New World slave societies Essay Example for Free

New World slave societies EssayCoercion and abuse experience by enslaved people in New World slave societies look at tended to focus on violence. This is how it should be because experiencing or witnessing violence was indeed an everyday part of animateness for slaves. Violence inflicted by slave holders on enslaved people did not take place in a vacuum. It was also meet with and often proceeded by abusive words. Yet while debates around negotiation, slave resistance and paternalism focus in detail on the cultural and discursive context of these relationships, discussions of violence tend to sept in on their purely physical aspects. I will be discussing the context of violence in a society undergoing the transition from slavery to a post slave society in the West Indies. Abusive language was sometimes used in place of physical punishment and served as a substitute for personal violence in situations where physical punishment was not allowed. A period known as the apprentices hip period in Jamaica, 1834-38 slaveholders lost the licit right to directly punish their un-free workers so instead used abusive language.But fear is fear whether it is felt physically or verbally the panic was still present. The people of the West Indies today be mainly of African decent. Important minorities are East Indians, mainly Trinidad, Chinese and Europeans of British, French, Spanish, Dutch and Portuguese. There are also many people of mixed blood and racial and cultural mixtures that makes the West Indies one of the more cosmopolitan areas of the world. The most important industry in the past and in the present day is the growing of sugar cane.Other crops include citrus fruit, bananas, spices, coca, c hitee, tobacco and coconuts. All of these are agricultural and very savvy intensive. The British colonialization of the West Indies brought slavery into the social context. Toussaint Louverture led a successful revolt in Haiti. The efforts of Englishmen like William Wil berforce helped bring an end to the slave craftiness to the New World and eventually led to the emancipation of slaves in British colonies.When European countries began their overseas explorations and colonization in the 15th century, the institution of slavery experienced a revolution. The discovery of the West Indies opened a new era. In every colony prosperity depended upon the production of some article which could be profitably exported, such as coffee, sugar and indigo. These crops called for large scale operations and cheap labor. Wage laborers were not available and it was necessary to resort to some type of emergency to secure workers.The Indian appeared to be the obvious answer, utilized the institutions of tributary labor and repartimiento, the granting of land along with the Indians living on it. The Indians proved unsuitable for forced labor. They died off rapidly under oppression and even resorted to mass suicide and infanticide. Their number declined to the point of extinction. The Europeans turned to the African as a solution to their labor problems. The African was not unknown to Europeans prior to the 15th century, but there were very few Africans in Europe.The Portuguese exploring the Atlantic coast of Africa brought back two African slaves and subsequent expeditions resulted in the purchase or capture of other slaves. At this time Portugal faced a manpower shortage and African slaves proved to be the solution to its problems. By 1460, 700 to 800 were being imported annually. Spain soon followed the example of Portugal and adopted the importation of African slaves. It was not surprising that the colonists in the New World should have thought of the African slave when they needed labor.

Comment The Five Minds of a Manager Essay Example for Free

Comment The Five Minds of a Manager EssayThe Five Minds of a Manager the five aspects of the managerial mindhas proved non only powerful in the classroom notwithstanding brainwaveful in practice, as we promise to demonstrate in this article. Well first explain how we came up with the five managerial mind- focalises, then well discuss each in some depth before reason out with the case for interweaving the five. The Five Managerial Mind-Sets Jonathan Gosling is the director of the Centre for Leadership Studies at the University of Exeter in Exeter, England. Henry Mintzberg is the Cleghorn Professor of Management Studies at McGill University in Montreal and the authorof the extroverted book Managers Not MBAs from Berrett-Koehler. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, headquartered in Geneva, has a solicitude development concern. It worries that it may be adrift(p) too far toward a fast-action culture. It knows that it must act quickly in respo nding to disasters everywhereearthquakes and wars, floods and faminesbut it also sees the need to engage in the slack uper, more subdued task of building a capacity for action that is careful, thoughtful, and tailored to local conditions and needs.Many line of products organizations face a similar problemthey know how to execute, but they are not so adept at stepping back to confer on their situations. Others face the opposite predicament They bum around so mired in thinking about their problems that they throw outt get things done fast enough. We all know bureaucracies that are great at planning and organizing but slow to respond to market forces, just as were all acquainted with the nimble companies that react to every stimulus, but sloppily, and lay down to be constantly fastness things. And then, of course, there are those that suffer from bothafflictionsfor example, firms whose marketing departments are absorbed with grand positioning statements while their sales forces chase every possible deal. Those devil aspects establish the bounds of management Everything that every effective manager does is sandwiched between action on the ground and reflection in the abstract. Action without reflection is unthoughtful reflection without action is passive. Every manager has to find a way to combine these two mindsetsto function at the point where reflective thinking live up tos realistic doing. But action and reflection about what? Oneobvious answer is about collaboration, about getting things done cooperatively with other peoplein negotiations, for example, where a manager cannot act alone. Another answer is that action, reflection, and collaboration nominate to be rooted in a deep appreciation of reality harvard business review november 2003 in all its facets. We call this mind-set lay, which the Oxford English Dictionary defines as experienced in life, sophisticated, practical. Finally, action, reflection, and collaboration, as well as gentleman s gentlemanliness, must plump for to a certain rationality or logic they rely on an analyticmind-set, too. So we have five sets of the managerial mind, five ways in which managers interpret and deal with the world around them. Each has a dominant subject, or target, of its own. For reflection, the subject is the self there can be no insight without self-knowledge. Collaboration takes the subject beyond the self, into the managers network of relationships. Analysis goes a step beyond that, to the organization organizations depend on the systematic rot of activities, and thats what analysis is all about. Beyond the organization lies what we consider the subject of the worldlymind-set, namely contextthe worlds around the organization. Finally, the action mind-set pulls everything together finished the process of changein self, relationships, organization, and context. The practice of managing, then, involves five perspectives, which correspond to the five modules of our program Man aging self the reflective mind-set Managing organizations the analytic mind-set Managing context the worldly mind-set Managing relationships the collaborative mind-set Managing change the action mind-set If you are a manager, this is your world Let us go clear several characteristics ofthis set of sets. First, we make no claim that our embodimentwork is either scientific or comprehensive. It simply has proved commitful in our work with managers, including in our masters program. (For more on the program, see the sidebar Mind-Sets for Management Development. ) Second, we ask you to consider each of these managerial mind-sets as an attitude, a frame of mind that opens new vistas. Unless you get into a reflective frame of mind, for example, you cannot open yourself to new ideas. You might not even notice such ideas in the first place without a worldly frame of mind. And, of course, you cannot appreciate thebuzz, the vistas, and the opportunities of actions unless you engage in t hem. Third, a word on our word mind-sets. We page 2 The Five Minds of a Manager do not use it to set any managers mind. All of us have had more than enough of that. Rather, we use the word in the spirit of a wad one of us happened to pull out of a Chinese cookie recently Get your mind set. Confidence will lead you on. We ask you to get your mind set around five key ideas. Then, not just confidence but coherence can lead you on. Think, too, of these mind-sets as mind-sightsperspectives. But be aware that, improperly used, they can also be mine sites.Too much of any of themobsessive analyzing or compulsive collaborating, for instanceand the mind-set can blow up in your face. Managing Self The Reflective Mind-Set Managers who are sent off to development courses these days often find themselves being welcomed to guardianship camp. This is no country club, they are warned youll have to work hard. But this is wrongheaded. While managers certainly dont need a country club airwave for development, neither do they need boot camp. Most managers we know already live boot camp every day. Besides, in real boot camps, soldiers arrest to march and obey, notto grasp and think. These days, what managers desperately need is to stop and think, to step back and reflect thoughtfully on their experiences. Indeed, in his book Rules for Radicals, Saul Alinsky makes the enkindle point that events, or happenings, become experience only after they have been reflected upon thoughtfully Most people do not accumulate a consistency of experience. Most people go through life undergoing a series of happenings, which pass through their systems undigested. Happenings become experiences when they are digested, when they are reflected on, related to general patterns, and synthesized. Unless the substance is understood, managing is mindless. Hence we take reflection to be that space suspended between experience and explanation, where the mind makes the connections. Imagine yourself in a meeting when someone unawares erupts with a personal rant. Youre tempted to ignore or dismiss the outburstyouve heard, after all, that the person is having problems at home. But why not use it to reflect on your own reactionwhether em- Mind-Sets for Management Development In 1996, when we founded the International Masters Program in Practicing Management with colleagues from around the world, wedeveloped the managerial mind-sets as a new way to structure management education and development. Managers are sent to the IMPM by their companies, preferably in groups of four or five. They stay on the job, coming into our classrooms for five modules of two weeks each, one for each of the mindsets, over a period of 16 months. We open with a module on the reflective mind-set. The module is located at Lancaster University in the reflective atmosphere of northern Englandthe nearby hills and lakes inspire reflection on the purpose of life and work. Then it is on to McGill University inMontre al, where the grid-like regularity of the city reflects the energy and order of the analytic mind-set. The worldly mind-set on context comes alive at the Indian Institute of Management in Bangalore, where new technologies jostle ancient traditions on the crowded streets. Then comes the collabora- harvard business review november 2003 tive mind-set, hosted by faculty in Japan, where collaboration has been the key to managerial innovations, and Korea, where alliances and partnerships have become the basis for business growth. Last is the action mind-set module, located at Insead in France,where emerging trends from around the world convert into lessons for managerial action. So our locations not only teach the mindsets but also encourage the alive(p) managers to live them. And so have we, in the very conception of the program. Our approach to management development is fundamentally reflective. We believe managers need to step back from the pressures of their jobs and reflect thought fully on their experiences. We as faculty members bring concepts the participants bring experience. Learning occurs where these meetin individual heads, small groups, and all together.Our 50-50 rule says that half the classroom time should be turned over to the participants, on their agendas. The program is fully collaborative all around. There is no lead school much of the organizational responsibility is distributed. Likewise, the facultys relationship with the participants is collaborative. And faculty members work closely with the participating companies, which over the past eight years have included Alcan, BT, EDF Group and Gaz de France, Fujitsu, the International Red Cross Federation, LG, Lufthansa, Matsushita, Motorola, Royal Bank of Canada, and Zeneca. We think of our setting as being especiallyworldly, because the participating managers and faculty host their colleagues at home, in their own cultures, and are guests abroad. We also believe that the programs reflective pen chant allows us to probe into analysis more deeply than in regular education and work. Finally, our own purpose is action We seek fundamental change in management education worldwideto help change business schools into true schools of management. page 3 The Five Minds of a Manager These days, what managers desperately need is to stop and thinkto step back and reflect thoughtfully on their experiences.barrassment, anger, or frustrationand so recognize some comparable feelings in yourself? Your own reaction now becomes a learning experience for you You have opened a space for imagination, between your experience and your explanation. It can make all the difference. Organizations may not need mirror people, who see in everything only reflections of their own behavior. But neither do they need window people, who cannot see beyond the images in bowel movement of them. They need managers who see both waysin a sense, ones who look out the window at dawn, to see through their own reflectio ns to the awakening world outside.Reflect in Latin means to refold, which suggests that attention turns inward so that it can be turned outward. This means going beyond introspection. It means flavour in so that you can better see out in order to perceive a familiar thing in a diametric waya product as a service, maybe, or a customer as a partner. Does that not describe the thinking of the really thriving managers, the Andy Groves of the world? Compare such people with the Messiers and Lays, who dazzle with great mergers and grand strategies before burning out their companies. Likewise, reflective managers are able to see bunghole in order to look ahead.Successful visions are not immaculately conceived they are painted, stroke by stroke, out of the experiences of the past. Reflective managers, in other words, have a healthy respect for historynot just the grand history of deals and disasters but also the everyday history of all the little actions that make organizations work. Co nsider in this regard Kofi Annans deep personal understanding of the United Nations, a comprehension that has been the source of his ability to help move that multiform body to a different and better place. You must appreciate the past if you wish to use the present to get to a better future.

Freedom of Speech

Freedom of SpeechFreedom to say what you wantTo me, the indemnify of for sustaindom of speech in the first amendment or subject field in the Constitution is a standout amongst the easily-nigh significant accountabilitys American natives have. It implies that I can vocalism and express my individual assessments and maintain the first objectives of our establishment. To start with, this provides for me the right to voice and transmit what needs be wherever and at whatever point I pick, as long as I dont meddle with either other individual Constitutional rights. Second, the United States might be in a to a great degree frail state if nationals didnt have the right to Freedom of speech. Without Freedom of speech in our Bill of Rights, individuals couldnt remain up for what they have confidence in (Kanovitz, 2010). I imagine that if an individual has an idea or point they need to voice they ought to have the ability to without anything remaining in their direction.Besides, not ha ving this right might imply that it might be almost agricultural for specific associations to structure on the grounds that they wouldnt have the capacity to express their perspectives. Additionally, since the United States has the freedom of speech, natives have the capacity to have a bigger voice in their legislature (Kanovitz, 2010). These individuals who voice their conclusions can influence their legislature authorities position on present issues.Freedom of speech is an imperative good on the grounds that it permits presentation toward oneself, and at last gives worth to the single person. I feature that free discourse amplifies past the logos-based contention and I accept that free discourse involves more than that of what Peter guarantees, that there is to be no former control. I accept that the method of reasoning based off of Peter most satisfactorily speaks to the idea of free discourse. This is on account of Peter is not at all like whatever possible savant he centers h is philosophical establishing on the thought that there is not a flat out destination truth. Diminish avows the thought that if there is no total truth therefore no two people will recognize esteem and truth in the same way hence, Peter infers that the reason that we communicate is for our own ill-tempered fulfillment toward oneself. Dwindle grounds his convictions on the singular and the esteem that discourse has on him or her. He doesnt accept that Freedom of speech as well as interpretation is a methods in which people can work to make an aggregate great, or profit social order overall, yet luck of discourse is an intends to enhance ones own particular self (singer, 1994).It is my conviction that discourse ought to keep on being ensured under the laws of the Constitution and the Harm Principle in light of the fact that by restricting discourse government will be compelled to comply with what social order esteems to be regularizing practices, subsequently defaming the convictio ns of the individuals who dont fall under the dominant part. The Harm Principle is dependent upon this conviction that The main reason for which power could be legitimately practiced over any part of a humanized group, without wanting to, will be to avert mischief to others. (Law publish, 2011) I accept that this is amazingly huge on the grounds that it is difficult to control a typical feelings it is inadequate to say that what will terribly insulted one man will likewise horribly irritate an alternate. Since nobody will have the same gaga pain it is difficult to control utilizing any hypothesis that builds its discipline with respect to discourse that insults.I accept that free speech ought to dependably be ensured. It is dear when discourse shows an immediate peril that hard-hitting activities ought to be constrained. At last what we need most is the security of people. With a specific end goal to hand this it is important to ensure the residents from immediate mischief whil e additionally taking into account hazard of outflow to happen. Free discourse eventually gives worth to the distinct notwithstanding if the discourse is disrespectful, rebellious, or passionate as long as it remains peaceful then it ought to remain ensured under the First Amendment (First Amendment in History, 2010). Nonetheless, in cases that do instigate some ethical or physical mischief it is important to take a gander at this nearly it is essential for the administration to give a forcing motivation to manage or rebuff the discourse.I accept that the regulations that I have actualized ought to be the most extreme measure of regulation on free discourse. This is on account of people ought to have the right to talk their psyche and communicate anyway they need. Government ought not to be permitted to place regulations on representations as long as it doesnt physically impel hurt and the administration does not have the power to limit free-gliding plans. At last the flexibility t o convey what needs be is dependent upon the quality of the discourse to the single person. Nonetheless, I dont accept that it is sensible to accept that all nations will utilize my model as a foundation. This is on account of I accept that nearby society will play excessively incredible of a part. In this way, I accept that this model ought to be actualized as an objective for all countries to attain. The base measure of free discourse to be secured might vary from mine (Tueber, 1988).All in all, I accept that freedom of speech is an extremely fundamental piece of our administrations relationship between residents and government authorities. In the event that we didnt have freedom of speech, our administration wouldnt be of the individuals, by the individuals, for the individuals (Monk, 2003) government authorities might be settling on all the choices. To emphasize, Freedom of speech might be something that can function a unique express their idea on something or it can help and s ingular damage an alternate race/type of individuals without results because of the boundless opportunity of discourse. In the event that Freedom of speech was restricted, it might help control a great deal of separation and the mobs on the grounds that they can wreak charged for it and be captured. At last, that is the thing that opportunity of discourse intends to me.Works CitedFirst Amendment in History. (2010). Retrieved from Illinois First Amendment Center http//www.illinoisfirstamendmentcenter.com/history.phpKanovitz. (2010). Freedom of Speech. advanced Providence (pp. pp. 42-87). New Jersey Matthew Bender and Company, Inc.Law publish. (2011). Retrieved from Advertising is Protected by the First Amendment http//www.lawpublish.com/amend1.htmlMonk. (2003). First Amendment. Retrieved from Interactive Constitution http//72.32.50.200/constitution/details_explanation.php?link=120const=08_amd_01singer, P. (1994). Ethics. Oxford.Tueber. (1988, March). Original Intent or How Does the Constitution Mean? Retrieved from The London Review of Books http//people.brandeis.edu/teuber/origintent.html

Cost Analysis Within The Zara Company Marketing Essay

Cost Analysis Within The Zara Company Marketing EssayDescribe how Zara uses engineering science to improve operational responsiveness to node expectations, and at the same time to reduce costs in certain beas.Zaras main strategy is to give a quick answer to end consumer demands and anticipate consumer trends through information technology and human resources. It operates on the posterior of heavy backward vertical integration, working its counseling from the end consumer all the way back to the manufacturing and diffusion. It ensures a very tight control of harvest-festivalion through simple and effective IT systems as well as a high tech distribution condense (DC.) It realizes cost optimization on its basic items for production and also time optimization in terms of speed to market of its panache items making use of technology. Zara adapted to trends and differences across markets by interacting regularly with the store managers using the PDA and phone systems to get updat es on customer feedback, fashion sense etc. The Point of Sale system (POS) in the store computers also provided valuable gross revenue data to the distribution center which had a mobile tracking system that docked hanging garments in appropriate bar coded areas. The various garments were given Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) and orders were placed from the hand-held computers in the stores twice a week or more, to the distribution center where if particular items were in short supply, allocation decisions were made on the basis of historical sales levels and otherwise considerations. After the orders were approved, the warehouse issued lists for delivery to the stores. Zara design teams tracked customer preferences and used sales information such as sales analysis, store trends and product life cycle information from the store managers, based on a consumption information system to transmit repeat orders and new designs to internal/ immaterial suppliers and the DC. The design teams there by bridged merchandising and the backend of the production process and they developed the remediate products within the season to meet consumer demands. Zaras product development teams attended high fashion fares and exhibitions to translate the latest seasonal trends into the designs. Hence, a super fast rate of operational responsiveness to customers was maintained and the DC was more of a place to swap than merely for storage.Technology also helped keep Zaras costs under control. By using the POS systems in store computers, handheld PDA devices for store managers and phone systems, sinless information regarding orders required were transmitted to the DC. The SKUs ensured accuracy in terms of which products motiveed to be produced and in what quantities and the DCs could use all this information and feedback from the design teams to project orders of the right quantity of each kind of product. Thus, inventory costs were very low, runs were limited and production costs were ma intained at very manageable levels in foulness of the large number of new items that are continuously produced. Zaras factories were also heavily automated, specialized by garment type and focused on the capital intense parts of the production process, like pattern design and cutting as well as final finishing and inspection. A Just-in-time system was installed in quislingism with Toyota in these factories and this helped in faster completion of work and controlling of costs through continuous improvement processes.Management Information System technology plays a crucial role in Zaras customer responsiveness and cost control measures.From what you see in the case, does Zara price to market or on the basis of other factors?Zara always followed a market based set method. In each country, Zara always placed more focus on the market prices (local pricing levels) sort of than on its own costs to forecast prices of items in particular markets. These forecasts were later overlaid on c ost estimates that included all considerations such as distance, tariffs, and taxes and so on to see whether the potential market could achieve profitability in a year or two of opening the first store. Zara followed a different pricing strategy in each country, for example, in Italy and Paris the focus was more quality oriented and so the price of the same items were much higher, however, in Germany where consumers are price sensitive the items were lesser priced. This figured in the different marketing strategy followed in each country. Zara controlled its costs through its production and distribution processes and was positioned in many countries as high fashion at affordable prices which though were centrally determined, much lower than competitor prices for comparable products in its major markets. lot margins still held up, this was possible because of the direct efficiencies of short, vertically integrated supply chain, reduced advertising costs, and markdown requirements. T hus Zara competed at reasonable prices through a cost leaders strategy, completing Porters generic strategy through differentiated products and broad segmentation.Zaras customers in many countries bore the extra costs of supplying the items from Spain though the prices were market based, for example, prices were 40% higher in Northern Europe and 70% higher in the Americas than in Spain. This could be seen on the garments price tag which was an atlas to the customers. These higher prices remote Spain affected Zaras positioning overseas as high end instead of mid market lam products to better validate the price differences. Like in Mexico where the target consumer base is narrow, it is geared towards the upper and middle class that knows fashion. Moreover, as in Europe, the artificial scarcity that Zara creates of its products in its stores urge the customers to pay the price and secure rather than wait it out. Markdowns are very low for Zara in Europe and elsewhere, 15-20% of its sales as compared to 30-40% for its European peers. Zara does not completely compete on basis of price as the usual Zara customer is not that price sensitive instead, it competes on fashion and its quick response capability.Zara (2010) has just launched an on-line, e-retail distribution service. For an apparel retail merchant what are the advantages and disadvantages of online distribution? Can Zara make it work?Inditex has long used the internet to promote its various lines and corporate image and is also popular on Facebook, where it has 4.5m fans. Its Smartphone application, launched slightly a year ago, has been downloaded by 2m people. Zara locoweed very easily make its online e-retail distribution service work successfully. Familiarity with the Zara stores thus provides name recognition for the online retail site, and the combination of customer data gathered by the store and the online retail site (through Google Analytics, for example) could lead to substantial personali zed marketing efforts, using various channels. With Zaras form _or_ system of government of a lean advertising budget, an online retail portal will add greatly in terms of branding and awareness.Zara had initially decided not to transport clothes on the internet since the returns rates were too high. However, as of September 2010, Inditex put Zara branded products online for its customers, waiting for online demand to build. Customers can choose from the usual range of paying methods and opt either for a free store pick-up or paid-for postal delivery. The online return and exchange policy is identical to the store system, with shoppers given 30 days to change their minds. iPhone and iPad applications that allowed purchasing will soon be available and online sales will help Zara reach potential customers who have no palmy access to physical stores.For an apparel retailer, the advantages of online distribution would be providing convenience to the shoppers to buy from the comfort of their home, save on travel time and costs and have wakeful access to the products. Customers will have 24 hour access to the shop platform online and make better buying decisions through online chat and discussion. Researchers identify convenience as a fundamental objective related to online shopping (Schaupp Belanger, 2005). This is relevant to 72% of online shoppers claim that they would rather surf online than go to retail store to learn information about a product (Lokken et al., 2003). Costs on human resources (Vendors, shop assistants, managers) can be saved by the retailer and customers can make relaxed wise buy decisions without pressure from vendors. Infinite shelf space will be available in that, products available at all store locations and about the world without geographical boundaries, to the customers to choose from. Comparison shopping in terms of styles and prices will be easier on the online portal than in the store for the consumer.Boston Consulting groupi ng analysts Evans and Wurster theorize that the three main strategic draws of online retail are reach, affiliation and richness. Reach is defined as access and connection how many customers a championship can access and how many products it can offer. Moreover, a retailers range of product offerings was traditionally limited by the size of its stores and the cost of carrying inventory while online retailers as intermediaries between customers and suppliers lack not necessarily have an inventory at all, only a catalog, often transparent to the customer. Affiliation refers to whose interests are represented by the online retailer who can treat the products from their various vendors more objectively, providing more objective information and better product comparisons for their customers. Richness refers to the depth and detail of information, about products and about customers. Evans and Wurster argue that traditional retailers still are at an advantage to supply expert information about products to their customers, and that they also are still in a better position to gather information about product sales and customer profiles and buying patterns. Online retailers are quickly catching up, however, gathering data about customer browsing behavior, purchasing history, and demographics. Online retailers are subsequently able to use this data to provide their customers with a fully customized online shopping environment, including individualized web pages, targeted ads and offers, and proper(postnominal) product suggestions, something traditional retailers cannot effectively do at their retail mercantile establishments.Some of the disadvantages of online retail would be the difficulty to gather trend information, product sales and customer suggestions. Zara could remedy this by using analytics and customer feedback forms online that are user friendly and attractive. The experience of shopping in a Zara store would be lost, but Zara would need to make its retail platform very interactive and spellbinding. Zaras prime store locations cost a lot of investment, and the advent of online shopping could mean cannibalization of its retail outlet sales and a waste of upkeep costs, this could put Zara into a fix. Customers will not be able to touch and try the product like they can in an actual store, the likelihood of purchasing on the Internet decreases with increases in product risk (Bhatnagar, Misra, Rao, 20000, p. 100). Apparels in particular had negative rating in online shopping because of it is difficult to feel and see the texture of colour online that is incomparable to going to a retail store. The biggest drawback itself would be the concept of infinite shelf space that an online distribution will bring, for Zara. Being a company that thrives on the creation of artificial scarcity of its products, the online distribution channel will have to be very carefully controlled to ensure that customers buy the products with the same fervour as when they visit the store, knowing that it might not be available the following week. Zara can remedy this property by advertising only a limited number of units of each product online so customers will know if the numbers are dwindling and that they need to act fast in order to acquire the product just as in the case of the actual store.

The History Of Break Even Analysis

The History Of Break Even AnalysisThe initial capital unavoidableness is estimated to be $50,000 to $60,000. The sales margin is expected to be 7-10%, whereby each communication channel segment contri justes differently to sales and earnings. The classical logistics segment, of all segments, lead study an intermediate contri scarcelyion to sales in relative terms (6.5%), but given the high sales saturation, the largest in absolute terms. Revenues from transportation services bathroom be differentiated into those from low priced single services to comprehensive and massive-term transportation. The sale of services is expected to gene mark a 12% to 15% sales margin, magical spell the margin from sales of services is expected to be closer to about 10%. Figure 7.1 shows the source of revenues by segment during the start-up physique.Depending on the initial investiture sum, cost and revenue estimates vary. Figure 7.2 shows the expected relationship of cost and revenues. As pot belly be seen, the relationship is not linear everywhere, but costs hang relative to sales at an initial investment of $50,000. This effect is due to the better utilization of capacities in military unit at rising revenues at constant cost. If capacity is fully utilized, additional personnel must be recruited. At an investment sum of $100,000, administrative costs are expected to return to a linear relationship of sales. At sales levels between $1,000,000 to $2,000,000, costs increase by the performer 1.85. The cost revenue relationship is distinguished, not only during the start-up phase, but also for blueprintned upgrade expansion. Often such expansion strategies are based on this relationship. Other industries are able to generate cost savings of 30-50% during expansion periods, whilefor the logistics industry, this factor is close to 15%. At a specific size, this relationship reverses because administrative costs stand up sharply. This affects small businesses between 1 0 and 20 employees most severely.Investment PlanThe investment invention comprises primary capital needs for the foundation and operation of an international logistics company with different products and services for sale. The plan also includes initial marketing and sales promotion expenses.Break-even AnalysisThe break-even analysis shows how earnings rise as a function of sales. The break-even point is the point at which revenues from sales cover total costs (fix costs and costs rising with sales). This analysis is important for the development of the liquidity plan. If the break-even point is not achieved, in the long run the business loses liquidity and may bring insolvent. This requires that a critical issue forth of revenues must be generated.At sale revenue of $600,000 and given particularised costs, the business will generate a profit. Fixed costs are estimated at $120, 0000 to $130,0000 and variable costs at $480,0000. At realizable revenue of $10,000,000 afterward 2- 3 years profits will rise to $700000 pre-tax. This represents an earnings margin of 10% pre-tax and 7% after-tax. These estimates are realistic in this market segment. Increasing sales volume will increase pre-tax earnings margins, but this development reverses when administrative costs begin to rise sharply. Up to a sales volume of $3,000,000, earnings margins rise to 12.5%, after which the margin decreases to constant 11.5%.Figure 7.3 shows at which critical sales volume the business generates a profit. This serves as a base for a price strategy. Additionally, the graph shows the amount of sales at which a marketing campaign can be run profitably.Liquidity PlanThe liquidity plan shows the amount of finances necessary to assure permanent liquidity of the business. The plan is based on 4 representative months of a typical business with 3 to 5 employees, annual sales of $1,300,000 and net profits of about $300,000. Revenue estimates are drawn from a standard normal distribution.Earni ngs PlanThe earnings plan shows the results from ordinary operations. The plan is based on the first 4 years of business. Revenue estimates are drawn from a normal distribution with an estimated growth rate of 20 to 30%. Figure 7.4 shows profit over time.Risk AnalysisThe risk analysis considers critical factors that may lead to a failure of the business concept. Such factors can involve failures during the implementation phase, as well as during operations. Such potential factors are orderedaccording to the probability at which they can arise. Shown is the key factor that led to the failure only. Data are drawn from questionnaires of 10 logisticsBusinesses with comparable product offerings and revenue- and cost structuresThat went bankrupt during the last 3 years, as well as analyses of different research institutes.Insufficient demand This is the most frequent reason that leads to business failure. This includes permanently low demand, as well as a temporary collapse in demand. Oft en demand estimates were too optimistic at the outset. Such failures might also come from external shocks kind of of operating deficiencies. 19% of businesses with insufficient demand go bankrupt. 50% of these businesses cover that, once demand slacked, they did not react accordingly, because they believed that this phenomenon was only temporary. Since the expected frequency of customers during the start-up phase is still low, a critical success factor is to focus promotional effort so as to generate customer loyalty early on, which will help minimize the effects of demand fluctuations. This is also important for the future development of the business.Behavior of Competition Due to low entry barriers, additional businesses can enter the market at low cost. Approximately 16% of insolvent businesses were driven out of the market by that competition. A better service concept, ripe ideas and concentration on core businesses are easy means for an entrant to gain a competitive edge. Pe rsonnel and capacity utilization Often personnel capacity cannot be adjusted easily when demand slows down. Currently, business services have a capacity utilization rate of personnel of 70%, i.e. 70% of employee working hours can be directly credited to sales. At small businesses this value is often lower, which means that 30% of working hours arise without generating any further revenue. 13% of such businesses go bankrupt for this reason.Liquidity constraints Another frequent reasons for bankruptcy is insufficient liquidity. In that case, it is possible that all liquid funds are used to cover losses or that liquidity needs were planned too tight. To be able to flexibly react to changing liquidity needs, it is important that sufficient funds be planned, even during the start-up phase. Thus, 5-10% of the investment sum should be held as liquidity reserve permanently. 13% of insolvent businesses reported liquidity as the reason for bankruptcy.Over-indebtedness Many business are run on a small equity base. The majority of investments are funded by debt. If the business becomes unprofitable, debt obligations cannot be covered. bitty more over 10% of insolvent firms reported over-indebtedness as the reason for going bankrupt. It is therefore important that a share of earnings is retained for debt service.macroeconomic Conditions In a cyclical downturn, revenue expectations may not come in according to expectation. Although this factor does not affect the business in itself, it does have an impact on profitability, liquidity and leverage. Costs remain constant during such periods, but revenues typically decrease which affects overall profitability. 10% of all insolvent businesses report that they went bankrupt due to macroeconomic conditions, although the relevant forefingers of the business looked healthy.Location and market The market of the business and the selection of the right potential customers is an important success factor and one of the fundamental deci sions that has an impact on the future prosperity of the firm. Therefore, a careful analysis is necessary. More than 10% of insolvent businesses reported that they went bankrupt because of the incorrectly market selection. Often start-ups did not consider that, even when the choice of market may not be wrong at the outset, it may later become so when economic conditions worsen. This may be due to structural changes or different interest of customers.Wrong Business Decisions Often wrong business decisions and baffling situations go unnoticed for some period, which can lead to a failure of the business. A critical and independent reflection of a decision is critical factors to determine the value of a management decision and evaluate the business profitability. Studies have shown that many businesses fail in their start-up phase because of managements inability to perplex sound business decisions, while once a business is settled, such mistakes are very rare. A critical management instrument is the ability to witness potential failures and problems. Certain key figures can help measure this ability and objectively determine a decisions chance for success. Small businesses should use such indicator ratios to assess theirBusiness outlooks. Figure 7.5 shows the relative importance of each factor for businesses that went bankrupt. The numbers are based on the most relevant reason that triggered bankruptcy, but not the reason responsible for bankruptcy. External factors that changed the competitive environment and changing macroeconomic conditions were the most important reasons relative to internal factorsSourceshttp//www.storeboard.com/blogs/business/business-plan-template-for-accounting-services-sample-only/134 (function() var scribd = document.createElement( volume) scribd.type = text/javascript scribd.async = true scribd.src = https//www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js var s = document.getElementsByTagName(script)0 s.parentNode.insertBe fore(scribd, s) )() http//www.docstoc.com/docs/11207319/Business-Plan-for-a-Logistics-Company

Cuban Cigars Brands and Companies :: Cuban Cigar Cuba

Cuban Cigars Cigar Brands and Companies and Their Role in the Development of Exile Culture policy-making passions in the Cuban community run fervent and high. Cuban exiles were people that were forced to flee their homeland as a result of Fidel Castro seizing contain of the government in 1959. Cubans greatly differ from other Hispanic groups in terms of why they migrated to the United States. Mexicans and Puerto Ricans came to the United States is search of greater economic opportunities. Cubans on the other hand were forced to leave Cuba due to their political beliefs and viewpoints. Those who opposed Castros political views were looked upon as dissenters and were, in turn, forced out of Cuba.Cubans migrated to the United States in some(prenominal) different waves. The first wave of Cubans came in 1959 those that came then were mostly Batistianos, Cubans that were affiliated with the overthrown Fulgencio Batista. The next wave came between 1961 and 1962 this was when most of the m ajor industries in Cuba began to become nationalized enterprises. Those that fled were predominantly doctors, lawyers, business people and skilled workers. Perhaps the largest migration occurred in 1980 with the Mariel Boatlift. In April 1980, due to growing discontent, Fidel Castro declared that anyone that wanted to leave could leave the island. Recently, other waves of migration have occurred. or so notably, between 1992 and 1994, thousands of Cubans attempted to reach the shores of the United States in rafts (balsas) and overcrowded boats.As a result of the large number of Cuban exiles in Miami, a received exile culture has formed. Cubans that had to flee their homeland because of Fidel Castro, and his regime, possess great discontent and intolerance toward Castro. The anti-Castro point of view is prevalent in Miami and other areas that Cubans inhabit. The Cuban American National Foundation (CANF) is a powerful exile group that spearheads many efforts to enforce and uphold sa nctions in order to expedite Castros removal from power. This organization and others the like it have supported trade embargoes on Cuba and all its national products. Since 1960, an embargo has been in effect on Cuban products. These embargoes are today supported by exiles who claim that the blockade is against Castro and not against Cuba. With the embargo in effect, it has been, and still is, illegal to buy, sell, trade or import Cuban products. In turn, it has been illegal to import Cuban Cigars.

Europe And The New World :: essays research papers fc

Europe and the New WorldTutorial Question Why were the westerners (Spanish, English, Portugueses, French etc) able to displace the homegrown peoples of America with, seemingly, relative ease? Was this evidence of a superior civilisation?Many believe that there is a great difference between westerners and the native people of the lands they conquered. The truth is, that there is non great distinction, except in the minds of white men. Westerners such as the French, Spanish, English and Portuguese have always believed in their own superiority. This confidence gave them the strength to displace the natives and also the justification for doing so. The civilized field seemed to grow, and change with new directions being mastered all the time, the non civilized world seemed to stand pipe down in a era recognized by Europeans as unprogressive and primitive. The Europeans viewed the Native Americans with mixed opinion, in many ways they scorned their ignorance, while at the same time be ing in awe of their innocence. Despite this, leading opinion was that the native people of the new world were substandard to the Europeans and would have to become domesticated if they were to survive in the new world. However was this triumph over the inhabitants of the land evidence of a superior civilisation? How does unity define Civilisation? For if we are to discuss what is a superior and an inferior race then understanding of the term civilisation is critical. The term civilisation is use everyday and is understood by everyone, yet a proper definition is more difficult to pin down. The oxford university dictionary defines civilisation as a authentic or advanced sate of human friendship. This is helpful, yet the question of how developed or how advanced is still relevant. Others have said that a civilized society is different from an uncivilized society because of certain attributes such as writing, cities, building etc. But agreement is difficult, it is much more safer no t to rely on a single definition, instead look at examples of what everyone has agreed to call civilisations such as Greek or Rome . However, the term civilisation still seems to be from a western point of view, for natives are not seen as civilized because they do not fit into any definition mentioned above. The Native Americans were not advanced, they did not have buildings or cities and their lifestyle and customs had hardly resembled that of Greece or Rome.