Timberland and City Year Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Timberland and City Year - Case Study Example The Timberland brand had existed since 1973 and had shown steady growth since then. When Jeffery Swartz took over in 1991, he applied some basic business expertise to the organization, reducing overheads, cutting inventory, and improving customer service significantly. The result was an increase in revenues from $196 million in 1990 to $650 in 1994. Alongside, Swartz made considerable effort to associate the company and the brand with community service. Swartz developed a distinct relationship with City Year, a fledgling community service corps for young people in the Boston area. Between 1991 and 1994, this relationship strengthened from a supply of 70 boots to a level where Timberland stood committed to providing five million dollars to City Year over a five-year period and Swartz taking a position on its Board. City Year in the meantime increased its spread to six major cities across the US and gained recognition as a national community service receiving 50% of its funds through F ederal grants. Timberland's practice of modern day philanthropy, although good hearted, cannot go without both challenges and criticisms. In the subsequent analysis, we find that the partnership generated benefits and negatives for Timberland because of the inherent and sometimes acute difference in agendas of a for-profit company and a non-profit organization. However, the most drastic problems surfaced in late 1994, early 1995. The loss for Timberland was financial, leaving many employees worried about an uncertain future. Timberland was forced to scale back its operation, laying off a number of employees and outsourcing labor. City Year also faced funding problems, as Congress threatened to withdraw federal funding. Community service with City Year became a major source of tension within the company as employees found it difficult to accept diversion of major amounts to City Year while colleagues lost their jobs in the company. The problem now became whether and how to maintain commitment to co mmunity service in the face of financial difficulties. Literature Review Mason (1993), states that customers may not perceive companies as doing enough even when they are providing good quality at competitive prices. There is increasing emphasis on environment and social involvement among businesses as part of strategy (Fellman, 1999). This concern has been at the root of corporate responsibility discussions that took shape in the Sarbanes Oxley Act, requiring transparency in operations and for companies to demonstrate their commitment to the environment and society through positive action. Studies have shown that customers buy from their business not only based on criteria such as price, quality, and availability, but also other socially responsible acts. According to L&G Business Solutions, a 2001 Hill & Knowlton Harris Interactive poll showed that 79% of Americans consider corporate citizenship when deciding whether to buy a particular company's product; 36% of Americans consider corporate citizenship an important factor when making purchasing decision s. Cause related marketing (CRM) is an accepted and key strategy in

Media, Public Policy and International Politics Essay

Media, Public Policy and International Politics - Essay Example Logically, since big news events can happen on different countries, establishing a global presence has been a very important strategy for the media industry. As with other companies and industries, the media companies have been able to access talents globally. Likewise, the global competition has also increased the level of service quality given by these firms. Indeed, as with any other industry, globalization has been able to help raise the bar of quality products and services to consumers (Khatri & Nanyang 2000). However, has this really been the case for all members of the media industry or has some utilized their power for influencing various policies. Likewise, has some media outfits been remiss of their duties to provide balanced reporting and has indulged too much in politicking. Part 1: Effect of Media: â€Å"The Fox on the Bush† After the September 11 terrorist attack, the Bush administration saw the chance to launch the new policy which was the National Security Stra tegy of the United States. This had been more famously known as the pre-emptive strike policy which was launched by the Bush administration as a means of deterring future terrorist attacks by the simple principle of being able to attack first so that enemies will not be able to launch an attack on all US interests. Shah (2004) reports that under this policy, the US military has been granted the go signal to strike at states perceived to be harbouring threats to national security to ensure that these are neutralized before they become capable of launching an attack on US soil or US interests. This policy has raised many eyebrows since this crosses the line of existing international obligations and treaties including the pull out of the US from the Anti-Ballistic Missile treaty. This likewise paved the way for possible use of nuclear force against perceived threats. It is interesting to note that this policy has been in the works prior to the September 11 attacks as reported by Donnel ly (2000) wherein four pillars have been established for the US military such as the basic homeland defense. However, the strategy also calls for the capability to wage and win big theatre wars which clearly indicates that as a global police, the US must be capable of pacifying different enemies worldwide. Furthermore, it calls for administering security in areas that are critical. These would not have been possible though had it not been for the terrorist attack and the media blitz that accompanied it. Thus, the timing for launching the policy embodying these ideals have been quite perfect especially since public opinion have been swayed so much by the hysteria generated by the much publicized attack on American soil as well as the subsequent retaliatory strategies. Drumming up the War After the September 11 terrorist attack, the rhetoric of the administration has intensified to shore up public support for the war. This was further advanced through the efforts of various media that have portrayed the horrors of the attack so effectively that people have been moved to ask for actions. Although the protection of the innocent citizens as well as the need for justice to be served for the victims, the media

Riordian Manufactoring Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Riordian Manufactoring Paper - Essay Example The Material Resource Planning (MRP) would consider the kind of materials that would need to be needed and used in the manufacturing process. In the context of Riordian, it is seen that the following are the main kinds of materials/utilities used in production. The various components forming part of the finished products, viz. fans, are molded and assembled and fitted together by Chinese workforce. Any excess plastics are sheared off using shearing machines. The finished products, inspected and certified by R&D are next sent for packing .Next, they are individually packed in plastic films with placed into boxes with generous amount of packing straw in order to avoid transit damages. A bar code identifying the recipient of the product is sprayed onto the box using ink. The bar code would provide full profile details of the product specifications inside the box, in order to tackle any issues that arise later. The box is then placed through a system of conveyor belts that separates the box by its destination and conveys it to the appropriate section of the loading dock, so it is ready to be loaded onto a professional commercial carrier for onward transmission. It is believed that use of RFID technology in the materials handling department could, to a large extent, solve the present issues that perturb the production team. This could keep track of various materials that are being used and their movements in the production process. It is also seen that nowadays the production of electric fans follows discrete, and separate processes, because of which there is considerable time lay between placing of items required for production and receipt of such critical production items. Therefore, it is necessary that new process introduces Just in Time methods, which could reduce issues connected with Inventory and stock controls. Since fan manufacturing is a process industry where materials move through various

Sales and Marketing Hotel Lodging Industry Essay

Sales and Marketing Hotel Lodging Industry - Essay Example New products contribute substantially to profitable sales (Drejer, 2002). The necessity of adding new products that will yield profits to sustain corporate growth is clear. Products also level out seasonal impacts, spread risks, use talents, capitalize on tax advantages, and replace obsolescent items. Sales and marketing work together in order to ensure effective service delivery and customer satisfaction processes. In lodging industry, business success depends on producing the right product at the right time. New-product development is risky, for market opportunity is couched in uncertainty and instability, and competitive system and the unpredictability of customer reaction increases the risk. in spite of benefits and opportunities proposed by this model, recent years there is a growing number of research studies proving its limitations and weaknesses for modern business. Applied to consumer behavior, it is possible to say that sales managers give a special attention to importance of channels of distribution and marketing mix. Distribution channels are the vehicles for matching companies with customers. They establish the arrangements and paths for the flow of product and title to ultimate users. They move products and information to markets and provide the funnel for the feedb ack of information to the producer. As networks of marketing agencies, they constitute a system-a loose but formal coalition of independent entities linked together to distribute products and services.. As the links between companies and markets, they can impede or foster the effectiveness of the rest of the marketing mix. Distribution channels cover a wide range of situations. At one end are found the complicated linkage of manufacturers and their branches, agents and brokers, other wholesalers, and retailers for the movement of certain consumer goods. At the other is the direct distribution of heavy machinery. Between lie a variety of channel assortments (Mintzberg et al 2004). Which one works best depends on the company and its products and markets at a certain time. Distribution channels are essential components of economic system. The efficient movement of goods and competition both depend on sales management. Nevertheless, as economists often assume, the channels do not perfor m cost-less activities. Using resources to sort supply and match it with demand, they try to bring both activities into balance. Through channels, companies organize supply and markets and endeavor to develop their own best opportunities (Drejer, 2002). In lodging and hotel industry, market segmentation is one of the main concepts used by marketing companies to divide the market between particular target groups and meet needs and wants of target customers. Divergent service policies adjust product lines to individual market segments -- they implement market segmentation. By assuming that demand is heterogeneous, market positioning strategy obtains a better match with distinguishable market segments. Service differentiation gives marketers a share of a broad, horizontal market, whereas market segmentation tends to result in cultivation of a market position in depth. Given

History of the Parthenon and its Barrier Breaking Architecture Essay

History of the Parthenon and its Barrier Breaking Architecture - Essay Example The building was designed by architects IKtinos and Kallikrates who included various sculptural decorations - both within and outside the temple thus making it the face of Athens. The elaborate designing of the monument is characterized by the use of coherence and harmony based on the foundation of mathematical calculations i.e. a ratio of 9: 4 where the length of the building was more than twice that of its width and the distance between the columns was more than twice their diameter (Belozerskaya and Lapatin 72). Figure 2: Plan of the Parthenon, 447 BC – 432 BC Source: Pedley, 2005: pp. 69 The 9:4 ratio used during construction was applied for plan i.e. length: width as well as for elevation. The key architectural style used was that commonly found in the construction of Doric temples which is indicated by the formula used for total number of columns i.e. eight peristyle columns on the front and back and seventeen columns (2x + 1) on the flank (Pedley 69). Due to its unique architectural design the Parthenon is unanimously acknowledged as a symbol of Greek democracy as well as one of the greatest cultural monuments in the world. Brief historical background: The Parthenon is believed to be built on huge platform similar in size to the new Parthenon as indicated by the large scale excavations carried out on the site, thus indicating that a similar building was sought to be constructed by the ancient Greeks on the same scale as the Parthenon. The pre-Parthenon or the older building which was believed to be destroyed by during the Persian invasion in 480 BC were found to have used marble columns drums which were destroyed by fire due to the pressure. These marble column drums were later re-used in the construction of the new Parthenon in the north wall of the Acropolis as a symbol of the great Greek sacrifice and loss endured by them. Similarly various other previously destroyed artifacts found as a part of excavation were used in the construction of the n ew Parthenon (Beard 103). Figure 3: The Parthenon View from the north west, 447 - 432 BC Source: Pedley, 2005: pp. 68 One of the key features of the Parthenon is that it has been built out of recycled materials. Researchers have found evidence regarding the re-use of old materials based on the existence of a small temple (naiskos) located at the Parthenon's north colonnade, in the area between the fifth and eight columns from the east side of the temple (see figure 4). It was believed that the shrine found on the location existed long before the Parthenon was built and that it could be a part of the older Parthenon (Neils 27). Historians have argued that contrary to the popular belief that the new Parthenon was built as a dedication to the patron goddess Athena, the temple was built as an anathema - "a votive offering, not in the honor of Athena but of her glory- seeking, democratic, imperial city". It was believed to uphold the democratic ideals of the Athenians and hence was dedic ated by the people to the people (Hurwit 166). The Parthenon was destroyed by the Turkish forces after a long siege resulting in conversion of the temple into a mosque. The Ottoman Turks completely transformed the Parthenon into a mosque by whitewashing the walls to cover the Christian frescoes; blocking the windows and the converting the Christian watch tower into a

Statistic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Statistic - Essay Example Among the sample we questioned, a majority of them, 66.7% representing 20 individuals were of the opinion that type II diabetes mellitus is a dangerous disease. Only 1 subject represents a meager 3.3 of the total sample population disagreed. This indicates that diabetes mellitus, type II is feared by more than half of the population as a dangerous disease and only a significantly low proportion of the total population are of the opinion that the disease is not that dangerous. This information is well represented in the Table 1 below. The causes of type II diabetes were listed as genetic factors, obesity, a poor diet or, in some cases, vitamin D insufficiency. Consequently, the study sought to identify from the sample population what was their opinion on the cause of the diabetes among these four factors. Interestingly, more than half, 56.7%, representing 17 subjects in the sample linked type II diabetes to obesity. However, a few individuals linked the disease to a poor diet or genetic factors. It should be noted that vitamin D and poor diet may be intertwined since both have to do with one’s eating habits. In this regard, 30% of the subjects of this study linked these two factors to the disease. Therefore, inferring from these statistics, it is true that obesity leads as a major cause of type II diabetes mellitus with poor diet coming a distance second (see Table 2 below). Personal measures taken to prevent type II diabetes were also investigated in this study. These factors majored on habits/behaviors aimed at preventing type II diabetes, namely, exercise, diet, and enough sleep (sleeping early). Of the personal initiatives, 14 subjects, representing 46.7% of the survey subjects, exercised so as to curb the disease, whereas only 23.3% were of the opinion that sleeping early could prevent type II diabetes mellitus (see below Table 3, a pie chart

Glass Roses Essay Example for Free

Glass Roses Essay What does a child have to go through to have the courage to live his life for himself? The Glass Roses by Alden Nowlan highlights the conflicts within the main character, Stephen, a fifteen-year-old scrawny teenager working with his father in the woods. He has been brought up in an environment where there is a predetermined set idea of what It means to be a mam The protagonist either has to follow in the footsteps of his father or pursue his desires to embrace others and show compassion. The friendships he develops and the ideas he grasps from his so called outcast partner named Leka teach him more about growing up then his father ever did. But what really troubles Stephen is mustering up enough courage to change what the preconceived notion of what being a man really means and if those around him are willing to accept what being a man means to him. A glass rose can be seen as a fragile replica of what a real rose actually is. Glass needs to be handled with care, it is weak and is not given the same admiration and appreciation as the ones we find in nature. Although this Is completely up to the person, ltx safe to say that I speak for the majority of people. Earlier in the story Leka has nightmares and twists and turns in bed as the night goes on and Stephen always is there to wake him up. Stephen is the only one to do so among all the men. This shows that he Is undoubtedly the most caring of the group, and showing any kind of emotion isnt something his father would approve of. I believe that he truly cares for others but must only do so openly a man. Theres a part in the story where Leka and Stephen are getting along and begin to regularly speak softly to one another at bed time. Stephen wants to be just like his father but doesnt want to change in order to do so. Its clear that he has soft side, Men did not tell one another fairy tales about cathedrals. But his father and the men at the bunkhouse need never know. This line makes me think about Stephen as having a split personality, one being an aspiring prodigy of his father, the other being a completely different individual yearning to be himself. It appears as if he has to act a certain way and if he acts any different, he forces himself back into that narrow mentality. I feel sorry for him and the fact that hes struggling so much to find himself while having the expectations of his father watching over him and breathing down his neck as he lives his life. All this makes him panic in the face of decision and a hesitant Stephen always turns back to his fathers notion of a man when in doubt. I always had friends in my age group so my parents werent really concerned about older kids taking advantage of me. I also have learned that parents can always see things in others that we may not see for ourselves in our younger ages. Towards the end of the story, Stephens father pulls him aside and speaks to him seriously about his concerns of Leka. He mentions the touchy gestures he uses when he speaks such as pat and poke, things that Stephen never really picked up on. Once again it makes e think of the homosexuality hidden in the friendship they have and maybe that is why they outcast Leka. Them Wops and Bohunks and Polacks has gotta lotta funny ideas. They aint our kinda people. You gotta watch them in this line he hints to his son that Lekas intentions may not completely be friendly. Having to be told about one of his own friends is the same as questioning his own decisions, kind of like questioning his manliness. Just make that Polack keep his hands off you. IVe seen fellers like him before. As much as it is fatherly to look out for your son, it makes Stephen feel like less of a man. All this talk gets into his head, I know this because I know if my father was this concerned about one of my friends it would definitely about waking Leka during his nightmares. The story ends and personally I believe that Stephen has decided to take the risk of becoming a man outside of the beliefs of his father and co-workers. Hes brought it upon himself to define what it means to grow up for himself, his own choices give detail to his character and knows that nobody but himself needs to be satisfied in order for him to live his life. The final decision of waking up Leka shows me that he hasnt changed and trusts his own intuition.