Macro factors affecting business strategy Essay

The external environment of a business includes a variety of factors such as competitors, suppliers and regulations that influence major strategic decisions. Scanning and assessing the external environment is a vital part of strategic decision-making in entrepreneurial ventures. This helps small-business managers locate factors that pose opportunities or threats to their businesses. A better understanding of the ramifications of external environmental factors can improve success and survival for small businesses. Strategic Decision-Making In formulating strategic decisions, managers need to consider present and future environmental opportunities and threats. Entrepreneurs develop a basic business idea with a target customer base. Then they proceed to scan the environment for opportunities and threats and analyze the results in the light of company’s resources and strengths. This analysis gives the managers the information to decide on the feasibility of the business idea. Oversight in identifying opportunities or threats can lead to misguided strategic decisions and business failure. Task Environment The task environment of a business includes the components of the environment that the company deals with directly, such as customers, suppliers and competitors. Customers are the central stakeholders in strategic decision-making. Any decision that sidelines the needs of the customers can potentially lead to loss of business. Suppliers provide inputs for the value-creation process of the company. Any lapse in the quality of their products and services can affect the operations of the company and eventually trickle down to the customer. As a result, the management works with suppliers to ensure they provide timely and quality service. Any strategic decision should consider the reaction of competitors. Strategic decisions may strengthen the position of the company in relation to competitors or may leave the company vulnerable to competitor attacks. General Environment The general environment comprises those components of the environment that impact the business indirectly, such as the government, socio-cultural, technological and economic conditions. For example, the company should  comply with taxation, labor market and industry-related regulation. Additionally, technological advances pose new opportunities as well as threats. For example, new online music sharing formats threaten to alter the entire recording industry, and the advent of the Internet made e-commerce a reality. Sources of Innovation The environment holds potential sources of innovation for an entrepreneurial venture. An unexpected success or outside event can indicate a business opportunity. For example, Don Cullen of Transmet Corporation spilled fine aluminum flakes onto the company’s parking lot and later observed that the asphalt did not turn sticky in high temperatures. This discovery led to the idea of producing aluminum chips for roofing. Sales doubled every year since the commercialization of the product.

Free Essays on Rudyard Kipling Bio

Rudyard Kipling Joseph Rudyard Kipling was born in Bombay, India on December 30, 1865, to John and Alice Kipling. Rudyard’s father was an architectural sculptor who worked at the Jeejebhoy School of Art. Rudyard was related to Stanley Baldwin, the future Tory prime minister of England. Rudyard’s mother was Stanley’s aunt. Rudyard was brought up by Indian native amahs (tutors) and he spoke Hindi and English. However, his childhood in India would be short-lived. In 1871, Rudyard moved to England with his sister and stayed with his parent’s friends who lived in Southsea. He stayed there for three years feeling alone and abandoned. His parents never told him and his sister about the arrangement. While living there he met a girl named Florence Garrad. They were engaged but he broke it off. In 1878 Rudyard moved to the United Services College at Westward Hol in North Devonshire, England. The headmaster there knew Rudyard’s parents. Rudyard was a very apt student and accomplished a lot in the time he spent at the United Services College. He was very gifted and wrote many works in derivative verse and was the editor of the school’s newspaper. After his schooling Rudyard went back to his parents. In 1882 Rudyard returned to India and worked as a journalism apprentice in Lahore, Simla, and Allahabad. He started writing sketches and eventually he began composing stories. Kipling became a very successful author due to his tales of army men and residents of Indian stations. He published Plain Tales from the Hills and Soldiers Three and some cockney poetry. After these accomplishments Rudyard decided to take time to see the world. In 1889, Rudyard left India and traversed across the Far East, Canada, and America in order to get to London. After his treks he became famous and was reviewed by many famous authors and poets including Oscar Wilde, Edmund Gosse, and W.E. Henley. During this time he met a man named Wolcott Balest... Free Essays on Rudyard Kipling Bio Free Essays on Rudyard Kipling Bio Rudyard Kipling Joseph Rudyard Kipling was born in Bombay, India on December 30, 1865, to John and Alice Kipling. Rudyard’s father was an architectural sculptor who worked at the Jeejebhoy School of Art. Rudyard was related to Stanley Baldwin, the future Tory prime minister of England. Rudyard’s mother was Stanley’s aunt. Rudyard was brought up by Indian native amahs (tutors) and he spoke Hindi and English. However, his childhood in India would be short-lived. In 1871, Rudyard moved to England with his sister and stayed with his parent’s friends who lived in Southsea. He stayed there for three years feeling alone and abandoned. His parents never told him and his sister about the arrangement. While living there he met a girl named Florence Garrad. They were engaged but he broke it off. In 1878 Rudyard moved to the United Services College at Westward Hol in North Devonshire, England. The headmaster there knew Rudyard’s parents. Rudyard was a very apt student and accomplished a lot in the time he spent at the United Services College. He was very gifted and wrote many works in derivative verse and was the editor of the school’s newspaper. After his schooling Rudyard went back to his parents. In 1882 Rudyard returned to India and worked as a journalism apprentice in Lahore, Simla, and Allahabad. He started writing sketches and eventually he began composing stories. Kipling became a very successful author due to his tales of army men and residents of Indian stations. He published Plain Tales from the Hills and Soldiers Three and some cockney poetry. After these accomplishments Rudyard decided to take time to see the world. In 1889, Rudyard left India and traversed across the Far East, Canada, and America in order to get to London. After his treks he became famous and was reviewed by many famous authors and poets including Oscar Wilde, Edmund Gosse, and W.E. Henley. During this time he met a man named Wolcott Balest...

Taiwan essays

Taiwan essays Initially, Taiwan was not an island; the land which is now the island of Taiwan formed an integral part of the Chinese mainland. It was only later that it became an island due to movement of the earth's crust. The study of Taiwan's historical heritage also confirms that close links have always existed between the cultures of Taiwan and continental China. Through constant improvements in technology and international relations, Taiwan will continue to grow and expand throughout the world. This paper will discuss several areas of interest about the country of Taiwan including its geography and climate, people and language, history, government, foreign relations, economy, education, and tourist attractions. Taiwan is located in the Western Pacific about 160 kilometers off the southeastern coast of China, midway between Japan and the Philippines. The island of Taiwan is about 394 km in length and 144 km wide at its broadest point Taiwan has five longitudinal mountain ranges that cover almost the whole area. Its tallest mountain, Mount Jade, peaking at an incredible 3,952 meters. The island also consists of volcanic mountains, foothills, tablelands, coastal plains, and basins. In July, the average temperature on the island is about 82 degrees in July and about 57 degrees in January. Summers are usually hot and humid, and last from May to September. Winters are fairly mild and only last from December to February. The average rainfall is about 98.5 inches per year. (www.tecro.com) In 1544, the island of Taiwan was found by the Portuguese as they were on their way to Japan. They referred to it as llha Formosa, or beautiful island. Between 1662 and 1684 Taiwan went through many rulers, including the Dutch until 1684, when Taiwan was made a province of China, and it was there that they had their first governor. Throughout the next 65 years, Taiwan still was not at rest due to the constant wars and incidents surrounding the land....

Threat of Economic Development in Ireland Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Threat of Economic Development in Ireland - Essay Example omic theory tells us to examine costs and benefits in order to determine whether resources are allocated in a manner that increases or decreases economic growth,† Adding further down in his commentary that, â€Å"Other forms of government spending have a less desirable impact on economic activity. If a program does not facilitate or encourage economic activity, or has only a small positive effect, then the aggregate impact on the economy will be negative because there are limited benefits – if any – to outweigh the costs. And if the program actually undermines work, saving, and investment or encourages misallocation of resources, then the overall adverse impact on economic growth will be particularly pronounced. A good example from recent events is federal flood insurance. Not only does the program require resources to be taxed or borrowed from the productive sector of the economy – with all the associated economic costs, but it also encourages over-buildi ng in flood zones, which leads to the destruction of wealth during natural disasters,† (Mitchell 10/25/2005). As it pertains to Irish environment, it can be determined that first a sense of which in environment is key in understanding the implications, positive or negative, that economic development will have on the said environment. When it comes to the political environment of a nation, economic development is important as it comes to progressive advancement. Any other environment can find itself hampered in one way or another by economic advancement because as was seen with the Industrial Revolution, which had great economic benefits even presently, the environment itself has suffered through greenhouse gases that have left the environment in continuously deteriorating health. According to the brief description provided within the article, Ireland is described as being the second richest nation within the European Union. As such, logical deduction would state that for a country to have reached that

Days of Heaven by Terrence Malick Research Paper

Days of Heaven by Terrence Malick - Research Paper Example Bill, Abby and Linda works at the same farm. The farmer who was the owner of the farm was a wealthy guy. The farmer somehow falls in love with Abby. At the same time it comes to the knowledge of the farmer that he is dying off some unidentified disease. When Bill gets to know about it, he designs a plan and try to convince Abby to marry the farmer. Bill wanted Abby to marry the dying farmer so that when he is dead they both can have his inherited money (French). Bill convinces Abby and after they both get married, Bill stays at the farm being Abby’s brother. The farmer’s foreman suspected the scheme. At the same time, the farmer is also able to resist the disease and stayed healthy. This ruins Bill’s plan. The farmer also gets to know about Bill’s and Abby relationship. On the other hand, Abby starts loving her new husband. The farmer tries to kill Bill but instead Bill kills him and escapes with Abby and Linda. Police eventually finds Bill and kills him. The music in the film is thoughtful and is filled with regret and loss. The musical mode in the film is like that of ‘The Godfather’, but is not very strong and remembered. This shows that Malick wanted to reflect a sad psychological connection of the characters with music. This has helped in determining the mental conditions of the character throughout the film (Schager). ‘Good days of heaven’ was not very well received by critics. The film, however, won an Academy Award for best cinematography. Regardless of the unfavorable critics, it is one of the most acclaimed films.

Human Rights and Rule of Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Human Rights and Rule of Law - Essay Example Do human rights really exist How can human rights be understood and justified. And what is the purpose of the rule of law The following study is purposed to analyze the practical understanding of the concept of human rights in different countries and whether the fundamentals of this concept are universally observed and agreed upon. Rights are creations of human consciousness. Today the existence of human rights has assumed paramount importance for the advance of society. Human right can exist as a shared norm of actual human moralities, as a justified moral norm supported by strong reasons, as a legal right at the national level, or as a legal right within international law. Enactment in national and international law is one of the ways in which human rights exist. But many have suggested that this is not the only way. If human rights exist only because of enactment, their availability is contingent on domestic and international political developments. However there are certain rights which are somehow innate and inherent in human beings- the right to life, the right to food, liberty and to formal equality as pressed by the rules of natural justice. The more contemporary human rights include the right to freedom of expression, right to a free trial and the right to equality before law and the extent to which t hese rights are observed in a given country primarily depends on its establishment inspired by the policies in practice by the regime. That is one reason why despite the universal agreement on the need for protection of human rights, there exist1s an alarming trend of deliberate violation of these rights within the premises of the current institutions. Every regime claims to advance the well being of its people and still most regimes in the world systematically violate human rights. They do so in the name of maintaining national security, defending civilization and advancing the revolution of economic progress. Our kind of world makes necessary the most robust scepticism toward all ideological labels. Whether a repressive regime describes itself as socialist or capitalist, as revolutionary or traditional,Do Human Right Exist What is the Purpose of the Rule of Law 4 the salient characteristics are the same. People are not allowed to leave the country. The secret police are not restrained by law and there is no appeal from police power.

European contact with native North Americans Essay Example for Free

European contact with native North Americans Essay On October 12, 1492, the loud words ring across the deck Land Ho. After 70 long days at sea a tattered bunch of sea dogs jump down into a small rowboat and work there way ashore. The man in charged is named Christopher Columbus. Have you ever wondered what the impact was on the Native American population, when they first met the insatiable intruders of the European continent? When I was in high school I remember learning about Christopher Columbus and others who were credited for discovering the New World. I do not recall being told about the many negative impacts that were caused to the Native Americans. Well I always had this nice picture of Chris and the Indians sitting down and enjoying a meal and exchanging gifts. This is what I was taught in high school but is this really what took place? What really happened was the loss of three items that we as Americans hold in high value they were the loss of life, land, and freedom of the Native Americans! I do not know whether they thought we were too young to understand the overall picture of what took place, or if it is meant to be saved for college level history. During the period of early European settlement there are believed to have been seven different cultural based Native American societies within the present day boundaries of the United States. First you have the Northeast tribes located along the East coast some of which were the Iroquois, Powhatan, Wampanong, Weapemeoc, and there were many more in addition to these. The Southeast Tribes Located around the Florida Coastline was the Cherokee, Chickasaw, and the Choctaw are just a few of them. The Prairies, which consisted of the Wichita, Missouri, and the Omaha and numerous others. The High Plains, which consisted of some of the following tribes Cheyenne, Comanche, Arapaho, Pawnee, and the Tonkawa. The Southwest tribes consisted of Apache, Navajo, and Hopi. The Great Basin you had the Paiute, Shoshone, and the Spokane. And last but not least you had the Northwest tribes, which included the Chinook, Makah, and the Tillamook. Each of these different tribes had engaged in trading networks over vast stretches of the continent for centuries before the Europeans arrived (Nash et al. 13). The European settlers and explores brought the Native Americans something of  unparalleled importance in history, a viral infection that spread like wildfire through a population that had no immunity against it (Nash et al. 5). Everywhere the Europeans landed the natives were infected. It is believed that a 90 to 95% death rate amongst the Native American was caused by these viral infections such as smallpox, measles, and chicken pox (Trickel 32). In most areas where Europeans intruded in the hemisphere for the next three centuries, the catastrophe repeated itself. No matter who came, whether French, English, Spanish, or Dutch, every newcomer from the old world participated accidentally in the spread of disease that typically eliminated, with in a few generations, at least two-thirds of the native population (Nash et al. 26). I am not trying to say that all European contact was bad for them, take the French involvement with the Native Americans. When the French met with the natives they found it to be better to live amongst them. Trade was also beneficial to the natives. The Indians and the French set up many little trading posts and villages along the interior of the Americas, along the Mississippi river valley, and both prospered from those villages. The Dutch and British began early buying land, a practice never understood by the Native Americans, who generally believed that they were granting the newcomers rights to use rather than to own the lands. European settlers started putting up fences and claiming land that did not belong to them (Nash et al.12). To the European the owning of land was a show of ones wealth. This was a concept, which the Native Americans were not familiar; with due to the fact that land to them was communal, it belonged to all. There were no rich or poor in Native American villages everyone shared this was something the Europeans did not understand. I am not saying they did not have boundaries, too, because they did amongst different tribes. So this had a great impact because they were being driven from their hunting grounds and roaming spaces. The Spanish came to the New World looking for gold (Nash et al. 5). Often they married with the Native Americans. French explorers were trappers and traders they often married with the Native Americans and maintained friendly  relations based on trade partnership with the Native Americans. The Dutch and British, in contrast with these other European groups, came to the New World with their families to set up colonies most of them were seeking to settle the land (Nash et al. 68). What was life like in a Native American village before European exploration? I picture a village of many people sharing a land working together for the needs of the village. Some people thought that the Native Americans were savages but is that true? I think not. They had services not as a Christian would believe but they did join as a group and did worship. Who is to say that if you are not a Christian you cannot be saved? They took from the land what they needed to exist; they used every part of what they hunted. They used the skins for blankets, flooring, clothing and they ate the meat and found uses for everything they killed. They believed the people belonged to the land not, as the Europeans held, that the land belonged to people. In Native American societies, women also held subordinate positions, to men but not to the extreme found amongst the European men and women. In Iroquois villages, men sat in a circle to deliberate and make decisions, but the senior women of the village stood behind them, lobbying and instructing. The chief was often a male; the elder women of their tribe named them to their position. If they moved to far from the will of the women who appointed them, these chiefs were removed. (Nash et al. 12). The women played active rolls in all aspects of the tribal affairs and everyday life, such as planting and harvesting. The Native Americans were used in many different fashions during the early exploration and colonization of America. They were often used as guides, slaves, traders, and also as allies or enemies to the many different colonizing factions of the European countries. In Latin America many Native Americans surrendered when faced with European domination. Others were enslaved on plantations, where they mixed together with African slaves and survived, mixed in race and culture. The French found them very useful in the trade and allies along the Mississippi river valley and the interior of the Americas. The English found them to be blocking the progress to  advancing civilization of the coastal regions, but also found them to be useful allies during the French and Indian war. The Indian tribes who lived in and near the English colonies seemed natural subjects for enslavement, as had the Indians in Spanish America. Native American slavery was attempted, but the Native Americans did not make as good of slaves as Africans. For one thing, they were less accustomed to the settled agriculture at which they were expected to labor. Perhaps most importantly, Native Americans were not bewildered foreigners, weakened and cowed by the terrible experience of being transported to a new world. Native Americans were in their own homeland, where they were organized into tribes and nations; they were not so few and scattered as the Africans in the early decades of the colonies. By the time the colonists were sufficiently numerous and organized to enforce slavery on the Native Americans, an easier solution was presented by the ever larger number of more helpless Africans put on the block and sold by the slave traders. The British, who employed them after the British victory in the French and Indian War, started the practice of making treaties with the American Indians in the colonial period. During the American Revolution the U.S. government adopted the treaty system, signing its first treaty with the Delaware. The purposes of a treaty was to obtain tribal land, to determine boundaries between Indian and white lands, and to regulate trade. By adopting the treaty system, the British and U.S. government recognized the prior ownership of land by Native American tribes and status as independent nations. After the American colonists won their independence from England, the American government continued the English practice of treating the tribes as independent nations. Other Indians, particularly throughout the center of America, entered into the economic, religious, and social life of their conquerors and became the lowest class of the U.S. society. The European colonization of the New World had a great impact on the Native Americans In many ways and the majority of them were negative. I wonder it would have been like if it had been the other way around, if it had been the Native Americans who had colonized Europe. I also wonder why I never knew  these facts until I attended a college level history class. I believe that we should be taught the entire truth in high school not given the impression of Chris and the Native Americans sitting down at a table and sharing a nice meal and exchanging gifts. Works Cited Nash, Gary B., et al. The American People: Creating a Nation and a Society. Volume One to 1887.4th Edition. Los Angeles: Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers Inc., 1998. Trickel, John A. Readings In United States History To 1877: Perspectives on America. Volume 1. New York: American Heritage Custom Publishing, 1