Strategic management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Strategic management - Essay Example A framework of analysis is used whereby the external and internal environmental factors affecting Barclays Bank operation in the retail sector is reviewed. The strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threat are presented in order to give a view of the situation prevailing in Indian banking system. Findings and conclusion show that the innovative strategies of Barclays are not sustainable because it is overtaken by the economic crisis which is the main reason for decline of growth. Foreseeable solution is an alternative strategy that the bank should consider to attain growth in the Indian market. Strategic Management The case study of Barclays Bank in India 1. Introduction The purpose of this report is to provide information on the strategic situation of Barclays Bank in India. This will consist of systematic analysis of factors associated with the external environment such as political, economic, social and technological that impacts the operation of the business. By knowing the fact ors that affect its operations, Barclays can align its corporate policies and strategic priorities in the present setting. Barclays Bank entered the Retail Banking system in India on May 2007 and used innovative growth strategies to attract the underserved population of the country. Barclays regarded this sector as a good potential for launching of its innovative products. But there is doubt on whether this strategy would work well under the economic crisis circumstances. The challenges faced by Barclay in pursuing this vision has been difficult, so that an analysis will be done to know if Barclays has succeeded to achieve growth in Indian banking. Barclays Bank is a late entrant to India but considered timing is just right. In an interview with Suresh Gurunani, Head of Barclays Retail Baank , said that it is better to start from scratch because it does not have any â€Å"legacy system† (Boir & Palande, 2007). Why India? India is a emerging market , it offers a wealth of oppo rtunities in trade, technology transfers, and direct foreign investment (Chuan, Li). Further to this, prediction as to the state of India’s economy states that soon enough, it will be one of the countries that will overtake the Group of 7 economies (Hamilton, 2011). Background. Barclay’s Bank mission in India is to offer a unique retail banking service with a vision of increasing customer convenience through innovative products and service offering. Barclays saw the opportunity of growth in the retail banking sector because of the large segment of population that do not go to banks. Barclays used innovative strategies to introduce the bank to the Indians. Its marketing strategy was done in three parts: first, the brand was introduced to create awareness and interest; the second phase was devoted to communication of Barclays as a heritage bank to create trust, and the third is the buildup of the brand suggesting its unique propositions. The business model of Barclays is composed of the following product offerings: The bank offered credit cards like smart budget card, Platinum debit card, seven-year personal loans and Premier League Card. The bank also proposed the â€Å"kudumb† savings account which allowed a family of maximum four people to have a single account that could also be extended to other members of the family like the maid. Their â€Å"No Frills† account has a maintaining average quarterly balance of as low as INR 350 equivalent to $7 only. Personal loans of up to a maximum of 1.7 million INR

National Park Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

National Park - Research Paper Example Furthermore, primeval indications of human adjustment to virtually unsympathetic environment are also present (UNESCO, 2013). In 1979, the park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site (UNESCO, 2013); and in 2010, through the America the Beautiful Quarters program, it was revered with its own personal coin. Nature and Science Grand Canyon National Park possesses a geological uniqueness that is manifested by its rare physical characteristics. Unlike most national parks, the Grand Canyon, as what it is famously known, stages a wide-ranging structure of tributary canyons (NPS, 2013), which likewise conjoins size, depth, and bared layers of vibrant and multi-coloured rocks. The canyon is whittled out by the cut of the Colorado River. The park is generally divided into two main public areas: The North Rim and the South Rim. The remainder of the park is very rocky, bleak, and nearly isolated; nevertheless, many of these distant locations can be reached by backcountry roads and pack trail. Mo reover, the park does not only boast its well-polished, smooth rocks, but it also shows off its evergreen forests that makes the park a complete package for tourists and hikers alike. This rich diversity has further been proven by the identification of 1000 plant species found in the park (UNESCO, 2013). Environmental Factors and Issues Recently, Uranium mining has become rather common in the area (Richardson, 2011; Reese, 2010). Thus, environmental factors that may cause some degree of damage to the park have become a concern to its managers. It has been observed that for more than five decades, there have been found radioactive residues that are accruing in and around the Grand Canyon (Richardson, 2011). Nowadays, the National Park Service warns the visiting public to avoid â€Å"drinking and bathing† (Grand Canyon Trusts, 2012) in the Colorado River surrounding the Grand Canyon. While to infer that the water pollution brought about by the radioactive residues found in the Colorado River is not definitive and conclusive, indeed, the mining and transportation of radioactive materials can potentially cause pernicious effects not just to the plants, but most importantly, to the people visiting the canyon. Today, a 20 year moratorium has been ordered by Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior, to avoid mining activities in and around the canyon (Grand Canyon Trusts, 2012). Natural Features and Ecosystems Grand Canyon’s ecological and geological richness are displayed in various forms, magnificence and environmental significance. A World Heritage Site, Grand Canyon National Park holds more than a lot of natural features and ecosystems that could absolutely capture every person’s eyes. Caves and Karst System Grand Canyon National Park contains an estimated 1000 caves called speleothems (NPS, 2013); although, out of this number, there are only about 330 that have been recorded or inventoried. The caves found in the park are distinctive in shape and location. Unlike the usual caves that we see, the caves in the Grand Canyon burst out of the plateaus’ laterals. These caves have also unusual shapes and takes irregular forms. According to the National Park Service (2013), archaeological remains have been found in some of these caves i.e. split-twig figurines and do have â€Å"unique biological systems.† In addition to caves, Grand Canyon is widely known for its karst system: the geological formation formed by the disbanding of layers such as limestone. The park’