Sainsbury

Analyse’ and ‘evaluate’ the business strategy that J Sainsbury Ltd. has pursued using either Bowman’s strategic clock or Porter’s Generic Strategies framework. Submission Date : 28th April 2012 Word Count : 1841 Introduction Strategy is defined as how an organization and individual achieves its goals. The marketing strategies are altered as well as renewed in companies in the effort to survive and also prosper in an increasing demanding and complex business environment (Grant, 2010, p. 270).The strategic imperatives have shifted towards a priority emphasis in order to develop a superior capacity to reinvest the business model (Cravens, 2010, p. 20). Sainsbury mission and goal is to become the first choice of its customers in terms of food, deliver products which are of outstanding quality and service available at a competitive cost by means of working in a simpler, faster and together. Sainsbury have made fundamental changes which have transformed th e business but in the course of action the company has stayed true to its heritage.Sainsbury passion towards food at fair prices and its ethical approach have remained central for their success (J Sainsbury Plc, 2012). Figure 1: Business Strategy and Objectives [pic] (Source: J Sainsbury Plc-a, 2012) Accessing Sainsbury’s strategy using Bowman Strategic Clock The strategy clock which was coined by Cliff Bowman encouraged the mangers to consider competitive advantage with relation to cost advantage or differentiation (figure 1). It focuses on the price of the customers and their perceived value of the goods and services.It has been argued that Sainsbury pursue a differentiation strategy while others might argue that it has adopted the low cost strategy. It could be however said that the organisation has adopted both differentiation and low cost strategy and can be termed as â€Å"stuck in the middle† (Mantle, 2012). Figure 1: Bowman’s Strategy Clock [pic] (Source : Johnson, 2008, p. 243) Theories and Analysis SWOT Analysis has been performed in order to consider the internal and external factors of Sainsbury (See Appendix 3).J Sainsbury has been able to tackle the problem as it has been able to build the trust and can have faith on its customers at the worst condition. But the competition is also intense between the top four food retailers in UK and the hard discounters. It has been noted that Tesco and Asda are the top most retailers in UK and they have expanded in almost every part of the globe and this is where Sainsbury lacks and falls behind its current competitors (Mantle, 2012, p. 7).Sainsbury can try to overcome its weakness by applying its strength and overcome its threat by applying the opportunity. As per the TOWS Matrix, (Appendix 6) Sainsbury has a huge opportunity to tap the emerging nations with its diversified portfolio and with its good corporate image . To tackle the external environment PEST analysis has been conducted. Sa insbury needs to consider the external environment in order to proceed successfully and take measures of the upcoming shortfalls with respect to the external environment (See Appendix 2).In order to tackle the problem, Sainsbury has adopted the policies of operating in EU and also other parts of the globe. It has joint hands with the British government to tackle the problem of obesity and have pledged to cut about 5 billion calories (Retail Detail, 2012). Sainsbury has diversified its business ranging from food retail to non food retail outlets and has adopted the differentiation strategy. This adds on to the advantage of Sainsbury and helps to maintain competitive advantage and stay ahead of its competitors.But at the same time Sainsbury have many competitors who offer the same product (Appendix 5) which shows that the competition among the retail industry is quite high, but Sainsbury with its core competencies and diversified portfolio has been able to gain a diverse customer base . Analysis and evaluation of supporting resources and capabilities The company is trying hard to keep up its competency level by delivering efficient service and timely service. Sainsbury online serves almost about 30,000 order per week and cover 75% of the UK which ads on to its advantage (Breitenbuch, 2004, p. 22).With advancement in technology and change in mindset, customers prefer online services rather than the brick and mortar. Thus Sainsbury competency lies with its online shopping service. The capital of Sainsbury resulted in decreases in 2011 (854) as compared to 2010 (1006). But Sainsbury has invested in its R&D and other portfolios which have sown positive outgrow in the current fiscal year. But a glance at the resources and capabilities have proved that Sainsbury can well compete in the competitive retail market. Sainsbury’s unique resources and capabilities underpinning the Value chainSainsbury had made an investment of about multimillion pounds in its supply ch ain technology which has helped the company to reduce the amount of un-bought food by 15% during hard times. This technology was created by Sainsbury and helps to reduce wastage of food which would then help in the reduction of emission from CO2 to about 1400 tonnes. Thus it can be said that the company can react to changes in the buying pattern (Brittain, 2010). (See appendix 9) Value chain has been identified and upgraded in order to widen the system of suppliers, network and the buyers i. e. hrough the value system, and the importance of each individual and the discrete activities which are performed by the firm to achieve competitive advantage. Sainsbury has developed different supply chain channels to manage the complexity faced due to different store formats such as country town, Sainsbury local. Sainsbury believes in continues improvement and aims to achieve it in many different ways. Sainsbury recognise the importance of its people who plays a major role in delivering excell ent business. The logistic staffs of Sainsbury tend to work in flexible and well maintained environment.One of the collaboration of Sainsbury is to focus on the demands of the consumers and maintain a healthy relationship with the suppliers and other partners. Above all Sainsbury is committed in reducing the impact of its operation towards the environment (J. Sainsbury Plc-b, 2002). Appendix 9: Value Chain (James,Rowland-Jones& Obrian)[pic] A exceptional tangible source resource would be Sainsbury’s land bank, they created an agreement with British land in 2008, as a result of losing the combat to Tesco in land management , and therefore currently own 10,5 billion in real estate (Mantle, 2012)This gain value and addresses a key decisive achievement factor in the industry (Grant,2010). As position is important to offer convenience and a deep assortment, An extra unique intangible resource would be their brand representation and customer loyalty, this is vital since it can attr act or attract consumers and it could be necessary to build the brand image . Mintel has reported that Sainsbury’s achieved top amongst the big four’ for the best brand reputation, improving this by supporting charities such as ‘fareshare and active kids(J Sainsbury PLC,2012)A core capability would be Their online shopping has evolved over the years and with a change in customers mind set and lifestyle, and is mostly dominated by the major food retailers (Mintel, 2011). It is the second largest food online retailer in UK and its business grew by 20% over the years (McGrath, 2012). Sainsbury is also trying to develop a presence in the drugstore category but it would result in huge risk for the company as Boots has already acquired a majority of the market share (Data monitor, 2002). Has Sainsbury got the potential resources and capabilities?Feasibility analyse the firm positing of the resources and capabilities necessary for their given strategy (Johnson,Scholes & Whittington,2008) Sainsbury core competencies and resources (See Appendix 4) have enabled Sainsbury to achieve the third position in UK retail market and strengthen its value chain through investing in new technology (Appendix 9). Sainsbury core capabilities (Appendix 4) lie with their online shopping service which is often regarded as better than its competitors and at the same time hard to imitate.Other capabilities of Sainsbury include its logistic, loyalty programs and its own labelled products. But the disadvantage lies that its competencies are same as its competitors and are very easy to imitate. Critical challenges that Sainsbury faces in the expansion plan Most critical driver in the grocery industry would be the attractiveness of new rising market, such china whose market was expected by Euromonitor in 2010 to reach ? 418 billion(Johnson, Scholes & Whittington,2008 ). furthermore globalisation is a key factor for merging competitors.One critical challenge Sainsburyâ€℠¢s face is how compatible or distant the national market is with the company, therefore they must consider compatibility before they get into the market(John, Scholes &Whittington,2008). This can be done using the CAGE model, which looks at cultural, administrative and political geographical and economic distance between the markets. For instance cultural distance is very important in the supermarket industry. As mentioned in the SWOT analysis (Appendix 3) one of the major critical challenge with Sainsbury is the market of UK which has matured over the years. (Grant,2011)Sainsbury has adopted both the low cost strategy and also the differentiation strategy. The retail food section of Sainsbury offers food at a cheaper rate and also its product line offers a variety of services and products thus following the differentiation strategy (See Appendix 3). One of the risks involved associated with the hybrid strategy is that the company is trying to diversify into various sectors which mi ght not result in profitability in the long run, may result in failure. This is because Sainsbury is following two generic strategies cost leadership and differentiation strategy and it might result in a drawback in the long run.Does the strategy adopted by Sainsbury is attractive in terms of financial return and timescale required for its online orders? Sainsbury main rival is Tesco in terms of market share. The market share of Tesco has slipped from 30. 7pc to 30. 5pc. However the supermarket, Tesco was not being able to keep a track with the level of inflation at the current rate of 6. 2 c in the grocery industry. In comparison to Sainsbury, sales growth was recorded 4. 2 pc (Wallop, 2011). The financial report of Sainsbury has also shown a positive growth rate in its operating profit which amounted to ? 851million in 2011 as compared to ? 710 million in 2010.The gross profit recorded for the year end 2011 was also quite impressive as compared to the previous financial years (See Appendix 8). Conclusion Sainsbury strategy has helped it to become among the top retailers in food and non food items in UK and has been able to achieve a decent market share along with gross profit which resulted in a higher rate than its competitors Tesco. But with respect to international strategy, Sainsbury would face challenge from the intense competition from its competitors as they are globally situated and are assumed to be bigger brand than Sainsbury and has captured most of the market share outside UK.And secondly, due to economic slowdown, consumers have started to cut cost and prefer the small retail shops rather than the giant retail outlets. This would hamper the working of Sainsbury in the process of international expansion. Therefore it can be said that Sainsbury should expand only when the conditions are in favour of the company. Reference Breitenbuch, M. V. , 2004. Online Food Shopping: Consumer Perception and Retailers Market Approach, Contrasting the Markets UK and Germany. GRIN Verlag. Brittain, N. , 2010. Sainsbury's tries something new with supply chain technology. [Online].Available at: ; http://www. computing. co. uk/ctg/news/1834835/sainsburys-tries-supply-chain-technology; [Accessed 23 April, 2012]. CBI, 2004. Sainsbury’s. [Pdf]. Available at: ; http://www. article13. com/CBI/CBI%20CSR%20Case%20Study%20Sainsburys%20August2004. pdf; [Accessed 19 April, 2012]. Cravens, D. W. , 2009. Strategic Marketing 8E. New York: Tata McGraw-Hill Education. Data Monitor, 2002. Sainsbury's: putting the Boots in. [Online]. Available at: < http://www. datamonitor. com/store/News/sainsburys_putting_the_boots_in? productid=E22D4126-72D1-4FF4-B2B3-1CAB1AF4E9A7> [Accessed 19 April, 2012].Grant, M. , 2010. Contemporary Strategy Analysis: Text Only. John Wiley and Sons. IGD, 2012. IGD’s 2012 Sainsbury’s Trade Briefing. [Online]. Available at: < http://www. igd. com/index. asp? id=1&fid=2&sid=1&cid=2083> [Accessed 19 April, 2012]. J Sain sbury Plc, 2012. About US. [Online]. Available at: [Accessed 18 April, 2012]. J Sainsbury Plc-a, 2011. Annual report and Financial Statement. [Pdf]. Available at: < http://www. j-sainsbury. co. uk/media/171813/ar2011_report. pdf> [Accessed 19 April, 2012]. J Sainsbury Plc-b, 2002. Sainsbury’s. [Online]. Available at:< http://www2. sainsburys. o. uk/sid/info_sc_osc. htm > [Accessed 26 April, 2012]. Johnson, G. , 2008. Exploring Corporate Strategy: Text & Cases, 7/E. South Asia: Pearson Education India. Just Food, 2011. UK: Morrisons, Sainsbury’s gain market share. [Online]. Available at: [Accessed 20 April, 2012]. Mantle, P. , 2012. Case Study: J Sainsbury Ltd – January 2012. McGrath, T. , 2012. Sainsbury's: Second largest UK online food seller. [Online]. Available at: ; http://www. eway. co. uk/ecommerce-news/post/2012/03/14/Sainsburys-Second-largest-UK-online-food-seller143. aspx; [Accessed 19 April, 2012]. Mintel, 2011.Food Retailing – UK [Online]. Avai lable at: [Accessed 18 April, 2012]. Moon, H. C. , 2010. Global Business Strategy: Asian Perspective. Singapore: World Scientific. Morning Star, 2010. Sainsbury Lacks Competitive Edge. [Online]. Available at: ; http://www. morningstar. co. uk/uk/660/articles/94693/Sainsbury-Lacks-Competitive-Edge. aspx; [Accessed 19 April, 2012]. Pisanello, D. , No Date. SHORTCOMINGS IN ENFORCING EU FOOD LAW. WHAT DOES EU FOOD LAW STAND FOR? [Pdf]. Available at: ; http://regulation. upf. edu/dublin-10-papers/2F4. pdf; [Accessed 20 April, 2012]. Retail Detail, 2012.British food industry pledges to cut calories. [Online]. Available at: [Accessed 18 April, 2012]. Verweire, K. , 2004. Integrated Performance Management: A Guide to Strategy Implementation. SAGE. Wallop, H. , Tesco loses market share. [Online]. Available at: ; http://www. telegraph. co. uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/8937822/Tesco-loses-market-share. html; [Accessed 19 April, 2012]. Sainsbury Strategy clock Sainsbury Appendix 2: PEST Analysis Political †¢ Sainsbury adopted the international strategy and thus the political factors along with globalisation have affected the expansion. EU has been stringent in matters of food in order to protect the customers (Pisanello, n. d) and thus the food retailers have to comply with various standards which have affected the profit with is predicted to hamper the future growth. Economical †¢ Affects the buying decision of the customers as with recession hitting the country the residents are likely to cut cost and save for future needs. The people might prefer the next door retail outlet to shop for and this would indirectly affect Sainsbury. †¢ The economic recession has affected the people residing in UK and this has ultimately resulted in affecting the retail food sector.People will not stop eating due to poor economic situation like global crises or rescession but they would obviously cut cost which †¢ Retail industry prone to negative economic c ondition and can affect the future growth Social †¢ Social trends have been changing with the development in the countries †¢ High consumer debt level with negative savings rate. Technological †¢ Adoption of online retailing †¢ Supply chain management †¢ Adoption of electronic Point of Sale (PoS) Appendix 3: SWOT Analysis Strength †¢ Sainsbury is the third largest retailer in UK with 16% of the market hare (Just Food, 2011). †¢ Sainsbury has a diversified range of products †¢ it has a good corporate image †¢ Online shopping Weakness †¢ J Sainsbury Plc is exposed to the UK business cycle to a great extend. Opportunity †¢ Growth opportunity in the online shopping market †¢ Demand of good quality of food and healthy food †¢ Growth opportunity in the emerging countries. †¢ developing presence in the chemist and drugstore category Threat †¢ Intense competition from Tesco, Asda and Morrison †¢ Mature UK Market Appendix 4: Core capabilities and resourcesFigure 2: Resources and competencies of J Sainsbury PLC [pic] (Source: Mantle, 2012) Appendix 5: Porters Five Forces Figure 3: Porters five force of Sainsbury Appendix 6: TOWS Matrix | |Strength |Weakness | | |Sainsbury is the third largest retailer in UK |J Sainsbury Plc is exposed to the UK business | | |with 16% of the market share |cycle to a great extend. | |Sainsbury has a diversified range of products | | | |it has a good corporate image | | | |Online shopping | | | |Sainsbury being the third largest retailer |Sainsbury can overcome its weakness by | |Opportunities |could make use of its corporate image in the |utilizing its opportunity and create demand for| |Growth opportunity in the online shopping |emerging countries and with the online shopping|its food and non food items. | |market |market it can further strengthen its growth | | |Demand of good quality of food and healthy food|opportunities. | |Growth opportunity in the emer ging countries | | | |developing a presence in the chemist and | | | |drugstore category | | | |Threat |With its diversified portfolio it can stay |Sainsbury needs to tackle its problem as it’s | |Intense competition from Tesco, Asda and |ahead of its competitors and along with its |too exposed to the UK business cycle and as a | |Morrison |corporate image can easily tap the mature UK |result the rivalry is quite high. | |Mature UK Market |market. | | Appendix 7: Stakeholders Mapping Figure 4: Stakeholders mapping | | |A |B | |Minimal Effort |Keep Informed | | |Shareholders | | | | |C |D | |Keep Satisfied |Key players | |Environment, Community |Customers, Suppliers, employees | Keep informed: the shareholders of the organisation should be kept informed about the happenings and decision taken by Sainsbury. It is the duty of the company to make the shareholders know about every step that the company takes. Keep Satisfied: The community and the environment falls under the category of â€Å"C† where the company should satisfy these stakeholders.The community is important as it is a place that Sainsbury operates. The environment is also important as sustainability issue raises with the environment thus it becomes incredibly necessary to keep satisfied these two stakeholders. Key Players: The key players consist of the customers, suppliers and the employees. It is through these stakeholders that Sainsbury is able to operate its business. The employees form an integral part of the organisation. The strategies adopted by Sainsbury will directly affect thee stakeholders. Appendix 8: Financial Statement of Sainsbury Table 1: Financial performance [pic] (Source: J Sainsbury Plc, 2011) Table 2: Tesco Financial statement [pic] Source: Tesco, 2011) ———————– Hybrid Threat of Substitute Low -Medium: Low in case of food items and medium for non food items For clothing is high Rivalry among Competitors High: More competitors such as Tesco, Asda and Morrison Retail market is extremely competitive. Buyers Power High: Many competitors in the industry give the buyer the power to bargain Threat of Entry Low: Requires huge capital investment Sainsbury and other big retail giants accounts for nearly 80% of the retail market share Supplier’s power Low: As the position of Sainsbury is strengthen and are able to negotiate to get the lowest price from the suppliers.

Should Public Exams Be Abolished in Hong Kong?

Should Public Exams Be Abolished In Hong Kong? Public examinations play an important role in a student‘s life, especially in Hong Kong. Nowadays, there is no other ways to promote into university in Hong Kong unless passing the examination. Students have to sit for 2 major public exams including The Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination(HKCEE) and The Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination(HKALE). Should public exams be abolished in Hong Kong? This topic is a hot issue that many parents and teachers discuss with the students. Related essay: Why Boarding Schools Should Be AbolishedSince some people still believe the functions of public examination while some people argue that examination is not necessary. There are many different views of this hot issue. Personally, I strongly agree that examination is a good way to assess student, evaluate the education system and served as a motive to let students to study hard and get well preparation for the future competition. Public examination is a good way to assess student. Until now, it is the best and fastest way to assess and evaluate students.Students who fail the exams could not continue their studies while some students who attain the minimum request could promote to form 6 or universities. For instance, form 5 students have to get at least 14 marks in HKCEE(Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination) in order to promote form 6. Also, if form 7 students want to get into universities, they have to pass all the subject in HKALE(Hong Kong Advanced Level Exa mination). Otherwise, those failed students will be eliminated from their school.Actually, the schools can find out the weakness and strength of the students from examinations because exams show what subjects the students are better at or not good at. Practice make perfect. Teachers can help students to improve their achievement by doing more exercises. At the same time, parents can supervise and remind their children to concentrate on studying. Examination can evaluate the education system. Actually, our Hong Kong Government would changes the education system according to students’ exam results. Students’ exam results reflect the efficiency of the education system.If the education system is efficient, students’ exam results should be expected to be better. The government can improve the exam mechanism according to the results of the students. It's important to know if a person can memorize and apply the knowledge they have learned at school when they taking exa ms. According to Thomas Kellaghan(2004), ‘by providing a specification of clear goals and standards for teachers and students, they control the disparate elements of the education system, helping to ensure that all schools teach to the same standards. (p. 5) Besides, the schools can alter their educational orientation according to examination. Some students may feel confuse before exams or even after exams. Thus, schools can implement some education policy. For example, before exams, the schools can give more exercises for students to practices. After exams, the school can offer some specific classes of some subjects for those students who get a bad results in the exams. Government can also give guidelines to the schools and teachers in order to improve students’ achievements.The government can give some reports or analysis about students’ exam results to every school. It’s important to know more about students’ study situation. According to John Si mons (2005), examination served as a motive to let students to study hard and get well preparation for the future competition. As we know exams are important to the students, especially in Hong Kong, an international city in the world. We are not hardly to hear that many students said they have great pressures and stresses. But pressure building from exams sometimes become a motive for students to study hard.Practice makes perfect and progress. This is the best sentences to remind students the right attitude. Moreover, exams train students’ ability to respond. Students sometimes have to answer the questions logically and critically, this can train their answering and responding skills. Since they have to solve different questions by themselves, this could train their problem solving skills. Also, exams help students to build up their confidence. If they can apply their knowledge and write it down correctly, they will have a good result which help them to make a high evaluatio n on themselves.And the admiration of teachers and parents will give them a great confidence. Although there are many functions of examination, some people still agree that public exam should be abolished in Hong Kong. They point out that many students are under great pressure and stress because of examination. It is not hard to hear that some students commit suicide after they get the bad exam result. Indeed, exam would build up the pressure on students. But pressure could make a person progress. If there is no pressure, students may not study hard.Besides, the pressures built on students are not only come from examination. It may comes from teachers or parents or even the society. Thus, pressure is not an excuse for abolishing the public exam. According to Candy Chan (2012), ‘Hok Yau Club, which supports students, has received a couple of calls from youngsters seeking help for exam-related stress. Senior social worker Kwok Man-fong has encouraged students to get in touch if they are experiencing anxiety. ’There are many ways to help students to relief their stress and psychological pressure.Actually, the public exams still play an integral role in Hong Kong. Hong Kong could not progress without examination. There is no doubt that the function of exams is very important. The parents and the teachers should help students to get a great achievement in those exams. Also, students should have a positive attitude towards to the public examination. It absolutely should not be abolished in Hong Kong. It dominates the fate of the students. It reflects what students have learned at schools and it acts as a gate-keeper to select the students.Thus, examination is a good way to assess student, evaluate the education system and served as a motive to let students to study hard and get well preparation for the future competition. Reference List : Thomas Kellaghan (2004). PUBLIC EXAMINATIONS,NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ASSESSMENTS,AND EDUCATIONAL POLICY. Retrieve d from http://siteresources. worldbank. org/INTAFRREGTOPSEIA/Resources/paper_Kellaghan. pdf John Simons (2005). The Study Culture In The Modern City. Boston,MA: Pearson Education Samuel J. T. (2009). The Importance Of Education. The Thomson Corporation Candy Chan (2012, March 29). New exams off to tricky start. The Standard

Fences Baseball Essay

Fences by August Wilson is a play full of baseball imagery, which is key to understanding the writing. Being a play the reader must interpret the scenes from emotions, setting, tone, and interpretation. This gives them insight to how August Wilson wants to portray the book. Being a white man writing from the perspective of a poor black man he sends the reader back into a time where blacks were inferior. They were pushed into a life where they could never climb the social ladder in sports or work. Troy being a former baseball player holds resentment towards the world and becomes bitter over the years. He has experienced injustice for many years and this has had a toll on him. Troy has the power to future to look at the situation differently but falls into the victim roll. Foreshadowing from the first scene of the play Troy’s has arrogance toward death leads to his death in the last scene with a baseball bat in his hand. The play is based around Troy’s love for baseball a nd how characters compare it to life situations. â€Å"Death ain’t nothing but a fastball on the outside corner†(1.1.82). Troy seeing his life as a baseball game compares a fastball to death. During Troy’s life he encounters an experience that supposedly brings him close to death. This may not actually be the case due to Troy’s practice at telling stories, but its importance is from the idea of a perfect pitch. Troy’s sees this perfect pitch as a homerun, showing the reader that Troy likes to bring drama to any situation. Troy being a former baseball player reverts to old ways when he was playing, he never made it to the big leagues and holds resentment. By never growing from his baseball years, he approaches every situation as if he is in a game. Troy introduces his tale early in the play giving the reader a chance to understand his character. â€Å"You got to take the crookeds with the straights. That’s what Papa used to say†(2.5). Lyons makes this remark to Cory, the son of Troy at the play in Act 2. This is significant because this is Lyons can finally understand and relate to Troy. Lyons has a metal plate in his head and has disabilities which cause him to make poor dictions and go to jail numerous times. Troy kept paying of the judge to get him out of jail and there was a part in the play where he remarks saying that he didn’t care what happening to Lyons. Being his brother Troy and Lyons have tensions in their relationship and this when Lyons makes an important connection to Troy. By being able to see that they were both very similar in their life dictions which connect them. Though this is a sad moment in their relationship, Lyons sees that they have never accomplished their dreams. I interpret the quote meaning that even though there are good times and bad ones, one must take them both. I belie ve you cannot experience happiness without struggle because then there wouldn’t be any separation between the two. By being able to distinguish the two one can become a better person because we can learn to deal with it better. â€Å"We’re not talking about baseball! We’re talking about you going off to lay in bed with another woman†¦ ain’t talking about no baseball†(2.1.121). Rose finds out Troy’s affair with Alberta and becomes upset with Troy’s response to her. Troy doesn’t see cheating on Rose as a problem and only sees what he is doing as a game. The problem is that he isn’t playing in a baseball game anymore and he is affecting his family. Troy’s waists his eighteen years with a woman he has loved, only to get Alberta pregnant and she dies due to complications during the pregnancy. Troy feels no regret and sees Alberta as an accomplishment because he was able to â€Å"steal second†(2.1.118) while he was still married. While his wife Rose sees it as being selfish and not thinking of her or her feelings during his affair. â€Å"They got lots of colored boys playing ball now. Baseball and football†(1.1.76-1.1.77). In the beginning of the novel the Troy’s wife, Rose and best friend, Bono and trying to convince that times have changed sense he played baseball. Their son Cory is trying to get recruited for football and Troy doesn’t believe he will be able to make a living to support himself being a black football player. This causes friction and tension between the couple because of their mixed views. Troy cannot get over his personal problems and drags him to his relationship with Cory. Instead of being supportive of his child, but pretends to be concerned, only being selfish from his experiences. Troy hates the thought of his children doing better than he ever did, being suppressed by the time he is in poverty. Cory resents him because Troy was in jail and was not there for his childhood, as a result Cory does not feel as though his father should have a say in his life. â€Å"You [Cory] swung and you [Cory] missed. That’s strike one. Don’t you strike out!† (2.4.58). Cory does not believe that he did anything wrong by quitting his job and as a result of a football career. Troy believes that Cory will also be cheated and segregated from the whites. Only because Troy is being stubborn and this is his perception of what will happen to Cory. Troy doesn’t know how to describe his feelings and he uses a baseball reference to release his anger. The problem is that he still holds on this anger which is self destructive. Then Cory strikes out two times by protecting his mother. Troy refuses anything that is not his own opinion because of his own rejection from his opportunities turned down by baseball. â€Å"If you going down†¦you going down swinging† ( 69). Troy tries to explain his life and diction making. This quotation shows how Troy is trying to justify his actions to Rose. He cannot get through to her using his baseball innuendos to make his actions seem less serious. Troy needs to look at Rose and apology for what he has done, but Troy sees his actions as laughable. He cannot take what he has done serious because he has hit a home run. This is his way of making up for the past this is his own reason to keep her in his life because she is a distraction from his life. He replaces baseball with Alberta, in the sense he feels â€Å"safe† when he is with her and creates a relationship based on hitting a home run. Putting his runs on the board is how he looks at winning in life instead taking a step away from his delusional life with Alberta. â€Å"They got a lot of coloured baseball players now. Jackie Robinson was the first. Folks had to wait for Jackie Robinson† (10). Troy blaming another person for his failure, he is not capable of taking responsibility for his own problems. Thinking till the day of his death Troy was robbed of a life he could have died he cannot get over the fact that he will never get that life back. Jackie Robison is his scapegoat and wants to give the credit of being the first black baseball player, but his jealously takes him over. He talks about how Jackie wasn’t even a good ball player instead of looking why the major leagues picked him to the first man. It was because of Jackie’s strength and hitting record that one man when out on a whim and took him in.

American Revolution or Evolution

Doesnt it enthrall one that a single word could bifurcate scholars and create factions amongst the erudite. Tort quo © (why? ) there must be a reason and there is! The answer is simple yet rational: Perspective. Albert Einstein, (the famous physicist) most remembered by his theory of relativity, concluded that distance and time were not absolute. History resides In the same niche. It Is more than a chronological account of past events of a period or a livelihood or development of a people, an institution, or a place. But what it is not is absolute. It is always left upon interpretation, scrutiny, analysis, probing and pondering. The perception or perspective gained through such rigorous processes is also subject to the base of a historian. It Is very uncommon to find historians sharing their bases of initial learning and therefore the effect of their own era, age, surroundings and upbringing must also be taken account of. A revolution, defined by Encyclopedia Britannica Is: a major. Sudden, and hence typically a violent alteration in government and in related associations and structures.On the other hand Oxford dictionary defines an evolution as: the gradual development of something, especially from a simple to a more complex form. Let us decide upon the usage of the word Revolution, which one can venture out to say, could be dated from the year 1775 with Its Ignition being the battle of Lexington and Concord and culmination being the ratification of the constitution of the states In 1782. Seemingly easy doesnt It? It doesnt really respond to how fundamentally did the thoughts, ideals, ideology and mindset of a 2. 5 million inhabitants change and led to the chain of events that became known as the American Revolution.What I believe Is that no people In the course of history have ever rebelled against a certain state, condition or Ideology without a buildup of grievances, resentment or a gradual shift of attitude towards accepting a better sadomasochism. Lets go back to the early 17th century when immigrations began to take place into the New World. Herds of folks comprising of German, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Jewish descent and not to mention the French Hugeness, began pouring into the lands in order to escape from the fetters of the Old World.They did not have any more an appetite for its rituals, its citrines, Its curbing of call liberties, and mostly the cost of living In It, One can even of the aforementioned causes. So it would be appropriate to say that a 17th ce ntury Europe was in revolution. Lets go further with this theory and say that the immigrants reaching the New World were revolutionaries. Almost 1 50 years of Paxar Americana (used strictly in context with the time period and not according to current usage) so to say was enjoyed by the colonists. During this time, some changes irrevocably did take place.This is evident from the fact that the language that the sorority of the immigrants originally spoke had evolved into a different dialect. So from this we can also entrust upon the belief that alongside linguistics political and socio-economic changes did also take place. A political change that actually began with the migrations was the rise of a political ideology known as Republicanism. Technically ruled by Great Britain or more accurately looked over, the colonies practiced the policy through their town halls and city councils. Very famous examples of such republican instruments were the Virginia House of Burgesses and theMassachusetts Assembly. These were regulated by either representative or direct democracy. The symbol of democracy at the time was looked upon as the House of Commons in England, however it did seem a bit more than contradicting to have the Bucking Palace towering high in the very country. The colonists did give their allegiances to the monarch but because of the fact that it was kind of conditional. Although they did not realize it nor was it formally declared but they remained docile because they were never tampered by British legislations.They had during this time, rated their own principles, created their own system of Jurisprudence, law, Justice, methods of trade, commerce, education, agriculture etc. When after the French and Indian war, the British began actively participating in the earlier enumerated colonial components of society; it wouldve obviously been not received glad hand edly by the Colonists as it did not. Lets now examine the economic evolution that took place to ensure Americas Independence. The 150 year old period was in terms of trade and commerce coined as a period of salutary neglect.For the colonists it brought economic prosperity and industrialization. For the British it was shooting themselves in the foot. Intentional lax in order to show the appreciation for economic freedom while regulating the policy of mercantilism. Does it make any sense? One would question Robert Walpole sanity between all of this; however he is not our subject of concern. What you shall so sow so shall you reap; a very old and passed around saying isnt it? But it does make sense in the context. The British for a very long period of time followed the policy and he colonist enjoyed its benefits.Smuggling was nothing out of the blue, very common. Other European nations also benefited from it, the Colonial agriculture products such as hay, wheat, barley, maize and cotton were valued highly in foreign markets. When the British annoyed at Colonial stubbornness to pay taxes, passed the writs of assistance; there was an outrage. There had to be one, like it did, smuggling was not put up with anymore and a flow of revenue generation created as a result of foreign trade stagnated. How were the merchants to run their businesses without the redeem of trading being allowed to them as it had always been?Hence there was an outcry by the merchants who went bankrupt as a result of such legislation. Somewhere or another. The country was not at all familiar with taxes; once again it is necessary to mention that when we talk about being not being tampered for almost 150 years it is meant more than it sounds. Citizens in Britain were obliged to pay taxes, however their brethren in the New World were not. I do at times believe that absolute freedom corrupts absolutely, there should be some harnesses or bridles put n in order to let civility root in or in this case for rule to sustain.When suddenly exposed to direct taxes such as Stamp Act and Sugar Acts why would it not cause havoc with in the colonists? It would lead to acrimony towards the crown like it did, it would lead to mass protests like it did and would lead to severing of ties like it did. In the beginning I wrote about how a historical event is subject to independent interpretation. How historians may or may not agree on something because of the different elements molding the shape of the basis for their knowledge.I must confess that it is no t arbitrary and applies to myself as it does to any other individual. I believe that evolution without revolution is lame and revolution without evolution blind, very similar to what Einstein said about religion and science. One thing is for certain though, nothing is by nature revolutionary. There has to be friction to beget fire. During the 150 year period evolutionary changes in political beliefs, social policies and economic mechanisms did take place otherwise the colonists wouldve never armed themselves to teeth and hoisted the flag of revolution.

Assignment 6 Strategic Planning Process - Steps 4, 5, 6, and 7 Essay

Assignment 6 Strategic Planning Process - Steps 4, 5, 6, and 7 - Essay Example t dynamics and how the firm can basically tailor its strategies to take benefit out of the opportunities arising while at the same time successfully meeting the challenges. In order to effectively implement the SWOC it is critical that the firm must give due weight age to the external as well as internal environment. It is therefore critical that the assessment of both these environments shall be perfected in order to ensure that all the relevant factors are comprehensively identified and understood before making policy initiatives. The development of snow card techniques in order to clearly identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities as well as the challenges shall be more simpler in the sense that it must allow the firm to distinguish between the various complexities in order to achieve clear picture of what is required and what needs to be done in order to successfully achieve the desired outcomes from the overall strategic management process. The implementation stage of this step also must address the important question of how the firm will be able to utilize its strengths to overcome the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities. Once the SWOC is completed, the next issue involved is the identification of the strategic issues that an organization may face owing to the factors identified in the SWOC Analysis. What is critical to note that the organizations must be able to comprehensively identify the above factors and must be able to map the impact of these variables on the on the intended objectives of the firm. (Bryson, 2004) In order to complete this step, the organization is therefore first required to clearly categorize the outcomes into operational as well as strategic depending on the nature of the issue. Once issues and their actual classification is achieved, next step involve the assignment of all such issues to the concerned for solving purpose. This step is probably the more detailed one as it involves a constant and comprehensive

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The Art of Lucid Dreaming Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

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