Berghaus’ Case Study :: Business Management Studies

Berghaus’ Case Study 1) Berghaus is very successful business having an annual growth rate of 25%. This indicates that there is an increasing demand for their products. They also have an export ratio of 50% meaning that their distribution rates are very good. Last year alone their per-tax profits were  £750,000 and a large amount of this money can, most probably, will be reinvested into the company for further development. Also, its pre-tax profits in 1991 were  £750,000 which is obviously not a small amount, Berghaus clearly mean business. By the sound of it, that number is only expected to increase in the years to come. It has an export ratio of 1988-9 of more than 50%, which is the vast majority, within the whole of Europe, meaning that its export increased by a great deal during those years specifically, and we assume it still increases in other years too, although maybe not as much as between 1988-9. 2) In the context of Berghaus, market differences mean many things. Berghaus currently conduct sales through large number of countries, from Germany through the United Kingdom and Switzerland, and as a result Berghaus have found out that the world cannot be treated as though as one market. Each country has its own customer preferences and may have certain social attitudes to a certain type of clothing, and these are known as market differences. Due to this Berghaus has to develop a certain product for a specific country and then modify that product or completely reconstruct it for another country. This as a result means higher costs are involved in research and development and also different advertising methods would have to be implemented. This market difference has meant Berghaus have had to operate quickly and efficiently to design, produce and distribute the product across all the parts of the world, beating all opposition and this is obviously very difficult for Berghaus. 3) There are many different reasons for the success of Berghaus, and these can be mainly divided into four parts, Production, Finance, Marketing and Management. Production is simply the fundamental part of the company, without it no product would exist to sell. Designing new products is what makes people want a certain product and Berghaus have strategically produced a wide range of products meaning that they will be able to successfully cover the different fields in the market. This means that they have more areas for money coming; by having more units and product innovation is an essential key t their success. Production has also been economised by the introduction automated production with continual processes. This allows an easy and flexible method to

Outline and evaluate research into the nature of relationships Essay

A further difference found in the nature of relationships across cultures is the level of continuity. Western societies commonly thrive for change and progress, and so relationships also inevitably undergo change. Because of this, relationships within Western cultures are usually discontinuous and only temporary. In many Eastern cultures, they have a high regard for heritage and ancestry. Unlike in Western cultures, change is not so readily accepted. Non-Western cultures emphasise the idea of continuity and so relationships are often permanent. An issue with this theory is that Western cultures have only recently been more accepting of temporary relationships. In the 1950’s, women’s roles changed dramatically, and they since have had more of a choice within relationships. Since contraception also was introduced, women have gained greater freedom to participate in relationships as this makes the burden of a child optional. This has made break ups and divorces a lot more acceptable in the Western world. This recent change may mean that the differences between Western and Non-Western societies may not be down to the culture itself but due to the social mobility and urbanisation of the society. This makes conclusions taken from this theory hard to generalise, as it may not even be a correct representation of Western and Non-Western culture. You cannot define a culture by its level of urbanisation. There are many distinct differences between relationships in different cultures, as highlighted by various psychological studies and theories. The main similarity in these is that they usually result in relationships being categorised by being Western or Non-Western. Although these categories are commonly used to describe cultural relationships within psychology, a major issue with this is that it makes the study or theory reductionist. This is because it suggests that all relationships can be broken down into two simple components. Reducing relationships into these two simple categories poses the danger of many factors of relationships being disregarded. Individual differences of those involved will massively shape their behaviour within the relationship. For example, some people who live in a Western society may still choose to undergo an arranged marriage (and vice versa), depending on their preferences. Because of this, it is hard to generalise conclusions from these studies/theories to a wider society as they don’t necessarily represent the entire demographic. Drawing such conclusions can leave them susceptible to abuse and manipulation, which could be seen as forms of racism. This can be considered as unethical.

John Sedgwick Union General During the Civil War

Born September 13, 1813 at Cornwall Hollow, CT, John Sedgwick was the second child of Benjamin and Olive Sedgwick. Educated at the prestigious Sharon Academy, Sedgwick worked as a teacher for two years before electing to pursue a military career. Appointed to West Point in 1833, his classmates included Braxton Bragg, John C. Pemberton, Jubal A. Early, and Joseph Hooker. Graduating 24th in his class, Sedgwick received a commission as a second lieutenant and was assigned to the 2nd US Artillery. In this role he took part in the Second Seminole War in Florida and later aided in the relocation of the Cherokee Nation from Georgia. Promoted to first lieutenant in 1839, he was ordered to Texas seven years later following the outbreak of the Mexican-American War. Mexican-American War Initially serving with Major General Zachary Taylor, Sedgwick later received orders to join Major General Winfield Scotts army for its campaign against Mexico City. Coming ashore in March 1847, Sedgwick took part in the Siege of Veracruz and Battle of Cerro Gordo. As the army neared the Mexican capital, he was brevetted to captain for his performance at the Battle of Churubusco on August 20. Following the Battle of Molino del Rey on September 8, Sedgwick advanced with American forces at the Battle of Chapultepec four days later. Distinguishing himself during the fighting, he received a brevet promotion to major for his gallantry. With the end of the war, Sedgwick returned to peacetime duties. Though promoted to captain with the 2nd Artillery in 1849, he elected to transfer to the cavalry in 1855. Antebellum Years Appointed a major in the US 1st Cavalry on March 8, 1855, Sedgwick saw service during the Bleeding Kansas crisis as well as took part in the Utah War of 1857-1858. Continuing operations against the Native Americans on the frontier, he received orders in 1860 to establish a new fort on the Platte River. Moving up the river, the project was badly hampered when expected supplies failed to arrive. Overcoming this adversity, Sedgwick managed to construct the post before winter descended on the region. The following spring, orders arrived directing him to report to Washington, DC to become lieutenant colonel of the US 2nd Cavalry. Assuming this position in March, Sedgwick was in the post when the Civil War began the following month. As the US Army began to rapidly expand, Sedgwick moved through roles with various cavalry regiments before being appointed a brigadier general of volunteers on August 31, 1861. Army of the Potomac Placed in command of the 2nd Brigade of Major General Samuel P. Heintzelmans division, Sedgwick served in the newly formed Army of the Potomac. In the spring of 1862, Major General George B. McClellan began moving the army down the Chesapeake Bay for an offensive up the Peninsula. Assigned to lead a division in Brigadier General Edwin V. Sumners II Corps, Sedgwick took part in the Siege of Yorktown in April before leading his men into combat at the Battle of Seven Pines at the end of May. With McClellans campaign stalling in late June, the new Confederate commander, General Robert E. Lee commenced the Seven Days Battles with the goal of driving Union forces away from Richmond. Achieving success in the opening engagements, Lee attacked at Glendale on June 30. Among the Union forces that met the Confederate assault was Sedgwicks division. Helping to hold the line, Sedgwick received wounds in the arm and leg during the fight. Promoted to major general on July 4, Sedgwicks division was not present at the Second Battle of Manassas in late August. On September 17, II Corps took part in the Battle of Antietam. In the course of the fighting, Sumner recklessly ordered Sedgwicks division to mount an assault into the West Woods without conducting proper reconnaissance. Moving forward, it soon came under intense Confederate fire before Major General Thomas Stonewall Jacksons men attacked the division from three sides. Shattered, Sedgwicks men were forced into a disorganized retreat while he was wounded in the wrist, shoulder, and leg. The severity of Sedgwicks injuries kept from active duty until late December when he took command of II Corps. VI Corps Sedgwicks time with II Corps proved brief as he was reassigned to lead IX Corps the following month. With the ascent of his classmate Hooker to the leadership of the Army of the Potomac, Sedgwick was again moved and took command of VI Corps on February 4, 1863. In early May, Hooker secretly took the bulk of the army west of Fredericksburg with the goal of attacking Lees rear. Left at Fredericksburg with 30,000 men, Sedgwick was tasked with holding Lee in place and mounting a diversionary attack. As Hooker opened the Battle of Chancellorsville to the west, Sedgwick received orders to attack the Confederate lines west of Fredericksburg late on May 2. Hesitating due to a belief that he was outnumbered, Sedgwick did not advance until the next day. Attacking on May 3, he carried the enemy position on Marye’s Heights and advanced to Salem Church before being halted. The next the day, having effectively defeated Hooker, Lee turned his attention to Sedgwick who had failed to leave a force to defend Fredericksburg. Striking, Lee quickly cut the Union general off from the town and compelled him to form a tight defensive perimeter near Banks Ford. Fighting a determined defensive battle, Sedgwick turned back Confederate assaults late in the afternoon. That night, due to a miscommunication with Hooker, he withdrew across the Rappahannock River. Though a defeat, Sedgwick was credited by his men for taking Maryes Heights which had held out against determined Union attacks during the Battle of Fredericksburg the previous December. With the end of fighting, Lee began moving north with the intention of invading Pennsylvania. As the army marched north in pursuit, Hooker was relieved of command and replaced with Major General George G. Meade. As the Battle of Gettysburg opened on July 1, VI Corps was among the farthest Union formations from the town. Pushing hard through the day on July 1 and 2, Sedgwicks lead elements began to reach the fight late on the second day. While some VI Corps units aided in holding the line around the Wheatfield, the bulk of were placed in reserve. Following the Union victory, Sedgwick took part in the pursuit of Lees defeated army. That fall, his troops won a stunning victory on November 7 at the Second Battle of Rappahannock Station. Part of Meades Bristoe Campaign, the battle saw VI Corps take over 1,600 prisoners. Later that month, Sedgwicks men took part in the abortive Mine Run Campaign which saw Meade attempt to turn Lees right flank along the Rapidan River. Overland Campaign During the winter and spring of 1864, the Army of the Potomac underwent a reorganization as some corps were condensed and others were added to the army. Having come east, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant worked with Meade to determine the most effective leader for each corps. One of two corps commanders retained from the previous year, the other being II Corps Major General Winfield S. Hancock, Sedgwick began preparations for Grants Overland Campaign. Advancing with the army on May 4, VI Corps crossed the Rapidan and became engaged in the Battle of the Wilderness the next day. Fighting on the Union right, Sedgwicks men endured a sharp flank attack by Lieutenant General Richard Ewells corps on May 6 but were able to hold their ground. The next day, Grant elected to disengage and continue pressing south towards Spotsylvania Court House. Pulling out of line, VI Corps marched east then south via Chancellorsville before arriving near Laurel Hill late on May 8. There Sedgwicks men mounted an attack on Confederate troops in conjunction with Major General Gouverneur K. Warrens V Corps. These efforts proved unsuccessful and both sides began fortifying their positions. The next morning, Sedgwick rode out to supervise the placing of artillery batteries. Seeing his men flinch due to fire from Confederate sharpshooters, he exclaimed: â€Å"They couldnt hit an elephant at this distance. Shortly after making the statement, in a twist of historical irony, Sedgwick was killed by a shot to the head. One of the most beloved and steady commanders in the army, his death proved a blow to his men who referred to him as Uncle John. Receiving the news, Grant repeatedly asked: â€Å"Is he really dead?† While command of VI Corps pa ssed to Major General Horatio Wright, Sedgwicks body was returned to Connecticut where he was buried in Cornwall Hollow. Sedgwick was the highest ranking Union casualty of the war.