Responsive writing: “A Lesson Before Dying”

MGT499 MOD 5 CA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

MGT499 MOD 5 CA - Essay Example The administration is feeling the warmth of this issue as the brand positioning descending at a pace which requires quick return to of concerned vital rules. Recognizing the circumstance, Riki Inuzuka the Managing Officer, Corporate Planning Division and Research Division for Toyota states, â€Å"We will keep on putting forth coordinated and brought together attempts to guarantee quality just as to accomplish a more elevated level of safety.† (Inuzuka, 2011). An inside and out investigation into the structure of the association, controls applied to guarantee usage of procedures and authoritative culture can assist with following the main drivers of the security outrages as of now confronting Toyota. In seventy-five years of history, the organization is overwhelmingly represented and controlled by â€Å"Toyoda clan† with certain systems of non-family top level administration. This clearly, proposes some auxiliary and key imperfections as far human-asset the executives is concerned. In any case, keeping the directing seat saved for Toyoda family recommend that exhibition isn't the main legitimacy to arrive at the statures one may yearn in his vocation with Toyota. Clearly, when this preference and nepotism goes down the way and makes genuine agitation and worries among true entertainers. Furthermore, it makes crack among family and non-family directors and makes a focused on condition, where non-family administrator will feel shaky and along these lines may go for some out of the case choices to demonstrate their value and intrigue the higher administration. Last two non-family presidential systems; 1995-1999 Hiroshi Okuda and 2000-2009 Katsuaki Watanabe have effectively extended the worldwide portion of the vehicle producer however not without a changed focal point of key controls from quality to amount and altruism to productivity. (Shirouzu, 2010). The Toyoda family recovered the initiative at Toyota when Akio Toyoda w as declared as the leader of the Toyota. Akio is presently attempting to move the focal point of the organization from

August 2019 Horoscopes and Book Recommendations

August 2019 Horoscopes and Book Recommendations Welcome to Book Riot’s August 2019 Horoscopes and Book Recommendations! There are a ton of wonderful books coming out this month. Where to begin? Let the stars be your guide! Find your astrological sign below for your August horoscope, perfectly paired with a newly released book. August 2019 Horoscopes and Book Recommendations Aries (March 21â€"April 19) August is your time for summer lovin’, Aries! Romantic relationships will be highly successful and satisfying this month. Whether your relationship is new or old, take your partner on an unusual date and open yourself to new possibilities. Your social network may also connect you to an interesting new job opportunity in August. Keep an open mind! You might enjoy The Right Swipe (August 6, Avon) by Alisha Rai. Business mogul Rhiannon may have founded a successful dating app, but she’s cynical about love. When she falls for a rival dating app creator, her professional life gets tangled with her personal life. Taurus (April 20â€"May 20) It’s time to get out of town, Taurus. You’re frustrated with a lot of things in your life: your job, family drama, and poor health, to name a few. Sometimes it takes a change of scenery to clear your mind. August is a great time to travel and find a new perspective. Just be careful of your budget while vacationing. Finances could get tricky later in the month. Check out The Revolution of Birdie Randolph (August 20, Little, Brown Books) by Brandy Colbert. Birdie is trying to live up to her strict parents’ expectations while still being a normal teen. But when her estranged aunt moves into their home, family secrets are revealed and Birdie learns that life isn’t always as simple as following the rules. Gemini (May 21â€"June 20) Geminis may struggle to stay focused in August. Changes in your professional and social circles abound. A variety of things and people are vying for your attention this month, and you struggle to turn down interesting new opportunities. Spend your energy on things that matter to you in the long run, and remember that you have to sleep sometimes, too. I recommend insightful coming-of-age story They Could Have Named Her Anything (August 1, Little A) by Stephanie Jiminez. Maria is one of the only Latinx students at her prestigious Manhattan private school, and she feels out of place. When she meets wealthy, white, rebellious Rocky, the two become unlikely best friends, and both long for what the other has. Cancer (June 21â€"July 22) There aren’t enough hours in the day for Cancers this month. You’re struggling to keep up with a heavy workload, and it often feels like no one recognizes your efforts. The good news is that your good decisions will lead to strong finances in August. And with good health and high energy levels, you might find some time to balance your hard work with some play. Read a book that takes you to another place and time, like Inland (August 13, Random House) by Téa Obreht. Set in 1893 Arizona, it follows a frontierswoman with a missing husband and a former outlaw with ghosts of his own on an epic journey across the American West. Leo (July 23â€"August 22) Happy Birthday, Leo! You will play the role of mentor in August. Your confidence and expertise will attract admiration this month, and colleagues and friends may look to you when they need a trusted advisor. But while you have a lot to contribute, don’t let the admiration go to your head. Attend to your own tasks to avoid potential drama at work and at home. You might enjoy How to Be an Antiracist (August 13, One World) by National Book Award winner Ibram X. Kendi. In his newest book, Kendi reshapes the conversation around racial justice in America by imagining an antiracist society and what steps are needed to get there. Virgo (August 23â€"September 22) Determination will take Virgos far this month. You’re not afraid of hard work, and that, along with your attention to detail, will help you reach your goals. Anything you set your mind to this month will be yours. Remember that it’s okay to ask for help from others. It’s hard for you to give up control, but friends and colleagues can help you reach the finish line even faster. Check out The Beekeeper of Aleppo (August 27, Ballantine Books) by Christy Lefteri. When a beekeeper and an artist find their home country of Syria torn apart by war, they are forced to flee. On their journey, they must confront their grief and discover who they truly are. Libra (September 23â€"October 22) You’re feeling lucky this month, Libra. You’ve got a dangerous combination of charm, curiosity, and boldness in August. That could either lead you to big successes or big trouble. You might consider running any exciting new ideas past a trusted friend before going all in. It’s also a great time to meet new people, as your energy in August will draw others to you. I recommend The Turn of the Key (August 6, Simon Schuster) by Ruth Ware. Rowan was happy with her decision to accept a live-in nanny position at a luxurious “smart” home. But now that a child is dead and she’s in prison awaiting trial for murder, it’s clear that something went terribly wrong, although she’s not sure where or how. Scorpio (October 23â€"November 21) What’s the meaning of life, Scorpio? You may not know the answer, but much of August will be spent thinking about big questions. Friends may catch you staring into space throughout the month as you reconsider some of your deepest held beliefs. Take opportunities to engage in stimulating conversations, particularly with interesting strangers. You may meet someone worth knowing. Read a moving novel about immigration and identity, like A Particular Kind of Black Man (August 6, Simon Schuster) by Tope Folarin. Tunde’s parents moved from Nigeria to a small town in Utah before he was born, in search of a better life. But as Tunde struggles to feel at home, his father tirelessly chases the American dream and his mother experiences crushing loneliness, making that better life seems unreachable. Sagittarius (November 22â€"December 21) Sagittarius’s month will be all about checking off to-do lists. You’ve got big ambitions, and August is the time to put in the work toward them. You’re focused and driven, and there’s no obstacle you can’t overcome right now. All of your work won’t go unnoticed, either. A promotion, bonus, or big raise may be in the cards for you this month. You might enjoy a fast-paced psychological thriller, like The Perfect Son (August 13, Berkley Books) by Lauren North. Tess and her son are trying their best to get by after her husband died in a terrible accident. But when she wakes up the day after her son’s 8th birthday, Tess is sure of three things: she’s been stabbed, her son is missing, and her brother-in-law and grief counselor had something to do with it. Capricorn (December 22â€"January 19) You’ve got your eye on the world this month, Capricorn. August is a great time for travel and seeking new experiences. Embrace opportunities to get out of your bubble, particularly for international travel. You may also find yourself fascinated by world history and different cultures. If your finances can’t support a big trip, try learning a new language or reading a book that takes you to a new place. I recommend Our Women on the Ground: Essays by Arab Women Reporting from the Arab World (August 6, Penguin Books), edited by Zahra Hankir. This collection features essays from 19 Arab women journalists reflecting on their changing homelands, as well as the misleading narratives about them in Western media. Aquarius (January 20â€"February 18) You’re a little prickly this month, Aquarius. It will feel a bit like you woke up on the wrong side of the bed all month long. You might find yourself bickering with loved ones, annoyed with strangers, and frustrated with pushback against everything you do. Some of this is external, but a lot of it could be improved by an attitude adjustment. Practice meditation or yoga to find patience. Read a lyrical, unexpected book like Ellie and the Harp Maker (August 6, Berkley Books) by Hazel Prior. Dan much prefers spending his time making beautiful harps than talking to other people. But when a lonely housewife wanders into his barn, he gifts her a harp to cheer her up and begins an unlikely friendship. Pisces (February 19â€"March 20) Pisces will find a perfect balance in August. Your time management is on point this month, allowing your home life, social life, and work to all shine. People are drawn to your compassion and positive energy in August, making it a great time to make new friends or spearhead a group effort. Unfortunately, your finances might be tight this month, so spend and save wisely. Check out new YA historical fiction The Downstairs Girl (August 13, Putnam) by Stacey Lee. Jo Kuan spends her days as a lady’s maid to one of the wealthiest families in Atlanta. But she spends her nights writing as Miss Sweetie, a wildly popular advice columnist who takes on society’s problematic beliefs about race, gender, and class. Looking for more? Check out your May, June, and July horoscopes and book recommendations!

Essay on Colonization of Pennsylvanis by William Penn

Religious tolerance, freedom, fame, and fortune. These advantages and many others are what awaited anyone who boarded a ship and sailed across the Atlantic to America. For many rich and clergy men it was easy. They could be on their way with no questions asked. The first ship to America did not even have one woman. Nevertheless, once they got a taste of the western world, there was no stopping. In 1493 Spain led the popular discovery of America when Columbus first settled in the New World. While Englands first colony was Jamestown, established over 100 years later in 1607. After the settlement of Plymouth, in 1620 Americas eastern sea board soon became over crowded. Establishing the first thirteen colonies was no easy task. In Foners†¦show more content†¦Penn had hoped that Pennsylvania would be a profitable venture for himself and his family. Penn marketed the colony throughout Europe in various languages and, as a result, settlers flocked to Pennsylvania. Despite Pennsylva nias rapid growth and diversity, the colony never turned a profit for Penn or his family. In fact, Penn would later be imprisoned in England for debt and, at the time of his death in 1718, he was penniless. From 1682 to 1684 Penn was, himself, in the Province of Pennsylvania. After the building plans for Philadelphia had been completed, and Penns political ideas had been put into a workable form, Penn explored the interior. He befriended the local Indians, and ensured that they were paid fairly for their lands. Penn even learned several different Indian dialects in order to communicate in negotiations without interpreters. The freedom of religion in Pennsylvania brought not only freedom to English, Welsh, German and Dutch Quakers to the colony, but also Huguenots, Mennonites, Amish, and Lutherans from Catholic German states. In 1677, a group of prominent Quakers, among them Penn, received the colonial province of West New Jersey. That same year, two hundred settlers from the towns o f Chorleywood and Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire and other towns in nearby Buckinghamshire arrived, and founded the town of Burlington. Penn, who was involved in the project but himself remained in England, drafted a

The Issue Of Gun Control - 1573 Words

In America there is a growing issue some say. The issue being gun control and how guns affect and/or end lives, the even bigger issue though is the issue of how people can or can not write about gun control to educate the public. Gun Control is an issue that needs to be avoided when trying to persuade readers of an opinion for two reasons, the issue of gun control is a terrible essay topic because there are too many emotions involved in gun control debates and because in general there is no good research on gun control. The only essays and articles available for research are articles filled with biased through the use of Aristotelian Appeals. Aristotelian Appeals include ethos, logos, and pathos each appeal using a different strategy to†¦show more content†¦Berman’s college coming to the deduction that sadly new gun laws are not in discussion. In other articles and essays ethos is used by writers to achieve the same goal as in â€Å"How Americans Actually Feel About Strong Gun Laws†. Other authors such as Elisa Julliano use ethos to go against gun control. Using the same strategy the author turns the reader to getting rid of guns in America by showing credibility in several ways. First we see ethos expressed to stop gun control in â€Å"Pros/Cons: Gun Legislation† through the sentence, ’We, along with our fellow plaintiffs, were hopeful for a more favorable decision from the 2nd Circuit, but we are not surprised that this decision was handed down from this level,’ said Scott Wilson, president of the Connecticut Citizens Defense League.† As Julliano includes the work of others she shows the name of the person or group responsible for the information creating an in text citation. Using in text citations helps the writer show knowledge of the issue at hand giving the author credibility and raising the odds of readers sharing the opinions learned from â€Å"Pro/Con: Gun Legislation† and articles like it tha t are against having guns in America. Again in â€Å"Guns Safety Middle Ground† by Devin Hughes we see the author will use the work of others to credit his own. â€Å"Wintemute of the University of California at Davis, concluded: ‘The type of firearm policy most consistently associated with curtailing the diversion of guns to criminals and for

Soft System Methodology Free Essays

Application of Soft Systems Methodology By Name Course Professor University City/State Date In management, problematic situations often arise. Some from a need to harmonize different peoples’ perceptions, some from need to expand the business and others from the need to start new projects The soft system methodology is a general approach for addressing real-world difficult situations in management. It has been developed with time as a result of extensive research by Peter Checkland and Brian Wilson among others. We will write a custom essay sample on Soft System Methodology or any similar topic only for you Order Now It grants a framework for a step by step enquiry and knowledge concerning the organization. It provides a clearly defined research approach that is action based to assist in addressing iniquitous problems. It concerns developing models that don’t represent the real world but allows people to structure their thinking about the existent world through the use of systems principles and rules. It constrains thinking with an intention of eventually expanding it. It all begins with a real world problem and it is from the problem that the model is created. It makes some assumptions: That most organizational and management problems cannot be perceived as wholesome systems problems because the system is too complex to analyze and it also assumes that applying a complete approach to a non-systemic problem is important. There are the factors that make it suitable for use in projects: It is suitable for complex, messy situations, it is adaptable to the real world, it culminates into a learning process, it teases the problem situation thus making it more creative in the problem solving process and it is excellent at pointing lines and/or areas of weakness and also at spotting relationships, a vital aspect in project management. The client’s project brief helps in identification of the firm’s goal, the strategic direction that the firm can use to achieve the goals. From it we can also identify the contrasting poles; the two options that can be taken towards achieving the goal. This makes it a complex problem, a specialization of Soft Systems Methodology. It has seven stages addressing both the conceptual and real worlds. The first stage is the problem situation that is considered difficult and messy. This stage is in the real world and it involves acknowledging, investigating and defining the problem. At this stage, there are no constraints caused by organizational boundaries or strict definitions. Data is collected in whatever form and using any statistically appropriate method. In the second stage, the problem is somehow expressed in the totality of its richness using the data collected. It should include processes, climate, issues that people express, people, conflicts and structures. According to Checkland, the best way of executing this stage is by the use of pictures. These inclusions should be evaluated to deduce what they entail. The third stage is about root definitions. A root definition is a sentence put across in usual language, consisting of elements according to the mnemonic CATWOE, whereby C stands for customers who are the victims of the transformation, A for Actors who perform the transformation, T for the transformation process, W for Weltanschauung which is the world view that makes the transformation meaningful in a perspective, O stands for owners that are able to alter the transformation and E for environmental constraints; elements that the system takes as given. It is in the conceptual world and is mooted as the most difficult stage of the methodology. First and foremost, understanding of the different perspectives’ concepts that can be drawn from the rich picture is crucial. In the words of Checkland, they are called holons. Stage four is the development of the conceptual model using the root definitions. The conceptual model is the planned set of activities that logic calls for in a speculative system which essentially is the one described in the root definition. Stage five entails comparing conceptual models with the reality. Different models formulated can be compared in order to get the best model. Pitfalls of the model are outlined for improvement. Stage six involves outlining possible adjustments that are feasible and advantageous and finally, stage seven is the implementation of the approved changes at stage six. SSM ANALYSIS 1-Client’s perspective In the first stage we start with the situation that needs intervention in this project. The company is in the process of expanding to levels that it will be able to compete with the best in the United Kingdom. As the company expands, so do its responsibilities; to the industry, to the community and future trends. It has a responsibility to the environment. However, as it strives to fulfil its responsibilities to the environment, there are several other factors that have to be put into consideration. The other factors that come into play can be researched by the use of both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. This would help to produce results as per the different perspectives of the company’s employees and those it affects. In the second stage, our problem situation is how to fulfil the company’s responsibility to the environment. Prospective clients I can’t affords that Competitors Will customers support the change? I think I can afford CompanyCustomer Will the change be very costly? I better clean it myself Will the changes be sustainable? It will all depend on the quality * Improved performance * Services that are environment friendly * Services at affordable cost Shareholders Environmentalregulators Root Definition A system that is jointly owned by the client and its consumers with the available cleaning resources to ensure that the consumers get cleaning services at an affordable cost and in a way that will not impact negatively on their environment by using environment friendly cleaners within the constraints of time and budgetary allocations while meeting the high standards expected by the shareholders, prospective clients and environmental regulators and ensuring it does not give competitors an edge. The customers are the consumers of the service that the company provides. The actor is the company (the client). The transformation is to ensure the consumers get cleaning services. The input for this transformation is the cleaning services to be offered while the output is the cleaning services offered. The Weltanschauung is at an affordable cost that will not have negative impact on the environment. The system is jointly owned by the client and consumers of its services. The environmental constraints are time, budget allocated to the service and living up to the standards set by the environmental regulators, shareholders and the watchful eye of competitors and prospective clients. After that we have to make a conceptual model that captures the root definitions in a conceptual world. Below is the activity model taking the client’s perspective. Know about the available cleaning resources Establish what a complete cleaning service is. Assess what an affordable cost entails. Determine available time Provide cleaning services Assess what negative environmental impact is Assess whether the service was high quality Establish the funds available Ensure that the service satisfies the quality standards set by shareholders and environmental regulators. It should also attract new customers and keep competitors at bay. Control action Controlac Efficiency (‘doing the thing right’; ‘is there least use of funds? ’) entails cost and process management, and is an interior weight of the managerialist model in principle and specifically project management literature. A lot of work has been prepared in generating methods to intensify the power exerted by project implementation teams, and thus progress project efficiency. A project is efficient if it brings the planned yield within the budgeted inputs and on time. Within particular constraints, the efficiency of a project is a factor of the management aptitude of the implementation team. SSM emphasizes efficiency since a system is prone to fail to achieve the desired results without a wealth of resource usage. Efficacy (‘doing a successful thing’; ‘does the way work? ’) regards the pros of the assumption of change of a given project. Every aid project is based on an inherent ‘theory of change’ that supposes that the outputs of the project will advance changes in knowledge, approach or practice among persons with whom the project relates. That is, the degree to which the ‘means’ generate the projected ‘ends’. Efficacy is usually the focus of most appraisal literature and is a function of the design—the level to which the causality of the project is based in ingrained understanding and uses apposite means of social renovation. A project design may be adjudged efficacious when the yields of the project lead to the estimated outcomes. SSM is keeps a keen eye on efficacy because a system could fail if the means chosen to convey about the intended transformation does not work. Effectiveness (‘doing the right thing’; ‘is this the right thing to do? ) encompasses the thoughtful and developmental value or aptness of an idea. Eventually, effectiveness is decided by the environmental, social and economic sustainability of intercession and therefore is a function of the guidelines and strategies espoused by the project implementing agency. Effectiveness is holistic in nature (i . e. the whole program or approach) to which any set project plays a role. That is, given a project considered to be efficacious, effectiveness is into whether or not the project result contributes to the expected impact. In a nutshell, effectiveness is a gauge of the degree to which certain system adds to the more comprehensive perspective that gives that system meaning. SSM B In this analysis, I’ll look at it from the view-point of the different departments of the company. The problem that needs intervention is the fulfilment of the company’s corporate responsibility and the departments, though in the same company, have different perspectives of how they view the situation. Some of them can be viewed differently are: * Clients are not sure if the increase in cost will be forwarded to them. Clients prefer degrading of environment to increase in prices. * Will clients support the new environment friendly approach? * Consider products practices if they are pleasing to the public. * Lessen environmental impact * Changing is likely to be more costly * [Don’t want to] change prices and practices * Clients might not support the change and go elsewhere * Operate at national level in the long term * Adding a recycling service * Tie in well with existing services These are even what the rich picture would most constitute. CATWOE elements of fulfilling environmental responsibility. This would be better expressed through a rich picture that would capture the perspectives of the different stakeholders in the company. The inter-relationships of the different people would also come out. The subsequent analysis will go through the players in the system and then I’ll take a look at the impediments and catalysts of the implementation of the submissions and recommendations made. ANALYSIS I This centres on the roles of different people in the company. The interaction between the consultancy firm and the company is indicative that there has been established that there is a need for intervention. There are also those that can be affected by the whole intervention, those that the intervention revolves around. They include: a) The company’s clientele who have to be satisfied that the service is value for their money. As the price hike is implemented, they must feel that the marginal price is equivalent to their marginal utility in terms of quality of service and environmental conservation. This quality should have a good face value. b) The company’s management should ensure that as the company grows it at the same time meets its goals and objectives. ) The sales office must ensure that the addition of the proposed quality does not affect the company’s sales negatively. d) Employees in general should feel that the project does not unnecessarily increase their work load without a perk associated with it. e) The environmental regulator should also feel that the company is true to its pledge towards environmental conservation. CULTURAL ANALYSIS (II) Information about the cultural dynamics in the company is scanty. This is because the project brief only explains what they want to implement but they don’t explain how different people behave or relate in the company. However, it is common knowledge that there are stakeholders in the company and to be specific, the sales office, the company’s employees, the finance office and the customers. The sales office is represented by the national sales manager Stephen Grant, a person whose character cannot be depicted from the interview but since there is a scheduled meeting, it will pose an opportunity to know him better. Information on employees is non-existent but in liaison with relevant departments with the company we’ll get it. This is critical because the change will directly affect their work load and how they respond to the changes is likely to alter the direction of the company. The national sales manager will also provide us with information about the constraints that face the financial office and the behaviour of their clients, another bunch that is meant to be affected by the changes. ANALYSIS OF POWER (III) In this section, I will look at the different interests at play and how the company will take care of all the interests in the system. The same issue owners wield the instruments of power in the company. Therefore, they will be Stephen Grant (national sales manager), finance department, clients (customers), Environmental regulators and employees. The finance department holds the financial power and goodwill of the company. Any tendency by the department to frustrate the project implementation can take it (the project) down. The employees on the other hand must feel motivated to work for the company and support the project. If the terms are not improved and the workload increases, they are likely to go in search of pastures new and this would not help in the success of the project. The clients also hold a very powerful position in the system; if they feel that the company’s project does not add value and decide to seek the services from another company the company’s sales will go down and this would mean the project has not succeeded. The environmental regulators who double as government agencies also wield some power and could influence the success of the project. They would like to see that the company is steadfast in its efforts to conserve the environment and also comply with the tax regimes that are forthcoming when the project is implemented. The national sales manager is also powerful owing to his role in deciding price floors and ceilings and would detect when sales falter. He is therefore in a position to influence the success of the project. The perspectives of different primary stakeholders are also of utmost importance in this project. They are the same issue owners save for the employees who in this case are replaced by the company’s management. Clients’ perspective PQR P- Responding to the company’s advances R-To help the company to implement its project on environmental conservation CATWOE C-Consultancy team A-Clients themselves and the consultancy team T-Making their feelings known to the consultancy team W-Working towards a higher quality, competent service that is environmental friendly. O-Clients E-Time and mindset Management’s perspective PQR P-Put up systems that are both customer and environmental friendly Q-Investigating the available options and decide which one is best placed to achieve the objectives. R-In order to adapt an environmental friendly model and become more attractive to attract new customers CATWOE C-The Company itself, Government and environmental regulators, consumers A-Company’s management, Stephen grant, Consultancy team T- Introduces practices and products that are environmental friendly. W- Practices that can improve the image of the company to the genral public and the world at large. O- Company’s management. E- Budget, Time, market forces, conflict of interests. Consultancy team’s perspective PQR P-Perform the task requested by Forebys. Q- By doing research and presenting a clear report on ways in which Forebys could achieve its goals and objectives. R-In order to improve the image of the company CATWOE C- Forebys A- Consultancy firm. T- Preparing a report that will give Forebys a clear direction on the practices and products they want to introduce. W- Forebys expects a comprehensive report that will be value for money. O- Forebys E- Budget, Time, expectations of Forebys, availability of information. Stephen Grant’s Perspective PQR P- To introduce environment products and practices by the company. Q- By hiring a consultancy firm to do the analysis and come up with a workable model R- In order to be competitive in the market and offer services that are environmentally sound. CATWOE C -Consumers, Company’s board A – Stephen Grant, Consultancy firm T- Introducing new products and services to the market W- Becoming an environmental friendly company in all aspects O- The company’s management E- Budgetary constraints, the customers’ desire, time, Competitors 3Es Efficiency- is there least use of funds? Efficacy- does the way work? Effectiveness- is this the right thing to do? Briefing Notes Objectives of the Meeting i. The most pressing objective for the consultancy firm is winning the contract. ii. To familiarise itself with the dynamics of the company. Background of Company and Project (From project brief) i. Having been in operation for 4 years, the company has stretched its muscles to whole of west midlands and plans to go full throttle in the next five years. It offers cleaning and gardening services; it started as a window cleaning company but extended its services to cleaning houses after floods and fire. ii. Besides expanding, it desires to adopt an environmental friendly model which they have come up with two options that can be adopted to achieve it. However, none of these options have been ratified and so they have to be investigated. They are: * Introduction of products and practices that are environmental friendly. * Setting up a recycling service that would be incorporated by its existing networks and operations. Deliverables * The consultancy firm aims at doing a comprehensive investigation that will deliver beyond the scope of the firm. * The consultancy is dedicated to delivering highly feasible and easy to implement mechanism to achieve the intended goals. * We will gear our efforts towards a lucid, concise working formula to make it easy to achieve intended goals and objectives in a timely manner. Preliminary Analysis A preliminary analysis shows that: * Customers should be the focal point when carrying out this whole investigation because their choice to shift allegiance would mean total collapse of not only the project but also the company. * Shareholders should also be willing to inject new finances to the company for a better future. * There will be conflicts of interests in the drafting and implementation of the projects and so it will be upon the company to balance the interests. Bibliography Wilson, B. 2008. Soft Systems Methodology: Conceptual Model Building and Its Contribution. New Jersey: John Wiley Sons. How to cite Soft System Methodology, Essay examples

Introduction to Accounting free essay sample

Analysing problems in a Cash-flow Cash flow is one of the most important aspects of running any business whether large or small. It is one of the single most important reasons why many businesses fail, this does not matter whether how good a business is. Managing a cash flow therefore is vitally important in the smooth running survival and success of a business. Cash flow problems cannot always be avoided as they are simply a single part of many factors that affect a business or organisations overall financial health.The flow of the monetary holdings is measured by the entirely of a company’s financial assets and not just the amount that is earned on profits. At one time or another, almost every business will experience some sort of financial situations. Cash Flow Data for Josh When doing a cash flow forecast, if you have more outflows then inflows then you have a serious financial problem in your hands. We will write a custom essay sample on Introduction to Accounting or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page If this happens, the company has insufficient funds and would not be able to keep up with its payments that are due. Here is a table with suggestions and implications on managing positive cash flow. Try and cut down the insurance to about ? 700. Van Paintwork Instead of paying excessive amounts, maybe Josh could just pay to have the company’s logo on it rather than a whole paint work. This could save about ? 250. Below is the new version of the Cash Flow Forecast for Josh M2 Analyse the performance of a business using suitable ratios. Profitability * Gross Profit and Percentage of sales The Gross Profit and percentage of sales is a good ratio to measure profitability because if the percentage falls it shows purchase costs are increasing of sales are falling.To summarise, the higher the percentage the higher the gross profit of sales are. The 31% for 2008 shows that a percentage of sales but this time it shows how much net profit is being made compared with sales. This ratio is a good measure of a performance of a company because it gives a percentage which shows how much of gross profit is being taken up by the expenses of the business such as paying wages and salaries, A net profit percentage of 2% means that 20p net profit I made by the business for every ? 10 of sales. * Return on Capital Employed (ROCE)This ratio shows the percentage return of how much the investors have received on the capital they have invested. ROCE is a good ratio because it can be used by investors to compare ROCE with current rates of interest being offered by building Liquidity * Current Ratio The current ratio is used to show if a business can raise enough money to pay the debts that it has. The company currently has a current ratio of 14:1. This is bad because the company is not managing its assets properly. * Acid Test Ratio/Liquidity RatioThis ratio shows how much available assets the business can rely on if a creditor insisted on immediate payment. If the rat io is 1:1 this shows the business will have no problem paying its bills as they become due. On the other hand, if the ratio falls under 1:1 such as 0. 8:1 the company has fewer liquid assets and this could cause problems. Efficiency * Debtors’ payment period The debtor’s payment period ratio is used to show how efficient a company is because it shows how long it takes on average for debtors to pay for goods brought on credit. in 2008, Josh’s company took 12 days to pay his creditors.This will indicate that he s under the industry average which is 24 days and thus will suggest that the company is solvent enough for Josh to pay off his debts that were used to pay for products on credits. Debtor’s payment period is a good indicator of a company takes to pay for brought goods on credit. * Creditors’ payment period This ratio shows how long the business I taking to pay for the goods it has brought. In 2008, Josh’s company took 49 days to pay off the company’s debts and this will mean that either Josh is negotiating better terms, or Josh’s company does not generate enough incomes in order to pay the bills.It is good ways determine the performance of company from an efficient standpoint because it shows how long the company takes to pay for the goods it has brought. This ratio shows the average number of day’s stock is held, in 2008, it took Josh 54 days to sell the company’s stock. The industry average is 56 days so Josh’s company is underneath the industry average, but 2007 figures suggest that Josh may need to improve in selling the stock upkeep costs may begin to rise. This is a good ratio to show efficiency because it gives an average number of how long stock is held and how long it takes to sell that stock. c