Booker T Washington A Representative of the Black Population

It is considered general knowledge that slavery was one of the biggest struggles this nation faced. However, many forget that the strife did not end when slavery was abolished. Reconstruction laid a heavy hand on this country and nearly tore it apart. Booker T. Washington explains this concept in his famous tree analogy. â€Å"Before our freedom, a giant tree was growing in the garden [slavery], which all considered injurious to the progress of the whole nation. The work to be done was direct and simple-destroy the hurtful tree. The work before us now is not the destruction of a tree, but the growing of one. Slavery presented a problem of destruction; freedom presents one of construction. This requires time, patience, preparation of the soil, watering, pruning, and most careful nursing† (Washington, 50). Booker T. Washington became a representative of the black population during this turbulent time. However, he was met with much criticism due to his controversial ideas and public speeches. The white citizenry largely appreciated his pacifying tone, but many of the blacks were irritated by the inactive agendum Washington was suggesting. Some of Booker T. Washington†s ideas were practical and worthwhile, however some of his theories contained many contradictions and fallacies. I agree with his ideology to a point, but at certain times, I feel that he is too much of a pacifist. Washington stressed repeatedly in his speeches the importance of an industrial education. His own contribution to this was the Tuskagee Institute. It taught young blacks a trade that was practical, so they would be able to easily find a job, and begin earning income. Washington†s thought was that an industrial education was far more important than a liberal education. He believed that a liberal education was a waste of time, because there weren†t any immediate benefits, or instantaneous wage earning possibilities. Washington†s point was that the blacks needed money at once, so they should excel at what they already know. African Americans already had the skills they learned from slavery, which was mostly farming and agriculture. He thought that they should utilize that knowledge in the work force. â€Å"†¦let the Negro begin right where he is by putting the greatest amount of intelligence, of skill, and dignity into the occupations by which he is surrounded† (Washington 42). Many blacks did not like that suggestion, because they felt that they had been trapped in the agriculture business because of slavery, and they did not want to go back to that way of life. It would mean no change in labor and little chance that the white employer would treat them any better than they had in the past. The ex-slaves wanted experiences in life that they never before had the opportunity to have. They wanted a liberal education, because it had been denied to them in the past. They wanted to rise out of working the fields. Washington believed in sticking to one thing and excelling at it. He thought that blacks should learn a trade and become the best at it, so there is no room for discrimination. â€Å"Whenever in the South, for example, the Negro is the carpenter, let him realize that he cannot remain the carpenter unless people are sure that no one can excel him as a carpenter. This black carpenter should strive in every way possible to keep himself abreast of the best woodwork done in the world. He should be constantly studying the best journals and books bearing on carpentry. He should watch for every improvement in his line† (Washington 42). Personally, I think that B.T. Washington was right in aspiring to use the skills one already had, however I don†t think it is right to deny anyone the chance of stepping up and bettering themselves. Washington claims this change will happen, but it will occur gradually. â€Å"The second or third generation of this black man†s family need not be carpenters, but can aspire successfully to something higher because the foundation has been laid† (Washington 43). However, the black man, at this time, did not want gradual change. They wanted the change they deserved, and they wanted it right away. In my opinion, Washington†s idea to learn a trade to have an immeidate source of income is a good one. It is practical and promotes a way for blacks to meet financial needs. Nonetheless, it is important to have a well-rounded education if the change for bigger and better places is to ever take place. Another problem with Washington†s dogma, is that he is lumping all black people into one category. He is assuming that all of the ex-slaves will not mind going back to the same labor force they were in pre-abolishment. That is untrue. Many African-Americans at this time had untapped interests that they wanted to pursue. Many would actually be more talented in other fields. When slavery was abolished, this implied freedom for blacks. Freedom is all about the ability to choose. In taking choices away from the ex-slaves, Washington is stifling independence. As the representative man of his time, Booker T. Washington made several public speeches. In these orations, it was quite evident that he was aspiring to be as diplomatic as possible. He sought to keep the whites on his side, even amongst the most racially controversial issues. In regarding crime, he not only chastised white people for the heinous hate crimes that were rampant, but he also admonished the black people for their criminal acts. â€Å"†¦idleness and crime should cease, and that no excuse be given the world to label any large proportion of the race [blacks] as idlers and criminals†¦bring to punishment those who commit crime, when proper legal procedure is sure†¦we consider no legal punishment to severe for the wretch of any race who attempts to outrage a woman [lynching]. The lesson for the other portion of the nation to learn is that†¦the same laws should be made to apply to the Negro and the white man whether it relates to citizenship, the protection of property, the right to labor, or the protection of human life† (Washington 49). The manner in which Washington addressed the mixed crowd was filled with diplomacy, and therefore, did not anger the white citizens. Booker T. Washington realized that this was intelligent, because he knew that if he aroused the whites, the black population would have a much more difficult time in their rise through reconstruction. During all his addresses to the public, B. T. Washington stressed economics. He did this to speak to the white population about racial equality in terms that they thought would benefit the entire nation. Racial equality would lead to a better economy, and since the South was almost destitute after the civil war, the Southern whites were willing to listen to anything that would help the financial situation. â€Å"It is not only the duty of the Negro to thus put himself in possession, but it is also the plainest duty of the white man†¦No state can have the highest civilization and prosperity with one-third of its population down. This one-third will prove a constant millstone about the neck of the other two-thirds† (Washington 43). Economics, Washington also said, would bring about political and racial equality. He argued that once African-Americans obtained money, property, and/or other tangible goods, they would be given more respect, and hence, equality. â€Å"†¦when he [the black man] has paid the cost-paid the price of his freedom-it will appear in the beautiful, well-kept home, In the increasing bank account, in the farm†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Washington 42). I don†t agree with B.T.W.†s theory on this. Just because one has material commodities, this does not guarantee them respect or equality of any kind. The white southerners were brought up on racist beliefs. A black man†s wealth will not change the white bigot†s opinion. If anything, the whites will just begin to resent the black man. Moving up financially, was a good idea for the black race, as long as they protested equality simultaneously, because equality would not just appear along with financial stability. Agitation was not one of Washington†s endeavors. He believed that blacks should not provoke the white populace. He states in one of his articles, â€Å"Vastly more courage is often shown in one†s ability to suffer in silence†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Washington 48). This enraged many blacks. They had already been ‘suffering in silence† through the endless years of slavery. Washington averred that rather than agitation, the black move upward should be a constant struggle. â€Å"The wisest among my race understand that the agitation of questions of social equality, is the extremest folly, and that progress in the enjoyment of all the privileges that will come to us must be the result of sever and constant struggle rather than of artificial forcing† (Washington 140). Washington needed to realize that no political changes would come about without the black population demanding them. If the African-Americans did not command civil rights, the whites would never have bothered to change their ways. In this situation, speaking out is necessary.

Mermaids

The French Revolution in the Minds of Men Author(s): Maurice Cranston Reviewed work(s): Source: The Wilson Quarterly (1976-), Vol. 13, No. 3 (Summer, 1989), pp. 46-55 Published by: Wilson Quarterly Stable URL: http://www. jstor. org/stable/40257906 . Accessed: 31/05/2012 21:13 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www. jstor. org/page/info/about/policies/terms. jsp JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive.We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact [email  protected] org. Wilson Quarterly and Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars are collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The Wilson Quarterly (1976-). http://www. jstor. org 1789 THE FRENCH IN THE REVOLUTION OF MEN MINDS by Maurice Cranston July 14, 1989- BastilleDay- political and culturalleaders of every ideological persuasion assembled in Paristo celebratethe bicentennial of the French Revolution.Was there something strange about their unanimous applause? All subsequent major revolutions, such as those that took place in Russia and China, remain controversialtoday. But the French Revolution, which served as the direct or indirect model for these later upheavals, now passes for an innocuous occasion which anyone, Marxistor monarchist,can join in celebrating. Wasthis proof only of the anaesthetizing power of time, that two centuries could turn the French Revolutioninto a museum piece, an exhibitionacceptable to all viewers, even to a descendent of the old Bourbon monarchs?Or is there something about the French Revolution itself that, from its beginning, sets it apart from later revolutions? The tricouleur, the Marseillaise, the monumental paintings of David all celebr ate a series of connected events, alternatelyjoyous and grim, which make up the real, historical French Revolution. But there is another French Revolution, one which emerged only after the tumultuous days were over and the events and deeds became inflated or distorted in the minds of later partisans. This is the French Revolution as myth, and it is in many ways the more importantof the two.It is so, one could argue, because the myth, and not the reality, inspired the scores of revolutions that were to come. The actors of the French Revolution, anWQ SUMMER 1989 nouncing their principles on behalf of all mankind, clearly intended their deeds to have a mythic dimension. They wanted to inspireothers to follow their example. Consider the Declarationof the Rights of Man, passed in Augustof 1789. At no point does it refer to the specific conditions or laws of France. Instead, it speaks in grand universals, as if it were the voice of mankinditself.Replete with terms like citizen, liberty,th e sacred rights of man, the common good, the document provides the lexicon for all future revolutions. By contrast, the earlier revolutionary models which stirredthe French in 1789 to act- the English Revolution of 1688 and the American Revolution of 1776- had been essentiallypolitical events, limited in scope and conservative in objectives. The English revolutionists claimed to restore the liberty that the despotic James II had destroyed; the American revolutionaries made the kindredclaim that they were only defending their rights against tyrannical measures introduced by George III.Neither revolutionsought to change society. The French Revolution, however, sought to do exactly that. Indeed, to many of the more zealous French revolutionaries, the central aim was the creation of a new man- or at least the liberation of pristine man, in all his natural goodness and simplicity, from the cruel and corrupting prison of the traditionalsocial order. It is easy to see how this grandiose vi sion of the Revolution's purpose went hand-in-handwith the emergence of Romanticism.The great Romantic poets and philosophers encouraged people through- 46 1789 out the West to believe that imagination could triumph over custom and tradition, that everything was possible given the will to achieve it. In the early 1790s, the young William Wordsworth expressed the common enthusiasm for the seemingly brave and limitless new world of the Revolution: France standingon the top of golden hours, And human nature seeming born again. Here we encounter one of the many differences between reality and myth.The reality of the French Revolution, as Tocqueville maintained, was prepared by the rationalist philosophers of the 18th-century Enlightenment, by Voltaire, Diderot, Helvetius, d'Alembert, and Holbach no less than by Rousseau. Its myth, however, was perpetuated during the 19th century by Ro- mantic poets such as Byron, Victor Hugo and Holderlin. Byron in his life and in his poetry bore witnes s to that romanticized revolutionary idealism, fighting and then dying as he did to help the Greeks throw off the Turkish yoke and set up a free state of their own.The grandeur of its lofty aims made the French Revolution all the more attractive to succeeding generations of revolutionaries, real and would-be; the violence added theatrical glamor. The guillotine – itself an invention of gruesome fascination together with the exalted status of its victims, many of them royal, noble, or political celebrities, made the Terror as thrilling as it was alarming. The wars which broke out in 1793, when France declared war on Great Britain, Holland, and Spain, were fought not by professional soldiers but by conscripts, ordinary men who were ex-Duringthe 1790s, the FrenchArmybecame the â€Å"schoolof the Revolution,†where volunteers learned to â€Å"knowwhat theyfoughtfor and love what they know. † WQ SUMMER 1989 47 1789 pected to †know what they fought for and love w hat they know. † These wars were thought of as wars of liberation. It hardly matteredthat Napoleon turnedout to be an imperialist conqueror no better than Alexander or Caesar;he was still a people's emperor. If historians of the French Revolution are unanimous about any one point, it is this:thatthe Revolutionbroughtthe people into French political life. To say that it inwould be to say too troduced â€Å"democracy† much.Althoughpopularsuffragein varying degrees was institutedas the revolutionunfolded, no fully democratic system was set up. But popular supportcame to be recognized as the only basis for legitimatingthe nationalgovernment. Even the new despotism of Napoleon had to rest on a plebiscitary authority. These plebiscites, which allowed voters only to ratifydecisions already made, denied popular sovereignty in fact while paying tribute to it in theory. (The vote for the Constitutionwhich made Napoleon emperor in 1804-3,500,000 for versus 2,500 against hardlysugg estsa vigorous democracy. But if Napoleon's government was not democratic, it was obviously populistic. The people did not rule themselves, but they approvedof the man who ruled them. The end of Napoleon's empire in 1815, which was also in a sense the end of the historicalFrench Revolution,could only be brought about by the intervention of foreign armies. Those foreign armies could place a king on the throne of France, as they did with Louis XVIIIin 1815, but they could not restore the principle of royal sovereignty in the hearts of the French people. They simply put a lid on forces which would break ut in anotherrevolution 15 years later,this time not only in France but in other parts of the Westernworld. The French Revolution had turned the French into a republican people. Even when they chose a king- Louis-Philippe to lead that revolution of 1830, he was more of a republican prince than a royal sovereign in the traditional mold. LouisPhilippe,the â€Å"CitizenKing,†had to recognize, as part of his office, â€Å"the sovereignty of the nation. â€Å"And what kind of sovereign is it, one may ask, who has to submit to the sovereigntyof the nation?The answer must clearlybe, one who is king neitherby grace of God nor birth nor lawfulinheritancebut only through the will of the people, who are thus his electors and not his subjects. of â€Å"sovereignty the nation†was a new and powerful idea, a revolutionaryidea, in the 19th century. At the philosophical level, it is usually asto cribed,with some justification, the teachof JeanJacques Rousseau, whom Eding mund Burke, Alexis de Tocqueville, and many lesser commentators considered the ideologue of the French Revolution.What Rousseau did was to separate the concept which he said should be kept of sovereignty, the people in their own hands, from the by which he urged the concept of government, people to entrustto carefullychosen elites, their moral and intellectual superiors. Rousseauheld that neither h ereditarykings nor aristocratscould be considered superiors of this kind. Rousseau was uncompromisinglyrepublican. To him a republic could be based only on the collective will of citizens who contracted to live together under laws that they themselves enacted. â€Å"Myargument,†Rousseauwrote in TheSo-Maurice Cranston, a former Wilson Center Guest Scholar, is professor of political science at the London School of Economics. Born in London, he was educated at St. Catherine'sCollege and The His OxfordUniversity. books include John StuartMill (1965),Jean-Jacques: EarlyLife and Work of Jean-JacquesRousseau, 1712-54 (1982), and John Locke: A Biography(1985). WQ SUMMER 1989 48 1789 Three Leaders Three Phases of the Revolution. The liberalMarquisde Lafayetteinitiallyguided the Revolution. GeorgesDanton helped overthrowthe monarchy,but was executedfor being too moderate. Robespierre was both directorand victim of the Terror. ial Contract, â€Å"is that sovereignty, being nothing othe r than the exercise of the general will, can never be alienated; and the sovereign, which is simply a collective being, cannot be represented by anyone but itself- power may be delegated, but the will cannot be. † The sheer size of France, however, with a population in 1789 of some 26 million of people, precluded the transformation the French kingdom into the sort of direct democracy that Rousseau a native Swissthe Americanshad very reenvisaged. Still, cently proved that a nation need not be as small as a city-statefor a republican constitution to work.And as an inspirationto the average Frenchman, the American Revolution was no less importantthan the writings of Rousseau. The American Revolution thus became a model for France,despite its conservative elements. Moreover,the AmericanRevolution later served as a model for others largely because its principles were â€Å"translated† and universalized by the French Revolution. In Latin America, the Spanish and Portuguesecol onies could not directly follow the American example and indict their monarchs for unlawfully violating their rights; Spain and Portugal, unlike England, recognized no such rights.But following the example of the French RevoWQ SUMMER 1989 49 1789 lution, LatinAmericanslike Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martinwere able to appeal to abstract or universal principles. To describe Bolivia's new constitution in 1826, Simon Bolivarused the same universaland idealisticcatchwordswhich the French had patented 37 years before: â€Å"In this constitution/' Bolivar announced, â€Å"you will find united all the guarantees of permanency and liberty, of equality and order. † If the South American republics sometimes seemed to run short on republican liberty nd equality,the concept of royal or imperial sovereignty was nonetheless banished forever from American shores. The short reign of Maximilianof Austriaas Emperor of Mexico ( 1864- 1867) provideda brief and melancholy epilogue to such ide as of sovereignty in the New World. Even in the Old World,royal and aristocratic governments were on the defensive. In 1815, the Congress of Vienna, under Prince Metternichof Austria'sguidance, attempted to erase the memory of the Revolution and restore Europe to what it had been before 1789.Yet only five years after the Congress,Metternichwrote to the Russian tsar,AlexanderI, admitting,†Thegovernments, having lost their balance, are frightened, intimidated, and thrown into confusion. † French Revolution had permanently destroyed the mystique on which traditional regimes were based. No king could indisputablyclaim that he ruled by divine right; nor could lords and bishops assume that their own interests and the nationalinterestscoincided. After the French Revolution, commoners, the hitherto silent majorityof ordinaryunderprivilegedpeople, asserted the right to have opinions of their own- and to make them known.For once the ideas of liberty, democracy,and the rightsof men had been extracted from philosophers'treatises and put on the agenda of political actionwhich is what the French Revolution with its â€Å"universalprinciples†did- there could be no security for any regime which set itself againstthose ideals. In old history textbooks one can still find the interpretation of the French Revolutionfirstadvancedby Jules Micheletand Jean Jaures and other left-wing historians who explained the Revolution as one abolishing feudalismand advancing bourgeois capitalist society.While few historians still view the Revolution this way,the Micheletinterpretation was widespread during the 19th century,and its currency promptedmany an aspiring Robespierreto â€Å"comThe revolutionaryuprisingin Frankfurt 1848. â€Å"Thedull sound plete† the revolution. in Completing the revoluof revolution,†which VictorHugo had detected â€Å"pushingout under every kingdomin Europe,†grew dramaticallyloud thatyear. tion meant overthrowing 50 WQ SUMMER 19 89 1789 the bourgeoisie in favor of the working class, just as the bourgeoisie had supposedly overthrown the feudal aristocracyin 1789.The convulsive year of 1848 was marked in Europe by several revolutions which attempted to complete the work of 1789. Their leaders all looked back to the FrenchRevolutionfor their â€Å"historicjustification. â€Å"Tocquevilleobservedof these revolutionaries that their â€Å"imitation [of 1789] was so manifestthat it concealed the terrible originalityof the facts;I continuallyhad the impression they were engaged in playactingthe FrenchRevolutionfar more than continuing it. If the 19th centurywas, as many historians describe it, the â€Å"century of revolutions,†it was so largelybecause the French Revolution had provided the model. As it turns out, the existence of a proper model has proved to be a more decisive prod to revolution than economic crisis, political unrest, or even the agitations of young revolutionaries. Indeed, the role of pr ofessionalrevolutionaries seems negligible in the preparation of most revolutions. Revolutionaries often watched and analyzed the political and social disintegrationaround them, but they were seldom in a position to direct it.Usually,as HannahArendtobserved,†revolution broke out and liberated,as it were, the professional revolutionistsfrom wherever they happened to be- from jail, or from the coffee house, or from the library. † Tocqueville made a similar observation about the revolutionaries of 1848: The French monarchy fell â€Å"before rather than beneath the blows of the victors, who were as astonishedat their triumph as were the vanquishedat their defeat. † Disturbances which during the 18th century would hardly have proven so incendiary ignited one revolution after another during the 19th century.They did so because now there existed a revolutionary model for respondingto crises. During the 1790s, revolutionaries outside of France such as ToussaintL'Ouverture Haiti and in Wolfe Tone in Ireland tried simply to import the French Revolution,with its ideals of nationalism,equalityand republicanism, and adapt it to local conditions. And well into the 19th century,most revolutionaries continued to focus their eyes not on the future but on the past- on what the French duringthe 1790s had done in roughlysimilar circumstances. e sure, the French Revolution possessed differentand even contradictory meanings, differences which reflect die various stages of the historical Revolution. The ideals and leaders of each stage inspired a particulartype of The revolutionarymen later revolutionary. of 1789-91, including the Marquisde Lafayette, inspired liberal and aristocratic revolutionaries. Their ideal was a quasiBritish constitutional monarchy and suffrage based on propertyqualifications. The revolutionariesof 1830-32 realizedthis liberal vision in France and Belgium.The Girondins and moderate Jacobins of 1792-93 became the model for lowermiddle-class and intellectual revolutionaries whose political goal was a democratic republic and usually some form of a â€Å"welfare state. â€Å"The French Revolutionof 1848, with its emphasis on universal manhood suffrage and the state's obligation to provide jobs for all citizens, initiallyembodied their vision of society. A third type of revolutionary,the extremists of 1793-94 such as Robespierre and GracchusBabeuf, inspired later working-classand socialist revolutionaries.A reactionarysuch as Prince Metternich would hardly have distinguished among these three types of revolutionaries. But a later observer,Karl Marx,did. Seeing that the nationalist revolutions of his time igWQ SUMMER 1989 51 1789 Lenin (shown here in a 1919 photograph) exploitedthe precedentof the FrenchRevolution to legitimizethe BolshevikRevolutionin the eyes of the world. nored the socialist-radical strain of the French Revolution, he came to deplore its influence on later revolutionaries.Marx,who by 1848 was alreadyac tive in communist politics, condemned what he considered the confusion of understanding in most of these revolutionarymovements. An emotional yearning to reenact the dramas of 1789-1815 seemed to him to stand in the way of a successful revolutionary strategy. In a letter to a friend in September, 1870, Marxwrote: â€Å"The tragedyof the French, and of the working class as a whole, is that they are trapped in their memories of momentous events. We need to see an end, once and for all, to this reactionary cult of the past. † VladimirIlyich Lenin had no such resWQ SUMMER 1989 ervations.He passed up no rhetorical opportunityto present his Russian Bolsheviks as the heirs of the French revolutionary traditionand the RussianRevolutionof 1917 as a reenactment of France'sRevolution of 1789. Lenin went so far as to call his Bolshevik faction â€Å"the Jacobins of contemporarySocial-Democracy. † is not difficult to understandLenin's motives. Throughoutthe 19th century, most of th e successful revolutions in Europe and Latin America had been nationalist revolutions. (Indeed, when the revolutionaryGerman liberals of 1848 issued their Declaration of Rights, they ascribed those rightsto the GermanVolkas a whole and not to privatepersons. But the 52 1789 into his hands but the ideology and propaexample of the French Revolution suga revolutioncould be more than ganda adopted by the Allied powers in gested that World War I did so as well. When their just a matter of nationalism. Takingthe example of the French Revolution under the earlymilitarycampaignswent badly,the Alfanatical Robespierre,one could argue, as lies attemptedto make the war more popuLenin did, that the true goal of revolution lar, and the enormous casualties more tolwas to alter the way people lived together, erable,by declaringtheir cause to be a war In for â€Å"liberty. the name of liberty,Great socially and economically. as we know, Lenin looked back Britain, France, and the United States enYet , a century when attempts at radical couraged the subject nations of the Gerupon social revolutions had been ultimatelyand man, Austrian and Turkish empires to uniformlyabortive. The French Revolution throw off the imperialyoke. of 1848, which removed the â€Å"liberal†King But in championingnationalliberty,the Allies were guilty of hypocrisy.Neither Louis-Philippe,briefly gave greater power to the working class. Duringits most prom- GreatBritainnor France had any intention of permittingnationalistrevolutionswithin ising days, the anarchist Pierre-Joseph Proudhon (1809-1865) even accepted a their own empires or those of any neutral seat in the legislative chamber. But the power. But Leninwas able to catch them in the trap of their own contradictions. coup d'etat of Napoleon III in 1851 soon brought an end to all this.The communist By declaring to the world that the Bolshevik seizure of power in 1917 was a removement, which Marx described as a enactment of the French Revolutio n, he specter haunting Europe, produced no more tangible results than most specters was able to attach to his regime all those do. Before World War I, Marxwas notably less influential as a theoretician than were the champions of â€Å"revolutionary socialism† such as Proudhon and FerdinandLassalle(1825-1864) who persuaded the workers that their interestswould be better served by reform and democratic process than by revolution.It was World War I which put revolutionarysocialism back on the agenda again. The â€Å"war to end all wars†gave Lenin the opportunityto persuade the world that the French Revolution could be repeated as a communist revolution in, of all with a Chinese face†: Mao's Cultural Revolution â€Å"Robespierre places, Russia. Not only did hoped to realizeRobespierre'sdream of pushing beyondpolitical the upheavals of war play reformto remakeman and society. WQ SUMMER 1989 53 1789 strong, if mixed, emotions which the French Revolution had kindled in the outside world from 1789 on.In symbolicways, both large and small- such as naming one of their first naval ships Marat, after the French revolutionaryleader- the early Soviets underscored their connection with the earlier revolution. The attempts of the Allied powers to send in troops to save TsaristRussiafrom the Bolshevikswas immediately seen by a war-wearyworld as a reactionary,counter-revolutionary†White Terror,†and public opinion soon put an end to that intervention. After1917,the Soviet Union'sself-image became less that of a revolutionaryregime socialist and more that of a well-established empire.This transition unexpectedly enabled its adherents at last to obey Marx's injunctionto abolish the cult of the revolutionary past and to fix their eyes on the present. The idea of revolutionthus passed from the left to the ultra-left,to Stalin and Trotskyand, later, to Mao Zedong and his CulturalRevolutionin China. Yet even during the extreme phase of the CulturalRevo lution, Mao still evinced his debt to the French Revolution, a debt which he shares with the later â€Å"Third World†revolutionaries.Whenever a revolutionary leader, from Ho Chi Minh and FrantzFanonto Fidel Castroand Daniel Ortega, speaksof a new man, or of restructuring a whole society, or of creating a new human order,one hears againthe ideas and assumptionsfirst sounded on the political stage during the French Revolution. fact, there can be no doubt that a â€Å"cultural revolution† is what Robespierre set afoot in France, and what, if he had lived, he would have tried to bring to completion. As a disciple of Rousseau, he truly believed that existing culture had corruptedmodern man in all classes of society, and that an entirely new culture was WQ SUMMER 1989 ecessaryif men were to recover their natural goodness. The new religious institutions which Robespierre introduced the cult of the Supreme Being and the worship of Truthat the altar of Reason, as well as the ne w patrioticfestivalsto replace the religious holidays were all intended to be part of what can only be called a cultural revolution. Robespierredid not believe that political, social, and economic changes alone, however radical,would enable men to achieve their full humanity.But while the ideals and the languageof the cultural revolution sound nobler than those of the political revolution,such elevation of thought seems only to authorize greater cruelty in action. Robespierre's domination of the French Revolution lasted for only a short period, from April 1793 until July 1794, when he himself died under the same guillotine which he had used to execute his former friendsand supposed enemies. Moderationwas restoredto the French Revolution after his execution by the least idealistic of its participants a a cynical Talleyrand, pusillanimousSieyes, and a crudely ambitious Napoleon. ikewise, moderation was restored to the Chinese Revolutionby the Chineseadmirersof Richard Nixon. Yet while moderation had been restored to the real historical French of Revolution,the inevitability the returnto was often conveniently ig†normalcy† nored by later revolutionaries. And what of France itself? At first glance, all the majorsubsequent â€Å"dates†of French history seem to be in a revolutionary tradition or at least of revolutionary magnitude- 1830 (Louis-Philippe); 1848 (the Second Republic); 1852 (the Second Empire); 1871 (the Third Republic); 1940 (the Vichy French State); 1945 (the Fourth Republic); 1958 (the Fifth Republic).Yet these headline dates, all suggesting recurrent tumult, may be misleading:Francehas not been wracked by major upheavalsnor 54 1789 that left the structure by social earthquakes of society unrecognizable, as Russia and Chinawere aftertheir revolutions. Continuity may be the most striking feature in Frenchlife. Robertand BarbaraAnderson's Bus Stop to Paris (1965) showed how a village not more than 10 miles from Paris remained unaffec tedyear afteryear by all the great rumblingsin the capital. Are we dealing with a revolutionwhose myth is all out of proportionto the facts?Tocqueville,that most dependableof all politicalanalysts,offersan answer:The major change effected by the Bourbon kings duringthe 17th and 18th centuries was the increasingcentralizationof France and the creation of a strong bureaucracyto administer it. This bureaucracy,in effect, ruled France then and has continued to rule it through every social upheaval and behind every facade of constitutionalchange. This bureaucracyhas providedstabilityand continuitythroughthe ups and downs of political fortune.The French Revolutionand Napoleon, far from making an abrupt break with the past, continued and even accelerated the tendencytowardbureaucraticcentralization. Tocquevillealmost broached sayingthat the French Revolution never happened, that the events not only looked theatrical but were theatrical:The French could afford to have as many revolutions as they pleased, because no matter what laws they enacted, or what persons they placed in their legislative and executive offices, the same civil servants, the functionaries,the members of V would remain Administration, in command. any revolutions can the historian cite as having left the people better off at the end than they were at the beginning? Unfortunatelythe discrepancybetween its mythand its reality may have made the French Revolution a deceptive model for other nations to imitate. The mythtreatedsociety like a neutral, ahistoricalprotoplasmfrom which old corrupt institutions could be extracted and into which new rules for human interaction could be inserted at will. The reality was that France, with its unusually strong state bureaucracy, could withstand the shocks and traumas of radical constitutional upheaval.In modern history, revolution often seems a luxurythat only privilegedpeoples such as the French and the Americansand the English can afford. Less fortunatepeoples, f rom the Russiansin 1918 to the Cambodians in 1975, on whom the burden of the establishedregimes weighed more cruelly, have often enacted their revolutions with catastrophicresults. It is perhaps one of the harsherironies of history that, since the defeat of Napoleon in 1815, the more a country appears to need a revolution, the less likely it will be able to accomplish one successfully. WQ SUMMER 1989 55

Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Keurig Coffee Course Essay

Company Information Company Name – Green Mountain Coffee Roasters and Keurig Coffee Website – http://www.greenmountaincoffee.com Founded in- 1981 Background/History/Company Timeline 1981- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters was established with a small coffee shop. 1993- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, started publicly traded on NASDAQ national stock market. 2006- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc., Acquire KEURIG Coffee Company and started manufacturing single cup coffee. 2010- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. Acquired Diedrich coffee and also bought Van Houtte coffee services company. 2011- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. sold Fresh Filter US coffee services potion of Van Houtte business to Aramark. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. manages its operations through SCBU (Specialty coffee business), KBU (KEURIG business unit), CBU (Canadian business unit) operation units. SCBU makes and sell coffee, hot coco, tea and several other beverages. KBU focus on single cup brewing system which includes coffee, tea hot chocolates. CBU take cares of Canadian market. They sell coffee and tea with other beverages. Mission and Values of GMCR. â€Å"PURPOSE: We create the ultimate beverage experience in every life we touch from source to cup – transforming the way the world understands business. Our MISSION: A Keurig ® brewer on every counter and a beverage for every occasion. Our VALUES: We partner for mutual success. Our boundary  less approach to collaboration creates benefits for all.† (www.keuriggreenmountain.com) SWOT ANALYSIS Strength 1 Strong product portfolio and leader in the market. 2 Loyal customers. 3 All products contribute strong revenue growth. Gives a strong competitive advantage. 4 Corporate image built on strong sustainability initiatives. 5 Good financial strength. Weakness 1 Dependency on china for single cup brewer is a big draw back. 2 Dependency on some retailers companies which are the big potion of revenue. 3 Cost of the products is very high reference to single use at home. 4 Patents of all the sub companies are not so easy to maintain. Opportunities 1 Have several opportunities in the field of different drinks. 2 Have further opportunities to expand to different part of world. 3. Strategic agreements to bolster revenues. Threats 1 Completion in the segments of Coffee is very high. 2 More acquisition there is more challenges to maintain brand value. 3 Demand of high quality coffee is very high. Shortage of coffee beans will be a task. Analysis VIA Porter’s Five Forces Model Porter’s five force model is a good analysis tool for examine the competitive environment. Competitive environment is describes in terms of 5 forces. The threat of new entrants- Customers has new choices day to day. To fulfill the requirement Green Mountain Coffee Roasters needs to be very competitive. They need to find out new products. There are several low cost products in the market which is attracting local public. This can be a threat and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters needs to find out a way to reduce the cost and maintain the quality. Single-cup brewing will have more competition. Some of the companies have good financial resources and good marketing than Keurig. Some of the competitors are Flavia Beverage Systems they are the manufacturer of Mars, Senso brewing system etc. The bargaining power of buyers- Loyal customer is very important for a successful business. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters provides the customers the best they want and the way they want. So buyers are ready to pay the cost. There is less bargaining because of loyal customers. O customers. They may look at some alternate products. But still number of choices is fewer Buyers find very difficult to switch the company as they will not find what they need. So they try to stick with one. This is a competitive advantage to them. Competitors cannot provide what fresh direct can provide. Low dependency on distributors is an added advantage with Fresh Direct. This will reduce the bargaining power of buyers. Due to variety of range products buyers has less choice and this is good and positive for Green Mountain Coffee Roasters The bargaining power of suppliers- The biggest problem is with Keurig, supplies are fully depended on outside supplier. They have only one supplier from China. They can rule GMCR and can affect deliveries and quality. This can over all affect the company performance and business. The threat of substitute product and services- Company has an advantage in their field. There is very less strong competition. They are the leader in the coffee segments. There are several companies who have lowered process cost and cost of the product. They may give strong competition to them. The intensity of rivalry among competitors in an industry- Other manufacturer started giving good offers with comparison to Keurig was offering. Market started to become overpower. This created confusion between customers. They don’t know what product is best.  They were victim of competition. Strategy Used GMCR has strategically taken a good move to expand its business in broader way. The first strategy they used was acquisition of other coffee brand. They acquired Tully’s coffee brand and later they also acquired Timothy’s Coffee. GMCR focused on individual customer in home and offices. They have launched different products which can be used in offices and home. By doing this they have expanded there market share very broadly. â€Å"There were approximately 2.6 million coffee brewers in offices nationwide serviced by a network of approximately 1,700 distributors. Of those offices, GMCR estimated that 12 percent had single-cup brewers, and about half of those were Keurig brewers.8 While Keurig brewers were estimated to be in 30 percent of offices in New England, national penetration in the office channel was only about 6 percent.† (Dess C301) GMCR has covered hotel industry in broader way. They have several hotels in North America which use GMCR products. This was one of the best strategies which worked for expansion of their product range. Issues and Challenges Facing this Company Following issues and Challenges are being faced by GMCR. a) Manufacturer and trade risk- GMCR products are manufacturer in China. They are under risk of delivery and cost. Fully depended on those companies. Any production delay will direct affect the profitability of GMCR. b) Foreign exchange rates may affect the end product cost. c) Government policies and relationship with both country may affect the business. d) Product recall and product liability is a potential danger. Any quality compromise by manufacturer will directly impact GMCR. e) Loosing competitive advantage of GMCR because the products are manufactured in China and possibility of losing technology secrets. f) Risk of Integrated Acquisitions- Lot of risk is there to manage acquisitions, because of company culture and business. g) Risk of fluctuating commodity cost- Fluctuation in commodity will affect the price of Coffee. This can impact  the price of products. h) Risk of coffee availability- there are some very high quality coffee beans (Arabica coffee beans), unavailability of this beans may affect the business of GMCR. Course of action recommended a) Should be very careful while doing acquisitions. Need to look the country culture, company culture and past background. b) Need to develop an alternative of China for manufacturing the products. It can be India. Dependency with china should not be there. c) Need to add different products and expand their list of product based on customers’ requirements. d) Keep closer look on competitors and there technology. e) Keep on improving the products by doing research and development. f) Cover every segment of people with something new for them. Opinion â€Å"As a leader in specialty coffee, coffee makers, teas and other beverages, Keurig Green Mountain (Keurig) is recognized for its award-winning beverages, innovative Keurig ® brewing technology, and socially responsible business practices. The Company has inspired consumer passion for its products by revolutionizing beverage preparation at home and in the workplace.† My opinion GMCR is one of the strongest companies. They have strong financial and strong management. They have a strong strategy which can kill all there competitors. They know how to manage Acquisitions. They have very strong backup with strong companies. They have very loyal customers and keep on adding day by day. They are in offices, house, hotels, restaurants and everybody’s heart. They need to work on their strengths and work in new products to surprise there loyal customers. (March 2014) References 1) Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. Launches 2013 Sustainability Report with New 2020 Targets. March 2014. http://investor.keuriggreenmountain.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=832189 2) Dess. Strategic Management text and cases, 6th Edition. McGraw-Hill Learning Solutions, 2012. VitalBook file. 3) http://www.keuriggreenmountain.com/en/OurCompany/OurValues.aspx

Homeland Security Preparedness Model Research Paper

Homeland Security Preparedness Model - Research Paper Example Homeland Security Preparedness Model The Steering Committee including the Managing Director, the Chief Security Officer and the Chief HSE Officer will design and lay down the plan. And will review the plan and its implementation annually so as to identify any weaknesses in the plan, or control weaknesses in the implementation of the plan and take immediate steps to change them. The Safety Officer will, on a random basis, quiz staff members concerning the Emergency Preparedness Plan and their roles in any drill. This process serves as a source of feedback, which the Safety Officer can use for evaluation of the overall effectiveness of the program. First and the foremost step of the prepared plan are to conduct a Hazard Vulnerability Analysis. Evaluate every possible event in each of the three categories of probability, risk, and preparedness. Add additional events as necessary. A Hazards Vulnerability Analysis can be conducted on need to need basis, and by the committee made for this purpose by the steering committee. Th e report and findings of the analysis shall be submitted to and discussed with the steering committee on monthly basis, until the analysis is final and final report is presented to the steering committee. The Hazards Vulnerability Analysis assists the organization in determining to which hazards it is most vulnerable and to which it is least vulnerable.The inventories prone to catching fire shall be kept in the room where fire detection, protection and extinguishing controls are the most effective and efficient. Communication Channels: Following are the ways in which the employees will be warned and communicated of the hazards or emergency situations: 1. Alarms: The alarm will ring continuously for 2 minutes and then with varying pitch for 5 more minutes. 2. Loud Speakers: Announcements to be made in the speaking language of the employees as well as in the local language so as to facilitate the non-executive staff. Staff Trainings : Employees must know what to do at the time of emer gency, to ensure that this happens, following trainings must be conducted: a. The general overview of the plan, so that the employees know what is in the plan, what actually is a disaster / emergency and how to proceed step by step at the time of a disaster or emergency. Must be conduct once annually and can be conducted half yearly too. b. The training to understand the evacuation and drills,

South Asian Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

South Asian Art - Essay Example As with other figures of Buddha, The Head of Buddha features lakshanas to portray that he is the Enlightened One. The Buddha's bulge on his head signifies his "transcendent knowledge" and excellent mental capacity. It should also be noted that Buddha has long empty ears as he formerly wore big, heavy goal earrings as a prince. However, as he accepted pain and suffering, he took off his power and riches including his royal garment and earrings to be freed from material wealth (Kossak and Watts 27). The Head of Buddha's gesture also shows one important quality of Buddha. We can see that the eyes of Buddha are half-closed signifying that he is very peaceful and quiet. The artist used this gesture to depict this deep contentment in life. The figure shows the image of another reincarnation of the Great Goddess Devi. In Hindu mythology, Parvati is the reincarnation of Sita who killed herself "because of an insult to her husband" (Kossak & Watts 30). Parvati's image in the sculpture, both in shape and in gesture, symbolizes what she came here for-"lure the mourning Shiva to other marriage" (Kossak & Watts 30). Parvati is depicted as very alluring with huge breasts and small waist. Parvati, thus, became a symbol for "fertility, marital felicity, devotion to spouse, asceticism, and power" (Parvati 2).

My Online Personal Presence Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

My Online Personal Presence - Assignment Example   The knowledge that I have gained over the years while studying at the University of Salford would greatly aid me in this task.   In addition, I would also study the literature that is available online regarding the topic. The topics posted would be written in simple English so that they can be easily understood by everyone. Furthermore, I would try and avoid using technical terms as much as possible to ensure that individuals who are not related to the field of BIT could also understand the topic with ease. With each post, the topics would get more and more advanced and would eventually discuss work that is currently being carried out in the field of BIT. Once an article is written it would then be scanned using certain SEO tools that would help detect the number of keywords used and help determine the rank that it would achieve.   Once a satisfactory rank is obtained I would post the article on the blog and publicize it using all the social media profiles I had refined earli er on. Visitors that would read my blogs would also be given the option to post comments and their opinions of what they think about the content of the blog.   The comments would act as feedbacks and would help me spot the areas I am weak in.The basic idea of writing a blog is basically to help me demonstrate my learning and research skills that I have developed over time. The demonstration of these skills would help figure an individual out the level of understanding of BIT I have developed with time.... Once I obtain my master’s degree I would try and gain entry into public service where I would have a chance to work for the betterment of the community. Using the knowledge that I develop during my years as a student I would develop policies that would help in the implementation of public programs and would also aid in the efficient management of employees. Module where I have achieved success: Of all the modules that I have studied so far at the university I have had a great deal of success with Dynamic Web Development and Advanced Web Design modules. One of the main reasons why these modules came so easily to me is because prior to my studies at University of Salford I worked as websites designer. Skills that I learnt there greatly helped me with my understanding of the course and the lectures being given by my tutors. Areas of interest: One of my greatest interests has been regarding social media websites. I have always maintained an account on some of the top social networ king websites over the past few years. Through these websites I have been able to reach a number of individuals and learnt how to optimize my profiles. Through the use of social networking websites I would be able to increase my online prominence and be able to promote various websites and blogs that would relate to my background and would provide vital information about my qualifications and skills. Online identity that requires amendment: Currently I have a number of accounts on various social media websites. The most prominent and frequently social networking websites that I use are Facebook, twitter, Google+ and YouTube. The first task that I was carrying out is that i had

HOW TO ATTRACT MORE BUSINESS MAJORTO QUEENSBOROUGH COMMUNITYCOLLEGE Essay

HOW TO ATTRACT MORE BUSINESS MAJORTO QUEENSBOROUGH COMMUNITYCOLLEGE - Essay Example And this college holds a good reputation which is because of the good quality education provided by the highly qualified faculty in here and also the environment provided by the administration. They provide well-planned curriculum that helps students in learning. It also provides job training program and short courses for businessmen and professionals so that they can excel in information technology. The college offers nine associate degree courses in liberal arts and sciences and fifteen in career development area and ten specialized certificate programs. Transfer program is for the students who are planning to continue their studies after completing this course. After completing two years program from this college they will be transferred to the senior college. Career program is for those students who wish to go for their careers and jobs right after completing their degrees. The most enrolled programs include liberal arts and sciences, business administration and nursing pre clinical. The Business department of Queens Borough College is one of the best in its respect. It has produced many students which are serving in different organization right now. It offers a good combination of courses in Business administration program that covers accounting, marketing, management and information technology etc. One course that is missing in the list is the Human Resource Management. Mostly business students like to opt Human Resource Management (HRM), as it is very popular and they can go in good career after completing their degree in HRM. So I suggest that HRM should be included in the list of the subjects. The Public Relations department should be improved, the first impression that the students get is about the college is from the attitude they receive from Information Desk or Office. So the people employed in Information Desk should be well-mannered and co-operative. The students who want to study Business as their major, wants to persuade their career in this field, so the college must recognize those students and should support them fully in achieving their target. Their target could be achieved by having quality education and the second thing that counts is that how much you are interacting with the real business environment in the city. They must be given assignments and projects that could be done by going to different organizations, like this they would be given a chance to be in contact with business people and the personnel that are sitting in actual market where they will go tomorrow for job hunting. Secondly, the faculty members should also get themselves in contact with the businessmen in the city so that when the students go to any organization, they should be fully recognized and be given proper attention at that place. The method of teaching and the environment in classroom and college must be unbiased towards minorities, like foreigners, African-Americans and women. If it is not, then it's a reason of creating discrimination and also this discrimination is a major reason of repulsion from any place or any environment. If they felt like this, they would never like to come to this place and would never like to study here. Delegations should be sent in high schools and there should be some training sessions for the students also. As they are the ones who will be getting admission in college and will be the one choosing

Role of Banks in Real Estate Financing in Saudi Arabia Research Paper

Role of Banks in Real Estate Financing in Saudi Arabia - Research Paper Example The real estate boom in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has attracted banks to fund the projects in this sector. Banks financing real estate create a win-win scenario for the owners as well as the banks. There are other financiers in real estate including the Saudi Arabia Government. The terms and conditions for the banks and other real estate financiers vary depending on the project and location. Banks have been playing an important role in financing real estate sector in Saudi Arabia increasing the current boom in the sector, lending banks and the real estate owners profit from this arrangement which may be affected by economic and political factors bringing up some challenges which can adversely affect the profitability to the two partners. The real Estate Sector The real estate sector is one of the fastest growing in the world if not the fastest. It is the only sector in the world that has defied the norm currently. Despite recession and economic slow down in most of the countries in the world, the real estate sector continues to grow at a remarkable pace. This has led to increased prices for both developed properties and undeveloped land. Some of the top hotspot markets for real estate in the world today are: China: The most populous country in the world has been getting high demand for housing. Hong Kong, one of the fastest growing

Conversion of Energy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Conversion of Energy - Essay Example Thirdly, fission and fusion reactions possess the capacity turn the energy associated with ordering of subatomic particles into nuclear energy. Fossil fuels pertain to fuels formed out of the organic remains of prehistoric plants and animals that undergo natural process of anaerobic decomposition and these fuels are chiefly comprised in coal, gas, and oil. It normally takes nearly 700 million years for decaying plant and animal matters to be fossilized upon exposure to extreme levels of heat and pressure into usable fossil fuels which are mostly rich in carbon with coal, natural gas, and petroleum by composition. Being a non-renewable source of energy, fossil fuels may be volatile or non-volatile as materials ranging from those of minimal C to H ratios as methane gas and liquid petroleum to materials with heavier carbon content than hydrogen as in the case of anthracite coal. In modern times, fossil fuels are confronted with the perils of continuous depletion at a rate that alarmingl y exceeds that of their production which implies that renewable substitutes with equivalent advantages ought to be discovered and settled at for corrective resolution. Besides being a flexible non-renewable energy source, based on their structure, depositional environment, and thermal reactions, fossil fuels draw a potential attraction due to the fact that most of world’s reserves of oil and natural gas come from deformed rocks whereas a great quantity of coal may be derived from sedimentary rock layers that do not undergo deformation. Sediments are readily found everywhere on which are comprised marine organic matter filled with oil and gas in high proportions to make opulent fossil fuel amounts. Because of low oxygen concentration on environments in which massive deposits are preserved and coal forms that gather toward bogs and swamps, fossil fuels can be acquired with much convenience. Under natural circumstances, fossil fuels are made beyond human intervention since therm al processes may occur spontaneously after decomposing organics goes through preservation to become fossil fuels at a later time. Aside from fossil fuels, biofuels like the ones based on algae are a renewable alternative fuel used in producing electricity. Besides the renewably drawn energy derived through biomass, geothermal energy, hydroelectric energy, wind, and solar powers, good fuel alternatives are present as well in bioalcohols, non-fossil methane and natural gas, ammonia, and vegetable oil. These safer options create possibilities of reducing air pollution since less hazardous substances are involved during the crucial stages of extraction and emission processes. This way, state investments may be allocated for concerns other than for setting up regulations. In particular, heat derived from the earth by means of a natural geologic process has been widely attributed to ‘geothermal energy’ (with Greek words geo meaning earth and therm for heat) and is treated as a remarkable alternative to fossil fuels or other non-renewable ene

Native Americans vs American Settlers Essay Example for Free

Native Americans vs American Settlers Essay There are a number of dissimilarities between the Native Americans and the American Settlers. Although the Native Americans wanted to live in peace with American Settlers, their cultural differences led to warfare. This essay will compare and contrast a couple differences of these two cultures. I will discuss both groups opinion on land and resources. Then, I will explain both groups’ views on Nature. Native Americans Conserved land and viewed its resources as scared, while the Americans felt as though the land was nothing but opportunity for their colonies. While hunting, Native Americans used every piece of the animal from the hide to the bones and everything in between. They respected the land and believed it belonged to mother-nature, so it could not be owned or sold. On the other hand, American settlers viewed the land and its resources as limitless opportunity. It is little wonder they went land-mad, because there was so much of it† (Steinbeck 69). They invaded the lands claiming territory, killing buffalo, and plowing through the grassy plains to make room for their crops. American settlers often fought to try to obtain land that they thought was free for the taking, whereas, the Native Americans tried to live in harmony with nature and its inhabitants. In the movie, We Shall Remain, Native Americans would try and negotiate with the Americans only to be threatened with the violence of warfare. Native Americans believed the creator put everything on this earth to live together and be used respectfully. They accepted nature and did not try to change it. The American settlers, however, didn’t hold the same beliefs. â€Å"The railroads brought new hordes of land-crazy people, and the new Americans moved like locust across the continent†¦ Coal and copper drew them on; they savaged the land, gold-dredged the rivers to skeletons of pebbles and debris† (Steinbeck 69). They viewed nature as nothing more than an obstacle and commodity. American settlers engaged in warfare, defending what they thought they discovered, to claim as their own. They were land hungry and the more they got, they more they wanted. American colonist never tried to understand the Native American’s culture. Instead they tried to push their European based ways onto them. This, in turn, caused a number of wars between the two. Sometimes it’s better to agree to disagree rather than to wage war on what is believed to be right/wrong.

Business Management and Change at Billabong (BB)

Business Management and Change at Billabong (BB) HSC Topic One: Business Management and Change Case Study Billabong Management Theory Behavioural Management Theory Creative thinking and innovation are of greater importance than ruthless efficiency. Managers see their roles primarily as motivating staff communicating the companys vision to customers stakeholders. Workers overcame problems and gave input into the way Billabong was run. Primarily to do with business culture and lack of morale caused by inertia of managers their resistance to change BILLABONG Sources of Change * External influences Economic factors: Negative: level of unemployment and growth/interest rates means less people can afford BBs products Rising incomes in East Asia and South America have helped create new markets Social factors: Changing consumer tastes Increasing tastes in sports such as skateboarding and surfing BMX now included at Olympics increases recognition of sport and clothing Political factors: Protectionism and limiting of imports through tariffs has seen BBs product strengthened in the domestic market Gov emphasising and pushing Aus exports, BB has seen improved overseas sales. Geographic: Pollution of beaches discourages people from surfing Influences what products BB have to release Snow gear in countries like Switzerland and surf gear in markets like Hawaii Internal influences  · E-Commerce Positive: Simplifying logistical and organisational difficulties +: Monitoring and tracking sales à  control Internet website greater relationship/interaction with customers  · New Procedures Private à   Public Comply with legal regulations meant à  financial record systems for annual financial report Tighter control over finances so as to increase return for investors  · Business Culture Management team changed in 1998 when Matthew Perrin and Gary Pemberton bought 49% of BB Now comprised of more professional managers with greater business knowledge and procedures than the original surf enthusiasts who established the business Structural responses to change Outsourcing Production to SE Asia and China Response to economic and financial influences Allows company to focus more on design and marketing Lowers costs to maintain competitive advantage in price-sensitive markets Strategic Alliances Cooperated with Channel V Billabong Music Bus Tour Both had similar target markets Increased brand recognition and awareness Reasons for resistance to change Financial Costs Developing new products such as skateboards and sunglasses requires money Acquiring smaller businesses, eg. Honolua Surf Company cost around $20billion Inertia of owners International expansion brings some risk from the financial backers/owners and therefore saw resistance from shareholders Managing change effectively Identifying need for change BB gained an edge over competitors by being one of the first businesses to expand overseas in the early 1980s Diversifying into skateboarding and accessories increased market share Creating culture of change New management team in 1998 acted as ‘change agents achieved growth by constantly observing and pursuing new opportunities Change Models (force field analysis) Driving Forces Restraining Forces à  revenue New opportunities for staff Year round demand (seasons) Costs of production Lack of new designers Need to hire new managers for new departments Change and Social Responsibility Ecological Sustainability Surfrider Foundation Conservation and regeneration of beaches and foreshores Quality of life Encourages team work and a relaxed atmosphere both in the office and in retail stores BB has a strict ‘no child labour policy and regularly inspects overseas production facilities Cultural Diversity Encourages communication between domestic and international stores/offices Employees are encouraged to transfer between international offices to gain new experiences The Nature of Management  · Management Roles -An interpersonal role is one in which the manager deals with people. Proactive- incorporates dynamic action and forward planning to achieve particular objectives -An informational gathers information within the business and supplys it outside the business -A decision-making role involves solving problems and making choices  · Skills of Management -People Skills -Strategic thinking -Vision -Self-Managing -Teamwork Ethical behaviour Responsibilities to stakeholders include: manage change social justice ecological sustainability compliance with the law codes of practice Understanding Business Organisations with Reference to Management theories  · Contingency Theory  · Classical-Scientific Planning, Organising, Controlling Division of labour, chain of command, autocratic leadership style meaning the manager tends to make all the decisions in the business.  · Behavioural ability to understand and work with people from a variety of backgrounds and different expectations Leading, Motivation, Communication Flatter organisational structure democratic leadership style where managers consult employees to ask suggestions and take them into account when decision making.  · Political encourages the formation of coalitions to promote different points of view. Power and Influence within a business can have both a positive and negative effect. It can be sued to intimidate (negative) or empower others (positive). Legitimate power due to status or position of the person in the firm e.g management Expert power due to a result of a persons skills and expertise Referent power from a persons individual characteristics (personality and charisma) Reward Power to the rewards or compensation a manager distributes Coercive power controls individuals by the actions or words of the manager Negotiating and Bargaining, Stakeholder views, Coalitions Managing Change  · Nature and Sources of Change in Business External Changing Nature of Markets, Economic Influences, financial, geographic, social, legal, political, technological Internal Effects of decelerating technological change, e-commerce, new systems and procedures, new business cultures Structural Response to Change -Outsourcing Flat Structure Strategic alliances Networks  · Reasons for Resistance to Change Financial Costs Inertia of managers and owners Cultural incompatibility in mergers and takeovers Staffing Considerations de-skilling, acquiring new sources, loss of career prospects and opportunities. * Managing Change Effectively Identifying need for change- SWOT anaysis and balance sheets Setting Achievable goals mission statements and company goal Culture of Change Change Models Force-Field Analysis Unfreeze/Change/Refreeze Change and Social Responsibility Social Responsibility is the awareness of a businesss management of the social, environmental and human consequences of its actions. Customers eventually find out which businesses are acting responsibly and which are not. Ecological Sustainability Quality of Working life Technology E-Commerce Globalisation and Managing Cultural Diversity HSC Topic Two Financial Planning The Role of Financial Planning * Strategic role of Financial Planning strategic plan Organisational goals and objectives Managing financial resources * Objectives of Financial management Liquidity -pay debts in the short term (less that 12 months) Profitability ability to maximise profit Efficiency -manage its assets to maximise profits with the lowest possible level of assets Growth increase its size in the long term Return on capital -profit returned to owners or stakeholders as a % of their contribution * The planning Cycle Addressing present financial position e.g revenue, p l statements, budgets Determining financial elements of the business plan Developing budgets Cash Flows Financial reports Maintaining record systems Planning financial controls Financial Markets Relevant to business financial needs * Major Participants in Financial markets Banks Financial companies -provide loans to individuals and businesses e.g personal and secured Insurance companies -loans to the corporate sector through insurance premiums Merchant bks (investment bks) -services such as borrowing and lending to the business sector. Superannuation/Mutual funds provide funds to the corporate sector through the investment of funds received from superannuation contributions The Reserve bank of Australia (Government) -acts as a banker and financial agent for the federal government * The Role of the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) as a primary Market The ASX is the major financial exchange in the country. It comprises the largest primary and secondary markets for companies and individuals wishing to create and exchanges financial assets in the economy * Influences on Financial Markets domestic markets e.g change in inflation, demands for funding, changes in government policies. Companies can be positively and negatively affected. Overseas influences such as world events, foreign exchange rates, tax regulation for foreign operations * Trends in Financial Markets Technology has allowed markets to become more competitive and grow allowing financial transactions all the time. Globalisation will also give overseas investors access to Australian companies and increase opportunities for Australian investors and international markets. Management of Funds * Sources of Funds Internal Owners Equity Retained Profits External Short-term borrowing Bank Overdraft allows a business to overdraw their account to an agreed limit Bank Bills Long Term Borrowing Mortgage Debentures -The company repays the amount of the debenture by buying back the debenture. Finance companies raise funds through debenture issues to the public. Leasing involves the payment of money for the use of equipment that is owned by another party. Factoring is the selling of accounts receivable for a discounted price to a finance of factoring company. Venture Capital is funds supplied by investors to either a new organisation or to an already established business ready to grow or diversify. Grants are provided by the government for businesses to develop and promote international competitiveness. Grants often enable an organisation to become competitive in the global environment e.g exporting organisations. * Comparison of debt to equity financing Debt finance refers to short and long term borrowing from external sources of an organisation Equity Financing refers to the internal sources of finance in the organisation Gearing/Leverage is the proportion of debt to equity which is used to finance the activities of a business Using Financial Information * The Accounting Framework Financial Statements Revenue Statements shows the revenue earned and expenses incurred over the accounting period with the resultant profit or loss. Revenue statements show operating revenue earned from the main functions of the business e.g sales of inventories and the non-operating revenue earned from operations such as rent and commission. It also shows operating expenses such as rent, advertising, insurance. Balance Sheets represent the assets and liabilities at a particular point in time expressed in money terms and calculates the net worth of the business. The balance sheet shows the level of current and non-current assets and liabilities including investments and owners equity. Balance sheets indicate whether it has enough assets to cover debt interest and money borrowed that can be paid assets used to maximise profits if owners are making a good return on their investment * The accounting Equation and Relationships (A) Assets = (L) Liabilities + (OE) Owners Equity The accounting equation forms the basis of the accounting process which shows the relationship between assets, liabilities and owners equity. The accounting equation shows that the assets of the business may be financed by either the owners or by parties external to the business. COGS = inventory + purchases closing stock * Comparative Ratio Analysis By comparing ratios of a firm over time reveals trends and indicate directions for the future. Comparisons with other businesses and industry ratios is often used although can be inaccurate due to differences in companies and industries. Businesses often compare ratios against common standards such as statistics from the ABS. * Limitations for Financial Reports Historic cost accounting states that values are stated at the cost incurred at the time of purchase or acquisition, meaning financial statements will be a mixture of different year figures. Historic cost has been used for a long time although may become inaccurate in times of inflation. Value of Intangibles licences, trademarks, brand names and goodwill. Effective Working Capital (Liquidity) Management * The Working Capital Ratio Working Capital Ratio = Current Assets over Current Liabilities (2:1 ACCEPTABLE ALTHOUGH VARIES) The Working capital ratio shows if current assets can cover current liabilities. * Control of Current Assets Cash Balances are generally kept at a minimum and hold marketable securities as reserves of liquidity. Receivables is important in terms of management of working capital. The quicker the debtors pay, the better the firms cash position. Inventories make up a significant account of current assets and their levels must be carefully monitored so that excess or insufficient levels of stock do not occur. * Control of Current Liabilities Payables must be paid by their due dates due to avoid any extra cash charges imposed for late payment and to ensure that trade credit will be extended to the business in the future. Loans management of loans is important for establishment interest rates and ongoing charges must be investigated and monitored to minimise costs. Overdrafts policies should be used to manage bank overdrafts and monitor budgets on a daily or weekly basis so that cash supplies can be controlled. * Strategies for Managing Working Capital Leasing Factoring Sale and Lease back is the selling of an owned asset to a lesser and leasing the asset back through fixed payments for a specified number of years. Effective Financial Planning * Effective Cash Flow Management The activities of a business are divided into three categories as a statement of cash flows 1. Operating Activities e.g inflow cash and credit, outflow payments to employees 2. Investing Activities -e.g selling of old motorbike, purchasing new property 3. Financing activities- e.g inflow selling of shares, outflow repayment of debt. * Management Strategies distributing payments through out a month or year or different period so that cash shortfalls do not occur payments and bad debt of accounts by debtors can cause shortfalls of cash for businesses at important times. discounts for early payments * Effective profitability Management Cost Control Fixed Costs e.g insurance and salaries Variable costs change with the level of activity within a business e.g materials and labour used in the production of a product e.g fixing a roof. Cost Centres are particular areas, departments or sections of a business to which costs can be directly attributed. Direct costs are those allocated from a particular product, activity, department or region e.g depreciation of equipment used solely in the production of one good. Indirect costs come from shared projects, activities, departments or regions. Staff should be motivated to minimise expenses where possible as savings can be substantial if people take a close look at costs and eliminate waste and unnecessary spending. * Revenue Controls Sales objectives must be at a level of sales that will cover costs (fixed and variable) and result in profit. Changes to the sales mix can affect revenue. Research should be made to identify the effects of sales mix changes before implantation. Pricing Policy affects revenue and therefore impacts on working capital. To attract buyers while underpricing may bring high sales but still result in cash shortfalls. Ethical and Legal Aspects of Financial Management * Audited Accounts An audit is an independent check of the accuracy of financial records and accounting procedures. Types of Audits- 1. Internal conducted internally by employees 2. Management used to review the firms strategic plans and determine if changes need to be made. 3. External required by corporate law to ensure it complies with Australian auditing standards. * Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) ASIC enforces and administers laws and protects consumers in the areas of investment, life, insurance, super and Australian banking. ASIC sets out to reduce fraud and unfair practices in financial markets and products. ASIC ensures that companies adhere to the law. Collects information about companies and makes it accessible to the public. * Corporate Raiders and Asset Stripping Asset Stripping describes the practice of organisations that identify and sell off for a profit, assets of a company, especially one that has been acquired in a recent takeover. Entities that take over other companies and sell off the assets are known as corporate raiders. HSC Topic 3 Marketing Case Study Types of Markets Resource BHP Billiton Industrial Painter Intermediate Gloria Jeans selling cakes Mass IBM Computers Niche ‘Mountain Bike Magazine Developing Marketing Strategies Product and Service Positioning * Qantas was under competitive pressure from Virgin Blue in the leisure market * Qantas wanted to maintain its higher positioned government and business segments * Expanded to a subsidiary Jetstar who were positioned as a value-for-money product Price including pricing methods Price Points * Jetstar International * Base price for seat, Charge $30 for meal, $7 for blanket and amenity kit and $12 for entertainment kit Promotion Advertising * Dell Computers focus much of their advertising to print media * Use inserts/pamphlets/brochures in magazines, typically in the technology liftout section of the newspaper, where their target market is most likely to be reading Place Distribution * Dell distribute products directly, with no intermediaries * Exclusive distribution (no stores), Intensive (internet) * Distribution system is e-commerce Ethical and Legal Aspects Role of Consumer Laws in dealing with Deceptive and Misleading Advertising * Gillette (Duracell) VS Eveready * TV advertisement claims Duracell lasts up to four times longer than ordinary batteries * Eveready claimed the ad infringed the TPA * Independent tests showed the Duracell batteries never last 4x longer * Federal Court ruled Duracell breached the TPA in the areas of misleading and deceptive conduct and false representations about the quality and benefits of goods The Nature and Role of Markets and Marketing Marketing is a total system of interacting activities designed to plan, price, promote and distribute products to present and potential customers. * Types of Markets Resource markets e.g mining, agriculture, forestry and machinery. Industrial Markets purchase products to use in the production of other products e.g buying flour to make bread Intermediate markets (resellers) consist of wholesalers and retailers who purchase finished products and resell them to make profit Consumer Markets e.g cars, clothing, food Mass Market is when the seller mass produces, mass distributes and mass promotes one product to all buyers Niche Markets are micro markets made for buyers who have specific needs or lifestyles * Production Production Orientation 1820s 1920s When a business concentrates on making as many possible goods at the lowest price possible Sales Approach 1020s 1060s When a business concentrates on selling techniques to attract customers Marketing Approach 1060s 1980s When a business collects information on consumer trends to sell its products * The Marketing Concept Consumer Orientation when a business concentrates on maximising customer satisfaction to sell its products Relationship Marketing the focus on encouraging repeat purchases and loyalty to the business by managing customer relations at the time of and after the initial purchase. Elements of a Marketing Plan * Establishing Market Objectives * Identifying Target Market Total Market Approach one type of product with little or no variation aimed at everyone through one distribution system. Market Segmentation approach the market is subdivided into groups of people who share certain characteristics. * Developing Marketing Strategies (examining elements of the 4 Ps) * Implementation, Monitoring and Controlling Financial Forecasting measures the sales potential and revenue forecasts (benefits) for strategies and compares these with anticipated costs. Comparing actual and planned results 1. Sales analysis comparing of actual sales with forecast sales to determine the effectiveness of the marketing strategy 2. Market share analysis/Ratios by comparing competitions market share to their own this can reveal changes in total sales (increase or decrease) 3. Marketing Cost Analysis marketer breaks down the total marketing cost into specific marketing activities to access the effectiveness of each activity. Market Research Process Market research is the process of systematically collecting, recording and analysing information concerning a specific marketing problem. The three steps of the market research process are; 1. Determining information needs 2. Collecting data from primary and secondary sources 3. Data analysis and interpretation -the data that represents average, typical or deviations from typical patterns. The data must be then displayed in way which statistics and figures can be conducted e.g spreadsheets Customer and Buyer Behaviour Customers are classified into two categories: Consumer the process of purchasing goods and services for personal household use. Organisational the purchase of goods and services by producers, resellers and government. Types of Customers Household Personal personal and household spending plays a dominant role within the economy as it contributes to the level of economic activity which affects business profits, unemployment levels, interest rates levels and rate of inflation. The Firms market consists of businesses that purchase goods and services for further processing or for use in their production process. Educational institutes Government Customers Governments spend billions of dollars each year for a wide variety of goods and services ranging from battleships to paperclips. All purchases of the government spend public funds to buy products, the government is accountable to the public, requiring a much more formalised set of buying procedures where firms submit quotes to supply a particular good or service and the lowest bid is generally accepted. * The Buying Process The buying process involves 5 common steps: Recognise the problem need or want requiring satisfaction Search for info brands, product characteristics, warranty, price etc Evaluate alternatives cost and benefit analysis Purchase Evaluate after purchase stability of product, satisfaction gained or dissatisfaction may occur. * Factors influencing Customer Choice Psychological influences e.g perception, motive, attitude and personality Socio-cultural influences e.g family, friends, social class, culture and subculture. Economic Influences -A boom is a period of low employment and rising income. Contraction is a period of slowly rising unemployment with incomes stabilising. Recession sees unemployment reach high levels and incomes fall dramatically. Expansion means unemployment levels start to fall slowly and incomes begin to rise. Government Influences government will put into place policies that expand or contract the level of economic activity. These policies directly or indirectly influence business activity and customers spending habits and such will influence the marketing plan. Developing Market Strategies * Pricing Strategies Price Skimming charging the highest price possible for innovative products Pricing Penetration charges to lowest price possible for a product or service to achieve large market share Loss-leader selling a product below its cost price to attract customers Price Lining a limited number of key prices for selected product lines e.g one line of watches for $35 and a more expensive line at $55 * Pricing Methods Cost-plus margin the total cost of production then adds on amount for profit (mark-up) Market set prices according to the level of supply and demand, when demand is high prices are high Competition based a business chooses a price based on competition, either below, equal to or above * Marketing segmentation and product Mass marketing or a total marketing approach This includes basic food items, water, gas, electricity etc. Concentrated Market Approach -By using the concentrated market approach the business is able to analyse its customer base more closely and design strategies to satisfy this select groups needs, and develop particular products based on customer feedback. Product Differentiation is the process of developing and promoting differences between the businesses products and those of its competitors. e.g jeans with designer labels and washing detergent with brightener additives * Place/Distribution Channels of Distribution or marketing channels are routes taken to get the product from the factory to the customer. The process usually involves a number of intermediaries such as wholesalers, brokers, agents or retailers. To choose the channel of distribution the location is the main contributor of the business market or market coverage (number of outlets a firm chooses for it product). There are three ways a business can cover a market Intensive distribution when a business saturates the market with their product e.g milk, lollies and newspapers Selective Distribution businesses use a moderate proportion of possible outlets where customers are prepared to travel e.g clothing, furniture Exclusive Distribution only one retail, outlet in a large geographical area for exclusive and expensive products. Physical Distribution Transport Warehousing involves receiving, storing and dispatching goods. Inventory controlled through a system that maintains quantities and varieties of products appropriate for the target market.  · Effects on Distribution 1. Technology 2. Local Government Approving new development applications and alteration to existing premises Fire regulations Determining land zoning and the purpose for which a building and land can be used Parking regulations Health regulations Size, shape and location of business signs Ethical and legal Aspects Environmentally responsible products Materialism an individuals desire to constantly acquire possessions Impact of retail development -intensely competitive environment may result in some retailers using questionable marketing practices Sugging Selling Under Guise of a survey, Role of Consumer Law Deceptive and misleading Price- Discrimination Implied Conditions or terms Merchandise quality meaning that the product is of a standard a reasonable person would expect for the price Fitness of purpose meaning that the product is suitable for the purpose for which is being sold. That is, it will perform as the instructions or advertisement implies Warranties Resale Price Maintenance Legislations to respond to ethical and legal aspects of marketing: The Trade Practice Act 1974 is one of the most important pieces of legislation in Australia and has two purposes: 1. To protect consumers from misleading and deceptive conduct 2. Restrictive trade practices to restrict competition as well as ensuring that a number of businesses are operation at any one time in the same market, to avoid the problem of monopolistic power. Fair Trade Act (FTA) is a mirrors legislation that covers sole traders and partnership as well as companies Implied conditions in both Acts: Merchantable quality worth the money Fit for purpose does its jobs. HSC Topic Four: Employment Relations Case Study Managing the ER function Line Management * ALDI Supermarkets * Individual store managers are expected to solve all instore problems there is no ‘area manager or specialist ER department Key influences on ER Social Inf Business Management and Change at Billabong (BB) Business Management and Change at Billabong (BB) HSC Topic One: Business Management and Change Case Study Billabong Management Theory Behavioural Management Theory Creative thinking and innovation are of greater importance than ruthless efficiency. Managers see their roles primarily as motivating staff communicating the companys vision to customers stakeholders. Workers overcame problems and gave input into the way Billabong was run. Primarily to do with business culture and lack of morale caused by inertia of managers their resistance to change BILLABONG Sources of Change * External influences Economic factors: Negative: level of unemployment and growth/interest rates means less people can afford BBs products Rising incomes in East Asia and South America have helped create new markets Social factors: Changing consumer tastes Increasing tastes in sports such as skateboarding and surfing BMX now included at Olympics increases recognition of sport and clothing Political factors: Protectionism and limiting of imports through tariffs has seen BBs product strengthened in the domestic market Gov emphasising and pushing Aus exports, BB has seen improved overseas sales. Geographic: Pollution of beaches discourages people from surfing Influences what products BB have to release Snow gear in countries like Switzerland and surf gear in markets like Hawaii Internal influences  · E-Commerce Positive: Simplifying logistical and organisational difficulties +: Monitoring and tracking sales à  control Internet website greater relationship/interaction with customers  · New Procedures Private à   Public Comply with legal regulations meant à  financial record systems for annual financial report Tighter control over finances so as to increase return for investors  · Business Culture Management team changed in 1998 when Matthew Perrin and Gary Pemberton bought 49% of BB Now comprised of more professional managers with greater business knowledge and procedures than the original surf enthusiasts who established the business Structural responses to change Outsourcing Production to SE Asia and China Response to economic and financial influences Allows company to focus more on design and marketing Lowers costs to maintain competitive advantage in price-sensitive markets Strategic Alliances Cooperated with Channel V Billabong Music Bus Tour Both had similar target markets Increased brand recognition and awareness Reasons for resistance to change Financial Costs Developing new products such as skateboards and sunglasses requires money Acquiring smaller businesses, eg. Honolua Surf Company cost around $20billion Inertia of owners International expansion brings some risk from the financial backers/owners and therefore saw resistance from shareholders Managing change effectively Identifying need for change BB gained an edge over competitors by being one of the first businesses to expand overseas in the early 1980s Diversifying into skateboarding and accessories increased market share Creating culture of change New management team in 1998 acted as ‘change agents achieved growth by constantly observing and pursuing new opportunities Change Models (force field analysis) Driving Forces Restraining Forces à  revenue New opportunities for staff Year round demand (seasons) Costs of production Lack of new designers Need to hire new managers for new departments Change and Social Responsibility Ecological Sustainability Surfrider Foundation Conservation and regeneration of beaches and foreshores Quality of life Encourages team work and a relaxed atmosphere both in the office and in retail stores BB has a strict ‘no child labour policy and regularly inspects overseas production facilities Cultural Diversity Encourages communication between domestic and international stores/offices Employees are encouraged to transfer between international offices to gain new experiences The Nature of Management  · Management Roles -An interpersonal role is one in which the manager deals with people. Proactive- incorporates dynamic action and forward planning to achieve particular objectives -An informational gathers information within the business and supplys it outside the business -A decision-making role involves solving problems and making choices  · Skills of Management -People Skills -Strategic thinking -Vision -Self-Managing -Teamwork Ethical behaviour Responsibilities to stakeholders include: manage change social justice ecological sustainability compliance with the law codes of practice Understanding Business Organisations with Reference to Management theories  · Contingency Theory  · Classical-Scientific Planning, Organising, Controlling Division of labour, chain of command, autocratic leadership style meaning the manager tends to make all the decisions in the business.  · Behavioural ability to understand and work with people from a variety of backgrounds and different expectations Leading, Motivation, Communication Flatter organisational structure democratic leadership style where managers consult employees to ask suggestions and take them into account when decision making.  · Political encourages the formation of coalitions to promote different points of view. Power and Influence within a business can have both a positive and negative effect. It can be sued to intimidate (negative) or empower others (positive). Legitimate power due to status or position of the person in the firm e.g management Expert power due to a result of a persons skills and expertise Referent power from a persons individual characteristics (personality and charisma) Reward Power to the rewards or compensation a manager distributes Coercive power controls individuals by the actions or words of the manager Negotiating and Bargaining, Stakeholder views, Coalitions Managing Change  · Nature and Sources of Change in Business External Changing Nature of Markets, Economic Influences, financial, geographic, social, legal, political, technological Internal Effects of decelerating technological change, e-commerce, new systems and procedures, new business cultures Structural Response to Change -Outsourcing Flat Structure Strategic alliances Networks  · Reasons for Resistance to Change Financial Costs Inertia of managers and owners Cultural incompatibility in mergers and takeovers Staffing Considerations de-skilling, acquiring new sources, loss of career prospects and opportunities. * Managing Change Effectively Identifying need for change- SWOT anaysis and balance sheets Setting Achievable goals mission statements and company goal Culture of Change Change Models Force-Field Analysis Unfreeze/Change/Refreeze Change and Social Responsibility Social Responsibility is the awareness of a businesss management of the social, environmental and human consequences of its actions. Customers eventually find out which businesses are acting responsibly and which are not. Ecological Sustainability Quality of Working life Technology E-Commerce Globalisation and Managing Cultural Diversity HSC Topic Two Financial Planning The Role of Financial Planning * Strategic role of Financial Planning strategic plan Organisational goals and objectives Managing financial resources * Objectives of Financial management Liquidity -pay debts in the short term (less that 12 months) Profitability ability to maximise profit Efficiency -manage its assets to maximise profits with the lowest possible level of assets Growth increase its size in the long term Return on capital -profit returned to owners or stakeholders as a % of their contribution * The planning Cycle Addressing present financial position e.g revenue, p l statements, budgets Determining financial elements of the business plan Developing budgets Cash Flows Financial reports Maintaining record systems Planning financial controls Financial Markets Relevant to business financial needs * Major Participants in Financial markets Banks Financial companies -provide loans to individuals and businesses e.g personal and secured Insurance companies -loans to the corporate sector through insurance premiums Merchant bks (investment bks) -services such as borrowing and lending to the business sector. Superannuation/Mutual funds provide funds to the corporate sector through the investment of funds received from superannuation contributions The Reserve bank of Australia (Government) -acts as a banker and financial agent for the federal government * The Role of the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) as a primary Market The ASX is the major financial exchange in the country. It comprises the largest primary and secondary markets for companies and individuals wishing to create and exchanges financial assets in the economy * Influences on Financial Markets domestic markets e.g change in inflation, demands for funding, changes in government policies. Companies can be positively and negatively affected. Overseas influences such as world events, foreign exchange rates, tax regulation for foreign operations * Trends in Financial Markets Technology has allowed markets to become more competitive and grow allowing financial transactions all the time. Globalisation will also give overseas investors access to Australian companies and increase opportunities for Australian investors and international markets. Management of Funds * Sources of Funds Internal Owners Equity Retained Profits External Short-term borrowing Bank Overdraft allows a business to overdraw their account to an agreed limit Bank Bills Long Term Borrowing Mortgage Debentures -The company repays the amount of the debenture by buying back the debenture. Finance companies raise funds through debenture issues to the public. Leasing involves the payment of money for the use of equipment that is owned by another party. Factoring is the selling of accounts receivable for a discounted price to a finance of factoring company. Venture Capital is funds supplied by investors to either a new organisation or to an already established business ready to grow or diversify. Grants are provided by the government for businesses to develop and promote international competitiveness. Grants often enable an organisation to become competitive in the global environment e.g exporting organisations. * Comparison of debt to equity financing Debt finance refers to short and long term borrowing from external sources of an organisation Equity Financing refers to the internal sources of finance in the organisation Gearing/Leverage is the proportion of debt to equity which is used to finance the activities of a business Using Financial Information * The Accounting Framework Financial Statements Revenue Statements shows the revenue earned and expenses incurred over the accounting period with the resultant profit or loss. Revenue statements show operating revenue earned from the main functions of the business e.g sales of inventories and the non-operating revenue earned from operations such as rent and commission. It also shows operating expenses such as rent, advertising, insurance. Balance Sheets represent the assets and liabilities at a particular point in time expressed in money terms and calculates the net worth of the business. The balance sheet shows the level of current and non-current assets and liabilities including investments and owners equity. Balance sheets indicate whether it has enough assets to cover debt interest and money borrowed that can be paid assets used to maximise profits if owners are making a good return on their investment * The accounting Equation and Relationships (A) Assets = (L) Liabilities + (OE) Owners Equity The accounting equation forms the basis of the accounting process which shows the relationship between assets, liabilities and owners equity. The accounting equation shows that the assets of the business may be financed by either the owners or by parties external to the business. COGS = inventory + purchases closing stock * Comparative Ratio Analysis By comparing ratios of a firm over time reveals trends and indicate directions for the future. Comparisons with other businesses and industry ratios is often used although can be inaccurate due to differences in companies and industries. Businesses often compare ratios against common standards such as statistics from the ABS. * Limitations for Financial Reports Historic cost accounting states that values are stated at the cost incurred at the time of purchase or acquisition, meaning financial statements will be a mixture of different year figures. Historic cost has been used for a long time although may become inaccurate in times of inflation. Value of Intangibles licences, trademarks, brand names and goodwill. Effective Working Capital (Liquidity) Management * The Working Capital Ratio Working Capital Ratio = Current Assets over Current Liabilities (2:1 ACCEPTABLE ALTHOUGH VARIES) The Working capital ratio shows if current assets can cover current liabilities. * Control of Current Assets Cash Balances are generally kept at a minimum and hold marketable securities as reserves of liquidity. Receivables is important in terms of management of working capital. The quicker the debtors pay, the better the firms cash position. Inventories make up a significant account of current assets and their levels must be carefully monitored so that excess or insufficient levels of stock do not occur. * Control of Current Liabilities Payables must be paid by their due dates due to avoid any extra cash charges imposed for late payment and to ensure that trade credit will be extended to the business in the future. Loans management of loans is important for establishment interest rates and ongoing charges must be investigated and monitored to minimise costs. Overdrafts policies should be used to manage bank overdrafts and monitor budgets on a daily or weekly basis so that cash supplies can be controlled. * Strategies for Managing Working Capital Leasing Factoring Sale and Lease back is the selling of an owned asset to a lesser and leasing the asset back through fixed payments for a specified number of years. Effective Financial Planning * Effective Cash Flow Management The activities of a business are divided into three categories as a statement of cash flows 1. Operating Activities e.g inflow cash and credit, outflow payments to employees 2. Investing Activities -e.g selling of old motorbike, purchasing new property 3. Financing activities- e.g inflow selling of shares, outflow repayment of debt. * Management Strategies distributing payments through out a month or year or different period so that cash shortfalls do not occur payments and bad debt of accounts by debtors can cause shortfalls of cash for businesses at important times. discounts for early payments * Effective profitability Management Cost Control Fixed Costs e.g insurance and salaries Variable costs change with the level of activity within a business e.g materials and labour used in the production of a product e.g fixing a roof. Cost Centres are particular areas, departments or sections of a business to which costs can be directly attributed. Direct costs are those allocated from a particular product, activity, department or region e.g depreciation of equipment used solely in the production of one good. Indirect costs come from shared projects, activities, departments or regions. Staff should be motivated to minimise expenses where possible as savings can be substantial if people take a close look at costs and eliminate waste and unnecessary spending. * Revenue Controls Sales objectives must be at a level of sales that will cover costs (fixed and variable) and result in profit. Changes to the sales mix can affect revenue. Research should be made to identify the effects of sales mix changes before implantation. Pricing Policy affects revenue and therefore impacts on working capital. To attract buyers while underpricing may bring high sales but still result in cash shortfalls. Ethical and Legal Aspects of Financial Management * Audited Accounts An audit is an independent check of the accuracy of financial records and accounting procedures. Types of Audits- 1. Internal conducted internally by employees 2. Management used to review the firms strategic plans and determine if changes need to be made. 3. External required by corporate law to ensure it complies with Australian auditing standards. * Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) ASIC enforces and administers laws and protects consumers in the areas of investment, life, insurance, super and Australian banking. ASIC sets out to reduce fraud and unfair practices in financial markets and products. ASIC ensures that companies adhere to the law. Collects information about companies and makes it accessible to the public. * Corporate Raiders and Asset Stripping Asset Stripping describes the practice of organisations that identify and sell off for a profit, assets of a company, especially one that has been acquired in a recent takeover. Entities that take over other companies and sell off the assets are known as corporate raiders. HSC Topic 3 Marketing Case Study Types of Markets Resource BHP Billiton Industrial Painter Intermediate Gloria Jeans selling cakes Mass IBM Computers Niche ‘Mountain Bike Magazine Developing Marketing Strategies Product and Service Positioning * Qantas was under competitive pressure from Virgin Blue in the leisure market * Qantas wanted to maintain its higher positioned government and business segments * Expanded to a subsidiary Jetstar who were positioned as a value-for-money product Price including pricing methods Price Points * Jetstar International * Base price for seat, Charge $30 for meal, $7 for blanket and amenity kit and $12 for entertainment kit Promotion Advertising * Dell Computers focus much of their advertising to print media * Use inserts/pamphlets/brochures in magazines, typically in the technology liftout section of the newspaper, where their target market is most likely to be reading Place Distribution * Dell distribute products directly, with no intermediaries * Exclusive distribution (no stores), Intensive (internet) * Distribution system is e-commerce Ethical and Legal Aspects Role of Consumer Laws in dealing with Deceptive and Misleading Advertising * Gillette (Duracell) VS Eveready * TV advertisement claims Duracell lasts up to four times longer than ordinary batteries * Eveready claimed the ad infringed the TPA * Independent tests showed the Duracell batteries never last 4x longer * Federal Court ruled Duracell breached the TPA in the areas of misleading and deceptive conduct and false representations about the quality and benefits of goods The Nature and Role of Markets and Marketing Marketing is a total system of interacting activities designed to plan, price, promote and distribute products to present and potential customers. * Types of Markets Resource markets e.g mining, agriculture, forestry and machinery. Industrial Markets purchase products to use in the production of other products e.g buying flour to make bread Intermediate markets (resellers) consist of wholesalers and retailers who purchase finished products and resell them to make profit Consumer Markets e.g cars, clothing, food Mass Market is when the seller mass produces, mass distributes and mass promotes one product to all buyers Niche Markets are micro markets made for buyers who have specific needs or lifestyles * Production Production Orientation 1820s 1920s When a business concentrates on making as many possible goods at the lowest price possible Sales Approach 1020s 1060s When a business concentrates on selling techniques to attract customers Marketing Approach 1060s 1980s When a business collects information on consumer trends to sell its products * The Marketing Concept Consumer Orientation when a business concentrates on maximising customer satisfaction to sell its products Relationship Marketing the focus on encouraging repeat purchases and loyalty to the business by managing customer relations at the time of and after the initial purchase. Elements of a Marketing Plan * Establishing Market Objectives * Identifying Target Market Total Market Approach one type of product with little or no variation aimed at everyone through one distribution system. Market Segmentation approach the market is subdivided into groups of people who share certain characteristics. * Developing Marketing Strategies (examining elements of the 4 Ps) * Implementation, Monitoring and Controlling Financial Forecasting measures the sales potential and revenue forecasts (benefits) for strategies and compares these with anticipated costs. Comparing actual and planned results 1. Sales analysis comparing of actual sales with forecast sales to determine the effectiveness of the marketing strategy 2. Market share analysis/Ratios by comparing competitions market share to their own this can reveal changes in total sales (increase or decrease) 3. Marketing Cost Analysis marketer breaks down the total marketing cost into specific marketing activities to access the effectiveness of each activity. Market Research Process Market research is the process of systematically collecting, recording and analysing information concerning a specific marketing problem. The three steps of the market research process are; 1. Determining information needs 2. Collecting data from primary and secondary sources 3. Data analysis and interpretation -the data that represents average, typical or deviations from typical patterns. The data must be then displayed in way which statistics and figures can be conducted e.g spreadsheets Customer and Buyer Behaviour Customers are classified into two categories: Consumer the process of purchasing goods and services for personal household use. Organisational the purchase of goods and services by producers, resellers and government. Types of Customers Household Personal personal and household spending plays a dominant role within the economy as it contributes to the level of economic activity which affects business profits, unemployment levels, interest rates levels and rate of inflation. The Firms market consists of businesses that purchase goods and services for further processing or for use in their production process. Educational institutes Government Customers Governments spend billions of dollars each year for a wide variety of goods and services ranging from battleships to paperclips. All purchases of the government spend public funds to buy products, the government is accountable to the public, requiring a much more formalised set of buying procedures where firms submit quotes to supply a particular good or service and the lowest bid is generally accepted. * The Buying Process The buying process involves 5 common steps: Recognise the problem need or want requiring satisfaction Search for info brands, product characteristics, warranty, price etc Evaluate alternatives cost and benefit analysis Purchase Evaluate after purchase stability of product, satisfaction gained or dissatisfaction may occur. * Factors influencing Customer Choice Psychological influences e.g perception, motive, attitude and personality Socio-cultural influences e.g family, friends, social class, culture and subculture. Economic Influences -A boom is a period of low employment and rising income. Contraction is a period of slowly rising unemployment with incomes stabilising. Recession sees unemployment reach high levels and incomes fall dramatically. Expansion means unemployment levels start to fall slowly and incomes begin to rise. Government Influences government will put into place policies that expand or contract the level of economic activity. These policies directly or indirectly influence business activity and customers spending habits and such will influence the marketing plan. Developing Market Strategies * Pricing Strategies Price Skimming charging the highest price possible for innovative products Pricing Penetration charges to lowest price possible for a product or service to achieve large market share Loss-leader selling a product below its cost price to attract customers Price Lining a limited number of key prices for selected product lines e.g one line of watches for $35 and a more expensive line at $55 * Pricing Methods Cost-plus margin the total cost of production then adds on amount for profit (mark-up) Market set prices according to the level of supply and demand, when demand is high prices are high Competition based a business chooses a price based on competition, either below, equal to or above * Marketing segmentation and product Mass marketing or a total marketing approach This includes basic food items, water, gas, electricity etc. Concentrated Market Approach -By using the concentrated market approach the business is able to analyse its customer base more closely and design strategies to satisfy this select groups needs, and develop particular products based on customer feedback. Product Differentiation is the process of developing and promoting differences between the businesses products and those of its competitors. e.g jeans with designer labels and washing detergent with brightener additives * Place/Distribution Channels of Distribution or marketing channels are routes taken to get the product from the factory to the customer. The process usually involves a number of intermediaries such as wholesalers, brokers, agents or retailers. To choose the channel of distribution the location is the main contributor of the business market or market coverage (number of outlets a firm chooses for it product). There are three ways a business can cover a market Intensive distribution when a business saturates the market with their product e.g milk, lollies and newspapers Selective Distribution businesses use a moderate proportion of possible outlets where customers are prepared to travel e.g clothing, furniture Exclusive Distribution only one retail, outlet in a large geographical area for exclusive and expensive products. Physical Distribution Transport Warehousing involves receiving, storing and dispatching goods. Inventory controlled through a system that maintains quantities and varieties of products appropriate for the target market.  · Effects on Distribution 1. Technology 2. Local Government Approving new development applications and alteration to existing premises Fire regulations Determining land zoning and the purpose for which a building and land can be used Parking regulations Health regulations Size, shape and location of business signs Ethical and legal Aspects Environmentally responsible products Materialism an individuals desire to constantly acquire possessions Impact of retail development -intensely competitive environment may result in some retailers using questionable marketing practices Sugging Selling Under Guise of a survey, Role of Consumer Law Deceptive and misleading Price- Discrimination Implied Conditions or terms Merchandise quality meaning that the product is of a standard a reasonable person would expect for the price Fitness of purpose meaning that the product is suitable for the purpose for which is being sold. That is, it will perform as the instructions or advertisement implies Warranties Resale Price Maintenance Legislations to respond to ethical and legal aspects of marketing: The Trade Practice Act 1974 is one of the most important pieces of legislation in Australia and has two purposes: 1. To protect consumers from misleading and deceptive conduct 2. Restrictive trade practices to restrict competition as well as ensuring that a number of businesses are operation at any one time in the same market, to avoid the problem of monopolistic power. Fair Trade Act (FTA) is a mirrors legislation that covers sole traders and partnership as well as companies Implied conditions in both Acts: Merchantable quality worth the money Fit for purpose does its jobs. HSC Topic Four: Employment Relations Case Study Managing the ER function Line Management * ALDI Supermarkets * Individual store managers are expected to solve all instore problems there is no ‘area manager or specialist ER department Key influences on ER Social Inf