delivering ordered newspapers at their home. Early experiments in began and, by the end of 2008, Martin was making 200 deliveries a week in an area a very small beginning. Ethical behaviour: McColl leadership thinking ethically and behaving ethically in UK thats why they are taking responsible decisions. They reduced to use of plastic bags. Martin business social liability is anxious with the methods in which an organization surpasses the minimum responsibilities to shareholders stated through regulation and commercial governance. Martin discussing better promotional prices from sellers that small individual chains are incompetent to fit. The goods and service improvement methods of the martin have been significantly re-engineered, to help better management of product developments and more progressive delivery of wide varieties of products to customers. Product interest has determined on enhancing main ranges and presenting quality products. Martins innovative modes of proceeding the customer shopping practice, as well as its strengths to branch out into finance and insurance have also capitalized on strong brand reputation Financial Environment: Under enormous leadership a robust financial functioning has been revealed by the business over the years, which emphasizes its tactical competences. According to Data observer (2010), Martin is a  £ 30billion revenue company verifying an growth of 14.9% when related to 2008. The primary policy that has been implemented by the business is the goods and services customization in contact with the market needs. The competency in functioning of the business over the last era can be abridged with the assistance of progress in subsequent vital indicators (Fame, 2010) Diversity: In the past, Martin approach to emerging markets has tended to be almost exclusively from their own perspective, seeing them simply as markets, with little real empathy for the new customers needs and desires. One of the big problems is that the vast majority of senior managers in corporations come from the home county but Martin Company and their leaders always ready to cope with such diversity at top executive level. Environmental factors: In environmentally as Martin proposed into further and further partnerships or joint ventures several of which are founded with companies from another cultures. So leaders who are capable to build and maintain such relationships provide their business a useful collaborative advantage. In my opinion, this association consider to business exemplifies a big challenge to Martin. By primary executives Martin verifying good personal relationships in which believe and reciprocal understanding can develop. Corporate culture Formative Vision Firm ways of preparing things Values system LEADERSHIP STYLES Different Situations Employees relationship Customer focused Production Financial Environment Diversity Environmental factors A good consideration of position teaches leaders to change their type, like a driver changes gear in a car. Martins achievement had come, even though many siren voices, from persevering with its original model, and Bradley, the companys chief operating of ¬Ã‚ cer, puts that down to the personal backing of Windsor, Martins low-key chief executive. One solidly based on experience, trust, and judgment. Conclusion Vigorous changing situations require distinct leader performances. These performances may take the kind of patterns of behaviours termed leadership style, or leadership strategies. Selecting leaders with different leadership styles is incompetent. It is far more useful to select flexible leaders who have the ability of using different strategies under unusual or various conditions. While the leaders may occasionally learn to change their styles to match the circumstances, leadership styles are likely to remain relatively stable overall. Therefore, a certain style affects the leaders/managers managerial decisions over extended periods, with a particular style being more efficient under a specific set of circumstance. Task 2 2 2.1 Review the impact that selected theories of management and leadership have on organizational strategy . 2.2 Create a leadership strategy that supports organizational direction . Example . 2.1 Impact of Theories on organizational strategy: When we think about management and leadership, the image comes in our mind that these are powerful vibrant individual who commands people. Yesterday principles and theories are contemporary and sophisticated. Some overlap and gaps occurs. Current theories fill these gaps and after to study that people are dealing to current situation. There are many theories of management and leadership, these are defined as: Behavioural theory, Contingency theory, Functional theory, Great man theory, Situational theory, Trait theory, Transactional theory, Transformational theory. Major models and approaches are: Adaptive leadership and appreciative leadership Many leaders and managers have his or her own quality. Some common quality are: Autocratic, Bureaucratic, Democratic, and Laissez-faire. There is a difference between theories and leadership models that leadership theory is an explanation of some aspect of leadership, these are used to better understand and control successful leadership and leadership model is an example for use in a given situation. Each one has strengths and weaknesses, and each one has its appropriate uses. Here I am selected two present management and leadership concepts which are Transactional leadership and Transformational Leadership. Transactional and transformational leadership has been of great interest to numerous examiners in the present era. Accepting transformational and transactional leadership manner assists in the success of the organization (Laohavichien et al., 2009). This might be the reason that various writers of the current past believed transactional and transformational leadership as building variables and examined their affiliation with other standard variables. Both transformational leadership and transactional leadership assist in calculating subordinates fulfilment with their leaders (Bennett, 2009) Transformational Leadership: Transformational leadership theory has captured the interest of many researchers in the field of organizational leadership over the past three decades. This theory was developed by Burns (1978) and later enhanced by Bass (1985, 1998) and others (Avolio Bass, 1988; Bass Avolio, 1994; Bennis Nanus, 1985; Tichy Devanna, 1986). The major premise of the transformational leadership theory is the leaders ability to motivate the follower to accomplish more than what the follower planned to accomplish (Krishnan, 2005). Transformational leadership has four components: idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration (Bass, 1985). Research has also shown that transformational leadership impacts employee commitment to organizational change (Yu, Leithwood, Jantzi, 2002) and organizational conditions (Lam, Wei, Pan, Chan, 2002). Due to its impact on organizational outcomes, transformational leadership is needed in all organizations (Tu cker Russell, 2004). Transformational leadership identifying and developing core values and unifying purpose, developing leadership and effective followership, utilizing interaction-focused organizational design, and building interconnectedness (Hickman, 1997, p. 2). Transformational leaders work to carry out around human and financial transformation. Within the organization they generate visions, missions, goals, and a culture that contributes to the ability of individuals, groups, and the organization to practice its values and serve its purpose (Hickman, 1997, p. 9). These leaders are reliable leaders who generate commitment from followers which results in a sense of shared purpose (Waddock Post, 1991). The leaders ability to inspire, motivate, and foster commitment to a shared purpose is crucial (Bass, Waldman et al., 1987). According to Bass and Avolio, transformational leaders display behaviours associated with five transformational styles wich are attached in table 4. Organizational culture: According to Schein (1985, 1995), the leaders beliefs, values, and assumptions shape the culture of the organization and these beliefs, values, and assumptions are then taught to other members of the organization. Schein also stated that leaders have the power to embed organizational culture through various methods such as mentoring, role modeling, and teaching. Bass and Avolio (1993). Organizational Vision Transformational leadership has four components: idealized influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration (Bass, 1985) which involves motivating people, establishing a foundation for leadership authority and integrity, and inspiring a shared vision of the future (Tracey Hinkin, 1998). Idealized influence and inspirational motivation are connected with the leaders ability to formulate and articulate a shared vision (Dionne, Yammarino, Atwater, Spangler, 2004). Transformational leadership produces a appeal for people to act as a group, in pleasant and non-pressurising culture, yet forever with a hope of excellence. It makes a How To handle trouble solving and advancement of new ideas, it lets for initial cautions of imminent threats and weaknesses in the organization and strongly encourages celebration of potencies and insistent pursuit of properly eligible opportunities. Transformational Leadership is established from the top level in the establishment, and encouraged all the means through the management levels. It is magnetic, passionate and encouraging and appeals the outstanding candidates for available positions. Everybody in the establishment certainly realizes the culture, objectives and anticipations of the organization. Transactional Leadership: Transactional leadership is galloped on leader supporter contacts. Supporters implement according to the will and trend of the leaders and leaders certainly encourage the efforts. The model is reward which can be adverse like penalizing act, if supporters flop to fulfil with or it can be optimistic like admire and credit, if subordinates obey with the intent and path established by a leader and complete the given goals. Four major aspects of transactional leadership as explained by Schermerhorn et al., (2000) are contingent rewards, dynamic management by exception, and passive management by ammunition. Example of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs Leadership Styles: Bill Gates is a businessperson, and chairperson of Microsoft, the software company he established with Paul Allen. Gates is one of the best-recognized entrepreneurs of personal computer revolution. Steve jobs business magnate and creator. He is famous for being the co-founder and chief executive officer of Apple. Both have Transformational leadership style but both transformation styles have several effects on business in same industry. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs Leadership style: Bill Gates direction is participative type because he includes his employees in decision taking. He is an adjustable person and he acknowledged his position was to be creative of the business. Whenever needed he carry out professional manager for handling and best form of the company? Gates is a robust and refreshing person his eagerness, diligent nature, decision making abilities reflect his character. His encouraging power and including his friends to working with him became the success of Microsoft. On the other hand, Steve Jobs leadership is imperial style, because he merges the power, he certainly not given a possibility to employees to involving decision taking. He believes that whatever he do is right. His relation with employees not good, he fails to motivate his personnel in many times. Sometimes he acts as anti-Gates, and sometimes request Microsoft to develop software for his computer. His cocky attitude and lack of management skills became a threat of APPLES success. Impact of Management and leadership theories on organizational strategy. With the accomplishment of windows, Office Function and Internet explorer Microsoft became a household name and Bill gates turned out as business genius. Bill Gates using the modifies very fast his ingenious notice always busy to emerging goods. Currently Microsoft develops a amount of goods as smartphone including installed Microsoft window. On the other hand APPLE goes wrong way in 1990s. Because Steve Jobs is very slow to implementing changes thats the main reason falling the market share. When Jobs realize changes is the only way to survive the market then apple develops innovative iMac which is internet friendly stylist computer. After sometime Apple expands market. With the iPhone, Apple TV, and name charges job co are setting a new course for the outfit once knows only for its computer. 2.2 Leadership strategy that supports organizational direction: Transformational leaders also help in the acceptance of organizational change (Bommer et al., 2004) Transactional leadership style provides high satisfaction and organizational identification. (Wu, 2009; Epitropaki and Martin, 2005). Transformational and transactional leadership strategy support organizational direction in term of efficiency, reliability, innovation and adaptation, turnaround leadership etc. Efficiency: In apple company Transformational leadership extra applicable at generating and distributing information at the unit and unit levels, while transactional leadership is extra applicable at utilizing knowledge at the organizational standard. Reliability: Computers are an significant asset and in todays budget, more than forever, its significant for customers to identify the dependability of the goods they are buying. Apple dependability report, Rescuecom disclosed that Apple counted the maximum t with 700 points, with Panasonic subsequent in on its path with a count of 489. In a downward manner, Lenovo, Toshiba, and HP were registered with counts calculating 393, 299, and 184 points, respectively. Strategic Direction: Steve Jobs as the Apple CEO has turned out quite capable at setting tactical direction beside a upcoming timeline. As the calculus of the current criticism on Microsofts new Windows 7 operating system reveals Steve Jobs is also very expert and capable at holding back to control the exact timing to strike in a market. Steve Jobs as Apples CEO recognizes reasonable burdens and price proposals. Steve Jobs takes it, basic and easy he recognizes that the important role of the CEO is to set tactical direction and long period targets. He appreciates the real reason executive participation generates project success. Market segmentation strategy: Under Steve leadership Apple made Market segmentation strategy that enabling a company to drive complete, unified product solutions that are harmonious with messaging, customer outreach, and channel strategies for selling and supporting customers. In this regard, Apples product strategy is a study in market segmentation. Versus merely trying to stuff a product, burrito-style, with as many different featu

The Rivals as a Parody of 18th Century :: essays research papers

A significant influencing factor on drama of the eighteenth century was the changing nature of the audience. By the middle of the eighteenth century, a straitlaced middle class audience had imparted to drama its vision of morality and disapproval of anything immoral. Comedy had become watered down and sentimentalized. Furthermore, the audience’s rejection of unappealing facts following the ugly reality of the French Revolution and the American War of Independence, made emotionalism and tearfulness the order of the day. Oliver Goldsmith and Richard Brinsley Sheridan were two playwrights who saw that if comedy were allowed free reign along this path of sentimentalism, it would signal the end of mirth. Both appreciated the power of pure comedy and the spirit of joyous laughter and wrote plays with situations that had no call for showing the redeeming features of vice and folly at the end, but just good healthy fun. The Rivals too denounces the hollow morality and hypocrisy associated with the sentimental attitude then prevailing, projecting its writer’s own ideal of a spontaneous and lively light-heartedness. The plot is based on confusion over identities and multiple suitors – a combination that leads to plenty of scope for truly funny situations: Absolute caught in the same room with both Mrs. Malaprop and Lydia present, having to play himself for one and Beverley for the other till the presence of Sir Anthony too prevents him from doing so successfully; Absolute humouring Mrs. Malaprop as himself and poking fun at her as Beverley in his note; Lydia’s acceptance and rejection of the same man according to her romantic whims and fancies; the final duel where one man has to fight two rivals virtually simultaneously. Sheridan’s skill is only underlined by the fact that in an age – and the performance house in which he produced plays – where spectacle, sce nery and lighting had become indispensable to success, he achieved his comedy and triumph without recourse to any of it, merely on the strength of his own writing, wit and dialogue. Sentimentalism is found largely in the characters of Lydia and Faulkland. Sheridan attacks their traits in the overall plot and theme in which he shows how a healthy deep love can be threatened by such fanciful thinking. The only ‘redeeming’ feature – probably in a reversal of the trend of soppy final redemptions - he shows at the end is that both are brought with a rude shock down to earth following the very real possibility of losing the partners they come to know they love deeply.

Beatrice of William Shakespeares Much Ado About Nothing Essay examples

Beatrice of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing One of the most intriguing characters from Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing must be Beatrice. An intelligent, well-spoken (and, perhaps more interesting, outspoken) young woman, she is an almost exact opposite of her cousin, Hero. What makes Beatrice so different than what one expects of a woman during Shakespeare’s time? Why did Shakespeare decide to make her such a strong female character? It begs the question of what women were actually like in the Tudor era, and if she was really so radical a character. Beatrice is very different than the common expectation of women by people looking back on Shakespeare’s period and of the public of Shakespeare’s time in many ways. As previously stated, she is outspoken, intelligent and does not wish to be married. This is strange, considering that around the time that Shakespeare was writing (give or take a few hundred years), women were being restricted in their studies, writing and in society (Wiesner, 3). There are many examples of women being restricted by the law in society, as Merry E. Wiesner stated in her essay: In regard to the basic obligations and duties of citizenship, little distinction was made between men and women; all heads of households were required to pay taxes†¦ and obey all laws. Beyond that, however, there were clear legal restrictions on what the female half of the population could do. Women differed from men in their ability to be witnesses, make wills, act as guardians for their own children†¦ These limitations appear in the earliest extant law codes and were sharpened and broadened as the law codes themselves were expanded. (4) With societal views such as this, it was no doubt odd to see such a... ... even a bit closer to the ideals about women presented at the time. In many ways, Beatrice is ahead of her time as far as how she is presented. In other ways, though, she is no different than real women, and is simply a representation of those real women on the stage (such as Queen Elizabeth I). Though she is almost the exact opposite of her more mainstream idea cousin, Hero, Beatrice is not so taboo or radical when it comes down to a deeper inspection of women, society and her character. Works Cited Marcus, Leah S. â€Å"Shakespeare’s Comic Heroines, Elizabeth I, and the Political Uses of Androgyny.† Women in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. pp 135-153 Shakespeare, William. Much Ado About Nothing. Sim, Alison. The Tudor Housewife. pp 3, 126. Wiesner, Merry E. â€Å"Women’s Defense of Their Public Role.† Women in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. pp 1-27.

Life in Dublin :: Essays Papers

Life in Dublin In his book Dubliners, James Joyce looks deep inside the lives of those who live in Dublin. Many of the characters are bored with how they live their lives. They want desperately to get out of Dublin. They wish to lead exciting lives somewhere else, whether it is in a fantasy or in a different part of Ireland. In this book, they will try to escape their everyday lives by traveling outside of their normal everyday activities. Individuals in society are often portrayed as trying to escape Dublin. In the story â€Å"Eveline,† a young woman is trying to escape her household through a journey with a young man named Frank. Her escape is shown through individual and society. This journey takes her away from the miserable life she is living. â€Å"Now she is going to go away like the others, to leave her home† (29). Eveline wants to explore a new and more exciting life with Frank. The two of them are escaping from Dublin by a night-boat to Buenos Ayres. Eveline wishes that Frank can save her from all that surrounds her in the life she leads. Throughout this story, Eveline has encounters with a violent father that she wishes to escape. Leaving with Frank is the solution to her problem. Before her mother dies, Eveline promised that she will keep the home together as long as she could. Eveline’s father tells her that she squanders the money and that he isn’t going to give her the money because he works hard for the money and it shouldn’t be thrown around on the streets. â€Å"†¦she sometimes felt herself in danger of her father’s abuse† (30). Through her escape with Frank she can escape her father’s demeaning remarks and his constant verbal and physical abuse. Eveline is going tired of doing all the cooking and the cleaning. Frank is going to take her away from what he is doing to the family. With her mind set on escaping from Dublin, Eveline realizes that she will have an effect on society, her family, and herself.

Pride and Prejudice Essay

The concept of love is developed and endured throughout an healthy relationship in Jane Austen’s novel, Pride and Prejudice. She successfully incorporates different examples of marriage in nineteenth century and distinguishes the perfect marriage from the hopeless marriage. The definition of authentic love is caring for someone unconditionally. It means putting someone before yourself and not asking for anything in return. There are a variety of different examples of marriage in the novel, but Elizabeth, Jane, and Lydia’s marriages are the best examples of a perfect marriage, easily-influenced marriage ,and a hopeless marriage. It is emphasized that Elizabeth and Darcy will have the happiest marriage within the novel because of their commited relationship with each other. The perfect marriage between a man and a woman in the nineteenth century would probably be centered around Elizabeth and Darcy’s marriage. Elizabeth’s character was always honest to herself and especially to others. Her defiant attitude made her stand out from the rest of the women according to Darcy. Although Elizabeth did not love Darcy at first, her loved developed through the ups and downs of their relationship. Once Darcy figured out that he could not win the heart of Elizabeth by lying and being prideful, he started to change for the better good of their relationship. Elizabeth fell head over heels for Darcy and accepted his proposal, â€Å"The happiness which this reply produced, was such as he had probably never felt before; and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do† (Austen 200). Once she realized that he had a change of heart and his affectionate love for her was unconditional, Elizabeth knew that her marriage with Darcy would be one to last for a life time in complete and utter happiness. Love at first sight is not authentic in some cases. It takes time to love one another to recognize each others flaws and weaknesses. The ability to overcome our flaws and problems with our significant other helps us to develop authentic love with our partner. Jane and Bingley’s relationship was not produced over time, yet they knew that they were soul mates after two dances at the ball. The reason why Bingley came into town was to find a wife; â€Å"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife† (Austen 1). Their marriage and relationship will probably be amusing and entertaining in the beginning, but their marriage will sooner or later fall apart. Since they barely knew each others faults and weaknesses before they entered into marriage, their relationship might crumble because of the lack of stability each other has in their relationship. Jane and Bingley’s character are both described as innocent people in society. For example, Elizabeth describes Jane’s character as, â€Å"Affectation of candour is common enough— one meets with it everywhere. But to be candid without ostentation or design— to take the good of everybody’s character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad— belongs to you alone† (Austen 29). Rather than making their own decisions, they usually obey the commands of others and depend on other people’s judgments. The main reason why many people elope rather than marry into a relationship is due to the fact that they want to make their relationship official as soon as possible. A rushed marriage will only cause more problems because it is partially due to get it over with, or to hide their relationship from the people that they love. Lydia and Wickham’s marriage was an elopement rather than a real marriage. Both characters acted upon their foolishness instead of their heart and mind. Lydia’s character was described as, â€Å"Her character will be fixed, and she will, at sixteen, be the most determined flirt that ever made herself and her family ridiculous. A flirt, too, in the worst and meanest degree of flirtation; without any attraction beyond youth and a tolerable person; and from the ignorance and emptiness of her mind, wholly unable to ward off any portion of that universal contempt which her rage for admiration will excite. In this danger Kitty is also comprehended. She will follow wherever Lydia leads. Vain, ignorant, idle, and absolutely uncontrolled! (Austen 156). Infatuation also played a huge part within Lydia’s relationship towards Wickham. He knew that he could easily sweep Lydia off her feet because she was the youngest and most immature one in the Bennet family. Wickham was self-indulgent in his plan to fancy Lydia. All Wickham ever wanted was money and pleasure, he did no care for Lydia as much due to his self-contempt. Since Wickham was in finnancial trouble with creditors, he made the foolish mistake of eloping with Lydia to get out of town. His decision proved that he did not care about Lydia’s reputation, but only himself’s. Although love may develop in a variety of ways, there should still be the distinction between infatuation and authentic love. Infatuation does not last as long as authentic love does, rather it sets a person up for heart breaks and instability. The elopement of Lydia and Wickham are the perfect example of infatuation because Lydia only loved Wickham for his devious ways of fancing her and Wickham only loved Lydia for her money and her being as an excuse to get out of town. Jane and Bingley’s marriage defined love, but not authentic love. They knew each other’s strengths and priorities, but they did not know each other’s flaws and weaknesses. Both Jane and Lydia’s marriage are the ones to be slightly less felicitous compared to Elizabeth’s marriage because they did not with hold the unconditional love that Darcy and Elizabeth had for each other. In order to have a healthy long-living marriage, both persons within the relationship need to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, and are willing to help one overcome their flaws. The love they should have for each other should be based upon the love that Darcy has for Elizabeth. He put Elizabeth before himself and his problems in order to prove his devotion towards her. Austen made Elizabeth and Darcy’s relationship the ideal marriage in order to show society how a man and woman should love each other.