Mgt 498 Environmental Scan Wk4 - 1292 Words

**************** UOP MGT/498 Dr.****************** Due Date Abstract The paper examines some of the internal and external environmental factors which influence the operations of Wal-Mart and Apple. These two organizations have managed to stay ahead of their competitors in the market over the years and this can certainly be attributed to several factors. The paper delves into some of the competitive advantages enjoyed by these corporations which make them popular with consumers across the world. Indeed, it is realized that several factors account for the success of these global brands. In the same way, it is seen that the success is always subject to many challenges in the process.†¦show more content†¦The market is never static and the preferences of the customers keep changing. In this case the executives at Apple must always ensure that the needs of the clients are effectively addressed at all times. In the same way, the industry has become very competitive in the recent past and the organization has to find ways and means of staying ahead of its competitors. In this case, innovation plays a major role in ensuring that new products are constantly produced by the organization. Competitive advantages The competitive advantages realized by Apple have catapulted the organization to the great heights it enjoys presently. The hardware design forms one of the major competitive advantages. Indeed, the products of Apple are elegant and well designed and every vendor concurs that the products have no equal in the market in terms of design. The laptops, desktops and phones produced by Apple are always designed right for the first time and this puts them ahead of the competitors in the market. Another area where Apple has much competitive advantage is marketing of products (Schulze, 2011). Indeed, the organization recognizes that many people are impressed by the design of its products. As such, the marketing of the products is focused on informing the consumers of how the products can make life better. For instance, the success of iPod was majorly a result of the

The Character of Julius Caesar in William Shakespeares...

The Character of Julius Caesar in William Shakespeares Play In William Shakespeares ‘Julius Caesar’, honor is displayed as a prominent theme throughout the play. Honor is having great respect for others, regardless of their status in society; and performing great deeds not for personal gain but for the good of others. Marcus Brutus is an example of an honorable man; Caius Cassius, however, is not. When Brutus joined the conspiracy against Caesar, he did it solely for the good of Rome. Unlike all the other men, Brutus justified his motive for murder: Brutus feared that Caesar would alter his attitude when he was crowned emperor: He would be crownd/ How that might change his nature...†¦show more content†¦Cassius says: ...Caesar said to me, `Dearest thou, Cassius, now Leap in with me into this angry flood, And swim to yonder point? Upon the word Accoutred as I was, I plunged in and bade him follow; so indeed he did. The torrent roared...but ere we could arrive the point proposed, Caesar cried, `Help me Cassius, or I sink....So from the waves of Tiber Did I the tired Caesar: and this man Is now become a god and Cassius is A wretched creature.... (I,ii,102-117) Cassius had to save Caesar from the river, which draws him to the conclusion that he deserves recognition for his strength over Caesar. One of Brutus flaws is that he is not very bright. He is an idealist; he do esnt think about the consequences of Caesars murder. For example, when Cassius presented the idea of swearing an oath of secrecy within the conspiracy, Brutus assumes that all of the other men were as noble as he and would not tell anyone of their plans. However, one man betrayed the conspiracy and Caesar was warned. Cassius forethought is one thing he holds over Brutus, as he thinks about the possible outcomes in Caesars murder. He suggested killing Marc Anthony along with Caesar, however, Brutus said: Our course will seem too bloody.../Let us be sacrificers, but not butchers... (II,i,162/166). Brutus didnt want to kill Antony and Cassius backed down immediately. Cassius is also weak minded and changesShow MoreRelatedJulius Caesar Character Analysis Essay1017 Words   |  5 Pages The author of Julius Caesar is William Shakespeare, an English poet, playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. He was born on July 13 in 1564 and died in 1616. It was written to be a tragedy and was one of the seventh plays written off true events that happened in Roman time. Also includes Coriolanus, Antony, and Cleopatra. Drama of the play focuses on Brutus’ struggle between the conflicting demands of honor, patriotism, and friendship. Opens with â€Å"twoRead MoreEssay about Shakespeares Manipulation of History Through Literature1422 Words   |  6 Pages In some of William Shakespeares most famous works, he deviates from the historical truth to create the final product of his works. He does this to please loyalty, as well as appeal to his audience at the time. At the same time, Shakespeare also does this to help create a stronger bond between the reader and the characters. To satisfy this, he implements many fictional pieces to his famous works. Macbeth was one of these works as he wrote this in 1606 to honor James I becoming the king of EnglandRead More A Comparison of Plutarchs The Lives of the Ancient Grecians and Romans and Shakespeares Julius Caesar660 Words   |  3 PagesRomans and Shakespeares Julius Caesar When closely evaluating the two texts: Plutarchs The Lives of the Ancient Grecians and Romans and Shakespeares Julius Caesar, there are stark differences of the theme and characters. While Plutarchs text is mostly informative, as describing a series of historical events, Shakespeare incorporates a wide variety of dramatic conventions as well as changing many events to entertain an audience. It is important to note that Shakespeares play was based onRead MoreWhat Are We Supposed To Know? The Depiction of a Controversial Character and the Accuracy of a Historical Story972 Words   |  4 Pagesyou cannot help yourself in the future. William Shakespeare’s depiction of Julius Caesar is very controversial. It seems as if he gives the readers the chance to figure out if they like or dislike him. In the form of historical accuracy, Shakespeare is accurate with what he believes to be true. For Shakespeare, what he has written is accurate for his location and time. Shakespeare is very confusing with his depiction of Caesar, the way Cassius spoke of Caesar was of pure jealousy. He never seemed toRead MoreThe Pressue is On: The Impacts of Peer Pressure in Julius Caesar by Shakespeare905 Words   |  4 Pages Listening to peer pressure has the power to shift one’s fate. William Shakespeare’s play, Julius Caesar, demonstrates how pressuring a man to execute an atrocity will have a detrimental impact on his life. As a scheme forms to overthrow a rising emperor and his followers, the men in the conspiracy of murdering Caesar create more damage than value. Eventually, the rising tension to kill an upcoming ruler creates a downfall of the Roman Empire, a breaking of trust among companions, and the deathRead MoreA Tragic Hero As Used By Shakespeare. In, â€Å"The Tragedy1657 Words   |  7 PagesA Tragic Hero as Used by Shakespeare In, â€Å"The Tragedy of Julius Caesar,† by William Shakespeare, you can see Shakespeare’s use of a tragic hero. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is a play about how Marcus Brutus and Cassius contemplate the murder of the great Julius Caesar. The play discusses the planning of the murder, and the events that follow the catastrophe. Brutus is one of the conspirators in the murdering of Caesar and is also one of his beloved friends. Shakespeare incorporates traditionalRead MoreAnalysis Of Shakespeare s Julius Caesar 1008 Words   |  5 PagesJulius Caesar Assignment Tess Macintyre IGCSE English Literature Discuss the contribution made by the two women, Portia and Calpurnia, to the play as a whole. In William Shakespeare’s drama Julius Caesar, Shakespeare’s numerous characters include just two women; Calpurnia and Portia; the wives of Julius Caesar and Marcus Brutus respectively. Though the parts are small, they each make important contributions to the play as a whole. Both women in Julius Caesar exist only in the context of their relationshipsRead MoreShakespeare’S Tragic Hero . William Shakespeare, â€Å" The1492 Words   |  6 PagesShakespeare’s Tragic Hero William Shakespeare, â€Å" The Bard†, is one of the most influential figure that shaped the english language. He has wrote some of the most well known poetry and plays. Also he has has a large influence on the english language itself. He added around 5,000 different words that we still use today. Some Shakespeare’s most well known plays are Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. The Tragedy of Julius Caesar was one of Shakespeare s plays thatRead MoreAnalysis Of Julius Shakespeare s Julius Caesar 1299 Words   |  6 Pages2017 Brutus’ Role in The Tragedy of Julius Caesar The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, written by William Shakespeare in 1599, is just one example of a typical Shakespearean tragedy. At the beginning of the book, the reader believes that the Julius Caesar is the main character and that the whole book will revolve around him. By the time the reader finishes the book it is clear that Decius Brutus, or just ‘Brutus’, is the main character and the tragic hero. Shakespeare’s idea of a tragic hero had five specificRead MoreJake Beidler. Mrs. Voshell. Honors English 10. 5 May 2017.1444 Words   |  6 Pages2017 The Tragedy of Julius Caesar, more like The Tragedy of Brutus The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is one of the better known, yet lesser understood theater installments by William Shakespeare in the Sixteenth Century. The play was first performed September 21, 1599 in the Globe Theatre in London, England. In the play there are many different and unique characters, some complex, some simple. Marcus Junius Brutus the Younger, better known as Brutus, is one of the characters in the play and the protagonist

Language and Cultural Barriers Free Essays

With so many people immigrating to the United States and all the companies that are doing business internationally, we must find a way to make it work. There are many ideas, learning groups and classes that are specifically designed to help people of all languages and cultures learn to work together and understand one another. The internet has shown that progress is inevitable; it is time for a change. We will write a custom essay sample on Language and Cultural Barriers or any similar topic only for you Order Now Foreign-born immigrants are rapidly becoming a central part of the American labor force. This entry of immigrants is creating jobs in the fields of manufacturing, service and construction. With so many immigrants joining our workforce, it is the best idea for employers to embrace this idea and find ways to link these languages and culture barriers. Charleston, WV Immigrant Statistics (quickfacts. consensus. gov, 2010) †¢ Charleston, WV Population as of 2006: 50,846. †¢ Foreign Born Persons as of 2000:3. 2% †¢ Language other than English spoken:5. 3% In 2006, the foreign-born population of West Virginia was 2. 5%. The majority of immigrants in West Virginia are from the following (usimmigrationsupport. com, 2010). †¢ 34. 9% Mexico 10. 1% Canada †¢ 6. 7% Germany †¢ 23. 6% UK, Korea, Philippines, China, Japan, India and Soviet Union Cultural and language barriers can create communication problems which can cause hazardous conditions, especially in the blue collar fields. People’s stereotypes can get in the way of hiring a good worker, we need to look beyond the stereotypes and see what kind of person they really are. Some companies req uire certain educational backgrounds, and don’t take into consideration the applicants experience and education when coming from another country. All countries can stand to learn a little bit about tolerance when it comes to foreigners. In foreign countries, certain acts are considered social suicide, such as receiving a business card from someone in Japan and stuffing it in your pocket. The Japanese consider their business cards a symbol of themselves. Some other common cultural differences are: †¢ Roles and Status—in some countries women are considered inferior and are expected to walk behind the males. Some countries females are not expected or allowed to work. What is considered normal in American culture regarding etiquette for a working woman is far different in other countries. In Latin American countries, colorful business attire is welcomed, however, in Asia and the Middle East, the norm is neutral-colored clothing and nothing else. When conducting a meeting in Islamic Middle East, a female must have a male host that accompanies them to their meetings, where they may well be the only female in attendance. †¢ Personal Space—Americans usually stand about 5 feet away from each other, however, Japanese cultural likes more space and the Latin cultural likes to stand closer. In China it is acceptable to push your way through a crowd and you may be invited to spa where nudity is considered appropriate. †¢ Body Language—In America, eye contact is considered a sign of respect. People in the Japanese culture considers it is a sign of disrespect to look directly at a superior. Where Americans are very animated with their facial expressions, Asians are sometimes considered emotionless. Closed eyes mean a person is bored or sleepy in America, but in Japan and Thailand it shows that you are listening and concentrating. Such a simple gesture as a friendly kiss is prohibited in parts of Asia where it is considered a sexual act. In the Middle East and parts of Indonesia, the left hand is considered unclean. †¢ Personal Appearance—In various parts of the world, Americans are considered careless with dress, manners and body movements; generous with neighbors, superficial, shallow and short-lasting with friendships, ethnocentric—less interested in others, independent, and individually feeling. In some countries, our dress is considered provocative and rude. In countries such as China, India and Russia, women must keep their knees and elbows covered and shirts must be buttoned completely up to the neck. Pants are frowned upon in Japan and in the Middle East, cleavage is a definite no-no! However, in Latin America, women are appreciated for wearing bright, stylish clothing. Employers can help by being practical and learning to tear down the barriers, employers can reduce worker’s compensation injuries, improve the ability to recruit, hire and retain workers and increase productivity (charlotteworks. org, 2010). There are a lot of people in the United States who feel that people who live in our country should learn to speak our language; while this might not be the most practical statement, it makes sense when talking about positions such as customer service or anything that requires directions. It is so easy to misunderstand someone and then something goes terribly wrong. However, who’s to say it shouldn’t be the same way when we go to another country to work? Most foreign countries have a large number of citizens that do speak the English language, especially in terms of the business world. However, the more languages you can speak fluently will help you if you plan a future in International Business. International businesses should require employees to take language classes in at least one language where they conduct business; it’s only fair to the people in that country. So many things can be misconstrued if you don’t know the language and try to conduct business without an interpreter, especially when it comes to jobs that require strict policies to keep employees safe. If an employee doesn’t understand instructions, or misinterprets them, there is a significant change of injury which can hurt the company as well. Even when foreign workers in America can speak English, there are so many slang terms that they may not really understand what is being said. When going to a foreign country to work, the employee must conduct research and learn as much as they can about the country and their customs and realize that they cannot generalize the people of a certain area. There are many different cultures inside a country and they should not all be lumped together under a stereotype. We must learn that every person is an individual and has different values and ways of life. The employer can provide a mentor to the new employee so they can get better adjusted with the culture and office policies. Culturosity. com (2010) provides the following 10 Strategies for Overcoming Language Barriers: †¢ Speak slowly and clearly. †¢ Ask for clarification. †¢ Frequently check for understanding. †¢ Avoid idioms. †¢ Be careful of jargon. †¢ Define the basics of business. †¢ Be specific. †¢ Choose your medium of communication effectively. †¢ Provide information via multiple channels. †¢ Be patient. In summary, our world is changing and the idea of International Business is coming upon us quickly. We must learn patience no matter if we are the foreigner in a different country, or if we are welcoming new employees into our company. They key to overcoming language barriers is education. We must learn about the countries we do business with and they must learn about our country. There are so many different cultures and languages that it will be helpful to learn different languages and brush up on other countries way of life. References 1. 10 Strategies for Overcoming Language Barriers. (n. d. ) Retrieved from www. culturosity. com 2. Breaking Down Language Barriers. (November 19, 2005) Retrieved from www. forbes. com 3. Communication Breakdown; Overcoming Cultural and Language Barriers in the Global Gear Market. (May 2008); Retrieved from www. geartechnology. com 4. Cultural and Language Barriers in the Workplace. (February 2002). Retrieved from the www. charlotteworks. org 5. State and County Quick Facts. (October 26, 2010). Retrieved from www. quickfacts. census. gov 6. Immigration to West Virginia. (n. d. ) Retrieved from www. usimmigrationsupport. org. How to cite Language and Cultural Barriers, Essays

Walmart case, Introduction to international business free essay sample

Considering the statement: Hey we are in Germany, isnt that great? to be true. We do think Wal-Mart overestimated the transferability of its FSAs. However, Wal-Marts main reason for failing is the underestimation of the differences between the us-market and the German market. If Wal-Mart went to for example the Netherlands, the customers would be less parsimonious, and the American products might have been a lot more bought. Wal-Mart did overestimated the general transferability of its FSAs to an unspecified country. Germany doesnt lend itself to a company with a foreign culture, where smaller countries would do so. Wal-Mart basically had to deal with laws that were against Wal-Mart. Some other countries have looser restrictions for supermarkets. Wal-Mart didnt make a distinction between foreign countries. Therefore, we think Wal-Mart did underestimate Germany more than overestimating the transferability of its FSAs. 4. As stated in the case Wal-Mart is a hypermarket from the United States. We will write a custom essay sample on Walmart case, Introduction to international business or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Wal-Mart currently is in 27 countries, countries I could find 22 of them, they are: The United States, Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, Nicaragua, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, United Kingdom, China, India, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, South-Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland. Although his seems a lot, only a few of them have a lot of supermarkets. All retail units combined show Wal-Mart has 11,000 retail units, of which 6,265 use Wal-Marts name. The biggest retailer, which does not use Wal-Marts name is Sams Club with 622 shops. Wal-Marts first time abroad was in Mexico in 1991. Mexico still has the most retails of all foreign countries. Many countries Just recently (in the past 5 years) saw Wal-Mart coming, and except for Mexico (Mexico has more than 2,400) no countries have more than 1,000 retails. To conclude, Wal-Mart might be in a lot of countries, most ot them are eit ner tiny, or dont nave many Wal -Marts