Managing Professional Services Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Managing Professional Services - Essay Example They emphasize the central role of customer expectations in this context and describe the need for managing them, i.e. setting them to appropriate levels.    Thakor and Kumar discuss their research into consumers' perception of what characterizes professional services. Consumers consider those services to be 'more professional' that are perceived to require higher levels of expertise and lower levels of manual labor, and that possess higher levels of credence qualities. Similarly, 'more professional' services are deemed more critical; recommendations play a more important role in service selection, and involve a higher lack of clarity as to the nature of service actually required. McLaughlin, Yang and van Dierdonck (1995) provide a detailed discussion of focus in professional service organizations. Drawing on empirical research of outpatient surgery centers, these authors define the notion of focus, discuss benefits and disadvantages, and develop a framework aiding managers in maki ng micro-focus decisions. Ojasalo (2001) investigates the specific nature of customer expectations in the context of professional services and describes them as often being fuzzy, implicit, and unrealistic. He describes the potential effect of such expectations and professional service providers' failure to meet them on perceived service quality. The author discusses the potential negative effects of appropriately managing such expectations on â€Å"perceived short-term quality/satisfaction and the related potential positive effects on long-term quality/satisfaction†.    Goldstein et al. (2002) describe the service concept's role in driving design and planning decisions at all levels of new service development. The service concept is described as essential to creating organizational alignment by linking a service organization's strategic intent to its customers' needs, and as linking the 'how' and 'what' of service design. Kwortnik and Thompson (2009) research the case of ' Liberty Cruise Lines' to understand the service operations challenges originating from service design decisions taken from a service marketing perspective. They advocate the use of the service operations model, which includes the service promise and concept as one of its essential elements. The authors emphasize the need for coordination between service marketing and operations during ongoing operations rather than only during new service development. Furthermore, they suggest bridging the service marketing-operations gap with service experience management, a new function integrating service operations and marketing. Malhotra and Sharma (2002) agree that the interface between service marketing and operations is critically important. They emphasize the importance of cross-functional interactions and joint decision-making across these disciplines, and introduce a simple marketing operations integration framework, which identifies opportunities for inter-functional integration. A cross -functional approach to service management is seen as essential for effective service design and delivery.    Heskett et al. (1994) describe the ser

Safety community care plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Safety community care plan - Essay Example They should be allowed to excel and strive to achieve their goals. Be able to reside and work in their chosen location and field as long as they are qualified for the job (Pamela J. Salsberry, 2003. Page Number: 39). They are usually part of a family belonging to a cultural group, living within a community or region of their choice. The environment can be open or closed. It can contribute to the building or endangering of the persons self esteem. One might adapt to the environment depending on one's personal preference. A person might be seen in the eyes of others as the product of their environment that might be interpreted as a negative or a positive statement. Depending on one's interpretation of the statement. Some environments have sub-cultures within the environment. Each group has different beliefs, such as religion, diet, attire, and dialects. The environment sometimes contributes to some medical problems, for example respiratory problems. Nurses unfamiliar with the laws and customs of the environment might need to familiarize themselves with cultural practices. What is appropriate and inappropriate for that culture for example male nurses not allowed to give care to female patients in that environment and vice versa. Nurses might need to observe the environment for safety precautions and life threatening situations. Which will contribute or cause an illness, or preventing recovery. The environment is considered home and that is were the person resides. It is a familiar surrounding for the individual. Health can be defined as freedom from either a mental or physical condition, which impedes one from performing activities of daily living or preventing the person from functioning at their optimum level, for that individual. The person is considered mentally or physically stable or unstable depending on the diagnosis he/she is assigned. Health is when a person is in a state of well-being. The individual has been free of pain and disease. The patient is always the focus; therefore it is called "patient focused care". Health is considered the quality of life, when an individual is independent and able to function without any obstacles of impedement (Jowett, S., 2004, 579-587). 3. Plan In nursing the nurse should be able to critical think, be caring, competent, compassionate and have a conscience according to Roach. Nursing would include, doing a nursing assessment, nursing diagnosis, nursing care plan, and a nursing interventions. Starting with short-term goals, and upon achieving short-term goals for the patient, then proceed to long-term goals. Goals should be realistic. Then evaluate and reassess if the needs arises. Problem solving and treating the patients as human, the same way you would like to be treated. 4. Evaluation The safety of a neighborhood is an important indicator of its overall economic and social health. Neighborhood crime prevention efforts are essential. Safe neighborhoods are necessary to foster common values and community quality of life. Neighborhood crime, on the other hand, creates fear and distrust among

A Philosphical Approach Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

A Philosphical Approach - Essay Example The recall coordinator’s personal identity was influenced by Ford’s identity and at every step he was being thinking in favor of the company. The other reason that had restricted recall coordinator for not recalling the Pinto was due to his behavior which was highly influenced by script processing. These are the routine situations on the job due to which humans establish similar behavioral pattern and act automatically in all situations, leaving out the consideration for ethical decision making (Trevino & Nelson, 2011). Answer 2 Moral awareness was shown by the recall coordinator because he believed that he felt responsible for people to make them understand his situation at the particular time. The recall coordinator was a proud supporter of following ethical righteousness and an activist for social injustice. At an early age he became a recall coordinator of Ford which was an intense job with over loaded information (Trevino & Nelson, 2011). However, when the situatio n arises, the recall coordinator chooses not to recall because of various reasons. He believed that although he was an activist but he did not develop his ethical base and setting his guidelines and developing views for what is ethically right or wrong. He believed that people should not make those common mistakes in ethical decision making as similar to himself for what he did in the Pinto Fire case. ... The most important thing which the recall coordinator wanted to mention was that many people are unaware of the ethical dilemma. People should be responsible for their act and their decisions at a younger age, that it would make a difference in their lives (Trevino & Nelson, 2011). Answer 3 If I were in the place of a recall coordinator, I would have applied Trevino & Nelson 8 step model to design my decision in an ethical manner. Those 8 steps are discussed below: Identify relevant fact Firstly, I would have collected relevant facts of those deaths that either had they been due to a component failure of the car or were they just severe accidents due to poor driving faults. Till 1973 it was unclear that that the fire erupted due to fuel tank design. I would also have evaluated the cost and benefit analysis for improving the gas tank. Identify ethical issues I would examine the obligation to people if it had been the company’s product design fault but also keeping loyalty to th e company. I would have stand up to the responsibility for the deaths of people if it had been the company’s fault. Identify relevant affected parties I would have investigated the matter of those accidents and would have consoled the families of the victims. I would portray the company’s image in a good light but also try to identify loss factor of the company if we decide to recall. Identify possible consequences for action I would highlight and give weights to the alternative decisions for recalling and not to recall (Robbins, 2009). Huge cost is associated with recall but further lives would be saved which would be good for society. If I would not recall, then the probability of potential lawsuits and damage to corporate reputation would take place. Even more lives would be in danger.

The exit strategy within a business plan

The exit strategy within a business plan The Last portion of the business plan is the exit strategy. It may seem strange to develop a strategy this soon to leave the business, but potential investors will want to know the long-term plans. The exit plans need to be clear in your own mind because they will dictate how you operate the company. For example, if it is your ultimate aim to get listed on the stock market, then you have to follow certain accounting regulations from day one. Recent research study has shown that 40% of all small business owners would like to exit their business immediately but that only 25% have any sort of plan for doing so. A mere 7% of the people have a formal written exit plan in place so although the desire is at the forefront of many owners minds, there is no strategy to make it happen. The sequence of steps involved in the exit strategy are Timing and the market Estimation of business worth Improving business value Selling the business Concluding the sale Timing the market: During last decade, capital markets around the world became abundant with funds. These funds primarily got accumulated through a decade of economic growth and prosperity. Low interest rates and low yielding traditional investments have driven the fund managers to seek alternative investment strategies that would maximise their returns. Whether through expansion strategies of large corporates, consolidation strategies of private equity managers or purely direct investment, this money is finding a home in middle market privately owned businesses. No such opportunity had existed for business owners to accelerate their succession planning and considerthe future of their equity. But now, such a thing has become common. Estimation of business worth : Perhaps the single biggest factor that determines of the value of a business is its current and recent profit history. It represents the return to the business owner, and of course, the future business owner. The second major determinant of the value of a business is the future risk. It is an assessment of the probability that the profit of the business will be maintained or increase. Factors to be considered in assessing this risk include: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ the dependency of the business on the promoters à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ sustaining the competitiveadvantage à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ intellectual property of the company à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ growth and profit trends projections à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ business practices à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ culture and professionalism of the company à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ the market in which the business functions While there is something called profit and risk trade-off, the Ultimate factor that determines the value is the strategic position of a buyer.Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Factors such as economies of scale, Innovation of products and markets, market domination or even fast tracking of growth, can see particular buyers pay more for acquisitions than an accountants valuation. Improving business value: Business owners should consider similar steps when preparing to sell their business. Many businesses view their businesses as their Golden opportunity . It represents a one-off opportunity to convert a lifetime of efforts into wealth. So often, the majority of the familys wealth is tied up in the business, invariably all at risk and highly dependent on a successful exit outcomeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ that is of course, after tax, after debt repayment if any. Clearly a strategy must be set to maximise value. The Main aim is to get the business investment available. Enough Attention must be focussed on those attributes of the future risk described before. We can take an example, what must be done to reduce the perception that the business will no longer prosper without the promoter of the business ? so, what are the implications for the management structure, policies and procedures, reporting, ongoing innovation and creativity and ultimately, the drive behind the business? By taking factors such as these, the business becomes more mature and will usually be in a better position to grow and prosper without the business promoters influence. Selling the Business: The whole selling process is a procedural methodology structured to attract the right buyer who is prepared to pay a good price for a business which clearly demonstrates strategic advantage through acquisition. It must be capable of withstanding a due diligence process without any material concerns. Armed with an Information, an investment ready business owner can commence the next phase of sellingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ identification of a buyer. Not surprisingly, in around 60% of cases, business owners already know their future buyer. It may be a competitor, a supplier or even a client. A list of known suitors is easily assembled. Attracting the other 40% requires a sales program using mass marketing . The various options that are available are IPO Acquisition Merger Liquidation Concluding the sale For most of their lives, business promoters have risked most of their wealth to be in this once-in-a-lifetime position. They know how to run a business, but how can they make the transition from a risk taker to that of custodian? Sadly, too many business owners get this bit wrong! What does this pot of gold represent? It represents the future security, income and lifestyles for the business owner and their dependents for the term of their lives. It represents the opportunity to pass wealth to the next generation and beyond. How can investments be structured to provide good returns but mindful of the risk profile of the family? How can taxation be legally minimised? How can the estate planning be properly structured to incorporate uperannuation, insurance, wills and trusts? How can the owner remain mentally challenged? A comprehensive wealth management strategy should bring together all of these components. Importantly, like planning for the sale itself, it should not be left to the last minute. Impact on community: Companies. impacts on the host communities where they operate do not abruptly end when they close down operations and go home. Rather, the way in which companies depart has a significant impact that can linger long after the mine or plant has closed. Three of the most common impacts on communities are: Decrease in economic status. Often a company is one of few sources of income for a community, if not the only one. A company.s closure can represent a return to economic hardship for its host community. Decrease in company-provided services. Companies often bring services that were not previously present, such as hospitals or road maintenance. Decrease in social status. The departure of a company can lead to a decrease in a social status that corporate resources had elevated. Most companies do not give enough attention to the impact that their departure may have on surrounding communities, or how to manage that impact. Some companies do not consider an exit plan until operations draw to a close. Other companies plan an exit plan early on, but do not revise the strategy based on ongoing analysis. COMMON PITFALLS SURROUNDING DEPARTURE 1. Companies do not sufficiently prepare communities for what to expect when they depart. 2. Companies only strategy for ensuring sustainability of social programs is that the government will take over. 3. Companies decrease community relations budgets as time for closure approaches, but the need for services does not decrease. 4. Companies leave behind infrastructure that is unsuited to community needs. The Right strategy Include an exit strategy in the design of any new project. the manner in which a company wishes to leave its corporate site behind after its departure determines the manner in which it develops a project, even if the departure date lies several decades ahead.Engage communities in discussing impacts and planning closure. Talk with affectedcommunities about the present and the future. By planning together, the community will understand the process, and can have buy-in on decisions made.Solicit a range of perspectives and views in order to assist groups in appropriate ways. Companies can identify surrounding communities. views of the future by engaging community members in planning closure. Use care when choosing language and framing exit strategies. The ways in which a company.s key events are presented and discussed will influence how those events are perceived. Closure is no exception. Use tangible and visible short-term objectives that build toward goals for departure. While long-term vision is necessary, companies risk overlooking concrete, short-term actions that will be necessary to reach future goals. Impact on Customers: When a company is planning to make an exit, the society at large will get affected. The extent to which customers are affected cant be quantified. The kind of problems that the customers likely to face are Unavailability of the product or service No other alternatives available Lack of customer support (for product or service) There are various ways by which these issues can be tackled. Some of the possible ways are, The company making a tie-up with other company which offers similar product. So,that similar products are being manufactured for the old customers. Having a tie-up with companies to offer customer support services (even after companies exit. Creating a forum to address the needs of the past customers.

Public Video Surveillance Essay -- Cameras Privacy Issues

Public Video Surveillance INTRODUCTION Today’s technology has changed the way we live. It has changed the way that we view the environment, act when out in public, and the way we go about doing our daily task. Computers have greatly increased our capabilities to achieve our goals much faster. Human interaction between people has decreased because of this technology. The changes continue daily with an endless stream of new ideas and ways of doing things. There seems to be no end in site. This technology is also changing our moral and ethical values along with the way we employ them. The â€Å"burden of proof† has a new meaning because of surveillance cameras. Most of us will agree that surveillance cameras are a good idea. These cameras provide a deterrent against crime, and provides public buildings and other areas a since of security. Law enforcement use surveillance cameras to track and catch criminals, as proof in courts, and as protection for themselves and the public. Surveillance cameras can also be used for educational purposes. X-ray cameras have the ability of detecting weapons in baggages at our airports and other public buildings. They now have cameras mounted on top of stoplights to detect red light runners with ways of sending the red light violators their tickets by mail. There must be an endless list of ways that cameras can be used. We even have satellites in outer space with cameras that help us to spy on other countries. Most of us will agree that the technology of camera surveillance is important and needed to improve for the most part our lifestyles. PROFESSIONAL ISSUES FOR SURVEILLANCE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE AND PROPERTY, which includes the general public and law enforcement. This type of surv... ...nce cameras affects everyone. It is for the common good of everyone that we continue its use. It has given our nation a sense of security that we have become a custom to because it has improved our justice system. REFERENCES â€Å"CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT RADIO-TELEVISION NEWS DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION.† Ethics. 21.2 (2002). 14 September 2000. http://www.rtnda.org/ethics/coe.html â€Å"DIGEST OF LAW REFORM COMMISSION REFERENCES.† 90. Surveillance. 21.2 (2002). Surveillance: an interim report, 6 December 2001. http://www.agd.nsw.gov.au/lrc.nsf/pages/r98chp03/ Leahy, Patrick. â€Å"Scientific American. 28.2 (2002), 29 September 2002. http://www.library.ca.gov/CRB/97/05/CRB97-005.html Nieto, Marcus. â€Å"Public Video Surveillance: Is It An Effective Crime Prevention Tool?† California Research. Bureau. June 1997. http://www.globalprivacysummit.net/Pages/sessions.html Public Video Surveillance Essay -- Cameras Privacy Issues Public Video Surveillance INTRODUCTION Today’s technology has changed the way we live. It has changed the way that we view the environment, act when out in public, and the way we go about doing our daily task. Computers have greatly increased our capabilities to achieve our goals much faster. Human interaction between people has decreased because of this technology. The changes continue daily with an endless stream of new ideas and ways of doing things. There seems to be no end in site. This technology is also changing our moral and ethical values along with the way we employ them. The â€Å"burden of proof† has a new meaning because of surveillance cameras. Most of us will agree that surveillance cameras are a good idea. These cameras provide a deterrent against crime, and provides public buildings and other areas a since of security. Law enforcement use surveillance cameras to track and catch criminals, as proof in courts, and as protection for themselves and the public. Surveillance cameras can also be used for educational purposes. X-ray cameras have the ability of detecting weapons in baggages at our airports and other public buildings. They now have cameras mounted on top of stoplights to detect red light runners with ways of sending the red light violators their tickets by mail. There must be an endless list of ways that cameras can be used. We even have satellites in outer space with cameras that help us to spy on other countries. Most of us will agree that the technology of camera surveillance is important and needed to improve for the most part our lifestyles. PROFESSIONAL ISSUES FOR SURVEILLANCE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE AND PROPERTY, which includes the general public and law enforcement. This type of surv... ...nce cameras affects everyone. It is for the common good of everyone that we continue its use. It has given our nation a sense of security that we have become a custom to because it has improved our justice system. REFERENCES â€Å"CODE OF ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT RADIO-TELEVISION NEWS DIRECTORS ASSOCIATION.† Ethics. 21.2 (2002). 14 September 2000. http://www.rtnda.org/ethics/coe.html â€Å"DIGEST OF LAW REFORM COMMISSION REFERENCES.† 90. Surveillance. 21.2 (2002). Surveillance: an interim report, 6 December 2001. http://www.agd.nsw.gov.au/lrc.nsf/pages/r98chp03/ Leahy, Patrick. â€Å"Scientific American. 28.2 (2002), 29 September 2002. http://www.library.ca.gov/CRB/97/05/CRB97-005.html Nieto, Marcus. â€Å"Public Video Surveillance: Is It An Effective Crime Prevention Tool?† California Research. Bureau. June 1997. http://www.globalprivacysummit.net/Pages/sessions.html

Knowledge Is Power Essay

Knowledge is Power, but knowledge does not always come with power. Knowledge is the state of awareness or understanding gained from experience or study learning specific information about something. This means a person has the resourcefulness to obtain and criticize useful and informative information in order to become well informed citizens who can make intelligent decisions based upon their understanding and awareness of everyday situations. Does this make them powerful? Is a question that creeps into ones mind? Well, power is said to be the ability or capacity to act or perform effectively. Without knowledge, how can this ability to perform effectively, be possible? Indeed, it cannot. This proves that knowledge is very much a necessity to gain Power. Education is the key to success is one of the sayings that one hears throughout their college life. It is invariably true that every person who is knowledgeable leads a successful life. Education plays an important role in promoting a nations economic growth, as well. When you look at Americaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s rise to power during the past war era it is easy as well as trivial to attribute it to the abundance of natural resources and surplus number of new inventions. But, really we must consider how those inventions came about and how those natural resources were utilized to a productive end. More importantly than what made America the most powerful country in the world is why it became the most powerful country. It wasn’t luck, or coincidence or the fact that they had abundant resources but because they laid a firm foundation for their people by educating them and making them valuable members of the society who could meet the demands of the competing world. Investment in higher education is worthwhile because how much you spend on it right now definitely will make up for the amount it makes you gain later in life.

Free Essays on Guns, Germs, And Steel

Introduction â€Å"Guns, Germs, and Steel† is a fascinating and enlightening book to read. I enjoyed reading this book, but don’t become confused that I agree with everything that is written in this book. The author, Jared Diamond wrote this book in response to a questioned presented to him by a politician named Yali in New Guinea. The question was, â€Å"Why is it that you white people develop so much cargo and brought it to New Guinea, but we black people had little cargo of our own?† Diamond attempts to answer this question in this book. In this book he comes to the conclusion that the rise of agricultural, centralized governments, geography, and animal domestication all played a part in the reason why some countries came to be more powerful than others. He has to trace human roots all the way back to when they first evolved. He runs into problems because some of the weakest countries were one of the first to evolved, but why? Simple Answer Jared Diamond summarizes his book, and answer to Yali’s question into one simple sentence; â€Å"History followed different courses for different peoples because differences among people’s environment’s†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Pg 25). Of course, this answer is just scratching the surface when the complexity of the question is truly comprehended. However, lets focus on the simple answer for the time being. Diamond is saying that the disparity between the wealth of some countries versus the wealth, or lack of, is essentially caused by the differences among the countries environment. Environments constitute a wide range of things; Climate, animals, crops, social environment, among other things. This simple answer doesn’t answer Yali’s question because the question is a complex one. I attempt to interpret his findings to the best of my knowledge. The most important thing to remember is the importance of food production by harvesting crops. Throughout the book he attempts to relay the i... Free Essays on Guns, Germs, And Steel Free Essays on Guns, Germs, And Steel Introduction â€Å"Guns, Germs, and Steel† is a fascinating and enlightening book to read. I enjoyed reading this book, but don’t become confused that I agree with everything that is written in this book. The author, Jared Diamond wrote this book in response to a questioned presented to him by a politician named Yali in New Guinea. The question was, â€Å"Why is it that you white people develop so much cargo and brought it to New Guinea, but we black people had little cargo of our own?† Diamond attempts to answer this question in this book. In this book he comes to the conclusion that the rise of agricultural, centralized governments, geography, and animal domestication all played a part in the reason why some countries came to be more powerful than others. He has to trace human roots all the way back to when they first evolved. He runs into problems because some of the weakest countries were one of the first to evolved, but why? Simple Answer Jared Diamond summarizes his book, and answer to Yali’s question into one simple sentence; â€Å"History followed different courses for different peoples because differences among people’s environment’s†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Pg 25). Of course, this answer is just scratching the surface when the complexity of the question is truly comprehended. However, lets focus on the simple answer for the time being. Diamond is saying that the disparity between the wealth of some countries versus the wealth, or lack of, is essentially caused by the differences among the countries environment. Environments constitute a wide range of things; Climate, animals, crops, social environment, among other things. This simple answer doesn’t answer Yali’s question because the question is a complex one. I attempt to interpret his findings to the best of my knowledge. The most important thing to remember is the importance of food production by harvesting crops. Throughout the book he attempts to relay the i...