Emerging Business Opportunities at IBM Case Study

Emerging Business Opportunities at IBM - Case Study Example They did this through identifying hindrances that prevented the company from growing from where they could workout possible solutions, which would assist the company to get back to its feet. There was need for radical changes, and for introduction of a strategy that would allow the company to systematically adopt the new measures that would ensure the growth of the company. Through a series of deliberate measures to check on the problematic issues within the company and efforts to change the dumb situation, IBM managed to get positive results for their efforts, since their sales gained momentum and they felt that they were in the right track. The greatest or umbrella concern here was the growth of the emerging businesses hence it became necessary to come up with strategies that could handle the issue of the emerging businesses, and ensure that their growth would be experienced and sustained to the reach the profit making level. The essay below is an analysis that shows the trend adopted by IBM to regain footage in the computer industry. The greatest issue that concerns the growth of large business units like IBM through creation of new businesses is the rigidity of structural creations of leadership within the companies. This is achieved through development of practices that only act negatively to their growth often leading to the stagnation in growth of the companies. Another reason that can account for lack of creation of new businesses is preoccupation with existing markets and the products offered thus concentrate much on the performance of existing system and overlook the possibility of creating new businesses to expand the existing system. This problem also blindens the company to possible new opportunities in the market (Pugh 2001p36). Development of systems that encourage attainment of short term results through insisting on the near-term performance of the specified short term goals is a barrier to the success of the big companies like IBM. Meeting of the specified goals discourages the leadership from taking challenges of better things to engage in as their performance within stated confinements are recognized and rewarded. Presence of rigid bureaucracies that often delay or steps into the way of development of new business marks the other problem hindering development of new businesses. This happens when an attractive opportunity is cited but has to be approved by a number of leaders before it can be implemented. Some of the leaders, might for some reasons, be opposed to this new development then fail to approve of them, thus forcing the company to discard the issue. Lack of a deliberate strategy for encouraging development of new businesses is another barrier. Development of new strategies might entail the need to encourage spotting opportunities, experimentalism, funding the opportunities among others. A case scenario of IBM can illustrate this. IBM would diligently fund existing businesses, and then fail to sponsor ideas for new businesses, fail to give them attention and cut them off from budgets when funding was hurdled. Biased information gathering for evaluation and decision making is another barrier. The biased system of information gathering means information gathered is necessarily biased as well

National Defense: A Political Perspective Essay -- essays research pap

National Defense: A Political Perspective   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The defense of our nation has always been a strong issue throughout America’s political history. Although our nation has not existed a long period of time, our country has had to take up arms to make the world safe for democracy many times. Liberals and conservatives are also constantly up in arms over the issue of the best way to defend the country.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the foremost issues in the ongoing debate is that of a Ballistic Missile Defense program. The idea was first pitched during the tense period of the Cold War. Colin Powell, a prominent conservative, saw Missile Defense â€Å"at the time the time not as a Utopian dream but as a useful way of throwing a scare into the war planners of the Soviet Union†(Keller, 1). Typically, Republicans as far back as Ronald Reagan have embraced the idea of a â€Å"Shield† against the hostile intentions of any nation with ballistic missiles, but many remain skeptical of a technological dependence that such a system would incur. George W. Bush believes in a limited Missile Defense program, but in order to institute advanced testing of the technology, a way around the A.B.M. treaty would have to be found. This treaty was made in order to reduce the nuclear arsenal of both Russia and the United States. Conservatives generally embrace the program as a viable solution to one of the nation’s top priority’s in homeland defense.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  ...

Comfort and Gods Glory Essay

In the decision to discuss two topics included within this reflection paper I have been led to discuss two doctrines that are close to all Christians. The comfort of God and the glory of God are the two doctrines that I have focused on over the last several weeks. The comfort of God has touched me at times over the course of my life however, never as much as it has over the last year. I wish to praise the glory of God as directed within the bible to show how God has worked in my life. The Comfort of God  Theological Definition The comfort of God can be best represent and defined by 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 which states: â€Å"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too†. (NIV) However, Webster’s dictionary defines comfort as â€Å"to give strength and hope to† and â€Å"to ease the grief or trouble of† (Webster’s, 2013) Biblical Foundation  The Bible provides many references to God’s comfort as stated in Psalms 18:2 â€Å"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower†. (NIV) Even though the word comfort isn’t contained in the passage just knowing that God is your strength and rock is enough. Psalms 138:7 states â€Å"though I walk in the middle of trouble, you will revive me: you shall stretch forth your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand shall save me†. (NIV) Practical Application  Over the course of my career as a law enforcement officer, I have found myself seeking comfort in some way or another. I have involved myself with discussions with fellow officers and have sought guidance from counselors and other professional sources. However, I have found no sense of comfort that compares to the bible and the comfort that religion brings me. I have learned over the course of my career that God is in control. He has a plan for all of us and comforts us when we stray from that path. When I speak of Gods comfort I think of a video that I watched on YouTube recently. The video was a speech given by Admiral Lee of the United State Coast Guard. Admiral Lee talks about the red tape that prevents him and all military personal from comforting soldiers on the battlefield. He states that he is unable at times to give guidance to those struggling for hope. I’m not a type of person who wants to force my faith and beliefs on a person. But much like Admiral Lee I have had the opportunity to be there when someone is reaching out. To give them comfort with Gods preachings and to give them a bible so they can find hope and comfort within its pages. I have for years during my tenure as a police officer carried a bible in my police vehicle. I also carry small pocket bibles purchased at my own expense. I throughout the years have never had anyone refuse one of my bibles. However, I have arrested people who have already got one of them. The Glory of God Theological Definition The glory of God is the beauty of his spirit. It is not his physical beauty however; it is his beauty that emanates from his character. God’s glory is His splendor, his majesty. The glory of God is his character and his divine nature; it is the very essence of his presence. Biblical Foundation The glory of God is referenced early in the bible Exodus 24: 15-17 states â€Å"Then Moses went up into the mountain, and a cloud covered the mountain. Now the glory of the Lord rested on Mt. Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. The sight of the glory of the Lord was like a consuming fire on top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel†. (NIV) The glory of god is used figuratively for God himself. Moses said to God himself in Exodus 33: 18-22 â€Å"Please show me your glory. Then he said, I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you . . . You cannot see my face; for no man shall see me and live. And the Lord said, here is a place by me, and you shall stand on the rock. So shall it be, while my glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with my hand while I pass by†. (NIV) Practical Applicati on How do we practically apply Gods glory to our everyday life? God calls us to glorify him in all we do. I do not proclaim to live a life without sin, as most Christians would agree. I don’t just do kind things to others with hopes of cancelling out the sins that I have done. However, I try to reach out into the community in the way in which I believe God wants me to. My career is a hard one and it takes a hard person to be a police officer. I have been accused of many things by people whom are upset and don’t understand. It’s easy to stand on the side of the road and observe a group of police officer at a tragic vehicle accident and get the wrong impression. I have seen officers who begin to joke around and are smiling. Now I agree the place and time for a joke is not at a car accident where someone has lost his or her life. However, it is a coping method that a lot of officers use to deal with a high stress situations. Are they living up to the glory of God? Probably not, however, they are performing their jobs to the best of their ability. The bible tells us we are not to commit murder, so how do I explain to my children that I had to take a life in the performance of my duties? How do I express to them that I am here to glorify God when I have broken one of the commandments? I don’t know the answer, but I do know that I try to live my life in a manner that allows me to glorify Him. I don’t believe that just worshiping God in church and singing hymns is enough. I believe that we need to try to preach to those who haven’t heard the Gospel and we need to live our lives praising him and living in his example. Conclusion I have progressed in my Christian studies and have focused on the things that I can do to both glorify God and to provide the comfort of God to others. You never know when the moments will be presented to you to affect the life of another, but I’m prepared. I can tell story after story to describe how I have attempted to accomplish these things, but I don’t want to place emphasis on them. God knows the good things I have done in my career and he knows the bad things. I will continue to study his word and build my house in heaven as to speak. Good deeds will not secure your place in heaven. The only way to God is through Jesus Christ. I have allowed Christ to fill my heart and I can build my home in heaven by the good deeds to which I do here. I can learn by Admiral Lee’s advice and example. I don’t have to stand and shout to someone in need. I only need to hand them the tool they need to find hope and Gods glory. I only need to whisper to them â€Å"read this†.

Analysis of Resources and Capabilities of Marks Spencer Plc Free Essay Example, 3000 words

The paper tells that Marks and Spencer plc has invested in strategically valuable resources which make sense only when they have been strategically organized into the market context. The three types of resources can be seen in the intangible resources such as brand. Although the brand of the company is intangible, it is considered the best resource since it ensures marketability of products. Physical resources such as equipment and plant are also resources which enhance production of products. Updated plants and equipment in M S enable them to produce quality brands. The last resource has to do with organizational capabilities which are a resource embedded in M S s organizational culture and capabilities such as value chain. Supply chains and managerial capabilities. The strategic organization of resources in this company provides a dynamic interplay between scarcities, demand and appropriateness of the products in the market since the three forces are very influential in determinin g the value the product will attract in the market. Thus, M S organizes its resources strategically to interplay because they recognize the fact that the value of their products is determined not by only one resource in insolation but through their interplay. We will write a custom essay sample on Analysis of Resources and Capabilities of Marks & Spencer Plc or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now Mark and Spencer plc capabilities can be evaluated by looking at how efficient the company is, in utilizing its resources. The resources in Mark and Spencer plc are utilized efficiently to ensure that they establish a competitive advantage over their rivals in the market by appealing to differentiation of products. Their capabilities can be seen in their ability to establish very strong relationships with their supplies which affords them high-quality delivery of resources at all times. They have also developed a unique brand name and customer loyalty which enables them to market their products with ease since they are already known in the market. They are able to bring their products to the market at the right time through strategic market analysis which allows them to release trending products faster than any of their rival companies.