Comprehensive Plan to Improve Human Resources Essay

Whole Foods Market- a company that doesn’t think of itself as a company, but as a community of people working to make a difference in the world. At Whole Foods, the mission matters as much as the bottom line. But who is Whole Foods Market, and how does their Human Resource Management (HRM) play a role in the development of their culture or work environment? This comprehensive plan will describe Whole Foods Market’s history and the challenges and/or opportunities of the company. It will explore the effectiveness of the organizations current human resource practices with regard to the employees and describe strategies to improve the quality of those practices. Additionally, the impact of implementing the strategic improvements and how the organization would measure success upon implementation will be discussed. Whole Foods Market: The Organization Whole Foods Market is the world’s leader in natural and organic foods. With more than 270 stores in North America and the United Kingdom, the organization seeks out the best natural and organic foods obtainable; while preserving better-quality standards in the industry. According to Porter and Kramer (2009), the intention of the organization is to sell organic, natural, and healthy food products to its consumers who are passionate about food and the environment. Whole Foods Market focuses on unrefined foods, health and nutrition. They are definitely not like any other grocery store. Their ultimate goal is to become an international brand identical with not just natural and organic goods, but also with being the greatest food retailer in every community in which they are located. Therefore, Whole Foods Market must purposefully plan and assess the marketing of its goods according to the demand of the customers (Whole Foods Market, n. d). For the last thirteen years, team members at Whole Foods Market, named their company as one of Fortune magazine’s â€Å"100 Best Companies to work for. † In 2010, they were ranked number eighteen. Whole Foods is acknowledged for its team-based operations and employee-oriented work culture, which are considered to be the foundations of its development and success within the industry (Whole Foods Market, n. d. ). Whole Foods Market takes pride in setting themselves apart from their competitors within the industry. No matter how much the company excels in size or makes changes to the organization, the organization supports change by establishing and maintaining seven core values. According to Whole Foods Market (n. ), the core values are â€Å"selling the highest quality of natural and organic products available, satisfying and delighting customers, supporting team member happiness and excellence, creating wealth through profit and growth, caring about the community and environment, creating an ongoing win-win partnership with suppliers, and promoting the health of stakeholders through healthy eating education. † Included in these core values are open communication and transparency, education and training, and staff empowerment. No matter how large a company Whole Foods Market becomes, they preserve what makes them unique through these core values. Whole Foods Market: Challenges and Opportunities As with many organizations, the past economic down turn has caused many organizations to face a lot of challenges and to make difficult business decisions. Whole Foods Market created a permanent modification in how they operate many vital areas of the business. This year, 2010, the company’s business model includes continued focus on vital areas of the company by focusing in on purchasing with regards to the business while creating more worth for the consumer regarding pricing (Whole Foods Market, n. d). In the letter to the stakeholders (2009), Mackey, CEO desires to stay focused on dropping operating cost without harming the customer experience. Additionally, he states that as an organization they are committed to being better custodians of capital and producing free cash flow on a yearly basis. In the future, Mackey foresees new smaller stores that are less expensive, and an increase return on invested capital. A recent 2009 SWOT Analysis of the organization from Datamonitor (2009) listed some additional opportunities such as the recent strategic acquisitions that helped in strengthening their market position. These acquisitions also help the organization to expand its operations in the natural and organic foods markets as well as increase its client base and the number of product categories. One acquisition in particular is the merge with Wild Oats Market in 2007. Other opportunities recorded by Datamonitor (2009) include the growing demand for private label products. Recent economic conditions have warranted companies to offer less expensive private label products as an alternative to the customers’ needs. Whole Foods Market: Human Resource Management Strategies What makes Whole Foods stand out from others in the industry is not a single management process but a distinctive managing structure which includes Human Resource Management support. According to Rose and Kumar (2006) it is important that organizations utilize HRM practices that make best use of its employees, and that is just what Whole Foods Market has done. For example, at Whole Foods, the basic organizational unit isn’t the store but small teams that manage departments such as fresh produce, prepared foods, and seafood. Teams are consulted on all store-level decisions and they have been given a degree of independence that is very unique in the industry (Whole Foods Market, n. d). According to Hamel (2006), each team makes decisions concerning stock, and new hires. Bonuses are paid to the teams, not to individuals. Members have access to comprehensive fiscal information, including the details of every coworker’s wage. Whole Foods Market has been very successful with their ability to recruit and retain good employees. The recruiting process is exceptionally unique. According to Whole Foods Market (n. d), applicants are generally screened by store management or by a human resources person through a preliminary interview. Once the individual is screened for overall job skills and qualifications, the application is referred to the appropriate department managers for a final interview. The final interview process may be conducted by a team or panel depending on the position. Team member’s partaking in group interviews is one way the company puts its culture of empowerment into action. Hamel and Breen (2007), state that this recruiting process is used for all new employees; including those hoping to join teams at Whole Foods’ center of operations, such as the national IT or finance groups. Additional HRM practices include the organizations focus on compensation and incentive based rewards. According to Erickson and Gratton (2007), this is one of the main components of their rewards system within the organization. Each team’s compensation is directly linked to how well that team functions. Team performance is considered in terms of overall productivity; profit-sharing based on those numbers are added directly to each team member’s compensation. Teams are responsible for a different product category or aspect of store operations such as customer service, prepared foods, or grocery, among others. Whole Foods believes in a company-wide awareness of sharing the fate of the business by combining the wellbeing of team members as directly as possible with the interests of the shareholders. The organization uses a gain sharing program to reinforce concept. This program rewards things that members of the team can control such as work efficiency which gives members a direct stake in the victories of the company (Whole Foods Market, n. d). Whole Foods also encourages stock ownership options in plans such as the Team Member Stock Option Plan. Within this plan, all members are entitled to receive a grant of stock options each year. According to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (2007), the grant has two components: the Annual Leadership Grants identify and motivate team member performance; and the Service Hour Grants identify team member service within the Company. Another plan is the Team Member Stock Purchase Plan. Through payroll deductions, all non-seasonal team members with at least 400 service hours may choose to buy unlimited shares of stock at 95% of market worth on the purchase date. Whole Foods Human Resource practices are effective because the culture allows for an atmosphere of transparency, with open books and open people. These processes include the organizations team process which allows for autonomy and a high level of responsibility of line staff. Through such a practice, members use their decision-making authority to take part in driving the business forward. Additionally, the team process promotes healthy competition, trust between members. Whole Foods Market: Recommended Strategies for Improvement Although Whole Foods HRM practices seem successful, there is room for improvement. The following strategies are recommended in the area of team implementation and practices: * If the organization maintains the team concept it is important that management ensures that members do not to obstruct the team authority over the individual. Members should merely feel responsible to each other, but still free to be themselves. Members should also be recognized as individuals. Individuals have a need to be recognized for hard work and individual achievement. Providing a reward system for individual milestones and achievements might also allow for successful company performance. * The organization should provide opportunities for personal growth and promotion through training and education. * The organization should ensure that there are no cliques within the teams. Cliques could make it difficult to maintain cohesion and cooperation within the team. Management should also ensure or encourage subtle unsanctioned norms that steer the actions of team members, saying what’s suitable and what’s not suitable behavior especially within the recruitment process in which members choose their team members. * The organization should periodically evaluate the alignment of team compensation and incentives for the work that is likely to be performed. * HR should monitor changes in team compensation systems to ensure the organization’s compensation is clearly understood by staff and that any changes, including team incentive pay, is also communicated. HR should ensure that employees within the team are able to see and understand the goals of the team, and gain an understanding of his or her importance as a member. These improvement strategies can only make Whole Foods Market more successful than they are already. These improvements will drive the business success, by assisting in promoting productivity, by increasing job satisfaction and retention, and by increasing profits within the organization. Whole Foods Market: Plan Evaluation and Measurements Before implementation of new strategies, employees will be informed of the proposed implementation and changes. Managers will ensure that staffs understand what is being implemented and the impact to employees if any. The success of this plan will be evaluated by reviewing the success of the implemented strategies periodically to ensure continuous improvement. The evaluation of the strategies will include internal assessments and/or employee surveys/questionnaires. The internal assessments and/or employee surveys/questionnaires will be aimed to ascertain the employees’ satisfaction of those methods and strategies. Results of the evaluation and measurements will be compiled and reviewed by the organizations HR team. The team will seek to: (1) determine if implemented strategies are predictive of organizations mission and business plan, (2) understand how implemented strategies improved or did not improve current HR practices and finally, (3) determine if there is a relationship between the implemented strategies and overall retention and job satisfaction. If the results are satisfactory, strategies will continue to be implemented monitored and reviewed. Results that are unsatisfactory will be discussed with employees to determine why the implemented strategy was not a success and to determine necessary changes if applicable. Whole Foods Market: Conclusion In conclusion both management and HR play an important role in the strategy and betterment of Whole Foods Market. This organization has already established a culture that reduces fear and increases trust. The company prides itself in the transparency between management level staff and line staff. Implementation of these strategies will only assist to increase employee satisfaction and retention.

First Grade by Ron Koertge: Poem Analysis Essay

The shorter a poem is, the more striking it is. Ron Koertge’s First Grade proved this through a magic of splendid simplicity, most especially in the last line of the poem- â€Å"For the rest of our lives.† Sincerely, I was struck by the swift and wholesome change or transition in scene from the first stanza to the next. However, what threw me off my seat was the last line because of the ‘eternity’ Koertge had implied in that stanza. Just because of that line, the whole comparison between the first stanza, which illustrated our innocent and healthily imaginative childhood, and the second, which illustrated a stricter and guided society, had changed. It caused that first stanza to look short-lived and the second one to be incessant, everlasting, and without end. This poem’s message, implied greatly by the last line, tells us that we must enjoy our childhood and never take any opportunity or moment with our loved ones for granted. It also tells us that although we have our chance to have an occasional splurge, order, law, and justice will be prevalent at all times. This holds true to all people- especially those in First Grade. I think the main theme is the flawed school system. I don’t mean the school system in a particular area or country. He’s talking about school in general and how it kills the individual’s creativity and intellectual independence. He mentions how his imagination was wild and free before first grade: â€Å"Until then, every forest had wolves in it† and â€Å"we could talk to water†. But when he enters first grade, he’s faced with drab reality: his teacher is a â€Å"woman with the gray breath†; he’s saying that the state of mind the school creates in you is something that you’re stuck with for the rest of your life.

Act of Kindness

Realistic is a story on an act of kindness I did for this girl I didnt know to well. One day as I was walking home from my old school I saw this girl, she looked like a complete nerd someone I wouldnt normally talk to. She was walking home looking really sad, kind of like she had no one to talk to. I walked over to her and introduced myself and she also told me who she was; she said her name is Baby. She was carrying books in her hands and It looked heavy I asked her If I could help. She nodded and told me I was more then welcome. I walked her home that day. I asked ere If she would like to hang out sometime to call me and gave her my number, a few weeks later we were best friends. Months down the road she found out she was pregnant, this took me by surprise since I didnt even know she was dating anyone. The guy who got her pregnant walked out and hardly never came around. I could tell by the look on Babys face that she was pretty scared. I told her no mater what Ill always be there for her If she ever needed anything.The hardest part for her was to tell her parents she was pregnant. Her parents are the strict ones, that go to church every Sunday and doesnt allow their aught to have a boyfriend or anything. So trying to explain to her parents that she had got a boyfriend and had sexual intercourse with him behind there backs was going to be a tough situation. She didnt tell anyone for three months that she was pregnant,but it got down to where she had to say something since she was starting to show.Baby asked me if I could be there with her when she teller her parents on Thursday; I told her I could and that id be there Thursday at four oclock. Thursday came and I went to her house and as soon as she answered the door she started freaking out with panic. I told her to calm down everything will be fine and that if she wants me to tell her parents I would. She appreciated it and told me to tell her parents for her. As we started walking closer to her parents I told them that Baby had something she wanted to tell them.Her parents started getting worried and asked what this was about. I then told her parents that she was scared to tell them about hows she pregnant. Eve never seen anyones face look so furious in my entire life, They asked me to leave so they could talk as a family. Later that next week Babys parents called me and asked me to come over for dinner and talk with them about mouthing. I agreed and told them old be there shortly. As I rushed to get dressed all I could think about was what they wanted to talk to me about, I began to get nervous. As I arrived and walked to the door my stomach dropped and then I knocked on the door. Babys parents answered the door and we sat down to eat. After we got done eating Abyss mom started to tell me how when I met Baby, baby wasnt In the best state of mind. I told them how already knew and how I talked her out of a bunch of things before and they thanked me. They both thanked me for being such a great friend to Baby, and to this day I help take care of Babys daughter. Act of Kindness By austerities carrying books in her hands and it looked heavy I asked her if I could help.She her if she would like to hang out sometime to call me and gave her my number, a few face that she was pretty scared. I told her no mater what ill always be there for her if something. I agreed and told them id be there shortly. As I rushed to get dressed all I As I arrived and walked to the door my stomach dropped and then I knocked on the eating Babys mom started to tell me how when I met Baby, baby wasnt in the best state of mind.

Business situation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Business situation - Essay Example s in this industries however for the past eighteen months the currency exchange rate for the company’s headquarters branch in Australia has experienced a steady reduction. This has come with a lot of implication on the price of production in Australia branch and thus the ability of the company to compete with emerging-market producers from Australia production facilities. This report aims clearly to define this problem or situation for the business and keenly analyze the situation to compare the implication from planning and organizing perspective. The report will then provide its recommendation in a form of a step-by-step action plan that the CEO of the company should take. The world market today is a global village (Cadle & Eva, 2014). This means every business in its planning today faces a lot of constraints that must be incorporated in these ventures. Some of these problem comes with differences in price of a currency of the mother firm’s country and those of other countries with it has business relations. Exchange rate is defined as the cost or worth of one currency as compared to other currencies (Cadle & Eva, 2014). This price can either rise or reduce depending on the prevailing economic atmosphere in the country. A fall or reduction in exchange rate in a country is mostly referred to as depreciation or devaluation depending on the kind of exchange rate system adopted by the country in which the business is established (Cadle & Eva, 2014). Reduction in currency exchange rate, therefore, makes the currency of the country in question lower in value as compared to currencies of other countries. A decrease in currency exchange rate, therefore , will mean that the county’s export becomes cheap in a global market as compared to imports of the same country from other countries (Cadle & Eva, 2014). Bronxe Yachtstm, a privately owned business, has in the recent past faced this interesting problem through their headquarters branch in Australia. The company

Curriculum Documentation and Origins Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

Curriculum Documentation and Origins - Essay Example The English curriculum focuses on promoting both thinking and language through interactive learning. In addition, the curriculum focuses on ensuring that students develop oral language and literacy skills. An additional focus of the curriculum is to ensure that students engage with literary from different genres, cultures, as well as periods. The American English curriculum also places emphasis on writing as a critical skill that helps students develop, clarify, and communicate ideas in different forms of writing. The English curriculum also exposes students to different forms of media, allowing them to review the media forms appropriately. The curriculum also seeks to impart students with both reading and writing skills at an exemplary level. The English curriculum also promotes certain strategies that ensure that students can acquire academic knowledge, meet their academic standards, and register a measure of independence in learning. In addition, the English curriculum seeks to bu ild on the English language as well as on the experiences and the interests of students. The curriculum is intended to give students an opportunity to develop distinctive writing or speaking voice, which helps them to achieve self-expression. Other parts of the English curriculum ensure that students are developed in order to become responsible American citizens, preparing them for active participation both in the school setting and in civic life (Stotsky, 2013). Worth noting is the fact that the English curriculum has numerous sources required for developing different skill in students. After identifying some texts required for the tenth-grade curriculum, there were challenges in photocopying the text. However, it was noted that many texts are available in the original version of different states (Stotsky, 2013).

International Marketing Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

International Marketing Assignment - Essay Example Most of the investors who invest in business in Indonesia must have the authorization from the senior governmental officers hence proper plans should be made by the business top management bodies to familiarize the senior government official of the detailed information about the business and its intentions to Venter to the countries market. On the other hand, the company also should put in to place the proper measures to enhance promotion. This is the process through which awareness is created to the people and every person in the target market are familiarized with what is being offered by the company. By being present in most mainstream malls, which are major interacting places for teenagers is in itself, a critical strategy to be a dominant force in the teens’ market. Furthermore, they are intensely tottering on luxury and casual wear by offering higher prices but fall short of the ones demanded by the designer’s1. As a result, this strategy has allowed the company to market to a wide array of social classes. Even though they are very specific on age, appropriateness their target of class is not hence promotion play a major role in ensuring the company maintains completion and that people know its products. In summary, therefore when it comes to getting into, capturing and penetrating a new market especially in foreign countries, businesses usually find it challenging and difficult. For Abercrombie and Fitch to succeed in the Indonesian market it will have to do the following:- Market Segmentation is defined as the process of separating a market into direct groups of consumers who may need separate products. There are numerous bases for segmenting the market; they are psychographic, geographic and demographic variables2. A Psychographic criterion is defined as the process that considers both psychological and sociological information. Psychological nature entails attitude, motivations, and personality. Sociological

Counseling clients Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Counseling clients - Essay Example The offenders used in this context and to which the assessment tool applies are adult offenders. The Prevention Assessment Tool or PAT has various domains that help explain the criminal behavior among adults. In the first domain, charges as well as referrals are employed to assess the possibility of re-offending by the adults. Referrals are included here if they have a qualifying disposition that may include adjudication withheld. The second domain helps to assess information. In initial assessments, behavior is assessed for the past six months. In the final assessment, behavior is assessed in the last four weeks and may incorporate a program administered for four weeks or less. The third domain focuses on employment and use of free time. It establishes what the adult offender does during his or her free time. Community service is also included in this domain and this information helps to evaluate the practicability of various programs used to correct conduct (Phipott&Grimme 2009). Incorporating this assessment tool will identify the various areas that require technical assistance. This action is possible because the tool is designed to evaluate various crime prevention needs. This tool is particularly helpful because it can access four basic sectors of justice. They include; cross-cutting issues, custodial and non-custodial measures, access to justice, as well as policing. This assessment tool is administered through paperwork. The assessment tool is, however, not designed to give an in-depth analysis of the offenders and their behaviors. The tool is meant to provide an initial assessment. This assessment is based on aspects such as crime concerns, problems and capacities, and the socio-economic situations. The tool also provides a concrete guide on issues that examine the needs for preventing crime both locally and nationally. The application of this tool also has

Homelessness Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 4

Homelessness - Research Paper Example ted, the reader can aptly see the true impact that poverty can have on every aspect of society as well as nearly every aspect of the individual that must live within its constraining reality. As a function of realizing this, the following few paragraphs will attempt to highlight and underscore the degree to which homelessness creates something an alternate reality for the individuals within a society that are forced to integrate with such a construct. Moreover, with a discussion of this issue, I will also present some prescriptions for change that this author believes could greatly reduce the overall rates of poverty and homelessness. Firstly, it should be understood that homelessness strikes at the very ability of the individual to live as the rest of society. In such a way, a key level of humanity is robbed from them; keeping them from having the life that others enjoy so seemingly painlessly. In such a way, the level to which the individual can seek to raise themselves from their unfortunate situation. Due to the fact that access to capital and savings is necessarily nonexistent for the individual experiencing homelessness, education is also out of reach. Without a chance at a higher education, the level and extent to which they can hope to attain a higher standard of living is all but lost (Albelda 190). In such a way, seeking to change the stigma of poverty and homelessness and allowing individuals a clear path for recovery would be the first step. Such a path could be a contribution of several state funded programs as well as nationally funded mandates. This hopelessness that is born out of not having any opportunity oftentimes drives individuals living within homelessness towards crime; seeing this as an easy means to escape the monetary constraints of the life that they find themselves trapped within. Whereas poverty affects all individuals, not just the ones suffering from material want, homelessness creates a new approach to crime; as many

Business law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Business law - Essay Example In essence, this plan draws funding from the employers of the employees registered under the plan where they pay premiums of up to a hundred and two percent (Andersen, Rice & Kominski 2011). Therefore, this health plan serves as a temporary reprieve for employees to continue accessing health care until they find another avenue for paying their premiums in the event that any of the above occurs. However, as much as the plan is the right of the employees, it is a mandatory that they make prior notification so as to make the act work for them (Andersen, Rice & Kominski 2011). In this regard, Fran’s Fries is a community located eatery that serves a greater fraction of the community. In essence, the eating joint’s location is on the central part of town where heavy trading and interaction occurs. Fran’s Fries boasts of matching up to big names like Mc Donald and Steers because of the level of service and products on offer. Sequentially, the brains behind this strategi cally placed is Fran who couples as the joint’s owner and manager. Fran has vast experience in the hospitality industry because of previous work engagements with a number of five star hotels. Therefore, the business is one that draws success from passion and remarkable inter employee relationship. Fran’s Fries has created employment for twenty employees who work in the kitchen and also in the front service. Before the economic recession of 2008, the business entity was at the top of the fast food market in the region, which necessitated the need for the management to make their employees live with comfort. According to Fran, business took a turn for the worse when the recession occurred as many of the eatery’s consumers lost their jobs and others opted to carry light foods from their homes rather than eat take-outs. Essentially, fast foods led to the popularity of the eating joint where management also incorporated health care plans for their employees and their families. Moreover, the COBRA policy also followed suit to which the manager did not foresee the occurring of the event. With the recession in sight, Fran had to lay off some workers periodically because the profits realized could not sustain the entire work force. In this regard, the challenge of having to pay for the premiums of the laid off employees faced the business the profit generation was not sufficient for the cause. Therefore, Fran had to battle with ensuring that the business stays afloat and also ensuring that the business complies with the COBRA act. Lucky for the business, they took up a policy that allowed the business to only pay the extended premiums for employees for a period not exceeding four months. However, the manager says that this was also strenuous for the business as the laying off occurred in phases rather than in one stride. This made the incurrence of loses a part of the business until the time that the business stopped the process. By the time the re cession was over, the business owner says that the business had slashed the work force by half, which almost brought Fran’s Fries to the knees. However, Fran insists that the employees that lost their work at Fran’s Fries benefitted from the COBRA policy because four months was enough time for them to find other means of maneuvering. For Fran, the process of ensuring that Fran’s Fries did not crumble was a humbling experience because the business learnt how to survive on

Take home exam for the class (economics of race and gender ) Essay

Take home exam for the class (economics of race and gender ) - Essay Example Let us take the case of the United States: Azimzadeh says â€Å"most Americans believe in a three-class model - the rich, the middle class, and the poor. America is a diverse society considering its culture, economy, politics and ideology which make different levels of wealth, income, education, occupation and social behavior. It is not easy sometimes to classify certain groups or people in a certain class. One approach which is more common is based on cultural and economic diversity of the people and defines more of them in middle class† (2008). In terms of economics, those belonging to the upper classes have very high living standards and occupy top positions in government or corporate organizations, the upper middle classes composed of highly-educated and well-paid professionals also maintain good living conditions while the lower middle classes made up of semi-professionals or ordinary workers have to cope up with meager resources. In a political scene marked by free enterprise, the upper classes have more privileges and benefits that those who belong to the lower middle classes. They are accorded more rights and are considered more influential and have easier access to opportunities, income and other rewards. There is the so-called economic model of time use wherein households rationally and efficiently allocate time, typically through specialization of one partner in paid work and the other in unpaid work. The first condition is human capital which explains that men have more experience and education than women and biological differences, since women are those that bear children and care for them. The second is, the person with more power will do lesser unpaid work because household labor is less likable than paid tasks. The third is that although the experience and education of women have gone up during the past thirty years, they are still less paid compared to men. The fourth condition is that

Early Childhood Education Essay Example for Free

Early Childhood Education Essay Please accept this letter as an application for admission to University of Houston to receive an Ed. D in Early Childhood Education. I submit this letter for I believe that my experiences are well qualified to meet the needs of the position. I am taking Masters of Education, Educational Administration with PDAS certification at Prairie View AM University in Educational Administration and fully expect to complete my degree by August 2010. I have started applying for Assistant Principal positions within my district for next school year. I am looking forward to continuing my studies in the Ed. D program in Early Childhood Education. I am currently a Head Start Teacher in Port Arthur Independent School District, Port Arthur, Texas. This 8-year experience provides me career growth and competitive experiences in the field of Early Childhood Education. I am taking responsibilities in the planning and implementation of activities to promote the social, physical, and intellectual growth of children three and four years of age. Care, hygiene, learning, development activities, specialized programs, positive guidance of the children and maintaining records, cleanliness and orderliness are also given special attentions in my field. I have been a department chairperson for the last 3 years. I have also worked as a substitute coordinator where in I was involved in recruiting new substitute teachers for the district. In this job, I have also worked directly with the principal in locating teachers to fill in the classrooms during summer months. My studies in Masters of Education not only provide me strong background and research experience but also in the applications of these learnings. I also believed that my educational values and my work experiences will not only contribute advancements to myself but also effectively put these into practice. I have the earnest desire to function successfully in program development activities, teachings, and basic and applied researches in early childhood education. Attached herewith are my resume, certificates, and transcript for your reference. I look forward to hearing positive responses from you regarding this matter. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully yours, Michelle M. Lockwood

Confronting Competition In The Tourism Industry

Confronting Competition In The Tourism Industry Europes tourism industry is one of the biggest tourism industries in the world and therefore has all top tour operators based in Europe. Two of the biggest names are Thomas cook and TUI. They have the maximum market share in the Europes tourism industry. The tour operators business environment consists of competitors, macro environments and industry also. Various tools used for the analysis of the business environment are PESTLE analysis, porters five force analysis and industry life cycle. SWOT analysis will be done for industrys analysis and also on how the tour operators in Europe are performing. Environmental Analysis PESTEL Analysis PESTEL helps in understanding the important factors affecting the change. Below is the PESTEL analysis: Political: After the tourist attacks, the government comes up with strict laws on immigration and also restrict the destinations after the attacks which affect the perception and also the perception of the tourist. Also, the taxation policy affects the tourism as they charge taxes on the food and lodging industry which contributes the maximum to the tourism industry. (Baum, T, 1999). Economic: The exchange also affects the tourism in the country and plays the important role.( Davidson AP, Burgess S, 2006). The gap between the Euro and the Pound sterling is decreasing, therefore, there is a possibility that the outbound tourism is affected in Europe which in turn will affect the tour operators. The recession also affected the tourism industry not only in Europe but in other countries also. Socio-Cultural: Tour operators have understood what the customers are looking for; they are looking for a brand, lifestyle and safety. Due to this the tour operator in Europe. The tour operators make customised tour packages to suit the need of the customers. The customers travelling to Europe are looking for the brand names that are doing good in the business and have a name, this is due to the demand of security when travelling to the other country. Technological: The online and internet bookings are increasing day by day due to the easy access of the internet. The online booking companys like expedia.com, hotels.com, etc are giving packages and also the customers can make their own packages. This has highly affected the tourist operators in Europe as they get the business from other countries as well. The internet booking companies are doing well in the business due to the cost saved and also less of manpower requirements. (Douglas, and Derrett 2001). Environmental: The European governments are campaigning for green holidays like farm holidays. The carbon dioxide is the major source of the pollution and the aeroplanes contribute the maximum carbon dioxide to the environment. (Munoz, J. 2005). Apart from this, the health issues like swine flu or influenza cause tourists not to travel to the country. The governments also restrict these countries for travelling. Legal: the European governments are proposing strict norms and laws for the aviation industry in terms of safety and regulations. The opening of new hotels in the country also requires legal permits for the company. Porters Five Force Analysis This identifies the competitors in the tourism industry and all these five forces are linked with each other. The risk of Potential Entrants: The threat of new entrants in terms of tour operators is low because of the high capital investment, brands already existing and have created a niche in the market and people knows about the top players in the industry. It is difficult for the new entrants to establish themselves. (Alford, 2009) The threat of Substitutes: The threat to substitute of tourism or travelling is less as people these days prefer to take a break and travel. They will not substitute travel to any other activities. Also, the European countries are full of greens and have both mountains and beaches which attract the tourists from around the world. (Alford, 2009) Bargaining power of Suppliers: The suppliers bargaining power is high only with the companies who are new to the business or holds small share in the market. However, the bargaining power is not the same with the companies who hold the maximum market share in the tourism industry. Also, the European markets have their own aviation industry which helps in bringing or supplying tourists to the country at the mitigated prices. Bargaining power of Buyers: Since Europe is a big market in tourism industry it caters to both the individual travelling customers and travelling through agencies. In the latter case, the travel agents or tour operators make the packages in such a way that people buy them. The tour operators compose a major and a powerful group for the buyers. Rivalry among the Competitors: The rivalry among the competitors is moderate as they contribute maximum to the market. TUI and Thomas cook are the two top travel operators who have a 21% and 13% market share respectively. The rivalry is only among these two as they both hold the important position in the European market. The other travel operators are not the part of the competition. Appendix 1: Porters Five Force Model for the Tourism Industry in Europe Industry Life Cycle The Industrys life cycle tells about the growth of the product that is tourism in the continent. The life cycle is well telling about the evolution of the tourism industry, its development, decline and the death. Stage one describes the early start of tourism in Europe centuries back when people started travelling from one place to another. The second stage describes the development of the tourism, which again took place centuries back as the need for the shelter and food was recognised by the people in Europe. They built small inns for the travellers and gave them basic meals. (Douglas and Derrett 2001).Thats how the food and lodging industry started in Europe and Europe was the first continent to do so. Slowly and gradually they built hotels and the tourism industry started booming and continuously doing the same with maximum people travel to the continent every year. The decline or downfall was observed during the terrorist attacks in United States of America and Bali. The second time downfall was observed during the recession period in 2008. ( Douglas and Derrett, 2001). However, the industry had seen the growth in last two years as people have started travelling again. The last stage is the death stage which the tourism industry has not yet faced as people are travelling and business is growing. (SÃ ³names, 1998) SWOT Analysis The SWOT analysis of any industry will help it to grow better and maximise the business by identifying the new opportunities and also how to overcome the threats. Strengths: The European people are very warm and have a good sense of hospitality. They are very friendly and helpful also. The countryside of the Europe is very beautiful and magnificent therefore it attracts a maximum number of tourists every year. The hotels and free standing restaurants in Europe offer the best cuisines and wines as compared to anywhere in the world. The tourism industry in Europe has undergone huge investments both in the public and private sectors. ( Porter, M,(1985). In last decade Europe has come up with large accommodation facilities, tourist attractions, and other activities for the tourists and also invested a lot in training. Access to the countries in the continent is easy as there are a number of airlines that offer their services to the tourists to come in the continent. The tourism industry in Europe is well supported by the airline as well as railway industry. Weaknesses: Language plays a barrier in some of the European countries as people are not aware of any other language. The climatic conditions are generally cold and during winters it becomes difficult to access the countrysides and cities. Opportunities: The access to the countries is easy due to the high competition and also the stay is competitively priced therefore there is a possibility that due to high competition people get better deals in European countries, therefore, this factor can force them to travel to the continent. The outbound travel will grow from Asia pacific and Middle Eastern countries as they are planning to have direct flights to the European countries where they do not operate. Also, the Chinese people are now more inclined towards travelling to different countries and continents. More business expansions in the continent as the tourism will grow. (Porter, M,(1985). It is very obvious that the industry will grow from all sides when more money will flow in. Increasing demand for nature tourism. Tourist these days prefer to travel to the countries which are rich in nature and are also eco-friendly. The economy of the countries will increase especially in the less visited countries. Threats: People now prefer short vacations rather than long vacations. People travel only to those countries which are well established and doing good business, however, the countries under developed are left behind. Changing the attitude of the customers in the global recession. Terrorist attacks and health hazards will affect the tourism in the continent as people stop travelling. The economy downfall of other countries will slow the growth of tourism in the European countries.

7 Eleven Target Market

7 Eleven Target Market This investigation of the small business, 7-Eleven chain store, was conducted over two month period from July, with many sources of information, such as the actual stores and the information from internet. The 7-Eleven chain store was established as an ice house in Dallas, Texas in 1927, and it is one of the worlds largest operator, franchisor and licensor of convenience stores. This article seeks to explore a comprehensive description and understanding about 7-Eleven and try to find out the secret of success, as well as giving some suggestions. The 7-eleven chain store was started out in 1927 and was introduced to Australia in 1977. An ice dock employee in the Southland Ice Company began to offer milk, bread and eggs on Sundays and evenings when grocery stores were closed. This new business idea produced satisfied customers and then the chain store was established. In November 2005, 7-Eleven, Inc. became an indirect subsidiary of Seven I Holdings Company, a Japan-based organization. Their prime function is to consistently serve the changing needs of customers for their convenience. The store can always adapt quickly to meet the customers changing needs. It is the most obvious feature that makes it different from other convenience stores. With the newest products and services applying in the store, and the newest ways of business operation, the store can be operated more efficiently than others. For short, the perpetual improvement made the store keeping ahead in so many brands of chain stores. As a convenience store, 7-Eleven mainly faces three types of competitors. The first on is supermarkets, such as Wal-Mart. Second, small shops (probably not has a brand). Third, other brands of convenience stores, such as Lawson (founded in 1975 in Japan). The targeted customer is young single working people, usually un-married, as a result, the location of 7-Eleven always near office buildings, shopping malls, parking lots, subway station, et al. Besides the traveler is also its main customer. In Australia, stores in suburban areas often operate as petrol stations (wikipedia.org, 2010). 7-eleven, Inc. is the words largest convenience retail chain. The company operates franchises and licenses more than 7,100 stores in the U.S. and 7-Eleven licensees and affiliates operate approximately 31,400 7-Eleven and other convenience stores in countries including Japan, Taiwan, Thailand, South Korea, China, Australia, et al (7-eleven.com, 2010). The main distribution of 7-eleven around the word can be seem in the table bellow fig.1 Fig.1 the main distribution of 7-Eleven around the word Territory First Store Opened Number of Locations United States 1968 584 Canada + 1969 457 Mexico 1971 1,180 Japan 1971 12,753 Australia 1977 397 Sweden 1978 191 Taiwan 1980 4,735 China (Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou Macau) 1981, 1992, 1996, and 2005, respectively 1,680 Singapore 1983 493 Philippines 1984 469 Malaysia 1984 1,115 Norway 1986 177 South Korea 1989 2,282 Thailand 1989 5,409 Denmark 1993 126 Beijing, PRC 2004 93 Shanghai, PRC 2009 20 Indonesia 2009 5 Rsource: http://corp.7-eleven.com/AboutUs/InternationalLicensing/tabid/115/Default.aspx (4) Suppliers It can be seen from the table bellow that the most commodity of 7-Eleven is food, in which the processed food account most. As a result, the main supplier of 7-Eleven is food maker, especially who produce the processed food. The non-food products suppliers is various, such the provider of a variety of prepaid card. Fig.2 the commodity composition of 7-Eleven Product Type Percent% food 75 processed food 31.5à ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ fast food 30 selling foodà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã‹â€ such as milk, cheeseà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã¢â‚¬ ° 13 non-food products 25 Data resource: http://www.7-11bj.com.cn/com_1.html 4. Personnel Details To achieve their business goals, the store has many different departments that people or the technical equipment can help the store improve and perform better. Business Consultants A Business Consultant is a 7-Eleven employee assigned to the store and who visits the store twice a week. The business consultants can help the store in the following ways: Assist in the development of budgets and business plans for the store Provide advice, coaching and assistance on how to improve the business Assist with the analysis of the stores sales  data Provide continual training and guidance on the ever-improving system of the store Promote efficiency to help maximize the stores profitability Daily Deliveries Combined Distribution Centers pull products from multiple suppliers matched to the stores order and deliver daily to the store-everything from the proprietary Fresh Foods and Fresh Bakery items to dairy, eggs and snack foods. The delivery time is scheduled, so the employer know when to expect it The employer receive fewer deliveries during the day, when customer traffic is heaviest The delivery reduce the chance of running out of stock because it can replenish  items daily The employer are able to consolidate work, so he/she can spend more time satisfying his/her customers and growing the business The Advertising Support The advertising support can be seen in the following ways: TV and radio spots Billboards Websites Public relations Point-of-purchase materials 5. Technology (1) An efficient information network According to the needs and development of business, 7-Eleven has established a highly efficient comprehensive integrated information network. The overall systematic chain management can be realized through it. The main functions of the integrated information network are follows: Collecting the sales information of commodity, forecasting the orders, and releasing the orders data regularly Analyzing the ordering information of multiple store by POS System, and sent the result to manufacturers and wholesalers automatically; analyzing the selling data of different stores and sent the result to all stores automatically; analyzing the whole operation management information of the enterprise. The goods manufacturer begins to prepare the orders after receiving the data, and the wholesalers begin to prepare the ordered merchandise. The distribution centers begin to distribute the merchandise to all chain stores after receiving the merchandise specific details of headquarters through POS system. The information network is fully used in sales, ordering, purchasing, commodity inspection, accounting, etc. The network takes a mean of automatic processing in receiving order, data processing and transmitting, summons issuing, credit managing, et al., achieving business automation processing. The whole efficiency of the operation is improved greatly. à ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã‹â€ 2à ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã¢â‚¬ °Advanced logistics and distribution system Aggregate distribution is the unique distribution system of 7-Eleven. 7-Eleven has establish a common distribution center which gather the merchandize of the manufacturers that delivered by other wholesalers. The transport efficiency is improved greatly as the increased of delivery amount of goods to every stores and the reducing of delivery times. The delivery distant and time is reduced greatly as the shrinking of the distribution area. 6. Government regulations (1) Merchandise The products they provided are classified in different criteria. Besides the basic classification, the products are classified as products that are needed in the morning, afternoon, late afternoon, evening and late night, which is extraordinary and convenient for customers to choose the goods they need. (2) Worker The 7-Eleven Way principles are illustrated in the acronym as the follows: (See Fig.3) I CARE about People Teamwork. Fig. 3 The 7-Eleven Way principles about People Teamwork ICARE(the acronym) I- Integrity C-Customer Focus A-Accountability R-Recognition E-Excellent Execution (3) Marketing Principles The following four marketing principles have been stressed and must be followed by workers. Complete merchandizeput the merchandize that customer need most; Fresh management keep the merchandise fresh in 24 hours; Clean storekeep the shop clean in 24 hours; Smile service play the charming of smile service. 7. Global business environment On one hand, convenience store has a broad prospect with the urbanization and economic development. Convenience store is a very promising new type. As matter of fact, convenience stores has become one of the lifestyle is modern fast-paced life. On the other hand, convenience stores will also become one of the most competitive retail industries for its nature. For 7-Eleven, both opportunities and challenges exist. In over all, it has a good global business environment, the market demand is greater and greater, but the competition between convenience store has become more and more drastic. 8. The Business Strategies The key for the success of a chain store is convenience, which is also the primary factor for its survive. The main function of the chain store is 24 hours business everyday. In Adelaide, open 24/7 is the key to success for 7-Eleven. The opening hours of is area is 9am 5pm, so it is very difficult for people to find shop at night. Besides, only small part convenience stores open in 24-hour. 7-Eleven introduced convenience for customers to more deeply realize that the convenience meaning the full benefit of the customer to do everything. For example, the toilets free of charge to the customer open, free use of parking lots. As long as there is demand, do not buy goods, and the staff does not have to say hello, you can use the convenience store facilities. In fact, free use of only a handful, or bread, Fan Tuanzi, or a bottle of water, consumers will buy something from the store back. Convenience stores are open already from the time of SEVEN-ELVEN (from 7 am to 11 pm), to 24 small businesses development, according to different store locations, the golden hours each shop is different (Fei Ming-shengà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã…’2002). A large number of consumers go to the convenience store to buy lunch and drinks. In addition, 7-Eleven store often operating at night prime time, due to the phenomenon that work overtime is widespread, many people snack on his way home almost all the convenience stores, convenience that fully reflects the store characteristics. Importantly, the efficiency of the center in order to provide services, the services they give full play to the wide differences in the role of the individual into the retail market. Best to chase Japanese 7-Eleven differentiated services, in order to complete every 7- Eleven convenience store customers into the life situations and let the container on the goods naturally waving to customers. Although the pavement area of 7-Eleven convenience store is only 30-40 square meters, it operates more than 3,000 kinds of commodities, daily average sales of 4 million per unit area of 2.35 million yen sales, capital turnover rate  up to 43 times a year (Fu tie-shan, 2004). 7-Eleven convenience store business model is the most lively and diverse, such as convenience stores not only sell food and beverages, newspapers, magazines, tobacco, health care products, such as three meals a day, but also pre-order disc CD, seasonal merchandise, and a variety of payment services and ATM (ATM) services and other financial ticket.  Receive e-mail service launched recently, the formation of a truly integrated approach to facilitate the center of home life.24-hour convenience stores and can thus meet the needs of consumers at different levels (Zhou Jia-gao, 2002). The SWOT mode of 7-Eleven can draw as follows from the analysis above. Fig.4 SWOT mode of 7-Eleven Strengthà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã… ¡ (1) Wide marketing channels There are many stores (2) Related services is many The product exploitation capabilities is excellent (3) A large number of original products which has great attraction to customers (4) Good brand image (5) Regularly updated the product information Opportunity: (1) The demand is large and the market has a great potential (2) Has a good cooperation and relationship with many companies which will create many business opportunities. (3) The consumption habits of people will be changed. Weakness: (1) The price is a little higher than other stores (2) Larger number purchase is not available Threat: (1) the market of convenience store will be saturation (2) Facing the threat of sales promotion launched by supermarkets (3) Peer competition (4) Can not meet consumer brand with special preference 9. Recommendations (1) Customer focus Why can 7-Eleven always attract different customer groups of different cities and regions? How 7-Eleven master the demand of customers. The word of Toshifumi Suzuki, the owner of 7-Eleven can always unveil the hidden meaning that the key of retail business in nowadays psychology rather than not economics (Pilieci, 2009.). Indeed, the competition between convenience stores is not the pace of expansion or the price. The main consumer group is of convenience store is white-collar workers and single people, etc. They rarely seek cheaper. Therefore, the competition between stores will ultimately fall to the service. The beliefthe satisfaction of customer needs is the key to the success of retail industryis the consistent idea of 7-Eleven. As a result, 7-Eleven establishes has established the operation tenet of follow the need of various customer needs. 7-Eleven constantly study and explore the products customers really want and how to meet customer needs from the view, thinking and action of customers. This is why 7-Eleven can take the good business strategies I mentioned above. (2) Brand strategy Brand management is an inevitable process if an enterprise wants to be success. 7-Eleven now not is only stand for convenient, but also the representation of safe and secure. Sometimes, even though the price in 7-Eleven is slightly higher than other stores, customer will still buy things in 7-Eleven. 7-Eleven has become a close friend of our people. We like it and trust it. The founder has realized that most of the goods in convenience store are necessities which are so comment that anyone can open a convenience store; only those who win the favorite of customer can win the business. At the early days, 7-Eleven has designed its logos and operated it continually and seriously. (3) Characteristic operation Although the 7-Eleven is a convenience store, it has carried out the characteristic operation in service and products which make it different from other store. For example, the targeted customers of 7-Eleven is young single working people; 24 hours operation, etc. Convenience store is a very promising new type industry. Convenience stores and shopping has become one of the lifestyles in modern fast-paced life. For the convenience store, the customer needs need to be focused with great effort. It also should try to development its characteristic convenience services and products. Meanwhile, for the development of a company, a good brand is essential. The successful experience of 7-11 convenience stores not only worthy leaning of convenience store industry, but also left much consideration and revelation to the development of other industries. 10. Reference wikipedia.org, 2010.7-Eleven, Fu Tie-shan, 2004. The successful experience of 7-11 convenience stores in Japan and its enlightenment, Jiangsu Business Discussion,07(3),p,24. Zhou Jia-gao, 2002. The success of 7-11 convenience stores in Japan, Management Science Digest. 44(06), P. 34. Fei Ming-shengà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã…’2002.Franchise in China: Inspiration of the Success of Japanese 7-11 Self-service Storesà ¯Ã‚ ¼Ã…’Business Research,11(05),p.124. Pilieci, V., 2009. 7-Eleven unplugs phone deal, moves Hundreds of cellphone owners left on hold by sale to Quickie. Ottawa Citizen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7-ElevenRetrieved September 5, 2010. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa/Eleven+unplugs+phone+deal+moves/2161149/story.html. Retrieved September 1, 2010.

Corning Electronic Products Division :: GCSE Business Marketing Coursework

Corning Electronic Products Division The By 1968 Coring realized market conditions were changing, technology was shifting to a commodity based market. Corning did not know if they wanted to be in this market. Some of the internal technical leaders were willing to turn away from this market claiming Corning developed high margin and highly technical products. Mean while sales and marketing were pushing hard to win new work in these fields disregarding the fact that Corning was not designed to compete in a fast moving commodity market. So, although sales were down Corning still relied on making their profits with out competition pressures. They relied on patents, technical know how and substantial capital investment joint. Corning started to see problems when its sales force started to focus on volume of sales without a concern for gross margins. The Sales group booked as many orders as they could to meet sales goals. Sales were giving away the store, claimed manufacturing. Marketing was just as bad. They projected a market for a product, had manufacturing make samples and spend on capital investment, only to come back later and say the market is not ten million, but, one million. Marketing claimed manufacturing was to slow to react to market conditions. Marketing clamed Product Development wasted time, up to seventy percent of product roll out was spent on process development. What happened was the trust that is necessary for departments to be able to work closely together went away. Through all of this lack of leadership, the company still held monthly meetings. Represented at these meetings in many cases were managers how did not know what was going on.

The Strength of Uncle Toms Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe :: Uncle Toms Cabin

The Power of Uncle Tom’s Cabin  Ã‚   Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, has had a tremendous impact on American culture, both then and now.   It is still considered a controversial novel, and many secondary schools have banned it from their libraries.   What makes it such a controversial novel?   One reason would have been that the novel is full of melodrama, and many people considered it a caricature of the truth.   Others said that she did not show the horror of slavery enough, that she showed the softer side of it throughout most of her novel.   Regardless of the varying opinions of its readers, it is obvious that its impact was large.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For instance many of the characters in the book have become the stereotypes of slavery in the South.   An example of this is Uncle Tom himself, whose name was eventually degraded into a nickname for blacks who were too subservient to whites.   He became the stereotype of the passive slave who would do anything his master told him, because it was his duty as a slave.   However few remember how the strength of his faith was what allowed him to tolerate the horrors that were enacted upon him.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another example of the stereotyping of Stowe’s characters is Aunt Chloe, Uncle Tom’s wife, and her children.   Aunt Chloe is an excellent example because she has become the â€Å"Aunt Jemima† stereotype.   She had a â€Å"round, black, shining face† and wore a checkered headscarf, and she worked in the kitchen, took care of the kitchen, and basically ran the household.   Not to mention for many years black children were still stereotyped as mischievous like Mose, Pete, and, later in the novel, Topsy.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Even the slave owners and traders are stereotypes now.   Mr. Shelby and his wife have become the â€Å"gentlemen and lady† slave holders, who see themselves as good Christian people and attempt to take good care of their slaves, but still don’t see black people as equal to whites.   Simon Legree has become the stereotypical cruel master, who let his estate go to hell, but continued to work his slaves too hard and beat them senseless (or, in Tom’s and other’s cases, to death) when they did not behave as he thought they should.     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However there are other ways this novel has been influential to American culture.   After its publishing it helped spread the ideas of the abolitionist movement.

consumer driven economy :: essays research papers

A Consumer Driven Economy In the past, marketing has been based on a stimulus and response method, where marketers would send out stimuli in the form of advertising and promotions to receive a specific response in the consumer’s behavior. Today, marketers have discovered an alternative way to communicate with their consumers called sense-and-respond. A sense-and-respond model is where advertisers sense what consumers are saying they want, through their behavior, and the marketers respond as promptly and as efficiently as possible.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This new trend is giving the consumer control over the decisions that until now, the corporations made for them. This impacts many aspects of business- from the items the retailers decide to stock, how the merchandise is categorized, the delivery, and the consumers even have more control over the development of new products. Putting the consumer in control could save a company a lot of money, while keeping the consumer satisfied with the product. Many popular companies are now practicing sense-and-respond when it comes to running their business. Wal-Mart uses the Internet to allow their suppliers to access data about their daily sales. While doing this they are not only helping their suppliers, but they are also avoiding overstocking their stores; hence they only buy what they know they will sell. Companies such as Dell that mass customize their product for the consumer are also practicing sense–and-respond. While giving the consumer complete control over what they want in their product, Dell avoids wasting stock that cannot be sold to the consumer. Being a consumer, I am personally thrilled to see this change in the retailer-consumer relationship. I was never aware of the losses that businesses suffered when their products did not sell to their expectations, understanding what the consumer desires will greatly improve this condition of waste.

Ethical Consumer and Fair Trade

QUESTION 3:Choose one of the theoretical approhes considered during the module, apply it to a particular issue or text and discuss how useful that approach is in analyzing, evaluating or questioning your chosen topic. Ethical Consumer and Fair Trade Introduction: Social responsibility and marketing ethics are natively controversial , continues research in this area represents conflicts and challenges addressed to marketers in respect to socially responsible approach to marketing activities(Laczniak and Murphy, 1993; Smith and Quelch, 1996).The aim of the essay is to explain arising phenomenon of Ethical consumption by the use of related theoretical frameworks, as well as explaining Fair Trade and paradoxes of ethical consumption in respect to the use of child labour by western MNC’s. The essay will be structured as follows :the rise of ethical consumption , theoretical approaches and critics ,business aspect of ethical consumption, explaining Fair Trade , paradox of child labo ur.Escalation of ethical concerns about the influence of modern consumption culture on society and the environment, the rising importance of these environmental and social issues within mainstream media, the emergence of organised consumer activist groups and the growing availability of ethical products, have all led to a rising awareness by consumers of the impact of their purchasing and consumption behaviour.In addition (Rob Harrison, 2005) provide external factors which have atributed to the rise of ethical consumtion: the globalisation of market combined with the weakening role of the state, the rise of MNC’s and brands, rise of campainging groups, enviroment as well as social effects of technological advance, shift in market power to consumers , and the growth of a wider corporate responsibility. Rise of Ethical consumption A new category of consumer – the ‘ethical consumer’ – has arisen.Ethical consumerism can be view as a process which contri butes to an ecologically sustainable future through development of sustainable lifestyles. Characteristics of ethical consumer   includes both ‘fairness’ in the sense of support for producers as well as environmental sustainability. Thus rise of the ‘ethical consumer’ and ‘ethical shopping’ via recycling and   boycotts over the past decade displays concern for sustainable consumption and social responsibility. Consumers, as a concerned party, can orient their choice and exercise purchaser power to buy the products which were made with the least harm to the environment.Furthermore this process the consumer becomes connected to, and an active participant in, global social and environmental issues. Ethics will contain different expressions, concerns and issues for each individual. Examples of ethical concerns for the ethically conscious include environmental/green issues, sustainability concerns, labours’ rights, country of origin, arms trade, fair trade and animal welfare. ‘Green’ consumerism, it should be noted, is subsumed within the broader category of ethical consumerism.The wider range of issues (including environmentalism) integrated within ethical consumerism produces complex decision-making processes for ethically minded consumers (Freestone and McGoldrick, 2008). Theoretical Approach: Baumhart (1961) and Tzalikis and Frizsche (1989) propose that the morale issues in marketing are crucial ,as marketing is expected to detect , anticipate and satisfy customer desires profitably , thus forming and sustaining the interface between consumer needs and companies market aspirations.There are problems in achieving a general agreement on the ethics in marketing stem resulted from the lack of uniform philosophical arguments of what is â€Å"good† and whereas â€Å"good† and â€Å"ethical† have matching meaning. Kant’s (1788) had an utilitarian and deontological views on ethic s based on reason,intention and duty. He states that duties cannot be connected with self-interest expressed in expected payoffs or rewards. Hence businesses should not exist to satisfy the needs of the society and companies have a responsibility, a moral obligation to deliver benefits to the society..Using Kant’s ethical theory as a reference point it can be argued that it pay off for companies to appear ethical : their expectations of enlarged sales , market share and profitability to appear as motivated by objective other than self-interest(Yeo,1988) In contrast John Mills (1998) ,has utilitarian view based on the outcome indicating that business ethics should maximize the total amount of pleasure worldwide and minimise the total amount of pain consequently enhancing the scope of beneficiaries.Mills associate ethics with the common â€Å"good† rather than self-interest. Nantel and Weeks(1996) argues that the use   of ethics in marketing is a paradox in itself as t he meaning of marketing, which is predominantly utilitarian , provides marketing managers with the justification for ethical behaviour when they ensure that the consequences of their behaviour are moral. In addition, in international marketing the problem becomes even more complex and important as the common â€Å"good† should transcend country borders.Crane and Matten (2004) stresses the fact that their is no moral absolutes and hence the implication of what is moral is based on the social context of the society in which they are practised. Hence in marketing terms   ethical relativism can justify diverse ethical standards applied to various countries and evolve over time. Besides , this forms a need for marketing adaptation within a particular market over time as the social culture, knowledge and technology change across markets at a given time. Business aspect of Ethical Consumption: n order to support ethical behaviour companies and industry organisations have adopt cod es of ethics or relied on self-regulation , consumer watchdogs, or external audit. Yet , these efforts alone are not enough to abolish unethical conduct. Businesses have been relatively passive in investigate their in marketing ethics and are still operating according to traditional business models and process that do not reflect consumer interests and ethical implications of their activity often continue afterthought and are yet to be thoroughly incorporated into management decision-making.The contingency framework can accelerate this pre-emptive approach to ethical decision-making. To embed ethics into firms planning and strategy formulation process , marketers should learn from consumers ethical evaluation of their marketing techniques (Smith and Cooper-Martin 1997). An â€Å"ethical execution of the marketing program. In addition to financial , market, and competitive objectives, marketers should include consumer concerns and ethical integrity as important criteria for manageme nt decision making .Furthermore, ethics must be matched throughout the marketing planning process from product development, market selection , advertising and promotion execution. Fair Trade: The fair trade concept, based on the idea of both economic activity and social development, is replete with ethical and sustainable echoes. Ransom (2002 p 20) asks, ‘can the process of production be democratized, ownership shared, organized labor encouraged, child labor made unnecessary, environmental sustainability and human rights promoted? This is likely to happen through the established process of consumerism, the normal working process of the market changed only slightly to make sure that a greater share of the profit is repaid to the original producers. Fair Trade is a new approach to the buyer-supplier transactions which aims at quality of exchange within a partnership approach. It is recognizes the power discrepancy between the developing and developed worlds(Strong, 1996). The bu siness focus is on the producer , rather than the consumer , has been central to Fair Trade.Although there is controversy about Fair Trade with the large corporations like Cadbury, Tesco’s , Tate and many more entering the market for FairTrade. The market for fairly traded products. The market for fairly traded products reached sales of ? 576m a year ,one out of five worldwide Fair Trade product are sold in the UK. Dr Iain Davies states that initial principles of the movement are being diluted by MNC’s entering market as well as the fact that consumer might not paying attention to the fact that how much in percentages this product is Fair traded exactly.Fair trade become a trendy brand itself . Research is not about blaming corporations, but is about making sure that people know that buying Fair trade-marked products from corporations is not the same as buying from companies that are 100 percent dedicated such as Traidcraft, Divine or Cafedirect. However, Dr. Iain Davi ess also confirms that consumers can rest assured that, everywhere the Fairtrade mark appears on a product, the producers co-op have received the Fair trade price and premium which they use for social schemes like   healthcare and education, or business developments.The rise of fair trade goods in retail and on the Internet can be said to have created decisively, in the sense that it was promoted through co-operation and campaigning events of social groups such as charities, small businesses, and community groups. The market in contrast has grown throughout consumer decisions based on individual ethics. Child Labour: Today, there are around 215 million children full-time employed throughout the world. In order to explain the issue of child labour, theoretical framework described earlier in the essay will be applied.Deontologist might reject to buy product made by child labour on principle, reasoning that this is violet a fundamental moral rule against the exploitation of children. However the paradox arise when one is faced with the argument that the fate of children is worsened by this action as the vital source of family income may be reduced. In respect to utilitarian approach, consumer might buy products made by the use of child labour, since not to do so would cause more damage than good. it might be incorrect to force corporations to dismiss their child workers.The main cause for children doing work is poverty. Earning money is an inevitable necessity for them. If they must give up their work in Western companies, they are forced to interchange them for something else, and this might not be to their benefit. For example when the U. S. government banned the import of clothing made by children labour under 14 in Bangladesh, around 50. 000 of them went from their works in the comparatively clean textile factories to collecting garbage, braking bricks and getting into prostitution.Moreover, economics models in certain conditions (where demand is assumed to be an elastic variable) product boycotts even can cause child labour to rise rather than decline. Conclusion It is difficult to draw specific conclusions about the merit of ethical behavior, nor the imperfections of unethical behavior given the contradictory research evidence. Consumers do seem to need more information to allow them to make better ethical judgments, and there is a role for firms to communicate this more efficiently through the media. Similarly, consumers need to more easily be able to compare and contrast the ethical ehavior of different businesses and their products if ethical values are to enter into their purchase decisions. Bibliography : Harrison, Rob, Terry Newholm, and Deirdre Shaw. The Ethical Consumer. London: SAGE, 2005. Print. Nicholls, Alex, and Charlotte Opal. â€Å"Fair Trade: Market-Driven Ethical Consumption [Paperback]. † Fair Trade: Market-Driven Ethical Consumption: Alex Nicholls, Charlotte Opal: 9781412901055: Amazon. com: Books. N. p. , n. d. Web. 14 Mar. 2013. Carrigan, Marylyn. â€Å"International Marketing Review. † Emerald. N. p. , n. d. Web. 14 Mar. 013. Bondy, Tierney. â€Å"Journal of Business Ethics. † Springer. com. N. p. , n. d. Web. 14 Mar. 2013. Matthew Adams and Jayne Raisborough â€Å"Journal of Business Ethics† (2010) 97:139–158 Isabelle Szmigin, Marylyn Carrigan and Morven G. McEachern International â€Å"Journal of Consumer Studies† ISSN 1470-6423 Anne-Marie Coles, Lisa Harris â€Å"Journal of Research for Consumers† Issue: 10, 2006 Carrigan, Marylyn and Attalla ,Ahmad â€Å"Journal Of Consumer Marketing†, VOL. 18 NO. 7 2001, pp. 560-577 Tierney Bondy Vishal Talwar â€Å"Journal of Business Ethics† (2011) 101:365–383 Read also: Disadvantages of Ethics in the Workplace

Psychologists describe motivation Essay

Obedience typically denotes something which describes dogs and kids fond of pleasing those they are in particular fond of. It is akin to being docile or domesticated and synonymous to tamed and controlled. It is a necessity where servants and workers are concerned and an anti-thesis to anyone who studies and breathes of terrorism and wreaking small scale havoc. Personally, it is expected of me as an employee, and as a citizen of this country. However, in real life, it can also be threatening if the individual has obedience as a dominating trait in his life; he could be prey to one who is working against the law if and when he intends to be the whistleblower of sorts. The paper attempts to share understanding of obedience in context of two major cultural milieus: India and America. There are important considerations to establish this understanding. It is in laying down the arguments such as providing contrasts to the concepts, extrapolating from a variety of illustrations, and taking on the moral issue as a motivating factor to manifest this trait. In explaining the behavior of people, we start our description with reference to some kind of active driving force: the individual seeks, the individual wants, the individual fears. Various psychologists describe motivation, in other words, as the driving force behind our behavior (Atkinson, et al. 1983). Smith, et al. labels their discussion on motivation as the â€Å"Why† of behavior (1982). Why does the tardy student in mathematics spend the rest of the period outside instead of inside the mathematics classroom? Emotions or strong feelings usually accompany motivated behavior. Often, emotions direct behavior toward goals (Atkinson, et al. 1983). In specific and familiar cases, the need to be accepted is acceptably present especially in collectivistic societies. The paper then attempts to examine this aspect of motivation in a person’s life in contrast to the notion that people move or are persuaded to do something if there is that authority figure to supervise or check on the tasks assigned. It examines theoretical perspectives to help elaborate the nuances of these two general aspects. II. DISCUSSION India is said to be a nation which is characterized by remarkable obedience. Studies have shown repeatedly the landscape of poverty and the primary factor is the value of obedience. America is known for liberty, democracy and freedom of speech, as well religiosity of the best and worst kinds. However, instances that reveal the deep-rootedness of obedience within subcultures described as American help paint a better and bigger picture on this observation. There are similarities and there are distinctions that make each culture stand out in terms of how obedience comes to the fore in decision-making. In addition, the distinctiveness come usually with the flavour that is identified clearly in each of the cultural backgrounds each country represents. a. Studies on Obedience i. Deviance in contrast: Illustrations and comparisons The world of humans is oftentimes unpredictable, changing and wondrously exciting. However, when these attributes become extremely bizarre and painfully detrimental, humans become sick and worried about to what extent can other humans afford to inflict harm against them. Suicide bombing is, if not the most, one of the most gruesome acts anybody can commit. It is outright crazy and stupid. One must be beside the normal to be entertaining such a thought in mind. Ironically, fanatics who have committed and attempted suicide bombings in the past, were deemed normal until the day when the execution of their ultimate plans were made public whether foiled or completed. People who are afflicted with mental disorder may, as other people, travel for the same reasons – vacation, visiting friends or relatives, business, recreation, and sometimes for religious or spiritual focus (Miller & Zarcone, 1968). Others indeed may travel for reasons other than the normal – for reasons triggered by malformed mental state such as the men who carried out the 911 attack of the Twin Towers in New York. Along the 911 attack, suicide bombing through aircraft came to prominence resulting in the stirring of the awareness among the international public of the fact that the regular traveler might not be that â€Å"regular† anyway. It is probable that some of them are driven by excessive anger or motivated by utopic hope as taught in the communities wherein they have pledged their life allegiance (Silke, 2003). In a recent turn of events in Pakistan, upon the return of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto to her home country, 124 were killed and 320 plus got injured as a result of another suicide bombing. The bomber threw grenades among crowds of people and afterwards blasted himself to death (CNN update, Oct. 18, 2007). It’s difficult to think of sensible reasons why a sane person (if that person was ever considered sane by his colleagues) has committed such an act in the first place. To spend and expend one’s self for a noble cause is commendable only if they benefit people outside one’s own community. It’s never an ideal to advance a religion’s cause at the expense of the lives of other people. A suicide bomber is demented in that even in the logic of religion, all religions presupposed a benevolent god who is both powerful and loving. There must be distortions somewhere within the suicide bomber’s mind to have associated the act of delivering a bomb and acts of piety. ii. American Context: Milgram Study The world came to know about the kind of research that Stanley Milgram had just started to explore in 1963 when he started to make his experiments known to the public. One of the major consequences of his studies was the development and establishment of ethics in research especially those involving human subjects. However, that became more like a serendipitous outcome of an entirely different pursuit in studying behavior. What Milgram set out to study was the issue of obedience in retrospect of the holocaust and the probable reasons that many people then under the Nazi regime followed orders that were inhuman or barbaric. It was approximately around the investigation of Adolf Eichmann who manned the Gestapo persecutions during the said Holocaust; this person had to face charges of genocide which was held in Jerusalem (Milgram, 1963). The experiment involved what Milgram called the learner, the teacher and the experimenter who authorized the course and duration of the study. The learner is the person who actually was employed to help the experiment (assumingly with the consent and guidance of Milgram). The â€Å"naive† or innocent person (the learner) will work with the same group of people but one who was actually a good actor. The teachers will conduct the tasks assigned to him about the memory exercise he was to supervise which was the learner will be able to accomplish; later an evaluation takes place of what that person (the learner) may have retained. If the learner commits mistakes, varied or graduated shocks were to be applied with matching painful and agonizing sounds that can be heard (Morris & Maisto, 1999). The experiment showed that despite attempts by the learner to communicate to the teacher/volunteer that the painful shocks should be stopped, whenever the experimenter (e. g. Milgram) was asked about stopping the treatment and the latter affirming that this was a part of the experiment, an overwhelming approximately 65% continued administering the shocks. What was even astounding was that when the person playacting as if in sheer agony and even almost dying or breathless, the teacher continued to administer these shocks which were increasing in intensity (Morris & Maisto, 1999). What were the implications of the study? An important lesson could be gaining insight as to people’s reasons why they may subject other people who were innocent to these painful episodes. Like the SS men of Eichmann during the captivity of the Jews in the early 40s, men who were deeply religious to a large degree, obey the orders despite what have been obvious clashes of understanding (Morris & Maisto, 1999). Authority figures cannot be denied as people who ought to be listened. Factors for a brief view on the implications point to people’s previous upbringing or how they were inculcated on by caregivers and figures who acted as people in authority and the value of obedience. iii. Indian (East) Context An example of collectivist culture, India, like Japan and other similar cultures and countries, obedience is a given in this nation (Rajagopalan, 1992). . Collectivism values the contributions of every member of the family and that support of whatever kind is expected from all family constituents. Obedience is then understood in the light of cultural influences. Culture influences our perception both directly and indirectly. Indirectly, because culture influences our personal needs and motives. Directly, because a person’s habits of looking at and interpreting things, objects, persons, and situations depend partly on his culture (Rajagopalan, 1992). A person’s social experiences exert a strong influence on how he sees or interprets a situation, specially a social situation. In his contact with his family, friend, school or business associates his responses to situations are influenced by experiences with these social groups. In other words, his perception of situation depends upon his social interactions with people and (Rajagopalan, 1992). Because of this a person’s social relations, family structure, and his working relationships are greatly impacted depending on whether he comes from an individualist or collectivist background or milieu. A person’s personal identity will be vastly different if he was brought by a culture which is collectivist in nature. His analysis of the things that occur around him, his values on possessions, money and family set-up will be filtered through the collectivist point of view. A person who is raised this way tends to see himself as functioning well only in relation to the valued members of the clan or the community which he belongs. The needs of the rest of the members of his community will always be a consideration. In contrast, the same person when raised and bred in an individualist culture such as in the American setting, tends to only see his function and identity through the training of his parents and community to look out for himself first and the needs of the rest of the family or community come second (Rajagopalan, 1992). Women are expected to occupy the role subordinate to their husbands or men. Consequently role expectations involved that of obedience and nurturance. Alongside this, children need to exhibit strong obedience traits to the mother (Rajagopalan, 1992). iv. Acceptance or obedience George Herbert Mead is a major influencer to many theorists who developed his major concepts into equally powerful viewpoints. His works although never published even during his lifetime had been influential to many of those who followed the path that he carved not only for himself but others close to him. Mead coined a lot of phrases and terminology. An important consideration when attempting to understand â€Å"obedience or conformity† and the idea that all that a person needs is his relationship be improved and eventually show that what motivated an individual is either because of a basic human need which is acceptance or that forces kept a person from committing a deed which is within the bounds of almost modern day type of living. To George Mead, an all important consideration when responding to stimuli of various forms, may actually come from this so-called â€Å"looking glass self† which is a mental picture resulting from assuming if a role of another person. In other words, social interaction is more than the mere contextualization of present experience; rather it takes into account that there is the importance of how the social exchanges take place. This looking glass self is an approach into getting insights in many of a person’s decision-making processes and how that person responds depend a lot to the degree of reality-based kind of relationship (http://www. afirstlook. com/manual6/ed6man04. pdf_). SYNTHESIS AND CONCLUSION Common knowledges are often inane talks. They are handed from generation to generation through word of mouth and are thus accepted as they are without clear scientific bases. They are not a good source of information because they are often misleading. They often prevent people from seeking laudable information and at times could be lethal. It should be noted that psychologists now utilize careful measures and specialized research techniques and procedures to avoid pitfalls of the so-called common knowledge (Aronson, 1972). Psychologists, being scientists, are concerned with investigating and explaining behavior. They make use of scientific inquiries in gathering data for obtaining facts about human behavior. These facts are collated, organized, and interpreted or analyzed according to the aims of the research (Aronson, 1972). Experimentation and direct observation are two modes that are employed in the empirical approach to investigation – the approach that is guided by experience. They propose hypotheses or propositions to be tested, which may either be derived from theories or formulated from observations. Hypotheses may be tested by experimental or non-experimental methods (Bower et al. , 1987). There are several well-known methods in social psychological research. Although not all are used for a given research project, a knowledge of these approaches will help one to choose the most suitable way to obtain most data and the most effective technique to use especially when studying individual behavior in groups (Aronson, 1972). Reference: Aronson, E (1972). The Social Animal. San Francisco Freeman. Atkinson, Rita L. , Richard C. Atkinson, and Ernest R. Hilgard (1983). Introduction to Psychology. 8th ed. , New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. Berkowitz, L. (1972). Social Psychology, Glenview, Ill. Scott. Foresman. Bower, G. H. , R. R. Bootzin, R. B. Zajonc (1987). Principles of psychology today. New York: Random House.

Transforming India

Transforming INDIA By empowerment of the people of INDIA Through Relevant Education & Vocational Training By Krishan Khanna Supported By Printed in India by Sheetal Prints, 211, Pragati Industrial Estate, Dr. N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel East, Mumbai – 400 011. Published in India by Manifest Publications, 308, Olympus, Altamount Road, Mumbai – 400 026, INDIA. Copyright  ©Krishan Khanna 2012 First Published in India in 1993 ISBN 978-81-906621-0-9 Transforming INDIA was first published by i Watch in 1993 and subsequently it was revised and enlarged every year till the present edition.See details on page 8 of this book. This book is also printed in 12 other Indian languages such as Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Assamese, Oriya, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Telugu Printed in India by Sheetal Prints, 211, Pragati Industrial Estate, Dr. N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel East, Mumbai – 400 011. Published in India by Manifest Publications, 308, Olympu s, Altamount Road, Mumbai – 400 026, INDIA. Copyright and Reproduction All content in this book, such as text, graphics, logos, images, data compilation are the property of i Watch, as well as other information providers.This book or any part thereof should not be reproduced, duplicated, published, circulated or exploited. No part of this book can be transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical or electronic, without the prior permission and written consent of i Watch. Transforming INDIA By empowerment of the people of INDIA Through Relevant Education & Vocational Training 1. This is a book and not a magazine. Especially formatted to look like a magazine for easy reading. Very few wish to read a 200 page book! 2.This book and this work are meant for the Youth of INDIA and the 460 million people who work in the MSME's and for those men and women who are working for the empowerment of the youth and especially women and the girl child. 3. To understand and appreciate the context of this book, page7 needs to be read first as this page is the essence of this effort. 4. History of evolution of this book, page 8 5. Immortal Inspiration, page 9 6. A Citizen's effort page 10 7. Aim of this book, page 10 The above pages 7, 8, 9 and 10 are suggested reading before you get into the main sections of the book General www. wakeupcall. org 1Contents Contents Foreword Sustaining Economic Growth History of evolution of this book Immortal Inspiration A Citizen’s effort & Aim of this book What can we do for you? i Watch Focus areas Citizen's response to i Watch About i Watch Principles, Mission, Goals 2 4 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 16 18 Section 1 Governance The INDIA you may not know Agenda for Transforming India Economic & business reforms Governance & Administration Country of INDIA Good governance can transform India into a superpower Good governance + Effective Administration = Zero Corruption World class requires hard work How to achieve world class efficiency?T hree Questions for the world Leaders 19 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 31 33 Section 2 Education & Human Resource Development Tale of three countries after 1947 The importance of education Learn to read and write any Indian language in 40 – 60 hours Vocational education & training, VET – the winner! Enterprise Skills Development, ESD & Vocational Education, VET ‘Education Matrix’ of INDIA Make India an international hub for higher & technical education Making INDIA a Knowledge Economy The population bomb that must be diffused Paradox INDIA Three Proposals for Empowering the youth Youth Counseling – Who am I? www. wakeupcall. org 34 35 36 37 39 41 43 44 47 49 51 52 General Section 3 Economy & Enterprise Difference between Poor & Rich The real & virtual India Poverty Line & related data How to plan for World Markets? A checklist MSME’s – Backbone of any economy India must become an International Hub for business GDP analysis of the Economy  œ Importance of SME’s China – India comparison chart†¦.. Catch me if you can? World, USA, BRIC, Selected Countries 56 57 58 59 61 63 65 66 67 Section 4 Employment Generation 68 69 70 72 73 75 76 79 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 90Importance of Education & Skills HRD – Employment & Unemployment ‘Employment Matrix’ of India Employment Generation Thru’ SME’s Categories of MSME’s, US-SBA classification Employment Generation Thru’ VET Classification of Vocational Education & Training, VET courses Implementation of VET for Employment Generation Definitions used in the area of Education & VET Vocational Training, VET & Economy in China Vocational Training, VET & Economy in Germany (EU) Vocational Training, VET & Economy in USA Vocational Training, VET & Economy in India India’s labour productivity Relevant Education and Training Agriculture: Advantage IndiaGeneral General Information References i Watch in national committees Abbreviations used in this book i Watch publications available in 13 languages Action Plan for GDP growth rate of 10% to 15% per year i Watch Projects Planned for 2012 – 2013 Sponsors About the Author General 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 100 Wake up Call for INDIA 3 Foreword This presentation has been structured for the benefit of the citizens of India, eg. , politicians, farmers, officials, professionals, teachers, students, scholars, doctors, businessmen, housewives, engineers, lawyers, consultants, NRI’s, PIO’s and the youth of India.This is a book and not a magazine! It has the easy and friendly style for comfort reading. Most of the articles are in one or two pages. Very few articles are in three pages. Wherever required the text is supplemented with simple graphics in order to cut down as far as possible unneccessary text, unless it is absolutely essential. The material within this book is divided into four sections. The bottom of each page classifies each type of article. The interconnection of these themes is highlighted whenever relevant.Section Section Section Section 1 2 3 4 covers covers covers covers articles articles articles articles on governance. on education and human resource development. in the selected areas of economy & enterprise. in the domain of employment generation. This book is meant for anyone who may have studied upto class 8th and beyond. As hardly 7% of all Indians really understand English, this book is also available in all major Indian languages such as Marathi, Gujarati, Urdu, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Oriya, Bengali, Assamese and Punjabi.The matter furnished herein has been updated to take into account current available data, wherever possible. The reader is requested to consider the contents of these pages in the spirit in which they have been written, to mobilize thought and action for the people of India. it is not a sermon, rather a statement of facts, to facilitate further awareness and action within the country, with the sole purpose to benefit the People of India. Each note is a ‘stand alone’. Any one of them can be read, at any time.If you ask me a pointed question about the five most important areas where we need to concentrate for bringing the maximum benefit to the people of India, I would say education, education, education, governance and primary healthcare. The first ‘education’ stands for funtional literacy and pre-primary, primary, secondary education. The ‘Right to Education Bill’ was introduced in parliament only in 2005 and passed in 2009. Thank God that after 63 years of Independance we realize the need for education! The second ‘education’ stands for vocational education and training (VET) and skills building.The importance of VET has finally been recognized at the level of the Prime Minister who had directed a Task Force in November 2006 to draw out milestones for uplifting our young Indians into productive employment by empowernment and training. 4 www. wakeupcall. org General In the 11th plan period the National Skills Council and the National Skills Devlopment Corporation have been setup in 2009. The Government of India has planned additional 1500 ITI's/ITC's and 50,000 skill centers in the 11th plan. The work on modernizing the existing 5,500 ITI's is also in full swing.The third ‘education’ stands for complete decontrol and deregulation of all forms of medical, higher and technical education. This alone can generate innovation, excellence and make us World Class. We have had reservations in steel, cement, cars, scooters, etc. Only increased capacity and free markets have solved the issues of price, quality and availability. ‘Licence Raj' in all forms of education especially in higher, medical and technical education must go! Education as an enterprise is nearly five times bigger than I. T. and software. It is therefore a much bigger employment generat or than software and I.T. The reader will have to look elsewhere for data and solutions in the area of primary healthcare. Good Governance has been highlighted by giving a number of examples of bad governance and the negative effects therefrom. It is difficult in a democracy to have good governance untill the electorate has been empowered with relevant education. Hence the emphasis on relevant education. It has taken our country 59 years after independance and a lot of discussion and debate to recognize the true potential of micro and small medium enterprises (MSMEs). The bill on MSMEs was passed only in 2006.Probably 80% of our GDP is here! 99. 7% of organizations in this world, including India, are MSME’s. This is the true ‘dynamo’ and ‘heartbeat’ of any nation. Out of a workforce of 490 million people, only 6% is the ‘organized sector’ and the balance 460 million or 94% is the ‘unorganized sector'. It is estimated that the total number of MSME's are 100 million. 80% in agriculture and plantations and the balance 20% in service and manufacturing sectors. The importance of Vocational education & training or VET and MSME’s for employment generation has been highlighted and explained.As per the latest CII – BCG – Prof. C. K. Prahlad Project [email  protected], the Nation requires 500 million world class skilled people and 200 million world class graduate by 2022. The history of evolution of this book has been dramatic, please see page number 8 for details. The only constant has been change. It is for you the reader to decide wether it was for better or for worse! Krishan Khanna Mumbai, India August 2012 Disclaimer The information mentioned in this book has been collected from various sources in India and outside, during the last 20 years. Watch does not take any legal responsibility for the accuracy of the data provided. We do not recommend that investment and business decisions be taken , based on the data provided in this book. Most of the sources of information as well as references are detailed on page 92. For the latest data and information the reader is advised to see the current websites and handbooks as mentioned on page 92. General Wake up Call for INDIA 5 Dear Reader, Welcome to i Watch. Based on the feedback from readers, we suggest that the following pages may be read first :1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7, 8. 9.Page 12 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Focus of this book Page 14 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Citizens response to i Watch Page 21 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Agenda for Transforming INDIA Page 34 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Tale of 3 countries Page 47 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢ € ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ The Population Bomb Page 56 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Difference between Poor & Rich Page 59 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ How to plan for World Markets? Page 61 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦MSME's – Backbone of any economy Page 66 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ China – India comparison 10. Page 75 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Employment generation through VET 11. Page 87 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ India's Labour Productivity 12. Page 90 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢ € ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ Agriculture: Advantage INDIA 13. Page 93 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ i Watch in National Committees 6 www. wakeupcall. org General Sustaining Economic Growth Through Relevant Education & Vocational Training The above theme needs to be continued forever, as far as India is concerned.The following two example will strengthen the importance of human resource development, relevant education and skills acquired through vocational training for sustainable development of the economy. I was invited in October 2007 by the Ministry of Education, S. Korea, to chair a session on ‘Vocational Education & Training (VET) for Developing Countries'. This was part of the Global HR Forum which was attended by nearly 1,200 educational experts from 50 countries. The only other Indian attending this forum was Prof. Ananth, Director of IIT-Madras. The deputy prime minister of South K orea was inaugurating the Global Forum.About 50 years ago the people of S. Korea were as poor as Indians. South Korea Looked at Japan and Germany who had very little mineral wealth such as ores, coal or energy in the form of gas, oil other hydro-carbons, just like S. Korea (but unlike India) but were developing very fast, in spite of the complete destruction in the 2nd world war! South Korea realized that the main reason was relevant education and skills building through vocational training. South Korea created a position of a deputy prime minister, whose main responsibility, I believe, is human resource development, education and skills building.General Wake up Call for INDIA 7 Today, after 50 years, an average South Korean has an income of nearly US$ 23,823 per year compared to US$ 1,530 for an average Indian. Is there a message in this for us in India? Let us Look at the 2nd example which is current. Where should we as a Nation be by 2022? Or in the year of our 75th Independence or [email  protected]? The Confederation of India Industry or Cll along with the world renowned management guru, late Prof. C. K. Prahlad had planned for [email  protected] Out of the 74 national committees of the CII, the ones on Education, Skills & HR and the Youth are primarily working on this initiative.Prof. Prahlad was very clear that only by empowerment of the people; especially the youth of India, through education and skills building and vocational training will ensure us as a Nation to attain our major our goals by the year 2022. The plan is to have 500 Million skilled people in different skills and 200 million world class graduates from different fields by 2022. More information about education, economy, governance and employment generation in India available at www. wakeupcall. org or in our book titled ‘Transforming INDIA by empowerment of the people of India through relevent education & vocational training'.History of evolution of this book In 1993 we started with a 4 page booklet. In 1997 it grew to 8 pages, which were also translated into 10 Indian languages. In 1999 the book had expanded to 16 pages, in 2001 to 24 pages, in 2002 to 28 pages, in 2004 to 32 pages, in 2005 to 36 pages, in 2006 to 48 pages and in January 2007 to 56 pages. In July 2008 the book was further expanded to 88 pages and in January 2009 was further expanded to 92 pages and in October 2009 to 96 pages. In February 2011 it was expanded to 100 pages. The current August 2012 edition is finally expanded to 104 pages.This book ‘Trannsforming INDIA' is available in English and 12 Indian language, viz. , Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu. The focus has always been in the same four areas: Governance †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚ ¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. India 1st Education and Human Resource Development †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Education 1st Economy and Enterprise †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. Economy 1st Employment Generation †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..Employment 1st Economy 1st and Employment 1st, as mentioned 1 2 3 4 i Watch has four divisions, namely India 1st, Education 1st, total of fourty seven notes and observations. above. The first three subjects have ten, twelve and nine articles each while the fourth has sixteen, a To assist the reader, the bottem of each page mentions the classification of the text, in one of the above four categories. Where it does not fit any of the four above, we have classified the same under â₠¬ËœGeneral’ category. 8 www. wakeupcall. org General Immortal Inspiration Nobel Laureate – Rabindranath TagoreINDIA can become a Nation, which is best described in the words of Rabindranath Tagore Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free; Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls; Where words come out from the depth of truth; Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection; Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit; Where the mind is led by thee into ever widening thought and action– Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.Gitanjali, verse XXXV. General Wake up Call for INDIA 9 A Citizen’s effort A citizen, an IIT engineer’s effort at starting and giving momentum for Transforming INDIA through relavant education, vocational training and human empowernment. All of us have a duty, many realize and many don’t. What is important is a clear understanding of what we need to focus on. The rest follows†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..A non-political, non-religious, non-sectoral effort where the only mission is to bring about awakening of the people and then alone can they decide and understand the latent potential of the People of India; what we missed out on and the importance of this work. There is much more to India than we typically may think. This work is only a seed; the growth will come through many hands, of which yours is also one. Aim of this bookThe biggest challange is to impart relevant education in the form of 100% functional literacy, vocational education and training a nd to expand multifold, the existing infrastructure of all forms of pre-primary, primary, secondary, higher, medical and technical education and make India an international hub for education, like it used to be. India needs to empower its youth with relevant education and training as soon as possible. The average age of an Indian is 26 years Priority number one is the education and empowerment of the girl child and women. 10 www. wakeupcall. org GeneralWhat can we do for you? 1. Publications Dear Reader we can assist and help you in the following areas:- Starting with this book. Please see details of other list of publications as detailed out on page 95. We request you to look at the inside cover page to note that this book of 104 pages is also available in 12 Indian languages such as Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Assamese, Bengali, Oriya, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada & Malayalam. English is only understood by 7% of the Indian population. 2. Interactive Workshops We conduct int eractive workshops in the following topics as detailed on page 91. Relevant Manufacturing Policy for India’, ‘Relevant Educational Policy for India’, ‘Globalization and how India can grow at +10% per year’, ‘Good Governance and how it benefits the citizen’, Employment Generation for 10 million people per year’, ‘How to make Money after leaving College’, Transforming India through Education’. 3. Mind-Set-Change of teachers, Parents & the Youth Kindly see the projects I and 2 as detailed on page 97 Not only are the Projects described but the positive impact of these Projects are also explained in detail. 4.Providing Relevant Data Kindly refer to our website at www. wakeupcall. org, all our publications as mentioned under item I, list of references as detailed out on page 92 and you will see that we have extracted a lot of relevant data for you the reader and formatted the same for easy reading and understanding. All our data is updated, as far as possible, once a year. 5. Setting up Vocational Education & Training Centres We work with a few large organizations within India who collectively train large number of people per year. We are their knowledge partners.By use of technology, by use of actual training centres, by use of integrating such training centres with business and industry in each local area, by providing trained Trainers & Mentors’ for actual training, by conducting assessments, exams and certification of trained persons, by providing counseling before training and placements after training, we add a lot of value for the youth in any geography or district of India. Currently we are concentrating on VET courses in the areas of Healthcare, Hospitality, Tourism, Education and setting up centres in all parts of India. Details on request.General Wake up Call for INDIA 11 i Watch Focus areas Education We work on this issue because†¦ 1. Drop-out rate between KG to Class 10 +2 is 87% to 93%, includes those who have never attended school. 2. ‘License Raj’ and regulation in Higher, Medical and Technical education, restricting growth, R&D, quality and capacity. 3. Cash out-flow of about Rs. 50,000 crores or US$10 to $12 billion per year for Indian students leaving India for foreign Universities, because of lack of seats and quality education within India. These funds enough to build 50 IIM’s & 30 IIT’s per year!It is estimated that about 153,000 students leave every year for foreign studies. 50% opt for a two year Masters course and the balance 50% for a four-year Undergraduate course. 4. Functional literacy expected to be about 33% against Government’s figure of about 67%, but China close to 93%. 5. Inadequate skills development. Hardly 0. 5% of the work force are being trained at any given, in the organized sector, versus the required 7% to 10%, as in China and other developed countries 6. India has 27,000 foreign stude nts while Australia has 400,000 foreign students 7.India has 1. 7 million schools vs 2. 5 million in China 8. India has 563 Universities vs 1100 in China 9. Pre-Primary not given impoftance. 90% of the human brain developed between the age of 1 to 6. 2. Why is FDI stock into India hardly US$ 121 billion vs US$ 1920 billion for China + Hong Kong? 3. Tourist traffic into India is only 6 million per year vs 80 million per year into China? 4. World trade is about 2. 2% against 8. 0% for China. 5. Agriculture productivity in India is 40% as compared to that of China. 6. Life expectancy is 67 years vs 74 years in China. 7.Electrical loss due to transmission and other losses from electricity boards vary from 25% to 50% in India vs 6% to 8% in China. 8. Foreign exchange reserves about US $ 295 billion for India vs US$ 2199 billion in China. 9. HIV/AIDS affect about 5 million people in India vs 0. 85 million in China. 10. 40% of all fruits and vegetables are damaged or destroyed due to poor farm management. 11. India receives a lot of rain but because of poor water management we get floods or drought. Economy We work on this issue because†¦ 1. Labour Laws do not allow level playing field for Indian organizations within present Global Economy. . Employment generation suffers because we look at Capital Intensive businesses rather than Labor Intensive ones. 3. India has only 2. 6% of world GDP. Buying power is low, but demand is high due to high population of 17%. Exports is the answer. Enough emphasis not given so far in 66 years. SEZ’s need to grow faster. 4. Infrastructure is very inadequate for 1,210 million people. Lot of talk but very little implementation. Governance We work on this issue because†¦ 1. Rs. 3,600 crores or US$ 0. 72 billion spent everyday by the 35 states and UT’s of India to run the country.Are the citizens happy? < 1 million = 10 lacs> 12 www. wakeupcall. org General 5. India needs to cash in the advantage of purchasing powe r parity, (PPP) for it’s World Trade. 6. I. T. and software is only 5% of the Indian economy and 3% of world economy. India must look at the balance 97% of the world economy and make it World Class. 7. Advantage of SME’s not fully understood. Present definition not as per Global Standards as in EU, USA, Japan, China, etc. This is a big disadvantage to Indian business as 99. 7% of all organizations in the world are MSME’s.SSI’s are only 5% of India’s GDP while MSME’s would be close to 70% to 80%. Ministry of Industry focus should change from Industry to Economy. 4. Vocational education is directly connected with employment and wealth generation, unlike normal education and knowledge improvement. The benefits of VET for the common man, benefits to organizations who use skilled and trained manpower and benefits to the nation to make it globally competitive will only come about when nearly 80% of the youth, after the age of 15 years opt for VET and not for the normal college education which is B. A, B. Sc or B. Com! 5.The Demographic dividend of supplying young skilled manpower to the world markets must be seized by future Indians by using VET. 6. The present work force of 490 million can be divided into 30 million in the organized sector and 460 million in the unorganized sector. The biggest challange facing us is to provide world class VET for the 460 million in the unorganized sector! 7. Most of the SME’s are in the unorganized sector. SME’s are the real ‘Dynamo’ of the economy. Dovetailing SME’s with Vocational Education & Training will create one of the biggest pool of young, talented and trained manpower in the world!This will propel India forward as an economic power. 8. In contries like Switzerland & Austria there are 5000 VET centers each only for a polulation of 8 million each! These contries are land locked and have no mineral wealth or energyi but because of high quality human resorseas have GDP nearly 33% and 23% of respectively of India! 9. The present â€Å"Apprentice Act† is not in line with the country's present needs. It requires to be completely overhauled so that nearly 10% of the workforce could be apprentices being trained and working at the same time. Employment Generation We work on this issue because†¦ . India has 43 million registered unemployed and probably another 260 million who are underemployed or unemployed in the age group of 18 to 50 years but not registered. 2. The average age of an Indian is 26 years, compared to a Chinese who is 34 years and a European, American or Japanese who may be 40 to 45 years in age. India is a very young country. We need to skill our people so that we can take advantage of so many ‘Young Indians’! 3. While China spends nearly 2. 5% of GDP on Vocational Education & Training (VET) in 500,000 VET centres covering nearly 3000 vocations. India ardly spends 0. 1% of its GDP in VET in 850 0 centres covering about 400 vocations. The actual expenses in VET are more but data is not available! ; 1 million = 10 lacs; General Wake up Call for INDIA 13 Citizens respond to i Watch Feedback and Response received from Indian organizations and individuals, during the last ten years has been documented, based on letters and communications received. A selection of some of these communications has been compiled into a dossier and available for inspection at our office in Mumbai. Some of the feedback is mentioned in the pages below.In short, we are quite happy about the mindset change and action plans initiated in different parts of India, based on the above strategy adopted by i Watch, action plans, assisting and networking with various stakeholders in the actual implementations of plans towards Educational Reforms and Transforming India. Sushma Berlia, President, Education Promotion Society for India †¢ They have set out to create a framework for achieving high and sustainab le growth for India. For this they are working to build consensus and influence policy changes.This is indeed a very unique strategy designed to have a far-reaching impact. Rajiv Kumar, Chief Economist, CII I hope to use some of the wisdom gleaned from your paper in the formulation of my policies of corporate governance. N. R. Narayana Murthy, Chairman & Chief Mentor, Infosys †¢ †¢ i Watch is doing a wonderful job in making the people understand and specify relevant policy changes required and the importance and need of Good Governance to benefit the people of India. Dr. B. P. Dhaka, Secretary General, PHDCC †¢ The Chamber appreciates the good work i Watch has been doing for the benefit of the citizens.P. N. Mogre, Secretary General, Indian Merchants Chamber †¢ The mission of i Watch has been the Mission of Krishan Khanna to innovate and transform where ever he was involved in work or life. Dr. P. S. Rana, Chairman & Managing Director, HUDCO †¢ As an educati onist and HRD consultant I strongly believe that the plan of i Watch for training 95% of the youth in 3000 areas of Vocational education is most innovative. If implemented, it would prove to be a major solution for the unemployment problem in India Prof. Rooshikumar Pandya, International Management Guru We interact with more than 500 NGO’s and we must say that we have found i Watch a unique and innovative NGO. Vinay Somani, Managing Trustee, Karmayog. com †¢ I have read with interest your book titled, Transforming India, and would like to convey my compliments to you for the very useful studies and suggestions contained in this. I have no doubt that the issues raised and the recommendations made are of immense value. B. N. Yugandhar, Member Planning Commission We believe in the ideas and suggestions of i Watch to bring the policies to optimum benefit for the people of India.Anupam Mittal, President & CEO, People group †¢ †¢ I have not heard of any NGO like i Wa tch which has such a holistic plan for Transforming India. Maj. Gen. D. N. Khurana, Director General, All India Management Association. Regarding Good Governance, I look forward to having detailed discussions with you to follow-up on some of the suggestions contained in your book, Transforming India. M. Damodaran, Chairman & Managing Director, IDBI †¢ †¢ I really appreciate i Watch’s endeavour in creating awareness, suggesting solutions and 14 www. wakeupcall. org I am aware of the good work being done by i Watch.I have noted your views regarding good governance, training and employment. M. Venkaiah Naidu, President, BJP †¢ General †¢ Please keep up the good work. Dr. Natarajan – Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education well as focusing on the areas where we need to give greater attention. M. V. Rajasekharan, Minister of State for Planning, Planning Commission †¢ I was very impressed with your whole program and your efforts to elevat e India. Babu Khalfan, NRI based in USA †¢ The vision with which i Watch has been set up is indeed a very timely effort for better governance.We would be glad to be associated with your foundation. Deepankar Sanwalke, Executive Director, KPMG †¢ We would deeply appreciate it if you could kindly spare the time to participate in the Conference on NRI—Civil Society Partnership and guide its deliberations. Dr. Abid Hussain, Chairman, Group for Economic & Social Studies At the outset, let me congratulate you on all your presentations and I feel happy and honoured that you have shown interest in our working together on vocational education and training. I can see the potential. Prof. Rupa Shah, Vice Chancellor, S. N. D. T. Women’s University †¢ I would like to thank you for your support. It has helped us grow into a strong and vibrant organization. Padmini Somani, Director, Salaam Bombay Foundation Your publication makes an interesting reading. I very much app reciate the simplicity and practicality of your approach. K. L. Chugh, Chairman Emeritus ITC Ltd. †¢ We welcome you as a founder member of the IC Centre for Governance. The executive committee members of the Centre are impressed by the choice of your core issues and the action plans outlined. Prabhat Kumar, Former Cabinet Secretary & President, IC Centre for Governance †¢ Watch is doing a wonderful job and the research work you are doing shall give us a lot of inputs for the movement. Sudesh K. Aggarwal, Secretary General, All Indians Foundation †¢ Reference your discussions with our Chief Secretary, we will be glad if you hold interactive sessions on Good Governance & Effective Administration for all senior and middle level officers, numbering about 450 of the government of NCT, at the Delhi Secretariat. Prakash Kumar, AR & IT Secretary, Govt. of NCT †¢ †¢ I must admit that this is really a very painstaking job and you have amassed a lot of valuable statist ics and data.I assure you that with my limited capability I shall try to project your data to all possible forums. P. N. Roy, Chairman, Indo-Asahi Glass Ltd. †¢ i Watch is invited as a part of the expert panel to comment and suggest on the â€Å"India and the World 2025† scenarios at the interactive workshop organized by the World Economic Forum and CII. Confederation of India Industry †¢ Your effort to shortlist the maladies looming ominously on our socio-cultural-economic spectrums deserve mention. R. S. Agarwal, Joint Chairman, Enami Group of Campanies †¢ Please accept my congratulations for the good work which you have done.I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best in your work and I am sure your publications will bring about awareness and as well play a very educative role in highlighting the issues and as General †¢ I critically studied your ‘Governance & Administration of India’ paper and came out very deeply impres sed and also agitated. It is powerful enough to make everybody sit up and think. It hits the right cord. You have precisely pointed out what ails India. Prakash Almeida, Director, Institute for Study of Economic Issues Wake up Call for INDIA 15 About i WatchI am sure this book will set all those who receive it thinking and from thinking at least some will go on to take some action to realize the vision you have sketched. N. Vittal, Central Vigilance Commission, CVC †¢ What is i Watch ? i Watch, is a citizens movement for Transforming INDIA. ‘i’ means India, Indians, you and me. ‘Watch,’ means that we are ‘watching' what is happening in the country and reporting to the citizens in order to create awareness for the sake of improvement. The ‘i’ is small since our gurus have always taught us that only with humility can we perceive the truth.We focus on Human resource development, governance, economy, enterprise and employment generation and the relevance of their interconnection. i Watch is a registered charity with the head office located in Mumbai, India. Donations to i Watch, qualify for 80G income tax benefits for indian organizations and citizens. The FCRA approval for foreign donations has been received in January 2009. Your perception is superb, ideas are original and some of the statistics are mind boggling. I wish your ideas get a much wider coverage through the all-India media. H. N. Dastur, Executive Director, Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan When awareness is there, the action will also take place and in this crusade I and many Indians are with you. Keep it up. Sushil Gupta, Past District Governor, Rotary District 3010 †¢ I assure you that I will continue to do whatever is within my power to pursue the one point agenda as in your letter. George Fernandes, Defense Minister, Government of India †¢ We feel privileged on account of your having favoured us with your valuable experience. Air Commodore Amrit La l, Executive Director, Indian Society for Training & Development †¢ How do we plan to transform INDIA? i Watch, functions in three stages. . Create awareness Publications such as Making INDIA a Knowledge Economy, The INDIA you may not Know and Action Plan for INDIA are used for the purpose of creating awareness. 2. Solutions and Action Plans This is achieved by our website, interactive workshops and our 104 page book, Transforming INDIA. 3. Actual Implementation For this purpose, we assist and network with government, public, private organizations and NGO’s. †¢ I appreciate your viewpoints expressed in the note and would invite more ideas and pragmatic exercises which can help to develop society in the right direction.Suresh Prabhu, Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha 16 www. wakeupcall. org General What has i Watch achieved ? In 1992, when we started on the journey of Transforming INDIA, we had no clue as to the focus we should take. It took us nearly 4 years of resear ch and travel to come to some basic conclusions as to the areas of focus for transforming India. This we achieved by 1996. Real work started in 1997. The focus finally watered down to the following four key areas:1. HRD, Vocational education & Employment Generation 2. Governance & administration of India 3.Policy changes regarding, SSI, MSME and relevant labour laws 4. Economy, Enterprise, eg. emphasis on exports and other sectors of the economy such as retail, wholesale, manufacturing, travel and tourism, healthcare, infrastructure and agriculture. i Watch has had some success in all four areas as we have been able to change the mindset of a large cross section of the decision making population by the use of:1. Interactive workshops, seminars & articles 2. Publications, Making INDIA a Knowledge Economy, The INDIA you may not know and Action Plan for INDIA 3. 02 page book, Transforming INDIA 4. Website at www. wakeupcall. org 5. Participation in the National Committees of the MHRD, Planning Commission, Chambers of Commerce, CII, FICCI, Ministry of IT, etc. As member’s of CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, PHDCC&I, IMC, MEDC, BCC&I and discussions with IBA, RBI, and MOF we were able to influence the meaning of SME’s and understanding the limited relevance of SSI’s. The only constant in life is change Recognized by the Europen Union, EU, for a joint project on employment generaction and vocational education and training in ten states of India.In the area of Governance we have been consulted by state governments such as the Delhi NCT to suggest and advice on Governance and Administration. In Educational Reforms, our thought process regarding vocational education and training, have been considered by the Ministry of HRD, Planning Commission & IGNOU. Thrust on Deregulation of Higher and Technical Education is gaining acceptance through initiatives with the CII, FICCI, ASSOCHAM, EPSI, PHDCC&I and others. In the areas of Economy & Enterprise, we are called fo r our feedback and inputs by think tanks such as the World Economic Forum, WEF.In the last 20 years we have distributed more than 600,000 copies of our book, Transforming INDIA, conducted a large number of interactive seminars and hosted all our ideas and thoughts on our website. Our publications are available in 13 languages, in English, Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Oriya, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Punjabi, Urdu and Malayalam. Only 7% of Indians understand English. General Wake up Call for INDIA 17 i Watch principles, mission, goals Guiding Principles 1. Positive attitude Believe that real change is possible. 2. Research Don’t hit the road without detailed home work. 3.Effective communication Use communication tools to reach out to all. 4. Belief in the power of the community Recognize that the central means of all actions is a collective assertion. From an inclusive community comes a collective strength. 5. Constructive engagement Engage in the spirit of partn ership. Build alternative modules or change the rules. 6. Non partisan culture No political affiliation 7. Pro-political approach Politicians are victims of the vicious cycle, not villains 8. Respect for political process Recognition that the politics is the central to democrac and the true politics is a noble endeavour 9.Political alternatives There is no alternative to democracy—the alternative to democracy is a better democracy 10. Professionalism Deliver on individual roles and responsibilities at the highest degree of commitment and capability at all times. namely good governance & effective administration, how it influences the economy and how to achieve it? The importance of relevant Human Resource Development. Removing the present ‘Licence Raj’ in education! The need for policy changes such as scrapping the existing limited definition of small scale industry, SSI’s, and expanding it into micro, small and medium enterprises or SME’s.The cryin g need of relevant labour and administrative reforms to bring India at par with other Asian Tigers and to provide a level playing field to our business leaders and managers. Why exports and tourism must be expanded by 1000% of the present levels! In a democracy people have to get involved. Change is possible and more creditable if communication is ‘bottom up’ rather than ‘top down’. Our presentation is therefore designed for the common man or the ‘citizen of India’. Goal To make India, a land, which is truly world class. With 1210 million people, India has a very large demand, but where is the buying power?We must export more to build up buying power! India’s future lies in becoming a resource base for the world, in manufacturing, trading and services, since 97. 4% of world trade and 97. 8% of world buying power is NOT within India. A bird’s eye view shows:†¢ India needs to emulate the successful examples of information techn ology, software and diamond exports, for all other sectors of the economy. †¢ With a high purchasing power parity (PPP of Rs. 16 = US$1), India has immense scope to export goods and services. Good governance and effective administration are necessary to achieve these goals for India! Politicians and officials in China ‘Talk Economics & Walk the Talk’, that is why non-resident Chinese and foreign investors have confidence in China! Fortunately, the preception about India is now in positive territory! General Historical Background The focus was always constant in the areas of Human resource development, governance and the economy. The importance of the interdependance of HRD-Governance-Leadership-Economy & Enterprise-Infrastructure on each other needs to be understood. Each depends upon the other in many ways.It is not possible to look at them seperately without causing harm and lowering the efficiency of the country. Mission To create awareness for the citizens of I ndia in areas which are vital for the future of the nation, 18 www. wakeupcall. org The INDIA you may not know of 50,000 or more private I. T. training centers spread across the country. 9. I. T. & Software are only 2. 0% to 2. 5% of the world’s GDP. India’s present share is about 5% of GDP. For rapid economic growth and employment generation we need to concentrate on the balance 95% of the economy and enterprise and make it world class! 10. 00 million unemployed of employable age* and only 44 million have actually registered with employment offices with little or no hope of getting employment (our estimates)*. 11. Of all new employment generated, 1% are government jobs, 2% are in the ‘organized sector’ and the balance 97% in the ‘unorganized sector’. 12. Out of our 490 million workforce, 94 % work in the ‘unorganized sector’ and about 6% in the ‘organized sector’. Nearly 55% to 60% are self employed. 13. 2. 5% of the entire population, viz. 19 million people work for the central and state government; another 11 million work in the ‘private organized sector’.A small part of the population work in the organized sector. 14. All Labour Laws are made to protect, at any cost, the above 2. 5% of the Indian population. Article 311 of the Indian constitution needs relevant revision since it over protects employees of the Government even at a cost to the nation. 15. While MP’s, MLA’s and Municipal Councilors and the village panchayats, can only be elected for a maximum of 5 years, the officials, babus, and government employees enjoy life long benefits of employment, in spite of their performance. 16.We have 600 million illiterate people based on the international definition of the 3R’s (reading, writing and arithmetic or education at least up to primary level of class 5) 17. The Indian definition of literacy is based on a survey of people— â€Å"If you can write your name, you are literate†; nobody has seriously ever challenged this definition! 18. 290 million live below the Government of India’s definition of the poverty line of Wake up Call for INDIA 19 1. 71% or 840 million people are below 35 years of age. Indians are young. 2. 28 million people are born every year, 10 million die per year, population increase 1. % per year 3. 88% to 92% drop out rate of children between kindergarten and 10+2. This includes those who have never been to school. 4. 10% are the ones that cross the 10+2 stage, Educational ‘Line of Control’, which is our so called educated youth, go in for a regular college degree which may not be very relevant in today’s context for the sake of employment generation and national GDP enhancement. 5. 62% of all graduates from the 37,000 colleges are Arts graduates. Balance 38% in science, commerce, medical, engineering, I. T. , law, management and special subjects. 6.While 80% of the world you th between 15 to 35 years of age learn a vocation, a skill or a trade, with a choice of 3000 vocational education and training (VET) programs, in 15,000 modules, we in India have only identified about 400 courses after 66 years of Independence and hardly 2% to 2. 5% of the population goes for formal VET training! 7. We can get engineers and MBA’s in India but no carpenters, plumbers, drivers, repairmen and other skilled personnel as per international standards in the other 2,500 vocational trades. 8. Information Technology, software or I. T. are the only exceptions.Perhaps because India 1st Rs. 26 (rural India) to Rs 32 (urban India) per day! this is based on being able to buy enough rice and wheat from the Public Distribution System, PDS system and ration shops, which has food value of 2200 kilo calories per day. 19. Nobody has ever challenged this definition of ‘Poverty Line’. How can one expect people to live with a few kilos of raw uncooked wheat or rice? As human beings, don’t we need more? How about one set of clothes to cover our bodies, a set of chappals for our feet, some vegetables, milk and fruit, in our diet? How will we cook without any energy and fuel? 0. 450 million* live below the poverty line definition of the World Bank's old definition of @ US$1 (Rs. 50) per day per person, or US$ 365 per year. 800 million* people live below the poverty line definition of the World Bank's new definition of @ US$ 2 (Rs. 100) per day per person, or US$730 per year. (our estimates)* 21. Average Per Capita of an Indian is about US$ 1530 per year per person (1. 21 billion people and a GDP of US$ 1853 billion). Average earning of an Indian is US$ 4. 10 per day. 22. India has only 2. 6% of the World GDP and has 17% of the world population.Demands are high but buying power is low. Hence we will need to increase our export related activities by 10 times, as the foreign markets are 60 times bigger than the Indian market. Our share of world m arkets or foreign trade is 2. 2%, down from 33% 1000 years ago, down from 27% when the British landed in India and down from 3% in 1947. 23. Only 7% of all Indians understand English, yet most of the websites of the government of India, state governments and public institutions are in the English language! 24. While English is a language used in countries which account for about 38% of the world GDP, viz. USA + UK + old British colonies, yet in India, while we talk of globalization, we are not serious about learning the other languages of the world, eg. , Japanese, German, Spanish etc, unlike the Chinese youth who are doing so otherwise. 25. India is probably at the bottom of the heap, as far as the human development index is concerned such as infant mortality, child care, malnutrition, women’s health, sicknesses, disease, health, clean drinking water, etc. 26. Democracy is to the people, for the people, by the people. If we have to succeed, the citizen has to get involved an d participate in governance. 7. Unlike other countries, we have 22 official languages, 2,600 dialects, all religions of the world, and due to low human and economic development, emphasis on SC, ST, dalits, caste, religion, sects, minorities, regions, ethnic groups, etc. 28. Employment generation is restricted due to existing policies which do not encourage â€Å"Labour Intensive† enterprises. Relevant labour reforms in line with prevailing practices in other countries of Asia are required for a level playing field for Indian organizations. 29. The size of Enterprises cannot be decided by officials in the central government.They are decided by technology, process, international market forces and competitive pressures. Reservation for small scale industry, SSI, needs to be scrapped and SME’s should be encouraged. SSI’s are 5% of the Indian GDP. 99. 7% of all organizations in the world are SME’s. 70% to 80% of the Indian GDP are SME’s. We need to unde rstand the meaning of ‘E’ in MSME (small and medium enterprises). 30. As per www. loksatta. org, about Rs. 3,200 crores are spent every day, to govern India at the centre and state levels, both on revenue as well as on capital account. Is this transparent? Is the money well spent?Citizens need to use The Right to Information, RTI bill, and also take part in the governance of India, through citizen groups. 31. About 800 members of parliament in the lok sabha and rajya sabha and 4,210 members of the state legislature assemblies control this expenditure of Rs. 3,200 crore per day. You may download a sample of the contents of this book, Transforming India, from our website in English, Marathi, Gujarati, Urdu, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Oriya, Bengali, Assamese and Punjabi. < 1 million = 10 lacs> 20 www. wakeupcall. org India 1st Agenda of Transforming INDIA nto an Economic Power & Developed Nation Priority 1 Relevant HRD, deregulate H&T education & Vocational training 1. 100% Primary Functional Literacy Learn to read and write any Indian language in 40 to 60 hours @ 1 hour per day for 5 days a week. Nearly 500 million people need to learn the 3 R’s which are reading, writing and arithmetic. As per the government of India, the average literacy rate is 64%, based on the indian definition, if you can write your name. If one uses the international definition, like minimum primary education as the criteria, the actual literacy rate would come down to 40%!We need to achieve 100% functional literacy in the next 10 years! 2. Primary & secondary education The dropout rate of 90% in schools, from kindergarten to class 12th, must be reduced to less than 10%. This includes children who have never attended school. 3. Enterprise Skills Development or ESD. We suggest that this should be started from class 5th right upto class 12th. ESD is ‘about enterprises and how the real world works’. Helps decide future choice of profession for the youth. Builds confidence in ourself. Only two hours per week are required. 4. Vocational Education & Training or VET.VET teaches the youth a skill or a competence or a trade. One learns to do some skilled job! In developed countries, 80% of the youth from age of 14 to 35 should go in for VET. This would mean about 50 million people per year. 5. Except for I. T. , which is 2. 5% of world’s GDP, where there may be 50,000 private training centres operating in India; where are the training centres to run the balance 97% of the skills, trades, competances required to run the nation? India 1st 6. Liberalize Education Decontrol and privatize all forms of education like business was in 1991!Make India an International Hub for Education 7. The I. T. business, ever since inception, has been outside the control and regulation of the central and state governments. Market forces, fierce competition, and constant innovation has allowed Indian I. T. education to be world class. 8. Priv ate and NRI participation in education Government should concentrate up to high school only, from class 1 to 10 only. The rest they should leave to the private sector 9. Entrepreneurship Institutes in each Block Entrepreneur promotional institutes, in all the blocks of the states. 7% of new employment is in the unorganized sector and SME’s. We need skill sets for the youth. 10. India will only prosper when the Goddess of Learning, ‘Saraswati’ is unshakled and unchained as was the Goddess of Wealth ‘Lakshmi’ in 1991. Priority 2 Good Governance Benefits of leadership and good governance are highlighted in ten different articles. If one looks at the contents page, one will notice that nearly 81% of our articles are ‘People Dependant’, ten on Governance and twelve on Human Resource Development and Sixteen on Employment Generation!One can understand Good Governance, only if we understand the effects of bad governance. Many such examples have been given in our articles for this very reason. Wake up Call for INDIA 21 Focus on HRD, governance, economy and employment generation Priority 3 Central government policy changes 1. Removal of SSI (small scale industry) reservation. Reservation does more harm than good. 2. Amend Labour and Employee Laws and give local enterprises and organizations a level playing field on par with other developing Nations of Asia and Latin America. 3.Encourage â€Å"labour intensive† technologies for employment generation. 4. Recognize the meaning and importance of ‘MSMEs’ (micro, small medium enterprise) and not ‘SSIs’ (small scale industry). We must understand the importance of the ‘M’ and the ‘E’ in SME’s as ‘MSMEs’ account for 80% of the Indian economy against 5% in SSI. While the MSME Bill was passed in 2006. Indian MSMEs still have to align themselves to global standards. Large organizations subcontract most of the ir non-core business to highly productive and cost- effective MSMEs. 1. Trading, wholesale & retail, are 15 times bigger than I.T. (big employment and GDP generator) 2. Manufacturing, as an enterprise, is 11 times bigger than I. T. (generates about 75% of government revenues) 3. Health Care, as an enterprise is 4 times bigger than I. T. (big employment and GDP generator) 4. Travel & Tourism, as an enterprise is 6 times bigger than I. T. (big employment and GDP generator) 5. Education, as an enterprise is 4 times bigger than I. T. (big employment and GDP generator) Priority 5 Funding infrastructure – US$ 1500 Billion ‘Special’ – Infra Bonds Infrastructure needs funding at 6% to 8% per year, rate of interest.The tenure of borrowing needs to be extended to at least 10-15-20 years, since it takes nearly 5 years for ‘building’ and another 5 years for ‘Gestation and break-even’. These bonds should be of low-interest but with incentives and tax breaks. Priority 6 Awareness program for the above 5 priority areas By the use of our 102 page book, Transforming INDIA through education, awareness with relevant solutions and action plans are our prime objective. Our book is a step in that direction. It has 47 articles and notes on Governance, Human Resource Development, Enterprise & Economy & Employment Generation.Our website at www. wakeupcall. org details out much more than this book. Besides English, the Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Oriya, Assamese and Punjabi versions of some relevant portions are available. Only 7% of Indian understand English, therefore Indian languages are required. India 1st Priority 4 Export activities of the economy, other than software Software and I. T. is 2. 5% of the World’s GDP, we need to look at the balance 97. 5% of the economic sector in the world markets!The five areas of economic activity, mentioned below, are only some examples, t here are many others. 22 www. wakeupcall. org Economic and business reforms After 66 years of Independence, where are we? After 66 years of Independence, if we bench mark India against other countries of the world, especially with those in Asia, we note that though a lot has been achieved by us, a lot more needs to be done. We need to learn from our past and move boldly into the future. India has achieved many milestones, but not enough to eradicate poverty, illiteracy and other vital issues, for the 1,210 million people of India.In spite of India’s glorious past history and present outstanding world class quality of our human capital, which not only is responsible for running many organizations, in manufacturing, trading and services sectors, around the world but also responsible for advising many countries on this planet, we have not been able to put our own ‘house in order’ to world class standards. We are not able to always use the best effective human capita l for running the country, both for the public as well as the private sectors! This needs to be suitably amended.In the first instance, we need to start taking some simple and effective measures which are for the good of the majority of the people of India. We should plan to become a resource base for world markets since 98. 2% of the world’s buying power and 99. 0% of the world’s trade is not with India! Good Governance is the ‘Golden Key’ Good governance can unlock India’s latent potential! We have been analyzing India’s problems based on years of research, analysis and personal interviews with thousands of Indian citizens as well as NRIs and PIOs.India needs to improve it's governance and administration to world class standards, as soon as possible. We firmly believe that India would be rated as the No. 1 country in the world, as far as potential vs performance is concerned! Let us unleash this latent power and energy for the benefit of th e 1,210 million Indians, and for the benefit of mankind on our planet. India needs a new and innovative paradigm shift in thought process and planning for achieveing a 10% to 14% GDP growth rate per year 1. Why can’t we have 100 zones on our coastline, each one equivalent to a Dubai, Singapore or a Hong Kong?These 100 zones will in effect increase the GDP of India by 500% in 15 to 20 years! China has more than 500 Special Economic Zones (SEZ’s)! 2. Our suggested ‘Relevant Manufacturing Policy’ for India can also enhance the GDP to double digit growth. We can achieve high growth rates of the Asian Tigers, including China, provided we follow such policies! See our website www. wakeupcall. org and this book for details. 3. The existing educational policy, on human development, caters mostly for higher education. About 25 million people of different age groups, enter the system every year.About 3 million make it in higher education, the balance 22 million â₠¬Ëœdrop off’ at various stages. We need to change the policy to benefit these 22 million. 4. Make ‘some part or parts’ of coastal India as ‘tax free zones’, Use the best examples of Mauritus, Isle of Man, Sychelles, UAE, Bermuda, Luxumberg, Monaco and Lichtchenstien. Tourism, exports, FDI, investment, employment generation, education, vocational training, infrastructure, law & order, reduction of corruption, improvement of health services and GDP can improve at a faster rate with education good governance and effective administration.Wake up Call for INDIA 23 India should learn from the best! We should either try to teach the world, if we are better than them, or be humble enough to learn from the best around us, other options are irrelevant! W. Edwards Deming, one of the world’s greatest management and quality gurus, when asked, what his one point recipe for nations and organizations was, said, â€Å"People are important†. Experience o f other countries! Alan Greenspan, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of USA, once remarked that â€Å"lack of labour rigidity is the key to success in the US†.The US has benefited much more than Europe and Japan because American businesses enjoy the freedom to hire and fire and only keep the best human resources. S. E. Asia and China have greatly benefited due to flexible and fair (for the masses), human resource policies. India 1st Governance & administration Primary duty of politicians and officials 1. Rate of growth Due to reforms in the last decade we consider 8% to 10% as the ‘New rate of growth’ of the economy. India needs to grow at 10% to 14% per year, to meet the well being and aspirations of its people. This goal is achievable with Education, Good Governance and Effective Administration. . Democracy – what does it mean? 2. Cost of Governance in India As per www. loksatta. org, an NGO based in Hyderabad, the expenditure on ‘Governance of India’, by the 790 politicians at the Centre, the 4,120 in the 35 States and Union Territories and the 19 million employees of the Central and State Governments use about Rs. 3,200 crore per day or Rs. 1,168,000 crore per year, both on capital and revenue accounts. About 1. 87% of Indians govern 1,210 million people! This comes to about US$ 234 billion or nearly 14% of India’s Gross domestic product or GDP! Are Indian citizens getting their money’s worth?Only you the Indian citizen can give the actual and final answer. You be the judge of your own country and decide. Our study clearly indicates that the people of India desire and deserve much better Governance and Administration. Democracy is of the people, for the people and by the people. Citizens must play an active role. As President John F. Kennedy said, â€Å"ask not what the country has done for you, but what you have done for the country†. In a world of globalization and keen competition, Indi ans will have to