Compaing Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield and the Film...

Introduction In history there have been many infamous battles. Ia Drang, Guadalcanal, Bataan, Pointe Du Hoc, San Juan Hill, Little Big Horn, and The Alamo are America’s hallowed battles. They are events that shaped our collective consciousness as a nation. One notorious conflict that has shaped the world as the aforementioned have shaped our nation is the Battle of Thermopylae. This epic struggle between the hoards of Persia and the decedents of Herakles decided the course of western civilization. Three-hundred brave, free citizens of Sparta defended the â€Å"Hot Gates,† a narrow mountain pass in northern Hellas, against 2 million servants of the self-proclaimed god-king Xerxes. For 3 days, the Lakedaemonians made the savages pay so dearly†¦show more content†¦Biography Steven Pressfield is the author of several books about ancient warfare. He has penned novels about Alexander, The Amazons and strangely enough the game of golf. He was born in Port of Spain, Tr inidad in 1943 to a US Navy father (website). He is a former Blue Devil and a former Devil Dog (website). His Duke days preceded his enlistment in The United States Marine Corps (website). It is his experience as a warrior in the employ of the stars and stripes that allow him to write about the hardships of combat with such inspiration. Pressfield wasn’t always an author. He has been an advertising copywriter, schoolteacher, tractor-trailer driver, bartender, oilfield roustabout and attendant in a mental hospital (website). This vast experience allows Pressfield to write such vivid fiction. Gates of Fire is on the reading lists of The Commandant of the Marine Corps, The Naval Academy, and The United States Military Academy at West Point and a favorite of the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is ultimately the story of the warrior’s life style and how he conducts himself at home and in war. Characterization: Historical Accuracy Gates of Fire is a fictional interpretation of an actual event. Pressfield offers â€Å"a soldier’s-eye view† of the Battle of Thermopylae (Lefkowitz). â€Å"Pressfield sets himself the task of explaining Spartan culture to us in all its glory, humour, brutality and philosophy† (Lee). He

Plato Vs Aristotle On Politics And Philosophy - 1899 Words

Plato versus Aristotle Plato and Aristotle, two philosophers in the 4th century, hold polar views on politics and philosophy in general. This fact is very cleverly illustrated by Raphael s School of Athens (1510-11; Stanza della Segnatura, Vatican), where Plato is portrayed looking up to the higher forms; and Aristotle is pointing down because he supports the natural sciences. In a discussion of politics, the stand point of each philosopher becomes an essential factor. It is not coincidental that Plato states in The Republic that Philosopher Rulers who possess knowledge of the good should be the governors in a city state. His strong interest in metaphysics is demonstrated in The Republic various times: for example, the similes of the cave, the sun, and the line, and his theory of the forms. Because he is so involved in metaphysics, his views on politics are more theoretical as opposed to actual. Aristotle, contrarily, holds the view that politics is the art of ruling and being ruled in turn. In The Politics, he attempts to outline a way of governing that would be ideal for an actual state. Balance is a main word in discussing Aristotle because he believes it is the necessary element to creating a stable government. His less metaphysical approach to politics makes Aristotle more in tune with the modern world, yet he is far from modern. Plato s concept of what politics and government should be is a direct result of his belief in the theory of forms. The theory of formsShow MoreRelatedPlato vs. Aristotle1952 Words   |  8 PagesPlato vs. Aristotle Plato and Aristotle, two philosophers in the 4th century, hold polar views on politics and philosophy in general. 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1. Marketing research Essay Example For Students

1. Marketing research Essay (1.1) Market * Size of the market The size of the market is large the whole car industry (world-wide) with multi-billion pound worth of value. Below are some of the car manufacturers today: Acura | Alfa Romeo | American Motors | Audi | British Marques | BMW | Bricklin | Bugatti | Buick | Cadillac | Chevrolet | Chrysler | Citroen | Daewoo | DeLorean | DeTomaso | Dodge | Eagle | Ferrari | Fiat | Ford | General Motors | Holden | Honda | Hyundai | Infiniti | Isuzu | Jaguar | Jensen | Kia | Lada | Lamborghini | Lancia | Lexus | Lincoln | Lotus | MG | Maserati | Mazda | Mercedes Benz | Mercury | Mitsubishi | Nissan | Oldsmobile | Opel | Peugeot | Plymouth | Pontiac | Porsche | Renault | Rover | Saab | Saturn | Skoda | Studebaker | Subaru | Sunbeam | Suzuki | TVR | Toyota | Trabant | Triumph | Tucker | Vauxhall | Vector | Volkswagen | Volvo * Market structure The type of marketing in which we are concerned with can be categorised as industrial marketing. This means that we are making specialised products that are sold to car companies and manufacturers rather than the general public. The obvious reason for this is that the product is assumed to be fitted onto cars by engineers only. * Industry output Below is the statistics on car production. This information is required as we need to identify growth potential which is the key to find a new opportunity. A growing market is where prices and margins are higher and therefore more desirable. * Mode of transport This research covered travel patterns among London passengers. Travelling by car comes first with a share of 49% and bus usage follows with 19%. This is shown below. Source : London Transport Household Survey (1.2) Product * Factors that may affect demand for the product Demand for this type of product may be affected by several factors: 1. The rate of national income which depends on the Gross National Product (GNP) and the capital consumption. As the national income increases, so does the production of goods and services which include cars. The quarterly national accounts is shown below. Personal sector Industrial and commercial Gross domestic Gross domestic Gross national saving ratio companies financial product at current product at constant disposable income at surplus or deficit market prices factor cost constant market prices per cent bn 1990=100 seasonally adjusted 1996 Q1 11. 7 1 131.1 107.6 108.3 Q2 11.9 2.6 132. 7 108.2 109.4 Q3 11.7 1.3 134.4 108. 9 109.8 Source: ONS 2. Demand is also affected by a change in price of the product. A survey was conducted to find the general response to price changes. 30 samples of potential customers were taken and the result of the survey is shown below. * Competitors Pricing The chart below shows how car manufacturers (up-market) charge for their electrical optional equipment. (1.3) Competitors * Competitive analysis The company is a leader in terms of the product its developed but in such a large market, many other new technologies have been introduced. These products are designed to help improve vehicle owner safety and security. They offer significant potential for automotive manufacturers. A study called APEAL by J.D. Power has shown that consumers best interests are technologies that lessen the chance of an accident. This could mean that the product has some chances of success. This could be further proved by certain tests. Some of the emerging technologies of greatest interests to consumers are: * Run-flat Tyres : drive up to 100 miles on a flat tyre * Automatic 911 dialling : in an accident, vehicle would automatically contact 911 * Vision Enhancement : computer screen display to aid driving when visibility is poor * Automatic Stability Control : Sensor which keeps driver from losing control * Remote start-up : A button on the key which would start the vehicle from a distance 2. Marketing of the product (2.1) Product and Planning * Product lines and ranges The company, so far, will manufacture a single product (one line) at a single price (one range). .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355 , .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355 .postImageUrl , .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355 , .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355:hover , .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355:visited , .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355:active { border:0!important; } .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355:active , .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355 .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u03d4ab55cf0344700e89f505e3465355:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Essential Aspects of Communication Displayed Through Film Essay Therefore we need not worry about the product mix at the moment, though preparations should be done prior to further product development such as variations in models, quality offered at different price levels, responses to consumer needs or manufacturing process. (2.2) Packaging * Package design The package should provide protection, .

GE Healthcare Organization

Question: Write an essay on GE Healthcare organization? Answer: Introduction: Healthcare sector is the most integral part of the human lives. It is the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of ailments, injuries, diseases and other physical and even mental disorders. (Tulchinsky Varavikova, n.d.) The delivery of proper healthcare is ensured by the registered practitioners in associated health, medicine, pharmacy, psychology, dentistry, obstetrics and other professions in the healthcare sector. The accessibility of the healthcare service depends upon the regions, countries, groups and individuals which are also influenced by the social and economic conditions and also the different health policies of the different countries. In this regard, the healthcare organizations play an important role in meeting the health needs of the individuals who are unwell. The project is based on the assessment of the GE Healthcare which is the subsidiary of General Electric (GE). Evolution of the organization: GE healthcare is headquartered in United Kingdom which is the subsidiary of the General Electric. The main role of the GE Healthcare is to deliver patient care with transformational medical services to the people all around the world. Apart from the basic medical services, it also provides informational technologies, diagnostics, monitoring system of the patients, discovery of the drugs, manufacturing technologies of biopharmaceuticals and performance solution services. GE healthcare is considered to be the first of the business segment of the General Electric to have headquartered outside of the United States. It is previously known as the GE Medical Systems before the acquisition of Amersham plc. It was then renamed as the GE Healthcare. (Ge.com, 2015) Core Functions: There are five core functions of the GE Healthcare which are discussed below: Clinical Services- this is the main role of the organization which the healthcare service delivery to the individual patients or families wither in the clinic or at the home or communities. In this section, the functions are treatment, prevention, early detection of diseases, recovery and rehabilitation and the support systems within the clinic. Health Promotion- in this regard the non-clinical measures are also important in improving the health of the individuals. In this section the functions are to promote the health of the community by formulating public health policy, providing suitable information about health through education and skill development and lastly, the heath promotions must be evaluated. Corporate Service and Infrastructure- it is very important to support the health service promotion by managing the healthcare organizations through the availability of well educated and trained medical staffs, financial management, proper and advanced infrastructure, information technology, efficient administration and introduction of the quality improvement systems. Research, Policy and Planning- one of the important functions of the GE healthcare is the advocacy of health service at local and regional levels through the implementation of research projects and participation of the workforce must be in the policy and planning process. Cultural Safety- this functions include the cultural safety in the organizational structure, engaging patients and their families, designing programs and its delivery and maintaining efficient governance and community control. Enabling Technologies: The GE healthcare also has the provision of Industrial Internet which fosters enabling technologies and services which improves the healthcare service to the patients on a worldwide basis. (Www3.gehealthcare.com, 2015) In this regard, GE healthcare has a Centricity 360 Case Exchange which is a cloud-based application. There is clinical collaboration with the unaffiliated clinicians and patients by the distribution of patient images across geographical distance. This technology enabled swift conferring of patient cases, easy access of reports and images of patients in order to make rapid diagnosis and planning of treatments. Recently there has been a new joint venture between the Microsoft and the GE Healthcare in the healthcare IT industry through the Microsoft HealthVault which is a cloud-based service. This will improve the quality of the healthcare service and the experience of the patients. (Healthdesign.org, 2015) Business Problems: The former CEO and the GE Healthcare IT President, Jan De Witte highlighted in his speech the five important challenges and business problems that are within the healthcare sector. Some of them are discussed below: Consumerization of healthcare- the overall healthcare use has come down due to the shifting of the cost on to the consumers of the health services. This is instigated by the changes in the insurance sector in which the consumers are making decisions towards their healthcare choices. Costs broke away from revenue- the patients are alarmingly opting for low cost health services which is the reason behind the rise in the operating cost that outpaced the revenue. Patient population and labour resources- it is estimated that by the year 2020, there will be a shortage of 90,000 doctors in the US but the population of the aged is increasing day-by day and their insurance coverage is also expanding. This will be a problem in the healthcare sector. Risk in healthcare system- it is believed that around 40% of the primary care providers in the next three years will earn from value based payments which involves risk that were borne by the payers. Delivery of better health outcomes- there are many competitors in the healthcare sectors that incorporates cost effective innovation that improve the outcomes. This has been challenging for GE Healthcare to survive in this sector. Peer Review: Goal- Resolving the different business and healthcare problems in order to improve the lives of the people. Results and follow up- Meetings were held between the administrators in order to incorporate technologies and improve the existing IT solutions so that the service delivery is eased out and effective and efficient. Good Practice- Integration and Information on Radiology which ensure advanced imaging of the body maintaining efficiency and accuracy of the physician. Advanced technologies that will improve radiation oncology include Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance, and Positron Emission Tomography to analyze the critical issues in clinical and technological aspect. (Www3.gehealthcare.com, 2015) Literature Search: The paper on Evidence Based Healthcare Design in 2008 was formulated the survey on the evidence based healthcare design which augments the improved infrastructure and safety measure within the healthcare sector. The results of the survey recommended improving the design characteristics like incorporating single bedrooms, proper ventilation system, good environment, improved ergonomic design and other settings. Impact Organization Impact: Healthcare organization impact the sector significantly as it provides information about the management, manages cost, smooth the progress of quality management and improvement programs and thereby restores the quality of the lives of the patients. Technological progress in the form of information system is an important aspect of improving the healthcare organization. The impact of the organizational culture is important for the effective health service delivery using evaluation strategy that will improve the work lives of the employees. The better organization implies that there is enough coordination among the employees to improve the service delivery. Significance of the problem: The problems and the challenges that are discussed are crucial to the healthcare sector and to the GE Healthcare. In terms of consumerization the patients are diverting to such healthcare organizations where the cost of the service is low and inexpensive foregoing their health status. Now, patients are the most integral part of the healthcare business and the decrease in the patients implies that the operating cost will outpace the revenue, thereby affecting the overall profit and the business confidence of the GE Healthcare. Also the problem of scarce doctors, physicians and the primary care providers has posed as a problem. The aging population and their insurance coverage are expanding at a faster pace than the expansion in the labour pool. Thus, the problem will be severe to the GE healthcare. (The Official Microsoft Blog, 2011) Solutions Potential Solutions: The major problem is that the patients are seeking for inexpensive health services. So, the GE Healthcare must incorporate innovations to attract patients. The innovations must ensure that the technologies improve the quality of the lives of the patients. In this regard the GE Healthcare must introduce: Microchips Modeling Clinical Trials so that the tests on patients are conducted safely and accurately without the use of animals in the clinical trials Installing Hybrid Operating rooms so that the technological innovations are utilized to the maximum. Introducing digestible sensors that will help the physicians to understand the human body better and provide with effective treatment solutions. Appointments of doctors, physicians for the coming years so that the shortage of the doctors do not affect the sector. Prior attempts: GE Healthcare had initiated programs and strategies to resolve different issues which are: Innovation of the marketing strategy was adopted by GE Healthcare by developing Experienced Commercial Leadership Program and had introduced Case Exchange that help to improve the service delivery of the healthcare to the patients. (Moorman, 2013) In this regard, the limitations to these implementations proved to be detrimental to the GE Healthcare because the innovation marketing strategy enables the organization incur high cost which raised the price of the healthcare service driving away the potential patients. The patients are making conscious decisions regarding the healthcare choices taking their budget into consideration. (Forum, 2013) Recommended Solution: The main aim for the GE Healthcare is to reduce the cost of the organization in order to extract the maximum profit. So it is recommended to the GE Healthcare to incorporate a new novel approach to reduce cost which is the bundled payments. This is the phenomenon where the patients are able to pay a single fee for the series of services he will receive. In providing such discounts to the patients the organization must they themselves introduce cost effective technologies that will reduce the operating cost of the organization through which they would be able to transfer it to the patients by offering them bundled payments. This will serve the dual purpose of the incentive to install cost effective innovation that will improve the GE Healthcare service as well as will attract patients who will find the concept of bundled payments appropriate for their pocket as there will be no surprise cost. On the other hand, the role and the target of the HR should be doubled in order to hire more doctors, physicians and primary care providers so that there is no future shortage. (Lorenzetti, 2015) Intended Effects: The different cost effective technologies as listed above would prove to drive down the cost of the company. This will enable them to acquire higher profits. Through this strategy the healthcare providers can pass on the benefits to the patients by incorporating bundled payments which will attract more patients. On the other hand, the hiring of the doctors will have a sufficient supply of the physicians and doctors to cater to the growing aging population. (referralMD | Medical and Dental Referral Network Management, 2013) Contribution Of Course-Work: Application of learning: For the learning outcomes will be achieved by incorporating some learning activities. In this case, the application of the learning will be assessed through a survey with the potential patients, existing patients and the patients who have completed their treatments. Also the finance department is another crucial respondent in the analysis who will give the information regarding the cost and profit structure of the organization after the incorporation of the strategies. Significance of Project: The project on the GE Healthcare organization is important in analyzing the problems related to the cost structure, health outcomes and the infrastructure of the healthcare units. The project identified the problems of the sector with the recommendation of solutions to the problem to which the intended effects are discussed that will help to analyze the effectiveness of the different strategies. Reflections: The healthcare sector is the most important for the human survival which must be improved continuously for the better delivery of the health services. In this regard, the situation of the GE Healthcare is evaluated. The major problem that it faces is the high cost which is hindrance in the service delivery. The recommendation of bundled payments in this context is a suitable suggestion that will prove to increase the patient number. Also the incorporation of the different cost effective technologies will prove to be beneficial for the organization that would be able yield higher revenue and lower the cost. Conclusion: This project deals in the healthcare sector in the US and the focus of the study is the GE Healthcare. The problems of the sector are identified and potential solutions are recommended that will yield beneficial results. The bundled payment is the key to the solutions which will help to attract more patients and increase the revenue of the organization and the cost will be lowered by introducing some of the cost effective technologies that will improve the quality of the health service. References Anderson, J., Aydin, C. (2005). Evaluating the organizational impact of healthcare information systems. New York, NY: Springer. Forum, S. (2013). How GE Healthcare Is Solving The World's Most Complex Rural Health Challenges.Forbes. Retrieved 6 June 2015, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/skollworldforum/2013/08/09/how-ge-healthcare-is-solving-the-worlds-most-complex-rural-health-challenges/ Ge.com,. (2015). GE Healthcare. Retrieved 6 June 2015, from https://www.ge.com/news/company-information/ge-healthcare Gehealthcarefinnamore.com,. (2015). Quality Assurance. Retrieved 6 June 2015, from https://www.gehealthcarefinnamore.com/about-us-3/quality-assurance.html Healthdesign.org,. (2015). Review of the Research Literature on Evidence-Based Healthcare Design | The Center for Health Design. Retrieved 6 June 2015, from https://www.healthdesign.org/chd/research/review-research-literature-evidence-based-healthcare-design Khoumbati, K. (2010). Handbook of research on advances in health informatics and electronic healthcare applications. Hershey PA: Medical Information Science Reference. Lorenzetti, L. (2015). 5 trends that will redefine your healthcare experience in 2015. Fortune. Retrieved 6 June 2015, from https://fortune.com/2015/01/14/5-trends-that-will-redefine-your-healthcare-experience-in-2015/ Moorman, C. (2013). Marketing in a Technology Company: GE's Organizational Platform for Innovation. Forbes. Retrieved 6 June 2015, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/christinemoorman/2013/01/29/marketing-in-a-technology-company-ges-organizational-platform-for-innovation/ referralMD | Medical and Dental Referral Network Management,. (2013). 7 Biggest Innovations in Health Care Technology | referralMD. Retrieved 6 June 2015, from https://getreferralmd.com/2013/11/health-care-technology-innovations-2013-infographic/ Steinman, J. (2014). The Top 5 Challenges facing Healthcare Execs Today | GE Health IT Views. Ge-health-it-views.com. Retrieved 6 June 2015, from https://www.ge-health-it-views.com/ge-health-it-views/the-top-5-challenges-facing-healthcare-execs-today/ The Official Microsoft Blog,. (2011). Microsoft and GE Healthcare to Create New Joint Venture to Enable Better Population Health Management - The Official Microsoft Blog. Retrieved 6 June 2015, from https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2011/12/07/microsoft-and-ge-healthcare-to-create-new-joint-venture-to-enable-better-population-health-management/ Tulchinsky, T., Varavikova, E. The new public health. Vermaat, M., Sebok, S., Freund, S., Campbell, J., Frydenberg, M. Discovering computers 2016. WIRE, B. (2013). GE Healthcare Survey Reveals Many Healthcare Organizations Not Prepared for Capacity Management Challenges | Business Wire. Businesswire.com. Retrieved 6 June 2015, from https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130305005483/en/GE-Healthcare-Survey-Reveals-Healthcare-Organizations-Prepared#.VXJtcc-qqko WIRE, B. (2013). GE Healthcare Survey Reveals Many Healthcare Organizations Not Prepared for Capacity Management Challenges | Business Wire. Businesswire.com. Retrieved 6 June 2015, from https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20130305005483/en/GE-Healthcare-Survey-Reveals-Healthcare-Organizations-Prepared#.VXJtcc-qqko Www3.gehealthcare.com,. (2015). About Us - gehealthcare.com. Retrieved 6 June 2015, from https://www3.gehealthcare.com/en/about_us Www3.gehealthcare.com,. (2015). Industry Knowledge Center | GE Healthcare IT - gehealthcare.com. Retrieved 6 June 2015, from https://www3.gehealthcare.com/en/Products/Categories/Healthcare_IT/Industry_Knowledge_Center

The Treadway Tire Company

Executive Summary Located in Lima, Ohio, the Lima Tire Plant is one of the top plants among the eight manufacturing enterprises within the Treadway Tire Company faced the problems of high turnover and job dissatisfaction which threaten the morale and productivity. Defining the root causes of the current issues, developing the measures for overcoming them and evaluating the following implications against the required costs are the main targets of this strategic plan.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on The Treadway Tire Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The cost-cutting mandate, the current hiring patterns based mainly on informal performance assessment for the following internal promotions, inconsistencies in the foremen’s functions and responsibilities and the lack of communication can be regarded as the leading underlying causes of the existing problem. The attempts of changing the hiring patterns an d initiating the training program were made by Ashley Wall, the Director of Human Resources but were rejected by the senior management due to the lack of the financial rationale for the strategy. Emphasizing the financial implications of improving the corporate culture through enhanced communication and workers’ commitment would be helpful for explaining the benefits of implementing the strategy to senior management. The major stages of the action plan include the investigation of the main deficiencies, changes in the hiring patterns trough developing a detailed performance assessment framework including the criterion of the communication skills and enrollment of the employees into the training program intended to enhance their awareness on the importance of effective communication, the strategic plan and the system of rewards for the improved communication. The changes in the hiring patterns, employees’ enrollment into the training program and the development of compr ehensive frameworks for performance assessment and rewards is crucial for overcoming the high turnover and job dissatisfaction problems and preventing the hazards of reducing the corporate morale and productivity at the Lima Tire Plant. Introduction The Lima Tire Plant as one of the plants of the Treadway Tire Company faces the problem of the high turnover rates and employees’ dissatisfaction with their working conditions and environment. The tire plant located in Lima, Ohio employs 1,120 workers, 970 of whom are hourly employees unionized by the United Steelworkers (USW) and the rest 150 are salaried workers. The salaried managers supervise the line production employees called line foremen who are responsible for the four main domains, including Quality Assurance, Material Control, Production, and Maintenance.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The three main sources p ut into the basis of the hiring patterns include the internal promotions of highly-performing hourly employees, external hires of the college graduates and the company transfers of the experienced employees from other Treadway plants with the special emphasis upon the internal hires (up to 80% as of December 2006). Ashley Wall as a Director of Human Resources transferred to the Lima Plant 2006 attempted to change this hiring pattern by giving more consideration to the external hires of the college graduates. With the variety of challenges in the tire manufacturing domain, including the increased raw material costs and the intense competition in the market sector, the company has adopted the cost-cutting mandate. However, disregarding the reduced financing, the problems of turnover and job dissatisfaction cannot be ignored due o their impact upon the efficiency of manufacturing processes. Statement of the problem The lack of communication between the various levels of management and employees at the Lima Tire Plant, one of the plants at the Treadway Tire Company, resulted in the overall job dissatisfaction and high turnover rates. The threats towards morale and productivity are the main problems which need to be handled by the human resource department of the Lima Tire Plant in the current context of cost-cutting. The lack of communication and understanding between the management levels and the plant employees caused dissatisfaction of all the participants of the working process. On the one hand, the foremen, who are responsible for meeting the industrial targets but may lack knowledge of industrial engineering and unable to influence the disciplinary issues, feel disconnected from the rest of the plant. The responsibilities of the foremen were mainly limited to filling the reports and schedules and bearing the responsibility for the production forecasts though deprived of power for affecting the outcomes.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on The Treadway Tire Company specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More On the other hand, the hourly employees who may become the victims of the foremen’s dissatisfaction felt the lack of respect from them and were indignant with their managerial style. In general, the current hiring and managerial patterns have a negative impact on the working environment, the employees’ commitment and corresponding results. While the senior management rejected the offered rotational program and training due to the lack of funds and the current cost-cutting mandate, the problem of turnover and job dissatisfaction are undertreated, proper measures need to be imposed for defining its rooting causes and selecting the appropriate strategies for improving the situation. The opportunities of possible solution The solution of the turnover problem is significant for making the Lima Tire Plant one of the top enterprises within the Treadway Tire Company. Th e recognition of the turnover and job dissatisfaction problems by the senior management of the plant and serious consideration of the measures which need to be taken for improving the current situation are crucial for not only improving the working environment but also increasing the manufacturing outcomes in general. Taking into account the complexity of the issues involved into the sphere of the high turnover in the foremen positions, a thorough analysis of the root causes of the existing problem is required for detecting the main drawbacks of the current practices and developing the strategies for improving them. The main opportunities of improvements include the changes in the hiring and managerial patterns along with corporate training for enhancing the foremen’s knowledge on the industrial engineering processes, disciplinary issues and improving communication between the line foremen and senior management as well as foremen and hourly employees. The system of monetary r ewards for the improved communication between the various groups of employees can become an effective means of motivation. The measures which can be taken for overcoming the problem of high turnover and job dissatisfaction combine the changes in the implemented patterns for hiring the foremen and distributing the responsibilities, thus making changes in the company’s hiring philosophy, developing a system of monetary rewards and training the employees for communicating the idea of the necessary changes and enhancing their awareness of the engineering processes and the recent changes. Discussion Regarding the proposed opportunities for solving the problem of the high turnover and the lack of communication between the various groups of employees at the Lima Tire Plant, the issues deserving consideration include the costs of the required changes against the possible benefits of the implemented changes.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In the context of the cost-cutting mandate, the prior rotation program has been rejected by the senior management. In that regard, an elaborate analysis of the main underlying causes of the turnover, communication failures, and dissatisfaction and their financial impact upon the plant’s manufacturing outcomes is required for illustrating and justifying the offered strategy. Through the research, it has been discovered that the informal system for measuring the employees’ performance without any definite assessment criteria appeared to be ineffective for selecting the internal candidates for the promotion to the foremen positions. Complimenting the criterion of meeting the business forecasts with the parameters of overall competence and successful communication with senior management and hourly employees would allow conducting a more complex evaluation of the performance and selecting the best candidates for the promotion. Regarding the training programs aimed at enhanc ing foremen’s knowledge on industrial engineering and building the communication bridges between the participants of the working process, it is essential to discuss the impact of the communication failures upon the working environment, employees’ commitment and manufacturing outcomes. Along with exploring the significance of improved communication through training the employees, the system of monetary rewards for any significant success can be valuable for improving their motivation and involving them into the process of implementation of a new strategy. The proposed solution includes the changes in the company’s hiring and promotion patterns, training for enhancing competence and communication and a system of monetary rewards for the merits in implementing a new strategy which however requires proper consideration of the implied costs against the advantages and disadvantages of undertaking the changes. The strengths and limitations of the prior research The pri or research conducted by Ashley Wall as a Director of Human Resources at the Lima Tire Plant was valuable for providing the insight into the leading underlying causes of the high turnover and job dissatisfaction problems but lacked consideration of the financial impact of the existing drawbacks against the costs required for undertaking the changes and the motivational factor significant for involving the employees into the implementation program. Thus, shedding light upon the drawbacks of hiring practices, certain inconsistencies in the foremen’s responsibilities and the lack of communication between the various groups of employees, the prior research touched upon the significant root causes of the existing problem. The changes in the hiring patterns and rotation training offered by Wall could be effective at the initial stage of changing the current practices within the plant. The lack of consideration of the financial impact of the problem can be regarded as the main reaso n for which the senior management rejected the initiative on the premise of the cost-cutting mandate. Another limitation of the prior research is the lack of attention towards the employees’ involvement in the change-making process. The monetary compensation for the additional efforts is significant for increasing the workers’ commitment and ensuring the success of the initiative. A plan and strategy statement The action plan for solving the problems of high turnover and job dissatisfaction at the foremen level includes a comprehensive analysis of the financial impact of the discussed issues upon the plant’s overall performance, changes in the current hiring patterns and consideration of the opportunities of corporate training and a system of monetary rewards for improving the employees’ motivation. The first part of the strategy includes the analysis of the implications of the current practices for providing the rationale for undertaking the changes. Thi s goal was partially achieved by Wall who has collected the information from the employees’ profiles and interviews. The following research stages require consideration of the financial side of high turnover and lack of communication. Development of a detailed hiring framework is another significant stage of the action plan aimed at selecting the best candidates for the foremen’s positions. Another critical part of the strategy is the training program aimed at communicating the idea of the changes to the employees, enhancing their competence and developing the communicative skills which are necessary for the successful business performance of the plant in general. The integration of the information on the system of monetary rewards into the training program is crucial for improving the employees’ motivation and commitment during the reformation of the current practices. A strategy aimed at overcoming the existing turnover and communication problems should integr ate the changes at all levels of the plant, including the hiring patterns employed by senior management, the training program involving all employees and schemes used by all workers in their daily professional communication. Implications of the strategy The implementation of the offered solution will affect various dimensions of the Lima Tire Plant performance, including the corporate culture in the form of the hiring patterns, promotion perspectives and business communication, the human resource level and the financial performance of the plant. Due to the mutual relationships between the different dimensions, a complex perspective should be adopted for evaluating the program outcomes. Changes in the hiring patterns and proper training of the foremen are expected to have an impact upon their performance and job satisfaction, improving the working condition for the hourly employees at the same time. The system of monetary rewards is intended to improve the workers’ motivation and commitment. On the other hand, taking into account the fact that the discussed changes would require certain investments, the following benefits need to be measured against the required costs. Conclusion In general, it can be concluded that regardless of the cost-cutting mandate, the changes in the current practices of the Lima Tire Plant are needed for overcoming the high turnover, communication and job dissatisfaction problems at the foremen level and improving the overall business performance of the enterprise. The reconsideration of the hiring patterns, development of the detailed performance assessment framework, training programs, and monetary rewards system are crucial for the successful implementation of the discussed strategy. Reference List Skinner, W. Beckham, H. (2008). Treadway Tire Company: Job dissatisfaction and high turnover at the Lima Plant. Harvard Business Review. This report on The Treadway Tire Company was written and submitted by user Coleman U. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Free Essays on Bertolt Brecht Bibliography

Bertolt Brecht was born on February 10, 1898 in the medieval city of Augsburg, part of the Bavarian section of the German Empire. He married in 1897, his father was a Catholic and his mother a Protestant. Brecht was their first child. His father worked as Chief Clerk in a paper factory, clearly fitting the definition of "bourgeois." His mother was ill with breast cancer most of his young life. Throughout his life Brecht was supported by his family, especially his father with whom he disagreed strongly concerning the bourgeois lifestyle. His father continued to provide financial support and a home for much of his life. Only one piece of correspondence between them survives: a letter where Brecht begs his father to raise his illegitimate children. Brecht was a sickly child, with a congenital heart condition and a facial tic. As a result he was sent to a sanatorium to relax. At age six he attended a Protestant elementary school and at age ten a private school. Like most students, he was educated in Latin and the humanities, and later exposed to thinkers such as Nietzsche. He suffered a heart attack at the age of twelve, but soon recovered and continued his education. While in school he began writing, and ended up co-founding and co-editing a school magazine called "The Harvest". By age sixteen he was writing for a local newspaper and had written his first play, The Bible, about a girl who must choose whether between living or dying and saving many others. He was later almost expelled at age eighteen for disagreeing on whether it was necessary to defend his country in time of war. By nineteen he had left school and started doing clerical work for the war, prevented from active duty due to health problems. In 1917 he resumed his education, this time attending Ludwig Maximilian Universitaet in Munich where he matriculated as a medical student. While there he attended Artur Kutscher's seminars on the theatre. He despised many of his fell... Free Essays on Bertolt Brecht Bibliography Free Essays on Bertolt Brecht Bibliography Bertolt Brecht was born on February 10, 1898 in the medieval city of Augsburg, part of the Bavarian section of the German Empire. He married in 1897, his father was a Catholic and his mother a Protestant. Brecht was their first child. His father worked as Chief Clerk in a paper factory, clearly fitting the definition of "bourgeois." His mother was ill with breast cancer most of his young life. Throughout his life Brecht was supported by his family, especially his father with whom he disagreed strongly concerning the bourgeois lifestyle. His father continued to provide financial support and a home for much of his life. Only one piece of correspondence between them survives: a letter where Brecht begs his father to raise his illegitimate children. Brecht was a sickly child, with a congenital heart condition and a facial tic. As a result he was sent to a sanatorium to relax. At age six he attended a Protestant elementary school and at age ten a private school. Like most students, he was educated in Latin and the humanities, and later exposed to thinkers such as Nietzsche. He suffered a heart attack at the age of twelve, but soon recovered and continued his education. While in school he began writing, and ended up co-founding and co-editing a school magazine called "The Harvest". By age sixteen he was writing for a local newspaper and had written his first play, The Bible, about a girl who must choose whether between living or dying and saving many others. He was later almost expelled at age eighteen for disagreeing on whether it was necessary to defend his country in time of war. By nineteen he had left school and started doing clerical work for the war, prevented from active duty due to health problems. In 1917 he resumed his education, this time attending Ludwig Maximilian Universitaet in Munich where he matriculated as a medical student. While there he attended Artur Kutscher's seminars on the theatre. He despised many of his fell...

Using SAP in Electronic Government Research Paper

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