MTV Essays (1396 words) - Viacom Media Networks, Television

MTV Everyone remembers Michael Jackson's red leather jacket covered with zippers and the sexy style of Madonna. MTV, or music television, nationally publicizes these images and entertainers, and others like them. The station also promotes an idealized teen lifestyle, reflecting the images of these famous artists, that contrasts with the realities of the Generation X lifestyle. While some view the station as "illustrated radio" or an entertainment network for viewers' pleasure, others more accurately assess it as an advertising enterprise that endorses products and promotes attitudes. The advertisements that are both hidden in videos and placed in regular slots, influence viewers. Whether or not MTV critics agree with these "messages" that the network sends out, it has become a huge franchise generating large profits and great popularity. During the 1980's, MTV grew from being strictly a music video station to an original, three-station network that became the choice of several generations of viewers and the advertisers who court them. MTV's entertainment, commercialism, and messages satisfy and influence many types of viewers, giving them a healthy sense of group identity. In 1981, MTV became one of the first stations to be able to appeal to such a populous audience as the twelve to twenty-four year old age group. The chief operating officer of Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment Company (WASEC) felt that there was "a body of young people being ignored," hence the company designed MTV (Denisoff 37). Although at first success was unpredictable, the MTV network fought off competition by such competitors as the powerful Turner Broadcasting System (Daspin 20). "There isn't room for two or three services doing the same thing," commented MTV's Bob Pittman (Hedegaard 38). Later, the MTV network came out with VH1, or Video Hits One, a music station for older viewers, and Nickelodeon, a children's service station (Daspin 19). These two stations and the original MTV station gave the network a station for an audience of just about any age, satisfying many advertisement agencies. Once the advertisement industry noticed the MTV network's popularity, it became a very desirable sales medium. Advertising agent Kevin Burns explains that "if you're a national advertiser and you buy teens, you're going to buy MTV" ("Viacom" 11). MTV appealed to its viewers by constantly televising popular singers and other role models. A music video endorses many nonmaterial items, as well as material items. Regular inter-program commercials usually promote brands of physical items. However, in music videos with popular singers, messages and images are promoted to the viewer. Videos increase an entertainer's popularity, thus promoting his/her record, producer, type of music, style of dance, and physical image. This popularity increases profit for many industries. The artist's record sales boom, benefiting the record company, the record stores, and any other person involved in the process of production. "MTV was dealing with the [record] labels, not the artists," states R. Serge Denisoff (154). In addition, clothing companies benefit when the singer wears their brand. Creative director Judy McGrath feels that MTV videos are "almost a subliminal fashion show," meaning that clothing brands and styles are introduced and publicized through music videos (Denisoff 258). Lastly, fine arts companies, specifically dance and music, increase in popularity as people wish to imitate the musicians. A perfect example of this advertising scenario is Michael Jackson's "Beat It" video. In the early 1980's the already popular pop singer came onto the screen wearing a red leather jacket and a sparkling glove. He introduced an ankle-flicking dance style that moved to the beat of his pop-style music. Soon children across America were wearing replicas of the clothes and "moon-walking" down the schools' hallways. In this scenario, Michael Jackson, pop music, red leather jackets, dancing, and Motown Records all became popular. With so many brands and agencies wanting to place their ads on MTV, the network itself needed to advertise its own information and existence in some way to increase its own profit. The network began to air animated segments after commercial breaks that endorsed the MTV logo. Then in 1989, the network issued "In The Bin," a newsletter designed to unite MTV, VH1, and retailers (Newman, "MTV Spreads" 55). The newsletter included advertisements and information about new developments in the MTV Network. These endorsements for the network get people interested in MTV. In 1984, Dire Straits' hit "Money For Nothing," had people around the country singing the verse, "I want my MTV." The lyrics of the song were satirical; they talked about the unfairness of being an MTV star. However, the singer wanted to experience similar stardom, where life was easy, or as Dire Straits sang, the

Natural Blends Inc Essays

Natural Blends Inc Essays Natural Blends Inc Essay Natural Blends Inc Essay NATURAL BLENDS Inc Here we have 3 processes to consider, the Extraction, Filtration and Concentration. Extraction has a maximum capacity of 20,000 lbs/hr Filtration has a maximum capacity of 20,000 lbs/hr Concentration has a maximum capacity of 18,000 lbs/hr For Extraction we have a setup time of 20 minutes. For Filtration we have a setup time of 30 minutes after 90 minutes of filtration. For Concentration there is no setup time loss. The processes are simultaneous in nature, and there is no buffer in between. So, if there is a shutdown of a single process, the entire system shuts down. Now, if we do consider a 2 hour time slot, then there will be effectively production for 1 and ? hours due to filtration setup time: For Extraction: The maximum production is 30,000 lbs. For Filtration: The maximum production is 30,000 lbs. For Concentration: The maximum production is 27,000 lbs. So the bottle neck operation is the Concentration process and the production rate will be 13,500 lbs/hour. A cycle is completed in 2hrs. PART A Assumption: We are considering that since oranges are of same type the bin will be changed after 3 and ? rs of production. The bin will be changed when the Filtration process will be stopped to change filter. Hence, saving valuable time. 1a. Amount of orange production possible in 1 day (8 Hrs) =13500*8=108000 lbs There is a loss of utilization time of 30 mins (due to filtration process) per 2 hours of the whole system. 1b. The idle time for the extraction process in a day would be = (1/2)*4= 2 hours We see that there is a bottle neck condition in th e Concentration process, so we will install a storage capacity in between Filtration and Concentration. a. We will add storage tank between step 3 and step 4. The capacity of tank will be 3000 lbs. 2b. If we add storage tank between step 2 and step 3, then The maximum production of Extraction process is 20,000lbs/hr. The maximum production of Filtration is also 20,000lbs/hr. But Filtration works for only 90 min. So effective production rate is =20,000*1. 5 =30,000lbs for 2 hrs i. e. 15,000/hr considering a cycle of 2 hrs the maximum production of Extraction is 40,000 lbs and that of Filtration is 30,000. Thus a tank of capacity 5,000lbs can be added between them. But adding tank between Extraction and Filtration will not increase the daily production. When a storage tank is added between Filtration and Concentration, Now for 2 hours slot, we see that there is a processing deficit of 3000(30,000-27,000) lbs. So we install storage of capacity 3000lbs. This will increase the daily production. Daily production= 30,0004= 120,000 lbs Thus there is increase of 12,000lbs/day after adding a storage tank. 3a. Additional fixtures of $20,000 for Filtration process and $10,000 for Extraction should be done to maximize the output. 3b. As discussed in question 2a and 2b the capacity of storage tank, which can be added between Filtration and Concentration should be 3,000lbs. The cost of construction of tank is given as $30/lbs. Hence the total cost for construction of storage tank will be 30 x 3000= $90,000, and the production will increase to 120,000 lbs/day. When additional fixtures are added in Filtration and Extraction process the setup time will reduce by 50% i. . the setup time for Extraction will be 10 min and that for Filtration will be 15 min. So our 2 hour cycle will be reduced to 1 hr 45min cycle. So an additional 1 hr will be available for production. Now number cycle per day will increase to= 8/1. 75= 4. 57 cycles per day. The production in one cycle will be same i. e. 27,000lbs. Hence the daily production will increase to 27,000 x 4. 57= 123,390 lbs The cost of improvement will be $20,000 for Filtration and $10,000 for extraction. Hence total cost will be $30,000. PART B Assumption: Since the amount of different sizes of oranges processed should be equal in a week and each size should be processed at least once per day, we can consider the following schedule; DAY0-2hrs2-4 hrs4-6 hrs6-8 hrs 1BAAC 2C BBA 3A CCB 4BCCA 5CBBA 6ACCB Where A, B and C represents large, medium and small oranges respectively, such that A=B=C 4a. The setup change in Extraction will happen for three times. 4b. As seen in the above schedule the setup is changed for 3 times. 4c. The quantity of oranges of particular size which will be processed before switching to other size will be 54,000 pounds. The maximum time same size of oranges will be processed is 4 hrs. The production for 2hr cycle is 27,000lbs, hence the maximum quantity is 54,000lbs. 4d. The total amount of juice concentrate processed is 108,000 lbs. as the production for 1 cycle of 2 hrs is 27,000lbs and there are 4 such cycles hence total production will be 108,000 lbs Submitted by:- Joydeep Mukherjee Rejo Matthew Tushar Deshmukh Vinay Panwar

“authority”, “responsibility” and Essay

â€Å"authority†, â€Å"responsibility† and â€Å"accountability† - Essay Example One of the candidates who were contesting for captainship of school head girl, due to her wealth and power was stating that the other girl was wasting her time campaigning, for she was sure to win the elections. The second contestant was conducting a fair campaign. When asked as to why was the powerful girl not elected, the teacher replied that she had the authority to choose what was best for the future of the school, not forgetting the welfare of the students as portrayed by the second contestant over power thus enhancing the word, ‘authority’. Responsibility is another part of the process of delegation. Allen states that â€Å"responsibility is the work assigned to a position. Responsibility refers to the mental and physical activities which must be performed to carry out a task or duty†. (Arora, 1985) Responsibility may be continuing or it may terminate with the accomplishment of a single action. The essence of responsibility is obligation. Responsibility, being an obligation to perform, is owed to one’s superior and no subordinate can reduce his responsibility by delegating to another the authority to perform the duty. As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth.   Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same.   However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold Xs and then putting a big F at the top of his papers. His third grade teacher wrote, His mothers death has been hard on him.   He tries to do his best, but his father doesnt show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps arent

Strategic Analysis on Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Strategic Analysis on Industry - Essay Example The report concludes with key drivers for change and success in the selected industry. The UK Hotels and Motels Industry comprises of establishments that are providing short-term lodging including hotels, motor hotels, resort hotels, and motels. In addition to the lodging services they also offer services, such as food and beverage services, recreational services, conference rooms and convention services, laundry services, parking, and other services1. The UK hotels and motels industry could be segregated into different groups according to the type of customers they serve including domestic consumers, domestic business and international business & consumers. Evaluation of the UK hotels and motels industry suggest that the main revenue drivers other than providing accommodation are from services such as casinos, conferences, matrimonial gatherings, social functions, shops and telecommunication services. A recent survey carried out by Data Monitor, a research company, highlighted that the total revenues of the UK Hotels and Motels Industry were $35 billion in 2008 that implies a CAGR of 5.6% over the period 2004-2008. However, the same report expects that the industry will slow down because of the poor economic conditions currently prevailing in the global market and lower spending on travel and tourism. The industry is expected to grow at a lower CAGR of 3% till 2013 to reach a level of $40.1 billion2. The international political scenario is negating the growth prospects of the hotels and motels industry. The political risks have direct correlation with the investment decisions of international hotel companies in developing countries. Political instability in a country creates social unrest that could affect the flow of travellers to that country that may in return affect the sales of hotels and motels. These political risks could also be viewed as

In what ways can consumption be defined as a creative practice Essay

In what ways can consumption be defined as a creative practice - Essay Example room, 10 appeared as if they might reach â€Å"right† status at some point in the future, with a little more money, a little more luck and a lot more social skills, but the final five were hopeless cases wearing decades-old fashions and carrying tattered old schoolbags in yesterday’s cuts. Chris determined this information through the use of a highly-honed ability to observe and mentally evaluate the sum total of the articles and clothing possessed by the people around her. Through this assessment (which includes not only the material price of each item, but it’s acceptability within the â€Å"now† trends) Chris was able to determine whether each classmate was of the â€Å"right† crowd or, if not, to what degree they were lacking. Like many people within a consumer society, Chris was creating her identity, and her impressions of the identities of those around her, on a purely material basis. Consumers today live what may only be termed â€Å"constr ucted lives† as they buy into the concept that consumption itself is a creative process. Students such as Chris use materialistic cues such as style of dress, individual possessions and the ability to keep up with the ever-changing market trends to help them identify others sharing a similar desire to obtain something called the â€Å"right† life. â€Å"We want our lives to match our vision of the good life, itself largely a product of the media. We want to have the right clothes, the right car, the right house, the right job, the right spouse, the right children, even the right toothpaste† (Gabler, 1998). Because certain items have come to symbolize individual levels attained in the search for the â€Å"perfect† life, consumers strive to attain the material goods to create an appearance of living the ‘right’ life rather than focusing on creativity independent of worldly possessions. This means of establishing an identity by comparing your possessions with the possessions of others whom you perceive to be living

Study On Different Organization Types Business Essay

Study On Different Organization Types Business Essay A Sole Trader business exists amongst other businesses in a society. A Sole Trader is a person that owns and controls his/her own business, therefore profits earned from the business goes to the owner of the business. Sole Trader business also includes business like cosmetics, hairdressing and nails, plumbing and photographers. Sole trader business are cheap and easy to setup also its private. Sole traders are their own owners so they dont any separate legal existence. Unlimited liability is when the owners of a sole trader business have to pay their debts with the money theyve earned. The purpose of a sole trader is to provide services or sell/produce products. Advantages: Can choose hours of work Can make your own decisions All the profit made is yours Can claim expenses and certain costs against income tax Disadvantages: Cant have a sickness pay Cant have a set holiday pay Time consuming accounting is done in your own free time Continuity of work http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/business/aims/partnershipsrev1.shtml http://www.answers.com/ Partnership A Partnership is another type of business organization in a society which involves a planned agreement or relationship between two or more people. If two or more people decide to open a business together, a contract called deed of partnership is normally drawn up. This states the type of partnership it is, how much assets each person has contributed, and how profits and losses will be shared. Typical examples of experts who may go into partnership together are doctors, dentists and solicitors. They can benefit from shared expertise, but like the sole trader, have unlimited liability. A partnership can also have a sleeping partner this person invest the business but does not have dealings in the day to day running of the enterprise. The purpose of a Partnership is to make a profit and to provide services or sell/produce products. Advantages: Partnerships are relatively easy to establish. One of them could have the skill to raise funds The profits that the business makes flow directly through the partners personal tax returns You can share out the responsibilities between the partners. This means that no single person is responsible for running all of the business. Partnerships provide moral support and will allow for more creative brainstorms Disadvantages: Partners may have different visions or goals for the business There may be unequal commitment in terms of time and finances There may also be personal disputes Each partner may also be liable for debts incurred, decisions made, and actions taken by the other partner or partners At some time, there most certainly will be disagreements in management plans, operational procedures, and future vision for the business You may encounter difficulty in attracting investors http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/business/aims/partnershipsrev2.shtml http://www.answers.com/ Charity A charity is an organization that allows one group  to help another group, whether its people, animals or nature. Many of the best-known charities were set up by people who felt passionate about a cause that they believed was wrong or preventable. A charity is a particular type of voluntary organization one that takes a distinctive legal form and has a special tax status. Charities can be organized in a number of different ways they can be an unincorporated association, a trust or a company limited by guarantee. Examples of charities are Christian Aid, British Red Cross and Greenpeace. The purpose of a Charity is to help provide resources for a particular cause. Advantages: They dont normally have to pay income/ corporation tax, capital gains tax, stamp duty, and gifts to charities are free of inheritance tax They dont have to pay no more than 20% of normal business rates on the buildings they use and occupy to further their purpose They can get special VAT treatment in some circumstances They can formally represent and help to meet the needs of the community Charities are often able to raise funds from the public, grant making trusts and local government more easily than non charitable bodies Disadvantages: Charities must obey with charities legislation Charity trustees may not generally benefit personally, whether through receipt of a salary or of profits or otherwise Personal responsibility of charity trustees for misuse of funds Charities must produce an annual report and annual return http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4710000/newsid_4710300/4710352.stm http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/what_is_charity.htm http://www.answers.com/ Voluntary Organizations A Voluntary Organization is any organization that uses the human resources of volunteers for achieving its main purpose. Voluntary Organization is a not-for-profit organization because they use their income to help those in need. Voluntary Organizations are provided in areas such as environmental, global development and community care. Examples of voluntary organizations are Scouts, National Trust and Girl Guides. The purpose of a Voluntary Organization is to provide a service to those in need. BTEC First Business by Carol Carysforth and Mike Neild http://www.answers.com/ Ltd (Private Limited Company) A private limited company is a company that is organized to give its owners limited liability. The company exists in their own rights; this means the finances from the company are separate from the personal finances of their owners. The owners of the company each own part of the business this makes the owners shareholders of the company. Private limited companies are usually family concerns or were firstly so. This type of organization is often chosen when a sole trader wants to expand and retain control of a company. Ltd companies are seen as firm projects by banks and customers. The companies are run by directors and shareholders. Examples of Ltd companies are Virgin and Clarks. The purpose of an Ltd is to maximise profit and to expand the company. Advantages: The company has a legal existence separate from management and its members The companys name is protected Approved company income plots usually provide better benefits than those paid under contracts with the self-employed and those in non-pensionable employment Disadvantages: They have to pay Corporation tax on top of any existing taxes Wanted benefit from economies of scale Lack of capital due to no share issue to the general public BTEC First Business by Carol Carysforth and Mike Neild http://www.answers.com/ Franchises This type of business starts by using the name of a popular/well known organization. A franchise is an agreement or license between two parties which gives a person or group of people (the franchisee) the rights to market a product or service using the trademark of another business (the franchisor). The Franchisor gives the Franchisee help and support to run their business. Examples are KFC and Prontoprint. The purpose of Franchise is to make a profit by using the name of a well known business and its resources. Advantages: Training and help on how to run or open the is provided Risks associated with the business are smaller than most other businesses You dont need to have experience to open or run the business The finance is easily reachable and its at affordable rates The business is a proven concept and is already set up The supplies needed are available at discount prices   Disadvantages: You have to work long hours The franchisor has control over the franchisee and will want and need high standards Franchisors usually want franchisees to follow their operations manual to a tee in order to ensure reliability The franchisor might go out of business All profits are shared with the franchisor Other franchisees could give the brand a bad reputation BTEC First Business by Carol Carysforth and Mike Neild http://www.answers.com/ PLC (Public Limited Company) Public Limited Company (PLC) is a type of business which is permitted to offer its shares to the public. All public limited companies names end in plc. PLC companies must have at least two shareholders, two directors and a trained secretary. A Public limited Company is different from a Private Limited company because its shares can be bought and sold by the public. Directors are paid to run the company and may or may not own shares of the company. To be a PLC  £50K share capital is needed. The purpose of PLC is to generate enough money to expand and evolve into an enterprise. Advantages: Large plcs may find it easier to borrow from banks Shares can be advertised Benefit from economies of scale Cheaper borrowing and bulk purchasing Shares can be sold through the stock exchange Disadvantages: Risk of takeover by rival companies who have bought shares in the company(E.g. Kraft trying to take over Cadbury chocolate) Going public can be expensive Some plcs can grow so large that they may become difficult to manage effectively BTEC First Business by Carol Carysforth and Mike Neild http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCESitemId=1073789599 http://www.answers.com/ Co-operatives Co-operatives are a number of individuals or businesses work together to achieve a usual point. The business is jointly owned and run by the workers. All profits made from the business are shared and the owners make combined decisions about how the business should run. Self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality and solidarity are the values that Cooperatives are based on. The purpose of the Co-operatives is to serve their members in a prudent and effective manner and to help them generate an income and possibly profits. Advantages: Usually more stable , caring and responsible employers Can give job satisfaction and variety Encourages strong work commitments More responsible to customers and the community within the business Disadvantages: There could be conflict between members Longer decision-making process Extensive record keeping necessary Employment benefits often cant match those offered by other business types Less reason to invest additional capital They can limit your choice of outside finance Participation of members required for success http://kribhco.net/english/what_coop.htm BTEC First Business by Carol Carysforth and Mike Neild http://www.answers.com/ Public Sector Public Sector is a part of the public which is controlled by the government. The Public Sector is owned by the sate and provides many services free of charge and other at or below a price. The purpose of a public Sector is to provide a quality service to the community. The aim of the Public Sector is to improve service condition and to operate within budget. The Public Sector includes the government departments, local councils, NHS hospitals and state schools. Examples of Public Sector Organization are London Underground, Police and National Health Service. The purpose of a Public Sector is to provide goods and/or service and to provide value for money. Advantages: The job security is very tight, its difficult to get fired Generous benefits More relaxed atmosphere Disadvantages: Fewer positions available Lower pay Less flexibility BTEC First Business by Carol Carysforth and Mike Neild http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,,sid9_gci1154572,00.html# http://www.answers.com/

The Success of Hamlet :: The Tragedy of Hamlet Essays

The Success of Hamlet  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   Is this Shakespearean tragedy Hamlet as successful a play as some critics say? Wherein lies the success? Is the protagonist the prime reason for the continuing success?    J. Dover Wilson in â€Å"What Happens in Hamlet† attributes much of the success of the drama to the characterization of the prince:    Finally, this compound of overwhelmingly convincing humanity and psychological contradiction is the greatest of Shakespeare’s legacies to the men of his own quality. No ‘part’ in the whole repertory of dramatic literature is so certain of success with almost any audience, and is yet open to such a remarkable variety of interpretation. There are as many Hamlets as there are actors who play him; and Bernhardt has proved that even a woman can score a success. (101)    Could the enduring reputation of Hamlet   be attributed to the â€Å"ultimate form† in which the Bard of Avon expressed his ideas? Robert B. Heilman says so in â€Å"The Role We Give Shakespeare†:    It is the way of venerable texts whose authenticity has impressed itself on the human imagination: he has said many things in what seems an ultimate form, and he is a fountainhead of quotation and universal center of allusion. â€Å"A rose by any other name† comes to the mouth as readily as â€Å"Pride goeth before a fall,† and seems no less wise. [. . .] The Ophelia-Laertes relationship is strongly felt near the end of Goethe’s Faust, Part I, and the Hamlet-Gertrude-Claudius triangle echoes throughout Chekhov’s Sea Gull (24-25).    This play is ranked by many as the very greatest ever written. Cumberland Clark in â€Å"The Supernatural in Hamlet† gives the consensus regarding Hamlet that exists among literary critics of today:    At least six or seven years pass after the writing of Midsummer Night’s Dream before we find Shakespeare engaged on Hamlet, the second of the great plays with an important Supernatural element, and, in the opinion of many, the greatest tragedy ever penned. (99)    There is no more exalted ranking than the above. Richard A. Lanham in the essay â€Å"Superposed Plays† maintains that no other English tragedy has generated the literary comment which this play has produced: â€Å"Hamlet is one of the great tragedies. It has generated more comment than any other written document in English literature, one would guess, reverent, serious comment on it as a serious play† (91).

Integrated Case Study: Bandon Group, Inc. Essay

1 – Purpose and Scope of the Study The Bandon Group intends to have an information system study conducted to determine how they can best use Information Technology (IT) to meet the overall mission, goals and objectives of the organization over the next 3-5 years. The purpose of a Management Information System is to collect, store and process business information and to deliver it to decision makers in a format they can use. Information systems have gone through many changes. Experts currently refer to the current era as the â€Å"Customer-Focused Era† of modern computing (Petter & Mclean, 2012). Users expect to receive customized experiences based on their unique requirements. Currently Bandon has decentralized divisions around the country supported by a centralized IT infrastructure. The purpose of the study is to identify how Bandon Group can build a more integrated information system structure that ensures the following business goals: * Standardize business processes and reduce redundancy * Reduce IT expenses and maximize outcomes associated with IT dollars * Improve data migration and data sharing techniques   * Implement e-business solutions to remain competitive with other copier dealers upgrading to ERP solutions The study will identify the business direction of the organization over the next 3-5 years. It will also identify the collective information needs and business requirements of its regional divisions. Finally the study will identify the current IT situation to help determine the way forward. 2 – Document High Level Business Direction The goal of management in this study is to clarify the direction and current vision of the organization and identify what IT investments are needed to improve the performance of the entire Bandon Group. It is very difficult to calculate the business value of an IT investment (Masli & Sanchez, 2011). Bandon’s leaders have identified specific data needs that their IT systems should deliver. The organization has commissioned a consulting group to sit down with key manager and identify the vision for the future. In order to continue to be successful and competitive the Bandon Group must unify its regional divisions with a clear business direction and a foundational set of business principles and practices. There is broad agreement on the basic business direction. The Bandon Group wants to target the office equipment market by catering to the needs of businesses with fewer than 25 employees. They want to grow their market share and revenue by $7 million over the next 3-5 years. To accomplish these goals managers have identified several key business initiatives that they believe will lead to expanded business success. First, the group wants to increase it information technology consulting capabilities. The market is moving towards selling information and network based services. A big part of the future lies in being able to help customers come up with solutions that allow them to run their organizations more efficiently and at a lower cost. Second, the group wants to establish better Customer Relationship Management (CRM) capabilities. Loyal customers equal future dollars. The organizations information systems need to give a holistic view of each customer. This will allow sales, support and marketing to take advantage of opportunities in real time. This has always been a philosophy of the Bandon Group. They have focused on building loyalty through superior service to the customer. CRM will build this idea into every piece of data the organizations collets and will allow them to meet the customer’s needs at every turn. Third, the group needs to improve the accuracy and efficiency of billing and collections. An automated, integrated solution that feeds information about system usage directly to a financial system will ensure the organization maximizes its profits while providing sales and support staff with critical information on the use patterns and needs of their customers. Finally, the group invested heavily in 1994 in Office Machines Dealership (OMD) a commercial systems designed to support the administrative information system at Bandon Group. This system is dated and a solution is required to overcome the current limitations of the system and allow for the seamless flow of information in and out of the system. The leaders and managers at Bandon Group have articulated a clear business direction for the organization. The consulting group must put into place clear solutions to address the growing problems. 3 – Identify Key Information Needs and Measures Information needs should be the driving force behind information systems. An information need is a business’s requirement to capture a specific piece of information or set of information points to meet a business necessity. The ability to manage information plays a critical role in developing a firm’s capabilities in customer relationship management, process management and performance management (Mithas, 2011). The Bandon Group has identified several specific sets of information needs. First they must have the ability to analyze existing customer accounts for profitability. The have a need to understand which account they are making money off of and which account represent high volume profits. Second, they must have an effective sales prospecting system. The ability to measure the effectiveness of sales and marketing efforts is critical. Third, they need an integrated accounting system. To be successful and competitive they must have an accurate web-based billing, use tracking and reporting capability. This will produce a better billing, invoice and collection system. Finally, they need an integrated service management system. The small market companies the group targets expect prompt, specialized service. The organization must be able to track and correct or improve any issues related to servicing customers and keeping their systems up and active. 4 – Document Details Business Requirements Business requirements should describe exactly what the Bandon Group’s divisions expect from the information system. The requirements should be expressed in terms that can be easily discussed and understood by the stakeholders. Requirement (1): An effective Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. CRM must be an organization wide effort to build customer satisfaction and loyalty. An effective CRM program brings together information from every area of the organization. It provides actionable data to sales representatives, customer support, and marketing personnel who directly or indirectly interface with the customer every day. Requirement (2): Effective e-Business Solutions. Bandon needs to utilize existing internet technologies to improve its productivity and profitability. E-Business will extend Bandon’s capabilities beyond the reach of their offices and even beyond the reach of their technicians. By integrating their model with online services the company will be able to monitor and interact with customers in real time. Requirement (3): Effective Sales Prospecting solutions. The first rule of sales prospecting is to identify as many legitimate potential customers as possible for sales representatives to contact. Experienced sales personnel will explain that quality supersedes quantity. Bandon want to be able to exploit its access to current customers to identify future needs and make the sales pitch just as the company begins to understand that they need more support. Requirement (4): Overcoming the shortfalls of OMD. There comes a time in the life of every legacy system where it fails to meet the growing needs of the organization. Bandon’s objective has to be to build on the core functions of the OMD system and augment it with enterprise wide supplemental technology that bridges the gap between the current capabilities and the company’s future needs. 5 – Document Current IT Situation – Internal Bandon’s current infrastructure is outdated and doesn’t meet the needs of the organization. Support systems have been developed separately at the various divisions and interoperability is a significant issue. The information needs of the organization are not being met. The company’s leadership need to build an integrated system that delivers the data needed to make strategic decision. To accomplish this they have to design an end-to-end system that integrates their vision of future business requirements with the existing technology. References Masli, A., Richardson, V. J., Sanchez, J., & Smith, R. E. (2011). The Business Value of IT: A Synthesis and Framework of Archival Research. Journal Of Information Systems, 25(2), 81-116. doi:10.2308/isys-10117 Mithas, S., Ramasubbu, N., & Sambamurthy, V. V. (2011). HOW INFORMATION MANAGEMENT CAPABILITY INFLUENCES FIRM PERFORMANCE. MIS Quarterly, 35(1), 137-A15. Petter, S., DeLone, W., & McLean, E. R. (2012). The Past, Present, and Future of â€Å"IS Success†. Journal Of The Association For Information Systems, 13(5), 341-362.

Accountants are kings among graduates

Accountants are kings among graduates In this paper, I will focus on the business-world king. King? Let me expplain. While it is not quite the days of the dot-com boom, when companies lured graduates with promises of six-figure salaries and ping-pong tables in the workplace, corporate recruiters are once again combing campuses for the best of the Class of 2005."People ask me all the time 'So you graduated, are you looking for a job?' And I'm like: 'I already have one,'" said Pauline Livaditis, a 22-year-old accounting graduate who was hired by Ernst Young before she finished school in May."The friends I had classes with all have jobs they were recruited on campus," said Livaditis, who graduated with a combined Masters of Business Administration and accounting degree from St. John's University in New York.Oberst Glover og oberst Holtermann mà ¸ter kaptein ...Hot degrees in 2005 included business administration, management and electrical or mechanical engineering, according to a survey by the National Association of Col leges and Employers. But no degree is more in demand than accounting, where the starting salary averages $44,564."The market is very, very robust, and so we need many, many accountants," said Karen Glover, director of recruiting at Ernst Young. "A great person will have many offers."Demand for accountants and auditors soared after Congress passed the Sarbanes-Oxley reporting rules in 2002 in response to high-profile scandals that brought companies like Enron and WorldCom to their knees.Glover said Ernst Young is looking to hire 4,500 accounting graduates this year, up 30 percent from last year. To lure new hires, it has boosted benefits including a concierge service for employees too busy to run errands."(Graduates) are in a very competitive space right now where you have lots of opportunities and choices of where you go to start your career," Glover...

The Side Effects of Prosperity essays

The Side Effects of Prosperity essays The Fifties were a prosperous time, involving economic growth and increased social capabilities, introducing many new concepts which contributed to a vast number of possibilities. These possibilities turned into reality with the transformation of a dying industrial economy to a booming one. But these possibilities brought an underlying chaos along with its prosperous ideals. The main goal of attaining prosperity was to make money. The need for materialistic possessions was emphasized as the society was looking for a more comfortable way of life. Credit became more popular as people were buying great deals of goods, and making expensive purchases to build more stable and comfortable homes. Unemployment was on the rise because both parents in families worked to increase their purchasing power. This unemployment caused already wealthy people to become wealthier while unemployed people drifted into deeper poverty. A large gap appeared between the classes, creating general discomfort of the society as a whole. During the 1950s the entertainment industry also flourished. Media has always had a phenomenal effect on the way the general public perceives things, and the introduction of the television and many new artists pushed the development of a celebrity-obsessed society. The biggest contribution to the entertainment industry was the rise of Elvis, who commenced a new trend of admiring and obsessing over celebrities. The increase of teenagers also gave the entertainment industry a helpful boost since most teenagers had more free time than the average adult and were able to develop a massive craze over single celebrities. The perception of life was altered, the media concentrated on influencing young adults desire for fun and comfort, making the resulting teenagers sway towards being lazy and undisciplined. The emergence of the television was a result of the growing knowledge of technology. The ...

Leading Organizations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Leading Organizations - Essay Example According to Kanter (1995) such an action will not constitute an adequate response. This is so because, success is based on an organisation's ability to create, rather than predict the future by developing those products that will literally transform the way the world thinks and view it self and the needs (Kanter 1995:71). Within the context of today's global competition, businesses and firms no-longer compete as individual companies but try to corporate with other businesses in their activities (Wu & Chien 2007:2). These researchers further argue that, this strategy has become quite common in many businesses today. The conventional vertical integrated company based business model is gradually being replaced by collaborative relationship between many fragmented, but complementary and specialized value stars and constellation (Wu & Chien:1). An alternative approach towards organisational success, one which is becoming increasing prominent and has attracted the sustained attention of both domestic and international business scholars are core competences, capabilities and resources (e.g. Madhok 1998, Prahalad & Hamel1990, Hamel & Prahalad1994 ). In today's global business environment it is no longer sufficient simply to meet customers demand as time quality and cost have become increasingly important in the phase of increasing competition (Petts 1997:551). According to Higgins (1998:2), "customers don't always know what they need or even that there is a problem to be solved." Success awaits those companies that recognize the fact that, to be successful and satisfy customers, it is often necessary to lead customers into recognizing these needs (Higgins 1998:2-3). This is what Nike and a host of other leading brands have been doing. In the next section, using the five forces framework of Porter (1980), I will diagnose the Nike brand to see the company's control over suppliers, competitors, competitive rivalry etc. 1.2 Nike and Porters Five Forces Model According to Porter (1980), argues that understanding of the sources of competition in an industry was vital in developing an organisation product advantage. As shown in the five forces frame work, Porter further states that, five forces were vital in shaping the nature of competition in an industry, and at the same time dictate the company's advantage through the nature of the relationship with the market participants. In the industry in which Nike operates rivalry is not fierce though there are many niche players, with direct competition coming from Addidas. Nike through the five forces has a higher bargaining power when compared to its competitors, suppliers and customers, because of the brand equity. With a relatively high profit margin, in the sector to attract potential competitors or new entrants, the situation is however difficult for new entrants to enter the line of business, because huge capital, and capabilities to support after sales services are vital too. Through an

Information Systems Management & Quality Coursework

Information Systems Management & Quality - Coursework Example A good example would be the purchase of a computer system for Bexley Hospital worth  £12 billion. Did they not prepare a Needs Analysis based on survey and statistics so that the knowledge of â€Å"usefulness† or â€Å"functionality† of the computer system could be a solid basis for disapproving the budget for such a computer system? The government must have haphazardly allocated and implemented a  £ 12 billion budget only to realize that out of 9,000 organizations, only 160 would use the system. According to Michael Savage, that functionality was discovered only after the implementation process. What might be the reason why it seems that government does not have quality control over IT governance? This case study concerning Bexley Hospital was chosen because it clearly represents a situation wherein no pre-planning or poor planning was done using a comprehensive model that can screen a decision whether or not to approve and fund a project. According to David Camero n, the IT system ideas were sold to NHS Professionals and swallowed as a whole and â€Å"As Is† after IT Consultants gave recommendations to government. That Computer Weekly article, News Clipping. 2, revealed no checking and control functions. Cameron cited inefficiency as a result of a preference for centralized and large computer systems that tend to be more costly and riskier. 3. Clarifications about the problem showed that centralized data that should have been accessible in local areas turned out to be 3 to 4 years delayed. See News Clipping.... This can be read in the Kable’s Government Computing article. See News Clipping # 3. In another article, clarifications about the problem showed that centralized data that should have been accessible in local areas turned out to be 3 to 4 years delayed. See News Clipping # 4. And the more detailed explanations for such a scenario are found in News Clipping # 5. It says, â€Å"†¦the centralized system has often been seen as a failure owing to continued installation setbacks, rising costs and data management problems.† In determining the needs of government for IT resources, for example, the ISMQ should have utilized a model that can filter the basis of decisions based on real needs instead of artificial or imaginary needs. A sample self-made model would be as follows: + + + It should be recalled that Information System projects are not the only projects in need of allocation of resources. Whatever will be the evaluation of alternative IS projects would have to compe te for funding prioritization in the government’s portfolio of many projects in various aspects of governance. Such a model would have identified the limited beneficiaries who would not represent the common good of 9,000 organizations. There should have been a survey if most of them need the computer system under certain conditions, e.g. on the condition that the system provides updated information. It turned out that only 160 out of 9,000 found a need for the expensive computer system which had to be replaced. Potential delays and more accurate timetables can be communicated to administrators of the system in order to set the right expectations insofar as performance and efficiency are concerned. The timely