Monday, January 27, 2020

Financial Analysis of Capital One

Financial Analysis of Capital One Organization: Capital One- Financial Company Capital One is a financial and banking corporation, which is among one of the Americas top 20s digital bank. It is well-known for credit cards, debit cards, home loans, banking and saving products. (Identities, 2017) It is around 21-year-old firm, which has had an epidemic success for the past 6 years. It is an innovative technology used organization. The best thing about Capital one is the work and life balance. To choose this organization, the main purpose is the organizations belief and service. They believe in fundamental logic, which is much interesting. -They particularly focus on the everyones opinions and assume positive intent. The culture and environment of the company are really different than most of the other places and banks. -One more interesting fact that I know through some source is Capital one is same as Yahoo; in the terms of technology and belief. -Capital One understand the value of clients, not transactions. As per their research they found that 71% of customers consider their banking relationship to be merely transactional. -They aimed when Capital one diversified to reduce the risk from a monoline business. -Capital one has three major subsidiaries, on which they work: 1) Credit cards 2) Saving banks 3) Auto financing -All these three subsidiaries are diversified the Capital Ones main product credit cards to banks original business. Relationship:   My cousin brother is working for the Capital One IT department from 2010. In future, I want to become a customer of Capital one 360 bank, because they provide great services for customers. After researching some resources and as per my cousins knowledge about technologies and business strategy that Capital one used, which makes me more interesting to choose this organization as an operating model. Operating Model: An Operating model is necessary for delivering goods and services to customers by business level integration and standardization. -Capital one uses a Coordination model by low standardization and high integration. A reason behind to choose this model is, uncontrolled business heads execute their processes an efficient manner, yet   providing the best services to the customers. -Capital one has unique operations, often demanding capabilities. -Capital one is a largest financial services companies, is composed of major three business units: Credit cards group Saving bank group Auto financing group -After researching some stuff; I understand that in the past around the 1990s to early 2000s, they used diversification model, but now entering in auto finance they use coordination model. A Credit card is the oldest major subsidiary and original business of bank (Capital One). From the history of Capital one still, now credit card is the top-notch earning subsidiaries. (Perez, 2015) -Saving bank is the second major subsidiary of Capital one. The leading products that they offer retail and commercial banking such deposits and loans. To achieve the successful business model, Capital one faces sterling competition with United states top 20 banks like PNC bank, Wells Fargo bank etcetera. (Perez, 2015) -Auto financing is third and major subsidiary that focuses on delivering exhaustive, innovative solutions to meet the financial needs of the target customers. It mainly focuses on types of loan that determine the area of the bank. (Perez, 2015) -By integrating, but not standardizing, it is enhancing customer service. It attracts new customers and sells more products to customers, hence it leads towards the profitable growth of Capital one. Stages of enterprise architecture maturity: A capability maturity model defines total four stages of architecture maturity. Business silos Standardized technology Optimized core Business Modularity Capital one is presently used standardized technology. The reason behind to work at this stage is the management of technology standards. Standardization reduce risk, costs of the shared services improve reliability, security and development time. (Ross, 2006) Capital one usually increases access to shared data by data warehouse, hence transaction data is still embedded in individual application. That is the significant achievement for cost savings and reliability through standardized technology. Nowadays most of the companies move into the standardized technology stage by virtue of CIO that provides shared infrastructure services. (Ross, 2006) Capital one design and update their standards according to financial management and funding shared services, which is the key management capability of standardized technology. The business and IT leaders of Capital one are defines the application of standardized technology, that focus on quick wins. References Identities, W. (2017, 2 6). In wikipedia. Retrieved 02 07, 2017, from wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_One Perez, S. (2015, March 5). Retrieved from marketrealist: http://marketrealist.com/2015/03/capital-ones-three-main-subsidiaries/ Ross, J. W. (2006). Enterprise Architecture. Harvard Business. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_One http://marketrealist.com https://www.capitalone.com    Ross Weill Chapter 2.pdf   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Ross Weill Chapter 4.pdf

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Clamence from The Fall by Albert Camus Essay -- Jean-Baptiste Clamence

Clamence from The Fall by Albert Camus The Fall, a 1957 novel written by Nobel Prize winner Albert Camus, is a story based on confession. The main character, Jean-Baptiste Clamence, portrays himself to be the epitome of good citizenship and acceptable behavior and now he has come to face the reality that his existence has been deeply seated in hypocrisy. Clamence also openly enjoys the wealth of cheap dreams that the prostitutes and bars his Amsterdam home has to offer. In a bar called Mexico City, Clamence begins to recall his life as a respected lawyer, supposedly immune to judgment. There are different theories on whether Clamence recalls his life to himself or to another person, but it is in fact a random acquaintance from the bar that Clamence shares stories of his life’s triumphs and failures. While Clamence is in the bar, he asks another person who is trying to order a drink if he "may offer his services without running the risk of intruding" because unless the man authorizes him to perform his services, the bartender will not guess that he wants gin. The service Clamence is referring to is his ability to speak Dutch, the only language the bartender speaks and understands. What suggests that Clamence is speaking to another person in the bar is the fact that if someone wants to do something, they do not need to be given permission by himself. If a person feels they are not allowed to do something, it is because one of two reasons. One, the person might feel the action is inappropriate and that would directly deal with that persons set of morals and discipline. Secondly, the person might not be allowed to perform the task by the person it would deal with and that would have to do with power of authori... ...nce states that he is "embarrassed to be in bed when you arrive." This quote clearly states that Clamence is in one location and another person enters this place unexpectedly and catches him by surprise, thus causing the embarrassment of possibly an unkempt house or a unattractive personal appearance due to the sickness. The reason why there are two people present is because Clamence says "you" which means he is addressing some one else. Although different theories on whether or not Clamence is alone when he recalls his life may exist, it is in fact an acquaintance that he shares his life with. In order for Camus' choice of wording that deal with ownership and possession and by definition of key words such as "secret" to be used in accordance with rules of proper grammar, another person must be present for the meaning of the words to be applied correctly.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Describe and Explain Variations Between New and Old Social Movements Essay

Social movements are groups or organisations that focus on particular political or social issues. The two main types of social movement, Old Social Movements and New Social Movements, share similarities but also have noticeable differences. Bagguley argues that Old Social Movements are mainly influenced by class and economic factors. Many OSMs take the form of Trade Unions. For example, there are several teachers unions in the UK, such as NASUWT and NUT. Because of this the social base of OSMs is largely working or lower middle class. In comparison to this, Hallsworth describes New Social Movements as groups which challenge the established political and cultural order in society. NSMs deal with issues that have arisen in western society since the 60s, such as feminism, environmentalism, gay rights and anti-racist groups. And as these issues effect people from all walks of life, New Social Movements attract people from all classes. In addition to this, NSMs often have global appeal as they transcend not only social class but race and nationality too. For example, LGBT parades and protests happen across the world as the movement is one that can unite people globally. A further difference is that Old Social Movements tend to be insider groups whilst NSMs are considered outsider. OSMs are viewed as expert and professional, often having links with those in powerful positions. For instance, Trade Unions sometimes have links to Labour politics, with TULO (The Trade Union & Labour Party Liaison Organisation) coordinating the activities of trade unions that affiliate with the Labour party. This means that many Old Social Movements have the power to influence important decision and law makers. On the other hand, outsider groups are those that have little to no access to decision makers, and these tend to be New Social Movements. These movements have little access to powerful people as they’re viewed as too extreme or go against the aims of those in power. One extreme example of an outsider group is the IRA. The organisation seeks a united Ireland but has been considered an illegitimate organisation by the British government due to its violent methods that are unacceptable in a democratic country. However, the status of groups can alter. For example, in the 70s many environmental NMS were considered outsider groups and yet today political parties often seek their advice. Despite these differences, however, NSMs and OSMs do share some similarities. Both types of organisation aim to bring together and unite people with common goals and interests. In addition to this, the way in which they try to achieve their aims are often similar. Teachers Unions like NASUWT and NUT have staged several strikes over the last few years due to issues with teacher’s pensions, pay and working conditions. Their tactics are peaceful and civil and, with the exception of a few extreme cases, the same can be applied to New Social Movements. In conclusion, therefore, differences between Social Movements include their social base, their ability to influence those in power and their global appeal. However, it can often be difficult to pinpoint exact differences between the two kinds due to shifts and changes in public and political opinion over time. It is clear, however, that the majority of both NSMs and OSMs have one main goal: to unite people and bring about change to help increase equality in society.

Friday, January 3, 2020

A History of the Elgin Marbles/Parthenon Sculptures

The Elgin Marbles are a source of controversy between modern Britain and Greece. Its a collection of stone pieces rescued/removed from the ruins of the Ancient Greek Parthenon in the nineteenth century, and now in demand to be sent back from the British Museum to Greece. In many ways, the Marbles are emblematic of the development of modern ideas of national heritage and global display, which argues that localized regions have the best claim over items produced there. Do the citizens of a modern region have any claim over items produced in that region by people thousands of years ago? There are no easy answers, but many controversial ones. The Elgin Marbles At its broadest, the term Elgin Marbles refers to a collection of stone sculptures and architectural pieces which Thomas Bruce, Seventh Lord Elgin, gathered during his service as ambassador to the court of the Ottoman Sultan in Istanbul. In practice, the term is commonly used to refer to the stone objects he gathered—an official Greek website prefers â€Å"looted†Ã¢â‚¬â€from Athens between 1801–05, particularly those from the Parthenon; these included 247 feet of a frieze. We believe that Elgin took around half of what was surviving at the Parthenon at that time. The Parthenon items are increasingly, and officially, called the Parthenon Sculptures. In Britain Elgin was heavily interested in Greek history and claimed he had the permission of the Ottomans, the people ruling Athens during his service, to gather his collection. After acquiring the marbles, he transported them to Britain, although one shipment sank during transit; it was fully recovered. In 1816, Elgin sold the stones for  £35,000, half his estimated costs, and they were acquired by the British Museum in London, but only after a Parliamentary Select Committee—a very high-level  body of inquiry—debated the legality of Elgin’s ownership. Elgin had been attacked by campaigners (then as now) for â€Å"vandalism,† but Elgin argued the sculptures would be better cared for in Britain and cited his permissions, documentation which campaigners for the return of the Marbles often now believe supports their claims. The committee allowed the Elgin Marbles to stay in Britain. They are now displayed by the British Museum. The Parthenon Diaspora The Parthenon and its sculptures/marbles have a history which stretches back 2500 years when it was built to honor a goddess called Athena. It has been a Christian church and a Muslim mosque. It has been ruined since 1687 when gunpowder stored inside exploded and attackers bombarded the structure. Over the centuries, the stones which both constituted and adorned the Parthenon had been damaged, especially during the explosion, and many have been removed from Greece. As of 2009, the surviving Parthenon sculptures are divided among museums in eight nations, including the British Museum, the Louvre, the Vatican collection, and a new, purpose-built museum in Athens. The majority of the Parthenon Sculptures are split evenly between London and Athens. Greece Pressure for the return of the marbles to Greece has been growing, and since the 1980s the Greek government has officially asked for them to be permanently repatriated. They argue that the marbles are a prime piece of Greek heritage and were removed with the permission of what was effectively a foreign government, as Greek independence only occurred a few years after Elgin was collecting. They also argue that the British Museum has no legal right to the sculptures. Arguments that Greece had nowhere to adequately display the marbles because they can’t be satisfactorily replaced in Parthenon have been made null and void by the creation of a new  £115 million Acropolis Museum with a floor recreating the Parthenon. In addition, massive works to restore and stabilize the Parthenon and the Acropolis have been, and are being, carried out. The British Museum’s Response The British Museum has basically said no to the Greeks. Their official position, as given on their website in 2009, is: â€Å"The British Museum’s Trustees argue that the Parthenon Sculptures are integral to the Museum’s purpose as a world museum telling the story of human cultural achievement. Here Greece’s cultural links with the other great civilizations of the ancient world, especially Egypt, Assyria, Persia, and Rome can be clearly seen, and the vital contribution of ancient Greece to the development of later cultural achievements in Europe, Asia, and Africa can be followed and understood. The current division of the surviving sculptures between museums in eight countries, with about equal quantities present in Athens and London, allows different and complementary stories to be told about them, focusing respectively on their importance for the history of Athens and Greece, and their significance for world culture. This, the Museum’s Trustees believe, is an arrangement that gives maximum public benefit for the world at large and affirms the universal nature of the Gree k legacy.† The British Museum has also claimed they have a right to keep the Elgin Marbles because they effectively saved them from further damage. Ian Jenkins was quoted by the BBC, while associated with the British Museum, as saying â€Å"If Lord Elgin did not act as he did, the sculptures would not survive as they do. And the proof of that as a fact is merely to look at the things that were left behind in Athens.† Yet the British Museum has also admitted that the sculptures were damaged by â€Å"heavy-handed† cleaning, although the precise level of damage is disputed by campaigners in Britain and Greece. Pressure continues to build, and as we live in a celebrity-driven world, some have weighed in. George Clooney and his wife Amal are the most high profile celebrities to call for the marbles to be sent to Greece, and his comments received what is, perhaps, best described as a mixed reaction in Europe. The marbles are far from the only item in a museum which another country would like back, but they are among the best known, and many people resistant to their transfer fear the complete dissolution of the western museum world should the floodgates be open. In 2015, the Greek government declined to take legal action over the marbles, interpreted as a sign that there is no legal right behind Greek demands.