Critical Analysis Report Ryanair And British Midlands Airways Tourism Essay Essays

Critical Analysis Report Ryanair And British Midlands Airways Tourism Essay Essays Critical Analysis Report Ryanair And British Midlands Airways Tourism Essay Paper Critical Analysis Report Ryanair And British Midlands Airways Tourism Essay Paper Ryanair was chosen as the first European air hose to undergo the critical analysis because, it is a major air hose that has undergone unfavorable judgment over the past few old ages despite being the merely low cost air hose that offers inexpensive menu flights for all their riders. Ryanair launched its first path in 1985 transporting riders from Waterford in the sou-east of Ireland to London Gatwick. Since it started in 1985, it has grown enormously over the old ages going Europe s first and largest low menus air hose which started with 25 staffs and grown to more than 7,000 staffs and besides started with going to two finishs and turning to 150 finishs. BMI was chosen has the 2nd air hose for this study non merely because it is the 2nd largest air hoses in the universe s busiest airdrome but besides because they were the first air hose to offer a system of booking and paying for ticket over the cyberspace. This cyberspace system was introduced in 1995 ( www.airfaresflights.co.uk ) . Besides because they are a member of the star confederation group which consist of 20 international air hoses which offers their clients a worldwide web and a smooth incorporate travel experience ( www.emol.org ) . Purposes and Aims The purpose of this study is to analyze the concern environment environing both Ryanair and BMI and detect their constructions and the scheme they are using to their concern to do them successful. Question 1 Airline 1: Ryanair In the past four old ages, Ryanair is listed as the lowest menu air hose in the United Kingdom. Despite being the cheapest, Ryanair was confirmed in December 2009 as the least favorite air hose four old ages running. ( www.e-tid.com ) . Quite a few issues have had both positive and negative impact on Ryanair over the past four old ages. Such issues include Globalisation, the EU, de-regulation, statute law, recession, competition and many more and this will be discussed farther below. To get down, the European Union This organic structure has affected the European Airline Industry as a whole over the past few old ages. Laws have been changed, the authorities organic structures have been changed and rather few other things have been introduced. In April 2006, it became 20 old ages since the European Union became actively involved with the air conveyance. One positive impact of the EU on the European air hose is the creative activity of individual internal market for the air conveyance which led to all European air hoses being able to wing between any two community airdromes and can freely make up ones mind menus, new paths and capacity ( www.europa.eu ) . This impact was a great advantage to Ryanair, as they were able to make up ones mind their menus and can add new paths to their paths annually. Another issue which has had a great impact on Ryanair is the recession. In 2009, recession has changed peoples travel behaviour significantly. Another positive impact is Ryanair on-line check-in. They launched the on-line check-in in 2006, which has seen great betterment and holds in airport check-in. Most travelers prefer to check-in at place to avoid the airdrome fusss. Since 2006 to day of the month, on-line check-in has changed significantly with Ryanair. In March 2009, they introduce fees for on-line check-in and cancelled their airport check-in desk. They admitted that this will salvage them 1000000s of lbs by stoping their contract with European airdromes for the check-in desk. ( www.telegraph.co.uk ) . Critical Success factors Airline 2: British Midlands ( BMI ) BMI is the 2nd largest air hose at London Heathrow airdrome which is the universe s busiest international airdrome. Equally good as Ryanair, BMI has had a batch of recent development that has affected them. One major issue that affected them between 2008 and 2009 is the Recession. The Times Online announced in November 2009 that BMI has admitted that it may non be able to go on as a traveling concern beyond following twelvemonth ( 2010 ) in the face of an acute support crisis at the air hose . This proclamation was after Lufthansa, the German flagship air hose took over BMI in June 2009 after holding to purchase a bulk interest. Due to the economic crisis, in July 2008, BMI was forced to acknowledge that they would run some about empty aircrafts from the London Heathrow airdrome to retain the take-off and set downing slots. The figure of riders going at this period had reduced significantly because of the recession. Another serious impact of the recession on BMI is the Job losingss . In November 2009, BMI announced their program to cut around 600 occupations which is as a consequence of the economic crisis ( www.bbc.co.uk ) . Another development that affects BMI in peculiar is the Terrorism and War. The terrorist act act started with the 911. This has resulted to a batch of off flights to some parts of the universe and has besides seen lessening in the figure of riders that really wants to board a plane. War in some metropoliss and states besides has a important impact on air hoses. BMI see cancellations of many flights for either a long or short period of clip. An illustration of such paths includes flights from London to Georgia which was introduced in September 2007 and was cancelled in August 2008 following the onslaughts by the Russian military personnel. The Russians used their aircraft to bombed the airdrome which resulted in the cancellation of inbound and outward flights to the airdrome. This had great impact on BMI as they operate their services to G eorgia three times a hebdomad. ( www.ebookers.com ) Another major impact is the de-regulation of the air hose industry. Critical Success factors BMI critical success factor was in July 2007 when the Civil air power authorization ( CAA ) indicates that BMI and BMI regional were the UK s most punctual air hoses during the first one-fourth of 2007 ( www.ebookers.com ) . Question 2 Airline 1: Ryanair hypertext transfer protocol: //sampleresearchproposals.blogspot.com/2008/07/ryanair-ups-and-downs.html ( accessed on 18/12/09 ) The strategic program of Ryanair is to keep it low cost air hoses at all times. The cardinal success of Ryanair or any administration is how it additions competitory advantage over its rivals. Ryanair has maintained this by offering a extremely differentiated merchandise which is uninterrupted lower menu for its riders. Ryanair has made its name and continuously increased the figure of riders with is low menus. It was announced that Ryanair has grown 13 % in 2009 with 65million more riders. Ryanair has systematically looked at where cost can be saved and adjust it system to it. In other to understand the scheme pursued by Ryanair, we applied the Pestel analysis ( see appendix 1 ) . Recently, Ryanair cancelled its check-in desk at airdrome to let client s cheque -in online. This reduces cost, by restricting the figure of paid infinites at airdromes and reduces the figure of employees by replacing them with engineering. They took advantage of the cyberspace to continuously accomplish t heir low menus. Besides, Ryanair endeavour to run with low cost, utilizing low cost aircraft and equipment, client service cost and airdrome entree fees. They have their aircraft parked farther off from the going and arrival gate to salvage cost. They so use this excess nest eggs to their rider s menus which in bend continuously lower menu in comparing to other air hoses. Another scheme they use is to keep promptness at all times, they bit British air passages and BMI to promptness in 2008 and has maintained this invariably. Airline 2: British Midlands ( BMI ) Competitve trueness in the air diamond nine hypertext transfer protocol: //www.prolog.uk.com/marketing/casestudies/bmi.html Question 3 Airline 1: Ryanair Airline 2: British Midlands ( BMI ) BMI was the first air hoses to let riders to look into in online and besides buy their ticket on the cyberspace. BMI saw this was a great advantage and can salvage the in-between adult male charges for their clients Question 4 The European Airline Industry has seen a batch of alterations since the de-regulation in 1985, that is when the barriers were broken and competition was raised. There had been assorted challenges over the past few old ages which had serious affected the air hose industry and one major one is the act of terrorist act from 911. This panic menaces had seen lessening in figure of riders going around the Earth. This act created fright for riders and even limitation of some airlines/aircrafts in some states. And rather late, as mentione earlier, the Christmas twenty-four hours menace in Detroit ( December 2009 ) has increase the menaces. Witht he authorities non acquiring to the terminal of war and terroriksm, a possible menace will still be on terrorist act, by aiming air hose. But future developments to turn to this menace is the addition in the step of security in all airdromes and air hoses. As late being mentioned iin the intelligence, rather a few major international airdrome are den oting the execution of organic structure scanners to contend terrorist act. Decision The analysis on Ryanair concludes that, they have different scheme in comparing to their rivals. Therefore, these schemes have given them competitory advantage over their rivals. Recommendation A SWOT analysis of Ryanair ( Datamonitor 2008, p.16 ) lists employee dealingss as a failing. This indicates that weak employee dealingss may be linked to the hapless client service. Ryanair may better their client service whilst still staying competitory by: aˆ? Planing a better service system which can maintain costs low but deliver service aˆ? Offer employees career development programs, which may lend to employee morale aˆ? Better developing frontline employees to maximise their operational efficiency, in order to outdo handle service failure state of affairss aˆ? Monitoring what the mark market needs, wants and values instead than doing the premise that offering the lowest menu is the lone inducement aˆ? Not taking advantage of the monetary value sensitive consumer and alternatively encompass them ( Gursoy et al Bibliography Internet hypertext transfer protocol: //www.e-tid.com/News-Home/Ryanair-is-least-favourite-four-years-running.aspx ( accessed on 29/12/09 ) hypertext transfer protocol: //europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do? reference=SPEECH/06/247 A ; format=HTML A ; aged=0 A ; language=EN A ; guiLanguage=en ( accessed on 14/12/09 ) hypertext transfer protocol: //www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/4972915/Ryanairs-online-check-in-policy-QandA.html ( accessed on 02/01/2010 ) hypertext transfer protocol: //www.airfaresflights.co.uk/airlines/BMI ( accessed on 14/12/09 ) hypertext transfer protocol: //emol.org/virtualmall/uk/bmi/index.html ( accessed on 17/12/09 ) hypertext transfer protocol: //business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/transport/article6911708.ece ( accessed on 02/01/09 ) hypertext transfer protocol: //news.ebookers.com/european-airlines/bmi-british-midland/ ( accessed on 17/12/09 ) hypertext transfer protocol: //news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8378586.stm ( accessed on 17/12/09 )

Nothing Wrong with went missing

Nothing Wrong with went missing Nothing Wrong with â€Å"went missing† Nothing Wrong with â€Å"went missing† By Maeve Maddox Marilyn asks Why does one say â€Å"went missing† instead of â€Å"is missing†? I’d never given the expression â€Å"to go missing† any thought. It sounds fine to me, perhaps because I lived in England for seven years. Judging by the comments on some language sites, it drives some Americans crazy. I . . . have been puzzled (and annoyed) by the term went missing. I teach English (vocabulary, grammar and literature) to sixth and eighth grade students, and would mark this incorrect usage if I saw it in their writing. It seems to have become totally acceptable in newspapers and on television. I know we are a nation of borrowed words, but this one offends the ears. Went missing has been bothering me ever since I first heard it on TV. UK or Canadians can have it. In our country its incorrect and it will never sound proper. The OED includes the expression under the entry for the verb go, along with the expression to go native. The sense of go here is â€Å"to pass into a certain condition.† The American dictionary Merriam-Webster also includes the expression in the go entry: go missing: to become lost To say that someone â€Å"has gone missing† is not the same as saying someone â€Å"is missing.† â€Å"To go missing† means â€Å"to disappear.† â€Å"To be missing† is to be gone or absent. I’ve heard American speakers say that someone â€Å"has gone AWOL.† I don’t see much difference between that and saying someone â€Å"has gone missing.† The expression â€Å"went missing† for â€Å"disappeared† may be informal rather than formal, but it is neither ungrammatical nor unidiomatic. Nevertheless, since many Americans object so strongly to the expression. writers and newscasters may want to think twice about using it. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Dialogue Dos and Don'tsLatin Plural EndingsHow Do You Pronounce "Often"?

Globel health presentation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Globel health presentation - Essay Example In 1978, the Alma-Ata declaration developed a global policy for health, which was to be realized by the year 2000. In this global policy, a universal primary health care system based on acceptable and practical methods was adopted. This was to involve the people and be affordable in different countries. This was adopted by most countries, except some capitalistic countries. In developing countries, this was faced with a number of obstacles, including political instability, poor economy, and emerging diseases. WHO is a major player in implementing the Alma Ata declaration. The development of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) helped in propagation of global policy. Today, different studies show that a health system comprising primary care is likely to deliver better health care. However, it is impossible for one heath policy to apply to the whole world. This is because of the difficulty in formulating uniform health interventions, which target a great number of people and different key groups with varying risk factors. These also live in different environments. Maternal and child health are critical in the global policy. Cost-effective interventions were identified, but the evidence on how these could reach the vulnerable groups was not established. Generally, the Alma Ata declaration is an unfinished business. However, it has been influential in responding to dynamic health issues across the globe, and so is a potential for health developments. The World Health Organization has a global policy of improving the quality of health, developing healthy lifestyles for all people, alleviating health risks, and being responsive to the determinants of health involved. The WHO public policies of health are age-and gender-sensitive, which will facilitate the empowerment of communities, self-care, and health protection, while cooperating with its different partners. On biological weapons, the

How does McKibbens book conclude What is his final argument Essay

How does McKibbens book conclude What is his final argument - Essay Example McKibbens concludes that human beings should expect massive extinction of species and higher cost of living in the future. In addition, the author relates scientific effects of global warming with local effects that individuals will experience. Mckibben concludes that people should stop focusing so much on economic growth, which according to him is the main cause of environmental changes. This is because economies all over the world have been striping off natural resources from earth to improve their economic status. However, according to McKibben the new earth should include living in a world where people are willing to live with less. This earth will have many economic problems since people will have less attachment to material things and be more connected to the nature. Furthermore, this book points out that the new earth will have repercussions on the economic status of generations to come. However, according to him, human beings cannot escape the new earth since they have already killed the old earth; thus, the new earth will not use machines in its food production to avoid polluting the environment. This means that it will be more labor intensive than the old earth and according to the author; more focus will be give n to farming and producing organic

Gunshot Residue Aanalysis Essay Example for Free

Gunshot Residue Aanalysis Essay When a firearm is discharged, residues from the bullet’s force, the primer, cartridge case, firearm itself and the powder from the propellant are expelled from gaps in the guns working parts (Pepper, 2005: 118). These particles are known as gunshot residue (GSR) or firearm discharge residue (FDR) and are composed of partially burnt and un-burnt propellant powder, particles from the ammunition primer, smoke, lubricants, grease and metals from the cartridge. GSR’s are mainly deposited on skin, the hand in which the weapon was fired, on clothing, the entrance wound of victim or any other local target materials present at the crime scene. The major primer elements are lead (Pb), barium (Ba) and antimony (Sb) usually all three elements are present on the hand after firing. Less common elements include aluminium, zinc, copper, silicon and potassium. Organic and inorganic compounds are also present in GSR’s. Organic compounds are found in propellant powder and primer mixtures whereas inorganic compounds derive from primer mixtures. GSR particles are formed when the pin strikes, the primer cap and mixture is ignited creating high levels of temperature and pressure within the cartridge. The increase of temperature melts the primer mixture and the three elements are produced by vaporisation. As the primer mix ignites the propellant powder, an increase in pressure and temperature occurs and the bullet is released from the firearm barrel. The particles involved in this process form as liquid droplets which instantly solidify due to the quick increase of temperature followed by instant cooling. The discharge of firearm can deposit residues on all persons present and not just the person that fired the gun, the analysis as to who fired the weapon must be made with precaution because any hand or body part that was close to the fired weapon may have residue appearing consistent with having fired the weapon. The cartridge case, bullet and bullet coating contain specific elements that can also be detected such as zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu). There are three classifications of GSR particles which take on characteristic morphologies of GSR, regular spheroids, irregular particles and particles that form a layer of lead surrounding an inner core. The collection of GSR should be carried out instantly because GSR evidence can easily be destroyed just by washing your hands and once examined it is generally spherical in shape. Strong evidential value of all three elements must be found by specialised equipment to confirm a gun had been fired by specific suspect(s). Electron microscope (EM) is a type of microscope that uses a beam of electrons to create an image of the specimen being analysed, it is capable of much higher magnifications and is able to see much smaller objects in detail. They are large, expensive pieces of equipment, and require a lot of skill and training to operate EM. All electron microscopes use electromagnetic and electrostatic lenses to control the path of electrons. The design of an electromagnetic lens is a coil of wire around the outside of a tube through which one can pass a current, creating an electromagnetic field. The electron beam passes through the centre of the coil of wire and down the column of the EM towards the sample. Electrons are very sensitive to magnetic fields and are controlled by changing the current through the lenses. There are two types of EM, Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Transmission electron microscopy involves a high voltage electron beam emitted by a cathode and formed by magnetic lenses. The electron beam that has been partially transmitted through the thin specimen carries information about the structure of the specimen.This information is then magnified by a chain of magnetic lenses until it is recorded by hitting a fluorescent screen, photographic plate, or light sensitive sensor such as a camera. The image detected is displayed on a computer. SEM is a technique that uses a beam of electrons to produce magnified images of sample by detecting secondary electrons which are emitted from the surface due to excitation by a primary electron beam. The electron beam is scanned across the surface of the sample with detectors building up an image by mapping the detected signals.The beam that impacts with the sample produces 3-dimensional (3D) images of the surfaces at high levels of magnification. SEM can also reveal the actual surface details of the particles with known examples of GSR, the large particles of partially burnt powder and spheres of residues analysed can appear to be from contaminated materials and not just from the specimen. In SEM, backscattered electrons (BSE) form due to collisions between incoming electron and the nucleus of the target atom where electrons are being knocked off. BSE are used to detect contrast between areas with different chemical compositions where heavy metal elements appear brighter in the ima ges formed and lighter metal elements appear darker. SEM has the ability to be coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS or EDX) to provide information about the elemental composition of the sample being analysed. To date the most successful technique is SEM/EDX, which concentrates on the inorganic particles of GSR. This technique not only allows much of the elemental composition of individual particles to be produced but to also enable images that show morphology and the characteristics of GSR (Jackson et al, 2011: 317) . This is important because these two techniques allow GSR particles to be uniquely identified and the discovery of a suspect may appear to be guilty of a crime. Particles will either be identified as possibly being GSR or shown not to have fired the weapon. The advantage of using this technique has the ability to analyse individual particles of GSR typically the three elements lead, barium and antimony can be identified easily using this technique.(Jackson et al, 2011: 315) The EDX technique detects x-rays emitted from the sample during bombardment by an electron beam to characterize the elemental composition of the analysis, features as small as 1 ÃŽ ¼m or less can be analys ed. When the sample is bombarded by the SEMs electron beam, electrons are knocked off from the atoms to the samples surface. The electrons from the ground state are filled by electrons from a higher state which creates an electron hole so that an x-ray is emitted to balance the energy difference between the two electron states. The number and energy of the x-rays emitted from a specimen can be measured by an energy dispersive spectrometer; this gives information direct to the energy difference. The data can be interpreted in various forms from its composition to the x-ray spectrum. SEM/EDX cannot determine whether a person discharged a weapon on any occasion.Thedisadvantages of using this technique are that it’s cost effective, limited availability and a significant amount of training is required to operate the machine as it’s considered to be a specialised piece of equipment (Bell, 2006: 447). SEM examines specific particulates under high magnification whereas EDX allows elemental analysis of samples. SEM/EDX is the preferred method of GSR analysis as it shows in current study that the use o f this technique has increased from 21% to 26% (Ronald et al, 1996: 195) this shows how reliable and accurate it is to use. Positive results are always produced and when providing evidence in court it is less frequently challenged by the judge. Over 72% of laboratories that analyse GSR use SEM/EDX and search more than 50% of the stub; this is composed of aluminium and is an electrically charged conducting tab which is directly placed into the SEM/EDX machine without sample pre-treatment (Ronald et al, 1996: 197) to start the analysis.EDX extends the usefulness of SEM in that elemental analysis which can be performed within regions as small as a few cubic micrometres. All elements from the periodic table can be detected with this type of method. There are many other methods that have been applied to identify both organic and inorganic GSR analysis but it depends on which method you use. Time of Flight-Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), x-ray micro-fluorescence, colour/spot testing, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), neutron activation analysis (NAA), gas chromatography (GC) and atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). TOF-SIMS was determined to have many advantages over SEM/EDX but because of its lack of high resolution imaging it could not reach its level of expectation. TOF-SIMS analyses smokeless black powders because of the high vacuum conditions inside the instrument but was reported to be unsuitable for volatile components such as nitro-glycerine (NG), which is a liquid substance made from glycerol, nitric and sulphuric acid.(Oliver et al, 2010) References Books 1. Suzanne Bell (2006). Forensic Chemistry. USA: Pearson Education Inc. 447. 2. Andrew R.W Jackson and Julie M. Jackson (2011). Forensic Science. 3rd ed. London: Pearson Education Inc. 311-317. 3. Ian K. Pepper (2005). Crime Scene Investigation: Methods and Procedures. 2nd ed. United Kingdom: McGraw-Hill Company. 118. Journals 4. Ronald L. Singer, 1 M.S.; Dusty Davis, 2 B.S.; and Max M. Houck, 3 M.A. (1996). Journal of Forensic Science. A Survey of Gunshot Residue Analysis Methods. 41 (2), 195-198. 5. Oliver Dalby, B.Sc, David Butler, MSc and Jason W. Birkett Ph.D. (2010). Analysis of Gunshot Residue and Associated Materials-A Review. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 55 (4), 924-926 930-931. Websites 6. http://www.jic.ac.uk/microscopy/intro_em.html accessed Thursday 13th December 2012 at 11.12pm 7. http://mee-inc.com/eds.html accessed Wednesday 19th December 2012 at 3.09pm

City of Angels :: essays papers

City of Angels The film City of Angels depicts the existence of an angel watching over a doctor who is deeply shaken by the loss of one of her patients, thus making the reality of angels on earth a possibility for me. Not only does this film make me seriously consider the existence of celestial beings, but I now believe in the possibility that a guardian angel is looking after me. The belief in such beings can be comforting during times of need and in matters of life and death. City of Angels portrays the grace of Heaven meeting the beauty of Earth. Two souls, one mortal and one celestial, must struggle with their willingness and their need to sacrifice everything familiar for the sake of love. Seth is the guardian angel who watches over Dr. Maggie Rice. After learning that it is possible for an angel to become mortal if his love for a woman is deep enough, he realizes the strength of his love for Maggie and agrees to fall from heaven to be with her. Until I watched City of Angels, the thought of invisible beings guiding and protecting me was not a major interest of mine. At the age of eight my uncle, whom I was very close to, passed away, and his death was tragic. Being young and not understanding the concept of death, I had endless questions. â€Å"Where do people go when they die?† â€Å"Is there really a heaven or hell?† â€Å"Are their souls still on earth, just not visible to humans?† Providing some explanation to my uncertainties, the scene in the film involving a library book with a mysterious origin suggests one method in which angels could convey subliminal messages. Seth leaves the book with a section marked for Maggie to consider the existence of angels around her. This scene gives me the sense of spiritual beings roaming earth after death. So where is my late uncle now? In contrast with the belief that a person’s soul travels to Heaven or Hell after death, I feel that my uncle’s soul is still nearby. It is clear that my uncle is my guardian angel. Similarly to the scene in City of Angels where Seth leaves the book on the nightstand to send a message, I have felt as though my uncle was present in a time of concern. City of Angels :: essays papers City of Angels The film City of Angels depicts the existence of an angel watching over a doctor who is deeply shaken by the loss of one of her patients, thus making the reality of angels on earth a possibility for me. Not only does this film make me seriously consider the existence of celestial beings, but I now believe in the possibility that a guardian angel is looking after me. The belief in such beings can be comforting during times of need and in matters of life and death. City of Angels portrays the grace of Heaven meeting the beauty of Earth. Two souls, one mortal and one celestial, must struggle with their willingness and their need to sacrifice everything familiar for the sake of love. Seth is the guardian angel who watches over Dr. Maggie Rice. After learning that it is possible for an angel to become mortal if his love for a woman is deep enough, he realizes the strength of his love for Maggie and agrees to fall from heaven to be with her. Until I watched City of Angels, the thought of invisible beings guiding and protecting me was not a major interest of mine. At the age of eight my uncle, whom I was very close to, passed away, and his death was tragic. Being young and not understanding the concept of death, I had endless questions. â€Å"Where do people go when they die?† â€Å"Is there really a heaven or hell?† â€Å"Are their souls still on earth, just not visible to humans?† Providing some explanation to my uncertainties, the scene in the film involving a library book with a mysterious origin suggests one method in which angels could convey subliminal messages. Seth leaves the book with a section marked for Maggie to consider the existence of angels around her. This scene gives me the sense of spiritual beings roaming earth after death. So where is my late uncle now? In contrast with the belief that a person’s soul travels to Heaven or Hell after death, I feel that my uncle’s soul is still nearby. It is clear that my uncle is my guardian angel. Similarly to the scene in City of Angels where Seth leaves the book on the nightstand to send a message, I have felt as though my uncle was present in a time of concern.

Martha Stewart: A Brand in Crisis

1. Stewart repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, despite the conviction and failed appeal, yet she still says she did nothing wrong. Is this the right strategy? Yes, admit your mistakes, learn from them and move on but don’t continue to make them over and over again. Stewart demoed that she engaged in any improper trading when she sold her shares of ImClone stock (Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 2007, page 345). Stewart claimed she had previously issued a â€Å"stop-loss† order to sell her 3928 shares; she also called her friend Sam Waksal, but could not reach him. However, Stewart’s explanation that she unloaded her stock because of a pre-arranged sell order collapsed when Douglas Faneuil, the broker’s assistant who handled the sale of the ImClone stock for Stewart, told Merrill Lynch lawyers that his boss, Peter Bacanovic, had pressured him to lie about a stop-loss order. 2. Did Stewart’s actions justify the subsequent sentence to her and those around her? Despite her reputation and business successes, Stewart was indicted in 2003 on criminal charges and faced several civil lawsuits to her sale of the ImClone stock (Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 2007, page 344). Stewart sold the stock on December 27, 2001, one day before the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) refused to review ImClone System’s cancer drug Erbitux; the company’s stock tumbled following the FDA’s announcement. On June 4, 2003, a federal grand jury indicted Stewart on charges of securities fraud, conspiracy (together with Bacanovic), making false statements, and obstruction of justice (Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 2007, page 346). At her trial, the indictments for securities fraud were dropped, but the other indictments were prosecuted (Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 2007, page 347). Stewart faced humiliation and some prison time but examples have to be set when running a company. You just can’t do what you please because you own it and not face the consequences. 3. Compare other executives’ wrongdoings versus Stewart’s. Discuss why MSLO is or is not different from what happened at companies such as Enron and Tyco. Enron’s demise caused tens of billions of dollars of investor losses, triggered a collapse of electricity-trading markets, and ushered in an era of accounting scandals that precipitated a global loss of confidence in corporate integrity (Ferrell, Fraedrich, & Ferrell, 2007, page 328). Now companies must defend legitimate but complicated financing arrangements, even legitimate financing tools tainted by association with Enron. Executives in these positions have a duty to protect the investors and shareholders of the company. Consumers put their trust in them for results and their ethical standards should be top priority. Enormous evidence of book-cooking and scandals involving WorldCom, Enron, Andersen Consulting and now Xerox, combined with Martha Stewart's embroglio over dumping ImClone stock last year, have caused growing skepticism among consumers about big brands in an already shaky economy that's trying its best to rebound. â€Å"The overall impact of the corporate financial scandals are going to cause consumers to question the ethics and the corporate behavior of many corporations,† said Lynne Doll, president of Rogers & Associates, a crisis communications firm in Los Angeles. (Hein & Cassidy, 2002). The investigation of Ms. Stewart's trading of ImClone stock continues. But at issue is perhaps less the outcome of the investigation than the more mystical question of what this does to the brand-a subject on which brand experts are more pessimistic than marketers. â€Å"An important element of the brand is authenticity,† said Don Pettit, president-CEO of brand identity firm Sterling Group. â€Å"A lot of Martha's credibility is built on her integrity and authority, and that's exactly what's being called into question. â€Å"