Development Of Cities Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Development Of Cities - Assignment Example Through this development, the region became an early center of civilization. Rivers among other geographical features played a very important role in consolidating people together so that they could engage in economic activities. According to Robert Braidwood, â€Å"most historians and anthropologists point to agricultural revolution†¦ as the central development in this transformation to civilization.† In another instance, the Nile was also a landmark geographical feature that facilitated early civilization in Egypt. The Hymn to the Nile provides first-hand information of how the Egyptians perceived the Nile and the relationship that their relationship with their deity. These aspects made people come together hence the development of the early centers of civilization.  Apart from geographical factors, other influential factors made it possible for early civilization to be achieved. The political leadership played a pivotal role in the consolidating people together for a common objective. This can be viewed through the modern management systems, organizations that have good management are able to outdo those that are mismanaged. For example in Egypt, the Pharaoh was a very influential leader in this early center of civilization. As documented in the Hymn to the Pharaoh, the people demonstrated allegiance and commitment to their leadership. They heaped praise and demonstrated their contentment to the pharaoh through the hymn. The artwork has revealed several of the ancient civilizations. For example, ‘The Royal Standard of Ur’ helps in realizing that aspects of peace and war dominated in the course of early civilization. The availability of peace is an indicator that people will have the freedom to live whatever they wanted and do whatever pleased them.  

Leading change at Corus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Leading change at Corus - Essay Example Leadership effort must therefore support and build organization members particularly employees to understand leadership agenda in managing change and play their role within the sphere of their activities (Black & Hal 2002, p. 91). Implementing change sometimes require sense of urgency. Of great importance is to understand change, drivers and barriers of change and identify strategies and initiatives geared towards leading change effectively. This study explores and examines changes that have occurred at Corus, how the company has managed them, barriers that have been faced concerning change and reasons for the changes. Corus Tata Steel Group is world’s sixth largest producer of steel. Corus forms part of the group in Europe being the second largest producer of steel in Europe with approximately  £12 billion annual revenue. Corus produces over 20 million tons annually in U.K. and in Netherlands. The company has global network of service centres and sales offices employing about 42,000 staff across globe (Corus, 2010). Corus has been a leader in supplying steel to various markets across the globe. Long Products Business is Corus’ business unit that manufactures steel in France, Scotland and England. The three units produce various steel products that range from wire rod to steel plate to steel rail. Key markets for the Long Products Business include engineering, construction, mining, machinery, earthmoving equipments, fastening, rail and ship building. Continuous improvement gives business a competitive advantage enabling it to stick ahead of its competitors and also increase market share. Good use of experience and skills enables organizations to enhance better products and processes. In the context of Corus, the company uses continuous improvement to drive new and innovative products development and meet customers’ needs (Corus, 2010). Continuous improvement practices have enabled Corus to solve problems that face its steel works and win great contracts. Continuous improvement practices coupled with the dynamic market environment gives forth to new products development and changes in the business process across the company’s divisions and department. Corus is thus challenge to come up with a way of managing the inevitable change. External environment operated in keeps on changing and businesses are challenged to respond on time and appropriately to the changes faced in order to secure their competitiveness. Change management requires support from various business stakeholders including management, employees, shareholders and suppliers among others. Suc h cooperation ensures that the changes made remain embedded to the shaping of the firm. In the context of Corus, the company launched a culture plan through the Corus Strip Products or the CSP team in UK (Corus, 2010). This plan focused on change management and was dubbed ‘The Journey’. The aims of the company were to address wide business challenges and how people carried out work. The plan focused on beliefs and values of the organization members as well as suppliers and partners. The eight core values defined by the plan guides Corus and offer its members the guiding principles. CSP Journey outlined behaviours and values that Corus expected members to follow and encouraged them to remain accountable. Some of the issues the plan aimed at eliminating included tragic accidents occurring on site among other safety and health issues. CSP Journey underpins the company’s culture and has given Corus U.K. a positive approach.