Entrepreneurs Journey Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Entrepreneurs Journey - Case Study ExampleSimi sought various interventions and methodologies to strain to achieve her goals. This paper seeks to discuss various entrepreneurial challenges encountered in vista up a business by critically evaluating a case study. Simis case is a classic example of contemporary issues facing entrepreneurial endeavors that individuals face in their quests to set businesses in various regions of the world. Simi sought to establish and launch her business idea in Lagos, Nigeria her country of birth and origin. The most large issue encountered by this entrepreneur is her gender as a woman, which bestows her added responsibility of bearing and rearing children for her family. This is compounded by her career aspirations, personal goals and dreams which she ultimately wants to achieve in a timely manner. This aspect requires appropriate and smart career planning and considerate decision making accompanied by relevant choices. calling planning should be f ocused the implementation of strategic career objectives that are accommodative of an individuals other commitments with their family. ... As a developing country, Nigeria presents incalculable off challenges to any budding entrepreneur irrespective of their gender. Cultural perspectives towards women in Nigeria are totally unalike from those held in the United States, and Simi should have experienced a culture shock during the initial stages of her business. According to Simi, her education set her apart from a majority of women she sought to provide services to through her company. This meant that her entrepreneurial perspectives and attitudes were different from those of her potential clients she sought to recruit. This formed part of her marketing problems in a new business environment with different challenges that she had not envisaged. 2hats Network LLC was faced with operative problems in the sense that it had already started operating and functioning in the US with ongoi ng contracts during its intended relocation to its originally intended location. This created logistical challenges for the company, which risked losing critical contracts that were the financial lifelines of the new company. Strategic problems also bedeviled the company because of the drastic dynamism the company was bound to go through in the new business environment. Financial financial backing for the company was entirely reliant on personal contribution because their new business environment lacked financial support for emerging entrepreneurs. Market access was other challenge that 2Hats had to contend with in its initial foray into the Nigerian market. Critical analysis of entrepreneurial activities requires both qualitative and quantitative analytical methods in orderliness to achieve well-rounded, clear and objective inferences and solutions. There exist two approaches to a successful critical

Sport and Society in Ancient Greece Essay Example for Free

Sport and Society in Ancient Greece EssayAncient Greece is one of the most ancient civilizations in accounting and just about historians say it is one of the keenest. They have survived many invasions and attacks from barbarians and Persians as well. The Grecians those time were divided into city states and they dont have any form of partnership with each other. They dont help each other on wars they except for times that they dont have a choice. The Hellenic family is basically unique. Greece had never been united under one sole ruler. And even the city states are fought among each other on whom or which city-state should rule Greece.These qualities of the Greece do the Grecian memoir interesting. start boomings book, Sport and Society in Ancient Greece, had elaborated the key points of the Greek conjunction subjected on common theme. The book expenditures the Greek sport and games to give very good description of the Greek golf club. It expressively explained the sport as very important part of the society of Greece. In addition to this, he related the Greek sport to religion, social position, gender, age and other things that constitute to study of its society.Golden uses the sports arena to surface the differences among individuals and groups of the Greek society. The fact that it is theme-oriented made the book hit the booksers friendly. Most history professor uses this book as a very good guide to teach history. The themes use in the Goldens book made it reader friendly. Identifying the themes of the book would be relatively easy. One of the themes he used is the Greek sport. In fact, it unites all ideas in the book. He used the Greek sport as a standpoint of the differences of the Greeks. He explained it using various events in the competitions and its competitors.He explained why most explained that in every event there is a kind of group that can participate. He also expressly give emphasize the difference of participants in th e acrobatic events to the equestrian events. In virtue of this, he elaborated the tension between to the two types of contest. He explained that he sees the difference on the participants of the said events reflect on how the Greek society was comprised. Another theme he used in his book was the stories of Iliad and Odyssey. He uses explain the start of the games and the religious beliefs of the Greek society.The stories of Iliad and Odyssey was widely use in their religious activities. The fact that most of the games was make in tribute to the Gods of Greece. They do this by reliving the great stories of both Homers desperate novel. They believe that Homers epic novel were very accurate about the Gods activities. They had lived with this belief with so many years. The next theme which Mark Golden used in the book was the historical background of Greece. He stated several historical events in Greece that influences the Greek culture and the games.He had explained briefly how some games had started and the changes that the Greeks had implemented to the games. He had emphasized the importance of these historical events to the Greek society. The last theme that I will list here is the comparison of the social status to events a Greek can participate. He uses this theme through out the book. He basically discusses the social hierarchy the Greek have in their society as times came by. The book clearly differentiated the differences on how a group of Greeks or an individual can participate in the sport or the games.Golden stated that in the equestrian events slaves can only win as jockeys and other rules they applied in this event. The social discrimination in the Greek society was highlighted in the book. The themes he uses simply put the book in position that it is easy to read, can be use as teaching textile because of its reliability, and its distinct use of other literatures of other historians. With this book, I could relive the moment the games had begun and gone on until today. I lived in Athens during the time Olympics had been established. It was a completen moment for the Greeks.Everyone believed that these games can unite the whole of Greece where it could fight and function as one whole country. The start of the game signaled a turn in the history of the Greeks. The feeling of this glorious moment is very pleasing to me and to other Greeks as well. Imagine that a Greek wont face another Greek in the battlefield again. I would join the games to prove the dominance of Athens over other city states. Joining the games as an Athenian is a favor and a great honor for me. And befriending other Greek is as not bad as it looks in the past.Being at war with other Greek is pain that a soldier must overcome. Being a soldier, killing other Greeks is the most painful thing to do. It is as if it was killing your own brother. directly that pain is nothing but a pigment of the past. Im glad that my sons would not feel that pain that anymor e. They will not go up against other Greeks except at the games. And it is for the gods after all. They had blessed us of something great. I thank our Gods that they found a way to stop the quarreling between city states of great Greece.After reading the book, Ive come to think that the Greek games and sports are done to unify Greece and for entertainment. The world had mimic the Greek games and created Olympics. It symbolizes the unity of the nations participating in the Olympic Games. The fact that culture of Greek is carry out by the nations in the Olympics. It raises a sense of pride among the Greeks. Another thing is a acknowledgement that sports does come from religion. The games were held in religious festival in ancient times. The sports today are said to have a purpose of camaraderie, enjoyment, and battle of skills.It is shocking to know that it came from religion. The showing of facts in the book of Mark Golden had convinced me that sports started as tribute to the Gods. And that the relation of the religion and sports is undeniable. He presented reliable evidences that strengthened a deed of conveyance made by a priest. The idea of classifying the participants that participate in an event was a shocking revelation. I thought at first that the classification of participants was done only to make the games fair. And that is invented after the world wars.It is shocking to know that these classifications were authentically done due to social status in ancient Greece. The structure of the games from those times to these days is very different. But to know that they have the same purpose is quite a relief. The most important idea that occurred to after reading Mark Goldens book is that literature has something to do with sports. If you look at sports and literature at plain logic, they are very different because literature uses affable capabilities while the sports and games use physical abilities.The connection of literature and sports was establish ed clearly in Mark Goldens book. He clearly stated the relation of the two. The realization of the relation between the two is quite interesting and mind bugling. Mark Goldens book clearly is one of a kind. Historians who read his book were very enthusiastic to discuss Greek history to his class. The reliability of the book make more convincing to historians or even to non-historians. The book is really a must read to people to who likes Greek history. Works Cited Golden, Mark. Sport and Society in Ancient Greece. Cambridge Cambridge University Press, 1998

Why Byzantine Economy Remained One of the Most Powerful in Europe Through Early Middle Ages Essay Example for Free

Why gnarled Economy Remained One of the Most Powerful in Europe through and through Early Middle Ages EssayWhy mired economy remained one of the most powerful in Europe through Early Middle Ages? The tortuous cconomy was one of the largest systems throughout Europe and the Mediterannean for many centuries. Both local and international interchange were of huge importance for the Byzantine empire. Lower class, including traders, depended on the upper class. Their indigence of the foreign goods in order to stay in Local trade was much less popular.Throughout the fourth and sixth centuries, long-distance trade was operating(a) success to the full, until the plague appeared, which killed around one-third of the citizens in the Byzantine Empire, and ruined the trade networks. The Byzantine economy had recovered in the tenth vitamin C, and Italian merchants contri merelyed to its steady fruit in the Mediteranian through the tenth and eleventh centuries (Katz 27-39).To begin, the decades of instability as hearty as foreign invasions mostly by Germanic tribes, led to an establishment of a clean military, political, and administrative framework under Diocletian (284-305), and Constantine I, which also led to a new economic power in Byzantine and Constantinopole. From 395 to 476, the Empire was in a big crisis until the Germans left the grunge. Emperor Justinian I provided the growth of the economy, but also the growth period ended with the Justinian Plague that broke out in Egypt in 542, and reduced the population in all provinces of the empire.The Justinian Plague continued until the 8th degree Celsius. At the same time, political disadvantage occurred with the warfare against Sasanian Persia in sixth and seventh century, which had a really bad impact on Byzantine economy. In the 7th century, after the death of Prophet Mohammed, the Arabs started to invade eastern parts of the empire, and the Byzantine was still weak from the war with Persia, and until 6 42, most of the tax revenue of the empire was gone, but due to their unbreakable economic system, the empire survived again.After the survival of Arabian attacks, Byzantium appeared as a whole new power that was financed by a new effective tax system. In the 9th century, conditions in the empire largely improved, which led to an emergence of security and economic growth. After that, Byzantium was a completely new empire (Laiou 9-28). The Byzantine economy was based on money provided by taxes which enabled government to amaze huge budgets, which is enormous even nowadays. The well organized economy of the empire allowed it to survive dangers of money shortage.In the 950 and 1200 Byzanine economy grew rapidly, which led to a creation of aristocracy, which was a basic link in the state system. Public expenditures were primarily annual payments in atomic number 79 to state functionaries, military, Constantinopolitan and provincials. However, a desire for the coinage grew with the g rowth of the economy, but actually it was non easy for Byzantium to meet the standards for coinage, and it appeared that coins were in a short supply once again in Constantinopole. This suggested a sustained thirst for gold to service the state economy.From the 4th to the end of the 6th century people were using coinage called solidi, from 7th to 11th century nominsata, and from twelfth to 14th century hyperpyra. In 540 annual revenue of the empire was 11,300,000 solidi which was more annual revenue than in any an opposite(prenominal) year from 4th to 6th century (Morrison 900-1000). The 6th century economy had a power that accompanied the whole Mediterranean, followed by Justinians conquests. In the period of his reign, the economy was full of activity and exchange, that lasted until middle of the sixth century.The trade networks expanded, and Byzantine trade authentic as far as England to the west and to the east,including the Red Sea and beyond as far as India. A hearty econo mic undertaking also represented the construction of cities in the fifth and sixth century and new dashs of architecture and infrastructre. (Morrison 172). However, trade was more developed in the eastern part of the empire. For the international trade, the Byzantine Empire used well-organized systems of roman type roads and bridges and adapted them for their own use.The resurfacing of the roads and bridges and well organized infrastructure allowed the traders to import and export fresh food, use places to sleep and eat, and just have a good trading experience. According to Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos, it was necessity to know which roads were narrow or steep, and at the same time unsafe for transport, and which ones were good. The most important road in the empire was the Imperial Rode, which ran from the north westward United States to the southeast of the empire. The Black Sea connection was also of importance, which was the connection path to the Asia, and its exporters (Avramea 57-90).The base of the Byzantine economy was agriculture. The interest of the state is that agriculture keeps the state revenue flowing in. Agriculture was also important for gathering as many gold coins and returning a portion to the state treasury. Paying taxes was the best way to prove the ownership of the land. The seaside areas were featuring vines, sea crops, and production of lives, which played an important role for the Byzantine Empire. The manpower or the musscle of the peassants was also a big conditional relation for the empire, because the economy would have been useless without the manpower.However, the imports were mainly constructed of the common goods that kept the business including, oil, wool, metals, spices, and jewelery that were imported mostly from China, India, and Persia. Byzantium took care of the timely arrival of the goods to both eastern and western parts of the empire. The Byzantines considered land a common resource, not to be bought or sold, but it is valuable only if the men were invesing in it. The biggest loss of the inhabitants and land was in 541 due to the plague, where Constantinopole lost 40 % of its inhabitants.It affected both cities and countryside, as well as the routes of trading and communication, and significantly shrank the economic production. In the 9th century after the plague, relaxation was slowly reestablished and territories started to increase (Bryer 101-113). From the other side, Constantinople was presented as a very wealthy capital which served as propaganda for the foreigners that came to visit it, as well as for their own citizens. Constantinopole was fully decorated with the foreign imported material such as silk or gold.The 10th century was one of the most powerful in the Byzantine Empire history, and through that period, Constantinopole was the biggest centre of the international trade, with merchants mostly from Italy, Syria, and Bulgaria. In the middle of the 10th century internationa l trade with Muslims became very popular, while in the 11th and 12th century economy of exchange took place. Before the ordinal and tenth century, Arabs were invading Egypt and Syria, which ruined the Byzantine trade, but since the population size increased in ninth and tenth century, production and trade also increased, especially the demand for grain.The shipping was important for the international trade, so good quality of the ships was needed. One of the popular brands was dromon, which followed the Roman shipbuilding tradition. The big change in the technology of the sea transport came from the storage jar, which gave way to the wooden barrel, which overall reduced the weight of the ship, allowing for more things to be transferred from one side to another (Avramea 55-89). Coinage was the basic form of the money in the Byzantine Empire, but even though businessmen were very skillful, they were not capable to speed up the circulation of the coins through the empire.The gold coin age was mostly used from 7th to the start of 11th century. At the start of 11th century, ash gray and copper coins were circulating more through the monetary system. However, there was a coinage crisis going through many periods, until Alexios I Komnenos put the end to a coinage crisis. His reign was based on his family as a centre of government. His reign was known for power and wealth, and Komnenian policies enhanced the importance of the Byzantine ports and cities. The entirely new coinage released from the economy of state helped the massive expansion in subventions of land-based tax privileges.These subventions strengthen local market economies, which encouraged peasants to develop the production. The state collected the taxes in cash, but they used excess to pay off obiligations to the state. These grants had also grown significantly in the 11th century and Alexios Komnenos used it as a rejoin for the military and his family. As the state mostly depended on aristocrats, ther e were always the difference between upper and lower class, and as much as aristocrats were free to the state, they were also increasingly working for their own interest.The best example of that system is shown in the Komnenos family. The main interest of the aristocrats was to benefit from the states weaknesses, but not to weaken the state, which would leach the poor of access to the resources and stop aristocrats seeking benefits by competing with each other (Lopez 209-234). Even though the estate and the village competed with each other about the territory because there was a big amount of land available, the estate and the village also need each other. The estate needed land for farming, such as growing crops or raising life.From the other side, the village needed the land for spreading their trading facility as well as commerce. Within the Byzantine Empire, regardless of where the person lived, the same as in the Roman Empire, men were in charge of almost every part of their property, considering cultivation of the land and other physical activities which were including hard work that women usually could not do. Women were in charge of children and the life inside the house (Laiou 45-56). During the period from 9th to 11th century, it appeared that the economy was almost completely monetized.All the taxes had to be payed in gold, while in the other countries such as Bulgaria, tax was paid in kind. The organization of the fiscal services evolved in the 9th century. There were various offices with employees that were writing documents and accounting books. The tenth and eleventh centuries also viewed a development of charitable houses, institutions that were using revenue for financing the upper dismal class, which is another example of the power of the upper class and the Byzantine Empire economy (Oikonomides 577-581).Even though the Byzantine economy had ups and downs like any other economy in any other system, the positive thing is that through the lo nger period it remained strong and powerful. The 6th century and Justinian and start of the 11th century and Komnenians reign were the periods when the ecomony reached its climax and showed the world its characteristics and endurance. Even in modern times, it appeared difficult for many economies to reach the Byzantine economic level of wealth and strength.

Introduction to Environmental Science Essay Example for Free

Introduction to Environmental Science EssayBe able to define an environmental factor. There atomic number 18 two types (condition and resource). What is the difference betwixt a condition and a resource? Be able to categorize particular environmental factors as conditions OR resources (for example, temperature is a condition and not a resource). Be able to rank from smallest to largest ecosystem, landscape, biome, biosphere Be able to rank from smallest to largest (in scathe of numbers and diversity of life) species, population, biota and biosphere. Also, what is the difference between a population of a species and a species overall? Make confident(predicate) you can explain the Law of Limiting Factors. What is the difference between the optimum conditions, the zones of tolerance and the zones of stress? Can life exist outside of the zones of tolerance? Outside of the zones of stress? Be able to list the primary atoms in organic compounds.What is the difference between a pr oducer and a consumer? Be able to classify life as one or the other. Make sure you know the products and reactants for photosynthesis and cellular respiration. In each of the following cycles, be able to identify the primary source for each atom (atmosphere, lithosphere, biosphere) Carbon cycle, Nitrogen cycle, phosphoric cycle.Be able to categorize an environmental resistance factor as population density-dependent or density-independent. Some examples may include food availability, water availability, disease, temperature, draw and available space/shelter. What argon biotic potential and environmental resistance, and how are they related? Be able to define critical number (what this means for a species survival), threatened and endangered. Make sure you can list characteristics of a K-strategist versus an r-strategist. Is an elephant a K- or r-strategist? What about a fly? Be able to describe, and identify, the following society interactions predation, competition, mutualism, com mensalism, amensalism. What is an adaptation? Be able to identify common types of adaptations of organisms (camouflage, prickles on cactus, ability to store water in the desert, hibernation in cold climates, long necks to reach food, and so forth see table in your Power Point and textbook).See more introduction paragraph exampleHow does the process of selective pressure influence the processes of ontogeny and speciation? What IS the process of speciation? What is time frame for evolution and/or speciation of complex species (i.e., not single-celled organisms like bacteria)? Can species that evolve from other species still mate with the species from which they evolved? How are the Theories of Evolution and Continental Drift complimentary? Be able to identify the exponential growth rate equation and the logistic growth rate equation. What are the differences between the two? (For example, carrying capacity is only in logistic growth, the shapes of the curves are different.) Be able t o describe how (in what way) each of the four human population revolutions wedge the carrying capacity for humans on Earth. Make sure you can tell me what each of the letters stands for in this equation, I = (P x A x T)/S, and how change magnitude and decreasing each will change environmental impact (I).Make sure you know what each of these trophic categories or food web terms are Autotrophs, Heterotrophs (includes decomposers, consumers), Producers, Consumers (first-order, guerilla-order, third-order). Where do herbivores, carnivores and omnivores fit into the consumer classes? Be able to list the 6 major biomes, and compare them in terms of precipitation and temperature (precipitation is the primary factor that determines biomes, and temperature is the second most important factor). What are common values that humans place on biodiversity?What was the goal of the Endangered Species Act? Does it protect the organism only, or in any case its habitat?

LVMH_Career Development through International Mobility

LVMH_Career Development through world-wide MobilityIntroductionTask 1 Work Force PlanningWorkforce send offning is a unconscious offshoot designed to anticipate and integrate the human resources response to an ecesiss strategic plan. Strategic Workforce Planning PDF. The plan is projected to help in supplying in terms of sententious as well as long term. Through Workforce Planning organisations gain insight into what people the organisation will need, and what people will be available to meet those needs. In creating this understanding of the gaps between an organic laws necessitate and the available custody supply, organizations will be able to create and target programmes, approaches and develop strategies to completion the gaps. The plan should Depend on the staffing and the competencies predicted for the future. Asses the present work force Identify gaps which exist between the present workforce and the future requirements Develop strategies to acquire the workforce n eeded in the future Evaluate from time to time the effectiveness of the plan. Work Force Planning in LVMHIn a global organization like LVMH, work force planning faces a lot of constraints. The plan has to topic into consideration the beating number of 71000 staff who are spread crosswise 2000 of the companies stores. Displaying an organic ontogeny of 7% per annum it is essential that LVMH has the right and sufficient genius to compensate its future requirements. Another constraint would be the facts that the plan should incorporate liter different autonomously run companies which are everlastingly growing alongside the addition of newer companies. The main aim here would be to develop the workforce in delimitate with the business strategy. The plan should be constantly evolving taking into account the various changes affecting the organization. From the outset LVMH was an international business and had drawbacks in its work force plan which is evident from the fact that the hu man resource department lacked international experience and many managers were not fluent in English. The skills required were not predicted well sufficient to ensure the competency levels of the employees was in co-ordination with the organizations needs at that point of time. The group is channelizequartered in France but has to be multicultural due to the scale of its international operations. later an effective work force plan changed LVMH to identify the competency levels it needed from its employees in line with its business strategy. This run away LVMH to develop global managers with international expertise through International Mobility. Looking towards the future, the importance of work force planning at LVMH back be related to the following global trends Change in market trends Scarcity of skilled workforce in certain countries Changes in legislations which may collide across operating countries Older population Changes in the privacy age of the younger generation of employees Advancement in technology to change the HR functionAn effective work force plan which takes into consideration the growth and the staffing constraints in the operating as well as prospective business zones would equip LVMH to maximize its growth opportunities.Task 2RecruitmentRecruitment refers to the process of attracting competent prospective employees for va ignorecies at an organization or firm. Recruitment may be done internally or externally. External recruitment is the process of attracting employees from impertinent the organization whereas internal recruitment is where internal labor is used for filling vacancies. The rapid globalization of the markets combined with a constant shortage of skilled staff and advances in technology have resulted in large scale changes to recruitment practices throughout the world. A survey spanning more than 2000 companies conducted by Intelligence Group in association with StepStone, revealed that 42% prefer to recruit internat ionally for their operations. International Recruitment from the Perspective of LVMHThere are many advantages associated with LVMH recruiting internationally to cater to its workforce needs, some(prenominal) of which have been outlined below Moving from Ethnocentric to Geocentric50% of the Senior Executives and 40% of the managerial staff are French even though they only account for 37% of the employees in LVMH. These figures portray an ethnocentric orientation of the firm. An ethnocentric orientation in a global organization can lead to a lack of understanding of the host countries differences that may require a different approach to marketing and management. Here a common belief is that the head quarters way of managing is better or more preferred than any other way of managing practiced outside. As a global organization aiming to grow internationally an ideal approach would be a geocentric orientation as cited by Levitt(1983). This would be achievable by recruiting talent inter nationally which would gradually reduce the ethnocentric influence and develop a pool of global managers needed by LVMH. Reduced Influence of Labor Market Conditions in special CountriesLVMH would have a larger people base to recruit from and it will not be limited by work force scarcity in any particular country. The influence of changes in any particular countries labor market conditions would be reduced. Larger Talent PoolRecruiting employees from the countries where LVMH has presence would add to the talent pool within the organization. These new recruits would have local knowledge of the culture and fashion trends in the country of their origin. At the international level they would bring into the organization a fresh set of skills which may benefit LVMH. For example A designer recruited in India may create an ethnic accessory which can be marketed and sold not only in the country of origin but may have a huge potential internationally. Cost SavingRecruiting internationall y would reduce the need for expatriation to fill a vacancy. This would naturally lead to saving the expenditure involved. It would also reduce the work load on the International transfer team. The internationally recruited employees could be taken through intensive training to understand the expectations from management. Less Dependence on ExpatriatesMany expatriates are unwilling to take on certain international assignments due to various reasons. Recruiting internationally would therefore reduce dependence on Expatriates. Government LegislationLVMH operates through more than 50 stores which are spread worldwide. Recent trends have shown that governments require companies who conduct business in their country to develop the talent of the local workforce so that they ensure key management positions over a period of time. Certain countries also have legislations which require a certain percentage of the staff to be locally recruited.Task 3International MobilityInternational Mobilit y has grown with the increase in globalization of companies and the opportunities of operating in markets across the world. This expansion in business created a need for leaders and employees with global expertise to manage operations across national borders. Human resource departments are facing a growing demand on their resources in order to manage the mobility of this new type of work force. LVMH has the advantage of developing this form of work force early and now it can reap the benefits of the pool of Global Managers.Benefits of International MobilityLVMH stands to gain from the following benefits of International Mobility Availability of skilled laborChanges in technology have created a flip-flop in the labor market. There is a noticeable shift towards the demand for skilled labor. Shortage of labor caused in certain countries due to this demand can be counteracted with the help of mobility. Distribution of knowledgeIn this age, technology progresses at a very rapid pace. I n the face of eminent competition it is great for LVMH to be technologically ahead and implement development in a very short span of time. International mobility of competent work force would enable the rapid distribution of knowledge within the organization. Global CompetenceSince the expatriates in LVMH are travelling extensively and engaged in international assignments they develop a knowledge base and skill sets. They may include an understanding of different countries market trends, culture differences, local languages, management of multi cultural teams. More globalized managers would lead to a globalized top management who will guide its international operations. This global competence of the workforce gives LVMH an advantage over its competitors. AdaptabilityRecent trends show that products need to be constantly evolving and be customer specific. Mobility develops an adaptive and flexible culture in LVMH and thus it can benefit by keeping in pace with the customer requirem ents.

SWOT Analysis of Skoda

SWOT Analysis of SkodaIntroduction.After began an industrial revolution from England in modern 18th century near of europiumans and some other countries socially and economically changed. Such as they shift from home-based hand manufacturing to large-scale factory production. As a result of that people were moved to use of iron and steel, new energy sources, the invention of new machines that increased production. As well as this was mainly ca utilize to uphold the transports and communication sectors. Eventually there were certain values in the automobile industry. (Answer.com/03-02-10). That has got a rapid development Such as land rover, jaguar from England and Audi from Germany were do fast as a result of the broad industrial revolution.Two cyclists named Vaclav Klement Vaclav Lourin started to make their own bicycle industry in the year 1895 whose country was Czechoslovakia from the easterly Europe. Then they were succeeded to develop their industry by making cars, farm pl oughs and air planes. They made a defect name for this multiple industry Skoda one of the great invent of these cyclists. Nevertheless from 1925 to 1990 they couldnt be successful because of political changes, war, economical depressions. (www.skoda.co.uk/03-02-10) As a matter of fact they decided to merge with Volkswagen AG (VAG) came from Germany which has got the biggest manufacture of Europe for their products included Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, CEAT, Lamborghini,bently and Bugatti. However in this report I am going to analyse and illustrate about Skoda automobiles case study from The Times 100.1. check to the case study the key weaknesses that SKODA UK was able to identify through the SWOT analyse can be explained as follows* Recently Skoda has 1.7 market shares in the valet car market. So that its not enough to fit into highly rivalrous fragmented market. Because Mercedes Benz, Ford, BMW and other high branded products has succeeded in the car market.* Skoda doesnt harbor a good brand image about their products. Because customers think that their brands are out-dated perceptions as customers think that their products contain poor vehicle feel, assembly, design and materials.2. Skoda did use enough might to turn its brands weakness into an opportunity as bellows* They started to make some products with differentiation according to the market as they have realized what the customer wants. Because they have got to know that there is a gap among their competitors. So that they have created a slogan named The manufacturer of happy drivers. (www.skoda.co.uk/03-02-10). The reason why they have created that slogan they havent promoted their brand itself like their competitors but they do promote the customer experience what the customer needs.* They have decided to design cars with various ranges for the proper market segments. For instantThe Skoda Fabio is sell as a basic but quality city carThe Skoda Superb offers a more luxurious, up market appealThe Sko da Octavia Estate provides a family with fun drive but too a great big boot. Considering with other products they introduced quality budget cars when comparing with their competitors. They have a good cabal when we considering about their ranges of the car market. Their products lifecycles every steps are environmental friendly. This is mainly caused to increase their customer minds brand image and accurate EU legal procedures. For manikinTheir cars dont make much noise because they have created those with improved sound quality.They used to recycle their products as much as possible.They are using the latest most environmental-friendly manufacturing technologies for their manufacturing process.Their cars dont use much fuel according to the efficiency of those machines. So that the efficiency of those machines are exquisite when we considering about using fuel for them.3. The Skoda has identified some outer threats such as. According to the case study the main threat that Skoda facing is market competition come from their competitors. For instant if competitor launching cheaper and good quality products for the market. As an example 50 car makers active in UK car market. 2000 model selections have for the customers. So Skoda should active effectually to wining their market share from others. EU legal and environmental regulations also put extra preacher for the Skoda. As a resalt of that they should spend more money for their product life cycle kinda than their competitors. Because they using environmental- friendly technologies and facilities are always more costly than others. Not only environmental regulation but also other legal rules also reason to increase production cost. Such as labours minimum wages, welfare, working hours, government taxations etc4. According to my personal point of view about SWOT analyse, it is an staggeringly useful tool for any kind of organization. Because it has been facilitated for management to understand and decision- m aking for all sorts of situations. The SWOT analyses provide very clear pitcher to organizational ingrained strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats for management. Swot analyse is scheduled to know how acts the internal factors for a business. Because internal influences are some factors which preceded a business for the success. As they can obtain competitive advantages. Product differentiation and cost leadership are known as competitive advantages. In the other hand SWOT analyses can be used inside a business in different ways to gain different perspectives. Such as (Robson W. /1997) (www.tutor2u. Net/2010).The way how they contribute their sales.Making an infrangible partnership.Finding an alternative way to change the supplier.Adding some investment opportunities.How to launch for the new market and also how they use their business ideas for the improvement and success of their business.In the view of the above report the SWOT analyses can be explained as a compulsory tool for the modern business world. I said so because this is the unique tool and the only way that helps to create a perfect internal environment.ReferencesAnswer .com /03-02-10/ Industrial revolution/ onlineAvailable From http//www.answers.com/topic/industrial-revolutionWendy R. , 1997 Strategic Management education Systems secand edition, Financial times, Prentice Hall , London, UKWww.skoda.co.uk/ About Skoda/ online Availble From http//www.skoda.co.uk/aboutskoda.aspxwww.tutor2u. Net , Strategy- competitive advantage online, Available From http//tutor2u.net/business/ scheme/competitive_advantage.htmBibliographyQuick MBA , 1999-2007, Strategic Management online Available From http//www.quickmba.com/strategy/swot/Rugman A., Collinson S. , 2006, International Business (4th Edition), Financial Times ,Prentice Hall , London ,UK

Mental Health of Children with HIV

Mental Health of Children with human immunodeficiency virusChapter 1IntroductionWomen atomic number 18 more at risk of acquiring human immunodeficiency virus infection than men in sub-Saharan Africa mainly repayable to Gender inequality, this relatively increases the risk of children acquiring human immunodeficiency virus done mother-to-child-transmission 1. According to available statistics about 30% of babies born in sub-Saharan Africa to human immunodeficiency virus positive mothers will themselves be infected with the virus either finished childbirth or through breast-feeding 2.From modern data there are about 3.2 million children funding with HIV, 91% of these children life story with HIV are gear up in sub-Saharan Africa 2. The WHO recommendations stipulates that children below the age of 5 diagnosed with HIV should be placed on ART regardless of what their CD4 count is, 28% of these children surviving with HIV worldwide, requiring antiretroviral treatment (ART) curren tly sport access to these drugs 2.Since the onset of the epidemic, most of the children with perinatally acquired HIV in low and middle income countries do not live past infancy 3, 4. However, results from recent inquiry shows that life expectancy has improved and 36% of these infants live up to 16 years of age 5. Likewise, strategies employed to screen pregnant mothers and probe infants and children at risk for HIV infection, as well as the advances in ART, has improved the quality of life and ensure HIV positive children live drawn-out 6, 7.However, these children will have to face the challenges of vivacious with a chronic illness, requiring tremendous social support for long, to enable proper development two psychicly and physically. For example, recent studies indicate that living with a life-threatening and stigmatizing illness is besides difficult and creates great mental distress for children with HIV 8. Children living with HIV are practically confronted with fe ars/thoughts about their own death, most of them are stigmatized and discriminated against 8. Consistent evidence also shows cognitive difficulties for HIV positive children 9.1.2. Background and ContextMental malady is more and more becoming an important global health impact and the leading cause of disability globally. Depression an ordinary mental disorder, currently afflicts about 350 million people, both adults and children worldwide 10. An increasing number of mental disorders are ranked among the leading causes of disability in the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Burden of ailment 2004 11.War, poverty, deprivation, marginalization and deracination are among the key social determinants of mental health identify as prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) 12-15. This in turn increases the prevalence of depression in this region, though the number are under-reported. Despite the clear indication that mental health is a huge public health concern in SSA, it has consiste ntly been neglected, due to the preponderance of communicable diseases, malnutrition and other perinatal disorders.Adults living with a chronic illness like HIV, are prone to psychosocial and psychological stressors so are children living with HIV. They are faced with anxiety associated with living with a chronic illness and the possibilities of death from the infection. High on the list for psychosocial stressor, is the bug out of discrimination and stigmatization, as well as struggles with other challenges like malnutrition, poverty and diminished social support 15. Evidence from studies have shown that children suffering from chronic diseases are more prone to developing mental disorders than their peers that are healthy. In one knowledge 16 involving children with epilepsy, it was suggested that healthy children were less likely to suffer from mental disorder than those with epileptic conditions that had increased risks. Another study 17 showed minders of children with sickle cell disease reported more emotional and behavioural abnormalities among these set of children.Studies from other region of the world have shown that there is a relationship between HIV and mental illness. It has been shown 18 that early abnormalities in childrens neurological development is attributable to HIV infection and no other factors like environmental and biological risks. The association between HIV and neurological impairment is well researched in children. Learning difficulties, attention deficit disorder 19, 20, behavioural abnormalities 21-23 and cognitive discrepancies 24, 25 are all associated with HIV infection in children. The Pediatric Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Clinical Trials Group (PACTG) in their study reported increased risks for psychiatrical hospitalization for children living with HIV compared to other children without the infection 26. It was also suggested that children with perinatally acquired HIV infection may be susceptible to certain mental disorder due to the effects of HIV infection on neurological development. They also stated that there is a likelihood of increased mental illness among these children as they come in life.Result from a study conducted by Mellins et al.27 that examined psychiatric indicators in children between the ages of 9-16 years with perinatal HIV infection, showed that 11% of the children had oppositional defiant disorder and 13% diagnosed with conduct disorder.Moreover, other studies have shown that perinatal HIV infected children are at greater risk of experiencing abnormalities in brain development 28, these abnormalities include slow up motor and cognitive development 29 and in some cases short-term amnesia and mental retardation as a result of the infection 30, 31. A study 32 of Ugandan HIV positive babies followed over a period of one year, showed that 30% of the babies on ART exhibited impaired motor functions while about 26% of the babies displayed impaired cognitive functions, this is in contrast with 5-6% of HIV negative babies that exhibited the same conditions.Papola et al. 33 in their study, collected retrospective data on 90 school children living with HIV, in order to examine their developmental and needs. From their findings 44% of the childrens range of intelligence were below average or average, while 56% had words impairment. A similar finding were replicated by Bachanas et al. 32, result from the study showed that HIV-infected children had lower WISC-III scores and abysmal academic performance. They also exhibited significant psychological procedure deficiency.1.3. Research start and significanceWith increasing access to ART, the number of children born with perinatal HIV infection getting to adolescence and adulthood has increased tremendously. These children in most cases share stressors go through by other children living with other chronic illness, like long term medical hospitalization and treatment, and agonizing life experiences. Notwithst anding the burgeoning evidence and psychosocial consequences of living with a chronic disease, there are still dearth of studies that have investigated the mental health concerns of children living with HIV in SSA.Most research elsewhere focuses on the effect of ART treatment and prevention of HIV. Though, there is an increasing cognizance of the likelihood of increased risk of mental health disorders for people living with HIV in the long run, owing to biomedical changes occasioned by ART and environmental risks.Based on the glowing evidence from research on correlativity between substance abuse, risky sexual behaviours and mental health disorders, it is then pertinent to understand the association between mental health and children living with prenatally acquired HIV infection in sub-Saharan Africa, especially because of its unique environment and the high prevalence of the social determinants of mental illness in the region. This is necessary to inform mental health treatment an d prevention programmes.1.4. Study aimTo review and provide a synthesis of research on the mental health and psychological functioning/outcomes of children who are perinatally-infected with HIV, corresponding risk and protective elements, treatment modes and areas of vital need for future research and interventions.1.5. Organization of the ThesisThis thesis is organized as follows.Chapter 1 deals with the scope and objectives of the thesis, it gives a brief background of children living with perinatal HIV infection and the current trend, the mental health issues associated with living with HIV/ help.Chapter 2 deals with the methodology, the books search and identification of studies, inclusion and exclusion criteria, data extraction, quality assessment and procedures used in the analysis.Chapter 3 presents the study findings.Chapter 4 presents the general discussions of the study findings, including limitations of studies included. And also the limitations of a opinionated review study, strength and weakness.Chapter 5 gives the concludes and summarizes the study, giving possible intervention to address the emerging mental health concerns for children living with HIV/AIDS, as well as recommendations and identified areas of future research.Chapter 2Literature searchA systematic literature review was conducted using the theme children living with HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa and mental health. The study included studies up until July 2014. The research focuses on papers dealing with children living with HIV/AIDS and the effects on their mental health. The aim is to harness these research papers on the above-mentioned theme, and discuss the subject, present a summary, and highlight areas of future research needs. This informed by the body of evidence suggesting that in the long run, perinatal infected HIV children are liable to mental health issues, arising from factors such as environment, genetics, biomedical and familial 30-33.Nonetheless, in the course of these research there are dearth of studies using the mental health as outcome and perinatal HIV infection as exposure in SSA. Hence, terms relevant to the review theme were discovered and used in finding the required papers. Studies on children living with HIV and mental health outside sub-Saharan Africa were not included in this review. It is not clear as explained in some studies, whether the mental health condition experienced by HIV positive children is neurologically or psychological. This might be a limitation of this review.A comprehensive search of online database for published articles on mental health and psychological functioning of children who are perinatally-infected with HIV was conducted. The electronic databases includes PubMed, EBSCOhost and Science Direct, MEDLINE, Psychinfo, PubMed, JSTOR and Google Scholar. In addition to the online databases, unpublished articles, theses and internal reports will also identified by citation snowballing from the initial journal articles. Data was collected between January 2014 and July 2014 from the databases. The search terms used, identified through MeSH include mental health, psychiatric/psychological, emotional and behavioural problems, perinatal HIV infection, paediatric HIV and adolescence.Inclusion and Exclusion criteriaThe initial search returned one hundred and eleven studies relevant to children in sub-Saharan African living with HIV and mental health concerns, restrictions were applied in terms of age, geography and study methodology. Only studies that included children between the ages of 1- 15 years were included. Studies conducted outside sub-Saharan African countries were not included. Both quantitative and qualitative studies were included if the primary research was on HIV infection as exposure studied, the researchers had a control group or standardized psychological instrument, mental health disorder/symptoms was the key outcome studied. Only English language articles were included. Out of the 111 studies selected only 10 that were relevant to the review was selected.As the main aim of this review was to focus on well-grounded findings the mental health and psychological functioning/outcomes of children who are perinatally-infected with HIV, only papers that included both subject were selected. Exclusion of studies outside the geographical area of interest were only performed at a later stage, to ensure that relevant studies that did not stipulate their geographical emphasis in their keywords were not excluded. Figure 1. Inclusion and exclusion used in systematic review.Data ExtractionChildren were classified as infected or uninfected based on their seropositive or negative status. The final synthesized materials were evaluated based on the research methodology employed, age range, and the outcomes from the study. To assist in the analysis Microsoft Excel was used. A content analysis was performed. As the studies used in the systematic review is small, a meta-analy sis could not performed.