Genre Text Essay

The Real Inspector Hound When you think of the term ‘genre’, what does it exactly mean to you? Well I’m sure it’s without a doubt that you all commonly believe it constitutes either a kind or category of text, but in actual fact does it really? Good morning Year 11. The prime focus of your studies during the HSC course next year, I’m going to discuss how the genre of crime fiction has extended through time, whereby a variety of notions and characteristics exhibited throughout a text may either reinforce, challenge or extend on genre parameters. So what is genre then? Although genre is quite difficult to define, there are numerous interpretations of the term since the confines between genres are constantly evolving due to changing values. As Daniel Chandler states, â€Å"defining genres may not initially seem particularly problematic but it should already be apparent that it’s a theoretical minefield. † However, Jane Feuer believes â€Å"genre is ultimately an abstract conception. † These critics therefore prove that yes, while it may be easy to classify a text to a particular genre, we must understand genre as a concept that can apply to varying applications rather than its fundamental relevance to a text. In saying this, as changing contexts and values have developed over time, resulting in new-found conventions, I’ve come to agree with Stephen Neale’s understanding; â€Å"Genres are instances of repetition and difference†¦ difference is absolutely essential to the economy of genre. † (Neale, 1980). This my friends, effectively reflects constant changing cultural values and attitudes in our social milieu, don’t you think? Hence, my aim today is to focus on the conventions of the genre of crime fiction and how they have been recreated in a number of ways to reflect the social and cultural aspects that are dynamic to their survival within the popularity of a text. As Neale further suggests, â€Å"genres exist to assist in shaping values. † Subsequently, I will discuss how and why Alfred Hitchcock’s film Rear window and Tom Stoppard’s play The Real Inspector Hound have re-worked and extended upon crime conventions prevalent in crime writing through genre, often defying audience expectations in one way or another. As a result, Rear Window highlights and expands upon the cosy conventions of its contemporary society by paralleling the post-war issues of voyeurism and women and subverting them, reflected through its social milieu. The Real Inspector Hound also utilises cosy conventions but parodies them instead, challenging the classical Golden Age’s ‘whodunit’ storyline in a satiric way, so as to query the restoration of justice and the idea of reality vs. allusion. Thus, whilst both texts seek to extend and challenge crime conventions, they also serve to explore society’s human conditions and issues at the time in order to become seminal texts of the genre. Directed in 1954, Hitchcock’s Rear Window reinforces the fact that very few works exemplify all required characteristics of a particular genre, by cleverly breaking the ideal conventions of a suspenseful circumstance in a crime fiction text. The film is rather based around the notion of both solving the crime and proving that it happened. Rear Window further revolves around the concepts of the changing roles of women and queries the morality of voyeurism. Such notions reflect the contextual concerns of the post-war era where a revolutionary social change was clearly prevalent in society, thus endangering the traditional gender restrictions marked by WW2. Through the mis-en-scene of Jeff holding his camera looking outside the window as blinds are swiftly raised to reveal vignettes of apartments, it’s evident that a didactic message outlining the unethicalness of voyeurism is contained within Rear Window. As voyeurism further exposes hidden worlds within the film, Hitchcock manages to reflect upon American society through each of these blocks acting as a microcosm. But it stops there. Quite similarly to our other text The Real Inspector Hound, Hitchcock withdraws from typical crime conventions by not showing the occurrence of the crime itself. This was due to growing conflict between the conservative American government and growing acceptance to sexuality by society at the time, as a result of censorship on films. The concept of voyeurism is cleverly employed by Hitchcock via subverting a cosy setting, a convention to reflect the concept of McCarthyism where there was a fracturing of society due to the paranoia of communism, which was most prominent during the Golden Age. This is illustrated as the camera pans across Jeff’s apartment, focusing on his photography tools and emphasising his infatuation for observing life. Thus, Jeff’s dilemma of being entrapped in his apartment persuades him to do â€Å"something drastic† to remove him â€Å"out of the swamp of boredom,† which metaphorically foreshadows his forthcoming hobby of spying on his neighbours. I’m certain you all must think he’s strange, but the aspect of social insecurity and fear at the time was what Hitchcock was seeking to embody. Where spying begins as an innocent obsession, it soon becomes a neurotic effort to prove Thorwald’s criminal actions. Therefore, after the growing tension depicted through continual panning shots, Jeff takes action which exposes clues in Thorwald’s apartment. However, the consequences of voyeurism are made apparent through the non diagetic sound and quick motion of Jeff falling out the window. Hitchcock hence questions the moral ambiguity of voyeurism due to society’s fear of maintaining social order, by focusing on the depraved aspect of society becoming â€Å"a race of peeping toms. † Despite changing perceptions of females in the workforce, how exactly did Lisa become an amateur detective and femme fatale, whilst presenting the evolving independance and roles of women? In actual fact, Hitchcock broke a key crime convention – there must only be one detective! A high angle shot first characterises Jeff as bound to his wheel chair, and the cast around his injured leg is symbolic of the identity boundary he endures. Consequently, Jeff is left helpless, a frequent motif that’s prevalent throughout the film in which Jeff is metaphorically incapable of embracing his male dominance, hoping to â€Å"emerge from his plaster cocoon. † Thus when Lisa emerges, the dark lighting and shadows surrounding her signifies Jeff’s intimidation, as men were startled by the role of women in the post-war period. By having Jeff restricted at home in a feminised position, Hitchcock underpins Lisa as the amateur sleuth, sustained through her constant dominance over Jeff within the framing. Hitchcock further challenges the authority of women in crime fiction as femme-fatales, whereby negative connotations strengthen the presence of conceited masculinity. Yet Lisa’s strong persona and sheer determination leads to her fatal participation in â€Å"the next assignment,† exhibited in the panning tracking shot of her investigating Thorwald’s apartment, underlining Lisa’s unusual role as a detective and the film’s conclusion of restoration. Subsequently, Hitchcock illustrates the development of crime conventions by challenging traditional crime conventions, via representing the shift in the growing independence and role of women in society, by maintaining both genders as main detectives. Thus, Rear Window not only reinforces and extends upon crime genre parameters, but also reflects society’s changing values, hence explaining why it’s considered a critical crime fiction text even today. Unlike Hitchcock who reinvented some crime writing rules, Stoppard completely goes against them. Whilst Stoppard experiments with the classical Golden Age crime conventions, the crime genre is seen to continuously mirror society’s changing attitude and values. In successfully challenging the audience to interpret whether the perceived distinction between what is real and an allusion in crime is essential, Stoppard also leads them to question the restoration of justice. The perceived distinction between reality and allusion is no longer relevant in today’s post-modern world as it was in the Golden Age, due to changing societal expectations, like Stoppard suggests. He breaks traditional conventions, as the margins of a play-within-a-play have been intersected, demonstrating the blurring of reality. Whilst Rear Window uses a cosy setting to depict society’s issues, Stoppard instead parodies it to demonstrate that a crime isn’t always within its confines, and hence defies crime conventions to outline the irrationality of society. The cosy method of contrivance supports this, being parodied through Mrs. Drudge’s absurd dialogue about the â€Å"somewhat isolated Muldoon Manor, which is surrounded by deadly swamps and fog. † Thus Stoppard criticises S. S Van Dine’s code where â€Å"the detective himself† â€Å"should never turn out to be the culprit,† by forwarding the murderous role onto Puckeridge, whom the audience come to learn as Inspector Hound and Magnus also. This is depicted in the final scene through an exaggerated climax of a string of revelations. For eg. â€Å"I am not the real Magnus Muldoon! It was a mere subterfuge. Stoppard effectively emphasises the melodramatic and absurd situation of the play, by demonstrating multiple pauses and an overuse of explanation points in union with stage directions. Through a variety of dramatic devices, the distinction between reality and allusion is dissolved, as Stoppard denounces the lack of innovation and irrelevancy of crime fiction conventions. Society is further challenged by Stoppard to query the relevancy of the nature of truth and justice within the traditional crime fiction genre. So must there always be a hero within the context of the text? The authorities within the play are not central figures, just like the police aren’t in Rear Window, as justice isn’t achieved. But whilst the police in Rear Window are idiotic, Inspector Hound doesn’t even convey detective traits. Alternatively, Inspector Hound is continuously ridiculed through stage directions. For eg. He is wearing â€Å"inflatable swamp boots and carrying a foghorn,† in his entrance. Therefore, The Real Inspector Hound has eloquently challenged the conventions of crime fiction, leading the play to become a significant crime fiction text as it crucially contributes to the revolution of crime over time. In summation, it’s without a doubt that Hitchcock’s Rear Window skilfully challenges the conventions of crime fiction in such a way that classifies the film as unlike your traditional crime film, as he endeavoured to reflect the cultural values of the post-war era. Moreover, Stoppard also extended upon genre parameters in The Real Inspector Hound by satirising the classic conventions of characters and plot from the Golden Age, whereby he duplicated postmodernist beliefs at a point where it was seen as time for change. Thus, both texts have grown to become seminal crime fiction texts, by cleverly reinventing already established crime conventions in numerous ways.

President of the National Honor Society Essay

As I review the past several years, there are many accomplishments that I can be proud of. I have been able to maintain a 3. 95 grade point average while in high school. At the same time, I have had the good fortune to act as President of the National Honor Society at Keller High School. I have also been able to lead the drum line battery of the school marching band as the Captain. I have also dedicated much of my spare time to working with youth at Gateway Church as a Youth Group Leader. Finally, I was given the chance to be nominated as Keller High School’s Homecoming King in 2008. All of these accomplishments have helped shape the person I have become. However, the most significant experience that has impacted my life was the time I spent at the Dream Center in one of the many slum neighborhoods of Los Angeles. â€Å"No red or blue clothing,† is what caught my attention as I embarked on the journey to Los Angeles. Simply wearing the trademark colors of the famous Bloods and Crips gangs was something to be avoided. This rule stuck with me more than any other rule or guideline that I had been presented with. Suddenly, the task I was about to undertake became real and I was honestly frightened about what I was going to see. I had been given vivid illustrations about the poverty and death that I was about to witness. However, growing up in an upper middle class neighborhood didn’t prepare me for the reality that many people face each day. I asked myself how do I pray for people whose best days are not even comparable to my worst days. Soon I was able to see firsthand where I would be staying for the next two weeks as I tried to find an answer. The building was called the Dream Center. The fact that I grew up in an affluent neighborhood didn’t prepare me for the horrid accommodations I would be living with. Before settling in I was given a nametag that identified me as a member of the Gateway Church. Although needed for identification, my badge was as irrelevant as a Christmas tree on Halloween. For two weeks I would not be known by the affluent suburb of my origin, but I would be known as a fifteen year old, six foot two, African American male who was a temporary guest of a fifteen story homeless shelter. I accepted my nametag and proceeded to my room. I quickly took in my surroundings and came to the conclusion that my temporary living quarters could certainly be compared to a prison. The room was stark and devoid of any emotion or color. The white walls made the room appear harsh and unfriendly. My roommates and I had only three bunk beds, a nightstand, a closet, a toilet, a sink and six towels, which made for uncomfortable conditions. However, this simplicity allowed us to step outside our comfort zone and prepare ourselves for the work ahead. The white-stained walls, questionable mattress stains, unfamiliar smells, and random bed linens left our young imaginations to do their work, but there wasn’t time to dwell on it – there was work to do! This work was rewarding. There were many opportunities to serve, both individually and as part of a larger group. Some of these missions were optional and some were mandatory. However, this didn’t matter. What truly mattered was the work I was able to engage in so that I could make a small attempt to improve the lives of others. I was able to feed the homeless, work with the children’s ministry and work with the food truck ministry. After a very short time, I realized the dedication of the permanent staff at the Dream Center. I only had the night to rest and I was constantly busy with one task or another during the day. I began to look up to the people who did this job each and every day. During my free time, I engaged in Bible study, prayer groups and devotions in order to prepare for the most challenging and demanding event that was to come. It was an event that would change my life forever. On July 19, 2007 at 5:00pm I began to prepare for a journey that would impact the course of my future. The Skid Row Missions leader gave a short thirty minute preparation speech about the mission I was about to embark upon. â€Å"You are about to embark on one of the most rewarding, frightening, and most dangerous events of your life,† are the words that I will never forget. He led a prayer, gave instructions and also gave caution about the danger of the job I was about to do. I looked around at the others in my group and saw similar emotions on their faces – I was excited and I was scared but the most intense emotion I was feeling was eagerness to go out and do something for someone in need. â€Å"Be smart, be alert, be careful, and trust in God†, our church leader warned as we boarded the fifteen-passenger Ford vans that would take us from relative safety to the harsh and dangerous street known as Skid Row. The van weaved in and out of the notorious Los Angeles traffic making me feel as if I were riding a rollercoaster. I took in my surroundings as they turned grim and dark. The skyscrapers were shot into the darkening sky like a bullet fired to start the Kentucky Derby. New technology and infrastructure meshed with old landmarks to create eye candy for everyone who paid any degree of attention. My excitement began to fade as I saw the sign. The massive green sign that said â€Å"SKID ROW-NEXT EXIT†, reminded me that it was time to become alienated in the new world I was venturing into. I immediately began to sense darkness and death even though it was daylight and everyone around me was alive. My fear soon faded and was replaced with an inner peace from God that told me that I was right where I needed to be. One member of our group voiced what we were all thinking, â€Å"Is this safe? † It didn’t matter anymore – what mattered was that we had arrived and we had a job to do. We couldn’t have known that this simple question would come up again and again as we did our ministry work. We began our ministry by passing out Ozarka water and Famous Amos cookies. We were immediately tested by a large African American male in tattered clothing. He asked for two waters but we had been specifically instructed to only give out one water and one snack to each person. After five minutes of listening to escalating expletives as unpredictable as an F-5 tornado in Texas, we finally gave him a second water. We feared enough for our safety that we felt we had no choice. We continued our work under a thinly disguised veil of complete terror. As we proceeded down the dark streets, I had to constantly remind myself that I was not watching a movie. The people I saw were real and were suffering from very real afflictions. I was able to look past this reality by praying for the people I came into contact with. I prayed for healing, strength, jobs, addictions and sickness and many other things that were on the hearts of these poverty-stricken people. As I prayed, I also began to ponder the images I was seeing. The images began to way heavy on my heart and I wondered how people could live this way. The most important question I asked myself was, â€Å"Why isn’t anyone doing something about this? † I received my answer when I realized that I was doing something. It was something small but it was something. As the trip to the Dream Center came to an end, I was left with a heavy heart and a deep passion to help the poverty-stricken people living in Los Angeles. The Gateway Church youth group was able to break apart my arrogant, spoiled mentality so that I could move toward the mentality of someone who is in survival mode. I stepped into someone else’s everyday life, and had to survive based on the little that I knew. I learned that the world is very different than the small corner of the world where I live. It is my job as someone who has experienced the troubled world to tell other people what the real world is like, so that we can work together to be the voice of the people who struggle to simply survive. I will no longer consider perfect grades and being crowned Homecoming King as my most important accomplishments. Instead, I now know that the events of this trip did more to help me develop into the man I am today and they also set the precedent for the man I will be in the future.

Implementing Leadership Change

Implementing Leadership Change Introduction Leadership refers to an active activity undertaken by someone whose position on a vertical, and usually formal, hierarchy provides the individuals with the resources to lead. Such individuals exhibit and have some degree of mandate over other individuals within any given organization, on certain issues that affect the routine running of the organization. They influence the aid and support of others in the accomplishment of a common task.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Implementing Leadership Change specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Leadership is traditionally related to a spatial position in a formal or informal organization. It entails setting a new direction for a given group. Management is used to control and direct people and resources available in a group, according to the already established principles and values within a given organization (Grint, 2010). Leadership, management and size An org anization is a collective association of a variety of individuals who possess varied opinions, values, aspirations, cultures, and other individual characters, which are self-centered on individuals. The size of the group has a significant impact on both leadership style and effectiveness. The greater the size of the organization, the more the diverse distribution of such individual characters and the more the chances of conflict arising within the individuals and their leaders. Participative leadership styles are more difficult and consume lots of time for individual attention. There is reduced individual participation, interaction, stability, and communication resulting into reduced effectiveness of leadership within large groups. The standard of leadership within large groups is lowered due to less scrutiny by team members, hence causing laxity in duty performance. There is a feeling of inequality by the individuals at the expense of the leadership because not all the individuals will be satisfied by the present leadership. The systematic leadership approach used may be viewed as inappropriate by majority of opinionated individuals who gang up to criticize leadership perspectives. Such factors affect the management control activities through breaching of the principles of the organization because the larger the group the less effective the management of the resources and their effective distribution.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Strategies Funds are a major factor affecting productivity of any given organization. An increase in funding will ensure that the basic working equipments, human labor, and other factors of production are increased by a marginal percentage leading to an increase the overall productivity of the organization and an increase in the profitability and efficiency of service delivery guaranteeing an increased retur n on capital investments of the company. Increased funding while going public will ensure the popularity of the organization, and a greater penetration into the corporate world. This strategy will enable the organization to have competitive advantage within the years increasing the quality of production and service delivery. Development and introduction of new products will enable the company minimize competition from other substitute products from other companies. Adoption and acceptance of the new products into the market will increase daily sales, income, and overall profit of the company because the products are unique and produced by only one company. This will enable the company have a constant clientele because of the introduction of the new products. However, this majorly depends on the tastes and preferences of the consumers. If the new products are concurrent with the consumer’s needs, there will be increased consumption. In addition, reasonable time will be investe d in consumer orientation of the new products while in the markets which would marginally affect the desired outcomes of the company (Chakravarthy, 2003). Conclusion Both leadership and management control are vital in the effective running of any organization, because they are both geared towards a common goal to be achieved within the organization. References Chakravarthy, B. (2003). Strategy process: shaping the contours of the field. Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?id=1SQe50oIcwsCprintsec=frontcoversource=gbs_atbredir_esc=y#v=onepageqf=trueAdvertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Implementing Leadership Change specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Grint, K. (2010). Leadership: a very short introduction. New York: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?id=uRRtl6GRpiICprintsec=frontcoverdq=Leadershiphl=enei=KvACTrKZMsSCOou96fcNsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resul tredir_esc=y#v=onepageqf=false

Strategic Analysis of McDonalds Corporation

Strategic Analysis of McDonalds Corporation Business Overview McDonald’s Corporation is the world’s largest fast-food chain that serves over 69 million customers in approximately 34,000 outlets that are spread across more than 115 countries. Founded in 1940, the company is highly reputable because of its globally recognized brand.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Strategic Analysis of McDonald’s Corporation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More It operates on a franchise business model where majority of its businesses are operated through franchises that are spread across the world with few of its outlets being company owned. With a revenue of over USD$2.56 billion in the 2011/2012 financial year, the company continues to dominate in the fast-food industry, despite the increasing competition from other players. The company’s fast food business is characterized by high efficiency of running its operations and serving its customers. This p aper provides a strategic analysis of McDonald’s Corporation with the aim of presenting strategic management recommendations that will give the company a competitive advantage to retain its leadership position in the fast-food industry. External Environment and Competitive Position Industry Analysis McDonald’s Corporation operates and competes in the fast food industry. The industry is characterized by a high level of competition, sale of cheap food products, and different regional growth rates. The high competition in the sector is due to the extremely low barriers in the industry’s operations. For example, while McDonald’s has the largest market share in the USA, this share is only at 26% while the smaller fast-food restaurants hold a combined market share of 55%. The global fast-food industry is a multibillion dollar industry with over USD$ 500 billion of revenue that is recorded annually. In the United States, the fast-food sector accounts for USD$120 billion of USD$ 600 billion restaurant sales. The industry has been affected by a change in social and economic trends across the world. For instance, in the last five years, the sector has experienced a slow growth of 3.5% due to the global economic meltdown of 2007/2008, which greatly reduced the disposal incomes for customers across the world. Further, the rising awareness on health risks that are associated with the intake of high fat, salt, and sugary foods has also been a blow to the growth of the industry. However, it is projected that the industry will continue to grow through 2019, with more growth activity in the emerging markets such as China, Asia, and Africa.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Another important industry trend is the increasing cost of doing business because of soaring food and energy prices. For example, after labor, food, and beverages account for the biggest share of costs in the fast-food industry, representing 33% of all costs. An increase in the prices of food and beverage has a significant impact on the bottom-line of fast food companies and that McDonald’s is no exception. International expansion is increasingly playing an important role in bringing revenues for fast food companies, which are experiencing slow or stagnated growth rates in the mature markets of the US and Europe. For instance, international business franchises for McDonald’s account for 60% of its revenues and 50% for a McDonald’s competitor, namely ‘Yum Brands’ . Another important trend in the industry is the growing middle class in developing countries. The trend represents an expanding ready market for fast-food industry players (Thompson, Strickland, Gamble, 2008). Five Forces Model Analysis for McDonald’s Porter’s five-force model describes an organization’s strategy as the steps a nd actions that are geared towards attaining competitive advantage in its industry. Five-force model analysis allows an organization to study competition in five different areas, including providers’ negotiation authority, clientele bargaining command, threats of substitutes, pressure of latest entrants, and opposition. In the case of McDonald’s, the threat of new entrants and rivalry is very high due to the low barrier of entry. Establishing new restaurants requires a relatively low capital outlay and no existing customer base. Further, with the option of leasing premises and equipment, the cost of establishing new business in the sector becomes even lower. In addition, the industry’s saturation is high, although it has monopolistic tendencies where few outlets dominate the market, with the rest sharing a minimal percentage of the remaining market share. However, despite the easy entry into the market, new entrants do not find it easy while competing with the a lready established companies such as McDonald’s and Yum Brands, which have strong brands, strategic locations, and financial resources to roll out extensive marketing and advertising campaigns.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Strategic Analysis of McDonald’s Corporation specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Further, with well-established relationship with suppliers, established brands have a relatively advantaged position in the access of raw materials. Secondly, the threat of substitutes is very high in the fast food industry. For instance, many people can opt to prepare and eat food from the comfort of their homes. Secondly, there is minimal differentiation between the products offered in different fast-food restaurants. Further, since there are no switching costs for consumers to other substitutes, the threat is very high. To curb these threats, McDonald’s must focus on price competition, quality of service, and a reduction in operation costs in order to reduce the threats of substitutes. Thirdly, the bargaining power of customers exerts moderate to low pressure on the industry. For example, McDonald’s is increasingly promoting differentiated products such as â€Å"Big Mac† among others. However, although there are many substitutes and no switching costs, industry leaders such as McDonald’s position the process of their products in relation to their major rivals and within the prevailing market price elasticity and competition. High brand value and customer loyalty play an important role in reducing the bargaining power of buyers. Fourthly, the bargaining power of suppliers is moderate due to the presence of a global supply chain. However, some areas of supplies such as the supply of soft drinks that are dominated by few suppliers such as Coca Cola and Pepsi mean that such companies have a considerable bargaining power over the fast-food industry player s. Fifthly, competition rivalry in the industry is moderate to high. For instance, although McDonald’s and Burger King hold a higher share of the ‘burger segment’, the market as a whole is dominated by small fast-food companies spread across the world.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The competition is majorly cost-based where firms are continuously investing in cost effective production and service processes to gain competitive advantage over rivals. With low costs of exit and the capacity to expand through franchising, the competition is cutthroat for industry players. However, the most popular tact of fighting competition is through branding. For instance, McDonald’s spends approximately USD$650 million each year in its branding activities. Internal Environment and Competitive Position SWOT Analysis SWOT Analysis for McDonald’s Strengths Weaknesses Strong financial performance and leadership in the industry Strong global brand identity and recognition Experience in the industry spanning over 60 years Risk diversity of the company due to its presence in diverse markets that are geographically differentiated Strong relationship with suppliers which ensures stable access of inputs for the company Low prices and high quality products Strong brand name, image, and reputation locally and internationally Cost effectiveness of production processes A bad image on unhealthy food products Bad working conditions for workers leading to high employee turnover including the top management Low differentiation of the company’s products from those offered by its rivals Many legal problems and actions related to health issues in the company’s products such as in the use of trans fat beef oil High customer turnover and loss to fierce competition Opportunities Threats Emerging market growth in Asia and Africa Product innovation and differentiation Increasing demand for healthy foods Global growth of the fast-food industry Response to social changes such as healthier lifestyles through production of healthier products Increasing diversification and acquisition of other fast food restaurants Growing opposition from consumer groups on the company’s operations in the US especially on health concerns I ncreasing competition both domestically and international as rival’s position themselves to take market leadership Global market volatility due to recession and currency fluctuations Value Chain Analysis The value chain analysis identifies the mix of activities that allow an organization to remain competitive in its industry. Through the value chain analysis, an organization is able to categorize the generic value-adding activities that it undertakes. The model consists of an analysis of organizations’ activities that are categorized as primary and support activities. The primary value chain activities include inbound logistics, operations, outbound logistics, marketing and sales, and service. These activities are supported by other activities that include technology, cost advantage, infrastructure, human resource management, procurement, and infrastructure. At McDonald’s, inbound deliverables represent the goods and products that are coming into the compan y for the production of its final products. The company purchases its inputs such as raw vegetables and beef from fixed and pre-defined suppliers. The company is actively involved in the activities of its suppliers to ensure quality and reduced costs, which ensure value addition for the final products for its customers. In terms of operations, McDonald’s has a well-established operations management apparatus that touches on all areas of production, including inventory management, food production operations, and logistics management. In terms of outbound operations, McDonalds strives to provide the highest quality products and services at the greatest value to customers. Further, the company seeks to provide its services in a clean and welcoming environment. For instance, its close involvement with its suppliers, employees, and franchisees serves its commitment of offering the highest quality products for its customers. Its focus on energy conservation, sustainable packaging, and waste management further illustrates the company’s dedication and desire of building a sustainable, environmentally friendly, and profitable business. In terms of marketing and sales, the company’s activities are spread across more than 115 countries worldwide, serving more than 69 million customers daily. The company also employs more than 1.5 million people, thus making it one of the world’s leading employers. McDonald’s has increased its shareholder dividends for 25 consecutive years. This observation is a clear indication of its success in its core business and desire to offer value to its shareholders (Thompson, Strickland, Gamble, 2008). Its extensive advertising campaigns cover the mainstream media, billboards and signage, and sponsorships of sports among others. The support activities for the company are important in helping the successful implementation of the primary activities. For instance, the company strives to have modern and sophistic ated infrastructure, which also involves the use of ICT. The company also strives to offer welcoming and environmentally friendly restaurants in all its locations. It provides services such as free Wi-Fi and other services such as kids play areas to ensure that customers feel well attended. On human resource management, although the company has one of the highest employee turnovers, it remains one of the leading employers in the world. Looking to the future, technology will play an important role in the company’s growth. Currently, the company has successfully applied technology in some areas of its operations such as the management of procurement through its E-Procurement portal for all its restaurants, a plan that has made it cut costs by 85%. Competitive Strategy McDonald’s competitive strategy is built on three key strategies that include cost leadership, differentiation, and focus. In terms of cost leadership, the company strives to offer its products at the best rates in the industry. To achieve this goal, the company has invested heavily on technology and innovation to help cut the cost of production of products without compromising on quality, hence creating value for its customers. In terms of differentiation, although the company works in an industry that has little differentiation of products, McDonald’s strives to offer differentiated products in terms of quality and cost. For example, its Big Mac is one of the most popular products. Further, by striving to ensure cleanliness and environmental friendliness, the company strives to offer differentiated high quality services for its customers. Strengthening Competitive Position It is important for McDonald’s to find ways of strengthening its strategies to remain in its prevailing competition position. One of the strategies that McDonald’s company uses is the cost effectiveness strategy to ensure that the costs of doing its business do not erode its strong financial b ase. For instance, through close involvement with its suppliers, the company is able to cut the costs of input products by a large margin. Further, the usage of technology plays an important role in driving cost effectiveness. For example, the company’s E-Procurement system, which has seen a reduction of costs of purchasing by 85% ensures that its franchises are able to remain profitable and hence ensuring that the company’s operations across the world last longer. The company responds defensively to competition as it is evident through its USD$500 million marketing and advertising programs that are aimed at cementing the company’s leading position. Further, through innovation and response to health concerns by customers, the company has responded effectively by introducing products such as ‘light meals’ that are aimed at attracting and maintaining its health-conscious customers. The Global Market Place McDonald’s is a global company with ope rations that are in line with its international expansion plans of establishing its presence in all corners of the world. Franchising is the main method through which McDonald’s enters new market. So far, the company has been highly successful. For instance, 60% of the company’s revenues are from international markets, a clear indication of its success in international markets. The company has attained a competitive advantage over its rivals through its global expansion. Firstly, with the mature markets such as the USA and Europe having little space for expansion, venturing into international markets has allowed the company to achieve its much-needed growth to segment its market position. Further, with revenue source distribution, the company has been able to achieve revenue growth through major crises such as the 2007/2008 financial meltdown. To continue its expansion trajectory, there is a need to visit more regions in its already established international markets, w hich it has not been able to serve completely. Corporate Strategy: Business Diversification In the last 10 years, McDonald’s has focused on expansion and diversification within its core business of fast foods. For instance, in 2003, the company sold Donatos Pizzeria, which it had operated for four and half years, citing increased operational costs of running the company. This situation was in line with its revitalization plan of seeking to increase operational efficiency, product development, and marketing and advertising. In response to increasing health concerns regarding the company’s products, McDonald’s has sought to diversify its menu by adding new healthy food options for its increasingly healthy customers. Such approaches have allowed the company to achieve not only high profitability but also retain its customers by responding effectively to their preferences. Looking ahead, the company must strive to introduce new products or redesign its existing prod ucts to reflect the health culture that is threatening to affect the fast-food industry. Ethical, Social Responsibility, and Environmental Sustainability McDonald’s ethical, social, and environmental sustainability is built on the desire of ‘making a difference’. The organization pledges on ensuring that its business is ethical, truthful, and dependable. This pledge is reflected in the company’s mission and values. The company’s brand mission is to be it clients’ preferred choice and way to get food and drink. Further, the company’s â€Å"Plan to Win† statement indicates its commitment to exceptional customer experience. The company’s values reflect its ethical, social, and environmental responsibility where it is committed to giving back to community, operating its business ethically, and growing its business profitability. The company conforms to its ethical statements by practicing honesty, fairness, and integrity. On social responsibility, the company is involved in many community projects whenever it operates. For instance, through its Ronald McDonald House Charities, the company has supported over 7 million children and families. On environmental sustainability, the company understands that its activities have the possibility of affecting the environment due to the high quantity of products that are consumed each day. In this case, the company has an elaborate set of standards that its suppliers must adhere to while producing the company’s inputs. The company also has initiatives that focus on energy conservation, sustainable packaging, and waste management. To remain competitive, the company must increase the level of community involvement in areas where it operates. Further, through the adoption of technology, the company can reduce its energy consumption and wastage as a way of promoting environmental sustainability of its activities. Strategy Execution: Building the Capability to Ex ecute Strategy The execution of a company’s strategy can only be achieved through its people. It is important for McDonald’s company to build its capacity to execute the proposed strategy. Firstly, the company has a large financial base, a well-trained human resource, and a well-established structure to support the execution of the product (Aaker McLoughlin, 2010). The company has a clear and streamlined decision-making structure at every operational level. Further, the company’s support and involvement with its franchises makes it easy to execute and implement strategic decisions. One of the key strengths of the company is its hiring and training practices, which allow it to attract highly trained and experienced top-level management personnel. Further, the elaborate training that new employees undergo ensures consistency, which is effected throughout the organization’s services. However, a different structure will work best for the company. For example , a structure, which focuses on improving the sharing of information and motivation for the employees, will ensure a clear understanding of the requirements of the strategy. Further, the right motivation will promote employee loyalty whilst reducing the high turnover of employees, which may derail the organization’s ability to implement the strategy successfully. Strategy Execution: Managing Internal Operations McDonald’s employs over 1.8 million employees, making it one of the leading employers in the world. The company’s compensation program is aimed at attracting, retaining, and engaging highly talented individuals at all levels. However, the high rate of employee turnover at the low and middle levels is a cause for worry. There is a need for the company to motivate its employees by providing better compensation and working environment. However, the company provides benefits and compensations, including medial, vacation, incentives, recognition programs, prof it sharing, and employee and dependent insurance cover. Despite the power of an effective information system, the company has been unable to effectively identify and understand its employee needs. Such understanding can help it to best execute its strategy. The executive packages for the company’s decision-making team are some of the highest in the industry. The top three executives earn more than USD$ 25 million in combined annual monetary benefits. For instance, the CEO earns approximately USD$9.5 million annually. However, there is a big disparity between the earning of the executive and the lowest employee earnings where the CEO earns approximately 380 times more than what the lowest employees earn. For the company to eliminate this disparity, there is a need to increase the wages of its lowest employees. Conclusion: Strategy Execution: Leadership The following is a summary of the recommendations that the company must adopt to improve its strategies that are aimed at main taining its competitive advantage and leading position in the fast-food industry. The company must put in place a 5-year strategic plan through which it will execute the goals of its strategy. In putting a calculated plan in place, the company will ensure that it sets its eyes on achieving the goals of its strategy. The fast-food industry is very competitive and dynamic. It is important for the company to strive to retain competitive advantage in the sector. There is a need to replicate the success of the company’s E-Procurement across other areas of operations in order to cut operational costs and hence gain competitive advantage in the industry. This observation represents the potential of technology in promoting the success of the company’s strategy. Further, as the company’s customers become health conscious, it is important for it to offer healthy alternatives of its products. The leadership of the company must also recognize that its strategy can only be s uccessful through its people and hence the need to put in place measures that will bring onboard all the company’s personnel. Reference List Aaker, D., McLoughlin, D. (2010). Strategic Market Management: Global Perspectives. London: Wiley. Best, J. (2009). Market Based Management: Strategies for Growing Customer Value and Profitability. New York, NY: Prentice Hall. Datamonitor. (2012). McDonalds Case Study: Remaining Relevant in a Health-conscious Society. Oxford: Miami University. Han, J. (2008). The Business Strategy of McDonalds. International Journal of Business Management, 3(11), 71-74. Hossain, T., Wang, S. (2008). Franchisors Cumulative Franchising Experience and Its Impact on Franchising Management Strategies. Journal of Marketing Channels, 15(1), 43-69. Harrison, J. (2009). Foundations in Strategic Management. Los Angeles: SAGE. Kotler, P., Armstrong, G. (2008). Principles of Marketing. New York, NY: Prentice Hall. Lawler, E. (2008). Talent making people your comp etitive advantage. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Lury, C. (2011). Consumer Culture. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University. Mullins, J., Walker, C., Boyd, H. (2009). Marketing Management: A Strategic. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Higher Education. Otto, T., Waterson, M. (2012). Retail chain expansion: the early years of McDonalds in Great Britain. London: Center for Economic Policy Research. Rusten, G., Bryson, J. (2010). Industrial design, competition and globalization. Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillan. Thompson, A., Strickland, J., Gamble, J. (2008). Crafting and executing strategy: the quest for competitive advantage: concepts and cases. Boston: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Tollin, K., Carà ¹, A. (2008). Strategic Market Creation: A New Perspective on Marketing and Innovation Management. Cambridge: John Wiley and Sons.

What Are the Benefits of Earning an IB Diploma?

In past posts on the blog , you may have noticed that when we talk about AP courses and exams , we sometimes mention another acronym that may not sound as familiar to you: IB. This stands for International Baccalaureate , and represents another advanced educational option for high school students that exists alongside the AP program. While the IB program isn’t as popular as the AP program in the United States, it can definitely be a worthwhile option for those who have access to it. In particular, earning an IB diploma, which requires that you take certain courses and fulfill additional academic and extracurricular obligations, can be an impressive qualification to add to your resume. Read on for more information about the IB Diploma Programme and how an IB diploma can enhance both your high school experience and your college prospects. International Baccalaureate is an overarching organization that administers a number of different educational programs for students ages 3 to 19. Its curricula are used by specially trained teachers at certified schools throughout the world, and it prides itself on providing â€Å"rigorous, high-quality education† to its students. The most familiar IB program to high school students in the United States is the IB Diploma Programme, or IBDP, which is offered to students between the ages of 16 and 19. When you hear about â€Å"IB courses† being offered at a high school, it means that that school has been certified to offer the IBDP. (Students may be able to take some IB courses without enrolling in the full IBDP curriculum.) In some ways, the IB program is similar to the AP program—it’s a way for high school students to take advanced, rigorous courses. However, there are two main differences. For one thing, the IB program is much less popular than the AP program among high schools in the United States, and you since you can’t self-study IB courses, its availability is limited. In addition to this, the IB program is far more focused on presenting a cohesive overall curriculum with specific requirements that culminates in a diploma. While the AP program offers a similar option in the AP Capstone Diploma , most students don’t approach the AP program in that way. For a more detailed explanation of the International Baccalaureate organization, and especially the IB Diploma Programme, check out the Beginner’s Guide to the International Baccalaureate Program . The IBDP is a two-year academic program that, as we’ve mentioned, is open to students aged 16 to 19—in other words, high school students. Upon successfully completing the program and all its requirements, students can earn the IB diploma, which is a significant credential for college applications and other purposes. Academically, the IBDP requires students to take courses and pass exams in six specific subject areas. Three or four of these subjects must be taken at the more challenging â€Å"Higher† level, while the rest can be taken at the â€Å"Standard† level. In addition to this coursework, the IBDP has three more major requirements. First, students must write a lengthy essay based on independent research. Second, students must take a Theory of Knowledge course, which covers critical thinking and epistemology. Third, students must participate in a certain number and range of extracurricular activities. Earning the IB diploma means that you’ve done much more than take a few IB courses. Instead, you’ve undertaken a particular kind of high school education that is meant to teach you not only history, math, and other subjects, but also how to better analyze and understand the information you’ll encounter in school and beyond. Along with this stated purpose, an IB diploma can be an asset for you in a number of different ways, especially as you take on the college admissions process. Below, we’ll go over some of the main benefits of working toward and receiving an IB diploma. Our Early Advising Program helps students in 9th and 10th grade discover their passions and build strong academic and extracurricular profiles to succeed in high school. The IBDP is well-known throughout the world for the high quality of the coursework it offers. The strength of the IB curriculum, as well as the extensive training that IB teachers and school administrators are required to undergo, help the program to maintain this high standard. The respect that the IBDP enjoys means that no matter where you go, colleges will understand and positively view the effort you’ve put into earning your IB diploma. College admissions officers in particular will be familiar with the program’s reputation, making an IB diploma an excellent way of demonstrating your academic prowess. Strong performance in school is, of course, an important component of what competitive colleges look for in applicants. This is typically represented in your application by your GPA , transcript, and class rank. However, since every high school is different, colleges can’t always be sure what your grades actually mean compared to those of other applicants. Programs like the IBDP help colleges to evaluate applicants by providing a single curriculum that’s used worldwide, allowing admissions officers to more precisely assess your performance. Since this program is known to be rigorous, doing well in your IB courses and earning your IB diploma indicates to colleges that you’re an objectively strong student. Earning an IB diploma also shows you’re willing to take on special academic challenges. You’ve chosen to go beyond the typical high school curriculum and pursue a goal that asks more of you, including substantial independent work on topics of your own choosing. This is something that every competitive college values. As we’ve mentioned, the IB program is less popular and well-known in the United States than, for example, the AP program. You must take IB courses at a certified high school—self-studying is not allowed—which limits the number of students who can participate. The expense and training required to get certified as an IB school can also contribute to its relative rarity at high schools. What this means for you is that if you have an IB diploma, you’ll be among a relatively small portion of the college applicant pool with this qualification.   This distinction shows that you’ve not only taken on academic challenges, but done so through a program that’s widely known to be reputable and rigorous and require a good deal of independent work from its graduates. Not every student can present such a prestigious qualification when they fill out their college applications, and this relative uniqueness is an advantage. In addition to the novelty of IB participation itself, certain elements of the IB Diploma Programme may give you the opportunity to do especially interesting and original academic work that will give you additional chances to set yourself apart from other applicants. As we mentioned, you’re required to complete a substantial independent research project in order to receive your IB diploma. Your choice of topic for this project can say a lot about you, and your ability to handle the challenges of independent work and create something truly original will render you a unique and recognizable candidate come application season. One particular perk of the IB program is that it can be useful not only in the college application process, but also once you get to college. Like AP test results , your IB courses can sometimes be used by colleges to determine placement and credit. Depending on your school, you may be able to be placed in higher-level courses as a result of your IB experience, or you might receive credit outright for your IB courses, which can enable you to save time and money in getting your degree. Colorado and Texas have even passed laws requiring colleges in those states to award college credit to students with IB diplomas. If you’re interested in attending college outside the United States full-time (as opposed to on a short-term basis as a study abroad student), an IB diploma may be particularly useful to you. Since other countries have different academic systems and pathways to a university education, it can be difficult for students from the US to gain entrance. The international recognition of the IB diploma can help to bridge this gap. Some examples of countries that accept the IB diploma for entrance into universities are France, Spain, Italy, India, and Turkey. Additionally, some universities offer scholarships specifically for IB diploma holders. While each country and school has additional requirements you’ll need to meet, an IB diploma can be of great help in the process. Finally, aside from college admissions concerns, getting your IB diploma can simply be a very satisfying intellectual experience in its own right. The IB program is designed not only to provide you with rigorous course content, but also to help you learn how to think, analyze, and critically consider materials in the way that your college will eventually expect. The independent projects that are part of the IB curriculum can be enjoyable as well. Some high school students don’t get many opportunities to focus their energies on the topics they consider interesting. Studying a topic that really moves you can bring out your intellectual best in a way that your daily classwork may not. Going through the full IB Diploma Programme isn’t for everyone, and as we mentioned, it isn’t available everywhere. If you have access to this option, however, it can be a strong addition to your college application profile as well as an aid to your intellectual development. You can find more advice on whether IB is right for you and handling your IB coursework in these posts from the blog : To learn more about IB, take a look at our Ultimate Guide to the International Baccalaureate Program . You can also visit the official International Baccalaureate website at www.ibo.org . Looking for more personal assistance with managing your high school goals? Check out our Student Mentorship Program to see how our experienced near-peer mentors can help you to identify your passions and prepare for the college application process.

What were the World War 2 goals of the United States and its allies, Essay

What were the World War 2 goals of the United States and its allies, and how were they achieved in battle and in wartime conferences - Essay Example But in order to do this, the United States had to join hands with the Soviet Union (under Joseph Stalin), despite ideological differences between the two nations. Great Britain was the third member of this coalition, which is referred to as Allied Powers. The ultimate defeat of Germany was achieved by a concerted attack on two fronts. On the Eastern front, Soviet Union forced German troops to retreat further toward Berlin, while on the Western front American troops stormed onto the shores of Normandy in France despite heavy resistance. But prior to this strategic military operation, the three leaders of the respective nations, namely Franklin D. Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin met in a conference to chart out their combined strategy. So the eventual success of the United States in World War Two should be attributed to strategic diplomatic and military moves on its

Meat Production Business in Ukraine Research Paper

Meat Production Business in Ukraine - Research Paper Example This paper considers Ukrainian meat market. It outlines such aspects as poultry, pork, beef, etc. In case of threats of new entrance, it can be asserted that the meat processing industry has faced a very few challenges from the relative nations and other industry. This research study seems to be analytical in nature since its objective lay in investigating the loopholes prevailing in the meat sector in Ukrainian market and recommending measures that will address the same. A research philosophy refers to the preferred approach, which applied by the researcher in search of knowledge, establishing the nature of the problem and its context. Here, the existence of the problem, knowledge, values and reason has been clearly delineated (Beck, 2003). This research will be based on a positivism type of paradigm. This is the school of contemplation, which advocates for reality and objectivity (Caulley, 2007). The purpose of a research based on positivism is to find causal liaison between variables through deductive reasoning to estimate probabilities and make predictions. The problem of shortage in supply of red meat in Ukrainian market is identified to be quite real and likewise demand real answers. The only framework, which can ensure the same, is positivism approach. Through objectivity, which is duly considered to be an indispensable component of positivism, valid answers can be derived from the research (Ellingson, 2007). If compared with other research philosophies and paradigms such as realism and interpretivism, positivism clearly offers the flexibility and the clarity of procedures based on which this particular type of research can be conducted efficiently.