The Rise and fall of Enron Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Rise and fall of Enron - Research Paper Example It turned out to be an empire every ambitious employee wanted to work for. With human resource demands, consumer demand and investor interest the empire cemented its position in the market as the best business empire ever created. The business empire was known as Enron Corp. Enron drew interest to all analysts and audit companies. Many analysts predicted a downfall of the Company. However, the downfall was long to come by as Enron made business contracts with many small organizations which reduced their risk exposure and increased asset worth. The predicted collapse of the company finally occurred. Form a market value share of $126 per share the share dropped to a record low below 30cents per share. The collapse was very big that no stakeholder in the company was spared. From employees, investors and partners all experienced the harsh conditions. The fall of the company drew criticism towards the government on its efforts to protect investors. The big fall formed the biggest debate i n the corporate world up to date. With the increasing profits of the company a good management will be the only key to keep the company in its successful status. The growth of a company will reflect on the depth of loss it may incur. In the case of Enron the management was up to the task. The company enrolled top educated professions in the industry. With such a talented workforce the status of Enron seemed to be improving. However this was not the real picture behind the profit making company. The management created an internal conflict in the organization. The management came up with a cruel way or ranking employee performance. The ranking was to decide whether an individual will be fired all retained. Mr. Skilling the then director of operations defended the move saying it would improve the performance. Although the performance levels increased, the conflicts between employees opened up a venue of secrecy within the company. The employees ceased to work as a team as each employee sought to impress Skilling. According to the management they ranking systems made employees work harder. To the employees, the ranking dictated their performance since it would determine their fate in the company. False Impression The secrecy culture in the organization infested even the management. The company had looses in its account books but they were not made public. With the profile of the company still protected, more investors and customers became interested in the company. At the first instant the company was able to contain the loss in the finances without the public being informed. The company continued to venture into high risks investment without the consideration of the investments in its stocks and assets. In the 1990s the U.S market was at its peak and investment opportunities were opening up. With the great profile Enron had in the market, it could not resist the urge to invest. The company had inexperienced staff which was not able to compete in the peak season o f the U.S market. The management again downplayed that fact and ventured into many investments in the period. Permitting organizational abuse After the resignation of the C.E.O Kennedy Lay, Skilling was appointed the C.E.O. From the change in the management of the company, games of personal interest took charge on the finances of the company. The share value dropped to $24 per share. In addition to these mistakes, the management still declined to release in public the financial report of the company. Mr. Skilling resigned as

The Transmission of Diseases from Livestock :: History Disease Health Medical Essays

The Transmission of Diseases from Livestock The signs at the Philadelphia International Airport are bold and make a clear point. The bright, yellow billboards all but shout: "Keep Foot and Mouth Disease out of America." Soon after seeing these signs upon entrance to the airport, travelers are greeted by customs agents who check documentation and bags to insure that the traveler has not been prone to the disease on his journeys. Any traveler exhibiting the warning signs of an individual who carries the disease is quickly swept away- removed from the general populace in order to prevent possible spreading of the disease. The above precautions may seem extreme. Then again, the precautions may appear normal in a world that has quickly strengthened airport security in response to recent terrorist activities. Neither of these reactions to the security checks would be fully accurate. The security checks preventing free entrance by individuals who have come into contact with animals or areas that house animals abroad are an innovation designed to prevent the most common method for spreading disease. These precautions have been implemented in order to prevent the spread of diseases infecting livestock. Throughout the course of history, diseases have been the greatest killers of humans. In fact, the winners of most wars were simply the ones who proved less susceptible to the germs carried by the enemy (Diamond, p. 197). Diamond correctly points out, then, that diseases have been the largest shaper of history. For instance, what would the world look like now if the Native Americans had carried germs that were far more potent than the Spanish conquistadors? (p. 197) The diseases that have been the great molders of the human experience are very often and quite easily traced back to animals, specifically livestock. Food production was seen relatively early in history of civilization as a better means for providing for a great number of people than the hunter-gatherer model that was once the primary model of existence. The success of food production in maintenance of human life leads to a society which has become dependant on farming, ranching, and other ways of life that produce foods from animals. The increased number of individuals able to be supported by a society supported by agriculture serves as an important factor in the spreading of disease. The most common method for spread of disease is direct transmittance from the animals to the humans.

Administrative theory and practice management

As Dougherty (2008) reports, whites will make up less than half of the U.S. population by 2042, sooner than expected. Therefore, organizations will have to adjust to the new situation. Market globalization reinforces the importance of intercultural communication, since majority of big corporations employ people from a variety of backgrounds.For this reason, management of diversity is one of the most important human resources tasks. Visionary and effective diversity management reduces the probability of conflict in organizations and increases the organization’s efficiency, productivity, and employee satisfaction.‘Managing diversity’ is a concept that refers to ‘a planned, systematic and comprehensive managerial process for developing an organizational environment in which all employees, with their similarities and differences, can contribute to the strategic and competitive advantage of the organization, and where no-one is excluded on the basis of factors un related to production’ (Performance Associates, 2004, ‘Managing Diversity: A Definition’, para. 1).Development of healthy, tolerant and productive organizational culture is only possible under the conditions of visionary intercultural management: ‘When there is weak leadership and management of diversity within an organization, a variety of problems and issues can arise’ (Sonnenschein, 1999, p.25).As a leader of my company, I have to pay greater attention to values shared by people from different backgrounds. Not only does everyday life differ across the globe, but also leadership style and workplace ethics vary from country to country. I should acknowledge the impact of diverse workforce on market and realize the fact that successful companies should go to great length to avoid multicultural business clashes.In the contemporary workplace, failure of an organization can be in many cases attribute to ineffective management of diversity. A successful m anager is characterized by tolerance and cultural sensitivity.As concerns practical measures aimed at utilizing the potential of a diverse workforce, there is a number of ways to manage diversity in the workplace. First of all, the process starts with recruitment. Underutilized minorities, women, and disabled citizens often possess unique skills crucial to a company’s success.It is important to make the job look attractive to the abovementioned groups and encourage them to come to an interview. It is also necessary to ensure that interviewees are not stereotyped on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, skin color, age, disability, or sexual orientation. Finally, it is a must to make all the appropriate arrangement for disabled employees starting with the day of interview.However, managing diversity is different from affirmative action. Many companies construe the concept of managing diversity as color blind (and sex, disability etc. blind) judgment of applicants based on their q ualifications. It means that being different would not harm someone’s chances of recruitment but will give him or her no unfair advantage over the rest of the applicants.Secondly, developing intercultural skills among managers and employees is of paramount importance. In a multinational environment, employees are likely to have different experiences and sums of knowledge. Problems might include misunderstanding of basic terms of cooperation and prejudices against other team members. To avoid them, management should establish a clear framework for cooperation and enforce ethical standards.Intercultural awareness and competence among managers and employees can be achieved through specific training programs. Managers can understand the culture of their employees better by gaining insights into its origins, including history, religion, and politics.Knowledge of the issues of race, ethnicity, and religion are invaluable for effective leaders. The most effective way to comprehend a different culture is to compare and contrast it with one’s own your cultural identity. People with a deep understanding of their cultural self are likely to possess strong intercultural skills.Teambuilding and enhanced communication are the first steps towards the effective use of cultural diversity for competitive advantage. Teambuilding activities can improve socialization and counter negative perceptions employees might have about their colleagues, especially those from a different background.Finally, there should be certain institutional adjustments made for effective management of diversity. Many companies have set up special position of Equity Officer responsible for monitoring workplace situation; employees can also report cases of discrimination to this person. If discrimination cannot be stopped by conventional dispute resolution methods, Equity Officer is mandated to take appropriate legal action.It is of paramount importance to communicate to employees that any vi olation of equity or workplace ethics will be immediately and severely punished.If a company succeeds in building an inclusive work environment, it will be able to attract and retain a talented workforce, reflecting the growing diversity of worldwide business community, and encourage creative thinking and cooperation. In such an environment, mutual respect is the key principle, and every employee's contribution is valued.Diversity management can be an effective way to tackle many problems facing many contemporary organizations, including high stress levels among employees, low job satisfaction, absenteeism, and high turnover.People centered organizations strive in an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding. Given the fact that the half of American population will be nonwhite in several decades, my company should adopt a corporate culture where no superiority or domination of a certain ethnic group is tolerated.The change process might be complicated, since all employees are C aucasian and have tenure with the company. The inclusion of employees from other ethnic groups should be gradual; this process should be constantly overseen by the manager.New hires might feel uncomfortable in the all-white environment, therefore they should be given support and assistance from the management at the initial stage of their employment. Yet it is also of paramount importance not to make other employees perceive this support and assistant as discriminatory against them.While the transition might be complicated, I can build on such assets of my company as strong corporate culture and effective communication between the management and employees.Therefore, diversity should be regarded as a strategic resource for successful organizations. Managing diversity is one of the most crucial human resources tasks in the contemporary workplace, given the changing demographical landscape of America and worldwide globalization.ReferencesDougherty, C. (2008). â€Å"Nonwhites to be Maj ority in US by 2042.† The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 30, 2008, from http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121867492705539109.htmlPerformance Associates. (2004). ‘Managing Diversity.’ Retrieved May 3, 2008, from http://www.performanceassociates.co.nz/diversity.htmlSonnenschein, W. (1999). The Diversity Toolkit: How You Can Build and Benefit from a Diverse Workforce. New York: McGraw-Hill.  

Aldous Huxleys Brave New World Essay - 1423 Words

Theme or Concept Examined in Brave New World Huxley observes in his work, Brave New World that the modern world revolves around technological development. The aspirations and morals of modern society do not entirely rely on social issues such as love, family, and success but rather on industrial progress and social development. According to Huxley, technological improvement and growth are critical factors that shape the operation and activities in modern society. So far, community members need to observe the world as technologically oriented and collective social setting. Instead of being interested in individual social development, modern society is focusing its attention on merging technological transformation and their impact in modern†¦show more content†¦Young people get training on the most effective means of adapting to the emerging customer-oriented mentality and abandon the traditional collective social mentality. Huxley fears that if the tread of embracing modern industrialisation continues, traditional cultu ral beliefs are under threat of fading among future generations. Regarding religion, Huxley states that all religious beliefs are replaced by industrialisation in modern society. Instead of paying the required attention to the existing religious beliefs and practices, citizens in modern states are interested in industrial activities and capitalism. Modern religious institutions have also abandoned their traditional practices. Instead, they are more interested in adopting a mean of expanding their economic activities. As Huxley observes, in modern society God is an alternative to technology. Instead of granting the supernatural power the first priority, modern individuals are more interested in adapting mechanisms that can empower them economically (Watts 37). If the same trend persists, Huxley fears that the teachings of God might not be in existence among future generations. Huxley also confirms the popular argument that modern society is surrendering their culture to emerging social and economic development. The novel presents a perfect and rel iable example of techno-poly. The novel describes a society that puts more emphasis on advancingShow MoreRelatedAldous Huxleys Brave New World1958 Words   |  8 Pagescognitive abilities, which include increased attention span and cognition span. Drugs like OxyContin have also been used to help with empathy, and to make people feel happier. It may be believed that a drug like soma was only possible in Aldous Huxley’s novel Brave New World, but perhaps not. Utilitarian’s have been pushing for human enhancement that uses drugs, genetic engineering and nanotechnology to ensure the maximum amount of happiness possible while attempting to eliminate any pain. 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Human beings classified in the order of precedence: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Epsilon. Every one conditioned to be a certain way. Every one works for every one else (Huxley, 74). All man-made to ensure social stabilityRead MoreAnalysis of Aldous Huxleys Brave New World1452 Words   |  6 Pages In our world, there is a plethora of societies. Different societies have different approaches to freedom, and have different ideas of what freedom is. In our society, we are taught that freedom is something that everybody should have no matter who they are or where they are from. In A Brave New World, Huxley gives us two examples of societies. These societies are the World State and the Reservation and they both have very different types of and views on f reedom. By using these two examples and providingRead MoreCivilization Is Sterilization in Aldous Huxleys Brave New World1045 Words   |  4 PagesCivilization is Sterilization In Aldous Huxleys Brave New World (1932), the Fordist system of mass production and consumption allows governments/business to establish dependencies and control of the people in a totalitarian way. The entire society of the World State in this dystopian novel revolves around Fordism, including the way their dates begin in 1908, the year that the first Model-T rolled off the assembly line. Every year after that is considered A.F. or After Ford, instead of the ChristianRead More Aldous Huxleys Brave New World Essay779 Words   |  4 Pages In the quot;Brave New Worldquot; of 632 A. F. (After Ford), universal human happiness has been achieved. (Well, almost.) Control of reproduction, genetic engineering, conditioning--especially via repetitive messages delivered during sleep--and a perfect pleasure drug called quot;Somaquot; are the cornerstones of the new society. Reproduction has been removed from the womb and placed on the conveyor belt, where reproductive workers tinker with the embryos to produce various grades of humanRead More Society Exposed in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World Essay880 Words   |  4 PagesSociety Exposed in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World One may think that the society in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World is a gross representation of the future, but perhaps our society isn’t that much different. In his foreword to the novel Brave New World, Aldous Huxley envisioned this statement when he wrote: To make them love it is the task assigned, in present-day totalitarian states, to ministries of propaganda.... Thus, through hypnopaedic teaching (brainwashing), mandatory attendanceRead MoreIndividualism And Individuality In Aldous Huxleys Brave New World1546 Words   |  7 PagesRalph Waldo Emerson once said, â€Å"To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment†. And how true that is. We learn from a young age that it is better to fit in than stand out and that if one does stand out they will be ridiculed and teased into conforming. Our society stifles individuality and hides how they truly feel in order to fit in. Not only that, but we tend t o stifle emotions in our society just as much as individualism. We refuseRead MoreMustafa Mond And Aldous Huxleys Brave New World1001 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"Civil Disobedience†, and Aldous Huxley would greatly agree with the phrase. In Huxley’s novel, Brave New World, he creates a world dominated by the tyrannical leader Mustafa Mond. Mond’s way of ruling is very similar to that of Henry Ford, and Huxley draws attention to parallels between Ford and Mond throughout the book. He mocks their style of leadership, which values science over nature, and demonstrates the detrimental effects of it. In Aldous Huxley’s work, Brave New World, he utilizes the characterRead MoreEssay on Aldous Huxleys Brave New World1949 Words   |  8 Pagesof the savage reservation in New Mexico. Despite not being introduced until Chapter 7, John is seen as the centralizing character of the novel. Unlike the rest of his community, he is educated. When Lenina and Bernard come across John during their trip, they soon realize John’s biological father is the Director, Thomas. Once reaffirming this, Bernard and Lenina offer to bring John and Linda back to the World State. Hoping to connect better to the people in the World State, John gladly accepts. It