Managing for Competitive Advantage Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Managing for Competitive Advantage - Essay Example t would be known as the Chip and PIN programme bringing banks, building societies and retailers together to combat the ever expansive problem of credit and debit card fraud. The trial began in fiscal year 2003 where cardholders would authorise purchases with the use of a Personal Identification Number (PIN) in place of their signature. (M&S Annual Review 2003 inside cover operating highlights) Year 2003 HR – Improvement in quality was managed in several ways including reconstitution of the store management structure including the presence of a store manager at each of the stores. Each of these store managers would have clear goals, responsibilities and accountability. There would be a field-based area management team offering the benefit of internal and external experience, which brings M&S in line with leading industry standards, thus providing a basis for further improvement in customer service, leadership and overall store standards. (M&S Annual Review 2003 inside cover operating highlights) Year 2003 Operations –There was increased market share in Women’s, Menswear and Lingerie with both strong product appeal and quality. The opening of thirteen Simply Food stores garnered 250,000 new customers shopping per week and the pilot program of the new credit and loyalty card proved successful with national roll-out in the second half of fiscal year 2003/2004. Considerations for the improvement of customer service involve potential for relocating the fitting rooms and the customer service within them. (M&S Annual Review 2003 inside cover operating highlights) Year 2003 Financial Management – The chairman, Luc Vandevelde, believes that â€Å"the key to regaining market share has been a focus on improving both the appeal and value of our products, thereby making aspirational quality more accessible to our customers, The Home programme opening just prior to the launch of the credit and loyalty card in Financial Services. During the fiscal year 2003 operating

Criminal justice process Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Criminal justice process - Research Paper Example Moreover, felony cases have both direct and indirect consequences. Direct consequences are those, which are expected in a typical felony case. This includes imprisonment, fines, probation, and other related costs. Indirect consequences, on the other hand, include barring a criminal from participating in an election and bond denial, among others. Orfield (2005) argues that many people do not know what is expected of them when charged with felony. This always put a lot of pressure and fear among many defendants and witnesses and even the plaintiff in the case. However, what is important is that anybody charged with a felony should make an attempt and get a lawyer to represent him or her and give necessary advice concerning the rights of the accused. This paper will discuss the procedures expected in a typical felony case. There are usually a number of procedures and stages involved in felony probation. This includes an arrest, followed by arraignment, preliminary examination, circuit c ourt arraignment, pre-trial, trial and sentencing, appeal and probation. Arrest It is reported that the responsibility of arresting a suspect in felony matters lies with the police. In this case, once the police have gathered enough evidence from the scene of the alleged crime, he expected to pursue the suspect, apprehend, and bring the accused to the police station. However, in some instances, a suspect is only issued with court sermons advising accused to appear in court on a certain date. This usually happens for lower level offenses, which may not necessarily warrant an arrest (Cole, Smith and DeJong, 2012). Interrogation Once the police have arrested the accused, the police may interrogate him but this is not a must. However, in case the police are interested in interrogating the accused, it is always advisable that the accused insist on speaking with a lawyer. The reason for an attorney’s representation is to prevent the accused from giving incriminating statements whic h may be used against them by the police in a court of law (May, Minor and Ruddell, 2007). Initial appearance This usually marks the opening phase where the accused is arraigned in court and should be conducted within the first 24 hours after the arrest. Usually a number of things take place at this stage. This includes informing the suspect of the charges leveled against him or her. It is also here that the suspect is reminded of his right to have a lawyer’s representation. However, in case the accused cannot produce a lawyer, then the court is expected to provide one. It is also reported that it is at this stage that the conditions of release is determined such as whether the accused can be bonded or put in prison as he or she awaits the charges for the good of the society. Finally, another hearing date is set for subsequent proceedings, which is usually conducted in a superior court (Orfield, 2005). Preliminary Hearings Fourteen days after the initial appearance, the accus ed is supposed to be taken through preliminary examination. This is also a very crucial stage since it is here that the judge is expected to decide if there is reasonable ground to continue the case to the next level. It is also at this stage that the charges may be dropped in case the judge finds no reasonable ground to continue with the case. What is unique at this stage is that it is a one-sided procedure since it is only involves the review of incriminating evidence for

Discrete Math Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discrete Math Project - Essay Example ed on the multiplication of the Leslie Matrix and the Population vector, institutions managing wildlife are able to project the population of a particular species to determine the translocations and reintroductions, for example, the population growth of helmeted honeyeater in Australia. Additionally, the model projects male and female components of the spices population where g age-specific data for female and male species are available (Webpages.uidaho.edu). The Leslie Matrix model is also applied in calculating age-specific survival and fecundity that determine the reproductive value from a specific multi-year census. Consequently, the model is important to the wildlife management’s population viability analysis (PVA), which is used to determine the threats or risks to a specific species in the wildlife. Using the equation, t+1= ÃŽ » t where ÃŽ » is replaced with the age-specific survival and fecundity rates, the institutions managing wildlife are able to determine survival and reproductive value for each species (Webpages.uidaho.edu). The model is further applied in wildlife management in the control of invasive species where the survival and reproductive value is low for a specific

Teacher Tenure in California Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Teacher Tenure in California - Research Paper Example he teachers become eligible for the tenure they gain security towards their position and can only be dismissed if the school authority is able to put forward a just cause. The state law even proposed that the tenured teachers may be dismissed if they are giving unsatisfactory performance (Jederberg 43). However, as per the policy if the performance of students is low in the state it is not considered to be a condition for dismissal of teachers which in turn has resulted into more number of students exhibiting low performance. The dismissal conditions as highlighted by the court decision states that the school authority needs to give a prior notice to the employee before initiating any form of proceedings regarding dismissal due to unsatisfactory performance of a teacher. The teacher tenure policy majorly focused towards the well being of students and to retain those teachers who performed well and discard those who are not able to meet the standards of the school policy. The ones who supported the policy stated that the policy majorly aimed towards development and growth of students so that they are able to perform well in their career path. The other end of this provision was that it provided the flexibility to the school authority to focus more on performing teachers and reduce the cost by eliminating those teachers who did not perform well. The notice that would be given to the teachers before the dismissal must also include some of the behavioral instances that need to be communicated three months prior to filing charges. The major purpose of the policy was not to hide the underperforming teachers behind the tenure and to facilitate more of academic achievement of the students. There are almost 6 million students who are enrolled in the public s chools of California and thus the law was to support these students so that they are provided with an appropriate guidance. The tenure is always a security provision for teachers but this policy was aligned more towards

Imperalism in Algeria Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Imperalism in Algeria - Term Paper Example As a result of this, the wave of imperialism spread from the present day rich countries to the present day third world countries. With imperialism came colonization since this was the only way that the powerful nations would be able to derive the raw materials they so desired. Continents like Africa were adversely affected by the wave of imperial ism since at the time; they were amongst the least civilized and developed politically, economically and culturally. Therefore, the powerful nations came up with new civilizations and they introduced new cultures to the weaker nations. Apart from this, they empowered the weaker nations economically and politically so that they would be at par with the rest of the nations in other parts of the world. However, the civilization did not come with its flaws. The weaker nations faced the oppression of the stronger nations due to a scramble of raw materials. The African continent had so many natural resources that had not been exploited such that E uropean leaders convened in Berlin in 1886 in a convergence whose theme has been referred to as The Scramble and partition of Africa3. Apart from industrialization, nationalism also contributed to the growth and spread of imperialism. Nationalism refers to the pride concerning one’s country. Various citizens of various nations were proud of their nations and their accomplishments, which also entailed taking over other areas. European nations started competing among themselves; hence, there was an enhanced pressure for these nations to practice imperialism so that a balance of power would be maintained in Europe. This was the genesis of the competition between European powers like France, Italy and Britain. It is important to note that when... It is evident from the study that imperialism began in ancient Roman cultures whereby stronger kingdoms extended their control to take over the weaker ones. The Industrial Revolution that occurred from 1800 necessitated massive raw materials for Europeans and a ready market for their manufactured products. This led to the scramble and partition of African nations by European powers. These European nations were powerful as compared to their African counterparts; hence, they had their way. They simply took over their lands. The French as compared to the British annexed large chunks of land as a means of expanding their empire, hence, block the expansion of the British Empire. The French set foot in Algeria in 1830, and for a century they ruled this country with the policy of assimilation whereby people were made to embrace French cultures. This was a divide and rule gimmick which ensured that the resistance was reduced. After a century and a quarter, the French decided to grant indepen dence to the Algerians. Although the French were not beaten in war, much credit must be given to the Algerians for resisting French rule between 1954 and 1962 in a series of wars. Independence was finally granted in 1962. After Independence, the leaders have tried to annihilate the French policies that were so characteristics of the colonial period. In the late 1960s, the government of Houri Boumediene, the then Algerian President, embarked on total arabization as a state goal and this went towards promoting the Arabic language in schools and in bureaucracies.

Gun control Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Gun control - Research Paper Example Even the women also bear license for guns and uses them2. Guns maybe either shot-guns or hand guns. Generally people use the hand gun more as it is easy to carry and becomes handier. In recent times the issue of gun control has turned out to be very controversial, especially in US, as a lot of crimes and accidents are taking place due to licenses which are being given away to commoners. Crimes Guns are a potential threat to a person’s life security. Crimes are more likely to take place in the presence of guns. All people who bear license for keeping guns are not potential threats to the society. People who own only handguns typi ­cally own the guns for protection against crime. There is a two-step linkage between gun control and crime rates: (1) the impact of gun control on the availability and accessibility of firearms, particularly handguns, and (2) the effect of the prevalence of guns on the commission of crimes. The course of the outcome moves from gun control to crime r ates3. In fact, high crime rates generate political support for the implementation of more severe gun controls4. The rates of crime are bound to increase as people are freely permitted to use guns. Sometimes thieves can also burgle the gun from the house or even kill a person. Gun control proponents often point out those countries such as Britain and Canada, which have strong gun control laws have lower rates of violent crimes5. Gun violence has unevenly impacted the African American society. While overall crime rates, including gun-related crime, have come down among the general population during the past decade, gun violence has increased among African Americans. African Americans youths, especially young males, have been particularly affected by gun violence. In addition to higher rates of violent crime, suicide rates among the African American have also increased. This has compelled community leaders to decry the self-destruction of younger generations and call for increased gun control measures6. According to the Department of Justice, nearly 58 percent of gun crimes took place in large cities over the past 30 years, and disproportionately by black males between the ages of 14 and 24. Despite composing only 1 percent of the population, these young African-American males represent 16 percent of homicide victims and 27 percent of all homicide offenders7. But, certainly one cause that so many Americans are concerned about guns is that guns signify and indicate individualism and self-reliance, two characteristics in which Americans outdo the rest of the industrial world8. People sometimes may not be criminals and do not have intentions of killing someone. Those who want to show their vengeance towards someone can show it through other methods also, but it is a natural thing that when a person has better options in front of him, he will definitely make use of it. So gun is always a better option than knife or any other sharp weapon. For instance, â€Å"Adam L anza, an honors student with no criminal record, murdered his mother, stole four of her guns, and—for reasons we may never know—decided to rob the world of the lives of 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School. It was a murder of unarmed innocents on a scale with few precedents in American history, the second deadliest school shooting in history, and the worst massacre in an elementary school since the 1927 bombings at the Bath School in

Scarlet Letter Essay Example for Free

Scarlet Letter Essay The Scarlet Letter There are many forms to degrade a person, some are deep wounds that can leave an imprint forever, and some go through one ear and out the other. There have been many occasions where ones life is played upon, where the only solution is death. But there are two of those imprints I want to focus on; revenge and hatred and how these two abhorrent features can destroy a person physically and spiritually. Revenge is defined as to inflict punishment in return for injury or insult. In Nathaniel Hawthornes novel, The Scarlet Letter, we find that two characters exemplify this theme. Roger Chillingworth and Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale have an extensive conflict that portrays an example for us. The clergymans shy and sensitive reserve had balked this scheme. Roger Chillingworth, however, was inclined to be hardly, if at all, less satisfied with the aspects of affairs, which Providence- using the avenger and his victim for its own purposes, and, perchance, pardoning where it seemed most to punish- had substituted for is black devices. In this quote from the book, it states that Roger Chillingworth, being the doctor of Dimmesdale, will use his medications against him. Chillingworth suspects of Dimmesdale committing a great sin that involves his wife Hester Prynne. Calm, gentle, passionless, as he appeared, there was yet, we fear, a quiet depth of malice, hitherto latent, but active now, in this unfortunate old man, which led him to imagine a more intimate revenge than any mortal had even wreaked upon an enemy. To make himself the one trusted friend, to whom should be confided all the fear, the remorse, the agony, the ineffectual repentance, the backward rush of sinful thoughts, expelled in vain! Chillingworth is taking advantage of being Dimmesdale so called friend, so he gets him to confess this reat sin that he is being suspected upon. He will be asking questions that will provoke Dimmesdale or rather make him think in such a way that he will express it physically. The reason why Dimmesdale seems to be sick is because of the secret sin he keeps inside, its destroying him. Making him weak, pale, rather old, and putting him in a position where he believes that medicine will cure it. Dimmesdale being the preacher of the town will have a great spiritual agony that will haunt him through this life and the next, making this the spiritual sickness that will not leave unless he confesses. And the cause of this all would be Chillingworth. Hatred can destroy victim or attacker, being an intense dislike, extreme aversion or hostility. All of these aspects, Chillingworth was putting upon Dimmesdale, slowly making him pay for the sin. In a word, old Roger Chillingworth was a striking evidence of a mans faculty of transforming himself into a devil, if he will only, for a reasonable space of time, undertake a devils office. He was going through stages of hatred that transformed him into something that he didnt foresee. Chillingworth was turning into a devil within a blink of an eye. Hester said to Chillingworth while talking to him about Dimmesdale, Since that day, no man is so near him as you. You tread behind his every footstep. You are beside him, sleeping and waking. You search his thoughts. You burrow and rankle in his heart! Your clutch is on his life, and you cause him to Chillingworth is like a dark shadow haunting Dimmesdale every mille-second of the day, and Dimmesdale not knowing what Chillingworths real intensions are. In this case, hatred was destroying both Chillingworth and Dimmesdale, one turning into a devil and the other being tortured and pressured. With this I come to a conclusion that revenge, hatred, and a person, dont mix well. Just like oil and water. Think about having the conscience follow you throughout your life, that with a simple act of these implements you completely destroyed a person into pieces. It degrades him or her, self-esteem drops down to a low level, but most importantly you can put that person into a place where death is the only answer to escape. A rattlesnake, if cornered will become so angry it will bite itself. That is exactly what the harboring of hate and resentment against others is a biting of oneself. We think we are harming others in holding these spites and hates, but the deeper harm is to ourselves. †E. Stanley Jones