Reaching the Heights of Excellence Essay

Most people want to pursue excellence, as if it is a goal to be reached. There is a notion that excellence is the key to be powerful. When you are excellent you have high chances to be chosen as a leader, a model person, an employee in prestigious companies or institutions and a highly-respected individual. However, excellence is not a goal but a standard and a winsome lifestyle. It is a journey and never a destination. Climbing the heights of excellence is giving a notion that excellence is a pursuit of pre-eminence which is parallel to the denotation of excellence. Excellence denotes a quality which is unusually good and so surpasses ordinary standards or a state of being outstanding and superior. It is a pitfall for Christians. The Bible says in Colossians 1:17-19 that Christ should have the pre-eminence in all things. Nevertheless, the heights of excellence could be God’s ideals for His children and not lording over anyone acting as god. Incorporating the work ethics and values, and devotion in reaching the heights of excellence can become excellence in God’s ideals. Values tend to affect attitude and behavior for it is defined as broad preferences concerning the courses of actions or outcomes. Attitude and behavior reflect the values one upholds because they are observable. It is by action that work ethics and values become visible. Work ethics will only remain as a set of values based on hard work and diligence if action is absent. It is not only applicable in jobs or professional works. It is applicable in everything one does. Whatever pursuits, may it academics or extra-curricular activities or home chores require work. Work is everywhere and whatever one does, one can reach the heights of excellence when one is being reliable, initiative and teachable. It is very crucial to have a teachable spirit in working. One cannot say that he or she has attained all the necessary things to be able to accomplish the best of everything. Be contented but never be satisfied because learning is a lifetime quest. Satisfaction is the enemy of excellence. Being teachable is one of the important values in excellence. Excellence is not afar when the actions of work ethics and values are consistent. Excellence without Christ is nothing. Devotion is always attributed to God. It depicts the religious zeal of a person. Excellence is never apart from God. Many Biblical characters as Daniel had become excellent because of God. Daniel 6:3 tells that Daniel was excellent because the excellent spirit was in him. To apply devotion in reaching the heights of excellence is to reorder one’s priorities by being single-minded. Make God the first, the best and the last in everything and excellence is not apart from you. There is a perception that devotion to God hampers the pursuit in reaching the heights of excellence. Excellence is a winsome lifestyle. It is the inevitable effect of incorporating devotion in reaching the heights of excellence. It is being Christ-centered, focused and nice. The problem with being excellent apart from God’s ideals is the tendency to be boastful or to brag if it is in academic pursuits, to be ‘holier than others’ attitude if it is in spiritual aspect and to be mean and rude if it is in administration. Work ethics and values, and devotion can only be seen through actions. It is by the consistent actions of work ethics and values through the positive attitude and behavior that excellence is in a person. It is by devotion through earnest commitment to God that the heights of excellence become attainable. Excellence can never be apart from God. Excellence is the standard of God and that’s what makes it His ideals. And such standard can be visible in the character. Work ethics and values, and devotion should be a part of one’s character to reach the heights of excellence. Excellence is a journey; therefore, incorporate work ethics and values, and devotion in the everyday life. Excellence is a standard and a winsome lifestyle; therefore, set the standard high and yet honor God and bless humanity. The integration of work ethics and values, and devotion to the ways of life is the application that will certainly bring you to the heights of excellence. It is the heights that are God’s ideals.

Banyan Tree Research Essay

1. Growth and development of Banyan Tree. Banyan Tree Holdings Limited is a leading, international hospitality brand that manages and develops premium resorts, hotels and spas. From a single boutique resort in Phuket in 1994, Banyan Tree has grown into a multi-business operator globally. Listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange since 2006, the group currently consists of 30 hotels and resorts, over 60 spas 80 retail galleries and two golf courses in 27 countries, with aggressive expansion plans for the future. Below shows the milestone of Banyan Tree Resort: Banyan Tree Group garnered some 117 international awards and accolades in 2010, bringing the total number of awards it has received close to 640 since the first Banyan Tree property opened in Phuket in 1994. In 2010, Banyan Tree Phuket and its Spa continue to be recognised by industry experts, having won 14 prestigious awards and accolades The Banyan Tree organization has seen very dynamic and expansive growth in the last few years. Banyan Tree attributes is success as a company to their strong brand recognition, command pricing, and superb management. Revenues increased from $187.3 (million) in 2005 to 335.3 (million) in 2006, which is an increase of 79%. In 2007, Revenue increased another 26% to $429, 859 (million). 2. Success factors of Banyan Tree Banyan Tree Capital has its own dedicated construction, project management and cost management capabilities, enabling it to fulfill the role of a developer and assume full ownership of any projects. * Brand Building Branding has started right from the locations of the Banyan Tree resorts and has been consistent through the designs, the facilities offered, and the ambience created in each of the resorts. In line with the â€Å"romantic escape for couples† theme, Banyan Tree has placed a strong emphasis on the locations as a key element of the brand identity. The company has chosen exotic locations with exclusive access to sun-bathed beaches, exciting environment around and a good transportation infrastructure to connect the resorts to the main destination highlights. * Company Growth and Health The Banyan Tree is a rapidly growing company with lots of investment all across the globe. Their expanding nature, coupled with a positive stock price, solid financial earnings, and continual success at all resort locations, is exceptional in the competitive hotel and resort industry. Not many hotel companies can brag about recent success like the Banyan Tree. * Good Brand communications Banyan Tree promotes their product through mass international media. They invite travel editors and writers who could potentially increase editorial coverage on Banyan Tree to use the service. This can make â€Å"Banyan Tree Experiences† distribute to people by word of mouth and it is more effective. It is also make brand awareness and brand value that generated largely through public relations and global marketing programs. * Being a socially responsible and environmentally sensitive organization Banyan Tree Exercise caution with respect to the environmental impacts of their operations, and taking an active role in the protection and remediation of our global ecosystem. * Creating a good culture By combining the Asian culture and heritage with world-class service and luxury, Banyan Tree has been able to build a brand that has appealed to people across countries in Asia and beyond, and successfully been capitalizing on the pan-Asian sentiment. 3. Marketing Strategies * Collaboration with marketing agencies Banyan Tree Holdings appointed a few key wholesalers in each targeted market and worked closely with them to promote sales. Rather than selling through wholesale and retail agents that catered to the general market, they chose to work only with agents specializing in exclusive luxury holidays targeted at wealthy customers. Global exposure was also achieved through Banyan Tree’s membership in the Small Luxury Hotels and Leading Hotels of the World. Targeting high-end consumers, they represent various independent exclusive hotels and have sales offices in major cities around the world. * Winning awards Banyan Tree resort management believe that to publicize their properties, word of mouth is more important than advertisement. Therefore, one of the marketing strategies they adopting is to win awards. Banyan Tree sought recognition in service, innovation and, more importantly, its environmental efforts. To date, it has won more than 570 awards, with two given last week for its excellence in social and environmental responsibility. * Expanding Brand portfolio Banyan Tree to come out with a brand extension in the form of Angsana Resorts (launched in 2000), targeted towards young families and at different price points – typically 20-30% lower than Banyan Tree resorts themselves. It also operates stand-alone Angsana Spas. These measures not only allow Banyan Tree to increase its awareness in new markets and gain international momentum, but also create a strong platform for a portfolio of sub-brands that can be a source of long-term revenue generation. * Online marketing Banyan Tree sets up company website to conveniently update latest information and offers for customers. In additional, the online website allows customers to do bookings for their holidays. Online bookings rapidly increase over the year and it definitely generated more revenue. 4. Future Challenges * Competition There is only one other resort that is comparable to the Banyan Tree: Amanpulo. Amanpulo is situated on a private island in Palawan. The island boasts white sand, crystal clear water and tropical vegetation. They, too, respond to a leisurely lifestyle for the affluent and rich worldwide. In addition, Amanpulo is just as concerned as we are in building environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing resorts. * Copycats The market is crowded with many entrants running similar branded resorts in the upper-end. Particularly in Asia Pacific, where Banyan Tree has its stronghold and traditional base, new entrants are facing only small barriers-of-entry other than huge capital requirements and availability of good locations. A new entrant can always try to copy the â€Å"romance-intimacy-rejuvenation† theme and replicate the serene locations with beautiful villas providing it at lower prices to gain foothold in the market. * Natural Hazards The Philippines sits astride the typhoon belt, which means it’s prone to be struck by dangerous storms. In addition, the country is known to be home of active volcanoes. Other natural hazards known to occur are landslides, earthquakes and tsunamis. * Environmental Issues Existing issues that the Philippines are dealing with, and trying to combat, are uncontrolled deforestation, soil erosion, air and water pollution, coral reef degradation and increasing pollution of coastal mangrove swamps.

Democracy in the digital age Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Democracy in the digital age - Essay Example As Balkin (2004) argues, digital technologies increase opportunities for widespread cultural participation and social interaction at scales previously unimaginable. For instance, the internet allows individuals to access global audiences and sources of information with considerable ease and convenience. Almost anyone with access to the internet can publish a blog, interact with individuals from all corners of the earth and share experiences. According to Shane et al (2009), digital technology promotes democracy as a core individual and community need, with those able to access digital tools and skills acquiring social, economic and political advantage over those without. Democracy arising from the advent of the Digital Age is further exemplified by the impact of the internet in development of informed communities driven by the values of openness, empowerment, inclusion, participation and the pursuit of truth. A stark reminder of the power of digital communication is in its recent rol e in organizing entire populations across North Africa in a series of coups against undemocratic governance (ICG 2011). However, the digital revolution has also created opportunities for increased limiting and control of cultural participation and interaction. Balkin (2004) discusses how conflict arises due to the advent of the digital age. First, it has to be appreciated that the digital revolution is both an economic and a technological phenomenon. The same features that empower ordinary individuals including cheaper distribution of information and easy reproduction and transfer also attract commercial interests. Here, DVDs, compact discs and streaming forms of media are the perfect examples in terms of low cost production and distribution. The observed democratization by digital technology is thus in conflict with commercial interests as it leads to issues of intellectual

A Critical Review of Competing on capabilities (George Stalk, Philip Essay

A Critical Review of Competing on capabilities (George Stalk, Philip Evans, Lawrence E. Shulman 1992) - Essay Example Considering these aspects, the essay intends to present a review of the article ‘Competing on capabilities’ by ‘George Stalk’, ‘Philip Evans’, & ‘Lawrence E. The essay critically considers the major strengths and weaknesses of the article and further attempts to compare with the theories propounded by other scholars. The article ‘Competing on capabilities’ by ‘George Stalk’, ‘Philip Evans’ & ‘Lawrence E. Shulman’ specifically describes about the role and importance of business competitiveness on strategic decision making capabilities of companies. Throughout the article, multiple references of Wall Mart have been illustrated in order to establish a suitable alignment of this retail giant with the article’s theme (Shin, 2001; Stalk & et. al., 1992). According to the authors, a business process can only be categorized as capacity-based depending on the types of business strategies espoused by it. The facts mentioned within this article also appeared to have a specific amount of focus on the customer-satisfaction attainment factors. According to the authors, higher level of customer satisfaction can be achieved through the provision of superior quality of services and the price affordability of products offered by the companies (Article Myr iad, 2014; Sorescu & et. al., 2011). Throughout the article, specific emphasis has been laid upon the effective mechanism of replenishing the store inventory on a regular basis as a strategic plan towards establishing strong brand positioning within the minds of the customers (Bressler, 2009; Chadwick & et. al., 2007). Notwithstanding, appropriate implementation of business strategies has always been a debatable factor for the multiple reviewers as well as retail giants. This eventually proves the credibility of this article as being appropriately debatable against the wider perception of the effects business strategy

London underground Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

London underground - Essay Example It is also the first railway network to operate electric trains, in 1890, which now forms part of Northern line. The purpose of this paper is to explore the history of the London underground, its map design, services, fare, and system. It will also discuss improvements that need to be made in order to improve its functionality, especially with regard to whether or not a ladies carriage should be opened. Finally, the paper will discuss the safety issues and the ridership statistics. The history of railway construction in the United Kingdom can be traced back to early 19th century in which six railway terminals were built on the outskirts of London at around 1854. This include the Euston, King’s Cross, London Bridge, Waterloo, Paddington and Bishopsgate. During this period, there was only the Fenchurch Street that was located at the central business district of London City. This saw an increase in traffic jams, partly due to the desire for rail travelers to be able to reach the city centre by road. Therefore, as a means to decongest traffic in London, a proposal that had been made in 1830s, to construct an underground railway to connect the London City with the mainline terminals was re-energized in 1850s. This was due to the public pressure exerted on the government by commuters who were concerned about the traffic congestion in the city, which led to a lot of delays to reach the London’s city centre where they worked. As a result, in 1855, an Act of Parliament was passed approving the building of an underground railway between Farringdon Street through King’s Cross and Paddington, which was to be called the Metropolitan Railway. The project received a financial backing from Great Western Railway (GWR) when it consented that a junction would be constructed to link underground railway and mainline terminus at Paddington. Moreover, the GWR also accepted to design distinctive trains to link with the new subterranean

Management Styles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Management Styles - Essay Example Penalties such as fines are imposed in the negative style of management. These negative style managers dominate their subordinates by putting emphasis on the imposition of penalties and fines for substandard performance such as being fired or suspended from their present's jobs without pay, reprimand and even, in rare occasions, insults in front of their fellow workers. This style of management is very proper for some employees but may not be recommended for other employee types. The employee turnover will be higher than other management styles because the employees. This domineering management style results to lower job satisfaction because the some employees will prefer to resign than to be insulted or reprimanded in front of their workers. This is the autocratic management style. On the opposite end, some managers use the positive style of management. The managers will give better education benefits and offer rewards and even promotions for excellent and above par performances. This is the custodial management style. A third management power style occurs when there is a mixture of both the negative and positive style of management. ... imanding can be used and there is other situation, at work, when the positive style of giving rewards and bonuses will increase worker production outputs.Management's use of power to change organisational realities by getting others to do what they want done is further strengthened by the Protestant ethics during the Protestant Reformation that it is a MORAL obligation to work in order to have salvation. This ethic was one of the sparks that kindled the factory working procedures in the 18th century. Therefore, man felt that is a normal for a superior to order the workers to perform certain assigned tasks that will contribute to the accomplishment of over-all company goals and objectives Frederic W. Taylor (Waring, 1991) studied human behaviour ( Grandjean & Kroener, 1997) at work in his management science. He equates the organization as a cheap machine where the human workers, managers and supervisors are likened to its many parts or subdivisions. Each must coordinate and cooperate with each other for the smooth accomplishment of company goals. The human workers are treated just like cheap machine spare parts that can be replaced, transferred, mended and strengthened.Management has the power for the company to implement Frederic Taylor's work procedures such that each task can be broken down into its smallest unit and the best person to do a specific job should be selected so that there will more products manufactured in lesser time at a better quality standard for Frederic Taylor saw that the interaction of human characteristics, social environment, task and physical environment, capacity, speed, durability and cost contributes much to the speedy and quality accom plishment of company goals and objectives. Taylor's method has increased

World religion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

World religion - Essay Example This yoga holds very importance in both the religions. Tantrism is associated with the religious scriptures known as the Goddess Shakti. She is the sacred feminine in Hindu religion, whom people worship. Hindu considers it as anit-vedic in character. In Hinduism traditionally it contains four parts; Metaphysical knowledge of religion known as Jnana, meditative practices knows as yoga, ritual practices and religious and ethical practices of conduct named as Charya. Today in Hinduism this yoga traditionally exists in Saurya, Shiva, Shakta, Ganapatya and Vaishnava. Tantrism came into being in Buddhism around the 3rd century till 12th .In Buddhism, Tantric is also known as Vajrayana. It is different in Buddhism because of its rituals. Rather than the meditation their goal is to achieve the Godhead, with Upaya/skills.Vajrayanais difficult and complicated than the Hinduism because of its rules and complications in language, to read.It is performed in Buddhism for the followers to experienc e the true Buddha nature, before they tend to achieve the enlightenment(Dolls of India - The Role of Tantra in Hinduism and Buddhism) In the psychological study of religion, considering postmodernity, Erickson has given very much importance to the religion in every stage of life. He has done the biographies on Gandhi and Martin Luther, which have proved his thoughts in the matter of religion. Erick stated that for human personality development, religion plays an important role because it is only primary way where virtues are promoted with each stage of life, on the basis of culture. Erick’s theory couldn’t attain much benefit from systematic empirical study but it left the influential effect on the human minds(Schachter). Whereas considering the postmodernity Jones states that today the world is moving within the new sets of modernity. The thoughts of people are changing as a strong reflection of modern themes, specially the youth ministry. Jones says that youth ministry should