by Herman Bailey | Feb 12, 2023 | Essays |
Introduction
The existence of human life has experienced various innovations that challenge its regular occurrence. Majorly, the effects originate from invention of computers. According to Begum, R., and Mujtaba, B. G., (2015), they observe that computers come with it merits and demerits to human beings in terms of its work operations. For instance, several computer applications have emerged that do most of human effort. In regards to this, work is mechanically done through systematically set machines operated by computers that totally ignores a human aspect. For this reason, computers have been severally analysed to a point that its existence has severely negated human development in all aspects.
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When computers are given face value, their importance overrides the negative side. But once in-depth analysis is conducted then one begins to comprehend the threat it has on human growth. One will ask, what of the technological advancement done over time? And again, does it mean then that invention of computers was misplaced? Critical queries opt to be posed in order to establish proper answers to our worries. Check this scenario, everything we undertake as humans now becomes mechanised. This goes to the extent that our families are running on computer applications. F, F. K. (1962) observes that all over sudden people become so dependent on this applications that industries are operated by robots as we, human beings remain recipients.
Some will argue that today’s advancement in regards to weaponry has aided the world to coming more peaceful, but the truth be told, the world has become more insecure. Why this? There is this believe that enemies are within and hence the need to protect ourselves from our enemies. Who are these we call enemies? Our friends and neighbours, due to the emergence of computers, suddenly find themselves confined in this category.
Campbell, (2011) stated that human interactions with technological advancement in the name of the computer and its applications hinders the ability and resolve to showcase human capacity to carry out sophisticated functions. This has led to laying back of individuals to perform and continuously over relying on the inventions humans personally engaged in developing. Great individuals emerged as scientists and remained celebrated to date for the contributions towards the enhancement of existing science. The foundations are pure human personal involvement in research that lacks at the moment in period and case research experiment are done, and all focus relies on the computer applications. This, however, as it improves the efficiency the human aspect is missing (Campbell, 2011).
Computers are excellent gadgets given the amount of efficiency and convenience that have come with it. However, the improvement done on its applications has further pushed man to the periphery and remained to be controlled by it (F, F.K, 1962). People complain about how fast we are losing ourselves in the world to a point that human beings are left inferior to our creations that have become our superior partners.
In conclusions, whichever said of the coin one looks at this computer device one still notices the damage it caused and persistently continue to cause to mankind. Human beings are left second class to their inventions and innovations and are remotely controlled to an extent that we can no longer look back and appreciate our origins. This has only made us blame our past and understand the period computers came into existence. Indeed, computer negates the human development gained after long decades of life, and if, not checked, then the days are coming when humans will play second to robots.
References.
Begum, R., & Mujtaba, B. G. (January 01, 2015). Work Ethics Perceptions of Pakistani Employees.
Campbell, J. (January 01, 2011). Information Sharing and Processing in Computer-Mediated Interactions.
F, F. K. (January 01, 1962). Rounded Development of the Human Personality – the Paramount Task of Communist Construction. Russian Education & Society, 4, 3, 3-19.
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
by Herman Bailey | Feb 12, 2023 | Essays |
A. What mental illness (es) does the author describe? How does the author describe the experience of having illness? What is like for that person to be mentally ill, in itself?
Caroline Knapp in her memoir Drinking: A Love Story reveals her painful secret of being an alcoholic as she boldly shares her distressing experiences as a highly functioning alcohol addict. To her, like many other alcohol enslaved individuals she describes in her story, alcohol was a toxic love affair that almost cost her life- something she loved more than people and cherished like her life depended on it. Knapp also suffered from anorexia- a food disorder that she overcame with the help of a psychiatrist. Fueled by the aspiration to be in control of her life-to be the one to make every decision regarding her life with acute desperation to be perfect just so that she could prove her self-worth and finally receive even the tiniest affection from her cold parents, she opted to deny herself the right food to a disturbing extent as a means of exercising control of something in her life.
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Every alcohol addict struggles with getting by every day in life with the hope of being themselves again one day intertwined with confusion, doubt, and fear of failing such that at the end of the day they sunk deeper into depression with the hope fading gradually each passing day. Knapp having joined the drinking crew as a teenager drinking her way through Ivy League College deceived herself she would not touch a battle after she overcome a difficult situation in her life surprised that she drunk even more and disappointed that her problems were still there when she sobered up. Unfortunately instead of quitting, she fell harder for the bottle every day to a point even the sound of alcohol being poured on the glass awakened her thirst and keeping her hands of it became a dream she longed would come true and a miracle she prayed for regularly. With time Knapp drinking reached a heartbreaking point when she drunk blind unable to determine when enough was enough to an extent only blacking out determined her limit for the day. After which she would feel ashamed and depressed as she nursed hangovers and shuttered hopes when she came to. Knapp desired to stop drinking so much that she even wished it was only sold under prescription.
Every day in the twenty years Knapp battled alcoholism was a struggle. Her infatuation with alcohol frustrated her. She lived in despair watching alcohol become the center of her world and scared that it would become a permanent part of her. All that came to mind was the bottle as if her entire world revolved around it- she thought of alcohol when she was bored, sad, happy or anxious to an extent even her reasons for resorting to the bottle became blurred. In that she no longer just drunk to forget her problems – a frustrating point in life when she came to the realization that her life was hers no more, alcohol had taken over enslaving her and that she had lost even the tiniest will-power to object desperate for redemption yet loyal like a dog.
Knapp got her inspiration to use alcohol from her father and the drive from her silent sad family. By watching him use alcohol to relax and maintain harmony in his family, she got the impression it was okay to drinking. To her, drinking was the surest way to dealing with her insecurities and challenging realities of life despite being born to a wealthy family, well- bred and educated. She was motivated by the illusion that alcohol was the solution to her problems, a way to cope with one unhealthy relationship after another, family tension as well as cruel memories. At the begging when she worked up the courage to be around her father from the alcohol, she thought it was ideal and loved the way it felt. Finally, she was able to be around her father without feeling inadequate or out of place. All she ever wanted was to connect with her family and often took the blame for their coldness towards her. In that when alcohol worked the magic and helped her connect with her father, she was grateful and resorted to hold on to it as long as it gave her the hope and opportunity to be comfortable around once she wanted close yet were so distant. As a result with each problem that came her way, she turned to alcohol for consolation, protection and for an escape. For instance, when her parent passed a year apart she expressed her devastation by drawing deeper into alcohol- at that time alcohol helped escape and protected her from extreme pain she was afraid of.
Alcohol created for Knapp a perfect world where there were no worries, no rules and regulations nor moral obligations to the society and a place for her to hide whenever the world was against her. Given that she was shy and suffering from inferiority complex where she thought she was not good enough and struggling to prove she was worthy, her misfortunes never seemed to end especially regarding social and emotion insecurities. Giving into extreme emotions was her one of her greatest fears and alcohol helped her escape from them- showing and accepting love. When sober, Knapp was uptight and felt her life was boring and suffocating – a problem of which her savior alcohol was there to solve. Alcohol loosened her, helped her express her true self and desires. Under its influence she was able to engage in activities she would never carry out sober like dancing. She felt alive and free- free to be herself and not worry about being judged for the decision she made or worry about whether she did anything wrong because she just had glimpses of what had transpired and not the full account and as usual something you do not know cannot hurt you, an idea she found comfort in. Waking up in bed with men clueless of how she got there or what had transpired shameful and regretful was common but did not deter her.
Knapp went to great links to foster her drinking and conceal its effects and the fact that she was an alcoholic. First she denies it even to herself just like she says denial is the disease of alcoholism. At one time when her psychiatrist convinced her to join AA meetings she went but felt she was not like them- she convinced herself that she had not reached that point yet that was exactly where she was she could not just come to terms with it. The public adored her since they perceived her as a successful sophisticated professional. On the outside she was calm and organized but inside the stability of her personal, life health wise and emotionally, was being washed by alcohol. Inner-self was shutting down gradually secretly, breaking herself into pieces one day at a time. Knapp went through a nightmare coping with alcoholism. Leading a double life of which on one side she was the dutiful focused daughter on the other she was the sick empty alcoholic. Motivated by the desire to drink another day and escape judgment from those she cared for, Knapp hid alcohol anywhere she thought they would be safe even if they were not ideal places including behind cupboards in her apartment, behind her lovers’ refrigerators and in the bathroom clearly indicating her level of misery and how acute the situation was. Often, she was frustrated acting in ways she could never even have imagined just to get a taste alcohol and feel relieved like drinking in bathrooms and making up stories for whoever stumbled across her numerous hidden bottles.
Being an alcoholic for Knapp was torture. Being in love with the bottle to an extent she hardly recognizes herself anymore and tormented by the fact that that love was consuming her leading through a path she was not prepared for. Dealing with hysteria whenever she did not get enough of the drinking and plotting crazy ways to drink to her feel in public places especially when drinking with friends or family members. Living a lie consumed her even more as she struggles with excuses and more lies each time she almost get caught and hoping her friends and family never finds out. Coping with shame and self-loathing after an ugly incidence under the influence of excess drinking is traumatic. Yearning to be accepted the way she was instead of people trying to change her like Julian did was painful as all she got was rejection.
Inspired by the work of Pete Hamili’s, Drinking a Life, Knapp finally gained the courage to own up to her sickness and face her problems as she had eventually figured the connection between drinking and the outcome. She realized that drinking was not actually the solution but a destruction that was causing her a lot of sorrow. She discovered that drinking was the source of her unhappiness since it fostered secrecy and contributing to her wasting two decades of her life. She could not grow personally or emotionally. Moreover, she realized her love was extremely toxic since it blurred boundaries impairing judgments and destroyed those she cared about and making her hurt the people she loved the most like the time she fell on the street nearly killing her friends daughters while drunk. It also made her develop unhealthy tendencies like smoking of which combined with alcohol had a negative impact on her health since they damaged her liver that later caused her death in 2002. Armed with the aspiration to get her life back and move on from a nightmare that had placed her life on hold for twenty years she finally checked herself into a rehabilitation center in New Hampshire in 2002 and later attended AA every night glad to have triumphed over alcoholism.
B. How does the author describe the reactions of family and friends to his or her behavior when mentally ill? Are they sympathetic, loving, angry, exhausted, unhappy, frustrated or despairing? Give some examples of their reactions.
It is always disheartening to watch a loved one waste his/her life away. Knapp’s mother was devastated as much as she never openly showed her pain since she was dealing with problems of her own. It broke her heart to listen to her daughter lie about her problem but there is nothing she could do since even after expressing concern to Knapp about her drinking Knapp still went own. Deep down, she blamed herself just like most mothers. Knapp’s mother made a point to tell Knapp indirectly to stop drinking when she told Knapp to smoking during her last moments because Knapp never owned up to the issue. Even Knapp’s sister was worried about Knapp’s emotional and personal well-being realizing that it was being damaged by alcohol. Some of friends like Julian could not take it. He was exhausted since his attempt to change her all backfired yet his acceptance meant much to her.
C. How does the mental illness affect the person’s ability to function in school or at work?
Fortunately for Knapp, alcoholism rarely interfered with her education or work. She was able to perform well in college shockingly graduating with honors regardless of her problem unlike many who have been in her position. It seems academic may have been complicated but what she could not handle was her emotions because she went further to be successful in her career as much as she used to drink after work. When it comes to work Knapp remained focused- she never let alcohol get in the way probably because she felt her work was the only thing she was good at amidst her confused life. In that throughout her drinking life she remained a celebrated columnist, editor and writer sharing her life experiences with the world.
D. What is the author’s experience with health care professionals like psychologists, psychiatrists and nurses? Is it positive and helpful? Is it mixed? Or is it negative? Give some examples.
Knapp had a positive interaction with psychiatrists since her therapies were productive as they helped her get over her anorexia problem thus had a positive impact on her life. The psychiatrist was understanding, empathetic and always ready to assist giving her the courage to open about her condition. At one time she talks too much about her drinking problem during therapy session that he advised her to attend AA meeting since he felt she needed help. Her nurses at rehab also had a remarkable impact on her recovery as they encouraged her every time.
What overall message or lesson do you take from the memoir? What are it strength and weaknesses?
Generally, the author tells the world that abusing alcohol has long-lusting threatening consequences and every individual ought to shun from considering it solves nothing at the end of it. Knapp in her story attempts to encourage those facing similar difficulties to come to terms with their weaknesses and get help no matter how acute the situation has become sending a message that it is never too late to come clean. Especially those battling with alcoholism giving them hope again that the battle is not lost yet and that we can all rise up from our most traumatic and destructive self- inflicted obsession to lead a healthy productive life again. From her experiences and struggles with alcoholism we realize succumbing to cheap options like drinking just add salt to the problem while deluding us to be having the opposite effect. Given that alcoholism is a problem for many although every alcoholic have different experiences none of them is unique since it all comes down to a trauma none of them ever knows how to get out of. Always feeling as if their lives have been taken away from them and no matter how much they try it becomes difficult to recovery. For those in such situations acknowledging and admitting to the problem is the first step since denying just covers the problem and makes it worse.
Given people engage in life threatening activities like drug or alcohol abuse for different reasons, the author desires to inform us that we should accept the fact that we do not live in a flawless society and difficulties are part and presell of who we are since imperfection is what makes us normal, human. Therefore, we should learn from a tender age how to tackle challenges in our daily lives since unhealthy escape tendencies like excessive drinking destroys the very little we have and no excuse given in justification can ever repair the damage. Knapp viewed drinking as a way of surviving her misfortune of which when she was attacked by liver cancer nothing justified her actions.
The message is vital since it forms a basis of change for those suffering from alcoholism and clueless of where to begin and hope that it possible. In addition, it is relevant to those drawing in their daily troubles that alcohol is not the solution and parents to guide their children and always be therefore them. However, the lesson tends to be limited to alcoholics.
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
by Herman Bailey | Feb 11, 2023 | Essays |
Choice 3. French Neo Classic and French Rococo Galleries
Compare David’s “death of Socrates” with any paintings by Fragonard
Date: 1787
Artist: Jacques Louis David
Title: Death of Socrates
Dimension: 51×77 inches (129.5×196.2cm)
Medium: oil on canvas
In this painting artwork by David, in comparison to the artwork of Fragonard, finish is a relative term. In the painting, gloomy tone prevails as David shapes the image’s composition in dark shades on the background and grey, brown, white, blue and purple on the clothing of the disciples and Socrates himself. The multi colours on the clothing are concentrated at the centre of the painting and the canvas where there is illumination of the light (Lydecker & Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2008).
Artist: Jean Honoré Fragonard
Title: love letter
Medium: oil on canvas
Date: early 1770s
Dimensions: 32 ×26 inches (83.2 × 67 cm)
This painting artwork by Fragonard is in contrast to the painting by David on Socrates. Fragonard has applied over a brown tone and shaped the composition of the painting in darker shades of brown, modelling and drawing with strokes of varying thickness and the tip of the brush. Moreover, in that painting of Fragonard, white and colour are confined to the passages that are under a strong light towards the canvas centre; the powdered face of the young woman, her cap and dress, stool and writing surface, dog and flowers (Fragonard & Art Image Publications, 1988).
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Discuss the different time periods and therefore the different subject matter and painting style. What happened politically in each of the two periods? How did that affect the art?
The picture above was painted by Jacques Loise David and it shows the death of Socrates. The painting is dated 1787 and depicts Socrates accused by the government of Athens of corrupting the young with his teachings and denying gods. Socrates who lived between 469-399 B.C.E was given two choices of either dying by taking a cup of hermlock or renouncing his beliefs, of which he chose to die. In the painting, David shows Socrates when prepared to die and with his grief stricken disciples discoursing on the soul’s immortality. The painting has been done with a stoic theme and is considered the most perfect David’s neoclassical statement (Lydecker & Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2008).
On the other hand, the painting by Fragonard entitled “love letter” dates back in 1770s with also a contrasting subject matter and paining style as that of David’s “Socrates Death.” The image shows a young woman seated on a stool in a boudoir before an oculus window at her writing desk. She has addressed a card to an unknown gentleman and she is inserting it in a bouquet of flowers wrapped in a cone of paper (Fragonard & Art Image Publication, 1988).
In comparing and contrasting the two paintings, the image of Socrates death has political elements in it compared to “love letter” image which has no political elements in it. Using the period of Socrates, he was accused of corrupting young people with his teachings in addition to denying gods. He was offered two options; either death or denouncing his beliefs. The politics that prevailed during that time affected the painting as it has gloomy ambience and dull compared to love letter image. In contrast, love letter image is bright and has no traces of political traces hence asking the image bright and theatrical. This is emphasised by the manner in which the intimate view of the image is surrounded by curtains as well as the focussed light. The lady in the portrait is looking over her shoulder as if somebody is entering. Moreover, her hair is smoothly dressed with pink ribbons and muslin cap. She is wearing painted lace cuffs in a flurry of white strokes and a robe, à la française pleated at the back below her neckline and falls into soft loose folds. Furthermore, her white face seems heavily in makeups, and beside her closely is a white dog with silky, fluffy ears.
What were the names of the different painting styles/ and notice the difference in subject matter and paint application
The painting style adopted by David in his image of death of Socrates is referred to as abstract expressionism. In this style of painting, Zucker (2013) noted that the paintings are spontaneously created by the artists and are emotionally intense. Moreover, there is high drama and tension in their composition. This is true to the painting of Socrates death. Tension is very high, Socrates knows about his death and he is ready to die because of his beliefs while his disciples are grief stricken. The artist have used shapes and colours to portray the landscapes and emotions of the inner world of Socrates and his disciples.
On the other hand, the painting of the love letter by Fragonard have applied impressionism painting style. According to Zucker (2013), this painting style is characterised thin brush strokes and emphasis are laid on light depiction. In the painting of love letter, the artist have captured sunlight and the subjects colour in his painting. This is in line with the subject matter of the image which is filled with brightness, joy and relaxed atmosphere.
References
Fragonard, J.-H., & Art Image Publications. (1988). The love letter: La lettre d’amour. Champlain, NY: Art Image Publications.
Lydecker, J. K., & Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, N.Y.). (2008). The Death of Socrates.
Zucker, P. (2013). Styles in painting: A comparative study. New York: Dover Publications.
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
by Herman Bailey | Feb 9, 2023 | Essays |
The Limited Brands Company’s operations are all based on ensuring access and distribution of ideal, high quality products for women. The end use products are diverse ranging from clothes, all the way to accessories designed for women. At the end of 2014, Limited Brands was serving more than 20,000 customers in different countries. Although most of the services are centered in the USA, the company has managed to diversify into new countries as well as new markets. The founder of the company celebrated the diversity of the brands, the uniqueness of women tastes and even culture that dictates the taste of women.
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CORPORATE STRATEGY
The company’s senior management has developed a unique strategy employed by the company to increase sales as well as profits. The strategy is based mainly on relative diversification. Relative diversification ahs allowed the company to expand its business and target markets while at the same time reducing the risks of fast expansion. The company has been able to allocate and find an area of expertise as well as competence in the original business of supplying women clothing and accessories. David (2005) has argued that related diversification allows businesses to exploit its own strengths while at the same time transferring the enterprise risks from one business to another.
Related diversification provides stronger advantage in terms of allowing corporate to capitalize on a strategic fit. This is a situation that exists when the cost of business of the different business are sufficiently related to opportunities in the market to reduce costs, enhance differentiation or manage more effectively by coordinating those particular activities in the industry which are closely related. Limited Brands, has developed a strategy for profit growth and ensuring a better market position based on five principles which are in turn translated to the company beliefs. A study of the company shows the principles to be as follows:
Building leading positions in the targeted market segments: the great size and diversity for women fashion and accessories divide it into many and varied segments. According, as a company L brands selects markets in which the unique strengths of the company are seen, and the distribution gives a competitive advantage. By ensuring leadership in new and existing markets, L brands can operate with far greater initiative and flexibility.
Achieving cost competitiveness in operations: perhaps the greatest challenge for women is access to quality products at a cost effective price. L brands negotiates for a more affordable cites effective product for the average woman. Being among the lowest cost producers in each of the target markets is a great advantage to any company. At L brands, the company continues to invest heavily to ensure optimal production of the available resources through modernization, streamlining, development and even pruning when it becomes necessary. Developing systems for highly cost effective leads to higher and better profit margins, improving staying power through economic cycles, reducing the volatility of earnings and ensuring the possibility of continued investment, (Dess and Miller, 1993).
Balancing distinct but related businesses: while most segments of the industry tends to be cyclical in nature, they do not come close to coinciding either in time or degree. The company effectively counter-balances the business cycles by allocating L brand assets to an appropriate mixture of business. The brand put together have enough in common so that management can exercise effective direction of the entire enterprise. The principal rewards of the controlled diversification are reduced risk and greatly improved stability and predictability of company performance.
Expanding productive capacity by increments: in the current economic climate, building and brining up new businesses has become more costly. While such expansion maybe desirable, the best approach for L brands in the recent years has been steady growth by adding smaller increments of capacity. As suggested by Sadler (2003), by expanding existing businesses or by raising productivity, the company benefits from lower costs of operation per unit of sale, reduced exposure to economic problems and reduce the amount of time directed towards distribution.
Maintaining a strong, flexible financial position: to grow and progress in an industry such as ours, continuous large investment in expansion, distribution and markets is absolutely vital. The company has for a long time ensured availability of funds through long term planning for the need of funds: Maintaining suitable financial ratios, intelligent use of debt and employment of various forms of equity and innovative financial methods.
The related diversification strategy employed by the company is based on a shared brand name. Consumers are much more likely to enjoy the advantage of the shared name, which ensures an easier one stop shopping trip. A strong brand image and company reputation brings together less known brands with high quality inaccessible brands and creates a market place that is visionary for the average woman shopper. The more popular brands are ideal for increasing the confidence of the consumers and customers. The brands on the other hand enjoy shared advertising and promotion and are therefore able lower the costs of distribution and supply. The products can be found in L brand retail stores for much lower costs, even though they are still the high quality and excellently popular brands such as Victoria secret. Brands which would otherwise be out of reach for the average woman, become easy to access, afford and eventually own. This clout has been enjoyed by the brands, the result being faster servicing of customer calls. The company is able to meet a wider range of the diversified needs of the woman client.
SWOT ANALYSIS
An analysis of the L brand company shows some unique strength including also some general weaknesses which the company needs to consider to ensure future success.
Strengths
The first and most unique strength of the company is based on the supply strategy. The company’s strategy includes selection of the highest quality and selective brands for the women customers. This ensures that women are provided with the best and most premium products which cannot be found in many retail stores. Brands such as Victoria Secret and Pink are exclusive and unique enough to draw clients to the store.
Secondly, among the completion, the company is adequately recognized as the most affordable. L brand has come to show that affordability does not necessary mean compromise in terms of quality. The company has found the ideal platform for affordability as well as cost friendliness.
The company enjoys a high customer satisfaction rate. This in turn translates to a large customer loyalty base. Customers return for more products because they know they will not be disappointed, their needs will be met and even more than their needs.
With Limited Brands branches, managers have the freedom to control their shops in the manner they seem to be best. Jeffs (2008) states that there exists a core system of business culture which provides guidance for the general operation of the stores; but managers enjoy flexibility when it comes to addressing the needs of their clients.
Weaknesses
Despite the company’s involvement in various corporate social responsibility projects, in most cases the concern for the bottom line profits has driven managers to forget the importance of quality in CSR. Limited Brands needs to be more proactive in developing strategies for CSR.
The excellence program is yet to be developed in a manner to ensure uniform quality service provision in the various stores. Customers in one store are more likely to enjoy quality service, which they may not find in the same range as another store.
The company has proved slightly inflexible when it comes to generating market trends. Since inception there has been little change in the brands featured by the company, despite changing trends and emerging new comers in women’s fashion, (Barney and Hesterly, 2006).
Further, the brands that have been the focus of the company even when subsidized in cost are still found to be pricey for many women. The company is therefore seen as promoting high end products out of the range for many average women.
Opportunities
The company has a platform through which it can promote innovative and creativity among the employees. The flexibility of the employment opportunities available is likely to tract new and fresh talent which in turn means an increase in skills as well as growth for the company.
In return for a long term relationship and an opportunity to reach the elusive average woman customer, the company promotes low cost and high quality supplies from its distributors. Being a pioneer in this arena, the company has more opportunity for growing targeted markets.
Limited Brands maintains a strong relationship with its clients. Customers are reached through honest and trustworthy advertisements. Dissatisfied clients are immediately assisted to ensure satisfaction.
Threats
The main threat for the company comes through the upcoming online stores. The stores are able to give an almost similar shopping experience to customers. This means that where the company previously enjoyed monopoly there is chance of now losing the hold on the market.
Being attached to the brands is a risky maneuver. Majority of the times, when customers are disgruntled with one brand or when such brand is facing bad publicity, the Limited Brands Company also suffers jointly. Clients boycott the company and become disgruntled associating the company with the brand, (Scase, 2007).
PESTLE ANALYSIS
A pestle analysis provides an analysis into the environments in which the business operates. The environment of a business is often affected by six external factors and these are:
Political
The main concern for the Limited Brands comes in the form of the tax increment and maneuvering strategies. The tax implications not only affect the profit margin for the company, it also has an impact on the producers which may mean an increase in the selling price. Further, customers would likely be unable to afford the products being sold especially if income taxes and property taxes are increased. Considering the current economic condition, majority of the taxes have been lowered in an attempt to improve survival chances of businesses. However, the deficit in the government budget means that this situation is likely to change.
Economic
Majority of the businesses including Limited Brands are still recovering from the global economic crisis which saw the collapse of many companies. A decreasing GDP means that the company income is at an all time low. Customers are barely able to meet their obligations let alone purchase high quality fashionable items. Statistics continue to show chances of a double dip recession for which businesses should prepare. There is a likelihood of decreased income which means lower spending power.
Socio-cultural
There have been exciting changes in the culture of many societies making them more diverse in terms of fashionable trends. This is likely to present itself as an opportunity to grow unique markets that are beyond the borders. According to Chase et al (2004), Cultural diversity has provided an avenue for competitive advantage especially for a diverse company such as Limited Brands. Further, the younger generation is gaining financial independence at an early stage. These young women are more likely to understand the value of fashionable items sold in the company as well as opt to invest in the same.
Technological
Key technologies such as online markets have provided an avenue and opportunity for growth for limited brands. Without the internet, the cost of opening up new stores and expanding would be detrimental and sometimes crippling for the business. However, the internet has allowed Limited Brands to make impact beyond the borders. Further, social media sites have cut down the cost of advertising and promotion, granting access for the company to millions of possible new clients.
Legal
The most important law to note that has indeed has a major impact on the operations of the business is the minimum wage law. The company is required to pay a minimum wage even to employees who may not generally possess unique skills. This has cut greatly into the profits which of course would be higher. However, the law has also ensured that the company enjoys a more committed work force. The legal structure of the company has become slightly complex as it ventures into new markets. Secondly, some of the brands associated with Limited Brands have been tied to tax avoidance which in turn has reflected negatively on the company.
Environment
The entire society is now more concerned with a sustainable environment. Businesses are therefore forced to become more pro-active in ensuring protection of the environment. This translates to CSR activities that are more focused on the environment. However, as with the case of Limited Brands environmental CSR has proved more costly in terms of maintenance thereby having an impact on the income earned and profit margin, (Esty and Winston, 2006).
CONCLUSION
Having observed and reviewed the internal and external factors affecting our company in line with the strategy that has been developed, it is possible to indeed conclude that the company has some very effective strength. However, it would appear that the environment within which Limited Brands is operating is quite threatening. The economic climate has not improved and is not likely to do so which means less spending power for the consumers and therefore more difficulties for the company. On the other hand, advanced technology has made to easier for us to diversify and operate in new markets. While dealing with the weaknesses highlighted by the SWOT, such as the CSR strategy it is important to continually analyze the strengths that the company is developing. The fashion market is quite volatile in terms of changing trends and tastes, and the company needs to be in complete touch with the target customers. The belief that the “customer rules” will play a major role in ensuring success of the company in the future years. While it might prove to be difficult for the senior executives to deal with the weakness and threats that have been found immediately, they are now more aware of the same. This means that Limited Brands can now enhance plans that the care of the threats and take advantage of the strengths.
References
Barney, J. B., & Hesterly, W. S. (2006). Strategic management and competitive advantage: Concepts and cases. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
Chase, R. B., Aquilano, N. J., & Jacobs, F. R. (2004). Operations management for competitive advantage. Boston, Mass: McGraw-Hill.
David, F. R. (2005). Strategic management: Concepts and cases. Upper Saddle River, N.J: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Dess, G. G., & Miller, A. (1993). Strategic management. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Esty, D. C., & Winston, A. S. (2006). Green to gold: How smart companies use environmental strategy to innovate, create value, and build competitive advantage. New Haven [Conn.: Yale University Press.
Jeffs, C. (2008). Strategic management. Los Angeles: SAGE.
Sadler, P. (2003). Strategic management. Sterling, VA: Kogan Page.
Scase, R. (2007). Global remix: The fight for competitive advantage. London: Kogan Page.
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
by Herman Bailey | Feb 8, 2023 | Essays |
Conservatism is political belief based on social stability and tradition, emphasizing established institutions and having a preference on a gradual development to an abrupt change (Marietta 23). In conservative theories, they aim to preserve and restore, stressing continuity and stability, limit to change, restricted government guidelines of business and strong national defenses (Para 3). Conservatism so to speak is political morality.
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Conservative political drives have been productive as they have unified people of different opinions on the basis of shared goals (Mannheim 41).It is not possible to find the successes of conservatism in a big government but through individual achievement and freedom! According to O’hara, conservative ideology is mirrored through family values, decent parenting at home and what can be achieved when the government ceases to interfere (52). For instance, set of grandparents living their years without debt with their families leading a simple but self-governing life and out of trouble that’s a conservative success. When a small business opens up, with owners working hard and selling authentic products and excellent service, then gradually expanding step by step then becoming a big business organization…that is a conservative success story. If you see a soldier risking his life to protect the inhabitants of a dangerous area and receiving no recognition, that is conservative values in action (Cecil 23). Conservative form of leadership is the best, as it grows people to take responsibility for their actions, health, education and family the success is revealed in the glory and accomplishments of the individual and not in the credit and achievement of legislation that will promise some things that one should earn on their own.
In Canada, the Harper government has offered positive differences to the people of Canada and the world in general. It has offered tax relief with a 2% decrease to 5% in goods and services tax (GST), has assisted working families by lowering income taxes, has lowered small business and corporate taxes and has introduced the universal child care benefit that has given families real choices in child care (Gottfried 45). The harper government has also taken action by offering a special tax credits which has assisted in paying for children’s fitness programme, in regard to Crime and Justice, it has improved with strong new laws and punishments that fit the crime. The Tackling Violent Crime Act has ensured that criminals who get jail condemnations pay their dues to the society. According to Gottfried, corporations and unions have been banned from contributing to politics (66); the amount that an individual can donate has been reduced to between ,000 and ,100 per year.
There has also been investment in the Canadian Forces who strive to protect the country and its citizens by providing insurance for the personnel, while increasing sustenance for those who experience injury and illness in the line of duty. Canada signed the Copenhagen According, an agreement among developing and developed nations to decrease the worldwide level of air pollution ( Viereck and Claus 33).
In America, during the president George W. Bush conservative administration, they never accepted corruption in office and rejected the state ordering people how they should lead their lives.
In 2007 President Bush lifted the strategy for the war in Iraq from forced safeguarding to population security (Marrieta 54). In 2002, President Bush fronted the “housing first” strategy to reduce homelessness this worked and the number of homeless people decreased by 30 percent between 2005 and 2007. For the time being, serious crimes levels declined rapidly since 1993, when the country began to embrace conservative tough on crime policies. According to Marrieta, he addressed nationwide poverty, increased financial aid to developing countries and assisted in alleviating AIDS in Africa (67). In 2003 November third, he facilitated enactment of The Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act.
According to Viereck and Claus Australia’s main achievements of the Menzies, Holt, Gorton and McMahon conservative governments included high living standards for Australians; increased ratio of home owners, progress in industry, free medical treatment for seniors and the homeless, introduced homes for the aged, established Commonwealth Scholarships as means of introducing aid to all schools, increased work force and introduction of family allowance (71).
The Howard government’s policies enabled the provision of low rates of interest, lower taxation and increased economic growth; Australian domestic students by allowing them to invest in their own education, increased total revenue for higher education institutions from $8.6 billion in 1997 to $16.8 billion in 2007( O’hara 46).
Conclusion
The principles of conservatism are all-encompassing as they are founded on what men and women have learned through involvement in a dozen generations. With all the experience of the past and present, conservative future is still going to continue working as the task will not be to sell a philosophy, but to make the citizens, who already believe in the philosophy, see that modern conservatism offers us a political home (Marietta 27).From above it evident that conservatism prevents movement backward and downward and towards forward and upward away from chaotic darkness and primitive state, a philosophy that world nations should adopt for better and brighter futures.
Work Cited
Marietta, Morgan. A Citizen’s Guide to American Ideology: Conservatism and Liberalism in Contemporary Politics. New York: Routledge, 2012. Print.
Viereck, Peter, and Claes G. Ryn. Conservatism Revisited: The Revolt against Ideology. New Brunswick: Transaction Publishers, 2005. Print.
Gottfried, Paul. Conservatism in America: Making Sense of the American Right. New York: Palgrave, 2007. Print.
Mannheim, Karl. Conservatism. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis, 2013. Internet resource.
O’Hara, Kieron. Conservatism. London: Reaktion Books, 2011. Internet resource.
Berkowitz, Peter. Varieties of Conservatism in America. Stanford, Calif: Hoover Institution Press, 2004. Print.
Gord, Walker. A conservative Canada. Santa Barbara, Calif: Paget Press, 1983.
With a student-centered approach, I create engaging and informative blog posts that tackle relevant topics for students. My content aims to equip students with the knowledge and tools they need to succeed academically and beyond.
