The North Face Essay Example for Free

The North Face Essay The majority of the company’s products are sold in premium sporting goods retailers, and specialty backpacking, mountaineering, and skiing retailers. The North Face provides gear for professional and amateur athletes and enthusiasts using high-quality, technical outerwear. This company also sponsors major events to maintain and even increase its public profile. In 2010, The North Face sponsored the Ski Challenge, the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc in France and the Lava redo Ultra Trail in the Italian Dolomite Mountains (Kennedy, 2012). The North Face has very stiff competition from well known companies such as Columbia Sportswear, and Patagonia. However they have fascinating state of the art technology to distance themselves from their competitors. Despite The North Face filing for bankruptcy in the late 90s, profits have risen by 37 percent the past year. This is mostly because of the popularity of the brand in Asia and its sponsorship for the Winter X-Games. It has earned a reputation as the ultimate, authentic outdoor brand. Their slogan â€Å"Never Stop Exploring,† has become popular amongst all athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. This outdoor apparel powerhouse has a very large and loyal fan base, and the demand for outdoor apparel is on the rise. In North America, performance outdoor apparel has grown 19% from 2004 to 2010. This trend is supposed to continue for at least another five years. As The North Face has been creating products with great quality and endurance, they plan to focus toward a greener supply chain and operations. Partnering with the blue sign sustainability standard for textile production, will help separate The North Face from their main market competitors Columbia Sportswear, and Patagonia. By looking at financial records, The North Face surpasses its second largest competitor, Columbia Sportswear, proving that it is the best in the industry. The North Face is named after the coldest most unforgiving side of a mountain, and has helped explorers reach unbelievable heights in the Himalayas. This remarkably powerful corporation is going to continue to design and provide the best for all outdoor enthusiasts, remaining on top for years to come. The North Face was chosen due to its involvement in both the sport and recreation fields. Their mission statement is â€Å"Never Stop Exploring†. Their vision statement as a business is â€Å"Our passion is beyond setting records and achieving fame. For us, its all about changing lives, not just our lives, but also, the lives of those people who inspire us to aim for extraordinary dreams† (Over 40 Years of Innovation and Exploration, 2012). For more than 40 years, The North Face has been distributing an extensive line of performance apparel, equipment, and footwear. The company’s purpose is to push the boundaries of innovation so their customers can push the boundaries of exploration (Over 40 Years of Innovation and Exploration, 2012). The North Face is extremely proud to be the first choice of equipment and apparel for the world’s most accomplished climbers, explorers, and winter sport enthusiasts. In 1966, Douglas Tompkins and Kenneth Klopp founded The North Face in San Francisco’ North Beach neighborhood. They chose this name of their equipment retail store because the north face of a mountain in the northern hemisphere is generally the most difficult face to climb (Our Story, 2011). By 1968, The North Face was designing and manufacturing its own type of technical mountaineering apparel and equipment. By the end of the 1980s The North Face became the only supplier in the United States to offer a comprehensive collection of high-performance outerwear, skiwear, sleeping bags, packs and tents (Our Story, 2011). The North Face brand was created to give customers exactly what they need and they are concentrating on creating environmental friendly and high sustainability products. They wanted to give the customers huge satisfaction and build trust between them and the brand. By using products, which support better performance and comfort at different locations and climatic conditions, creates a long-term relationship with the customers. In the past innovative product design and consistent development and introduction of new products have always been North Face’s greatest strengths. In 1975 North Face introduced a standard in the outdoor equipment industry with its geodesic dome tent. This design became the standard for lightweight, high-performance tents used in high-altitude and polar expeditions (Our Story, 2011). The geodesic dome also became very popular for general backpacking and camping as well. The same year North Face also introduced another original, sleeping bags incorporating shingled construction of synthetic insulation. Like the dome tent, these sleeping bags have become the industry standard (Our Story, 2011). An â€Å"extreme skiwear† line was later introduced which involved a complete line of severe cold weather clothing. By the late 1980s North Face were the only manufacturer and distributor in the United States of a comprehensive line of premium-grade, high-performance equipment and apparel used in mountaineering, skiing, and backpacking (The North Face Inc, 2009). Currently, Geoffrey D. Lurie leads The North Face team as Chief Executive Officer, and Director (Company Overview of The North Face, Inc. 2011). The North Face is owned by VF Corporation, who is lead by the team of Eric C. Wiseman and Robert K. Shearer (About VF Management Team, 2012). The VF Corporation is a leader in branded lifestyle apparel including jeans wear, outdoor products, image apparel, sportswear and contemporary apparel brands. The principal products and services offered by The North Face are men, women, and children outdoor apparel for hiking, cold weather climates, running, rock climbing, and camping. They offer equipment such as tents, sleeping bags, back packs, and kits for rock climbing, and camping. They offer services such as events throughout the year that give their customers opportunities to enjoy the outdoors while also getting to know the brand. Today, The North Face offers a wide variety of products like outdoor equipment such as thermal tents, and climbing tools. They are very famous on college campuses these days with their outer wear ranging from their jackets to winter hats and gloves. These products meet customers’ needs and wants by providing quality winter and hiking gear. The North Face touches customers emotionally by satisfying their technological needs. Every product they make is made with the thought that â€Å"each consumer is an explorer and they require a product with high quality, comfort and something they would value for the long–term† (Our Story, 2011). They value their customers and stick to their company values of using high quality fabric, testing their products endlessly, and constant improvement (Our Story, 2011). The demand for The North Face products will definitely increase in the future. Global demand for performance outdoor apparel worn by individuals taking part in sports pursuits is outpacing other sectors of the total active sportswear market, according to a new report from just-style, with growth set to soar by 22% over the next six years†(Smith, 2011). In North America, performance outdoor apparel has grown 19% from 2004 to 2010. This trend is supposed to continue for at least another five years. Europe is suppose to have a predicted 18% increase within the next 5 years (Smith, 2011). Outdoor apparel will be very successful in the developed world, but in third world countries they will hardly grow at all. In the past, outdoor retail products were seen more as a luxury rather than a necessity. Lucky for The North Face, the economy hasn’t really impacted the company as a whole compared to the industry in general. The North Face is classified as a â€Å"premium brand†, thus targeting â€Å"high educated individuals†. New stores have continued to open, and plans to grow and expand are emphasized each day. Just like any organization, The North Face has high objectives in regards to their products and services. One objective is to improve the brand value perception from 65% to 85% by the end of the year (2010 Sustainability Report, 2010). Based on a survey that was conducted, 65% of the respondents think that they are getting a great value out of The North Face Products for the amount they pay. Whereas another survey shows that the brand is not too affordable. Another objective for The North Face is to increase customer loyalty from 68% to 85% by the end of 2012 (Over 40 Years of Innovation and Exploration, 2012). Based on the brand research, they found out that only 74% of The North Face customers are more likely to buy its products again. Finally, The North Face plans to expand the product offering of the company from 4 to 6 activities. Their newest targets include runners and bikers. After conducting a survey with their customers, The North Face found that the top activity that respondents participate in, other than hiking, are biking and running. Therefore, The North Face wants to include more gear to accommodate this new market of runners and bikers. In order to reach its goals, The North Face plans on taking steps in order to meet its objectives. To achieve its goals, The North Face plans on creating strong awareness campaigns that emphasize the product technology and value of the products in order to decrease the perception of having prices way too high for a said product (2010 Sustainability Report, 2010). In order to increase customer loyalty The North Face Plans on developing more community outreach programs to engage customers. A simple solution is in place for the running and biking market, just simply begin developing products for that target market. The use of advertisements will help The North Face keep in touch with the customers and constantly remind them of product’s positive values (Over 40 Years of Innovation and Exploration, 2012). Maintaining long-term relationships with happy and satisfied customers will encourage them to continue buying the products. The technology used to make The North Face products is blue sign approved fabric. The blue sign standard guarantees that along the entire production chain products only contain components and pass through processes that are harmless to people and the environment (The Board Room Eco Apparel Environmental Standard, 2012). By supporting the blue sign standard, The North Face can focus not only on creating high performing, quality products but also on assuming greater responsibility for our consumers and the environment by minimizing the ecological impact of their supply chains (Product Responsibility, 2010). In addition to working with their primary suppliers, The North Face works hard to influence additional supply chain partners to partner with the blue sign system in 2010. Viewing the macro-environment surrounding The North Face is very interesting. Many factors influence the production of products, sales, and innovation. Social trends include brand popularity as well as possible body image and health issues. Everyone wants to fit in with the new styles, therefore with The North Face on the rise; sales will increase and become popular among customers. Since The North Face promotes healthy living, healthy lifestyles among consumers will become a huge trend with trying to stay in shape and avoiding obesity. Politically and economically, healthcare bills could determine if people would venture out and do adventurous activities with risk involved. Higher taxes and unemployment rates will pose a huge threat to The North Face due to its high prices. Currently, natural trends that are being used include the use of blue sign fabric technology explained earlier and finding innovative ways to recycle and reuse resources for future products. Technological trends that are being used include partnering with the most innovative leading materials engineers. With this partnership, The North Face creates the technically advanced fabrics needed to develop clothing and equipment that meet their high standards (Our Research, Design ; Development Process, 2011). One great example is the partnership with W. L. Gore, who helped design PacLite, â€Å"the most compressible, lightest weight GORE-TEX shell fabric available† (Our Research, Design ; Development Process, 2011). As The North Face has been creating products with great quality and endurance, they plan to focus toward a greener supply chain and operations. At least 65 percent of the fabric it uses to conform to the blue sign sustainability standard for textile production by 2015 (Guevarra, 2011). After two years of working with major suppliers to apply blue sign guidelines, 27 percent of the fabric used in The North Face products meets the standard (Guevarra, 2011). The further upstream we go, the more impact we have on [easing] the environmental impacts,† Adam Mott, corporate sustainability manager for The North Face (Guevarra, 2011). With that being said, the greatest benefits result by improving the sourcing and manufacturing of prime materials that are used in its products. The North face customers are usually single middle-middle or upper-middle class people, whose main occupation is teaching or having part time summer jobs. They are college or professional customers between 25 to 45 years old (Demographics of The North Face, 2012). Their income ranges between $40,000 to $60,000 dollars. They are consistent users with heavy frequency of purchase and conduct searches on the Internet (Demographics of The North Face, 2012). Surveys and studies show The North Face customers are interested in running in marathons and also environmentally aware. They enjoy being independent and typically purchase high performance products (Demographics of The North Face, 2012). The company targets prospect customers who are trying to explore new locations for outdoor activities like running. The customers are generally people who are trying to fit in the new environment or society. The North Face has very stiff competition from three major well known companies such as Patagonia, Columbia Sportswear, and Nike. Patagonia and Columbia Sportswear are in the same category of â€Å"outdoor† lifestyle brands, and Nike on the other hand targets a much larger variety of customers. Patagonia’s mission statement states: â€Å"Build the best product, do no unnecessary harm, use business to inspire and implement solutions to the environmental crisis† (Our Reason For Being, 2012). Founded by the mountaineer Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia, like The North Face, is a company that is deeply committed to preserving the earth and creating sustainable products. In 1972, Yvon Chouinard developed the idea of going green mountain climbing after finding out that the climbing gear his company manufactured damaged cliffs (Beginnings and Blacksmithery, 2012). Chouinard later developed aluminum chocks to replace the steel climbing gear. The Columbia Sportswear Company is positioned directly against The North Face and Patagonia. While The North Face and Patagonia target the extreme outdoor adventurers, Columbia Sportswear appeals more to the casual outdoor enthusiast. They believe that â€Å"the outdoors isn’t all about remote expeditions or climbing the world’s highest mountains. Anyone can enjoy the outdoors† (Columbia’s History, 2012). They are definitely aiming to sell to a much larger crowd of customers compared to Patagonia and The North Face. Columbia Sportswear is sold in over 100 countries worldwide. They use state of the art technology known as Omni technology, which focuses primarily on comfort focuses on comfort (Omni-Technology, 2012). Core technologies serve the following functions: thermal comfort, water repellent, lightweight, advanced traction, sun protection, advanced evaporation, advanced cooling, waterproof and breathable (Omni technology, 2012). Nike is the world’s leading supplier of athletic shoes and apparel. Each product line they offer is branded such as, Nike Golf, Nike Pro, Air Jordan, etc. Nike’s marketing and branding strategy is a key component to their huge success. Nike’s logo, â€Å"The Swoosh†, is one of the most recognizable logos in the entire world. They target the mainstream athletic crowd with their apparel, commercials and sponsorships. Competitively, all four companies have incredibly strong cultures and each has their own sets of strengths and weaknesses. Out of these sport and recreation apparel powerhouses, Patagonia, is the most serious threat to The North Face. However The North Face has some unique features that gives it an advantage over Patagonia and the rest of its competition. The North Face is a very trendy brand, and very popular with college students. It is available in thousands of retails stores for easy access, creating more of a mass market appeal. trendy brand of the two, hugely popular among college students and widely available nationwide in thousands of retail locations. Thus, The North Face has more mass-market appeal. On the other hand, Patagonia only has a handful of retail locations in areas that aren’t as populated. This happens to be part of their marketing strategy. The North Face’s marketing strategy is to focus on the athlete and their performance in The North Face gear. Patagonia focuses more on the clothing it sells, not the model. They place an emphasis on the fabric technology that they use in their marketing and only display their clothing on their website and catalogs. This is an area where both of these companies could improve on. North Face as a whole company is financially healthy. This is determined through the financial ratios provided by the annual report of V. F. Corporation for the year 2012. The North Face is a subsidiary to the VF Corporation and is represented as the stock symbol VFC on the New York Stock Exchange. In order to determine The North Face’s health, profitability ratios and its subcomponents were analyzed. Profitability ratios show the business’s ability to generate revenue as compared to its expenses and other relevant costs incurred during a specific period of time (Profitability Ratios, 2012). These ratios include profit margin, return on assets, capital structure, and return on investment. The North Face’s financial ratio for profit margin is 47. 9%. This was determined by taking the net income, dividing it by the corporation’s revenue, then multiplying the quotient by one hundred. The return on assets is 9. 5% which is determined by taking the company’s net income and dividing it by their total assets. The capital structure of the North Face is 24. 3%. To calculate the capital structure, you must take their long term debt, and divide it by shareholders equity plus their long term debt. Calculating the return on investment, you must take the gain from interest; subtract it by the cost of investment, then divide by the cost of investment. The North Face’s return on investment is 14%. The current accounts payable is $868,870,000, current ratio is 1. 91%, the working capital is 1. 2B, and their long term debt is 1. 83B (VF Corporation, 2012). The North Face company is healthy because their working capital is only 300 million less than their long term debt and they have a positive $868,870,000. 00 accounts payable balance. Financial records were not available for Patagonia, The North Face’s top competitor. Columbia Sportswear, The North Face’s second largest competitor, financial ratios were looked at instead. Columbia Sportswear as a company is also financially healthy. This is determined through the financial ratios provided by the annual report of COLM for the year 2012. Specifically we focused on the profitability ratios and its subtopics to determine the health of the company. Their financial ratio for the profit margin is 46%, ratio for return on assets is 7. 5, capital structure -5%, return on investment is 9. 6%, accounts payable is $148,700,000, and their current ratio is 3. 9% (Columbia Sportswear Company COLM, 2012). The North Face exceeds Columbia in all four categories. The North Face’s profit margin is 47. 9% compared to Columbia’s 46%. In return of assets, The North Face comes out on top with 9. 50% opposed to Columbia’s 7. 5%. The North Face’s capital spending is at 24. 0%, way above Columbia’s -0. 05%. In the fourth and final category, return on investment, The North Face closes it out with a 14% to Columbia’s 9. 60%. These ratios are so different because The North Face is more successful and sells more inventory than Columbia. They also get a much larger market draw. The North Faces product and clothing line is helping the company meet its objectives. This is because they are very successful and have nearly a 50% profit margin. In conclusion, The North Face, part of the Vanity Fair Corporation, was founded in 1966 later opening its first retail store in 1968. The company, located in San Leandro, California, brings the most technically advanced products in the market to accomplished mountaineers, climbers, skiers and explorers. The majority of the company’s products are sold in premium sporting goods retailers, and specialty backpacking, mountaineering, and skiing retailers. The North Face provides gear for professional and amateur athletes and enthusiasts using high-quality, technical outerwear. Their slogan â€Å"Never Stop Exploring,† has become popular amongst all athletes and outdoor enthusiasts. This outdoor apparel powerhouse has a very large and loyal fan base, and the demand for outdoor apparel is on the rise. As stated earlier, in North America, performance outdoor apparel has grown 19% from 2004 to 2010. This trend is supposed to continue for at least another five years. As The North Face has been creating products with great quality and endurance, they plan to focus toward a greener supply chain and operations. Partnering with the blue sign sustainability standard for textile production, will help separate The North Face from their main market competitors Columbia Sportswear, and Patagonia. By looking at financial records, The North Face surpasses its second largest competitor, Columbia Sportswear, proving that it is the best in the industry. The North Face is named after the coldest most unforgiving side of a mountain, and has helped explorers reach unbelievable heights in the Himalayas. This remarkably powerful corporation is going to continue to design and provide the best for all outdoor enthusiasts, remaining on top for years to come.

Self-Reflection on Entrepreneurial Personality

Self-Reflection on Entrepreneurial Personality By submitting this piece of work I confirm I am aware of, and comply with University and Programme Requirements and regulations regarding Examination and Assessment Offences and that I am not party to any behaviour which could be construed as an assessment offence. I am aware that if I, or any member of my group transgress these regulations that the entire group could be found guilty of an academic offence. The last decades have witnessed the most dynamic emergence of entrepreneurial activity worldwide and the interest in entrepreneurship has increased significantly. No sector of economy has grown as vital, powerful and creative as entrepreneurship. (Kaplan, 2003). What is Entrepreneurship? The ability and motivation to form something from practically nothing is entrepreneurship. Moreover it is the willingness and steely determination to build an enterprise and handle risks and do everything possible to get the odds in your favor (Timmons, 1989). What is an Entrepreneur? The term entrepreneur had his beginning in the 17th-century and comes from the French word â€Å"entreprendre† and is usually a sole proprietor, a partner or a majority shareholder in an incorporated venture (Rowland, 2015). I have potential to be an Entrepreneur, because of my tested competencies! Different models can be used to identify what your personal traits are. Each model or test assesses particular attributes for entrepreneurial characteristics. One model is the â€Å"Entrepreneurial Traits Wheel† that depicts some traits an entrepreneur or an enterprising person may have. My self-evaluation (Figure 1 / Appendix 1, p.6) shows that I ´m a proactive person with a strong vision and flair. Moreover I ´m self-confident and prefer to solve problems. Furthermore I very goal oriented, a team player and a motivator to overcome difficulties. Thus my not innovated skills I ´m a motivated and communicated decision maker. The T-P Leadership questionnaire indicates that I ´m more laissez-faire than autocratic. I prefer a more morale than productivity style. Nevertheless I have a moderate high shared leadership style with a high morale and moderate high productivity behavior (Appendix 2, p. 7). Related to the Thomas-Kilmann (Appendix 3, p.10) test my profile indicates in various situations a good repertoire of useful social skills. A further test to evaluate entrepreneurial characteristics is the â€Å"General Enterprising Tendency† (GET) test. The results of my test show only in one particular section an average score (Appendix 4, p.16). All other sections assess a nearly maximum score. Summarised the tests underline the argument that I have entrepreneurial skills. But these are only theoretical results. I have potential to be an Entrepreneur, because of my working experience and our family business! To be entrepreneurial is to be inspired and capable of creating opportunities for oneself. To be an entrepreneur is one of the interesting and most exciting things. But it is not easy to start and maintain your own business. The best example in this case is my father. In our family it is a kind of tradition to have an entrepreneurial thinking. In 1963 my grandfather founded the logistic company â€Å"HTS Hà ¼ttges Tranport-Service†. Meanwhile my father manages the company since 1986 and I am working part time during my study in my father’s office. But I have already worked for other companies (Appendix 5, p. 22). To start, I did my apprenticeship as an industrial management assistant at Friesland Campina from 2005 to 2008. Friesland Campina is a worldwide Joint Venture who manufactures milk products. During this time I worked in different areas in the company such as the sales, purchasing, marketing, accounting and controlling department. After my apprenticeship I stayed in the company and was taken in the purchasing department from 2008 to 2010. In these two years I was responsible for the purchase of packaging and raw materials. At that time I was 22 years old and had a huge responsible position in this company, because when my disposition was poor the production plant couldn ´t produce their planned qua ntity. But I grew with the task and became more and more responsibilities. So, I earned the ability to lead negotiations with suppliers and hold presentations during important meetings. Also during my Bachelor study in the Netherlands I have expand my competencies. In the first semester we had to write a business plan and had interview a general manager to analyse the company. Moreover I was general manager and finance director of a project team in reference of a study project named â€Å"Mini Company† at the Fontys International Business School in the Netherlands. We had to found a real company for one semester with real market conditions. We had to sell company shares to get money and had a real entry in the Netherlands Commercial Register. Our student company â€Å"Nature Arts† was very successful and a good investment for our shareholders. We won a price from the â€Å"Jong Ondernemen† organization for the one of the best Mini Company (Appendix 6, p.23). At the end we could disburse them with a dividend of 30â‚ ¬. A further experience which could be beneficial to an entrepreneurial career was the internship during my study at the METRO GR OUP. The METRO GROUP is the one of the biggest wholesaler worldwide such as Tesco. I worked in the Corporate Planning Controlling department. It was a hard time and with long business days. I worked in different teams with different educational and cultural backgrounds. But this was an experience I ´ll never want to miss. This work experience was excellent to prepare for higher duties later. Now I ´m 28 years old and had the fortune to witness a good education. The following figure (Figure 2 / Appendix 7, p.24) illustrates my personal life path. Figure 2: Life Path Chart Felix Freericks Source: Own Illustration, 2015 Certainly I have weaknesses. Nobody is perfect. Certainly I have weaknesses and also experience with some difficult situations during my life. One Example is the language barrier. Therefore to improve my language skills such as English I study abroad and live in a residential community with only international native speaking people. I hope after my study I have improved my English skills to be confident in business discussions. Another Weakness is the motivation in some areas. Sometimes I fall in a deadlock and it’s difficult to motivate myself to change the current unsatisfied situation. In this case I have a high potential for improvement. The life is a long-life-learning process. Hence, I have to learn from my mistakes and try to avoid them in the future. My dream is to follow in one ´s father ´s footsteps hopefully. But Dreaming a dream is one thing, but bringing the dream to market is another dimension entirely. Therefore I early recognised to have to study to become a well-educated manager with managerial responsibility. Through the experience in the last nine years and hopefully in the common years I will learn how to manage and maintain a business. I see myself as an enterprising person, because even now I use the learning and experience to benefit my father ´s company in other ways. This attitude is crucial to your success at this early stage. Once my father said to educate yourself you have to be open-ended and focused to provide the freedom necessary to explore unexpected leads. My personal work experience in different companies has shown that’s difficult to manage a company. But I am hopefully ready for this challenge in a few years. References Kaplan, J. M., 2003. Patterns of Entrepreneurship, s.l.: John Wiley Sons. Rowland, M., 2015. www.businessdictionary.com. [Online] Available at: http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/entrepreneur.html#ixzz3SD5CxrBQ [Accessed 16 2 2015]. Timmons, J., 1989. The Entrepreneurial Mind. In: Andover: Brick House Publishing, p. 1. Appendix 1: Entrepreneurial Skills Wheel Appendix 2: T-P Leadership Questionnaire: An Assessment of Style The following items describe aspects of leadership behavior. Respond to each item according to the way you would most likely act if you were the leader of a work group. Circle whether you would most likely behave in the described way: Always = A, Frequently = F Occasionally = O, Seldom = S, or Never = N. A F O S N 1. I would most likely act as the spokesman of the group. A F O S N 2. I would encourage overtime work. A F O S N 3. I would allow members complete freedom in their work. A F O S N 4. I would encourage the use of uniform procedures. A F O S N 5. I would permit the members to use their own judgment in solving problems. A F O S N 6. I would stress being ahead of competing groups. A F O S N 7. I would speak as a representative of the group. A F O S N 8. I would needle members for greater effort. A F O S N 9. I would try out my ideas in the group. A F O S N 10. I would let the members do their work the way they think best. A F O S N 11. I would be working hard for a promotion. A F O S N 12. I would tolerate postponement and uncertainty. A F O S N 13. I would speak for the group if there were visitors present. A F O S N 14. I would keep the work moving at a rapid pace. A F O S N 15. I would turn the members loose on a job and let them go to it. A F O S N 16. I would settle conflicts when they occur in the group. A F O S N 17. I would get swamped by details. A F O S N 18. I would represent the group at outside meetings. A F O S N 19. I would be reluctant to allow the members any freedom of action. A F O S N 20. I would decide what should be done and how it should be done. A F O S N 21. I would push for increased production. A F O S N 22. I would let some members have authority, which I could keep. A F O S N 23. Things would usually turn out as I predicted. A F O S N 24. I would allow the group a high degree of initiative. A F O S N 25. I would assign group members to particular tasks. A F O S N 26. I would be willing to make changes. A F O S N 27. I would ask the members to work harder. A F O S N 28. I would trust the group members to exercise good judgment. A F O S N 29. I would schedule the work to be done. A F O S N 30. I would refuse to explain my actions. A F O S N 31. I would persuade others that my ideas are to their advantage. A F O S N 32. I would permit the group to set its own pace. A F O S N 33. I would urge the group to beat its previous record. A F O S N 34. I would act without consulting the group. A F O S N 35. I would ask that group members follow the standard rules and regulations. T13P13 Appendix 3: Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Questionnaire Consider situations in which you find your wishes differing from those of another person. How do you usually respond to such situations? On the following pages are several pairs of statements describing possible behavioural responses. For each pair, please circle the A or B statement which is most characteristic of your own behaviour. In many cases, neither the A nor the B statement may be very typical of your behavior, but please select the response which you would be more likely to use. 1. A. There are times when I let others take responsibility for solving the problem. B. Rather than negotiate the things on which we disagree, I try to stress those things upon which we both agree. 2. A. I try to find a compromise solution. B. I attempt to deal with all of anothers and my concerns. 3. A. I am usually firm in pursuing my goals. B. I might try to soothe the others feelings and preserve our relationship. 4. A. I try to find a compromise solution. B. I sometimes sacrifice my own wishes for the wishes of the other person. 5. A. I consistently seek the others help in working out a solution. B. I try to do what is necessary to avoid useless tensions. 6. A. I try to avoid creating unpleasantness for myself. B. I try to win my position. 7. A. I try to postpone the issue until I have had some time to think about it. B. I give up some points in exchange for others. 8. A. I am usually firm in pursuing my goals. B. I attempt to get all concerns and issues immediately out in the open. 9. A. I feel that differences are not always worrying about. B. I make some effort to get my way. 10. A. I am firm in pursuing my goals. B. I try to find a compromise solution. 11.A. I attempt to get all concerns and issues immediately out in the open. B. I might try to soothe the others feelings and preserve our relationship. 12.A. I sometimes avoid taking positions which would create controversy. B. I will let another have some of their positions if they lets me have some of mine. 13.A. I propose middle ground. B. I press to get my points made. 14.A. I tell another my ideas and ask them for theirs. B. I try to show him the logic and benefits of my position. 15.A. I might try to soothe the others feelings and preserve our relationship. B. I try to do what is necessary to avoid tension. 16. A. I try not to hurt the others feelings. B. I try to convince the other person of the merits of my position. 17. A. I am usually firm in pursuing my goals. B. I try to do what is necessary to avoid useless tensions. 18.A. If it makes the other person happy, I might let them maintain their views. B. I will let the other person have some of their positions if they let me have some of mine. 19.A. I try to get all concerns and issues immediately out in the open. B. I try to postpone the issue until I have had some time to think it over. 20.A. I attempt to immediately work through our differences. B. I try to find a fair combination of gains and losses for both of us. 21.A. In approaching negotiations, I try to be considerate of the other persons feelings B. I always lean toward a direct discussion of the problem. 22.A. I try to find a position that is intermediate between mine and another persons. B. I assert my wishes. 23. A. I am often concerned with satisfying all my wishes. B. There are times when I let others take responsibility for solving problems. 24. A. If the others position seems important to them, I would try to meet their wishes. B. I try to get the other person to settle for a compromise. 25.A. I try to show the other person the logic and benefits of my position. B. In approaching negotiations, I try to be considerate of the other persons wishes. 26.A. I propose a middle ground. B. I am nearly always concerned with satisfying all my wishes. 27.A. I sometimes avoid taking positions that would create controversy. B. If it makes the other person happy, I might let them maintain their views. 28.A. I am usually firm in pursuing my goals. B. I feel that differences are not always worth worrying about. 29.A. I propose middle ground. B. I feel that differences are not always worth worrying about. 30.A. I try not to hurt the other persons feelings. B. I always share the problem with the other person so that we can work it out. SCORING THE THOMAS-KILMANN CONFLICT MODE QUESTIONNAIRE Appendix 4: The Duham University General Enterprising Tendency (GET) Test Appendix 5: Part of Curriculum Vitae Felix Freericks Working Experience 02/2014 – 06/2014MSK Verpackungs-Systeme GmbH Bachelor thesis in the purchasing department Implementation of a key performance indicator system 08/2012 – 02/2013Metro AG Internship student employee in the Headquarter Controlling department Forecast- Budget reports Reporting Implementation of a reporting-tool for analysing the reporting structure 04/2010 – 02/2012Altenheim St. Marien gGmbH Assistance of the Board of Managements Finance Accouting tasks 01/2008 – 04/2009Friesland Foods Deutschland GmbH Purchaser Purchasing of raw packaging materials Negotiation Contracting Study 09/2010 – 07/2014Fontys International Business School Venlo, NL Study: International Business Economics Bachelor-thesis: Implementation of a key performance indicator system (Grade: 8,0) Graduation: Bachelor of Business Administration (7,4) Apprenticeship 08/2005 – 01/2008 Friesland Foods Deutschland GmbH Apprenticeship as an industrial management assistant Appendix 6: Certificate of Jong Ondernemen Appendix 7: Life Path Felix Freericks Statement of Authenticity We hereby solemnly declare, that we ourselves wrote this coursework, without the assistance of any third party; that in this report, we identified and specified all direct literal quotes from literature and indirect quotes (ideas, indirect quotations) from other authors. We are fully aware that any violation of this code may result in disadvantageous consequences for us. If fraud can be proved, we will be required to bear the costs of investigation into and sourcing of the original document. Plymouth, 23rd February 2015 Felix Freericks

Deadly Outbreak :: SARS Health Medical Essays

Deadly Outbreak It is March 2003 and my life-long dream of traveling around the world is finally coming true. It seems like since I was born I have longed to visit the far corners of the world, and finally, now that I finished college and I have some time to travel I get to visit Europe and Asia. Yet somehow my visit to Asia is not exactly what I imagined it would be. It is not the diverse culture; it is not the unusual food; it is not the remarkable atmosphere or the people that are marring my trip. It is a deadly outbreak of a disease that only emerged a few months ago. They call it SARS, or Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. I am in Hong Kong, one of the world's most demanding and most interesting places in the world, yet I am trapped on the 19th floor of my hotel, staring at the busy sidewalks from my window. The busy sidewalks that I see are not nearly as busy as they should be. People are afraid. The World Health Organization says the disease symptoms mimic those of influenza, starting with fever, headaches, cough, and body aches that are hard to distinguish from other respiratory illnesses. That is why this disease went undetected for some time. SARS is a virus from a family of viruses that cause a small percentage of common colds. The average time from when the patient gets infected to when he/she develops the disease is five days; however, the incubation period lasts anywhere from two to ten days. The worrisome fact about this new disease is that it is highly contagious. Studies done at universities in the Netherlands and China say that SARS may even be transmitted through contaminated food and water, sweat, and any other body fluids. Thus, the reasons for my watching the busy sidewalks instead of walking the busy sidewalks. I want to live to travel the rest of the world, so I would rather enjoy the view at this particular moment, rather than join in the cultural activities. It was only a few days ago that I joined the crowds in the swarming subway stations and walked the vendor-filled sidewalks. Nonetheless, the face-masks, gloves, scarves, glasses and other protective gear that are the fashions of the moment made me feel like the best precaution may be to stay away.

The Flat Tax Essay -- Economics

The Flat Tax The â€Å"consumption tax† as a replacement for the income tax is at least a subject of noteworthy question and debate. It seems as though, the means in relation to the ends are not always justifiable, but when approached properly, can benefit all. To answer the question of whether a consumption tax should be applied, I examined both my morals and my ideas of capitalism and free enterprise in relation to democracy. Is it fair to establish a tax that rewards the already wealthy and pose a threat to the already shaky financial standing of the poor? No; but a system that rewards success is important. So what is the solution? As an American, I am infused with the spirit of capitalism. While this is a wonderful thing, we must carefully draw the line between the tendency of capitalism towards over individualism and over extended tax burden. The burden to which I refer is of course, largely progressive taxes. With a tax system that is overly progressive (such as the present law system) we risk removing the incentive to invest in America’s companies and also remove money from the pockets of would be employers. As I examine the opposing idea of a regressive tax system, with which I am equally at odds, I find it to be morally repugnant to punish the poor simply for their lower economic standing. With the notion that income tax is going to tend towards the progressive side in the U.S., I feel that repealing such a liability may be beneficial for the Americ...

Essay example --

Jackie Robinson shook Major League Baseball forever by showing the league officials that African Americans could qualify to play in the MLB. He was a strong individual that was able to stand up to intense observation and confrontation. Not to mention he was a tremendous athlete. Did Branch Rickey (Jackie Robinson’s agent) make a good decision in choosing Jackie Robinson? Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson were two very different people. Jackie Roosevelt Robinson was born on January 31, 1919, in a small town named Cairo, Georgia. He had a mother named Mallie Robinson that single-handedly raised Jackie and his four other siblings1. Jackie Robinson’s father, Jerry Robinson, had abandoned his family when Jackie Robinson was a very young boy. His family had grown up as the only African American family on the block, meaning they encountered prejudiced on a daily basis. This strengthened the family unity and may have been a major reason for Jackie wanting to change segregation laws. At a young age his family moved to Southern California, more specifically to Pasadena, California, a city only about 12 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Once Jackie was there he began to grow a love for sports. He attended John Muir High School and Pasadena Junior College where he excelled in 4 sports, track, football, baseball, and basketball. He was named the regions MVP2 in baseball in 1938. He continued on and attended The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He was the first person to win varsity letters in 4 sports. He eventually left UCLA before he graduated and went to go play semi-professional football in Hawaii with the Honolulu Bears. His season was cut short when the United States began fighting in World War II. He served in the United... ...ied, his wife created the Jackie Robinson Foundation that helps to give out scholarships and mentoring programs for kids that need it to get into college. It was dedicated to Jackie Robinson’s life and work. If it had not been for Branch Rickey choosing Jackie Robinson there might have never been African Americans playing in professional sports. There would have never been players like Michael Jordan, or Walter Payton, or Willie Mays, or even Lebron James. I think it’s safe to say that Branch Rickey made a fantastic decision in choosing Jackie Robinson to represent African Americans at that time. He was a calm, young, athletic man that changed the way African Americans are looked at. Let me end with a very inspirational quote made by Jackie Robinson that reflects upon how he lived his life. â€Å"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."4

How annual report can be used to understand performance

A At he stop of each financial twelvemonth most of the companies make Documents supplying fiscal information such as blance sheets, income and cashflow statements and listing of company operations, calles one-year studies. The information included in the study is compared to the information of old old ages, looking besides at the consequences. This is a criticial portion of the dessision doing procedure of the company for future company tactics and schemes. There are two types of one-year studies depending on their contnents. The first is Annual study to the Securities and Exchange Comission, besides known as signifier 10-k. The 2nd is the stockholder one-year study or corporate one-year study. While the SEC one-year study provides really elaborate fiscal information, the sahreholder reoprt provides more generaized information indicating out the gross revenues and the selling information. To analyze the company ‘s market people should look at the corporate studies, but the user of the information must hold at least basic accounting knowedge, being familiar with company ‘s statements, cognizing where to happen utile information and how to analyze it. Annual studies are created by the direction of the company, so as the direction is responsible for the truth of the information presented in the study. The information is used chiefly by investors to analyze the company ‘s fiscal position and predict future way. To do happening information in the one-year studies easier, the one-year studies have similar construction, and include obligatory parts such as Management ‘s treatment and analysis of operating consequences. Annual studies basicly exhibit fiscal and statistical informations, so as to treat public presentation, markets and production. Puting together gross revenues, net incomes and other fiscal constituents for two or more old ages. This so called fiscal high spots have the intent to find the best attack to doing the company ‘s future scheme. However the one-year studies are composed by the direction, which purpose is to show the company in the best manner, overstating some information and suppress other. So every bit good as the one-year study is, it should n't be the lone beginning of garnering information for the investors to measure the productive and fiscal public presentation of the company. Another major factors for the truth of the information extracted from the one-year study is the ability to destinguish the of import facts and accomplishments of the extractor himself. In order to acquire information from the one-year study foremost must happen 1. All public-treaded companies are required to do one-year studies aviable for the Securities and Exchange Comission ( SEC ) , so to happen there one-year study is a possibility. Although most of the companies send digital coppies of their one-year study via electronic mails to users, or difficult coppies via mailing, normally free of charge. And for imediate obtaining one can ever download digital coppy straight from the company ‘s web site. Naturally the mean one-year study includes: missive to stockholders, Operational Overview ( Management Discussion and Analysis ) , Auditor ‘s study, amalgamate fiscal statements-including balancesheets ; income statements ; cashflow statements, Notes to amalgamate statements and some corporate information-for illustration: Board of managers, officers and stockholder information. In order to garner the needed information one must merely folow the stairss of analyzing the one-year study. First one must look into the last page of the study. It should be written on it: â€Å" Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm † or â€Å" Auditor ‘s Report. † If the one-year study does non hold this subdivision, it is non valid, so the information in it may be non authentical, intending that it is useless. To go on with the study ‘s security review than look into the portion â€Å" Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm † , it should be signed by an active reassuring house, the most celebrated are: Pricewaterhouse Coopers, KPMG, Ernst & A ; Young, Deloitte & A ; Touche. The house ‘s mark confirms that the study was created utilizing By and large Acepted Acounting Principles ( GAAP ) . Shoping through the study, the following portion coming is the â€Å" Letter to the stockholders † , incorporatin g summarised information about the company ‘s yesteryear, present and future. That could be utile for more basic determinations, based on more summarized information. Following are Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements, here is most of the neggative onformation about the company. Such as critical partnerships, cases and many other types of hazards that the company has taken. The following phase in analyzing the one-year study is reading the portion titled: â€Å" Management ‘s Discussion And Analysis. † Here all the information normally has the intent to show the company in a good manner, normally written by the PR experts, I ‘m non stating that this information is non valuable, but it may be distorted in some manner, so the reader must hold that one on head. The following portion of the study ca n't be manupalated, it is called Amalgamate Statements Of Financials. Incorporating merely unsmooth Numberss, it ca n't be influented. Looking at the Numberss, the reader makes his ain feeling based on his ain analysis. This portion of the study is divided by three chief parts. Firtst is balance sheet, showing a snapshot of the company ‘s state of affairs, but it may be changed many times from that past minute, so the information that contains may be non true any longer. The 2nd portion is the cashflow statement, demoing the monye flow in the company and it ‘s alteration during certain periods of clip. Very crutial portion of inspecting company ‘s statement, based on the fact that the monyeflow is one of the most of import factors organizing company ‘s position. The 3rd portion is based on the net income / loss dependance here is the most utile analyzis demoing if the house is passing more than it is gaining, howerver, the information may change due to some factors. The study besides includes an analysis of the Consolidated Statements of Financials, which is the undermentioned portion of the study. This analysis is basicly comparing balance sheets, or cashflows for different old ages ( one or more ) sing the tendencies. Tendencies are really utile sing any anticipations made about the company. The longer the period is the better the tendencies are distinged by the reader. The information compared for several old ages is evaluated in percantages, presuming 100 % as the index given in one of the old ages named basal twelvemonth, the other values in the other old ages could be higher or lower and in really rear instances being the same. This shows the existent alteration in the ammount for the different points. Than the sums of the similar points are expressed as a per centum of the basal twelvemonth ‘s ammount and that is how is formed the index or the tendency ratios. In order to susccesfully construe the information, the reader could seek specific information replying sepcific inquiries. For illustration an addition in the stock of the company, could be provoced by altering the whole st ock list policy. Increasing in revenue enhancement could be a consequence of really increased gross revenues, but somewhat altering net incomes. Monitoring he fixed assets and the long term debt besides could take to many concealed information about how these assets are being financed. That was the horizontal manner of analyzing Amalgamate Statements of Financials. The perpendicular method is for comparing statements of companies tha differ in size. For illustration in the perpendicular anlysis gross revenues woud be expressed as 100 % and every point in the income statement is expressed as a portion of this percantage. Sing the information that manner, the reader can examin the grounds of increasing the value of the current assets and stock. Sum uping the information given, I must state that analyzing company ‘s market, productive and fiscal public presentation is a long procedure, that requires more attending than it seems. To be the analysis every bit accurate as possible, the reader must detect the smallest item in the figures of the study and the histories. Because the slightest alteration in the tendencies of an facet of the company ‘s position, may be tantamount to a dramatic alteration in future. Reading the study and analyzing the histories is merely non plenty. It is required far more deep inspecting of the informations presented and separating the valuable information, straight related to the topic. Market and productive and fiscal public presentation are influenced by many factors and this is the ground why their analysis is so difficult to accomplish. And that every component of the studies and the histories has it ‘s immense part in this analysis. Following these stairss and passing the cli p required will likely take to an success analyzing the tendencies, that could reply the exact inquiry which response the analyser seeks, and replying that inquiry to construct up an full new scheme and maneuver over the topic.

Conflict and Beowulf

Ashley Ruhl 9/14/11 Honors British Literature Grendel Essay In the story Beowulf, there are three major conflicts. One of these is the domination of Mead Hall by Grendel. The second one is the revenge of Grendel’s mother after Grendel’s been killed. Last but not least the rage of the dragon, following the theft a guarded item. Most of the conflicts that are written are kept between societies and different groups. There are dual conflicts in multiple sections from the story.In Beowulf, there are multiple major characters that showed both internal and external conflicts by fighting the villains but still showing the attributes of internal conflicts. In Beowulf, the monster Grendel begins his attack on the innocent people of Herot one may say that this conflict is considered a dual conflict. This is because not only did Grendel begin the external attack on the people, but Beowulf came and decided to show his pride and courage to defeat Grendel. â€Å"When darkness had dro pped, Grendel went up to Herot†¦night’s slaughter. (Ln 30-40).This is one way to show the beginning of an ongoing conflict with Beowulf and Grendel. Following this, Beowulf was called to help Herot with this monster. An example of this would be when, â€Å"Grendel came, hoping to kill†¦rule over men (ln 3-150)† One may say after the fight with Grendel and his mother, Beowulf began showing his internal conflicts. Beowulf shows his courage and pride as he goes back to the king with the news. Finally, the people of Herot, could celebrate the victory of Beowulf. â€Å"Then old and young rejoiced, jogged along (ln 144-149). This shows Beowulf’s internal conflict because Beowulf could not go straight to Herod and be humble. Instead he makes it known that he defeated the monster so the people of Herod would get to know him as a hero. Not only does this show he has a lot of pride in himself, but one sees his pride when he fights the monsters without a weapon and with his bare hands. This is definitely him showing his pride but it is also him showing his courage and bravery. Grendel’s mother is showing a different section that shows an external conflict and internal conflict.Grendel’s mother came to Herod in order to get revenge for the murder of her son. She had killed the king’s best friend, which is the example of the external conflict. This conflict was between not only the people of Herod and Grendel’s mother but also between Beowulf and Hrothgar. Hrothgar shows his emotional side, with this example of an internal conflict, â€Å"The wise old king†¦ passed quietly (ln 29-42). † Immediately following this Beowulf shows Hrothgar his internal conflict by showing his courage by telling the king he would go and fight for Hrothgar.Grendel’s mother also has an internal conflict when Beowulf enters her lair. As an example, â€Å"And all at once the greedy she-wolf†¦her wet world. (ln 150- 154)† In conclusion I believe that the story of Beowulf is a story of dual conflicts. No matter what character it is, one may believe during every external conflict an internal conflict shows. One may also believe that an internal conflict is a way to have a character become completely vulnerable so the reader gets to know who their real character is.