Strategic Planning Ford Motor Company

Strategic Management process Strategic management process encompasses other planning processes such as the strategic planning as well as the human resources planning. In essence, strategic management processes necessitate all the tactical arrangements and the ability of the organization to execute the strategies (Aaker, 2001).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Planning: Ford Motor Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Specifically, strategic management process is the practice of making out and implementing the tactical policies of an organization. During the process, the company competencies and capabilities must correspond to the environmental needs. The strategic management process begins from defining the current business and its mission to the evaluation process where the company performance is assessed against the strategies. Specifically, the strategic management process involves executing the pl ans and evaluating the performance or outcome against the planned strategies (Aaker, 2001). In the planning cycle, strategic execution and strategic evaluation are always the last steps. Essentially, strategic management process involves the execution of strategic planning process and the evaluation of the strategic performance. The role of the planning cycle As indicated, the strategic management process encompasses various steps that involve the strategic planning process. Strategic planning process includes various steps ranging from defining the current situation of the business according to its mission to formulating the strategies to attain the strategic goals (Aaker, 2001). The strategic planning process involves five steps, which is referred to as the planning cycle. As mentioned, the first step in the planning cycle is to identify the business and align it with its mission. The second step involves evaluating the business through the application of its internal strengths an d weaknesses as well as the threats and opportunities that come from external sources. The third process is devising the novel business statements. Fourth process involves transforming the business mission into tactical objectives. The last step in the planning process is the implementation of the tactical objectives. In the simplest sense, the planning cycle helps businesses or firms identify their current position and forecast achievable goals through formulated strategies.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Strategic management process and the way companies maintain sustainable competitive advantage As mentioned, strategic management process involves tactical planning process, implementation of the strategies and the evaluation of the strategies. The company gauges these processes against environmental demands to achieve the competitive advantage (Aaker, 2001). In the first step of the planning process, firms have to choose the path on which it will compete. In other words, the company has to decide the type of product or service it will bring into the market, how to differentiate its product or service and the place to sell the product. In essence, the company evaluates its current position and the kind of business to be involved in given their strengths, weaknesses and opportunities. Managers, through the application of the company mission, formulate the strategic actions that would enable the company attain its objectives. In the second step of the planning process, the company performs detailed audit of its internal strengths and weaknesses, the threats that the firm faces from external environment and the opportunities the external environment brings to the firm. The strategic internal and external audit is facilitated by the application of SWOT analysis. Based on this situation analysis, managers formulate novel business mission statement that ca pture the new form of business in terms of the type of product to sell, the geographical location in which it will sell the products and how the product will be differentiated. The mission is transformed into strategic goals. In other words, the mission has to be translated into achievable objectives that all employees and various departments of the company understand. The mission statement has to be transformed into ways through which the products and services are made to satisfy the demands of the customers. To sustain its competitive advantage, the company mission has to be translated into strategic goals that are geared towards creating and enhancing the shareholders value, sustaining the higher rate of returns through strong balance sheets and maintaining high quality products that satisfy the needs of the customers. The final stage in the planning process is where the firms come up with strategies that will enable it attain the strategic goals. Based on the above processes, th e strategy is the plans of action that will enable the business achieve the set objectives. The last step to attain the competitive advantage is the implementation of the strategies and evaluating the performance.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Strategic Planning: Ford Motor Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More For instance, Ford Motor Company has been faced with huge losses and decreasing share in the market. The company has been losing market share to its rivals such as Toyota and Nissan. The reason is that its costs were higher than the competitors hence cannot stand the fierce competition in the market. To overcome its problems, Ford Motor Company adopted a strategic plan that entailed cost reduction approaches such as closing some of its plants and terminating most of the employees. In the strategic plan, the company evaluated the internal strong points as well as limitations and matched them with corr esponding external prospects and pressures to improve its competitiveness in the market. The role of microeconomics in creating a sustainable competitive advantage Companies use microeconomic concepts to evaluate the environmental needs (Pindyck Rubinfeld, 2005). For instance, the concept of consumption is critical in evaluating the demand. The consumer theory is also important in examining the way consumers behave in the market. Understanding the behavior of consumers as well as other components of environment is important in sustaining competitive advantage. References Aaker, D. (2001). Developing business strategies. NY: John Wiley Sons, Inc. Pindyck, R. Rubinfeld, D. (2005). Microeconomics. Web. This essay on Strategic Planning: Ford Motor Company was written and submitted by user Leila Hardy to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

A Comparison and Contrast of Love in Christopher Marlowes The Passionate Shepherd to his Love and C. Day Lewiss Song

A Comparison and Contrast of Love in Christopher Marlowes The Passionate Shepherd to his Love and C. Day Lewiss Song In the poems 'The Passionate Shepherd to his Love' by Christopher Marlowe and 'Song' by C. Day Lewis, the speakers display their individual views of what can be expected with their love. Both speakers produce invitations to love with differences in what they have to offer. A list of promised delights is offered by the speaker in 'The Passionate Shepherd,' and through persuasion, is able to influence the emotions of his love. The speaker in 'Song' shows the difficulties of his life, as seen in his economic necessity and lack of material pleasures, but subsequently offers his love unconditionally in order to convince his beloved. In comparison the poems expose the speakers' use of separate methods to influence their loves. Through comparing and contrasting the context in which the invitations occur, what each speaker offers, and the tone of each speaker, these differing methods can be understood.David Devo OosthuizenThe 'Passionate Shepherd' is set in a romantic, natural backdrop in th e seventeenth century. In this rural setting the Shepherd displays his flock and pastures to his love while promising her garlands and wool for weaving. Many material goods are offered by the speaker to the woman he loves in hopes of receiving her love in return. He also utilizes the power of speech to attempt to gain the will of his love. In contrast, the poem 'Song' is set in what is indicative of a twentieth century depression, with an urban backdrop that is characteristically unromantic. The speaker 'handle(s) dainties on the docks' (5) , showing that his work likely consists of moving crates as a dock worker. He extends his affection through the emphasis of his love and how it has endured and survived all hardships. He uses the truth of his poor and difficult situation as a...

The Curious History of Bead

The Curious History of Bead The Curious History of Bead The Curious History of Bead By Maeve Maddox You may have heard the expression to draw a bead, meaning to take aim. A hunter, for example, draws a bead on the quarry. The expression, used both literally and figuratively, is popular with headline writers Connecticut gunman drew bead on bosses Kiefer Sutherland and 24 draw a bead on a feature film HP and Microsoft Draw a Bead on Cisco The bead in this expression comes from the small metal knob that forms the front sight of a gun. The word bead attached to this knob because of its resemblance to the kind of bead most of us probably think of when we hear the word: A small perforated body, spherical or otherwise, of glass, amber, metal, wood, etc., used as an ornament, either strung in a series to form a necklace, bracelet, etc., or sewn upon various fabrics. This general sense of bead derived in turn from rosary beads, the little markers strung together for the purpose of helping a worshipper count prayers. Originally, beads were not the little objects on the string, but the prayers being said. Bead in this sense is a cognate of German bitte, a word that is used to make a request. Someone praying with a rosary was said to be telling his beads, that is, counting his prayers. Another meaning of the verb to tell is to count. (The bank teller counts out your money.) Historically, wealthy patrons would pay people to pray for them on a regular basis. These professionals were called beadsmen or beadswomen. Keats begins his poem St. Agnes Eve with this evocation of a harsh winters evening: St. Agnes EveAh, bitter chill it was! †¨ The owl, for all his feathers, was a-cold; †¨ The hare limpd trembling through the frozen grass, †¨And silent was the flock in woolly fold: †¨Numb were the Beadsmans fingers, while he told †¨His rosary, and while his frosted breath, †¨Like pious incense from a censer old, †¨Seemd taking flight for heaven†¦ An earlier spelling of bead was bede, from Old English gebed, prayer. The OE verb biddan meant to pray as well as to ask. By the late 14th century, the word bede/bead had attached to the objects on which the prayers were told or counted. The expression to draw a bead on is an obvious headline choice when the topic is something like gun control, Critics Draw A Bead On State House Gun Ban but I wonder if the writer who came up with this one about the popularity of rosaries with non-Catholic soldiers in Iraq realized just how clever it is: Worshippers draw bead on rosaries Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:100 Whimsical Words50 Synonyms for "Assistant"Punctuation Is Powerful

Professional demeanor Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Professional demeanor - Research Paper Example   Subsequently, the college context has been applied to the professional behavior; and it is followed by the section detailing the friendship circle. Before the conclusion part, both positive and negative aspects of personal branding and personality issues along with personal branding have been detailed.        Dress code remains an important part of the organizational subculture. The dress code enables me to identify myself as a part of the organizational subculture where we share similar values, perspectives and commitment towards achieving the organizational objectives and missions as well. For this purpose, I need to follow the dress code and wear the specific type of dress code. This specific nature of subculture attaches me with a ltor community or group in a particular manner. For example, based on this dress code and as part of the organization, I find myself attached with the core professional values of the organization. In this regard, it is worth highlighting that the requirement of a specific dress code directly supports my perspective relating to the professional demeanor. More specifically, I prefer to follow professional rules, beliefs, values and customs that are highly essential for obtaining the objectives of group expectations. At the same time, I do not find myself t o be coerced by the dress code instead the workplace environment is so congenial that I do not find anything that is different from my own perception relating to the professional demeanor and outlook as well.

ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS Essay

ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITING AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS - Essay Example In addition, the essay will discuss into details three basic aspects of sustainability and the role of companies in addressing all these three aspects, including the CSR practices as they relate to the organization. The benefits and limitations of using EMS are also discussed at length and ways of identifying and improving social impacts of companies, after which it will establish sustainability indicators when using EMS as well as outlining CSR and sustainability standards. Moreover, the essay gives a detailed discussion on matters relating to shareholder theory in CSR and standardization. Task 1 Suppliers’ Environmental Performance In essence, suppliers’ environmental performance is important to a company adopting an EMS, whether certified or not because of a number of ways. The suppliers form part of the external environment in a company, thus their contribution has significant influence in running a company. Suppliers’ power comes into play when they demand t hat retailers pay a given amount of money for the supplied goods. Lack of compliance from the side of the retailer means the supplier will not provide the goods. Taking Tesco Company as an example, the entity has an advantage over the small stores as most people tend to do all their shopping in large stores and supermarkets. This enables Tesco to have the ability to dictate the price suppliers will sell goods as failure to comply on the part of suppliers will leave them with no market to supply their goods. According to Rigby, the government needs to increase protection for suppliers and reduce their exploitation by large supermarkets (24). Tesco has a range of its own product which gives it power to fully dictate their price since it does not have to wait for suppliers to provide the goods. These products have strengthened the company’s profits and increase its competitive advantage. In 2007, the company sales were ?42,633.4 million with a 21.9% growth rate in sales (Rigby 4 4). The suppliers’ environmental assessment fits within an EMS in a number of ways. For example, it promotes ethics and cordial relationships among different suppliers who might be transacting business with the company. In an organization, ethical behavior is imperative because it plays an integral role in helping it achieves the desired environmental management system. It also forms the culture of the organization and fosters the relationship between the stakeholders. Importantly, the analysis of the organizational ethical human behavior is very essential in making ethical managerial decisions, bearing in mind the need for consistency to the international principles of running the affairs of the company. In addition, ethical human behavior presents the dynamic relations, which the company could apply to realize its vision and mission based on the outlined objectives. Therefore, ethical human behavior comprises the fundamental aspects that the people in the organization shoul d adopt in delivering better management services to the potential customers and other stakeholders. Those aspects are core when making ethical decisions about the code of behavior expected from leaders. The value of a comprehensive code of conduct to guide organizational activities is vested in the spirit of the leaders to exercise the organizational culture. As a leader, one of the primary responsibilities is to help shape a culture of

The structure of the play Essay Example for Free

The structure of the play Essay In the Requiem we see Willys funeral, but alas, the friends and customers he claimed to have has not shown up. Linda and Happy are confused as to why this is, but Charley, Biff and Bernard know and have come to terms with the fact that Willy was not well liked and that his business ventures were ill-fated and old-fashioned. Biff finally opens up and says that Willy had the wrong dreams and Willy never knew who he was. Happy is distressed by what Biff says and is almost ready to fight. Happy obviously still believe in Willys ideals and in capitalism and states that he is gonna win it for him (Willy) much to the distress of Biff who knows that it is a vain attempt at getting rich quick. Linda is comforted by Charley, who says that being a salesman is a good profession and that a salesman has got to dream. Charley goes on to say he was a happy man with a batch of cement, this could be interpreted as the author saying that most people are happy to work for a purpose, e.  g. Socialism. Throughout much of the play we see Willy symbolising old capitalism, the belief that if you work hard and are well liked then you gain lots of financial wealth. In the Requiem we see the death of this old capitalism due to the unscrupulous nature of new capitalism which unfortunately, is not dead yet. Ben, Willys brother, symbolises new capitalism, the belief that if you are merciless and cut-throat in business then you will gain financial success. Much of the play is spent showing how new capitalism is getting rid of old capitalism. The structure of the play Throughout the play we have frequent flashbacks to the past, as Willys life falls apart and he dreams about the past to preserve his happiness. As the play progresses, the flashbacks become more frequent and crossover more into the present. The flashbacks are essential to the rest of the play and provide vital points that are key to the story. As the flashbacks become more frequent and frenzied, Willy starts acting out the flashbacks in the present. This makes him appear crazy and even leads Biff and Happy to openly claim Willy is not their father. Miller uses these flashbacks to adequately convey the emotion and structure of Willys breakdown to the audience. Conclusion Death of a salesman could easily be interpreted as an attack on the unscrupulous nature of all capitalism, but this is only a small part of the play. It is an emotive story of the last few days of a failed salesmans life, as he seeks happiness in the past and can not face the reality of his life. It is about a man who has been robbed by time and takes refuge in the past when he was well liked, yet in the present no-one in the business world likes him. Miller has written Death of a salesman in a powerful way and is successful in his purpose of touching the reader and making the read thinking about the world and the life they lead.

Showing up the Actor :: Boxing Personal Narrative Papers

Showing up the Actor When I was younger I spent much of my time alone. My father bred in me, perhaps by nothing more than his example, a certain New England stoicism which thrived on solitude. Nothing displayed this rustic discipline more than the pop-up camper my father bought from our neighbors when I was six. From that summer our family spent most vacations on the road, pulling the camper behind us, my father winching it up and spreading the canvas roofing in Nova Scotia or Florida or upstate New York. Many summers later I insisted that I live in the camper, parked in the driveway. My mother brought me my meals and my father decided I should begin reading Hemingway. I sat propped in the tent-like house, eating hot dogs and reading terse, athletic prose about boxers and bullfights and impotent veterans. I figured out why my father named our dog Brett. I also spent a good deal of time at elite institutions of learning. When he wasn't camping my father taught math at prep schools. From my birth until my fourth birthday we lived at St. George's in Newport, Rhode Island, among the brocaded mansions like Egypt's pyramids, crafted of heavy-set stones. Then, in 1981, we moved to Phillips Academy in Andover, where the shops on the main street came in threes: bank boutique salon bank boutique salon. I can think of no better reason than that for why I took up boxing in the summer before my Senior year of college -- than that I spent most of my youth alone at elite institutions. And yet, in my four years as a student at Phillips, enrolling eleven years after my family's arrival, I wasn't entirely alone. A friend of mine, Noah -- his father also taught on the faculty. Noah also received the ninety percent tuition discount. Noah's fridge was also usually empty, because he had also eaten in school cafeterias for most of his life. He had also, for four years, somehow slipped between the kid whose wealth was a ticket to fuck around and the boy whose mother was a janitor, between the blonde suburban girl whose father owned The New York Times and the tight-knit handful of urban kids who came under the banner program of "A Better Chance" -- that is, between privilege and opportunity. This is not to say that the two sides of this educational gauntlet weighed in equally. Showing up the Actor :: Boxing Personal Narrative Papers Showing up the Actor When I was younger I spent much of my time alone. My father bred in me, perhaps by nothing more than his example, a certain New England stoicism which thrived on solitude. Nothing displayed this rustic discipline more than the pop-up camper my father bought from our neighbors when I was six. From that summer our family spent most vacations on the road, pulling the camper behind us, my father winching it up and spreading the canvas roofing in Nova Scotia or Florida or upstate New York. Many summers later I insisted that I live in the camper, parked in the driveway. My mother brought me my meals and my father decided I should begin reading Hemingway. I sat propped in the tent-like house, eating hot dogs and reading terse, athletic prose about boxers and bullfights and impotent veterans. I figured out why my father named our dog Brett. I also spent a good deal of time at elite institutions of learning. When he wasn't camping my father taught math at prep schools. From my birth until my fourth birthday we lived at St. George's in Newport, Rhode Island, among the brocaded mansions like Egypt's pyramids, crafted of heavy-set stones. Then, in 1981, we moved to Phillips Academy in Andover, where the shops on the main street came in threes: bank boutique salon bank boutique salon. I can think of no better reason than that for why I took up boxing in the summer before my Senior year of college -- than that I spent most of my youth alone at elite institutions. And yet, in my four years as a student at Phillips, enrolling eleven years after my family's arrival, I wasn't entirely alone. A friend of mine, Noah -- his father also taught on the faculty. Noah also received the ninety percent tuition discount. Noah's fridge was also usually empty, because he had also eaten in school cafeterias for most of his life. He had also, for four years, somehow slipped between the kid whose wealth was a ticket to fuck around and the boy whose mother was a janitor, between the blonde suburban girl whose father owned The New York Times and the tight-knit handful of urban kids who came under the banner program of "A Better Chance" -- that is, between privilege and opportunity. This is not to say that the two sides of this educational gauntlet weighed in equally.

Hamlet and Relationships Essay

Relationships are a driving force in society and there is no place where this is seen better than in Hamlet by William Shakespeare. Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark and he has recently lost his father. He is the next in line to the crown, but for some reason he has not obtained it. Hamlet is a tragic figure from the start, but it is his attempt to relate to others that makes him even more tragic. Hamlet has a detestable relationship with King Claudius, his father’s successor. Claudius is Hamlet’s uncle and he has married Hamlet’s mother. Hamlet’s rapport with Claudius is openly hostile, yet he refuses to stand up to him. Even though Claudius is Hamlet’s major antagonist, he acts as if he cares about Hamlet in public while Hamlet does not hide his repulsion of the new king. He does not challenge him with his charges murder, information he obtained from his father’s ghost, and adultery, but instead he plots to allow Claudius tell on himself. Hamlet has the opposite relationship with his father’s ghost. While he shows nothing by disdain for Claudius, he shows his father respect and admiration. He heeds his father advice about revenging his death while not seeking revenge upon his mother, Queen Gertrude. There is an obvious love and affection in the relationship between Prince Hamlet and the ghost of King Hamlet because they obviously miss each other from the tenderness in which they speak to each other. The ghost also trust Prince Hamlet with the information and the instructions of what he wants done to King Claudius. It is also obvious that Prince Hamlet completely trust his father because he does not even question the validity of the facts surrounding his death. Hamlet displays his complex personality in the relationships that he has with the different characters in the play. He can be openly cruel and disrespectful to those who he finds contemptible and yet completely loyal and loving to those whom he cares about.

How business works Essay

Introduction In this assignment I will be producing a case study on large/medium sided businesses, showing of how business works. My chosen company is McDonalds. The following will be including in my case study: * A description of what the business does, its aims and objectives. * A description of the purposes and activities of human resources and any other three functional areas. * A description of how effectively different areas of the business communicate. * A description of how the structure of the business is different from another organisation’s structure. * A record of my source’s information. McDonalds Restaurant OverView McDonalds is a large fast food chain of restaurants operating world wide, started in America and has outlets in other places such as, India, Cyprus. In many countries McDonald s sells variations of its food to cater for local tastes. They are also known for being multicultural because of the different cultural foods in their restaurants. Because of their huge volume of sales McDonalds has strong purchasing power with its suppliers and is therefore able to sell food very competitively. By the end of 2001 their was 1,184 restaurants in the UK alone. They had a target to get over 80 new restaurants opened by 2002, and that was achieved. By opening over 80 new restaurants they employed 4,800 new employees. ACTIVITY, AIMS & OBJECTIVES (P1, D2) Main Activity The main activity of McDonalds is selling fast food. They aim to provide a customer service, there are 1.5 million employees working for McDonald restaurants in the 119 countries, which all have the same daily activities which involves the staff in greeting, serving and helping customers with any enquiries or problems. They are the largest food service company in the world, so it’s important that all employees work together to succeed their aim. Main Aim McDonalds main aim is to provide customers with a fast food service in order to obtain a profit for its shareholders. McDonalds are committed to conducting their business with the environment in mind. McDonalds mission statement is â€Å"To be the world’s best quick service restaurant†. This is being achieved through five strategies such as; * Development: Lead the quick service restaurant market by a programme of site development profitable restaurant openings. * Our People: Achieve a competitive advantage through people who are high calibre, effective, well motivated and feel part of the McDonalds team in delivering the company’s goals. * Restaurant Excellence: Focus on consistent delivery of quality, service and cleanliness through excellence in our restaurants. * Operating Structure: Optimise restaurant performance through the selection of the most appropriate operating, management and ownership structures. * The Brand: Continue to build the relationship between McDonald’s and our customers in order to be a genuine part of the fabric of British society. Objectives McDonalds objective is to be the best’s quick service restaurant and believes and believes that this involves avoiding damage to the environment at a local and global level. The company aims to ensure that its operations today do not have an effect on the lives of future consumers. McDonald’s is involved in an ongoing programme with the aim to improve the environment, they do this by reusable packaging and recycling. Functional Areas within McDonalds (P2, M1, D2) HUMAN RESOURCES The Human Resources department concentrates on employees who work for the McDonald restaurants. Human Resources department include managing staff and their welfare, so the safety of their staff is taking very seriously, this all comes under Health and Safety. Staff have to be careful not to use computers/tills for long periods of time because they can suffer from eyestrain, tiredness or stress. McDonalds is improving communication systems by installing panic buttons for the safety against violent customers. McDonald’s employees have to work together to ensure a hazard free zone, by adhering to the health and safety regulations. McDonalds puts new employees on to a training system, to make sure if an accident happens which involves either a member of staff or a customer getting hurt, then the employee will be able to handle the situation effectively. McDonalds restaurants work to high standards, which meets and mostly exceeds the rules and regulations. The company always aims for the highest standards given in guidelines because of health and safety regulations and to expand the business. If McDonalds didn’t meet the requirements than they would be closed down by the health and safety executives. The Human Resources department contributes to McDonald’s activity by making sure: * They employ the right staff * Making sure the store is a hazard free zone These things contribute to the activity of McDonalds because without them they wouldn’t be able to achieve their aim, so it’s important that all the different department’s work together to succeed it. Recruitment, Training and Development When recruiting staff McDonalds look for people who have a positive attitude towards customers, themselves and other employees, and who are capable of delivering the highest standards of quality, service and cleanliness to our customers. Then potential employees are trained, promoted and treated on the basis of their relevant skills, talents and performance and without reference to race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender, marital status, age and disability. McDonalds management development curriculum takes new recruits form trainee manager to restaurant manger. They have on-the-job training and open learning development modules, backed up with courses and seminars at the company’s national and regional training centres. Hourly paid staff receive continuous on-the-job training by computer based training and other training materials. When employees complete their initial training staff members are awarded a basic certificate in food hygiene. Employees Below are the figures of the staff’s gender and age status. By the end of 2000 McDonald’s employed 49,726 members of staff: * 46, 207 restaurant crew * 2, 974 restaurant management crew * 545 office staff Health and Safety McDonalds always aims for the highest standards (and mostly exceeds), so they can achieve its aim and be the best quick service restaurant. If McDonalds didn’t meet the requirements of the health and safety act 1974 than they would be closed down by the health and safety executives. The most common hazards which occur in a work place are: 1. Leaving the work place untidy and dirty 2. Leaving floors wet and stairs 3. Leaving wires to trial across passageways 4. Frayed carpet or loose tiles 5. Equipment just left all over work surfaces 6. Too many plugs inserted into only one electric socket The human resources department has to make sure that all health and safety regulations are met. If they are not met then it can be closed down, also if the restaurant is unclean then it could loose customers and wouldn’t keep up their activity to be the best selling fast food restaurant. Customers wouldn’t want to go to a dirty restaurant, where there are a lot of hazards going on such as; wet shop floor, bins over filled, dirty tables and a unclean kitchen area. If any of these hazards occurred in any McDonalds restaurants customers could become ill or hurt, which would result in McDonalds going to court or having to closed the McDonalds restaurant down. Management training includes coping with emergency situations that could arise in a restaurant. This is because it decreases the risk of people being injured or the buildings being damaged in the McDonald restaurants. When an accident has occurred the manager then has to write out what happened and then investigate on the matter. Training is the main priority to ensure the consistency of the restaurant operation, and the highest levels of customer service and care. Every McDonalds franchisee must successfully complete a training programme which takes on average nine months to complete. Trade Union The workers are represented by union of shop, distributed and allied worker. Job Roles In Human Resources Job Roles In the Human Resources function Carmel Flatley, Human Resources Director I am the human resources director of McDonalds and I have the overall decision of anything that happens in this department. I also have to make sure that the human resources department don’t go over their budget. Paul Smith, Human Resources Manager I look after the whole HR department and staff, involved with industrial relations and trade unions negotiations, implementing the organisations HR policies. Gemma Wilson, Recruitment officer I deal with recruiting people, that’s sending out application forms, making interviews for potential employees. Potential employees don’t need to be experience in any way, because McDonalds is committed to training their staff and improving the skills of staff. Matthew Lawrence, Health and Safety Officer I deal with all health and safety matters, accident monitoring and staff welfare. That involves making sure that the shop floor is a hazard free zone for customers and clean and tidy, making sure the kitchen is clean enough to work in. I am well trained in first aid so that if any accidents happen, I will be their to help. I also have to deal with complaints and try to solve them. FINANCE The finance is one of the most important functions as they record all the money going in and out of the business, they give a budget for each other department to spend to make sure they keep their level of income and expenditure. They would regularly check the amount of money each department has spend and made to see if they are on target or not. If a department has gone over their budget then the finance dept would check to see if there is enough money to lend those more. So the purpose of the financial function therefore is to: * Keep all the financial records required by the organisation, detailing all the receipts and payments that have been made * Prepare final accounts from these records as required by law * Monitor the income and expenditure of different departments against their budgets * Provide continuous, up to date financial information for managers about business performance * Pay salaries and wages to the staff * Pay amounts owing to suppliers * Control the levels of debts owed to the company * Obtain additional finance when required, from the most appropriate source * Advise senior managers on the financial implications of major decisions These contribute to the McDonald’s activity by being apart of providing a good customer service by, paying the employees their salaries/wages, if they weren’t paid they wouldn’t be no staff or it could result in the staff withdrawing their labour. Production will cease and the employer will lose revenue. By McDonalds receiving more capital they can improve the quality of the store or products so customers would be more pleased of the in store environment or pleased of what they have purchase. It would result in consumers returning to the store because of the good service and also bringing more money to the business which will also achieve their aim which is to be the best selling fast food restaurant. Job Roles in Finance Department JOB ROLES George Mackay, Finance Director I am the finance director and I am in charge of the whole finance department. It involves information services, new product development, quality assurance and supply chain. I have to make sure a product which is purchased has the right quality that is expected from consumers, and then have to put a price to it. The most important part of the finance department is the cash flow which is the movement of cash going in and out a business. As a finance director I have to gives advice to senior managers on the overall decision on financial matters. And also as a director I have the last say with what happens within the finance department. Christopher Bateman, Financial Manager I looks after the finance function and the staff. Advising on financial resources. As a manager I have to make sure that all work as been done well. E.g. they have to monitor the income and expenditure of all departments to make sure they haven’t gone over their budget. So after the staff have checked their cash flow I then have to then go threw it to make sure nothing has been missed out. Derek, Daniels, Ledger Clerk I have to assist the chief accountant in the recording of all financial transactions. So where the money goes or comes in I have to make sure the chief accountant has recorded it all effectively. If any mistakes have been made I then have to correct the errors. Nita Negi, Credit Control Clerk As a credit control clerk, I have to assist the credit controller in checking the credit status of new customers and existing accounts, and also Reminding customers or overdue payment. PRODUCTION Production is all about the process of making something. Product life style shows the stages of a product or a range of products. If it isn’t successful it goes to decline stage. The activities of the production department are listed below: * Obtaining the resources required to produce goods or provide a service * Organising the resources to produce the goods or provide the service in the most appropriate way For the activities to be achieve they must consider the aim of the business which is to be the best selling fast food restaurant, so they have to find the best quality of food that suits them and then order it but first having to keep on target and not going over their budget by ordering expensive items or ordering to much that it all cant be produced/sold. Another thing they must consider is if the resources can be organised to achieve the aims, doing this they have to think about selling it cheaper then their competitors or having an offer like buy on get on free. They do this so it sells more because people wouldn’t to spend more they would go to the most cheapest place or giving the product an offer can be appealing to the customers. The production department contributes to McDonald’s activity by finding the right products at the right prices. When good quality products are sold at low prices it pleases customers and make them want to return, it also brings in more people as when a customer is pleased with the type of service they have receive the consumer then tells several other people, which makes then want to try it out. Job roles in Production Job Roles in Production Steven Cornway, Production Manager Responsible for the entire production function and it’s operations. What ever goes on has to be checked and authorised by me. Kim Karenga, Production Planners Plan all production to maximise machine use and staffing, taking account of customer requirements. Chris Walker, Production Controllers To check all production is going to schedule. Ted Osborne, Designers I am responsible for the actual design of the finished product. So if I don’t like the way a product has been designed I can make remendments. MARKETING The object of marketing is to make sure that the right product is made and potential customers are persuaded to buy it. Market Research can be carried out through either primary or secondary research. Primary research means asking someone on their views or opinions. A way of asking potential customers of their views or opinions is to make sure a survey, having questions about a certain item. After the survey has been completed they will then need to send out the surveys to potential customers, by either online, over the phone, by post or giving out surveys (in stores. Postal surveys don’t have much of a response as the others do as it takes more time e.g. sending it back, so when postal surveys are concerned their will usually have to be some kind of incentive offered for completing the survey, so customers would be tempted to fill it out. Secondary research is known as â€Å"desk research†. It consists to looking up facts or figures in books, magazines, computer databases, company files. So secondary research is looking at information that already exists instead of creating your own. McDonalds keeps a large amount of information on their databases about their customers and their buying patterns, also companies buy information from government statistics. Product – The amount of products the customer wants, the quality wanted, the features and the styling that are preferred, whether packaging is important, whether a guarantee or after sales service is required. Strategies – Is a long term plan for future success or development. Place – McDonalds are located on high streets or town centres. Marketing contributes to the McDonalds activity by market research (finding out what potential customers wants/needs), and improving existing products. Both of these improve the customer service, marketing contribute a lot to their activity to make McDonalds achieve their activity. All the functions work together to achieve it. The job roles of Marketing Job Roles in Marketing Matthew Howe, Marketing Director I am responsible for the overall marketing function and its aims and objectives. So if any idea’s have been thought of they have to been checked with me before anyone goes ahead and makes a change. Ethan Farah, Sales Manager As a sales manager I am responsible for overseas agents and the achievement of sales targets overseas. David Frank, Market Researchers Market researchers have to find out consumer opinions on current and proposed goods and services, if this is not done than they could bring out a product which isn’t doesn’t sell a lot and a loose the money they put in to produce the products. Advertising Manager An advertising manager is in charge of advertising and liaising with agency staff over publicity campaigns. Advertising is one of the most important things in marketing as without advertising a product will not be known so their would sell as well as products being advertised. EQUAL OPPORTUNTIES (P3, M2, D2) In a work placement an employee has rights and responsibilities. Below are the rights and responsibilities of an employee. Rights as an employee Employee’s rights How to carry it out Having safe working conditions Making sure that the area your working is a hazard free zone, if not consult your manager or the human resources area. It is also your job to take care with anything you do to prevent any hazards happening. Getting paid the fair salary/wage Depending on your age, experience and contract, employee’s get paid differently. You have to make sure that your getting a fair paid if not consult your manager. You should first read your contract because you might have signed for getting paid the amount you’re getting. Provided information concerning your rights Before starting your job you will be provided with information about the rights an employee has. (mainly in your contract) If you’re not provided with this information you are able to ask for it. Not to be discriminated on grounds of race, sex or disability If you feel that your getting treated unfairly according to your race, sex or disability your able to take up action like consulting your trade union. To be consulted over matters which will significantly affect your terms and conditions of employment If you employer decides to change something, which affects the terms and conditions on you employment and does not consult you first, you can take action upon this. Responsibilities for an employee Employee’s responsibilities How to carry it out To be ‘ready and willing to work It’s always good to be full with enthusiasm in your work because it looks good for the company and make you happier in your work To give a personal service Your contract will contain you main job roles, but it’s always good to provide your own service like putting your ideas into your work, smiling and just any other little thing. To treat others how you would like to be treated If you’re rude and dishonest than fellow staff would treat you the same. It’s important to work as a team and communicating well with other people, this can only be done if you treat people well. To work towards the objectives of the business Working towards the objectives of a business could look good on you and on the business, if the employer see’ s you are working hard than it could result in the employee being promoted. To work in good faith Working in good faith consists of being honest, if you’re honest it again can see that you’re trustworthy and could get promoted. But yet if your seen lying than you could loose your job. COMUNNICATION (P4, M3, D1, D2) Most organisations have different ways of communicating, communicating is one of the most important things in a business, because without communicating you cannot run a business effectively. They are all types of communicating, below is a list of ways of communicating within a business. * Meetings * Group discussions * Tele phone * Memo’s * Emails * Draft letters * Reports * Faxes There are two main methods of communication which are oral and written communication. Oral communication could be either face to face or the over the phone. If you can’t get threw to the person you are calling then you can leave a message which is still oral communication. Written communication could be sent by mail or transmitted electronically. This can include letters which is the most common one, text messages on mobile phones or notices on notice boards. Below are the advantages and disadvantages about oral and written communication. Oral Written Advantages 1. It’s a fast way of communicating because you don’t have to write things down. 2. It’s cheap, as if you phone someone you would have to pay for the phone call. 3. Immediate feedback, you don’t have to wait age’s for someone to reply back to you as you would in a letter. 1. Writing a message can be retained for future reference. 2. Writing a message can also be copied for other people’s uses. 3. Creates a distance between sender and recipient useful for difficult communication, e.g. bad news. Disadvantages 1. Clear Speech, you must speak very clearly so that other people can understand you, but yet when you write a letter people can just read it in their own pace. 2. Long or complex messages can be forgotten. 3. You can be easily distracted while someone talks to you, and then you could forget the whole message they just told you. 1. When writing a letter it can take time to write, while if your talking to someone its faster.] 2. Keyed in documents need to be skilled and produced quickly and accurately. 3. Delivery can take time, or could be delayed. McDonalds functional areas communicate with each other by a system called Intranet which was launched in 2000. The McDonalds intranet provides a fast and up to the minute source of information for the McDonalds restaurant management and office staff. McDonalds external communication is don’t by a system called McNews which was launched in 2000. McNews is a award wining magazine which was published monthly for all restaurant staff, then in 2002 McNews was re – launched as MDUK and is now a lively focused magazine. MDUK has activities and events from restaurants around the country. MDUK is a showcase for best practice, recognising individual’s outstanding practices and achievements, as well as highlighting internal and external awards. Apart from the Intranet and MDUK, McDonalds also has other ways of communicating within the business, they are listed below. 1. An email system operates in all offices and company – owned restaurants 2. Regular staff communication sessions are held in the offices 3. Employee satisfaction surveys for both office and restaurant staff are held annually. 4. Meetings are held monthly. 5. Memo’s – send daily An email system is to contact anyone within the business or outside the business, the email system is a fast and easier way to contact people. The email system is used by most companies and general people all over the world. Staff communication sessions are held to improve of employee’s communication skills. This is important because communicating with customers is one of the main things to do. Employee satisfaction surveys are handed out every year, so employees can write how they feel working in the McDonalds restaurants. This is a good thing to do because it’s important to keep the staff happy as it motivates the staff to work harder. Meetings are held every month to discuss the McDonalds performance. They also talk about how much they are making and see what can be improved with the money. McDonalds talks about new idea’s and try to change or promote things that is not doing so well. This is a good way of communicating as you get to talk face to face to see the expressions on each other faces and it’s faster as you don’t have to way for a reply if you do if you was writing an email. Memo’s are used daily in all of the departments. Sales manager might send a memo to human resources manager and ask if he has found a sales person. Memo’s are used daily because they are important little messages, and it’s also a fast way of sending.

Getting a Job Isnt Hard...If You Prepare For These 4 Things

Getting a Job Isnt Hard...If You Prepare For These 4 Things Landing a job, as it turns out, is about four major things- at least with most corporations. The resume is worth just over 10%, enough to get you through the door, but then your interview performance and company fit are each worth about two-thirds of the equation. And the last little bit of magic has to do with your personality- at least how they perceive it. So start focusing on these, in the appropriate proportions. 1. ResumeBy now, you know what you need to do. And if you don’t, there are some great examples and suggestions and strategies to be found that will make it easy to develop your resume.2. InterviewLike a movie star’s screen test, or a Broadway actor’s audition, the interview is your first major hurdle, and worth about a third of the weight in the hiring process. Don’t just pick a snazzy outfit:Â  do your homework, practice, practice, practice, and come prepared. The more work you do before you walk into that interview, the easier it will be t o sell them on your strengths and how you can deliver across all of their unique needs for your position.3. Cultural FitIt seems a little like getting invited to sit at someone’s lunch table, but so it goes. This is also weighted at about a third of the equation. They want to make sure you’re a good fit just as much as you want to make sure you’ll get along with your co-workers and not be miserable coming to work each day.Does everyone wear power suits and sit in cubicles, when you’re accustomed to standing desks and jeans and open plan offices with empanada carts? These things are worth considering, and your hiring manager will be just as interested in figuring out how well you’d fit as you are.4. Personality AssessmentMore and more companies are using specially designed assessments to determine what your unique personality would be as an employee, given the environment at that particular company, what your job will be, and who you are. These are the final chunk of the pie, and probably weighted at less than 10 percent of the overall impression you will make. Sometimes they can prove disastrously wrong, but sometimes they can really show a perfect match. Try to be yourself- rather than attempting to outsmart the system, and you should be fine.Remember, the best and only thing you can do is be prepared. Knowing what your future employers might be looking for is just another tool in your job search toolbox. Know before you go.

The Best and Worst Trees for an Urban Forest

The Best and Worst Trees for an Urban Forest It has been determined by the United States Forest Service that nearly 80 percent of the U.S. population lives in urban areas that have developed a dependent  relationship with  the social, economic, and ecological  systems  near cities and suburbs.  Although quite  different from wildland forests, these urban forests have many challenges associated with healthy growth just as rural forests do. A large part of urban forest management includes planting the right tree for the appropriate site. The distribution of urban tree cover and the benefits of urban forests will  vary across the United States and requires addressing the challenges of sustaining this important resource with the best trees for every sites potential.   Top Trees to Plant in the Urban Landscape Overcup Oak or Quercus lyrata: Actually, most  oaks are great in urban settings, but many are very slow growers, Overcup oak is also slow but quickly reaches 40.  It is recommended to plant in all but the Northcentral states.  Red Maple or Acer rubrum: This maple is a ubiquitous, wide-ranging, native tree. It adapts well to most soils and sites and thrives under urban conditions. It also is an early harbinger  of fall as it turns color well in advance of most eastern deciduous tree species.  White Oak or Quercus alba: This is the other oak recommended and can be planted in nearly every state in the US. It is similar to lyrata and easy to find in most nurseries.  Green Ash or  Fraxinus pennsylvanica: This tree is native to eastern North America and common west to Wyoming and Colorado but will grow in every state in the U.S. The tree is fast growing on moist sites and hardy once established. It is best grown as a single tree with adequate room to grow but to be avoided wh ere the emerald ash borer is endemic. Crapemyrtle or Lagerstroemia: This small tree is the most common southern street and yard tree planted in a wide range that encircles the US from New Jersey through the deep South, Texas, Southern California and to the Pacific Northwest. There are cold hardy  varies like Northern Crapemyrtle,  Lagerstroemia  indica  that can be planted through zone 5.Dogwood or Cornus florida: This small showy all-season tree is possibly the favorite of yards and parks in all of the United States (with the exception of the middle upper western states).Japanese Maple or Acer palmatum: These trees have extraordinary shapes and are very popular in yards and open landscapes. As with dogwood, they are not hardy  in the middle upper western states.Baldcypress or Taxodium distichum: This tree is becoming the most popular tree in urban landscapes. It is hardy in all but the driest of states.  Others include the red oaks, a return of disease-resistant  American elm varieties and American linden (American basswood.) Urban and city forests are an essential component of America’s â€Å"green infrastructure† which makes the care and management of these city trees extremely important. Having the wrong trees (many of which are invasive), when added to natural (insects, diseases, wildfire, floods, ice and wind storms) and social problems (over development, air pollution, and inadequate management) makes for challenges as urban expansion continues. Top Trees NOT to Plant in the Urban Landscape Mimosa or Albizia julibrissin:  short-lived and very messy in any landscape.Silver maple or Acer sacharinum:  very messy, ornamentally dull, aggressive rootsLeyland Cypress or Cupressocyparis leylandii:   quickly outgrows space, short-lived.Lombardy Poplar or Populus nigra: canker-prone, with litter and short life.Popcorn tree or Sapium sibiferum: invasive tree species.Chinaberry or Melia azedarach: Invades disturbed areas to become thickets.Royal Paulownia or Paulownia tomentosa:  Invades disturbed areas to become thickets.Bradford Pear or Pyrus calleryana  Bradford:  Invades disturbed areas to become thickets.Siberian Elm or Ulmus pumila:  Invades pastures, roadsides, and prairiesTree of Heaven or Ailanthus  altissima:  Forms dense, clonal thickets, highly invasive.

Employee Motivation in the Management Field of Google Inc Case Study

Employee Motivation in the Management Field of Google Inc - Case Study Example Mansar and Reijers (2007) reckon that management in an organization should ensure effective communication, employee motivation, and alignment of employee activities to the achievement of the organization’s objectives. This can be construed to mean that management is not the handling of machines/automated program, but handling humans through communication, and an assenting enterprise endeavor. This paper seeks to elucidate on an issue of employee motivation in the management field. This will be achieved by conducting a case study on one of the largest corporation in the world (Google) while linking management theories to management practices in that corporation. Google is an American conglomerate, which specializes in providing internet-based services such as search engine service, cloud computing, manufacture and sale of software, as well as online marketing services. Most of Google’s profits come from Ad-Words. Its hasty growth since incorporation has elicited production of a series of merchandises, multiple acquisitions, and mergers. As a result, Google is one of the corporations with the largest employee base in the world of around 37,000 in 40 countries. Contemporary conglomerates are relentlessly coming up with new management techniques to acquire top talent, keep hold of that top talent, and come up with imaginative ways to keep them motivated so as to achieve paramount productivity in their respective industries. This essay investigates how Google Inc uses management techniques to motivate its employees to become top-producing individuals who can formulate preeminent ideas and products. The essay will explore how Google Inc has structured its management so as to endow its employees with the best environment and how it motivates them with intrinsic and extrinsic techniques.