Geek Weekly :: Advertising Essays

Geek Weekly Tired of lame, homogenized tech news addressed in laymen’s terms? Subscribe to Geek Weekly magazine!! Geek Weekly: Not Your Mother’s Computer Magazine This isn’t just another generic technology periodical marketed bluntly toward every computer user in North America. No, this is a magazine just for you, the true geek, who craves rich and creamy technological news, at the speed of technology – tasty, up-to-the-minute reviews and reports, delivered to you every week. Geek Weekly features all the latest industry news, a full-featured video game hints and reviews section, and editorial reviews of the latest gadgets and hardware, written by geeks just like you (except for the fact that these geeks are good writers). With every dweeb-certified issue, you’ll get a CD-ROM packed to the 650 with the newest, coolest demos and utilities. If you’re not convinced yet, seek medical attention. But first, read on. How much does this amazing magazine that caters to all of my geekly urges cost, you say? You’ll be pleased to hear that for a limited time we are offering a 12-month Geek Weekly subscription at over 65% off the yearly newsstand cost of $98.45. That’s 52 issues plus special holiday supplements for only $31.95. We know what you want. We give you what you want. This magazine has it all. Sure, you could waste hours every day picking up scraps of information off the Internet that might be equivalent to what you would read on the cover of last September’s Geek Weekly, but let’s face it; even though you’re a geek, you don’t have that time to waste. You’d rather be browsing eBay or playing Unreal against an Australian guy. So make it easy for yourself! Subscribe to Geek Weekly and get a one-up on all your friends. Oh, and when they beg you for a subscription card from one of your issues, be nice and give it to them so that they can subscribe, because we want to make more money.

Benjamin Franklin: from an Apprentice to a Founding Father

As one of the founding fathers of the United States, Benjamin Franklin was a key figure in shaping the history of America. But even more so, he was a highly individualistic character, and showed a truly dynamic personality when compared to the early leaders of American history. His unique personality has been admired by those throughout history for his pragmatism, his soothing nature and ability to act as a mediator with others. He was known for his leadership skills, and respected as a writer, visionary, philosopher and inventor.Benjamin Franklin is still relevant today from students learning about his science experiments to the printing and technical industries benefiting from his inventions. Probably the most impressive quality about Franklin is the fact that he appealed to the everyday working class people. Born in Boston in 1706 to Abiah and Josiah Franklin, his father was a chandler and soap maker from England (Benjamin Franklin In Search of a Better World, 2005). Early on the young Ben Franklin was intrigued by reading and writing.One of his first inspirations was The Spectator essay written by Richard Steele and Joseph Addison. Franklin was impressed with the authors’ passages about the vanities and values of contemporary life. He read the essays as a learning experience. After reading the pages he then re-wrote the text in his own words and evaluated what he could correct and then enhance—eventually creating his own unique, writing style. In addition to the essays of the day, he also immersed himself in the books that he borrowed from friends who worked for local book masters.In 1721 his brother James started the New England Courant, and the 16-year-old Benjamin wrote articles for it under an assumed name. Knowing his brother would not let him write for the paper, he found another way to get his writings in print. He wrote letters and signed them via a pseudonym of a made up widow dubbed: Silence Dogood. His musings were filled with the p light facing women and an analysis of the current landscape of the time period. All in all, readers loved the letters and clamored to find out more about the infamous scribe.Eventually the young writer confessed that he created the Dogood tales. Discovering this led to touchy altercation among the brothers; James said the compliments paid to Benjamin’s writing made him â€Å"vain. † The relationship between Benjamin and his older brother would lay the groundwork for his future philosophies and work ethic. As he revealed in his autobiography: â€Å"I fancy his harsh and tyrannical treatment of me might be a means of impressing me with that aversion to arbitrary power that has stuck to me through my whole life.(The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, p. 20). This approach would later show up in Franklin’s dealings as a printer and in competing with other newspapermen of the day, as well as in his political dealings and his â€Å"man of the people† stance o n issues. Benjamin Franklin bought out a competitor’s newspaper called, the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1729. Combining his many skills, Franklin wrote for the paper as well as printed the periodical. The Gazette was Franklin’s bread and butter for his printing service.To enhance the content, he focused on more up-to-date content and improved the quality of the writing and added a dose of wit and spirited prose. This newspaper saw much success within the area and in filled it more and more with political writings (In Search of a Better World, 2005). For example, Franklin created and published the first political cartoon in the paper. The Gazette was unique in that it had an open-press policy and â€Å"He was scrupulously evenhanded in his coverage of politics†¦. his open-press policy

Puppy Mills are a Crime - 1051 Words

Overpopulation of animals has been a problem for us in the United States, especially with cats and dogs that are the typical house pets. These animals can be living out on the streets or even be confined in an abusive household. There are 6.5 million of companion cats and dogs who get rescued into shelters, but more three to four million will get euthanized. For the most part, the dogs that end up living in a puppy mill were born there and do not know what a loving family really is. Puppy mills are numerous in the United States though they are not illegal they should be because their care givers do not treat the animals the way they deserve as in other pet businesses. If abuse is defined as to use improperly or to take bad advantage of†¦show more content†¦The environments are very uncomfortable and tight causing the animals to live in a harsh and an unsanitary area. I can only imagine how the puppy mills look like dark, cold, and dead. They are kept in wired cages to minimi ze waste cleanup and the wire causes injuries on their paws. These dogs are left without proper food and water as well as a loving family. What kind person could allow such a terrible act of abuse? They are the kind of people who do not care and just want to make money just to survive in our economy. Bill Henry worked in the department of psychology in Denver, Colorado and he claims that there are two factors affecting participation in animals. â€Å"If a child from the age of 13 and younger experience animal abuse or witness it they are more likely to keep doing it later in their lifetime. For those who are older than 13 years of age and experience such a terrible act think of it as cruelty.† (Henry) Children are usually brought up from their parents to have a certain respect for animals. For the most part, they are encouraged to love and recognize animals whether if they are portrayed in toys, movies, and even companion house pets. A child typically does not have the urge to be cruel to another living thing but to just play with it. They could be a little aggressive at times but atShow MoreRelatedPersuasive Speech On Animal Cruelty1014 Words   |  5 Pagescruelty and spreading the word about how animal rights are important. There are many types of animal cruelty actions that lots of animals face, but I believe that dog fighting, animal hoarding, and puppy mills are the three worst things that animals suffer. Dog fighting is a very common crime which is where dogs are forced to fight each other until one is killed by the other; or until a dog is proven weak, and is then killed by its owners. Hundreds of thousands of dogs are fought in the U.S,Read MoreAnimal Cruelty Essay1535 Words   |  7 Pagesthat they can continue to live, even though they cannot work anymore. Amish are also known for owning ‘Puppy Mills’. Puppy mills are breeding kennels in which dozens, or even hundreds, of dogs are allowed to live in small cages for their whole life, as long as they are given the basics, food, water, and shelter. (Puppy Mills) These mills are not illegal. Some of these Amish-owned [puppy mills treat their dogs very poorly. â€Å"The Amish say they raise dogs much as they would any other livestock, restrictingRead MoreHow Can Animal Abuse Be Prevented? Essay2019 Words   |  9 Pageshome but instead I found a dog that was sick, feeble and afraid of me. It was then that I quickly learned about the horrors of animal abuse. Spellbound, I listened to my mother tell me Andy’s story of abuse. Andy spent his entire seven years in a puppy mill, confined to a small cage and rarely had any human contact. He came to us with a skin disease, parasites, and almost all of his teeth were missing from decay. The foster organization told my mother t hat he was hit and beaten by his breeder numerousRead MoreAnimals Should Not Be Bred1585 Words   |  7 Pagesexercise and play. Often times, the water and food provided for the puppies is contaminated, crawling with bugs. And most of the time the puppies can even be malnourished. Puppies in mills are found with bleeding or swollen paws, feet falling through the wire cages, severe tooth decay, ear infections, dehydration, and lesions on their eyes, which often lead to blindness. Living this unhealthy life is abuse in so many ways, most puppy mills have no veterinary cave, climate control, or protection for theRead MorePersuasive Essay On Animal Abuse1272 Words   |  6 Pagesand most despicable crimes in the world, and also the most preventable. Animal abuse is an issue that has to be dealt with across the entire country. Thousands of people deal with the issue and, or are involved with animal shelters like the ASPA, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This issue affects thousands of animals and is a major problem. Animal abuse should be seen as a major problem because too many local pet stores are associated with puppy mills, thousands of warm-bloodedRead MoreAnimal Cruelty Persuasive Speech962 Words   |  4 Pagesof dog corpses or a pit full of blood.† This is testament to the fact that 10,000 dogs die of illegal dog fights every year. Also, many puppy mills around the world place more emphasis on making money rather than keeping their dogs healthy. Many of them get infected with illnesses such as kidney and heart disease due to the living environment provided by these mills. Furthermore, 90% of chicken who are bred for the sole purpose of making meat have a difficult time walking. This is due to the geneticRead MoreRights and Ethics: What We Need1146 Words   |  5 Pagesis the practice itself unethical, there is a chance that the person executed was innocent. Killing an innocent person for the sake of the law is no better than murder. The only time capital punishment should be allowed is in very extreme cases like crimes against humanity and genocide when the human race as a whole suffers. While less extreme than euthanasia and capital punishment, assisting poverty-stricken regions is also important in limiting human suffering. Providing things such as shelter, cleanRead MoreA Brief History of Animal Abuse and Cruelty Essay1152 Words   |  5 PagesIn October of 2012, a Jack Russell Terrier puppy named Phoenix was set on fire in Buffalo N.Y. The woman who discovered him was attracted by black smoke. She managed to put out the the flames with her sweater and proceeded to rush him to a small animal hospital with severe burns over his whole body and a serious ankle infection. Although he lost 60% off of both of his ears he maintained almost complete mobility of his leg. He still has a slight limp. Judi Bunge, a senior vet technician at BuffaloRead MoreThe Presentation of Napoleon in Animal Farm by George Orwell Essay839 Words   |  4 Pagesbetween meetings shows his cunning and also his level of power at the gatherings. He was also shrewdly trying to put Snowball down by contradicting him, and thereby making the animals doubt Snowball’s rhetoric. Napoleon took the nine puppies of Jessie and Bluebell into his care in the pretext of making â€Å"himself responsible for their education†. However, he was in fact training them to be his soldiers in order to expel Snowball and seize control of the farm. This shows thatRead MoreThe Effects Of Animal Testing On Human Society1591 Words   |  7 Pageseither in the laboratory or in special companies. Others are captured from the wild. Some are even sold in a market for lab animals where licensed dealers sell animals to research companies. These animals can come from miserable places such as puppy mills. Some dealers will do something called pound seizures and even go as far to lure animals in with meat and sedatives. Some are even stolen pets. It is a terrible to imagine that some of these suffering animals were once pets, pets that were loved

Social and Political Contexts of Language Acquisition on the Educational Experiences Free Essay Example, 2000 words

English was compulsory as a second language from grades three to ten at all primary schools, and even though they were taught only basic grammar and spoken English, the writer enjoyed learning it. What made the experience enjoyable were her personal encounters with two English speakers who exerted a great influence on her fascination with the English language (Willig, 1985). The first was her aunt, who taught her the first English phrase she learned: come to this side . Her aunt used to take her to school, telling her a story or singing a song along the way. One day, her aunt said Come to this side , which the writer did not understand at first. After the aunt explained to her what it meant, she understood and there followed a series of personal English lessons using simple English sentences on their way to school. The second influence was an English teacher who was very good at encouraging students. The writer, growing more fascinated with each passing day, participated in many E nglish concerts and dramas to increase her proficiency. Until she reached secondary school, the writer had not yet attained an acceptable level of productive skills in English. We will write a custom essay sample on Social and Political Contexts of Language Acquisition on the Educational Experiences or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Whenever she received a letter in English from a childhood friend who emigrated from Sri Lanka to India many years earlier, she could read and understand the letter alright, but she had to ask her father to write the reply in English. Her English was not yet up to the standard to write a complete letter. Neither did she learn to speak or read English fluently, as her English teacher at secondary school played favorites and would call upon the same girl whom the teacher considered the only one who could read English properly to read books in front of the class. In 1992, the writer moved to England as a refugee. With her broken English, she was able to answer the questions of immigration officials after she landed at Heathrow airport without the need for an interpreter.

Client Scenario Crime And Alcohol Counseling Essay

Client Scenario In my client scenario, Anthony has come to drug and alcohol counseling as a result of a probation requirement. Anthony, a 31-year-old African American male, was arrested and charged with possession of cocaine with the intent to deliver. During his incarceration, he admitted to daily use of cocaine, as well as heavy drinking. As a result, Anthony participated in drug rehabilitation programs while incarcerated. Furthermore, upon his release, his probation officer ordered him to complete drug and alcohol counseling as a stipulation of probation. While Anthony doesn’t have an issue admitting to his daily drug use, he does not agree with the probation requirement of counseling or that his alcohol and drug use were a serious issue. Anthony sees his situation differently that other addicts or alcoholics, and even expresses uneasiness about his marginalized status and the lack of understanding surrounding the conditions that led up to his arrest. He has stated that he doesn’t have anything in common with most addicts and that he isn’t a â€Å"fiend.† Motivational Interviewing as an Informal Assessment Procedure In the past, as well as currently, I have worked with individuals who have been charged with drug dealing offenses, who have also developed a dependency issue. This specific group of individuals who demonstrate addictive behaviors can be incredibly different and challenging to work with. One of the assessment methods that I would use with this client inShow MoreRelatedHomeless And Have Hiv / Aids1617 Words   |  7 Pageseverything. This is especially true, this 21st century cycle of struggling to get back on one’s feet and then getting knocked down again before gaining any permanence, of those with special needs and conditions accompanying their homelessness like alcohol and substance abuse, a criminal record, a mental disorder or physical or learning disability – and being HIV positive. While homelessness overall remains a major challenge in Baltimore City and cities across the US, much has been done over the lastRead MoreADVANCE Individual and Group Counseling,Diagnosis and Assessment of the Addicted Client.4613 Words   |  19 Pagesï » ¿ Research Paper Advanced Individual and Group Counseling, Diagnosis and Assessment of the Addicted Client Instructor: Dr. Ozietta Taylor LCPC Psych 641 Wilber L. Jackson Date Submitted: December 8, 2014 Date Due: December 8, 2014 Treatment Strategies in Counseling Methadone Clients Using Benzodiazepines And other Licit and Illicit Substance Case Scenario: Michael Doe is a 21 year old methadone patient. He presented at a Methadone Treatment Center with a 3Read MoreUnderstanding And Report The Signs Of Workplace Violence10320 Words   |  42 PagesRisk Factors 8 Occupational Groups Most at Risk 9 Prevention Strategies 10 Risk Factors Where I Work 11 Assessing Risk Factors: 11 Paying the Ultimate Price 14 Classifying Offender Types 15 Violence by a Stranger 15 Violence by a Current or Former Client 16 Violence by a Co-Worker 16 Violence by Family, Friend or Acquaintance 17 Profile of an Assailant 18 Personal Issues 18 Personal Issues 19 Are You Seeing These Problem Behaviors at Work? Report them! 19 Social Issues 19 Threats or /Violence 19 BehavioralRead MoreHarm Reduction Paper3509 Words   |  15 Pageshouses provide a free homeless shelter and alcohol under supervision. In this shelter, the user has the option of cutting down without the unrealistic view of instant sobriety. Along the same vein is the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana. From the standpoint of harm reduction, getting rid of the prohibition on marijuana will decrease marijuana use. It is suggested that legalization would mean a lower price resulting in the decrease of crime. Insite safe injection first started whenRead MoreCommunity Health Nursing Final Exam Study Guide Essay15874 Words   |  64 Pagesheat-related illnesses Infestations poor skin integrity Peripheral vascular disease- homeless people are on their feet for many hours and often sleep in positions that compromise their peripheral circulation. Hypertension- exacerbated by high rates of alcohol abuse and the high sodium content of foods served in fast-food restaurants, shelters, and other meal sites. Diabetes nutritional deficits Respiratory infections COPD Tuberculosis (TB) HIV/AIDS- prevalence of HIV in the homeless is estimatedRead MorePreventing Violence in the Workplace2255 Words   |  10 Pagesidentifying and reporting violent incidents. There are four distinct categories of workplace violence: 1. Violent acts by criminals who have no other connection with the workplace, but enter to commit robbery or another crime 2. Violence directed at employees by customers, clients, patients, students, inmates, or any others for whom an organization provides services 3. Violence against coworkers, supervisors, or managers by a present or former employee 4. Violence committed in the workplace byRead MoreMentally Insane but Guilty Essay5201 Words   |  21 PagesSenate today passed legislation (S.1822), sponsored by Senator Frank Padavan (R-C, Bellerose), that would allow juries to find defendants guilty but mentally ill in cases where they believe the defendant may have been mentally ill at the time of the crime, but should still be held responsible for his or her actions. The Andrea Yates case in Texas highlights the need for another option for jurors other than simply guilty or innocent. Often, juries are reluctant to find defendants not guilty by reasonRead MoreWrongful Convictions And Its Effect On Society6680 Words   |  27 PagesWillis’s name when discussing who might have committed the crime. The victim testified that she was shown photos and told to pick the man without a full beard. She testified that she did not pick anyone, however investigating police officers claimed she picked Willis. Willis was convicted by a jury and sentenced to life in prison. In 2003, DNA testing proved Willis’ innocence and he was released. He had served nearly 22 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.† (Innocence Project, n.d.) There wasRead MoreDomestic Violence and Its Effect on Children4845 Words   |  20 Pagesman; an upper-middle class mother can be a victim of domestic violence as well as a single mother on welfare. Root causes of violence, however can often include poverty and unemployment, economic disparity, lack of housing, racism and injustice alcohol and substance abuse and feelings of hopelessness and despair (OWH, 2000). Although anyone from any cultural background can be a victim of domestic violence; women of color, poor women, immigrant women, language minorities, and other marginalizedRead MoreChild Abuse And Neglect Of Children5936 Words   |  24 Pagesbut recent studies have begun to document its long-term consequences. Emotional abuse has been linked to increased depression, anxiety, and difficulties in interpersonal relationships . Victims of child abuse and neglect are more likely to commit crimes as juveniles and adults. Overall, emotional effects caused by child abuse can result in long-term and short-term effects that ultimately affect a child s upbringing and development. Physical The immediate physical effects of abuse or neglect can

Marks and Spencer Strategic Develpoment History Essay Example For Students

Marks and Spencer Strategic Develpoment History Essay Executive Summary Marks Spencer is most recognized British retail brands having 760 stores more 30 countries on the world, which was very successful in term of profitability and market share until the late 1990 and then its fortune turned to decline. The report depicts about the competitive strategy behind its successful growth until 1990 and the highlights the causes behind its decline. It also suggests the future competitive strategy to sustain competitive advantage in current scenario. Generic strategy described by Porter (1985) is being used to describe the competitive strategy while supportive corporate and value chain strategies also discuss that help to strengthened strategic competitive choice of Mark Spencer. Porter (1985) generic strategy framework describes that the traditional business formula of Mark Spencer was partially near to the â€Å"Differentiation† strategic. MS basis of strategy was quality which is the main essence of Porter (1985) generic â€Å"Differentiation strategy. Porter (1985) describes that to pursue â€Å"Differentiation† organization should be customer focus, pursuinge creativity, and innovation and use of , technology, should be supportive by decentralized decision making structure. MS differ on the ground that it tried to pursue quality but through UK base supplier, centralized control, bureaucratic structure and culture which was is the main contradiction between Porter (1985) generic strategy and MS traditional business formula. Moreover MS was pursuing growth investment strategy to diverse its business internationally though joint venture and franchise business. MS offer selective rage of quality products that was offered with the presumption that people like those goods which they known before. After successful MS face drastic decline that started during 1990. This was mainly due to traditional business formula in which close bureaucratic structure and culture restrict the management to think beyond the its own business theory as result MS fail to assess rapidly changing environment forces i. e. legal, social, and economical and industry competitive forces. On the other competition quickly assessed such changingchanging and respond accordingly. Moreover it involved in aggressive investment growth strategy by using same traditional business formula without restructuring organization design and culture as result management focus just confined to day to day operation rather than long planning. The environment analysis P. E. S. T. , Porter (1985) five competitive forces, Stakeholder analysis supports that the MS should remain continue to quality focus â€Å"Differentiation† strategy but it should be based customer focus to satisfy customer needs and wants. The strategy should be supported by value chain activity that helps to add value for organization and customer both. MS pursue stable and retrenchment strategy to sustain stable financial position for the time being and as soon stability sustain pursue growth strategy. Initially it is suggested that pursue investment in vertical integration in value chain. MS should redesign its structure and culture and it should be customer focus characterized by division in different business units, flat structure, decentralized decision making. Strategic management is continuous iterative process that should be carefully manage at each stage i. e. environment scanning, strategy formulation, implementation, control etc. MARKS SPENCER Marks Spencer is most recognized British retail brands having 760 stores more 30 countries on the world, which was very successful in term of profitability and market share and until the late 1990 and then its fortune turned to decline and crises. Marks Spencer TypePublic (LSE:MKS,OTCBB: MAKSY) FoundedLeeds, England (1884) HeadquartersLondon, England, UK Key  peopleMichael Marks, co-founder, Thomas Spencer, co-founder IndustryRetailer ProductsClothing, food, household items, coffee shop, furniture, technology Revenue^ ? 8. 588 billion GBP (2007) Operating income^ ? 0. 965 billion GBP (2007) Net income^ ? 0. 660 billion GBP (2007) Employees75,871 (2007) SloganYour MS Websitewww. marksandspencer (Source: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Marks__Spencer) It is case study analysis reports that critically investigate key strategic issue of MS by using key principal, theories and model studied MBA module strategic management. The key issues are:- 1. What was the basis of Marks and Spencer Competitive strategy? 2. Why did the organization suffer a downturn in 1990? 3. Why competitive strategy should MS seek to follow and why? 4. Evaluation of theories and model applied During analysis, critical approach is adopted in which more focus is given to explain and evaluate the issue of MS by using appropriate academic models and lesser to explain model itself, academic reference is also being mentioned by using Harvard business technique, where needed. 1. What was the basis of marks Spencer competitive strategy? The basis of competitive strategy of organization is usually considered as a polemic issue in theoretical grounds (Mintzberg, 2000). In order to identify the competitive strategies of MS, I rely mostly on Porter Generic Strategies and lesser extent to investment and some competitive tactical strategies. MS structured business formula is being analyse by using academic model as following:- 1. 1. Generic Strategy Porter (1980) describes generic competitive strategies to sustain competitive advantage (1) cost leadership, (2) differentiation, (3) Focus Cost Leadership, (4) Focus Cost leadership. Competitve Advantage | |Efficiency |Quality | |Compe|Broand| | | |titve|Market| |Differnciation | |Scope| |Low Cost | | | |Narrow| | | | |Market| | | | | |Focus |Focus | | | |Cost |Differenciation | The competitive strategy of MS was differentiation to sustain competitive advantage. Accordingly, MS differentiated its products on basis of quality and customer services. The strategy given option to charge high price but it tried to provide value for money to its customers. It provided no quibble refund on good purchased until 2 year, if customer is not happy. Surprisingly, more focus was given to quality of the products and lesser to customer response while another important factor innovation, high market segments, research and development, marketing orientation, which is the essence of differentiation generic competitive strategy (Porter 1980) was entirely ignored by MS. It acquired products from UK based supplier. In order to maintain the reliability and other attributes of products MS concentrate on high quality consistency and standardized products. It offered customer selective range of high quality, well designed and attractive merchandise at reasonable price to provide value for money under St. Michael brand which was perceived by the customer as a sing of quality. 1. 2. The Value Chain Porter (1985) develops the concept of value chain to sustain competitive advantage which is â€Å"an interdependent system or network of activities, connected by linkages†. MS used value chain to support competitive strategy as:- 1. 2. 1. Primary Activities 1. 2. 2. 1. Inbound – operation – outbound activity: MS worked with UK based high quality UK base supplier, quality was the criteria of good relationship while encouraged its supplier to use efficient production technique. It maintained good human relationship with its supplier. MS controlled operating activities through central buying office operated and then allocated to stores. 1. 2. 2. 2. Marketing and Sale: There was no proper marketing orientation; MS ignored marketing orientation with company more focus is given to selling activities and its structure business formula. MS adopted simple price policy, charge relatively premium price. 1. 2. 2. 3. Customer service: MS strategy to support generic strategy was to provided friendly, helpful service to its customer with great shopping comfort and convenience and good human relation with customer. 1. 2. 2. Supportive activities 1. 2. 2. 1. Infrastructure: The structure of the MS was tall, top-down. Top management renewed as personal control. Decision was made by boardroom. It was a bureaucracy model characterized by formulizationformulization, standardization of system, decision making at top level. The store manager followed central direction on merchandising, layout, store design, training and other activities. MS culture catogorized as weak culture where there is little alignment with organizational values and control must be exercised through extensive procedures and bureaucracy. There was family-knit atmosphere within Mark Spencer even top management dominated by family member. 1. 2. 2. 2. Human Resource: MS staff treated and rewarded well as compared to market. The criteria to recruit and retain employee was it should fit in MS culture and served being a part of family. Almost all managers and executives are promoted internally. 1. 3. Supportive Investment Strategies MS ware pursuing growth investment strategy that can be explained with help of Ansoff growth model. 1. 3. 2. Ansoffs Product/Market Matrix The Ansoff matrix entails four possible product/market combinations: Market penetration, product development, market development and diversification (Ansoff 1957, 1989). Ansoff Model |Existing Products |New Product | Existing | | | |Market | | | | |Market Penetration |Product development | | |UK market |Financial products | | |Little wood stores | | |New | | | |Market |Market Development | | | |Canada |Diversification | | |America | | | |Europe | | M was pursuing marketing development strategy to expand its operation in international market by using its structure formula i. e. Europe, Hong Kong, America and at lesser extent to product development by entering in financial market and offering ethnic food etc. 2. Why did the organization suffer a downturn in the 1990? The External and Internal factor that caused to change the fortune of Mark Spencer after continuous success up until 1990 are:- 2. 1. External factors (discussed detailed in next section) One of major strategic issue is that M ignore or fail to assess the impact of changing environment and continued his structure formula to success in business, while the competitors, in the meanwhile, realized quickly changing environmental factor and reacted accordingly. 2. 1. 1. Macro Environment or PEST forces 2. 1. 1. 1. Political: Deregulation of economies especially after 1970 was encouraging and making the business competitive. 2. 1. 1. 2. Economic: 1990 the UK economy was experiencing the recession characterized by changing economic condition that was not assessed by M. Economic condition not only impact on society as whole but also on individual purchasing power, saving and expanding. 2. 1. 1. 3. Social: It was a biggest change in society. Change in life, taste, fashion, trend, especially due to impact of media impact on purchasing behaviour of the people. People not satisfied with the selective range of M cloths. They want fashion and trendy apparel. Economics and technology change reshaped their buying behaviour, expectation and demand. Moreover, social components vary country to country, area to area that was totally ignored by M and used traditional business formula. Ignored that customer no more want products from its home furnished range. 2. 1. 2. Industry competitiveness or 5 Porter competitive forces 2. 1. 2. 1. The Degree of Rivalry: Rivalry among competitors increased, they competing on price, products, and services. Competitors timely assessed the environmental change and offered similar quality product with wide variety and design at lower price, focusing customer satisfaction. 2. 1. 2. 2. The Threat of Entry: Because of no entry barrier, new competitor came in to market at top end those competed on quality and innovation and bottom end who competing on price. 2. 1. 2. 3. Buyer Power: increase number of competitor, large number of product increase the buyer power of customer. They were no more loyal with UK base products. 2. 2. Internal Factor The major internal factor of M failure is:- 2. 2. 1. Management style, structure culture Bureaucratic management style and structure of the M was not supportive and integrate with uncertain competitive environment of the company. The company was controlled through tall structure, centeralized authority, riged business operating sytem and process. In uncertain enviornement, bureucratic model fail to respond properly (Daft, 2002). Culture of the M was close directed the all employee to follow central direction. Culture was strongly reinforced by the top management. The top management consisted of men. 2. 2. 2. Single unit, No buseinss portfolio Moreover M was running as one unit while there was need to split the compnay into different business unit to control and evaluate business. 2. 2. 3. Human Resource Human resource policy was not flexible. Store manager failed to maintain required staff at outlet due to policy to have full time sale assistant. 2. 2. . Marketing / Customer focus M strategy was not customer focus. It failed to understand to customer changing needs of its target market. Its offerings based on its top management perception rather to focus on customer preference and trend. Buyers tended to sele ct merchandise that they knew CEO would approved instead of customers need and liking. It stocked generic clothing range with a wide appeal to public: buyers often made choices which would outlast the current fashion and trends seen in other high street retailer. Moreover M wanted to keep the company on traditional trend. Greenbury did not want M to be the cutting edge of fashions. Diabetes EssayIt is necessary that I should structure M in different business units on the basis of geographically such as UK retail, overseas business, and financial services and then split in products division range lingerie, women wear, beauty, men wear, children wear, foot wear, Food, Home ware, Food motorway. It will help M to build customer focus strategy keeping in view products offering and geographic environment. Moreover, it also helps to pursue investment strategies. To analyse the performance of each business BCG matrix or GE model can be used. 3. 6. 3. BCG matrix model |Market |High |Question Mark |Stars | |Growth | |Financial Service |E-selling | |Rate | |Hong Kong |Home ware | |Cash | | | |Usage | | | | | |Low |Dogs |Cash Cows | | | |Traditional cloths |UK Foods | | | | | | |Low |High | |Relative Market Share | |(Cash Generation) | Henderson (1970) develop matrix for Boston Consulting Group categorized business unit as Stare, Cash cows, Dogs, Question marks on the b asis of marketing growth and market share. Note: just strategic evaluation concept is presented due to limited information about business units available to use this model. 3. 6. 4. GE / McKinsey matrix model McKinsey (1970) develop matrix on the basis of market attractiveness and business strength. These model should be used to analyses the performance of each business unit. |Business Unit Strength | |High |Medium |Low | |Market |High | | | | |Attract| | |UK- Retail |Europe | |iveness| | |Food |America | | | | |Cloths |Hong Kong | | | | |Home ware |Traditional Cloths | | | | | | | | |Medium| |Financial Service | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |Low | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |GE Matrix | The results of each model can be used to pursue investment strategies. 3. 7. Investment Strategies M should pursue stable strategies or retrenchment strategy and stopped growth strategies for the time being. The business unit that are performing profitability should be hold while other can be retrenched fully or partially. Growth strategy can only be advocate in vertical integration of in value chain that will add value in its competitive strategy. M should continue to establish joint venture in Home ware, Food like it made with Desmond Sons in children cloths range, George Davies in â€Å"Per Una† brand etc. It may sale out (fully or partially) financial service segment to any specialized financial institute. As soon M sustain or stabilize its competitive position it can pursue growth strategy, may be related or unrelated business or other market. 3. 8. Business Competitive Strategy: It is suggested that M entirely focus on differentiation based on high quality but more focus give to customer focus, market segmentation to penetrate in market, research and development of products, innovation and creativity to offer fashion and trendy cloths rather than traditional, these are the essence of competitive strategy. |Competitve Advantage | |Efficiency |Quality | |Compe|Broand| | | |titve|Market| |Differnciation | |Scope| |Low Cost | | | |Narrow| | | | |Market| | | | | |Focus |Focus | | | |Cost Differenciation | 3. 9. Value chain strategy Porter (1985) said value chain help to sustain competitive advantage. When the value chain system is managed carefully, the linkages can be a vital source of competitive advantage (Pathania-Jain, 2001). Value on the one hand help M to differentiation and on the other and help provide value of money to the customer by proving value added feature i. e. customer service, after sale service etc. 3. 9. 1. Outsourcing: Differentiation defini tely increase the cost of products that can be overcome by outsourcing products outside the rather to depend on UK base producer. 3. 9. 3. Cross functional process management Rather to run value chain in functional, M should use cross functional process approach i. e. supply chain management to get efficiency in value chain. TQM approach is useful quality focus technique that involve every on to conquest for quality or customer satisfaction, it can be adopted. 3. 9. 4. Procurement M should improve their procurement system. Use modern technique to improve inventory system like Economic Order Quantity, Just in Time. 3. 10. 5. Marketing Aggressive advertising of differentiation products should be consider as investment (Porter 1985) and it will help to attract the customer on the basis of distinctive attributes with value of money. 3. 9. 6. Infrastructure, Culture M should adopt flat structure, promote democracy, decision making at lower level, and use feed back as input to make decision, promote adaptive culture. 3. 10. 7. Human Resource Management M should adopt motivational HR policies that increase employee involvement in decision making, informal communication, sense of responsibilities, creative ideas to respond dynamic environment. There should be job specification, training and development, job rotation and enrichment, flexible contract, performance base reward system. 3. 9. 8. Vertical Integration Vertical integration in back end or forward helps the M to maintain the consistent quality and achieve innovation by controlling cost as well. 3. 10. Corporate social responsibility and ethics Orlizty, Schmidt, and Rynes (2003) found a positive correlation between social/environmental performance and financial performance. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a concept whereby organizations voluntaritly consider beyond the satutory obligation, the interests of society by taking responsibility for the impact of their activities on stakeholder environment in all aspects of their operations. This will help the M to strenthend and differentiate its brand and customer loyality and profititablity. 4. Limitation: †¢ Despite of facts that all model and theories applied are reliable and is being used successfully to make strategic analyses, but attached with some limitation that considered in M strategy analyse. Porter (1980) described five forces that should consider sustaining competitive advantage but (Haberberg and Rieple, 2001) argue in addition to it other strategic frameworks of SWOT and PEST analysis should also be used. Moreover this model ignore the impact of som e other forces i. e. employee, government, shareholder, public so stakeholder analysis should also be conducted. †¢ Moreover porter (1985) just focus on value chain and competitive forces as basis of competitive force while ignore corporate strategies. Porter (1985) value chain model is that it describes an industrial organization but I discussed it M term. The limitations of the model include the fact that ‘value’ for the final customer is the value only in its theoretical context (Svensson, 2003), and not practical terms. The real value of the product is assessed when the product reaches the final customer. †¢ The study report considered, Ansoff matrix only just express the strategic choice and can only be effective when it use with PEST, 5 competitive forces or SWOT matrix. †¢ The report also considered GE model valuation of the realization of factor determinants of market attractive and business strength is very difficult. Moreover, core competences are ignored. †¢ When using BCG matrix model, it should be noted it fail to consider the provision of synergy among product/business unit of M. moreover, the computation of market share and market growth is also difficult. Corporate social responsibility come into conflict and objected by shareholder on the view that it is use of its own share of profit. †¢ Despite of the some limitation, all model used are very successful to attain competitive advantage over rival. †¢ Moreover, business strategy is a continuous (because of dynami c environment) iterative (serious of step) process keeping the organization as whole to achieve its object. If M adopt any specific strategy, the rival can use as well. So there is need that M continuously analyse dynamic environment and react quickly. †¢ Strategic businesses units may result in inter competition and conflicts as M experience between Davies (fashion cloths) Yusuf (Traditional cloths) regarding space and designs, and may increase operational cost. Growth investment strategies increase may impact to increase the financial risk and organization infrastructure (management, design, culture) i. e. M experience during its decline 1990. (Management focus just confined to day to day operation not long term prospective. †¢ Strategy can only achieve its objective if it communicate, implement and control effectively, as planned. Formulated strategy may need to bring change in culture, design and management style that could also create problem for organization. M has t o make sure supportive organization structure to achieve objectives of any strategy formulated. †¢ Strategic management is a continuous process because of dynamic components of environment and should continue to achieve competitive advantage. Defiantly competition respond against M strategies or may be follow the same strategy then to remain competitive it has to react may be by competitive strategy or through value chain. As soon M fail to assess environment factor it lose its competitiveness. 5. Conclusion The essence of traditional business formula of M before 1990 was delivery of quality products through UK base supplier and bureaucratic organizational infrastructure that partially near to differentiation strategy described by Porter (1880) in generic competitive strategy framework but M ignore other components like creatively, customer focus and response while organization structure was also not support differentiation. The M experienced great downfall in 1990 that is basically due to lacks of customer focus strategy rely of traditional business formula, aggressive investment policy, and bureaucratic organization design and culture. M need to pursue differentiation strategy that should be based on customer focus, market segmentation, innovation, creatively, supportive corporate strategy and value chain activity. 6. Reference: Ansoff, I. H. (1957), Strategies for diversification, Harvard Business Review, Vol. 35, No. 2 Byars, L. 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Croucher, (2004). â€Å"Globalization and Belonging: The Politics of Identity a Changing World†, Rowman Littlefield. (2004). Thompson, J. (2002) Strategic Management, 4th Edition, London: Thomson. 7. Bibliography Baker, M. (1992) Marketing Strategy and Management, London: Macmillan. Freeman, R. (1984) Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach, Boston: Pitman Hill, C. W. L. , Jones, G. R. , (2007), Strategic Management, Houghton Mifflin Co. New York Thompson, A. A. Strickland, J. A. (2003), Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases, Thirteenth ed. , McGraw-Hill. http://www. mindtools. com/pages/Newsletters/20Jan05. htm http://www. themanager. org/Strategy/BeyondPorter. htm Wikipedia, The free encyclopaedia www. netmba. com www. quikcmba. com Thank You Porter Value chain model MS MS Secondary Activities Firm Infrastructure Human Resource MS Primary Activities Customer Service Marketing and Sale Outbound Activity Operation Inbound Activity Porter (1985) five competitive forces Buyer Competitors Substitutes Rivalry Supplier MS MS Margin

What Does Lenin, Stalin, Hilter, Mussolini, Idi Amin, Mao Tse-tung, An

What does Lenin, Stalin, Hilter, Mussolini, Idi Amin, Mao tse-tung, and Pol Pot have in common? When they came to power, they took all guns from the civilian population. For this reason my specific goal is to encourage gun ownership. Introduction: The gun 1st appeared in Europe's literature in 1326. It evolved into a mechanical tool as no other tool before it, it incorporated different materials like wood and metal, it also involved physics, chemistry and had ignition. Thus, making the gun the foundation of modern technology, not to mention the fact it gave America its freedom."The shot that was heard around the World" April 19,1775. In 1689 the English Bill of Rights, was passed by Parliament in responsed to King James II trying to disarm his subjects. The English Bill of Right allowed the people to be armed "suitable to their condition" and "allowed by law." This Right was then transfered to the American colonies, and after the American Revolution, our Bill of Rights of 1791, further strengthed the Right to Bear Arms with the words "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." Thesis Statement: I will persuade you in that, (1) federal gun control laws are unconstitutional, and (2) I will prove that the 2nd Amendment is both a "State" and "Individual Right." Can any of you tell me the difference between the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution, and the "Bill of Rights"? Lets start with the Declaration of Independence.What was the pur- pose of the Declaration of Independence? It outlined the reasons as to why the 13 colonies wanted sep- eration from Britian. What does the United States Constitution do? It outlines the federal government and gives it certain powers, these powers are stated within the document itself. What does the "Bill of Rights" do? (the Rights of the Individual). It limits the power of the federal government. How does the "Bill of Rights" limit the power of the federal government? Well, let me 1st give you an example. Can the federal government establish a federal religion? No! Why not? Because the 1st Amendment prohibits it. Lets look at the 1st Amendment. It says in part. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of rel-igion." Thus the "Bill of Rights" forbids the federal government in the establishment of a federal religion. So lets use a little common sense, if the federal government can not establish a federal religion. How can it establish gun control? It can't, the 2nd Amendment forbids it, just like the 1st Amendment forbids a federal religion. Let's look at the 2nd Amendment, "A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed." Now lets move to the 10th Amendment in the "Bill of Rights," it states that the Constitution gives the federal government certain powers and only those powers listed in the Constitution. Whatever power is left over is reserved to the States. Thus, the 2nd Amendment takes gun control from the federal gov- ernment and the 10th Amendment puts the gun issue in the hands of the States. Lets look at the 10th Amendment, it says: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." By the reasoning of common sense, it is therefore unconstitutional for the federal government to pass gun control measures, because the 2nd Amendment restricts the federal government and the 10th Amendment gives that power to the States. Thus, the State's have a right to reasonably regulate firearms but not deny individual ownership. ( The words "the people" refer to individuals. ) The Delclaration of Independence proves the Individual's view, it says in part " We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty (freedom), and the Pursuit of Happiness--". " Nature's God " shows God created all men, but the gun made all men equal (equality). The reality is, the gun exists, and if some have gun's and others don't, then inequality is