Culture, Modernity and media Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Culture, Modernity and media - Essay Example This is on the grounds that the possibility of a country state or the idea the each human has a place with at least one countries has been extremely powerful over the span of mankind's history. A nationalistic belief system frames the premise of creation for a country state which decides its well disposed or even threatening associations with different countries of the world. Being a piece of countries involves somewhat a positive confidence in the belief system of the country and maintaining certain traditions which are a piece of the national culture (Miztal, 2003). Surprisingly, there in some cases gives off an impression of being no premise of making a country since in recorded terms countries were framed basically in light of the fact that a gathering had an alternate highlight from another, while simultaneously, individuals from across races, religions, social and foundations just as the individuals who communicate in various dialects can call themselves part of one country (Giddens, 1994). This is especially the situation with western majority rule governments like America or Britain, where the assorted variety of the country is praised as much as the association (Bhaba, 1989). Truth be told, festivities are huge in assisting with making a national character and mixing a feeling of having a place with a country without inside segregation. The celebratory job of a specific occurrence in history is frequently associated with war and battle. Unexpectedly, the festival only from time to time takes a gander at the monstrosities submitted by the countries associated with the war yet rather at the positive, chivalrous, generous and respectable acts which ‘deserve’ to be honored. For example, the American festival of Veteran’s Day is a festival of all the war saints who battled for America in the numerous wars the country has directed over its relatively short history (Gillis, 1994). Obviously there is little notice of America being the main country on the planet to have at any point utilized an atomic assault on another country. The abominations which were perpetrated by American warriors in Vietnam and the violations of war they

Stonehenge :: European Europe History

Stonehenge Stonehenge, one of the incomparable Seven Wonders of the World, yet what do we truly think about it. What was its motivation, how was it manufactured and by whom. Various answers come up when posing the inquiry What was the motivation behind Stonehenge, some state that it was a ghastly spot, which the Druids utilized for strict penance, however most others have an increasingly positive thought. A sanctuary of the sun, a Pagan Cathedral, or a sacred haven amidst favored ground, or perhaps a clock or even a spot to Predict Eclipses. Nobody truly realizes what it was utilized for; this is because of an extraordinary number of realities encompassing these thoughts. Numerous thoughts come up when discussing why this incredible structure was worked alongside an equivalent sum on who fabricated it. The Druids is the most well-known reaction on the grounds that the Druids possessed a large portion of the region where Stonehenge is manufactured. The Pagans are another regular response to this deep rooted question due to the structure of Stonehenge how it looks like a Pagan Cathedral. Whoever fabricated Stonehenge, they were an amazingly propelled society either deliberately or by complete accident. Many state that in view of Stonehenge's definite sun based and lunar arrangement. That is was the most well-known idea is that it was worked to anticipate shrouds for loving. The accompanying exposition is going to express the realities and legends about the incomparable Stonehenge. Before the finish of this exposition, ideally a strong end will be seen as the most conceivable response for Stonehenges development. The moon, it has been a sight for all after some time. Back quite a while in the past little was none of the purposes behind an obscurations, it was believed to be a sing from the divine beings. In a general public which revered divine beings for all the riddles of the world, the shroud more likely than not been extremely exceptional. The manufacturers of Stonehenge more likely than not been wondered about seeing this blessed occasion, which happened like clockwork. No doubt the incomparable Stonehenge was worked to be a forecast gadget for the shroud. Numerous individuals have contemplated Stonehenge and many have discovered that the stones are scientifically positioned to show when and shroud may happen. For this arrangement - that the Aubrey openings were utilized as a PC are these realities: the number 56 is the most modest number that quantifies the swing of the moon with a general precision of superior to 3 days, and lunar cycles give the main technique for long-go overshadow e xpectation identified with the periods of the year.

Apples Vision Statement and Mission Statement Essay

Apples Vision Statement and Mission Statement Essay With the introduction of computers, the business world was changed forever. As Information technology is called for to store, manipulate, distribute or create information, may companies use information technology in a number of different departments including human resources, finance, manufacturing, and security. Using information technology, businesses have the ability to view changes in the global markets far faster than they usually do. Nowadays, the humanity is given plenty of options to choose from: the brand, types of software, its configuration and many many more. But what is the best company to get the software from? How to select one? What about the brands and companies quality? All of those questions are hard to answer, and the opinions may vary. But we believe that the choices we make are somehow connected with the customer’s loyalty to the brand. Where does customer loyalty come from? Think about those brands that you purchase from over and over, even when there are cheaper options out there. Often, the reason we stay loyal to brands is because of their set of values. The best brands strive to combine physical, emotional, and logical elements into one exceptional customer and employee is experience. When you successfully create a connection with your customers and employees, many of them might stay loyal for life and youll have the chance to increase your overall profitability while building a solid foundation of brand promoters. But it is not that easy as it may seem to get this connection established. The companies that succeed are ones that stay true to their core values over the years and create a company that employees and customers are proud to associate with. A vision statement for a company or organization focuses on the potential inherent in the companys future, or what they intend to be. While a vision statement might contain references to how the company intends to make that future into a reality, the “how” is really part of a mission statement, while the vision statement is simply a description of the “what,” meaning, what the company intends to become. In our article we want to highlight the importance of company values and present mission statement based on the example of Apple corporation â€" the market leader in software production and development, one of the best companies that we all know. Apple Inc. mission statement: now and then. In one of the interviews, Tim Cook (CEO of Apple Computer) delivered a great speech so called “We believe”. It was full of inspiration for Apple’s employees and reveals the truly desire to change, to make difference and move forward so to improve and make all that they do even better. He said the following: “We believe that we are on the face of the earth to make great products and thats not changing. We are constantly focusing on innovating. We believe in the simple not the complex. We believe in deep collaboration and cross-pollination of our groups, which allow us to innovate in a way that others cannot. And frankly, we dont settle for anything less than excellence in every group in the company, and we have the self-honesty to admit when were wrong and the courage to change. And I think regardless of who is in what job those values are so embedded in this company that Apple will do extremely well.” Now, with the years passed and in the times where Steve Jobs is no longer the one who leads and drives Apple, the company’s values and mission has been changed. The current mission statement of Apple is as following: Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad. It is radically different from Steve Jobs original ideals, which are encapsulated in his mission statement: To make a contribution to the world by making tools for the mind that advance humankind. This reflects Jobs ethos and statements from his family members after his death â€" that what satisfied him most was watching kids use Apple products in the classroom. Apple’s Generic Strategy Change The most fundamental difference between Apples current ideals and Jobs vision is that Jobs saw Apple products as a tool to improve the quality of life for mankind whereas now it is the purpose of the companys existence. It is understandable that with the grows of the company, and changing the leaders, company’s values and its mission could change. Apple has grown from being an idealistic upstart to a company that has more cash on hand than many countries. Its natural given this astounding change in 35 years that its values and focus would change. But it doesn’t mean that those changes are for worse. Apple’s intensive strategies for growth support the firm’s ability to maintain its strong position in the global market. With a high rate of innovation and emphasis on excellence in product design, Apple succeeds even with its relatively high selling prices. This successful position indicates Apple’s effectiveness in using its generic strategy and intensive growth strategies. The very last mission statement for Apple Inc., as stated, is broad differentiation. This generic strategy focuses on key features that differentiate the company and its products from competitors. The broad differentiation generic strategy means that Apple always aims to set itself apart from competitors not by price but by other key features beneficial to customers. Such differentiation generic strategy has significant implications on Apple’s strategic objectives. For example, to effectively apply this generic strategy, the company must continue emphasizing innovation through research and development. Apple must continually develop innovative products so that the firm always stands out against competitors. Nowadays the formula for Apple’s business success is simple: drive innovation with information technology, set the connection with customers by sharing company’s value and the mission, and create intensive strategies to be on the cutting edge of the technology. And Apple is doing it very well (Apple’s resilience against aggressive competitors shows it). It is always on top of the market and still is considered as best!

Secrets and Horrors in the Documentary Food Inc. - 959 Words

In the documentary, Food Inc., we get an inside look at the secrets and horrors of the food industry. The director, Robert Kenner, argues that most Americans have no idea where their food comes from or what happens to it before they put it in their bodies. To him, this is a major issue and a great danger to society as a whole. One of the conclusions of this documentary is that we should not blindly trust the food companies, and we should ultimately be more concerned with what we are eating and feeding to our children. Through his investigations, he hopes to lift the veil from the hidden world of food. One issue the documentary highlights is the abuse of animals and workers by the food companies, in order to reveal how the companies hide†¦show more content†¦coli, another undisclosed truth comes to light in this documentary. To get rid of the E. coli, our meat products are thoroughly cleansed with ammonia. Ammonia is a chemical that most Americans recognize as a household cleaning item, and now this chemical is in our meat. We are being secretly exposed to this chemical and it is not even guaranteed to work 100% of the time. However, this is not the only chemical used in our food. When eating an out of season fruit, Americans run the risk of eating a fruit that is artificially ripened. Since tomatoes cannot grow in America in the winter, they are picked while green from overseas. Once they arrive in America and are ready to go to market, they are ripened with ethylene gas. Ethylene gas â€Å"contains traces of arsenic and phosphorus hydride† (Siddiqui). These traces can cause chronic health defects such as â€Å"vomiting, diarrhea with or without blood, burning sensation of the chest and abdomen, thirst, weakness, permanent eye damage, etc.† (Siddiqui). As we can see, the major food companies hide very serious issues from the public, because if they knew the truth, many consumers would be appalled and possibly stop buying their products. If the E. coli outbreaks and chemical infused food was not enough, the documentary also reveals the truth about our hamburgers. According to Beef Products Inc., which was the only company to allow the film crew inside their factory, around 70% of all U.S. hamburgers are made up of aShow MoreRelated Is it Ethical to Raise Livestock in a Factory Farm? Essay examples2378 Words   |  10 Pagesall traced back to McDonalds and the booming of fast food restaurants (Food, Inc 2008). Fast food restaurants had become successful because they could produce tasty food with cheaper cost. Their franchises eventually made them a multi-million-dollars industry. Big business required big suppliers. Small rural farms cannot meet the demand for supply and they quickly fade away. Farmers were being replaced by corporations in controlling of the food market. The growth of industrial farming gives riseRead MoreManaging Information Technology (7th Edition)239873 Words   |  960 PagesSystems CASE STUDY I-1 IMT Custom Machine Company, Inc.: Selection of an Information Technology Platform CASE STUDY I-2 VoIP2.biz, Inc.: Deciding on the Next Steps for a VoIP Supplier CASE STUDY I-3 The VoIP Adoption at Butler University CASE STUDY I-4 Supporting Mobile Health Clinics: The Children’s Health Fund of New York City CASE STUDY I-5 Data Governance at InsuraCorp CASE STUDY I-6 H.H. Gregg’s Appliances, Inc.: Deciding on a New Information Technology Platform Read MoreExploring Corporate Strategy - Case164366 Words   |  658 Pagesvalue of all this RD be recouped. Once the patent application is made public, the race starts as other companies try to create improved, patentable versions. The industry is subjected to rigorous regulatory scrutiny. Government agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA thoroughly examine all of the data to support the purity, stability, safety, efï ¬ cacy and tolerability of a new agent. The time taken is governed by legislation and averaged 12.5 months in 2005. Obtaining marketingRead MoreOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesin quantity was also a transformation in quality. Migrations were inseparable from unprecedented urbanization and population growth, the expansion of industrial production and global markets, the spread of wage labor, the growth and extraction of food and resources to feed those workers, the revolution of transportation technologies, and the accompanying creation of an international system of nation states, borders, and population management techniques. Cities were the epicenter of this worldRead MoreOrganisational Theory230255 Words   |  922 PagesKalleberg, A., Flexible firms and labour market segmentation: effects of workplace restructuring on jobs and workers, Work and Occupations (Vol. 30 Issue 2) pp. 154–175, copyright 2003 by Sage Publications, reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Inc.; Figure 5.5 reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Ltd from Clegg, S., Modern Organizations: Organization Studies in a Postmodern World, Copyright  © Sage Publications 1990; Figure 6.1  © Tate, London 2006; Table 6.1 adapted from The postmodern

For Money or Love - 2166 Words

Women of the 1800’s where very limited to what they could do in life; especially the women of the upper and middle class. They where expected to do nothing more than marry and to marry well. If they could not do this the life that they faced was very grim. It would be a life of spinsterhood and being care for by other family members or working as a governess for some upper class family. Jane Austen in her book Pride and Prejudice shows the reader the important of marrying and hopefully marrying well but also how important it is marry for love. Jane Austen was born in1775 and the world that she grows up in was one that was very limited for women. Jane was very lucky in the fact that her parents knew how important an education was for all†¦show more content†¦The Gardiners not only show that it does not take a lot of money to be happy in marriage but also to be better parents. To Elizabeth and Jane, they act as surrogate Mother and Father. The Gardiners try to protect both of the girls, as seen when Jane’s heart is broken by Bingley when he suddenly leaving Netherfield, the Gardiner’s take Jane to London so she can get away from home and the sights and sounds of Bingley. Then also when Mrs. Gardiner gives advice to Elizabeth about Wickham â€Å"you must not let your fancy run away with you, you have sense and we all expect you to use it.† (101) But most of all, it would be when Mr. Gardiner steps in to go and find Lydia after she runs away with Wickham. Mr. Gardiner is not only trying to save the hole family from the embarrassment and shame , but also how it will affect the life of Jane and Elizabeth and their chance of ever getting married. In Charlotte Lucas we see a very sensible, polite young woman, with a good education but of little fortune and considered by some as not handsome. Charlotte does not think very highly of men or marriage and views it as a way getting financial security in life. â€Å"I am not a romantic†, she tells Elizabeth. â€Å"I ask only a comfortable home ...† (125) and â€Å"that it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life with†. (14) She also thinks that happiness in marriage is just by chance. EvenShow MoreRelatedMoney and Love1523 Words   |  7 PagesMoney and love The Great Gatsby is a story that involves love and money. It shows the materialism that is entwined within relationships. It shows us that love is important in a relationship but more than that is the importance of money and status. . The story shows very effectively that money cannot buy happiness and love. In this story, Jay Gatsby has been motivated to accumulate wealth so that he could get his love, Daisy, back. Gatsby associates Daisy with wealth, good upbringing and glamourRead MoreLove, Money And Justice, The Widow1484 Words   |  6 PagesThesis Love, money and justice, The Widow is about all these things and yet so much more. Thomas Middleton’s play blurs the lines of gender until â€Å"there may be no essential difference beyond performance† (Taylor, 1076). And walking away from this performance I can definitely identify that. There was a wide range of gender crossing in the play, Brandino, Francisco and Attilio, and as well as some gender ambiguous character, like the Thieves and the Martini, that the audience instantly becomes awareRead MoreIs Money More Important Than Love?856 Words   |  4 PagesIs Money More Important Than Love? Decisions made in present can have huge impacts on the future; especially decisions that pertains to one’s whole life. One such decision is the decision of getting married to the right person. There are many questions that arise in one’s mind while making this decision. How is the personality of that person? How good-looking is that person? How caring or loving that person is? However, one of the most important questions that emerges in one’s mind while makingRead MorePride And Prejudice: Love And Money In Holy Matrimony .1396 Words   |  6 PagesPride and Prejudice: Love and Money in Holy Matrimony Imagine a present day society where young women were only encouraged to seek a husband for their financial purposes and to gain a reputable status in the social class system. Today, who can fathom a happy marriage between two individuals without love? Well, that’s exactly what was expected in the life of the middle class families during the early nineteenth century, like the Bennet’s daughters in Jane Austen’s novel Pride and Prejudice. The novelRead MoreAmericans love freedom we love money we love capitalism. Capitalism is most definitely an1200 Words   |  5 PagesAmericans love freedom; we love money; we love capitalism. Capitalism is most definitely an element of dominant culture amongst the citizens of the United States. In American culture it is easy to see that many of our institutions, including public schools, indoctrinate the children whom they serve with a common American idealism: capitalism is good, communism is bad. Being a citizen of the Unite d States and not being a capitalist is verging upon the fringe of an unwritten taboo. If there isRead MoreDoes Money Buy Love In The Great Gatsby Essay1122 Words   |  5 PagesMoney can buy materialistic things but can it buy love? In the book, The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, we are introduced to the narrator, Nick Carraway. We learn that Daisy Buchanan, Nick’s cousin, had loved a man before he left for the war named, Jay Gatsby, but now Daisy is married to Tom Buchanan, from Chicago. Gatsby tries everything to win Daisy’s love back. He tries impressing her with all the money in the world in which he even buys a house to be near Daisy and show her thatRead MoreThemes of Love and Money in Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby Essay687 Words   |  3 PagesA man named Nick moves into old money right next door to Jay Gatsby. Throughout The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald discusses the American culture and themes that relates to Americans, such as the desire for mater ial possessions, desire for love and The contrast between old money/new money. Fitzgerald discusses the desire for material possessions in The Great Gatsby by explaining the fact that Americans judge people by the possessions and the money they have. For example people pictured Tom as a godRead MoreMoney and Love in The Gilded Six Bits Essay examples1321 Words   |  6 Pagesstory makes it a pleasant, easy read for any audience. The title suggests the story is based around money; but rather if one were to dig deeper the reality of the story is being told around the playfulness of money. Character disposition, an idealistic dialect, and the ability to work past an issue all work together to prove that Joe and Missie May’s lives are not strictly revolved around money. Hurston’s characters have idealistic dialect for an African American in that time period; correctlyRead MoreThe Great Gatsby- Do S Really Love Cars and Money?1223 Words   |  5 Pagesreally love cars and money? In F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby, Gatsby attempts to be obtain his American dream with conspicuous consumption. Fitzgerald uses symbols of conspicuous consumption in money, cars and houses to show that the American dream of wealth and possessions doesnt necessarily ensure happiness. The concept of conspicuous consumption is greatly exemplified in The Great Gatsby, by all of the characters being in possession of excessive amounts of property and money. Money

Related Literature of Brand Preferences on Mobile Phones Free Essays

How to resolve Conflict Conflicts may be solved using three simplified ways: 1. The win-lose method – The protagonist assumes an ether I lose or I win attitude. Explanation: the win-lose method is a kind of method in resolving a problem or case wherein, one party will have the possibility of winning the case or they will lose on the case. We will write a custom essay sample on Related Literature of Brand Preferences on Mobile Phones or any similar topic only for you Order Now 2. The win some–lose some method – One party attempts to get the most of the other using the primary tactical work of bargaining. It is also called as â€Å"compromising stance†. Explanation: the win some-lose some method is a kind of method wherein one party is aggravate because he/she is compromise in a certain problem or case. For example I am a driver. And accidentally my car was bumped in a sari-sari store. The store-owner suggested that I will only pay the damages so that I will not be on jail. Because I am in a compromised position, I should pay the damages so that I will not be jailed. In my part I â€Å"win some† because I will be not jailed anymore but â€Å"lose some† because, I’ve lose some money in paying the damages. 3. The win-win method – A process where both parties attempt to get the sources/causes of disagreement together in the hope of getting a solution that would together benefit them not only as individuals but also as organization. Explanation: the win-win method is to find a solution that is acceptable to both parties, and leaves both parties feeling that they’ve won, in some way, after the event. How to cite Related Literature of Brand Preferences on Mobile Phones, Essay examples

Levels of Management an Example of the Topic Education and science by

Levels of Management by Expert Prolific writer | 13 Dec 2016 In the world of business today, a manager's responsibility is to lead an organization's staff to the achievements of previously set goals by planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. The future of management seems to be going in the direction of eliminating leading from the list of responsibilities. The role of leading is more frequently being given to employees. The technique of the "team" approach is being added to the workforce, which allows for employees to control ideas and the implementation of the ideas along with many other aspects. Almost always in a team situation, a leader or a spokesperson will emerge. Need essay sample on "Levels of Management" topic? We will write a custom essay sample specifically for you Proceed The responsibility of the manager, when using the team approach is to control the amount of work being produced from the team(s). The manager is not managing the business, but managing the employees and allowing employees to run the business. This only happens when the employees are competent and aware of their responsibilities. Usually this acknowledgement of awareness for responsibility stems from the teachings of a good manager. A manager's obligation is to guide an organization of staff to the achievements of previously set goals. In order to achieve set goals, a manager must utilize all resources available. An option available to managers is the opportunity to appoint or allow the rise of a shift leader or an area leader. A manager utilizing employees is the most efficient way to delegate responsibilities and to achieve goals. Leading is the process of moving resources toward objectives and goals. A strong leader and motivator keep employees performing at high-energy levels during low times. (Quinn, 1996) It is the manager's responsibility to monitor and keep in line the productivity levels. This trend of appointing shift or area leaders is a method that can be expected to continue to be implemented into the future of management. When considering the change of the functions of management, it has already been said that leading will be somewhat if not totally eliminated from the responsibilities of management. Planning, on the other hand, will always be a necessary function. Planning precedes all other functions; organizing, directing, and controlling all flow from proper planning. Another function of management that may see minimal change is in the area of organizing. Organizing brings together people and systems in logical groupings to carry out plans. Sound organization is no guarantee for success, but poor organization will almost always bring about conflict and frustration. (Schein, 1997) Taking this into consideration, it is likely that the tools and technology that offer added convenience when organizing will be far more advanced and more accessible in the future. The controlling function of management, however, will always involve the tasks of monitoring and evaluating. The elements of controlling include setting standards, comparing them with events, and taking corrective action. When a staff is well managed, then the manager's main focus is maintaining control. A well-managed staff can easily run itself with minor interventions from management to resolve conflicts. A form of management will always be in place to maintain the integrity of the business and its employees. There is relatively no possibility that this function of management will ever change. In opinion, the future of management is in the hands of technology and the willingness of employees to step up and work for what they know and believe. Today, most jobs in corporate America require at least a Bachelor's Degree. The hard work that is involved in obtaining an education should not be taken for granted. (Bennis, 1997) Someone entering into corporate America should be driven to succeed. Success comes from hard work, hard times, and sacrifices. An employee that has passion for their job has a career, not a job. An employee that likes their career strives to make the company better, more efficient, and more profitable. Being a good employee influences the ease of changes that are inevitable. Technology and new innovations in managerial processes are the inevitable, but the willingness to accept change will affect the prosperity of the business. Management plays a key role in the success or failure of a business. An adept manager will utilize the four functions of management, planning, organizing, leading, and controlling to the best of his or her ability. The first function of management is planning. In our text, Management: The new Competitive Landscape, Planning is described as "specifying the goals to be achieved and deciding in advance the appropriate actions needed to achieve those goals." (Bateman & Snell, 2004) In order to plan, one must have a firm grasp of the current situation and the ability to anticipate the future course of the business. Our text tells us that historically, the planning process for companies was a tops-down process where senior management sent their edicts down to the masses, who then implemented the plans. In today's modern workplace, there is a more synergistic approach to planning. Now, all levels of a company are solicited for input and responsible for formulating the planning process. The manager is responsible for the budget for all team building and morale activities for the group. I have to plan carefully what events will cost and how much of the budget allocation an event will receive. The next function of management to consider is organizing. "Organizing is assembling and coordinating the human, financial, physical informational and other resources needed to achieve goals." (Bateman & Snell, 2004) Organizing can include a variety of tasks from designing a workgroup to figuring out which tasks need to be done on a project. Each year I begin the project by organizing the tasks that must be complete, the volunteers to train and delegate to, the logistics and the budget involved. It is vital that a project be organized thoroughly in order to be successful. (Jaworski, 1998) Then we move on to leading. Leading is one of the hardest management skills to master, since it contains an interpersonal component that can be very difficult for some. "Leading is stimulating people to be high performers. It is directing, motivating, and communicating with employees, inpidually and in groups." (Scholtes, 1998) Leading means inspiring people to do their best job. Leadership involved trusting people to do their best, to innovate and come up with new ideas because they felt inspired by their management to do so. Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple Computers states that innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. This brings us to the forth function of management, controlling. "Planning, organizing and leading do not guarantee success. Controlling monitors progress and implements necessary change." (Bateman s success on all levels. In my position, I monitor the budget for outsourcing, learning products and localization for software. If we are getting too close to our max for the quarter, it is up to me to control spending for our group by shutting down purchase orders or credit card charges. Firm financial controlling is my goal in this situation. The four functions of management, planning, organizing, leading, and controlling, are vital within my organization, by me as well as all levels of management above me. In business today, there is always to going to be the goal of being successful and offering the best of your product, and for that goal to be attained, it is going to take much planning and organizing. Success requires a leader to implement and organize the set goals. I am looking forward in the course of this class to better understand each of these attributes and use them as a catalyst for my success. The Alpha Sporting Goods Stores is comprised of establishments primarily engaged in retailing new sporting goods, including apparel and equipment for fishing, hunting, hiking, golf, tennis, baseball, basketball, football, biking, rollerblading, snowboarding, skateboarding, surfing, skiing, and hockey; along with playground equipment and exercise/fitness equipment, and other sporting goods, equipment and accessories. These products are sold at sport stores and superstores. The key characteristic of the sporting good industry at the retail level is selling products generally without transformation. To enter the market the amount of knowledge required is larger than the amount of capital in terms of sporting goods retail. But to become a sporting goods retailer a substantial amount of cash is also needed in order to build up a sufficient inventory, find an adequate store location, hire staff, etc. The purchasing of a large inventory and leasing or buying a store makes exiting very difficult due to a company being bound to so many related assets. One must choose an area with adequate sports to participate in, with adequate people who lead active lifestyles, and must have the knowledge of what sports to sell to their consumers. This sounds easy enough, but companies must be able to position themselves against their local competition in order to be successful. This takes a lot of knowledge of customers and being aware of what market niches exist. Because of these factors entering this market does pose difficulties. However, in the case that there is an area with customers and venues but not a lot of competition, entry should be easier. References Bateman, T. & Snell S. Management (2004): The Competitive Landscape. The McGraw-Hill Companies Bennis, Warren and Joan Goldsmith (Contributor). Learning to Lead: A Workbook on Becoming a Leader. Perseus Press, September 1997. Jaworski, Joseph and Betty S. Flowers. Synchronicity: The Inner Path of Leadership. Berrett-Koehler Publishers, March 1998. Quinn, Robert E. Deep Change: Discovering the Leader Within. (Jossey-Bass Business and Management Series) Jossey-Bass Publishers, September 1996. Schein, Edgar H. Organizational Culture and Leadership. (Jossey-Bass Business and Management Series) Jossey-Bass Publishers, January 1997. Scholtes, Peter R. The Leader's Handbook: Making Things Happen, Getting Things Done. McGraw-Hill, September 1998.