Ruse’s Argument

The primary argument of Michael Ruse regarding genetic engineering is that it is very possible to proceed with the scientific method of biological entity without harming the spiritual aspect of what most religions, specifically with Christianity teach about the natural tendency of existence. His main argument is that it is possible to reconcile religion with Evolutionary Theory (Wikipedia, 2007). The stigma of creating a world of regret and blasphemy is no longer a valid reason why biological nature should be abandoned whereas it cold significantly harnessed to lead to the development of the human population. This caused some high criticisms over ethics and religious groups who were able to consider the argument of Ruse to be a serious matter. In comparison with Glover and the CRG’s view, the main aspect that differentiate them from Michael Ruse’s argument is the fact that genetic engineering should only be used restrictively if it is to be used for genetic therapy which they think as morally right whereas it would be morally wrong if the process is to select only the trait to be modified without the consideration for the greater net welfare of the organism (Umass, 2005). This is the same principle that makes the stand of the Council for Responsible Genetics. They insist that there should be an agreement on the proper code of responsibility when dealing with the manipulation of the genes of any organisms. Such act will definitely minimize the possible drawbacks of taking the power to change nature. This will ensure that the primary goal of genetic manipulation is to address the need to make it beneficial for the betterment of mankind. References: Wikipedia. 2007. Michael Ruse. Wikepedia-The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved May 9, 2007 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Ruse. Umass. 2005. Glover: Objection on Genetic Engineering. Umass Office of Information technologies. Retrieved May 9, 2007. Peter Singer-Bernard Rollin There is a good comparison between Peter Singer’s approach to the ethical values for animals and Bernard Rollin’s perception on how to take care of the human’s appeal to animals. On the part of peter singer, he intends to provide a clear view of treating animals as somewhat equal to the dignity of the humans. He lobbied for the special treatment on other organisms to be treated also as humans who have rights and privileges of living a peaceful and safe life. He has started the animal liberation movement which dramatically intends to free the animals from the intention of humans to use them for their commodities. On the other hand, Bernard Rollin plays an important role in signifying that science is never actually separated form ethics. In fact, science is full of ethical values. When it comes to animal sciences and suffering, he notes, there is an implied value-based ethical decision made whenever an animal's suffering or welfare is considered subservient to science or industry (The Pew, 2004). Emotivism is used in the argument of Singer while Rollin’s is implying Cultural Relativism. In searching for the better argument, the ethics provide by the Peter Singer is much more adhered to the true notion of ethics. His intention to set free the animals from human commercial use though genetics is directly capturing the essence of letting them live how nature intended them to survive. On the part of Rollin’s arguments, it can’t be denied that he also has a good approach in setting a standard notion about ethics and science. However, he missed the general point of protecting the animals but rather concentrates on the general perspective of influencing the people to lay down the fundamentals of ethical values. References: The Pew. 2004. Bernard Rollin: Of Animal Science and Ethics. The Pew Initiative on Food and Biotechnology. Retrieved May 9, 2007. O’Rourke, Kevin. 1986. Various Ethical Systems. Retrieved May 9, 2007 from . ; ;

Managing Human Resources Essay

This assissment is going to be about Human Resource Management and it’s going to contain information about different perspectives of human resources management and what the role involves. . HRM system is based on HR system , both work together to the same way. The example is HR strategies defining the direction in which HRM intends to go. We got few models of HRM , one I want to describe is Guest’s Model of HRM. David Guest’s model of HRM has 6 dimensions of analysis : HRM strategy HRM practices HRM outcomes Behaviour outcomes Performance outcomes Financial outcomes This model is prescriptive in the sense that it is based on the assumption that HRM is different from traditional personal management. How guest’s model is adopted in Harrods? In my opinion is adopted by having similar commitments for example the Guest model is prescriptive on the sense that it is bases on the assumption that HRM is distinctively different from traditional personnel management and rotted in strategic management. Also the Guest’s model of HRM outcomes are fairly similar as Harrods engages employees to continues success of the business by committing to what they are doing and one of the outcomes that the Guest’s model states is commitment. David Guest’s analysis financial outcomes in his model of HRM and when looking at the financial outcome at Harrods, we can see that they are loosing money due to the employee turnover. When looking at the case study it shows that the research that has been done about the turnover indicates that the employee turnover has significant cost and performance effects to the business. For example the employee turnover at Harrods measures the rate at which employees leave their employer normally after one year. The claim of the Guest model that it is superior to others is partly justified in the sense that it clearly maps out the field of HRM and delineates the inputs and outcomes. But the dynamics of people management are so complex that no model (including the Guest model) can capture them comprehensively. P. 1. 2 The purpose of HRM is to ensure that the employees of an organization are used in such a way that the employer obtains the greatest possible benefit from their abilities and the employees obtain both material and psychological rewards from their work. Personnel management is the traditional approach to managing. It deals with the reactive side, which are rules, and regulations, wages, pension, and leave administration. It is administrative in nature. Human Resource Management are people oriented an treats employees as an asset. It is the modern approach to managing an organisation and people in the organisation. It is the proactive side of managing which puts people first. The term â€Å"industrial relations† has developed both a broad and a narrow meaning. Industrial relations is increasingly being called employment relations or employee relations because of the importance of non-industrial employment relationships. Industrial relations has three faces: science building, problem solving, and ethical. In the science building phase, industrial relations is part of the social sciences, and it seeks to understand the employment relationship and its institutions through high-quality, rigorous research. From this perspective, an industrial relation covers all aspects of the employment relationship, including human resource or personnel management and employee relations. The difference between personnel management and human resource management is that personnel management basically deals with the employees, for example they deal with payroll recruitment. Where the HRM deals with the management of the work force, training and the well-being of all employees. Also we can say that Human Resources is to incorporate and develop personnel management tasks, while at the same time seeking to create and develop teams of workers to the advantage of the organization. Personnel management comprises mainly of administrative tasks that are considered to be traditional and routine. The Human Resources management at Harrods helps to build a competitive edge by positively getting involving the employees. The HRM at Harrods use an appropriate leadership style and they use two-way communication, which is very effective as it allows information to be passed on correctly and quickly. Similar organization which adopted IR practice and Personal is NHS. The NHS UK practice managers work within the primary care sector, where they manage the overall running of general practices surgeries. Practice managers come from a variety of backgrounds and do not necessarily need to be a qualified healthcare professional. Industrial relations in the UK health care sector are characterised by high levels of social dialogue and joint regulation, particularly in the public part of the sector. P. 1. 3 At Harrods the role of the line manager is to encourage communication targets and advice to employees through face-to-face interactions. This might involve sitting down in the staff room, or in a more formal setting, to agree objectives and to give advice about improvements and new ways of working. Acting as a coach helps the line managers to develop their managerial skills, build relationships and reinforce trust at Harrods. Employees play the most vital role in HRM because they are the key advantage and we also must remember that high-performing and innovative employees are the foundation of productivity. Some major implications for HRM are, they can set direction and implement a company strategy, which builds commitment to what they do. Employees at Harrods help to develop performance metrics for on going improvements in the business. In order to increase the productivity at Harrods the line manager or HRM support their employees by communicating effectively and giving them regular feedback on their performance and by them doing that it decreases the errors and frustration caused to employees at work. Also an effective reward system for employees at Harrods motivates them towards better performance. Non-monetary factors like better status can motivate employees in addition.

Human Genetic Engineering Ethical Or Not - 1117 Words

Kendal Gower Professor Fountain English 101 17 September 2014 Human Genetic Engineering: Ethical or Not? If man could prevent his child from having Tay Sachs Disease, Cystic Fibrosis, Down Syndrome and other life threatening genetic disorders, should he be able to? Using human genetic engineering, scientists have developed the skills and techniques to do just this. Human genetic engineering, however, is fairly new in the science world and many questions and unresolved problems still remain. This technology is the center of many arguments in the science world when debating the ethical standpoint (Cyranoski). Both sides have their arguments; however, the pros will far out weigh the cons when the technology is perfected and used under strict rules and regulations. Human genetic engineering is one of the most controversial topics in the field of science that has the potential to improve the human species for the better as a whole, and I support the use of this technology. Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) codes the genetic information for the transmission of inherited traits and is found in the nucleus of a cell. The basic unit of DNA, the nucleotide, is composed of a nitrogen base, 5 five-carbon sugar, and phosphate; the sequence of nucleotides determines what gene is expressed. Basically, DNA is the â€Å"million dollar blueprint,† consisting of all the genetic information necessary for making proteins. Although nucleotide excision repair is a mechanism used to correct mutations afterShow MoreRelatedGenetically Modified Animals : Genetic Engineering1518 Words   |  7 Pagesgene technology I hope to share some understanding in the process of gene transfer in animals, the process of obtaining genetically engineered animals, and analyze the social and moral implications associated with this gene technology in animals. Genetic modification of animals started thirty years ago with the production of genetically modified mice. Gene modification is the process of crossing and selective breeding of animals and has been carried out by breeders for quite some time now. These modificationsRead MoreThe Controversy Of Genetic Engineering1369 Words   |  6 Pages Genetic Engineering, for most individuals not knowledgeable on the topic, conjures visions of sci-fi movies and humans being grown in a lab far off in the future. What more and more individuals in the early 21st century are coming to realize is that Genetic Engineering has already exceeded our wildest imaginations in a dark corner of a lab, outside of the view of the main stream public. Indeed, in 2017, genetic engineering is in full swing on both plant and animal life. Only from hearingRead MoreWhy Genetic Engineering Is Morally Good Essay1251 Words   |  6 PagesDetermining if genetic engineering is morally good is only half the battle with this ethical issue. Regardless of whether morally good reasons are used to justify it, genetic engineering is an attempt to use human intelligence in order to try to overthrow God†™s original creation or plan for humans. Scientist are trying to perfect his creation or change it. God has laid out the way things should happen naturally and humans are attempting to overthrow it. A key word to note is â€Å"attempt† because ScotusRead MoreGenetic Engineering : Medical Perfection Or Playing God1280 Words   |  6 PagesThesis Statement â€Å"Genetic engineering differs from cloning in key ways. Whereas cloning produces genetically exact copies of organisms, genetic engineering refers to processes in which scientists manipulate genes to create purposefully different versions of organisms—and, in some cases, entirely new living things†, duplication of genetic cells is known as human cloning. Development of genetic engineering biotechnologies undermines the natural autonomy of life. Does genetic engineering interfere withRead MoreDisadvantages Of Genetic Engineering1663 Words   |  7 Pagesinnovations is genetic engineering. Genetic engineering is the deliberate modification of characteristics of an organism by manipulating its genetic material. it is a set of biotechnologies used to change the genetic makeup of cells, including the transfer of genes within and across species boundaries to produce improved or novel organisms. Genetic engineering techniques have been applied in numerous fields includi ng research, agriculture, industrial biotechnology, and medicine. Genetic engineering can beRead MoreGenetic Engineering And The Human Existence1193 Words   |  5 Pages Why is genetic engineering crucial to the human existence? Initially, genetic engineering, also called genetic modification, is the process of manually adding new unique DNA into an organism. The objective is to add one or numerous new traits that are not already constructed in that particular organism. New DNA inserts in the host genome and immediately isolates and replicates the gene of interest by using molecular cloning methods to synthesize a DNA sequence; then inserting this construct intoRead MoreThe Ethics Of Genetic Engineering1639 Words   |  7 PagesGenetic engineering has to do with manipulating organisms and DNA to create body characteristics. The practice of genetic DNA has shown an increasing amount over the past years. The process of genetic enhancement involves manipulating organisms by using bi otechnologies. The technique is by removing a DNA from one life form and transferring it to another set of traits or organism. Certain barriers are conquered, and the procedure involves changing a form of cells, resulting from an improvement orRead MoreThe Issues Of Gene Technology867 Words   |  4 Pages Legislation mainly focuses on HIPAA and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA). They protect information and prohibit genetic discrimination in health insurance and employment, respectively (â€Å"Genetic Discrimination†). The flaw in legislation is that it doesn’t apply to the nation as a whole. I would revise the GINA to get it to be a federal law and apply to everyone. Introduction Gene technology relates to gene expression, genetic variation, and modifying genes to new hosts. ScientistsRead MoreGenetic Engineering And Its Effects1592 Words   |  7 PagesScientists can now make humans better than ever by improving their bodies by changing the cells in your body. Genetic engineering can also prevent long-time diseases from continuing in a family and help treat many illnesses. Though it can help many issues, it brings up many problems if used improperly and often abused. Genetic engineering harbors more moral and ethical issues than having beneficial effects; however, the positive uses in specific situations should be acknowledged. Genetic history has beenRead MoreDna And Ethics Of Recombinant Dna1601 Words   |  7 Pages Recombinant DNA and Ethics Brooke Boland BIO/410 - Genetics October 23, 2017 Miranda Gauthier Recombinant DNA and Ethics Recombinant DNA technology has become a powerful influence to many fields including medicine, pharmaceuticals and agriculture. Genetic modifications of plants, animals and other organisms have allowed scientists to improve the quality of human life. As genetic engineering continues to rapidly grow, many ethical, social and legal issues arise evaluating the risks and

One of the Most Incredibly Disregarded Options for Examples of Topics Sentences in Analytical Essay

One of the Most Incredibly Disregarded Options for Examples of Topics Sentences in Analytical Essay Whatever you opt to speak about would contain the principal idea that you desire to concentrate on during the initial portion of your exchange. You're specifically being requested to talk about the matter of producing human clones to then use their body parts. Having control throughout life enables someone to experience a stable way of life. In connection with our personal life, technology is a fantastic way to keep in touch with family members that might be aboard or old school mates by using Skype or other social networking sites including Facebook. Finding the Best Examples of Topics Sentences in Analytical Essay If you'd like someone to modify their perspective, you must persuade them with facts from credible sources. If you've got to compose an essay, dependent on character analysis then you've got to think about all facets. The conclusion provides an overview of the id eas. You should be proficient in the topic, have an overall idea about the chosen issue and figure out how to get the best arguments to show your thesis. This sort of essay ought to have a suitable linkage which connects the body paragraphs. The environment is just not ready for them yet. As a student, you want to hone up your writing skills, bearing in mind you will have to deal with different kinds of academic writings. Give an objective evaluation of the learners' knowledge. Following are a few examples of analytical essay topics which may be used for the poetry analysis essay. Deciding upon a familiar topic will force you to truly feel comfortable from the minute you get started jotting down words in the debut of the essay. Always write on topics that you are conversant with. Students have a difficult time in writing if they don't have a draft or outline to follow. While writing an essay like this, they have to explain the literary terms. Therefore, many students and employees decide to get low-cost essay rather than writing it themselves. The variety of words is written according to the directions. Round characters normally have descriptions and dialogue. Incorrect Correct There is a distinct selection of matching questions that uses so-called keylists. Just a couple well-constructed matching questions will adequately test the comprehension of one topic, or even of lots of topics simultaneously. In the majority of instances, readers look into the very first few sentences of a paragraph to learn what it is about. Be certain that you aren't employing these types of sentences to introduce your paragraphs, since they are unhelpful to readers and do little to assist you in getting your point across. By comparison, a weak topic sentence will lead to an unorganized paragraph, and the reader is going to be confused because the support or details won't be focused. Placing the topic sentence at the launch of a paragraph helps to ensure that the reader knows exactly what information will be presented. These are sentences that go at the start of each paragraph in which you are just about to go over a new topic. Three sentences is an excellent length for a bio. In general, topic sentences are indispensable in writing in order to emphasize points for far better communication. Great topic sentences have to be direct and specific to convey a very clear thought. You can also see negative sentences. You can also see imperative sentences. You could also see conditional sentences. You could also see interrogative sentences. As people live longer and longer, the notion of cloning human beings so as to offer spare parts is getting to be a reality. Though there are clear advantages to humankind of cloning to offer spare body parts, I think it raises lots of worrying ethical problems. These characters are frequently the principal drivers of three-act dramatic structure and the subsequent plot. Also check how a specific character can impact the total storyline. The usage of affect ways to influence or change while using effect usually means the outcome. Better to be subtle instead of heavy-handed.

Can God Create A Stone - 2017 Words

I find God to be awesome! He is great, mighty, kind, gentle, strong, and worthy to be praised. He is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient. He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end. He is the creator of all things. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He is infinite for He has been, is, and will be. There is a lot to unpack when it comes to God. He is bigger than any problem we could ever face since He is all-powerful (omnipotent). This idea, however, has been brought up many times in my life to be contradicting. How so? If God is all-powerful and He can do anything then let me ask this question. â€Å"Can God create a stone which is too heavy for God to lift?† An interesting logical puzzle if you think†¦show more content†¦I thought about it a lot when I was younger, growing up in a Christian household and all. â€Å"Maybe God has some sort of multiple personality (dissociative identity) disorder and somehow God’s ide ntity is fragmented into these three distinct personalities we call the Trinity,† I would wonder. Well, my younger self was sort of on the right track. The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are three distinct personalities, but they are all working together as one complex being. Of course, this could be a confusing matter for younger me or anyone who is not fully informed on the Trinity as it can be a hard concept to wrap your mind around. Let’s make it easier then. Imagine three people holding hands in a circle. They are all different people with their own distinct personalities, but they are joined together as one. Though a crude example, it does help us to see the rationality of the Trinity. The thing is, a simple version of God would not give justice to the profound and multifaceted witness to God in the Bible. It is easy to create something. However, it is hard to create something out of nothing†¦ actually it is impossible, at least for us finite beings. In order for something to exist, something had to exist before it, but what was the first â€Å"something.† In order to create something finite, something had to always exist. Only something that has always been – something infinite – could accomplish such a feat. God is that infinite! Nothing preexisted orShow MoreRelatedThe Doctrine Of The Faith1340 Words   |  6 PagesMavrodes begins by stating the doctrine of the faith, which is that God is omnipotent (capable of anything). There has been attempts to refute the omnipotence of God by proposing things he cannot do. One example Mavrodes gives is the creation of a square circle. In paragraph two Mavrodes goes on to highlight the counterarguments to these attempts by a St. Thomas. St. Thomas wanted to clarify that the â€Å"anything† that we refer to when we talk about God’s omnipotence should be, â€Å"construed to referRead MoreExplication Of The Altar By George Herbert1267 Words   |  6 Pageselaborate tables used to sacrifice things to God. The first thing that draws attention in a church is the altar. In the same way Herbert used visual imagery of an altar to catch the eye of the reader. He begins by describing the materials evolved to assemble the altar. The altar is portrayed as broken and built with the heart and tears of a faithful servant. Because man builds the altar and all men are sinful, human heart and pain cannot appear untainted before God. In the first two lines are written inRead MoreReligion : A Non Religious Person1241 Words   |  5 Pagesthrough it over and over again, religion can draw boundaries by doing what is rig ht and wrong based on one’s religion and their opinion of what one believes in. One’s boundaries contain the inside and outside, what one is comfortable with. Religion can make connections through over time with history, through the individuals who came before us and help navigating, figuring certain things out. A History of Religion in 5  ½ Objects by S. Brent Plate, explains that stones, incense, drums, crosses, and breadRead MoreWilliam Paley, An English Clergyman And Philosopher1026 Words   |  5 Pagesconnection between the artificial and natural world. He suggested that if we were walking along a path and hit our foot against a stone, we would assume that the stone had been there forever because it was something â€Å"natural†. However, suppose for a second, that the stone was replaced with a watch. This is where the cogs start turning for philosophers. When we replace the stone with a watch, we are comparing something natural to something artific ial. No one would question that the watch was made byRead MoreWhy God Can Exist By Alvin Plantinga s Modal Ontological Argument Essay1331 Words   |  6 Pages‘A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word, â€Å"darkness† on the walls of his cell.’ (Lewis, 2015) – C.S. Lewis For some, the soul symbolising purity and all qualities just, is strongly associated with the concept of religion and a God. Religion for theists is crucial and forms a focal point of their beliefs. For atheists, religion and a God in particular, are not worthwhile and are considered a waste of time. (BlackburnRead MoreDescartes and the Metaphysical Doubt1235 Words   |  5 PagesDescartes proves that God exists in his third meditation. He proves that God exists because he wants to be certain about things outside of himself. But, he cannot be certain of these things if he is ignorant about the existence of God. This is because if a supreme God exists, he could cause Descartes to be mistaken in the one avenue to certainty that he has. This avenue is known as clear and distinct perception, and, according to Descartes, it is what is necessary to be certain about a thing. HoweverRead MoreUntenable Faith1053 Words   |  5 PagesRespond to the following quotation: â€Å"The Holocaus t shows not only that religious faith is untenable but also that life is absurd. A powerful and loving God could not create a world in which such events are possible. Religion is wishful thinking -- ‘Fear created the first gods’ (Caecilius Statius, 2nd c. BCE). Moreover, life itself contradicts the most basic of human aspirations: to live without suffering and cruelty.† Etty herself discusses these issues, so in responding be sure to show that youRead MoreEssay on The Problem with Evil in Religion1259 Words   |  6 Pagesto the overall existence of God. The problem is very easy to comprehend: If God is an all-perfect, all-knowing, all-powerful deity then why do we live in a world with any imperfection or negativity at all? Why do bad things happen at all? Especially to the good people in the world and the millions of innocent people who suffer on a daily basis. Gottfreid Leibniz was a philosopher, who took aim at the problem and wished to point out that the ex istence of evil and God are compatible of evil and andRead MoreRichard Taylor Meaning Of Life Final Draft1245 Words   |  5 Pagesfind a total absolute in other to guide his or her life; however, the individual goes out to search for absolutes but ends up finding out that the world is not reasonable or realistic for living in other words meaningless. Therefore, the absurdity, can be described as; suicide and recovery as a solution. However, a person s experiences in life bring in the necessity of choosing between suicide and the absurdity of life. And so, if an individual chooses life, then he or she must accept the absurdRead MoreEssay about Mumford and Sons1021 Words   |  5 Pagesto compare and contrast. â€Å"Roll Away Your Stone,† and â€Å"White Blank Page,† are faith-based, powerful, and emotional songs, in which talented lyricist Marcus Mumford creates a theme for the audience of searching into the heart and truly seeing what is inside and returning to God to find the ultimate love and freedom from sin. I believe the theme in â€Å"Roll Away Your Stone,† to be about what blocks us from seeing our most in-ward being, our â€Å"soul.† The â€Å"stone,† in the song is a metaphor for the sin in

Usps and Sony Struggle to Create Lasting Organizational Change free essay sample

When Bill Henderson, postmaster general of US Postal Service (USPS), turned up at the Tour de France in July 1999, things could not have been better. After making loss upon loss, his organization had finally turned things around. USPS was in profit with a strategic five-year plan that was set to see it prosper for years to come. And just to make things even greater, the athlete USPS had sponsored (the guy who was told he would never compete again after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1996), had just won the worlds most prestigious cycling competition. What a difference three years can make. On a downward trend Since that summers day, USPS has free-wheeled downhill in spectacular fashion. In the fiscal year ending September 2001, profit had turned to loss of around $1. 6 billion (less than projected but hardly a success), Budgets were cut and capital spending halted. Then came the terrorist attacks of 11 September and the subsequent anthrax assaults on employees of USPS. This only served to make matters worse for the postal firm and so once again, it was back to the drawing board. Failing to sustain change initiatives And USPS is not alone in its failure to implement a successful change initiative. According to recent research by Change Management Online, UK businesses undertake at least three major change projects a year (at a cost of approximately 52 billion in management time alone) yet half of these programs fail to make any lasting impact whatsoever. Whilst USPS faced a bigger challenge than most by attempting to turn the whole organization around (the ultimate change initiative), the fact that it made such a strong start left executives wondering, when things went awry, where did it all go wrong? Admittedly, transforming USPS into a profit-making outfit looked like something of an impossible task due to its unusual position. The USPS is a huge regulated monopoly and consequently has a number of legal obligations (e. g. new products and services cannot be introduced without lengthy discussions). In addition, competitors such as FedEx and UPS continue to offer more than just regular delivery and in doing so, justify the premium prices they charge. But despite these potential obstacles, executives at USPS realized that without some fundamental changes, the company was sure to go under. Initially, back in 1992, postmaster general Martin Runyon had tried to cut costs through staffing cutbacks however this approach had failed. Consequently, in 1994 Runyon decided that the way to achieve success was by setting aggressive operational goals that would improve efficiency and service. Improving service, improving profits To this effect, USPS launched a website containing useful information such as ZIP codes and pricing lists, experimented with internet kiosks, created a system for issuing electronic postmarks and began to develop an overnight shipping program in order to speed up deliveries. These initiatives paid off and between 1996 and 1999 the organization enjoyed a relatively stable period that also saw Bill Henderson take over from Runyon as postmaster general in 1998. Five-year plans were published and USPS moved towards its vision of becoming a twenty-first century growth company. Factors for failure So what went wrong? In between 1998 and 2001, USPS plummeted from a net income of $550 million to losses of approximately $1. 7 billion. Robert Reisner, former vice president of strategic planning for the company, identified a number of underlying problems that contributed to the failure f this promising turnaround: * USPSs new approach was disorienting to many managers. Some senior executives believed the aggressive targets set by Runyon were impossible whilst others felt that the organization was not focussing enough on its core business; * Despite the high morale that existed within USPS around 1999, senior management failed to capitalize on this momentum and missed out on the opportunity to secure support of employees throughout the company; * Some managers simply resisted the change. These executives felt that electronic services were unlikely to pose a major threat to the postal service for many years to come and consequently saw experiments with the Internet and electronic signatures as a waste of resources; * Ever present were the constraints of being a regulated monopoly. For example, a lucrative deal with Amazon. com was impossible due to regulations and meant that it was UPS and not the postal service that reaped the benefits of such a strategic alliance; and * Despite its impressive jump into the black, USPS had not actually made any structural, cultural or strategic transformations. By improving its service it had simply made incremental changes. This meant that threats such as email technology were never fully addressed. Reisner points out that, ultimately, USPS did not look to the long term, nor did it effect the necessary strategic changes. Without such a transformation it was inevitable that this turnaround would not be sustained. In many senses USPS is back to square one. It may have slightly improved its services, but the threats that were looming as far back as 1994 are still as real as ever. Sonys need for change Perhaps Sony, another organization currently in such a predicament, could learn a few lessons from USPSs mistakes. Although the electronics giant is not suffering from turnaround trauma, it is in the process of transforming itself in order to survive. However Sony may also be running the risk of shortsightedness. Why? The business is currently in limbo. Aware that there is little mileage left in some of its products, it is ready to leave its past behind, yet the future it desires (that of broadband domination) is not quite upon us. According to Business Week, most analysts are forecasting a 40 percent decline in the companys operating profits to just $1 billion on flat sales. It is becoming increasingly clear that Sony needs a new business model, broadband or no broadband. Turning around To combat this dilemma, the organization has: * started to shift its emphasis from making low-margin consoles to selling movies, games and Internet services; * shut down a number of factories in 1999 and pledged to reduce its workforce by 10 percent over the next three years; centralized management of all Sonys factories across the globe, cutting costs by 10 percent; and * started looking towards strategic alliances as a means of increasing revenue. But is this enough? Sony is still a sprawling conglomerate. Business Week likens it to other Japanese electronic giants such as Toshiba or Hitachi, describing them as jacks of all trades and Microsofts of none. In addition, the company still runs many of these smaller businesses (su ch as TVs and cathode tubes) at a loss. Sonys core is still in consumer electronics but this industry is fading fast. The market is already saturated and Sonys core electronic division (about 63 percent of its overall sales) was in the red for the first half of last year. In light of such a dilemma, corporate giants need the help of the Welchs or the Gerstners of this world to shake things up and streamline the business, yet Sony opts instead to promote from within, running the risk of becoming insular in its management techniques. And not only do some critics believe Sonys management system is wrong, they also feel that the brand has lost its technological edge, lagging behind innovative competitors such as Samsung. Incremental changes just not enough Many analysts feel that without radical changes in personnel and structure in the very near future, the star qualities of the Sony brand will gradually fade out altogether. It is encouraging that Sony has started to address these issues, yet whether it is too little too late (the cliche that rings true for so many change initiatives) remains to be seen. One thing both Sony and USPS know for certain is that sustained success is not going to come from a few incremental changes to systems and processes. If you do not change the mindset of your organization, then you are unlikely to after the fortunes of your business, no matter how established you are on the corporate ladder. Management implications The experiences of these two corporations provide some valuable lessons when it comes to sustaining change: To alter your fortunes on a permanent basis, you must change the culture of your organization; Secure the support of as many senior executives as possible. Those who are not happy about the changes you propose may need to re-consider their position within the business; * Do not market your strategy as a one-off change program that will guarantee success forever. Change needs to be continuous in order to maintain competitive advantage and one-off schemes tend to fizzle out after the honeymoon period; * Keep involved with the initiative for as long as possible (we are talking years not months). A common complaint from employees is that once an initiative has been rolled out and sustained for a couple of months, senior management lose interest. Whilst it is not always practical to maintain the same involvement you had at the beginning of the initiative, staying abreast of developments will reassure employees that this change more than just empty management rhetoric; * Know where you are going. Set realistic targets that are sustainable. For example, there is no point growing by 50 percent if the quality of your product will suffer and force you to scale back three years down the line. Comment This review is based upon: When a turnaround stalls by Reisner and Can Sony regain the magic? by I. Kunii et al. When a turnaround stalls is a well-written case study on the mixed fortunes of USPS. Reisner, former vice president for strategic planning within the company, candidly points out how USPS failed to embrace the technological future or gain the support of all its senior management. The article about Sony contains many useful facts and figures that all point to the need for change. As well as focussing upon previous transformational attempts, the authors offer some suggestions on how this electronics corporation can remain in the black.

The Education of Exploring free essay sample

I’ve been suspended over the rolling hills of Poland by nothing but paper-thin, see-through mesh netting. I’ve squeezed my way through Buddha’s nostril to bring luck and good fortune to my family. I’ve compared ice cream from eight different countries, and found that my favorite is hidden down a narrow side-street in Vienna. However, the most thrilling aspect of my adventures has been coming home and sharing my experiences as a student ambassador with my community, and being the singular force that binds culturally-opposing countries. Traveling abroad has connected me to the depths of my humanity, and in doing so holds much responsibility for taking my leadership skills and persona to the next level. There was a sizable language barrier between my host family and me upon my first visit to Japan, but every night we could be found conversing, without words, until our errors would cause us to laugh until tears streamed down our cheeks. We will write a custom essay sample on The Education of Exploring or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It has been minute, dont-blink-or-youll-miss-it moments like this that have constituted my growth. Without the humbling experience of living in someone elses home an ocean away or being exposed to the kindest of hearts from across the globe I never would have been graced with the courage to speak in front of the mayor of Olomouc, navigate a group of girls through Madrid or introduce a Japanese student to the most striking parts of my community. Leadership on a global scale has taught me that it is okay to be uncomfortable, because the most monumental changes are born through discomfort. It has taught me that we all may live in opposing cracks and crevices of this Earth, but it is easier to find similarities rather than differences when delving into the basic makeup of our beings. It has taught me how to lead. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to not only culture myself, but to introduce others to my discoveries. I was speaking to the school board two years ago about the i mportance of international travel in establishing young leaders when suddenly I was overcome by the strongest notion that I wanted to use the lessons I had gained abroad to prosperously and compassionately lead for the rest of my life. What led me to this realization was a conglomeration of experiences. When your heart aches on the plane ride back to familiar territory so much that the pain that comes with cabin pressure ceases to be relevant, that’s when you know an internal change has occurred. To have ventured into an intimate puppetry house and been plunged into the purest center of your humanity; to enter a 17th century mosque and be simply consumed by the steadfast worship that you see; to galavant down a Spanish street and suddenly become aware of how powerful architecture and design contorts human behavior for the better. Those are the adrenaline-filled adventures that have left me speechless and with a desire to leave a lasting, progressive impact on our global commu nity. It is quite plausible that I will not find another passion that provides me with such a nuanced perspective, which is why I aspire to continue my exposure as a study abroad student in college. Correspondingly, I will lead successfully in nonprofit business administration because of the growth my heart has undergone through the complex, vibrant outlook I have gained from cultural immersion. I can’t help but think that if our global leaders ventured out of the sanctuary of their own countries more often, quarrels would end and wars would cease altogether. I adamantly believe that the means to a united world is education and the ability to open our hearts and minds. If I can continue to inspire those around me through teaching them the importance of cultural appreciation and the benefits that come with learning about how other countries thrive, not only will I be preparing myself to inspire my own company one day, I will be contributing to the betterment of this world. For my future in leadership, I cant think of a better pairing.