The Blue Jean as Cultural Metaophor :: Exploratory Essays Research Papers

The Blue Jean as Cultural Metaophor It may seem odd to consider items of clothing critical components of ‘popular culture’. Contemporary clothing is a key element in the construction of personal identity; it is used to denote an individual ‘style’ and a personality unique to its wearer. Yet from the corset to miniskirt, such items serve not only as practical coverings, but also as indicators for the current values and belief systems of a society. Thus I wish to examine what has become a most popular article of clothing – the ‘blue jean’1 [1] - in an attempt to unearth some of the socio-cultural phenomenon that is ‘popular culture’. According to Raymond Williams’ definition, the ‘blue jean’ qualifies as an object of popular culture due to its (a) wide-spread accessibility, (b) popularity, and (c) construction as an object intended to be popular.2 [2] But perhaps the ‘blue jean’ is not only a product, a piece of commercialism. I assert, rather, that this cultural icon has become a gauge of changing interpretations of masculinity in mainstream American culture. The ‘blue jean’, symbolically, is the white, middle-class, ‘All-American’ man. I would like to examine what, specifically, makes the ‘blue jean’ stereotypically ‘masculine’. Historically, fashion has upheld socially constructed notions of gender: the corset, for example, helped contain a woman’s ‘uncontrollable’ body, while the suspender maintained coverage of a man’s ‘unmentionables’. Similarly, from its design as a durable work pant for working men and laborers (farmers, railroad men, gold and coal miners, etc.), 3[3] the blue jean is closely associated with a muscular, super-virile ‘He-Man’.4 [4] First made wildly popular by the Western films of the 1930s, jeans became identified as a standard item of apparel worn by the ‘cowboy’.5 [5] Even mainstream advertising for these durable denim pants featured ‘manly’ rangers, taming their horses and lassoing the competition (image 1a). The concept of a heroic, blue-jeaned ‘Lone-Ranger’-esque cowboy seems to have remained in popular American psyche, as it is nostalgically associated with a notion of ‘old-fashioned’, well-mannered, moral man (image 1b). Authentic cowboys wearing Levi’s at this time were elevated to mythic status, and the pant was now associated more with a rugged American, symbolized by John Wayne. 6[6] (Wayne, for example, always seemed ‘ready for action’ with a holster comfortably around his jeans [image 1c]).

Chipotle Case Analysis

Chipotle Case Analysis-By Team PYSHEN Strategic Issue: Chipotle plan to find out a correct and effective strategy to continue its sustainable growth and to maintain its profitability by penetrating high market share while competing with its powerful rivals in the fast-casual food industry. External Environment analysis: GENERAL: 1. Demographic: Population size (O): potential increase in US; Age structure: mainly servicing adult between 18-49 years old; Geographic distribution (O): 39 states in the US, 1 in British and 2 in Canada; Ethnic Mix: N/A; Income Distribution: medium or high income (Customers willing to pay the premium). . Economic (T): stagnate, increasing food cost price (demotic 3. 9%, global 37%) and customers’ dwindling budgets. 3. Political (T): ICE shifts its focus; PETA asked to use CAK; definition of healthy food. 4. Sociocultural (T): Higher wage for CIW. 5. Technological: Prevailing Social media (O); Tortilla grill machine (T). 6. Global: Cultural difference s for new stores (T) in international markets. 7. Physical Environment: N/A. INDUSTRY: 1. New entrants (H): Low Barrier, small economies scale, product taste better, and small capital requirements. 2. Suppliers (L): customized food, many local farms. . Buyers (H): low switch costs, sales represent all revenue. 4. Substitute (H), low switch cost, many choices. 5 Rivalry (H), many equally balanced competitors; low storage cost. Internal Environment Analysis: Tangible Resources: Financial (S): High ROI (approx. 10%) and operation cash flow. (V) Capacity to borrow: N/a. Organizational: autonomy in operation, strong incentive. (V). Physical: 22 independent distributers with high qualities. (R), hard to get â€Å"A† location, and higher cost of construct, new stores’ sales are cannibalized by existing ones. W), local supplier and regional distributer, which reduce cost of transportation (V, R, I) Tech: No tortilla grill (W). Intangible resources: Human (S): Restaurateur prog ram to train and reward managers to stay (V, I, R); Internal staff promotions and development (V). Innovation (S): Simple approach to menus with lots of combinations (V, I, R), Menu & Taste (V, R, I, N), Open kitchen design (V, I, R). Reputation (S): Brand name (V, I, R, N); organic, fresh and sustainable ingredients (V, I, R, N); LEED certified restaurants (V, R).Capabilities: relies on strictly chosen suppliers (I). HR: well motivated and empowered (V, I). Marketing (S): effective promotion of brand name (offer free burritos to neighboring; participation in charity fundraiser; setting up event) (V, I, R, N); valuable word-of-mouth from Facebook (V, I). Management information system: N/A. Management (W): simple structure with single office control may reduce the oversight. Manufacturing (S): food productions are reliable with high quality (V, R, I, N). R&D: (N/A).Core competencies: unique menu design, great taste with its sustainable ingredients and quick service visible for custom ers differentiate Chipotle from others. Strictly chosen suppliers help Chipotle meeting its food in integrity goals. Competitor Analysis: Chipotle has bunch of competitors, and Panera is the most powerful one. Both Panera and Chipotle strive to provide quality food with fast service, focus on building their brand image and establish loyal customer relationship to drive repeat sales, and are unwilling to finance themselves by credit (no long-term debt).However, Panera heavily relies on franchise to expand its market, and develops catering business to promote its sales in future, which parts Chipotle doesn’t involve. In fast-casual food market, Panera is a very strong competitor. Business level strategy: differentiation by offering sustainable ingredient and better taste as well as satisfied fast service. Alternatives: 1. Globalization by franchise: Chipotle only has three foreign stores, which located only in Anglo-Saxon countries.However, enlarging its foreign market is a lon g-term task, and is required more financial support. In current status, Chipotle has faced supplier shortage problem. Therefore building local suppliers is becoming more critical issue and need great efforts, and whether this activity can guarantee enough supplies, which meet Chipotle’s strict standards, is still in doubt. A better way is to franchise in international markets because local managers will more familiar with the needs of local customers. Another reason is that Chipotle is reluctant to finance by debt.Through franchising in foreign markets, Chipotle may gather positive cash flows to fund company owned restaurants in U. S. , and avoid large uncertain expense, cultural shock as well as political risks that may be incurred in foreign markets. 2. Exploiting its suppliers: A possible way to penetrate more market share is to exploit and streamline its suppliers. The case shows that the company developed its suppliers by restrict quality, price and protocol standards. S ome supplies shortages have been happened and some restaurants cannot operate smoothly without key ingredients.Chipotle did a good job in its downstream business, which is to provide a qualified food and services; however, it upstream still needs to be well exploited efficiently to meet the huge needs of customers. Two feasible ways may not only lower the food cost but also overcome the shortage. One is developing more qualified suppliers in foreign markets. Although, the requirement of suppliers is hard to meet, Chipotle could corporate with local governments to acquire standardized supplies (successful example is KFC in China). The tariff and freight may be offset by lower labor cost.The other way is to tap into more potential suppliers, with an enlarged supply chains, the company may enjoy a lower cost by economic scale effect. Recommendation: Comparing with the above alternatives, we recommend Chipotle to adopt the second one. The relationship with suppliers is considered as one of its capabilities, and thus, adopting the second method may involve less risky. If the company implements it appropriately, an efficient and effect supply chain could also become its core competency, reduce its cost of goods sold and achieve expected SSS growth.

Alcohol Is a Legal Drug Essay - 588 Words

What is drug? A drug is a chemical substance that acts on the brain and nervous system, and changes a individuals mood, emotion or state of consciousness (Health Service Executive 2013). Drugs classified by the effect they produce: †¢ Stimulants, such as cocaine, make people feel full of energy; †¢ Depressants (or sedatives), such as heroin, make people feel relaxed; †¢ Hallucinogens, such as LSD, make people see, feel or hear things that are not real (Health Service Executive 2013). Legal drugs. Under Irish law, most drugs are illegal. However, some drugs are legal, they include: †¢ caffeine †¢ alcohol †¢ cigarettes (Health Service Executive 2013). What is alcohol? Alcohol is a legal, sedative drug which can alter feelings (Drugs.ie n.k).†¦show more content†¦Additionally CO2 produced by fermentation makes the bubbles in beer and some types of wine. From consumption to abuse. In 2011 World Health Organisation produced report based on the 2008 figures, in relation to alcohol drinking patterns (WHO 2011). The figures showed that an average Irish adult consumes 13.4 litres of pure alcohol per annum, compared to 12.2 litres to European adult. In addition to World Health Organisation survey, Health Services Executive in 2010 issued publication presenting 20 years of analysis of alcohol consumption in Ireland by Hope (Byrne 2010). In this publication it states that, Hope’s study shows that alcohol consumption per adult increased from 9.8 litres of pure alcohol in 1987 to 13.4 litres in 2006. Furthermore consumption per adult had risen to a high of 14.3 litres in 2001. Correspondingly there was a slight decrease in consumption per adult between 2004 and 2006, due to a greater increase in the adult population than in alcohol sales. Burne (2010) noted that, Ireland has a relatively high proportion of abstainers from alcohol. Ramstedt and Hope’s 2005 study of drinking habits in seven EU countries (Ireland, Finland, Sweden, Germany, UK, France and Italy) participating in the European Comparative Alcohol Study (ECAS) showed that at 23%, Ireland had by far the highest proportion of abstainers(Byrne 2010). Overall high abstainers numbers are good news, however if one to include abstainers statistics intoShow MoreRelated Legal Drugs? The Problems of Alcohol Essay1946 Words   |  8 Pages Heroin, Cocaine, and Marijuana are all recognizable variations of drugs. â€Å"A drug is a chemical substance that affects the central nervous system, causing changes in behavior and often addition† (â€Å"American† 431). The affects a drug can have on the central nervous system as well as other parts of the body can be very devastating, but bodily damage is just one result of drug use. When a person abuses a drug it can cause them to act in a way that hurts themselves or others often resulting in problemsRead MoreMarijuana vs. Alc ohol in the United States Essay843 Words   |  4 PagesMarijuana vs. Alcohol In The United States Marijuana and alcohol are the two most threatening drugs used in America today. Marijuana is the most illicit drug while alcohol is the most abused. Both were illegal during the prohibition but when the constitution was ratified in 1933 alcohol was made legal while marijuana remained illegal. It does not mean that because alcohol is still legal it’s less dangerous than marijuana. Both drugs lead to serious risks and should be taken with caution if usedRead MoreDrug And Alcohol Testing On The Workplace1663 Words   |  7 PagesDrug and Alcohol Testing in the Workplace Due: Monday Dec 1, 2014 COMM-220-F Rebecca Walsh By Brett Tate and Brandon Bracko November 17, 14 Introduction People often question drug and alcohol testing in the work place. It is a controversial subject that has a range of mixed emotions. But where do you draw the line when it comes to crossing the boundaries of prying into one’s personal life? This report will explain the legal, and ethical issues surrounding the topic of drug and alcohol testing inRead MoreThe History of Drug Prohibition Essays953 Words   |  4 Pages Drug prohibition was not always accepted as it is today. Indeed, until the early twentieth century, there were few drug laws at all in the United States. Before the Harrison Narcotics Act of 1914, one could buy heroin at the corner drugstore; even Coca-Cola contained small amounts of cocaine until 1903 (Vallance 4). Some of the most proscribed drugs today were sold like candy and (quite literally) soda pop. What caused the sudden shift to prohibition? Prohibitionists often point outRead MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?972 Words   |  4 Pagesfolks argue that marijuana is a gateway drug and impairs judgement, causing people to act recklessly. However, extensive studies have been conducted on the effects, risks, and benefits of marijuana, and have proven marijuana to be safer than alcohol and most prescription, over-the-counter, and illicit drugs. Despite the extensive research and evidence backing up marijuana s mere harmlessness, it is still a hot button topic in America. Marijuana should be legal for both medical and recreational purposesRead MoreIntroduction Of Drugs And Alcohol Essay1392 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction to Drugs and Alcohol 2 Overview 2 I. Workplace Factors 3 II. Workplace Performance Behavior 4 III. Workplace Role 5 RECOMMENDATION 6 Workplace Policies and Drug Testing 7 Policy and Regulations on Alcohol and drug abuse 7 Employee Education/Health Promotion 8 Works Cited 9 â€Æ' Employer’s Guide for a Drug-free Workplace Introduction to Drugs and Alcohol In order to understand drug and alcohol use, it is important to be clear about what we mean by the terms ‘drugs’ and ‘alcohol. Alcohol is a legalRead MoreLegalization Of Drugs911 Words   |  4 Pageslegalization of illicit drugs has been a popular topic of debate. While there is often concern about the potential toxicity and the habits that may form, drugs are not necessarily the problem. In fact, the legalization of illicit drugs may be the answer to some of society’s problems. More drugs should be legalized because the drug is not the cause of the problem, our behavior is. Also, when compared to other substances that are legal we see the same social ills arise. If drugs were legalized crime wouldRead MoreLegal vs. Illegal Drugs1288 Words   |  6 PagesWhich are worse- Legal or Illegal Drugs? Drugs are a common part of everyday life. In fact, it is highly likely that there are drugs of some sort in your cupboard. They are classified into two categories: legal and illegal. Legal drugs include alcohol, tobacco, and pharmaceutical drugs, while illegal drugs include marijuana, amphetamines and heroin. The media often portrays a biased, negative view on illegal drugs, however legal drugs often have the same effects as illegal drugs, if not worse. Read MoreShould Marijuana Be Legalized?1638 Words   |  7 PagesCannabis Should Be Legalized in the United States In 1920 when alcohol prohibition began the war against cannabis had been going strong for a decade. In 1910 the Mexican Revolution created a surplus of Mexican immigrants in the United States; American citizens were frightened by the Mexican culture, including their recreational use of cannabis (Marijuana Legalization, 2015, para 7). Politicians continued to use fear and racism to grow disapproval and hatred of cannabis. Beginning in 1915 twenty-nineRead MoreThe Rise Of Drug Prohibition975 Words   |  4 PagesDrug prohibition is rarely viewed negatively by many Americans. The failure of drug prohibition has sparked some debate in the last fifty years, however, the ignorance about illegal substances has led to little discussion on alternatives to prohibition. Legalizing all drugs would be a better alternative than perpetuating the failed war on drugs. The drug war has negatively impacted many lives by demonizing users and corrupting public officials. Criminalizing alcohol did not work in the 1920s and

Social Media Should Be Regulated Essay - 1450 Words

SOCIAL MEDIA SHOULD BE REGULATED ABSTRACT As social media becomes a heavy influence in our online presence, certain elements need to be policed, as laws can still be broken. This is an insight into if social media, more specifically social networking sites, can be regulated to avoid recent spates of ‘trolling’ or whether it only serves to strip people of freedom to speech. INTRODUCTION Social media has now become a part of our modern day society and has a huge impact on our lives on a daily basis. Social media is the use of web and mobile-based technology to support interactive content. This content tends to be user generated and then might be promoted by other users to a new outlet or audience. Social Networking is a great†¦show more content†¦However other social media platforms such as Formspring and Twitter allow users to remain anonymous, bar the IP addresses stored on their servers. This allows users to hid behind their computers and say things that would be considered inappropriate and possibly illegal on a public stage, in the real world. Trolling has taken on many forms in social media and with so many platforms to choose from, anyone with intent can use this to their advantage. Twitter accounts have been used to make threats and harass celebrities, Joe McElderry being one of many victims. Ennis McBride, with the sole intent of stalking Joe, mad e an anonymous twitter account to continue his harassment. [5] As technology has advanced, laws have been introduced to protect society, for instance the interception and disclosure of messages as part of the wireless telegraphy act 2006, section 48[6]. So why would you not regulate social media, a new technology phenomena with the potential to cause harm? We could agree that social media should be regulated to avoid trolling incidents like the ones mentioned. However, the Leveson report, a hotly debated topic at present, is trying to introduce regulations on the press, with no guidelines on how to deal with social media. Daily Mail online editor Martin Clarke says it has â€Å"destroyed the ability of governments, companies and individuals to control the flow of information to theShow MoreRelatedSocial Media And Web 2.0 Tools789 Words   |  4 PagesUsing Social Media and Web 2.0 tools to enhance the experience with Self- Regulated Learning Self-regulated learning is a total work of the human brain; it entails attention, concentration, self-assessment, change and responsibility for one in learning. Research states that self-regulation possibly have little to do with intelligence and development. Psychologist in the year of 1960 studied how they discovered the ability to delay gratification is by forming the basic for self-control. A personRead MoreSocial Media Freedom Of Speech Essay1014 Words   |  5 Pagesâ€Å"As the use of social media increases and becomes an integral part of nearly every student’s life, problems arise when student expression on these sites turns into threats against the school or other students, implicating both student safety and the speaker’s right to free speech† (Hughes 208). There’s no denying that social media has become a part of most people’s daily life. We have sites like Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, Facebook, Reddit, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc. These websites, or apps, allowRead MoreLivestock And Our World : Where s The Beef1278 Words   |  6 Pages three times a day, you need a farmer. Livestock production is the most labor intensive form of farming, yet it is the most criticized and regulated form of farming. Livestock are raised for meat, eggs, wool, or milk. Although some may have issues with livestock production, people should stop being so critical about animal products. One reason people should stop being so critical of animal products is that antibiotics are not as big of an issue as they believe. All milk and meat are required byRead MoreIs Television Making Your Child Smart Enough? Essay1501 Words   |  7 Pagesspell â€Å"dog†? When you watch a children s television program you understand most of the content and lessons. Good for you. It’s made for children and you’re an adult. However, are the children able to grasp these lessons and is it affecting their social behaviors? The history of children s programming shows an increase in quality programming and new content for children is constantly being made with networks like Nickelodeon announcing more than 650 episodes of new and returning series in 2016/2017Read MoreInternal And External Environments Of Trinidad And Tobago Electricity Commission Essay1521 Words   |  7 PagesThis will be accomplished by an evaluation of SWOT analyses, PESTEL framework and the Ansoff Matr ix, offering why the option selected is the best fit option. â€Æ' 1.1 Background Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (TTEC) is state owned and regulated and is by law, the sole retailer of electric power in the twin island Republic which was formed in 1946 after the merger of independent companies with well over 3000 employees. The company is responsible for the design, construction, operation andRead MoreWorldview Vs. 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While these behaviors may seem harmless at first glance, they can be part of a bigger unhealthier problem. In a study were young girls played with dolls with different body proportions, and thenRead MoreSocial Media in the Workplace Essays631 Words   |  3 PagesTony Green Comp II Essay 3 Social Media in the Workplace A growing hot topic, and cause for concern is the increasing use of social media in the workplace. The landscape for communication has changed, and the line between personal and professional communications has been blurred. How will your employer manage the risks associated with the use of social media and at the same time, gain the benefits that this media form provides? While many employers were initially concerned thatRead Morepossible discharge after she was reported by a colleague in the district for posting a photo of her900 Words   |  4 Pagestheir mouths with their caption message that said, â€Å"Finally found a way to get them to be quiet!!!† The funny message did not go well on social media. This shows the amount of caution that should be taken when using the Internet. There are other misdeamors that have been reported for unprofessionalism in the communication within the public sector on social media. This has led to disciplinary action, and the demand for employees to resign. The solid stream of high-profile cases relating to the publicRead MoreThe Media Regulation Of The Uk1514 Words   |  7 PagesThe media regulation in the U.K. is more extensive compared to the U.S. Ofcom is an independent regulator and competition authority across television, radio etc. The PCC, also an independent body, deals with complaints from members of the public about editorial content of newspaper and magazines. The behavior of media is far more regulated in Britain compared to the U.S. In U.S. the views can complain about the content to individual media outlets but in Britain the complaints are published on various

Corporate And Completive Strategy For Success Essay

According to Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc,â€Å"Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations.† ( Jobs,2015) Jobs approach towards business contributed great success to the apple company. Although apple had some weaknesses it had some strengths as well. The mission and values of the company created a corporate and completive strategy for success. (Jobs.2105) Stephen Paul Jobs is the co founder of Apple inc along with Steve Wozniak. After Jobs had graduated from high school he enrolled in a college called Reed College, which was in Portland, Oregon. He had only attended the college for six months before he dropped out. For about eighteen months after he had dropped out he continued just dropping into classes at the college. Before, he had dropped out he had taken a class of calligraphy and that is where he found out that he loved typography. In 1976 after traveling around the world he and Wozniak had founded the first apple computer. They started the apple computer in his families’ garage. For them to start the apple products Jobs sold his Volkswagen and Wozniak sold his calculator. The company created a product that was easy for people to carry around and cheap, the first one sold for $666.66. In 1980 the company had became a company that was publicly traded with a value of $1.2 billion. John sculley then became the new CEO of apple after Jobs asked him to take over the company.Show MoreRelatedIs Blackberry Performance Effectively The Performance Of The Organization1374 Words   |  6 Pagesthere is a challenge to make blackberry performance efficiently, which led to decrease the competitive advantage of the company. the lack of performance efficiently has showing RIM as against change, that make it hard to be innovation like other completive which also will lead to financially unstable. 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Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship for growth- myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theFundamentals of Entrepreneurship for Sparking growth. Answer: Sparking growth This is one of the important modules while learning about the entrepreneurship. Every venture goes through a stage of growth. Different business has different growth strategies that might be internal or external in nature (Galindo and Mndez 2014). This module has made me understand the skills required to develop in making effective decisions. Being an entrepreneur is never an easy job. It requires hard work, knowledge and proper understanding of the ways entrepreneurs go about their business. I was lacking the knowledge that different business requires different growth strategies like as stated in the module the tech related ventures need to scale exponentially in reaching the peak of the capability and staving off the competitors, whereas the lifestyle firms would focus on promoting something new rather than the market share. I learnt about the factors through which the growth of the company can be measured like the conventional financial terms, taking in gross profit and revenue, number of employees working for the organization as employee strengths speaks volume about the financial strength of the company. Certain other factors like rate for retention along with customer satisfaction rates also assess the growth of an entrepreneurship. While going through this module, I came across 3 companies of Australia that have recorded the fastest growth which are TripADeal, Australian Skin Clinics and TOBCO Constructions. These are the companies that have shown immense growth, m ainly TripADeal that has witnessed a growth of 401.8 per cent (Davidsson and Wiklund 2013). Internal growth strategies take into account penetration of market, geographical expansion and development of new products. External growth strategies takes in the way an entrepreneurship venture establishes various sort of relationship with the 3rd parties in the market. It is important in being in a healthy and trustworthy relationship with outside parties. I got to understand the various factors like mergers taking place with various other companies, acquisitions, strategic alliances along with joint ventures. I learnt that the external growth strategies are most fast paced than the internal ones. It is important for an entrepreneur to understand the things that are good and valuable for its business. None of the decisions should be taken hastily. An entrepreneur venture should understand the way it would be successful in its operations. Todays market is highly competitive and for a new venture to survive and sustain in that highly competitive environment. The entrepreneur should make up his mind either to merge with another company or go for franchising or merger in order to survive and be successful. As what I have learnt from the module, external growth strategies helps in reducing the competition, creating more space for a new venture to survive, generating time for its products to get access into the market. Another most important thing is new ventures are prone to risks within the market. They are sometimes scared of taking many risks for limited manpower and financial strength, such accessibility of mergers and joint ventures helps in diversification of that risk factor. It is important for small ventures to move along a path that helps them in reaching their goals with minimum risks.. Leadership Leadership is important in entrepreneurship. This module enabled me in understanding and learning the various definitions and theories related to the literature of contemporary leadership. I knew leadership is important and what leadership stands for, though was mostly confused with two terms, management and leadership. I have learnt that the terms differ with management bringing in steadiness and order taking in the structures of the organization and formal plans. Leadership is something that focuses on coping with the alterations. I got to know about the different forms of leadership like the authentic leadership, charismatic leadership along with transformational and transactional. After learning everything about the different forms of leadership that exists in entrepreneurship I have been able to identify myself with the authentic leadership style that is related to individuals who understands themselves, important in every sphere of life. If one is not being able to understand his true self, as a leader he would not be able to understand others and their needs. I am that sort of person who does everything with my heart, something that is done by the authentic leaders. I have started understanding the behaviors of leaders and trying to relate the same with mine. Leaders do need to establish mutual trust and share their feelings with the subordinates at every level. A leader as per my understanding needs to be a mixture of employee centered and job-centered where supportive behavior is as important as meeting the work deadlines (Tedmanson and Evans 2017.). Every leadership style needs to be supportive to its subordinates. I do not possess all the skills that a leader should have but I am getting to know the traits required to be one. Innovation is something that is required big time for leaders, it is important in being creative, I understand it is something that one cannot bring in overnight, it is something that is generally inborn, one should have the ability to come up with new ideas. Not everybody possesses that luxury, but then with experience great leaders learn a lot of things. It is important to learn about the other similar sort of venture s and the way they have gone about their business, the issues they have encountered, ideas through which they have come out of it and have been successful (Liddle and Pugalis 2014.). Good leaders learn from the mistakes of others and do not try to repeat all that themselves. While going through this module, I have been able to learn few important things that would help me in being in a better position while venturing with my entrepreneurship. The future of this course can be a bit more practical with more case studies being enacted, groups getting into role play. It is important to send the students to different corporations where they get to understand the real life situations in the organizations. It helps immensely as being in the real picture provides students with the fair knowledge of the things required to be done. Reference: Davidsson, P. and Wiklund, J. eds., 2013.New perspectives on firm growth. Edward Elgar Publishing. Galindo, M.. and Mndez, M.T., 2014. Entrepreneurship, economic growth, and innovation: Are feedback effects at work?.Journal of Business Research,67(5), pp.825-829. Liddle, J. and Pugalis, L., 2014.Enterprising places: Leadership and governance networks. Emerald Group Publishing. Tedmanson, D. and Evans, M., 2017. 6 Challenging leadership in discourses of Indigenous entrepreneurship in Australia.Critical Perspectives on Entrepreneurship: Challenging Dominant Discourses, p.91.

Deluxe Corporation free essay sample

What should Singh recommend regarding: * Target bond rating * Level of flexibility * Mix of debt and equity * Other Issue As for what should Rajat Singh recommend regarding target bond rating, level of flexibility or reserves, mix of debt and equity and lastly any other issues. So, firstly look into the target bond rating, in our opinion DC needs to position itself to obtain a AAA rating. At AAA grade bond rating shows that AAA bond rating is higher in unused debt capacity so at AAA bonds rating Deluxe company has a lower unused debt capacity. So, that means if the shareholders start to sell, this company may not rebound since it is in a dying industry. The company will be an acquisition target by growing electronic payment companies because of the drops out of the premium ratings. For your information, for the level of flexibility is the amount of debt DC can take on before you lose the investment-grade bond rating. We will write a custom essay sample on Deluxe Corporation or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Based on the financial analysis, the B level is where the cost jumps the most. There is a 26% increase in costs from a level BBB rating to a level BB. As for mix of debt and equity, DC is targeting an aggressive share buyback plan. They are increasing their equity in the company by reducing shares. But because of the future of the company, they will also need to take on debt. Based on the financial analysis, they are better off taking on debt. Debt is cheaper for DC. Cost of debt ranges between 5. 47% to 12%, and that does not even include the 38% tax shield. Cost of equity is more expensive, it ranges from 10. 25% to 14. 25%, and there is no tax shield. Cost of debt after the tax change ranges between 3. 39% to 7. 44%. Lastly, for other issue knows today is 12 years after the case, and DC is still in business. CONCLUSION As we know, prior to the 1990s, the  Deluxe  Corporation  (DC), the world’s largest printer of checks as well as a provider of electronic products and services to financial institutions and retail companies, was characterized as a generally stable, family oriented business. This relatively calm situation was unsettled in the 1980s by deregulation of the banking industry and changes in technology. Deluxe is forced to adopt a business model and implement strategic objectives to stay alive. Therefore, based on the all the calculation and explanations, we have finally fulfilled all the statement of problems. As for the foreseen financial requirement for the coming years, which back then was the year after 2001, it shows that DC needs additional financing for working capital, capital asset purchases, possible corporate acquisitions, repayment of short-term debt, interest payments on long-term debt, dividend payments to shareholders and possible stock buybacks depending on the state of the stock they own. Moving on as for the financial flexibility of Deluxe Corporation, it can be concluded that the debt level of DC seems to be not appropriate which is only 5. 71% from the total capital. As what it stated in Ehibit 8, DC could borrow more debt since it cost of debt (Kd) is lower than its cost of equity (Ke). Besides, the minimum WACC is obtained at bond rating AAA (9. 86%) and the same goes the optimum debt level for Deluxe would borrow which is USD 807. 50M again at bond rating AAA. From there, by maintaining bond rating AAA, it can be seen that the minimum interest or total cost that DC need to bear is only USD 83. 81M. In a nutshell, again, it shows that DC can generate its fund in its lowest cost if it maintains AAA bond rating because through that type of bond rating, DC can generate funds by paying minimum cost of capital, quickly reach the breakeven point and can easily gain profit after that. However, this company has to diversify its business in order to stay around in this business world.