Provide two reasons why Medicaid violations do not generally receive media attention Essay

One of the most frequent crimes of the affluent and the high-class of the society is Medicaid fraud. These frauds can be committed by several parties including the recipients and the providers. Medicaid is a government program that utilizes the taxpayer’s money to provide healthcare to the low income groups of the society. It is basically setup to help the weaker sections of the society including individuals above the age of 65, the disabled, the medically compromised and the low-income groups. The nations would be happy if the money is spending to help people in need, but frequently several providers and recipients indulge in fraud and abuse of the funds set aside under Medicaid. Some of the abuses committed by recipients include forging prescription, giving the medical card to another party, using several cards, duplicating or consuming excessive healthcare services, and selling the items received under Medicaid to others. Some of the abuses that can be committed by the providers include providing false bills, duplicating bills, providing unwanted medical care, doing unnecessary tests, billing in excess, compromising the quality of care under Medicaid services, and including the names of others in the bills (NY State, 2006). One of the reasons why Medicaid violations are not given great amount of media attention is because these crimes are usually committed by affluent. These crimes are often great amount of protection and secrecy, so as to gain for profit. In the US, it is estimated that Medicaid fraud cost the nation about forty billion dollars in the year 1993. Usually, a certain person rather than an organization would be involved in committing a Medicaid fraud. The White collar staffs who commit these crimes frequently think that they are above the law. They feel that committing such crimes is justified as it is anyway a part of the system. They would go to any extent to cover their crimes. The media would not like to get involved in covering such events, as they feel that they would later be harassed by the White collared staff. Besides, they also feel that they would not be getting any kind of requests they may have, as the white collared staff would be using their powers to avenge for the media attention given. It is found that the business-minded white collared staffs are more frequently involved in committing Medicaid frauds rather than the professional staff (Cullen, 2008). The media feels that the people who are victims by the crimes of Medicaid fraud are usually not the class who would be customers to their services. They may find that covering such events would not be beneficial to them in anyway, and would instead get them in bad looks with the high-class. The poor, elders and the disabled are less likely to be customers of the media services. They would also not stand up to fight their rights. The beneficiaries of Medicaid frequently are not aware of their rights. They may be often abused or neglected by the healthcare organization which may include the white collared staff. Frequently, the person getting abused may be physically and mentally helpless and would depend on the care provider for help. However, the care giver would be providing low quality healthcare and instead use the funds other Medicaid for other purposes (including gaining profits). Medicaid fraud is a criminal offence and involves abusing taxpayer’s money. It has been set aside for helping the weaker sections of the society, but instead these funds are ending up in the hands of the rich, thus making the rich richer and the poor poorer. At any cost, the media would have to change their policy of reporting cases of Medicaid fraud to the public.

McNally Andre’s Mother

Even coming from a Catholic background, Terrence McNally, a gay playwright, never felt that being a homosexual was wrong. He quotes, â€Å"It seemed very natural to me. I think something as natural as sexual attraction is not to be fought.† He goes on to say that he defined God on his own terms and that the one message he got from being in Catholic school was that we are all created equally in God’s image, therefore, he was going to be okay (Shulman). In 1988, McNally became one of the first writers to confront homosexuality in his short play titled Andre's Mother.Later, in 1997, he wrote â€Å"Corpus Christi,† which altered the story of Jesus Christ in a gay setting. This created controversy among the conservative, religious crowd but he did not give up there (Fulton). He went on to make a lasting impact on the lives of some people, making his plays become successful and highly populated in attendance. McNally treats the play Andre’s Mother in a shockingl y ordinary manner in order to normalize the subject of homosexuality given the time period in which it was written. Andre’s Mother is a short play portraying the hardships that come with suffering from the death of a loved one.Most people are familiar with the 5 stage process of dealing with a death—denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance (Axelrod). This process takes place no matter whom it was that died, whether it be a family member, friend, mutual friend, or significant other. Small details such as age, race, or sexual orientation would not affect the progression because it is a universal process. In this short play, Andre, who recently passed, was gay, and Cal, Andre’s lover, must cope with this major loss. McNally chooses to deal with homosexuality in the circumstance of a death because it is a relatable feeling of numbness.Both Arthur and Penny seemingly have very little to do with the play. However, they actually play essential roles in McN ally’s representation of his personal view on homosexuality. Arthur and Penny both come from Cal’s side of the relationship, Arthur being Cal’s father and Penny his sister. Both relatives know about Cal’s relationship and are exceptionally accepting. McNally intentionally puts them into the play for that reason. He shows that regardless of the time period that this play was written in, there are still going to be understanding people. â€Å"In my clumsy way, I'm trying to say how much I liked Andre. And how much he helped me to know my own boy.Cal was  always two hands full but Andre and I could talk about anything under the sun. My wife was very fond of him, too† (McNally 967). This is Arthur voicing his internal thoughts. It adds a lot to the play by showing that Cal’s father not only accepts his son’s relationship, but is also happy for him that he can be happy truly being himself. Penny likewise makes it obvious that she accepts her brother’s relationship when she says, â€Å"God forgive me for wishing you were straight every time I laid eyes on you. But if any man was going to have you, I'm glad it was my brother!† (McNally 968).She is surely expressing her approval of Andre but more importantly, McNally added this line in for a bit of comic relief. Homosexuality is a controversial topic, but by putting this in there, McNally is trying to make light of the issue by making a joke. Andre’s Mother was written in the 1900’s, a time when homosexuality was still a disgrace to many people. The fact that McNally chose to address Andre and Cal’s relationship was a questionable and unpopular thought at first. Especially since he went into such major detail with it, having Cal speak to Andre’s mother about how important Andre was to him.Since this play was intended for a big audience, it confirms that McNally was trying to spread his perspective on homosexuality. Him being g ay, gives him emotional ties to the subject matter that he intends and wishes to extend to the general population of people. Although the play deals with AIDS, a commonly associated disease with gay people, the main theme of the play has nothing to do with AIDS. In fact it has everything to do with the acceptance of a person and the happiness that comes with realizing that the person is not afraid of being who he/she is. Andre’s mother was never give a name throughout the play. McNally purposefully did so to emphasize her feelings toward the death of her son.Andre never told his mother about Cal out of fear that he would not be accepted by her. The end of the play shows that Andre’s mother comes to a realization that being gay doesn’t change anything about a person. This helps McNally’s point that a gay person is still a person, and more importantly, a vulnerable person who doesn’t deserve what they have to go through because they cannot change who they are. Due to the nature of McNally’s past and the manner in which Andre’s Mother was written, it is clear that he is attempting to ignore the wide spread controversy that is associated with the theme of homosexuality. He does this by taking a risk and performing a play that it is not socially acceptable to do so.It shows a lot about McNally’s character because he is not afraid to be different and promote something that could potentially cause him to lose many viewers. And he did an extraordinary job in doing so because he became a very successful playwright and was even praised for his bravery (â€Å"Terrence McNally†). By recognizing McNally’s character choice and the fact that this was written in the late 1900’s when homosexuality was not viewed as acceptable, it is tangible to say that McNally was trying to normalize the subject of homosexuality in his play, Andre’s Mother.

Sentencing and Corrections System Research Paper

Sentencing and Corrections System - Research Paper Example Sentencing and Corrections System Even though rehabilitation is one of the listed purposes of sentencing, its capability to achieve the goals has been questioned at length. On the contrary, incapacitation unlike the other retribution methods is the severest form of punishment that reduces the possibility of the criminal’s reversion for a specific period of time. According to Mackenzie (2001), the world has been witnessing enormous changes in the philosophy and practice of sentencing and corrections during the last thirty years. The early twentieth century justice systems emphasized more on rehabilitation, whereas, by the end of the century emphasis was given on fairness and justice, considering sentences as necessary. With the changes of time, the concept of sentencing was altered into a crime-control method that focused on incarceration intending to reduce the amount of crime in the community. According to Mackenzie (2001), the four essential and fundamental goals attributed to the sentencing process are retr ibution, rehabilitation, deterrence, and incapacitation. Retribution is based on the basic principle that those who break the law must be prosecuted. However, deterrence focuses the hardness of punishment. As a result, offenders are discouraged to commit any further crimes considering rationally the cost of punishment which is too hard. The process of Incapacitation physically confines the person into prison, providing him no further chance o commit any crime. On the other hand, rehabilitation tries to develop the offender’s behavior thinking which may prevent persons from continuing to commit crimes. The sentences frequently meet several of these objectives in practice emphasizing the priority of them. However, emphasis of the methods is given to protect the public and the mechanisms are expected to provide public safety. The objectives and goals of punishment have been changing with the passage of time; and the number of persons under the correctional supervision in the Uni ted States has been enlarging rapidly. Variations in the philosophy and practice of sentencing and corrections can create significant impacts on the imprisonment rates. In the opinion of Mackenzie (2001), some of the issues during the mid twentieth century were the arguments for abandoning the rehabilitation model as well the demand for increased crime control through incapacitation and deterrence. Proponents asked for limitation off the authority of judges and correctional administrators on moderate criminal offences and to bring minimum mandatory sentences. However, everyone agree with the notion that crime prevention with the help of incapacitations is a major justification of justice. The overall impact also considers the impact on individual offenders, who are restricted by several Federal and State laws that deny the right to vote, hold offices, and engage in particular occupations. Sentencing has been affecting the state and federal corrections system throughout the years. Th e sentencing principle focused more on incarceration, having greater impacts on the total legal structure of the nation. As Blumstein (n.d) pints out, 12 percent of the increase in incarceration rates was due to more offenses being committed. Variations in the philosophy of sentencing and correction have a dramatic impact on the criminal judicial system. Even when some States did not alter to a determinate sentencing procedure, they undertook the changes to

Management and leadership Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Management and leadership - Research Paper Example Another difference between management and leadership is related to their approach and perspectives. At Boeing, managers always think incrementally and they do everything in accordance with the company’s policy, whereas leaders think radically and they follow their own initiations in the benefit of the company. The Boeing Company hires managers based on their managerial as well as leadership skills. The company believes that a good manager is one who can motivate and lead the employees effectively by setting his/her own example. Leadership is one of the main elements of Boeing’s culture. It has its roots in every department as all managers lead the employees towards increased performance and productivity. Rampur (2010) states, â€Å"In the corporate world, leadership is undoubtedly the most important action that has to be considered if you want to get the work done collectively†. Every department of Boeing works in partnership with the Boeing Leadership Center that works towards ensuring on-the-job successes by providing leadership development opportunities to the managers of all departments. Managers working at Boeing not only manage and control their employees according to the company’s employee management policy but also help them achieve their tasks in an appropriate manner. Boeing’s senior management support matrix structure and provide clear direction to the employees. They possess all qualities of good leaders, such as, assertiveness, visionary outlook, and skills to influence others. The core essence of a true leader is to improve organizational processes by motivating and influencing the employees. Every department of the Boeing Company strives to improve at all levels and that is not possible if the managers do not possess leadership skills. Therefore, we can say that although the concepts of management and leadership have some differences but every manager working at Boeing possesses both managerial and leadership skills to ensure

Tha Face Deal Book Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Tha Face Deal Book - Research Paper Example Most of the financing Facebook Inc. was obtained as ventures. The ventures were given with an exchange of obtaining the rights of ownership of the company. Accel Partners invested $12.7 million at a valuation of about $100 million. They also invested in another transaction worth $27.5 million with the Greylock Partners. This investment earned them a valuation of $525 million. The Accel Partners and the Greylock Partners invested in this young company due to its promising market service. The company had grown so that it could serve millions of students around the campuses. The investment opportunity was to allow for its growth in the market. The Microsoft Corporation and the Digital Sky Technology raised their contribution in the form of equities.This financing was aimed at the elevation of the Facebook Inc., which was a young promising company. (Ferrera, 2012). The cumulative investment has seen the listing of Facebook as the most used social network over the years. This led to the e ventual filing for an IPO on February 2012 and started selling stock in May 2012. This tremendous growth can be credited to the investment that has overseen the financial credibility of the company. The investors had an aim of obtaining a valuation in the company through the acquisition of ownership rights of the company. The Microsoft Corporation invested to the company in order to obtain the 1.6% stock and to be allowed to advertise on the site. The Accel Partners requested a post of being a board member of the company thereof being central in running the company (Baloun, 2007). Therefore, the financing of the Facebook Company was a beneficial venture for both the company and the investors. Uses of the finances The Facebook Inc. started as a small company with very few employees. At that time, they only had 10 Employees.The Company had an aim of recruiting new employees to aid in the servicing of its clients. The event that was carried out and it drew about 700 people. The company was also experiencing losses that were spurring the possibility of being sold to Yahoo or other larger media groups. To fight this pressure, there was a need to allow investors to venture into the company financially. This acted as a source of capital for investing in the expansion plans beyond the old environment. The company added high school networks, international school networks and photos to the social networking pages (Sutherland, 2012). In order to obtain a valuation in the economy, the Microsoft Corporation invested $240 million for the 1.6% stake in the company. This enabled Facebook to spread and improve on their applications on the website. The company could get recognition in the corporate market with a high financial basis. Another project was the acquisition of the international headquarters in Dublin (Carver, 2012). The acquisition of other companies such as Connecticut was also another project that required a great deal of funding. This was after the settlement of the suit against Facebook. The funding from Microsoft, Accel, Greylock, and Digital Sky Technologies was instrumental towards the growth of this company to the point of obtaining an IPO. Current valuation The company has provided varied valuation standards in the current period. The increase in the target price of the stock before valuation is a major boost for this company. The company considers their revenue growth, the operating

Currency trading simulation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Currency trading simulation - Research Paper Example OANDA reflects the market ideal market condition which may not be true conditions. The pie charts in the OANDA which shows real time changes in the currency pair using moving averages. The user can study the market and develop their trading strategy which will determine when to buy and when to sell at a profit. Generally, when the spot crosses under the moving average,a sell signal appears because the technical analysis shows that the price will drop. A buy signal appeard when the spot crosses over the moving average because the price will raise. Market volatility tends to indicate rate reversal hence an important factor to be considered. I used two moving average on the same pie charts, the faster moving average is based on 25 days of data while the slower moving average is calculated from 10 days of data. A buy signal appears when the faster moving average crosses above the slow moving average, and a sell signal appears when the faster moving average crosses below the slower moving average (OANDA Tutorial). My initial trading plan was to use reversal point by waiting for the fast moving average crossing above the slower moving average, then buy 50 currency units and hold the for a while to see if the market price will go up or not. My initial didn’t work out because the prices didn’t rise, thus I couldn’t get a profit. I decided to diversify my portfolio to maximize my returns and minimize my risk in the money market. The moving average, however, had little movement and thus I was not able to able to buy and sell at a profit. Changing my strategies to diversification of portfolio worked out because none of the moving averages crossed each other. Market volatility also didn’t work out so I decided to diversify my points. My strategies yielded returns, but I didn’t maximize it. The market fluctuates every second and making decisions is very

Interantional Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Interantional Business - Essay Example The panel should act objectively while conforming to the WTO agreements in finding a solution that would resolve the dispute (August 2004). Procedure: The facts in this case arose from the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dispute Settlement Panel, in which several countries that included Canada, the European Union, and the United States alleges that Japan imposed lower taxes on shochu (locally produced alcoholic beverage) than other imported alcoholic beverage, like vodka in violation of Article III, paragraph 2, of the 1994 General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (August, 2004). The case reached this point based on the report by the panel claiming that the GATT Article III.2 is inconsistent with the Japanese Liquor Tax. The GATT Article III.2 indicates that a product imported should be subject directly or indirectly to internal taxes or other internal charges in excess of those applied, like domestic products (August, 2004). Issue(s): The legal issues surrounding this case begins with the recognition of the Article III.2 where it states, "so as to afford protection" as depicted in Article III.1 (August, 2004).

Criminal Justice Agency Budget Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Criminal Justice Agency Budget - Case Study Example Budgets should reflect management's planned change initiatives, related costs, and expected results. 2) Performance-past and current performance, as well as that of like organizations, should contribute to the budgeting process. Consideration needs to be given to uncontrollable external changes that could dramatically affect the operation and its results. Examples of such events include rising energy costs, economic slowdowns, foreign threats, shifts in technology, and changing global markets. 3) People-good intra- and inter-organizational communications are essential to developing both good plans and good budgets. From customers to suppliers to internal personnel, the higher the quality of information, thought, and input into the process, the more likely a more realistic budget will result. The Fiscal Services Unit of the City of Yonkers is responsible for preparing and monitoring the police department's budget, processing its payroll, keeping time and leave records for its personnel, and ensuring that reimbursements due the department are obtained in a timely manner. (McElron, 2008) The unit also provides statistical information to city departments as well as outside government agencies. Presently, the unit consists of a Captain, an Account Clerk IV (Jackie Olmsted), a Clerk III (Flo Fallon), two Clerk IIs (Janet Castelli, and Louise Campbell) and a Clerk I (Michael Gale). The Fiscal Services Unit prepares operating and capital budget requests for the police department based on information provided by each unit or division's commanding officer. In accordance with the readings for this course, I would classify the budget system as an annual system (meaning that a budget is proposed for each year). For fiscal year 2007/2008, which began on July 1, 2007 and continues until June 30, 2008, the police department's operating budget is $69,106,663; personnel costs comprise 98% of the operating budget. After receiving the adopted budget from the city, the Fiscal Services Unit monitors expenditures to ensure that they are in compliance with the department's budget. The annual budget model is the best suited for the City of Yonkers as it allows the Fiscal Services Unit to maintain the pulse of the budget while planning ahead for the city's needs for the next year. (Bennett & Hess, 2007, pg. 416) In administering the budget, the Fiscal Servi

Cultural variations on some common human dimensions Assignment

Cultural variations on some common human dimensions - Assignment Example nd is sacred to them and it is what kinks them to their ancestors thus the saying ancestral land, therefore to them it is absurd to think that one can sell land like one can sell an item of the shelf of a supermarket. Basically natives can sell their land but only to the base the land has only been leased. William James was a pioneer in the field of psychology noted that the human consciousness was like a stream ever changing and ever moving. What one culture might consider being an escape from reality may be a deeply religious gateway to the spirit world for another culture. Learning to appreciate and respect other cultural practices of others without being judgmental is one of the steps necessary for a more culturally aware and proud generation. To most Americans their morning shower doesn’t have any religious or cultural importance but to some native tribes as well as The Muslims this it does have religious implications and significance, therefore people ought to respect and celebrate the different cultures and traditions that they

Foundations of Western Civilization Essay Example for Free

Foundations of Western Civilization Essay Essay 1: Pope Urban II launched the First Crusade when the Byzantine emperor Alexios I asked for help to fight against the Muslims. In 1095, Pope Urban II made a speech at the council of Clermont to persuade the people and nobility who attended the council to wage war for their Holy Land against the Seljuk Turks. His speech was considered as one of the most effective speeches given in European history. Because of this speech, he was able to reconcile their fight against the Muslims by telling them that they have to fight together because it is the will of God. In turn, the Crusaders were Christians formed to wage fights against Muslims, pagans and other political enemies of the popes. The First Crusade’s major purpose was to reclaim Jerusalem from Muslims. Major motivations for any Crusader at that time were the promise of deliverance from their sins, exemption from tax and protection from the church. Another motivation was that if any Crusader died, they will certainly go to heaven. The First Crusades was successful in getting back their Holy Land. Four new kingdoms were established and the First Crusades were followed with more conquests to gain territories against their enemies. The First Crusades was able to help the pope expand his power and authority of the church among the people of those times. Essay 2: (Aztec, Egyptian and Mayan Civilization) One common thing about these three civilizations is that they have many gods that people worship. Religion in these civilizations influenced political life because leaders associated them closely with their gods. In the Egyptian civilization, some pharaohs considered themselves as son of the sun-god while some leaders in the mentioned civilizations considered themselves as reincarnations of their gods. Rulers during this time were also the high priests themselves and led many religious ceremonies. Religion greatly influenced political conquests in these ancient civilizations because captives from foreign conquests were mainly used as human sacrifices for religious rituals and ceremonies. In Mayan and Aztec civilizations, a number of their religious rituals included human sacrifices to their major gods. These rituals were used to send messages across their enemies how powerful they are. References The First Crusades, http://www. historylearningsite. co. uk/cru2. htm. , 2002-2008 Aztec Civilization. http://encarta. msn. com/ Egyptian Civilization. http://encarta. msn. com/ Mayan Civilization. http://encarta. msn. com/

Gardners Theory of Intelligence

Gardners Theory of Intelligence It is a pretty common phenomenon that some people acquire knowledge and skills 10 or 20 times faster than others (Payne Tirre 1984). Some people acquire certain kind of knowledge that others cannot even acquire after years of practice. This sort of individual differences in learning are commonly occur due to differences in intelligence. Thus, learning ability is part of intelligence according to some psychologists and most of the educators barely make any difference between learning and intelligence. Therefore, it sounds paradoxical that both of them have quite separate ways throughout the history of psychology. According to psychologist intelligence will never have a general definition (Strenberg Dtterman 1986). It can be said that it is not a concept which can be scientifically useful (Jensen 1987d) as it lacks such meaning that is not just a random choice of any psychologists. Of Gardners proposed seven types of human intelligence, linguistic and logical-mathematical are the first two types noted by him commonly valued in educational institutes, e.g. school, colleges (Gardner, 1999, pp. 41). Gardner concluded the definition of intelligence by saying that it could only be applied to some certain explanations of human understanding and behavior, and last but not the least morality is generally a about the kind of person that an individual is and the kind of person an individual has wanted to be. It is not, in itself, an intelligence (p. 77) Gardners view of intelligence has us much ideas for thinking about intellectual functioning but is being expert in one or more of these intelligences actually a reflection of intelligence. Strenberg (1985, 1986) addresses this statement by considering intelligence as a type of mental self-management comprising of tree basic components: componential intelligence, experiential intelligence and contextual intelligence. As these three types of intelligence define intelligent behavior, this theory is known as a triarchic theory. The Information-processing Model reflects on what is going to happen when information flows through different types of internal structure which are should be existing inside the learner. These sort of structures represent the main function of the central nervous system. It should be noted that these sort of structures are hypothetical. According to Gange et al. (1984) some of the process that has been used by the system can be performed better by some individuals than others, but the systems nature will be the same. After having a good concept of how information are being processed, stored and retrieved through the help of the information model, students can learn much more effectively and efficiently as comparing to the period when they were not aware of that. According to Gage Berliner (1984), memorizing things and trying to remember how to how to execute skills is one of the main tasks of learning. If someone learns something one night and cannot remember it some later time is of a very little use according to Gage and Berliner (1984). They believe that metacognitive learners are able to get cognitive strategies to help them to remember things easily and to recall it after a later time. According to them this process is called encoding. At schools teachers can help out the students to encode information. Firstly, they have to provide the learner the information already coded in the form of graphs, tables etc. These help the learners to easily store those data in his/her memory in an easily remembered form. After that teachers can provide that cues to activate the coded data. This helps the students to recall the information that has already been stored in their long-term memory in an encoded form for a long time. Motivation can be referred to the reasons underlying behavior (Guay et al., 2010, p. 172). According to Gredler, Broussard and Garrison (2004) motivation can be considered as an attribute that lets us to do something or not to do something. According to Stipek (1996), ancient approaches to this study of motivation in the literary discourse on extrinsic reinforcement. According to that literature, all sort of behavior, including an individuals achievements , was considered to be controlled by reinforcement. One of the key figure of this approach includes B.F. Skinner, who identifies various categories of reinforcement. Positive reinforcement or gifts or rewards are the result that increases the chance of a particular behavior by getting rid of some negative outer stimulus. On the other hand, the fear of being punished refers to odious consequences that decrease the probability of an individuals behavior. Under this structure, the teachers job is very clear: to give satisfactory grades to reward that individual or give an awful grade or being punished. A set of empirical studies on the manipulation of motivation exists. Though these evidences describes both positive and negative effects, proposing that instructional strategies and classroom contexts can both increase or decrease students motivation. References: Broussard, S. C., Garrison, M. E. B. (2004). The relationship between classroom motivation and academic achievement in elementary school-aged children. Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 33(2), 106-120. Gardner, H. (1999). Intelligence reframed: Multiple intelligences for the 21st century.  New York: Basic Books. Gage Berliner (1984). Educational Psychology Payne, D., W. Tirre. (1984). Individual differences in learning rate. Paper presented at  the Ninth Psychology in the Department of Defense Symposium, USAF Academy,  Colorado Springs, Colorado. Sternberg, R. J., Detterman, D. K. (Eds.). (1986). What is Intelligence?  Norwood, USA: Ablex. Stipek, D. J. (1996). Motivation and instruction. In D. C. Berliner R. C. Calfee (Eds.), Handbook of educational psychology (pp. 85-113). New York: Macmillan.

Charles Dickens Great Expectations Essay -- Great Expectations Essays

Charles Dickens' Great Expectations In the novel of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens, one of the pivotal characters is a man named Abel Magwitch. To answer the question of whether this man is a criminal or a victim of society, we must first establish what a criminal is and what a victim of society is. A criminal is someone who knowingly breaks the law for self-gratification. A victim of society is someone who is subjected to outside influences, and is generally mistreated by society. In the context of this novel, a victim of society is also someone who has never been given a chance in life, and has no control over events that occur involving them. Therefore I am going to try and decide which of these two ‘categories’ the character of Abel Magwitch falls into. When we first meet Magwitch in Chapter one our first impressions of him are not positive. Pip describes him as a ‘fearful man’ with a ‘terrible voice’. Although we learn that he is in a terrible state, ‘smothered in mud and lamed by stones’, with a ‘great iron’ on his leg, indicating he has obviously escaped prison and is on the run, we as readers do not feel any sympathy for him. The reason for this is the fact that he is willing to threaten a young boy, seeming to enjoy the power he has over him is almost repulsive to us as readers, making him appear even more harsh. The fact that Magwitch is likened to a dog, he ‘glared and growled’ at Pip, does not help his case. This presents him as an animal, and serves only to alienate Magwitch from the reader. This means that we too share Pips reservations and suspicions about Magwitch throughout the opening chapters, even though it is clear that this man is scared, lonely and hungry enough to thre... ...me suffering as Magwitch. This belief would probably have evolved after his trial with Compeyson, which taught him that the law could be manipulated by class. This shows that Magwitch did not have many criminal intentions, and that he was tricked by Compeyson. In a sense Dickens is trying to show us how real justice can be hard to find. It is because of his low status and poverty that Magwitch never really had a chance. This shows how the justice system has been manipulated by society. Therefore, I think that Magwitch, while having acted like a criminal, is not to blame for his actions and it could be argued that he is even remorseful about them. This shows that he is not a criminal, but a victim of the society he lives in, because he was never given a chance to prove society wrong and make something of his life, he was just labelled and left in jail.

APEC Essay -- essays research papers fc

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) began in 1989 in reaction to the developing interdependence among Asia-Pacific economies. At first this organization was a group that met unofficially. APEC now has become the crucial provincial conduit for encouraging open trade and realistic economic cooperation. It’s objective is to progress Asia-Pacific economic vitality and the essence of the people. APEC consists of 21 nations and other political units that border the Pacific Ocean. Economic and political alliances have been formed among the countries of the Pacific Rim. APEC's aims include reducing trade barriers among its members and to further trade and investment in the region. Its principles are to support economic growth and development of the region and world economic liberalization, to reduce barriers of the trade of goods, services and investment, and to facilitate economic, technical and investment cooperation among its member economies. (http://www.apec2002.org.mx/sevents)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are now twenty-one active members in APEC. Twelve nations have been members since the group was formed in 1989: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and the United States. In 1991, China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan became members. Mexico and Papua New Guinea joined in 1993, and Chile in 1994. Hong Kong became a special administrative region of China in 1997 but kept its separate membership in APEC. Peru, Russia, and Vietnam became members in 1998. (http://www.apecsec.org.sg/) http://www.apec2002.org.mx/index.cfm?action=content&IdCategory=1&IdSubCategory=7&IdTopic=2   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first two years of APEC, the members set up ten groups that would investigate opportunities for cooperation. The members of APEC meet annually since the beginning of the formation of APEC. In 1993 the heads of APEC met to constitute working groups to inquire about local cooperation in the areas of higher education, human resource development, and trade and investment. They also set up the Pacific Business Forum. The Pacific Business Forum was created to elevate immediate cooperation with privately owned businesses. Through many forums and meeting APEC agreed to implant a free-trade zone in the midst of their countries by the year 2020.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  &n... ...ilateralism means that the ideas of other members are not properly discussed. This becomes a problem because the decisions that APEC makes will affect all of its members. A debate over the subject matters of APEC will help to create more momentous steps toward greater trade and investment where exposure becomes an actuality.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Even though APEC has some problems their accomplishments outweigh them. APEC is still working towards its goal of free and open trade with working groups and committees. Working groups inquire about local cooperation with specific topics. APEC is particularly important in making the region focus on issues of trade and opening the global market.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Works Cited http://usinfo.state.gov/regional/ae/apec.htm http://www.noie.gov http://www.apecsec.org.sg/ http://www.apec2002.org.mx http://www.apec2002.org.mx/sevents http://www.apec2002.org.mx/index.cfm?action=content&IdCategory=1&IdSubCategory=7&IdTopic=2 http://www.apecsec.org.sg/loadall.htm?http://www.apecsec.org.sg/workgroup/fish.html http://www.mac.doc.gov/internet/aplacfaq.htm http://www.brook.edu/dybdocroot/comm/PolicyBriefs/pb026/pb26.htm

The Use of Steroids in Major League Sports :: Athletes Drugs Professional Baseball Doping

The Use of Steroids in Major League Sports There has been a lot of controversy about steroids in sports. The pressure has caused some sport stars to admit to their use of steroids. Some of these people are Barry Bonds, Gary Sheffield, and Jason Giambi. Steroids though seem very helpful to professional athletes, it can very dangerous and can help people get advantage over other people. Steroids have been around for a long time. â€Å"The first people to use anabolic steroids for athletic enhancement were the Russians who discovered the drug and had great success.† They stared to use the steroids in the 1950’s. The steroids they used had many side effects. When they started to use them, they had a high chance to die of heart disease and many other things. During the Olympics in 1950 and a little beyond the Russians were know as the best weight lifters in the world. No one knew that they used steroids. After a while, their secret was out and the Bulgarians started to use them. Steroids can help but they do have very severe side effects. â€Å"Overall the usage of steroids is very damaging to the human body.† In men, the steroids can cause shrinkage to the testicles, decrease sperm count, sterility, impotence, prostate enlargement, and growth of breasts. Most of the side effects cannot be reversed. The most severe side effect of steroids is on the liver. It is called Peliosis Hepatis, which is a blood-filled cyst in the liver. If the cysts rupture, they can cause liver failure. That would most likely kill the person. In women, it can sue the growth of facial hair, shrinkage of the uterus, sterility, deepening of the voice, decrease in breast size, and irregularity in the menstrual cycle. In both men and women, jaundice, edema of feet and ankles (water retention), headaches, aching joints, reduction in HDL, high blood pressure, stroke, hair loss, liver ailments, acne, atherosierosis and cancer. When injected some of the risks are developing hematons a nd getting AIDS and HIV. Taking steroids shortens the life span up to twenty years and a chance of getting diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension. The side effects are reactions from using steroids are endless. There are many different kinds of steroids and the side effects are getting less severe but more people are taking them because of their immediate effect. â€Å"But, there are a host of new bodybuilding drugs such as GH, Insulin, IGF, PGF, TGF, DNP, beta agonists, etc.

Dusk at Dell

Executive Summary This case analysis report focuses on the declining market share faced by Dell, Inc. (â€Å"Dell†, the â€Å"Company†) and recommendations are given as to where the Company needs to alter its strategy at a business level as well as a corporate level. Broad recommendations include foraying into the retail space at a more aggressive pace, laying greater impetus in fast emerging markets such as China and India, and focusing more on R&D efforts in order to ensure that higher levels of innovation are achieved by the Company. Introduction Dell, Inc. (â€Å"Dell†, the â€Å"Company†) is a multinational company that specializes in the development, manufacture, marketing and servicing of computers and computer related products. Dell has been one of the most successful firms in the computer industry, having achieved supernormal revenue growth and above average returns for several years spanning the mid 1990’s to the mid 2000’s. This was mainly due to their prowess in customizing products as per customer requirements, coupled with effective manufacturing and supply chain processes. The Company encourages little or no intervention from distributors and middlemen, and majority of all sales are based on a direct customer relationship business model. The firm’s resources focused on supply chain capabilities, with frequent inventory turnover and direct delivery emerging as Dell’s core competencies. At the time when Dell established these core competencies, they were valuable, rare and were not easy to imitate, therefore allowing the Company to build a sustainable competitive advantage. More recently, industry dynamics have rapidly changed and competitive rivalry has also intensified to a very large extent. The external environment has changed significantly and demographic factors, coupled with economic indicators such as large disposable incomes that is now available to a greater number of people in emerging countries has transformed the way that Companies formulate their strategies within the computer industry. Dell’s strategy has not changed in tandem with the external environment, and as a result, the Company has been losing market share in the last few years. The computer industry is characterized by standard cycle to fast cycle markets, and constant innovation is required to ensure that firms continue to earn above average returns. This case study analysis report will outline Dell’s existing strategy and will then explore the new strategic options that are desirable for the Company. As Dell is a global player and has operations all over the world, specific strategies will be formulated from a region wise perspective. The product categories that are proving to be winners for the Company will also be considered and analysed in depth. Specifically, this report will be presented in the following format: †¢Dell will be analysed in relation to its two biggest competitors i. e. Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Lenovo, and suggestions will be given as to where Dell will need to place strategic thrust in the future. †¢The three major geographic segments in which the Company is present viz. The Americas; Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA); and Asia Pacific Japan (APJ) will be analysed in depth and relevant business strategies and diversification strategies will be expounded upon. The future course of action the Company should undertake will be presented. †¢The report will use the above analyses to provide recommendations to the Company in terms of product categories that are most desirable, regions that need to be focused on in the future, what new core competencies the Company should develop, and the overall direction that strategic leadership needs to take in the future. Competitor Analysis Dell’s major competition comes from two other computer related behemoths i. e. HP and Lenovo. Dell is no longer the market leader as it had once been. HP has overtaken Dell as the largest PC manufacturer in the world. HP achieved this distinction from Q3 2006, and in 2007 had 18. 8 percent global shipments for that year. All three Companies have a market share in similar regions and competitive rivalry and dynamics are based on the actions and responses initiated by each other. The following table presents a snapshot of product categories, market share, main customer segments, and product innovations of the world’s major players in the computer industry: Table 1: Competitor Analysis of Dell, HP, IBM, Lenovo and Others CategoryDellHPIBMLenovoOthers Product CategoriesDell is present in all the computer related categories from desktops to PC’s and servers. The original leader in printers and scanners, HP is the world’s largest computer manufacturerAfter its sale of its Laptop and PC division IBM, concentrates on its server market and providing IT solutionsAfter its purchase of IBM, Lenovo has become one of the world largest PC manufacturers. This compromises of Acer who is a large player and other large as well as smaller companies within similar segments. Market Share worldwideDell fell to 14. 6% during Q3 200719. % as on third quarter 2007 IBM is now in the server marketLenovo at 8. 1% Acer at 7. 9% Main Customer SegmentsDell targets large corporates and now needs a retail pushHP has its share across the whole spectrum of customers and thus has the lead it enjoys. IBM concentrates on the server segments and is still behind HP in terms of overall volumesLenovo targets corporate and retail segments and has seen succ essful in the retail segment due to strong brand value and recall of â€Å"Thinkpad† brand Acer is a pc and laptop manufacturer concentrating on corporate and retail segments. Product InnovationWill be explained belowHP has made strides in its targeting specific segments with innovative products. Its recent campaign for corporates stresses lighter and more powerful laptops, better battery life etc. For retail and home consumers it stresses media features and family friendly options. IBM is a server market leader and targets the segment accordingly. Lenovo has been trying similar strategies like HP in creating different products for the two segments of corporates and home users. Acer and other similar brands follow a customised strategy as well. As can be seen from the above table, a lot of Companies provide a host of products and services that are similar in nature. This intensifies the competitive rivalry, and the set of actions and responses taken lead to enhanced competitor dynamics within the industry. Moving forward, it is essential that Dell positions itself as a player that pays attention to the changes in the external environment and builds new core competencies accordingly. For example, the number of computer users in China and India is very low, and these countries are expected to present immense potential to the computer manufacturers. Furthermore, retail sales can form a major potential client base. As mentioned in our SWOT analysis (Appendix 1), Dell has been traditionally weak in acquiring mass customers in the retail category and moving forward, the Company should consider it to be a key initiative that forms a vital part of its strategic mission and intent in the years to come. The retail model would be to offer the customer the products and showcase the flexibility of Dell’s customisation and they can take the order and book the same on their online channels. Internet accessibility is still limited to millions of Indians, who rely on cyber cafe’s for internet access. Additionally, acquiring broadband connectivity in Indian homes is still some distance away. However, recent aggressive pushes by local telecom companies is bringing broadband to homes and is seeing phenomenal success and herein lies Dell’s opportunity to capture the segment with an established retail format. It must be noted that the Company has tapped into a retail strategy and has recently been featuring their â€Å"Studio† range and â€Å"Adamo† Range designs in retail outlets. As of December 2007, Dell’s focus was to open up to 10,000 retails stores worldwide. This is a required growth strategy and vital to its success. With reference to product categories, it is becoming increasingly apparent that notebook sales are outperforming desktops. This should be aligned with Dell’s competitive strategy and strong focus should be on selling notebooks in the international markets. The Company should look at offering the best functionality in this range of products to cater to the rising younger segment that don’t shy away from increased features and are ready to pay the price for them. The Company is realizing that product differentiation is becoming essential and hopes to launch unique products that will create ‘product lust’ amongst its consumers. A recent product launch includes a new mp3 player called â€Å"zing† which Dell wants to focus on and improve growth. The product is expected to compete with Apple’s iconic iPod. Although Dell possesses a significant advantage with regard to cost savings because of its direct customer model, it must be aware that its competitors are catching up and the relative gain it had is slowly diminishing. Region wise and Product Wise Strategic Analysis of Dell Dell’s continued success for many years was largely attributable to its Cost Leadership Strategy. The Company’s focus was not on R&D and innovation, but instead relied on standards based technologies. Furthermore, the Company does not necessarily look for first mover advantage either. Instead, the strategy has been to wait till the market or product category is ripe for commoditization. Once the innovation is commoditized, the Company offers more cost effective versions, enabled by supplier JIT and customer conjoint. For example, the customer builds their own computer on the Dell website and thus only pay for what they value, while Dell gets real-time information on consumer demand and preferences. The above mentioned approach has delivered consistent results to Dell both from a strategic as well as a financial perspective. In order to assess whether this approach can continue to yield positive results in the future warrants a region and product wise analysis. The same is as follows. Dell has divided it’s regions into three distinct parts: †¢The Americas †¢EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) APJ (Asia Pacific and Japan) Each of these regions is discussed below: Dell in the Americas Consumer preferences in the American region are rapidly changing and the computer and technology market is becoming increasingly saturated. Higher levels of product innovation, coupled with sleek designs and efficient performance have become the benchmarks for the players catering to these markets. C ustomers are showing a higher level of buying power, as many alternatives are available to them (For further details, please refer to the five forces analysis presented in Appendix 2). Although it was the cost leadership strategy that proved so successful for Dell in the Americas, it’s slowly losing ground. In sum, Dell has been so successful in the past because †¢Of a strong initial lead in cost leadership, and also in quality (e. g. driving down the number of human touches to the computer to drive down defects) and ordering/upgrading convenience, and †¢It does not rest on its laurels (considering (1) a ‘sustainable' competitive advantage), but continues to ‘run faster than competitors' on both dimensions. It must be noted that although Dell largely focused on cost leadership strategy, it employed the differentiation theory as well. The Company did this by better ordering/service, better relations with businesses through open standards that allow easy change and upgrades etc. For players in this region to thrive and sustain a competitive advantage, it’s important that no one business level strategy is solely focused upon. For example, a pure differentiator may become unreasonably expensive as the market matures. On the flipside, too much emphasis on cost leadership will allow for other Companies to capture market share through innovation. Furthermore, the emergence of low cost regions such as China and India may prove to be a hindrance to a Company striving to be a cost leader in the Americas. In lieu of this, it’s advisable that Dell adopts an Integrated Cost Leadership/ Differentiation strategy for this region. This is a hybrid strategy that is becoming more important as competition intensifies. Through this strategy, firms are able to improve their ability to: †¢Adapt quickly to environmental changes. Learn new skills and technologies fast. †¢More effectively leverage core competencies across business units and product lines. †¢Produce products with differentiated features that customer’s value and provide these differentiated products at a low cost. In terms of product focus, Dell has to continue its focus on XPS PC to effectively conquer competition. It†™s now become inevitable that Dell should spend significant amount on R&D to stay ahead in the game. The other change should be the move to laptop segment and offer differentiation there. That’s where the future growth exists in this region for Dell. The corporate growth depends strongly on the server, storage and networking segment. The corporate customers too want more for less and therefore the IT Services and solution segment needs to be exceptionally strong for Dell. The Company must also give increased importance to staying ahead of competitors in terms of the product cycle. Historically, Dell’s presence especially in the PC market has been from the growth stage till the maturity phase and it’s reaped the benefits. However, the PC market is on its decline and there are serious alternatives that need to be considered. Dell now has to keep abreast of market developments to ensure that it participates in a product lifecycle from Introduction stage. From a diversification perspective, it can be seen that Dell is a very well known brand in the Americas and it enjoys tremendous recall and brand equity. Keeping this in mind, it might be desirable for the Company to undertake unrelated diversification in this region. Dell might benefit from moving into other sectors within the same macro industry. Examples could include digital content, other areas of media and entertainment etc. Dell in the APJ region The Asia Pacific area forms a powerful region for Dell’s growth. It’s been projected that a significant part of Dell’s growth story in the 21st century would be attributed to its presence in this region. Currently, Dell is already said to be as big as a Fortune 300 Company in this region alone. The APJ region is divided in three parts as follows: †¢One is the Pacific Rim which includes Australia, NZ and based in Singapore. This also covers the area of Southeast Asia. †¢The other big propellant of growth is China and India. †¢The third part is Japan (including Korea). The strategic thrust to be given by the Company cannot be the same for the entire region. Each sub region will have its own specific strategy that is best suited for it. While Japan, Australia, NZ (Including Singapore) are mature markets for Dell, China and India are the upcoming markets for the company. The strategy used and recommended for the Americas would work well for Dell in Japan, Australia, NZ and Singapore area given it’s existent base in the region. The strategy in China and India has to be different. Here the customer is still very cost conscious. As the statistics show that in China there are only 5. computers per 100 inhabitants and in India there are 1. 4 computers per 100 inhabitants. Clearly, combined, this will be the biggest computer market in the world in time to come; any company can’t afford to call itself a global player without having a significant presence in this region. We recommend Focused Cost Leadership strategy for Dell in this region and do believe that it’d do well by reaching out to the customers by opening retail outlets across the region for the following reasons: †¢Usage of credit cards is still extremely low in this region. †¢People prefer to get the touch and feel of the product before buying it. Confidence on internet buying is not high. †¢Internet itself is not widespread in the region therefore can’t become a powerful sales channel in the short term. In terms of product, Dell would still do well by focusing on elementary PC products and laptop products in this region. Although there will be a niche number of customers in the high end segments, the masses are not yet ready to embrace products like the XPS, in China and India. The threat Dell faces is from a number of local players, there are a lot of players here who can do what Dell did in 1984 i. e. reate a new PC through reverse engineering processes. Dell has to find a way to match the prices through its JIT, supply chain an d process improvements. From a diversification perspective, Dell would do well by focusing on related diversification – A strategy in which an organization operates in several different businesses, industries or markets that are somehow linked. This is already apparent in the current business mix of the Company, and the revenue growth in the segments such as IT services and storage services stand testimony to the fact that related diversification is desirable. Dell’s in the EMEA region Dell’s presence in Europe too dates back to over 15 years. Dell set up its first manufacturing plant in Ireland in 1990 and later created another unit in Poland in 2006. EMEA, because of various languages, cultures and profiles is a very complex region to manage. Each country/ sub region is at a different stage of maturity and therefore it’s recommended that Dell goes with Integrated cost leadership/ differentiation strategy in this region too. Dell is synonymous to cost leadership strategy in the computer industry and therefore it simply can’t afford to lose that advantage. What’s needed is additional focus on quality and R&D to deliver differentiation for customers and to stay ahead in the game. On the product front, quite like in the America’s, Dell must start focusing on Data Centre Solution division set to simplify IT complexities and address needs of an emerging cloud computing market. It must be noted that Dell in 2008 announced the expansion of the data centre solutions business unit in EMEA, further developing the company’s solutions and services capabilities in the region. This has to be the next step in Dell’s strategy for the fast emerging cloud computing market following the successful launch and subsequent customer adoption of DCS last year. On the product front, it is advisable that Dell’s strategy focuses on differentiation. It is especially relevant for the Company to focus on the corporate segment of customers and give impetus to its IT services and solutions. On the diversification front, for a complex market like EMEA we recommend Related – Constraint Diversification. Moderate to high level of diversification is when the firm generates less than 70% of its sales revenue from its core business and when the businesses have products, technological or distribution linkages. Recommendations This next section of the report will focus on the above presented analyses, and recommendations will be given to Dell. The recommendations will provide feasible suggestions that can be used by the Company in the future. The recommendations are as follows: †¢The Company should look to aggressively pursue and build upon its existing retailing strategy. They can do this by collaborating with both bricks and mortar retailers as well as internet based e-tailers. Furthermore, the Company can also look at diversifying into retail and setting up their own single brand stores. Bricks and mortar stores will be especially relevant in India and China, where online retailing is till at a nascent stage. Dell has already initiated its retail strategy in India where its products are showcased in the â€Å"Croma† store as one example. More such initiatives need to develop for the Company to be able to penetrate the masses. The â€Å"touch and feel† aspect is very important to customers in India and China and is an integral part of their buying process. A slightly different strategy is proposed to attract customers in these regions. Dell customers can enter a Dell store, customise their products with a Dell representative who would be connected to Dell’s systems, and work with the customer to arrive at a personalised and tailo red product. This will keep in line with Dell’s strong manufacturing chain and the order can be closed within the store itself. Additionally, credit card penetration and internet access is low in developing countries. In physical retail stores, Dell can accept cash and close the sale, as this will be more beneficial to customers who prefer to transact with cash as opposed to credit cards. †¢The Company needs to provide new products with differentiating factors. Standards based technology is not the order of the day anymore. Dell needs to focus on more scanning, monitoring, forecasting and assessing of the external environment so that they are able to spot new trends and capitalize on it. The deterministic component of the external environment has also changed, and Dell needs to keep the larger general framework in mind. The Company needs to look to make changes within its internal environment as well. Resources need to be mobilized to build up R&D capabilities. Innovation has proven to be a core competency for other major players such as HP, and Dell needs to respond by launching large R&D initiatives so that they can innovate as well. This is especially relevant in developed countries, where standards based technology is getting increasingly saturated. Dell can perhaps look to spend at least 5% of their revenues on R&D expenditure (In 2006, it was just 0. 8% compared to HP’s 3. % and Apple’s 3. 7%). †¢Dell needs to focus more on marketing initiatives to reach out to the younger generation of customers. This segment presents immense potential that the Company is currently not tapping. A dedicated sales and marketing team needs to be established, and there is a need for a Chief Marketing Officer as well. †¢Dell could establish extensive CRM programs, where the customers get qu ick and timely feedback in relation to a problem. Don’t compromise on the training of the workers that are honed in order to handle queries and complaints. The Company must make sure each query is handled by skilled personnel who are well aware of the nature of the problems. †¢The Company could concentrate more on product categories that are growing fast and capitalize on these. For example, Dell needs to pay attention to the storage and IT service categories because they offer promising growth in the future, although they don’t make up a bulk of the revenues right now. As IT services are the fastest growing revenue earner for the Company, Dell might choose to diversify or expand in this area and go beyond just IT infrastructure. The Company can look to expand its footprint by continuing to acquire companies that form a part of their strategic agenda. Synergistic fits can be exploited and tapped, and strategic acquisitions, joint ventures and other alliances will give Dell the opportunity to pursue aggressive growth through inorganic means. †¢Dell should look at going beyond the metros and major cities in China and Indi a. There are hundreds of secondary cities within these two countries that present immense potential that must be tapped. The Company should aim to focus more on the masses, as opposed to large businesses and SOE’s. Providing strategic leadership is extremely imperative for Dell if it’s to continue on its quest in sustaining competitive advantage. The Company should look to boost employee morale by focusing on more HRM practices. More initiatives like Tell Dell need to be incorporated. The organizational culture needs to be nurtured so that employees feel motivated to work in the Company. Conclusion: Dell has been a major force to reckon with and has established a position of leadership in the computer industry because of its inherent advantages in supply chain management, effective distribution systems, and lean manufacturing processes. The Company is now looking to take its sustained competitive advantage to the next level. However, in order to do so, there are certain strategic adjustments that the Company must consider to avoid becoming a laggard. The key to ensuring that the Company will continue to lead the way in the industry is for it to conduct a thorough analysis of the external as well as internal environment and see where the strategic intent has to change. This report outlines the areas in which the Company needs to focus on to consolidate and continue earning above average returns.

“Jasper Jones” by Craig Silvey Essay Essay

When Jasper Jones asks Charlie for help, he also asks Charlie to develop a new moral code, one that sees beyond conventional morality to a deeper, more complex understanding of right and wrong. Discuss with close reference to the novel. In the novel Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey, we the reader see the gradual evolution of moral understanding that the young protagonist endures as he observes the morality of others. A cry for help from the town’s half-caste misfit soon triggers the burdening question that the young boy carries with him throughout the novel, the truth emerging as his silent observations strip away faux facades leaving the justice of right and wrong. Charlie is best described as a wallflower, the unlikely hero who seems to shy way from confrontation and perceives the world on the basis of words written by the likes of Harper Lee and Mark Twain. Silvey’s careful composition of the character enables us to perceive the story on an un-biased and open-minded basis. Within the opening chapter, Charlie is placed in an unfamiliar position, challenging his initial thoughts on right and wrong, â€Å"We have drowned her. We are monster†. The young sheltered boy who has committed this act alongside the infamous Jasper Jones begins his journey with an undying sense of uncertainty, but we soon see how Charlie perceives Jasper, his fellow accomplice; â€Å"I think he’s the most honest person in this town†. This bold friendship, formed in secrecy, exposes young Charlie to ever looming maturity, a window into a world that leaves the truth bare and sees the faults that lie within the streets of Corrigan. Charlie has yet to experience this in its full glory but Jasper’s presence trigger the rise of inquisitive questions in young Charlie’s mind. Throughout the novel we see the prominent theme of prejudice and ill-conceived mindsets that the small mining town of Corrigan contains, resulting in outcasts with reputations built on fiction. The wild ways of jasper Jones seems to blanket this town through false sightings and personal accounts. Jasper Jones ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã¢â‚¬â€the poster boy for bad behaviour. As Charlie  winces down strong spirits that burn his throat to the pit of his stomach, he listens intently to Jasper’s drunken ramblings, words that leave a deeper meaning in the readers mind. â€Å"†¦nuthin up there that gives a shit if I took a pack of smokes or lifted a tin of beef, I’m left with myself, and I know what’s right and what isn’t.† The beauty of his justification, through the raw eyes of someone who has witnessed the truth behind ‘conventional morality’, leaves a great influence on Charlie. His entire conception of ethics being shattered by Jasperâ€⠄¢s words on small town morality, an empty hollow shell covered with tales of Godly observers who bring fear to mortals, rules set by society which are left insignificant and disregarded by many. Hardship and the knowledge of Corrigan’s conventional morality, a victim of its lies have influenced Jasper’s unique look on ethics. As the novel progresses Charlie begins to evolve into a mature adolescent. Jasper’s influence on Charlie—whether it is from having his first swig of alcohol or changing and broadening his perspective on moral code—is a major element to Charlie’s understanding, as is discovery, mainly of the hypocrisy that runs through the town. Major honorable figures are soon seen as disgraceful citizens who contain contradictory morals, which co-exist nevertheless. Following the beating Jasper receives—without justification—from the Sarge, Charlie remains astounded at the truth †Ã¢â‚¬ ¦if I hadn’t touched the ugly pink pucker with my fingertips, I wouldn’t suspect this man to be the monster he was†. The rate of faux facades that shatter throughout the journey escalate, as does Charlie’s understanding of right and wrong; â€Å"†¦someone mentioned Jasper Jones. The same way they did when the post office burned to the gro und†¦And I understand then that maybe we really did do the wrong thing for the right reason†. This pivotal thought marks the point when Charlie’s uncertainty evaporated, his one dimensional view on justice and morality evolving into a far more complex understating. The novel described as a ‘coming-of-age’ story, is true throughout Charlie’s journey. The development of the character within such a short time frame is conducted through experience and various influences, some which act as building blocks and others that rip away the veil of ignorance. As the novel concludes Charlie joins his fellow accomplice in seeing Corrigan and  Ã¢â‚¬Ëœconventional morals’ in its true light.

Business models: a strategic management approach Essay

The 21st century presents new and exciting opportunities for doing business; the entrepreneurial realm is greatly expanding and becoming an excellent platform for personal and societal growth. Individuals and institutions are realizing the significance embedded in the development of vibrant business ideas. Doing business has become a lucrative venture in the world of today with the emergence of budding entrepreneurs in a quest to yield huge benefits in the corporate world. Indeed, the sale of goods and services to make profits is not a reserve of a chosen few as it was conventionally perceived, but it is a dynamic venture for virtually any innovative and growth-centered entrepreneur. Nevertheless, the fundamentals of doing business have not changed; success in business requires immense input and dedication. What is it that makes businesses grow exponentially? With the advent of technology, continuous globalization influence and the ever-increasing rate of competitors in the market, what are the appraisal factors for business expansion and development? These imperative questions should continually linger in the mind of an entrepreneur. Developing a feasible business concept is the most elemental factor for one to consider while venturing into the entrepreneurial real (Nagendra, 2010, p 146). The business concept, based on an entrepreneurial idea, should be in a position to integrate well into the market place. Of course, the integration process requires a substantial analysis of the pivotal factors influencing the growth of the business. This necessitates a deliberate evaluation of the internal and external environments of the business. Comprehending the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the business concept is extremely important (Hannagan & Bennett, 2000 p 46).Outlining and executing the strategies for growth and development is equally vital in the process. Thus, this paper seeks to bring out the fundamentals of developing a business and ensuring its success. Moreover, a detailed analysis of the concepts involved will definitely unearth the drivers and constraints of business development. Business Concept             In the corporate world today, it has become increasingly important to develop strong corporate leadership capacity to drive the dynamic instruments in the business. The corporate leadership concept is significant in various fronts. It provides management solutions by streamlining the internal and external environments of a business enterprise (Davis, 2003, p 16). Of importance still, corporate leadership is the platform in which dynamism and innovation is accrued in a business through investing in the relevant resources. Accomplishing this calls for the management to put in best practices in accordance with a business’ goals and objectives. Human resource management is another imperative aspect in the business world. As the driving force in respect to capacity development, it is vital for businesses and corporate bodies to invest expansively in human resource development (Sims, 2007, p 361). Companies are realizing the need to enhance corporate leadership a nd develop vibrant human resource frameworks. In reference to the statements above, I believe that there is a gap in the corporate world that needs to be filled; an opportunity to provide solutions to the prevailing trends in many businesses today. In order to bridge this gap, I strongly believe that offering consultation services to corporate bodies in the areas of corporate leadership and human resource management will go a long way in addressing the inadequacies of the two elements in many businesses today. In other words, the need for strong corporate leadership structures and vibrant human resource management frameworks in corporate institutions offers me an entrepreneurial idea to develop a consultation firm in the significant areas. The business concept involves providing consultation services to companies in the realms of corporate leadership and human resource development. Given the need for corporate institutions to find lasting solutions in feasible management practices and investing in their employees, and the experi ence as well as the passion I have for consultancy in the areas, the business concept is certainly a viable entrepreneurial idea. Developing the Strategies for the Business Concept             Developing strategies for a business concept aims at improving its value in the market place. It is a process of ensuring that the structures of a business have a means of transition from one point to another. Successful strategies for growth are flexible and have the ability to foster growth; they encompass the instrumental elements of running a business (Nilsson & Rapp, 2005, p 361). Therefore, developing the most feasible business strategies for operating the corporate leadership and human resource development, consultancy firm will be an important starting point.Developing a business strategy with utmost proficiency will encompass the following areas: The purpose or aspirations for the business-This will simply portray the position of the business and what it aspires to achieve in respect to its aims and objectives. Clear goals and objectives will empower the employees of the firm as well as giving a clear-cut picture to its potential clients. A feasible purpose will also connect the business well with its expansive stakeholders. Instilling competitive advantage and creating a market niche. Ideally, this is coming up with excellent ways of convincing clients about the adeptness and quality of services in the firm (Effron, Gandossy & Goldsmith, 2003, p 61). Setting the boundaries for the strategy- This refers to the jurisdictions of the business; the products, services and markets that the firm will deal with. According to Kozami (2005), setting strategic boundaries will enhance its effectiveness and flexibility; hence, leading to growth. In this reference, too many boundaries create inflexible business patterns, while too few boundaries diminish the focus required by a company. Prioritizing- This involves emphasizing on the most significant goods and services in the market. In addition, it is important to identify the most significant clients and markets. This is a strategic move in fostering the much-needed growth and development in the business. This will also require the employees of the firm to have strategic responsibilities of unearthing the potential in the priorities. Management practices- Developing viable internal management practices are critical in integrating the functioning of the firm’s diverse structures. a) Purpose of the business             The consultancy firm is based on an entrepreneurial idea whereby it will offer consultation services and products to corporate bodies for a fee. The firm aims at providing consultation services in corporate leadership and human resource development to other companies. The firm’s objectives are: Providing in-depth training to managers on efficient management practices to foster growth in their companies Training employers on capacity building and how to empowering their employees for sustained growth Providing corporate leadership and human resource development services to companies Raising professional corporate leaders through mentorship programs Enhancing entrepreneurial skills to emerging entrepreneurs Creating effective manuals as viable products for reference to managers in corporate leadership and human resource development Goals of the firm include: To be the best consultancy firm in corporate leadership and human resource development To serve a wide clientele ranging from companies and businesses To offer dynamic and up to date services and products in the area of corporate leadership and human resource b) Creating a market niche             Creating a competitive advantage for a business in the market is a significant tool in advancing the purposes of the company (Barney & Hesterly, 2006, p 122). Competitive advantage improves the performance of a business enterprise in respect to other businesses. Ideally, creating a niche involves capitalizing on practices that attract customers more. In order to have a competitive advantage over other businesses in the industry, the consultancy firm will offer quality services to its clients. Offering quality services will certainly put the firm in a strategic position and attract more clients. Clients find it more satisfying to work with quality service providers (Rao, 2011, p 374). Moreover, offering quality consultation services to clients will undoubtedly enhance the firm’s corporate reputation. Corporate leadership and human resource development are extremely instrumental concepts that require services of utmost proficiency. Of significance still, is t he firm’s pricing index. Depending on the market trends in the industry, the firm’s products and services pricing policy seeks to accommodate all clients across the board. This is a competitive advantage platform of winning out the ever-increasing competition. c) The company’s boundaries             This refers to the strategic placements of the company in respect to its services provision. The firm will concentrate on offering consultation services to companies that wish to enhance their corporate leadership and human resource development functions. The company will work closely with companies that wish to outsource the above functions. Moreover, the firm’s jurisdiction also covers individuals who desire to grow their corporate leadership and human resource management portfolios. Apart from the consultancy market, the firm’s boundary accommodates training at part of its corporate jurisdiction. The training structures of the firm in corporate leadership encompass the mentoring of corporate leaders. In addition, offering manuals on effective human resource practices to companies is a significant product offering. The firm’s jurisdiction is also in the e-commerce realm where it offers its services and products through the internet. The abil ity of the company to stick to its corporate jurisdiction is an imperative growth impetus. Furthermore, the capacity of the consultancy firm to communicate clearly to its clients about the services offered is significantly vital in growing the client base. The business will foster a viable communication platform to allow clients to understand clearly its portfolio in the market. Setting and maintaining feasible boundaries in respect to the firm’s service and product offering is a pertinent aspect in the growth and development of the firm’s corporate identity and image. d) Areas of priority             In order for the business to grow, there is need for its structures to identify the areas of urgency and works towards improving them. Among the firm’s target market, there is more emphasis in the private sector. The firm sees more business prospects in the private sector, where by it reaches out to the management teams of private institutions for business propositions. Additionally, the firm’s target market is young entrepreneurs who do not have sufficient expertise in corporate leadership and the management of human resource. Through adequate market research, it is possible for the company to identify the areas of priority in the target market, and work towards its growth and development. Putting emphasis on the most significant clients is a viable way of enlarging the firm’s profit margins. In addition, the employees of the firm are an important resource in ensuring the realization of its priorities. Thus, strategies of empowering them go a long way in ensuring success both in the short-term and long-term. In reference to this, the employees have duties and responsibilities that seek to foster growth and development. Mathis & Jackson (2003) assert that an empowered human resource and a culture of high-involvement in any institution are strategic features in enhancing its chances of success. e) Management practices             The company’s initiative in creating a coherent working environment within its organs is an efficient way of realizing its objectives. The management’s commitment in streamlining the functions of each employee and fostering high-involvement in the internal structures of the firm is instrumental in the development of the best corporate practices. SWOT Analysis             Evaluating the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the company will be extremely significant in understanding its objectives as well as the factors that influence them. This is a vital tool in unearthing the positive and negative factors, which affect the functioning processes of the consultancy firm. Given that the company is new in a highly competitive market, it is evident that a SWOT analysis will be beneficial in providing a realistic framework for growth. The analysis is indeed significant for growth as it provides a framework for development. Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats I. Great expertise in corporate leadership and HRM consultancy II. Adequate and sufficient number of consultants III. Vibrant employees IV. Quality services Financial constraints Limited infrastructure The company is relatively new in the market Increase of emerging companies Expanding its target market portfolio An established market niche Competition from other consultancy firms Dominance by large companies Loss of employees to other companies Strengths             The company’s strengths place it at a favorable position of enhancing its growth index. Mainly, the strengths are attributed to the internal credentials that consequently contribute to a viable output. Expertise in corporate leadership and HRM concepts is an imperative platform of winning out competition. The availability of qualified consultants plays a pivotal role in creating a market niche and reaching out to clients effectively. Additionally, vibrant employees make it possible for the company to strengthen the internal structures of the company that complement the external success. Provision of quality services is an imperative impetus that attracts customers and enhances the much-needed growth. Building on the strengths calls on the concerted efforts from the internal organization of the firm Weaknesses             Given that the company in new in the market, chances of it taking relatively slow to catch up in the market are high. It places the company at a disadvantage in respect to other companies. Limited infrastructure limits the ability of the company to handle many job propositions. Additionally, lack of a stable financial status to finance the internal, and external functions of the company pose huge challenges to the growth of the company. In reference to this, the company needs to put in place viable measures of addressing the weaknesses in order to enhance its growth prospects. The firm’s management has a duty to ensure that its internal structures are in tandem with growth factors. Opportunities             The influx in emerging companies is an amazing opportunity for the growth of the company. The emerging companies provide an opportunity for offering consultancy services, given the importance attached to the function. Moreover, the firm has an opportunity to expand to other target markets because of the demand for its specialty. An established market niche because of a ready market provides the company with an immense opportunity to expand its corporate image and identity. Therefore, the opportunities presented by the external forces demonstrate positive prospects for the firm. Threats             Competition is a huge threat to the firm; its ability to penetrate the mainstream market is limited by the ever-increasing competition from other consultancy companies. The dominance by large established companies also threatens the ability of the company to grow. Losing highly qualified employees to other companies is a serious threat that incapacitates the ability of the company to expand its corporate jurisdiction. These constraints limit the goals and objectives of the company; hence, it is pertinent for the firm to articulate strategic platforms of addressing the threats. Value Innovation Analysis             Kaufman & Woodhead (2006) argue that value innovation analysis refers to the methodologies used in enhancing the value of a product, service or business. This is aimed at increasing the functionality of a service or product in order to enhance the satisfaction of a customer. According to Gregoriou (2010), value innovation analysis offers companies with competitive solutions for remaining relevant in the market by investing in the customer and finding practical answers to the needs of the customer. Based on the designed consultancy firm, it is evidently clear that value innovation analysis will play a significant role in its desire to offer value-centered services to its clients. The company, which is primarily a service provider, will enhance its ability to reach out to its clients by critically analyzing its functions in meeting the needs of an ever-increasing market. Innovation is significant in finding breakthrough in a high competitive market. Given that the consultancy firm is new in an industry that is value-centered, the value innovation analysis will enable it to realize its areas of functionality in order to improve the value of its services. I. Orientation stage             The orientation stage is the first process in analysis value innovation. This includes identifying the component for analysis. In respect to the consultancy firm, service offering is the most essential component of analysis. Based on its core objectives, the company offers consultation services with a specialty in corporate leadership and human resource management. The need to analyze this component arises from the value attached to it; it is an important aspect in the running of corporate organizations today. Corporate leadership and human resource management are elemental in the growth and development of businesses in the corporate world today (Jockenhofer, 2013, p 34). II. Information             The information stage involves understanding the areas of priority in relation to the target customers in the component discussion above. The firm’s most significant clients are emerging companies as well as established companies that need to outsource corporate leadership and HRM functions. The company’s function also encompasses small-scale businesses wishing to develop in the respective specialties. The customers’ opinions are extremely significant in realizing the fundamentals of functionality. Based on the preferences of the clients, it is the mandate of the service provider to enact innovative ways of producing the much-needed value (Murray, Markides & Galavan, 2008, p 63). Therefore, gaining sufficient knowledge and information on the target customer or client attached to the service offered is an important step in building value innovation. III. Analysis             This is important as it entails the transformation of a need into functionality that meets the needs of the client. Ideally, this step of analysis involves identifying the functions of precipitating from a service or product offering (Afuah, 2004, p 112). A detailed analysis of the products or services offered creates the values accrued to diverse functions of the component. Therefore, a deep evaluation and understanding of the service offerings in the consultancy firm indicates varied functions. The functions can be graded in order of importance; hence, giving the firm a platform to accord value to different functions depending on the needs of the clients. The need for efficient corporate leadership and human resource development has been more in high-involvement organizations with many structures and functions. The desire of managements to enhance the internal environments of their companies has precipitated the need for outsourcing the services offered by the c onsultancy firm. Hence, this implies that high functionality and value is placed on large institutions. Based on the needs of large organizations in enhancing their internal structures, the consultancy firm has a duty to place high functionality and values in them. Emerging companies also place dire need for effective corporate leadership and HRM management policies, thus it is also a valuable area of functionality according to the analysis. On the other hand, though small-scale businesses have a need for the services, there is little value depending on the frequency of services offered. It is worth noting that the price attached to the different functions depends on the values attached to the functions. The diverse clients to the company present different values and consequently, the cost of the services. IV. Innovation             This stage involves coming up with viable alternatives of complementing the existing structures or having a complete overhaul. Bilton & Cummings (2010) assert that designing creative strategies is an important innovative component in the growth and development of business functions. Therefore, the innovation stage implies that the consultancy firm needs to evaluate its functions and costs of service offering, and identify ways of either changing or improving the existing functions. It is utterly important for the firm to change its functions capacity and seek for ways of enhancing the value accrued in the small-scale businesses category of clients. This calls for creative measures of turning it from a low functioning ratio to a high functioning ratio. According to the analysis, the service offering needs to seek for ways of expanding its jurisdiction and having a comprehensive approach. V. Evaluation             This involves evaluating the alternatives brought forward in the enhancement of value in the functions of the company. The alternatives developed in the innovative stage are critical in defining the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the alternatives. The qualitative techniques involves a critical evaluation of the high value standards that should be advanced to transform the poor performing functions and improve the high performing functions (Rughase, 2006, p 67). Conducting market research and raising awareness among small-scale entrepreneurs is a viable qualitative approach in improving the value of the function. Additionally, the quantitative analysis techniques involve the application of innovative value-based measurements of increasing the value of functions. Budgeting for the effective value-based ways of improving the service offering to small-scale businesses is a viable option in the analysis. Website Specifications             The growth and development of a company requires excellent communication strategies in the internal and external environments (Das, 2009, p 140). Communication with the stakeholders especially with the customers is an imperative aspect in the growth of the business. Building a reputable website is an excellent platform in enhancing the communication between a company and its customers (Das, 2009, p 141). Therefore, it is important for the consultancy firm to have a functioning website as a marketing strategy. Since it is a new business in the market, the website is indeed a great tool in enhancing its corporate reputation. The following are the website specifications befitting the development of the budding consultancy firm. a) Home page details             Since the home page is the first point of contact between the firm and potential customers, it should have an appealing effect to the customers and communicate effectively about the business (McGovern & Norton, 2002 p 202). The firm’s logo is the first thing that visitors and customers should see when they visit the website. The professional logo of the company at the home page will play an instrumental role as a marketing tool. This will surely give the site’s visitors a perfect assurance that they are in the right place. Secondly, a tag line that describes the business is also available in the home page as a significant way of connecting with site visitors and creating an enthusiastic environment for potential customers to learn more about the consultancy services in the firm. The descriptive tag line is put strategically next to the company’s logo to connect the two and improve the communication aspect of the company. This is meant to creat e a strong appeal for clients about the products and service offerings in the company. Thirdly, a reception blurb is also a pertinent home page detail specified in the website. This is simply an advertising platform for customers to have a quick idea of the company’s specialty-consultancy in corporate leadership and human resource development. Finally, a critical aspect in the home page of the company’s website is the content teaser that connects visitors with the content they need. It is the methodology through which the customers will be connected with the information they will need about the company. b) Formatting details             Every page in the site contains the company’s logo and corporate theme colors. This is an important aspect in defining the identity of the company to the site visitors. A continuous reflection of the logo is critical in reassuring the customers on the firm’s specialty in corporate leadership and human resource development portfolios. Furthermore, the navigation bar is helpful in linking the site visitors with the primary and secondary content in the website. Tables, text effects, images and background colors are important formatting details in the website that make it easier for the customers to learn about the company. c) Menu structure and rationale             The website is organized in a straightforward way to allow site visitors to get the information they need. The web pages in the site are arranged in a focus-oriented design to allow maximum gain to the visitors (potential clients). The firm’s website is organized in a hierarchical; the web pages are structured well with an easy way of navigation through the different contents. In respect to the website’s menu structure and rationale, there are significant pages defining its content. The Home page, Services and products list page, Services and products details page, About us page and Contact us page are significant in defining the website’s content. The menu structure offers a strategic way of navigating through the content. d) Reports and management information             Reports and management information are clearly elaborated in the website. Potential clients and site visitors have the opportunity to learn and have a sufficient update on the financial and management information in the company. Quarterly, biannual and annual information is made available for the clients whenever they visit the website. In addition, significant information about the firm’s functions and employees is well articulated in the website content. e) E-commerce aspects of purchases             The platform for offering services and products on line is also an important aspect of the consultancy firm. This platform helps the company to sell services and products through an on line mechanism. This service is elaborated clearly in the services and products details page in the website. Clients favorable with e-commerce trends are able to connect with the company through the website. Critique on the design concept, strategy and website specifications             The design concept is indeed a vibrant platform in the industry, thus there is an influx of competitors in the field. Offering consultancy services to corporate institutions is an entrepreneurial approach that attracts many entrepreneurs in the trade. Based on the fact that the business concept is in great demand, the number of competitors is certainly on the increase. Based on the idea, a competitor would capitalize on the weaknesses in the business concept to maneuver ways of competing in the lucrative market. Based on a critical analysis, the concept is narrow in its conceptualization. Its specialties are only applicable to corporate institutions. A competitor would capitalize on the gap to increase the scope of the business venture and incorporate non-corporate bodies as clients. Balling (2006) argues that a limited scope of operations in business gives a competitor an added advantage in securing better returns. With adequate articulation of necessary business structures, a competitor would virtually have an upper hand in the expansion of the business; hence, competing effectively in the industry. Again, the business concept has a narrow boundary in relation to the target client. From a critical analysis, the business concept would accommodate nurturing corporate leadership and HRM fundamentals in learning institutions whereby professionals conduct public speaking forums for a fee, as well as organizing conferences and seminars on corporate leadership and HRM development. These are lucrative ideas lacking in the concept, which a competitor would find extremely beneficial. Thus, from a critical analysis perspective, it is true that the business concept has weaknesses that give advantages to a potential competitor. In view of the company’s business strategy, it is clear that it is not highly strategized because of the narrow scope of the business concept. A business concept has a huge impact on the goals and objectives that an entrepreneur enacts (Grant, 2008, p 18). This implies that it is important for a business concept to have a wide focus that will consequently affect its goals and objectives. In reference to the discussion above, the consultancy firm has a narrowed focus; hence, limiting its purpose. Based on the vibrancy of the industry, it is evident that a competitor would seek ways of enlarging the strategic jurisdiction of the industry. Through a wide scope business concept, a competitor has the capacity to increase goals and objectives of his business. This implies that the competitor will have a wider range of clientele compared to the existing consultancy firm. A competitor can look at the ways of enhancing competitive advantage to clients capitalized by the consultancy firm and unearth means of winning out the competition. Since there are many ways of creating competitive advantage, a competitor can offer price subsidies to a section of clients to attract more clients as well as to retain the existing ones. This is a strategy that the consultancy firm does not practice, thus giving the competitor a reasonable advantage in the market. Indeed, this is a strategic move in winning out competition from the firm. Offering quality products at a reduced cost is indeed a strategic move in advancing the competitive advantage of a company. It is certainly a creative way of increasing the value of the services offered by a company. The management practices of the company do not have a feasible platform of addressing the external environments of the company. A competitor can capitalize on increasing the opportunities in the market through this serious lapse. Williams (2000) asserts that it is through viable management practices that a company is able to grasp the needs of the external stakeholders effectively. By ensuring that the internal and external management practices of a company are working together to add value to the functions of the competitor, it is highly likely that the competitor will realize more opportunities than the consultancy firm will. Consequently, it is vital for companies to input the most strategic management functions in order to realize their full potential. In respect to the website specifications, there is an important aspect that the company gives advantage to competitors. This is about an outline of the companies that have benefitted from its consultation services. This imperative section sets the pace for other companies, and encourages them to seek their services. A website is an instrumental tool in communicating with customers and attracting potential customers as well. Therefore, it is significant for companies to include such details in their website specifications. This is a challenge to new companies that have not yet developed a wide client base. Thus, the lack of concrete historical background on the successes of the consultancy firm puts off some clients, and benefits a competitor with such web applications. The critique shows that there are various aspects, which would limit the company compared to other companies. The business concept, strategy outline and website specifications present lapses that could give an upper hand to competitors in the market. Despite the lapses, the consultancy firm has a high prospect of growing if more actions that are deliberate are put in place. Conclusion             In conclusion, it is apparent that entrepreneurship plays a huge role in the growth and development of markets and the corporate realm. This requires immense investment in the relevant structures of ensuring success. Individuals and companies need to put in place the most fundamental business platforms of ensuring success. Primarily, designing a viable business concept is significant in starting the entrepreneurship journey. One has to consider the market trends and growth factors surrounding the idea. This will ultimately play a huge role in defining the growth of the company. After coming up with an entrepreneurial idea, it is imperative to set strategic factors and steps of ensuring the success of the business concept. Ideally, the growth and development of a business concept depends on the capacity to integrate the internal and external environments of a business. Such initiatives, of course, by the careful articulation of management practices are integral in realizing the full potential of a business enterprise. Moreover, it is imperative to continually, conduct a value innovation analysis in order to enhance the functions of a business concept and explore new opportunities in the market. The dynamism in the market in today’s business world calls for companies to invest in value innovation to increase their chances of survival in the highly competitive environment. Additionally, effective communication with clients and customers is immensely essential, that is why the website is an instrumental tool in advancing the need. With efficient communication strategies, a company is able to connect and relate with its stakeholders in a practical manner. 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