Summary of Micheal Porter Competitive Strategy free essay sample

In today’s ever competitive world, every company that wants to succeed needs to have a well-defined strategy. We at Nestle believe in this philosophy and in this short presentation, I will help you understand exactly what a competitive strategy is and what it entails. My presentation is based solely on the ideas of strategy guru Michael Porter as represented in his 1996 article â€Å"What is strategy? † In determining what a strategy is, it is important to differentiate between competitive strategy and operational effectiveness. Whereas operational effectiveness involves performing similar activities better than rivals, strategy focuses on choosing to perform activities that are distinctively different from that of the competitor. Improving operational effectiveness allows a company to utilize its inputs better but in the long run, companies outperform rivals by developing and maintaining competitive advantage through the performance of activities that are distinct from competitors and valuable to clients. Competitive strategy is therefore grounded in performing activities differently. We will write a custom essay sample on Summary of Micheal Porter Competitive Strategy or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page To achieve a great strategy a company must select activities uniquely different from competitors in order to deliver exclusive value to them. This is known as strategic positioning and can be done in 3 main ways: a. By serving a wide selection of customers but meeting only part of their needs better than competitors. b. Targeting a particular set of customers with peculiar needs and then tailoring your activities to meet those needs best. c. Tailoring your activities to cater to the needs of clients whose preferences change on different occasions. Furniture retail giant IKEA uses the second approach: it identifies its target clients as young adults who look for affordability and style when it comes to buying furniture. The company has accordingly tailored a set of activities that are totally different from that of rival companies (self-service, in-house daycare etc. ) in order to serve these target customers well. Sustainability is a key component of strategy and this is not possible unless there are tradeoffs with other positions. A company cannot successfully satisfy all types of customers and hence must choose one positioning and do it better than the rest. Since competitive strategy is about being different, as a firm we must choose a different set of activities to deliver value that is unique to our company alone. An essential tool in carving a strategy is building a system of activities that fit. All business activities performed by the company should be consistent, complement each other and re-enforce the overall positioning of the firm. For instance if the firm’s strategy is to provide low cost airline services as is the case of Southwest airlines all its policies and activities must line up to achieve this e. . no meals and standardized aircrafts to keep costs at a minimum. Finally in creating a competitive strategy, managers must take into account all the factors I have mentioned above and ensure that they have defined a clear strategy as well as the in the search for profitable growth we should not be occupied by trying to beat our competitors on all fronts but we should rather focus on select activities that are valuable to our target clients and excel in them. Our focus should be on deepening our strategic position rather than broadening it . this should be spearheaded by the leadership: management. We should be the ones to define and communicate the unique position of our firm to subordinates, chose whice tradeoffs to make and forge a fit amongst all business activities

Maslows Hierarchy of Needs Case Study

According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, self-actualization is the peak of experience when a person reaches understanding and harmony with his/herself and the surrounding people. It means that self-actualized people are usually reality-oriented – they can distinguish between real thing and the fraudulent ones (Montana and Charnov 240).Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Case Study specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More They are also problem-centered which means that they realize the existing problems and try to find possible solutions. Most importantly, they can easily establish the connection the external environment and feel comfortable when staying along. All these attributes are applicable to Roh Moo-Hyun, the former South Korean presidents who died because of head injuries (CNN n. p.). The president was suspected of committed suicide, which implies that some of his h ierarchy needs were far from fulfillment. An in-depth consideration of the case proves the fact that Roh was not in harmonic relations with the surrounding people. He stated that he lost his face and he was afraid of disappointing people. This means he was not confident enough in himself; the president was not a fully self-actualized person. Moreover, the absence of belonging, confidence, and security is the major contributing facto to suicide. The president, therefore, was deprived of feeling to be appreciated and accepted by others. The accusations of bribery made Roh feel ignored because he did not feel recognition and return for his actions and deed. Therefore, the top ladder of hierarch was unavailable for him because the individuals fail to acquire a sense of personal achievement, satisfaction, and growth. Judging from the above-presented considerations as well as from the saying in the notes made before his death, Roh Moo-Hyun was at the bottom of psychological needs. Though Maslow’s model is a limited, it places Ron at the third level of accomplishment, which means that he has not reached self-esteem needs and self-actualization. However, it should also be admitted that some of the previously three established layers are not reached to a full extent either which especially concerns motivation and experience. These conditions are crucial for working effectively (Montana and Charnov 240). Specifically, the concept of belonging and love is also closely associated with work motivation and has much in common with interpersonal satisfactions.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Due to the fact that the lowest layers are more perceived as discouraging factors, individual’s attachment to these behavioral patterns create no ground for goal-oriented behavior. While evaluating the case in more detail, it can be stated that Moo-Hyun was significantly emba rrassed by the convictions. This was especially seen in his saying, â€Å"nothing is left in my life but to be a burden to others†. He did not feel any support and encouragement he need badly. In contrast to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Lasswell’s value categories imply that â€Å"psychological pain of being preoccupied with deprivations concerning one value would provoke a shift to preoccupations with other values† (Ascher and Hirschfelder-Ascher 26). As a result, if a person encounters a specific psychological problem, it is often difficult to understand the veritable source of the problem. Before considering the disparities and similarities between two existing models, it should be noted that Lasswell’s conception is more applied to politicians who, according to the theorist’s study, have a strong feeling of insecurity and damaged self-esteem that is compensated, or â€Å"sublimated† by their desire to acquire power contributing to social development and public life. In this respect, the presidents’ influential position failed to contribute to his security and, as a result, the lack of security is substituted by a distress and self-hating. While comparing these arguments with Maslow’s concepts, it should be stated that Maslow’s focus on the pyramid of needs where one need should be satisfied before moving on to another one. Lasswell’s argument is more concerned with shifting needs where values can be interchangeable and are presented in the form of matrix. This means that it is not necessarily to acquire security, for example, for achieving self-esteem (Ascher and Hirschfelder-Ascher 27). Referring to the case under consideration, one might assume that Roh dissatisfaction with life could be due to a number of reasons that were disguised by his fear of being despised by people. Therefore, accusations of bribery might not be the actual reason for committing suicide. In addition, disp lacement of value categories can be recognized because it explains the shifts in instincts. Pursuing particular values that are unacceptable to a person can lead to self-disgust, depression, and other emotional displays (Ascher and Hirschfelder-Ascher 27). These switches, or sublimations, are often explained by a transformation of less appropriate impulses into more relevant one.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Case Study specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Lasswell’s value category also explains the shifts in the president behavior and his inclination to self-hating. This can happen when one identification is displayed to another, alternative of identification. For instance, the ignorance of self-hatred can be considered a reason for rejecting leading to a distress, just like it happened to Mr. Moo-Hyun. Despite the existing differences between two theoretical frameworks, there are certain similarities that must be mentioned. To begin with, both theirs largely rely on Freud’s conception of sexual impulses (Montana and Charnov 240). Considering Maslow’s model, sex, along with food, shelter, and water, is considered the basic physiological need of the individuals. However, unlike Freud that considers sexual desires and impulses as the leading one in human life, Maslow just perceives this as one of physiological needs for an individual to feel comfortable (Montana and Charnov 240). Similarly to Maslow, Lasswell’s value categories are also linked to sexual impulses being the triggers and original motivators. Sexual nature of identified values can contribute to shifting from one moral value to another. Another similarity between two models lies in enumeration of needs a person should satisfy on the way to become as full-fledged personality. Hence, according to Maslow’s theory, a person has physiological, social, and psychologi cal sets of need to be accomplished. Lasswell also mentions these three types of needs a person should satisfy, but they are not prioritized as it is provided by Maslow. In conclusion, though Maslow’s hierarchy of need has a number of problems and misconceptions in terms of motivation and experience, it explains why the president of South Korea committed suicide. His needs are posited in the middle of the hierarchy before the self-esteem needs, which is typical of politicians who often fail to acquire this quality. Impossibility to receive support and fear to lose trust and sense of belonging made him to give motivation. Such a situation was the contributing factor for suicide. In addition, the accusation of bribery served as the reason for losing feelings of confidence and security, which are the most crucial for people dealing with politics.Advertising Looking for essay on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Works Cited Ascher, William and Barbara Hirschfelder-Ascher. Revitalizing Political Psychology: the Legacy of Harold D. Lasswell. NY: Routeledge, 2005. Print. CNN, Former S. Korean President Roh Commits Suicide. May 2009. Web. Montana, Patrick J., and Bruce H. Charnov. Management. US: Barron’s Educational Series, 2008. Print. This essay on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Case Study was written and submitted by user PuppetMaster to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

ABA - Applied Behavior Analysis

ABA - Applied Behavior Analysis ABA or Applied Behavior Analysis is a time tested and data-based strategy for teaching children with disabilities. It is most often used with children with autistic spectrum disorders but is an effective tool for children with behavioral disorders, multiple disabilities, and severe intellectual handicaps. It is the only treatment for Autistic Spectrum disorders approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration.) ABA is based on the work of B.F. Skinner, also known as the father of Behaviorism.   Behaviorism is a scientific means of understanding behavior.   Known as the three-term contingency, behavior is stimulus, response, and reinforcement.   It is also understood as Antecedent, Behavior, and Consequence, or ABC.   The ABCs of ABA The antecedent is what happens before the behavior, and may or may not have a causal relationship.  The behavior is what the subject does:   we try to operationalize the behavior, or find a way to objectively describe the behavior.   We would not say Jimmy was disrespectful, we would say Jimmy shouted at the teacher and called her an inappropriate racially charged term.  Finally, the consequence, or what happens after the behavior.   It is usually here that we look for the reinforcement: in other words, what Jimmy gets out of calling the teacher that bad name.   Is it attention from his peers?   Is it being sent to the office so he misses the spelling test?   Another scientist who significantly credited with developing ABA was Ivar Lovaas, a psychologist at the University of California Los Angeles.   His seminal work in applying behaviorism to children significantly disabled with autism led to what we now call ABA.   For many people, behaviorism seems overly mechanistic.   Human beings are value and meaning assigning creatures, and we would like to believe that there is some powerful underlying mystic about behaviorhence Freudianism.   Although it may seem simplistic, behaviorism may be the best way to strip away all our cultural prejudices and see behaviors as they are.   This is especially helpful with children with autism, who have difficulty with communication, appropriate social interaction, and language.   Moving to the three-term contingency helps us evaluate what we really see when we see a behavior.   So Jimmy tantrums?   What is the antecedent?   Does it cause it?   What does the behavior look like?   And finally, what happens when Jimmy tantrums?   ABA has proven to be an effective means to support appropriate social, functional and even academic behavior.   A special form of ABA, known as VBA or Verbal Behavioral Analysis, applies the tenets of ABA to language; hence Verbal Behavior. The BACB, or Behavior Analyst Certification Board, is the international organization that certifies professionals who design and create the therapies that are used, especially what are called Discrete Trials.   Discrete trials involve the stimulus, response, reinforcement three-term contingency mentioned above. The BACB also maintains a roster of local BCBAs who can provide services to children with autism. Also Known As: VBA, Lovaas

Different Types Of Sharks Essays - Carcharhinidae, Sharks

Different Types Of Sharks Essays - Carcharhinidae, Sharks Different Types Of Sharks INTRODUCTION Although sharks belong to the class Chondrichtyes, there are many different types. Sharks arose about 350 million years ago and have remained virtually unchanged for the past 70 million years and still comprise a dominant group. It is thought that sharks almost certainly evolved from placoderms, a group of primitive jawed fishes. It took a long series of successful and unsuccessful mutations with fin, jaw positions etc to give us all the different designs of sharks around today. When asked to draw a shark, most people would draw a shape along the lines of the whaler shark family, tigers or a mackeral shark such as a porbeagle. However many people do not realize the sheer diversity in the shape of sharks, or that rays are really sharks. Seldom does such an animal inspire such a variety of emotions reflecting a mixture of fascination, awe and fear. Sharks have occasionally exacted a terrible price from humans who have trespassed on their territory. No better understood than the ocean that they inhabit, these creatures should be regarded in the same way as lions, tigers, and bears: as dangerous, predatory but nonetheless magnificent animals. Different Types of Sharks Living sharks are divided into eight major orders, each easily recognizable by certain external characteristics. Each order contains one or more smaller groups, or families. In all there are 30 families of sharks and they contain the 350 or more different kinds or species of sharks. The eight major orders of sharks include the Squantiformes, Pristiophormes, Squaliformes, Hexanchiformes, Carcharhiniformes, Lamniformes, Orectolobiformes, and the Heterodotiformes. The orders have distinguishing characteristics that fit in each. The Squantiformes normally have flat bodies that are ray-like with mottled dorsal surfaces. These sharks have a short terminal mouth, which is armed with small impaling teeth. They also have a caudal fin, which has a lower lobe that is longer than the upper lobe. Their pectoral fins extend forward over the ventrally directed gills. The Pristiophormes have more of an elongated snout, which is saw-like and edged with slender, needle-sharp lateral teeth. They have two dorsal fins and no anal fin. They use short transverse mouths and small cuspidate holding teeth in both jaws. Squaliformes have no anal fin as well, but their snout is not elongated, but is somewhat long. Many have powerful cutting teeth in both jaws. In some species these razor sharp teeth are in the lower jaw only and the upper teeth serve to hold the food. Hexanchiformes have six or seven gill slits. They are sharks with a single spineless dorsal fin, and an anal fin. The typical Carcharhiniforme has an elongated snout, a long mouth that reaches behind the eyes, an anal fin and two spineless dorsal fins. The eyes have movable, nictitating lower eyelids worked by unique muscles. Teeth vary from small and cuspidate or flattened to large and bladelike. Carcharhiniformes have no enlarged rear crushing teeth. Along with this they have a spiral scroll intestinal valve. A Lamniforme shark has an elongated snout. Most have long mouths that reach behind the eyes, an anal fin and two spineless dorsal fins. They also have a ring intestinal valve. The Orectolobiformes have pig-like snouts and short mouths that in most species are connected to the nostrils by grooves. There is an anal fin but no fin spines on the two dorsal fins. They have uniquely formed barbells at the inside edges of the nostrils. Heterodotiformes are the only living shark that combines fin spines on their two dorsal fins and anal fin. They only have five-gill slits. In each order there are specific types of sharks. Each shark belongs to a family with different species. The Angel shark (Squantiforme) is just one of the many. It has a single family of about thirteen species. They are all ovoviviparous livebearers and most do not exceed 1.5 meters. Saw sharks (Pristiophoriformes) are harmless bottom sharks. They are also a single family but with five species. They are also ovoviviparous livebearers. Four sharks that belong to the order Sqauliforme are the Bramble, Dogfish, and Rough sharks. They have three families with eighty-two species. They too, are ovoviviparous livebearers. They have more cylindrical bodies. Frilled sharks, Six, and Seven gill sharks (Hexanchiformes) have two

The Mythical Democratic- Republican National Convention (DRNC) Essay

The Mythical Democratic- Republican National Convention (DRNC) - Essay Example This essay stresses that the recommendations based on the risk analysis include that high security personnel should be deployed in the Bicentennial Park since it will be hosting over 20, 000 protestors who may be targets for a terrorist or bombing attack as well as to prevent them from becoming too violent and disrupting the meeting. The same security personnel with assistance from the security cameras should monitor the Hotel Row which will be housing the dignitaries and media personnel. Majority of the security parameters from the air surveillance to concrete barriers, bomb screening and experts to CCTV cameras and anti-terrorism forces should be present in the arena. There should also be set aside corridors and areas for mass evacuation and mass casualty treatment in case of any attack. The fire department should also be on the forefront with their evacuation skills to lend a hand in case of any risk. During the planning and resource allocation process, the planning committee and sub-committee should make considerations of the number of security forces need with different expertise from ground to air surveillance. This paper makes a conclusion that the combination of the threats, the vulnerabilities and the consequence of the threats happening have led to the identification and ranking of the risk factors and infrastructural assets that need to be considered during planning. The recommendations made are specific enough for the planning committee to consider in their budgetary allocations if curbing of the risks is to not only be effective but efficient as well.

Quantum Cryptography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Quantum Cryptography - Essay Example Both properties form a third strength of quantum cryptography in terms of security. This strong point occurs from every new QKD term code being free of all formerly used codes as this independence lowers the number of methods a criminal can infiltrate the system (Cobourne and Cid, 2011, p. 5). A fourth strength is the future proofing of security offered by QKD. Even when a malefactor breaks through a cryptographic system at any indefinite period in the future, former messages conveyed through it stay secure (Cobourne and Cid, 2011, p. 5). Mathematics has demonstrated the absolute security of QKD networks. Even when dealing with a rival that has endless supplies of time and energy, security of QKD networks are unbreakable. One weakness of quantum cryptography is that quantum mediums are only functional over limited space (Rothke, 2007, p. 1055). This is a technical weakness as it occurs when one evaluates the realities of QKD application. Today, quantum mediums cannot convey data quick enough to offer sufficient levels of service, which forms a second technical weakness. Thirdly, quantum optic gear is susceptible to attacks. Quantum cryptography requires costly setups for upholding quantum processing, which serves as a weakness for mathematics, computer, and physics researchers who cannot afford such infrastructure (Cobourne and Cid, 2011, p. 6). Another weakness is the possibility of quantum cryptography â€Å"killing† mathematical progressions at any period in the future irrespective of quantum computing advancements (Rothke, 2007, p. 1055). Commercially, the promise of ideal security may not be a significant enough imperative for businesses to permit the cost of customized gear and infrastructure (Nano 2014). Since conventional cryptography offers more than sufficient security, businesses will consider the uncertain advantages of quantum cryptography an unworthy risk and weakness (Lydersen et

The Wal-Mart Essay Example for Free

The Wal-Mart Essay Currently, Kroger is the country’s largest traditional supermarket chain. Kroger sells over $60 billion a year, and operates over 2500 supermarkets across the country. But even Kroger is still in competition with Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart’s philosophy and culture does not appear to value consumer or company ethics. They compete with more than food prices. Many supercenters offer a full-service drive-thru pharmacy, an optical center, a 1-hour photo processing center, a portrait studio, a bank, video rental store, hair and nail salon, fast food chain, tire shop, and even offer 24 hour a day-365 days a year availability. The temperature controls for all of Wal-Mart’s stores across the country are controlled by one computer in Bentonville, Arkansas. Because of Wal-Mart’s size, they have the power to instruct suppliers on how to package their products, including meats. However, meats is one area of the supermarket industry that Wal-Mart has some weaknesses because many supermarkets provide a friendly neighborhood butcher who provides a friendly face and customized approach to consumers’ meat needs. To Wal-Mart, hiring a butcher is a labor expense that is not needed. These types of attitudes in the supermarket industry are exactly the reason why consumers may choose to seek their family grocery needs in a culture and environment where more emphasis is placed on quality customer service, up-to-date technological advances, marketing strategies that cater to a more culturally-diverse consumer, quality products, and a smaller environment that provides a neighborhood-marketplace atmosphere. Smaller supermarkets can offer a wider variety of products, particularly fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry and fish. Many successful smaller supermarket chains sell a limited number of grocery items to ensure that the quality is maintained and products are not sitting on a shelf for an extended period of time, and change the product mix frequently to offer unique products at a good value, changing the shopping experience for every visit, especially for repeat and loyal customers. A study conducted in 1999 found that the implementation of customer loyalty programs/frequent shopper programs increased by 16 percent from the first quarter of 1998. As loyalty programs increase, and marketing technology becomes more integrated and advanced, the responsible analysis and collection of customer data will provide merchandisers with numerous opportunities to market products, programs and services that supermarkets can offer to its consumers, including those in an ethnically-diverse population. Supermarkets must be responsible and ethical in their collection of data about their consumers and cater to their shopping needs by offering both quality customer service from its employees, and quality products that fulfill their shopping needs. Extensive study must be done on the consumer to uncover where shoppers shop for certain needs like staple items, meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and organic foods, and offer these products in the most cost-effective manner so that the smaller supermarkets do not lose their market share to the larger supercenters and chains.