Saturday, January 25, 2020

Partnership between BP and Marks and Spencer

Partnership between BP and Marks and Spencer The Change is Pervasive power in the innovative modern Market. Here changes are welcomed by the managers to the betterment of the organisation. In order to implement the changes there must be some policies, procedures, work processes and activities need to be under taken .i.e. higher degree to HSSE, Environmental safety, Customer Loyalty and range reviews. The above must be implemented accordingly to full fill external pressure, as well as to meet customer expectations. An on time completion is highly adequate for an organisation to overcome competitions and to disregard fierce in general competition in the market. When we talk about competitions, this can be defined in an academic term that Battle which will target the Organisation in various angles such as traditional competitors and innovative new entrances. Therefore competition is intensified. Also the traditional barriers (Language, Distance, Travelling) has been learned and fixed, however the new challenges are in place to stu dy and over come with a better solution. The main area of focus is to face new entrance who introduces the new innovative tactics to capture the market is still fearful challenge. Reference to the World is a 2Global Village are more and more frequent. This has led organisations to adopt strategies which did not exist traditionally, notably in retail industry. Internally, financial constrains, the requirement to offer best service by value their money, mergers and acquisitions, and empowered teams all affect organisations ability to compete in the market place. There are two main approaches to change, first Prescriptive Strategy planned where an organisation moves from one fixed shape to another and second, emergent a more recent view where change is continues and open ended. An appropriate method of managing organisational change must be found for effective strategy. A carefully planned and thought through strategy can manage change effectively to the organisational success. In this Research Author will be able to highlight what is the method of Strategy has implemented in the case of organisational changes. The change in question is the Partnership of Bp and Marks Spencer. 2. Literature Review Many organisations around the world are in a competitive race which gets difficult every year, with bigger, better and more innovative competitors. In addition the rules of the game are changing with the emergence of new approaches, technology and globalisation. Competitors who have been in other markets suddenly enter the market with new technology, strength, and new approaches, sometimes becoming market leaders. Competitive advantage is at the heart of a firms performance in competitive markets (Porter 2004). Also the Author has selected nearly six Journals to support his research plan further down in to the correct direction. These Journal are talking about various dimensions and directions to consider when creating and managing changes on strategic direction. 1. Balkcom, John E., Christopher D. Ittner and David F. Larcker. Strategic performance Measurement: Lesson learned and further direction. Journal of Strategic Performance Measurement 1, no.2 Performance measurement system have played a key role in developing strategic plan, achieving strategic objectives and motivating managers. From future research managers found that the past measures were not full fill the needs. This is where the invention of new way of performance measurement system should be implemented via formulating a new strategy to the growth of the organisation. 2. Boar, Bernard H. The role of commitment in information technology strategy. Journal of Strategic Performance Measurement 1, no 6(December 1997) : 5-13 A successful IT Strategy requires the ability to constantly refresh the technology and shift direction when adequate. Also a strong commitment to the strategy from employee and to get that strong commitment a well thought out and proactive commitment strategy is needed. Also the following three main commitment is highly required. I. Intellectual Commitment, Emotional Commitment, Political information work. This will highlight the problem area in commitment exist and take action to resolve these to formulate a best strategy to an organisational success. 3.Greenberg, Jeanne and Michael Liebman. Incentives : The missing link in strategic Performances. Journal of Business Strategy 11,no.4 (July-August 1990) Here the author argues that if the organisation to meet their objectives , it is important to develop incentives strategies to motivate management and further down their employees to centralised and develop a best strategy for organisational growth. 4. Campbell, Andrew and Marcus Alexandar. Whats wrong with Strategy? Insight about value creation rarely emerge from planning processes. Harvard Business Review 75, no.6 (November -December 1997) Here the Author argues that directionless strategies result when strategy fail to distinguish between purpose (Exists to do) and Constraints ( Must to do Survive). Also the assert that is unclear which comes first. According to Campbell and Alexander, the basic ingredient of a good strategy, insight in to how to create value rarely results from planning. 5.Newton, Peggy. Communicating key measures throughout an Organisation. Journal of Strategic Performance Measurement 1, no 1 (February- March 1997) The ability to communicate key measures throughout the organisation. Firstly key business drivers are identified , then goals and measures are linked to them at every stage. Communication revolves around goals with each employees actions linked with company- wide goals. Here control board (CEO) will drive the strategic priorities down through all levels. 6.OBrien, William F. Action-Oriented Strategic Planning: Dynamic Planning for Dynamic Times. Journal of Strategic Performance Measurement 1, no 3 (June- July 1997) Strategic planning is critical component in creating an entitys goals and operation direction. This talks about the senior managers responsibilities and how strategies are created from the upper level management. 3. Research Methodology of Project e g, Qualitative, Quantitative etc The report has aimed to develop a theoretical approach in managing strategic change, which includes strategic planning and managing processes. The design of this study will be aimed to be qualitative-case study by studying historical factors from published data, internally and externally, and comparing them with existing models from leading authors. The aim of this research design will be identify external and internal factors influencing the Partnership trading in the ground of Acquisition. Therefore the research design will be a casual comparative method by studying historical factors from published data (Internal and External) and comparing them to competitors. This research will aim to conducting semi-structures interviews with senior Operation managers and structured interviews with store managers in the same network business. Senior managers: I have made an arrangement (Appointment date and time to be confirmed) with the following senior Managers: Head of franchise Marks Spencer-Arranged by Brenda Moss HR Department, Head of Franchise BP-Arranged by Peter Mendez Retail Territory Manager, Project development Manager BP-Arranged by Jeff Buck Retail Territory Manager, Operation Director BP (Mr. Haward Nunn) -Arranged by Gavin Duncan District Manager and System Development Manager ( Anne Hammnghs) -Arranged by Peter Mendez Retail Territory Manger. They will be interviewed with questions such include the function of their department, their capability to cope with new acquired business, and the direct involvement and their part of play in this journey. Store managers will be asked how acquisition has affected their role in the organisation, How they feel the training, recruitment and development has been affected, negatives and positives of acquisitions, refurbishment programme and its negative or positive effects on store Trading. Also few Suppliers ( Exel DHL Supply Chain, Gist M+S Supply Chain, Cuisine de France) will be interviewed through the retail territory managers Peter Mendezs Approval l (Authorized) to collect their feedback and how this new way of trading effected their capacity and capability. The above facilities and support will be provided (Authorised and the date, Time to be confirmed) due to the fact where I am a part (Employee) of the same organisation. 4. If the research is related to a particular organisation its name and evidence of permission granted for this research to be undertaken In order to support my dissertation I have selected a company named BP and Marks Spencer Partnership. The permission has been granted to access and collect all internal dates, other sensitive document from various departments from Head office in Milton Keynes. Also I have been approved to undertake interviews with the following individuals. -Operational Director (Haward Nunn) Arranged by Gavin Duncan District Manager BP -Head of Franchise Marks and Spencer- Arranged by Brenda Moss HR Department -Head of Franchise BP Arranged by Peter Mendez RTM -Project Development Manager BP Arranged by Jeff Buck RTM -System Development Manager BP Arranged by Peter Mendez RTM -Store Managers Interviews BP Arranged by Peter Mendez RTM -Suppliers: Exe, Gist, Cusine de France Arranged by Peter Mendez RTM -Store Manager Fawzy Kabeer (friend ) 5. Chapter Headings and Subheadings 1. Introduction 1.1 The Bp and Marks Spencer Partnership History Background 2. Literature Review Processes 2.1 Strategic Planning 2.2 Managing Strategy 2.3 Value Principles 2.4 Vision 2.5 Objective 2.6 Strategy formulation 2.6.1 Suitability 2.6.2 Feasibility 2.6.3 Acceptability 2.7 The Partnership Strategy 2.8 Strategic Implementation Control 2.9 Strategic Fit 2.10 Strategic Hierarchy 2.11 Growth Strategy Portfolio Theory 2.12 Mergers Acquisition, Internal Development, Joint Development 2.13 Hard Soft Side of Change Management 2.14 Summary of Objectives 3. Research Methodology for project 3.1 Design of Study 3.2 Data Collection 3.3 Data Analysis 3.4 Research Limitation 4. Critical Analysis and Evaluation 4.1 Logical Behind Change 4.2 Dimension of Retail Market Market Revolution 4.3 External Environment 4.4 Internal Environment Benefits 4.4 Managing Strategic Change Effectively 4.5 Type of Change Management 4.6 Gaining Competitive Advantages 4.7 Reason why Strategic Plans Fail 5. Strategies for Strengthening Culture 6. Conclusions and Findings

Friday, January 17, 2020

Externalities of Smoking

In the paper I’m going to discuss the externalities of second-hand smoke. Externalities refer to all costs or benefits of a market activity borne by a third party. It’s also the difference between the social and private costs (benefits) of a market activity. When economic agents are not directly involved, negative externalities can exist, such as pollution. Second-hand smoke is a health hazard at any level (Essentials Of economics, Bradley R. Schiller). It’s to be said that smoking bans are the only way to protect nonsmokers.Although many states and hundreds of cities have passed smoke-free laws, more than 126 million Americans ages 3 and older continue to be exposed to secondhand smoke. Nearly 50,000 nonsmokers die from the secondhand smoke each year. Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke at home or work increase their risk of heart disease and cancer. Brief exposure to smoke, damages cells, beginning a process that can lead to cancer, and increase the risk of blood clots (USA today: June 28, 2006).Secondhand smoke kills 46,000 adult nonsmokers from heart disease, 3,000 nonsmokers from lung cancer, and 430 newborns from sudden infant death syndrome. In children it causes 790,000 ear infections, 200,000 episodes of asthma, at least 24,000 low birth weight or preterm deliveries. When non-smokers are exposed to secondhand smoke it’s called involuntary smoking or passive smoking. Regardless if you’re smoking or not, if you’re around someone who is smoking you’re taking in nicotine and other toxic chemicals just like smokers do.The workplace is a major source of secondhand smoke exposure for adults (USA today: June 28, 2006). Secondhand smoke meets the standard to be classified as a potential cancer-causing agent by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (cancer. org). Separating smokers from non-smokers, cleaning the air, and ventilating the building cannot prevent exposure if people still smoke inside t he building. Most people can be exposed in public places such as restaurants, shopping centers, public transportation, schools, and daycare centers.Some businesses seem to be afraid to ban smoking, but there is no proof that going smoke-free is bad for business. Public places where children go are a special area of concern (cancer. org). Making your home smoke free is healthier for your family. Secondhand smoke imposes significant costs on nonsmokers and society, according to a recent society of Actuaries study that concluded the annual cost of excess medical care, mortality and morbidity from secondhand smoke exposure in the U. S is approximately $ 10 billion(18 Aug 2005).The study also found that medicals costs for caring for people exposed to secondhand smoke have reached more than $2. 5 billion (medicalnewstoday. com). All the money you spend on cigarettes is just going to the company that makes them. So you’re giving this company all this money to just smoke a cigarette. On average most people pay about close to seven dollars for a box of cigarettes. Not only is this harmful to you, but its as harmful to the people around you. When you smoke in front of someone their inhaling all the chemicals that are carried In that one cigarette.So in conclusion this affects the economy so much, because people who don’t even smoke have to pay for all types of medicals bills. Just from getting secondhand smoke from others. I myself don’t think they should banned smoking. But there should be sections in public places which are meant for smokers. Some people can’t just stop smoking no matter what they do. So at the same time we have to respect their needs. And their needs are nicotine. Sources ?Cancer. org ?Medicalnewstoday. com ?USA today: June 28, 2006 ?Essentials of economics (Bradley R. Schiller)

Thursday, January 9, 2020

The Doll s House By Henry Ibsen And The Glass Menagerie

Sujin Oh Prof. JAMES WERNER ENG 102 11-15-2015 Paper 2 According to â€Å"The doll’s house† by Henry Ibsen and the â€Å"Glass Menagerie† by Tennessee Williams, women are portrayed as very resilient characters capable of overcoming adversity, both plays tell strong stories about feminism. Literally, Feminism is the advocacy of women’s right on the ground of social, political and economic equality to men. Henry Ibsen sets up the female main character, Nora, as a wife. However, unlike Henry Ibsen, Tennessee Williams features Tom, a male character as his main character. Yet, Tom’s character serves the purpose of highlighting the life of his mother, Amanda, and his older sister, Laura, as the real lead characters of the story. Although Tennessee Williams and Henry Ibsen are both male writers, they seem to be aware of the social issues about a woman’s suffering for the sake of her family. Both of them express their perception of women by making their female characters appear as the leading character s. All of the female characters that have appeared in both plays have lived under an environment full of repression and dominated by masculinity. Despite the fact that they live in a world of gender inequality they emancipate themselves in their own ways. First of all, looking at â€Å"The doll’s house†. Nora takes it for granted that men are superior to women from the beginning of the story to the middle. She does not even question why and just accepts male superiority as a fact. All over the

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

The Dna Mystique Looks Into The Power Of The Gene - 918 Words

The DNA Mystique looks into the power of the gene in today’s society. Dorothy Nelkin and Susan Lindee (1995) describe the evolution of the gene as a cultural icon. Society puts a huge emphasis on understanding everyday behavior and the â€Å"secret of life† through genetic essentialism. According to Nelkin and Lindee genetic essentialism â€Å"reduces the self to a molecular entity, equating human beings, in all their social, historical, and moral complexity, with their genes† (p. 337). DNA is used as a way to define the individual’s true self and understand the evolution of a person’s identity. Nelkin and Lindee discuss the intersection of science and popular culture to shape the cultural meaning of the gene (p. 338). They lay out a timeline of genetic mapping and the use of genome research to determine future outcomes. Nelkin and Lindee identify the three themes of understanding the human genome as â€Å"the essence of identity, a promise to enh ance prediction of human behavior and health, and a image of the genome as a way to define natural order† (p. 340). Genetic research has recently started to function as way for people to understand past performance and future potential. The power of the genome is represented by words often used to label it like the Bible, a dictionary, a map, and a blueprint. A lot of research has been done to prove that genetic prediction will help control over behavior and disease. However, there is also the continuing question of the effects of nature andShow MoreRelatedNature vs Nurture2032 Words   |  9 Pagesas identical as once thought, according to a new DNA study. One twin might get cancer while the other is not susceptible, for example. Many identical twins clearly behave differently as they grow older, and some even grow to look less alike. Such differences dont have anything to do with the twins identical DNA, which is like the software of life, but in how genes express themsel ves. The differences stem from chemical modifications in the genes over the years. These effects are the result of