Ethical Responsibilities of Corporations Enron’s Downfall Essay Example for Free

Ethical Responsibilities of Corporations Enron’s Downfall Essay Ethical Responsibilities of Corporations; Enron’s Downfall Introduction            Enron, in the 1990’s was a premium company that had the much-coveted global stature that most company heads desire. It is considered the most innovative company in the United States of America. It was a change from the old industrial trend that other old and rusty enterprises and industries were used to; hard assets, in the favor of the much softer e-commerce business world. The company was a premium employer in the USA and the world, employing over 20,000 staff by the time of winding into bankruptcy, in 2001 (NPR). The company dealt in natural gas, electricity, pulp and paper and communication. A year before closure, the company was valued at $111 billion and had held the title-for six years running-of the most innovative company in America.            However, this valuation respect was based on falsehood. The company was discovered to have been operating a scandalous accounting fraud, orchestrated by systematic, institutionalized and creativity. Ironically, as it was named the most innovative company, which might have been true, but not in the upright way that it was perceived to be. This was but in underhand deals that its employees and management had mastered. What culminated into the ‘Enron Scandal’ has since become a frequently referred to a case of willful corruption and corporate fraud.            Companies and corporations, under the federal law, have a duty to their employees, consumers, the government and the environment in which they operate. To the government, corporations are supposed to ensure tax compliance and safety of production to citizens and environment. The firms and companies have a duty to protect their employees and provide safe work environment conditions for them so that all employees are always treated equitably and satisfactorily. Consumers have a right to accurate information regarding the products they purchase. The information is to provide at free will and is to guarantee consumer safety.            In Line with that responsibility as stated in the paragraph above, Enron management failed to safeguard their employees’ future and livelihoods in case their bubble burst. At the time Enron went bankrupt, Thousands of employees it had in its baskets were plunged into joblessness suddenly. This scandal involved even top government officials who were then shareholders. In the light of them knowing that Enron engaged in malpractices-they still were happy to take home the hefty dividends they got from the stock market gains.The Times Magazine talks about the top executives who enjoyed lots of privileges that even top CEOs envied. For example, Kenneth Lay, the Former Enron Chairman is said to have received a golden parachute worth $25 million and about $200 million in salaries since 1999 to its point of fall. Despite all that, he also enjoyed the access to about $7.5 million revolving credit line from Enron (Roston, 2002). Others who enjoyed such benefits include Jeffrey Skilling (former C.E.O), Duncan David (Former Anderson Partner), Nancy Temple (Anderson Lawyer), Thomas White (Secretary of the Army), and Sherron Watkins ( Former Enron Vice President).The government through the law has set up different commissions to ensure that these obligations are duly followed (example of one is the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)). FTC is charged with taking complaints about false business promises that turn out fraudulent, or cause harmful side effects to the consumers and forwarding them to investigation agencies for further action (Federal Trade Commission, 2014).            In the past, the things that brought down companies were far from cleverly crafted schemes such as what took place at Enron. The operation on the stock exchange while on a negative financial record and receiving probably more than their fair share of investments. Among other key ethical issues that had arisen in the past included racial profiling, product safety concerns, employee rights infringement and even environmental degradation. There have been lists each year of companies that should be shunned for disregard of ethics. For the past few years, companies such as ExxonMobil, Apple, Toyota, Trafigura, and recently Wal-Mart and Nestle had made headlines for breaking the crucial ethical rules.            The Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA), establishes mechanisms for compensation of employees who are injured, or get any damages in the line of duty (Office of the Secretary, 2014). In the case where an employee was hit by a truck and laid off without compensation, is very inhumane act of the company’s executives.            The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is set to be the benchmark for equitable pay distribution to all American employees. It provides guidelines for employment and wages to be paid to employees who are not exempted from work. Conditions have been set for certain jobs and age restrictions. These labor laws, for example, require that particular groups of people not work at certain times, and in particular professions, citing dangerous operations (Office of the Secretary, 2014). If the labor laws are followed to the letter, no employee will complain about unsatisfactory pay, as the minimum wage is set with all employees in mind and ensures a comfortable life away from welfare.            Kirk O. Hanson, a university professor at the University of Santa Clara, explains the ethical responsibilities of a corporate board. He lists five important points that are to be keenly upheld by any board of directors in order to ensure satisfaction from all quarters. Among other key assignments on a board, one of them is to understand the company’s ethical culture. Most board members are less involved with the day to day activities of their businesses, and to get feedback from employees, they rely on pro forma reports and complaint letters. It is their responsibility to investigate the validity of the reports and come up with disciplinary measures if need be (Hanson, 2014).            Business fair play is an important aspect of ensuring healthy and profitable competition among business people.            Such a supposition that they respect individual rights of association and expression and yet reject the idea of unionization is ridiculous. Under sections 7 and 8 of the National Labor Relations Act of the Federal constitution, employees are granted rights to make a join and take part in labor union activities. This is without any intimidation from employers, or punishments of any kind. All employees have a right to read, distribute and discuss matters of union membership during hours away from work. They are free to share the information with whomsoever they please. Once they decide on a group plan for whatever union, they have a right to ask their employer to recognize the specific union, bargain and complete any relevant requirements by the terms and condition. The employees have a right to display Union messages in whatsoever manner they please; be it caps, pins, T-shirts or whatever else available on the job or away from work.Company executives are not suppose d to profile any employees by forcible transfer, denial of benefits, pay rise or desirable assignments in effort to thwart employees’ quest to join or form a union. They are not to be harassed, threatened or dismissed from work if they support any union (Lisa Guerin, 2014). All in all, we do need quick solutions to problems such as these. It is not just an issue for the employees alone because it affects all American citizens, and per the house committee on education report.            General Electric, a company that was founded by Thomas Edison, has on many occasions received accused on several occasions of trying to monopolize the inventions by him. It is the current military contractor for war machinery. However, they have once been reported for facilitating the development of nuclear weapons. Nuclear weapons have long since been banned and are regulated by the international bodies. The purpose of such an undertaking should be investigated, and due punishment administered.            The American public should check indicators of unethical codes of conduct and shun such businesses. It will be a significant boost in fighting such a vice as it will prevent oppression of fellow citizens. If people followed such a trend, companies such as this would lack a ready market and might be forced to change the practices or close shop.            All firms that are established in corporate agreements uphold certain fundamental duties. In order to solve this massive crisis of ethics, law should be passed forcing private sectors to publish their financial reports in detail in the public dailies. The public should be trained to watch for companies that uphold employee rights and safety. These statements should be audited by government agencies for any lies. If the reports are found to be untrue, government should snatch such operators their licenses.            Companies and corporations that evade taxation of any kind should be imposed with huge fines. In order to shun such practices, and in extension, be barred from operating for a particular period of time and board members is investigated. If any allegations of misconduct are proven right, all board members should be forced to resign and take responsibility for their ineptness. Enron was a culprit in this category, avoiding any financial obligation it would have to offset to the government or anyone, provided that it was able to cover its tracks well.            On an opinion proposed from the Financial Times magazine, the graph of performance shows that the downfall was carefully planned. It seemed that most of the top echelons had long planned the exit, but it did not happen in the most expected way. The stock price came crashing in a year, from a cost of about $80 in January, the year 2001 to a tumbling zero by January in the year 2002.            In the Film Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room (Gibney, 2005), as based on the same name written by Bethany McLean, the Enron Disaster is the greatest disaster any company has witnessed in the whole of history. A crash in a year with more than seven corporate walking away from the mess with over 1 Billion US dollars. Investors and employees went down flat without any landing gear. This kind of corporate ethics gap left more Americans depending on the public for necessary handouts and relying on other meager means to survive. The Drama resembles a Greek tragedy and a show of the domino effect that could shape the face of the American ethical code and ultimately the economy for a long time into the future.Kenneth Lay, the company’s chief who had saved ib once before in the ‘80s and later taken over as C.E.O wielded so much influence In both the business and political circles. Probably out of the campaigns he had funded for the presidency among other le gislative dockets. In the Business circles, he was an enviable C.E.O, who was practically â€Å"untouchable†. But in the wake of the ethical backlash, all these attributes could not save his company from sinking to the bottom of the sea that is failed companies.            Ethics is more than just producing good products, supporting community initiatives and giving good salaries. Companies with a sound ethical background will go to extents to ensure consumer safety, business fair play and ensuring that employees who served diligently go home safe to retirement. Even after retiring, they will be entitled to the same happiness they had while working for the same company, and health.            All corporations that breach conduct on ethics should be nationalized in order to safeguard the interests of the public. Its owners should then be duly compensated and never allowed to start any other business within the country. Such a law will instill fear and caution among those who have a penchant for breaking the law.            Consumers and the government need to be careful about safeguarding the economic environments. Since any turmoil could lead to financial turmoil like it did with the instability of some few big companies in the early 2000s that lead to the 2007-2009 global financial crunch. The government can help by sealing off all loopholes that could allow any forms of corruption while the consumers could channel their money to the right businesses.            If we all stopped buying brands that do not have its people at heart, all companies and many other manufacturers would forcefully comply duly with laws of labor, taxation, and biosafety. We will have a better world where many Americans and people around the world can eat by their sweat, as opposed to having jobs but still relying on welfare for upkeep. References Federal Trade Commission. (2014). Bureau of Consumer Protection. Retrieved December 06, 2014, from Federal Trade Commission: http://www.ftc.gov/about-ftc/bureaus-offices/bureau-consumer-protectionGibney, A. (Director). (2005). Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room [Motion Picture]. Hanson, K. O. (2014, August 14). Business Ethics in the News. Retrieved Dec 06, 2014, from Santa Clara University: http://www.scu.edu/ethics-center/ethicsblog/business-ethics-news.cfmLisa Guerin, J. (2014). The Right to Unionize. Retrieved December 06, 2014, from NOLO For all: http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/employee-rights-book/chapter15-7.htmlNPR. (n.d.). The Fall of Enron. Retrieved Feb 4, 2015, from http://www.npr.org/news/specials/enron/Office of the Secretary. (2014). Summary of the Major Laws of the Department of Labor. Retrieved December 06, 2014, from United States Department of Labor: http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/lawsprog.htmRoston, E. (2002, Jan 22). The Enron Players. Time . Source document

Music Censorship Essay example -- essays research papers fc

After killing you loudly with rhymes, beats, and rhythms, the music industry as a whole has gone through many trials and tribulations. Society has shifted in such a manner that allows and encourages freethinking and abstract arts and with those great things we face the problem of censorship. From an artist’s perspective it’s their â€Å"work,† but from another’s point of view that same piece of â€Å"work† can be garbage to another. Now in the 21st century we face an artistic crossroads. We are left with the question how far can an artist go? In addition, when we do go too far, do we censor? Censors are now disguised as retailers and distributors, special-interest groups, and less influential but passionate religious groups, and government authorities. Ultimately, when all is said, there remains one question and that question is does censorship conflict with the first amendment? The First Amendment states, â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.† (Beahm, 1993, p. 79) The court, in FCC v. Pacifica, said that although the First Amendment protects indecent speech, the commission could regulate the airwaves with only a few exceptions. In Pacifica, the court ruled in the FCC's favor, allowing it to curb utterances of the famous seven words that cannot be said on the air. The Pacifica case has remained substantially unchanged, despite a few lower court challenges and the Supreme Court's decision in Reno v. ACLU striking down an indecency standard for the Internet but not for on-air broadcasts. The current ban on indecent broadcasts applies strictly to those between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., when children are most likely to be li stening to the radio or watching television. Many would say that buying a CD or an adult film is much different than having a medium that is easily accessible such as radio, but others would counter that censoring lyrics abridges freedom of speech and that if someone is offended by the music on a station, that they should change the station. The owner of a Florida record store was convicted of obscenity charges for selling a recording by the rap group 2 Live Crew that had been declared obscene by a Federal judge. â€Å"As Nasty ... ...can government wants Americans to be sparred from obscenities in movies, TV, CD’s, and milder obscenities on the censored radios, they should alter the wording of the 1st Amendment to allow for blocking of obscenities when the government deems necessary. As the 1st Amendment states now, â€Å"Congress shall make no law†¦ abridging the freedom of speech.† That means no law can be passed that abridges of the freedom of speech and freedom of speech entails that Americans can say as they please. Anything calling for someone not to be able to say as they please abridges the principle of the 1st Amendment. Bibliography Beahm, George. War of Words: The Censorship Debate. Kansas City: Andrews and McMeel, 1993. Carter, T. Barton. Mass Communication Law In a Nutshell. St. Paul, Minnesota: West Group, 2000. Creech, Kenneth. Electronic Media Law and Regulation. Boston: Focal Press 2000. Daily, Jay E. The Anatomy of Censorship. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 1973. Menconi, Al. Today’s Music: A Window To Your Child’s Soul. Elgin, Illinois: David C. Cook Publishing Co. 1990 Perkins, Erin. Droppin’ Science: Critcial Essays on Rap Music and Hip Hop Culture. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. 1996

Automobile and Cycling Essay

Cycling is one of the oldest means of transport. Inventing bicycles was an enormous step in the history of transportation. Bicycles didn’t need horses or wains as a result transportation became much simpler and cheaper. Moreover the previously smelly and dirty towns turned into healthier and cleaner places. Nowadays, however, when there are several faster ways of travelling, is there any reason to ride a bicycle? Although in our more technologically developed days bicycle are rather old-fashioned way of travelling, it has certain advantages. To begin with, bicycles are much cheaper than cars and motorcycles so that a lot of people can afford to buy them. Moreover, cycling is a great, physically demanding sport. As a result it could be an essential part of a healthy lifestyle or even a balanced diet. If people used it only for go to work or school it would provide them enough movement to avoid weight problems. Finally cycling is very environmentally friendly because it doesn’t need fuel or electricity. On the other hand cycling as a mean of transport does have its disadvantages. It usually takes longer than other forms of travel. As a result it can be more tiring. In addition, riding a bicycle in the city can be a little unhealthy. Cities’ air is very polluted because cars and factories exhaust a lot fume and chemicals. Furthermore cycling can be dangerous also. In the heavy traffic violent and careless car drivers often cause accidents and if we aren’t enough careful we can easily get hurt. All things considered, although there are some disadvantages of cycling I believe it is healthier and more enjoyable than driving a car. It can be dangerous but it is a perfect method to keep ourselves fit. Furthermore, in our crowded cities travelling by bicycle often the fastest way to reach our destination.

Needs Assessment Essay Example For Free At Magic Help - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 7 Words: 2239 Downloads: 3 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Business Essay Type Case study Level High school Did you like this example? Introduction Changing business needs and industry trends affect all businesses. Some businesses prosper, whiles others barely survive, and many still, close their doors forever. Competitive and adaptive advantages are tools that organisation teams must master to increase their chances of survival. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Needs Assessment Essay Example For Free At Magic Help" essay for you Create order Comprehensive needs analysis increases both competitive and adaptive advantages. Strategic planning is a complex process, especially, when data collection is necessary for success. External data collection adds another layer of complexity to the planning process. There are no guarantees that the data will yield positive results for the decision making process. However, taking precautionary measures, organisations can increase the potential for collecting valuable data. Comprehensive data collection and analysis provides a tool whereby the information collection adds value for the organisation. Surveys, interviews, group discussions, task analysis, performance appraisals, observations, incidental procedures, performance analysis, and external scans each tell a story of the information collected via those mediums. Hence, it is imperative for the experts conducting data collection and comprehensive needs analysis be well versed in their craft if they are to improve existing business con ditions. The research conducted herein presents a comprehensive needs analysis for the The-Second-Greatest-Company Corporation. Comprehensive Needs Assessment (CNA) Education and employee development is imperative to any organisation. The planning of education and training does not apply to new hires alone, managers and supervisors are equally valued within the organisation. Organisations must ensure that the training and development process is not just a matter of training, but rather to enhance productivity, improve interactive communications, and increase overall return on investments for stakeholders. Hence, all education and training plans must begin with the goals and objectives of the organisation at the forefront of employee development initiatives. Company Background This document represents a comprehensive needs analysis conducted on behalf of The-Second-Greatest-Company Inc. (a fictional organisation modeled after a real one; additionally, relevant industry information is factual). The-Second-Greatest-Company is a women owned interior design business started by three college students. The students became friends after taking an art course together. They envisioned an online interior design business that suggested design layouts for college dorms. The-Second-Greatest-Company Inc. receives orders for interior designs via the internet, as well as, their artwork. Interior designs are reasonably priced beginning at ninety-nine dollars for a single dorm. Prices increase with the space size. The business blossomed enough to catch the attention of venture capitalists (this information from the real company, 2015). Current Literature Cekada (2010) discusses an example of an employee who accidentally trips over a bucket. The management team immediately suggests more training. But Cekada (2010) questions that motion. Is it actually necessary to conduct training or could other precautions have been taken to avoid slips and trips? Cekada (2010) suggests that not all issues are training related and cautions against using training where none is necessary. Rothwell and Kazanas (2003) discuss the different levels of CNA. The first level is conducted for strategic planning purposes. The second relates to coordinative purposes. The third concerns operational needs. Hence, they stress importance in identifying where the needs exist at the different levels. According to Bresciani (2010), data informs the planning process. The information can be converged with environmental information and forecasts for resource planning and policy creations. Bresciani (2010) asserts that the data collection process is not a decision replacement process. It is the data that drives the decision making processes (Bresciani, 2010). KÃÆ'Â ¤rkkÃÆ'Â ¤inen, Piippo, Puumalainen, and Tuominen (2001) recommend that companies maintain a vision to the future to meet client demands. They believe that companies should continuously plan to exceed clients expectations with better services and life enhancing products. They posit further that companies must remain proactive in seeking hidden opportunities early in business initiatives. KÃÆ'Â ¤rkkÃÆ'Â ¤inen, Piippo, Puumalainen, and Tuominen (2001) suggest that CNA processes must include assessment tools and strategies that highlight unrecognized customer needs. KÃÆ'Â ¤rkkÃÆ'Â ¤inen, Piippo, Puumalainen, and Tuominen (2001) conducted their study with the new customer (p. 393) in mind. They wanted to demonstrate that contrary to popular belief, customers do not have the foresight to know what their future needs are. KÃÆ'Â ¤rkkÃÆ'Â ¤inen, Piippo, Puumalainen, a nd Tuominen (2001) found that the clarification experience for determining new customer needs benefitted the participants (various organisation, different industries) by approximately eighty-five percent. As a result, KÃÆ'Â ¤rkkÃÆ'Â ¤inen, Piippo, Puumalainen, and Tuominen (2001) also found that the companies felt the needs assessment tools helped them increase new customer awareness by forty percent. Purpose of CNA The purpose of this comprehensive needs analysis (CNA) was to collect relevant information with the intent of providing recommendations for business improvement. Included herein is an environmental scan (ES) that serves a dual purpose. The first purpose intends to provide interior design industry awareness. The second purpose is to gather information on business competencies. Finally, training and development recommendations are provided. Rothwell and Kazanas (2003) discuss CNA as an investigative process necessary to determine where business deficiencies and competency weaknesses exist, and thereafter, devise a plan for corrective action. Cekada (2011) discusses training assessments from a capital and resource return on investments perspective. He considers that properly allocated resources will yield returns and vice versa. Shipley and Golden (2013) recommend using the CNAs to identify gaps and resolve them with appropriate training initiatives. Muller and Roberts (2010) recom mend looking at impending issues and deficiencies from multiple perspectives with the intent to identify problems which can be resolved without training and development initiatives. Data Collection Data collection is about information value that translates into desired changes (Rothwell Kazanas, 2003). The information value comes from evaluating ways to apply different methodologies for desired changes. The collection process should bring to light the knowledge or skills necessary to implement changes. Rothwell and Kazanas (2003) recommend using multiple data collection methodologies. Lundberg, Elderman, Ferrell, and Harper (2010) advise caution when collecting data because no process can be one hundred percent correct. They argue that people respond with assumptions when they do not have an appropriate answer. Lundberg, Elderman, Ferrell, and Harper (2010) emphasize further that the potential for data redundancy remains ever-present. Bresciani (2010) advises discretion to ensure the process enhances strategic planning process not eliminate activities in it. Data collection methods used: Interviews provided insight into the client base, services offered, sales process lifecycle, design process, and what the ownership team expected from freelance designs, as well as, what they offered potential freelancers to join their team. Interviews with the management team identified management relevant requests concerning their learning and talent development needs. Surveys from clients identified service gaps, client levels of satisfaction with the services rendered, client opinions on the quality of service provided, and other services clients would like to have in the future. Surveys taken from college students (major clientele) provided their opinions on the future of the interior design industry, number of times they used interior design services in a full year, their thoughts on carefree interior design services. Surveys were taken to identify demographic information that will further advance the growth of the company. Observations provided information on the status of the interior design industry. Task analysis identified the actual interior design and sales process lifecycle, as well as the actions required to complete a sale. Task analysis was conducted to examine the freelance design process. Advisory Committee formed includes four employees, one senior manager, and consultants to gather ongoing talent development information. Performance documents assessed individual and team production. Industry Scan provided information on competitors. Two competitors have inferior websites (Decorator, 2015; Homeblue, 2015), hence, giving The-Second-Greatest-Company a higher ranking website. Ibisworld (2015) suggests that the industry is expected to grow at approximately four percent within the coming year. Ibisworld (2015) also predicts positive upward growth for the industry. Analysis During the year 2014, the interior design industry experienced downtime as a result of the recession, economy anomalies, and financial instabilities (Ibisworld, 2015). Current business trends indicate that business will blossom in the next five years. Data analysis indicates that the company is interested in expansion opportunities. Survey analysis indicates that clients are satisfied with the services provided, however, they are interested in follow-up services. Data collection indicates that the ownership team will benefit from leadership development. The team lacks extensive industry and business expansion knowledge. Task analysis shows that freelancers will benefit from sales development skills. The-Second-Greatest-Company team (owners freelancers) could benefit from networking skills to grow their businesses and take advantage of the predicted industry boom. Data collection also indicated that confusion existed with current freelancers who were not sure that sales were something they needed to engage in. The freelancers feel that they are artists and designers. As a result, they cannot see how gaining sales training will benefit them. It is suggested that business development workshops are conducted to help the freelance designers understand how they can see themselves as sales people who enhance the lives of their clients. Summary of Results The-Second-Greatest-Company Corporation desires to become an industry leader within ten years. Crossley, Cooper, and Wernsing (2013) suggest becoming and remaining proactive in the achievement of leadership goals. Crossley, Cooper, and Wernsing (2013) affirm the complexity of remaining in leadership positions for long. They recommend devising plans that coordinate and direct activities towards achieving leadership goals. The The-Second-Greatest-Company organisation could benefit from interpersonal communication skills. Perry and Losman (2012) stress the importance of effective communication skills for information exchange. As this company continues to evolve the communication process will greatly enhance their understanding of the industry, their customers, and amongst themselves. Perry and Losman (2012) assert there is great value in improving communication skills because the potential for miscommunication decreases and productivity increases. The ownership team will benefit from team and leadership development. Grenny, Patterson, Maxfield, McMillan, and Switzler (2013) discuss the inevitably of relying upon others to transact business. They assert that no one can work alone and that opportunities must be present to allow for the development of abilities in working as a team. Grenny, Patterson, Maxfield, McMillan, and Switzler (2013) posit further the organisation success depends upon experts working in concert with one another to complete projects. Industry is following a positive upward growth at approximately four percent per year. Silber and Kearny (2010) use the recession of 2009 to demonstrate that organisations cannot operate in a vacuum. They posit that economic crisis are not the only reason to remain industry aware, but also because competitors will always look for ways to put you out of business. Silber and Kearny (2010) state that the only industry that appears to do well at the worst recessions, is the alcohol industry, where year-to-date-sales in 2009 were almost double those of previous years (p. 41). The freelance team shows a gap in sales skills. They lack the ability to close sales faster. The lack of sales knowledge interferes with freelancer ability increase sales quotas. Stein (2011) suggest that sales alone will not get the sale, but the ability to use a combination of interpersonal and communicative skills for success. He suggests that clients are high tech and navigate the internet to compare products, services, and prices. Thereby, making the sales process significantly complex. The Advisory Committee is expected to meet once weekly to develop the training plans and continue scanning the environment for changes. Rothwell and Kazanas (2003) advise that advisory committees work similar to strategic committees because they serve the same purpose of identifying weaknesses and strengths in the education and development plans. Advisory committees can compare current plans to future expectations and set relevant priorities. The advisory committee role in the development process can never be overstated (Rothwell and Kazanas, 2003). Implications for The-Second-Greatest-Company Management Action The Above Examples Might Suggest the Following Implications: The-Second-Greatest-Company managements team must meet to discuss budget factors that influence the training process further. The-Second-Greatest-Company managements team, Advisory Committee, and Consultants must agree upon the talent development specifics and a time line of delivery. References Bresciani, M. J. (2010). Data-driven planning: Using assessment in strategic planning. New Directions for Student Services, (132), pp.39-50. Cekada, T. L. (2010). Training needs assessments: Understanding what employees need to know. Professional Safety. pp. 28-33. Cekada, T. L. (2011). Need training?: Conducting an effective needs assessment. Professional Safety, pp. 28-34. Crossley, C. D., Cooper, C. D., Wernsing, T. S. (2013). Making things happen through challenging goals: Leader proactivity, trust, and business-unit performance. Journal Of Applied Psychology, 98(3), 540-549. doi:10.1037/a0031807 Decorator (2015). Decorator designer guide. Retrieved from https://www.decoratordesignerguide.com/interview40089 Grenny, J., Patterson, K., Maxfield, D., McMillan, R., Switzler, A. (2013). Influencer: The new science of leading change. McGraw Hill, NYC, NY. Homeblue (2015). Get matched. Retrieved from https://interior-decorators.homeblue.com/pros/interior-decorators .aspx?gclid=CJXF-t2n9ccCFQoRHwod_1MGyw. Ibisworld (2015). Interior designers in the U.S.: Market research report. Retrieved from https://www.ibisworld.com/industry/default.aspx?indid=1410 KÃÆ'Â ¤rkkÃÆ'Â ¤inen, H., Piippo, P., Puumalainen, K., Tuominen, M. (2001). Assessment of hidden and future customer needs in Finnish business-to-business companies. RD Management, 31(4), 391. Lundberg, C., Elderman, J. L., Ferrell, P., Harper, L. (2010). Data gathering and analysis for needs assessment: A case study. Performance Improvement, 49(8), pp.27-34. Muller, N. Roberts, V. (2010). Seven cures to skipping the needs assessment. Training and Development, pp. 32-34. Perry, M., Losman, E. (2012). Themed monthly evaluations: a focus on individual competencies. Medical Education, 46(5), 517. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2923.2012.04247.x Rothwell, W. Kazanas H. (2003). The Strategic Development of Talent. MA:HRD Press. Shipley, F. Golden, P. (2013). How to analyze and address your organizations learning needs. Training Development, pp. 29-31. Silber, K. H. Kearny, L. (2010). Organizational intelligence: A guide to understanding the business of your organization for HR, training, and performance consulting. Pfeiffer, San Franscisco, CA. Stein, D. (2011). Developing Winning Sales Teams. T+D, 65(6), 62.