What are the strategic priorities for policy makers in Birmingham if Essay

What are the strategic priorities for policy makers in Birmingham if they are to generate strong economic development for the city over the next 20 years - Essay Example Birmingham is a City with an important economic and cultural framework. Because of its infrastructure and its facilities – airport, university, a research park for business and technology research – the City is considered as one of the most developed cities of the West Midlands. The City’s council initiates a wide range of activities aiming to support effectively the needs of the residents. The economic development of Birmingham is examined in this paper; emphasis is given not only on the City’s current economic performance but also on its prospects for future growth. The strategic priorities for policy makers in Birmingham in the case that the City’s economic growth over the next 20 years would be initiated are identified and evaluated. After reviewing the existing plans related to the City’s economic growth it is assumed that the achievement of a further growth – over a period of 20 years – would be achievable under the terms that collaboration and communication in regard to the relevant initiatives are improved. 2. Birmingham – requirements for growth in the next 20 years.History of the town: The history of Birmingham is quite long. In accordance with the studies published on the particular subject, the presence of human in the region goes back to the Bronze Age (Birmingham, Voice of the West Midlands, History); Anglo Saxons visited the area around 700 A.D.; ‘the Medieval and Norman occupation’ (Birmingham, Voice of the West Midlands, History) of the area ended approximately in 1086; it was then that the land-owners took the control of the region occupation’ (Birmingham, Voice of the West Midlands, History). Under the influence of the industrial revolution, the City’s population has been continuously increased, up today. During the two World Wars the City suffered major damages; many of its residents participated in the Wars – and they did not return (Birmingham, Voice of the West Midlands, History). Also the City’s industrial infrastructure suffered significant damages during the above period. The restructuring and the development of the City was highly supported by foreign immigrants – it was during the 1950s and the 1960s that the City was developed significantly becoming today a major economic and cultural center in Britain (Birmingham, Voice of the West Midlands, History). The current economic and cultural status of Birmingham is reflected in the images of the town – see graphs 1 & 2 in the Appendix section. 2.2 Phases of economic development, economic characteristics The economic growth of Birmingham through the decades can be identified in the events that characterized the City’s establishment and development – as presented in the previous section. The current economic development of Birmingham is significant – compared to the financial turbulences that cities worldwide have to face. This tre nd is reflected in the reports published regarding the economic characteristics and the rate of the City’s growth. All of these reports are encouraging regarding the City’s current economic status and, especially, regarding its potentials for further growth. Moreover, the City’s Council has increased its efforts for generating funds necessary for serving the various social and economic needs of residents. In this context, ‘the Westminster, Birmingham and Manchester councils’ (Birmingham News Room 2011) have established a commission; the commission is based in Birmingham because the particular City is ‘the largest UK city economy outside of the capital’ (Birmingham News Room 2011). The above commission aims to identify at what level it is possible for the cities across UK to become independent – in terms of funding – from the central government (Birmingham News Room 2011). Today, Birmingham is an economic center in the West Midlands,

Company Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Company Analysis - Research Paper Example The company’s core and associated brands include Ford, Mercury, Land Rover, Lincoln, Aston Martin, Volvo and Mazda (Ford Motor Company, â€Å"About Ford Motor Company†). Vision and Mission Company’s mission statement is reminiscent of a reflection of its core principle, identity, and values. Ford Motor Company operates its business throughout the world and endows with ‘personal mobility’ for the communities. The company is committed to serve the people with enthusiasm. Mission statement of Ford Motors is as following: â€Å"We are a global family with a proud heritage passionately committed to providing personal mobility for people around the world† (Missionstatements, â€Å"Mission Statement†). Ford Motors offers values for all its stakeholders. Ford Motors focuses on ‘one team’ consisting of all stakeholders such as customers, employees, suppliers, dealers and investors among others. Vision statement shows the future pers pective of the company. The vision statement reads, â€Å"One Ford: One Team, One Plan and One Goal† (Ford Motor company, â€Å"One Ford Mission and Vision†). Strategic Objectives Organizations set up several strategies to operate business efficiently in international market. Ford Motor Company witnessed lots of strategic challenges during recession in the US. In the recent past, Ford Motors has redesigned a coherent business strategy. Ford emphasizes on ‘One Ford’ philosophy. Strategies implemented by Ford Motors Source: (Ford Motor Company, â€Å"Annual Report 2010†). Ford Motor Company focuses on meeting the customers’ requirements by providing them quality products. It enhances the efficiency of its plants and processes by adopting advanced technologies. Their strategies are chiefly based on ‘One Ford’ approach. Ford offers high-quality vehicles with global appeal such as ‘fuel-efficient cars’, competent utility vehicles, and ‘fun-to-drive’. They ensure continuous improvement driven by their strong product line. Ford Motors highlights on overall profitability. Ford Motors’ loyalties to excellent fuel economy, stunning style as well as customer-focused technology are demonstrated throughout its product line. Lincoln, one of the associated brands, is under focus to be established as a luxury brand to attain opportunities in the developing markets. Excellent quality, laser-sharp spotlight on client safety and fuel efficiency continue to make Ford Motors a market leader with the US consumers. Ford Motors looks forward to 70% of its development in the next few years to originate from its market segment of Asia Pacific and Africa. Ford Motors also expects to witness sustainable growth in emerging markets of India, Brazil and China (Ford Motor Company, â€Å"Annual Report 2010†). Financial Objectives The remarkable decline in automotive industry sales that came together with stiff credit markets along with the expenses associated with the changing business mode put major difficulty on automotive liquidity. Ford Motors witnessed record losses in 2008 during recession. They developed a feasible financial plan to sustain. The basic challenge of Ford Motors to be concentrated upon has been its failure to produce small vehicles in the US that can be put up for sale to generate more profit. Ford Motors informed net earnings of $6.6 billion in the year 2010, an increase of $3.8 billion from the year of 2009. Ford Motors’