Marketing Myopia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Marketing Myopia - Essay Example A growth industry builds its success by replacing a previous utility or product and it is at risk of such same risk of replacement by future innovations. Thinking outside the box is not some initiative to make a difference or of being creative. Rather, it is a crucial component of every organization’s attempt for competitive advantage and survival. Levitt argued that there is really no such thing as a growth industry because everything works within a cyclical process. Here, an industry or a business may assume its strength because of the unchallenged superiority of the product, which displaced another that it has substituted. His evidences are legitimate and numerous. He cited the experiences of many industries that were considered boom sectors but eventually declined after several years. The cycle features organizations and products constantly replacing another because of wrong management perspective. The examples provided were the dry cleaning industry, the railroad industry and the grocery stores. Levitt also predicted that the electric utilities and gadgetry is in danger of the same trouble because technologies will then be discovered to offer newer and more efficient products. The idea is that when managers fail to think outside the box – beyond the periphery of their visions, their products tend to be swallowed by the cycle. On the other hand, once management think about the future and the decline of their product so that they are able to provide solutions and new innovations that will replace their own, competitors will have less opportunities for competitive advantage. Much of Levitt’s arguments are anchored on one simple principle – that survival for industries rests on perspectives. There are industries that are focused on their products and, hence, myopic in their management models. For example, the railroad company was focused on their product, which is the railroad. Had they opted to adopt a perspective that went beyond it, they would have thought about their business as that of transportation and, hence, was able to prevent the decline of their profits. Personally, I have experienced this myopia on account of my work experiences with three industries. For example, I worked for an Auto dealership several years ago. Now the management of this organization has been focused much on automobiles. For several months of my stay, I saw how such singularity in objective has hurt the sales of the organization. Clients are not only interested in cars but they look for things and services that go with it. For example, when sales people have everything there is to know about cars, we cannot answer questions about technology like how their mobile phones can be integrated with car accessories, for example. This is because we did not have them – no products offered beyond cars and, hence, we cannot offer services, much less the know-how. So fewer clients came to visit because we cannot offer more. The clien ts did not come because they did not want to. There was no reason to. This was also the same with some companies in the moving and storage company, which I was connected with for a time. There was a lot of opportunities either as additional services within moving and storage and related and new products and services that could have been served and provided customers the value and convenience of having many services at one outlet or in a single transaction. I can see many other industries not cited in the article that display marketing myopia. For example, there is the

Capital Punishment, A life and Death Issue Research Paper

Capital Punishment, A life and Death Issue - Research Paper Example Opponents also assert that the practice is overtly costly and racially biased while not realizing the intended outcome. Proponents think it is neither cruel nor unusual, quite the opposite, they think it fair and just. The objective of this study is to discuss the moral and legal concerns that literally are a life and death issue and is a key barometer when measuring a cultures collective conscience. The ‘eye for an eye’ faction not only accepts but insists that the death penalty be sustained and has supporting rational to back up their argument which will be covered comprehensively in this discussion. It will also take into account the opponents’ reasoning concerning why it should be eliminated along with the legal precedents concerned in an effort to achieve a comprehensive view of the capital punishment debate. Legal speaking, capital punishment is not unusual, by definition, unless one acknowledges the racial bias that exists throughout the justice system. The law cannot define whether it is cruel or not. Cruelty can be defined only by the collective social conscious of a society. The legal interpretation of the combined ‘cruel and unusual’ is open to debate, to some extent but the general usage of the word ‘cruel’ refers to vicious punishments that cause extreme pain. Most legal scholars agree that punishments that include body dismemberment or torture are unquestionably classified as cruel. The term torture was evidently open for debate during the past decade but the word means essentially the same universally; causing unwanted physical or mental anguish. The word ‘unusual’ is normally understood to mean going beyond what is an equitable application of punishment for an offense. For instance, if ten people were ticketed for a traffic violation and judge fined nine of them $150 but one was charged $1500, this punishment would be considered ‘unusual.’ Taken together in the phrase, †˜prohibiting cruel and unusual punishment’ signifies that the penalty should be apportioned equitably according to the specific offense committed. A ‘life’ prison sentence is an acceptable punishment but not if this punishment was imposed for jaywalking, that would be an obviously unacceptable sentence imposition because it is considered excessive and extreme given the nature of the offense. Excessive is a term that is also open to broad interpretation in both the legal and public realm. Some would contend, for example, that any amount of time imposed for ‘crimes’ such as the possession of drugs, prostitution and gambling should be interpreted as excessive consequently ‘unusual.’ The Supreme Court has on many occasions judged the merits of the death penalty and this action is interpreted as punishment which is cruel and unusual by the Constitution. The Court has consistently ruled the language of the Eighth Amendment does not prohibit t he death sentence as punishment. The Constitution was meant to be and is a malleable document, however. The judicial interpretation of the Eighth Amendment has evolved to some extent throughout the years. Therefore the Court could potentially reverse this standpoint at a future time as result of changing societal values. For instance, whipping convicted criminals was routine until the late Eighteenth Century. This practice is now considered to be inappropriate because society’s attitude changed to define it as a ‘cruel’ punishment. With respect to capital punishment, however, â€Å"

Sustainable Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Sustainable Management - Essay Example According to Hulme, â€Å"Climate change is a scientific and a moral issue.† The process of generating scientific consensus has been largely driven by the desire to communicate climate science to policy users and to construct knowledge’ (Weingart, 1999). However, in doing so, the uncertainties have been downplayed (Van der Sluijs et al., 1998). Who are the IPCC and what is their function, and what are major findings of their report on global warming? IPCC is the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) which is a scientific intergovernmental body and its main aim is to assess human-induced climate change, analyse its impact and provide options for adaptation and mitigation. The two major findings of its reports are --- firstly, climate change is unequivocal and secondly, the past and future anthropogenic carbon emissions will contribute to global warming resulting in rising sea levels. Global warming a consequence of the earth’s natural life cycle and has nothing to do with the emission of greenhouse gases? Discuss. Anthropogenic warming and rise in sea level would continue for centuries due to the impact of the Earth’s natural life cycle, even if the Greenhouse gas concentration stabilizes. Carter et al. (2006) suggest that climate is not driven primarily by human use of fossil fuels. Researchers believe that the perception that nature is a resource at our disposal is the factor which shapes our view towards exhaustion of resources. Further, Christiansen (1994a, 1994b, 1994c) argues that the formation of climate based institutions based on IPCC, suites the union of some political, scientific and business interests. To what extent do you agree with the Stern Report? Stern believed a rise of five to six degree of temperature may be a real possibility due to climate change. The Stern Report concludes that the benefits of early actions on climate change outweigh the cost of not acting. The report points towards the potential imp act of climate change on water, health, food production and environment. Some conclusions of the Stern Report can be justified, as not taking any steps to reduce climate change will definitely raise the cost of living. The report states the cost of not acting on climate change will be equivalent to at least 5% of the gross domestic product loss each year. What steps can organisations take reduce their carbon footprint? Organizations can reduce their carbon footprints by reducing carbon emissions through fuel combustion, transportation, process emissions and fugitive emissions. The carbon footprints can be reduced by reducing the consumption of fossil fuels, monitoring waste disposal, transportation and use of products. What are the main points in Peter Senge’s book â€Å"The Necessary Revolution†, chapters 1 and 2? Peter Senge’s book â€Å"The Necessary Revolution† (chapters 1 and 2) talks about a different kind of world where excess energy of one busines s can be used to heat another. The book imagines a world where the commercial buildings are regenerative and create more energy than they are using. The book imagines a world of sound products and processes where products are cost effective rather than wasteful. Corporations such as Cosco, Nike and BP,

Procurement process_3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Procurement process_3 - Essay Example professionals require constantly monitoring the employees with the aim of ensuring employees’ safety, developing immigration laws and employment tax based regulations. In addition, the professionals are also required to be equipped with broader decision making capabilities so that they can make effective decisions in order to mitigate the risks attached with employee deployment (Krell, 2012). In the present changing business scenario, business professionals are required to identify risks that are associated with management and deployment of human resources (HR) in terms of monitoring the operations of the employees relating to their temporary along with permanent assignments. In this respect, the mobility professionals recognise HR risks by constantly monitoring the activities of the employees for the purpose of mitigating unfavourable impacts in relation to security as well as logistics, family dynamics and effects of cost cutting. In order to address the HR risks, the mobility professionals should possess adequate knowledge along with expertise on different grounds that include financial acumen, immigration law, importance of preserving effective employee relation and knowledge of taxation among others. The two key criteria in accordance with which professionals should evaluate family issues posed by personnel include decision making and business needs (Cascio, 2010). In relation to determine the effect of poor project screening methods, the provided article signified that this particular method unfavourably affected the operations along with the performances of business organisations. This might be owing to the reason that ineffective screening methods lead towards inappropriate management of employees, which eventually results in higher employee turnover. This could be regarded as one of the imperative aspects, which demonstrated by the provided article concerning the effect of poor project screening methods on a firm’s ability to manage employees

Starting A Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Starting A Business - Essay Example Another source I can take advantage of is to borrow money from friends or relatives, who have more than sufficient cash and willing to lend.1 Aside from these sources, I can also borrow from the bank and utilize available credit lines that specifically meet my needs as a start-up entrepreneur. In addition to banks, there are other lending facilities such as investment companies and private lenders from where I can borrow money.2 Should money from these sources fall short, I can also use my credit card as an alternative. However, it should be noted that resorting to these borrowing institutions or facilities for capital requirement entails the payment of interest. This means that on top of the principal amount, I will have to pay the interest or cost of borrowing. Failure to service arising obligations from my borrowings in these institutions may result to piling interest, which can surge meteorically, thus, doubling the debt amount to be repaid. Such would have adverse effects not only on the financial position of the company but also the reputation in the market. I can also present my business plan to venture capitalists, who would be willing to share the burden of the risk by providing capital for the proposed business. In considering this option, I would still have to think about the terms and conditions of the capital provision of the venture capitalist. This is because such may result in me, the business owner, having less control over the operations of the company. Some venture capitalists prefer to have direct participation in running the business.3 In addition, I can seek funding from organizations that extend grants to deserving entrepreneurs. For example, I can apply for funding assistance from American Express Small Business Assistance that supports small businesses. There are also other government agencies that can be excellent sources of grants and loans for starting a business.4 Government Agencies and Regulations to Deal with Before I can start manufacturing and selling the Chunky Corn products, I would have to apply for licenses in the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), which provides voluntary pre-marketing consultations that would help examine if the biotechnology food, in this case the corn products, meet the regulatory standards for safety.5 In dealing with the FDA, I would have to ensure that the products I would be offering to the public conform to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Under this regulation, the manufacturer, Chunky Corn, Inc., is legally responsible to produce these safe products under sanitary conditions. Furthermore, since my products are made from genetically engineered corns, my application may have to undergo special review by the FDA to find out if levels of toxicants in my food products are substantially higher than present in other edible varieties of same corn species.6 In terms of labeling, the company should adhere to labeling standards such that labels accurately describe the corn products by its common name and reveal important facts associated with the claims made. The labels should also be truthful and not misleading.7 Aside from licenses on the products, I would also have to deal with other government agencies for other aspects of the business. For example, I would have to deal with the local office of the Secretary of State for

Hurracaines Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Hurracaines - Essay Example A picture from the satellite gives a clear view of hurricanes. All hurricanes have an eye at the center which is surrounded by bands of clouds. Winds in the eye are almost calm and are less than a hundred mile across. Tall and big clouds circling the eye known as eye wall, contains the storm’s strongest winds. Hurricane size is categorized by the radial extent of gale-force winds (32 – 54 mph). Depending on the wind strength one can be able to calculate the size of the hurricane by use of gale- force criteria. Using the gale – force criteria, the winds of 35 mph of average Atlantic hurricane has a radius of 150 miles or equivalent diameter of 300 miles. On average, the width of hurricane’s cloud shield is around 500 miles, but it can vary (Fitzpatrick 7). Hurricane does not form instantaneously but is formed by a number of processes (Leatherman and Minneapolis 11). Warm and humid air from the ocean fuels a hurricane. Solar radiation warms large areas of tropical ocean to 80 F (27 c) or hotter. Due to this rise in temperature ocean water evaporates making the air in a thousand feet above the ocean extremely humid. Warm humid air above the ocean are said to be a good source of energy that causes hurricanes. Warm humid air then starts to condense into cloud droplets releasing heat picked up when it evaporated. In most cases, this heat provides the energy for thunderstorms. Once the necessary conditions are in place clouds and thunderstorms forms in line and start increasing (Fitzpatrick 19). Since the air warmed by heat released by condensation rises, air flows in to replace it. This rotation causes the wind to curve. Condensation keeps on releasing more and more heat, which in turn causes the air to rise faster, and the wind blowing in to the storm to speed up. Once the hurricane forms it is able to travel several miles across the ocean with fast and trailing strength. Hurricanes take place in the tropical regions of

Political science Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Political science - Essay Example In fact, he forgot why he was there and for how long, content to sip on the draught Lazuli poured him and smoke his thin long pipe for which he found more weed in the vegetation around than he could have used. He did not ask who she was and how she came to be in this remote deep, in fact he asked no questions at all, just listened to the murmur of Lazulis voice that held all the music of lapping waves, of sighing trees and the whistling wind, and never thought to interrupt. To talk would ruin this effortless tune, and he let it be. Lazuli had cattle, which Valar now took under his charge, and they flourished. But his eyes were only for her. He waited for a token of affection, a hushed word, a slanted look, but he got none from Lazuli. Mornings became evenings, evenings to nights, and nights became mornings again, and this went on for the space of many moons. Of an evening when Valar would want to chat by the fireside and charm Lazuli with one tale or another, he would soon be drowsy and find himself falling asleep. Lazuli would laughingly send him off to sleep, and the first rays of the Sun would gently prod his face to wakefulness the next morning. And so Valars heart kept its own counsel, longing to speak out, yet unable to do so. Months, years passed. Valar now had speckles of gray on his dark head, he could no longer run after the cattle as he used to. But the gold on Lazulis head had waned not a bit, and she continued to smile at him each morning with her young carnation lips and old turquoise eyes. Fording an unfamiliar stream one day in order to take the cattle to better pastures, Valar came across a still pool, shimmering in the sunlight, his clear reflection upon it. He had begun to feel his age, and he saw it now. The urge took him to accost Lazuli now, to confess his love for her this very moment, and learn of her will, before his age caught up. At a mad pace he ran, till he came to Lazulis cottage. He found her bending over a spindle, hard at