Cooperative Pursuit :: essays research papers

Cooperative Pursuit Rural electric cooperatives are formed in order to bring rural areas of the United States fast, affordable, and efficient electricity. An electric co- op is designed to offer you electricity at a cheaper rate and enables one to make use of modern electric conveniences. Conveniences that an electric co-op bring include hot water, lights, and heat. Imagine how life would be with these electric conveniences at your disposal. Life as it is known would be completely different; more relaxed, more comfortable, and much easier. Even though there is a small fee required to join the co-op think of all the advantages you will receive.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hot water is a distinct electric convenience that you could enjoy if you decide to form an electric co-op. Hot water not only allows simple routines such as bathing to be more comfortable it is used to sanitize your home as well as your articles of clothing. Thanks to the modernization of preheated water, it is no longer necessary that water be heated manually through backbreaking labor. All thanks to the arrival of a hot water heater controlled by electricity.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Electrical lighting has unquestionably altered the average household and will increase your farm productivity. With electricity it is possible to make use of the entire day not just the daylight hours. thereby increasing your farm production by being able to work at a steady pace for a longer period of time. Imagine not having to blow out or relight candles, with the flip of a switch you automatically lighted the entire house. Electric lighting is not only one of the most common conveniences, it is the most practical.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Modern day heating compared to the burning of wood or coal is a very welcomed change in American society. A wood burning stove is now a thing of the past. Imagine the heating of your entire home with electricity. Chopping wood, hauling coal, and stoking the fire will become a memory from days gone by. I guarantee that you will enjoy being able to control the warmth of your of your home at the flip of a switch. the environment will also profit by the use of electric heating, By having cleaner air and being able to retain possession of one of it's most treasured possessions - trees.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The conveniences cited above may be conveyed to you effectively by an electric cooperative. Try to imagine all of the modern conveniences listed in your very own home. If cost is a factor in making the switch from your accustomed to a more modernize life, most co-ops only ask a five dollar

Research on Marijuana Essay -- Papers Argumentative Weed Essays

Research on Marijuana Everyone believes Marijuana is a gateway drug. However, some people think it is not because they believe they will not use anything else. If we do not fide some form of way to get rid of this drug or if we make it legal our future generations will suffer. As of now our brains get affected. A solution would be to find away to get rid of this drug and not to make it legal. Marijuana has been around for centuries now and it still grows in use. People say it is good for the body because it helps the body fight of disease and many other things like pain. Marijuana is a very powerful drug and it is believed that it is a gateway drug. This simply means that once your tolerance is so high you will look towards other drugs so that you can get the same feeling as when you first started using marijuana. I know that there is no evidence of such a thing happening but I do believe this is the drug that helps you look toward other drugs. I?ve heard of stories in my high school that kids have tried other drugs because of this one drug they started with. ...

Marketing Mix Essay

â€Å"Marketing Mix† is a set of strategy marketing tools that a firm mingles and pursues its marketing objective in the target market. (Kotler and Armstrong, 2006, p.51) The main purpose of marketing is satisfies the needs of consumers. This concept was introduced by Harvard University Professor Neil Borden first adopted in 1964. (Neil Borden, 1964) It is the basis for the development of corporate marketing strategy in order to guarantee and satisfaction consumer needs and wants. In addition, it is also a trick for corporate against a strong competitor to rational allocation of corporate marketing budget costs and avoids the market failure. In the early 1950s, Professor McCarthy inference if a firm wants to develop marketing activities should be controlled factors grouped into four categories which are product, price, place and promotion. (McCarthy, 1960) The emergence of the marketing mix means that the concept of market operators to complete the transformation of old and new regulations read, the development of new ideas – marketing concept. The marketing concept is the core of the target customers’ needs as the centre, the implementation of the marketing mix focusing on the overall market to obtain profits and achieve corporate marketing objectives. For example, the marketers will use the tools to adapt the consumer differ from that of a traditional and new technology product which is telegraph and Apple. The telegraph is a kind of communication services in the early 19th century invention, is the earliest use of electricity to communicate. The telegraph has greatly accelerated the flow of messages, is one of the important inventions of the industrial society. Early telegraph communications in the land, and later used the submarine cable to carry out long-distance service. To the early 20th century, began to use the radio sent telegram to the telegraph business basically have been able to reach most of the region on Earth. Telegraph is mainly used as a pass text messages. (Robert, 2012) Apple’s was established in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, the core business is electronic technology products. The most famous product is the MacBook, iPod music player, iTunes Store, iPhone and the iPad Tablet PC. It is known for innovation in high-tech enterprise. When they introduced  iphone4 and iPad, it is shook the entire world, because it delivers the latest advanced and progressive in the smart phone to the people. Coupled with the advances of the Internet, people can communicate with each other in the quickest and shortest possible time. (Shane, 2010, p.2) When the telegraph was invented was shook the world; Apple technology developed was also shook the world. However, two products were invented at different times, so the marketing mix will be also different. Marketing Mix Tools Product Product is anything that can be offered to the market/consumer in order to satisfy their needs and wants. The types of product divide into tangible (physical goods) and intangible (services). (Philip Kotler et al, 2005, p.34) The telegraph was provided service to send the message from place to place and the Apple Company was provided physical goods to consumer e.g. IPhone and MacBook. According the MarketingTeacher theory, the core level of the two products is same. The reasons that both products shocked the world are the great inventions and consumers really want to buy for communications. 19th century, the augmented product are limited because the technology is not so developed, the telegraph service will be hampered, such as, Malaysia sent a telegram to the British have to spend more on time. Moreover, this service is difficult to guarantee that service failure in the middle or cannot reach. (Marketingteacher, 2012) However, at that time, the telegraph is the most advanced ways of communication. The telegraph introduced was successful to meet the consumers’ expectations. The Telegraph can do is keep the research becomes more convenient such as e-mail developed. With the advancement of the Internet, using IPhone to send information may only need a few of seconds or minutes. Advanced technology has been sufficient to attract and influence customers to buy e.g. Internet-ready communications device complete with email, web browsing, maps, application and more Apple has been able to become the largest electronics company because the brand-strategy decision. According Kotler and Keller theory, a company has 4 choices when it comes to brand strategy. Apple’s continuous  with line extension in recent years, such as the IPhone 3 development to the iPhone 4s. In addition, they also focus on brand extension e.g. IPod music player, MacBook, and IPad. (Kotler and Keller, 2011, p.260-261) Constant innovation will affect consumers become more eager to get better items. Apple’s was stimulated the certain product by implementing new design, operability, and user-friendly features. (Shane, 2010, p.13-19) Price Price is the amount of money paid by consumers in order to obtain goods and services. It is the most flexible marketing mix tools compared to the other three P because it can be changed according to certain situations. (Kotler and Armstrong, 2006, p.290) For example, price can change to low when serve a familiar customer. The era of the telegraph, telegraph monopoly by one company and demand more than supply. The absence of competitors, the level of prices is actually not greater impact on consumer decision-making. (Anonymous, 2010) In fact, the telegraph has reached maturity which mean successfully to maximize profit and maintain the market share, but in the end cannot be avoided the market penetration by new technology such as telephone and fax. Nowadays, the harvest strategies for the telegraph were still processing, but it become the history and use less service. â€Å"Apple also plans to continue lowering product prices, despite the fact that doing so would affect the company’s gross margins unfavourably.† (Shane, 2010, p.19) This obviously shows Apple considering the current trend. There are a lot of competitors, the price must be reduced, and consumers will give priority to their own economic situation and needs. For example, the MacBook is very expensive, but other brands have the same technology, but the price is low, then the Apple will lose in price. In fact, there are many factors to help Apple successful, such as, iPhone does not have the driving force without internet, or, people do not have high purchasing power in less advanced country, Place Place refers to urban and suburban whereby goods and services are made available to customer. (Philip Kotler et al, 2005, p.34) Location is also very important tactic, if the telegraph company established beside garbage,  this is impossible there are business opportunities. Apple’s successful because it expands the market size of the company’s product to every urban in the world’s. They have a priority to brand honor, low price, and then choose a high population place, coupled with a reasonable promotion, the consumer is difficult to reject the attractive of the good opportunity to satisfy the needs and wants. For example, consumers can buy the iPhone in every city. Even if Apple was provide a good product, but there are other factors to affect the sales volume such as PEST. For example, in Malaysia, the government set the minimum salary is not high; economic downturn; the extremists are not satisfied with phone radiation; or higher scientific and technological discovery. The contrary, the telegraph machine may be a country only a few units, if consumer want to send a message, he must go very far in order to be sent information. However, they share the invention to the world, thus affecting the entire market. Countries can use the telegraph to the purchase of advanced equipment from foreign countries, is very fast compared to letters. Communications make it easier for the world to develop their own countries, such as London and New York. At the same time, the inventions of telegraph available share to other inventors in order to research and development other invention, such as telephone and Internet. Promotion Promotion is a planned effort of an organization to communicate the company offerings to customer as well as trade members, it is also known as marketing communications. (Philip Kotler et al, 2005, p.34) As competition, Apple’s combinations of more promotional tools (promotion mix) (Kotler and Armstrong, 2006, p.290) used to provide information and services to consumers, such as advertising the new type of iPhone 4s, or, remind the iPad product still available on market. And, sales promotion which is the package promotion provided by the middle man. For example, Maxis communicate company launched buy in low price with two 2 year contract for using Maxis service line. (Maxis 2012) In opposite, the telegraph was invented, may be placed on billboards to inform the existence of the telegraph service. Or, they may in publish in the newspaper to post the benefits of the telegraph.  Today it is impossible to see the telegraph promotional, because the telegraph has reached decline stage in product life-cycle. The promotion is a very important tool to reach consumers, providers must be given attractive and priorities guideline to consumers, in order to achieve market comparative advantages Conclusion Conclusion, if the company has long existed in the market, consideration must be given to 4p will not stop the service to the consumers. Second, companies must avoid all factors that influence consumer decisions making and continuous research and development in order to avoid be eliminated by new technology. ————————————————- Question 2 (Part 2) a)  My name is â€Å"Apple† is a red with white strips of fruit plants. Apple flesh has a wealth of minerals and vitamins, the most commonly people used fruit. My flesh contains vitamin C and B, carotene, riboflavin, pyridoxine, dietary fibre and vitamin B complex, and so on Nutrition. Vitamin C is a powerful natural antioxidant which helps the body to develop and increase the resistance, and cleared from the body of the harmful free radicals. Dietary fibre can helps prevent absorption of dietary LDL cholesterol in the gut. The dietary fibres also help protect the mucous membrane of the colon from exposure to toxic substances by binding to cancer causing chemicals in the colon. (Nutrition-and-you, 2012) In addition, my skin is yellow, green and red, yellow and red where the flesh is sweet, while the blue is sweet with a tart. Planting apple will not be very difficult, farmer only need the seeds of apple and buried in the soil to take care of, in the end can grow a new generation of â€Å"me†. People’s market, consumer can buy me with 0.2 pounds per unit. However, not every country of the soil can be cultivated apple, in some countries, the weather was too hot, or too cold, there are not suitable to  grow a sweet and delicious apple e.g. Arabia and Egypt. (Rutuja Jathar, 2011) My apple peel is rich in antioxidant function, so it gives me more durable. Businesses are regarded me long-distance transported to other countries, and keep fresh selling out. My fleshes bring a lot of benefit; therefore, businesses have to use my benefits to earn profit in the market. Some marketers edit my appearance as a billboard to let people know the benefits; some lecturer launch courses to teach people why eat apple; some even speak â€Å"An apple a day keeps the doctor away.†, let people every days put me into their mouth. But I am very happy, because it can provide nutrition to the people, and also to give business opportunities to the businesses. b) The 21st century, as the people’s lifestyle changes, healthy is the future trends. Marketers were took my benefits packed into the marketing mix to make a profit e.g. health care products. In fact, the benefits also allow employers to solve some problems, that is, reduce the employee’s work attitude. Some unemployed tradesmen are quite willing to interview, but less than enthusiastic about taking a job. In fact, every company’s marketing strategy will directly affect the employees’ attitude, such as the company’s tactics cannot growth the profit, so will make employee lose fighting spirit. My marketing mix, it is undeniable that can help many employees. First, according to the Matt Michel theory, the visibility and benefits of the product is to improve the company’s sales. Sales will be able to enhance the employee’s salary, which is the best reason to convince the employees. If the company is not profitable, the employee is no longer rescued by the employer. The employee will be particularly concerned about the ability to obtain better benefits, such as salary increase, allowances, and so on. Secondly, although the price is just one ringgit an apple, but this price is a very big influence to the market. Some people believe that the price of one ringgit is difficult to obtain more profit, but the global populations are more than 6.9 billion, if one person to eat an apple a day, if an apple earns 0.01 pounds, the employer successful to earn 69million. If the employer with a high brand image, employee can be proud to work in the  company. Thirdly, apple can sell all over the world can affect the employment rate. Some places cannot grow apples, but the employer can transfer the apple to the country with the advance of technology e.g. keep fresh and air transportation. The finally is promotion. â€Å"An apple a day keeps the doctor away’, I believe everyone knows the proverb. There is no doubt that it was enough to affect the consumers of existing and next generation, and only need the proverb advertising to remind the consumers to buy it. Apple’s low has been reached maturity, unless it was confirmed that the Apple bringing harmful, otherwise the employee will agree that the business opportunity of apple will not be end. (Matt Michel, 2010) c)  Admittedly, I have many benefits but also have a negative side. Apple skin can protect the pulp of fresh, but if it loses the apple skin, the pulp will become no nutrition and broken just in ten minutes, so consumers must be finish it in short time. Of course, the solution is placed the flesh in the water contains antioxidant, so apple can maintain and extend the nutrition of the flesh, but this is only a temporary solution, it is best to immediately eat. Apple is a natural plant items, Apple can improve people’s health, which is the largest business opportunities. Consumer only can use the existing technology to maintain the nutrition of apple such as plastic fresh wrap. Reference Part 1 reference Philip Kotler, Gary Armstrong, 2006. Principles of Marketing 14th edition, p.51-290, Pearson Education Limited, Prentice Hall, USA. Borden, Neil H. (1964), â€Å"The Concept of the Marketing Mix,† Journal of Advertising Research, 4 (2), 2-7. Robert McNamara, unknown year (2012 copyright). The Invention of the Telegraph Changed Communication Forever: A Communication Revolution Wired the World In the 19th Century, online, n.d, available from World Wide Web: http://history1800s.about.com/od/inventioninnovation/a/telegraph01.htm [accessed date 03th May 2012] Shane R. Mittan, 2010. APPLE: A Case Study Analysis, 28th Jan, Western Michigan University, West Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, Philip Kotler, Veronica Wong, John Saunders, Gary Armstrong, 2005. Principles of Marketing, 4th European Edition, p.34-36, Pearson Education Limited, Mateu-Cromo Artes Graficas, Spain. Anonymous, 2010, History of the U.S Telegraph Industry, online, 01th Feb, available from World Wide Web: http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/nonnenmacher.industry.telegraphic.us [accessed date on 03th May 2012] Marketingteacher, 2012, Three Levels of a Product, online, n.d, available from World Wide Web: http://marketingteacher.com/lesson-store/lesson-three-levels-of-a-product.html# [Accessed date on 04th May 2012] Philip Kotler and Kevin Lane Keller, 2011. Marketing Management, 14th Edition, Pearson Education Limited, 18th Feb, p.260-261, Prentice Hall, USA. Maxis, 2012. iPhone 4S: iVALUE PLANS, online, n.d, available from World Wide Web: http://www.maxis.com.my/personal/iphone/rates.asp [accessed date on 04th May 2012] IOANNIS KOMNINOS, 2002, Product Life Cycle Management, online, n.d, source from URENIO, available from World Wide Web: http://www.urenio.org/tools/en/Product_Life_Cycle_Management.pdf [accessed date on 04th May 2012] Part 2 References Rutuja Jathar, 2011. Apple Trees Planting: Location, online, 20th September, available from World Wide Web: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/apple-trees-planting.html [accessed date on 07th May 2012] nutrition-and-you, 2012. Apple fruit nutrition facts, online, n.d, available from World Wide Web: http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/apple-fruit.html [accessed date on 07th May 2012] Matt Michel, 2010. tilize a marketing mix to recruit employees, online, 1st Nov, available from World Wide Web: http://contractormag.com/columns/michel/utilize-marketing-mix-1110 [accessed date on 07th May 2012]

Apush Notes: Great Depression

A. The Great Depression was caused by an economic system out of balance. There was too much supply with little demand. This situation was created by monopoly pricing, unsound banking practices, overproduction, high tariffs, and tightening of money supply by Federal Reserve Board. B. A slump in economic activity with over speculation in stock and buying stocks on margin caused the stock market to crash in October 1929. The stock market crash marked the beginning of Great Depression. C.The Depression was characterized by high unemployment, foreclosures on homes, farms and businesses, closing of banks, and the drying up of credit, low purchasing power, and hunger. Many people grew concern that capitalism had failed and democracy couldn’t provide solutions to problems. D. President Hoover, a strong advocate of â€Å"rugged individualism† believed in minimal government interference to deal with Depression. He based his policy upon supplying optimism, expanding works, and loa ning money and struggling banks.E. In 1932 summer, 20000 impoverished veterans from the First World War marched on Washington demanding early payment of a financial bonus that was due in 1945. After the bonus failed in Congress, President Hoover ordered the US army to evacuate the marching veterans from DC. The army, led by Douglas MacArthur, drove the veterans out. The armies’ handling the Bonus March ended Hoover’s chance for reelection and fostered a growing fear of revolution in America. F.President Hoover and his Republicans were blamed for Depression in election of 1932. Franklin Roosevelt was elected president, promising to save capitalism, help common man, and to provide work. Roosevelt was vague on his plans, except he would try anything. G. FDR’s plan to get nation out of Depression was called the New Deal. New Deal had policies of relief for the poor, recovery from Depression, and reform of the economic system. The first New Deal as passed during the first 100 days of his presidency.The left wing of politics liked the idea and passed the idea through Congress. Economy fell back into recession. Black Tuesday The day the stock market crashed. No buyers. Rugged individualism Social outlook promoting one’s goals and desires of independence. Hooverville This name was based on Hoover’s blame for depression. Families lost their homes because they couldn’t pay mortgages. Hawley-Smoot Tariff, 1930 Tax increase by Republican congress.Purpose was to satisfy US business leaders who a higher tariff would protect their markets from foreign competition. In retaliation, European countries made higher tariffs against US goods which reduced trade. Reconstruction Finance Corporation To prop up faltering railroads, banks, life insurance companies, and other financial institutions. Emergency loans would stabilize these businesses. The benefits would go down to smaller businesses and bring recovery. Democrats scoffed at this meas ure, saying it would only help the rich.

Operations and System Management of a Car Garage

OBSM Coursework Assessment – Element One Powell’s Garage Report Introduction The following report will be researching into a small garage named Powell’s, located in Illogan, Cornwall. Powell’s garage is a family business that was established in 1953. This organisation offers a range of services and products, including MOT’s, tyre replacement and full car servicing. Primary research will be used in order to gain data in order to examine specific factors in Powell’s garage. Slack et al. ’s five performance objectives will display which ways the organisation is thriving and in which ways they are failing. Looking at the design capacity, effective capacity and actual outputs will give an overview of how well they are using their resources within the organisation. Finally, by calculating the organisation’s capability index, a specific operation can be explored in order to highlight the reliability of the service and whether there is any potential room for improvement. Five Performance Objectives Slack et al (2004) states that there are five performance objectives that can evaluate performance of an operation. The first of these being cost, this is the ability to produce at a low cost. By pricing goods and services appropriately to the market, customers will always be attracted and it will allow for a good return to the company. Powell’s have a few competitor garages surrounding them, therefore pricing is a very important aspect of the organisation as they must keep it low enough to rival other garages, but high enough to ensure profit from their services. Quality is another performance objective and this is the ability to produce in accordance with the specifications without error. This will ensure full customer satisfaction and a high-quality reputation. It is essential that Powell’s provide a premium service as not only does it guarantee safety for their customers, but it gives them an advantage over competitors. Dependability is the ability to produce goods and services in accordance to the promises made to the customer. This could include a time deadline that the service needs to be completed by, therefore Powell’s must ensure that they fulfil any tasks given by customers’ and remain reliable or a bad reputation could circulate, resulting in less business. The ability to do things quickly in response to the customer’s demands is known as speed. This should also reduce time between orders from the customer and when they receive it again. Being a busy garage means that Powell’s must complete services as quickly as possible in order to keep up with the level of demand they receive. If this is not met, customers’ could use another organisation that can offer a quick service. Finally, the last performance objective from Slack et al. is flexibility. This is the ability to change the operation in a variety of ways. This therefore means that Powell’s must offer a wide variety of goods and services in order to fit with any customer needs and keep the amount of business high. These five performance objectives can also be linked, and these links mean that an organisation can excel in certain operations and compete with other organisations. For example, quality reduces cost and increases dependability. High quality therefore means fewer mistakes made in the operation, this leads to a reduced amount of time needed to correct any errors, and less time spent on the operation means reduced cost. This results in the customer being satisfied with the service. It will also more than likely mean they will feel confident using the organisation and will return for future business. From using primary research to study Powell’s garage, it is noticeable that quality is the most vital objective to ensure its success in their marketplace. Through questionnaires, shown as Appendix 1, and interviews with customers and within the organisation; it is quality that is the most prominent feature of Powell’s garage. This organisation deals with motor vehicles, which makes it crucial that the main priority of their services is to provide high-quality results or else the customer’s safety is at risk. The following polar diagram demonstrates the customer’s view and the manager’s view on Powell’s services and products according to Slack et al. ’s five performance objectives theory. The customer’s view is an average calculated from 20 questionnaires that were completed by customers. The manager’s view is a combined result from the two managers that work at Powell’s. As shown above, the manager’s view is quite different to that of the customers. The customers did not rate the garage as high as the manager’s but there is an agreement on the speed of the operation. Powell’s garage has two major competitors in the area that offer similar services. In order to ensure that this organisation has the edge over them, it is essential to investigate what is regarded as important by their customers and how each garage provides that service. Perceived user value (Bowman, 1998), is the best method to show customer’s opinions on the services of the three garages and will also include objectives that are not included in Slack et al. ’s theory. The two garages that are geographically closest to Powell’s are K W Autos and J K Motors. The customers were asked to rate the objectives of the garage from 0 to 10 on a questionnaire (Appendix 2), these figures were then made into an average and shown in the following table. Objective| Powell's | K W Autos| J K Motors| Speed| 8| 8| 7| Quality| 8| 7| 7| Cost| 7| 6| 7| Dependability| 7| 8| 6| Flexibility| 7| 7| 7| Quality of Facilities| 8| 6| 5| Courtesy of Staff| 9| 6| 6| Working Hours| 7| 7| 8| The data collected from the customers was then put into a graph to demonstrate the differences between the garages more clearly. From these figures, it is clear to see that Powell’s has an overall higher rating than its competitors. Although this is very positive, there are some objectives that Powell’s are lower. These are the operations that need to be targeted and improved in order to guarantee that K W Autos and J K Motors do not overtake Powell’s in their sales. Capacity The definition of the capacity of an operation is â€Å"the maximum level of value-added activity over a period of time that the process can achieve under normal operating conditions† (Slack et al. 2001, p. 338). Regarding this report, there are two types of capacity that are useful to Powell’s garage; design capacity and effective capacity. Design capacity is â€Å"the capacity to which its technical designers had in mind when they commissioned the operation† (Slack et al. 2001, p. 335). Effective capacity is simply design capacity minus planned loss. Therefore it is what the operation actually runs like. The capacity of Powell’s garage is simply the amount of motor vehicles that can be held in the garage at one time. Powell’s garage has a total of 7 vehicle ramps within the garage; however, 2 of these ramps are designated specifically for MOT servicing. Therefore, altogether, Powell’s can have 8 cars in its premises at one time. In terms of capacity processing, on average, Powell’s can see between 30 and 40 vehicles a week. Although, there are weeks in which it can exceed this and also weeks in which not as many vehicles pass through. Powell’s employ 6 full time mechanics; however, there are always 2 mechanics on the MOT ramps as it always full. This therefore leaves 4 full time mechanics working on 5 ramps for servicing. Straight away, understaffing is the obvious main capacity constraint, as if the garage is completely full, they do not have enough staff to service the vehicles. This would therefore be a planned loss of the organisation. Other planned losses would be mostly time consuming, for example, waiting for vehicle parts to arrive, working hours and waiting for customers to collect their car. As stated before, effective capacity is how the operation actually runs; therefore the everyday realities of a production line will contain something to slow it down. For example, staff breaks, power cuts and maintenance to tools and equipment. Powell’s design capacity (excluding the MOT services) in their garage would be for 5 vehicles to be serviced. However, there are only 4 mechanics available at one time. This means that their effective capacity is 80% of its design capacity. These losses are unavoidable but it results in Powell’s output to be reduced by 20% of what it could have. Actual output is simply effective capacity minus avoidable loss. This is essentially what is produced by the operation when the planned losses and avoidable are taken into account. Avoidable losses include mechanical failure, lighting failure or poorly trained staff. Actual output is therefore much less than the design capacity. It can only be predicted, but this would be estimated around 50%. The following diagram displays the losses against the design capacity and shows how the actual output is calculated. A ‘bottleneck’ is a micro-operation or operations that cause a process to slow down and causes output to take longer. Powell’s main bottleneck is the fact that they are understaffed. However, there are more constraints that prevent operations, these include the type of repair that the car will need, the availability of parts needed to complete the service and working hours. These all affect the processes in the organisation. Capability Index This measures the capability of an operation process within an organisation. This capability index will measure the time any operation can take regarding the services that Powell’s offers. The capability index should give the result as being greater than 1 as this will mean that Powell’s is reliable and capable. However, if the results show that the capability is less than 1, it will prove that Powell’s servicing is incapable and unreliable. The tables below show the amount of time spent servicing vehicles over one month in Powell’s garage. This was recorded from observation and from staff records. Weekly updates allowed a gradual build up of data which could then be grouped to calculate the capability index. Servicing Times| | | 30 minutes| 1 hour| 1 day| 1 hr 30 mins| 1 day| 5 hours| 45 minutes| 3 days| 30 minutes| hours| 6 days| 5 days| 1 day| 2 days| 3 days| 4 days| 3 days| 1 hour| 4 hours| 3 hours| 5 days| 2 days| 1 day| 2 hours| 2 days| 3 days| 6 days| 7 days| 30 minutes| 4 days| Servicing Times| Number of Customers| ;1 Hour| 4| 1 hour – 1 day| 8| 1 – 2 days| 4| 2 – 3 days| 3| 3 – 4 days| 4| 4 – 5 days| 2| 5 – 6 days| 2| 6; days| 3| Capability Index is calculated using the following formula: Cp = USL – LSL 6? Key Cp = Capability Index USL = Upper Specification Limit LSL = Lower Specification Limit ? = Standard Deviation From the data collected above, the USL will be 7 days and the LSL will be 0. 05 as it is in minutes. Cp = 7 – 0. 05 6? Standard Deviation was calculated using all the data collected. In this instance, 1 hour would be 0. 1 and 1 day would be 1. Standard Deviation = 2. 083849 Cp = 7 – 0. 05 6 x 2. 083849 Cp = 6. 95 12. 503094 Cp = 0. 5558624129 Cp = 0. 56 (two decimal places) USL = 7 LSL = 0. 05 This figure and the graph shows that Powell’s garage is operating at a level lower than 1, which indicates that it is not operating at the potential capacity level. Although the capability index worked out to be lower than 1, there is a variety of different service times which suggests that Powell’s offer a wide range of services and at many different time scales. There are many causes for this variation which includes; the nature of the service. The bigger the problem in the vehicle will mean that the service will take longer, and therefore take space for a longer period of time in the garage. There is also the matter of ordering external parts for the repair. This again, could take a long time as Powell’s must wait for the parts to arrive before the repair can begin. All of these variants are time costly in some way but there could be potential initiatives to reduce this. Powell’s could create more space for vehicles outside their garage, by expanding the car park from 1 to 4, this will provide an area to hold cars that require parts from an external source. This would then leave more room available in the garage for less time consuming services. This would see Powell’s garage gain more business and improve their timing for customers. An outside area would also offer a place where very small services are required, for example changing a tyre. This service takes on average 30 minutes to complete. Powell’s would save a lot of time as the car would not need to be taken into the garage or raised on the ramps. Another initiative could be to use the MOT ramps when there are no vehicles using them. This expands Powell’s capacity to 7 full servicing ramps which would provide more business and a faster operation process. An initiative that would also be very effective would be increasing the number of staff; this would allow vehicles to be serviced much quicker. Even if two mechanics worked on one vehicle, this could potentially half the time in which it takes to complete the service. This would then result in extra customer satisfaction, which in the long run would improve Powell’s reputation. It would also allow for more vehicles to be brought in to service as there would be space for that vehicle in a shorter amount of time. Word Count 2,271 References James, P. Rowland-Jones, R. ; O’Brien, L. (eds) 2009. Operations and Business Systems Management. Harlow, Pearson. Slack, N. , Chambers, S. , ; Johnston, R. , 2004. Operations Management. 4th Ed. London: Pitman Publishing. Cengage (2007) Operations, Strategy and Operations Strategy [Online] Available from: http://www. cengage. co. uk/barnes/students/sample_ch/ch2. pdf [Accessed: 26/11/2010]

Progress Report. Executive Secretary at Brand House Advertising Assignment

Progress Report. Executive Secretary at Brand House Advertising Company - Assignment Example You are encouraged to keep a journal or notes to inform your reflective writing on a regular basis, adding and editing frequently. Reflection generally requires the following: 1. A specific incident 2. A referenced description of relevant theory 3. Application of the theory to the incident and identification of any gaps between theory and practice 4. Discussion of your personal learning from the incident (self-awareness) 5. The need to think critically, ‘dig deep’, to reveal insights into the incident It may help to view a situation through the eyes of someone else involved in order to investigate and, discuss the perspectives of others. Instructions for completing this document You are required to address all of the points which relate to each of the BBus Learning Goals. ... In your discussion you should: Refer to a comprehensive range of theory, concepts, models, frameworks and/or technical competencies using in-text citations where appropriate. Explain how the theory was relevant to or guided your immediate tasks, your functional area and, if relevant, to your CPO’s broader objectives. Reflect on any gaps, differences and/ or similarities between your theoretical knowledge from your major(s) and the application in practice at your placement. Discuss the significance of your role and the value that you have added to your CPO. This may include reflecting and expanding on your personal attributes, your performance in the role (with evidence) and how your role has contributed to the broader objectives of your CPO. 1. Callender (2008) and Wang (2005) pointed out that work-based-learning (WBL) gives opportunity to students to compare the implication of classroom learning in context to real world business scenario. While working in Cooperative Educatio n Placement, I got the feeling that my education in AUT has strong impact on my attitudes towards challenges in the workplace. Currently, I am working as Executive Secretary at Brand House Advertising Company and my daily works include, communicating with clients, handling their queries, preparing relational database of clients, feeding client data in SQL server, directing the coordinator to relay telephone messages and fax messages, maintaining general filing system and file all correspondence, maintaining adequate inventory of office supplies, supervising preparation for meeting, maintaining confidential documents etc. While in the University, I learnt about

Bureacracy and Democracy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Bureacracy and Democracy - Essay Example The goal is to establish a decision that is either rational or efficient in attaining the desirable goal. The goal revolves around ensuring the organization survives and the self –interests of an individual. This Theory is neo classical in nature .It connects politics and microeconomics by looking at the complaints of individuals like public servants, and citizens as similar to what self interested producers and consumers do. This theory can be traced back to the times of Adam Smith .He reasoned that when people act on self interest they may end up engaging in acts that ultimately benefit the whole society .Taking an example of a business man seeking to enrich himself. He have to make good Quality goods that are cheaper than competitors so as to increase sales and maximize revenue. In turn the society benefits from cheaper goods of better quality. From this we see that common benefit and social order are obtainable from market mechanism as opposed to the government being stron g and centralized .The elements of the market being unregulated to some degree, participants having self interest and the producers being competitive constitute the aspects of this theory. For rational choice, the drive is self interest .It influences our actions and also decisions. From this we can develop the notion of how market for goods that are public operate .People will purchase services and also goods that they prefer. Producers in this scenario are competitive, having self interests tied to responding to the demands of the consumer .We need to examine how this theory relates to authority. It goes against the public administration theory stating the people (authority eg government) are responsible for public service provision and how they should work towards it .This role becomes a function of the market forces of demand and supply and how the interact in the market. Rational choice impacts public administration in two ways. a) It has an impact on organizational behavior an d serves to explain Bureaucratical behaviors as put forth by Max Weber (Weber & Andreski, 2009). b) How public services are delivered. It encourages reforms in the public sector c) It pushes rationality in choice as the new way as opposed to Max Weber s theories on decision making (He encouraged bureaucracy) It is worth noting that rational decision making is also viewed as a normative approach to decision making 2) The simple decision making Theory This is the second theory on decision making. It explains on how decisions are actually made. It is also referred to as the descriptive approach to decision making. .To understand this we look at examples of institutions and how they are managed, Policy makers and administrators of public institutions fail to utilize scientifically obtained knowledge .Their reason at times science demands the problems to be put into fragments .This fragmentation makes it difficult to obtain quick insight into the problem .Knowledge for rational decision is not perfect as argued by scientists. Another key aspect of decisions made under this theory is that their very nature call for the authority to reach a decision .The public willingly takes the consequences resulting from them .In cases like this it becomes paramount for citizens to understand that their interests are at heart Question 2 According to Kirlin, there are seven major questions that by addressing them we get an insight into public