Using VotanWeb to Buy an Existing Website :: Sell Websites Buy Websites

Using VotanWeb to Buy an Existing WebsiteReprinted with permission of VotanWeb.comHave you considered being your protest boss, creating your own financial independence and making your dreams a reality? Youre not alone, owning your own website is the new Ameri tail end dream. But the reality is that buying a website is a serious financial and personal commitment that requires an understanding of what learns a website successful. All too often, people jump blindly into a new venture. Before they admit it, they are overwhelmed by the tremendous workload of starting a website from the ground up. A government survey shows that 80% of new websites fail within the get-go year. An existing, established website which is purchased by a new owner shows a minimal failure rate. If you devour considered owning your own website, buying an existing website has many advantages over construction a website from scratch You can review actual run results, rather than projected results. You get imme diate cash flow from the ongoing website activities. You will have a trained webmaster already in place. You will have established suppliers. You will have established customers and referral business. The seller will train you in operating the website. VotanWeb ranks number one in the sale of existing websites. VotanWeb has over ten years experience of matching the right website opportunity with the right buyer. Its that simple. From understanding the reasons an on-going website can provide a positive cash flow, to the value of an established domain name and customer base to the inner workings of a website. VotanWeb can make your dreams reality. The right website will pay for itself over and over again - let VotanWeb show you how. Unlike the sale of a house or car, the sale of an on-going website is rattling confidential for both the seller and the prospective buyer.

Strategic Human Resource Management Essay -- Employment, Change Proces

Writing Assignment 4Strategic human resource management can be defined as the linking of human resources with strategic goals and objectives in order to improve business performance and develop organizational culture that foster innovation, flexibility and competitive advantage. In an organization SHRM means judge and involving the HR function as a strategic partner in the formulation and implementation of the companys strategies through HR activities such as recruiting, selecting, training and honor personnel (Sinha, 2007). This is the effective way of organizing the workforce by the adoption of a specific strategy, where employees performance can help to achieve the planned organizational targets, such as increasing revenue or improving the profit margin. However, there is no common strategic human resource definition that fits every mail service (Lotinggi, 2008). This paper will focus on strategic human resource management at Smarte Carte, Inc. and attempt to make a determi nation if the company uses SHRM efficaciously or if there are areas where improvements could be made. Smarte Carte Inc., is a vending services company that specializes in unattended vending in four unintegrated markets luggage carts for rent at airports, shopping carts and baby strollers at shopping malls, electronic locker storage at a variety of locations such as transportation facilities, ski resorts, theme and water parks, and massage chairs located in airports, malls, fitness centers, and now even Wal-Mart. They have operations throughout the U.S. and Canada and a ontogeny presence in Australia and New Zealand. Smarte Cartes corporate office is located in St. Paul, MN where they employ 65 employees while employing approximately another(prenominal) ... ...ing enough in internal training and compliance audits to lower their risk in expensive employee litigation. Two key strategies that Smarte Carte has implemented in the recent past is a greater reliance on expert outsi de legal counsel for fighting and resolving labor law cases and adding enjoyment practices financial obligation insurance to prevent or cap large settlements in labor law disputes. With employment law becoming an increasingly complicated dimension of the employment relationship, it is more likely that managers unversed in the changing aspects of laws may commit violations (Mello, 2011). The reality of it boils down to even when youre correct and did everything right in discourse an employee situation, it costs an organization a significant amount of money defending itself. Smarte Cartes strategy for utilizing outside counsel and EPLI is a good strategy.

Technology in the Mathematics Classroom Essay -- Computer Technology

Technology in the Mathematics ClassroomWhile reading the NCTM compendious on Technology, it is to myunderstanding that function of engineering is at the instructors discretion.Therefore, the teacher is charged with the responsibility of preparingstudents before venturing into the field of technology. Essentially,students should be able to quail at and understand basic concepts andideas, before intertwining computers or calculators into a lesson tofurther explore the concepts in said lesson.When visiting the U.S. Department of cultures NationalEducation Technology Plan website, I did not find any information onhow technology should or could be fluxd with mathematics. Theirentire site was devote to integrating technology but entirely left anopen forum for ideas. Now the ideas submitted by teachers wereinteresting, however, the matter still remains on whether a teacherfeels that their students are prepared and receptive to integratetechnology with a lesson or idea. I believe a t eacher would be lessinclined to use technology especially given that no ideas have b... Technology in the Mathematics Classroom Essay -- Computer TechnologyTechnology in the Mathematics ClassroomWhile reading the NCTM summary on Technology, it is to myunderstanding that use of technology is at the teachers discretion.Therefore, the teacher is charged with the responsibility of preparingstudents before venturing into the field of technology. Essentially,students should be able to grasp and understand basic concepts andideas, before intertwining computers or calculators into a lesson tofurther explore the concepts in said lesson.When visiting the U.S. Department of Educations NationalEducation Technology Plan website, I did not find any information onhow technology should or could be integrated with mathematics. Theirentire site was devoted to integrating technology but simply left anopen forum for ideas. Now the ideas submitted by teachers wereinteresting, however, th e matter still remains on whether a teacherfeels that their students are prepared and receptive to integratetechnology with a lesson or idea. I believe a teacher would be lessinclined to use technology especially given that no ideas have b...

My Last Duchess :: Robert Browning, My Last Duchess

Robert Browning is remembered for his mastery at capturing the essence and power of the dramatic monologue. Through symbolism, structure and technique, Browning creates the beat of the ideal dramatic monologue in the poem, My Last Duchess. My Last Duchess was published in 1845. Ferrara is the subtitle of the poem and assists in disclosing the design of the poem, a portrayal of Alfonso II, the 5th Duke of Ferrara. The historical life of Alfonso II fits intricately with the events and happenings within the poem. Alfonso II married Lucrezia de Medici who is the daughter of the Duke of Florence. The Dukes family has a long credited name and wealth that had been virtually for ages. The affluence and power of the duchesss family had been newly acquired, and when comparing the two families, the Dukes was much more significant, at least in his eyes. The Duchess of Alfonso II died of poisoning in 1561. Three short years later the Duke arranged to marry Barbara, a niece of the Count of Tyro l. The speaker of the dramatic monologue is an egotistical and pompous Duke. He speaks to an envoy extraordinary of the Count throughout the monologue. At the beginning of the poem, he slowly draws back the curtain and reveals a portrait. This portrait, he asserts, is his last Duchesslooking as if she were alive (lines1-2). The Duke continues by addressing the look upon her face and the many reasons for her blushing cheeks. Continuing the description, he depicts the duchesss ways, including her virtues of innocence and unspoiled beauty. Examples are given by the Duke of how easily she is impressed by nature and the simple pleasures of life. He claims he is disgusted by her ability to see natural beauty as an equal delectation with his name and matrimony. therefore very subtly he tells the envoy how he gave orders to have all smiles stopped together (line 46). The envoy is completely aware of the truth about the say killings and the Dukes greedy reasoning for marrying the niece of the Count. The contemptuous way of the Duke is made perfectly clear to the envoy, and the envoy begins to leave. The delegate is completely aware of the truth about the coherent killings and the Dukes greedy reasoning for marrying the niece of the Count. The Duke elaborates his reasoning for marrying the duchess, by declaring it is only for the dowry.

Greek And Inuit Mythology :: essays research papers fc

Parallelism in Greek and Inuit MythologyThe very early creation legends be difficult to trace to their original sources, since they were passed on by word of mouth from one generation to the next. There be many different legends about the origin of the globe, some similar to those told in separate cultures. It is interesting that most of these legends can be tied together in one or more ways. The Greek and Inuit tribe versions of early existence are related in many ways.In both interpretations there is one nobleman. The Greek version explains that Eurynome, the goddess of all things, rises naked from chaos and finds nothing for her feet to stand on. She because separates the sea from the sky and dances upon the waves to the south, where later her hands would turn into a serpent (Switzer 10). Similarly, in the Inuit interpretation, a raven is born out of darkness and chaos. He searches about the dark trying to find his position he finds water, grass and trees. After contempla ting about who he is and what makes the grass grow, he eventually realizes that he is the Raven Father, the creator of all life (Ingpen 67).Secondly, both interpretations use the bird as the principal creator of all things. It is thought that Eurynome is the author of the universe. She becomes pregnant when her serpent hands roster around her. Next, she assumes the form of a dove and lays a huge egg which the serpent keeps warm until it hatches. The egg brings forth all the things that now exist the sun, moon, planets, stars, and the earth with its mountains, valleys, stream, lakes, all living creatures, including the first humans (Switzer 11). In like manner, Raven flies through the darkness and finds a new land, for which he calls Earth. One day, he notices a titan pea pod and watches it as it splits open and produces a man. He creates the ox and caribou for the man to eat but tells him not to deadening them (Ingpen 68). He continues to create animals, but then creates a woman to be the mans companion. Soon the man and woman reproduce and there are many children.Although similar in some ways, the two creation myths also contrast in several ways. The Greek version illustrates that Eurynome asexually becomes pregnant and lays an egg. This giant egg holds all things that now exist.

Greek And Inuit Mythology :: essays research papers fc

Par each(prenominal)elism in Greek and Inuit MythologyThe very early creation legends are difficult to trace to their original sources, since they were passed along by raillery of mouth from one generation to the next. There are many different legends about the origin of the earth, some homogeneous to those told in other cultures. It is interesting that nearly of these legends can be tied together in one or more ways. The Greek and Inuit tribe versions of early existence are related in many ways.In both interpretations there is one creator. The Greek version explains that Eurynome, the goddess of all things, rises naked from chaos and finds nothing for her feet to stand on. She then separates the sea from the flip out and dances upon the waves to the south, where later her hands would turn into a serpent (Switzer 10). Similarly, in the Inuit interpretation, a raven is born out of darkness and chaos. He searches around the dark move to find his position he finds water, grass and trees. After contemplating about who he is and what makes the grass grow, he eventually realizes that he is the Raven Father, the creator of all heart (Ingpen 67).Secondly, both interpretations use the bird as the principal creator of all things. It is thought that Eurynome is the author of the universe. She becomes pregnant when her serpent hands coil around her. Next, she assumes the track of a dove and lays a huge egg which the serpent keeps warm until it hatches. The egg brings forth all the things that now exist the sun, moon, planets, stars, and the earth with its mountains, valleys, stream, lakes, all animate creatures, including the first humans (Switzer 11). In like manner, Raven flies through the darkness and finds a new land, for which he calls Earth. One day, he notices a fiend pea pod and watches it as it splits open and produces a man. He forms the ox and caribou for the man to eat but tells him not to harm them (Ingpen 68). He continues to create animals, but th en creates a woman to be the mans companion. Soon the man and woman reproduce and there are many children.Although similar in some ways, the two creation myths also contrast in several ways. The Greek version illustrates that Eurynome asexually becomes pregnant and lays an egg. This giant egg holds all things that now exist.

Learn Anything

AN ISO 9001 2008 CERTIFIED INTERNATIONAL B-SCHOOL MARKS 80 Information Technology N. B. 1)Attempt any sixteen questions questions carries competent marks. 1. 2. 3. What atomic number 18 the characteristics of a technologically enabled organization? How does an Organization acquire & disseminal knowledge? Why do you suppose inquiry only applications were developed instead of in full on lines system? 4. 5. What class of applied science is least flexible? Most flexible? How does strategic planning differ surrounded by a faithful that offers function & one that manufacturers a product?Is there a difference in the impact of technology on strategy in any two types of firms? 6. What kind of business activities do you think are most amenable to common systems in different countries? 7. What kind of programs do you think are likely to remove the most use of floating point instructions? 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Distinguish between computer hardware & software which most concerns a m anager? What kind of software does a server for a local area network need to mother? What is OLAP? How does it contribute to the organization?Similar article Text Mining for BusinessesWhy are standards so important in communications? What industries are most likely able to take advantage EDI? Are there applications where it does not matter if quadruplex databases are simultaneously updated? 14. Most organizations today have computers and software, all of which are supposed to work on a network, from different Vendors? What are the potential problems with employ products from many different sources? .. 2.. 15. What are the differences in design for multi-user system versus a personal system on a pc? )All 16. Does a system have to use the most modern technology to be successful? Why or why not? Are there disadvantages to utilizing the most up-to-date technology? 17. 18. 19. Why should one insist on a demonstration of a package? What is a spaghetti organization? How can you transfor m a huge firm like General Motors with the help of information technology? 20. How more user development eventually eliminates the need for professional systems analysis and programmers? 21. 22. 3. 24. How can a participation use multimedia today? How does one go about identifying the expert to be used in developing an expert system? Describe how a virus actually works? What kind of files does it want to infect? What kind of changes does information technology either create or facilitate within and between organizations? What other changes are associate with IT? 25. What are the drawbacks of work place monitoring? Why management might wants to monitor worker productivity?

Personal Computers vs Console

Personal Computers be much more advanced than any console available on the market today or any other day. In the PC world players reap many more benefits in online and offline gaming. These benefits keep growing in numbers as developers of the consoles breed to argue between themselves about who provides the better stay or who offers more games at better quality. Actu exclusivelyy, at that place is no contest as Ed Ricketts of Techradar. com states, firearm Xbots and the Sony Defense Force argue among themselves, and Wii-ers throw even more ridiculous shapes pretending to play he tambourine or something, there is another group of gamers who quietly, and merrily enjoy the best of the gaming platform yet. The PC. Ed makes a strong point here.As Sony and Xbox developers argue, we PC gamers continue to offer outside support for games in Beta or even full-release games. Games that be no longer supported by the software developer due to outdated games or recently bar d suffer compa nies, are still supported by the online gaming community through constant and tedious efforts. This is a showing of the true dedication to meliorate the realizes for e genuinelyone who enjoy PC aming. Personal Computers do not suffer from the hardware restrictions of a console, they shadower be easily fixed, upgraded, and maintained. Consoles are delicate and difficult to service. If there is hardware failure on a game console it has to be sent to the company for repairs. This can take weeks, or it can be serviced topically for a heavy fee. Although most PCs are used only for simple processes such as Microsoft Office, a multitude of browsers and e-mail services, they are not dependant to the same limitations as consoles.Consoles can only use software provided by the developers, or require illegal emulators to run out sourced software. The advantages of a PC are not limited by anything but the continuous evolution of technology. When a new technology is released gamers in the PC world are the first to experience it, as companies such as Sony, Xbox(Microsoft), and Nintendo, struggle to keep up with modern technology. Consoles suffer from the inability to upgrade until the release of the next new console, which is still typically outdated technology. When thePS2 and the Xbox first came out their technology was already two years old Aside from the PC supporting higher resolutions and soon-to-be exponential refresh rates, it can adapt to both newer and older games as it is reverse compatible always Another statement by Ed Ricketts that is well founded was, With the aforementioned higher resolutions and textures, chances are a new PC game already looks better than its console counterpart right now. Even if one cannot run a PC with all the visuals tweaked to the max, processor and graphic cards prices drop so cursorily that it is hardly ank-breaking to refit a personal computing machine. (2008) Ed has a valid point, we in the PC world can suffer from heavy expen ses to upgrade a computer but, as technology is outdated almost every four months the prices drop quickly for new but slightly outdated hardware. These hardware updates will always take the PC beyond the limitations of any console. User interface is a very important aspect of electronics. As such, a lot of time and research has been put into restrainer and keyboard digits.Computers use the same. QWERTY key layout that was first patented in 1868 (Liebowitz, Margolis 1996). Because of this, the keyboard that you escort on your computer has had more than 140 years research and development to find a suitable style for users. This has resulted in an almost universal keyboard design and layout that is virtually identical across the market making it very seamless and almost unnoticeable when you switch from one Keyboard to another, regardless of what the brand on the computer is. On the other hand, the first gaming console introduced to the public was only released in 1978 (Kirby, 1982) .Since then many gaming consoles realize been developed and released to the public, each with its own take on how a controller should feel in the hand. With this, every console on the market with the exception of PlayStation 1, 2, and 3, have completely different controller design which makes switching from one console to another sometimes tedious. With time all consoles developed will eventually conform to a single design. at that place is no doubt to be a single interface device for all console games but until that time if one eeks the comfort of familiarity, the keyboard is a true source. As one looks back on the times and the changes that the country has endured, in regards to electronics, there has to be some thanks given to those who have made associations lives easier. Obviously, life is simplified by the advances that have been made to PCs and gaming consoles. Look back at the times and appreciate what the nerds have given to the world. Life will never be the same and it will be forever advancing. PC VS. console gaming is by far a different world. Be it PC or console, there is lways going to be people who prefer one over the other.ReferencesRicketts, E. (2008). TechRadar. Retrieved from http//www. techradar. com/news/gaming/12-reasons-pc-gaming-is-better- Liebowitz, S. , & Margolis, S. E. (1996). Typing errors. Reason, 28(2), 28. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Kirby C. Odyssey? (North the States Philips Magnavox) The Lost Opportunity. Black Book Video Game Industry (December 1982) e-book. Bernstein Global Wealth Management 198257-58. Available from Business Source Complete, Ipswich, MA. Accessed April 7, 2011.

Ethics and Strategic Plan

Week 2 Individual assignment Abstract Reviews the role of ethics and social responsibilities in developing a strategic intend while considering stakeholder needs and agendas. Reviews the quadruple key responsibilities and priorities as stated by Carroll economic, legal, ethical, and discretionary responsibilities. Discusses the importance of integrating ethical and social responsibilities in a strategic visualize. Uses Enron an example of a caller overstepping ethical boundaries and discusses measures that could be taken to avoid future unethical behavior by a fellowship. EthicsAccording to Lantos (2001) It is no news that at presents tune disposals are expected to exhibit ethical behavior and moral focusing. However, over the past half century the bar has been steadily raised. Now, non only are firms expected to be virtuous, they are being c all in alled to practice social responsibility or corporate citizenship(Carroll 2000, p. 187), accepting some accountability for so cial welfare (p. 1). Ethical and social responsibilities are a necessity in developing a strategic plan. There are four key responsibilities an organization needs to establish when developing a strategic plan.These four responsibilities desegregated together will meet most needs and agendas of the stakeholders. Role of Ethics and friendly Responsibility in Developing a Strategic Plan Should strategic decision makers be responsible only to the shareholders, or do they have broader responsibilities? (Wheelen & Hunger, 2010, p. 72). The strategic decision makers are the individuals creating the strategic plan, incorporating both ethical and social responsibilities into the companys plan can be a burden and compromises need to be taken into context to meet both ethical and social responsibilities while meeting stakeholders needs and agendas.Stakeholders are referred to as individuals who are affected or are affected by the achievement of the firms objectives Wheelen, T. , Hunger, J. (2010). Archie B. Carroll, a business management author and professor states, proposes that the managers of business organizations have four responsibilities listed in order of priority Economic responsibility to maturate goods or services of value to society so the firm can repay its creditors and shareholders. Legal responsibility as defined by government laws, the management is expected to obey. Ethical responsibility to follow generally held beliefs about behavior in a society.Discretionary responsibility are voluntary obligations a corporation assumes (Wheelen Hunger, 2010, p. 73). With these four responsibilities, a company when establishing their strategic plan, they must incorporate these fundamental responsibilities in a means that would satisfy the stakeholders needs and agendas. The company must consider all risks, company performance, strategies to meet performance, and social responsibility policies while creating measurable indicators to demonstrate the progress of the company when developing the strategic plan.Once the strategic plan has been developed, communication of the plan to the stakeholders is an important part of the process. By communicating the strategic plan to the stakeholders, all affected individuals or groups will become aware of the path the company is headed. exercise of Overstepping Ethical Boundaries As referenced earlier, a company has responsibilities to meet when establishing a strategic plan. Ethical responsibility is listed as the second priority a company needs to meet according to Carroll.When overstepping ethical boundaries, a company exposes stakeholders to risks that do not meet their needs. An example of an organization that has displayed this behavior and acting in the companys beguile was Enron. Enron overstepped the ethical boundaries which in the end cost the stakeholders, which mainly was the employees, billions of dollars for their own personal gain. Enron through various unethical decisions, mislead emp loyees and investors by manipulating the accounting entries to make the company to be more profitable than the true represented dollars were.At the time of the Enron incident, there were inadequate government legal or regulatory process in place, if such(prenominal) processes were in place, the Enron incident could have been prevented. Preventative measure that have been established by the government have assisted in reducing the risk to the stakeholders in an organization. A financial auditing company approved by the government is now required to audit financial reports of a company. Pension plans are no prolonged administered by the company, a third party firm is required to administer a companys pension plan to prevent overstepping ethical boundaries. ConclusionWith past scandals in the business world, companies have been establishing roles of ethics and social responsibility in developing a strategic plan while considering stakeholder needs and agendas. Carroll has identified f our key responsibilities a company needs to address when developing a strategic plan. Economic, legal, ethical, and discretionary responsibilities, listed in order of priority, are represented to show how an organization can integrate social and ethical responsibilities in a strategic plan. The example provided of Enron has illustrated how a company has overstepped the ethical boundaries and causing risks to the stakeholders.Since the Enron incident, the government established processes to prevent unethical behavior as what happened with Enron to protect the stakeholders of the company. References Carroll, A. B. (2000), The four faces of corporate citizenship, in Business Ethics 00/01, Richardson, J. E. (Ed). , Dushkin/McGraw-Hill, Guilford, CT, pp. 187-191. Lantos, G. (2001, June). The Boundaries of Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility. Wheelen, T. , Hunger, J. (2010). Concepts in strategic management and business constitution achieving sustainability (12th ed. ). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection.

Education Essay

Step 1. Create a short answer (150-250 words) to from each one of the following questions.1. How do social interactions among people in locales help influence friendship?2. How do schooltimes help to shape the local boundaries of communities and the identity of dowryicipation members?3. Although schools and the communities they serve be closely entwined and community development is in the best interests of schools, why may school leaders be hesitant about involving schools and students in important community development roles? 4. Of all social institutions, why might schools be best placed to catalyze community development?5. What are some likely results of school consolidation in a unsophisticated community or urban nearness?6. Beyond the socially integrative functions, what distinct local economic roles might a school comport in a rural community or urban neighborhood?7. What characteristics of a well-planned school-community partnership project would indicate it is mutua lly beneficial?8. How might a community or neighborhood development activity reinforce what is taught in the public school classroom?9. What barriers might a community development organization expect to experience when seeking to partner with a public school or school district?10. How tin service learning and place-based education serve to facilitate a feasible schoolcommunity partnership and accomplishment of local community or neighborhood development needs?Step 2. Discuss your responses with a group of 4 or 5 classmates.SOAR ACTIVITY 15.1SCHOOL-COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPSStep 1. Contact your local elementary, middle and high schools.Step 2. Interview the principals about their partnerships with community organizations.Step 3. Have them describe each activity and assess the benefits to the school and community.Step 4. Compile a list of all the organizations and institutions involved with school programs.Step 5. As part of this project, prepare a list of recommendations for improving s choolcommunity partnerships in your area.LIFE Activity 15.1Here are some examples of school-based service learning projects 1. Drop-out prevention A service-learning project focused on drop-out prevention might coordinate schools with local businesses to partner at-risk students with job shadowing and mentoring opportunities with local business leaders/members. These connections will help build bridges betwixt schoolwork and work in the real world, and develop tougher ties between schools and local business, better meeting the needs of each while providing important opportunities to at-risk youth.2. Subject-specific service-learning Science and drill provide two examples of subjectspecific service-learning. Connecting college students majoring in science with schools to tutor K-12 students can create opportunities for hands-on learning during or after school hours. This might involve winning in environmental projects, such as local water quality testing, cleaning of local stream or river beds, or wildlife conservation efforts. Similarly, college students majoring in actors line arts or reading might provide tutoring services during or after school for at-risk students, assist in running family literacy programs after school to fill parents in literacy efforts, and/or read to students at the elementary level.2. Building school-community connections Students plan a school-community day, in which school staff, community members, and students organize, run, and attend a school-community fair. The school can set up exhibits of student learning and projects students are engaged in that connect to the community. fraternity leaders can set up exhibits featuring ways they have been or would like to be involved with the school and with students. Local businesses might provide food and donate prizes or items for auction. Students at the school can work out music or showcase artwork. This would also be a good venue for team-building exercises betweencommunity orga nizations and businesses and school staff and leaders, culminating in competitions with awards.These are lonesome(prenominal) a few examples. We want to emphasize though that effective service learning projects are not paint by the numbers efforts, but are directly shaped by and responsive to the individual needs of local communities. That said, examples are useful, but ultimately your best guide is the community that lies before you. seed MATERIAL ON EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICELEARNING SyllabiLiteracy Tutoring Principles and Practice (Syracuse University) http//www.compact.org/syllabi/syllabus.php?viewsyllabus=407 Service Learning in Higher teaching (Vanderbilt University) http//www.compact.org/syllabi/syllabus.php?viewsyllabus=663APPENDIXAdditional Resources to Learn about nurture- fellowship lineamentnerships for Community DevelopmentNOTE that the following descriptions have been taken directly from organization websites and have been only slightly modified, if at all.Ass ociations, Organizations and CentersCenter for Place-Based Educationhttp//www.anei.org/pages/89_cpbe.cfmThe Center for Place-based Education promotes community-based education programs. Its projects and programs encourage partnerships between students, teachers, and community members that strengthen and support student achievement, community vitality and a healthy environment.Coalition for Community Schoolshttp//www.communityschools.orgThe Coalition for Community Schools represents an alliance of national, state and local organizations concerned with K-16 education, youth development, community planning, family support, health and human services, government and philanthropy, as well as national, state and local community school networks. The Coalition advocates for community schools as a means to strengthen schools, families and communities and improve student learning. Rural School and Community Trusthttp//www.ruraledu.orgThe Rural School and Community Trust is a national nonprofit organization addressing the crucial relationship between good schools and thriving communities. It also serves as an information clearinghouse on issues concerning the relationship between schools and communities, especially in rural contexts.School of the 21st Century. Linking Communities, Families and Schools http//www.yale.edu/21c/index2.htmlBased at Yale University, the 21C program develops, researches, networks, and supervises an educational model that assorts communities, families, and schools by transforming the school into a year-round, multi-service center that is open from 6 in the morning until 7 at night. The core components are affordable, high-quality child care for preschool children, before- and afterschool programs for school-age children and health services, referral services, support, and guidance for parents of untested children.Schools and Communitieshttp//www.enterprisecommunity.org/programs/schools_and_communities/ Thiswebpage of Enterprise Community Partne rs documents and disseminates the nations current efforts to combine school reform and community development.Web-based Documents and MaterialLocal Governments and Schools A Community-Oriented Approach http//icma.org/documents/SGNReport.pdf(International City/County commission Association, Washington, DC , 2008) Provides local government managers with an understanding of the connections between school facility planning and local government management issues, with particular attention to avoiding the creation of orotund schools remotely sited from the community they serve. It offers multiple strategies for local governments and schools to bring their respective planning efforts together to take a more community-oriented approach to schools and reach multiple community goals-educational, environmental, economic, social, and fiscal. Eight case studies illustrate how communities across the U.S. have already succeeded in collaborating to create more communityoriented schools. Includes 9 5 references and an extensive list of additional online resources. 40p. Report NO E-43527Reconnecting Schools and Neighborhoods An Introduction to School-Centered Community Revitalizationhttp//www.practitionerresources.org/cache/documents/647/64701.pdf (Enterprise, Columbia, MD , 2007)Provides an introduction to school-centered community revitalization. Part 1 presents the case for integrating school improvement into community development, muster on the academic research linking school and neighborhood quality as well as early results from school- centered community revitalization projects across the country. Part 2 presents the core components of school-centered community revitalization, including both school-based activities and neighborhood-based activities. The final part of the paper illustrates the diverse approaches currently being taken to improve schools and neighborhoods, drawing on the experiences of 8school-centered community revitalization initiatives in five cities A tlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia, and St. Paul. 30p.New Relationships With Schools. Organizations That Build Community by Connecting With Schools. Volumes One and Twohttp//www.publicengagement.com/practices/publications/newrelationshipssmry.htm (Collaborative Communications Group for the Kettering Foundation, Nov 2004) Case studies of organizations that establish strong connections between communities and schools using many different entry ranges. Includes a profile of New School Better Neighborhoods, a nonprofit intermediary organization in Los Angeles that works to design schools that serve as centers of communities. The organization brings together community stakeholders to plan multiuse development that combines residential, recreational, and educational use of scarce land in obtusely populated urban areas.Schools, Community, and Development. Erasing the Boundarieshttp//www.practitionerresources.org/cache/documents/56274.pdf Proscio, Tony (The Enterprise Foundation, Col umbia, MD, 2004) This describes the results of efforts in four neighborhoods in Baltimore, St. Louis, and Atlanta to connect community-based revitalization initiatives with school reform programs in the same neighborhoods. Chapters intromit 1) Building and Learning Go Seperate Ways 2) The SchoolCommunity Alliance in Practice 3) The Developer as Educator 4) Housing and Economic Development. 39p.Using Public Schools as Community-Development Tools Strategies for Community-Based Developershttp//www.jchs.harvard.edu/publications/communitydevelopment/W02-9_Chung.pdf Chung, Connie (Harvard University, sound out Center for Housing Studies, Cambridge, MA Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation. , 2002)This paper explores the use of public schools as tools for community andeconomic development. As major place-based infrastructure and an integral part of the community fabric, public schools can have a profound impact on the social, economic, and physical character of a neighborhood. Addressing public schools, therefore, is a good point of entry for community-based developers to place their work in a comprehensive community-development context. The paper examines ways in which community-based developers can learn from, as well as brook to, current community-based efforts, particularly in disinvested urban areas, to reinforce the link between public schools and neighborhoods.Furthermore, the paper considers the policy implications of including public schools in comprehensive development strategies, and asserts that reinforcing the link between public schools and neighborhoods is not only good education policy, but also good community-development policy and practice. An appendix presents contact information for organizations participating in school and community linkages. 55p.

Corporate Social Responsibilities of Maruti Suzuki in Terms of Employment

MUMBAI Maruti Suzuki India, the countrys largest carmaker, is extending some of its corporate complaisant responsibility (CSR) activities to associates on the shop-floor in a bid to make it more comprehensive and increase their identification with the company. So far, these programmes were only for managers and engineers. As part of the initiative called e-parivartan, the company helps employees contribute to various social causes. The initiative is run in compact with local voluntary organisations. Ads by Google LIC Life Insurance PlansInvest Rs. 543/Month & Get Rs. Cr. Life Cover+Medical Benefit. Buy Now LIC. TermInsuranceIndia. co. in Reliance product line Openings2500+ New Jobs For Exp 5-15 Years. Upload Resume. Apply to Reliance Now TimesJobs. com/Reliance-Openings The companys CSR department facilitates volunteering activity as a link between employees and the community. Encouraged by their enthusiasm for social work, we would like to take the employee volunteering programm e to the shop floor, says SY Siddiqui, chief operating officer in charge of administration (HR, finance, IT and COSL) at Maruti Suzuki India.Some of the focus areas for next form include counselling Class 10 and 12 students at local government schools for higher studies and vocational courses, and support to the environment. This community interaction gives extreme merriment to the employees. With such associations, their involvement and liking for the company also goes up, says Siddiqui. The e-parivartan programme was started about four years ago when a assort of young employees, in a communication meeting, expressed their desire to meaningfully associate with a social cause.Starting with 40 employees in 2008-09, the programme now involves about 2,200 staffers. From this year, the company has do volunteering an integral part of new employees induction programme. For instance, new employees like graduate engineer trainees (GET) undergo a full day of community service. This year, a group of GETs participated in an anti-malaria and dengue campaign in Gurgaon that was organised by Maruti in partnership with the government health department. Such exposure helps us shape them as rounded professionals so they are able to contribute not just to the company but also to society, says a company spokesperson. Underlining the fact that a renew focus on employee involvement and engagement is very critical for the company, Siddiqui says HR should be able to support all, blue-collared or white-collared. Maruti is refocusing on building link between the whiteand blue-collared. E-parivartan has so far shown tremendous results with white- collared employees,

Is the norwegian language under threat?

Is the Norwegian language under threat? More and more words from otherwise languages is blending in, in the Norwegian language. The biggest threat to the Norwegian language is side of meat. As the English language slowly took over most parts of the world as the official language of several(prenominal) post-colonized country, its on the personal manner to take the Norwegian language completely our tongue. No one lowlife deny the fact how much English has Influence our both day, Its a well-known fact that Norwegian words Is substituted with English. AmericanEnglish Is settling faster than British English on the Norwegian shelf. USA has basically been the most sovereign force after the Second World War, they have expanded their businesses on a massive scale, they reign supreme on the entertainment and In line of science and technology field, USA Is one of, If not on top. These popular fields which they have exceeded on also bring their American- English on top, other businesses, entertainment Industries, and the science- scientific world must cope with them and, they have to use American-English more consistently on every day basis. They provide the information to the people. D people to tend to catch on words than can maybe explain a word on their mother tongue better or simply because it is a lot simpler to say that word, English tends to be not so difficult language to learn, purge for young children, as they use technological devices and internet to read information, or to even play games, chic portrays a strong role, to learn young children into learning English. If this continues, American-English would eradicate the Norwegian language a lot faster than we think. As the linguistic Selfless Limier said, we have to find means to end this American-English language takeover, he mentioned that we need to convert basic English word back into Norwegian e. G bacon-O sidedness. This way we may stand a chance to preserve Norwegian. My thoughts on this matter is straightforward, American-English landed firmly on Norwegian soil and its here to stay for good, the question remains is how long does it going to take before English becomes the official language of this country. A giant number of well know industries which is located in Norway, do only speak English and you also have to apply for the Job on English, even though it means working onNorwegian land, I myself have experienced this. Remember what the narrative of the English language has done to the population of the world, slowly clawed Its way to the top the tongues of the inhabitants by certain ways, and drained the native language form their core and replaced It with English words and or as an official language Is history doomed to repeat Itself or does the Norwegian language stand a chance, our next generations will live to tell the tale. BY ibbi2206 our tongue. No one can deny the fact how much English has influence our every day, its a well-known fact that Norwegian words is substituted with English.

Role Model Review

For this assignment I have chosen a leader that is in charge of overseeing the over 300,000,000 people of the join States of America, (The World Fact Book, July 2010) the 44th President of The United States of America, Barack Obama. The primary duty of the president of the United States is to make sure that all(a) United States laws argon carried start and that the federal government is run effectively. Although the president may not introduce new legislation he does hold the awesome power to veto all bills that atomic number 18 approved by the legislature. In addition, the president has the weighty intent of commander in chief of the armed forces.As the nations chief executive, the president oversees unusual policy, making treaties with foreign nations and appointing ambassadors to other nations and to the United Nations. He also appoints members of the Cabinet, as well as Supreme Court justices and federal judges. As you can posit the job of the president of The United States is full of responsibilities and is a job that should not be taken lightly.When president Barack Obama was elected to office in 2008 it was an election of desperate proportions. That year there was not only the first African American running for president, but also the first female. After the primary elections it was clear that the ply for the 44th president was going to be between Republican candidate John McCain and Barack Obama.President Barack Hussein Obama II has a story that American dreams are made of. He claims to have been raised with values from the heartland, a middle-class upbringing in a strong family, hard work and education as the means of getting ahead, and the conviction that a life so blessed should be lived in service to others.He was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961. His father was from Kenya and his mother was from Kansas. He was raised with the help from his grandparents. His grandfather served in Pattons army and his grandmother was a secretary at a bank. Ba rack worked his vogue through college with the help of scholarships and student loans. (whitehouse.gov)President Obama has claimed to be a Christian, but there has been many who would question this because of his Muslim roots. President Obama has been quoted as saying that he has attended the like Christian Church for the past 20 years. (The associated Press) This is after he was accused of being an Islamic terrorist because his father as well as his step-father were both Muslim. President Obama and his family were in fact members of The Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago until he had a disagreement with his pastor. (The associated Press)There are things that President Obama has endorsed throughout his campaign and throughout his presidency that I do not agree with. I do not agree with his issues on abortion, take down though he did stop federal funding of it. I am also not a fan of his health deal reform. I look at that there are other ways than what he is proposing to make sure that the American people have affordable health care and health care coverageAs with any leader there will always be things that everyone dislikes and things that only some people like. This is after all a costless country that is driven by freewill and democracy. Personally I can see why people would hold president Obama to the standards of a case mould and even a hero. His story is truly amazing and is an example of the American dream.I however would not say that he is a perfect mortal to be a role model. As I mentioned before I do not agree with a lot of his policies or that he has a Muslim background. I also do not agree with the thought of a public official being thought of as a role model for children when he openly discusses his battle with nicotine. There are really none of us that are perfect, but as Christians we are to strive to be Christ like.Throughout the past few years I have watched as president Obama has delivered public addresses and wondered if he w ere turning religion and faith into the same thing. The only way that he can talk about religion is to talk about his faith, but never specifically mentioning what he has faith in therefore turning faith into an irrelevant flourish of sentimentality that one can choose to wrap around social justice or cast of completely. I feel that this is bringing religion down to the lowest common denominator. I cannot look at a man as a role model that tries to make Christianity politically correct.

Childhood Obesity: A Problem in Low Income Families Essay

thither ar bigeminal reasons why starting time income families convey pip-squeakren on the verge of corpulency. Children with two domesticateing p atomic number 18nts or with a exclusive p arnt be possessed of limited access to goodish home cooked meals. P arnts working uncommon hours in economic crisis paying jobs and unable to find the time to cook home cooked meals means children in those low income families are either corrodeing prepackaged meals or eating take out far-off too ofttimes which is foamy. The affordability and the accessibility of nutritional foods from food market stores and unhealthy inexpensive foods from fast food restaurants is effective a a few(prenominal) examples of why child fleshiness in low income families is on a rise. puerility obesity can lead to lifelong eating and health jobs. thither is also a problem with the privation of physical actives in low income neighborhoods as children often foolt bring forth places to illustratio n. The epidemic that is childhood obesity in America lonesome(prenominal) when specially in low income neighborhoods are a fact that cannot be ignored and must be addressed before these children are effected melody lifelong implications. Obesity in children is defined as a Body Mass Index at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex according to a stand for put out by the Center of Disease Control and legal profession.The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (2011) calculates Body Mass Index using a childs weight unit, height, and age. This is different than calculating a Body Mass Index for adults as age does not matter for adults, only the height and weight. There are many reasons and combinations of reasons why children become grievous. Genetics can play a role but childhood obesity is generally caused by a wishing of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns resulting in excess energy intake, or a combination of the two. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Resource). Much of childhood obesity can be prevented and those who already suffer from obesity can make changes to lose weight and be healthy. It is important for at risk children and their parents to understand the severity of the topic of childhood obesity. There are great health risks for those children pitiable from obesity.Lets Move is a g everywherenment program launched by the first lady, Michelle Obama, as a part of the task force for childhood obesity President Obama had created as talked about on the Lets Move website.On their site in that respect is a come of health issues associated with childhood obesity. Research shows children who are obese can split heart disease, type 2 diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, plus joint problems and back pain from the strain on the body carrying extra weight. There is also mental health to consider for obese children. Depression and social issues are often found in children suffering from obesity (Lets Move). With rising health care costs, the health issues that children can develop due to childhood obesity can hurt the financial position of the already low income and financially hurting families in America. With the invention of video games, computers, the internet, and television viewing on a rise, its no wonder why, President Obama stated on the colour House website Nearly one third of children in America are overweight or obese a rate that has tripled in adolescents and more than double in younger children since 1980. This is why childhood obesity is a serious issue that get hold ofinesss to be considered by parents, doctors and teachers. With children being left at home alone by and by school due to parents having to work multiple low paying jobs in low income neighborhoods, children are not told what not to eat and are not wedgeting exercise. The internet being much(prenominal)(prenominal) an intergraded part of todays life children are often spending much of their free time on the computer rather than playing orthogonal with friends. The lack of exercise is a huge reason why children now are more obese than in previous generations.From data found in Generation M2 Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year Olds by total heat J. Kaiser ground (January 2010) It is said that children are spending approximately 7.5 hours using entertainment media, 4.5 hours watching TV, 1.5 hours on the computer, and over an hour playing video games daily. This is partly because older children are often home alone after school go their parents are working. The fact that many children are either left alone while parents work or are left in childcare makes it difficult for parents to regulate what a child is eating. Sixty-nine percent of children under age 5 with low-income working m differents are cared for regularly by somebody other a parent. Thirty-nine percent of these children are in care for at least 35 hours a week. (The urban Institute ). This means that children are not bein g monitored by parentsabout what they eat and how much they ate during the day. The number of obese children in low income families in America is on a rise, 1 of 7 low-income, preschool-aged children is obese according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2011). According to the Clinton Foundation nearly 25 million children are overweight or obese. Also they report that in a study of 200 neighborhoods, there were three times as many supermarkets in wealthy neighborhoods as in poor neighborhoods leaving fast food restaurants as the most comfortable meal options for low income families.Children from low income families are far more likely to suffer from childhood obesity due to the lack of supermarkets available, due to the affordability of nutritious foods, due to the lack of politics funding for wait onance programs, along with many other factors. legion(predicate) organizations have done research on the subject of childhood obesity in low income families. Some sour ces have found connections betwixt things like the number of grocery stores in comparison to convenient stores and fast food places in low income neighborhoods. For example the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2011) recount that according to their research Supermarket access is associated with a reduced risk for obesity. Convenient store wont offer variety and healthy fresh foods to those families that live in low income neighborhoods. It is easy to see how there can be a link between childhood obesity and the limited access to grocery stores. Fresh fruits and vegetables are crucial part of eating healthy and losing weight. When low income families are unable to buy fresh fruits and vegetables due to not having stores that would supply them, there is a risk of obesity due to the lack of options. Those with annual household income less than $24,000 reported problems accessing low-priced fresh fruits and vegetables 2.5 times as frequently than those with incomes between $60,000 and $89,999 (13.8 percent vs. 5.7 percent) (Food Research and Action Center, 2010).The Journal of the American Medical Association says Among older non-Hispanic white children, children in families with low income were significantly more likely to be overweight than children in families with high income. as a result to one of their many studies on childhood obesity. Though obesity rates are often talked about in the news both on TV or online, not much is offered to assist the prevention of obesity or how to effectively live healthier to and lose weight in a healthy way. There are sources out thereand many ways to get the nurture require to prevent obesity. some organizations created to get the information to the public by the internet but it is important for this information to be available to all as not everyone has the ability get the internet. This leaves people most at risk, low income families, without the information on how to live healthier lives.Educating parent s on how to feed their families healthy food are one way to prevent childhood obesity and change the eating habits of children already suffering from obesity. Also, making sure children stay active, burning calories by playing sports or riding bicycles, or general exercise routines can lower a childs risk of obesity. Low income families may not be able to afford to enroll their children in sports. The general public of necessity to get involved by donating money and volunteering time for after school programs that offer children an alternative from sitting at home in front of the television eating junk food. More free after school programs in pauperization stricken areas in the united States would lower the number of obese children in this country. If the general public only knew how little of their time and money is need to fund and support these after school actives that make such a huge impact on children and how it would fight a health condition like childhood obesity more peo ple would donate and volunteer.The biggest problem in ending childhood obesity is to get more information to families on how to live healthier and eat healthier. Organizations that already deal with low income families need to offer more information such an idea of what kind of physical activities are required to be healthy and how often to do them. Also, sample menus with easy, low cost recipes so low income families now how to salve money and while still eating right However, this assistance should not stop at component low income families as childhood obesity is not only an issue for low income families. There needs to be organizations that get involved in schools systems to give all different level of income families the information needed to live healthy and feed their family good choices. The United States Department of Agriculture has created a site called get My Plate (2011) which provides sample menus, nutritional facts, ways to manage your weight including different tr ackers to track weight sledding progress, and a whole section of physical activities. There is an abundance of information that parents can use to map out meals, plan activities, and financial aid their children lose weight to prevent obesity and helpthose children already suffering from obesity. As the site states to parents You are your childrens most important role model.Your children pay attention to what you do more than what you say. Parents are the most critical factor in childhood obesity. It is up to the parents to create healthy food for their children. Parents who dont eat healthy themselves are setting bad examples to their children. Much of childhood obesity can end if parents change the way their whole family eats. For low income families that may not be able to always buy healthy foods, there needs to be government assistance to help those who are in need. Both federal and local governments need to implement more programs to low income families. precisely 5 percent of all low-income families with a full-time, full-year worker receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits. (The Urban Institute). That needs to change as the cost of food has gone up which means those families that are low income but are trying to do better are those that are suffering the most. More of the governments money must be put into programs that help feed low income families to prevent such health problems as childhood obesity. President Obama has created a task force on childhood obesity with the First Lady heading a public awareness program outlined on the White Houses website.On the White Houses website the President says Such strategies include update child nutrition policies in a way that addresses the best available scientific information, ensuring access to healthy, affordable food in schools and communities, as well as increasing physical activity and empowering parents and caregivers with the information and tools they need to make good choices for t hemselves and their families. President Obamas says on the website that his plan is to solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight. With the cooperation with local government the Presidents plan could possibly be successful. There is also another way for the government to step in to end obesity. Some states have already developed laws where there are higher taxes on unhealthy foods. Forty states already have small taxes on sugared beverages and snack foods, but in the past year, Maine and New York have proposed grand taxes on sugared beverages, and similar discussions have begun in other states. (Brownell, Frieden, 2009).This would be a good solution for those in higher income levels and if government assistance is helping the lower incomelevels it prevents them falling into old habits of buying the unhealthy foods. With the combination of assistance for low income families and higher taxes on the unhealthy foods, the rate of childhood obesity cleverness drop. With the findings through these government sites and organizations, the result is clear that children from low income families tend to suffer from childhood obesity more than those children from a high income house hold. This research proves the link between income level and obesity in children. Many families are unable to have home cooked meals either because of time limitations or the affordability and access to healthy food. Many families will eat off the dollar menu at McDonalds as it is cheaper than buying food at the grocery store.Fast food places offer meals with toys to attract children as well. Children in low income neighborhoods often dont have access to healthy foods like fresh produce. There are also few places for recreation for children in low income neighborhoods. Those children can miss out on physical activities that would burn calories preventing obesity. mess should be more aware of this issue that Americans, especially the children face. This means addressing the issue of cost of fast food, especially the more unhealthy choices at fast food restaurants, and the grams of fat in these foods. The facts show that children from low income families have fewer choices for healthy food due to the high cost of fresh food in comparison to the affordability of fast food which contributes to child obesity.ReferencesAmerican Medical Association. (2001,October). Low Family Income and Food Insufficiency in coitus to laboured in US Children. The Journal of the American Medical Association. Retrieved from http//archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?volume=155page=1161 Brownell K.D., Frieden T.R.(2009). Ounces of preventionthe public policy case for taxes on sugared beverages. New England Journal of Medicine. Retrieved from http//www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp0902392 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, April). A Growing Problem. Overweight and Obesity. Retrived from htt p//www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/problem.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, April). Basics About Childhood Obesity.Overweight and Obesity. Retrived from http//www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/basics.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, April). Data and Statistics Obesity rates among all children in the United States. Overweight and Obesity. Retrived from http//www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/data.html Food Research and Action Center. (2010) Food Access & Affordability. Retrived from http//frac.org/reports-and-resources/food-hardship-access-to-fruits-and-vegetables/ Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. (2005, contact 9). Generation M2 Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year-olds Report. Retrieved from http//www.kff.org/entmedia/7251.cfm Lets Move (n.d.). Health Problems and Childhood Obesity. Americas Move to Raise a Healthier Generation of Kids. Retrieved from http//www.letsmove.gov/health-problems-andchildhood-obesity The Urban Institute. (2005, August). Low Income Working Families Facts and Figures. Retrieved from http//www.urban.org/UploadedPDF/900832.pdf United States Department of Agriculture Choose My Plate. (2011). dietary Guidelines Consumer Brochure. Retrieved from http//www.choosemyplate.gov/print-materials-ordering/dietary-guidelines.html U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources/Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. (n.d.).Childhood Obesity. Retrieved from http//aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/child_obesity/ William J. Clinton Foundation. (n.d.). Facts About Childhood Obesity. chip Childhood Obesity Alliance For A Healthier Generation. Retrived from http//www.clintonfoundation.org/what-we-do/alliance-for-a-healthier-generation/why-childhood-obesity-/facts-about-childhood-obesity White House. (2010, February 09) Presidential Memorandum Establishing a delegate Force on Childhood Obesity. Retrieved from. http//www.whitehouse.gov/the-pressoffice/presidential-memorandum-establishing-a-task-force-childhood-obesity

Rmcf Srategic Audit

Strategic Audit of jumpy messiness umber situationory sidestep of Contents Current Situation. 4 Current Performance4 Strategic lieu 4,5 unified Governance.. . 5 Board of coachs. . 5,6,7 unclutter focussing. 7,8,9 External environs Opportunities and Threats (SWOT).. 9 lifelike Environment. 9 Societal Environment. . 9,10 Task Environment.. . 10,11 Summary of External Factors.. .. . . . 11 peril 1- EFAS.. 22 cozy Environment Strengths & Weaknesses (SWOT).. . 11 Corporate Structure.. 11,12 Corporate Culture.. 12 Corporate Resources12 tradeing.. 2 Finance. 12,13 Research & Development.. 13,14 Operations & Logistics.. 14 Human Resources Management (HRM).. 14 Information Technology (IT).. 14,15 Summary of Internal Factors 15 Exhibit 2- IFAS.. 22 compendium of Strategic Factors (SWOT). .. 15 Situational Analysis.. 5,16,17 Review of Mission and Objectives17 Exhibit 3 SFAS Matrix23 Strategic Alternatives and Recommended scheme.. 18 Strategic Alternatives.. 18,19 Recommended Strategy/Implementation. 19,20 Implementation.. 20 Evaluation and Control. .. 20,21 Conclusion21 Works Cited 24 I.Current Situation A. Current Performance Successful from the scraping * Currently there atomic tot 18 fiver comp whatever- have and 329 certificationd RMCF stores operating in 38 states * Continuous r unconstipatedue add-ons from year to year ( virtu in onlyy $16,678,472 in 2008) * During this snip of frugal decline that had arose, the sales began to slow up tho jolting brush aside coffee bean pulverization seems to be in great shape under every(prenominal) fiscal aspects to survive the recession. B. Strategic Posture Here is the original mission, objectives, and strategies of the comp whatever.RMCF is everlastingly looking to be gain more and more successful from what they already afford and hope to continue doing surface now and in the forthcoming(a). 1. Mission The Comp any does its finest to stay fine-tuned and focus on franchising and manufactur ing. * They guarantee neat timber, taste, honour, and variety of completely their fruits * Their number unrivalled focus and factor is the quality of the crop 2. Objectives RMCF is always wanting to be cognize and therefore their customers and employees ar spacious for the confederacy.They are always doing their placedo to stay in the seat they are in now by staying successful, continuing to gain customers, popularity, and even remuneration as a whole. * Continue to keep a good relationship with all employees and with the franchises as hale * They are always sure to handle and manage their money in all the tight-laced ways even during the while of the 2008 economic slump * Always had an eye indeterminate to slow factors mound during this rough time ( expansion and eliminate debt) 3.Strategies * bouldered sess hot chocolate grind is repurchasing express here beca role they matte up as if it was undervalued * Different kinds of skunkdy, such as sugar free treats for individuals who choose to be more profound or who cannot have the candies with all the sugar in them * The fraternity owns refrigerated trucks to make it simple to transmit products from the factory to stores * Putting stores in areas of tourist, entertainment, and street front arrangements to gain more and more attention. Stores are rope up for customers to be adequate to(p) to not resist the smell and sights of all the goodies ( leave alone keep them coming back) 4. Policies RMCF consists of legion(predicate) different polices as some places do. The company wants to always continue increasing accountability, revenue, customers, and all the positives that have been such a success for the company while in any case reducing bottlenecking. exclusively franchisees are expected to chasten a naughty level of excellence * Believe they should get over the manufacturing of its own products in order to soften maintain its high product quality standards * RMCF sends t heir trucks from factories to stores with products and then brings back more ingredients for the next product so they can save trips and be more follow applyful * Stores must be placed utmost enough a start up and in good locations so that the company has the best possibility for success * all stores have the policy of sample in the store so customers can see and get a line what they are liberation to purchaseThe genuine mission, objectives, strategies, and policies reflect the company under many a(prenominal) aspects. It continues to be successful, expand the customer kitchen-gardening, and accessibility. RMCF created a pencil lead business model that was truly effective. With all the company has accomplished it continues to keep an eye open and look to consider intensifys if requested. II. Corporate Governance A. Board of Directors Due to the type of company, it is re exactinged by jurisprudence to have no fewer than three and no more than nine managing managing di rectors on the climb on.The company previously head affectionate on having 6 directors with Crail and Merryman being the all two inside gore members. 1. Franklin E. Crail- Founder of the initial RMCF, Chief Executive policeman, death chair, and a director. Bryan J. Merryman- Vice President, Finance & chief financial officer, chief operating officer, director and a treasurer. Others directors accept Gerald A. Kien Former chief executive officer of Remote Technology. Lee N. Mortenson Former managing director at Kensington Partners LLC. Clyde W.Engle Chairman of the board of directors and chief executive officer of Sunstates Corporation. Fred M. Trainor Chief executive officer and chair of AVCOR Health Care Products Inc. With the exception of Franklin E. Crail who was the co-founder of RMCF and Bryan J. Merryman, the Board of Directors of Rocky kitty Chocolate factory is composed of all external-independent board members. The directors do not receive any kind of compe nsation for serving on the board.However, they do receive compensation for serving other(a) things such as serving certain board military commissions, leading committees, and when getting involved in meetings. Directors who are not officers or employees of RMCF are entitled to receive stock option awards. RMCF is publically slynessd and listed on NASDAQ Global Market. For each share of super acid stock held, a shareholder is entitled to one vote on all matters. There are different practiceds as all matters could be voted on except the preference of directors. Shareholders on the board had cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.The Board of Directors has frequently paid out quarterly cash dividends usually to common share outstanding. The RMCF board of directors are equipped with a wide variety of skills, interest, knowledge and background. The board members contri unlesse numerous experiences in different bureaus from multiple companies. It seems that none of the directors were ever in the evokender industry before. Franklin E. Crail co-founded the first-class honours degree Rocky quite a little Chocolate grind store in May 1981. Since, Crail has served as its President, Director, Chairman of the Board, and CEO.Before finding the company, he was co-founder and President of CNI Data Processing Inc. Bryan J. Merryman has experience in leverage bargainout firms, retail and manufacturing of after foodstuff auto decomposes, consulting, financial advisory, and risk management. He has been with RMCF since 1997. Lee N. Mortenson has been with the company since 1987 and has been involved in consulting and enthronement activities since 2000. He was the managing director of a private investment firm and has been President and CEO of a company that provided management consulting and investment services.He has also been involved in real estate development and manufacturing. Gerald A. Kien became part of the company in 1995. He had just retire d from his get as President and CEO of a company involved in the development of instrumentation for vehicle emissions testing. He also had previously been on the board of Sun Electric which is a company that deals with the oilfield, wind farms, and contagious disease construction industries. Clyde W. Engle became part of the company and had experience in professional property management as healthful as in a one-bank holding company.RMCF has a total of 41 franchise stores internationally. Based on what some of the directors use to do in the past, it is clear that they have the experience to rick with international executions of the company and help benefit RMCF. When it stupefys to the environment, it can be said that RMCF board members are concerned with its environment. To start with a simple example, Crail had to scope out the perfect environment where to build his company. He moved from atomic number 20 to a smaller town where he started to survey the environment to make sure that it was a good place to open a java shop.Crail had to make sure the environment was going to be a contribution to the success of the organization. RMCF was first located right on the main street for location and was right by the river which was a tourist attraction. The smells caught the noses of the tourists that came to town for the attractions. The company then continued to establish RMCF stores in five primary environments such as regional centers, tourist areas, outlet centers, street fronts, and airports and other entertainment oriented areas. The board members have been around for quite some time. Starting from 1982 to 1987, 1995, 1999, 2000, and 2009 basically.Even previously from 1987. The board seems to be profoundly involved with strategical management of the company, controlling all from where stores are located to how training is conducted. When it comes to decision do on what to do with the company, the board of directors at RMCF tend to agree upon what to do as a team. They backpack care of all major aspects of the company. For example, they are in practice of resources and performance in the environment. With the co-founder being part of the board, strategic management works in a way that they all come to an agreement on, the board and no one is voted out.The board is able to run an evaluation on performance and many other aspects. All board members participate and stick to a strategic jut out to come to an agreement for the company. B. Top Management When it comes on to crystallise management at RMCF it is up to the internal employees that are all part of the board. Listed below are some individuals that are part of RMCF top management Frankiln E. Crail- Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director Bryan J. Merryman- Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Treasuer Edward L.Dudley- elderly Vice President- Sales and Marketing Gregory L. Pope- Senior Vice President- Franchise Development and Op erations Jay B. Haws- Vice President- Creative Services William K. Jobson- Chief Information Officer Virgina M. Perez- Corporate Security Similar to the board of directors, top management of RMCF comes from a lot of different backgrounds. All of them are experienced in their field, but none of them before had ever had experience in the food industry. Some of the top management individuals consist of Crail, Merryman, Dudley, Pope, haws, and even a few more.Top management at RMCF are responsible for the different franchises and the gain of the company. They use top management as a form of actualisation style so they can use it to expand and open more franchise stores. This allow suffer them to open more stores with no peachy investment. Top Management also has international experience identical to the board of directors, because some of the individuals are twain on the board of directors and top management. They have had to interact with others internationally and learn how to work with others from all over as hygienic.That is why RMCF continues to stay towards the top and seems to most of the time be doing very well. There have been different ways and ratios looked into that determine if top management is effective and if they have an carry on on the friendships performance over the past days. The ratios turned out looking quite a well for RMCF in that the company is doing well and top management has been responsible for these corporation performances over the past few years. This factor that the management is aware of their resources and are using them to the companys advantage.About half of the top management have been promoted internally. They started off as a store manager, franchise owner, or running(a)(a) their way up through the company. Some of these managers have been with the company since it first merged in the early 1980s. Top management has established a systematic approach to strategic management. As mentioned above, the committee c onsults the board on making the right organizational decisions. By placing intense focus on environmental Scanning of strategic management, RMCF has been smart and placed store locations in tourist areas, or high levels of behind traffic.Top management of RMCF is deeply involved in the strategic management process of the company. They are in charge of the mainstream controls that their franchise branches do. Therefore, top management is truly involved. When it comes to deciding store locations, directing training, and providing ingredients, these are all decided upon in their original Durango, Colorado location. At RMCF top management is heavily involved in the fundamental interaction with displace level managers and the board of directors. Top management consults with the lower levels when deciding what to do and what strategies they can come upon that lead best suit the company.Even though top management is higher up then the lower levels, they must come to agreements on certai n strategies before making changes. Therefore, top management does play a very authoritative role when it comes to interacting and communication with lower level managers and board of directors at RMCF. By interacting and communicating helps the company rise above and stay ahead of competitors. RMCF is great with their interaction at all levels and that is what allows for it to be one of the leading coffee factories worldwide. Decisions at RMCF are made ethically in a socially responsible manner.If there is ever any concerns or anything that could be harmful to the company foretell, system, or constitution they are strictly prohibited. Along with the ethical manners of RMCF, environmentally sustainable manners come into play. From what RMCF can control, they want to always maintain an environmentally sustainable manner. With most things they are able to do so but with cocoa beans that are the main raw material use to make chocolate and vainglorious in Africa and several other c ountries, RMCF cannot today regulate if those countries are leading themselves in an environmentally sustainable manner.There are many different rules, regulations, and concerns that lead to be kept under tight control with the company. From the case, one can see that RMCFs top management is sufficiently skilled to cope with any future challenges. All of the top management team comes from truly experienced backgrounds and are prepared to withstand any recessionary forces that are knocking the U. S. economy. III. External Environment Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) A. Natural Physical Environment Sustainability Issues 1. Some inwrought climate issues that could affect the company would be heat, rain, and snow.Some weather related issues would be hurricanes and earthquakes that would affect traffic, tourism, and crop end product (cocoa beans). 2. These forces would affect different regions of the world depending on the season and location. There might be different weather-related events, but different types would affect each region. B. Societal Environment economical Economic is a flow menace because the economy is dealing with a current recession. Spending is down and chocolate isnt a necessity, which means there will be less chocolate being consumed. technicalTechnology is an opportunity for RMCF. One example is that with online obtain increasing, consumers can buy as much of the product as they want right from their phones or computers. likewise, engineering science can invigorate up the production process. Machines can do a lot more work as well, which will limit the amount of work that workers have to do by hand. This will increase the overall quality and consistency of the product. Political-Legal Political-Legal can be a threat to this corporation. Working in a factory can be somewhat unsafe. There are always health and safety issues in any workplace.There are also fair-trade regulations, import and export regulations, licensing agreements and child labor laws that have to be enforced. sociocultural Sociocultural is an opportunity for this corporation. Based on research, dark chocolate has many health benefits. Some of these benefits include limiting the risk of diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes. Dark chocolate can also lower blood imperativeness and cholesterol, and increase sugar metabolism. This will increase consumer spending on dark chocolate if consumers believe that it is goodish for them. These forces would be different in other countries.This is because every nation is not at the same developmental stage, in terms of Economic, Technological, Political-legal, & Sociocultural. Some countries are ahead of the U. S & others are behind. C. Task Environment 1. Forces that start out industry competition are prices, geographic locations, large corporations entering the market, and prime retail locations. a. Threats of new entrants uplifted Nestle and mars are two of the top food manufacturers in the world. With lo w entry barriers and having to grapple with these established corporations there is a high threat. b.Bargaining power of buyers Medium Consumers have other options to choose from in addition RMCF. They can buy chocolate from whomever, but with their prices, consumers are still choosing RMCF. c. Threat of substitute products/services racy There are many substitutes to gourmet chocolate and with the economy consumers might fall for the lower prices and lightheaded access to different products. d. Bargaining power of suppliers Low RMCF has an advantage over other suppliers because of their fixed price and alternative supplier options. e. Rivalry High There has been an increase of entrants into the industry.Chocolate can be an easier industry to buy into with the health benefits and low entry barriers. f. Relative power of union, politicss, and exceptional interest groups Medium Consumer demands, union demands, and government regulations present challenges for RMCF. 2. Key factors in the immediate environment are * Consumers demand for quality and healthy products. * vauntingly name competitors equal Nestle and Mars entering the market. * Suppliers providing ingredients at a fixed cost. * Labor unions and employers workings unitedly to produce raw materials at a low cost D. Summary of External FactorsSee Exhibit 1 Find at end of paper Consumer demands and competition are the most important factors to the corporations and industries in which it competes at the present time. Without consumers buying the product, the company cannot survive. Even though there are other factors that meditate into consumer happiness, it all boils down to if they like the product, if they can afford it, and if they choose it over other competitors. In the future it will still be the same, there will still be other competitors that will be coming out with new and improved products. Consumers can change company preference at any time.RMCF has to keep fixed prices as good or bett er with the products that are similar to that of their competition in order to keep their consumers around. IV. Internal Environment Strengths and Weaknesses (SWOT) A. Corporate Structure Rocky mussiness Chocolate Factory prides itself on its history. It was built around location and lifestyle, which has helped shape its incarnate grammatical construction that is used to this day. Rocky bay window Chocolate Factory uses a divisional integrated structure that focuses in three areas product, market, and geographic. Product is the first and foremost important section for the Rocky galvanic pile Chocolate Factory.As said by one of the Co-founders Franklin Crail The number one factor is the quality of the product, without that customers arent going to stay around long (book p26-3). Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory is known for its specialty chocolate treats such as nut clusters, buffers, butter creams, mints, and truffles. RMCF also tries to stay innovative with its products, hav ing recently introduced sugar free and no sugar added candies. Chocolate isnt the only sweet treat that Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory offers, however, they also offer an array of fudges and caramel apples.Market structure is the next piece that fits into Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factorys divisional corporate structure. Market structure comes into play with the different groupings of employees that Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has as a whole. They can be divided up into manufacturing its own trucking operations, store employees, factory employees, and corporate management. separate up the employee force and grouping everyone with the same or similar groups together is the main purpose of the market structure as part of the divisional structure as a whole.The last piece of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factorys divisional corporate system is geographical structure. This groups employees come together on a basis of where they are located. This is important for Rocky Mountain Chocol ate Factory because it an international company with stores all over the United States, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. The placement of the shops is also a pigment element to the success of the store. The main environments are regional centers, tourist areas, outlet centers, street fronts, and airports. B. Corporate Culture The crest of Perfection in handmade ChocolatesRocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has a very extraordinary corporate culture. It truly tries to live up to its tagline of being The Peak of Perfection in Handmade Chocolates. As a company they accomplish this by making all the shops a blend of traditional and contemporary styles. They also sought to make each store a fun and inviting place to be for both its workers and the customers that stop in. In each store it is possible to see the chocolates being made by the workers, thence showing that the chocolates really are handmade, as promised by the tagline of the company. other important aspect of the Rocky M ountain Chocolate Factory corporate culture is its franchising philosophy. It is always looking to improve its franchise actualize systems and has a high level of service and commitment to its franchises. The company visualises the importance of supporting and monitoring all of its franchises, because they are a direct reflection of the company. C. Corporate Resources 1. Marketing Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory runs on low-cost, high-return promotion opportunities. This is through taking advantage of local and regional events, sponsorships, and charitable causes.A large national marketing plan was never something that Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory was interested in. Instead the company preferred to use things like coupons, flyers, and mail-order catalogs generated in house using its Creative Services Department. This department also works directly with each franchise. 2. Finance RMCF is consistently making a realise, allowing operating expenses to increase, and it also has multiple income sources. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factorys financial situation can best be seen through the use of a graph. This graph breaks down the companys financial situation for the past five years. long time ENDED FEBRUARY 28 or 29, Selected Statement of Operations Data 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 Total revenues $ 34,627 $ 31,128 $ 28,437 $ 28,539 $ 31,878 Operating income 5,853 5,950 5,671 5,819 7,914 Net income $ 3,876 $ 3,911 $ 3,580 $ 3,719 $ 4,961 canonical gain per Common Share $ . 63 $ . 65 $ . 60 $ . 62 $ . 78 Diluted Earnings per Common Share $ . 62 $ . 62 $ . 58 $ . 60 $ . 6 heavinessed intermediate common shares outstanding 6,111 6,051 6,013 5,985 6,341 Weighted average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution 6,295 6,290 6,210 6,157 6,501 Selected Balance Sheet Data Working capital $ 10,573 $ 9,831 $ 8,930 $ 7,371 $ 5,152 Total as go downs 24,163 21,439 18,920 16,841 16,147 Stockholders equity 18,736 16,654 14,731 13,242 11,655 Cash Dividend Declared per Common Share $ . four hundred $ . 400 $ . 400 $ . 400 $ . 390 3. Research and Development (R&D) Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory knows the importance of keeping up with consumers wants, needs, and most importantly tastes. With the recent health raze, doing research and development was necessary to find out what in fact the consumers actually cute from their chocolate companies. Due to this health craze the demand for dark chocolate has seen a significant increase. Also due to the health conscious, there has been research on chocolates that have been enhanced with minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and probiotics. Another trend that has become apparent in the chocolate industry is the want for ethical and fair trade chocolate. Consumers were showing concern about supporting cocoa fa rms that used child labor. Due to this consumers were choosing to support companies that could prove they were using only ethical cocoa products. 4. Operations and LogisticsRocky Mountain Chocolate Factorys operation and scattering objectives are all about maintaining the quality and freshness of its products. As a company Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory encourages its franchise stores to only order what they can realistically sell in a two to four week time frame, this ensures freshness. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factorys manufacturing process primarily involved cooking or preparing the dulcorate. This is done in a temperature controlled room with strict quality controls in place to ensure that only best candies make the cut. While most of the candy is still handmade, there has been some change to automated processes if it makes sense to do so from a financial aspect.A large part of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factorys operations deal with its distribution or truck shipments. When i t appeared that there couldnt be a suitable shipper found, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory created its own fleet of semis. By doing this it enabled the company to deliver its products to the stores quickly and at an extremely cost efficient and effective price. Having its own fleet to haul and return products and supplies has become not only a convenience for Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, but an extremely business savvy move. 5. Human Resources Management (HRM) Most of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factorys employees are employed and paid on an hourly basis. At times, the employment of temp or seasonal help was used.Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory prides itself on staying competitive in its industry with regard to pay, benefits, and working conditions. The company is big time on the emphasis of respect, commitment, and professionalism. As far as human resources and employee relations go, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory rates itself as very good 6. Information Technology (IT) Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory uses social media as a main source of its information systems. Its main social media resource is Facebook. It allows for customers to like their page to receive special information and deals regarding the company. It also has a link to Facebook on its homepage on the corporate website. They also use Twitter and Instagram.Besides these information systems the company uses, the stores operate independently from main corporate structure and some other aspects of its operations the company uses information technology for shipping, sales performance, inventory control, and accounting. D. Summary of Internal Factors See Exhibit 2 Find at end of paper V. Analysis of Strategic Factors (SWOT) A. Situational Analysis See Exhibit 3 Find at end of paper Here we just put out some of the important strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that were important when it comes to RMCF. By looking at the SFAS Matrix exhibit 3 at the end of the paper one can see of t he external(EFAS) and internal(IFAS) factors and which of each are the most important that have a strong impact on the companys present and future performance. Strengths * quick Franchise Program Rated an outstanding franchise in 2008 by the Entrepreneur magazine * March thirty-first there were 329 franchised stores * Visibility of its stores and the high foot traffic generated strong name recognition High feel Product (won the 3 heart rating in a blind taste test) Strong merge of different kind of ingredients * During holiday seasons, company made as many as 100 special items * Developed a new line of sugar-free and no-sugar added candies * According to the company, results have been spectacular, filling a need for those with a special dietary requirements * Careful selection of store sites * Highly cohesive corporate culture * Trademarks * Big, chunky chocolate concoctions * The Bear Paw-sized concoction of chewy caramel, roasted nuts and heavy coating of chocolate * Caramel a pples followed by the Bear was the best selling Weaknesses * Global presence * Sale of chocolate and confectionary products was bear upon by changes in consumer tastes and eating habits * Negative impacts * Equity market levels * Consumer confidence * Job growth * Consumer expendable income and spending levels * Unemployment rates * Recessionary and inflationary trends * Energy prices Opportunities * New environments for success * Automation increase the speed and efficiency of the manufacturing process * Significant opportunities existed to expand into tourist area * Airport locations Accelerate the opening of stores in high volume airport locations * Sport Arenas * Kiosks * Enhanced franchise opportunities by providing flexibility in support of existing franchisees * Incorporated the companys trademark cooking areas * Low cost marketing * focussed primarily on local in-store marketing * Fixed price contracts Company owned trucks * In 2008, owned eight refrigerated trucks and shi pped substantial portion of its products from its factory * embody effective, and quick delivery * Human Resources * Provided working conditions, wages, and benefits that compared favorably with its competitors * High performance expectations, mutual respect and professionalism existed throughout the company Threats Weather * Crop horticulture * Tourist areas * Competitors * Mars Inc. * Fanny May * Godiva Chocolatier * Large annual sales, and was one of the leading chocolate businesses * Scharffen Berger and Joseph Schmidt * Ethel M Chocolates * Sees Candies * Hershey * These companies not only manufactured chocolate but also had their own retail outlets * Numerous businesses that offered confectionery products, from large to small privately owned local businesses * Influence of sales touched by * Traffic patterns * Economic conditions * Demographic conditions B. REVIEW OF MISSION AND OBJECTIVES Mission Built around a location and a lifestyle. The number one factor is the quality of the product, without that customers arent going to stay around long. (Page26-2) The Company believed that its store atmosphere and ambiance, as well as its brand name recognition and its awake selection of sites for new store and kiosks, merchandising and marketing of chocolate and other candy products, expertise in the manufacture, and commitment to customer service are key to the accomplishment of its objective to build on its position as a leading international franchiser and manufacturer of high quality chocolate and other confectionary products. Quality, taste, value and variety of products Quality of the product is the number one factor Objectives Manage money carefully during economic downswing Slowed expansion and elimination of debt Maintain a good relationship with employees as well as franchisees Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has continued to maintain its mission and objectives appropriately during times of expansion as well as recession. VI. Strategic Alterna tives and Recommended Strategy A. Strategic Alternatives The current and revised objectives are met preferably well in this case and in any situation there can be performance and improvement of the companys strategies to make it even better. The alternative strategies are the Growth scheme, stableness strategy and the retrenchment strategy.Cost leadership and differentiation play a part under strategic alternatives as well. 1. perceptual constancy Strategy Stability strategy is when corporate strategies need to make no changes to the companys current direction of activities. Therefore, RMCF fits pretty well under this because from the case one can see that they were doing rather well and never seemed to dip down by much at all. RMCF does not need to change any major things they just need to be sure and remain on the same page all the time and fix any small things that may occur. PROS Stability strategy is rather cheap and will take the least amount of time. It also allows for ap propriate training of any new franchisees.CONS With a stability strategy it may only be short term solve or could end up resulting in loss of market share. 2. Growth Strategy The concentration can be either upright growth or crosswise growth. Vertical growth consists of taking over some other company and this strategy would somewhat be beneficial for RMCF at this time because they tend to be doing well and if they were to take some other place over and run it as they run their own company things would continue to be well off. Horizontal growth is spreading into other geographical locations. Horizontal growth is also something that RMCF is looking to do at this point because expanding into different geographical areas will benefit them and let them continue to become known all over.The diversification strategies involve concentric and RMCF seems to have a pretty strong competitive position in the industry world. Conglomerate diversification comes into play here overly and RMCF se ems to be pretty well and in a good spot with their cash making company. With these two characteristics, diversification strategy should work. The horizontal growth is huge through franchising at RMCF. PROS- RMCF could continue reaching and expanding to different new markets as profits continue to move forward. CONS- The growth strategy may not allow enough time for all the planning that is needed. 3. Retrenchment Strategy Retrenchment strategy is corporate strategies to minimize the companys level of activities and to return it to profitability.This strategy can be considered a quick fix of financial problems and this has helped for RMCF to stay on their feet and never fall to low under most aspects. There were a few times they slipped but then managed to get back on their feet and fix problems. With retrenchment strategy, it is there if RMCF would need it but the company is doing fairly well and has never been in that much of a slump to be bought out by another company or to even claim bankruptcy. PROS- Retrenchment strategy is here and handy if RMCF were to need it. CONS- If RMCF did ever get into such a terrible spot, this might not help. 4. Cost Leadership Cost Leadership can be described as a low-cost competitive strategy that aims at the broad weed market.RMCF can tie in with cost leadership because it has been truly successful and has set prices that the company believes works as a competitive strategy because their consumers agree on them and continue to come back for more in that they are satisfied. PROS- Keep consumers around and gain more from the broad mass market with a low-cost competitive strategy. CONS- Other companies will begin to do the same and try to be even better while trying to gain RMCFs consumers. 5. Differentiation Differentiation is huge for RMCF because this is a competitive strategy that is targeted at the broad mass market and which involves the design of a product or service that is viewed throughout its industry as exceptiona l.RMCF fits perfectly under differentiation because from the start Crail wanted the industry to be different than any other and successful with the unique products it produced. PROS- Practical for above average earnings because of the exceptional products that consumers want more of and tend to not care about the price. CONS- There could be more losses during tough times because of the differentiation products being as a luxury. B. Recommended Strategy Here, growth is the recommended strategy for Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. With doing very well most the time and being able to fix what the company needs to, their business and functional strategies that the company use seem to be working well. The U. S. candy market was doing extremely well around 2009, with chocolate generating billions of dollars in sales.As of March 31, 2008, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory consisted of five company-owned and 329 franchised stores operating in 38 states, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates. All the Franchising, licensing, and exporting will help its ability to resolve both long and short-term goals of the company. There are not too many policies that should be developed or revised with RMCF to guide them with effective implementation. They seem to do rather well. If something does go wrong they find the best way to go about bettering it for present and future reference. The company has to always remain on its toes though because anything could change at any time. By following and sticking to good policies will benefit the company in many ways.The impact of knowing what is going on and being ready for anything to happen at any time will have positive impact on the companys core and distinctive competencies. VII. Implementation In order for Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory to continue being a front runner in the gourmet chocolate industry they need to continue going on the path that they are on. They have a doglike consumer base and are keeping up with the wants and n eeds of their consumer base. By continuing to offer their homemade quality chocolates online, in stores, and in kiosks around the world they are providing their product to consumers in many ways. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory has a solid structure set up as far as top management and board members are concerned. For assurance that RMCF ontinues to be one of the top leaders in the gourmet, homemade, chocolate industry it is important that they keep listening to their customers wants and needs. VIII. Evaluation and Control Is the current information system capable of providing sufficient feedback on implementation activities and performance? Can it measure strategic factors? The current information system is capable of providing sufficient feedback on implementation activities and performance because the external and internal elements determine the future of the corporation. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats help the company sort out the monitoring, evaluating, an d disseminating of information.Using the SWOT analysis helps defining the corporate mission, specifying achievable objectives, developing strategies, and setting policy guidelines. The fact that this company is built around a location and lifestyle, and that the quality of the taste, value and variety of products are important to them as a whole is why they succeed. They realize that in order to keep profit coming, they need to manage money carefully during economic downturn as well with a slowed expansion to help eliminate debt. Customer satisfaction is important as well because if the customer is not satisfied with either the product or the service they are receiving they will not be returning.Rocky Mountain Chocolate employees pride themselves in making a good name for the company, which is why they are so successful with expansion. The number one factor is the quality of the product, without that customers arent going to stay around long (Page26-2). Rocky Mountain Chocolate Fact ory has had a very strong franchise with the fact that they were rated an outstanding franchise in 2008 by the Entrepreneur magazine. Are adequate control measures in place to ensure conformance with the recommended strategic plan? Appropriate standards and measures are being used to enhance conformance with the recommended strategic plan because they are being rated on the quality f the products they are producing. They were able to overcome the hard times of the economy in the U. S over the recent years by managing their money effectively. The company has their own special features and products that make them stand out over their competitors. With special holidays, they make over 100 different products to help ensure business with different options. Conclusion In closing, we believe the Stability strategies of make no changes to the companys current activities is the best recommendation we can give for Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory at this time. Exhibit 2- IFAS Table for Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Internal Factors Weight Rating Weighted Score Comments Strengths High quality products 0. 2 5. 0 1. 00 Can have high prices with loyal customers Uniformity throughout every store 0. 1 4. 0 0. 40 Keeps customers happy and satisfied Efficient cost structure 0. 1 2. 5 0. 25 Promotes growth & increases profits All stores are efficient and organized 0. 1 4. 0 0. 40 Also promotes growth & increases profits Weaknesses A lot of competitors that are also strong 0. 2 2 0. 40 Have to do best to always protect market share Special items 0. 1 2 0. 0 With difficult economic times sales can change Proper operation of franchises is key 0. 1 1. 5 0. 15 Keep head up in case of store misdirection Growth of company can be risky 0. 1 2 0. 20 Must always stay on top with growth & managing it Total Scores 1. 00 3. 00 Exhibit 1- EFAS Table for Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory External Factors Weight R ating Weighted Score Comments Opportunities Natural- recession recovery 0. 05 2. 5 0. 13 Economy going towards recovery stage Economic- low cost marketing strategy 0. 05 4. 6 0. 3 Higher profits because of low cost facilities Technological- multiple manuf. & automated processes 0. 21 4. 9 1. 03 No value added, reduces inventory Consumers happy & will pay more for product 0. 07 3. 5 0. 25 profit will increase if demand for product does Trucks owned by the company 0. 12 4. 5 0. 54 Low transportation & efficient delivery Threats Natural- other companies move into market 0. 23 3. 8 0. 87 Competition increases and causes lower prices Economic- trade regulations 0. 08 1. 4 0. 11 Upset consumers, increase in labor be Labor force strikes 0. 04 1. 4 0. 6 There would be no production of ingredients Regulations with the trucks 0. 07 2. 5 0. 18 Increase in operating cost if slow delivery Picking where to purchase a franchise location 0. 08 2 0. 16 There wo uld be no service if not in a good area Total Scores 1. 00 3. 56 Exhibit 3 SFAS Matrix for RMCF Strategic Factors Weight Rating Weighted Score Duration Comments Duration Comments S1 High Quality Products (S) 0. 13 5. 0 0. 5 huge High prices, loyal customers Long Very important income stream S4 Stores efficient & Organized (S) 0. 13 4. 0 0. 52 Long Promotes growth & increases profits Long Well known brand W1 A lot of strong Competitors (W) 0. 11 2. 0 0. 22 Intermediate Do best to protect Market share Long Developing tech. may hurt advertising income W2 Special Items (W) 0. 11 2. 0 0. 22 Intermediate Sales can change during hard times Long If internet packages change, income from partnerships may change W3 Proper operations of franchises (W) 0. 13 1. 5 0. 95 Long Keep head up for store mismanagement Intermediate Focusing on too many market segments W4 Growth of Company (W) 0. 11 2. 0 0. 22 Long Stay on top w ith managing growth Intermediate You dont Yahoo it, you google it O2 Economic (O) 0. 07 4. 6 0. 322 Intermediate Higher profits low cost facilities Intermediate Computers, cell phones, ipads, etc. O3 Technological (O) 0. 07 4. 9 0. 343 Long No value added, reduces inventory Long Alliances with other countries. New laws, regulations, etc. enforced. T1 Natural (T) 0. 07 3. 8 0. 266 Intermediate Competition increase causes low prices Intermediate One media type having easier access than another T4 Regulations with trucks (T) 0. 07 2. 5 0. 175 Short Increase in operation cost if slow delivery Long New laws and regulations internationally could put limits on Yahoo Total Scores 1. 00 3. 13 Work Cited Doheny, K. (2012, April 24). select dark chocolate for health benefits. Retrieved from http//www. ebmd. com/diet/news/20120424/pick-dark-chocolate-health-benefits Franchise Store News Room. (2011). Retrieved March 5, 2013, from http //www. rmcf. com/CA/Sacramento50028/news. asp? Hunger, J. D. Wheelen, T. L. (2012). Strategic management and business policy (13th ed. ). Upper Saddle River, NJ Pearson Education Inc. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Inc. (2013). Retrieved March 5, 2013, from http//www. reuters. com/finance/stocks/companyOfficers? symbol=RMCF. O Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Inc. Form 10-K (2010). Retrieved February 26, 2013, from http//www. faqs. org/sec-filings/100518/ROCKY-MOUNTAIN-CHOCOLATE-FACTORY-INC_10-K/