Artistotle Essays - Social Philosophy, Ancient Greek Philosophers

Artistotle Essays - Social Philosophy, Ancient Greek Philosophers Artistotle Janet Jones Code of Ethics Research Paper Class number 409 Frank Sams Aristotle was a great thinker who used his reasoning ability and knowledge through others to draw ethical assumptions and principles. Aristotle was once in favor of the teachings of Plato until he began to question his philosophy. These ideas lead Aristotle to years of writing and teaching his work. Aristotle was a professor for twenty years at an academy called Lyceum. Lyceum is where Aristotle began to pursue a broader range of subjects. He believed that a man could not claim to know a subject unless he is capable of transmitting his knowledge with others. Simply, teaching for Aristotle was as a manifestation of knowledge. By the end of the 19th century scholars at the academy questioned his works. This genus was alive during a period of havoc and corruption but he did not allow the ethics of man to stop his hunger for knowledge. I will attempt to explain in detail some of the ethics that Aristotle established. Evidence has proved that Aristotle influenced all areas of logic from art, ethics, and metaphysics just to name a few. Art is defined by Aristotle as the realization in external form of a true idea, and is the pleasure, which we feel in recognizing likenesses. Art however is not limited to mere copying. It idealizes nature and completes its deficiencies: it seeks to grasp the universal type in the individual phenomenon. The distinction between poetic art and history is not that the one uses meter, and the other does not. The distinction is that while history is limited to what has actually happened, poetry depicts things in their universal character. Therefore, poetry is more theoretical and more elevated than history. Such imitation may represent people either as better or as worse than people usually are, or it may neither go beyond nor fall below the average standard. Comedy is the imitation of the worse examples of humanity. However, not in the sense of absolute badness, but only in so far as what is low and ignoble enters into what is laughable and comic. Tragedy, on the other hand, is the representation of a serious or meaningful, reaching action. Portraying events, which excite fear and pity in the mind of the observer to purify these feelings to extend and regulate their sympathy until it fits. It is thus a homeopathic curing of the passions. Insofar as art, in general universalizes particular events, tragedy, in depicting passionate and critical situations, takes the observer outside the selfish and individual standpoint, and views them in connection with the general lot of human beings. This is similar to Aristotle's explanation of the use of orgiastic music in the worship of Bacchas and other deities: it affords an outlet for religious fervor and thus steadies one's religious sentiments. Religion can define an individuals moral principle. Aristotle viewed ethics as an attempt to find out our chief end or highest good: an end, which he maintains, is really final. Through of life are many ends that furthers, our aspirations and desires must have some final object or pursuit. A chief end is universally called happiness. But people mean such different things by the expression that I feel necessary to discuss happiness. For starters, happiness must be based on human nature, and must begin from the facts of personal experience. Thus, happiness cannot be found in any abstract or ideal notion, like Plato's self-existing good. It must be something practical and human. It must then be found in the work and life that is unique to humans. Nevertheless, this is neither the vegetative life we share with plants nor the sensitive existence that we share with animals. True happiness lies in the active life of a rational being or in a perfect realization and outworking of the true soul and self, continued throughout a lifetime. Aristotle expands his notion of happiness through an analysis of the human soul that structures and animates a living human organism. The human soul has an irrational element, which is shared with the animals, and a rational element that is distinctly human. The most primitive irrational element is the vegetative faculty, which is responsible for nutrition and

Comparison of Douglass and Jacobs Narratives

Comparison of Douglass and Jacobs Narratives Introduction Forced labor played an important role in the American history. It affected the lives of many Blacks living in the country during that time. Some slaves managed to escapethatenabled them to write some stories based on their lives. Fredrick Douglass, for example, wrote a narrative referred to as Narrative of the Life of Fredrick Douglass: An America Slave. Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Comparison of Douglass and Jacobs Narratives specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Douglass gave an account of his social, Douglass authored his works on Narrative of the Life of Douglass after Blacks had started demanding for their rights and freedoms. In contrast, the works of Jacob was affected by the political and historical events that went on during publication of her works.Advertising Looking for research paper on african american? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More She published her works at a time that Americans rose against each other in the Civil War. She had to convey compelling argument to gain the attention of women about suffrage. Douglass had a major influence in society because he was both a leader and a writer. His works was met with criticism from owners of the slaves, which forced him to run for his safety. Fredrick Douglass based his ideas on the sermon. He could influence church members to reject any form of slavery because it was against God’s will. He was hired to lecture at Massachusetts Antislavery organization, whereby he developed some of styles that could enable him to attack slave owners. He came up with rhetorical devices that were similar to sermons and proclamations and used them in formulating his narrative. Such strategies included reverberation, contrast and many classical credible tactics. His findings were based on compilation of various speeches given in church. This means that he used b iblical quotes to condemn slavery because he cited some of the famous writings from the Holy book to prove that slavery was indeed inhuman (Pyne 71). Furthermore, Douglass borrowed the ideas of Emerson, which were popular in 1840s. He combined various views to encourage his supporters to fight against slavery, which caused anguish to people. He gave a narration in which he likened slavery to the life of a man who undergoes initiation from childhood to adulthood. Initiation signifies transformation from boyhood to maturity. In the same way, fight for freedom is like transformation from human chattel to a free citizen. According to Douglass, he analyzes his displeasure against slavery, by stating: Slaves sing most when they are most unhappy. The songs of the slaves represent the sorrows of his hear, and are relieved of them, only as its tears relieved an aching heart (Douglass 20)†. Because of his personal view to slavery, he was able to relate to the vile moments of slavery to his sermons. In return, he had an opportunity to attack slavery. The sermons provided Douglass with a good opportunity to attack slavery. He used quotations from the Bible, which contradicted with the activities of slave owners, to challenge slavery.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Comparison of Douglass and Jacobs Narratives specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This enlightened Christian slave owners to neglect the provisions of the slavery laws. In addition, he used the sermons in church to remind slave owners that it was against God’s Will to use or humiliate another human being by treating them as objects. It is noted that Christianity played a bigger role in abolishing slavery in the US. Contrary to Douglass’ observation, Jacob gave her reasons against the slavery at around 1854. Such views and ideas made the author live as a renegade for about ten years. She authored her works after Cornelia Grinnell had given her a decent job. In other words, her findings could be termed as sentimental meaning a domestic novel. The author targeted women in families, home, matrimony and womanly reticence. She had borrowed much from the previous women writers. Her works encouraged women to rise up and fight slavery as well as male patriarchy. The issue of gender makes a big difference between the two scholars. Jacob focused on the problems encountered by women under slavery. She argued that slave owners could demand for sexual relationships with their subjects. In this case, women were the first casualties because they could not resist. Jacob showed how society used physical qualities to discriminate some members.She claimed that no social structure was maintained by oppressing some of its members. Conversely, the two scholars had different focuses because Douglass emphasized on struggle to achieve manhood and freedom while Jacob was much disturbed by the issue of sexual exploitation. A s Jacob observed, slavery was much terrible for women as compared to men. Women were affected most because there were no jobs for them (Shlaes 45). In society, women existed at the mercy of men. They were infringed economical and socially. They were only supposed to handle minor activities, but not to participate in major debates.Advertising Looking for research paper on african american? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The major problem for women was male domination and societal structure, which was rigid and unbiased. Douglass did not talk much about women (Pyne 83), but was more focused on liberating the entire society from slavery. On the other hand, Jacob’s concerns were clear. She longed for liberating women from male patriarchy and domination. She cited societal structure as one of the impediments to women liberation. Culture did not allow women to participate in active politics, neither did it encourage women to rise up and fight for their rights. Even pressure groups focused only on setting men free from slavery, not women. This implies that women were supposed to stand up and fight for their rights independently. This is reflected perfectly in the following text: When he told me that I was made for his use, made to obey his command in everything; that I was nothing but a slave who will must and should surrender to his, never before had my puny arm felt half-strong (Jacob 29). From Jacob’s narrative, it is established that she was not learned meaning that her works did not have any scholastic foundation. She could not be compared to Douglass who was educated (Shlaes 45), though very poor. Family backgrounds affected the writings of the two authors. Jacob claimed that her adventures seemed incredible because of the life she went through. She also admitted that her descriptions fell short of acts because she was not much enlightened, unlike Douglass who was well off academically since he was offered employment as a tutor. He worked in one of the colleges that supported liberation. Educational backgrounds affected the narratives of the narrators since more education affects an individual’s orientation to the world. In other words, learned narrators use tact in presenting his or her ideas. Douglass understood the importance of the importance of liberty hence encouraging slaves and other members of society to fight for their rights (McPherson 14). On the other hand, Jacob urged women to raise their concerns through societal institutions, such as government, which proved to be futile. Douglass used his influence and position in the society to inform the public of the evils of slavery. Conclusion Overall, Douglass and Jacobs aimed at eliminating slavery by condemning it through written texts. They focused on the awful experiences and nature of slavery. Each of the narrators had different viewpoints as regards to slavery. In addition, the scholars exposed injustices that infringed upon peoples rights to equality and equal opportunities. Comparison of works of the two writers reveal that differences endured by male and female slaves related to gender roles, political aspects, and societal structure. Douglass, Fredrick. Narrative of the life of Fredrick Douglass, an American slave. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. Print. Jacob, Harriet. Incidents in the life of a slave girl. Harvard: Harvard University Press, 2007.Print. McPhe rson, James. Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford: Pulitzer Prize, 2003.Print. Oatis, Steven. A Colonial Complex: South Carolinas Frontiers in the Era of the Yamasee War, 1680-1730. New York: University of Nebraska Press, 2004.Print. Pyne, Stephen. How the Canyon Became Grand. New York, NY: Penguin Books, 1998.Print. Shlaes, Amity. The Forgotten Man: A New History of the Great Depression. New York, NY: Harper Perennial, 2008.Print.

Strategic Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Strategic Management - Essay Example A group of companies that can successfully construct core competencies via its value chain functions to promote competitive advantages and then those capabilities may lead to synergies of that corporation.  Virgin is a motley collection of over 200 separate companies within main business lines- travel, lifestyle, media & mobile, music, and money. The whole virgin group covers the businesses ranged from airlines to bridal stores. There are only two things common to the diverse range of whole Virgin enterprises: Richard Branson as the founder and CEO of the group, all business units are under the brand name, Virgo. There is no parent company for the whole group and Mr. Branson once said each of the small companies are separate and has to stand on its own. Virgin group pursues Japanese keiretsu in addition to brand franchising strategy. Virgin member companies used to share a similar identity but possess their own independent operations.  Virgin pursues an unrelated diversification strategy with many product lines. Most companies diversify their business for the survival of their company, the extension of distinctive competencies to new businesses or in search of new competencies. Whenever Virgin diversifies its businesses, it is attached with the purpose of to make things better for the customers in the intended new industry. Diversification is known as the riskiest of the four strategies of the Growth.  Matrix: Market penetration, Product development, Market development, Diversification. It is said because diversification strategy needs to find many new competencies for a corporation such as new techniques, skills, etc. Thus, only a corporation that possesses some synergies to adapt well to the inexperienced field. After doing thorough research and appraisals for the next line of business concerning industry analysis and customer point of views, Virgin used to enter into that industry to create its brand name and excellent customer values and services.  

The Role of Time Management Techniques in Avoiding Project Delays Dissertation

The Role of Time Management Techniques in Avoiding Project Delays - Dissertation Example Structured, systematic ways of managing the project and its risks are also imperative. Moreover, it is encouraging to find that the respondents perceive their senior management favourably, with senior management leadership and communication not being singled out as a cause of project delay. The study has likewise found that the outcomes of project delays include the work disturbance; cost variances; and operational losses. Disagreement is also apparent. However, these do not develop so gravely as to merit the termination of the contract or the filing of a legal case. The present study likewise found that the timely clarification of project objectives; solicitation of top management support; manpower selection; clarification of project restrictions; definition / identification of activity; spelling out the sequence of activity; and building a timetable of activity were all adequately practised by the construction and engineering players in Saudi Arabia. There is a need to further impr ove the timeliness with which the following facets of project management are carried out within their specific context: client consultation; manpower training; solicitation of the dedication of the project team; evaluation of the efficiency of client and contractor; risk and liability evaluations; clarification of end-users requirements; resource approximation; schedule development; schedule control; and overall impact vs. actual practise of time management technique

Discussing Frankenstein Essay Example for Free

Discussing Frankenstein Essay Living in a society, we are accustomed to completing tasks within minutes if not seconds. With this fact in mind, it is very difficult to comprehend the amount of painstaking labor of Victor Frankenstein. The long days eventually turned into months and then into years. Victor observed worms in a graveyard, collected materials, and painstakingly created a being, complete with the intricacies of a human body and mind. After the realization of his greatest achievement, Victor looked upon the lifeless individual as his creation. As the father of this illegitimate being, Victor is already physically and morally responsible for the creature. Since the very beginning of the experiment, Victor was entrusted with this being. Once the creature opened his yellow eyes, Victor relinquished his task to educate his design. Instead of worrying over the creatures welfare and the interest of others, he drove from his mind all thoughts of the experiment. The monster was left to fend for itself, learning the basic essentials of survival by what he saw an the only food he could find. Only until the monster hurt something of significance to Victor, did the scientist feel accountable. It is no doubt the monster is now evil. His unanswerable question in life is why am I here? The man who gave him life fled from his side just like the rest of society. Victor, at this point in the story, has a choice. The scientist can either make another life form or suffer earthly torments from the monster. By not completing the request of the creation, Victor handed over the lives of his family and friends. Again, Victor can be held morally responsible for the deaths. Creation tells him to make another life form and everything will be alright. The scientist never realized his mistakes. If he has only taken care of his creation, the deaths of his father, wife, brothers, and sisters could have been avoided. With such a brilliant mind, Victor could have been one of the brightest minds in science. If it were not for the irresponsible beginnings of the experiment, the evil in the creature may have never surfaced. Throughout the novel, Frankenstein, the theme of life and death is pervasive in connection to the moral ignorance of Victor and his monster. Evidently both characters showed a great quantity of wrongdoing; however the awaiting actions are all start from one: the creation of life from science. This was thought of as an impossible task, but would prove to be Frankensteins foremost dream and goal for his youth and adolescence. Not realizing the severity of the consequences; Victor succeeded in breeding his creature, which would ironically lead to his future destruction. Being unaware to what a creature might do without the proper nourishment from family or friends, Dr. Frankenstein shunned his own creation even though he had the obligation as a parent to foster his child. However, not only did Victor overlook the proper care for his creation, but he also cursed and criticized the appearance of the wretched monster. Frankenstein assembled the beast to look inhuman and rejected what he purposely created. The grotesque look of his child not only repelled his master, but also disgusted the rest of society. Although Victor did not physically commit murder, his denial as a father to his imperfect being was in fact killing the monster from the start. mention the part when F sees monster for the first time It is now obvious that Victor was the most morally irresponsible. He tried to forget his past, as he did not want to be linked with that daemon which was created by his own hands. Frankenstein exhibited selfishness along with small-mindedness. He first ignored his family upon creating his child and then ignored his child upon escaping his workplace. Victor did not think twice and failed to resolve the problem before it augmented. Just a baby being brought into a new and evidently prejudice world, his creation did not know what to do. The monster had to survive in the dangerous world alone with no one to love or give love in return. He had no one to help him, no one to teach him, no one to feed him, no one to even talk to him. Whenever he helped humans, he would always receive harm. He harmed mankind because they harmed him first. Unquestionably, if he were treated with love, he would return the love tenfold. However, Frankenstein was responsible for the miss-education of the child and for the actions of the child. Moreover, Frankenstein was responsible for the deaths of his friends and family. Being the cause of his own unfortunate destiny, Dr. Victor Frankenstein is clearly the one who demonstrated the least moral responsibility. Show preview only The above preview is unformatted text This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Mary Shelley section.

Swot Analysis Of China Telecom Marketing Essay

Swot Analysis Of China Telecom Marketing Essay In this chapter, we will perform SWOT analysis to each company mainly based on their annual reports, as well as forecast their future trends and external environments development in the coming years through their future strategies and news. SWOT summarizes the key issues from the business environment and the strategic capability of an organization that are most likely to impact on strategy development. This can also be useful as a basis against which to generate strategic options and assess future course of action. (Johnson, G.2008) Strengths: characteristics of the business, or project team that give it an advantage over others Weaknesses (or Limitations): are characteristics that place the team at a disadvantage relative to others Opportunities: external chances to improve performance (e.g. make greater profits) in the environment Threats: external elements in the environment that could cause trouble for the business or project 6.1 SWOT analysis of China Telecom Strengths Absolutely leading broadband resources and network infrastructure in China. They have very strong advantages in fixed communication field  [1]  . Strong abilities in the development of new business because their affluent network resources and various business types. The first telecommunications operator in China to publish Cloud computing strategy and solutions  [2]  . To innovated the data traffic marketing model, through strengthening sales and marketing to enhance customers experience and cultivating users habit of usage to increase data revenue  [3]  . They will strive to enhance their strengths in innovation, service, efficient centralisation and operation management, and take more solid steps towards the goal of being a world-class integrated information service provider so as to create more value for shareholders  [4]  . China Telecom owns a great mount of customers in China, and they have good customer relationship. With 77 million wireline broadband subscribers and 126 million mobile subscribers  [5]  , they have a great advantage in the market share. China Telecom has advanced service quality; they build the Group Customer Service Center to supply more perfect services to their customers  [6]  . Weaknesses As a state-run company, it has a heavy social responsibility. There are more than 400 thousands employers working in this company, and the company also have a duty to help some backward areas build communication networks, as well as do investment in the basic network facilities. So the companys operation cost is very high  [7]  . Complex organization structure of the company leading to their market reaction speed is relatively slow, and the cost of innovation is high  [8]  . The starting point of Chinese new network development is lower than the European countries. The channel of distribution is weak because of the limitation of state policies and profession  [9]  . The companys strategy only focus on the current operation, the lack of long-term strategy and strategic planning talents make the company be weak in the overall situation  [10]  . The recently network infrastructure cannot supply specific services to customers because China Telecom has advanced network infrastructure which are mostly used to meet the demand of general service, not based on the actual market demands. Opportunities In 2011, Chinas mobile telecommunications market has gradually migrated from 2G to 3G services. With accelerated growth in 3G services, the market potential was huge  [11]  . China has launched its own domestic 3G mobile technology standard TD-SCDMA, which will challenge CDMA2000 and W-CDMA  [12]  . Government determination to invest in Chinas telecommunications industry ensuring that it becomes innovative  [13]  . With 1.3 billion citizens, the size of the telecom markets is the biggest. China is actively expending its political and economic ties with major emerging markets, which contribute China Telecoms Strategic cooperation all over the world  [14]  . At present, 3G service and wireline broadband service are still in a period of high growth. The commercialization of new services such as mobile Internet, Cloud computing and Internet of Things is further accelerating, which will open up a new area for the Companys development  [15]  . Threats Since 2010, the governments investment in 3G will be reduced gradually, and the development of the telecom industry will be driven mainly by consumption  [16]  . In recent years, a lot of foreign companies solicit telecom talents in China by high-salary or high-welfare policy. As a result, the brain drains of China Telecom become serious  [17]  . In China, there are relatively strict limitation by industry policies in the aspect of business license, Internet services and telecom fees etc. In the present China telecom market, the control of inequality has restricted the development of China telecom  [18]  . The telecom market is becoming saturate and competition between domestic telecom companies become more intense  [19]  . The integration of the information industry and intensifying market competition in China. 6.2 SWOT analysis of Royal KPN Strengths KPN is ranked amongst the most sustainable European telecommunications companies for the second year in a row  [20]  . The number of households that KPN can serve with fiber services has grown sharply  [21]  . Strong Operational Performance in terms of telephony services  [22]  . The strong KPN brand. KPN has a number of other consumer brands in different countries, because they have a varied customer base which calls for a suitable range of products and services. KPN will strengthen their market positions in the Netherlands by an enhanced focus on product and service quality, a more efficient organization and a tighter policy on costs. KPN will create a nimble organization by simplifying the organizational structure and by offering a clearer set of products and services in both the business and consumer markets in the Netherlands. KPN aim to increase the customer base for fixed and mobile telephony and see particularly good opportunities for the fiber network. They will continue their Mobile International Challenger strategy in the coming years. Weaknesses Business market size declining due to price pressure, continued rationalization and macroeconomic impact  [23]  . Concentrated revenues from Netherlands, with other geographies contributing very less in terms of profits  [24]  . Customers lose in traditional mobile service because of new Internet communication services  [25]  . Lost market share to competitors in the mobile sector due to what customers perceive to be high prices and inflexible service packages  [26]  . Market reaction speed is relatively slow, leading to a downtrend in the operation revenue  [27]  . Opportunities Strategic acquisitions- opportunities across the globe, and the company said that KPN will continue to explore all strategic options  [28]  . Increasing demand for the more profitable 3G services, variety of 3G services also supply more broad development space to KPN. 4Gs springing up request the support of a sustained investment  [29]  . The sharp rise in mobile internet usage, as is data usage, the telecom and ICT landscape is continuously developing  [30]  . The growing range of new and profitable services based on internet protocol  [31]  . Technological opportunities from Smartphone, tablets, fiber and cloud services  [32]  . Threats Competitive pressures from its more global competitors. The European local telecom markets tend to saturate. Regulatory issues across Europe. Due to MTA (Matanuska Telephone Association) impact, the regulation about Roaming and Spectrum may lower KPNs growth in ARPU  [33]  . Increasingly substitute text messages or voice calls with instant messaging or voice over internet protocol services such as Skype  [34]  . European debt crisis and looming recession impact the companys business and corporate market, lead to consumer confidence declining. NMA (National Media Association) starts an investigation regarding possible collusion of mobile operators on propositions in the mobile market. Regulator OPTA announces to put KPN on close supervision further to alleged violations of obligations based on the Telecommunication Act  [35]  . http://wenku.baidu.com/view/7cef4a070740be1e650e9af6.html à §Ã‚ ²Ã‚ ¾Ãƒ §Ã‚ ²Ã‚ ¾ 6.3 SWOT analysis of Deutsche Telekom Strengths The widely basic network facilities across all over the Europe and strategic partnerships  [36]  . Bid amount of customers with high loyalty and upscale markets. A leading Internet service provider with more than 25 million broadband subscribers and strong performance of broadband services  [37]  . Absolutely leading technology advantage in telecom industry and comprehensive business services. It is placing a wide range of products and services in the Telekom cloud  [38]  . The global famous brand with broad market distribution and their business services provide all over the world  [39]  . They will continue to invest in key growth areas despite unfavorable regulation. They are building modern broadband networks both wireless and wireline, which makes them a major contributor to the online society. They are focusing on innovation- with some areas, such as mobile internet and cloud computing, already generating substantial revenues  [40]  . They will be investing in modernizing the network and continuing their efforts to establish T-Mobile as the carrier that offers customers the best value for money. Weaknesses High operate pressure from the companys high debt  [41]  . Fast expand lead to the companys scale is too bid, as well as the market reaction speed is relatively slow. Relatively lower service quality than the other leading telecom companies in Europe  [42]  . The cost of management is too high because of the corporate merger and acquisition in recent years  [43]  . Competition from other European and global operators means little market share growth. The falling fix-line business markets make a big loss in companys revenue  [44]  . Limited presence in Asian markets  [45]  . Opportunities Germany is the largest national economy in Europe and the consumption level is high  [46]  . The fact means that Deutsche Telekom has a comfortable development environment and business markets. Germany has Europes largest telecom market, with average penetration in the broadband and mobile sectors  [47]  . High data volumes, a booming smart phone market and customer demand for high-speed networks in local market  [48]  . Corporate merger and acquisitions over the world. Increasing demand for the 3G services and new networks technologies such as 4G and mobile internet usage  [49]  . Positive outlook for cloud computing. According to experts, in 2020 many companies will no longer have their own servers and instead switch to cloud  [50]  . The development of modern wireless technologies highlights their original technical advantages  [51]  . Threats Government intervention. Government intervention could put downside pressure on the stock and increase political risk. Unfavorable regulation and the imposition of special taxes in some countries in Southern and Eastern Europe  [52]  . Difficult economic situation in Europe as well as the huge challenges that Deutsche Telekom are facing in telecom industry- continuing intense competition in their core business with network connections. Depression of European telecom industry and the local market tend to saturate. The shortage of talent in Germanys telecom industry  [53]  . Users demand for the service quality is becoming higher and higher  [54]  . Increasingly substitute network services threatened the traditional business. 6.4 Conclusion In concluding, we can see from the SWOT analysis, China Telecom is one of the worlds largest telecom provider due to the Chinas huge population and potential market, so the companys advanced technology, innovation ability, as well as 3Gs spring up in China will bring a huge business value to China Telecom. This is meaning the same huge potential investment opportunity for the investor. It will be a very good period to invest in China Telecom. Besides, Mobile Internet, Cloud computing and Internet of Things will open up a new area for the Companys development. That is all the good news that brings investors more benefits from their investment. But Chinas telecom business is immature relatively because the late start and China Telecom as a state-run company has a heavy social responsibility and limited develop environment. For investors, invest in state-run company means they will meet more investment restriction. High operating costs, strict limitation policies and increasing competit ion will be huge challenges to China Telecom. That also means more investment risk for investors. According to the chairman of China Telecom, Wang Xiaochus report in 2012, China Telecom is aiming to be the world-class integrated information service provider. To enhance their strengths in innovation, service, efficient centralization and operation management will be China Telecoms core strategy in the future. Royal KPN is a leading telecom provider of Netherlands, with strong operational performance especially in telephony services. It will be a strong advantages at present when the demand for varies of telephony services is growing rapidly. The companys stable development strategies make it be one of the most sustainable European telecommunications companies. So it can be seen that invest in KPN is favorable and safe. Then, increasing usage of new communication technologies such like mobile internet will make a lot of business opportunities to the company. Besides, Companys acquisitions and telecom services across geographies will further promote the companys development. We believe that KPN will attract more investors as the development of new communication technologies and the companys extension strategies. But the competition from other European telecom companies means limited market shares, as well as the saturated market and regulatory issues across EU, giving huge pressures to the company. Besides, global economic slowdown and debt crisis in European also make adverse influence to the companys development. For investors, the saturated telecom markets and floundering economy in Europe means they will get relatively few returns when they invest in KPN at present. And the debt crisis in EU also leads to investment risk. In the coming years, we can see from KPNs new strategy 2011-2015, they will promote the Strengthen, Simplify and Grow strategy and ambitions towards their goals in 2015, aim to give more favorable product and services to customer. Deutsche Telekom is the largest telecommunications company in Europe with widely basic network facilities and strategy partnerships. A lot of investors prefer to choose Deutsche Telekom because its global famous brand with broad market distribution and their business services are provided all over the world. High telecom technology, high loyalty customers and upscale markets make the company have strong competition powers among the increasing competitors in Europe. So invest in Deutsche Telekom is general considered to be reliably. But undue corporate merger and acquisition strategy, as well as the companys high debt make high operating pressures to the company. These adverse factors in companys operation will threat the profit returns in the investors investment. Also as an EU country, regulatory issues, strict competition and debt crisis in Europe will be big challenges to the company. In the future, Deutsche Telekom will continue to invest in key growth areas despite unfavorable r egulation. They are building modern broadband networks both wireless and wireline, which makes them a major contributor to the online society. They will also focusing on innovation with some areas, such as mobile internet and cloud computing. In general, all of the three companies have their respective advantages and disadvantages. Increasing competition, saturated markets and regulatory issues are the situations which the telecom industry must to face with. How to balance the increasing demand for new network services and the loss of traditional business will be the key points to every telecom provider. For investors, despite we can see that invest in China Telecom will have much potential due to the increasing demands for new services, but the immature telecom markets and limited develop environment in China mean higher investment risk than the other two companies. Invest in KPN and Deutsche Telekom are both considered to be safe and reliably, because their strong brands, advanced network facilities and technologies. We can see that, be contract with the adverse economic environment and regulation in Europe, KPN relatively well development strategies help them reduce many losses, and meet more business opportunities in new technical demands. Deutsche Telekoms low market reaction speed and high cost lead a higher loss in their traditional communication services. So we prefer to choose KPN for investors to do investment due to the companys sustainable competition advantages and future development strategies.

Moneyball

At its core, the book Moneyball, to me, is about leadership and overcoming resistance to change to create a sustainable competitive advantage. In Moneyball a new General Manager challenges a traditional industry with a new paradigm. He successfully deals with the resulting resistance from the more tradition oriented employees. In the case of the Oakland A's this has led to a substantial competitive advantage through lower costs (their payroll goes down) and improved output (the have a higher percentage of win’s) which leads to an increase in return (average cost of a run is among the lowest in baseball).This represents a major learning to me, it means that I need to be prepared to challenge the conventional wisdom by being innovative in a traditional company or industry. At the same time it is not enough to be just innovative, you need to be the innovation champion and overcome resistance. Baseball particularly seemed like a very traditional environment which allowed Billie Be an’s radical innovation to lead to significant competitive advantage. His success is achieved through three major achievements: 1) He uses innovation to create a different perspective on a particular market. ) He creates competitive advantage by using his innovation to pick his resources in a different way. 3) He further enhances his advantage by building organizational capability around the new approach he has created. Question 1: What is the best way to think â€Å"out of the box† in a particular situation, business or market to come up with the innovation that will change everything. It was my belief that a different perspective on a particular situation can be created by using imagination, intuition and creativity on top of accepted wisdom.In Moneyball, a new breakthrough approach is achieved through pure technology and in detail statistical analysis. Billy Bean uses the power of statistics to uncover relationships in individual and organizational performance. At t he same time, those objective indicators and statistics, in and of themselves, were not the keys. He was able to find (and proof) those measures that are valid indicators of future successful performance. He managed by using the right empirical data. This makes me wonder if rigorous statistical analysis (i. e. ike sabermetrics in baseball) can be used in any industry or situation to determine the factors most associated with true value to the company. The old way of evaluating players was based on naked eye observation and using 5 measurable indicators, which turned out to not be really connected to future performance. As a consequence the book also teaches me to be very careful not to attribute the wrong cause to a result. In any future position I should search for the right statistics that help me zero in on a couple of key attributes closely related to success.In recent years there are several companies that have used technology and statistical analysis to change the game even in old fashioned industries (Amazon, Capital One, etc†¦). It seems to indicate that almost every market is ripe for such an approach. The secret, as Moneyball shows, lies in finding those factors that are linked to the desired outcome versus those metrics that have traditionally been considered as â€Å"the right ones† for an industry.In the case of baseball it took years before those new ways of measuring performance came through, and even then most of the establishment (the old management) scoffed at them. It took the right way of measuring combined with the right dose of persistence to cause a breakthrough. Question 2: What is the best way to evaluate talent ? The talent evaluation approach in baseball relied on personal scouting (a subjective analysis) using some measurable factors (like foot speed) but which are not proven indicators for future success.In business, talent is also evaluated through observation, which is largely a subjective approach (â€Å"employee xx x is a team player and has the right attitude†) combined with some measurable KPI's (key performance indicators) which are often not directly linked to an employee’s contribution to the value creation in the company. Money ball begs the question if there is a way to exploit the inefficiency of current performance evaluation systems by implementing a novel, fact based, employee performance measurement and feedback system.Can companies copy the sabermetrics approach to talent assessment, selection and utilization ? One can imagine that this is possible in a manufacturing or a sales environment where there is a direct relation between employee action and measurable outcomes. It becomes more difficult in the finance, marketing or human resources arena where the immediate impact of employee actions is less obvious. Therefor it would be a major breakthrough if one would be able to identify those factors that predict success.Billy Bean in Moneyball, after identifying the right empirical data and then training (and convincing) his people of the new approach needs to build organizational capability in using and implementing his new system. In the same way, if a company comes up with a new way of determining what will lead to success (see question 1) it cannot stop at just inventing the new â€Å"system†, the organization needs to build capability to use it as a competitive advantage. To build this capability, employee’s performance needs to be evaluated in the light of how much he/she is contributing to the success of the new approach.Usually this capability is built through more â€Å"intangible factors† like company culture, teamwork, motivation etc†¦ Question 3: What is the key driver of building a successful business ? I have been influenced several books (like Blink) or the success of a Facebook, so upto now I assumed that the way to build a business is largely by intuition, belief and drive†¦ Find something you think co nsumers are interested in and then build it. In Moneyball it is exactly the opposite: success (in the form of superior financial performance) is achieved through meticulous measurement and theory testing.There is a very clear process and approach behind the success of the Oakland A’s: decisions are based on first demanding empirical evidence; second, examining the cause-and-effect reasoning that would explain the empirical evidence; third, experimentation; and fourth, continuous learning. Moneyball is a case study on the application of evidence-based management. It boils down to a very logical cause-and effect analysis of the links between resources, cost of resources and performance.Bonus question: Why do colleges pay so much attention to test scores for MBA programs if it is highly probable that my test scores will not relate to my future success in business ? Moneyball clearly makes the point that success does not just depend of having a lot of good data but mainly on havi ng data that are clearly linked to a positive, successfull outcome. It appears that, looking at all the stories of successful businesspeople that did not even finish college, MBA programs should investigate the link between their admission criteria and future success†¦As a consequence an intensely competitive market for graduates of â€Å"elite† programs has emerged, resulting in prices being bid up relative to the next tier of MBA programs. However, â€Å"second tier† programs have highly talented students who receive excellent educations, and thus, are well positioned to be successful executives. Hiring companies could find ways to assess the abilities of MBA students at these programs and obtain excellent talent at a discount relative to the graduates of top schools. Moneyball Moneyball is a book written by Michael Lewis when he follow Oakland A’s general manager Billy Beane in the summer of 2003 to see about his approach to running a major league organization. He figures out that just because you may not have all of the money in the world, say like the New York Yankees, that you can still win your division and make the playoffs. Billy Beane shows you his approach at how he win’s as many games as he does that no other team was willing to follow.He would pay attention to statistics that no one else did, like on base percentage, amount of walks, and slugging percentage, and made his team into one of the best in the majors. Since his theory has been proven it’s been shown that on base percentage and slugging percentage are better signs of offensive success and avoiding an out is more important than getting a hit.Oakland had one of the smallest payrolls in the league with $55 million and were forced to get small market players to fill thei r roster. That meant that every pick they had in the amateur draft counted and couldn’t afford to miss. In the book it talks about how Billy got his idea on why to run his organization like this, and he got it from Bill James. Bill James was a writer and obsessive baseball fan who wrote many books on baseball, but his Baseball Abstract are the ones that had the most impact.James’ books though were laughed at when they first came out and didn’t really make an impact until Billy Beane, who had read every book of James’, ran his organization like James’ had said to. Ever since then almost every club has changed how they go about picking up players and using players. Moneyball is one of the best books of all time and has helped changed the way baseball is looked at and played in many peoples eyes and even in major league organizations.