Business operational Essay Example for Free

Business operational Essay To provide learners with an understanding of the role and importance of operations management (OM) in the efficient and effective production of goods and services. Scenario: WH Smith is a major, well-known and publically-quoted book retailer and newsagent in the UK. Recently it was reported how Kate Swann, the former CEO for the last 10 years, has turned the company around from ? 135m losses to ? 106m profit in a decade. (source: www. theguardian. com/business/blog/2013/jan/23/wh-smith-kate-swann-profit, accessed 1 October 2013) (Also see copy attached) This is an example of how the principles of operations management can be used to reactivate a firm. How did she do it? Using the above as a starting point, together with other information sources, which you should research yourself, on WH Smith, you are asked to address the Tasks below regarding operations management. Task 1 (this meets LO 1, ACs 1. 1, 1. 2 and 1. 3) Based on the Scenario, produce a document explaining the nature and importance of Operation Management and its key elements. Your document for this Task must include the following elements (among others as you wish): I. A definition of OM and an explanation of its importance; II. The key elements of OM; III. The need to produce goods or services on time and to cost, with the right quality and within the law; IV. The role of OM in achieving strategic objectives; and V. Produce systems and sub-systems diagrams for any WH Smith operations processes, including a brief explanation of your diagrams. Task 2 (this meets LO 2 ACs 2. 1, 2. 2 and 2. 3) Based on the Scenario, produce a document explaining the relationship between OM and strategic planning. Your document for this Task must include the following elements (among others as you wish): I. II. III. Explain the implementation of the â€Å"3Es† in WH Smith; Critically review the tension between cost minimisation and quality maximisation in the context of WH Smith; and Assess the importance of the five performance objectives that underpin operations management. Task 3 (this meets LOs 3 and 4 in full) Base on the Scenario, produce a document explaining how to organise and apply relevant techniques in a typical production process. Your document for this Task must include the following elements (among others as you wish): I. II. III. IV. Comment briefly on the importance of operational planning and control. Explain what linear programming is, and give an example in relation to any part of the operations of WH Smith; Produce a network plan and indicate the resultant critical path for any operation in WH Smith. (for this task, you should include a set of operational outcomes, which are clearly defined). Explain how quality can be defined and maintained. Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria In order to Pass this unit, the evidence that the learner presents for assessment needs to demonstrate that they can meet all the Learning Outcomes for the unit. The Assessment Criteria determine the standard required to Pass this unit. The Assessment Criteria will act as a guide to help you put into context your answers to fulfill the Learning Outcomes. Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria 1. 1 explain the importance of operational management 1. 2 explain the need to produce safely; on time; to cost; to LO 1Understand the quality and within the law nature and importance 1. 3 explain the link between operations management and of operational strategic planning management 1. 4 produce a systems diagram to illustrate a typical business 2. 1 explain the ‘Three Es’ (economy, efficiency and effectiveness) LO2 Understand the link between operations 2. 2 explain the tension between cost minimisation and management and quality maximisation strategic planning 2. 3 evaluate the significance of the five performance objectives that underpin operations management 3. 1 explain linear programming LO3 Understand how 3. 2 evaluate critical path analysis and network planning to organise a typical 3. 3 explain the need for operational planning and control production process LO4 Be able to apply relevant techniques to the production of an operational plan for a typical business 4. 1 produce a set of clearly defined operational outcomes 4. 2 produce a network plan and indicate the resultant critical path 4. 3 explain how quality could be defined and maintained. INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION FOR LEARNERS This assessment and the Tasks above are designed to assess your achievement of all four of the Learning Outcomes and associated Assessment Criteria for a Pass in the ‘Employability Skills’ unit of the qualification you are undertaking. Your tutor/ deliverer will advise you when you should start work on the assignment, the date when you must hand in your completed work and when you can expect to get your mark and feedback on your work. Guidance on this subject is provided on page 1 of this assignment brief. You should make sure that you plan your work carefully, to ensure that you cover all four learning outcomes of the assignment, and complete it within the time limit specified. There is no official guideline wordcount or percentage marking (other than Pass/ Merit/ Distinction/ Refer). By way of guidance only for this particular assignment, it is recommended that you write a minimum of 2000-2500 words total and match the weighting of your efforts to the wordcount indicated. Your statements in answer to the Learning Outcomes need to be prefixed with the specific Learning Outcome title or at least the Learning Outcome number. This will help you keep on track and should ensure you address the details. You must make sure that you acknowledge any sources you have used to complete this assignment, listing reference material and web sites used. The assignment result will be published on BITE’s Moodle online education materials platform, normally within 6 weeks of the submission date. If your assignment is assessed as referred, you will be notified with an indication of the areas to be addressed. You may resubmit an assignment, or submit a new assignment, on a further two occasions during your period of registration as an Institute learner with Edexcel. If there is anything in these instructions or in the assignment itself which you do not understand, please seek guidance from your tutor/ deliverer. Merit grade Descriptors For learners to achieve a Merit they must: Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions Indicative characteristics Learners must demonstrate that: An effective approach to assignment planning, study and research is in evidence Evaluations and judgements, using evidence, have been made Problems with a number of variables have been considered Select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniques A range of relevant theories have been included Relevant theories and techniques have been applied to the case study A range of different sources of information have been used The selection of methods/techniques of analysis and use of source material have been justified Information/ data has been synthesised and processed Present and communicate appropriate findings The written assessment is coherent, shows logical development and a sound understanding of theories, concepts and research evidence The written assessment demonstrates that an appropriate structure and approach has been used The written assignment demonstrates a writing style appropriate for audiences both familiar and unfamiliar with the subject. The written work is clearly written and technical language has been accurately used Distinction grade Distinction descriptors For learners to achieve a Distinction they must: Indicative characteristics Learners must demonstrate that: Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions. Conclusions have been arrived at through synthesis of ideas and evaluation of research evidence and have been justified The validity of results has been evaluated using defined criteria Realistic and informed recommendations have been proposed against defined characteristics for success Take responsibility for managing and organising activities. The written assignment shows excellent planning, is organised coherently and is clearly expressed Independence of thought and gathering of research material has been demonstrated Material used has been clearly understood and well organised The importance of individual and group behaviour in organisations and its management has been recognised and addressed Demonstrate convergent/lateral/creative thinking. There is evidence of self-generated ideas with evaluation Convergent and lateral thinking are evident in the written assignment Creative thinking is evidenced with unfamiliar material. Problem-solving is in evidence Innovation and creative thought are in evidence Receptiveness to new ideas is evident Ideas have been generated, evaluated and informed decisions/ recommendations are made. Case Study: WHSmith †¢ WH Smith: Kate Swann turns ? 135m losses into ? 106m profit in a decade One of the UKs most highly regarded – and highly paid – retailers achieved success by going against the grain WH Smith chief executive Kate Swann favours the old retail adage: sales are vanity, profits are sanity. Photograph: PA When Kate Swann arrived at WH Smith in 2003, there was a widely held view that the chains days were numbered. A decade on, she has turned losses of ? 135m into a profit of probably ? 106m this year, and shares that were languishing at 250p are now changing hands at 650p. Swann is now one of the UKs most highly regarded – and highly paid – retailers. Yet she has achieved this remarkable feat by breaking many of the rules of running a successful high street retail business. When Swann announced she was pulling out of selling music and DVDs because the profit margins were thin and getting thinner, rivals thought she had taken leave of her senses – she was instantly kissing goodbye to about 30% of Smiths turnover. On a same-store basis on the high street, WHS now sells roughly ? 65 of goods for every ? 100 of custom seven years ago. The demise of Zavvi and HMV in the face of online competition shows it was a brave – and correct – decision. Swann favours the old retail adage: sales are vanity, profits are sanity. By focusing on profitable sales and cutting costs relentlessly, she has boosted profit margins – according to analyst Nick Bubb by an almost incredible 15 percentage points. While other retailers have been pouring resources into the digital world, Smiths big online strategy is its Funky Pigeon card site. Instead, Swann plans to open more shops, even though they are, to be frank, deeply unpleasant places to shop, stuffed with stock and screaming promotional banners. While the supermarkets have to tread carefully in the products they offer and have been targeted for displaying sweets at the checkout, Smiths has sold stationery aimed at teenagers and young women adorned with the Playboy bunny motif and Swanns checkout assistants attempt to force-feed the nation giant bars of Galaxy and chocolate oranges. Her secret? Maybe its the low profile. While many rivals enjoy the limelight, holding forth on the woes of the economy, the lack of women in the boardroom and political issues such as the in-out debate, Swann says nothing. She doesnt give interviews. On Wednesday, at Smiths AGM, a shareholder stood to offer thanks for her transformation. Asked to respond, she merely said: Thank you, lets move on. No doubt she will. There will be a queue for her services.

The Evolution of Federalism Essay -- History Historical Democracy Essa

The Evolution of Federalism American federalism has changed drastically since its genesis. In 1776 the thirteen colonies adopted the Articles of Confederation in order to coordinate their efforts in the war for independence. The Articles of Confederation bound the states together in two main aspects; foreign and military affairs. The Articles of Confederation worked well while all the states had a common cause. However, as soon as the war ended and interests began to change, it became obvious that the Articles were not enough. This brings on the creation of Federalism (Reinventing American Federalism).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In May of 1787, in the city of Philadelphia, delegates from all thirteen states met in order to â€Å"create a more perfect union†. The result was the Constitution of the United States. Delegates debated over which form of government would best suit both the security, and the freedom that many sought in this new government. The delegates rejected both confederal and unitary models of government for a new form of government called federalism. Federalism differs from the former two in that, unlike the unitary form of government, which is ruled by a central government, federalism is not based on a hierarchy in which the state levels of government perform the duties and tasks handed down by the central governmental system. Also, unlike the confederal system which gave all power to the states, only some of the power would be granted to the states. The federal government would handle foreign affairs, trade, military, and the economy (Reinventing American Federali sm).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Throughout the first half century of federalism, many argued over the roles that the federal and the state systems should play. By the time of the civil war, slavery was at the top of the debate. Should slavery be a national or a state issue? The end of the civil war brought an answer to this debate with the addition of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments (Hyde). These amendments ended slavery, and reduced the power of the states over civil rights matters.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The federal government started taking on a bigger role in the turn of the twentieth century. President Roosevelt expanded federal authority with his New Deal program. The New Deal program was funded by the federal government, but administered by the states. This brought on the grant-in-aid system, a system in which the federa... ...through the minds of every one of those delegates in Philadelphia. These questions are still being debated today. The role of the government is constantly changing. It has the great ability to adapt to the needs of the people. During the great depression, the federal government stepped in and gave aid to the needy. During the struggle for equality, the federal government gave rights to minorities when states would not. Federalism is perhaps the greatest form of government by the people and for the people because of its evolution. Because people and society change, so must the form of government that presides over them. Federalism allows the flexibility to do so. Works Cited Hyde, Henry. The Constitution of the United States of America.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Washington: United States Government Printing Office, 2000. Reinventing American Federalism. Issues of Democracy: Electronic Journals of the U.S. Information Agency. April, 1997 Volume 2, Issue 2. Sidlow, Edward, and Beth Henshcen eds. America at Odds 4th ed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  California: Wadsworth, Thomas Learning, 2004. Simon, Dennis. The Civil Rights Movement,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  March 26, 2005. http://faculty.smu.edu/dsimon/Change-Civ%20Rts.html

The Illiad Play

Isaiah Hammed An Iliad Essay Response Honors British Literature Mr.. Jason Then 3/24/14 â€Å"War is Hell† Adventurers seeking for a live blood fest should be cautioned, however, that all this riotous violence is induced through the words of a sole actor, played by James Deviate, in An Iliad. James Deviate tells the story of the Trojan War as he is living and referring to all wars that were fought since. â€Å"Every time I sing this song, I hope it's the last time,† the Poet tells his audience. But it never is because wars keep happening all over the world.An Iliad evokes the message of futility of war, with war, everyone loses and in the end there is no resolution. The message the production of an Iliad is trying to make is that war is foolish as every war. Andrew Bobby's destructed setting portrays the lost and ruined lives in the story. The informal, chatty tone echoes Homer's use of simile, and makes parallels between modern life to the desires that irritated the Tr ojan and Greeks. Deviated gets his message across by his conventional, ballet movements which express the ritual of war.Including the standout scene where the Poet loses it, representing the mindless killing of warriors. The poet gives every person being killed a backstops. As he describes a spear being plunged down someone's throat, he'll say, â€Å"He was a married man with a 3-year-old-son†. Or â€Å"he was an incredible warrior from the fields of Argon, and he was a good potter, known to produce beautiful things. † The poet values each life until the end of it. He glorifies the bravery, loyalty, and strength of the soldiers by giving each a positive quality.The cone where Prima the King chastens himself by putting his life at risk to beg for hi son's dead body, thinking that they will kill him and surprisingly they don't. He begs and Achilles agrees to give it back. Achilles is king enough to say miss, I'll do this†, and is patient enough to warn Prima not to yell so he doesn't kill him. This extraordinary scene depicts the sentimental and courageous side of the manly warriors. The onstage attendance of cellist Alicia Storing promotes the audience's gratefulness of how this ancient story will always remain a story for everyone. Just having the sound f a cello at times will evoke the women who are talked about in the play,† Deviated said. â€Å"Seeing a woman out there alters the story. So often, women and children are the collateral damage in war. Alias's presence, while I describe things like Hectors son being thrown from the battlements, will change how that account resonates. † Snowline) The ghostly presence of the cellist dramatists the story.

How to Use Hyphens in Spanish

Beginning Spanish students, at least those who speak English as a first language, have a tendency to overuse hyphens. Hyphens (known as guiones) are used much less in Spanish than they are in English. They are used infrequently in the written form of everyday speech, finding use most often in journalese and in writing of a less casual nature. The primary time hyphens are used in Spanish is to combine two adjectives or two nouns of equal status to form a compound word. This principle should be made clear by the following examples: Es un curso teà ³rico-prà ¡ctico. (It is a course thats theoretical and practical.)relaciones sino-estadounidenses (Chinese-U.S. relations)el vuelo Madrid-Paris (the Madrid-to-Paris flight)literatura hispano-à ¡rabe (Spanish-Arabic literature)Los pà ©talos son blanco-azules. (The petals are bluish white.) Note, as in some of the above examples, that the second adjective in compound adjectives formed in this way agrees in number and gender with the noun being described, but the first adjective typically remains in the singular masculine form. An exception to the above rule occurs when the first part of the compound form uses a shortened form of a word rather than a word that could stand alone. The shortened form then functions something like a prefix, and no hyphen is used. An example is sociopolà ­tico (socio-political), where socio is a shortened form of sociolà ³gico. Hyphens can also be used to join two dates, as in English: la guerra de 1808-1814 (the war of 1808-1814). When Hyphens Are Not Used in Spanish Here are some examples of cases where hyphens are not used in Spanish where they are used (or can be, depending on the writer) in English: Numbers: veintiuno (twenty-one), veintiocho (twenty-eight)Words formed with prefixes: antifascista (anti-fascist), antisemitismo (anti-Semitism), precocinar (pre-cook), cuasilegal (quasi-legal)Words or phrases formed by two words that dont have the same status: hispanohablante (Spanish-speaking), bienintencionado (well-meaning), amor propio (self-respect) Finally, it is common in English to combine two words and hyphenate them to form a compound modifier, especially when preceding a noun. Usually, such words are translated as a phrase or single word in Spanish or arent translated word for word. Examples: Well-informed citizenry (ciuidadanà ­a bien informada)Sub-zero temperatures (temperaturas bajo cero)Good-natured person (persona bondadosa)Man-eating tiger (tigre que come hombres)High-intelligence individuals (individuos de alta inteligencia)