Crafting and Executing Strategy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Crafting and Executing Strategy - Research Paper Example In other words, strategic planning is a tool that defines the routes that businesses will take in the effort to get from the current position to where owners want it to go. In fact, it is argued that strategic planning is a procedure that fulfils the mission and vision of a company (Andersen, 2004). In order to be effective, strategic plan considers the internal and external environment surrounding the business. In this regard, it is true to argue that as a company grows and intends to achieve its strategic goals, the need for strategic planning becomes greater (Goodstein, Nolan & Pfeiffer, 1993). However, strategic planning does not just become effective without considering some factors. It is necessary for all stakeholders in the organization to clearly understand the direction and mission of the organization. Nevertheless, the mission and direction of the business should go hand in hand with market changes, which call for a business to strategically prepare for different market se gments. In regard to Fed-EX Corp as a key player in the logistics industry, strategic planning would lead to more cost reduction as well as maintaining best prices (Long, 2004). It can also be argued that strategic planning in logistics business can act as a roadmap for economic and operational success. Additionally, strategic planning would act as a facilitator of efficient, flow of goods and information from company’s premise to consumption points (Moradi, 2012). This has an advantage of conforming to customers’ needs and satisfaction. Mission statement â€Å"Fed-EX Corp offers top quality logistic solutions to our customers based on expertise. Customers prefer our services based on quality and reliability† A company can not operate without a mission statement and expect to go far. A mission statement is vital in ensuring the success of a business. It not only set targets for businesses to attain its financial goals, but also enables businesses to build their corporate brand as they win the loyalty of customers through the provision of quality products and services (Goodstein, Nolan & Pfeiffer, 1993). For example, Fed-EX Corp mission statement would act as a corporate vision drive, motivate, unify and excite business into superior performance (Long, 2004). In order to offer top quality solutions to its customers, Fed-EX Corp would be motivated to work extra hard and work in unity in order to keep the fire burning. In fact, a mission statement provides a lighthouse that a company can look at whenever it looses track of itself. This is true because when a company looses sight, a mission statement can be referred to provide an insight of the company’s core competencies. In logistics business, Rushton, (2010) argued that a mission statement can facilitate greater returns on investment. Additionally, a measure of return on equity is argued to be more than double in companies that have written mission statement. Although it is hard to i ndicate the part of mission statement that brings success to a company, a combination of parts of a the mission statement can help a company prosper in different ways. For example, the statement should clearly establish the line of business the company is engaged in. This helps the company focus its efforts towards succeeding in that line of business. Vision statement â€Å"To build greater global logistic solutions through quality, integrity and profitability†

Suicide is a violation of religious teaching Essay Example for Free

Suicide is a violation of religious teaching Essay Nearly all religions across the world would believe that suicide is a sin against God and that it definitely violates religious teaching. In examining this view, a good place to start is the Christian view on the sanctity of life. Christians believe that all are made in the image of God – imago dei – and that there is an inherent sanctity to human life. Killing is prohibited as part of the Decalogue, where it states, â€Å"do not kill.† This extends to killing yourself. Elsewhere in the Old Testament there are other verses that can be used to prove that suicide violates religious teaching, such as in Ecclesiastes 7:17 where it states, â€Å"be not foolish, why should you die before your time?† Further evidence can be found in the New Testament, where Jesus declares that we are, â€Å"worth much more than sparrows.† To a Christian, life is a precious gift and cannot be thrown away, especially by suicide. Church fathers have generally been against suicide and they believe that it is a violation of religious teaching. Augustine was one of the first to speak out against it in his book City of God. He wrote that, â€Å"to kill oneself is a homicide, and he is much guiltier of his own death.† Aquinas, another church father, put forward three arguments on why he believes that suicide is contrary to religious teaching. Firstly, he said it went against natural law. Natural law would state that we should let life end the natural way that God intended it to, and to end it prematurely is sin. Secondly, suicide can have a negative effect on the person’s community. Finally, suicide is a sin against God because it is a final act of defiance and it is a fundamental mistrust of God and his providence. On the other hand, certain types of suicide could be considered compatible with religious teaching, such as altruistic suicide. The act of self-sacrifice, or martyrdom, is glorified in many religions. In the Bible Jesus says that, â€Å"greater love has no man than this, than to lay down his life for his friends.† An Old Testament example of this is Samson, who killed himself along with the Philistines when he brought down a temple. Furthermore, it could be argued that suicide is not against religious teaching because it is the result of profound mental illness that is not the believer’s fault. In the past the church has been guilty of viewing physical and mental illness differently. Even today many fundamentalist churches would believe that illnesses such as depression are spiritual battles rather than actual illness and would discourage people from taking medication. In the light of high profile suicides such as Rick Warren’s son Matthew, many Christian leaders are speaking out about the need to view mental illness on the same level as physical illness, and not simply to call it a sin. To do otherwise will prevent believers from getting proper treatment and will just increase the likelihood of suicide. To conclude, if one truly believes that God is in control of their life then it would be a violation of their religion to commit suicide. However, it is also the duty of the religious believer to be compassionate towards those that are suffering and they should try and tackle the root causes of suicide rather than simply condemning it.

Comparing My Name is Asher Lev, Naked Lunch and Animal Farm Essay

Comparative Analysis of My Name is Asher Lev, Naked Lunch and Animal Farm  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   What do a junkie, Communists pigs, and a little Jewish boy have in common? No, this isnÕt an Anti-Semitic crack. In fact, the answer is really nothing. Then how would Naked Lunch, Animal Farm, and My Name is Asher Lev make a good comparative research paper? ThereÕs no magic involved really. To solve this perplexity one must think like Chaim Potok who said that "no feeling, no thought, and no sensibility cannot be tapped or explored and revealed" (Abramson 59). By looking deeper into the fibers of history, satire, criticism, and philosophy that are woven into each of these stories, the connection becomes less ambiguous.    As with many great novels, there is usually more to the story than what is written on paper. Each author, in his novels, incorporated his critical view of the world into the story by using the theme of individual vs. society. These views portray their cultures in the negative light in which they saw them. Therefore, the criticisms were the authorsÕ way of exhibiting and lashing out against what, in their minds, were the evils within the society they lived in. These problems range from politics, to religion, to the human condition.    My Name is Asher Lev, Naked Lunch, and Animal Farm were all written with a specific, social criticism in mind. Chaim Potok, author of My Name is Asher Lev, though an ordained rabbi of the Jewish faith, (Abramson 2) sought to justify the "conviction that no idea should be foreign in our world (Potok)" by challenging the JewÕs belief that "art holds no place in the Jewish faith. (Kremer)" Though raised in a strict, Orthodox household Potok grew interested in art from an early age and,... ...l. 2. Feb, 1976. 321-322. Potok, Chaim. Interview with Jennifer Gilmett. Seattle Pacific University. 29 Oct. 1997.http://www.lasierra.edu/~ballen/potok/Potok.interviews. SPU.html Potok, Chaim. Lecture. Southern College of Seventh-Day Adventists. Collegedale, Tenn. Ed. Dr. Jerry Gladson. http://www.lasierra.edu/ ~ballen/potok/Potok.unique.html#Asher Seltzer, Alvin J. Contemporary Literary Criticism. Vol. 42. Detroit: Gale Research Company, 1985. 80-85. Skerl, Jenny. "William S. Burroughs". http://www.bigtable.com/0009e.html Smyer, Richard I. Animal Farm: Pastoralism and Politics. Boston: TwayneÕs Masterwork Studies, 1988. 11-30. Smyer, Richard I. "Primal Dream and Primal Crime: OrwellÕs Development As a Physchological Novelist". DIScovering Authors Modules Online. University of Missouri Press, 1979. http://www.galenet.com         

A New Era for Advertisers

In his article, â€Å"The Post Advertising Age,† Bob Garfield describes the end of advertising as we know it.   According to the author, a substantial number of television and print advertisers may soon find themselves out of work because online advertising is increasing.As a matter of fact, numberless viewers of television and readers of print media have already been seduced by the world wide web, which now caters to their viewing and reading needs better than television and print media ever could.The world of the Internet is interactive, allowing users to fulfill their viewing or reading needs depending on their demands at any given time.   The television and print media, on the other hand, do not carry the advantages that the Internet has.   In short, the kinds of choices available to users of the Internet cannot be matched by the advantages of television or print media.The only choice for a television viewer is to change the channels until he or she finds something o f interest.   The reader of a print magazine, on the other hand, has to purchase a new magazine if the one that he has already bought does not suit his interests.The Internet, on the contrary, is not only cheap, but also has the advantage of presenting all kinds of information to the user.   Hence, the advantages of online advertising surpass the advantages of television and print media advertising based on the basic benefits of Internet use as compared to television and print media.The number of people viewing MTV has been drastically reduced, thanks to the virtues of the Internet which allows the MTV generation to now enjoy online videos.[1]   Also according to Garfield:In December 2005, Viacom spun off CBS, the so-called Tiffany Network, lest the broadcast business impede growth and depress shareholder value.Just before Christmas 2005, Time Inc. laid off 100 employees.   Just after Christmas, inJanuary 2006, Time Inc. laid off 100 more employees.   In April 2006, Time I nc. laid off 250 more employees-the last round of job cuts, the company said.   In January, Time Inc. laid off300 more employees.   No wonder.   Since 2001, Time Warner's market capitalization has shrunk to $82 billion from $193 billion.Last fall, ostensibly to promote their new seasons, five broadcast networks bypassed their local affiliates and gave away new programs online.In October 2006, NBC announced a $750 million cost cutback, including 700 jobs and amoratorium on scripted programs in the first hour of prime time.In November 2006, Clear Channel-the boogeyman of media consolidation-sold to private- equity owners and declared that it wants to unload its TV and small-market radio stations.The sale fetched $38 a share.   In 2000, the stock sold at $100 a share.The Minneapolis Star Tribune, acquired by McClatchy in 1998 for $1.2 billion, was sold to private investors in December 2006 for $530 million.In 2000, Chicago-based Tribune Co. was valued at $12 billion.   It the n bought Times-Mirror Co. for more than $8 billion.   At this writing, with Tribune Co. for sale as a whole or in part, the value of the merged company is $7.34 billion.[2][1] Bob Garfield, The Post Advertising Age, Advertising Age, 78(13): 26 March 2007.

Game Theory Essay

Game theory happens to be a branch of applied mathematics which is used in social science. Its main objective is to capture behaviors but in this case mathematically in strategic situations where the success of an individual in choice making is largely dependent on the choices that are made by other people. This is the base or the main theme that underlies in the game theory. This is the same theme that is supposed to be articulated in this article. The author ignores the fact that game theory come in different types and only expresses one type of game theory specifically zero sum and non zero sum game theory. He concentrates only on this type of game theory leaves the reader with little or no information concerning the other types of game theory. (Miller, 2003) However, in the article, the author only concentrates on only one aspect of game theory and goes ahead and offers solutions or recommendations to that one aspect that he deals with. Game theory has gone ahead and included other aspects in the line of business other than the competition. This competition was only of one individual based on the expense of the other person which was commonly referred to as zero sum games. These happen to be the only issue that is covered here by the author of this article. I can therefore say that this article fails to present all the aspects which are involved or which matters as far as game theory is concerned. I can therefore say that there is more to game theory and that the recommendations proposed may not be that effective even if implemented. Some of the recommendations may therefore be said to deviate from the core subject that is under discussion. (Barnett, 1995) However this does not mean that the article is null and void. The author in the article gives a very good example of the basic concept and the meaning of game theory. By use of the example of the two people in the article, the author paints out a clear picture of the principle of game theory and what is involved. It is clear to understand even to a person who does not have an idea of what game theory is. Further, the author gives recommendations or rather rules of what to do so that one may emerge successfully in any business that he or she may be conducting. (Barnett, 1995) The author may be said to fully address the issue to the game theory on the context that he is viewing form; that of competition. In addition, unlike in the other cases where the recommendations that are set are usually impractical, here the author sets the recommendations that are practical in real life and which if they are implemented effectively will help the two organizations succeed in their sole objective of increasing their sales or rather profits. (Miller, 2003) The author also familiarized the reader with all the factors that maybe of essence incase one is involved in the business and experiencing these types of problems. He covers a larger area other than only the game theory gives recommendations which if they are implemented, they result to implementation of the recommendations of game theory. In conclusion, even though the author fails to deal with the other types of game theories, he has completely discussed this type of game theory giving all the recommendations required which would even be applicable to the other game theories if they are implemented as directed. ? References Barnett, F. (1995). Making Game Theory Work in Practice. Wall Street Journal , A14. Miller, J. (2003). Game Theory at Work. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishers.

10 Facts About Corals

10 Facts About Corals If youve ever visited an aquarium or gone snorkeling when on holiday, youre probably familiar with a wide variety of corals. You may even know that corals play a fundamental role in defining the structure of marine reefs, the most complex and diverse ecosystems in our planets oceans. But what many dont realize is that these creatures, which resemble a cross between colorful rocks and various bits of seaweed, are in fact animals. And amazing animals at that. Weve explored ten things we should all know about coral, what makes them animals and what makes them so unique. Corals Belong to the Phylum Cnidaria Other animals that belong to the Phylum Cnidaria include jellyfish, hydrae, and sea anemones. Cnidaria are invertebrates (they do not have a backbone) and all have specialized cells called nematocysts that help them capture prey and defend themselves. Cnidaria exhibit radial symmetry. Corals Belong to the Class Anthozoa (a Subgroup of the Phylum Cnidaria) Members of this group of animals have flower-like structures called polyps. They have a simple body plan in which food passes in and out of a gastrovascular cavity (stomach-like sac) through a single opening. Corals Typically Form Colonies Consisting of Many Individuals Coral colonies grow from a single founder individual that divides repeatedly. A coral colony consists of a base that attaches coral to a reef, an upper surface that is exposed to light and hundreds of polyps. The Term Coral Refers to a Number of Different of Animals These include hard corals, sea fans, sea feathers, sea pens, sea pansies, organ pipe coral, black coral, soft corals, fan corals whip corals. Hard Corals Have a White Skeleton That Is Made of Limestone (Calcium Carbonate) Hard corals are reef builders and are responsible for the creation of the structure of a coral reef. Soft Corals Lack the Stiff Limestone Skeleton That Hard Corals Possess Instead, they have little limestone crystals (referred to as sclerites) embedded in their jelly-like tissues. Many Corals Have Zooxanthellae Within Their Tissues Zooxanthellae are algae that form a symbiotic relationship with the coral by producing organic compounds that the coral polyps use. This food source enables the corals to grow faster than they would without the zooxanthellae. Corals Inhabit a Wide Range of Habitats and Regions Some solitary hard coral species are found in temperate and even polar waters and occur as far as 6000 meters below the surface of the water. Corals Are Rare in the Fossil Record They first appeared in the Cambrian period, 570 million years ago. Reef-building corals appeared during the middle of the Triassic period between 251 and 220 million years ago. Sea Fan Corals Grow at Right Angles to the Current of the Water This enables them to efficiently filter plankton from the passing water.

Vaping Epidemic in Today’s Youth Professor Ramos Blog

Vaping Epidemic in Today’s Youth In today’s society, a huge problem is on the rise and if not stopped could lead to many problems. Children as young as 12 are being exposed to e-cigarettes. They’re drawn in from the good tasting flavors and cool smoke tricks. Since the creation of the vape in 2007, the products have become evolutionized and are very accessible. Studies have found that 1 in every 4 high schoolers use e-cigarettes. A product that was created to fix the problem of adults smoking cigarettes has created an even larger epidemic that has very bad consequences. As reported by the California Tobacco Control Program, â€Å"The tobacco industry is hooking the next generation of addicts, and flavors are a big way in† (Learn about the Social and Health Effects of Vaping). The e-liquid in vape products usually contains propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin-based liquid with nicotine, flavoring and other chemicals and metals, but not tobacco. In the article, Kids Who Vape Face Toxin Dangers, Study Finds, Rubinstein says, One of the reasons why more teens are using these products is they feel that they are safe and/or safer than smoking† (Thompson). So, children are thinking it’s non harmful and it sure doesn’t taste like it is either; which is luring kids into thinking it’s fun and has no consequences.   This new invention, made to eliminate a problem in adults, has now caused an addiction in children who statistically would have never smoked a cigarette or come into contact with nicotine. When comparing studies and statistics from forty years ago to current research, it is obvious just how prevalent the use of these new vape products really is in today’s youth. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, â€Å"Forty years ago, nearly 29 percent of high school seniors reported smoking cigarettes daily†¦ By 2018, less than 1 in 25 high schoolers smokes daily† (Campbell). As stated by The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention a decline has begun â€Å"with 4.3 percent fewer middle schoolers and 15.8 percent fewer high schoolers admitting to smoking cigarettes between 2011 and 2018† (Campbell). It is obvious that this decline is only caused by the increase in use of vape products. Vaping is much easier to access, hide from others, and smoke compared to cigarettes; so it makes that the statistics have gone down for cigarette smoking in today’s youth. Dr Richard Miech, at the Institute for Social Research at the Unive rsity of Michigan, he found â€Å"Of the students who had ever used a vaporiser in their life, 65–66% in each grade reported vaping ‘just flavouring’ at last use† (Miech). The same organization released information from current time and â€Å"In 2018, 4.9 percent of middle schoolers reported using electronic cigarettes, and 20.8 percent of high schoolers reported the same† (Campbell). Statistics have also shown that between the year 2017 to 2018, †E-cig usage by high school students increased 78%† (Learn about the Social and Health Effects of Vaping). In 2018, 1 in 4 high school students have used a nicotine vape at least once. Shockingly, kids report vaping as young as 12 years old and continue all throughout middle and high school. So, are these new electronic cigarettes a solution to help adults quit smoking or is it a gateway into an entire other problem in teens developing nicotine addictions that come with dangerous consequences? Although, most adults and children believe that vaping has no effects on your health. Vape products use aerosol, specified as a â€Å"fine spray†, which â€Å"actually consists of fine particles containing toxic chemicals, many of which have been linked to cancer, as well as respiratory and heart diseases† (Campbell). It is scientifically proven that once your body is addicted to nicotine and you take a break or try to stop, nicotine withdrawals begin. These effects include: mood swings and feeling depressed. Some research has also shown that nicotine may cause negative effects to your arteries, but mostly your heart and lungs. It is also proven to affect the development of children’s brains, specifically memory and attention. Although vapes don’t contai n as many chemicals or the same chemicals as a real cigarette, â€Å"Some brands contain chemicals including formaldehyde often used in building materials and another ingredient used in antifreeze that can cause cancer† (Wheeler). The flavoring in e-cigs has also â€Å"raise red flags. Some use a buttery-tasting chemical called diacetyl, which is often added to foods like popcorn. When its inhaled, it can be dangerous† (Wheeler). The large percentage of children in today’s world who are continuing to vape and develop nicotine addictions from these products will end up paying for their actions when they experience these terrible health effects. No one is talking about how popular this problem really is and how many children are going to be affected by the harsh chemicals being used to create the tasty flavored e-cigarettes. Yes, most of the dangerous chemicals we know that are in cigarettes are mostly inhaled through the burning smoke that contains them. And we also know â€Å"E-cigs dont burn, so people arent as exposed to those toxins. A 2015 expert review from Public Health England estimated e-cigs are 95% less harmful than the real thing†( Wheeler). But, regardless of how much better vapes are compared to cigarettes, insanely large amounts of children who would’ve never smoked cigarettes to begin with are becoming addicted to nicotine that will have present and future consequences. Currently the FDA is working on the problem and has begun trying to bring the problem to attention and hopefully find a way to decrease the numbers of vaping in youth. According to the article, Regulation of E-Cigarettes in the United States and Its Role in a Youth Epidemic, â€Å"FDA submitted letters to the ï ¬ ve companies that supply more than 95% of the U.S. ENDS [e-cigarette] market, asking them to each provide a plan to the agency detailing how they will â€Å"address the widespread youth access and use of their products† (Gottlieb). If the responses were inadequate, the FDA indicated that it might revisit its policy of allowing these products into the market. Gottlieb claimed that â€Å"Shortly after the FDA letters were sent, Altria, maker of the MarkTen e-cigarette product line, announced that it would stop selling most ï ¬â€šavored ENDS entirely. It was only two months after that announcement, however, that it purchased its $12 billion stake in Juul Lab† (Gottlieb). Even the FDA tried making a difference in the epidemic that is very prevalent amongst children in America and no change was made by the companies producing the products. In order to create a decrease in statistics, people of all ages need to make an effort to talk about the problem and start the conversation about the negative effects. The companies making the electronic cigarettes also need to make announcements, disclosing the dangers of their products and make it known that it is not for use by children and can cause problems in child users. If people keep brushing the debate of whether vaping is dangerous for children, it is going to be too late for today’s youth. We must start talking about the problem and not stop until a change is made and more people are worried about children becoming addicted to nicotine. This epidemic is being looked over and it is not okay. Campbell, Leah. â€Å"Juuling, Vaping and Nicotine Addiction.† Healthline, Healthline Media, 2 Aug. 2019, healthline.com/health-news/juuling-the-new-vaping-trend-thats-twice-as-addictive-as-cigarettes#1. Accessed on 6 August 2019. Gottlieb, Mark A. Regulation of E-cigarettes in the United States and its role in a youth epidemic. Children 6.3 (2019): 40. Accessed on 6 August 2019. â€Å"Learn about the Social and Health Effects of Vaping.† California Tobacco Control Program English, flavorshookkids.org/?msclkid=ba38ab0158cf139d1cc8f64b68f29b3a#know-the-signs. Accessed on 6 August 2019. Miech, Richard, et al. What are kids vaping? Results from a national survey of US adolescents. Tobacco control 26.4 (2017): 386-391. Accessed on 6 August 2019. Thompson, Dennis. â€Å"Kids Who Vape Face Toxin Dangers, Study Finds.† WebMD, WebMD, 5 Mar. 2018, webmd.com/smoking-cessation/news/20180305/kids-who-vape-face-toxin-dangers-study-finds#1. Accessed on 6 August 2019. Wheeler, Regina Boyle. â€Å"Is Vaping Bad For You? Health Risks Safety Compared to Smoking.† WebMD, WebMD, webmd.com/smoking-cessation/features/vape-debate-electronic-cigarettes#1. Accessed on 6 August 2019.