Marks And Spencer Strategy Analysis

Marks And Spencer Strategy Analysis Executive summary Marks Spencer is one of the UKs leading retailers with over 21 million people visiting their stores each week. However, in the fiercely competitive market environment, operational management strategies are quite important for retailers to obtain a competitive advantage and access to greater income. This report will introduce the history of MS and different market segment in MS, and analysis how MS can running there business in the competitive environment. Some operation management theories are applied in the process of analysis. Instruction Marks Spencer is one of the UKs leading retailers with over 21 million people visiting their stores each week. Now they sell stylish, high quality; great value clothing and home products and outstanding quality food. However, in the fiercely competitive market environment, operational management strategies are quite important for retailers to obtain a competitive advantage and access to greater income (Chase, 2001). First, it will introduce the history of MS and different market segment in MSà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã…’and have an overview of Porters models of competition. Second, analyze how MS can running there business in the competitive environment, trying to explain more different market segment in MS and how the different market segment works together, analyzing their competitive advantage in this cloth industry. Finally, it will use Porters global generic strategy to analysis MS, discussing how MS attract different customers by using different strategy in the global environment. Discussion and Analysis Introduction about MS and Overview of Porters Models of Competition Martha is a retail business founded by a Jewish immigrant in United Kingdom 1884. 1884, 21-year-old Michael à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢ Marcos in Kekegaite open-air market of United Kingdom Leeds City had opened a unique small stalls, which is the embryonic form of Marks and Spencer. Marcos. He displayed goods by category and price tag, getting rid of the bargaining traditional transactions. Most notably one is a billboard in his stall: Do not ask the price, a penny can be. This simple and eye-catching slogan quickly spread among the people in the middle and lower classes. By 1894, the British Spencer Tom with 300 pounds, and Marcos had co-founded Marks Spencer. The company from the early 20th century has become a national chain store. In 1926, MS in all major cities in United Kingdom has established a branch to become the UKs largest retailer. Until today, MS is still one of the worlds most profitable retailers (John Stanley, 1991). Porters competitive strategy theories are mainly five force model, general strategies, value chain, diamond system and industrial clusters. 1) Five Forces model provides a very useful analytical framework to study the competitiveness of industry, competition in the corresponding morphology and how to design a strategy. Porter believes that the intensity of competition in any industry is generally affected by five kinds of factors. The industrys competitive position and comprehensive degree lead to economy structure changes within industry, to determine the intensity of but from industry inner competition and determine the ultimate profitability within the industry. The companys core strategy should be to choose the right industry, as well as the industrys most attractive competitive position. 5 kinds of factors are the threat of potential entrants, threat of substitutes, the bargaining power of buyers, suppliers and the bargaining power of existing competition within industry. 2) The general strategy theory: Porter believes that the struggle with the five forces of competition, each company should only have two basic types of competitive advantage, namely, low-cost and product differentiation, which both with a special scope of business combination can be drawn from three types of successful strategic thinking, these three ideas is the overall cost leadership strategy, differentiation strategy and centralized business strategy. 3) Value Chain: Value Chain is an essential tool for analysis of source strengths. It can dissociate a variety of business activities with the value of transmission methods in order to understand the cost features of enterprise, as well as existing and potential differentiation sources. Business activities are independent and dependent. 4) Diamond system: the State plays an important role in the success of enterprise competition. Thus, Porter makes an extension of his research into the national competitiveness. In response to this theme, Porter puts forward the analytical framework of Diamond System (also known as diamond theory). He thinks factors that may strengthen their national enterprises to create competitive advantages include factors of production, demand conditions, business strategy, structure and competitors, related industries and support for industry performance. 5) Industrial clusters: regional competitiveness has a great impact on competitiveness of enterprises. Porter through the study of industrialized countries finds industrial cluster is a common phenomenon in the process of industrialization, in all developed economies, are it is clear that a variety of industrial clusters. Industrial cluster is defined as a specific area, with competitive and cooperative relations, and geographically concentrated, with interactive relevance enterprise, specialized suppliers, service providers, financial institutions, related industries such as manufacturers and other relevant bodies composed of groups. Complex ity and depth of different level of industrial clusters is different (Francisco J, 2009; Mohr, 2002). Analyze market segment and competitive advantage of MS In 1992, the company has 280 chain stores in the United Kingdom with sales of 75 billion dollars. From the view of Sales category, MS accounts for 15% of the UK clothing sales, food sales 4.6%. Guinness World Records reveals that volume of the companys flagship store in London MarbleArch is 3700 dollars per square foot. MS offers clothing having exquisite style, quality and value for money and household items, as well as outstanding quality foods, all products undergo rigorous screening, from more than 2,000 suppliers around the world. M S in the UK and other countries, more than 75,000 employees in the UK, currently has 622 stores in the international context, MS is also actively developing business. In the 07 and 08 fiscal year, sales exceeded 90 billion pounds. From a market positioning perspective, since the 20th century, 30 years, MS makes middle-class as a sale object, and make every effort to provide them with quality-price ratio appropriate goods. For customers to eat well a nd well dressed has always been motto of MS, which is also main historical reason for 100 years of food and clothing at the same time. After the First World War, due to a shortage of materials, a penny sales strategy is difficult to sustain. MS decisively changed its thinking, making sell project focused on clothing and food, and expanding rapidly, with unprecedented turnover. Until 20 the eighties and nineties, MS gained unprecedented praise in terms of quality, service, diversification. However, from 1998 to 2001, MS operating profit had been on the decline. MS decided to change strategy, developed a new program in overseas sourcing and manufacturing goods. This saved a lot of costs, and profits began to improve. With the emergence of electronic commerce, MS also creatively establish a website, combining traditional retailing with e-commerce. This allows people to see a century-old shop in the face of challenges, courage to change themselves and innovative vigor (Jemmeson, 1997). Most traditional retail stores are selling a variety of brands of goods, of course, there are also some traditional retailers also selling a small amount of own-brand goods, such as designers for Target to sell tailored specialty products. MS has sold almost all own-brand goods. And it has also characteristic of its own brand, types of goods is not exhaustive, but rather selective to provide customers with the best-selling inexpensive goods. At present, 80% of MS operating goods have the brand of St. Michael. MS approach is: from store to collect from the customer views and demands for commodities, and then from Marthas technical development department for product innovation and design (or with the manufacturer to design), and then delivered the manufacturer to produce the final re MS Sales through distribution systems. Thus, Martha has become the worlds largest no plant manufacturers. MS persists in shaping its own brand into image of a healthy environment, in its own brands contai ns a fair trade, sustainable, non-genetically modified products, animal welfare and so on. Almost 100% of sales of own-brand are a biggest difference for MS with the general retailers. This unique brand strategy makes its own brand has become endemic in the United Kingdom as part of shopping culture, while Marks Spencer thus have unmatched brand equity. Marks and Spencer is known to the world due to a standardized and information-oriented management style of supply chain management and suppliers to make it a truly meaningful win-win situation. Standardization is Marks and Spencers consistent style, product quality, type and design of store layout, product display, and even the staff of the service program has a meticulous standard. Standardization Management greatest advantage is that we can save a lot of management costs, while consumers can enhance the overall impression of the Marks and Spencer, giving them a home away from home shopping experience. Marks Spencer has achieved a paperless management, which ensures that all over the world Martha chain can continue to run in an orderly manner. Marks Spencer and suppliers have far more than a general partnership, but rather become a complicit relationship to work. Marks and Spencer has nearly a thousand of suppliers, and suppliers Dibos companies having more than 100 years cooperat ion, with more than 60 suppliers with more than 50 years of partnership. On the one hand, Marks Spencer suppliers guarantees strict demands on product quality; the other hand, Marks and Spencer takes it as its responsibility to help suppliers reduce costs, care providers technological transformation and staff welfare (Tony Grundy, 2003). As a result, suppliers are also with the development of the development of Marks Spencer. Close cooperation of both sides ensures Marks and Spencer to achieve its corporate objectives provide its goal customers with high-quality product within the ability to purchase. Customer satisfaction business philosophy: customer satisfaction has always been Marks and Spencers business philosophy. Customer firstly thinks a lot of commodities with high-quality and low price, which is Marks Spencer sought-after standard. Customers are also increasingly focusing on product design and after-sales service, so Marks Spencer has also taken a series of measures accordingly. In recent years, Marks and Spencer pay more attention to understanding customer needs, internal management structure to take the simple and rapid decision-making mechanism, the focus from how to buy to how to sell. Customers buy Martha not satisfied with the goods that can be unconditional refund. Carried out on the part of the membership-based customer and sales records of the Commissioner of the members on a wide range of information, including birthdays, clothing numbers, special preferences, and settlement accounts. Marks and Spencer will be in the form of time by phone to inform new member s of the listing, the monthly will be in the form of a letter seeking the views of members. 1999 opened on-line shopping service, but also a cadre of loyal customers, people satisfaction with Marks and Spencer increasing. Oxford Street is a well-known British commercial street on the number of stores, the London crowd to get on the top spot. MS in such a competitive market environment also pursues their usual high quality of goods and services, and provide an elegant display of the environment. In this area, Marthas main competitors are facing the department store, and Saier Fu Leach youth-oriented casual relaxed style of the shops, in addition to including many other stores. The advantage that MS is different from these competitors is its depth and breadth of product portfolio and a unique marketing strategy (David Campbell, 2009; Lowson, R.H. 2001). Strategy Theory and Practice Analysis about MS M S retail as an industry has its own specific competitive structures, which can be analyzed from the Porter five forces of competition: 1) Entry threat. The low-cost of commercial retail enterprises, lead to lower barriers to entry the retail industry, retail businesses are always faced with the threat of new entrants. 2) Replacement threat. As the retail business operated products, the technical content of most is not high, more likely to imitate, so facing a greater alternative threats. 3) The bargaining power of suppliers. From the most developed countries show that, in the retail business and manufacturing enterprises bargaining in retail enterprises grow in power. 4) The bargaining power of buyers. As the retail business more and more abundant supply of commodities, increasing the power of buyers, which forced more and more retailers adopt the low-cost, low-cost, high-quality service strategy, retailers profiteering opportunities less and less. 5) Existing competitors. At pres ent, the existing competitors in the competitive retail industry has become a variety of forms, a variety of tissue types, regions and business scope of the three-dimensional cross-competition. Facing fierce competition, M S retail businesses have successfully used a variety of competitive strategies to improve their competitiveness. To face the future social development, to further advantage, M S should be good at using the Porters competitive theory, adopting strategy and measures suited to the situation on their own (Dinesh, 2008; S. Ambec, 2002). (A) Differentiation strategy Competitive differentiation is the basic strategy, to pursue I have what people dont have, my superior that what people have customer value that is different from other competitors. Differentiation strategy is that the business through the characteristics production makes their product or service unique, and thus consumers are willing to pay a higher price. Successful examples adopting differentiation strategy are such as the United States Norton department stores, its different, nuanced human service has won praise from consumers, so that no rival can match. Commercial retail enterprises implement differentiation strategy with mainly the work to be undertaken: first, accurate positioning for the enterprise. The main way to differentiate their market position, that is, to determine a companys market position is different from other enterprises or image. Second, establish and run enterprises to brand image. Large-scale commercial retail enterprises shall include at least the brand con notation of the brand of goods, services, brands, and on the basis of the previous two derived from the three-tier corporate brand meaning. Retail business once chooses differentiation strategy, it must be based on its own seeking to establish a brand image to reflect this brand image on the one hand business activities, on the other through the advertising campaign to promote this brand image. Third, long-term to maintain brand image. After companies establishing their own unique brand image, they should make long-term planning to maintain its own brand image (Harry J.P., 2000). (B) Cost leadership strategy Cost leadership strategy is to low operating costs or fees. Retail business goals taking cost-leadership strategy is to become the industrys low-cost firms, which tend to have economies of scale, proprietary technology, preferential supply of commodities prices, lower transaction costs and management fees and other advantages. When enterprises have become a cost leader, they can effectively compete against the other forces of competition, obtaining advantage in competition. The most successful retailer using cost leadership strategy the worlds largest retailer, Wal-Mars. The 20th century, 80s, it began to lease satellite transmission, integrated global marketing data, the commodity management, logistics and distribution, global procurement and data processing of all applications of advanced modern information technology to significantly reduce the cost, annual savings of more than competitors) 750 million of dollars in spending. Commercial retail enterprises can be achieved through t he following areas cost leadership (Voss, 2003). First, they can through cost analysis identify the greatest impact factors on the business cost, controlling systematically cost. Second, it is to establish alliances among commercial enterprises, reducing procurement costs and jointly developing the market. Third is using capital operation, expanding the enterprise scale. Through joint, mergers, acquisitions, joining, enterprise implements chain operations, the rapid expansion of operation scale, to achieve business activities standardization, specialization, centralization. Fourth is scientific management with application of advanced technology. Retail enterprises further reduce business costs through the use of POS (selling real-time systems), MIS (management information systems), EDI (electronic data interchange), EOS (Electronic Ordering System) and other modern management techniques (Shankar, 2004). (C) Objectives accumulation strategy Retail enterprises to implement the strategic objective is to choose one or the accumulation of a group of market segments as part of its services, target markets, strategic optimization, to seek their presence in the target market on the competitive advantage. Because it takes a specific consumer group focused to meet their needs, so companies can be more economical than the other competitors, more thoughtful to meet their needs (Mittal, 2004). In addition, the strategy also adopted by the choice of the target market to find the weakest link in the existing competitors cut into, to avoid a competitor with a strong head-on collision. Select the target build-up strategy, first, to conduct market research and market segmentation. According to differences in consumer demand will be divided into different consumer market segments, so that enterprises can more effectively meet their needs. Second is to determine the target market. Not all segments have value to enterprise. Companies shoul d choose a potential market segment as its target market that will not conflict with a strong competitor. Generally speaking, potential market segments should also have the following three conditions: 1) adequate, the reality of unmet demand or potential demand; 2) Enterprise has ability to provide products or services to meet these needs, and helping the can map; 3) Business in this market segment can achieve certain competitive advantage. Third, accounting for the characteristics of the target market, it is to develop practical sales strategy, including determining the number of sales outlets, choice of a commodity business scope, pricing strategies. In addition, the in the implementation process of objectives accumulation strategic, the cost leadership strategy and differentiation strategy can also be used at the same time. Conclusion MarksSpencers is a leading retailer of clothing, food, home ware and financial services. Marks Spencer is one of the UKs leading retailers with over 21 million people visiting their stores each week. However, in the fiercely competitive market environment, operational management strategies are quite important for retailers to obtain a competitive advantage and access to greater income. It could supply goods whatever customer needs timely whether it is the variety of food products or clothing style. This paper first introduces the history of MS and different market segment in MSà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã…’and have an overview of Porters models of competition. Second, analyze how MS can running there business in the competitive environment, trying to explain more different market segment in MS and how the different market segment works together, analyzing their competitive advantage in this cloth industry. MS is changing the business strategy timely when market environmental change, while the contin uous improvement on strategy goes along with the change of customer demands. Finally, it uses Porters global generic strategy to analysis MS, to face the future social development, to further advantage, discussing how MS attract different customers by using different strategy in the global environment. The outcomes through analysis and discussion give a useful help to retail industry. The experience of the old brand department store tells the world that they can create their own lands as long as the constant innovation even in a traditional industry. Recommendations Through the above analysis, MS has made a great progress, getting over lots of difficulties. However, in todays fiercely competitive market environment, MS should also adopt optimal strategy to obtain a stronger competitive by reducing human and material costs by exploring overseas cheap labors and improving their quality of service and giving full play to their creativity.

John Miltons Life and Writing Essay -- John Milton biographies Essays

John Milton's Life and Writing John Milton did not just write poetry. He put his life, his thoughts, into words. Milton began his life in Cheapside, England, because his father’s wealthy family was Roman Catholic and John Milton Sr., Milton’s father, decided to become Protestant, therefore he was disinherited (Muir). However, the Milton family did not remain poor, John Milton Sr. was able to establish a wealthy family once more. He became a scrivener, which is a law writer, and was also a music composer on the side (Liukkonen). After money was no longer a threat, Milton attended Christ’s College in Cambridge (Browning). Milton’s works seem to be split into four distinct phases; these phases are a direct result of events taking place in his life. The first phase that Milton’s life went through was virtually nothing. Literally meaning that Milton did nothing, â€Å"he adopted no profession but spent six years at leisure in his father's home†(Muir). Milton’s first works were done in ancient languages, such as Latin, Greek and Italian, but these were done before he graduated when he was not considering a profession in writing. The first phase of his writings were done during the time he had no job. The works best reflecting this period of his life are L’Allegro, Il Penseroso and Lycidas, which were written up to year 1637. These poems were not specifically focused on what was occurring in the world at that time, because at that time Milton was not very involved with the world. These poems had themes focused on thoughts that ran through Milton’s mind. Among Milton’s most famous first works are L’Allegro and Il Penseroso, which are companions to one another. He uses these poems to focus on two different lifestyles. L’Allegro is the... ... a completely majestic lifestyle, but he used his poetry to express himself, and expression can always help to lighten any morbid emotions. Not only was Milton able to express himself, writing granted him a goal, and having a goal to strive for makes life worth living no matter how bad it seems to get. As soon as Milton realized what he wanted to do with his life, write, his goal was to create such an exemplary piece of work that it would never be forgotten, and he succeeded. Works Cited Browning, Mark. â€Å"John Milton (1608-1674).† 1 Dec. 2003 . â€Å"The Dream of the Rood.† The Norton Anthology of English Literature. Seventh Edition. Volume 1. Ed. by M.H. Abrams, et al. W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2000. 100-102. Liukkonen, Petri. â€Å"John Milton (1608-1674).† Books and Writers.1 Dec. 2003 . Muir, Kenneth. â€Å"John ‘The Lady’ Milton.† Incompetech. 1 Dec. 2003 .

Poverty and Homelessness in the United States

Poverty and Homelessness in the United States Poverty in America is a subject that though everybody recognizes is existent, most do not pay attention to very often. In 2010 the poverty line for a family of four was $22,314. 00 and 15. 1% of Americans were living off of less than that (Tavernise, 2011). While 15. 1% is a high number to begin with, the truth is that many more people are living on the verge of homelessness. Countless families are split up every night with children going to a friend’s house or an extended family member’s house to ensure that everyone has somewhere to sleep.These people are called the â€Å"hidden homeless† by the Charlotte Observer (Whitesides, 2011). Even more people are either living in tent cities or in their cars all around the United States. The events that lead to homelessness range from drug abuse to being laid off from a career because of a poor economy; but sadly the former makes it seem as if everyone who is homeless is in their situation because of their own faults. Many people who are approached by someone who is homeless or sees them panhandling for money hesitate to offer money because of the discourse that all homeless people are alcoholics and drug abusers.Unfortunately, the truth is that â€Å"many adults panhandle on corners for money to pay for a cheap motel room so that their children can have a warm place to sleep for the night† (Whitesides, 2011). Through this essay, the topic of homelessness and poverty in America will be explored by understanding some of the causes that have contributed to poverty throughout history and how the homeless are coping with their situation. Hundreds of people all around the city of Seattle, Washington are homeless or living in their cars. In Ballard alone, there are an estimated 150 people living in their cars (Thompson, 2011).A new program in January is to begin, opening up church parking lots in Ballard for up to five cars to spend the night somewher e safe. All who want to spend the night in the parking lots must apply and be screened which is a task that the state and city combined granted $30,000 towards (Thompson, 2011). So far, Redeemer’s Lutheran Church has stepped up to host the homeless in cars decided by a unanimous decision in September (Thompson, 2011). While people all across the United States are visibly poor, like those who are living in their cars, many others are suffering just as well with the stress of not knowing whether or not they ill have a roof over their head at night. Many of these people are teenagers who either do not have parents who can support them, are too old for foster care, have mental-health issues, or have been evicted from their homes (Whitesides, 2011). These teenagers are ones who go bounce from friend to friend sleeping at their houses every night because they have no other place to go. The homeless problem is one that is growing worse and worse as the years go on. In 2010 46. 2 mil lion people were living below the poverty line which is the highest number in the past 52 years (Tavernise, 2011).Economists say that joblessness is the main cause of poverty in America (Tavernise, 2011). 48 million people between the ages of 18 and 64 did not work even one week of the whole year, which is up three million from 2009 (Tavernise, 2011). While maintaining a job and progressing through a company is hard enough with a college degree, full-time male workers with no college degrees on average have made no progress (Tavernise, 2011). Of the 46. 2 million Americans living below the poverty line, 20. 5 million are surviving off of less than half of the $22,314. 0 poverty line. To save money, many Americans are cutting as many costs as they can in their daily lives. One of these costs, unfortunately, is insurance. The number of uninsured Americans increased by 900,000 to 49. 9 million people (Tavernise, 2011). In Gaston County, North Carolina community meetings are held focuse d on finding ways to help those who are having a hard time financially. At these meetings suggestions are made such as, donating houses to be used by families, becoming a foster parent, and if in the position to, create jobs in the community.While reading about homelessness through the media, one must be sure to realize that even the articles written include discourses and also that they omit details in order to keep the attention of the readers. In Seattle the program that is to allow people living in cars to spend the night in church parking lots seems like a great idea that will help out dozens of people. Something to consider though, is the fact that many people are not willing to open up a safe haven, such as a church, to potentially dangerous.Even though many people try to go through their days without judging people, it is inevitable to have discourses towards people. In America people grow up hearing stories about how if you give a homeless person money that he or she will m ost likely use it on beer or drugs. These discourses need to be eliminated in order for the country’s problem to be solved. The United States is known as a country full of opportunities, a place where anyone can succeed but behind that visage is a reality that is becoming worse and worse as time goes on.While people go throughout their days pretending that everyone lives a comfortable life in a warm home, the truth is that at any given moment there are thousands of Americans who are homeless. Problems that have been existent since the beginning of the United States have contributed to this ever-growing problem that is prominent now. Through a political economic analysis of the history of the United States, homelessness will be an explored and better understood reality that all Americans witness. Prior to World War II, the United States was going through the Great Depression in which the economy crashed leaving millions without jobs.The start of World War II created many jobs and brought the country out of the depression. Later, the Vietnam War and the Cold War took a toll on the United States economy. Because the United States had to spend so much money on these wars, the country printed more money than they had gold to back it up. To solve the issue, President Richard Nixon removed the United States off of the gold standard, dropping the value of the US dollar. The effects of Nixon’s decision were increases of oil prices by 400% by Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and stagflation.During IDL 3, the United States increased interest rates to counter inflation which caused extreme debt in developing nations. While taking the United States economy was improving from the removal of the gold standard, there was still a problem of distribution of wealth within the country. Since the 1920s the top 1% of wealth holders in the United States held 30% of the total household sector wealth, leaving the bottom 99% with only 70% (Keister & Moller, 2 000). Through the years the division of wealth distribution only grew wider.In 1989 the top 1% held 38. 9% of the total household wealth. The division between the top 1% of wealth holders in the United States and everyone else is so drastic that although the GDP per capita in 2010 was $47,184 it does not accurately portray the mass majority of individuals who live with far less money than that in 2010 (GDP per capita (current US$), 2010). When separated into five sections, the top quintile consists of about 85% of the total wealth and 50% of the total family income of the country (Keister & Moller, 2000).Another contributor to homelessness in the United States, along with uneven distribution of wealth, is the outsourcing of American Jobs overseas. Between 2000 and 2004 more than 2. 5 million American jobs were lost due to outsourcing jobs to India (Chithelen, 2004). No longer are only blue-collar, manual labor jobs being shipped off to other countries, but also white-collar and prof essional jobs. This movement of jobs has left many Americans unemployed and without many options. These groups of people, who may have once been part of the top 1% of the country, are now in the bottom with no source of income.The corporate businesses outsourcing are doing so because they know that in countries such as India workers can be found for much cheaper than those in the United States. Cutting losses and raising profit are the benefits that top executives look towards as they will use the saved money as larger bonuses for themselves (Chithelen, 2004). The jobs that international employees are taking from Americans are in the IT field and many workers, especially from India, are finding themselves having to move back home because the jobs they have are being outsourced for cheaper labor (Chithelen, 2004).It is estimated that by 2014 approximately 3. 3 million American business service jobs will be outsourced. The result of outsourcing and the uneven wealth distribution are t hat many people are left without jobs and no way to pay for a home. In 1988 68,0000 children were homeless and 186,000 children were living at a friend’s or extended relative’s home (Lewit & Baker, 1996). While those numbers are high, there is no doubt that 23 years later those numbers will be much higher. These economic factors and homelessness have much to do with inequality.Because the distribution of wealth is so great, it makes it extremely difficult for people on the bottom who are poor to get anywhere successful. People with money have power and the top executives of the big corporations have the power to take the jobs away from hard-working Americans to save a couple of dollars, which in the end will return to the executives, by outsourcing to countries overseas. Because the United States is a Global North county that is part of the OECD, it often times takes responsibility over Global South countries that do not have as many resources as opportunities.The Unit ed States has many large corporations that have the ability to create jobs overseas like how they are when they outsource jobs to places like India. Though it is worsening the situation in America, many of opportunities have opened up for people in Global South countries. Media often times discusses homelessness in America through a sympathetic viewpoint. In the articles used for this paper, a majority of the blame for people being homeless is pointed towards the poor job market rather than the laziness of the people stuck in the situation.Poverty in America is a problem that is not just one on the national level, but also locally. Cities such as Seattle have hundreds of homeless citizens who get walked past every day without anybody noticing. In today’s society seeing homeless people on the sidewalks and under underpasses is the sadly the norm. Those living in poverty and who are homeless get tagged with the discourse by many people that they are in their situation because o f their own faults; that they are alcohol or drug abusers, are poor workers, or are lazy members of society who want to bum off everyone else who works for a living.The truth is, as showed through this paper, that many of those who are homeless are in their situation because they have lost their job to a wide array of reasons or because they were never able to find a job in the first place. As displayed through the political economic analysis, many jobs in the United States have been and will continue to be lost to workers in overseas countries such as India. In these other countries, large corporations are able to find workers for just a fraction of the cost of workers in America. To go along with the outsourcing of jobs, the distribution of wealth in the United States is extremely uneven.With the top 1% of wealth holders in the United States held 30% of the total household sector wealth; the middle and lower-class citizens have very little power. The top 1% just so happen to be th e people who have say in how large corporations are going to run and whether or not they want cheap, unethical, sweatshop labor overseas. The amount of poverty and homelessness that is existent in the United States is both overwhelming and extremely disappointing. Many families who thought of themselves as well-off very quickly had their lives flipped around during the past few years as the economy took a turn for the worst.Because of the poor economy, many employers look for ways to cut costs and one of their solutions is to fire employees. In 2004 more than 2. 5 million jobs were sent overseas and taken from American workers. The sudden loss of work has left more Americans in poverty than there have been in 52 years. Through the analysis of this issue, hopefully the issue of homelessness will be one that is less ignored on a daily basis. Hopefully in the upcoming years more people will step up to help in the same way that Redeemer’s Lutheran Church has chosen to open their parking lot to those who live in their cars.Bibliography GDP per capita (current US$). (2010). Retrieved 12 6, 2011, from The World Bank: http://data. worldbank. org/indicator/NY. GDP. PCAP. CD Chithelen, I. (2004). Outsourcing to India: Causes, Reaction and Prospects. Economic and Political Weekly, 1022-1024. Keister, L. A. , & Moller, S. (2000). Wealth Inequality in the United States. Annual Review of Sociology, 63-81. Lewit, E. M. , & Baker, L. S. (1996). Homeless Families and Children. The Future of Children, 146-158. Tavernise, S. (2011, 09 13). Soaring Povert Casts Spotlight on ‘Lost Decade'.Retrieved 12 08, 2011, from The New York Times: http://www. nytimes. com/2011/09/14/us/14census. html? pagewanted=all Thompson, L. (2011, 11 24). Seattle may Help Homless Car Campers. Retrieved 12 05, 2011, from The Seattle Times: http://seattletimes. nwsource. com/html/localnews/2016849799_carcamping25m. html Whitesides, S. (2011, 11 07). ‘Hidden Homeless' are Growing in Gasto n County. Retrieved 12 05, 2011, from Charlotte Observer: http://www. charlotteobserver. com/2011/11/27/2797440/hidden-homeless-are-growing-in. html

The Book Utopia By Thomas Moore - 1521 Words

The next day as I walk through the school doors, I see Hunter glaring at me. Remembering what my mom said, I continue walking to class. I go to my first two periods and I read the book Utopia by Thomas Moore through both my classes. When the lunch bell rings, I jump up from my seat and head to the cafeteria where I sit down at my usual table alone. I start eating my peanut butter and jelly sandwich as Hunter and a bunch of his friends enter the cafeteria. I freeze in fear and I start to become enraged. My hands start to shake and my face turns bright red with anger. Without thinking about it, I stand up towering over Hunter. Hunter’s friends begin to laugh at my idiotic decision. I become even more enraged as I hold my hands up in front†¦show more content†¦Within a few seconds, we arrive in a living room. The living room is dimly lit with the only source of light coming from a small window in the center of the wall. On the white walls there are photographs of the teacher and people that I assume to be his family and friends. As I am standing in room marveling over the pictures the teacher motions for me to sit on the brown cushion couch. I take a seat on the couch, while the teacher sits down on a light brown recliner across from me. I sit and I stare at the teacher and for the first time I notice that he has the same tattoo as my mom. The tattoo is on his wrist and it is of an equal sign inside a square. When I asked my mom about the tattoo she just said it was just some cool design she got for her birthday, but now I believe the tattoo has a deeper meaning. I open my mouth to ask about the tattoo but the teacher interrupts me and says, â€Å"I knew this would happen. You are probably befuddled now and wondering what is going on. I guess first I will introduce myself. My name is Eldrick Mentoris, but you can just call me Mr. Mentoris or godfather. Your dad made me your godfather and he was, I mean is an honorable man. The reason I said is, is because he is still alive, he never fought for the US army.† Suddenly I gasp in disbelief. â€Å"Your dad,† Mr. Mentoris continues, â€Å"actually fought for The New Empire, also known as TNE. I do not expect to be familiar with TNE, your mom