Importance of Internal and External Factors to Economic Development Essay

Importance of Internal and External Factors to Economic Development - Essay Example However, the biggest question in the minds of everyone is what has causes varying rates of economic development in a country. What are the reasons that have seen countries such as Japan and China emerge to become among the greatest economies in the world with a record time? Additionally, one would always want to understand whether the involvement of the government in the economic process causes accelerated economic growth or should the government give the private sector autonomy in determining how they conduct their activities. Additionally, countries do not live in vacuum but have to trade with their neighbors and their security may be threatened by the activities of others and therefore they have to keep into consideration the external factors in economic development. From the foregoing introduction, it is clear that one cannot argue entirely that the level of economic development in a country is attributable to only internal or external factors. Although interplay of both internal and external factors determines the path of economic development of a country, internal factors are the greatest determinants economic development of a country. The major internal factors that determine the pace of economic development in a country is the type of governance adopted. ... It is undisputable that the leadership of a country determines the level of economic growth that a country is able to achieve. In a country, governments hold much power and are expected to offer leadership in terms of economic and social developments that take place. Consequently, when a government fails to carry out an analysis of the impacts of its policies, this may spell out the starting point of its failure. The argument that governance really plays a role in determining the pace of economic development in a country is collaborated by Gerschenkron. When assessing economic backwardness in different countries, Gerschenkron argued that there is a strong correlation between economic underdevelopment and centralized bureaucracy in a country. The type of governance adopted determines the way in which the required capital for industrialization is mobilized and allocated. In a country where the government encourages private to public sector investment, the rate of economic development i s expected to become accelerated due to efficiency in resource allocation and monitoring thereby reducing wastage. In such an economy, the government concentrates in development of the right infrastructure required for development while the private sector provides and invests capital required for industrialization. Countries that promote public-private sector partnership in economy leads to development of free markets that have high productivity and efficiency. In countries where free trade thrives, high productivity is achieved since the owners of such resources closely monitor and control the production process unlike in countries where the government controls production. Government control in the production process leads to

Strategic Marketing Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Strategic Marketing Management - Case Study Example HP should consider the use of sales team strategy for the individual customers where personal selling can be implemented. Basically, personal selling is face to face presentation of a product or idea to a potential customer by a representative of the organization (Lancaster & Reynolds, 1999). Through this strategy, the sales people try to influence the prospective customers to buy the products offered by the company. The important point to note is that personal selling means that there is a personal interaction between the sales representative and the buyer in contrast to the other forms of marketing communication where the audience can be very large such that personal contact is not possible. The objective of personal selling is to educate the customers, provide product usage assistance as well as after sales service and support (Strydom, 2004).There are various advantages of using the sales team strategy by HP since this immensely contributes to the high level of customer attention given that it involves face to face communication. It is possible to customize the message to the customer and the sales team will be better positioned to persuade the potential buyers to buy the products offered by the organization. Feedback can be provided immediately and this enhances customer satisfaction since the customers can get the much-needed assistance from the sales team. The other advantage of the sales team strategy is that it can assist in developing a long term relationship with the customer. Essentially, the purpose of business is to make profits and this can be attainable if the organisation has a solid base of loyal customers who can also influence the other potential customers to buy the products offered by the organisation. 3. Country versus global coverage of accounts should not short change the customers since they can seek an alternative to but the same products from the other competitors. For instance, the global prices of the same products offered by the o rganisation should be uniform as there will be likely chances of distrust

The Logistics Performance Indicators And Importance Commerce Essay

The Logistics Performance Indicators And Importance Commerce Essay Logistics encompasses a complex set of activities which require a collection of metrics to adequately measure performance. Chow et al. (1994) were probably the first to attempt to define supply chain (logistics) performance and they presented some measures for measuring logistics performance. Since then, most of the literature on logistics performance appears to focus on models and frameworks (Clarke and Gourdin, 1991; Mentzer and Konrad, 1991; Rao and Grenoble, 1991; Hubbard, 1992) and on managing different aspects of logistics (Larson, 1994). Sink and his colleagues have defined seven dimensions in order to capture their conception of what performance means: they are effectiveness, efficiency, quality, productivity, quality of work life, innovation and profitability/budgetability [International Journal of Logistics Management]. Given the lack of any universally definition for performance in the organizational literature, it should not be surprising that extant literature offers many ideas about the dimension that ought to be incorporated into a conceptualization of logistics performance. One of the best examples is the framework presented by Rhea and Shrock, where physical distribution effectiveness is defined as the extent to which distribution programmes satisfy customers [International Journal of Logistics Management, 5, p. 3] While measuring logistics performance, a comprehensive strategy of measurement is necessary for the successful planning, realization and control of the different activities which comprise the business logistics function ( Andersson et al. (1989). As Thor (1994, pp. 13-28) correctly advocates, there should be a whole family of measures. This is a balanced collection of four to six performance measures, usually including productivity, quality and customer satisfaction, which together furnish an all-inclusive view of results but, individually, also provide a diagnostic value. Developing such an approach, Mentzer and Firman (1994) claim that the management and control of logistics performance entails four broad aspects: Information systems to collect and report performance measures Efficient performance measures Variance analysis Corrective action Productivity within the performance scenario can be seen as a measurement of resource utilization, including the time element. The productivity philosophy and its improvement has been a high priority, in the first instance, in manufacturing, then in marketing, and later in physical distribution and materials management. Thus, the time is now ripe to focus on the whole logistics process. It is the shape of the organizations physical manifestations which is largely influenced by the nature of the values, beliefs and underlying assumptions of logistics management (Ericsson (1990, pp. 42-49). Quantitative metrics of supply chain performance can be classified into two broad categories: Non-financial and financial. In fact, in the late 1880s financial measures were mainly focused such as return on investment (Christopher, 1992; Schermerhorn et al.,, 2000). However as the second progressed during 1980s, the world market changed and companies began to lose market share to overseas competitors who were able to provide higher-quality products with lower costs and more diversity. To re- capture the competitive edge, companies not only directed their strategic focus from low-cost production to quality, flexibility and short lead time, as non-financial measures. (Bower Hout, 1988; Rushton Oxley, 1989; Stewart, 1995) Logistics performance measures can be categorized into two categories such as qualitative and quantitative measures. Qualitative measures include such as customer satisfaction and product quality etc., and quantitative measures include such as order-to-delivery lead time, supply chain response time, flexibility, resource utilization, delivery performance, etc. It has been suggested that the critical elements that form the basis of logistics management are time, distance and money. Some utilization, productivity and effectiveness metrics used in the logistics management are: Dimension Metric Example Utilization Actual input/norm input Area of warehouse occupied/ total area Productivity Actual output/actual input Ton-miles delivered/cost incurred No of orders processed/ no of hours of labor Effectiveness Actual output/norm output No of shipment on-time/no of shipment sent Utilization measures: They are used to track the use of input resources in process. In logistics, input could be characterized as financial, physical assets or inventory. Utilization metrics include the following: Spending measures Purchase price variance Distribution cost as percentage of sales Variance of transportation cost from budget Non financial resources measures Usage ratios Amortized costs Inventory measures Static metrics (capture level of inventory expressed in physical, financial or other terms) Flow metrics (capture speed of inventory as it flows through the system over a period of time) productivity measures Partial productivity measures (SFP-single factor productivity ratios ) Total factor productivity measurement Financial productivity measurement (ROI-return on investment )( (Frameworx, 2005) Effectiveness metrics Order fill rates( order filled /orders requested Line item fill rates( total line items not filled / shipped in time per period Damage rates (line items damaged per order) Order cycle time (elapsed time between receiving request and delivering order) Delivery or transit time (elapsed time between readying order for shipment and delivery order)( DfT, 2004) On-time ( orders shipped on time or orders received by customer on time ) Perfect deliveries (orders received by customers with no logistics service fullness) Importance of performance metrics: Implementing performance measures is a key to optimizing the supply chain. That reflects the entire process, rather than the individual components that make up the process. Managers can obtain a better picture of the process by focusing on the entire supply chain, rather than its individual parts. This is vital to emphasize the vital importance of the logistics process to the rest of the company and how logistics can affect the financial stability of the organization as a whole. (Rick J Blasgen, 2007) The effectiveness of supply chain of a company heavily affects its profitability and survival. Surprisingly few companies appear to have effective measures of each business process within the supply chain or information systems which readily produce the data necessary to drive improvement forward. Within the supply chain, logistics are considered to be the link between production/purchasing and marketing. Controlling logistics performance is a major concern for management. This is mainly because of the constantly changing environment and unforeseen events which may affect forecast performance levels. (Anonymous 1997) Three major reasons for measuring logistics performance: Reduce their operating costs Drive their revenue growth Enhance their shareholder value Example: By using the latest logistics performance indicators Dell has successfully become the dominant market player in the personal computer industry. It derives its growth because of mass customization, efficient supply chain management and reduced delivery time. In the era of global supply chains and mass customization, Dell has maintained close linkage of logistics. Dells performance measurement, manufacturing, logistics and shipping and strategies make it possible to customize computers for individual consumers at a low cost. It has successfully implemented low cost strategy through its efficient manufacturing operations, better supply chain management, reduced cycle time and direct sales model. orders are directly taken from its customers; either on phone or online. Thus, this reduces the cost of intermediaries that would otherwise add up to the total cost of PC for the customer. Dell also saves time on processing orders that other companies normally incur in their sales and distribution system by having latest performance measurement tools. Moreover, dell is able to get a clearer indication of market trends by directly dealing with customers. A two-to-three point cost advantage is also obtained by delaying assembly until a customers order is received (King, 2005). Three or four days finished inventory is kept on hand versus 30 to 45 days worth at some competitors. Parts inventory is replenished as often as every 90 minutes. an additional four or five points cost edge is brought by supply chain efficiencies derived from lean inventory management.(William Hoffman, 2005) Conclusion In todays severe competitive market place, product or service differentiation separates the winners from the losers. Mostly, the service differentiation is achieved by managing the logistics process efficiently and effectively. To achieve excellence in logistics, successful firms have to ensure that the firms business strategy is aligned with the key logistics processes and they are measured against predetermined performance objective The approach that a firm takes in establishing logistics measurements system does not matters a lot as the real value come when the information is acted upon to align the effectiveness and efficiency of the logistics process performance to value the customers. The role 3PL can have in your success is dependent on when you start measuring your logistics performance (james S. Keebler and David A. Durtsche 2007).

Contrasting Relationships of Three Couples in Shakespeares As You Like It. :: essays research papers

Love is the central theme in the play ‘As You Like It’ by William Shakespeare, the author expressed many types of love in the play. Some of them are, brotherly love, lust for love, loyal, friendship love, unrequited love, but of course, romantic love is the focus of this play. There are four main couples in the play, but only three couples we could see the development of their love, they are Rosalind and Orlando, Silvius and Phebe, Touchstone and Audrey. Today, I am going to talk about the contrast of love between these three couples. First, I would like to talk about the love between Rosalind and Orlando. From the beginning of the play, the reader can clearly sense them are the hero and the heroine of the story. Rosalind is beautiful, and Orlando is handsome, the way they fell in love at first sight is traditional, Orlando’s good nature and bravery won her heart in Act 1, Scene 2. However, if it was just like that, it would be a bit boring, therefore, a new dimension was added to this love when Rosalind was banished by Duke Frederick in A1 S3, and decided to disguise as a male- Ganymede and escape to the Forest of Arden. Their love was tested by the new gender of Rosalind. Before the lovers met again in the forest, Rosalind found poems verses on a tree in A3 S2. All the pictures fairest lin’d, Are but black to Rosalind Let no face be kept in mind, But the fair of Rosalind As the audience will see, the verses are really bad. Orlando probably has seen this kind of courting in the city but does not know how to write quality verses. Nevertheless, Rosalind was extremely excited when Celia told her it was Orlando who wrote it. Shakespeare used the language technique of repetition to present the excitement †¦ Did he aske for me? How parted he wit thee, and when shalt thou see him again? Answer me in one word. Even for the briefest moment, Rosalind regretted to dress up like a man. But luckily, using her quick-wit, in Act 3 Scene 3, she cunningly persuaded Orlando into love-counselling by letting him pretend to woo her. She states that love is merely madness and deserves to be whipped. Then she intelligently said about the marks of a love which Orlando did not have.

Laptop and Samsung

A. Executive Summary This paper is focused on Samsung Electronics Co. , and it has four major product lines. Digital Media line produces digital electronics for both personal and business uses. Telecommunication line produces variety of mobile phones and supply to carriers; LCD line produces flat screen monitors used on TVs, cellphones and computers. Last, semiconductors product line produces memory chips used on computers and cell phones. For each product lines, we will be talking about their history, records of success, risks and opportunities, and recommendations.Lastly, we will give recommendations regarding how the company should develop itself to be more attractive to investors. B. Introduction Samsung was founded in 1938 and are located in Seoul, South Korea. The founder’s name is Byun-Chull Lee. â€Å"Samsung† means â€Å"three stars† in Korean. It started as a trading export company. In 1969, they became Samsung Electronics Co. And now it has become one of the largest technology companies known worldwide (Samsung Electronics, 2011). It is most known for its flagship products; the Galaxy smartphone and its LCD screens.Samsung became a publicly traded company in 2000. It has four major lines of business, Digital Media, Telecommunications, LCD, and Semiconductors. C. Four Lines of Business 1. Digital Media Digital media is the line of business that consists of all of Samsung’s digital consumer products, both home and personal use. These products include; personal computers, MP3 players, cameras, televisions, and home appliances. Samsung puts forward innovative designs, select world-leading products, and power efficient products. Digital media consisted of 37% of all sales in 2010 (Sustainability Report, 2012).Samsung Distribution ChannelAs you can see from the graph below is was the majority of Samsung’s sales. In the 1970’s, Samsung came out with its first black and white televisions, washing machines, refrigerat ors, and by the end of the decade color televisions. In the 1980’s, Samsung was marketing air conditioners, personal computers, and the world’s smallest video tape recorder. Since the 1990’s, Samsung’s innovation boomed. They came out with the world’s first digital television, the world’s first Blu-ray disc player, the world’s first HD camcorder, and the world’s thinnest television (About Samsung, 2012).Samsung also led the home entertainment business into the 3D market. Digital media’s record of success is definitely significant. Its sales numbers have increased by about 4 billion USD. Unfortunately, the profits are very low compared to its sales. This is due to Samsung’s high investment in research and development. You can see the difference between sales and profits in the graph shown below. The biggest risk for the digital media line of business is whether the large investments in research and development will pay off against its competing products.Many electronic companies invest heavily in creating better products and imbedding innovative technology in them, so the competition is very high for this line of business. The only way for a company to be successful is getting its products in the most consumers’ hands. So that is why Samsung invests about 6. 2% of total sales into research and development (Sustainability Report, 2012). This enables Samsung to ensure that its products are of the best quality, have the most innovative technology, provide convenient and advanced features, and have a stylish design.Research and development will always be one of the biggest investments of a successful technology company. Samsung should continue its high investments to secure its place as the leader in technology and innovation in this industry. Since Samsung is a global leader in technology, it should use this advantage to lead the rest to the next level of innovation. Samsung has already l ead others in the 3D home entertainment business now it has the opportunity to go further and create more advanced products that will lead its consumers to a more advanced and convenient lifestyle. 2. TelecommunicationsSamsung Telecommunications is one important line of Samsung Electronics. It is known as Samsung mobile and wireless, which provides a variety of personal and business communications productions, such as mobile phones, tablets, and wireless infrastructure equipments (Samsung, 2011). In 1988, Samsung Electronics merged with telecommunication, which then became a product line of Samsung Electronics (Company history, 2012. ). In 1986, Samsung released its first built-in car phone, but it failed due to the poor products’ qualities. But, the company did not give up on telecommunication product line.In 1992, Samsung developed its own mobile phone systems. In 1997, they developed world’s smallest CDMA mobile phone (Company history, 2012). Samsung became the lead er in the personal communications service market. Samsung Electronics has been successful since the company expended business into global market. Samsung took first step and exported its personal phones to Sprint, an American CDMA carrier, and then Samsung extended into GSM market. The company’s phones are compatible with the networks of leading wireless service providers, including AT&T, Sprint Nextel, T-Mobile USA, and Verizon Communications.It has powered Samsung’s growth in the telecommunications industry. The bestselling Galaxy S smartphones was launched in 2011. It has been sold more than 20 million units around the world. In 2012, Samsung Electronics was ranked the 17th of global 500 companies by the Financial Times (Samsung annual report, 2012). By end of second quarter 2012, Samsung Electronics accounted for 330 million or 21. 2% of worldwide demand of mobile phones (Samsung annual report, 2011). (See Fig. 1. ) Fig. 1. Samsung Smartphone Market shares in 2011: 19. 9% (Samsung) The major risk was patent lawsuits.Samsung Electronics has involved with lawsuits in more than 10 countries between Samsung and Apple (Wingfield, 2012). Opportunity for Samsung is that partnership with more carriers, which would help Samsung Telecommunication to expand their business and market share. The recommendations for Samsung telecommunication is that focus on unique technology design. I think that will not only help Samsung avoid lawsuits, but also increase the market share and customer royalty. 3. Samsung’s LCD Display A liquid crystal display (LCD) is a flat screen monitor that is made of a thin liquid crystal layer in the middle.LCDs are used in many different applications such as, televisions, mobile phones, laptops and computers. LCD screen has been one of the best-selling products of Samsung, yet it still faces risks and needs some improvement to attract more customers (Mote, Stansell, & Greenland, 2010). Mote et al. (2010) state that Samsung c reated LCD technology in 1991. The LCD panel was first used for laptop computers and showed at a world trade event in Japan. The first LCD display for laptop computer was 9. 3 inches. In 2002, Samsung introduced a 54-inch digital LCD television monitor-the largest LCD television in the world at that time.Today, Samsung is the most famous LCD maker in the global market (Mote, Stansell, & Greenland, 2010). According to â€Å"About Samsung† (2012), Samsung sustained the highest profit among LCD manufactures over the world in 2007. In 2009, Samsung became the first company that sold more than ten million LCD televisions in the first half of the year and more than five million LCD panels per month. Epperson shows that, total segment revenue of LCD was about 62. 6 trillion U. S dollars in 2011. There were about 330 million shares, and the price was 1,067 dollars per share.Samsung has also maintained the largest market share in the global LCD televisions from the first quarter of 20 11 to the second quarter of 2012 (About Samsung, 2012; Epperson, 2012). (Data collected from www. statista. com) Although the record of success of LCDs seems really outstanding, Samsung is facing many risks. One of the risks that Samsung confronted was about LCD patent infringement. In 2008, Sharp filed the suit against Samsung in the U. S. District Court for violating its four patents related to a technology to improve the picture quality of LCDs. Then, Sharp expanded the suit to South Korea in December of the same year.Samsung fought back in the same month with lawsuits in Japan and the U. S. For some reasons, Samsung won over Sharp in Japan, but lose the case in the U. S. In 2009 US International Trade Commission began to block Samsung LCD products. Samsung also faces price war from other serious competitors such as LG, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic. In Standard & Poor’s Equity Research, Samsung’s LCD sales are decreasing due to the very competitive prices other comp etitors offer consumers (Patel, 2012). Base on â€Å"LexisNexis Academic† (2012), Samsung just created a new technology of LCD called Active-matrix OLED (AMOLED).This is another type of flat panel display which is very thin and flexible. Samsung announced that it will use AMOLED to invent a new model of its mobile phone named â€Å"Youm†, and the product will be introduced at the beginning of 2013. This is considered as a bright opportunity for Samsung in the future to increase its LCD revenues and profits (â€Å"Samsung’s flexible†, 2012). (Google images) To overcome risks and be more attractive to investors, Samsung should obtain LCD patent protection. For example, when any LCD design is created, Samsung should register for a license or trademark to protect the company from copyright.Samsung also need to focus on Research and Development investment to create new technology, new products and find out ways to lower the production costs, so they can compet e on price with others. 4. Semiconductors The decision of entering the semiconductor business is essential to Samsung. Byung-Chull Lee, the founder of Samsung, realized how big the high-tech electronics market would be in the future in mid-1970s, and that Samsung has to be a major player. Because of that, he decided to form Samsung Semiconductor and Telecommunications Co. in 1978.However, South Korea is lack of technological expertise, and that’s when the South Korean government steps in. The South Korean government required foreign telecommunications equipment manufacturers to hand out advanced semiconductor technology, in order for them to get access to the South Korean market. (Data collected from IBIS World) Semiconductor is one of the most successful product lines in Samsung. The sales of semiconductor have increased from 32. 6 billion dollars in 2010 to 33. 5 billion dollars in 2011. Moreover, its net income has also increased from 16 million dollars in 2010 to 48 milli on dollars in 2011.In fact, the company’s semiconductor segment consists two major parts: memory and LSI (Large-Scale Integration). Like the past 15 years, Samsung has topped the position in the dynamic random-access memory in 2011 with 42. 2% of shares. For the LSI segment, Samsung produces LCD panels for computer monitors and notebook displays. In 2011, Samsung has about $26. 5 million of revenue from LCD panel business (IBIS world, 2012). One of the biggest customers to Samsung’s semiconductor product line is Apple, which is recently considering switching to another semiconductor manufacturer.Losing this huge customer will definitely risk the market position of Samsung, as it is now at the top of the semiconductor manufacturing market. Opportunity for the product line would be its rising demand. There is a growing demand on semiconductor out in the market. Although the demand of desktop computers is slowing down, which will affect the sales of memory part of semicon ductors, demand of tablets and smartphones is raising rapidly, which will lead to a rise in demand of semiconductor (Epperson, 2012). There are still a lot of rooms for the sales of semiconductor to grow.Increasing production of semiconductor due to its raise in demand may not seem hard in the future. Manufacturers are now developing automated production in order to decrease their production cost. Samsung can start increase semiconductors supply to these robots, since those parts will boost the demand for the sophisticated electronics that control the robots. D. Conclusions and Recommendations for Samsung One of the important recommendations is technology innovation. Samsung Electronics is a high-tech company, which provided support for innovation in the areas of technology.Product lines involved with other companies regarding the patent lawsuits. Lawsuits have negatively impacts on company’s growth. In order for company to maintain sustainability and remain competitive in th e industry, we recommend that the Samsung Electronics should focus on unique technology designs. In that way, it will protect the company from getting sued and attract more customers. Samsung should also increase semiconductors productions by finding opportunities to cooperate and be a supplier to other smaller electronic companies. Again, the company hould invest more in R&D projects, so it can built new technologies and new products in order to compete against its competitors. E. References About Samsung. (2012). Corporate profile. Retrieved from http://www. samsung. com/us/aboutsamsung/corporateprofile/ Epperson, L. (2012). Samsung Electronic Co. , Ltd. Hoover’s. Retrieved Oct. 27, 2012, from Hoover’s database. Mote, D. , Stansell, C. M. , Greenland, P. R. (2010). Samsung Electronics Co. , Ltd. In International Directory of Company Histories, 108, 433-440. Retrieved Oct. 27, 2012, from Gale Virtual Reference Library database. Patel, A. (2012).Samsung Electronics. St andard & Poor’s Equity Research. Retrieved Oct. 27, 2012, from Net Advantage database. Samsung Electronic. (2011). FY 2011 Annual report. Retrieved from http://www. samsung. com/us/aboutsamsung/ir/newsMain. do. Samsung. (2012). Samsung Company history. Retrieved from http://www. samsung. com/us/aboutsamsung/corporateprofile/history04. html Samsung. (2011a). Samsung 2011 annual report. Retrieved from http://www. samsung. com/us/aboutsamsung/ir/newsMain. do Samsung. (2011b). Samsung Telecommunications. Retrieved from http://www. samsung. com/global/business/telecommunication/productInfo. do? tgrygroup=11&ctgrytype=18&b2bprdid=146 Samsung’s flexible AMOLED display codenamed â€Å"Youm† in the works. (2012, April 11). Kashmir Monitor (India). Retrieved Nov. 28, 2012, from LexisNexis Academic database. Sustainability report. (2012). Global harmony with people, society, and environment. Retrieved from http://www. samsung. com/aboutsamsung/sustainability/sustainability report Wingfield, N. (2012, August 24). Jury awards $1 billion to Apple in Samsung patent case. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www. nytimes. com/2012/08/25/technology/jury-reaches-decision-in-apple-samsung-patent-trial. html? _r=0

Religious Backgrounds

My Religious Background I am catholic. I was raised by catholic parents who were raised by catholic parents. Even all of my great grandparents except for one couple were catholic, and beyond that I have no idea. My Grandpa was the only one who was not raised catholic, but converted soon after he married my Grandmother and is buried in a catholic cemetery. I have always agreed with everything that The Catholic Church has taught me, but I feel like that may be because I have never known any other belief.I have been in Catholic school since kindergarten and rarely learned about other religions other than how they differed from my own faith. The only two things I can think of that I may disagree with The Catholic Church on are really more political matters than they are matters of God. For instance, it is taught that a marriage is not complete without the act of sex. For a marriage to be valid under God, the couple must have sex. When I heard this, I immediately thought about men who hav e been paralyzed from the waist down who would not have this opportunity.When I asked my teacher about that situation she said that the marriage was invalid due to the situation, but that there may be drugs out there that could help the situation. That was something I couldn’t believe. It made me feel like we were ousting them from the church because they were paralyzed. It seems to me that these men have been through enough trouble in their lives and shouldn’t need anyone’s permission to marry a woman who they are to fall in love with. The other concept I disagreed with was the idea of same-sex marriage.Maybe it is just that I have issues with marriage in general, but I feel like two people who love each other should be able to marry legally. Now, that being said, I do agree with the church that it is not necessarily what God had in mind, and I do not really feel comfortable saying that I think God is â€Å"in favor† of same-sex marriage, but I would lik e to see the church say that legally same sex couples should be able to marry. I imagine the reason I feel this way could be because my aunt is a homosexual and is legally married to her life-partner and they are very happy.I believe they were married in Illinois, but do not quote me on that. It just bothered me that they had to travel all that way to get legally bonded and it is not even valid in the state they live in. In other words, I agree with the church on the concept that they shouldn’t be married under God, but I see no reason that two people who really do truly love each other cannot be bonded together and share the same benefits that couples of the opposite sex share in marriage.

Free Essays on On “Uncle Toms Cabin“

Published in the early 1850’s, Uncle Tom’s Cabin had a huge impact on our nation and contributed to the tension over slavery. It was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, a woman who was involved in religious and feminist causes. Stowe’s influence on the northern states was remarkable. Her fictional novel about slave life of her current time has been thought to be one of the main things that led up to the Civil War. The purpose of writing it, as is often said, was to expose the evils of slavery to the North where many were unaware of just what went on in the rest of the country. The book was remarkably successful and sold 300,000 copies by the end of its first year. It is even rumored that upon President Lincoln’s meeting Stowe, Lincoln said, â€Å"So this is the little lady who made this big war.† There is no doubt among most historians that Stowe’s book affected many people’s views on slavery; but one question that is being asked today is whether the book was historically accurate. Some think believe it recorded exactly the sort of things that went on among slaves and their owners while other people say that Stowe made an elaborate exaggeration of the evils of slavery just so she could prove her point. Was Uncle Tom’s Cabin close to the truth? An examination of current work on the history of the U.S. should reveal the merits of Stowe’s writing. The general consensus among historical accounts of slavery is that southern slave owners mostly considered slaves as less of a person than they themselves were. They still viewed slaves as people, but not on the same level as them. Irwin Unger describes the system of slavery like many slaves have who have since written about it. Unger says that slaves were in a â€Å"system that denied them their humanity† (Unger 309). Slave owners were racist, he says. They were viewed as inferior. He writes, â€Å"It was [this] mark of inferiority that affected all black men and wome... Free Essays on On â€Å"Uncle Tom's Cabinâ€Å" Free Essays on On â€Å"Uncle Tom's Cabinâ€Å" Published in the early 1850’s, Uncle Tom’s Cabin had a huge impact on our nation and contributed to the tension over slavery. It was written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, a woman who was involved in religious and feminist causes. Stowe’s influence on the northern states was remarkable. Her fictional novel about slave life of her current time has been thought to be one of the main things that led up to the Civil War. The purpose of writing it, as is often said, was to expose the evils of slavery to the North where many were unaware of just what went on in the rest of the country. The book was remarkably successful and sold 300,000 copies by the end of its first year. It is even rumored that upon President Lincoln’s meeting Stowe, Lincoln said, â€Å"So this is the little lady who made this big war.† There is no doubt among most historians that Stowe’s book affected many people’s views on slavery; but one question that is being asked today is whether the book was historically accurate. Some think believe it recorded exactly the sort of things that went on among slaves and their owners while other people say that Stowe made an elaborate exaggeration of the evils of slavery just so she could prove her point. Was Uncle Tom’s Cabin close to the truth? An examination of current work on the history of the U.S. should reveal the merits of Stowe’s writing. The general consensus among historical accounts of slavery is that southern slave owners mostly considered slaves as less of a person than they themselves were. They still viewed slaves as people, but not on the same level as them. Irwin Unger describes the system of slavery like many slaves have who have since written about it. Unger says that slaves were in a â€Å"system that denied them their humanity† (Unger 309). Slave owners were racist, he says. They were viewed as inferior. He writes, â€Å"It was [this] mark of inferiority that affected all black men and wome...

Strategic Assignment Essays

Strategic Assignment Essays Strategic Assignment Essay Strategic Assignment Essay ARGOS| STRTEGIC PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION AND STRATEGIC MARKETING MANAGEMENT | Assignment| KEHUL KAVAIYA 7/22/2010 | Edexcel Level 7 BTEC Postgraduate Advanced Diploma Management Studies ASSESSMENT ACTIVITY: UNIT No: 04 17 UNIT NAME: Strategic Planning and Implementation Strategic Marketing Management By: KEHULKUMAR NAROTTAMDAS KAVAIYA Student ID: STUD-7266 Company: Argos Limited Type| Public| Industry| Retailer| Founded| 1973| Head Office| Milton Keynes, England, UK| Key People| Oliver Stocken (Chairman)| Type of Product| Consumer Goods| Owner| Home Retail Group Plc. | Web site| www. argos. co. uk| Revenue| ? 4. 3bn (2009)| Index * Task 1 (a) * INTRODUCTION Argos is one of the largest general merchandise non-food retail chains, with yearly revenue of over ? 4. 3bn (2009) and biggest catalogue chains in Europe and third in the world. Argos has more than 730 stores across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Argos sells general goods and home products via 730 stores, online and over the telephone. Customer can select superior range through 18000 great value products from the Argos. About Argos Richard Tompkins was launched the company in 1973 as a Green Shield Stamps in the U K. The Green Shield Stamps catalogue shops rebranded as Argos starting in July 1973. The first 17 stores started straightway on July 21, 1973. â€Å"Customer could buy products from Green Shield Stamps with cash rather than savings stamps† Argos came up with this idea. Argos established with bringing ? 1million and 1000 staff member in running a week of November, 1973. Argos was launched first catalogue with 4700 products across 250 pages. BAT Industries bought Argos worth ? 32 million in 1979. In June 1980 the company started 1st Elizabeth Duke jewellery boutique in Bristol and company was Britain’s 4th largest jewellery retailer in 1981. The company was listed in the stoke exchange with 203. p opening share price. The company was accumulated by GUS plc (Great Universal Stores Plc) in April 1990 and after that Home Retail Group which was demerged from GUS Plc in October 2006. Now Argos owned by Home Retail Group Plc. From January, 2010 opening new Argos Stores and stores also going to take new identify. * Argos made 130 million customers dealing in las t year and 26% dealing made from online internet. * Argos has biggest catalogue marketing strategy in non-food consumer merchandises. * 18million people have Argos catalogue at home at any time. * Argos is first group position in house wares market. Argos owner HRG Plc has nearly ? 9. 2bn market size in house wares market. One of the prime reason for chosen this company is, â€Å"Argos has different type of marketing like marketing via catalogue, online and over telephone and way of they provide to customer best value for money†. I like that they provide convenient way for customer to shop. Argos stores style is different in high street. This is a good opportunity for me to learn about this company. (b) * Strategic planning â€Å"Strategic planning is process of identify mission, vision and goals and create best steps for achieving goals and objective. In any successful business it’s very important to plan for future in all sorts of way, and organisation mission, vision and objective should be set for the future. Planning is very important tools for getting success in the future of a business. Main purpose of strategic planning to create the goals for an organisation and flow the steps for achieve this goals. Whic h goals should priorities for an organisation and flow steps day to day for achieving its goals. Develop Strategic plan: An organisation needs to find out and collect information on many aspects of the business. This process will concern internal and external audit of the organisation. The internal audit defines an organisation strength and weaknesses. The external audit defines the PEST analysis of and an organisation. (Andy, Alex and Judith n. d. , p. 299) Internal Audit: Organisation needs to analyse people (turnover of labour, Motivation, absenteeism, productivity), operation management (Stock control, delivery, productivity, delivery), marketing (Sales, Advertising, sales staff performance), financial department (variance and budget, profitability, Cash flow, Investment appraisal in an internal audit. A business needs identify its strengths and weaknesses in their competitor’s relation across the entire of the business. The aim of audit provide the perfect information about every particular department and if possible very good to use the accounting or statistical data for the information. External Auditing: A business needs to analyse external areas such as Political, Economic issue, Social issue, Technological change, Competition, Culture, Ethics, Environment and Pressure group. External auditing is very important for all business. All business needs to PEST analyse for getting success in future. Government authorization polices in health and safety, taxation and competition, and employment are all affect to employers and businesses. The influence of government is ascending into new location of the business environment like environmental and ethical issue. Currency value, rate of interest, unemployment, and economical changes is playing their role on getting success in the business. The business needs to be aware of changing environment. Argos mission statement is identifying customers and meeting their needs. This statement clearly state that Argos needs to deeply PEST analyse for reach to the goal. c) * Strategy by Framework Strategy is the way of the achieving goals. Argos developing strategy framework: The strategic process helps a firms to understand more about its status of strategic position and organisation can know about business environment, customers needs and requirement, organisation can find new option which is consider for success, and the way of develop compet ences meet to organisational goals and objective. By this strategic Argos looks to match its own objective for development and growth with reality of the business environment because every organisation needs to be realistic. Main for part of organisation is most important to develop its strategic such as, awareness, planning, development, and management result. Awareness: Organisation needs to examine market and competitive realities and also examine internal and external business environment. Organisation must identify the major opportunities. Organisation must have to do SWOT analysis for examine the market and competitive realities. Planning: Planning is very important to get success in the business. Organisations should make the planning behind every objective such as Short term and long term planning, strategic planning, organisational and optional planning, epartmental goals, and communicate strategy. Development: Argos developing strategic depends on marketing process because Argos is not Manufacture Company. To increase Operating performance and growth, Argos using workforce development, increasing productive and sales, sating of goals, plans and action and management development. Results of Mana gement: For Organisation is getting the expected results from the market, management of Argos taking meeting for review of performance. (d) * Strategic Models The five force of models behind the success of organisation which is Potential, bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of buyers, the threat of substitutes of services, and the threat of new entrants. Potential Entrants: The threat of new entrants is the defined the Organisation brand loyalty, absolute coast advantages, and the switching costs and also government regulation. Argos this force is qualitatively and ideally factors of Argos but its make very expensive to enter in the industry. Main key step for developing strategy it’s concerned with the company mission, vision, and others objective. The step is the developing realistic vision for the organisation. Organisation mission indicates it’s the goals and activities. Strategic planning Models: Strategic planning is the process to establish major objective on what organisation will accomplish in the future. Organisation to make selection of forces of models on what organisation will do and what organisation will not do. The main reason to do strategic planning, improving the performance, solving major issues at a macro level, and communicate to each other’s what is the major factor. A good strategic planning helps to find critical performance issue, organisation capability, to cover sufficient time period to reduce the gap of performance. Models are: Internal assessment depends on assets resources, culture, people, system and partnership and suppliers. And external assessment depends on marketplace, trends, technology, and economic cycles. And the internal and external assessment depends on SWOT analysis. SWOT Analysis of ARGOS * Task 2 (a) * Marketing Strategies Argos marketing strategy particularly plan of marketing which designed to meet customer’s needs and requirements with based on clear goals. Strategy and tactics of Argos will enable to achieve those goals and others objective. Current, developing strategy is concerned with the match between the external environment and internal capability of the organisation. Organisations are often embossed with externally or internally to examine their position of strategy within business industry or place of market. The first stage market research enables to identify the most important marketing mix. And the marketing mix should consist of the four ‘p’, which is the right product, sold with right price, in the right place and using the most suitable promotion technique. Customers can find product from over 18000 products in Argos catalogue. Current markets have an improving concentration by an organisation on the needs and wants of consumers. The culture changing at Argos, its management decided they need to change the extended marketing mix to increasing the consumer’s experience. Argos products price is always low and more selection of products with less hassle. Argos management team wanted to create on these values and develop the marketing mix to improving organisation sales and profits. Argos changed its logo in 1998 and after that its sales and profits increased. Argos market research was seen as a boring and stuffy. The firm has used advertising to appeal to its different market segment and Argos segmentation its market not only in terms of age and gender (demographic) but also in terms in people’s brand awareness. (b) * Stakeholders of Argos Stakeholder mines â€Å"an individual or group with an interest in the success of an organization in delivering intended results and maintaining the viability of the organizations products and services. Stakeholders influence programs, products, and services†. Argos responsible and accountable to a high range of stake holders: * Share holders Customers * Suppliers * NGO’s * Community groups * Opinion formers Share Holders: Argos one of the main stake holders is its shareholders. Shareholders is legally own share of stoke (one or more) in an organisation. Argos owner Home Retail group’s investment is very high behind the people and technology. Number of individuals shareholder s percentage is very high (86. 58%) and the corporate shareholders percentage is very low (13. 42%), that is main reason is the share holders is the very important stake holders for Argos. A more trusted brand leading to stronger stake holders especially share holders and customers. Shareholders manage to risk effectively. Employees: Argos highly skilled workforce is also one of the most important stake holders. Currently, Argos has more than 33000 members of staff. Argos high street style is not like a show room. The stores are mainly focused to directly employee for an example customer service. Customers: A customer is very important stakeholders for all organisations. As per last year Argos made 130million transactions. Argos serving more than 2. 5 million customers a week, so that is the biggest stakeholders for Argos. (c) * How stake holders have contribute the development Big firm have many kind of stake holder group such as internal stakeholders (Employee) and external stakeholders (government) as outside of the business it is necessary to identifying and balance the need and expectations of group of stakeholders. Balancing needs of all stakeholders is important for big retail chain, like Argos. Share holders: Shareholders choose the board of director and board of director create the business strategy. In Argos, share holders are the main part because Home Retail Group is owner of Argos and also owner of the Homebas. Share holders are main part of its investment. Argos main development strategy is the investment behind the people and technology. Capital requirement, reward from share of the profit this different according to share per person. Employee: Employee is one of the main internal stakeholders for every big organisation. Argos is catalogue based company in UK market. Argos has consistently stated that, its workforce is very important. Argos manager and supervisor have high level training and development is the core requirement and needs to long range success in retail industry. Employees are very important to making changes in the work. Customers: Argos main aim is to provide better service and the increasing the customer’s satisfaction. ‘Customers is the God‘this sentences is not wrong. Without the customers any company can’t develop its business. For batter business organisation needs to create good relationship. * Increasing the sales and profitability through the better timing by fulfil needs based historic trends. * Increasing Cross selling of the others products. * Easy to identify that, which customers are profitable and which customers are not profitable. All stake holder in very important for development of organisation and meet goal in the future. d) * Senior management of an organisation gain commitment to its strategies and the implementation of these from its employees Organisation requires a direction for its development. The employees who manage the business providing the direction and taking responsibility for making decision and good business are a high skill. Argos main key objective are customers satisfaction, increase profitability, growth of fleet, and employment development. Gaining employee commitment: There many different senior management style for gain commitment from their employee. This depend how leader communicate with the employee for example, Argos operating â€Å"open door policy’. This helps to everybody within the company to have direct contact with senior manager. Senior managers have implementation very good management and practices. Get promises from employee. Managers have to maintain positive employee relation. Manager can get commitment by making a planner meeting, special occasions, and the place of work more fun place (but make sure that is time for joy, celebration or play) and Making outdoor activities by organisation. Making rewards by each individual performance. Manages should helping dealing with stress of painful period. Manager should show to employee that manager believe in the benefits of consultation. As manager demonstrate organisation commitment to employee’s involvement in the health and safety. Organisation need train manager, supervisor and health and safety employee together. * Task 3 (a) * Layman’s language define the term: Vision, mission statement, objectives and value Mission definition: The declaration of the organisation core aim or purpose and focus which is remains unchanged. Different business practises and strategies may frequently be altered to take to changes circumstances. What a firm is way is exists its reason for being define mission statement of a firm. Firm’s possible mission statement is written declaration of the purpose concerned with highest priorities of a company or individual. Vision Definition: The picture of your company in the future or more that means vision and firms inspiration the framework for all your strategic planning. Vision statement means one of the terms, which are using widely. Vision should have realistic, credible, attractive and in future achievable. Objectives Definition: Goals that a firm create for itself for future sales, profitability, or return on investment define the organisation objective. An organisation or individual desire or dream or needed result to be achieved by particularly in time. Values: The corporate mission, strategy, governance, culture, communication, corporation, decision process, decision system, performance management process and reward processes, this are all values for an organisation. The greatest potential of any organisation are created by a commitment to high corporate values. (b) * Vision and Mission statement of Argos and Its Strategy Develop Mission statement and others Objective: Argos mission statement is: â€Å"Argos Provide their customers with the best value for money through the most convenient shopping experience†. Argos main purpose is identifying the customers and meeting their needs. Marketing department of Argos providing the goods and services that customers want. In future Argos wants to improve their services and best way to find out customer’s needs. Argos offers to consumers, via multi channel approaching to shopping: * Customers can reserve products from home either online or by phone to get their products from stores. * Customers can look over the catalogues and stock availability in stores. Collect goods and pay for that in stores. * Customers can select products from the online catalogue via web site and either order for home delivery or take goods from stores. * Customers can order any products from the catalogue for home delivery by the telephone. Argos vision: Argos vision is to build around its commitment to giving good choice, high value and convenience, with their passion for its customers at the core. Argos giving its customers lots of selection within such easy reach such as customers shopping in stores, online, via phone and via text, by check and reserve. Argos aim to have stores and buying points within easy reach all of its customers and expand its reneges of products to provide its customers with lots of selection as customers wants in all of products ranges. Argos always believes in â€Å"organisation is control its own destiny†. Argos main vision is the embodiment of this belief. (c) * Cultural and ethical value of Argos Argos culture is the beliefs and values that are shared over the firm. Currently it is very difficult to define to ensure the firm’s culture reflect its strategy and focus on the consumers. One of the key factors of the new approach has been to changing the culture of corporate at the company (Argos) and make and environment within the organisation that values. Argos provide its employees, job training, career development opportunities and satisfaction reward for better performance to achieve cultural change. Argos management team created its culture: * Believes in winning * Believes that change is important and necessary * Seek new opportunities * Encourages co operation This all values very important part of to increasing the organisation’s competitiveness via innovation and via working effectively in team. Argos’ new management created its new cultural values: The company talked its staff to create good workforce, who were able to improve. Argos customer service provides an experience that is very friendly, efficient and hassle free to its customers. Team work of organisation’s employee leads to good co-operation and sharing of best practice because Argos giving ownership opportunity for decision so that solve problem themselves. Employee respecting to each others because of that employee feel they are contributing. Culture of competitive will to win because of that everyone is aiming to increase and succeed. The company employee commitment is very high, which was company found in 2003. (d) * Critical success factor of Argos Argos and many more retail company facing the problem of serious challenge due to rapidly change in condition of market, improving global competition hrough fuelled, expectation of high performance via consumers and market, and also including technology. The retail industry growth is significantly due to technology innovation, through adopting management techniques of supplier’s chain, modular layouts, re-engineering processes, and involvement of employees. Critical success factor: Critical succ ess factor indicate highly accountable non profit firms. There some critical success factors are as under, balanced approach is requirement to ensure all of critical success factors contribute to firm’s culture. Technology Support: If organisation don’t have perfect technology, for an example geographical IT so that critical success factors for that organisation. The effective technology is most important for future successes and to meet the organisational goals. Some Argos technology is not proper, like ticket machine. Stakeholders: To create unnecessary dialogue with critical stakeholders that affect to negative to the organisation. For an example, Argos some stakeholders is engaged. Strategic leadership: Organisation is going to right direction and also organisation has clear and realistic goal. For an example, Argos some objective is not for development, like two time catalogue creating for customers. IT Governance: The committee of promotion chaired via PM (Prime Minister) guides and mediates the admin branches, which is directly, affect to the market. Program management based on performance: Organisation can regularly evaluate the perfect measure of performance? Right measure of performance is very difficult. Shared ownership with the employee: Company’s members of staffs have clearly and perfectly promised to achieve organisational goals. * Task 4 (a) * Strategy of Argos A strategy is a way to a firm puts into practice to get particular and objective. There are all sorts of general strategies that a firm might employ, like expanding into new market of countries. Currently, Argos’ one of the strategy is growth. From different kind of way company can be achieve growth, like opening new branches of stores, improving the ranges of products, website improvement, and increasing profitability and revenue. The strategy of Argos involving maintaining the loyalty of existing consumers: There is high number of customers, who wants to buy products directly from the Argos. Advertising through the media and on the television is very effective way to attracting people. Argos provides its customers ‘value for money’. The Argos management and administrative will be concerned with managing its system and security. Argos is the part of HRG (Home Retail Group). HRG won the Retail week Retail technology of the year award in 2008 for its project of supply chain (RACO). Argos growth record is very strong. Economic Climate: Argos has five stores in Mumbai (India) and a telephoning and online ordering service that are doing in conjunction with hyper city, with its Indian retail partner. The company said that it had completed a reward into its Indian stores combined venture and had decided not to proceed. This decision to discontinue the trial following the just for two years period of development has been kept mutually by the company and its partner. (b) * Changing in Organisation Environment Argos is highest public services trade union in UK, Such as: * 33000 Employees * 730 branches * 130million customers * Headquarters in England Argos performs many different roles for its customers. Argos changes its environment from these main public services. External environment is ncluding in changes in organisation’s environment. External environment * Social factor: Argos changing its demography, like changing patterns of population, lifestyle and behaviour and customers shopping patterns. * Legal factor: Any new laws and application of the laws that might affect a firm. * Economic factors: variable in economy that affect the demand for services and goods, which is may change environment, for an example changing in the interest rates. * Political factors: Changes arising from government initiatives or policy, which also effect to changing environment. Technological factor: The influence of changing technologies on business processes and products. The changing work company work environment An employee in latest technology would clock in and out of work. A device of mechanical recorded the start and end time for every each employee. The old type of work based on morning 9. 00 to 5. 00 evening working day and they were paid weekly based (hourly rate given). Currently situations are more women working, in general and live longer. (c) * Major functional area of Argos Main four functional are in the firm such as Marketing, HRM (human resource management), finance, and operation management. This are all functional areas are very important for an organisation. Every functional area is need strategic thinking for future. A form need to create strategy decision and keep the strategy in action. The long term direction is concerned with the strategic management of a whole firm, the different functional areas relationships and strategy implementation in a firm. Every firms working perfectly with necessary departments, such as Marketing: Marketing is very important department for Argos and all organisations. Marketing department of Argos involves a range of process affecting with finding what the customers wants, and then providing it. The marketing mix 4ps is key elements of Argos marketing strategy and Market research to find out consumers requirement. Market research via quality and quantity research involves meeting customers’ needs. Finance: Main function of finance department are providing financial support for business and operational planning to get success in future, providing the day to day financial services to its staff and department. The financial department responsible for creating a balance sheet and profit and loss account provides management information, book keeping procedures, management of wages and others. Human Resource management: HR department is very important department for all organisations. Main purpose of the HR department to attract and retain employees by all activities and ensure performance of the employees at the highest level possible to meet’s organisational goals. Human resource management responsibilities are establishing develop methods, and evaluate practices. HRM decision directly affect to the employ people, who working for the firm. (d) * Major functional areas can development the organisation The main aim of functional areas of to ensure that every important activities of business are carried out efficiently. Marketing: The marketing department is most important functional area because sales and marketing will be concerned with business objective and, achieving targets, new market developing and increasing sales. Organisation can improve its sales, brand image, finance condition by marketing. Marketing playing most important part in company’s development because marketing is designed to achieve profitable sales. Marketing is involving the use of stronger tool to manipulate the decision of individuals and of other organisation. Argos cannot development without its marketing department because firm based on catalogue. Finance: Finance is very necessary for running the organisation regularly. Finance has very close relation with marketing and operational management. Argos can increase capital via finance, generating high revenue. This are all parts of developing the organisation. Finance is very important for day to day activities within the organisation. Argos finance capacities is very high so we can say Argos’ finance department and finance is very important for developing its. Human resource management: Human resource is also one of the important functional areas within the business. HR are the workforce that work for a firm. Argos has more than 33000 employees. in the case of Argos, employee is very important for increase the sales, customers services, to achieve the goals and objective within the organisation. This all functional areas are very important for development of Argos. * Task 5 (a) * Strategy Implementation Implementation means consist of securing resources, a firm these resources and directing the using of these resources within and outside the firms. Strategy implementation define, which strategy chosen by organisation so that strategy put in to action. Strategy implementation timetable can develop certain way such as: Strategic focus: Argos business has changed substantially in the last four years. At time of the recession, as this changing result, the company was getting nearly double percentage increasing in the earning but the dividend was reduced by 21%. Argos also offers venture advisory services. Argos focus the on public sector and big corporate in the London. Assessment: Organisation evidence of competence is based on place of work activity and aim to reflect attainment within the firm. Organisation assessment assesses the achievement of standard occupational. Organisation needs to assess skilled of its workforce. Change planning and implementation: Make the business readiness planning and take into consideration such as development capability, migration data, development of technology, training and activities and activates of business require to integrate new possesses and jobs into the business environment. Organisation need to ensure that perspective on business on how the new one technically capacity will be delivered to the business. (b) * Implementation Time table 2005| 2006| 2007| 2008| 2009| Benchmark screening | 7. 9| 6. 0| 6. 1| 6. 7| 5. 1| Satellite system | -| - | | | | Process of employee atThe time of Christmas nearly Double. In each years| 18000| 23000| 26000| 29000| 33000| Profit of bench mark OperatingIn million| 320| 297| 325| 376| 304| Trends of revenue sales declinedOf 4. 8% in last years| 8. 8%| 7. 7%| 7,8%| 8. 7%| 7. 1%| Number of line in the A rgos catalogue In each years Product in total| 13500| 17100| 16700| 18500| 18900| | | | | | | Market size of Argos (? bn)For products of home environment| 9. | 8. 1| 9. 1| 11. 2| 13. 5| General merchandise (? bn)| 6. 2| 5. 5| 6. 6| 10. 1| 16. 4| (c) * Implementation Argos implementation define inter communication and buy in, aligning structure and people, developing new resources. Organisation people have to understand what the strategy implemented and how affect them and using their skill and quality to help getting implementation strategy. The company internal people understand and know the implementation strategy, organisation also necessary to align structures and people make sure the happening strategy. For examples products A and product B implementation, organisation needs to evacuate the both products and the go through step by step. Model of strategy Implementation: every organisation to adapt to change by model of developing of particular structure, objective, control, integration, and incentives for strategy implementing. Strategic changes: understanding of strategy implementation changes again forces and way to overcome necessary changes and implement change. Strategy implementation and HR: HR polices and strategy both together needs to implement. Controls and incentives: the way to motivate and control of performance involve methods of get effective coordination. (d) * Important of Implementation The implementation is easy and also implementation is more important than ideas because all start-up different makeup. Evaluation, monitoring and implementation process is very important for the organisation. Organisation need to access the problem, predict impact, implement, evaluate the performance and monitor. Every new scheme provides opportunity for learning from experience, and increase their understanding of performance and policy tool. The strategy implementation part of the business planning deals with important part of the business. The Argos set up working group to oversee the setting up of the new people benefit. Market research show the consumers wants one thing more than anything. Argos refocused and adapted its old help point services to provide all others help services. * Conclusion: Staff planning is vital if firm is to meet its future demands for employee. Argos needs to have people with the right trained and experienced to support its development and growth. By trends examining in the macro environment it is possible to identify market opportunities and perfect products. BIBLIOGRAPHY Book 1. ANDY MOTTERSHEAD, ALEX GRANT, and JUDITH KELT (2009) OCR Business studies for a2 2009. UK: Hodder Education. WWW 2. ARGOS (01/04/2005) Student Pack [WWW] Argos Limited. Available from: argos. co. uk/wcsstore/argos/en_US/images/StudentPack. pdf 3. ARGOS (n. d. ) Graduate careers [WWW] Argos Careers. Available from: https://secure. argoscareers. com/r2/graduate/index. html 4. CATALOGUE DEALS (n. d. ) Argos brief History [WWW] Catalogue Deals. Available from: catalogue-deals. co. uk/argos. aspx [Accessed 16/07/2010] 5. HOME RETAIL GROUP FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT (01/04/2009) Annual report 2009 [WWW] Home Retail Group. Available from: homeretailgroup. com/ar/2009/_downloads/HRG_Annual_Report_2009. pdf 6. THE TIMES 100(n. d. ) Marketing Mix of Argos [WWW] Thetimes100. Available from: thetimes100. co. uk/downloads/argos/argos_9_full. pdf 7. THE TIMES 100 (n. d. ) Argos mission statement [WWW] Thetimes100. Available from: thetimes100. co. uk/downloads/argos/argos_10_2. doc

Basswood Tree Description and Pruning Info

Basswood Tree Description and Pruning Info Introduction to the Basswood Tree Basswood, also known as American Linden is a large native North American tree that can grow more than 80 feet tall. In addition to being a majestic tree in the landscape, basswood is a soft, light wood and prized for hand carvings and making baskets. Native American basswood is found on rich, wet soils of the central and eastern United States. In the landscape, is a very beautiful and large tree with a majestic oval canopy mounted on a tall, straight trunk. Mid-summer brings abundant clusters of aromatic, yellow blooms which attract bees who make a prized honey - the tree is often fondly called the honey or bee tree. Taxonomy and Species Range The scientific name of basswood is Tilia americana and is pronounced TILL-ee-uh uh-mair-ih-KAY-nuh. Common names include American basswood, American linden and bee-tree and the tree is a member of the plant family Tiliaceae. Basswood grows in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 8 and is native to North America. The tree is often used as a hedge but only in large tree lawns. It grows rapidly, is very large and needs plenty of space. The tree makes an excellent landscape planting with limited tolerance to urban conditions depending on the cultivar. It is a perfect shade tree and can be used as a residential street tree. American Linden Cultivars There are several great cultivars of American linden including ‘Redmond’, ‘Fastigiata’ and ‘Legend’. The cultivar Tilia americana ‘Redmond’ grows 75 feet tall, has a beautiful pyramidal shape and is drought-tolerant. Tilia americana ‘Fastigiata’ is more narrow in shape with fragrant yellow flowers. Tilia americana ‘Legend’ is a hearty tree with resistant to leaf rust. The tree shape is pyramidal, grows with a single, straight trunk, and with upright, well-spaced branches. All of these cultivars are great as specimens for large lawns and along private drives and public streets. Pests of Basswood Insects: aphids are notorious pests on basswood but will not kill a healthy tree. Aphids produce a sticky substance called honeydew which then introduces a dark sooty mold that will cover objects under the tree including parked vehicles and lawn furniture. Other attacking insects include bark borers, walnut lace bug, Basswood leaf miner, scales and Linden mite can all be troublesome problems. Disease: Leaf rust is a major defoliator of basswood but some cultivars are resistant. Other diseases that infect basswood are Anthracnose, canker, leaf spots, powdery mildew, and verticillium wilt. Basswood Description: Basswood in the landscape grows to a height of 50 to 80 feet, depending on tree variety and site conditions. The trees crown spread is 35 to 50 feet and the canopy is typically symmetrical with a regular, smooth outline. Individual crown forms are consistent with an oval to pyramidal canopy shape. Crown density is tight and the trees growth rate is medium to rapid, depending on the site condition. Basswood Trunk and Branches Basswood branches droop as the tree grows and do require some pruning. If you have regular walking and vehicular traffic, a pruning may need to be done for clearance beneath the canopy. The tree form is not particularly showy but maintains a pleasing symmetry and should be grown with one single trunk to maturity. Basswood Leaf Botanics Leaf arrangement: alternateLeaf type: simpleLeaf margin: serrateLeaf shape: cordate; ovateLeaf venation: pinnateLeaf type and persistence: deciduousLeaf blade length: 4 to 8 inchesLeaf color: greenFall color: yellowFall characteristic: not showy I explain some of these terms in my Botanical Glossary... Necessary Site Conditions The native American basswood grows best on moist, fertile soils where those soils are acid or slightly alkaline. The tree likes to grow in full sun or partial shade and is more shade-tolerant than oaks and hickories. The leaves will show some wilting and scorching after a long dry season, but the tree appears fine the following year. The tree is often found growing along creeks and streams but will take short periods of drought. The trees favorite habitat is on moist sites. Pruning Basswood American linden grows into a very large tree and demands space to develop properly. Naturally occurring trees need no pruning but branches on landscape specimens should be spaced by pruning along the trunk to allow for development to maturity. Removing branches with weak crotches and embedded bark is advised even though the wood is flexible and will not often break from the trunk. Plant basswood as a specimen or shade tree only on property where there is plenty of area available for root expansion. Remember to remove basal sprouts that are prone to grow off the base of the trunk.

A Tale of Two IS Projects. JetBlue and WestJet Essay

A Tale of Two IS Projects. JetBlue and WestJet - Essay Example Importance of Reservation System in WestJet and JetBlue For airline companies like JetBlue or WestJet, the importance of the reservation system is like a heart to organizations’ operations giving stimulus to each of the organization sections. An airline company which is settled on a larger scale reservation system is directly necessary to the business operation of that company (Laudon, 2013, pp. 556-557). Ability to book flights or dealing customers with time effectiveness comes directly from an effective reservation system and for that reason organizations like JetBlue and WestJet emphasize on keeping their reservation systems upgraded. Similarly, fares or inventory record management, data processing and management and information management is all what is conducted through an active reservation system (Laudon, 2013). For that reason, JetBlue and WestJet both organizations try to induce their systems with a proactive and comprehensive approach. If the systems are not proactive, there are more chances that a lot of informational op erations get weakened affecting the overall business of the company. This clears out the significance of a reservation system in a transnational airline organization (Laudon, 2013). Key Risk Factors on Upgrading Reservation Systems (JetBlue vs. WestJet) For a firm like WestJet which captures forty percent of the Canadian market share by taking 300 to 400 flights each single day, it is a complete challenge to upgrade its reservation system which requires significant amendments in the operational setup (Oz, 2009). The challenge is same for JetBlue which is a budget airline and have to deal with a large number of customers each day. From the business point of view, the challenge is of losing sales number, revenues and position in the stock market. Because upgrading requires a temporary shutdown, it intakes the risk of losing brand value or position (Laudon, 2013). From customers’ point of view, if amendments are not good enough like they cannot meet the customers’ choice and view, they result in a significant setback to firm’s business. Definitely, when customers are not satisfied it impacts the overall status of the company and also the prospect which comes through customers’ approval. These were particular risk factors which both WestJet and JetBlue involved at their upgrades. The factors required wise planning and the input of leadership to get controlled and managed. They required effective administrative planning to result in favor of firms’ operations (Oz, 2009). Implementation of the New Reservation System There were distinctive problems which both organizations (JetBlue and WestJet) faced at the time of their reservation system upgrade. They faced problems at the managerial level, planning problems and operational problems at the time of change (Wit & Meyer, 2010, p. 439). The initial challenge was to transform the smaller reservation setup to a larger IS system- a system which has more vibrant processing and can easily deal with greater volume of customers. This required the expansion of the primary database, the expansion of the inventory, and the expansion of the processing units in order to become a uniform information system. However, the situation on upgrade was mo re enduring for WestJet than JetBlue. According to Robert Palmer (a

Managing Business Activities to Achieve Results Assignment - 2

Managing Business Activities to Achieve Results - Assignment Example The director is significantly responsible for determination of firm’s vision and mission. Recruitment: The recruitment activities are highly diversified and do not comprise only the interviewing process of job applicants. The manager in the department is responsible for managing the overall process of recruitment including communication with potential client firms and implementation of recruitment process. The manager is essentially responsible for resolving issues associated with the hiring process and taking necessary managerial decisions thereof. Another important responsibility of the recruitment manager is to take care of internal recruitment (succession or promotion, layoff and new recruitment) and demand of external recruiters. IT: Organisations are increasingly incorporating technologies in their business activities and ABC Company is no different in this regard. Most of the tasks at operational and managerial level are coordinated through email, virtual networking and intranet. As a result, information technology forms an important functional department of the firm. The firm also interact with its external clients through emails. Hence, IT department is necessary for efficient management of soft and hard technologies that are employed in the firm. Training: The training department is essential in ABC Company for supporting the recruitment department. The department ensures that internal employees are imparted with sufficient and requisite training necessary for performing in their respective arena. Additionally, the training department evaluates qualifications of job seekers and candidates so that they can be set up with appropriate job interviews. Business development: The process of business development in the recruitment agency comprises continuous interaction with existing and potential client organisations for better understanding of their requirements regarding candidates. The process of business development

Stalking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Stalking - Essay Example This intake form is thus intended to gather some required information so as to make sure that the intensity or the level of the severity of the stalking can be realized. Basically, stalking is the sequence of actions by some person, that makes the victim feel that the fear of his or her safety. This action is known as Stalking. A person can be stalked in many ways such as following the victim, harassing him or her, continuously wandering around his or her house, unwanted communication by various modes or any other activity that is sufficient to make the victim feel frighten. Although the exact legal definition of stalking varies from constitution to constitution. However, the fundamentals are common in all of them. . Such as any undesirable contact between the stalker and the victim that would directly or indirectly threaten the victim of being unsafe. 1. On one or more occasion, the stalker has followed, placed under surveillance, made threats, restrained, confined, or behaved and/or made threats that caused the victim to fear immediate or future injury, death, or damage to property A first stalking conviction is a third degree felony and subsequent convictions are second degree felonies. In some cases, when charging a person with a crime of stalking, it may be appropriate to file additional charges. For example, if an assault with a deadly weapon occurs in addition to the stalking, the defendant should be charged with both crimes. INTAKE FORM Name: Age: Gender: Marital Status: How long you are married Occupation: Past Occupations: Do you know the stalker If yes, how do you know him Since when you know him Does he mention the (or is there any implied) reason for stalking you Since when you are being stalked What mode or modes are used to stalk you continuous physical following; Undesired communication (by using modes like letters, mails, telephone calls etc.); continuously wandering around your home contacting your family members, friends, or other relatives or members od your close social circle inappropriately; Threatening you using computer technologies, like email, instant messages etc. Others: (Please mention) What is the frequency of each of the above methods used to stalk you Do you receive all the threats at the same time If yes, when What is exactly the stalk message Do you know the past track record specially character record of the stalker If yes, please mention briefly his past record. (If you do not know the exact stalker, but if you suspect someone to be the stalker, even then attempt this question, since this is the most important measure in determining the severity of the issue). Mention your daily routine in detail, for example when do you go for work, what mode of transport you use and so on In your view, does the stalker have an idea of your routine What particular part of your routine, you think, is the most inviting one for stalker to fulfill his threats EVALUATION AND THE ASSESSMENT FORM This part describes that how various responses indicate the level of severity. Bio Data: The basic

White privileges in America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

White privileges in America - Essay Example The society of the United States of America inherently is a country of the whites. The American society has been structured by racial discrimination profoundly and racism has lastingly marked the society of the country as concluded by the report of the United Nations Human Council for the year 2009. However the racism affects the white population of the country as well, as they are from birth always been isolated from the people of color in the daily life. That is how racism is experienced by the white population of the society. (Lund and Colin, p 8: Wise, p viii) Racism and the privileges for the white thus hurt the living of the people of color and to some extent affect the white as well. 1. The White Privilege The roots of the society of America are permeated by the factor of racism which gets reflected in each and every institutions of the society. It get resembles in the culture of the society, in the society’s character as well as in its structure. There are several boun daries in the social lives set by the majority of the white population of the country for the people of the different skin color.... Whiteness and non whiteness stratified the society of the United States of America. In the society of America real situations are defined by Whiteness and it also impose real consequences.(Guess, 650; Lund and Colin, 8) According to Wise the society of the United States of America always bestowed some advantages to the individual born white in the society. These are the advantages from which the people of color are deliberately withheld. Whiteness which may have different meaning in different time and places, however in the United States of America being white entitles some common experience based upon the advantages and privileges from the people of color along with belongings. The racialization of a subordinate group also brings with it the racialization of the super ordinate group as they enjoy the position of dominance in the society and added to their advantages (Wise, viii, 3: Guess, 651) In the words of Wise, white privilege is enjoying every kinds of social, political economi cal as well as educational benefits along with facilities in health care services that an individual requires for earning prosperity, social security and respect for himself over the other classes of the society. According to him in short white privilege is the root of problems existing in a society that is not a meritocracy. (This is your nation on White Privilege) 2. Privileges enjoyed by the white population of the country According to the reports of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics for the year 2009 and the United States Census Bureau for 2006, the total percentage of the white population of the society is 73.9 percent that experienced the unemployment rate

Advances in Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Advances in Strategic Management - Essay Example The paper focuses on the major strategic issues that the company faces and also focuses on the problems that the company faces due to the strategic issues. Based on the previous history of the company and the current position of the company, a detailed analysis has been drawn out based on the various strategic models and theories. This helps in developing possible resolutions for the issues and also permits developing the possible challenges that the company might face due to the issues. The paper on the whole provides a clear and detailed analysis of Tesco Plc. and a thorough discussion of the strategic issues that the company currently faces. The next section will deal with a brief overview of the company and will discuss a little of the history of Tesco and the current position of the company. Tesco capitalized on this demand through a stock market flotation in 1947. This gave the company access to significant amounts of capital, which it used to rapidly buy up rival stores, removing the competition and also giving itself economies of scale to help dominate its market (Kotler and Keller, 2006). This acquisition based growth continued into the 1970s, when Tesco began strategically constructing new stores in an attempt to completely cover the UK. As part of this, Tesco also began to diversify, opening its first petrol station in 1974 and expanding into various non food operations. Founded in 1924, Tesco has indeed come a long way since its first-opened store in Burnt Oak, Edgware. Today, 79 years after it was founded by Sir Jack Cohen, TESCO is Britain’s leading food retailer. By the 1990s, Tesco started to developed new marketing concepts and strategies that gave focus on customer satisfaction. Among of its innovation was the introduction of the loyalty cards in 199 5. Tesco also now operates in 13 countries around the world, indicating that Tesco is willing to expand both its product and geographic range in order to grow sales

Tourism research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Tourism research - Essay Example In the end, every tourism research has its own exceptional methodology, as defined by the supervisors and researchers overseeing the research. This report was conducted because of the turn down of visitors to regional parks. It seeks to obtain information that will enable park managers to improve park attractions and service quality. Since the relevant information obtained through visitor surveys can help assess the visitor’s behavior and their expectations of national parks, the supervisors and researchers decided to conduct a quantitative survey through a self completion questionnaire. The research review was centered mainly on visitors to regional parks. According to Balalia and Petrescu (2011), in order to motivate visitors to visit regional parks, park managers and supervisors had to understand the aspirations, needs and behaviors of the visitors. The research methodology also required interpretation and communication of the aims, park values and goals with the aim of improving visitor experiences and support. A questionnaire was developed with relevant questions posted to a sample of the visitor population. The survey asked questions on frequency, awareness and purpose in areas where potential issues exist. The questions about the participants themselves included gender, place of residence, age group as well as the highest level of education completed. Other questions included the main mode of transportation when visiting a regional park, frequency of visits, who accompanies the participants to the park as well as type of events that would attract them to the park. The questionnaire method was chosen because it is less expensive and the questions were few to answer hence, less time consuming. The answers that were obtained were analyzed carefully to be able to understand the information about visitors. The participants were requested to fill in the questionnaire during two weeks of 1st August to 14th August 2011. The sample of

Advances in Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Advances in Strategic Management - Essay Example The paper focuses on the major strategic issues that the company faces and also focuses on the problems that the company faces due to the strategic issues. Based on the previous history of the company and the current position of the company, a detailed analysis has been drawn out based on the various strategic models and theories. This helps in developing possible resolutions for the issues and also permits developing the possible challenges that the company might face due to the issues. The paper on the whole provides a clear and detailed analysis of Tesco Plc. and a thorough discussion of the strategic issues that the company currently faces. The next section will deal with a brief overview of the company and will discuss a little of the history of Tesco and the current position of the company. Tesco capitalized on this demand through a stock market flotation in 1947. This gave the company access to significant amounts of capital, which it used to rapidly buy up rival stores, removing the competition and also giving itself economies of scale to help dominate its market (Kotler and Keller, 2006). This acquisition based growth continued into the 1970s, when Tesco began strategically constructing new stores in an attempt to completely cover the UK. As part of this, Tesco also began to diversify, opening its first petrol station in 1974 and expanding into various non food operations. Founded in 1924, Tesco has indeed come a long way since its first-opened store in Burnt Oak, Edgware. Today, 79 years after it was founded by Sir Jack Cohen, TESCO is Britain’s leading food retailer. By the 1990s, Tesco started to developed new marketing concepts and strategies that gave focus on customer satisfaction. Among of its innovation was the introduction of the loyalty cards in 199 5. Tesco also now operates in 13 countries around the world, indicating that Tesco is willing to expand both its product and geographic range in order to grow sales

The Relationship Between Media and Politics Essay Example for Free

The Relationship Between Media and Politics Essay Introduction The Access to Information and Privacy Bill, 2001 (Media Bill) is currently being considered by the Zimbabwean Parliament. Passage of this Bill, which is part of a series of restrictive measures proposed by the Government, was recently delayed when the parliamentary legal committee failed to report on it in advance of the second reading, as required by the Constitution of Zimbabwe. This Bill, if passed into law, would severely restrict freedom of expression in Zimbabwe. The timing of the Media Bill, just prior to the presidential elections scheduled for March of this year, makes ARTICLE 19’s concerns about it all the more poignant, given the crucial importance of freedom of expression to free and fair elections. As the name of the Media Bill implies, it does formally establish a right to access information held by public bodies, something ARTICLE 19 welcomes. However, this right is so limited by exclusions and exceptions that its practical impact is likely to be extremely limited. The Media Bill does also impose limits on the collection of personal information by public bodies and the uses to which such bodies may put this information, again something we welcome. However, the bulk of the provisions in the Media Bill have nothing to do with access to information or privacy. Instead, they impose a range of harsh restrictions on media freedom. This gives the impression that the name and information/privacy provisions have been included simply to draw attention away from the real import of the Media Bill. Key problems with the Media Bill are as follows: the exceptions and exclusions to the right to information are so comprehensive as to effectively negate the right; all media outlets and any business disseminating media products or even video or audio recordings must obtain a registration certificate from a government controlled body; all individual journalists must also obtain accreditation from the same body;  all foreign ownership of the media is prohibited and no non-citizen may work as a journalist; and excessive restrictions are imposed on the content of what the media may publish or broadcast. This Memorandum analyses the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill, setting out ARTICLE 19’s main concerns, along with recommendations as to how to address them. Our concerns are grouped into five main categories. First, the provisions on freedom of information are seriously undermined by an extensive regime of exclusions and exceptions. Second, the Media Bill allocates broad regulatory powers to an Information and Media Commission but this body is firmly under the control of the Minister responsible for information. Third, all media outlets, as well as those who disseminate information, including through video and audio cassettes, are required obtain a registration certificate from the Commission. Fourth, conditions are placed on who may practise journalism and all journalists are required to obtain accreditation from the Commission. Fifth, the law imposes strict restrictions on media content, including by reintroducing provisions which were recently struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe. International and Constitutional Standards International Guarantees of Freedom of Expression The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is generally considered to be the flagship statement of international human rights, binding on all states as a matter of customary international law. Article 19 of the UDHR guarantees the right to freedom of expression and information in the following terms: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes the right to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), a legally binding treaty which Zimbabwe ratified in 1991, guarantees the right to freedom of opinion and expression in very similar terms to the UDHR, also in Article 19. Zimbabwe is also a party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression at Article 9. These guarantees allow for some restrictions on freedom of expression and information but only where these are prescribed by law, pursue a legitimate aim and are necessary in a democratic society to protect that aim. Constitutional Guarantees Article 20(1) of the Zimbabwean Constitution guarantees freedom of expression in the following terms: Except with his own consent or by way of parental discipline, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, that is to say, freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference, and freedom from interference with his correspondence. As under international law, the Constitution does permit some restrictions on freedom of expression, but only where such restrictions are â€Å"reasonably justifiable in a democratic society† The Importance of Freedom of Expression International bodies and courts have made it very clear that freedom of expression and information is one of the most important human rights. In its very first session in 1946 the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 59(I) which states: Freedom of information is a fundamental human right and the touchstone of all the freedoms to which the United Nations is consecrated. As this resolution notes, freedom of expression is both fundamentally important in its own right and also key to the fulfilment of all other rights. It is only in societies where the free flow of information and ideas is permitted that democracy can flourish. In addition, freedom of expression is essential if violations of human rights are to be exposed and challenged. The importance of freedom of expression in a democracy has been stressed by a number of international courts. For example, the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights has held: Freedom of expression is a basic human right, vital to an individual’s personal development, his political consciousness, and participation in the conduct of public affairs in his  country. Similarly, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights stated: Freedom of expression is a cornerstone upon which the very existence of a democratic society rests. It is indispensable for the formation of public opinion. [I]t can be said that a society that is not well informed is not a society that is truly free. This has repeatedly been affirmed by both the UN Human Rights Committee and the European Court of Human Rights. 1 Constitutional Rights Project and Media Rights Agenda v. Nigeria, 31 October 1998, Communications 105/93, 130/94, 128/94 and 152/96, para. 52. 2 Compulsory Membership in an Association Prescribed by Law for the Practice of Journalism, Advisory Opinion OC-5/85, 13 November 1985, Series A, No. 5, para. 70. The fact that the right to freedom of expression exists to protect controversial expression as well as conventional statements is well established. For example, in a recent case the European Court of Human Rights stated that: According to the Court’s well-established case-law, freedom of expression constitutes one of the essential foundations of a democratic society and one of the basic conditions for its progress and for each individual’s self-fulfilment. Subject to paragraph 2 of Article 10, it is applicable not only to â€Å"information† or â€Å"ideas† that are favourably received or regarded as inoffensive or as a matter of indifference, but also to those that offend, shock or disturb. Such are the demands of that pluralism, tolerance and broadmindedness without which there is no â€Å"democratic society†. These statements emphasise that freedom of expression is both a fundamental human right and also key to democracy, which can flourish only in societies where information and ideas flow freely. Media Freedom The guarantee of freedom of expression applies with particular force to the media, including the broadcast media and the Internet. As the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has stated: â€Å"It is the mass media that make the exercise of freedom of expression a reality.†4 Because of their pivotal role in informing the public, the media as a whole merit special protection. As the European Court of Human Rights has held: [I]t is †¦ incumbent on [the press] to impart information and ideas on matters of public interest. Not only does it have the task of imparting such information and ideas: the public also has a right to receive them. Were it otherwise, the press would be unable to play its vital role of ‘public watchdog’. This applies particularly to information which, although critical, is important to the public interest: The press plays an essential role in a democratic society. Although it must not overstep certain bounds, in particular in respect of the reputation and rights of others and the need to prevent the disclosure of confidential information, its duty is nevertheless to impart – in a manner consistent with its obligations and responsibilities – information and ideas on all matters of public interest [footnote deleted]. In addition, the court is mindful of the fact that journalistic freedom also covers possible recourse to a degree of exaggeration, or even provocation. This has been recognised by the constitutional courts of individual states around the world. For example, the Supreme Court of South Africa has recently held: Nilsen and Johnsen v. Norway, 25 November 1999, Application No. 23118/93, para. 43. Compulsory Membership in an Association Prescribed by Law for the Practice of Journalism, op cit., para. 34. 5 Thorgeirson v. Iceland, 25 June 1992, Application No. 13778/88, para. 63. 6 Fressoz and Roire v. France, 21 January 1999, Application No. 29183/95 (European Court of Human Rights). The role of the press is in the front line of the battle to maintain democracy. It is the function of the press to ferret out corruption,  dishonesty and graft wherever it may occur and to expose the perpetrators. The press must reveal dishonest maland inept administration. It must also contribute to the exchange of ideas already alluded to. It must advance communication between the governed and those who govern. The press must act as the watchdog of the governed. Restrictions on Freedom of Expression The right to freedom of expression is not absolute. Both international law and most national constitutions recognise that freedom of expression may be restricted. However, any limitations must remain within strictly defined parameters. Article 19(3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights lays down the benchmark, stating: The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary: (a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; (b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals. It is a maxim of human rights jurisprudence that restrictions on rights must always be construed narrowly; this is especially true of the right to freedom of expression in light of its importance in democratic society. Accordingly, any restriction on the right to freedom of expression must meet a strict three-part test, approved by both the Human Rights Committee8 and the European Court of Human Rights.9 This test requires that any restriction must a) be provided by law; b) be for the purpose of safeguarding a legitimate public interest; and c) be necessary to secure that interest. The third part of this test means that even measures which seek to protect a legitimate interest must meet the requisite standard established by the term â€Å"necessity†. Although absolute necessity is not required, a â€Å"pressing social need† must be demonstrated, the restriction must be proportionate to the legitimate aim pursued, and the reasons given to justify the restriction must be relevant and sufficient.10 In other words, the government, in protecting legitimate interests, must restrict freedom of expression as little as possible. Vague or broadly defined restrictions, even if they  satisfy the â€Å"provided by law† criterion, will generally be unacceptable because they go beyond what is strictly required to protect the legitimate interest. The Freedom of Information Regime Government of the Republic of South Africa v. the Sunday Times, [1995] 1 LRC 168, pp. 175-6. See, for example, Mukong v. Cameroon, 21 July 1994, Communication No. 458/1991, para. 9.7. 9 See, for example, Goodwin v. United Kingdom, 27 March 1996, Application No. 17488/90, paras. 2837. 10 Sunday Times v. United Kingdom, 26 April 1979, Application No. 6538/74, para. 62 (European Court of Human Rights). These standards have been reiterated in a large number of cases. The Media Bill establishes a general right to access information held by public bodies (section 5). ARTICLE 19 has long advocated in favour of legislative protection for the right to information and, to that extent, welcomes this development. However, the regime of exceptions is so comprehensive as to render any right to information largely illusory. Furthermore, review of refusals to disclose information are heard by the Information and Media Commission, a body controlled by the government, rather than by an independent body. Several provisions in the Media Bill provide for exceptions. The First Schedule lists a number of bodies to which the Act does not apply (pursuant to section 4). These include, among others, records held by officers of Parliament which relate to their functions, records of an elected local official which are not held by the local body and any record relating to the exercise of the functions of the President. Indeed, the First Schedule formally excludes from the operation of the Act any record which â€Å"has no bearing on the election campaign itself†, thereby restricting the scope of the Act in this regard to the election period, although it is possible that this is a drafting error. Section 9(4)(c)  provides that public bodies do not have to provide information where granting access â€Å"is in the public interest†. This again is presumably a drafting error, with the word â€Å"not† missing from this phrase. Sections 15 – 26 provide for a comprehensive regime of exceptions from the duty to disclose information. Exceptions include all cabinet documents, including draft legislation, advice or recommendations provided to public bodies (with some exceptions) and information whose disclosure would â€Å"affect† relations between different levels of government or which may result in harm to the economic interest of the public body. Pursuant to section 5, non-citizens and any mass media outlet which is not registered do not have any rights under the Act. The Media and Information Commission is responsible for reviewing, upon request, any refusal to grant access to information (sections 9(3) and Part X). ARTICLE 19 is of the view that the right to access information held by public bodies is part of the general right to freedom of expression, which includes the right to seek and receive information. We therefore welcome any moves to provide for this right in national legislation. However, the right to information as provided for in this Bill is so thoroughly undermined by the very broad regime of exclusions and exceptions, as described briefly above, as to render the right essentially nugatory. A detailed analysis of the regime of exceptions and exclusions is not provided in this Memorandum; instead, a general critique is made. Exceptions are only legitimate according to international standards if they meet a strict three-part test as follows: †¢ the information must relate to a legitimate interest clearly defined in the law; †¢ disclosure must threaten to cause substantial harm to that interest; and †¢ the harm to the aim must be greater than the public interest in having the information (in other words, the law must provide for a public interest override).