Edmunds Corrugated Essay

1. Analyze the issues faced by Edmunds and describe what lead the company to this situation. Edmunds Corrugated Parts & Services are a company based in Virginia, U.S. owned by Larry Edmunds; who provided precision machine parts and service for the domestic corrugated box industry. About two years ago, Larry’s grandfather loaned him the money to start the business. It is Larry’s first factory; in a barn on what had been the family’s Shenandoah Valley farm. He operates from a 50,000 square-foot factory located near I-81 just a few miles from that old barn (Daft, R., 2010). However there are some issues that Edmunds has faced with the quarterly earnings. They simply were not as they had been in the past. Firstly, the company was capable of employing about one hundred employees who were mostly neighbors. They were as hard-working and loyal employees. However, many of employees were going to retire. The company was suffering from the issue of replacing the current employees. The other issue the company was holding market share at 75 percent but the market share lately has reduced significantly. It was due to the number of the companies that had appeared manufacturing the same product. This had made it possible for the company to diversify their production with products such as the more flexible plastic films and reusable plastic containers. The last issue faced by Edmunds is losing industries mainly in U.S. due to the consolidation that was done by the paper industry. Some industries that survived opening other branches oversea as joint ventures. This issue had bought Edmunds to the crossroads of what he should do to bring the company revenues back to where they used to be. 2. Create and describe a strategy for addressing the situation at hand. From the issues the company had faced; the competition was changing, external rules and regulations were changing, and suppliers were changing as well. The strategy that worked well in the past is no longer producing the results company would like. Therefore; the company demanded a strategy would make sure it will recover; by way of strategic management, it is efficient to ensure that the company is capable of returning back to the way of its business. The strategic management is the comprehensive collection of ongoing activities and processes that organizations use to systematically coordinate and align resources and actions with mission, vision and strategy throughout an organization (â€Å"Management Study Guide,† 2008). The requirements for an ongoing process in strategic management are environmental scanning, strategy formulation, strategy implementation and strategy evaluation. The first process of environmental scanning or situation analysis; refers to the process of amassing, studying and providing information for strategic proposes. It would help the company analyze the internal and external factors that impact an organization. The company can define strength and weakness; with these two, they can find future risk and opportunities as well (BE Business Education, 2011). This will show Edmunds the opportunities and threat; for example, the ones that had made most other companies go overseas. The second strategy formulation is the process of designing and selecting the most suitable course of action for the achievement of organization goals and objectives and thereby achieving the organization vision (Bushman, M., 2007). This strategy should ensure the company regains it competitive edge. The third strategy implementation implies making the strategy work as intended or putting the organization’s chosen strategy into action including developing steps, methods and procedures to execute the strategy (Bhasin, H., 2010). The company management should ensure that the implementation of the strategy is cost effective, not disruptive and acceptable by all stakeholders. The final process of strategic management is strategy evaluation. These activities are evaluating internal and external factors that are the root of current strategies, measuring performance, and corrective actions. These processes will give Edmunds some great opportunities; for an example, making quality goods can be used to ensure that they increase their market share and customers will be loyal to their service. 3. Assess which element in the strategy you just described would be the hardest to implement and explain why. The part that would be the most difficult state in strategic management is the strategy implementation. This is because it involves change. It will require the management to fit the resources, the competencies and the opportunities that the company has in the market. The support of employees and managers are needed in order to successfully implement a strategy. When people do not proactively make the changes that are needed to adapt to the strategy, this will be one of the large difficulties. Moreover, if there is no follow-up to the strategy implementation, this will be one of the largest difficulties. The strategy implementation is hard and risky if it does not well carry on. All the resources that have been put in place can be wasted if any hitch happens in the process. It may lead to complete closure of the company as well if they will waste their time. 4. Describe what strategies Edmunds could use in the future to reduce potential crises before they happen. There are different methods that Edmunds could use in the future to ensure that the company does not entangle in the potential crises. The first strategy that the company would use is development of research department that will be looking at innovation for the company to guarantee that it is at a competitive edge at all the time. The second strategy is the training to the employees. This will ensure that the employees have the upcoming technology skills and the productively level will increase as well. The last strategy is the employee recruitment. The company has to make sure the employees are ready and competitive; which means the employees are capable of rising upon all challenges. These will be good methods for the company to ensure that they will not complicate any of the crises that it is in today. References Daft, R.S. (2010). Management. 9th Ed. Mason, OH: Cengage Learning. Management Study Guide. (2012). Step in Strategy Formulation Process. Retrieve Feb. 8, 2013, from http://www.managementstudyguide.com/strategy-formulation-process.htm BE Business Education. (2011, September 6). Importance of Environment Scanning. Retrieved Feb. 8, 2013 from http://business.svtuition.org/2011/09/importance-of-environment-scanning.html Bushman, M. (2007, April 7). The Major Elements of the Strategic Management Process. Retrieved Feb. 10, 2013 from

Explaining First Language Acquisition Essay

An essay explaining First Language Acquisition What is the most realistic theory that explains human being’s acquisition of their First Language? Considering the varying theories and perspective on how 1st language is learned, it is evident that no single theory can fully account for the complexity of the issue: How 1st language is learned. Based on the previous discussions and scholarly readings we had however, I am beginning to develop a conviction that Innatist theory holds the most realistic and consistent explanation among theories presented on how human beings acquire their â€Å"mother tongue†. The Innatist view also known as the Nativist pioneered by Noam Chomsky laid out an explanation that every child possesses innate knowledge of language structure (universals) to detect and reproduce his or her 1st language. (Lightbown & Spada, 2006, p. 16). According to Chomsky, we all possess Language Acquisition Device that has predestined people to use spoken language, and makes us the only beings that can use spoken language. I think this is generally true. No one can argue that human beings are the only species on earth that uses spoken language. Many researches in the past tried to incorporate and teach animals to use any kind and forms of human language but all attempts have failed. I also have observed that the rest of the perspectives (theories) offered in the module namely; connectivist, constructivist, developmentalist and cognitivist are just â€Å"rehash† or mixtures and modified versions of behaviorist and innatist view. Thus, the only two outstanding theories and have original ideas that main served as pillars in First Language acquisition are namely behaviorism and innatism. Although these two opposing theories offers great insights in learning L1, innatist’s perspective is much more comprehensive and consistent than that of the behaviorist. First, behaviorism is mechanical since neither conscious awareness nor intent is assumed to be operational in the learner. In contrast, innatism is realistic rather than mechanical since it does consider a child as an inert recipient. Furthermore, the behaviorist doesn’t include or advocate the critical period of learning, while innatism takes into account some of critical period hypotheses. Universal grammar is also true in most cases. People who didn’t undergo formal instructions or any forms of schooling still learn the complexity of their native language. Finally, I think Chomsky’s ideas explained the facts in a way that no other theories can. Acquiring language is not a normal mental problem. Everyone sees small children pick up language effortlessly. Few, however, notices what an amazing phenomenon this is. Rarely any one would expect a four-year-old to master calculus. Yet most people would not in be surprised when a four-year-old learns grammar, which is a difficult task. Children learn the rules of their native grammar by hearing a limited set of sample sentences. In addition, the limited information they receive is mathematically insufficient for them to determine grammatical principles, yet somehow they are still able to do so. Reference: Lightbown, P. M. , & Spada N. (2006). How Language are Learned: Oxford Handbooks for Language Teachers. (3rd ed. ) Oxford University Press

To Kill a Mocking Bird Racism

In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Harper Lee, you will read that through all the hard times and hardship family and friends will always stay together in the end. Discrimination is a commonly used subject in To Kill a Mockingbird. With the setting of To Kill a Mockingbird being in the early 1900’s racism was very common. The author used this information to his advantage because he was able to show how discrimination changed everyday interaction and life with other people. Everyday of our lives we come in contact with racism and discrimination against people with different colored skin..In the book To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, there are inevitable examples on how racism has been used in Maycomb County. Bob Ewell accuses Tom Robinson, a young black man, of raping Mayella Ewell, a young white girl. Of course everyone knows that Tom Robinson is going to lose in the trial only because the court always favors white clients against black clients because: â€Å"In our courts, when it's a white man's word against a black man's word the white man always wins. They're ugly, but those are the facts of life† (X) Atticus tells Jem. This shows the power of racism in Maycomb County.The power is that just because a man is black means he loses in court no matter what. In the court is not the only time that racism occurs. When Atticus decided that he was going to defend Tom Robinson Francis, Atticus’s nephew, he calls him a â€Å"nigger-lover†. When Atticus asks him what he means he says, â€Å"Just what I said. Grandma says it's bad enough he lets you run wild, but now he turned out to be a nigger lover. † (X) This shows that even though Francis is in his family it doesn’t matter, if you’re racist you will be put down and stereotyped by anyone and everyone.Even when Atticus is defending a man in court he will be called names because of the man he is defending. Even though Atticus is everything but racist, Jem, Atticus’s son, were being brainwashed by the towns thoughts and opinions. One day as Jem and Scout were talking behind the courthouse Jem says something to scout that was very racist, â€Å"Once you have a drop of Negro blood, that makes you all black. † This shows that the thought of racism is not only seen in adults, but it is now flooding into the minds of children. In conclusion there are many forms of racism that were showed and used in Maycomb county within children and adults.

Love Issues in Death of a Salesman Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Love Issues in Death of a Salesman - Essay Example Essentially Death of a Salesman delves into the 20th century capitalism and how it impacts morality, love and relationships generally (Abbotson,2007). This paper examines the themes and issues relative to love in Death of a Salesman by reference to the pursuit of the American dream and parental love in capitalist 20th century America. The American Dream and Love in Death of a Salesman Miller’s Death of a Salesman can be described as a commentary on material gains as prioritized by the American Dream of the 20th century. Through the main character Willy Loman, the reader learns that a man’s self-worth and value to society is measured by his material gains. In many ways this equates with self-love, self-respect and love and respect from family, friends and acquaintances. Willy’s suicide thus presents him as a victim of a society that dehumanizes love and relationships (Emami, 2011). Thus the tragedy of Willy Loman,† is â€Å"also the tragedy of American soci ety’s pursuit of the American Dream† (Stanton, p. 156). The tragedy of the American dream and Willy’s pursuit of the American dream is tied to issues of love, particularly in terms of self-love and perceptions of self-worth and love from others. According to Tracy and Robins (2003) capitalist values and its connection to self-worth and thus love sets off a chain reaction. As Tracy and Robins (2003) explained, Willy’s suicide reflect a poignant feelings of â€Å"self-doubt† (p. 57). Moreover: Willy’s self-esteem is also contingent and highly dependent on feedback from his employer, sons, and mistress (Tracy and Robins, 2003, p. 57). Thus, the pursuit of the American Dream as depicted in Death of a Salesman draws attention to the fragile nature of love and relationships in 20th century America. Self-worth is measured by material possessions. Willy for example, perceives that his validity as a husband, father, lover, son, brother and employee ar e highly dependent of his material gains. Thus in his pursuit of the American dream he is determined to obtain the admiration of his family, employers, colleagues, and so on (Tracy and Robins, 2003). In this regard, the issue of love is one that presents â€Å"the mismeasure of love† (Tracy and Robins, 2003, p. 58). Essentially, the emphasis on the American dream as a measure of self-worth transfer over to the manner in which love and acceptance are measured. Love and happiness are regarded as implicitly impossible without the acquisition of the American Dream. Willy’s pursuit of the American dream not only prescribes his understanding and appreciation for himself but also dictates his view of successful parenting, employment and personal life relations. Willy does often remind the reader that: It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it -because personality always wins the day (Miller, 2007, p 51). Bloom (2007) explains that the belief that personality al ways wins the day was a belief of Willy’s that was so entrenched in Willy’s psyche that it rose to the level of a religious doctrine. It was Willy’s way of giving voice to the belief that success in life, business and love was prescribed by a rigid formula. In this regard, Bloom (2007) informs that Willy does not: see the banality in such cliches and is actually using bromidic language to bolster his own faltering self-confidence (p. 27). Willy’

Assignment2UT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Assignment2UT - Essay Example .. (Sumner & Keller, 1913 p 234) †. This argument is aimed at ensuring the poor do not get any support for social justice against the rich and that wealthy slave owners should be left to continue with oppression since they happen to be strong in the natural sense. As an observer of the Cotton Farmers Alliance, these arguments by Professor Sumner are more than disturbing given the degree of oppression witnessed in Houston that called for cotton pickers strike. The foundation laid by America’s founding fathers demanded justice for all, rich poor, black or white. Speaking against government support for the less fortunate as advanced by Professor Sumner is contrary to the founding principles of the United States. Justice must be done to reduce the growing gap between the poor and rich members of the American society and this can only be done with government protection of the voiceless. Before nature, we are not any better than the wilder beasts and rattle snakes, but then we are not living in the wild as Professor Sumner would like to make us believe, we are human beings with a sense of intelligence living in a civil liberated country that was founded on the platform of justice and freedom for all. These founding principles have the implication that the rights of the ‘wild beasts’ are protected against attacks from ‘lions’ and that as the American ‘lions’ industrialize, the ‘wild beasts’ that are the poor cotton pickers, must be carried along in clear structures that assures them a place in the table of industrial success. The kind of unrest witnessed in the south is a product of years of oppression and to mitigate this, government must come up with clear protection policies which will ensure that the fruits of industrialization are shared by both the cotton pickers and the industrialists as the American society works towards closing the rich-poor gap. Professor Sumner argues in his book: What Social Classes Owe to Each Other; that social programs by the government to help the poor are contrary to nature and robs hard working people of their rightful rewards. He forgets that the alleged hard workers are propelled to success by the poor laborers who toil to make their enterprises successful. It’s an act of fairness to give the laborers a share of their output because no success can be realized if it were not for the efforts of cotton pickers in the south. The economic principle of fair reward is the basis of my support for social programs that will ensure cotton pickers share into the success of industrialization through these programs. Sumner’s ideologies have no place in the American society after my observation of happenings in Houston. Question Two: The Populist Party, 1892 Common problems Addressed by the Populist in Nebraskan and Georgia Key to the issues facing the Populist of Omaha and Georgia are economically traversing issues, which were so dominant in the U.S.A in the late 19th century. Therefore, in the event of such a convention, the two groups would have similar issues to rise on a wider scale. Some of the issues include labor and remuneration, the legal and justice system as well as taxation (Sumner & Keller, 1913). Watson from Georgia speaks of exploitation of the

The reality of Global Warming in the Modern World Research Paper

The reality of Global Warming in the Modern World - Research Paper Example Many techniques have been developed to study how for instance the sea levels have changed over the last few millions of years, even before mankind walked the world. Some of the techniques which have been developed include studying annular rings of old trees, coastal fossils, coral reefs and even fossils in the dry land. Most of these techniques have been used to reveal how climatic change has affected the earth and the life in it, even without the help of the human race. Evidence of coral reefs which have been found in what is now dry land indicates that the coastal lines I most places in the world were further inland. This is evidence that temperature changes can and will lead to changing coast lines and this is a very serious issues for the modern world where big cities have been build on coastlines. There is therefore a need to make sure that these issues are well understood by everyone and that everyone understands what hey need to do. Yet, in the modern world, human activities have increased the rate of climatic change in a very drastic way, making it possible for the climate change to be the fastest in the history of the earth. By studying coral reefs, and coastal reefs, it has been revealed that in the past, coastal levels have been changed a lot leading to the extinction of vitreous specials of both plants and live. In the past, climatic change has been in two ways such as towards receding the coastal line as well as advancing it.

Testing the effectiveness of the use of value at risk in cases of Essay

Testing the effectiveness of the use of value at risk in cases of economic distress - Essay Example With the United States’s credit rating on the Standard and Poor’s being downgraded from triple A (AAA) to double A (AA), this has changed the landscape for various lenders to have to watch more closely, and with a more critical eye, what money they loan out and to whom they are loaning money. This will be discussed more later. The Monte Carlo simulation has a basic formula of â€Å"(b-a)+b.† According to the Monte Carlo Simulation (2011), â€Å"[T]he Monte Carlo Analysis technique utilizes the three estimates to repeatedly simulate the project’s completion date, while taking into account the statistical likelihood that each activity’s duration will be somewhere on the continuum between the three estimates. The result of this analysis will [have] X% chance that the project will be complete on or before date Y† (pgh. 6). The first simulation was conducted on Citibank Corp. bank. Portfolio returns are best when they are diversified. There are a number of wonderful stocks which one can invest in in order to see great returns. The key is to make sure that various percentages of stocks are bought in order to balance out any difficulties so that, if one stock tanks a bit, other stocks will recoup the loss. Supposedly, Standard & Poor’s 500 Composite Index on income return is 1.01%, while its capital return is 5%--for a total return of 6.01%. Class A shares have a total return of 3.89%. Meanwhile, Lipper Growth and Income Funds Index has a total return of 5.29%. The U.S. economy, this past year, did not see much growth in the first six months of the year. Markets have been adversely affected by the slowdown. Triggered by worries about the U.S. budget deficit, a very high (at least 9.1% nationally) unemployment rate, the European debt crisis, and a decrease of growth in China—such macroeconomic concerns kept stock markets in turbulence, causing the U.S. stock market to have a volatility index the likes of which have