Friday, January 31, 2020

Students Overcoming The Odds Essay Example for Free

Students Overcoming The Odds Essay Needs Assessment and Program Planning A comprehensive study found that students from low-income backgrounds often score low in college entrance exams.   A solution has been introduced called, Students Overcoming The Odds or SOTO.   This program is designed to tutor low-income students toward greater success in the SAT/ACT entrance exams while potentially providing greater opportunity for obtaining scholarships.   The program will be conducted through the recruitment of volunteers to tutor these students to greater success. Job Development and Design   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Permission has been attained to conduct tutoring sessions at local libraries.    The cost for use of these spaces is none.   Local civic leagues have agreed to donate SAT/ACT booklets to students at no cost.   A similar organization has agreed to pay the cost for these students to take the necessary exams.  Ã‚  Ã‚   There should be no more than 5 students during a tutoring session.   Each tutor shall choose a section of the exam they feel most confident in teaching.   In this way students can be introduced to different instructional designs and methods. Recruitment   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One means of recruitment is through local universities, either with active or retired professors.   These professionals having dedicated their careers to higher education would be ideal candidates for tutoring sessions.   Another means of recruitment is through the community itself.   Unquestionably, education is key in individuals building a better life for themselves and thus returning knowledge to the community. Interviewing and Matching   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Without question background checks will be conducted.   The expertise of the volunteers, will be placed in their area of strength to tutor students.   A teaching background in routine classroom environments is strongly desired and encouraged. Orientation and Training   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Diversity will be a focus during orientation.   This idea will be furthered during training.   Sensitivity to the students backgrounds will be emphasized.   If necessary, as the ACT/SAT tests change, refresher courses will be provided. Supervision and Management   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Volunteers should know their role clearly, which is to guide these students toward success.   Supervision and management are to guide and encourage volunteers to the best of their ability.   A key to managing volunteers is reminding them of their sheer necessity to the program, without volunteers there would be no program. Recognition   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A kind word of encouragement is always welcome to volunteers and staff alike.   A suggestion would be recognizing a volunteer from each division on, at the least, a quarterly basis.   This can be done through a special thank you during a planning meeting.   As the program grows and success is realized larger rewards, such as gift certificates could be awarded.   Costs have been kept to an absolute minimum at this time and a budget for rewards needs to be integrated into the program. Evaluation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Success of the students is likely the most valuable evaluation tool.   Another means to this could be peer evaluations as tutors instruct their students.   This method of evaluation is routine in most, if not every university. Liability/Risk Management   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Parents must sign a contract not holding SOTO liable for the failure of an exam.   Express permission should be given as to the beginning and end of tutor sessions, as well as location.   Should the student be over the age of 18, the student shall sign the same clause. Role of Staff   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The role of staff should be one of guidance and encouragement.   Volunteers do not have to make the sacrifices they do.   Staff should always be aware that among their most valuable assets are volunteers, the very people themselves that make up and support the program. References: Babbie, Earl. (2006). The Practice of Social Research.   Belmont, CA:   Thomson-Wadsworth.

Thursday, January 23, 2020

The Significance of the Townspeople and Emilys Father in A Rose for Em

A necrophiliac is described as a person who has an obsessive fascination with death and corpses (Mifflin 1). Emily, a necrophiliac in the story, â€Å"A Rose for Emily,† is a deranged, lost, and confused woman. A story filled with many symbols that help the stories meaning. The only man Emily knew growing up was her father. He taught her to trust no man, and no man would ever be good for her. He was highly favored through the town and everyone looked to him. The small town of curious and nosey people makes the story of â€Å"A Rose for Emily.† The town’s people are curious to know Emily’s every step, or wondering what she is going to do next, her appearance, and where the horrible smell in her house comes from. She meets a man in this small town and they become lovers. She then kills him with rat poisoning and sleeps with him every night until finally her time is up and everybody in her town finds out the real truth. Through out the whole story of â€Å"A Rose for Emily† no one ever knows who the people are in her town and we never find out there age, size, color, and whether or not they personally know Emily or not. They are just townspeople, townspeople who gossip. We only know what the people are saying about her and how judgmental they are being through out the whole story. According to Faulkner, in his Short Story Criticism he says, â€Å"Miss Emily constantly for fifty or sixty years; they are anonymous townspeople, for neither names nor sexes nor occupations are given or hinted at; and they seem to be naà ¯ve watchers, for they speak as though they did not understand the meaning of events at the time they occurred. Further, they are of undetermined age. By details given the story there neither older nor younger nor of the same age as Miss Em... ...again, her hair was cut short, making her look like a girl, with a vague resemblance to those angels in colored church windows- sort of tragic and serene† (Faulkner 31). Emily father was highly favored in the town. Faulkner writes in his Short Story Criticism, â€Å"The Griersons have always been â€Å"high and mighty,† somehow above â€Å"the gross, teeming world†¦.† Emily’s father was well respected and occasionally loaned the town money. That made her a wealthy child and she basically had everything a child wanted. Emily’s father was a very serious man and Emily’s mind was violated by her father’s strict mentality. After Emily’s father being the only man in her life, he dies and she find it hard to let go of him. Because of her father, she possessed a stubborn outlook on life and how thing should be. She practically secluded her self from society for the remainder of her life.

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Smoking Ban

The Smoking Ban Brandon Samuel January 24, 2013 The Smoking Ban Smoking is a popular pass time. At the same time, it also threatens the lives of millions of people, smoker and non-smokers alike. Smoking kills more people each year than any other disease. Smoking kills 2 out 10 people each year in developed countries. (PAHO, 2007) Secondhand smoke puts non-smokers at similar risk to that of smokers. Retrospectively non-smokers feel their rights are being violated. Smokers want to have a choice to smoke where they want.Smokers claim smoking is a legal act so why ban it? Forty Six million smokers make their own health decisions to smoke. However, the Environmental Protection agency drafted a report, in May of 1992, stating that second hand smoke is a carcinogen. Every state in America should address this problem on a national level and local level. Smoking should be banned from all public facilities. Several states have passed smoking laws making it illegal to smoke in any public facili ty. In California, it's illegal to smoke in a car with children under the age of 18 aboard.Other states such as Maine, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and Arkansas have similar car smoking laws- with different ages that apply. Many variations of policies have been set locally to support a nationwide movement to have smoke free laws in every state. Among these states Michigan is also among these states jumping on board for smoke free environments. The clean air act was established to protect citizens against harmful effects of smoking or second hand smoke. There are currently 13 states that have no statewide ban and simply rely on the clean air act to restrict smoking.These laws of the clean air act are very broad and may restrict per county but it is up to the state to apply specifics to their area. As Smoking has been a habit of choice for many Americans, laws and policies are set in place to protect those who wish not to be affected by second hand smoke. Michigan has been among many state s adapting to the change. Jennifer Granholm signed a bill on December 18, 2009 which was put into place on May 1, 2010 where all public areas including workplaces, restaurants, and bars ill be smoke free. The policy also states, unlike California and other states that you may not smoke on any patio of these establishments as well. Opinions of others feel that this is quite harsh as people feel they should be able to smoke outside on a patio at the establishment. The bill defines and explains all appropriate measures which must be taken in order to uphold the law. The sections describe actions for company owners to prohibit smoking in these areas and to also post signs around the establishment. (Mulder, 2010)There are two exceptions to the smoking ban which includes cigar bars and tobacco specialty stores. Both of these businesses must file an affidavit with the department and await approval. The bill is very specific about what is allowed and what not allowed for these establishment s is. For example, you may not smoke cigarettes in the cigar bar, only cigars. The second exception to the policy is casinos. If the casino was established before the bill was called into action then patrons may smoke in the facility. However, casinos that are established after May, 1, 2010 must be smoke free.Penalties of this bill are determined to be no more than 100 for the first offense and no more than 500 for the second offense. Food establishments that do not permit smoking as according to the law may not discriminate against employees who do smoke. (Mulder, 2010) Below are a list of state and local laws that pertain to the United States and the participation of this policy. †¢ Across the United States, 21,884 municipalities are covered by a 100% smoke free provision in non-hospitality workplaces, and/or restaurants, and/or bars, by either a state, commonwealth, territorial, or local law, representing 79. % of the US population. †¢ 39 states and the District of Colu mbia have local laws in effect that requires non-hospitality workplaces and/or restaurants and/or bars to be 100% smoke free. There are 2,140 states, commonwealths, territories, cities, and counties with a law that restricts smoking in one or more outdoor areas, including 1,056 that restrict smoking near entrances, windows, and ventilation systems of enclosed places; 1,497 that restrict smoking in public outdoor places such as parks and beaches; 253 that prohibit smoking in all outdoor stadiums and other sports and entertainment enues, and 361 that restrict smoking in some areas within outdoor stadiums and other sports and entertainment venues. (ANRF, 2012) †¢ Smoking is a habit that many people engage in throughout America. It can also be thought of as a social activity, and many people who do not smoke normally will smoke especially when they go to bars, restaurants, and casinos. At the same time, smoking is a great health risk, which endangers not only the user, but also eve ryone who is in the same area as the user.In this context, this paper will examine the pros and cons of banning smoking in bars and restaurants and will provide an ethical solution to this debatable issue. Looking at ethical solutions to this problem depends on how you view the issue at hand. Quit smoking in enclosed spaces or continue the way we have always done things. What about giving people the choice not to be engulfed by SHS? Does the smoker’s right to smoke trump the right to not smoke or be affected by SHS? If no, then set rules and regulations. Those who don’t follow will have consequences.Clarks article states that an amazing 88% of Americans feel that smoking is annoying. Too much surprise, most smokers support a smoking ban as well. We could cater to the 88% and develop solutions to these problems such as; make it illegal to smoke in any public facility. Another solution would be to install advanced air filtering systems to enable smokers to continue to sm oke indoors as long – as the filtering systems prove to be efficient. This may be the key to help the smokers, less likely to feel isolated and attacked.Another possible solution would be to spend money on outdoor areas (patios) where customers may eat or socialize outside together. This would actually draw non-smokers and smokers together in an environment where they could mingle together without feeling like they are being harmed physically or emotionally. If your business was located in a cold area, the owners could also install outdoors heaters to allow year round patios. To clarify misconceptions even further, the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, written by Michael L.Marlow, reports that the best evidence reported that smoking bans put into place does not pose an economical threat to the any business. (Marlow, 2009) In addition to public smoking remedies, there should be a smoking ban in any vehicle that transports a child under the age of 18 years old. By ma king the age 18, there is no question of rights that are infringed. You have to be 18 to buy and smoke cigarettes, so lets keep it consistent and simple. Given scientific information on the effects of smoking a non-objectivist would agree that sometimes simplicity is the key. Waller, 2008, p. 175) As stated previously smoking is a greater cause of death and disability than any single disease, says the World Health Organization. According to their figures, it is responsible for approximately 3. 5 million deaths worldwide every year – or about 7% of all deaths. (BBC News: Smoking) Moreover, the World Health Organization says that by 2020 17. 7 percent of all deaths in developed countries will be the result of smoking (BBC News: Smoking). This means that out of every 10 people who die roughly two people die because of smoking.The WHO is currently working on a global level to achieve 100 % smoke free environment in any enclosed space. This is to include airlines, schools, workpla ce, health facilities, bars, restaurants, and all public facilities. This global organization recognizes the dangers that come from smoking and also would like to help educate our youth on the effects of smoking. This type of action would focus on preventative measures to lower the percentages of smokers in the years to come. WHO, 1999) There was also a recent study done by the United States Societies actuary and it reported that a combination of direct and indirect medical costs estimated about 10 billion dollars in health care costs associated with smoking. To sup port this estimate, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration reported that a clean air act would save US employers 15 billion dollars annually and the workforce productivity would raise about 3. 5 %. (PAHO, 2007) To begin, the argument for allowing smoking in bars and restaurants is that many people go to bars and restaurants to relax and socialize.Historically, smoking has been a part of these activities, espec ially drinking and socializing in bars, pubs and nightclubs. Charles Clark writes in his article about the desperate attempts to cut down smoking in public facilities. Politicians, administrators, and supervisors are looking for policies that they can move forward with- in order to â€Å"crackdown on smoking†. Clark notes that since the smoking ban issue has been pushed so heavily and been in the forefront of everyone’s minds, smokers have been feeling publicly humiliated, vilified, and ridiculed. Clark, 1992) The ban of smoking could, in this context, jeopardize businesses by forcing businesses to ban activities in which their customers engage. This economic factor is potentially problematic, since it is often a good thing for businesses to further profits by catering to the wishes and desires of the customer. Secondly, bars are places where everyone knows that people smoke and so they enter into this environment of their own free will. Thus, smoking in this case is n ot a malicious activity, since everyone freely chooses to visit a place that allows smoking.Thirdly, it is potentially problematic to dissuade what is often considered a social activity in a social environment. In the context of the pros to banning smoking in bars and restaurant, these cons to banning smoking in a bars and restaurants hold up different viewpoints. First of all, smoking is a serious health risk both to all customers and the people who serve them. Studies have also proven that the smoking bans have not affected the businesses that are on board. In fact, it has increased business and people are generally supporting the change. PAHO, 2007) This also brings up another issue of whether or not to ban smoking in every workplace establishment and vehicles with children as well. Overall, according to the World Health Organization, smoking kills and disables more people worldwide than any other disease. This means that smoking, which is a chosen habit, kills more people than s erious worldwide disease such as AIDS. Tynan’s article reports that the American Nonsmokers ‘ Rights Foundation estimated 33% of US residents live in areas where smoking bans have already been set in place. Tynan, Babb,  , 2008,  May). When looking at the smoking ban we can include the smoking ban to incorporate all public facilities, transportation (airplanes, trains, buses), and also vehicles with children aboard. Right now children are suffering from second hand smoke. In many states it is still legal to smoke in your car with children. But what isn’t exploited is that the World Health Organization reports that 700 million children are exposed to second hand smoke. SHS exposure causes upper respiratory infections and increases the chance of asthma. PAHO, 2007) Shouldn’t America fight for protecting adult non-smokers, but also the children too? In regards to SHS in the workplace The Employee Relations Law Journal (2006) Tomkowicz and Lessack make cla ims that workers who smoke, take longer and more frequent breaks. In addition, to longer breaks there is a rise in the cost of health care, which is more expensive for everyone because of smoking and its many effects. The World Health organization supports this claim as well, adding that economically the businesses are at higher risk for fire, more expensive cleaning fees, and higher insurance premiums. PAHO, 2007) Non-smokers feel the smoking ban has a positive impact on the health of everyone, so let’s continue the progression and move forward with a nationwide ban. These reasons alone should show that public establishments and society should support a clean air act. A habit, which kills and injures so many people worldwide and in the US, is hard to embrace. In a larger respect, one could argue that, considering these facts, it is the duty of our United States government to protect people when they go to public places from the awful effects of smoking.The biggest reason, mo reover, that smoking should be banned from restaurants, bars, public places, and transportation is that we need to find a way to protect the rights of individuals asking for a choice to stay healthy. Why should smokers infringe their choice on others? It would be safe to say that the opposing views of the smoking bans derive from a universal ethical egoism viewpoint where as Bruce Waller’s text Consider Ethics (2008) describes ethical egoism as everybody does what benefits them, not considering others views or values. Waller, 2008, p. 87) Although ethical egoism deserves consideration society should also consider utilitarianism as another ethical viewpoint. Although these negative myths about the smoking ban can be refuted, and smokers understand consequences of smoking tot heir own health, smokers have to also calculate the consequences to non-smokers as well. Assuming the United States Government fights these battles locally, nationally, and statewide, many of the Americans will continue to decline in health and continue to die each year from tobacco and SHS.If society looks at second hand smoke in an ethical manner they could see that SHS is detrimental to ones health and we have a moral obligation to our fellow humans to not impose serious health risks upon others. Another aspect to point out is that most of America does not smoke. There are more non smoker s that there are smokers. Also smokers generally want to quit but still smoke because of nicotine addition. A lot of smokers support a clean air act. There are several myths that are brought about from the tobacco industry.Cleary looking at the difference between right and wrong is this case is key. People should have the right NOT to smoke, even passively. Simply, have rules and regulations on where smokers can and cannot smoke. Based on scientific knowledge, many Americans and organizations that support the smoking ban has begun to campaign against second hand smoke. If the smoking ban does not progress, we may see backlash of an angry population. We could also see US studies providing that second hand smoke increases the number of people with lung cancer and heart disease.People who are addicted to smoking should be treated with compassion in order to help their habit. However, they should not be permitted to harm others by chemical means. If America cannot agree to enforce public smoking laws, then we will continue to see declines in smoker’s health including cancer and fatal deaths resulting from a carcinogenic agent, such as cigarette smoke. In regards to smoking in the workforce, employees who are continually and routinely exposed to a lot of second-hand smoke may end up walking away from their jobs, due to the health risks.In this respect, non-smokers can be subjected to the same ailments and risks that smokers are subject to. This fact in itself makes it plainly evident that smokers endanger others by smoking, and that in view of public health, the governmen t must pass laws which protect its citizens from health hazards, especially ones which kill more people so violently. Conclusion To conclude, the arguments for allowing smoking in bars and restaurants rest on the assumptions of the past, that smoking is a social activity and should be allowed in public places.But since that time in the early 20th century when smoking was much more prevalent among adults, medicine has discovered absolutely that smoking greatly jeopardizes the life and quality of life of millions of people, smokers and non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke alike. M. Tynan says that the 2006 Surgeons General’s Report concluded that SHS causes premature death and disease in young children and nonsmoking adults. This means that the government must enact changes in the law to reflect this scientific knowledge.Overall, however, when weighing both the pros and cons, it becomes very evident that smoking is too harmful to people’s health and must be publicly c ensured as much as possible. Given all these factors of smoking the US government should provide a universal ban for smoking in public facilities. With the exception of those establishments who provide an area, which is sealed off, and the air current is ventilated away from the general public. Only then would a bar or restaurant owner be able to allow smoking in this space.Millions of Americans chooses not to smoke. However, they are not given the chance to get away from second hand smoke. In most states it is still legal to smoke in restaurants, bars, casinos, and public facilities. Why is the law taking their right away to be healthy, but yet not taking the right away from smokers all the while letting them blow smoke in their way? What is more important the right to smoke or your right to good health? References ANRF. (2012, January 02). Overview list – how many smoke free laws?.Retrieved from http://www. no-smoke. org/pdf/mediaordlist. pdf Clark, Charles. (1992). Are ban s on tobacco use unfair to smokers? Crackdown on smoking, 2(45), Retrieved from http://library. cqpress. com. ezproxy. falcon. edu/cqresearcher/document. php? id=cqresrre1992120400=hitlist=0 doi: cqresrre1992120400 Marlow, Michael L. (Summer 2009). Epidemiologic and economic research, and the question of smoking bans. (Essay). Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons  14. 2  :  58(3). Health Reference Center Academic.Gale. Baker College. 23 Oct. 2009   . Gale Document Number:A201551415 Mulder, M. (2010, February 04). Michigan smoking ban exemptions and enforcement. Retrieved from http://www. michiganpolicy. com/index. php? option=com_content=article=693:michigan-smoking-ban-exemptions-and-enforcement=43:health-care-policy-briefs=159 Pan American Health Organization, PAHO (2007, May 23). Smoke free inside. Retrieved from http://www. paho. org/english/ad/sde/ra/Engbrochure. pdf Slovak, Lila E. (Fall 2007).Smoke screens: why state laws making it a crime to smoke in cars cont aining children are a bad idea. Family Law Quarterly  41. 3  :  601(21). Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. Baker College. 23 Oct. 2009   . Gale Document Number:A175284505 Tomkowicz, Sandra M. ,  and  Susan K. Lessack. (Winter 2006). Where there's smoke: employer policies on smoking. Employee Relations Law Journal  32. 3:  48(18). Health Reference Center Academic. Gale. Baker College. 23 Oct. 2009 Gale Document Number:A156054991. Tynan,  M. ,  Babb,  S. ,  &  MacNeil,  A.. (2008,  May).State Smoking Restrictions for Private-Sector Worksites, Restaurants, and Bars – United States, 2004 and 2007. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report,  57(20),  549-552. Retrieved October 23, 2009, from ProQuest Nursing & Allied Health Source. (Document ID:  1500262111). Waller, N. B. (2008). Consider Ethics: Theory, Readings, and Contemporary Issues (2nd ed. ). Pearson Education, Inc. World Health Organization, WHO, (1999, August 6). Action plan on tobacco or health. Retrieved from http://www. wpro. who. int/NR/rdonlyres/1167BB28-E2D2-4C61-A5CB-234BD303C3BC/0/RC5011. pdf

Monday, January 6, 2020

The differing stages of development in organizations - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1470 Downloads: 4 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Marketing Essay Type Narrative essay Did you like this example? First stage of strategic planning is mission statement in which company explains its future planning about business. While writing the mission statement of the company it must be kept the following points in its mind. They should state clearly what they are doing now and what will do in future. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "The differing stages of development in organizations" essay for you Create order Mission statement must always be in positive sense. To give a fair review of whole project or business the company should explain the business in small pieces in its mission statement. While developing the strategic planning company should explain its objectives. In which ways the company going to achieve its aims. For example if a garment manufacturer has aim to capture overseas market with his garments then his objective is must to create good relation with overseas suppliers, arrange research work to find out the customers requirements and also required to find out a suit able place for overseas head office. Goals: After collecting the necessary data the purpose of the strategic plan is to setting goals for the company based on mission and vision statements. A goal must be described to achieve within time limits it may be for long term and may be for short term time span. A company or group of companies should start by achieving the short term goals then move to medium term and then long term goals. Action plan: Every business want to go quickly from down to boom. This is the process where company prepare action plans to achieve its goals. To make its action plans more effective it is necessary for company to arrange the goals first and list them according to their importance Q-3 SWOT ANALYSIS OF ZARA Zara: Zara is one the largest fashion companies, it is the subsidiary of Inditex the group of companies and established in 1979. It has a big range of clothing retail store for men, women and children, Zaras a large number of stores in main cities of Europe, America and Asia shows the success of the Zara all over the world. Zaras motive to provide fashionable, trendy designs at reasonable prices. Zara introduces the latest trends and fashions in the market before their competitors that makes it more successful among a big range of people, cultures and generations in presence of large number of competitors in the market. What is Audit? Audit is an assessment of an organization mostly in terms of policies, procedures, system and production. Basically audit is performed to assess to organizations compatibility with standard operating procedures which are pre defined for the smooth and reliable working of an organization. So an organizational audit process starts from planning that how to conduct audit what would be its scope then it moves towards fieldwork which include practical checking of samples which are taken for the purpose of audit, when fieldwork is completed then 3rd stage comes which is reporting which includes findings of audit, and the last step of organizational audit process is follow-up, which is done for the purpose of rectification of finding of audit. SWOT Analysis: SWOT analysis is used to identify and analyze those factors which play a critical role in achieving the organizational objectives which may be external and internal. Basically SWOT stands for following: Strengths: Includes the overall characteristics or achievements portfolio of a company which distinguishes it from other competitors in terms of profitability, market share and brand worthiness. Weaknesses: Includes those characteristics of a company which place disadvantage to it as compared to its competitors. Opportunities: Includes those unveiled external chances which if availed they can boost companys profitability and sales. Threats: Includes all those external elements in business environment which can adversely affect the business. Importance of SWOT in organizational audit Process of Zara: In this assignment I have tried to show the importance of SWOT analysis for Zara a clothing company I have identified and discusses the strengths / weakness of the company and examined the opportunities and threats it may face with reference to is importance in audit process. Basically SWOT analysis is used by companies to access and evaluate the industry and to make and developed strategic policies in order to remain competitive in market. Importance of SWOT in audit process of ZARA is critical as SWOT highlights the key internal and external areas where Zara is doing business. SWOT analysis is used in decision making process, as SWOT indicates the loop holes and strengths of company so it helps a lot in audit process Strengths: Following are the Zaras Strengths Targeting the major market segments Zara is a trend setter not trend follower Strong experienced Marketing Team High Brand recognition Enjoying high reputation in market High quality products Marketing strategies Wide network of stores all over the world Market demand in all seasons Weaknesses: Following are the Zaras Weakness. Prices are relatively high as compared to its competitors. High cost of production. Not much famous brand. Opportunities: Following are the main Opportunities to Zara Growth of internet leads to increase in number of customers who wants to buy online New Emerging markets. Opportunities to expand business in Asia Threats: Following are the potential threats to Zara from external Factors. Rapid change in fashion trends Rising production costs can affect the profitability of Zara. Network Breakdown in distribution causes much more disturbance Launch of new affordable luxury items by competitors on relatively cheaper prices Q-4 POTERS FIVE FORCES MODEL OF ZARA: According to porters five forces model there are five forces that determine industry attractiveness and long run profitability of industry. Following are the five forces of porters model Threats of new entrants. Bargaining powers of suppliers Bargaining powers of Buyers Industry competitors Threats of substitutes Threats of New Entrants Porters five forces model Bargaining powers of suppliers Bargaining Powers of Buyers Industry competitors Threats of Substitutes Threats of new entrant: The threat of new entries depend on barriers to entry, low barriers high entries, high barriers low entries. Higher the entry in the market, more competition in the market. Due to a good brand name and quality products Zara have no threats from new entries if there any new company come to the market that will take some time to make its place in the market but Zara has some threats from existing competitors i: e Next and Marks and Spencers, Zara must to improve its product quality and need to provide good customer services to its customers to retain its market in presence of such a big competitors. Bargaining powers of suppliers: The term suppliers comprise all type of inputs thats required to provide a good customer services. Supplier bargain power will high if the number of Zaras suppliers are low and vice versa. Zara has no threat from clothing suppliers because it has a large number of clothing suppliers but If Zara need skilled labor then there is some threat from suppliers of skilled labor. Bargaining powers of Buyers: In this part of porters industrial model we will discuss about the power of bargain of buyers. If we see in context of Zara in the retail business then we can see that the bargain power of buyers is very strong in this type of market. Any company does not know exactly what customers choice is. Most of the time customers are not agree to with the price on the tags. Customers dont want to pay high prices but still insisting for some better quality products. In all these situations management of Zara need some refined strategic plans to overcome all these problems and try to make maximum of their customers satisfy. Zara got a big brand name, so if Zara cut its price of some products then it could be able to attract most of the customers and could be able to retain them. Industry Competitors: If we see the retail industry market then there is a perfect competition in the market. Basically Zara deals with clothing industry market and if we see the clothing industry market in UK then there are a huge number of retailers in market and in this situation Zara need perfect strategic plans to stay in Market. Zara needs not only its existing customers but needs to attract new customers from the market to survive. Threat of substitute: A threat of substitute is exits if there is an alternative product is available on low prices. In this situation Zara can improve its range of products with high quality if it seems difficult for company then Zara should marginally reduced its prices to capture the customer market in presence of product substitute. But some people may brand conscious and they may not ready to buy other alternative goods even on low prices. And as Zara is trend setter not a trend follower may they introduce new trend in clothing to survive in clothing market.