Cults Each Year, Hundreds Of North Americans Join One Of The Increasin

Cults Each year, hundreds of North Americans join one of the increasing, estimated 3000 unorthodox religions that exist across North America. The increasing number of cults, to date in North America, is due to the fact that cults are a social movement that attempts to help people cope with their perceived problems with social interaction. Cult recruiters target those who perceive themselves as different from the rest of society, and give these individuals the sense of belonging that they crave. Cult literature lures potential cult members by appealing to their desperate need to socially fit in. Cults provide a controlled family environment that appeals to potential cult members because it is a removal from the exterior society. Cult recruiters prey on those who see themselves as alienated from the rest of society, and give these people the sense of conformity that they desire. A common method of recruiters, to obtain new members, is through chat lines on the internet. A recorded conv ersation between a member of the Divine Light Mission, Fire-Shade, and an 18-year old boy, Jay 18, was obtained off of the site, IRC Teen Chat. Jay18: I am a really great poet, but all of the kids in my class are pretty warped about it. I basically hide it from them because I don't need that hassle. Fire-Shade: My family has a great respect for the artist inside us all. I know you live in Michigan, and our family could always use new operatives all over the world. You have to understand what our family is about, it is about always fitting in and never hiding the truth to be liked or cool. Are you interested? Jay18: Well maybe Fire-Shade: Give me your phone number we really shouldn't talk about this here. Jay18: I would rather not give my phone number out. You give me yours, I won't be able to talk for long though. Fire-Shade: Trust is very important in our group. Do you trust me? You can't call us, unfortunately because we are not in a position to be accepting phone calls. Jay18: We ll then you can just e-mail me. OK. Fire-Shade: [disconnects]1 The cult member makes the young boy feel as though he does care about his problems, and wants to make this boy's life better. Fire-Shade conveys his family as an entity not as many different individuals. After feeling alone for many years the only persuasion some individuals need is the assurance that they will be part of a society and accepted unconditionally. Cult members know what type of individuals feel most alienated and alone, says Dr. Lorna Goldberg, a New Jersey psychoanalyst. No one plans to join a cult unless they see that cult as a possibility for a family, or a better society. Cults target people in transition-- college students away from home for the first time, people who have moved to new cities for jobs, those who have just been divorced or widowed. Usually individuals 16 to 25 or 35 to 40. The vast majority of members are merely looking for a sense of community and belonging, during a difficult time in their lives.2 Cults provide an ersatz social unit, which takes them in, nurtures them and reinforces the cult's worldview. By the time that most cult members realize that this cult isn't what they had expected, it is too late, because they are already too afraid to leave. Recruiters are not the only way that potential members are enticed into cults, often their literature is powerful enough. Cult novels, pamphlets and websites draw in potential cult members by appealing to their desperate need to socially fit in. Often if a piece of cult literature is written correctly it convinces the most logical mind of the most absurd reasoning, like this pamphlet by the Heavens Gate cult. The generally accepted norms of today's societies - world over - are designed, established, and maintained by the individuals who were at one time students of the Kingdom of Heaven- angels in the making- who flunked out of the classroom. Legends and scriptures refer to them as fallen angels. The current civili zation's records use the name Satan or Lucifer to describe a single fallen angel

The Color of Paradise Essays

The Color of Paradise Essays The Color of Paradise Essay The Color of Paradise Essay was just absolutely gorgeous; my favorite scene in the movie, it was just so brilliantly beautiful! I was not prepared for the ending of the film. It got my tears going again when the grandmother passed away; and the scene where the bridge breaks, was truly epic. My heart was pounding so hard when Muhammed and his horse fell into the river and started floating down, but I’m almost positive it stopped when I saw that his fuck of a father did nothing but watched. I couldn’t believe it, I almost wanted to stand up and shout; but I decided against it. I was so sad when he died Toner! SO SAD! Why you gotta make me cry man? But seriously, I think this really is a great example of wonderful film making.

Disussion thread for Week 2, 3, and 4 Assignment

Disussion thread for Week 2, 3, and 4 - Assignment Example Ken is a competent nurse. Patients, hospital administration and physicians are passionate about his job. Therefore, it is recommendable to find a solution for him to prevent endangering patient’s life. Ken’s situation is of interest because his primary role is to provide patient safety. However, alcohol abuse hinders his efficiency and effectiveness in role. Therefore, there is a need for a remedy. Ken is a victim of alcohol abuse because of various reasons. He is stressed by domestic problems which makes him report to work drunk. He does not relate well to his co-workers that makes him lonely at the workplace. Therefore, it is the obligation of the hospital management to help Ken adjust to the problem. Last week a patient reported that he is not getting any relief from the pain medication that Ann had administered earlier. After contacting Ann, she was impaired in the Emergency Department and became upset by the interrogation on why the patient was complaining. She had injected herself with the drug. It is unethical for Ann to abuse a patient’s prescription. The use of prescription drugs results in either slow patient recovery or death, which is a medical negligence and malpractice hence unethical (Thomas & Siela, 2011). Primary care for patient safety is a significant purpose for nurse functions. Nurses should perform their duties with the moral code of conduct in utmost proficiency. Therefore, medical malpractice is a nuisance and unethical hence Ann’s behavior is a matter of concern that requires a remedy. Ann’s unethical behavior is caused by personal and workplace factors. Using patient’s prescription enables her relieve herself from stress and workplace conflicts. The act, however, is risky and unjustified to uphold patient safety, which is the primary function of a hospital. A scope of practice refers to the expert activities defined under state law. The scope of practice for a nurse is determined by each state’s nurse practice act.

Business Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Business Report - Essay Example The emerging consumer concerns are likely to corner the operations and business prospect of the company if the necessary actions are not taken. In order to survive the economic downturn and counter the emerging challenges in its business line, Nature Foods Ltd has to effectively and efficiently manage changes within its business. 1. Terms of Reference Nature Foods Ltd UK markets Manufacturing and packaging Consumer concerns Raw food Retailers Imports and importation Competition Breakfast cereals Snack bars Dried fruits and nuts Food industry trends Environment Global business Low food mileage Natural and artificial ingredients Economic downturn Business operations and performance Business change management Economic future Contemporary times Purpose of research 2. Procedure Research aiding the compilation of this report was conducted on observation basis, focusing on the food industry in the UK and its players. Secondary research was specifically employed, using both primary and secon dary sources of information. References are cited accordingly throughout this report. 3. Findings 3.1. UK Food Markets Environment The UK food markets environment is highly competitive, characterized by manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers (Fox, 2005, p.19). Nature Foods Ltd is a retailing firm that engages in processing imported raw food. The company’s product line deals with breakfast cereals, snack bars, and dried fruits and nuts. Food markets in the UK food industry depict as aspect of the need to design, redesign, and integrate change in business operations to ensure that consumer needs are met and that consumer concerns are timely addressed (Jack, 2009, p.201). Economic downturn combined with a number of consumer concerns, tastes and preferences have posed substantial operational challenges to Nature Foods limited. The economic downturn has significantly influenced the business portfolio of the firm. Consumers’ preference to go local in terms of product cons umption threatens the company’s business continuity due to the fact the company only manufactures and packages its products after importing raw food from foreign countries. Note that this aspect is also influenced by global business trends both locally and internationally. Advocacy for low food mileage has increasingly become prominent as consumer shift to relatively less transported food. This has necessitated the need for change management in manufacturing and packaging procedures, thereby influencing business operations and performance (Coles & Kirwan, 2011, p.167). In this respect, the performance and success of an enterprise is influenced by the strategic plans adapted to suit the operations of the firm. Natural and artificial food ingredients have also been put to test. The tastes and preferences of the consumers are increasingly becoming oriented towards natural ingredients as opposed to artificial ingredients. In the light of these findings, Nature Foods Ltd has to re -evaluate and restructure its business processes. 3.2. Impacts on the Business Consumers have increasingly become cautious about environmental issues, resulting in preference of locally produced products to those imported from foreign countries. This concern directly cuts into the operations and product line of Nature Foods Ltd. Most importantly,

The Major Historic Features and Origin of Florence City Research Paper

The Major Historic Features and Origin of Florence City - Research Paper Example The city architectural design was that of an army camp having major streets cardo and decumanus dissecting the city. It is located on coordinates 43 °47†²N 11 °15†²E and it’s relative to Milan City in Italy. As of July 2014, the total population was 379 180 (Jennifer pp. 42). Florence is the capital city of Tuscany, Italy besides being the province of Florence. Florence has had an integral role in Italian fashions being rated among top fifty fashion cities of the world. It also holds Italy economic and industrial prospects. The main language spoken in the City was and is still accepted is the Italian language. This is evident following diverse poets which origin can be traced from the Florence city. In fact, this led to the adoption of the Florentine dialect. Starting from early Middle Ages, the money in circulation in Florence which was mainly in form of gold florin contributed heavily in the development of the industries all over Europe as well as Bruges, Britain and Hungary. Particularly Florentine bankers brought into powers a number of English Kings during many years if war and even papacy (Jennifer pp 46). Medici, one of the world’s renowned noble family resided in Florence. Medici Lorenzo de’, was arguably Italy culturally and politically mastermind in the late 15th century. Clement V11 and Leo X, members of the Medici family were ordained as popes in the early 16th century. History recounts one of the daughters from Medici family who married King Henry II of France and took over power after his death. The reign of Medici family can be traced from 1569 when Cosimo Medici assumed power ending with the death of Gastone Medici 1737 (Jennifer pp 39). Florence is also known for its famous historic landmarks, monument and structures. Most of the historians bracket the city as Cradle of the Renaissance due to its legendary buildings, monuments and churches. One of the nostalgic places to residents and tourists is Santa Maria del Fiore, the dome Cathedral which was built by Filippo Brunelleschi.

Apples Product Development and Marketing Strategy

Apples Product Development and Marketing Strategy With the development of technology at high speed, particularly in the field of electronic products, some companies have launched brilliant products which are full of imagination and creativity. These products are exercising an invisible and formative influence on society. Among these products, the series of products from Apple Inc. (previously Apple Computer, Inc.) may be some of the most noticeable ones. Apple Inc., whose products have attracted peoples attention all over the world and have occupied considerable market share in global range, is one of the most successful international company currently. According to the statistics from NPD group, in the term of premium personal computer, Mac, which is the name of a series of Apples PC, revenue market share was 91 percent on June 2009. (Wilcox 2009). This consequence can be attributed to two major reasons: Apples product development and Apples extensive marketing (Schumacher 2009). In the meanwhile, Apples success affects society in two aspects, namely fashion style and changing peoples habits. This essay will expand the reasons mentioned above to analysis why Apple have achieved huge success worldwide, and then illustrate the positive effects on society owing to Apples products. Due to the success of Apple Inc. and its contribution to society, I would like to consider that Apple Inc. is one of the most outstanding companies at present age. Key Reasons for Apples Success Admittedly, the reasons which may bring about Apples success are various, nevertheless this essay mainly propose two most important reasons. Of major consideration is Apples product line, which is assuredly responsible for Apples success. Specifically, there are four sub reasons, which are constantly improving, innovative product line (Kingsley-Hughes 2009); simple design and user interface; high quality components; coherent hardware and software (Schumacher 2009), relevant to Apples product development. Apples product development First of all, Apples product line encompasses a series of brilliant and distinctive products, such as Mac (Macintosh), iPod, iPhone and iPad; and in the mean time the designers of Apple Inc. are improving and innovating on their product line constantly. Innovative spirit of Apple Inc. has been approved across the world. In 2005, Boston Consulting Group held a poll whose is called Top 20 Innovative Companies in the World, and collected the statistical data from 940 senior executives in 68 countries. The result of this investigation revealed that Apple Inc. was appraised as the most innovative company in the world and accounted for 24.84% of the entire vote (Nussbaum 2005). For example, iPod, as one of the representative product of Apple, was launched in 2001. Initially, although it attracted consumer attention, it only supported the Macintosh operation system, which meant that it could only be used on Macintosh computers and lost many other users who used windows operation system. The n, in 2002, Apple Inc. launched the second generation of iPod, which began to support Windows OS. As a result, iPod became more widely popular with both Macintosh and Windows users. Three years later, a new generation of iPod, which can play not only audio files but also video files, was launched on 12th October 2005. Moreover, for users convenience, the battery life was longer than before. In 2007, the newest generation with larger capacity which can store up to 4000 songs or 100 movies, was launched. (Identifying iPod models 2010) During the process of iPods development, we can see that Apple Inc. is improving their products constantly and adding innovative elements on the products to offer distinctive and unique user experience. The second element, which is considered to be relevant to Apples products, is their simple design style and friendly user interface. To take a panoramic view of Apples product line, whether an iPod, an iPhone or an iPad, they retain the simple design consistently. There are only a few buttons and different parts embedded into Apples products. The appearance of these products is one whole piece of technology and has no splicing traces on them. The simple user interface is a distinctive character, as well. For instance, an iPhone have no different submenus or other ways to display the menu, it is easy for users to reach the function which they want to use directly and avoid unnecessary confusion (Schumacher 2009). Thirdly, high quality components could lead to the success of Apples products. These products do not tend to integrate newest hardware and offer highest available capacities. That is to say, Apples products use suitable components to provide suitable functions, which ensure these products can run stably. For example, although there may be only have a 2 mega pixel camera integrated into an iPhone and this camera could not satisfy any user to take photos, the moment it is necessary for people to take a picture, the camera is ready and gives full scope to photography. (Schumacher 2009) Finally, the cohesion of hardware and software brings the success of Apples products. Apple Inc. not only focuses on developing the hardware but also developing the software, which enhances the performances of these products. For example, in order to improve iPods performances and provide convenience to users, Apple Inc. developed the software named iTunes, which is a software supporting a Mac or a PC. It arranges and plays audio and video files on a computer. Moreover, all media stored on a computer can be synchronized with an iPod, an iPhone and an iPad. In the meantime, it is a digital store on a computer and other apples products with a large quantity of music and movies (What is iTunes? n.d.). Additionally, iTune is updated on Apples website regularly, so that users can use newest version to enhance their iPods. In brief, Apple Inc. insists on improving and innovating on the product line to develop brilliant products constantly. And these products offer friendly user interface and simple design style for users who can operate these products easily. Moreover, high quality components are integrated into Apples products to enhance their performance. In addition, Apples Inc. develops software to support their products in order to providing convenience to users. Therefore, Apples product development is the basis of Apples success. Apples s marketing Assuredly, Apples product development is a necessary premise to Apples success. On the other side, Apples extensive marketing plays an important role as well. Apples marketing strategies can be summarized as two primary sides. One is advertising; the other is the communication style. Firstly, the success of Apples market could be caused by Apples advertising strategy. The slogans for Apples products can be seen in almost every place, such as in the streets, at the bus stops and on the large screens of squares. With Apples products, the slogans are creative and attractive, for instance, The first music player that talks to you (iPod shuffle n.d.) and Soon there will be 2 kinds of people. Those who use computers, and those who use Apples (Alex 2006). Due to these dense and eye-catching advertising with memorable slogans, Apples products are deeply rooted among the people quickly and accepted by people. Secondly, one of the most brilliant points of Apples marketing strategies is the communication style. Midgley and Midgley decribe a successful communication style as Golden Circle in the following words: If a company aligns itself with the customers values and consistently delivers its product or service in accordance with those values, then the customer will consistently utilize the companys offering. Consistent utilization of a companys offering will ensure a healthy top line. A healthy top line, in turn, produces healthy cash flow. (Midgley and Midgley 2005, 6) Apple Inc. is performing this kind of communication described in Midgley and Midgleys book. Apple Inc. develops their products based on consumers requirements and values, and then transmits its ideas and service to consumers in various ways. For example, in Apples stores all over the world there are lecturers propagating their products and explain why these products are consistent with consumers requirements and values. Besides the open lectures, Apple stores hold a series of events regularly to show the brilliant ideas integrated into Apples products. Via the interaction between Apple Inc. and consumers, how Apples products satisfy consumers values is accepted by consumers in global scope. There is a diagram about the golden circle theory, which illustrates the marketing strategies of Apple Inc. vividly. According to the description in the figure below, Why, How and What means Beliefs, Tactics and Results, respectively (Gartland 2010). At first, Apple Inc. establishes the beliefs to meet consumers values, and then it realizes the beliefs via the development of its products. At last, Apples products are world wildly accepted by consumers. Therefore, Apple Inc. communicates with users in an inside-out way which is a remarkable way and has achieved huge success across the world in marketing. Figure1: the golden circle Source: (Gartland 2010) In sum, Apples products infiltrate into peoples daily life via dense advertising, and these products, which benefit from the communication style of Apple Inc, are accepted by people. Hence, the marketing strategies of Apple Inc. are another key reason that brings about its success. Effects on Society The reasons mentioned above have led to Apples success. Two consequences may emerge, owing to Apples success, which are fashion style and changing peoples habits. Fashion Style With the increasing popularity with Apples products, an iPod or an iPhone is not only an mp3 player or a mobile phone but also a fashion symbol. Especially an iPod has become a synonym for an mp3 player. Lavey described the effects of Apples products on fashionable style as the words below: After the iMac came out, suddenly things werent cool if the product name didnt have a lower-case i in it, and the word pod after the iPod became popular. (Lavey 2009) Thus, the names of Apples products have become fashionable words. Moreover, the exquisite and simple design style has also become the world trends being pursued by people. Changing Peoples Habits Another effect brought by Apples products is the change of peoples habits. The Nike/iPod Sport Kit (Nike + iPod n.d.) is a typical example. It can track individual exercise performance of jogging and verbally report their results the moment users have progress. So that users can supervise their pace and distance circumstantially. While people usually use a stop watch record the total time they have run and then roughly calculate their average speed before using the Nike/iPod Sport Kit. Following this further, people used to prefer jogging with partners in order to motivating each other; however, it is not easy to find a partner who runs at the similar pace and duration (Shannon, Florian 2007). In order to resolve this problem, a piece of research was conducted in 2006 and showed that technology is helpful to motivate people to be active and allow for social communication (Consolvo et al. 2006). The Nike/iPod Sport Kit has realized the research theory because of the interaction betwee n users and it. Therefore, according to the example mentioned above, we can see that Apples products have changed peoples habits in some aspects. Conclusion In conclusion, Apples product development and its extensive marketing have resulted in the success of Apple Inc. As a premise factor of the success, Apple Inc. persists in developing innovative products with friendly user interface and simple design style. Moreover, high quality components integrated into Apples products ensure the stable performance. In addition, coherent software and hardware of these products provide more convenience to users. Besides brilliant products, the marketing strategies of Apple Inc. are remarkable as well. peoples daily life is infiltrated by Intensive advertising of Apple Inc. and then its communication style is also approved by consumers in global range. Owing to the success, Apple Inc. have guided a new fashion style and changed peoples habits in some fields. Therefore, it is evidently reasonable to consider that Apple Inc. is one of most outstanding companies in the world currently.

Custom Essay - Racial Prejudice and Anti-Semitism in The Merchant of Venice :: Merchant of Venice Essays

Racial Prejudice and Anti-Semitism in The Merchant of Venice  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   William Shakespeare's comedy, The Merchant of Venice, uses satire to present Shakespeare's views on racial prejudice and anti-Semitism. The premise deals with the antagonistic relationship between Shylock, a Jewish moneylender and Antonio, the Christian merchant, who is as generous as Shylock is greedy. This essay will examine how the themes of racial prejudice, and anti-Semitism are presented in The Merchant of Venice.    Shylock is stereotypically described as "costumed in a recognizably Jewish way in a long gown of gabardine, probably black, with a red beard and/or wing like that of Judas, and a hooked putty nose or bottle nose" (Charney, p. 41).   Shylock is a defensive character because society is constantly reminding him he is different in religion, looks, and motivation. He finds solace in the law because he, himself, is an outcast of society. Shylock is an outsider who is not privy to the rights accorded to the citizens of Venice. The Venetians regard Shylock as a capitalist motivated solely by greed, while they saw themselves as Christian paragons of piety.    When Shylock considers taking Antonio's bond using his ships as collateral, his bitterness is evident when he quips, "But ships are but board, sailors but men. There be land rats and water rats, water thieves and land thieves -- I mean pirates -- and then there is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks" (I.iii.25). Shylock believes the Venetians are hypocrites because of their slave ownership. The Venetians justify their practice of slavery by saying simply, "The slaves are ours" (IV.i.98-100). During the trial sequence, Shylock persuasively argues, "You have among you many a purchased slave, which (like your asses and your dogs and mules). You us in abject and in slavish parts, because you bought them, shall I say to you, let them be free, marry them to your heirs... you will answer, `The slaves are ours,' -- so do I answer you: The pound of flesh (which I demand of him) is dearly bought, 'tis mine and I will have it" (IV.i.90-100).    Shakespeare's depiction of the Venetians is paradoxical. They are, too, a capitalist people and readily accept his money, however, shun him personally. Like American society, 16th century Venice sought to solidify their commercial reputation through integration, but at the same time, practiced social exclusion.

Reconstructed Portrait of Juan Dela Cruz Essay

Reflection: This kind of article is somewhat made to be funny upon criticism although some of his statements are true but need adequate citation of example. The author’s points are thoughts of a typical charlatan English 101 passer that wants to show off his talent in composition of proses like this one. Nevertheless, I will give my comments on the statement given by him. First, the author’s claim of Filipinos’ uniqueness when it comes to humor didn’t work. The statement â€Å"†¦people making fun of their own mistakes†¦Ã¢â‚¬  makes me think of humorous videos of other races laughing at their own mistake, the statement doesn’t prove the uniqueness of the subject. And the part of the said article where â€Å"sense of humor† is talked about comes with a complicated context that it blends the positive and negative statement in one part of the text. He could’ve written it in a flow which either of the two statements comes first. Second, the issue of the Filipinos speaking foreign languages for them (foreigners) to appreciate the hospitality of the natives; it doesn’t seem to make a sense. For all I know, it’s a part of tourism. This statement proves that we only please the foreigners by speaking their language in our country and they do not speak our language in their country when we visit as tourist is baseless, the foreigners teach us their language and vice versa it serves as a souvenir, a token of knowledge. Maybe the author doesn’t know that we learn â€Å"konichiwa, aloha, que tal?† and they learn â€Å"mabuhay, kumusta ka† and â€Å"mahal kita† through this mean, it is hospitality Mr. author. Third, describing the creativity of Filipinos by mentioning â€Å"when there is a big flood, they take it to their advantage to go up on the roofs of their houses to fish tilapia for their dinner.† this has nothing to do with creativity and inventiveness, climbing up the roof on a big flood is not creative, it is matter of life and death, they are not there to go fishing, they are trying to save their lives Mr. author. Fourth, the claim of us Filipinos being great violators is a mere blind  judgment and an exposition of colonial mentality; violating street signs, eating medically prohibited food, buying pirated goods, â€Å"walang ganyan sa states†? I don’t think so. American people do these things worse than we do. Fifth, cramming is compared to the story of Juan Tamad, I don’t really think it’s related at all.

Gung Ho Retraction essays

Gung Ho Retraction essays The Japanese are very company oriented in their management style. They have a strong pride when their company does well. They believe that American car industry would be as successful as the Japanese if our workers were willing to work for $8 an hour, seven days a week, with unpaid overtime, just because of their patriotic pride Americans view the Japanese as workaholic freaks. The Japanese expect the Americans to behave like Japanese. The guys are so happy to have jobs that they're non-union. American management believes in okay work with excellent pay. They work as a team to reach goals and work 8 hours a day and leave time for life outside work. The Americans get restless when they're not given sick leave, asked to work free overtime, and constantly get shouted at by Japanese managers. They complain to their union representative. The American workers are a crowd that apparently hangs out together all of the time, 24 hours a day, so that a Fourth of July celebration can be turned into a workers' meeting and nobody is absent? Hunt was yelled at during a workers meeting. Hunt does a great deal of double talk between the Japanese and the Americans. He promises them Americans a raise if they reach the quota of 15,000 cars. And a partial raise with 14,000 cars. When the factory fails to produce the 15,000 cars they want a raise but do not get it. The union helps the American workers keep their jobs with fair pay and time off. It helps keep the Gung Ho Japanese managers from abusing the workers. The union fights for paid overtime, weekends off, sick leave, and better pay. ...

The Concept of Strategic Planning and Its Relevance

The Concept of Strategic Planning and Its Relevance Abstract The purpose of this essay is to analyse the concept of strategic planning and its relevance to the activities of an organization. Strategic planning has been viewed as an important cornerstone in the decision making activities of an organization. It enables an organization to achieve its goals and objectives through the development of plans. These plans can either be long term, medium or short term depending on the type of business and the context that strategic planning will be used in.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Concept of Strategic Planning and Its Relevance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Introduction Strategic practitioners recognised the importance of strategies in the processes and operations of an organization which saw a lot of emphasis being placed on strategy which later saw the development of strategic planning as an organizational concept. Strategic planning slowly replaced corporate p lanning which mostly involved developing formal plans that lacked any strategic focus. This change was largely due to the emphasis placed on the planning activities of an organization. The relationships that were meant to result from this change sometimes could not be achieved. Researchers found that only few organizations were able to succeed in achieving their goals and objectives through the use of strategies. Practitioners of strategic planning have founded their research efforts on the assumption that the creative task of formulating and implementing strategies can be designed into a series of actions referred to as planning that will lead to results that can be repeated in the future. Definition of Strategic Planning Strategic planning is a technique that is used to organize the present activities of an organization to reflect the desired future projections of what the organization wants to achieve over a certain period of time. A strategic plan is a map or guide that will be used to lead the organization from where it is now to where it would like to be. Strategic planning mostly focuses on the external environment of an organization. Since every organization has different activities and operations that set it apart from other companies, the strategic plans of every organization will therefore be different from that of the other organization; therefore Strategic planning systems will be designed to deal with the unique characteristics of organizations (Samson and Daft 2009). Strategic planning is derived from strategy which is the layout of a plan or set of actions that will be used by the organization to achieve their objectives. Strategic planning is the systematic and formalised effort made by an organization to develop detailed plans that would be used to implement the objectives, goals, strategies, and policies of an organization (Wittman and Reuter, 2008). Planning deals with looking at the future results of current decisions that are made by deci sion makers. This means that strategic planning provides managers and people in positions of decision making with the cause and effect of consequences that would occur over time if that particular decision was made. If the decision maker does not like the results of the decision, he can easily change it to one that would yield positive results. Strategic planning looks at the alternative courses of action that are available in the future and what options are chosen from these alternatives, they are used as a basis for making present day decisionsAdvertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Grunic and Kuhn (2008) viewed strategic planning as a process that began with the identification of objectives and goals which later led to the development of organizational strategies, plans and policies that would be used to achieve these goals. Strategic planning was seen to be a process of making decisions in advance that would determine what kind of planning activities would be undertaken and how these activities would be done. The process was also systematic as the various activities were organized in a sequence. Strategic planning process was geared towards companies that had their operations and activities in one particular industry within the market. The basic format of a strategic planning process that is used by most organizations is to first develop the company’s mission, objectives and goals as a first step. Once this is done the organization’s internal and external environment is assessed to determine the strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities and threats. The next step will involve selecting strategies that will be used to deal with the identified strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities and threats. The organization should ensure that the identified strategies are in line with its mission ad goals. After the app ropriate strategies are identified and developed, they are finally implemented. Hills and Jones (2009) note that organizations go through a new process of strategic planning every year as a result of changing business environments and the global economy. This however does not mean that new strategies have to be identified and implemented every year. What usually happens in most organizations is that the strategies are modified or reaffirmed since the strategic plan is usually designed for a period of more than five years. Strategic Planning for Small businesses and Improved Performance Given all the evidence on the benefits of strategic planning, most small businesses still do not practice planning. Most of the concepts and research on strategic planning have been geared towards helping larger organizations. Managers of small businesses mostly focus on the short term rather than on the long term strategies. Their decision making technique is characterised to be reactive instead of p roactive and deliberate. For those managers who do practice strategic planning, the process is mostly characterised by ad hoc instead of formal activities (Wang et al. 2006).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Concept of Strategic Planning and Its Relevance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More According to May (2010), small business owners today are realising more than ever that they need strategic planning to make decisions. This has emerged out of their uneasiness about what the future holds for their businesses or the fact that they have attained the present level of small business success without any strategic planning and they don’t feel like proceeding with ventures that they are unsure will yield any profits. Such uncertainties lead them to secure stable and predictable styles of management that mostly involve strategic planning. The main difference of strategic planning for both the large and small busin esses is that the larger organization can financially afford to conduct extensive strategic planning activities which at times might be very expensive while the small business has a limited amount of financial resources. The strategic activities of the smaller organization might be limited or constrained due to finances; the smaller business will also mostly rely on its internal resources do the planning (May, 2010). Wang et al (2006) conducted investigations on why some small businesses failed in their activities and operations. They noted that the major reason was attributed to the lack of strategic planning and poor business motivation. Previous studies by scholars such as Mintzberg, Crawford and Lefebvre also suggested that formal strategic planning systems in small organizations were absent. The authors noted that small business strategic planning was mostly characterized by informal planning systems that were unstructured and sporadic. Other characteristics were that the proce ss was viewed to be incomprehensive, incremental and reactive. Wang et al (2006) note that the motivation for a small business owner to be in business was mostly interwoven with their personal lives. Most small businesses are family owned which shows that the personal motivation in starting the business lies in trying to provide a better life for the business owners and their families. Some of these owner usually lack a business background or the technical known how of running the business. This means that they lack basic strategic planning information. Such a situation enables the businesses owners and entrepreneurs to get away with developing short term strategic plans for their businesses .Because of the size of the firm and constant uncertainty in the global business environment, small business have a limited ability to control events. That is why their focus is on short term and medium planning instead of long term. The strategic model should be designed in a simple and inexpen sive way Pitfalls of Strategic Planning The main problems experienced by small businesses when trying to initiate the planning process have been identified as the lack of time and lack of proper strategic planning knowledge. But when managers discover ways to overcome these constraints, strategic planning can lead to the improved performance of the business.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Small business managers need to gain an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of small businesses which will set a strong foundation for strategic planning activities. The size and simple structure of small firms allows them to increase their responsiveness to external changes. In discussing the failure of the concept, various studies have been referred to further explain why strategic planning sometimes fails in organizations. One pitfall is that no one study has been found that has assessed the outcomes of deviating from the long range plans. All studies that have been conducted on the subject do not show whether there has been any negative consequences of not following the long range strategic plan. Another pitfall came from an earlier study that highlighted that while particular companies engaged in systematically planned activities, other organizations that did not engage in strategic planning were able to surpass these companies performance wise; this showed that t he best planners did not always perform the best (Dimitrou and Thompson, 2007). Studies done in the 1970s by scholars such as Malik and Karger found favourable results when strategic planning was used while other studies such as those done by Sheehan, Grinyer and Norburn did not see any benefits of practicing strategic planning. Henry Mintzberg after a review of these studies came up with a conclusion that planning was not the only best way. He noted that in some circumstances it did not pay and that when planning was at its best, it might have had some suitability to particular and not all organizational contexts. Another pitfall of strategic planning is that most companies find the solutions derived from the formal process of strategic planning to not be what they had actually expected. They usually had a basic idea of the kind of results to expect once the process was done. Strategic planning makes a majority of the firms today to engage in less risky forms of long range planning in their decision making activities which often at times do not yield the best results. Major criticisms have been drawn to the fact that strategic planning does not in any way contribute to the strategic thinking of major decision makers in organizations. Many of the benefits that accrue from strategic planning cannot be measured and it is difficult to prove the planning process in absolute terms. This is due to the fact when the planning process is initiated; it becomes hard to compare what has happened with what could have happened. This leads to a lot of speculations and formation of assumptions that are in most cases usually wrong. There is also another pitfall in the form of identifying the amount of costs that have been used in the planning process (Hill and Jones, 2009). These costs can only be seen if additional profit made by the organization exceeds the additional costs used in planning. Logical expectations of most organizations are that strategic planning will lead the company to be successful in the future; this is a big misconception. Most managers view strategic plans to be the key that will lead the organization to market success which explains why they become devastated when the strategic plans fail (Hill and Jones, 2009). Conclusion Planning activities are important to an organization to ensure that everything moves in a systematic and orderly manner. Without planning the members of an organization would lack a guide or plan that would direct them to achieve the organizational mission, vision, goals and objectives. Planning is therefore to be the most important activity that an organization should undertake to ensure that it runs smoothly and effectively. Strategic planning should also be given the same level of importance as general organizational planning. While strategic planning for organizations has been going on for a very long time, the smaller businesses are yet to catch on, yet planning is very important for an organization to achi eve optimum success through the proper utilization of resources. Strategic planning might have some pitfalls but when used in the proper way and in the right organizational context, it can improve the performance of both large and small businesses. Managers should therefore exercise this concept to ensure the decisions they make now will reflect what the organization wants to achieve in the future. References Dimitrou, H.T., and Thompson, R. (2007) Strategic planning for regional development in  the UK. Oxford, UK: Routledge Grunic, R. and Kuhn, R. (2008) Process based strategic planning. 5th Edition. Berlin: Springer- Verlag Hill, C., and Jones, G. (2009) Strategic management theory: an integrated approach.  Ohio, US: South Western Cengage Learning May, M.G. (2010) Strategic planning. New York: Business Expert Press Samson, D., and Daft, R.L. (2009) Management Third Asia Pacific Edition. Australia: Cengage Learning Wang, C., Walker, E.A., and Redmond, J. (2006) Ownership motiva tion and strategic planning in small businesses. Journal of Asia Entrepreneurship and  Sustainability. Vol II, No.4 Wittman, R. and Reuter, M.P. (2008) Strategic planning: how to deliver maximum value  through effective business. London: Kogan Page

Social and Economic Impact on Managerial Education Solutions Research Paper

Social and Economic Impact on Managerial Education Solutions - Research Paper Example A most vital element of the study in manager decision is considered with the economic view on the decision concern. In accordance with this viewpoint, self-attracted peoples are synchronized throughout the employment of, typically financial, rewards and punishments. We could observe obviously at this time that a viewpoint on manager decision is created on a commencement of human nature; in the economic viewpoint, this would be the self-attracted rational individual. On the origin of this economic viewpoint, several appliances and techniques were elaborated ahead. In the precedent few decades, four advancements were pointed out in a study that could not be gathered effortlessly by the neo-classical as well as new-institutional economics supported perception on manager decision. A lot of experiential studies demonstrate that the running methods for managing a hospitality industry are established to vary from the resolutions agreed by the economic viewpoint. First, manager decision does not depend exclusively on financial rewards other than also on other variables, for instance, civilizing components, grouping belongings, and precedent decisions. Second, the function of rule-following attitude for manager decision was pointed out. It appears to be significant whether novel decisions contest the choices that previously subsist in a hospitality industry. How do you mingle the numerous possessions in a hospitality industry, similar to human personnel and intelligence, assets, industrial capacities and financial wealth? Certainly, this is one of the fundamental questions of trade, hospitality industry, and economics. Within the sphere of this problem there is another query: how do we create peoples effort together in such a method that hospitality industrial objectives are provided? On a yet more exact stage, we have the question: how could we create self-attracted peoples with deviating objectives work together? And lastly, we could pose: what financial rewards and punishments constrain objective resemblance within a hospitality industry? These are questions that are intimately connected to a lot of beginning of education decision.

Marijuana and Prostitution Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Marijuana and Prostitution - Coursework Example The process of using one’s body to eaer money has been done in the olden ages and the pre historic times since the advent of the man into the earth. As of now, prostitution is not legalized in many jurisdictions all over the world. Countries such as the Netherlands have been able to legalize prostitution due to their progressive ideas and the fact that it is a huge way of making money through taxing this profession. In the following paragraphs I will explain whether prostitution is like any other crime, and if not then why do we need to legalize the oldest profession in the world. Question: 1 Whether Prostitution is like any other crime in the world? Prostitution is the art of providing the pleasure of sex on a continued basis for a long time. It has often been remarked that prostitution is like any other crime, but when one has a closer look at things and analyses them from a different perspective, one arrives at a conclusion that prostitution is not like any other crime. To commit a crime, there are two essential components, which have to be fulfilled by the person committing the crime. The first is the fact that there should be Mens Rea, and the second is the fact that there should be Actus Resus. Mens Rea is the guilty mind, while actus reus is the act committed by the guilty mind. A guilty mind under the definition of criminal law would constitute a mind which has negativism imbibed in it along with having a wrong intention of doing things in his/her favour. Prostitution is not connected with the guilty mind at all, if it was then having sex in the bedroom would also constitute to having a guilty mind and would have therefore been labeled as a crime. The imperative understanding which needs to be made here is that prostitution is nothing but providing the services of sex, and nothing else. We avail the services of law, other pleasure seeking services, then under the same perspective and the same context we also seek the services of Sex, and therefor e nothing wrong should be perceived in that context. Prostitution should be legalized for two significant reasons. The first one is the fact that there is no inclusion of any sort of guilty mind in the process of availing these services. The primary reason for availing this service is for pleasure seeking purpose and not from a criminal intention. The second reason is to have a check on the spread of STDs, especially AIDS. If prostitution is legalized all over the world, especially in countries such as India and South Africa, then it would help dramatically in having a check on AIDS along with the process of the controlling the same. Question 2: Whether Marijuana should be legalized? Yes, Marijuana should be legalized. In the United States, Marijuana has already been legalized in Colorado and Washington. This is just the beginning. The primary reason behind the legalization is again the same as prostitution. There is no criminal intent or any element criminality in the use and distr ibution of the drug. There have been many theories as to why marijuana was banned in the first place, but it must be understood and examined by the scholars that marijuana was the first drug of its kind, which provided pleasure to the human mind and brought him relaxation. The use of Marijuana for personal consumption has to be legalized in more places in the USA. The process can be initiated by having decriminalization legislation in place, and then once the response is understood and the feedback is received, then the process of legalization can be initiated. All this will happen in due course of time, and therefore although we need to keep moving slowly, we need to make sure that we move in the right direction. The benefits of legalization of Marijuana will be in a huge number. First of all, it will add as a source