Hiring friends and relatives Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Hiring friends and relatives - Assignment Example This may create an uncomfortable working environment for the other employees, and it becomes difficult to get the work done. On the other hand, problems may be brought home from the workplace. Such problems may even weaken the tight bond between the employer and his friends and family. Bringing changes in the workplace may be hectic especially when such change threatens to affect the friend or relative negatively (Tappero). Hiring close friends and relatives is not a good idea, because they may compromise the business’ improvement. It is very hard for the employer to balance between managing the business and entertaining friends and family members. At times, the friends and kinsmen may expect favor like receiving more money than the others. They may refuse to work overtime, and request off duties now and then. In the case of a beverage operation, the relatives working at the company may drink the beverages without paying for them. They may also ask to carry some to their wives and kids. Therefore, if anyone wants to succeed in his/her business, it would be good to avoid the trap of employing their friends and

Occupational Safety and Health Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Occupational Safety and Health - Essay Example Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration). For achieving the specified reductions in the incidence of fatalities, injuries or illnesses OSHA will adopt a dynamic methodology for identifying and addressing the target sectors and hazards which require direct intervention. Though Direct Interventions are an integral part of workplace safety and health, however lasting solutions should be there for the employers, workers to inculcate the safety and healthy culture in the workplace. OSHA would ensure that the resources devoted to achieve this goal should have the ability to replicate the agency’s effectiveness through the instillation of safety and heath values among the broad population through strict compliance, innovation and dedication. OSHA should improve its intelligence gathering, analytical and evaluation capabilities and should also ensure that they inculcate in their staff the requisite knowledge, skills, diversity and the abilities to address the concerned health and safety issues through the use of informational technology and other supportive systems (U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health

Cleopatra's Suicide Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Cleopatra's Suicide - Essay Example They naturally thought of Cleopatra as a manipulative seductress, because she had earlier seduced Julius Ceasar who was thirty years her senior, and her sexual exploits were well known. The Romans were led by Octavius, Octavia's brother who charged in to conquer Egypt and overcome Mark Anthony. Overwhelmed by the Roman forces, Mark Antony chose death by suicide over being captured. After his death and facing the prospect of Roman invasion, Cleopatra chose death as well. As someone who has experimented with poisons on prisoners on different occasions, she knew that the venom of the asp was the least painful and a relatively quicker way of dying. Most privileged or political prisoners were executed in this way by the Egyptians and by the Greeks before them. At this point of time, all serpents were known as asps, and the snake Cleopatra used for her suicide was probably the Egyptian cobra Naja Haje. The cobra was revered by the ancient Egyptians possibly because they lived in close proximity with it, because the rodents commonly associated with humans were their natural prey. Egyptians lost a lot of their own to this snake's potent venom. It was placed on the crown of the Egyptian pharaohs, and was in fact the Royal symbol. It represented the "fiery eye of Re", in which there are two uraei which are placed on either side of a winged solar disk.

Occupational Safety and Health Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Occupational Safety and Health - Essay Example Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health Administration). For achieving the specified reductions in the incidence of fatalities, injuries or illnesses OSHA will adopt a dynamic methodology for identifying and addressing the target sectors and hazards which require direct intervention. Though Direct Interventions are an integral part of workplace safety and health, however lasting solutions should be there for the employers, workers to inculcate the safety and healthy culture in the workplace. OSHA would ensure that the resources devoted to achieve this goal should have the ability to replicate the agency’s effectiveness through the instillation of safety and heath values among the broad population through strict compliance, innovation and dedication. OSHA should improve its intelligence gathering, analytical and evaluation capabilities and should also ensure that they inculcate in their staff the requisite knowledge, skills, diversity and the abilities to address the concerned health and safety issues through the use of informational technology and other supportive systems (U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety & Health

La Cosa Nostra Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

La Cosa Nostra - Essay Example It is the most notorious American organized crime in the country’s history, a notoriety that has often been depicted on the big screen such as the classic films The Godfather and The Untouchables. La Cosa Nostra: The Beginning When Sicily was annexed to Italy in the 1860s, the Sicilian authorities had trouble enforcing order due to a restructured society engendered by a land reform that redistributed public land to Sicilian peasants. Banditry became prevalent as peasants were forced to lawlessness to survive as the lands given to them were too small for them to live on. Traditional sources of livelihood such as firewood gathering were lost when church estates and public land were confiscated and redistributed by the government. The state of lawlessness gave rise to the formation of a secret society that offered its services for a fee to protect merchants and landowners from bandits and other lawless elements. This underground society was called the Mafia and protected merchant s and landowners. Although the group operated through vigilante means, a member is considered â€Å"A Man of Honor† because of the protection he gave his family and society. Eventually, members became abusive and turned to extortion to force landowners and merchants to hire them at high price. This was, however, tolerated because of their role as protectors (FBI). The Sicilian Mafia eventually branched out to politics, forcing people to vote for the candidates they want, but when Benito Mussolini came to power in the early 1920s he felt threatened by it and ordered a relentless campaign against its members. This became the turning point of the Sicilian Mafia as many of them were arrested and imprisoned. Some mafia members or Mafiosi, however, were able to flee to the United States (FBI). The American Mafia Mussolini’s campaign against the Mafia in Sicily drove many of them to flee to the US illegally. However, the first Sicilian Mafia who came into the US was Giuseppe Esposito, who fled with six other Mafiosi after murdering the chancellor and vice chancellor of a Sicilian province. He was deported to Italy after arrest in 1881 in New Orleans. In 1990, the first major Mafia operation took place with the execution of David Hennessy, New Orleans police chief superintendent. Although hundreds were arrested and 19 eventually indicted, a subsequent acquittal led New Orleans citizens to organize lynch mobs and killed many of the defendants (FBI). The LCN operates in such cities as Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and in Miami, but the group’s greatest stronghold is New York. Previously, the group also operated in Cleveland, Detroit, Kansas City, Las Vegas, LA, New Orleans and Pittsburgh, but has been greatly weakened and is now almost non-existent. Eighty per cent of its estimated 1100 membership are said to be operating in the NY metropolitan area where five families are lording it over: the Bonanno family; the Colombo family; the Genovese family ; the Gambino family; and the Lucchese family (Finckenauer 1). LCN operation in the US officially began in the 1920s and since then this group has been known as the foremost criminal organization in the country associated with organized crime. The group is known for ruthless violence such as beatings and killings, which it uses as an operational tool externally and internally. Arson, bombings, explosions are used as tools by the LCN in operating its business and gain

Dostoevsky and Franzen Essay Example for Free

Dostoevsky and Franzen Essay Fyodor Dostoevsky is indisputably one of the greatest writers of his time, and arguably of all time. He earned this status not only by being an unmatched story teller- writing novels so gripping that they are hard to put down- but by infusing his dramas with timeless comedy, poignant social commentary, insightful psychology, and universal philosophical inquiries. His extremely in-depth character development allows for unlimited societal references that every reader can relate to. A most common feeling expressed among readers is that he puts into words what they have always thought about, but never had the words- or the sharp observation- to express. A similar feeling is created by Jonathan Franzen, whose novel, The Corrections, is a bestseller, and not only on account of its hilarious banter and piercing insight. The Corrections is widely hailed as an epic masterpiece that perfectly brings to light the problems of materialism, technology, and alienation in American culture. This is perhaps even more impressive because he is British and not American. Franzen has risen quickly to the top, and The Corrections will continue to be read for many years to come. Though their personal beliefs are entirely different, Franzen and Dostoevsky address many of the same questions regarding family. The psychological breakdown of relationships between family members is key and not only addresses psychology, but also society. Both authors utilize the family as a microcosmic representation for society, and Dostoevsky’s 1880 novel, The Brothers Karamazov, the last of Dostoyevsky’s famous and well-regarded novels, is the best example of this tactic. The Brothers Karamazov begins with a brief family history. The patriarch, Fyodor Karamazov, has three sons (Dimitri, Ivan, and Alyosha) by two different women. Fyodor, preoccupied with hedonistic debauchery, sends his sons to various relatives to be taken care of. Dimitri and Fyodor become enemies as soon as Dimitri is old enough to realize that his father not only has taken no responsibility for him, but is also withholding his inheritance left to him by his dead mother. The feud intensifies when they both fall in love with Grushenka, a woman of notoriously poor reputation. Dimitri, though vengefully abhorrent of his father, has inherited Fyodor’s taste for wine and women. Ivan, the second oldest, is a brooding intellectual, and Alyosha, the youngest, has moved to the monastery under the well-respected Father Zossima. Smerdyakov, the fourth and illegitimate son, is Fyodor’s cook. Smerdyakov is anti-social and epileptic, but loves to talk about philosophy with Ivan. Understandably, Dimitri is blamed when Smerdyakov murders Fyodor, because of the â€Å"overwhelming facts† against him. Ivan loses his mind when he realizes that he is more to blame than the innocent Dimitri, because he subconsciously encouraged, and even hoped for the murder, and Alyosha leaves the monastery on Zossima’s instructions. The Karamazovs forcefully confront the reader with the timeless questions of family. Is love entitled or earned? Are children unconditionally innocent? Are children obliged to love and respect their parents despite neglect and abuse? â€Å"Even while The Brothers Karamazov insists on the innocence of children, it also undercuts this idea, showing how children can be sinful even while they suffer†¦the tension between childhood innocence and childhood guilt is at the very heart of the novel†¦they resemble another category of natural victims, the peasants†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Hruska, 472) It is not only the idea of children that is representative of a larger social construct, but nearly every character. Alyosha is the devout Christian. He believes wholeheartedly in the good of human kind and Christ. He is honest, loyal, and compassionate. He is not just a person of faith- he embodies faith. He has faith not only in God, but also in humanity. Though not representative of Dostoevsky himself, Alyosha is an extremely sympathetic character, designed to uphold the principals of faith and Christ against all opposition- and Dostoevsky’s representation of opposition is not slight, but in fact, very thorough. Ivan represents doubt and rationality. His intellectualism is both his strength and his eventual downfall. Though brilliant, it is precisely his doubt that drives him to madness. He is a respectable character, but he is ultimately unsuccessful, exhibiting Dostoevsky’s view on where the path of doubt leads. Fyodor Pavlovich is obviously deplorable and pathetic. He is selfish and greedy. He seeks nothing but pleasure at all costs and is completely uncaring, except, presumably, for Grushenka. He believes that his recognition of his own disgraceful behavior frees him not from outside condemnation, but from true inferiority. His illegitimate son, Smerdyakov, becomes the manifestation of all that is impure in Fyodor. The Lambert family in The Corrections, though lacking in murderous rivalry and unbridled sensuality, is equally disturbing, if only because of its realism. â€Å"We are talking about the family values of the House of Atreus, the Brothers Karamazov, the Mafia, and the Manson Gang. † (Leonard, 6) While Alfred loses his body and mind to Parkinson’s, his wife, Enid, tries desperately to reunite the family for Christmas. The oldest, Gary, is well off and living with his own wife and children in an affluent area of Philadelphia. Denise, the middle child, is a successful and beautiful young chef. Chip is a failed screenplay writer, a failed boyfriend, a failed professor, and a failed son. The Corrections, then, addresses not only the gap between generations, but also the grasp of one on the other. The flyaway children who feel themselves wronged return like boomerangs to the parents whose business it has always been to stamp out errancy†¦ (Leonard, 9) Both Dostoevsky and Franzen push the reader’s limit for sympathy with their extremely flawed, but perhaps forgivable characters. The reader is forced to examine the limits of redemption from greed and â€Å"base† behavior, both in society and in the family. In both novels, the reader is ultimately compelled to forgive any sin where repentance is present. In The Brothers Karamazov, for example, it is easier to forgive Dimitri’s aggression and lies because of his genuine sincerity, while his father, a victim of cold blooded murder, does not evoke the slightest feelings of sympathy, aside, maybe, from sheer pity. In The Corrections, Chip is likable despite his follies not only because of his self-deprecation, but because he has moral principals. Contrary to his brother, Gary, who has a wife, children, and a steady job, but a very capitalistic mindset and a depressed, numb state of living. Denise is a competitive workaholic but is genuinely confused, and the reader his hoping for her salvation because she is so desperately isolated. The novel shifts from a condemnation of the contemporary American materialism to the possibility of family (and, by implication, human) forgiveness. The narrative has been dallying with philosophical questions, but now it lingers†¦I cannot say whether Franzen could have pulled off this miraculous redemption of his story had he not so cruelly set up his Lamberts as crass sinners, but I was sorry it took him so long to acknowledge their capacity for decency†¦(Sayers 23) Perhaps the biggest difference between these two novels is the philosophical dissonance between Dostoevsky and Franzen. While Dostoevsky’s characters clearly represent specific and largely unchanging ideals, Franzen’s creations are muddled and confused. They resemble a deer in the headlights of post-modern America, racing inside, but paralyzed by the chaos of the situation, and unable to move in either direction. Interestingly, though Dostoevksy was a staunch advocate of deep faith while fairly exploring doubt, his ultimate message when is comes to family is far less optimistic than the obviously anti-religious Franzen. This is perhaps dependent on the opposing characters’ abilities to change. Since Dostoevsky’s characters remain of largely the same beliefs and convictions throughout and in spite of their life-changing experiences, they are incapable of true metamorphosis. Franzen’s initially detestable Lambert family is eventually redeemed by each character’s inner-changes, which leads ultimately to a realistically cynical, but still heart-warming loyalty to one-another. The only character who doesn’t change for the better is Alfred, who simply loses his mind, and though the reader is respectful of his work ethic, he is obviously the yoke of the family, whose death is seen as ultimately positive for his wife and children. There is a sense of triumph by the end of the novel, when Enid, who initially looked like an idiot compared to Alfred, is really just in need of independence, and proves to be a lot smarter than she seems. If anyone in The Corrections is radically transformed—and all of them are turned like sucklings on a spit— its Enid at age seventy-five. When Alfred at last is safely dead, she puts on her sudden freedom like a jaunty hat. (Leonard, 8) When the charismatic and brilliant defense attorney asserts the child’s right to demand proof that he should love his father, the audience wholeheartedly approves and supports him, even so far as to applaud despite the judge. The audience, like a Shakespearean chorus, representing the author’s prediction of the reader’s reaction, is totally in favor of Dimitri’s salvation despite full knowledge of past offenses. The reader blames his father for raising a violent deviant. Franzen, on the other hand, provokes a feeling of pity for Enid that makes the reader want to scold her children, understandably irritated though they may be, for not treating their mother with more kindness. The result is a surprising one. Franzen, the postmodern critic of just about everything, takes the route of sympathy and even optimism. His characters change for the better in a very real way. They don’t proclaim that they have decided to devote themselves to God, they have no fear of damnation, they just genuinely have tried and succeeded in improving their relationships. Dostoevsky is focused much more on religion, for a variety of justifiable reasons, but his characters are less fluid. Though each of his characters transforms throughout the novel, it is only by way of rigorous philosophical inquiry. Franzen’s characters, on the other hand, are merely growing up. Enid does not plan to improve her life when her husband dies- she just does. It is a natural progression as opposed to a constant battle fought with violent imagery and empty threats. Franzen frees his characters from every limit set by Dostoevsky- especially God and the fear of moral judgment. The result is not a depressing tale of a family who does not feel an obligated loyalty to one another. On the contrary, the Lambert family transforms only for love. They are not motivated by religion or society. They simply learn to love one another for no other reason than their shared DNA. This is far more optimistic than the picture of a family according to Dostoevsky, because it is universally attainable. SOURCES Hruska, Anne. The Sins of Children in the Brothers Karamazov. Christianity and Literature 54 (2005): 471-495. Parenthetical Citation Leonard, John. Nuclear Fission. Rev. of The Corrections, by Jonathan Franzen. New York Review of Books 20 Sept. 2001. Parenthetical Citation Polka, Brayton. Psychology and Theology in the Brothers Karamazov. Journal of Literature and Theology 5 (1991): 1-24. Parenthetical Citation Sayers, Valerie. Caffeinated Realism. Commonweal 21 Dec. 2001: 23-24. Parenthetical Citation

Market analysis of the Procter and Gamble company

Market analysis of the Procter and Gamble company Procter Gamble is a major U.S. manufacturer of soaps, cleansers, and other household products. PG have three main product lines: household and personal care, food consumer and health care products. PG interact with over five million consumers each year in approximately sixty countries around the world (PG. 2010). PG has remained on the Fortune 500 listing since 1955 and has never ranked less than number 35 in the last fifty-five years (AGG Data. 2010). In 2009, it ranked number 20 of Fortune 500 companies with revenue of $83.503.00 million and profit of $12,075.00 million (AGG Data. 2010). According to Mr. John E. Pepper, CEO Procter Gamble, the company has a history of growth and expansion. Every ten years for the last fifty years, the company has doubled their business. He feels the companys success has been based on their brands, including those that created a whole new category. For example Pampers was the first affordable disposable diaper and Crest was the first fluoride toot hpaste both manufactured by Procter Gamble (Pepper. 1999). No company in the world has invested more money in consumer and market research than Procter Gamble. Each year the company conducts at least fifteen thousand research studies and invests three-hundred and fifty million dollars in consumer research (PG. 2010). In order for the company to maintain profitable and grow, they must engage in strategic development that encompasses relooking at their processes, structures and culture and creating the hub and spoke structure for competitive intelligence operations. Company Background: Procter Gamble was formed in 1837 when brother-in-laws James Gamble, a soap maker and William Procter, a candle maker joined forces. The firms starting capital was $7,192.24 and they agreed on a 50/50 distribution partnership (American Chemical Society. 2007). Formation of the company coincided with the economic expansion of the United States. Their first products, soap and candles, were transported by steamboats down the Ohio River to Mississippi and New Orleans. By 1850, the company was able to expand their distribution to additional markets using railroads. The company grew into a million-dollar enterprise during the Civil War when the firm obtained contracts to supply the Union Army with soap and candles. However, in 1879 the company was forced to eliminate its candle making when consumers switched to kerosene. The company expanded its soap making to stay competitive by experimenting with developing a castile-like product that was inexpensive enough to be mass marketed. Ivory So ap was the answer. The soap was made from coconut and palm oil, lathered easily, remained solid and lasted longer than other soaps. The company aggressively marketed the new product and the success of Ivory led Procter Gamble to being a multi-million dollar industrial icon. In the 1930 and 40s, the company utilized technology and chemical experimentation to expand its product line into synthetic detergents that were marketed globally. The company introduced Dreft and then Tide. Now it was no longer consider just a soap company. The company later began to make personal-care items such as toothpaste, shampoo, and deodorant; food products such as cake mixes and coffee; and miscellaneous products such as cellulose pulp and chemicals. Mission Statement Vision Statement: Vision Be, and be recognized as, the best consumer products and services in the world Mission Procter and Gamble will continue to serve consumers by continuously innovating products that will allow us to be leaders in household and personal care, health care, and food products. To produce products with the utmost care to give nothing but quality to our communities. And to continue to grow so that we can maximize our shareholders wealth (Procter Gamble. 2010). Procter Gamble was built on the theory of touching consumer lives with brands that make life a little better every day. They connect with consumers by offering affordable products and packaging specially designed to meet consumer needs which has allowed Procter Gamble to remain profitable for one hundred-seventy three years. Internal Analysis External Analysis: Procter Gamble has a strong internal and external foundation. It has built its reputation on achieving the goals it sets forth, following their vision and establishing principles based on their beliefs about business and consumers. The company has remained a front competitor in innovation by introducing new and improved products to consumers brought on by market changes. PG realizes that in a competitive market speed of research and development is a key element. Mr. Michael Allan, Director of Baby-Care stated to Mr. Pepper, CEO, It wont be the big that eat the small; it will be the fast that eat the slow (Pepper. 1999). Procter Gamble realized that the company needed to refocus their attention to continue to achieve a winning strategy to meet internal and external challenges. Leadership felt that their growth was to slow and their complexity was too high. Their objective became to build and create leadership brands globally better than ever before and to capitalize on the knowledge , capability and commitment of its employees. This will be achieved by simplification of the organization structure, minimizing processes, introducing technology and making strategic changes to their culture. SWOT analysis of your plans focus area(s): Strengths: Profitable Adaptability of Product Line to meet consumer needs. One of Procter Gambles strengths is it remain profitable in a struggling economy. It produces products that are personal care items that are necessities even in hard times. Procter Gamble 2009 annual report to investors shows it employed 102,000 employees in 80 countries and reported net sales $79,029 million (PG. 2009). The Board of Directors proposed a dividend of $1.64 per share for 2009 (PG. 2009). Since the corporation is profitable, they are able to invest these profits into acquiring additional companies that will add new products and services to its portfolio to focus on consumers needs. Weakness: Turnaround time for Research and Development products. Complexity of organization structure Currently research products take three to four years to develop and market. Given the consumer demands and competition this is too long and the company sales declined in 2009 compared to 2008. PG organizational structure is multi-tiered for each product line. Changing environment necessitates scale down of management positions and develop the hub and spoke structure for competitive intelligence operations. Opportunities: Global marketing New Products, improvement in existing products, manufacturing and marketing techniques. Procter Gamble has the opportunity to market products in emerging technologies. By positioning themselves in the development of new products and improvements to existing products they are at the forefront of technology development with vast opportunities for growth. This has the potential to lead to an increase in customers and raise profits. PG also has the opportunity to market their products in other international areas. Currently PG products are sold in 180 countries (PG. 2009). The corporate structure provides the framework to tap the benefits of a global organization with speed and efficiency. Threats: Ecological Factors Economic Factors Sales are dependent on consumer spending. When the economy is weak and consumers reduce spending, PG feels the impact. They must remain competitive with prices and offer diversification of their market line so they can maintain a financial balance. PG operations must remain compliant with governmental regulations concerning recycling and bio-degradable materials and other mandated ecological factors to preserve the environment. Goals: (3-5 years) Eliminate the overlap in management Initiate the hub spoke structure for competitive intelligence operations Expand sales of product line globally International expansion to markets with potential for growth and limited competition exits Decrease turnaround time for research and development products Customer responsiveness Product development cycles Product or service improvements Speed in delivery or distribution Develop open Innovation Strategy Emphasis on process innovation that permits low-cost product design, manufacturing methods and distribution Product cost reduction Long Term Objectives Support the business strategy, organizational principles and culture. Attract and retain required talent Accept financial responsibility to shareholders The goal of long term objectives is to support the business strategy as change is implemented. The strategy should be the reference point and link to the design and mechanics of implementation. Linking plan design to the business strategy generates employee motivation and buy- in to the changes being implemented which establishes the culture of the work environment. Attract and retain required talent ensures profitability and endurance. Position PG to be the employer of choice by offering attractive, competitive employment opportunities for long-term financial security across many global locations. Build a personnel structure that allows mobility as changes to organizational structure are deemed necessary. Remain profitable and supportive to shareholders by declaring yearly dividend on stock holdings. Strategy Analysis and Choice: Generic Strategy: Differentiation A long term strategy must be based on a core idea or generic strategy that gives direction to the company to strategically compete in the consumer marketplace. Differentiation for Procter Gamble involves creating unique products and marketing them to consumers by stressing their products qualities are superior to its competitors. This strategy defines loyal customers who will pay a premium price for their brand because they truly believe in the product. Marketing should be aimed at the qualities that set the product apart and above its competition. Grand Strategy: Concentric Diversification Grand strategies are the basis of coordinating and sustaining efforts toward achieving long-term business objectives by providing basic direction for strategic actions. Concentric diversification is a key grand strategy for Procter Gamble. It involves acquiring businesses that are compatible with PG in terms of technology, markets and products. According to Pearce Robinson, The ideal concentric diversification occurs when the combined company profits increase the strengths and opportunities and decrease the weakness and expose to risk (Pearce Robinson. 2010. P. 221). Plan Goals and Implementation: Procter Gamble should continue to monitor trends in the market and consumer requests for products and implement a corporate retrenchment strategy to enable them to expand their product line and to make their product available to other international locations based on market research. This can be implemented by PG conducting a stakeholder management survey. By hiring a global marketing information firm to conduct a stakeholder management survey, the information can be used to identify, prioritize and develop improvement initiatives in areas that needed improvement as identified by consumers. The survey would also provide geographical information on profitable areas to introduce PG products. An increase in research and technology operating budget will allow emerging technologies to continue to be developed and products readily available to consumers. According to Information Week, Procter Gamble management structure is reorganizing the companys current corporate structure is four geo graphic business units. The new structure will now be seven global business units based on product categories which is call the product team structure. The company is highly energized and moving forward with increased spending in Information technology (InformationWeek. 1999). Critical Success Factors: Critical success factors are the steps that the business, both management and employees, must take to bring the strategies into a reality. The factors may vary from time to time, but they must be addressed in order for the company to operate at optimal efficiency. . A critical factor for Procter Gamble is quality and innovation. The company must aggressively market new products and bring research technologies to customers quicker. Critical success factors are beneficial to companies as they provide focus and keep the employees and management going in the same direction. Another critical success factor is increasing revenues. A company must be profitable to be successful. Another factor is expansion of customer service. PG must be reachable when consumers have a question. Controls and Evaluation: Controls must be in place to evaluation success. Financial statements will validate if sales are increasing and profits are increasing. Forecasting is a vital control. A monthly and yearly projection should be made by management to project the sales of products by area. The evaluation would be done monthly to compare the plan to the actual units sold. This information will provide PG with marketing information for inventory qualities, product turnover and stagnant product lines. Conclusion Todays market is characterized by highly competitive organizations which are all vying for consumers loyalty. Firms are faced with the challenge to maintain their own competitive edge to be able to survive and be successful. Procter Gamble was built on the theory of touching consumer lives with brands that make life a little better every day. They continue to connect with consumers by offering affordable products and packaging specially designed to meet consumer needs. Procter and Gamble must maintain an innovative approach by introducing new products and re-facing existing product lines to compete and satisfy consumer demands, to allow them to remain profitable for the next one hundred-seventy three years.