Cesare Beccaria Essays - Criminology, Penology, Criminal Law

Cesare Beccaria Cesare Beccaria is one of the most famous criminal justice theorists of all time. He lived from 1738 to 1794. He was the eldest son of an Aristocratic Family and was educated in a Jesuit school. His fascination with philosophy lead to him a bunch of friends who soon formed a group called ?the academy of fists.? This group focused their attention on reforming the criminal justice system. This group exposed Beccaria to many great philosophers, who encouraged his work. One to his motivators was a philosopher named Pietro who was in favor of the idea protesting against torture to obtain confession for the law and justice system. As well as many other injustices going on such as, the wrongfully used discretionary power of judges, using personal connections to get lighter sentences and capital punishment. This point of view won the backing of many other great European Emperors and philosophers. By 1770 Beccaria had gained recognition from all over the world and political positions in Italy. Beccaria's work touched on two distinct arguments of position. He described and pushed the point of reforming the criminal justice system. He also realized that very few studies had been done on research and reform in the system. He agreed with two philosophers' theories: social contract and utility. In retrospect to social contract Beccaria pointed towards punishment as justified only to defend the social contract of citizens and to make sure that all persons followed this standard. In regards to utility Beccaria stressed that the method of punishment selected should be one that helps the public. In his efforts to direct the justice system he discovered that some philosophers had two principle theories justifying punishment. Number one on the list was retributive approach, which states that punishment should be equal to the crime. In other words ?an eye for an eye.? This method falls into a revengeful style of punishment. The second theory was Utilitarianism approach, which states that the punishment should increase the happiness in the world. Meaning that the punishment should reform the criminal. Beccaria takes a utilitarian stance. He truly believes that punishment should deter others from acting in the same manner. This punishment should also take place quickly. The sentencing should be in a speedy manner. This will connect the ?crime? and the ?punishment? in the convict's mind making a clear connection between crime and punishment equaling. Swift punishments will have the greatest impact on deterring others. He also feels that severe punishments are pointless and will loose the initial effect that they intended. Becarria believes that dueling can be eliminated if laws would protect the person's feelings of insult and lose of honor. Punishment should equal the crime point blank, out of all the crimes treason is the worst, because it breaks down the social contract. Followed by violent acts against person and or their belongings. The most effective way to stop crime is to reward good doings in the community, increase education and make simple laws that every one can understand. Becarria believes that capital punishment is not the best deterrent. He says that long term imprisonment is the key to deterrence. People value their right of life more than anything else. Capital punishment should be preformed only if it benefits the public and is truly needed depending on the situation. Capital punishment fails to deter determined criminals from committing extreme crimes. Keeping people on lock down is more deterring then taking their life. Perpetual slavery is more affective and deterring than capital punishment. Beccaria believes that the justice system can be improved. His research had shown that capital punishment is not deterrence. It does more harm to the world than good. Perpetual slavery is the best deterrence the world had in its option. Criminals should be punished by methods that deter not vengeance. If these methods that Becarria has presented are used the rulers of the world will receive long lasting fame as peacemakers.

Gaius Julius Caesar

Gaius Julius Caesar was born on the 13th day of the month Quintilis, July in modern calendars, in the year 100 BC. His name was the same as his father's, with Gaius being his given name, and Julius being his surname. Caesar was the name for one branch of the Julian family, and originally meant "hairy." His family was not extremely wealthy, however they lived in relative comfort. Regardless of his background, he was well connected and did some important work for the government in his youth. When he was only 20 years old he was honored for bravery at the siege of Mytilene. A short time after that he left to study in Rhodes, but was captured and incarcerated by pirates on his way there. His family paid a ransom for his release. Caesar returned with a small private army to execute the pirates who had apprehended him. He never finished his studies due to the war with Mithradates VI of Pontis in 74 BC Caesar was a man of great strength and strong beliefs. At one point in time , Sulla told Caesar that he had to divorce his wife as a symbolic act of his loyalty to the new regime. Caesar told him no, and Sulla was so impressed by this act that he pardoned Caesar instead of exiling him. Cesar's strength gained him some small political offices in his early years. It was in 59 BC that he became a Roman Consul, and made the alliance with Pompey and Crassus that is known as the "First Triumvirate." This alliance was extremely important in the history of Rome and its empire.Caesar's rise to power came in three main areas, politics, religion, and the military. He gained the power in politics and religion from a very early age. He became active in both, and eventually became the central figure in religion and politics. His rise to power in the military came shortly after the death of Crassus. This left only Pompey and Caesar fighting for whom was in charge of the Triumvirate. Caesar marched his army down to southern It...

Intellectual Property Issues - Software Piracy - why is it widespread, Essay

Intellectual Property Issues - Software Piracy - why is it widespread, what are the ethically flawed justifications people use f - Essay Example (Besen and Raskind, 1991) Software piracy may involve the distribution of unlicensed copies of proprietary software on floppy disk, CDs, hard drives, or file sharing programs and websites on the internet. Many of the instances of software piracy involve computer hacking activities where these programs are altered so that users can install and operate them on private computers without registered serial numbers, licenses, or keys. The advantage for the software pirates and their community of users is that they can enjoy all of the powerful functionality of advanced proprietary software applications without having to purchase them. For students learning these programs, the poor, unemployed, or citizens of other countries who may enjoy a minimal standard of living, software piracy may be the only way to afford or have access to these programs. Due to these issues and others revolving around software patents, there is an increasing movement to develop open source software platforms with a ll of the functionality of proprietary applications but freely distributed to download. The question of software piracy relates fundamentally to digital culture and hacking, making the issue a vital part of understanding this subculture internationally. Software Piracy & Intellectual Property File sharing and software piracy actually predated the internet and has been around nearly as long as people have been programming computers. Software is licensed under standard intellectual property, copyright, and business law, usually including a user agreement with the terms and conditions of use stipulated in advance that the customer must accept. Intellectual property law turns source code into licensed property that can be protected from theft under a common law basis. (Besen and Raskind, 1991) Therefore, the legal argument established under the current combination of copyright and intellectual property laws creates the crime of software piracy for anyone attempting to circumvent license d use by distributing cracked versions of the software that can be installed on a computer without paying. The legal argument includes the fact that the software pirate is denying the payment due for the licensed software to the company that developed it, thus weakening its business plan and sustainability. The loss of ROI therefore constitutes a criminal act, similar to copying a videotape and selling it or airing a movie without paying royalties, etc. (Besen and Raskind, 1991) The software pirates themselves refute this by pointing out that they are not necessarily costing the developing companies any income, because people who can afford it or who need licensed copies in enterprise or academia will purchase it anyway. They state rather that software piracy empowers the poor people who would otherwise be without tools and at a competitive disadvantage due to their socio-economic status. This â€Å"Robin Hood† argument can be persuasive as well, because the cost to make a di gital copy of a software title is essentially zero. (Boyle, 2004) File Sharing & Digital Culture Digital culture views hackers as heroes and the â€Å"

Strategic Financial Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Strategic Financial Management - Essay Example Fourth, minimising the exposure to some types of risk may provide firms with more freedom to fine-tune their capital structure. Finally, investors may find the financial statements of firms that do hedge against extraneous or unrelated risks to be more informative than firms that do not may. With the increasing awareness and concerns from the customers the financial institutions are required to disclose information at higher scale at the same time the security of information is an important concern. This not only increases the concerns of the customers but also increase the need of information provision by the financial institutions in order to open themselves up to customers and partners for revenue growth. I hope that the readers and the concerned people will find this information useful and that it helps establish organisational direction for a very complex issue. Derivatives have been used to manage risk for a very long time, but they were available only to a few firms and at high cost, since they had to be customised for each user. The development of options and futures markets in the 1970s and 1980s allowed for the standardisation of derivative products, thus allowing access to even individuals who wanted to hedge against specific risk. The range of risks that are covered by derivatives grows each year, and there are very few market-wide risks that you cannot hedge today using options or futures. In 1999, Mian studied the annual reports of 3,022 companies in 1992 and found that 771 of these firms did some risk hedging during the course of the year. Of these firms, 543 disclosed their hedging activities in the financial statements and 228 mentioned using derivatives to hedge risk but provided no disclosure about the extent of the hedging. Looking across companies, he concluded that larger firms were more likely to hedge than smaller firms, indicating that economies of scale allow larger firms to hedge at lower costs. (Mian, 1996) As supportive evidence of the large fixed costs of hedging, note the results of a survey that found that 45% of Fortune 500 companies used at least one full-time professional for risk management and that almost 15% used three or more full-time equivalents. (Dolde, 1993) The evidence on whether risks hedging increases value is mixed. In a book on risk management, Smithson presents evidence that he argues is consistent with the notion that risk management increases value, but the increase in value at firms that hedge is small and not statistically significant (Smithson, 1999). In summary, the benefits of hedging are hazy at best and non-existent at worst, when we look at publicly traded firms. While we have listed many potential benefits of hedging including tax savings, lower distress costs and higher debt ratios, there is little evidence that they are primary motivators for hedging at most companies. In fact, a reasonable case can be made that most hedging can be attributed to managerial interests being served rather than increasing stockholder value. The questions need to be answered while undertaking the study will be as follows: What is risk What are the regulatory requirements for global financial institutions How does Information security risk affect financial institutions What are the Confidentiality risks What are the Availability

The most Important Legacy of Reformation for us Today Essay

The most Important Legacy of Reformation for us Today - Essay Example The protestant reformation started in Europe in the early sixteenth century1. The works of Martin Luther King’s activities that he carried out in the late fifteenth century informed the reforms. During such times, it was evident in the Roman Catholic Church that the pope had the powers to sale of penance letters to people following the fact that he was deficient of the authority to forgive sins. In those days, the priest was highly regarded more important than any other person. Therefore, anything that he did was highly regarded as of moral right and was subject to no rejection or question. In this regard, the Catholic Church considered priests more than other considered other people. Following the ever questionable issues noticed by Luther regarding the practice of the pope, Luther advocated for provision of the Bible to everyone to read for themselves. It is due to such ill beliefs and practice that forced Martin Luther to call an end to such practices. He gained many follow ers in various countries by inspiring many religious reformers to break away from the Catholic Church and develop their own ideas. ... The reformations led to various religious wars that was termed the Thirty Years War. Christians believe in the ability of God to forgive sins since he has the power to do so. However, the notion that a person can influence God to forgive another is misleading. It is the idea of forgiveness of sins as well as the massive power accorded to the pope that led to the call to reformation. Reformation is an important aspect of human life. It is of crucial importance to highlight that different reformation always follow quests of justice with regards to certain matters that affect humanity. As such, people may always engage in protests with the hope of correcting a wrong where necessary. Such issues that always bring notable protests that mark the beginnings of reformations always arise from several sources. A major factor that may push for reformation may involve political factors. This may be evident where certain issues are considered oppressive to the general wellbeing of humanity. In ad dition, several protests championing for reforms may follow differences in religious views. As such, several religious societies may collude and strongly oppose a wrongdoing that may be evident in the society. Major reformations in history came with regards to the Roman Catholic church. The church in earlier days had several provisions and guidelines hat majority of followers considered oppressive. Such did not marry well with their beliefs and the faith they had in Christianity. Majority of such issues were being steered forth by the people of high ranks in the church. Such issues were considered oppressive to the faith and beliefs that were maintained by the faithful. This brought forth major reforms in

Sustainable Development and Water Supply

Sustainable Development and Water Supply Throughout recorded history humans have used their surroundings to improve the way in which they live their everyday lives. In a very short time span, relative to the age of the earth, technology has advanced at unbelievable rate. With the incredible advancement of technology more resources are being used to create an environment that allows society to function and grow. People in a developed and technologically advanced society are living longer and healthier lives. Unfortunately this is increasing the population of the world; as the death rate decreases and the fertility rate around the world continues to increase. In societys quest to become further developed, natural resources are being depleted at an uncontrollable rate that may be impossible to escape from. Humans have disrupted the balance that is essential for life. Humans have been taking advantage of the resources that have been given. With the ever increasing population society will become more dependent of the resources t hat the earth will not be able to provide one day. Water is the basis for life, but the earth only provides a small amount of fresh water. This water is being used in abundance for unnecessary utilities. Much of the fresh water is also being polluted as factories dispose of chemicals and garbage in and around fresh water supplies. In addition, agriculture is a necessity that people across the world take for granted. Almost all of the fertile land around the world has been used, creating problems for future food consumption. Energy is essential in developing a sustainable society. Oil is being used to create most of the worlds energy, but it is essential to switch to new methods as oil continues to be depleted. Developing and changing the ways in which society functions is imperative to develop a sustainable earth that generations will be able to inhabit. The surface of the earth is covered primarily of water; almost seventy percent of the planet is covered in water. Within that seventy percent on two and half percent is fresh water while the other ninety seven and a half percent is undrinkable salt water. Nearly seventy percent of the fresh water is trapped in ice caps inaccessible to humans. Approximately only one percent of the worlds fresh water is readily available, being found in lakes, rivers, reservoirs and underground sources that allow for easy and affordable access. There is only a small amount of fresh water that is available to humans, which is being used at a rate that is not sustainable for the amount of people on this planet. The water supply in countries all over the world is very low. In multiple third world countries, there is virtually no infrastructure to support the population of the country. They are not able to produce a sustainable way to provide water to citizens. The water that is available throughout the wo rld is also being polluted on an unimaginable scale. Factories in less developed countries do not always following all safety regulations. Large amounts of pollution from these factories are being dumped into nearby rivers and lakes as it seems like an easy solution to unwanted chemicals and garbage. This does not necessarily only happen in third world countries, it occurs all over the world and it is becoming a massive problem that might not have a solution in a few years time. There is only a small amount of consumable water on the planet and if the actions of humanity continue, it will become increasingly difficult to reverse these disastrous outcomes. Massive amounts of eco systems are suffering due to the pollution that goes into the water each and every day. Humanity must change to ensure that fresh water is available for multiple generations to come. Water must be a sustainable resource in order for humanity to function properly. In the current situation, the fresh water reso urce will be consumed in a short period of time. It will become increasingly difficult to make changes after this resource is depleted, that is why changes must be made soon in order to ensure a successful future. The population is growing at a rate that will make it difficult to supply food to people across the earth. Across the earth millions are malnourished due to the fact that countries do not have land or fertile land to grow food to feed their people. With the growth of the population more land will be used to build homes to accommodate. Today almost all of the fertile land is already in use to grow food. Some countries have been purchasing land from other countries that have an abundance of land but they themselves are unable to provide for their own people. Agriculture is one of the most important factors that will determine if the earth will be sustainable for future generations to inhabit. It is important that humanity uses their resources properly and efficiently to ensure a future for multiple generations to come. One of the solutions that have arisen is the use of indoor crop production which would allow for maximum space efficiency. Indoor food production would allow for multipl e floors to grow crops while still maintaining the normal size of a farmers field. Fly over Holland and youll find yourself looking down on a sea of glass; here, hydroponic greenhouses account for 50 percent of the value of all fruit and vegetables produced in the country a practical response to soil depletion, disease and salinization(Riley, Tess). The process of indoor farming decreases the plants vulnerability to soil degradation and disease. Ideally through this method it becomes simpler in the means of irrigation. Pipes are run throughout the building allowing sprinklers to water the planets any time of the day. This is the most plausible solution to the agriculture crisis. It will be difficult for the world to continue down the path it is heading. Pollution and over population will continue to affect how agriculture will be seen over the next decade. New solutions will become increasingly sought after to help this global crisis. Developing a sustainable way to farm will be of the up most important. Indoor farming is only a small piece of the puzzle to creating a sustainable agricultural base for humanity. In todays world, energy has driven humanity to the point where it is dependent for that of the smallest tasks. It is difficult to reminisce about what the world would be like without the use of machines that convert energy into electricity. Oil, since its discovery has been one of the, if not the most important substance on the planet. It is used in almost everything; from paint to clothes it has touched humanity in a very strong way. However, oil is not a sustainable resource. It is currently running its path toward depletion. In due course there will be no more oil on the planet. Oil contains a massive amount of energy that is harnessed and used for the production of electricity. Over half of the worlds electricity is created through the use of oil. It will be difficult to find a replacement for this resource. As oil is being depleted the world must turn to other sources of energy that will allow for sustainability. Alternative methods of producing electricity include solar and win d but current alternative energy sources currently only supply twenty percent of the worlds electricity. These alternative methods must be considered to be the future of harnessing energy once the oil reserves have dried completely. These methods do take a lot of space to produce electricity efficiently, but it may be a price that is willing to be paid in the near future. Creating a sustainable way to produce energy and electricity is very important for future generation to strive like current society has. Energy goals of the future are based around the process of fusion reactions. If scientists and engineers are able to sustain a fusion reaction and harness the energy exerted by the reaction then the energy problems of the world would be solved. It is essential that humanity continues to develop and explore new ways to create sustainable energy resources. It is imperative that society changes the way it functions as not all resources in the future will be at humans disposal. Change must be brought now in order to provide a sustainable society for future generations of humanity. On the contrary to some beliefs, the world is not in a sustainable state for future generations to inhabit. Todays society is on a course that will not end well. It is important for society to change their path towards sustainable development that would allow future generations to flourish. Current water situations should restrict the usage of certain tasks to help preserve what fresh water is available to us. Water is essential to all life, and as factories continue to pollute in what little fresh water is available it seemingly decreases a sustainable way of life for all. The advancement in the field of agriculture is important for humanity to survive. With almost all of the fertile soil already being used it is important to turn to other methods to create a yearly sustainable way to produce food. Indoor facilities will be depended heavily upon in the future for the production of the worlds food supply. Through the use of conventional oil, the world has become dependent on this sub stance. Alternative energy is the way of the future. One day it will have to replace oil because it is a sustainable way of producing electricity. It is important that humanity soon see how life cannot continue down its current path. New and improved ideas must be designed to create a sustainable environment that will allow for future generation to flourish as well as this generation has. Works Cited Human Appropriation of the Worlds Fresh Water Supply. Human Appropriation of the Worlds Fresh Water Supply. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Nov. 2015. Riley, Tess. The Rise of Indoor Cropping. Triple Pundit People Planet Profit. N.p., 10 Oct. 2013. Web. 26 Nov. 2015.

Justice And Injustice Essay -- essays research papers

In The Republic, the great philosopher Plato attempts to reveal through the character and dialogues of Socrates that justice is better when it is the good for which men must strive for, regardless of whether they could be unjust and still be rewarded. His method is to use dialectic, the asking and answering of questions. This method leads the audience from one point to another, supposedly with indisputable logic by obtaining agreement to each point before going on to the next, therefore, building an argument.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Interestingly about the work of Socrates is that its not known very well, since nothing was recorded during his time. Everything that we know about Socrates has come through the writings of his greatest pupil, Plato. Socrates was a man that revolutionized philosophy and how to approach his surroundings. One of Socrates greatest findings as a philosopher was that he admitted that he knew nothing, which to others, specifically the Delphic Oracle led them to believe that there were none wiser than Socrates. Socrates techniques as a philosopher came about with his abilities to question others. His line of questioning, to see why everything had a purpose drew a crowd of younger people, which leads us to The Republic, where Socrates encounters some questions for him.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Socrates had two young listeners posing questions of whether justice is stronger than injustice, and what each does to a man? What makes the first good and the second bad? In answering this question, Socrates deals directly with the philosophy of the individual's goodness and virtue, but also binds it to his concept of the perfect state, which is a republic of three classes of people with a rigid social structure and little in the way of amusement.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although Socrates reiterates the concept of justice over and over again it all comes to his discourse on the perfect city-state, which seems a bit off the mark, considering his original subject. However, one of Socrates’ main points is that goodness is doing what is best for the common. It is greater good as opposed to that of individual happiness. There is a real sense in which his philosophy turns on the concepts of virtue, and his belief that ultimately virtue is its own reward. His first major point is that justice is an excellence of character. He then se... ...uite compassionate. Since happiness is the sign of justice, and pleasure is one sign of happiness, then the just person is the happy person. Socrates then equates true pleasure with knowledge, the province of reason and the philosopher.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Within Book X, In The Republic, Socrates argues for the existence of an immortal soul. With this plead, he makes the point that good is that which preserves and benefits. Justice is good, so it therefore preserves and benefits in this life as well as the next. Therefore, even though a man may wish to behave badly when no one is looking, as with the myth of the ring of Gyges, according to Socrates, by behaving justly we will have the most rewards. Eventually, the difficulty with Socrates' arguments is that they rely on associating things on to the next in a chain that eventually leads back to the original proposition. But, the logic of these connections seems built more on assumptions than on objective truth. Thus, within keeping his stance that ultimately what he says is right is right because he is a philosopher, and therefore is by his nature right. The dialectic seems more of a game to get the audience to go along.

Meaning of life Human Essay

Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of the deep springs of life. Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease. This often exists in a man of 60 more than a boy of 20. Nobody grows old merely by a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart and turns the spirit back to dust. Whether 60 or 16, there is in every human being’s heart the lure of wonders, the unfailing appetite for what’s next and the joy of the game of living. In the center of your heart and my heart, there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, courage and power from man and from the infinite, so long as you are young. When your aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you’ve grown old, even at 20; but as long as your aerials are up, to catch waves of optimism, there’s hope you may die young at 80.  · : Three Days to See(Excerpts) ( ) Three Days to See All of us have read thrilling stories in which the hero had only a limited and specified time to live. Sometimes it was as long as a year, sometimes as short as 24 hours. But always we were interested in discovering just how the doomed hero chose to spend his last days or his last hours. I speak, of course, of free men who have a choice, not condemned criminals whose sphere of activities is strictly delimited. Such stories set us thinking, wondering what we should do under similar circumstances. What events, what experiences, what associations should we crowd into those last hours as mortal beings, what regrets? Sometimes I have thought it would be an excellent rule to live each day as if we should die tomorrow. Such an attitude would emphasize sharply the values of life. We should live each day with gentleness, vigor and a keenness of appreciation which are often lost when time stretches before us in the constant panorama of more days and months and years to come. There are those, of course, who would adopt the Epicurean motto of â€Å"Eat, drink, and be merry†. But most people would be chastened by the certainty of impending death. In stories the doomed hero is usually saved at the last minute by some stroke of fortune, but almost always his sense of values is changed. He becomes more appreciative of the meaning of life and its permanent spiritual values. It has often been noted that those who live, or have lived, in the shadow of death bring a mellow sweetness to everything they do. Most of us, however, take life for granted. We know that one day we must die, but usually we picture that day as far in the future. When we are in buoyant health, death is all but unimaginable. We seldom think of it. The days stretch out in an endless vista. So we go about our petty tasks, hardly aware of our listless attitude toward life. The same lethargy, I am afraid, characterizes the use of all our faculties and senses. Only the deaf appreciate hearing, only the blind realize the manifold blessings that lie in sight. Particularly does this observation apply to those who have lost sight and hearing in adult life. But those who have never suffered impairment of sight or hearing seldom make the fullest use of these blessed faculties. Their eyes and ears take in all sights and sounds hazily, without concentration and with little appreciation. It is the same old story of not being grateful for what we have until we lose it, of not being conscious of health until we are ill. I have often thought it would be a blessing if each human being were stricken blind and deaf for a few days at some time during his early adult life. Darkness would make him more appreciative of sight; silence would teach him the joys of sound.  · :Companionship of Books ( ) Companionship of Books A man may usually be known by the books he reads as well as by the company he keeps; for there is a companionship of books as well as of men; and one should always live in the best company, whether it be of books or of men. A good book may be among the best of friends. It is the same today that it always was, and it will never change. It is the most patient and cheerful of companions. It does not turn its back upon us in times of adversity or distress. It always receives us with the same kindness; amusing and instructing us in youth, and comforting and consoling us in age. Men often discover their affinity to each other by the mutual love they have for a book just as two persons sometimes discover a friend by the admiration which both entertain for a third. There is an old proverb, ‘Love me, love my dog. † But there is more wisdom in this:† Love me, love my book. † The book is a truer and higher bond of union. Men can think, feel, and sympathize with each other through their favorite author. They live in him together, and he in them. A good book is often the best urn of a life enshrining the best that life could think out; for the world of a man’s life is, for the most part, but the world of his thoughts. Thus the best books are treasuries of good words, the golden thoughts, which, remembered and cherished, become our constant companions and comforters. Books possess an essence of immortality. They are by far the most lasting products of human effort. Temples and statues decay, but books survive. Time is of no account with great thoughts, which are as fresh today as when they first passed through their author’s minds, ages ago. What was then said and thought still speaks to us as vividly as ever from the printed page. The only effect of time have been to sift out the bad products; for nothing in literature can long survive e but what is really good. Books introduce us into the best society; they bring us into the presence of the greatest minds that have ever lived. We hear what they said and did; we see the as if they were really alive; we sympathize with them, enjoy with them, grieve with them; their experience becomes ours, and we feel as if we were in a measure actors with them in the scenes which they describe. The great and good do not die, even in this world. Embalmed in books, their spirits walk abroad. The book is a living voice. It is an intellect to which on still listens.  · :If I Rest,I Rust , If I Rest, I Rust The significant inscription found on an old key—â€Å"If I rest, I rust†Ã¢â‚¬â€would be an excellent motto for those who are afflicted with the slightest bit of idleness. Even the most industrious person might adopt it with advantage to serve as a reminder that, if one allows his faculties to rest, like the iron in the unused key, they will soon show signs of rust and, ultimately, cannot do the work required of them. Those who would attain the heights reached and kept by great men must keep their faculties polished by constant use, so that they may unlock the doors of knowledge, the gate that guard the entrances to the professions, to science, art, literature, agriculture—every department of human endeavor. Industry keeps bright the key that opens the treasury of achievement. If Hugh Miller, after toiling all day in a quarry, had devoted his evenings to rest and recreation, he would never have become a famous geologist. The celebrated mathematician, Edmund Stone, would never have published a mathematical dictionary, never have found the key to science of mathematics, if he had given his spare moments to idleness, had the little Scotch lad, Ferguson, allowed the busy brain to go to sleep while he tended sheep on the hillside instead of calculating the position of the stars by a string of beads, he would never have become a famous astronomer. Labor vanquishes all—not inconstant, spasmodic, or ill-directed labor; but faithful, unremitting, daily effort toward a well-directed purpose. Just as truly as eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, so is eternal industry the price of noble and enduring success.  · :Ambition Ambition It is not difficult to imagine a world short of ambition. It would probably be a kinder world: with out demands, without abrasions, without disappointments. People would have time for reflection. Such work as they did would not be for themselves but for the collectivity. Competition would never enter in. conflict would be eliminated, tension become a thing of the past. The stress of creation would be at an end. Art would no longer be troubling, but purely celebratory in its functions. Longevity would be increased, for fewer people would die of heart attack or stroke caused by tumultuous endeavor. Anxiety would be extinct. Time would stretch on and on, with ambition long departed from the human heart. Ah, how unrelieved boring life would be! There is a strong view that holds that success is a myth, and ambition therefore a sham. Does this mean that success does not really exist? That achievement is at bottom empty? That the efforts of men and women are of no significance alongside the force of movements and events now not all success, obviously, is worth esteeming, nor all ambition worth cultivating. Which are and which are not is something one soon enough learns on one’s own. But even the most cynical secretly admit that success exists; that achievement counts for a great deal; and that the true myth is that the actions of men and women are useless. To believe otherwise is to take on a point of view that is likely to be deranging. It is, in its implications, to remove all motives for competence, interest in attainment, and regard for posterity. We do not choose to be born. We do not choose our parents. We do not choose our historical epoch, the country of our birth, or the immediate circumstances of our upbringing. We do not, most of us, choose to die; nor do we choose the time or conditions of our death. But within all this realm of choicelessness, we do choose how we shall live: courageously or in cowardice, honorably or dishonorably, with purpose or in drift. We decide what is important and what is trivial in life. We decide that what makes us significant is either what we do or what we refuse to do. But no matter how indifferent the universe may be to our choices and decisions, these choices and decisions are ours to make. We decide. We choose. And as we decide and choose, so are our lives formed. In the end, forming our own destiny is what ambition is about.  · :What I have Lived for What I Have Lived For Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind. These passions, like great winds, have blown me hither and thither, in a wayward course, over a deep ocean of anguish, reaching to the very verge of despair. I have sought love, first, because it brings ecstasy—ecstasy so great that I would often have sacrificed all the rest of my life for a few hours for this joy. I have sought it, next, because it relieves loneliness—that terrible loneliness in which one shivering consciousness looks over the rim of the world into the cold unfathomable lifeless abyss. I have sought it, finally, because in the union of love I have seen, in a mystic miniature, the prefiguring vision of the heaven that saints and poets have imagined. This is what I sought, and though it might seem too good for human life, this is what—at last—I have found. With equal passion I have sought knowledge. I have wished to understand the hearts of men. I have wished to know why the stars shine. And I have tried to apprehend the Pythagorean power by which number holds sway above the flux. A little of this, but not much, I have achieved. Love and knowledge, so far as they were possible, led upward toward the heavens. But always it brought me back to earth. Echoes of cries of pain reverberate in my heart. Children in famine, victims tortured by oppressors, helpless old people a hated burden to their sons, and the whole world of loneliness, poverty, and pain make a mockery of what human life should be. I long to alleviate the evil, but I cannot, and I too suffer. This has been my life. I have found it worth living, and would gladly live it again if the chance were offered me.  · :When Love Beckons You When Love Beckons You When love beckons to you, follow him, though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you, yield to him, though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. And when he speaks to you, believe in him, though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden. For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning. Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, so shall he descend to our roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth. But if, in your fear, you would seek only love’s peace and love’s pleasure, then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love’s threshing-floor, into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears. Love gives naught but it self and takes naught but from itself. Love possesses not, nor would it be possessed, for love is sufficient unto love. Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. But if you love and must have desires, let these be your desires: To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night. To know the pain of too much tenderness. To be wounded by your own understanding of love; And to bleed willingly and joyfully. To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving; To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy; To return home at eventide with gratitude; And then to sleep with a payer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.  · :The Road to Success The Road to Success It is well that young men should begin at the beginning and occupy the most subordinate positions. Many of the leading businessmen of Pittsburgh had a serious responsibility thrust upon them at the very threshold of their career. They were introduced to the broom, and spent the first hours of their business lives sweeping out the office. I notice we have janitors and janitresses now in offices, and our young men unfortunately miss that salutary branch of business education. But if by chance the professional sweeper is absent any morning, the boy who has the genius of the future partner in him will not hesitate to try his hand at the broom. It does not hurt the newest comer to sweep out the office if necessary. I was one of those sweepers myself. Assuming that you have all obtained employment and are fairly started, my advice to you is â€Å"aim high†. I would not give a fig for the young man who does not already see himself the partner or the head of an important firm. Do not rest content for a moment in your thoughts as head clerk, or foreman, or general manager in any concern, no matter how extensive. Say to yourself, â€Å"My place is at the top. † Be king in your dreams. And here is the prime condition of success, the great secret: concentrate your energy, thought, and capital exclusively upon the business in which you are engaged. Having begun in one line, resolve to fight it out on that line, to lead in it, adopt every improvement, have the best machinery, and know the most about it. The concerns which fail are those which have scattered their capital, which means that they have scattered their brains also. They have investments in this, or that, or the other, here there, and everywhere. â€Å"Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. † is all wrong. I tell you to â€Å"put all your eggs in one basket, and then watch that basket. † Look round you and take notice, men who do that not often fail. It is easy to watch and carry the one basket. It is trying to carry too many baskets that breaks most eggs in this country. He who carries three baskets must put one on his head, which is apt to tumble and trip him up. One fault of the American businessman is lack of concentration. To summarize what I have said: aim for the highest; never enter a bar room; do not touch liquor, or if at all only at meals; never speculate; never indorse beyond your surplus cash fund; make the firm’s interest yours; break orders always to save owners; concentrate; put all your eggs in one basket, and watch that basket; expenditure always within revenue; lastly, be not impatient, for as Emerson says, â€Å"no one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourselves. †  · :On Meeting the Celebrated On Meeting the Celebrated I have always wondered at the passion many people have to meet the celebrated. The prestige you acquire by being able to tell your friends that you know famous men proves only that you are yourself of small account. The celebrated develop a technique to deal with the persons they come across. They show the world a mask, often an impressive on, but take care to conceal their real selves. They play the part that is expected from them, and with practice learn to play it very well, but you are stupid if you think that this public performance of theirs corresponds with the man within. I have been attached, deeply attached, to a few people; but I have been interested in men in general not for their own sakes, but for the sake of my work. I have not, as Kant enjoined, regarded each man as an end in himself, but as material that might be useful to me as a writer. I have been more concerned with the obscure than with the famous. They are more often themselves. They have had no need to create a figure to protect themselves from the world or to impress it. Their idiosyncrasies have had more chance to develop in the limited circle of their activity, and since they have never been in the public eye it has never occurred to them that they have anything to conceal. They display their oddities because it has never struck them that they are odd. And after all it is with the common run of men that we writers have to deal; kings, dictators, commercial magnates are from our point of view very unsatisfactory. To write about them is a venture that has often tempted writers, but the failure that has attended their efforts shows that such beings are too exceptional to form a proper ground for a work of art. They cannot be made real. The ordinary is the writer’s richer field. Its unexpectedness, its singularity, its infinite variety afford unending material. The great man is too often all of a piece; it is the little man that is a bundle of contradictory elements. He is inexhaustible. You never come to the end of the surprises he has in store for you. For my part I would much sooner spend a month on a desert island with a veterinary surgeon than with a prime minister.  · :The 50-Percent Theory of Life The 50-Percent Theory of Life I believe in the 50-percent theory. Half the time things are better than normal; the other half, they re worse. I believe life is a pendulum swing. It takes time and experience to understand what normal is, and that gives me the perspective to deal with the surprises of the future. Let’s benchmark the parameters: yes, I will die. I’ve dealt with the deaths of both parents, a best friend, a beloved boss and cherished pets. Some of these deaths have been violent, before my eyes, or slow and agonizing. Bad stuff, and it belongs at the bottom of the scale. Then there are those high points: romance and marriage to the right person; having a child and doing those Dad things like coaching my son’s baseball team, paddling around the creek in the boat while he’s swimming with the dogs, discovering his compassion so deep it manifests even in his kindness to snails, his imagination so vivid he builds a spaceship from a scattered pile of Legos. But there is a vast meadow of life in the middle, where the bad and the good flip-flop acrobatically. This is what convinces me to believe in the 50-percent theory. One spring I planted corn too early in a bottomland so flood-prone that neighbors laughed. I felt chagrined at the wasted effort. Summer turned brutal—the worst heat wave and drought in my lifetime. The air-conditioned died; the well went dry; the marriage ended; the job lost; the money gone. I was living lyrics from a country tune—music I loathed. Only a surging Kansas City Royals team buoyed my spirits. Looking back on that horrible summer, I soon understood that all succeeding good things merely offset the bad. Worse than normal wouldn’t last long. I am owed and savor the halcyon times. The reinvigorate me for the next nasty surprise and offer assurance that can thrive. The 50-percent theory even helps me see hope beyond my Royals’ recent slump, a field of struggling rookies sown so that some year soon we can reap an October harvest. For that on blistering summer, the ground moisture was just right, planting early allowed pollination before heat withered the tops, and the lack of rain spared the standing corn from floods. That winter my crib overflowed with corn—fat, healthy three-to-a-stalk ears filled with kernels from heel to tip—while my neighbors’ fields yielded only brown, empty husks. Although plantings past may have fallen below the 50-percent expectation, and they probably will again in the future, I am still sustained by the crop that flourishes during the drought.  · :What is Your Recovery Rate? What is Your Recovery Rate? What is your recovery rate? How long does it take you to recover from actions and behaviors that upset you? Minutes? Hours? Days? Weeks? The longer it takes you to recover, the more influence that incident has on your actions, and the less able you are to perform to your personal best. In a nutshell, the longer it takes you to recover, the weaker you are and the poorer your performance. You are well aware that you need to exercise to keep the body fit and, no doubt, accept that a reasonable measure of health is the speed in which your heart and respiratory system recovers after exercise. Likewise the faster you let go of an issue that upsets you, the faster you return to an equilibrium, the healthier you will be. The best example of this behavior is found with professional sportspeople. They know that the faster they can forget an incident or missd opportunity and get on with the game, the better their performance. In fact, most measure the time it takes them to overcome and forget an incident in a game and most reckon a recovery rate of 30 seconds is too long! Imagine yourself to be an actor in a play on the stage. Your aim is to play your part to the best of your ability. You have been given a script and at the end of each sentence is a ful stop. Each time you get to the end of the sentence you start a new one and although the next sentence is related to the last it is not affected by it. Your job is to deliver each sentence to the best of your ability. Don’t live your life in the past! Learn to live in the present, to overcome the past. Stop the past from influencing your daily life. Don’t allow thoughts of the past to reduce your personal best. Stop the past from interfering with your life. Learn to recover quickly. Remember: Rome wasn’t built in a day. Reflect on your recovery rate each day. Every day before you go to bed, look at your progress. Don’t lie in bed saying to you, â€Å"I did that wrong. † â€Å"I should have done better there. † No. look at your day and note when you made an effort to place a full stop after an incident. This is a success. You are taking control of your life. Remember this is a step by step process. This is not a make-over. You are undertaking real change here. Your aim: reduce the time spent in recovery. The way forward? Live in the present. Not in the precedent.  · :Clear Your Mental Space Clear Your Mental Space Think about the last time you felt a negative emotion—like stress, anger, or frustration. What was going through your mind as you were going through that negativity? Was your mind cluttered with thoughts? Or was it paralyzed, unable to think? The next time you find yourself in the middle of a very stressful time, or you feel angry or frustrated, stop. Yes, that’s right, stop. Whatever you’re doing, stop and sit for one minute. While you’re sitting there, completely immerse yourself in the negative emotion. Allow that emotion to consume you. Allow yourself one minute to truly feel that emotion. Don’t cheat yourself here. Take the entire minute—but only one minute—to do nothing else but feel that emotion. When the minute is over, ask yourself, â€Å"Am I wiling to keep holding on to this negative emotion as I go through the rest of the day? † Once you’ve allowed yourself to be totally immersed in the emotion and really fell it, you will be surprised to find that the emotion clears rather quickly. If you feel you need to hold on to the emotion for a little longer, that is OK. Allow yourself another minute to feel the emotion. When you feel you’ve had enough of the emotion, ask yourself if you’re willing to carry that negativity with you for the rest of the day. If not, take a deep breath. As you exhale, release all that negativity with your breath. This exercise seems simple—almost too simple. But, it is very effective. By allowing that negative emotion the space to be truly felt, you are dealing with the emotion rather than stuffing it down and trying not to feel it. You are actually taking away the power of the emotion by giving it the space and attention it needs. When you immerse yourself in the emotion, and realize that it is only emotion, it loses its control. You can clear your head and proceed with your task. Try it. Next time you’re in the middle of a negative emotion, give yourself the space to feel the emotion and see what happens. Keep a piece of paper with you that says the following: Stop. Immerse for one minute. Do I want to keep this negativity? Breath deep, exhale, release. Move on! This will remind you of the steps to the process. Remember; take the time you need to really immerse yourself in the emotion. Then, when you feel you’ve felt it enough, release it—really let go of it. You will be surprised at how quickly you can move on from a negative situation and get to what you really want to do!  · :Be Happy Be Happy! â€Å"The days that make us happy make us wise. †Ã¢â‚¬â€-John Masefield when I first read this line by England’s Poet Laureate, it startled me. What did Masefield mean? Without thinking about it much, I had always assumed that the opposite was true. But his sober assurance was arresting. I could not forget it. Finally, I seemed to grasp his meaning and realized that here was a profound observation. The wisdom that happiness makes possible lies in clear perception, not fogged by anxiety nor dimmed by despair and boredom, and without the blind spots caused by fear. Active happiness—not mere satisfaction or contentment —often comes suddenly, like an April shower or the unfolding of a bud. Then you discover what kind of wisdom has accompanied it. The grass is greener; bird songs are sweeter; the shortcomings of your friends are more understandable and more forgivable. Happiness is like a pair of eyeglasses correcting your spiritual vision. Nor are the insights of happiness limited to what is near around you. Unhappy, with your thoughts turned in upon your emotional woes, your vision is cut short as though by a wall. Happy, the wall crumbles. The long vista is there for the seeing. The ground at your feet, the world about you—-people, thoughts, emotions, pressures—are now fitted into the larger scene. Everything assumes a fairer proportion. And here is the beginning of wisdom.  · :The Goodness of life The Goodness of Life Though there is much to be concerned about, there is far, far more for which to be thankful. Though life’s goodness can at times be overshadowed, it is never outweighed. For every single act that is senselessly destructive, there are thousands more small, quiet acts of love, kindness and compassion. For every person who seeks to hurt, there are many, many more who devote their lives to helping and to healing. There is goodness to life that cannot be denied. In the most magnificent vistas and in the smallest details, look closely, for that goodness always comes shining through. There si no limit to the goodness of life. It grows more abundant with each new encounter. The more you experience and appreciate the goodness of life, the more there is to be lived. Even when the cold winds blow and the world seems to be cov ered in foggy shadows, the goodness of life lives on. Open your eyes, open your heart, and you will see that goodness is everywhere. Though the goodness of life seems at times to suffer setbacks, it always endures. For in the darkest moment it becomes vividly clear that life is a priceless treasure. And so the goodness of life is made even stronger by the very things that would oppose it. Time and time again when you feared it was gone forever you found that the goodness of life was really only a moment away. Around the next corner, inside every moment, the goodness of life is there to surprise and delight you. Take a moment to let the goodness of life touch your spirit and calm your thoughts. Then, share your good fortune with another. For the goodness of life grows more and more magnificent each time it is given away. Though the problems constantly scream for attention and the conflicts appear to rage ever stronger, the goodness of life grows stronger still, quietly, peacefully, with more purpose and meaning than ever before.  · :Facing the Enemies Within Facing the Enemies Within We are not born with courage, but neither are we born with fear. Maybe some of our fears are brought on by your own experiences, by what someone has told you, by what you’ve read in the papers. Some fears are valid, like walking alone in a bad part of town at two o’clock in the morning. But once you learn to avoid that situation, you won’t need to live in fear of it. Fears, even the most basic ones, can totally destroy our ambitions. Fear can destroy fortunes. Fear can destroy relationships. Fear, if left unchecked, can destroy our lives. Fear is one of the many enemies lurking inside us. Let me tell you about five of the other enemies we face from within. The first enemy that you’ve got to destroy before it destroys you is indifference. What a tragic disease this is! â€Å"Ho-hum, let it slide. I’ll just drift along. † Here’s one problem with drifting: you can’t drift your way to the to of the mountain. The second enemy we face is indecision. Indecision is the thief of opportunity and enterprise. It will steal your chances for a better future. Take a sword to this enemy. The third enemy inside is doubt. Sure, there’s room for healthy skepticism. You can’t believe everything. But you also can’t let doubt take over. Many people doubt the past, doubt the future, doubt each other, doubt the government, doubt the possibilities nad doubt the opportunities. Worse of all, they doubt themselves. I’m telling you, doubt will destroy your life and your chances of success. It will empty both your bank account and your heart. Doubt is an enemy. Go after it. Get rid of it. The fourth enemy within is worry. We’ve all got to worry some. Just don’t let conquer you. Instead, let it alarm you. Worry can be useful. If you step off the curb in New York City and a taxi is coming, you’ve.

LM Company Strategic Plan

LM Company Strategic Plan Abstract The market, which any organization serves, is dynamic in nature. This is mainly attributed to changes in the environment in which the organization is existent. The various environments which affect organizations include: Political, Economic, Social, Technological and Environmental.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on LM Company Strategic Plan specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Constant monitoring and evaluation of these environments should therefore be carried out to track any changes that may occur and undertake appropriate measures. These issues should be addressed with immediate effect as failure to do so may cause dire consequences for the organization. This paper will therefore focus on these issues in one fruit producing company, LM as well as a functional strategic plan that will steer the organization in the right direction. Introduction LM is a fruit producing company that has been in business for th e last ­ 20 years. Overtime, the company has reported robust growth over the last few decades which has mainly been attributed to the rapidly changing consumer lifestyle trends. The current health campaign witnessed all over the country has increased demand in fresh fruit and vegetable products. LM has gone out of its way to make sure it meets these needs in a bid to satisfy the customer. As a result of this intervention, the organization has been catapulted to higher levels leading to increased profit margins. The industry has also witnessed entry of new businesses aiming to cut a niche in the rapidly growing market. This has prompted the company to review and adjust its plan in order to position it in such a manner that it will continue surviving and thriving in the market. As a result of the new developments, the organization’s strategic plan will ensure that it addresses these challenges appropriately as well as provide a roadmap for the organization for the next five y ears. Organizational profile The combined produce industry is one that has seen tremendous growth over the last decades as a result of a shift in lifestyle trends with most consumers advocating for fresh fruits and vegetables. LM is one of the companies that identified this market gap and as a result decided to exploit this opportunity. The next 55 years is nothing but a tells of these products include fruits such as apples and cherries and vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, onions and the like. Customer support LM emphasizes on providing customer support and this is evidenced in the 24 Care centre that offers assistance to customers, addressing their queries. This is also proven by providing full support in the supply chain as it deals with the entire process, starting from farming, packing, logistics and finally to sales. The LM family LM treats every employee, customers and suppliers as family. This helps foster a sense of belonging and association hence nurtures l oyalty. It has a diverse network of growers situated in different states and even countries all having good values and work ethic. Although they may differ in age, language or gender, all are united by one fact, their passion for farming. They are all recognized as part of the LM family. This network ensures that supply of products is constant and subdues any demand eventualities hence guaranteeing fresh quality produce to our customers. Leadership LM success would not have been possible without the dedicated workforce that has made LM be what it is now. The leadership and vision of the management team, starting from the founder and chairman, Joe McGee and President and CEO, John Oxford, down to the employee in the apple orchids, the growth of the company would not have been experienced. They their vast knowledge in the produce market have provided guidance and helped steer the organization in the right direction.Advertising We will write a custom term paper sample on LM Com pany Strategic Plan specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Strategic plan According to May, a strategic plan is a firm’s roadmap that details direction that â€Å"guides an organization to achieve its set objectives† (25). Strategic planning, according to Steiner, is an â€Å"organization’s process of defining its strategy or direction and making decisions on allocating resources to pursue this strategy† (16). It seeks to answer the following questions: What do we do? How do we excel? Where do we see ourselves in the future from now? New entrants in the produce market have prompted the need to develop a strategic plan that would steer the organization in the right direction. This will help ensure the organization remains relevant and successful in a competitive environment. The LM strategic plan will therefore provide focus for the organization and also ensure proper utilization of available resources, embracing new t echnologies that would increase production, and embrace relevant technologies that would improve the quality of produce and most importantly, provide alternatives for the development and growth of supplier alliances, retaining the current suppliers as well as attracting new and able suppliers for the constant supply of fresh produce. This will take LM to a new level to even compete in the global platform. IM 2013-2017 strategic plan The strategic plan is detailed to ensure that the organization adopt relevant strategies that will guide the organization in the right direction. It details the challenges that are currently being experienced by the company, provides strategic objectives that will guide the organization in the specified time and strategic goals that aim at achieving the identified objectives. LM external environment The external environment is comprised of the Political, Economic, Social, Technological and Environmental (PESTEL) aspects. However, the external environment is one that is beyond an organization’s control and therefore, the PESTEL analysis is a preventive measure. In the view of evaluating these environments in order to identify their relevance to the organization, a PESTEL analysis should be carried out. The variables that affect the company strategy as per the analysis are detailed below: Political aspect- Following efforts made by the government and other law makers in the industry following their endorsement of encouraging healthy eating habits, this has translated to improved business for the organization. Economic aspect- Throughout the years, rapid diversification of the market has been experienced. This has contributed to increase in food production. It has therefore led to development of strong competitive pressure in the industry that has not particularly favored the organization.Advertising Looking for term paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This, coupled with increasing prices of farm inputs that have led to increase in supplier prices as well as high inflation experienced in the market has compromised the strategic position of the organization in the market. This has prompted the need to come up with measures that will deal with these issues as provided by the 2013-2017 Strategic plan. Social aspect- Changing lifestyle trends, with most people opting for healthy food has seen the adoption of fresh produce as opposed to pre-packaged produce. Recent demographic surveys have also revealed increase in population growth rate hence increased demand for food products. This makes business better for the organization. Technological aspect- Technology is ever changing, aiming to simplify work done by human beings. The organization is on the receiving end with this one as it has not adopted advanced technology fully in its processes hence lead to lost or expensive business. Legal aspect- LM has a large aspect of external growers who are guided by contracts offered by the organization. There is need for stricter contract enforcement to ensure that produce are delivered well in their time schedules. Apart from the PESTEL analysis, a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis is also applicable, particularly in the Opportunities and Threats aspects. This analysis focuses on analyzing the opportunities that are available for the organization as well as the threats facing the organization in the market such as ready local and regional markets. The above variables will affect the organization in one way or another and contrary to this will place the business on the losing end. Proper undertaking of this analysis will provide guidance to the organization in ways of improving its undertakings. LM’s internal environment This environment is one that is within the organization’s control since it deals with internal aspects of the organization, therefore, a SWOT analysis is carried out. In accordance with the organization, the following strengths and weaknesses are exhibited. Strengths Dedicated workforce- The organization is fortunate to have hardworking and resilient employees as well as suppliers who enable the smooth running of the organization’s day to day operations. Diverse supplier networks- The organization has a diverse networking ranging from growers from different states to different countries. This ensures the constant supply of produce hence guaranteeing supply of products to customers. Stakeholder participation- Participation from government, customers, suppliers and creditors help establish the organization and ground it firmly amidst increasing competition pressure. Weaknesses Low adaptability of advanced technology- Advanced technology benefits organizations in the sense that it lowers production cost hence translating to lower wholesale and retail costs. It also positions the organization in the competitive market. Unfortunately, LM h as not been able to fully adopt new technology hence causing lost business opportunities. Increased competition- LM over the years has faced stiff competition from existing and new competitors. This has resulted to the loss of business for the organization. Therefore, in a bid to address this issue, the organization should adopt the competitive strategies for survival (Michael 233). LM resources LM most prized resource is human resource. This is because it manifests itself in the growers, who supply fresh produce to the organization, as well as employees who run the day-to-day operations of the organization. Other important resources are LM farms which help supplement the organization’s produce, as well as equipment which are used throughout the process. Capabilities The organization has the potential to grow beyond the current level. This is because once it adopts new technology, output will surely increase. It can also improve the sales levels by diversifying the product ba se by adopting products with established markets as well as those in high demand. Core competencies Close supplier relationship- The organization strives at maintaining close links with suppliers. This helps foster stable relationships that have present or future advantages. All operations therefore are carried out in good faith. A good working relationship with suppliers provides a base for good business on behalf of the organization. Employee loyalty- LM considers every employee as family. The feeling of belonging is important as makes individuals to feel wanted and valued hence do their best in their duties. Therefore, this means improved and efficient service. Strategic goals The objectives as detailed indicated below will provide guidance to the organization in the period specified, 2013-2017: Enhance competitiveness of the organization Embrace technology for improved productivity Improve effectiveness of the supply chain Expand product base Strategic Goal 1: Enhance competit iveness of the organization Due to the increased competition in the market, seeing the rise of new entrants and efforts made by the existing competitors, they have posed a threat to the organization. Therefore, in order to deal with this, the organization should incorporate Information and Technology systems in their processes. This will improve customer service hence improve their loyal relationship with the organization. Another way of achieving this goal is by undertaking proper market research. This will help establish gaps in the market that provide the organization with opportunity for improved business and improved product delivery that will satisfy changing customer needs. Researches will also assist the organization determine appropriate fruit products with wide profit margins and in high demand, that the organization can opt at producing for improved business (Philip 348). LM should also embrace value addition. According to Belkaoui, this is the process of improving the or iginal state of a product by â€Å"modifying it for its end use by the consumer† (40). The organization should invest in the appropriate technology to make this possible. This will improve the position of the organization in the market hence steer clear from competitors. Strategic Goal 2: Embrace technology for improved productivity Technology will go a long way in improving productivity. Recent systems that can be applicable for LM include the Enterprise Resource Systems, (ERP). According to Harwood, ERP is a set of integrated systems â€Å"operating in a business that control business functions more effectively and efficiently† (11). This will assist different departments within the organization to communicate, such as the finance department and the operations departments. Another technology that can be adopted is one that interconnects supplier networks sites to the organizations’ own. Therefore, in case there is a decrease in the levels of certain products i n the organization’s inventory, the supplier is promptly notified and therefore fills up the deficiency. This translates to improved business as there is constant supply of products. Strategic Goal 3: Improve effectiveness of the supply chain Proper monitoring of the Supply chain will seek to identify ways and means of reducing costs in the process. This will enable the organization save up and divert the money to other processes that really need it. The organization could also improve the participation of customers by involving them in the process. For instance, LM could adopt an online ordering system that will allow them place their orders electronically. The website should therefore be updated and made user friendly for easy navigation. Strategic Goal 4: Expand product base LM should look into other products in order to diversify their product line. This will translate to improved business. The organization should invest in research in a bid to identify suitable products it could adopt based on market demand and projected sales revenues. Conclusion Therefore, the organization should keep abreast of changing trends in the market and supplement them in the Strategic Plan. This plan should not be static but flexible in order to provide room for change based on the prevailing market trends or aspects affecting the organization. The organization during the planning process should take into consideration its financial position, it should also ensure it implements change effectively in areas where it is required for reception by employees. The organization should finally provide updated financial reports to assess whether it is in the right financial position to implement change. This will make the organization implement the strategic plan effectively. Belkaoui, Ahmed. Value added reporting: Lessons for the United States. Washington: McGraw-Hill Publishers, 1999. Print. Harwood, Samuel. ERP. New York: Sage Publishers, 2003. Print. May, Gary. Strategic pla nning: Fundamentals for small businesses. New York: Sage Publishers, 2010. Print. Philip, Sadler. Strategic management. London: Kogan Page Publishers, 2003. Print. Michael, Porter. On competition. New York: Joessey Publishers, 2008. Print. Steiner, George. Strategic planning. New York: McGraw-Hill Publishers, 2010. Print

Free Essays on Shroud And Tomb Of Christ

There almost always has been, and most likely always will be much debate over the origin of the Tomb of Christ and the Shroud of Turin, and the authenticity of these two remnants of Christ. The church of the Hole Sepluchure, where both Golgotha and the tomb of Jesus are said to be enclosed, has been around since the days of the first Christian king, while the Shroud of Turin was not well documented until late into the 13th century. The lack of evidence in either case, and the controversy surrounding them leaves the catholic church with a bit of a conundrum, and outs Christians to a test of faith. The church of the Holy Sepluchure was first found by Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine. It is located at the tomb of Jesus Christ, owned by Joseph of Arimathea. The tomb is just outside the city gates of Jerusalem, because Jews did n’t let the dead be buried inside of the city except in the case of kings. The tomb was close to the place of the crucifixion, as it is believed that the same basilica is atop both Golgotha and the tomb. There is far less debate over the authenticity of the Tomb of Christ than the Shroud because it seems more than likely that the correct location of the tomb was recorded over the time elapsed between the death of Jesus and the time when, several centuries later, Helena discovered the site and started construction of the basilica over it. This is because at any given point during the elapsed time, there was always some recorded clan of Christians living inside the city of Jerusalem to pass down the tradition of where Jesus was buried. The Shroud of Turin has a much more dubious past and is filled with more controversy than any other relic save maybe the Holy Grail itself. The Shroud dates back to approximately the thirteenth century when it first turned up in mediaeval France, on display by private owners. The church suppressed the rising popularity of the cloth by removing it from the public view. ... Free Essays on Shroud And Tomb Of Christ Free Essays on Shroud And Tomb Of Christ There almost always has been, and most likely always will be much debate over the origin of the Tomb of Christ and the Shroud of Turin, and the authenticity of these two remnants of Christ. The church of the Hole Sepluchure, where both Golgotha and the tomb of Jesus are said to be enclosed, has been around since the days of the first Christian king, while the Shroud of Turin was not well documented until late into the 13th century. The lack of evidence in either case, and the controversy surrounding them leaves the catholic church with a bit of a conundrum, and outs Christians to a test of faith. The church of the Holy Sepluchure was first found by Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine. It is located at the tomb of Jesus Christ, owned by Joseph of Arimathea. The tomb is just outside the city gates of Jerusalem, because Jews did n’t let the dead be buried inside of the city except in the case of kings. The tomb was close to the place of the crucifixion, as it is believed that the same basilica is atop both Golgotha and the tomb. There is far less debate over the authenticity of the Tomb of Christ than the Shroud because it seems more than likely that the correct location of the tomb was recorded over the time elapsed between the death of Jesus and the time when, several centuries later, Helena discovered the site and started construction of the basilica over it. This is because at any given point during the elapsed time, there was always some recorded clan of Christians living inside the city of Jerusalem to pass down the tradition of where Jesus was buried. The Shroud of Turin has a much more dubious past and is filled with more controversy than any other relic save maybe the Holy Grail itself. The Shroud dates back to approximately the thirteenth century when it first turned up in mediaeval France, on display by private owners. The church suppressed the rising popularity of the cloth by removing it from the public view. ...

Personal Wellness Living Plan Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Personal Wellness Living Plan - Article Example Personally, my goal is to work on reducing my body weight from currently 170kg to 80kg. This is a hard task, and for me to achieve it, a lot of disciple and advice from health officials will be very vital. One can reduce weight in many different ways. However, before resorting anyone of them, it is critical to consult medical practitioners to advise you on the best method suitable for you. Health experts have always advised that eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to reduce the body weight (Moreno 48). Healthy weight reduction takes time and energy, but simple changes in the lifestyle like eating a healthy diet can greatly help in the process. Keeping proper food and exercise diary will be key for me to achieve my goal. A regular workout regime will be developed, and my diet is modified according to my doctor’s advice so as to achieve a healthy weight loss. The implementation of this plan will not be easy as I will have to adjust to some routines that I was never used to before. Having to eat fewer carbohydrates will specifically be tough for me as some of my favorite meals fall in this category of foods. To overcome all these difficulties, I will count on the support of my family members. They will play a big part in my transformation process, offering moral support and guidance. Despite all the challenges I am likely to face in my dream to lower my body weight, my motivation is to reduce the risks of getting high blood pressure and other diseases related to body weight.

Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 21

Economics - Essay Example The sellers have an ‘insignificant’ market share in a perfectly competitive market, implying that each firm is acting as a price-taker. In monopolistic competition, on the other hand, has as many producers and consumers as the perfect competition. Producers enjoy a degree of control over price. The products sold and purchased in a perfectly competitive market are homogeneous, which are perfect substitutes for each other. In contrast, the products sold in the monopolistically competitive market are heterogeneous. In other words, when a large number of buyers and sellers interact to buy and sell heterogeneous products we have monopolistic competition. Thus, a monopolistically competitive market differs with a perfectly competitive market mostly because of product differentiation, i.e. products are not perfect substitutes. Monopolistic competition involves many aspects of non-price competition. Marginal Revenue (MR) =Marginal Cost (MC) = Price (P) =Average Revenue (AR) = Average Cost (AC). In short run, new firms enter the market, in case the existing firms are making supernormal profits, thereby making reallocation of resources within the market. Given demand remains unchanged, the increased output (with new firms entering the market) shifts the aggregate supply curve to the right and drives the equilibrium market price down until price equates long run average cost. Thus, long run equilibrium is established as firms having no incentives now to move in or out of the market. Hence, in the long run firms make normal profits. In perfect competition ‘allocative efficiency’ is achieved, both in short run and long run, since price equates marginal cost. Production efficiency, occurring when price is equal to average cost at its minimum, is, however, achieved only in the long run. Combining the two, it can be said in the long run optimal levels of ‘static economic efficiency’ is reached in perfect competition. MR