A Strategic Management In A Global Context Business Essay

A Strategic Management In A Global Context Business Essay Formal Strategic Planning is the process that involves an organisation in the defining of its strategy or direction and making the decisions on how its resources should be allocated in order to achieve this strategy. Formal strategic planning is affected by the macro-environment and this is the highest level layer in the framework, this consists of a wide range of environmental factors that impact to some extent on almost all organisations. The PESTEL framework can be used to identify how future trends in the Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environment and Legal environments might affect an organisation. Pestel analysis provides the broad date from which key drivers to change can be identified. By using these key drivers organisations can envision scenarios for the future. Scenarios can be used to help organisations decide if change needs to happen depending on the different ways in which the business environment may change. It is important for managers to analyse these factors in the present and how they are likely to change in the future. By analysing these, managers will be able to draw out implications for the organisation. Pestel factors are sometimes linked together i.e. technological factors can impact on economic factors. It is necessary to identify the key drivers of change these are environmental factors that are likely to have a high impact on the success or failure of the strategy. Key drivers vary by industry i.e. Primark may be concerned by social changes that can change customer tastes and behaviours. The critical issues are the implications that are drawn from the understanding in guiding strategic decisions and choices. The next stage is drawn from the environmental analysis specifically strategic opportunities and threats for the organisation. Having the ability to identify these opportunities and threats is extremely valuable when thinking about strategic choices for the future. Opportunities and threats form one half of the SWOT analysis that shapes a companys formulation. The use of SWOT analysis can help summarise the key issues from the business environment and the strategic capability of an organisation that are most likely to impact on strategy development. Once the key issues have been identified an organisation can then assess if it is capable to deal with the changes taking place within the business environment. If the strategic capability is to be understood the business must remember that it is not absolute but relative to its competitors. SWOT analysis is only useful if it is comparative, that is it examines strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. SWOT analysis should help focus discussion on the future choices and to what extent an organisation is capable of supporting these strategies. SWOT analysis should not be used a substitute for more in-depth analysis. In responding strategically to the environment the goal is to reduce identified threats and take advantages of the best opportunities. Peter Drucker, discussing the importance of business policy and strategic planning in his book the practice of management says we cannot be content with plans for a future that we can foresee. We must prepare for all possible and a good many impossible contingencies. We must have a workable solution for anything that may come up. http://www.alagse.com/strategy/s1.php By taking advantage of the strategic gap (which is an opportunity in the competitive environment that has not been fully exploited by competitors) organisations can manage threats and opportunities. http://turbo.kean.edu/~jmcgill/assess.pdf http://polisci2.ucsd.edu/snunnari/HBR_on_Strategy_23_41.pdf#page=25 Core competencies are a set of linked business processes that deliver superior value to the customer, when these are combined they create strategic value and can lead to competitive advantage. By using Porters five forces analysis which is a framework for organisations to analyse industry and business strategy, they can draw upon the five forces that determine the competitive intensity and therefore attractiveness of a market. Three of Porters five forces refer to competition from external sources and the other two are internal threats. This analysis is just one part of the complete Porter strategic model the others include the value chain (VC) and the generic strategies. http://hbr.org/2008/01/the-five-competitive-forces-that-shape-strategy/ar/1 According to Porter (2008) the job of a strategist is too understand and cope with competition; however managers define competition too narrowly as if it has occurred only among today direct competitors. Competition goes beyond profits to include competitive forces such as customers, suppliers, potential entrants and substitute products; the extended rivalry that results from all five forces defines an industrys structure and shapes the nature of competition within an industry. For example Apple are good at technology and innovation therefore they can take the opportunities that give them competitive advantage and makes them leaders compared to Samsung or Nokia. Porters says there are 5 forces that shape the competition: Threat of new entrants Bargaining power of customers powerful customers usually bargain for better services which involve cost and investment Bargaining power of suppliers may determine the cost of raw materials and other inputs effecting profitability Rivalry among competitors competition influences the pricing and other costs like advertising etc. Threats from substitutes where-ever substantial investments in RD is taking place, the threat of substitutes is large. It also affects profitability. Competitive advantage is the heart of strategy and for the strategy to succeed the organisation should have relevant competitive advantage. We can see an example of this with Toshiba who operate in electrical goods, through a flexible manufacturing system it manufactures different products / varieties of some products on the same assembly lines. At Ohme it assembles nine varieties of computers on the same line and on the adjacent line it assembles 20 varieties of lap top computers. It is able to switch from one product / variety to another instantly at low cost and makes profits on low volume runs too. This flexibility of Toshiba to respond quickly and easily to the fast changing market demand is definitely one of its competitive advantages. Whereas its competitors make profits only through long volume runs of a particular model. However, there are a lot of companies who are choosing not to invest due to the recession; however Lidl and Aldi are taking advantage of supplying cheaper products giving them competitive advantage over say Waitrose. http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/Bringing_discipline_to_strategy_1054 Benefits of Strategic Planning Effective strategic planning can positively improve the performance of an organisation and give them the ability to serve more clients, access additional resources or enhance the quality of service/product. It can also offer solutions to major organisational issues or challenges and gives stakeholders of the organisation an opportunity to develop harmonic solutions to long-term issues/challenges that have been affecting the organisation. Furthermore it allows for forward thinking, allowing an organisation the opportunity to pause and revisit the mission and create long-term vision. It allows clear future direction allowing stakeholders to look to the future, plan and respond to changes. Evaluation One of the major drawbacks of formal strategic planning is the uncertain dynamic environment, things change constantly and everything becomes shorter. The recession at the present time is making everything unpredictable and this is not good for strategic planning. According to Mintzberg 1994 strategic planning should be used to devise and implement the competitiveness of each business unit. Scientific management was pioneered by Fredrick Taylor and involved separating thinking from doing and thus creating a new function staffed by specialists. Planning systems were expected to produce the best strategies as well as step by step instructions on how to achieve this, but this never worked well. According to Mintzberg strategic planning is not strategic thinking, the most successful strategies are visions, not plans. When an organisation can differentiate between planning and strategic thinking they can then get back to what the strategy making process should be. Once a manger has the ability to learn from all sources around him, including personal experiences and market research and can integrate this into a vision of the direction that the business can then pursue. Mintzberg suggests that strategic planning is a misconception and rests upon three unsound arguments: that prediction is possible, thats strategists can be detached from the subjects of their strategies, and that the strategy-making process can be formalised. Strategic thinkers can apply lessons learned from Mintzberg (1994) three inherent fallacies of traditional planning: The Fallacy of Prediction is the assumption that we can actually control events through a formalised process that involves people engaged in creative or even routine work and can manage to stay on the predicted course. You need more than hard facts you need the personal touch. People are not objective, they are complex. The Fallacy of Detachment is the assumption we can separate the planning from the doing, if the system does the thinking, then strategies must be detached from the tactics. Formulation from implementation, thinkers from doers. One objective is to make sure senior managers receive relevant information without having to immense themselves in the details. One fact is innovation has never been institutionalised and systems have never been able to reproduce the synthesis created by the entrepreneur or the ordinary strategist and probably never will. The Fallacy of Formulisation suggests that systems could certainly process more information, at least hard information. However they could never internalise it, comprehend it, and put it all together. Such control is more a dream that a reality. Reality tells us that anomalies, the fickle behaviour of humans and the limitations of analysis play a huge factor in the organisational outcomes and to disregard them is risky and could lead to incomplete planning. What are the limitations of strategic planning when things are changing rapidly? http://www.globalfuture.com/planning1.htm The limitations of formal strategic planning can be seen if the future is uncertain and the expectations divert from the plan. There could also be internal resistance to formal strategic planning due to factors including: Information flows, decision making and power relationships could be unsettled Current operating problems may drive out long-term planning efforts There are risks and fears of failure New demands will be placed on managers and staff Conflicts with the organisation are exposed Planning is expensive in time and money Planning is difficult and hard work The completed plan limits choices and activities for the organisation in the future Nicholas ORegan, Abby Ghobadian, (2002) Formal strategic planning: The key to effective business process management?, Business Process Management Journal, Vol. 8 Iss: 5, pp.416 429 http://www.innovation.cc/scholarly-style/fairholm3.pdf

A Proposal to Abolish Grading

In every education system, grading and testing are done simultaneously so as teachers and lectures can know the capabilities of their students and whether they have assimilated what have been taught and used effectively.Most of universities and higher learning institutions as prerequisite of students admission is being tested before granted admission, the system help the universities assessing applicants’ capabilities in correspondence to their applications.The grading system which is conducted after certain amount of academic units covered of students respective courses or subjects, apart from assessing students’ capabilities, also assist them in studying especially for lazy students. When students know that there will be grading for the tests they are going to do, definitely they are going to study hard for it.I tend to differ with Paul Goodman in his proposal to abolish grading as the notion has been much effective for quite some time and has helped most of students scoring good grades even though they were lazy. But to Paul Goodman, who proposed the abolishment of grading take this as bullying students as he argues that â€Å"Many students are lazy, so teachers try to goad or threaten them by grading. In the long run this must do more harm than good.†(Paul Goodman, Mis-Education, 1971).Nevertheless, grading system assist in discovering people weaknesses being students or applicants to the higher learning. Through grading students can be able to spot their weaknesses in accordance with the type of grades they get either low or high. If low then students have an opportunity of knowing how to correct it so as to improve their grades, hence becoming knowledgeable.Despite the good intention the system has, there are setbacks that have been spotted by Paul Goodman as he argues that â€Å"But if the aim is to discover weakness, what is the point of down-grading and punishing it, and thereby inviting the student to conceal his weakness, by fak ing and bullying, if not cheating?†(Paul Goodman, Mis-Education, 1971).In conclusion, even though students might cheat during their assignments, yet they will be working hard in the tests and examinations which will help them study. Grading and testing system still assist students to learn more through the performance of their grades.Reference:Goodman Paul, ‘A proposal to abolish grading’, Mis-Education, (1971), Chapter 10, John Wiley New York   

Rhetorical Analysis Of The Gettysburg Address By Abraham...

Katrina Ta Giang 22 December 2017 AP Language and Composition(7) Mrs. Faumuina Speech Analysis Essay: The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln â€Å"The Battle of Gettysburg, fought from July 1 to July 3, 1863, is considered the most important engagement of the American Civil War†(History). It was a battle in Gettysburg Pennsylvania, consisting of the Union Army and the Confederate Army. The main purpose behind this battle was due to â€Å"Robert E. Lees plan to invade the North and force an immediate end to the war failed†(ThoughtCo.). At the ending of the battle, victory was on the Union Army’s side, as they won. This battle had then led, at that time, President Abraham Lincoln to give a speech called the Gettysburg Address. The Gettysburg†¦show more content†¦His main purpose was to encourage perseverance, and it could have not been accomplished if he did not appear as trustworthy, honorable, respectful, and appreciative of his men’s bravery, as he did. His choice of word helped him touch his audiences because it created a type of emotional connection between them. The second rhetorical device that was used in this speech was allusion. The statement that Lincoln used was, â€Å"all men are created equal.† It was is an allusion to the Declaration of Independence, which was a piece that was very important to his audience. This statement means that each and every person that was born has the right to pursue anything and everything that they desire to in this world. With everyone being created equally, nobody should have the fear of being usurped by others. He used this quote because he wanted his audiences to feel like they had motivation and dedication to stand up for themselves during that hard time. Another rhetorical device that was used was anaphora. Abraham Lincoln used the word â€Å"we† a lot throughout his speech. He specifically used â€Å"we† a lot because it was meant to emphasize peace and agreement. As I was reading the speech, I had noticed that Lincoln didn’t really use â€Å"I† or â€Å"you† in his speech, which made me infer that he wanted to feel close with the crowd. By choosing that choice of word, it lead the people of the crowd to believe that they should feel the same wayShow MoreRelatedRhetorical Analysis Of Abraham Lincoln s Gettysburg Address1564 Words   |  7 PagesA rhetorical analysis explores nonfictional works and determine if the techniques used make the piece effective (Texas AM University). The Gettysburg Address is one of the most notorious speeches. A rhetorical analysis of this legendary speech would reveal the key components that made it so prominent. The evaluation of the genre, and rhetorical devices, et hos, pathos, and logos, in the speech show how the piece was effective. Abraham Lincoln is one of the most renowned presidents in history. DuringRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Abraham Lincoln s Gettysburg Address 1669 Words   |  7 PagesZoraa Lutas QUESTION 1 Abraham Lincoln speech given at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on November 19, 1863 was described by Senator Charles Sumner, in 1865, stating â€Å"the battle itself was less important than the speech.† Explain. U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was not given the spotlight at the Soldiers’ National Cemetery on November 19, 1863, and was instead invited to give a few remarks. In fact Edward Everett’s speech would have been the official ‘Gettysburg Address’ was it not for its two hoursRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Abraham Lincoln s Gettysburg Address981 Words   |  4 Pagesstatement in which Abraham Lincoln started â€Å"The Gettysburg Address†.152 years ago, Lincoln delivered this well-known speech in front of an audience who was searching for help during a time of war. Some may believe it was not an inspiration why others will say it was. To some Americans, it might have even brought faith. Just like any other work, this essay was composed of a rhetorical situation and rhetorical devices; which can be broken down into specific factors. The rhetorical situation and devicesRead MoreRhetorical Analysis Of Abraham Lincoln s Speech939 Words   |  4 Pagesâ⠂¬Å"Four score and seven years ago†¦Ã¢â‚¬  the first six words of the famous speech given by Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863. Considering the brevity and simplicity of the speech, this powerful masterpiece has impacted citizens of the United States for generations. By further analysis, I have found a few tricks that give this piece its’ powerful punch. I propose the wise use of timing, emotion and rhetorical devices used in his speech all contributed to creating this legendary dialogue. First, theRead MoreEssay about The Rhetoric of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address1369 Words   |  6 Pagesincorporates each of them is the address President Abraham Lincoln gave at Gettysburg on November 19, 1863, commonly known as the Gettysburg Address. In Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, Charmichael suggests, â€Å"Greatness in a speech, like greatness in men, or in events, is usually recognized only when seen through the haze of distance which the passing years bring† (67-68). It is often only in retrospect that great speeches are recognized as just that. Though the Gettysburg Address is already commonly—andRead MoreI Have a Dream Analysis985 Words   |  4 PagesRhetorical Analysis – I Have a Dream. A speech, that will be remembered by many and be passed down from generation to generation, had shaped the future of America by the time Martin Luther King had stepped off the stage on August 28th, as he called for an end to racism in the United States during the March on Washington in 1963. This was one of, if not, the most powerful speech America has seen to this day. A beautiful way to begin! Good job! Martin Luther King stood on that stage with confidenceRead MoreThe Effects Of Imperialism In George Orwells Shooting An Elephant1633 Words   |  7 Pagesclaim and experiences are very relatable today because as long as there are fathers and mothers and families, there are going to be those that re-live the past and create memories that last their families a lifetime, or perhaps even longer.    Process Analysis: Joan Didion, On Keeping a Notebook   Ã‚  Ã‚   In the selection On Keeping a Notebook, Joan Didion uses her experiences in day to day life as a writer in order to demonstrate the importance/methods of keeping a daily notebook. Didion appeals to her audienceRead MoreRhetorical Analysis I Have A Dream767 Words   |  4 PagesShelly Ahmed Deborah Williams Rhetorical Analysis 04 November 2017 â€Å"I Have a Dream† The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963. There was about 250,000 people in attendance. It was the largest demonstration ever seen in the nations capital, and the first to have a lot television coverage. Dr.King uses the bible to receive an emotional reaction and connection from the audience as The glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall seeRead MoreI Have a Dream: Rhetorical Analysis865 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"I Have a Dream† Rhetorical Analysis Five elements of rhetoric: * Speaker: Martin Luther King Jr., a Baptist minister from Atlanta, Georgia, who was inspired by Christianity and Gandhi. * Audience: Primarily African-Americans were present at the speech, but it was heard by many white Americans across the country. * Subject: A call for an end to racism in the United States. * Context: The speech was given on August 28, 1963, at the Lincoln Memorial, in a time where it was very difficultRead MoreEssay on The Kings Dream1588 Words   |  7 Pagesthe Lincoln memorial in Washington D.C on August 28, 1963. In King’s â€Å"I Have a Dream† he motivated and touched not only African Americans but white folks as well in the world and in the crowd. His speech delivers a powerful message during the Civil Rights Movements by using rhetorical devices of metaphor and allusion. King’s speech was given on August 28th, 1963. His purpose was to endorse freedom for slaves. He begins his speech with the emancipation of the slaves, issued by Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln

Diversifiable or an Undiversifiable Risk - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 4 Words: 1219 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2017/09/14 Category Advertising Essay Did you like this example? School Name: TUI University Name: Kevin D. Cruise The Course Dept#: Principles of Finance – FIN 301 Module 3 Case Assignment Professor’s Name: Dr. John Halstead Assignment: 1. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Diversifiable or an Undiversifiable Risk" essay for you Create order For each of the scenarios below, explain whether or not it represents  a diversifiable or an undiversifiable risk. Please consider the issues from the viewpoint of investors. Explain your reasoning a. A large fire severely damages three major U. S. cities. b. A substantial unexpected rise in the price of oil. c. A major lawsuit is filed against one large publicly traded corporation. . Use the CAPM to answer the following questions: a. Find the Expected Rate of Return on the Market Portfolio given that the Expected Rate of Return on Asset i is 10%, the Risk-Free Rate is 3%, and the Beta (b) for Asset i is 1. 5. b. Find the Risk-Free Rate given that the Expected Rate of Return on Asset j is 14%, the Expected Return on the Market Portfolio is 12%, and the Beta (b) for Asset j is 1. 5. c. What do you think the Beta (? ) of your portfolio would be if you owned half of all the stocks traded on the major exchanges? Explain. . In one page explain what you think is the main message of the C apital Asset Pricing Model to corporations and what is the main message of the CAPM to investors? Assignment Expectations: The Case report should be a two-page report. Please show your work for quantitative questions. 1. For each of the scenarios below, explain whether or not it represents  a diversifiable or an undiversifiable risk. Please consider the issues from the viewpoint of investors. Explain your reasoning a. A large fire severely damages three major U. S. cities. In this scenario it can be defined as an undiversifiable risk. The companies in these three major U. S. cities are basically victims of circumstance. Let’s take a look at Katrina when it hit Louisiana and Mississippi. While it didn’t affect the whole stock market, it did have a huge impact the economic situation for Louisiana. A large fire would have the same effect as Katrina did. The loss of schools, jobs, homes and businesses was devastating to say the least. Louisiana while they have recovered some over the last 5 years, there is still more recovery that needs to be done. When you have a situation like this you have to remember that it just isn’t affecting a small number of people but thousands possibly millions. Hundreds of people lost their lively hood and had to relocate to new areas and start all over again. For the economic situation of these three major cities, infrastructures have been ruined and have to be rebuilt which takes money and time. The federal government usually has to come to the aid of those cities or states that are effected by this disaster. b. A substantial unexpected rise in the price of oil. Well, we all know firsthand what will happen when we have an unexpected rise in the price of oil. This caused a major economic crisis that we still haven’t recovered from. We lost major automotive companies that have been around for decades because we did not forsee this or weren’t prepared for such an incident. The sudden rise in the price of oil has caused the whole world to relook the automotive industry and we are scrambling to develop alternative motives of fuel sources for our cars. Actually, this is an issue that was brought up 30 years ago but never fully addressed because of greed. We knew that we would run into a situation that could cause us to run low on crude oil which would drive the price up. While some companies were developing alternative sources of energy or fuel to propel our car, it was never really taken serious because we just chose to overlook the issue and continued to build bigger cars. Now, we are faced with a situation which has global repercussions. This is an undiversifiable risk for certain. c. A major lawsuit is filed against one large publicly traded corporation. For this scenario, this would probably be a diversified risk because it is only affecting one sector. It would be bad for that company that has the lawsuit filed against them while their rival may strive or prosper from their downfall. One such company was Enron. Their stockholders took a beating and lost millions of dollars in the process. It had a huge impact on the stock market because of the type of business it was. However, if your portfolio was diversified then you only lost out on that one stock. 2. Use the CAPM to answer the following questions: a. Find the Expected Rate of Return on the Market Portfolio given that the Expected Rate of Return on Asset i is 10%, the Risk-Free Rate is 3%, and the Beta (b) for Asset i is 1. . 3 + 1. 5(10 -3) = 3+ 1. 5(7) = 3+ 10. 5 = 13. 5% b. Find the Risk-Free Rate given that the Expected Rate of Return on Asset j is 14%, the Expected Return on the Market Portfolio is 12%, and the Beta (b) for Asset j is 1. 5. (1. 5 * 14)/ 12= 8% c. What do you think the Beta (? ) of your portfolio would be if you owned half of all the stocks traded on the maj or exchanges? Explain. If I owned half of all the stocks traded, my beta would probably be less than because with a Beta value higher than 1 would cause my stocks to be riskier and would have a greater chance to outperform the market. The more money that I pay for a stock the more the more money I have a chance to earn but it isn’t guaranteed. 3. In one page explain what you think is the main message of the Capital Asset Pricing Model to corporations and what is the main message of the CAPM to investors? For corporations basically the CAPM is saying to them that they have to show investors what makes their company reputable and worth a high stock value. The Beta for corporations basically classifies it as a volatile or non volatile stock. The number of investors or other companies that invest in your corporation says that they believe in your company and what they stand for. The sales is what brings all of that together. The general idea behind CAPM is that investors need to be compensated in two ways: time value of money  and risk. The time value of money is represented by the risk-free (rf) rate  in the formula and compensates the investors for placing money in any investment over a period of time. The other half of the formula represents risk and calculates the amount of compensation the investor needs for taking on  additional risk. This is calculated by taking a risk measure (beta)  that compares the returns of the asset to the market over a period of time and to the market premium (Rm-rf). Investopedia. com. When investing in a company stock you want to look at their earning over the last year or two. Also, look at the number of employees, their sales, outstanding stocks and potential for earning. The more stocks that I purchase means that I think that I have a good chance of earning a lot of money if their stocks goes up in a few months or years depending on how long I am looking to invest in this corporation.

Essay about Pips Expectations in Charles Dickens Great...

Pips Expectations in Charles Dickens Great Expectations Throughout the novel there are many expectations of Pip. They are appointed to him by many different characters, as well as himself. These expectations were very stressful for Pip and often wore him down to breaking point. Right from the start of the book we are introduced to many characters and we find out shortly why they thrust such Great Expectations on Pip. Eventually we discover more about these and find out if they come true. In the beginning of the book we are introduced to Mrs Gargery. We know that Mrs Gargery is Pips sister who has been given the task of looking after him. When she hears that Pip has a chance of going to Mss†¦show more content†¦They found out that this dream would not come true, Perhaps I have been told to give you a present when you lose your apprentice. Joe was obviously upset that this expectation would not come true, and as time went on, he realised it was for the best as Pip was to become a gentleman. Miss Havisham had many expectations of Pip. As soon as Pip had an opportunity to go to Miss Havishams to play, she expected him to obey and amuse her and Estella. The expectation of Pip obeying her is strongly emphasised with quotes, You can go home now. Come again in six days time. This quote backs up the feeling that she is ordering Pip around. Also it brings forth another expectation. Miss Havisham expects Pip to love Estella. She exaggerated feelings between the children, making Pip love Estella only to break his heart soon after, Go on, my love, she used to whisper in Estellas ear, break mens hearts and have no mercy. Miss Havisham encouraged Estella to make Pip think she loved him, so he would love her back. Pip had many expectations of himself. Pips first one as a boy was that he would take over Joes business after he retired, I always knew I would be apprenticed to Joe as soon as I was old enough. What Pip did not know was, that he would soon have an opportunity to go to London and be taught. When Pip knew he could achieve more than he ever imagined, he expected toShow MoreRelatedPip’s Character Change in Charles Dickens Great Expectations1173 Words   |  5 PagesPip’s Character Change in Charles Dickens Great Expectations Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens is a compelling story rich in friendship, love and fortune. The main character, Pip, is a dynamic character that undergoes many changes through the course of the book and throughout this analysis, the character Pip, will be identified and his gradual change through the story will be quoted and explained. The main character, Pip, is a gentle character. His traits include Read MorePips Childhood in Charles Dickens Great Expectations Essay1120 Words   |  5 PagesPips Childhood in Charles Dickens Great Expectations In the first five chapters of Charles Dickens Great Expectations, we follow the life of a young boy, Phillip Pirrip - Pip for short, in early nineteenth century England. A time when England was in industrial revolution and when the rapid growth of cities brought social divisions between class - rich and poor. The British government fearing a revolution, maintained a harsh regime. In Great Expectations, DickensRead More Pips Aspirations in Charles Dickens Great Expectations Essay2765 Words   |  12 PagesPips Aspirations in Charles Dickens Great Expectations      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Through Great Expectations, Dickens explores the different notions of gentility in the nineteenth century and the implications of upward mobility on the lower class. One of the most radical aspects of the industrial revolution on the everyday life of nineteenth-century England was the effect on the social structure. Prior to the nineteenth century, social stratification was rigid and did not allow individuals to move fromRead MoreGuilt and Corruption in Great Expectations1598 Words   |  7 PagesGuilt and Corruption in Great Expectations The Victorian era is often cited as England’s golden age; however, beneath the trappings of silk and gold lay a society of greed and corruption. The rich lived a lifestyle of luxury and indulgence by exploiting the labor of the poor. Charles Dickens saw the injustice of the class system in Victorian society and worked to highlight the immorality of the upper class through his literature. Because Dickens himself had experienced both poverty and wealth,Read MoreCharles Dickens Great Expectations964 Words   |  4 PagesOliveros British Literature H February 24, 2016 TITLE Throughout Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, minor characters help in the development of Pip and his psychological state. The novel journeys with Pip as he grows from a poor, young boy to an adult in the upper class. Difficult situations, suspense, and dynamic characters fill the novel. Julian Moynahan, a professor emeritus of literature at Rutgers University, analyzed Dickens’ novel and produced excellent parallels between a select few of theRead MoreGreat Expectations and a Christmas Carol: a True Gentleman Essay1430 Words   |  6 PagesGreat Expectations and A Christmas Carol: A True Gentleman According to Dictionary.com, a gentleman is a civilized, educated, sensitive, or well-mannered man. However, by Victorian definition, a gentleman was, perhaps most importantly, a rich man. â€Å"Charles Dickens†¦was an author of relatively humble origins who desired passionately to be recognized as a gentleman, and insisted, in consequence, upon the essential dignity of his occupation† (Victorian Web). In Great Expectations he portrays Pip, aRead MoreSocial Class Of The Victorian Era1282 Words   |  6 Pagesof the most important social reformers during the Victorian Era was Charles Dickens. Growing up in a poor, working class family, Dickens knew about the harsh realities that spawned from the social class system present. His writing reflects these experiences and attempts to expose this harsh system and other big problems prominent in Victorian society. Pip is a character that experiences some of these realities in Great Expectations. Pip initially lets his social sta tus define him and must then go throughRead MoreA Satirical Expedition in Charles Dickens Great Expectations698 Words   |  3 Pagesbetter in the enticing high class life as a gentleman. Meanwhile, throughout the novel, Charles Dickens employs satire to depict the faults and criticisms, with a small sense of humor, in Pip’s knotty expectations though his usage of intricate symbolism, irony, paralleling social classes, unexpected plot twists and the poignant mysteries confining the devilish, yet beautiful orphan, Estella. Firstly, Pip’s expectations begin as a lonely orphan living in the house of his demanding sister, Mrs. Joe, notRead MoreGreat Expectations by Charles Dickens984 Words   |  4 PagesCharles Dickens utilizes his life for inspiration for the protagonist Pip in his novel Great Expectations. They both struggle with their social standing. Dickens loved plays and theatre and therefore incorporated them into Pip’s life. Dickens died happy in the middle class and Pip died happy in the middle class. The connection Dickens makes with his life to Pip’s life is undeniable. If readers understand Dickens and his upbringing then readers can understand how and why he created Pip’s upbringingRead MoreCharles Dickens Great Expectations972 Words   |  4 PagesThe novel â€Å"Great Expectation† by Charles Dickens, is written from the perspective of an innocent boy, Pip, whose life is faced with different challenges and expectations. Growing up in a small village wi th a ruthless and violent sister who shows him little love causes him to be sensitive. In essence, the narrator not only begins to yearn for love and acceptance, but he also develops a high desire of becoming a gentleman in order to obtain genuine happiness. According to Pip, being a gentleman is

Cicero, Aristotle, Plato †Just Warrior Free Essays

string(50) " A noble man acts on character, not calculations\." Tory Macdonald 9. 25. 12 Ethics of War and Peace Essay #1 My question: Plato, Aristotle and Cicero all talked about Just War Theory, and emphasis on the Just Warrior. We will write a custom essay sample on Cicero, Aristotle, Plato – Just Warrior or any similar topic only for you Order Now Obedience and loyalty ( can lead to destruction. Plato, Aristotle and Cicero, the fathers of the Just War tradition, develop and enhance the concept of civic virtue and the necessity to uphold such morality during the most chaotic, violent and brutal of times – war. They each defend the necessity of war; yet emphasize the correct code of conduct in war and what makes an honorable and just warrior. Today, war is much less engrained in our culture; our sons are not born with the future of a warrior. However, when there is war, we hear of many unjust and dishonorable acts such as mass rape, genocide, or specifically the My Lai Massacre. Plato, Aristotle and Cicero lived through a culture of war, defending it as necessary to keeping the peace. Because it was so engrained in their culture, a normalcy, they were not as concerned with the inhumane idea that defines war- killing another human being. Today, we do not live in a culture of constant war, therefore we are more susceptible to becoming overwhelmed by the trauma of violence. Plato, Aristotle and Cicero, provide guidelines of a just warrior however, had not yet discovered what it is that can turn a good man into a bad one, and what horrible aspects of war he may fall victim to. Today, true courage means fighting against dishonor, because unfortunately, war turns the most honorable men into dishonorable ones. Plato is a philosopher who lived from 469-399 through the Peloponnesian Wars and stressed the belief that for man, there is something worse than death- an unreflective life. Plato reasoned that all people should strive to be pious, or good. He noted that piety is what the God’s hold dear, what all the Gods agree upon therefore, it is these morals that the people should uphold. In war, a soldier should not fear death but rather fear a dishonorable or impious life. He should rather die from pain than he should from shame. The same idea should be used when deciding to go to war or not. There must always be a just reason. In a conversation between Alcibiades and Socrates, Plato describes the importance of waging war for a just cause. ‘Soc: Don’t you know that when we make war we begin to wage war after accusing each other of some affront and what term we use when we begin? Alc: I do – we say we have been deceived, or done violence to, or deprived of something. ’[1] He then elaborates to whom a war can be claimed against: ‘Soc: Now, what of this? Whom will you advise the Athenians to wage war against, those behaving unjustly or those practicing the just things? Alc: What you are asking is a terrible thing; for even if someone had it in his mind that war ought to be waged against those practicing the just things, he would not admit to it, at least. ’[2] Plato seeks the unbiased truth, a critical reflection on why and what to do in a situation, especially regarding war. Each of his answers comes back to being pious and reflective. He believes that war is necessary to keep up a good state, however believes it especially important to uphold pious and virtuous standards as a just warrior, in a just cause, using just means, to accomplish just ends. Aristotle is the founder of virtue ethics or â€Å"Jus in bello†, just actions in war. Aristotle claimed that virtues are described as a mean of excellence, a center between two extremes: excess and deficiency. For example, courage is a balance between cowardice and recklessness. Prudence is practical wisdom that determines the mean of all virtues essentially what determines the mean between two extremes. This is especially important in defining the virtues of a warrior. Aristotle believes that a â€Å"just warrior† is a man who exhibits courage and commits actions that are only noble. He states there should be a purpose to his fighting, something he is willing to die for. A â€Å"just warrior† chooses to endure things because it is noble. â€Å"He will fear them as he ought and as reason directs, and he will face them for the sake of what is noble, for this is the end of excellence. [3] He notes that a courageous man is not a fearless one, but one who faces those fears because it is right. Aristotle also notes that, â€Å"Courage is noble. Therefore the end is also noble; for each thing is defined by its end. Therefore it is for a noble end that the brave man endures and acts as courage directs. †[4] Aristotle emphasizes that a just war rior fights only for a just cause. Aristotle also illustrates five different types of courage and their honorable uses. The first is political courage. One who exhibits political courage fears shame rather than pain or punishment. The second is that courage is knowledge. He notes, â€Å"While the former from the very beginning faced the danger on the assumption they were stronger, and when they know the facts they fly, fearing death more than disgrace; but the brave man is not that sort of person†. [5] He explains that when one knows of the danger, and still plows ahead, he is courageous. The third is that passion should aid morals, however feelings are not bravery and emotions should not speak louder than reason. As Homer noted, â€Å"put strength into his passion†[6] as those who are passionate are often eager to rush into danger. The fourth states that sanguine people are not brave, â€Å"for they are confident in danger only because they have conquered often against many foes†¦when their adventures do not succeed however, they run away; but it was the mark of a brave man to face things that are. †[7] A noble man acts on character, not calculations. You read "Cicero, Aristotle, Plato – Just Warrior" in category "Essay examples" The fifth point is that courage does not mean people who are ignorant. Those who do not know and succeed are not brave, just lucky. Cicero who lived from 106 to 43 BC, created the Peace Movement that moved away from â€Å"best defense is a good offense† to the idea of constant civic virtue. He strongly stated that war must be undertaken with the aim of peace. He believed that war must be a last resort and a declaration between two parties. â€Å"For this we can grasp that no war is just unless it is waged after a formal demand for restoration, or unless it has been formally announced and declared beforehand. †[8] Justice was to be maintained amongst all participants. He was the first to declare that war was not a world apart, and that atrocities committed at an international level were not different as if they were committed in ones own state. Cicero stated that the â€Å"moral fellowship of mankind should know no boundaries†. [9] This correlates with his idea of natural law; a natural fellowship that exists amongst all humans, which nature has provided for all men to treat each other morally. There are commonalities amongst all men, no matter if he is a sea away, and Cicero believed that each warrior to act justly was to uphold that concept. Cicero also stressed that the fighting during war must always be towards an honorable end. He notes that a just warrior does not think of self-interest saying, â€Å"However, if the loftiness of spirit that reveals itself amid danger and toil is empty of justice, if it fights not for the common safety but for its own advantages, it is a vice. †[10] He also values reasons that make decisions over courage that incites battle. A just warrior â€Å"fights on behalf of fairness†[11]. A just warrior must also be able to balance reason with his cause. Cicero notes, â€Å"However, we must exercise the body, training it so that when it has to attend to business or endure hard work it is able to obey counsel and reason. [12] Just because a warrior is fighting for a noble cause, does not mean he can lose sight of the just reasoning behind it and we must train our soldiers so that this doesn’t happen. The My Lai massacre on March 16th, 1968 was the mass murder of somewhere between 347 to 500 innocent, unarmed village people of Southern Vietnam. [13] The United St ates military men of the Company C â€Å"Charlie† of the 1st Battalion committed the acts that included mass murder, mutilation, ransacking and rape. Lead into the area under a false indication of dense enemy activity, they were met with women, children, and the elderly. Although the men had not yet suffered any direct attack in the first months of their deployment, they had suffered mines and booby traps, losing many men. [14] The company was given orders by Captain Ernest Medina, who clearly stated that all those who were enemies or seemed like enemies were to be taken down. [15] The company lead by Second Lieutenant William Calley then went in to the village, and began firing at what was supposed to be dangerous enemies. [16] The violence escalated and the brutality did not stop. Several men participated, several men stood back and watched. Only one man, Warrant Officer Scout Hugh Thompson who had spotted the massacre from a helicopter, sacrificed his life and the lives of his men to stop the atrocities. [17] To this day, only one man has been convicted of war crimes and only served three years of house arrest. The others were left alone. Today, the My Lai Massacre is looked at as the epitome of the Vietnam War- a mistake, a terrible time of confusion, an example of the psychological traumas of war. Most importantly, it is an example of how easily dishonor can cloud moral reasoning. These men were angry to have lost their fellow brothers in mines and booby traps, they were scared, they were starving, and they were not in their natural mind. A soldier states of that day, â€Å"Yes I am ashamed, I’m sorry and I’m guilty but I did it†¦If you go to war, those are the types of things that happen and can happen to anyone†¦It can happen, it happens, that is what war is†¦War is war, it’s killing all type of ways. [18] When a dishonor was done to them, when dishonor is all around them, dishonor is what they begin to do too. Today the dishonors of war range from obedience to a terrible leader, to dehumanizing the enemy so inhumane actions suddenly seem right. In the case of the My Lai Massacre, many soldiers involved to this day claim that they were just following orders and that their loyal obedience overtook their moral compasses. One soldier noted, â€Å"At no time it ever crossed my mind to disobey or to refuse to carry out an order that was issued by my superiors. I shudder to think what the repercussions would have been†¦Ã¢â‚¬  [19] The soldiers were fighting in a perceived honor and loyalty to the United States. The need to please and obey took the pressure off of their actions, because someone else was dictating them. In other instances, soldiers would dehumanize their enemy to get through the idea of killing them. Cicero notes that this is entirely wrong according to natural law: â€Å"Perhaps we should examine more thoroughly what are the natural principles of human fellowship and community. First it is something that is seen in the fellowship of the entire human race. For its bonding consists of reason and speech, which reconcile men to one another, through teaching, learning, communicating, debating, and making judgments, and unite them in a kind of natural fellowship. It is this that most distances us from the nature of other animals. To them we often impute courage, as with horses or lions, but we do not impute them justice, fairness or goodness. For they have no share in reason and speech. † [20] Cicero states that since we are all of peech and reason, we are all human. However, dehumanization, where one dehumanizes their enemy and views them as some sort of animal, is a common strategy and conflict in today’s wars. The Holocaust, the Bosnian and Rwandan genocide are all examples of dehumanization. The Nazi soldiers truly believed that they were ridding their country of â€Å"vermin†, and the Hutu soldiers considered the Tutsi people to be  "cockroaches†. Similarly, soldiers fighting in the Vietnam War referred to their enemies as animals, less than human and the massacre is a clear example of that. Perhaps the rules have changed since wars progressed through time. Today’s atrocities don’t seem as atrocious to us as they would to Plato, Aristotle and Cicero because we have become accustomed to them, as they were accustomed to having a culture of war. Peter Olsthoorn stated in his book â€Å"Just Warriors† â€Å"Soldiers, although far from selfish, cannot be expected to perform their duties from a sense of duty alone. Both inside and outside the sphere of war, only the perfectly wise act virtuously for virtue’s sake. However those perfectly wise are rare, Cicero himself claimed that he had never met such a person†¦For the not so wise, that is, most of us, a little help from the outside, consisting of the judgments of our peers and our concern for our reputation, can be of help. †[21] Looking back on the massacre, many men are quick to point out the outside factors that effected their behavior such as their loyalty, fear, confusion, lack of direction, even a blank blackout. One man notes, â€Å"We felt what we were doing was right, and after it was over we knew it was wrong. [22] These soldiers eventually are able to reflect. However at the time, they were worried for themselves, acting out of vengeance and self interest, therefore were not leading an honorable life. Officer Thompson exhibited true courage of a just warrior. He saw that the bodies consisted of mostly babies, children, women and the elderly, without a threatening combatant or weapon in sight. After several failed radio transmissions, he ordered his men to land on sight and aim their guns at their fellow American soldiers. He ordered that they would hold their positions against their bothers until they had agreed to a cease-fire and stopped the massacre. While doing this he walked out unarmed, entered a ditch and rescued a woman and her child. Officer Thompson knew what he was getting himself into. He recognized that his loyalty to his fellow Americans was the wrong kind of loyalty. He pushed past fear and fought for a noble cause, to save the people. He did not shoot anyone down to do it, but was prepared to do so to end an injustice. Thompson used honorable means to obtain an honorable end. He illustrated every of the five points Aristotle noted a â€Å"just warrior† should be. He was courageous but not reckless, and he proved that in an unjust war, in and unjust setting, justice still prevails. Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero believe that a warrior’s honor is the ability to exercise restraint under chaotic and emotionally taxing experiences. It is not simply standing firm in battle or committing acts of heroic bravery. It is recognizing the differences between combatant and noncombatant, between the innocent and the guilty and acting with reason when reason is hard to find. Today, it is about escaping the dishonor. War is about entering with the right reasons and leaving with the correct ends. War can make an honorable man, a dishonorable one and the three philosophers explain that real courage, is tackling war itself and not falling victim to the demons. If they had been alive at the time their general philosophy would have stood, the advancing atrocities just would have made it that much harder and much more honorable to be a real, true â€Å"just warrior†. Bibliography: Reichberg, Gregory M. Henrik Syse, and Endre Begby, eds. The Ethics of War: Classic and Contemporary Readings. Blackwell, 2006. Print. Baker, Deane-Peter. Just Warriors, Inc. London: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2011. Unknown. â€Å"The My Lai Massacre. † PBS. PBS, 29 Mar. 2009. Web. 05 Oct. 2012. . Wikipedia. org YmBigBen90 (User’s ID). â€Å"My Lai Massacre – Part One of Two. † YouTube. YouTube, 16 May 2009. Web. 02 Oct. 2012. — ——————– [1] Reichberg, Gregory M. , Henrik Syse, and Endre Begby, eds. The Ethics of War: Classic and Contemporary Readings. Blackwell, 2006. Print. [2] Ibid. [3] [4] Reichberg, Gregory M. , Henrik Syse, and Endre Begby, eds. The Ethics of War: Classic and Contemporary Readings. Blackwell, 2006. Print. [5] Ibid. [6] Ibid. [7] Ibid. [8] Ibid. [9] Ibid. [10] Reichberg, Gregory M. , Henrik Syse, and Endre Begby, eds. The Ethics of War: Classic and Contemporary Readings. Blackwell, 2006. Print. [11] Ibid. [12] Ibid. [13] Ibid. [14] Wikipedia. org [15] Unknown. â€Å"The My Lai Massacre. † PBS. PBS, 29 Mar. 2009. Web. 05 Oct. 2012. . [16] Unknown. â€Å"The My Lai Massacre. PBS. PBS, 29 Mar. 2009. Web. 05 Oct. 2012. . [17] Ibid. [18] Ibid. [19] Unknown. â€Å"The My Lai Massacre. † PBS. PBS, 29 Mar. 2009. Web. 05 Oct. 2012. . [20] Ibid. [21] Reichberg, Gregory M. , Henrik Syse, and Endre Begby, eds. The Ethics of War: Classic and Contemporary Readings. Blackwell, 2006. Print. [22] Baker, Deane-Peter. Just Warriors, Inc. London: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2011. [23] YmBigBen90 (User ’s ID). â€Å"My Lai Massacre – Part One of Two. † YouTube. YouTube, 16 May 2009. Web. 02 Oct. 2012. How to cite Cicero, Aristotle, Plato – Just Warrior, Essay examples

Mentoring in the 21st Century

Question: Discuss about Mentoring in the 21st Century. Answer: Introduction In the book, it is explained that the mentoring has evolved in the past years and in the 21st century it will be different. In the research conducted, we have discovery why some practices are done and why others are diminishing. The mentoring in the 21st century has expanded with the emergence of new forms such as peer mentoring, e-mentoring, mentoring circles and cross culture mentoring. The concept of mentoring has changed from when the relation view to the developed network. Use of modern technology has also contributed to this mentoring. In this research, we will highlight most crucial element of the 21st century so that this conditions can be made to flourish by the petitioners and the scholars (Ragins, 2007). How work area leads in mentoring individuals First we will look at the new paradigms that have emerged in the mentoring field. We analyze several insight into this new reforms in mentoring and sideline factors which are of high bride. The new approaches are then highlighted and their root costs examined so that their outcome can be seen as well as their quality. The role mentoring in development and maintenance of mentoring relationship can be examined, finally suggestions can be put into consideration concerning practical implication for the foresting growth enhancing relationship and suggestion to move forward be made (Kram Ragins, 2007). Paradigm is a system containing ways of thinking and basic assumption and methodology that area ccepted by the members of scientific community are accepted. In contrast to the previous work, relationship and process that are watched in the quality, structure and purpose accordance to mentoring. In the 21st century, we have the three paradigm shift that has contributed to the mentoring field. Importance of development stage First, it is the acceptance and believes that mentoring happens in the developmental network. In the development network, it was observed in the early years but it came to realization when the social network study was introduced to the study of mentoring and it explained that we have a language and a way of transferring message and a way in which we could understand this multiple support. Development network such as the way people received development help in providing closeness of emotion and daily communication (Kram Ragins, 2007). The accurate description of this many sources of development assistance and development network such as career advancement, task and personal learning and satisfaction has been fostered by this shift in the paradigm, this paradigm has affected the calls for further inquiry on how the types of relationships are shaped by the relationship skills, individual needs and the group membership. Finally under development network, it explains howthe quality of connection is interrupted by the mentors emotional competence (William, 2013) Personality in regard to mentoring Second, dyadic and reciprocal is the nature of the mentoring relationship and the major role it plays in the relationship processes, structure and outcome has been highly recognized. In the 21st century, it is noted that developmental relationship will only help those who offer and receive mentoring. Development support, reciprocity and the maturity are the key attribute that are connected to the fostering of the growth leading to the development relationship, in the research done, it was realized that the peer relationship, there is a mutual benefit as both parties perceive an equal benefitit is seen that through mutuality and reciprocity, there is development of high quality mentoring relationship, this benefits include loyalty, recognition for developing talents for organization and the generatively. Through these mentors coaches are motivated to coach others. There are both tangible and intangible factors and benefits that mentors gets, this factors affects commitment and the sta bility of relationship (William, 2013). Personal growth towards development Finally we recognize that mentoring depends on continuum quality and we have understand that when the relationship are of high quality, or even not functioning in the 21st century, one of the main thing is being able to identify a relationship which is dysfunctional, marginal and that one which is of high quantity. A focus on this program has led to identification of new schemes and methods that help us understand why some relationship flourish, others are stagnant and others are breaking in consideration of the idea that relationship is under a continuum quality, mentoring episodes that entails rise in zest, self-esteem, empowered action desire to get new connection and new knowledge. Mentoring is a short relation that occurs in a specific time and there is development. High episode relationship resulting from the cumulative experience of mentoring episode result in experience of positive mentoring relationship. This may promote good development in career, work domain and none work domain, the notion of mentoring episode gives good understanding of the developing mentor relationship when relationship is analyzed at this level (Keegan Fox, 2009) Conclusion Good mentoring relationship can be rewarding to those who mentor and also those who are mentored. Among other things, mentors can provide exceptional learning experiences for those they mentor and by doing this they expand their mentees insight, awareness and perspective. This paradigms has led to important new ways for checking mentoring relationships at the level of single interactions or mentoring episodes that may merge to create relationships that reflect various levels of quality (Keegan Fox, 2009) Reference list: Brondyk, S., Searby, L. (2013). Best practices in mentoring: complexities and possibilities.International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education,2(3), 189-203. Kahle-Piasecki, L. M. (2011).Mentoring: What organizations need to know to improve performance in the 21st century workplace(Doctoral dissertation, University of Toledo). Keegan, H., Fox, A. (2009).Mentoring for 21st Century Skills: It's All about the Learning. University. Kram, K. E., Ragins, B. R. (2007). The landscape of mentoring in the 21st century.The handbook of mentoring at work: Theory, research, and practice, 659-692. Ragins, B. R., Kram, K. E. (2007).The handbook of mentoring at work: Theory, research, and practice. Sage Publications. Ragins, B. R., Kram, K. E., Ragins, K. E. K. B. R. (2007) Consultants to organizations to make relationships work. William Short, T. (2013). Workplace mentoring: an old idea with new meaning (part 1).Development and Learning in Organizations,28(1), 8-11.