Executive Briefing Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Executive Briefing Paper - Essay Example Mentorship is not new to Burberry, although its experience is largely external, philanthropic, and along the line of corporate social responsibility. Presently, the Company is a corporate sponsor of IntoUniversity, a charity organisation dedicated to educating the youth through mentoring. Through its local learning centres, some of Burberry’s employees and managers are already dedicating time and effort as volunteers mentors and e-mentors, to Britain’s poor but deserving ‘young people [who] are inspired to learn’ (IntoUniversity, 2010). In 2011 alone, Burberry associates volunteered 5,500 hours of mentoring. For one particular Burberry associate, more than 200 young students were mentored globally in programmes ranging from three months to three years (Burberry Annual Report 2011/12, p. 64). Recent studies have highlighted the use of internal mentoring, as a technique to improve performance and enhance competitiveness. It is believed that by adopting intern al mentoring, the firm will benefit competitively. II. Proposition This paper proposes that Burberry engage in internal mentoring throughout the organisation until the highest levels, in order to enhance its competitiveness. Mentoring is seen as a tool not only for implementing social development programs external to the firm, but is also perceived as an effective instrument in pursuing the company’s strategic goal of remaining competitive. The viability of mentoring in Burberry will be discussed. III. Theoretical background Mentoring is ‘an intense and complex relationship where the mentor plays the role of peer and parent’ and functions as ‘teacher, advisor, sponsor, and friend’ (Ehrich & Hansford, 1999, p.93). Academic literature states that mentoring improves individual behaviour and performance, particularly in the training and encouragement of the young. However, the impact of mentoring on firm behaviour and outcomes has not been established, p articularly in the highest policy levels. Offstein, Shah and Gnyawali (2011) propose a model whereby the board of directors (BOD) mentors the chief executive officer (CEO), for the purpose of improving the CEO’s ability and motivation to ‘competitively engage the firm’ (p. 75). In the diagram that follows, the mentoring role of the BOD is depicted in terms of sponsorship, protection, and coaching or counselling. By providing legitimacy, a proper sense of discretion and risk-taking, and knowledge and learning, the mentoring exercise is expected to lead towards a greater firm competitiveness. Competitive behaviour is defined by their magnitude and complexity. Source: Offstein, Shah and Gnyawali, 2011, p. 80 According to the theory by Offstein, et al. (2011), competitive actions are ‘purposefully directed, specific, and observable.’ The model adheres to the principle that companies that undertake bold and complex competitive actions benefit as a result, because such actions disturb the status quo and establish new rules by which the competitive stage is reset. According to Schumpeter (1934) in his seminal study, first mover advantage (i.e., the advantage of being the first firm to undertake an innovation that defines a new competitive environment) generates abnormally high profits, until such time as other firms catch up and themselves pursue innovative actions in an effort to overcome the market leader. From the executive levels, mentoring by CEO to his division heads, and from them to the

Marketing report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Marketing report - Essay Example This strategy, attributed mostly to Ford Chairman Alan Mullaly, provided the firm the necessary resources to develop a very conscious and deliberate branding strategy. The continuous marketing and development of Ford Focus- one of the leading international brands of the firm shall therefore be viewed from the perspective of this new change in focus and the approach. (Daye & VanAuken, 2010). The current brand management program for the car is mostly focused on exploring the brand name of the Ford itself as well as the new and renewed strategy of managing only those brands which can be successfully marketed. The new paradigm in Ford therefore is based upon successfully managing the existing brands by cutting down those brands which cannot be successfully marketed. This report will discuss critically the current brand management techniques adapted for this brand besides performing the external environment assessment and how the firm can actually improve its CRM as well as MKIS for this brand. Ford Focus- a brief Review Ford Focus is one of the most successful brands of Ford which is being successfully marketed all over the world under the same name. ... It is also important to note that the Focus is priced reasonably however, it is still considered as one of the luxury brands aimed at consumers who are willing to afford high priced luxury cars. Due to this market segmentation strategy, Ford has been able to consistently market this product across the different markets with relative success. One of the key aspects of the overall brand strategy for this brand is the deliberate strategy for not rolling out the different brand extensions. It is generally believed that the brand extensions in automobile industry tend to weaken the existing brands and it is therefore critical that the automobile firms must engage into the practice of brand consolidation in order to ensure that the existing brands continue to perform and develop into leading market brands.(Lambin, Chumpitaz, & Schuiling, 2007). Current Brand Management Program As discussed above that the Ford has adapted a deliberate strategy of managing its current brands by discarding th ose brands which are hard to sell and manage. Due to financial crisis, most of the automobile firms faced significant financial constraints and reverted to further rationalize their product lines in order to become more efficient and effective in managing only those brands which can be successfully marketed. An effective branding strategy requires the successful leveraging of the power of the brand in order to cover the market more effectively. (Aaker, 2002) In order to effectively understand and critically analyse the current branding strategy for the Ford Focus will suggest that it is a sub-brand of the Ford itself. Given the market power of Ford as well as its overall market reputation, Ford Focus therefore tends to thrive on the strong brand image of Ford itself.

Strategies of Noki Company Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Strategies of Noki Company - Case Study Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that Noki Company is offering mobile phones, smartphones, mobile computers and networks to customers worldwide. In the light of technological changes brought about by modernization, research and development, this study will attempt to find out how Noki Company deals with the macro environment changes that affect its business. Part 1 of the study presents a PESTLE analysis, Part 2 is a SWOT analysis and Part 3 is the conclusion. Before the1980s, the telecom industry operated under a monopolistic environment, but for different political-economic reasons. US, Japan, and the UK ended this era of monopoly and allowed new players in the industry. Radical changes have been instituted since then, and liberalization has invited several telecom companies to participate in the telecom industry. The government of Finland has been supportive of technological changes. In the 1980s it has veered away with agricultural products and took the position to be on e of the leaders in the technology field. Thus, during this period Nokia has established a strong alliance with the government and has now be converted into the number one corporation in Finland. IT has turned out to be the third source of revenue for the country. The mobile phones introduced by Nokia developed to be an important tool in connecting people together around the world. Noki Company has three main core businesses, the Nokia Mobile Phones, Nokia Networks and Nokia Ventures. Noki Company is considered a very important employer; likewise, it also plays a vital role in the financial system in Finland financial market. It is a publicly traded company listed in NYSE, Helsinki and Frankfurt. The company has established branches in 120 countries worldwide employing 128,445 personnel. In 2009, Noki has an operating profit margin of 5.0 % a market share of 37% and has increased the country’s GDP.  

Republican vs democrat Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Republican vs democrat - Essay Example As liberals, they believe that the government has a great role to ensure welfare of individuals. In other words, they have strong conviction to support for social rights, tolerance for political and social change (Bardes, Shelley and Schmidt, 18). So they do not strongly oppose the ideology that the government should initiate move to reduce poverty and redistribute wealth. Republicans on the other hand believe conservatives build a strong force especially for supporting capitalism. To ensure capitalism, government should initiate positive actions. Unlike the Democrats, majority of republicans support for traditional values, strong level of patriotism, and they have this insight that it is possible for private sectors to outperform the government (Bardes, Shelley and Schmidt, 18). Unlike the Democrats, Republicans have a strong stand to oppose government program to redistribute income or wealth. In other words, Democrats promote economic security, equal opportunity and social liberty. On the other side, Republicans promote economic liberty, morality and social order. To sum this up in general detail, Democrats have strong stand to support property and economic equality while Republicans carry higher weight on social order and privileges (DuCharme and Constant, 11). Let us take a look at the stand of how Romney and Obama could further improve the health care system in the US. As the one representing for the Republican Party, Romney has strong conviction that the federal government should not take over health care (Camia). Rather, he wants to emphasize private market and each person could work hand on hand to further improve the health care system in the US. Obama on the other hand, believes that a state-based or state-centric plan for health care is more efficient as there is always an opportunity for insurance companies to raise costs for their policies and offerings (Camia). The implication of having private companies in the health care system to take control o f costing will possibly end up people paying relatively higher cost for health insurance as what Obama would want to point out. Obama and Romney stands have strong level of difference as the former believes in the positive government action in the economy while the latter considers positive government action to fulfill capitalism. Republicans therefore are more business-oriented relying on the potential of individual to contribute a significant change for the community. Thus, it is not far from their consideration to effectively look forward to economic sustainability. Maximization of profit is essential for them so they might have different stand on environmental sustainability. For them, it is all about creation of opportunity. The need to minimize level of carbon dioxide emission is an opportunity for them to create a significant point to produce offerings that would guarantee efficiency and productivity. Democrats on the other hand may not be so conscious of this for as long as they believe capitalism may not create any good at all for the environment. Al Gore for instance, a Democrat believes factories and technological advancement created by capitalist movement momentarily destroys the environment. So as the proponent of the â€Å"Inconvenient Truth† his claim about the global warming issue and industrialization triggers a remarkable impact on the stand of conservative individuals who are trying to maximize individual gain rather than long-term sustainability. At this point, it is clear Democrats tend to head to more

Cross Cultural Perspectives Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Cross Cultural Perspectives - Essay Example To cope with an unpredictable world you mut build an enormou amount of flexibility into your organization. While you cannot predict the future, you can get a handle on trend, which i a way to take advantage of change and convert rik into opportunitie. n today' tidal wave of global economic, technological, and ocial change, that name of the game for you and your organization i urvival. If you are going to withtand relentle and contantly growing global competition, you need to be different and radically change the way of doing buine. You have to give up the old hierarchical, adverarial approach which wate individual talent and ap energy in unproductive conflict. Intead you need to create a new management model, witch from management to leaderhip, manage change, build trut, drive out fear of failure and and create productive partnerhip in which everyone can offer their unique knowledge and talent. If you know how to help your organization to do thi, you can make a deciive difference. How you change a buine unit to adapt to hifting economy and market i a matter of management tyle. Evolutionary change, that involve etting direction, allocating reponibilitie, and etablihing reaonable timeline for achieving objective, i relatively painle. However, it i rarely fat enough or comprehenive enough to move ahead of the curve in an evolving world where take are high, and the repone time i hort. When faced with market-driven urgency, abrupt and ometime diruptive change, uch a dramatic downizing or reengineering, may be required to keep the company competitive. In ituation when timing i critical to ucce, and companie mut get more efficient and productive rapidly, revolutionary change i demanded. When chooing between evolutionary change and revolutionary action, a leader mut purue a balanced and pragmatic approach. winging too far to revolutionary extreme may create "an organizational culture that i o impatient, and o focued on change, that it fail to give new initiative and new peronnel time to take root, tabilize, and grow. What' more, it create a high-tenion environment that intimidate rather than nurture people, leaving them with little or no emotional invetment in the company." Group, ocietie, or culture have value that are largely hared by their member. The value identify thoe object, condition or characteritic that member of the ociety conider important; that i, valuable. In the United tate, for example, value might include material comfort, wealth, competition, individualim or religioity. The value of a ociety can often be identified by noting which people receive honor or repect. In the U, for example, profeional athlete are honored (in the form of monetary payment) more than college profeor, in part becaue the ociety repect peronal value uch a phyical activity, fitne, and competitivene more than mental activity and

Constitution of India Essay Example for Free

Constitution of India Essay Section 10(3)(c) of the Passport Act authorizes the Passport authority to impound a Passport if it deems it necessary to do so in the in the interest of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of India, friendly relations of India with any foreign country, or in the interest of the general public. Maneka’s passport was impounded by the central Government under the Passport Act in the interest of the general public. Maneka filed a writ petition challenging the order on the ground of violation of her Fundamental Rights under Article 21. One of the major grounds of challenge was that the order impounding the Passport was null and void as it had been made without affording her an opportunity to being heard in her defence. The court laid down a number of propositions seeking to make Article 21 much more meaningful than hitherto. ↠ The court reiterated the proposition that Article 14, 19 and 21 are not mutually exclusive. A law prescribing a procedure for depriving a person of ‘personal liberty’ has to meet the requirements of Article 19. Also the procedure established by law in Article 21 must answer the requirement of Article 14 as well. ↠ The expression ‘Personal liberty’ in Article 21 was given an expansive interpretation. The expression ‘Personal liberty’ ought not be read in a narrow and restricted sense so as to exclude those attributes of personal liberty which are specifically dealt with in Article 19. The right to travel abroad falls under Article 21. ↠ The most significant and creative aspect of Maneka case, is the re-interpretation by the Court of the expression ‘procedure established by law’ used in article 21. Article 21 would no longer mean that law could prescribe some semblance of procedure, however arbitrary or fanciful, to deprive a person of his personal liberty. It now means that the procedure must satisfy certain requisites in the sense of being fair and reasonable. The procedure cannot be arbitrary unfair or unreasonable. As the right to travel abroad falls under art 21, natural justice must be applied while exercising the power of impounding a Passport under the Passport Act. Although the Passport Act does not expressly provide for the requirement of hearing before a passport is impounded, yet the same has to be implied therein. Case 2 Sunil Batra vs. Delhi Administration (1980) The Court has given several directives to improve many aspects of prison administration and condition of prisoners. In this case, the Court has pointed out that its powers under Art. 32 are free from the rigid restraints of the traditional English writs. Prison torture is not beyond the reach of the Supreme Court under Article 32. For this purpose, the Court treats letters from prisoners as writ petitions. In this case, the judicial process was set in motion by a letter written by a prisoner to a Judge of the Supreme Court complaining of the brutal attack by the prison staff on a fellow prisoner. Forsaking all procedural formalities, â€Å"since freedom was at stake†, the letter was treated by the Court as a petition for the writ of Habeas Corpus. Case 3 Hussainara Khatoon vs. Home Secretary – State of Bihar (1979) Hussaainara Khatoon case of the Bihar undertrials started with an article written in Indian Express. An advocate then filed a petition under Article 32 in the Supreme Court to protect the personal liberty of the undertrials. The Supreme Court has laid great emphasis on speedy trial of criminal offences and has emphasized: â€Å"It is implicit in the broad sweep and content of Article 21†. A fair trial implies a speedy trial. No procedure can be ‘reasonable fair or just’ unless that procedure ensures a speedy trial for determination of the guilt of such person. The Supreme Court has directed release of all undertrials who have been in jail for periods longer than the maximum term of imprisonment for which they could be sentenced if convicted of the offence charged. The Court also directed that the undertrial prisoners, who are accused of multiple offences and who have already been in jail for the maximum term for which they could be sentenced on conviction, even if the sentences awarded to them were consecutive and not concurrent, should be released forthwith, since their continued detention clearly violates not only human dignity but also their Fundamental Right under Art.21 of the Constitution. The Supreme Court has taken a big innovative step forward in humanizing the administration of criminal justice by suggesting that free legal aid be provided by the State to poor prisoners facing a prison sentence. Case 4 Keshavananda Bharati vs. State of Kerala (1973) The State of Kerala passed the Kerala Land Reforms Act. 1963. This Act affected the interest of the petitioner, Keshavananda Bharati, Swamiji of a mutt. So he filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court under Article 32 of the constitution, contending that his fundamental rights under Article 14,19(1)(f),25,26 and 31 were violated by the Kerala Land Reforms Act. While the case was pending, the parliament passed three constitutional Amendments, viz., 24th, 25th 29th Amendments. The constitution Twenty-fourth Amendment repealed article 19(1) (f) which read â€Å"to acquire, hold and dispose of property†. It also repealed Article 31, i.e., compulsory acquisition of property. It made several other changes. It also included the Kerala Land Reforms Act in the ninth schedule, thereby making them immune from attack on the ground of fundamental rights. As a result, the fundamental right to property was deleted from the constitution. The petitioner felt that, by these Amendments, he would lose the case in the court. So, he amended his writ petition before the Supreme Court, challenged the validity of 24th, 25th 29th Amendments. He contended that though the power of the parliament to amend was wide, it was not unlimited. The power to amend under Article 368 should not empower the parliament to destroy the basic features of the constitution. The Supreme Court’s judgment in this case is as follows: i) The constitution Twenty-fourth (Amendment) Act, 1971, section 2(a) (b) of the constitution Twenty-fifth (Amendment) Act, and the constitution Twenty-ninth (Amendment) Act are valid. ii) The decision of the majority in Golaknath’s case that the word ‘Law’ in Article 13(2) included Amendments to the constitution the Article operated as a limitation upon the power to amend the constitution under Article 368 is erroneous, and so, is overruled. iii) The power of Amendment includes within itself the power to add, alter or repeal the various Articles of the constitution, including those relating to fundamental rights. iv) There is no power to amend or alter the basic structure of the constitution. v) The First part of the Article 31-C is valid, and the second part of the Article 31-C laying down â€Å"no law containing a declaration that if it is for giving effect to such policy shall be called in question in any court on the ground that it doesn’t give effect to such policy† is invalid. vi) There is no inherent or implied limitations on the power of Amendment under Article 368. Case 5 Air India vs. Nergesh Meerza (1981) A regulation made by Air India, a statutory corporation, fixed the normal age of retirement of air hostesses at 35 yrs but authorized the managing director to extend the same to 45 yrs at his option subject to other conditions being satisfied. The regulation was held bad as it armed the managing director with uncanalized and unguided discretion to extend the age of retirement of any air hostess. No guidelines, principles or norms were laid down subject to which the power was to be exercised. Nor was there any procedural safeguard available to an air hostess who was denied extension. A regulation providing for termination of service of an airhostess in Air India on her first pregnancy has been held to be arbitrary and abhorrent to the notions of a civilized society. Case 6 Visakha vs. State of Rajasthan (1997) The Supreme Court has declared sexual harassment of a working woman at her place of work as amounting to violation of rights of gender equality and right to life and liberty which is a clear violation of Article 14, 15 and 21 of the Constitution. Article 21 guarantees right to life with dignity. Accordingly the Court has observed in this connection: â€Å"the meaning and content of the Fundamental Rights guaranteed in the constitution of India are of sufficient amplitude to encompass all the facets of gender equality including prevention of sexual harassment or abuse† Sexual harassment also violates the victim’s fundamental right under Article 19(1)(g) â€Å"to practice any profession or to carry out any occupation, trade or business†. Thus Article 32 is attracted. In the absence of any domestic law relating to sexual harassment in India, the Supreme Court has itself laid down under Article 32 some directions for prevention of such harassment. These directions are binding and enforceable and are required to be strictly observed in all work places until suitable legislation is enacted to occupy the field. Case 7 M R Balaji vs. State of Mysore (1963) An order of the Mysore Government issued under Article 15(4) reserved seats for admission to the state Medical and Engineering colleges for Backward classes(28%) and ‘more’ Backward classes(22%). This was in addition to the reservation of seats for SCs (15%) and for STs (3%). Backward and more backward classes were designated on the basis of ‘castes’ and ‘communities’ The Supreme Court characterized Article 15(4) as an exception to Article 15(1) (as well as to Article 29(2)]. The court declared the order bad on several grounds in this case. ↠ The first defect in the Mysore order was that it was based solely on caste without regard to other relevant factors and this was not permissible under Article 15(4) ↠ Secondly, the test adopted by the state to measure educational backwardness was the basis of the average of student population in the last three high school classes of all high schools in the state in relation to a thousand citizens of that community. This average for the whole state was 6.9 per thousand. The vice of the Mysore order was that it included in the list of backward classes, castes or communities whose average was slightly above, or very near or just below the state average(e.g., Lingayats (7.1) were mentioned in BC list). ↠ Thirdly, the court declared that Article 15(4) does not envisage classification between backward and more backward classes as was made by the Mysore order. In Balaji case, the Supreme Court could sense the danger in treating ‘caste’ as the sole criterion for determining social and educational backwardness. The importance of the judgment lies in realistically appraising the situation when the court said that economic backwardness would provide a more reliable yardstick for determining social backwardness because more often educational backwardness is the outcome of social backwardness. The court drew distinction between ‘caste’ and ‘class’. An attempt at finding a new basis for ascertaining social and educational backwardness in place of caste is reflected in the Balaji decision. The court also ruled that reservation under Article 15(4) should be reasonable. It should not be such as to defeat or nullify the main rule of equality enshrined in Article 15(1). While it would not be possible to predicate the exact permissible percentage of reservation, it can be stated in a general and broad way that it ought to be less than 50%. Case 8 Indra Sawhney vs. Union of India (1992) (Mandal Commission Case) The Supreme Court has taken cognizance of many complex but very momentous questions having a bearing on the future welfare and stability of the Indian society. ↠ The overall reservation in a year is limited to a maximum of 50% ↠ Amongst the classes granted reservation, those who have been benefited from reservation and have thus improved their social status (called the ‘creamy layer’ by the court), should not be allowed to benefit from reservation over and over again. This means that the benefit of reservation should not be misappropriated by the upper crust but that the benefit of reservation should be allowed to filter down to the lowliest so that they may benefit from reservation to improve their position. The court has said that if a member of IAS, IPS or any other All India Service, his social status rises; he is no longer socially disadvantaged. This means that, in effect, a family can avail of the reservation only once. ↠ An element of merit has been introduced into the scheme of reservation. o Promotions are to be merit based and are to be excluded from the reservation rule. o Certain posts are to be excluded from the reservation rule and recruitment to such posts is to be merit based. Minimum standards have to be laid for recruitment to the reserved posts.

Yosemite: Rights to its Legacy and Name

Yosemite: Rights to its Legacy and Name The planet Earth is an endless landscape of natural beauty, populated by people of many different cultures, races, and ethnic groups, each speaking various languages and practicing numerous religions. No matter ones religion, language, race, culture or ancestry, we are all one human race living on one planet. We have inherited the planet Earth from our ancestors; therefore it is an important part of our heritage, traditions, and cultures that make us who we are today. To appreciate our landscapes and the beauty of our planet, one must explore and appreciate its many wonders. Whether one lives in the suburbs or the city, it is most likely it is a short drive to see the beauty of the Earths landscapes that surround us. Aside, from natures scenery, there are many geographical settings that are a huge part of our heritage and civilization. Many of these landscapes are defined as cultural landscapes, geographic area where a historical event or places which show evidence that a person or a group of people have had a cultural impact(NPS). The Cultural Landscape Foundation defines these landscapes, as those sites that include historic sites, historic designed, historic vernacular and ethnographic landscapes, which reveal aspects of the countrys origins and relationships with the natural world(TCLF). Many countries have their own cultural landscapes that attract visitors from around the world, each offering its own unique aspects of the world and provides scenic, economic, ecological, social, recreational, and educational opportunities(TCLF). These cultural landscapes are pictures, similar to a family portrait, which one cherishes, protects and preserves for the future generation. These images tell a story that teaches us about our history, cultures, and traditions. One cultural landscape that is an important part of North American heritage is Yosemite National Park, which is situated in Californias central Sierra Nevada Mountain Range(NPS). This American antiquity is rich in ethnographic landscapes, which are natural resources that connect people with heritages, land settlements, sacred religious or ceremonial grounds, communities, and geological structures (TCLF). This federally designated park consists of 747,956 acres of wilderness, roughly the size of the state of Rhode Isla nd and is home to five of the worlds highest waterfalls and groves of Giant Sequoias (NPS). Yosemite is an archaeological wonder, which tells the story of Americas rich history long before Christopher Columbus came to America. The recorded history is that of the first settlers, the Ahwahneechee, the Native American people who lived on the land 8,000-10,000 years ago (Hamilton 12). According to US Parks website the native people of Yosemite had a rich heritage and culture of traditions, religion, songs and lived fairly peacefully in the Sierra Nevada foothill, until the arrival of Euro-American miners (US Parks). During the California Gold Rush (1848-1855), European- American settlers traveled to the Sierra Nevada to mine the land and seek their fortunes (Hamilton 12). Soon after their arrival, the local natives desperately tried to protect their homeland from the white settlers greed and the damage they are doing to their land. By 1849, thousands of miners had settled in the Sierra Nevada, forcing the natives in the valley region. In retaliation, the native attacked the pro spectors, leading to Mariposa War in December 1850 (Military Museum). In hopes of ending the conflict, James Savage, a businessman, and soldier of the Mexican-American Savage organized a militia of miners, who called themselves, the Mariposa Battalion, to violently force out the native populations and take over the land for the mining of gold (US Parks). The war ended in July 1851, with the signing of a peace treaty and also led to the discovery of the Yosemite Valley (Military Museum). The discovery spread across the world, drawing more settlers to the area. In the years that followed, given Yosemites uniqueness of natural landscapes and formations, the park attracted photographers and artist to create images of the majestic landscape, hence nicknaming it The Incomparable Valley (NPS). The valley also caught the attention of scientist, historians, and educators, who studied the landscape and the natural environment (NPS). However, over time the valley began to show signs of ecosystem damage, and for that reason, President Abraham Lincoln stepped in and created the Yosemite Grant Act, to protect Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove(MilitaryMuseum.org). The act was signed in 1864, relinquishing the land to the State of California, making it the first land ser aside wholly for preservation, public use and our nations first state park(Military Museum.org). According to the National Park Service, an estimated 4 million people from around the world visit the park each year to enjoy the majestic beauty and history of yesterday(NPS). For the outdoor adventurer, the park offers camping, hiking and for the more adventurous, the thrill of rock climbing. Tourists can explore the historic mining sites, tour the primate lodging establishments, and villages of theAhwahneechee people. For educators, students and visitors who want to learn the history and explore the geological findings, the Yosemite Museum houses a magnificent collection of more than four million artifacts and over 10,000 books (NPS). In 1984, UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, recognized Yosemite National Park, a natural and cultural heritage site which is valuable to humanity and the enjoyment of future generations and declared it a World Heritage Site (UNESCO). As a WHS, Yosemite is protected by the mission of the World Heritage Convention, an international partnership and legal presentation which safeguards cultural or natural places of outstanding universal value(UNESCO). To date, there are 1677 sites on the WSH list, and each year more are added or removed. Currently, 55 WHS, in threat of disappearance caused by natural deterioration, causes or disasters, land development, war, and or changes in ownership (UNESCO). In 2016, Yosemite National Park was is such danger and needed the assistance of UNESCO to protect it. For as Yosemites tourism grew, so did its need for a park management plan, contracts, and services from outside the US Parks Service and eventually, Yosemite was operating like Disney World, with themed hotels, concession stands, restaurants, and attractions. With that came big business and profits for those businesses not associated with the parks service and government of California. Even though Yosemite is a national landmark and protected by the state of California and the federal government, the Antiquities Act, the Parks Service, and UNESCO, the park is in peril. It is not in danger of environmental issues or changes due to human impact, the danger lurches from a big commercial enterprise. On March 1, 2016, US Park Service decided not to renew the contract of Delaware North, the hospitality company, who since 1993 operated the restaurants, hotels, shops, and other properties at Yosemite Park (Fuller). When the contract expired, the company took claim to the parks name and properties and refused to turn it over to the new hospitality company, Aramark (Hiltzik). Thus, forcing the National Park Service to either buy back the name or rename on the park, hotels, and attractions. According to an article in the Washington Post, journalist Sarah Kaplan stated that on the day Delaware Norths contract expired, two National Historic Landmark were renamed. The Ahwahnee Hotel became the Majestic Yosemite and Curry Village was renamed Half-Dome Village(Kaplan). All merchandise bearing the name Yosemite National Park was removed from gift shop(Kaplan). According to an article written by attorneys Klein Wilson, the lawsuit, has transformed the park [into a place where visitors feel a s if] greed has infiltrated [their world] (Klein Wilson). Changing the iconic names would take away everything we have come to know and cherish about the uniqueness, history, and heritage of the park. For the exclusive purpose of greed, a company is threatening to destroy the name of a national world heritage site, a global antiquity and a natural wonder of the world. A similar case of the rights to cultural property is the political and scientific legal battle over ÃÆ'-tzi the Iceman who was found near Hauslabjoch in the ÃÆ'-tzal Alps. According to the story, On September 19, 1991, two German hikers came across a well-preserved body of a man frozen in the ice (South Tyrol Museum). Since the discovery site was in close proximity to the Austrian-Italian border, neither government knew who had claimed to the 5,300-year-old corpse (South Tyrol Museum). After an investigation by Austrian scientists and archeologists, who believed him to be an ancient Austrian Trader, they nicknamed him ÃÆ'-tzi, after the region in which he was found. (South Tyrol Museum). However, after further research, it was discovered that the Iceman was actually an Ancient Italian Trader and the Italian government demanded the return of their cultural property. In 2001, based on this scientific evidence, Ortzi was returned to his homeland and now rests in the South Tyrol Museu m of Archaeology in Bolzano, Italy (South Tyrol Museum). In the case of Delaware North vs.Yosemite, the battle is over the legal rights to the trademarked name of a national icon. According to an article by Thomas Fuller, in the NY Times, the United States Trademark Act bars a trademark that falsely suggests a connection with a national symbol (Fuller). Fuller furthermore states, according to Sarah Maxwell, an official at the trademark office, the law bars trademarking national or state flags, but there was no explicit prohibition on the trademarking of other American icons(Fuller) According to Dan Jensen, a consultant to Delaware North, trademarking is a standard practice and Delaware North just wants its successor, Aramark, to pay for the full value of the intellectual property it is now managing(Hiltzik). Intellectual propertyrefers to creations of the mind, such as inventions; literary and artistic works; designs; and symbols, names and images used in commerce(WIPO)[A1]. In this lawsuit, the logos, images, and designs created by Delaware North are legally owned by them. Even though there are federal acts, and organizations like UNESCO to protect and preserve our national landmarks and cultural antiquities, there are loopholes that allow companies and groups to stake a claim to the properties. For example, many famous stadiums and arenas names are changed to sponsors name. To name a few, Riverfront Stadium, became Cinergy Field, San Diego Stadium was renamed Petco Park and legendary Candlestick Park is now known as ATT Park (Morran). Although stadiums arent national landmarks, they still hold the same historical significant for those who grown up going to those stadiums. For instance, baseball player, Willie Mays played his last game of his career at Shea Stadium, not Citi Field. [A2]Larry Bird played basketball at the renowned Boston Garden, not at TD Garden. [A3][A4][A5][A6] When did we become a country where marketing and profit were more important that [A7]holding on to our heritage? Our nations capital is named after our first [A8][A9]president George Washington. The Kennedy and Johnson Space Centers are named for presidents John F Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson, who supported the space program. Many buildings are dedicated to soldiers and others who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. If we allow corporations to change the names of these properties, we are permitting them to disrespect the memory of these great people and our history. We should never allow corporations for the mere purpose of marketing their products to change the names of historical sites and national landmarks. What if Taco Bell, bought the Statue of Liberty, would it be renamed The Taco Bell Lady? As more and more concessionaires, like Pepsi, Papa John, and [A10]Starbucks, are operating at historical landmarks, will the case of Delaware North set a precedent? Imagine Y ellowstone Park, being Starbucks Park or Niagara Falls, renamed Papa John Falls. This is what will happen if we continue to consent to commercialization of America.[A11][A12][A13] As an American citizen, one should stand up to the greed that threatens to destroy our heritage. We should look beyond the laws and statutes that allow companies to take away the names of cultural landscapes and properties that represents our nation and its people. It is our responsibility to protect and preserve this planet we inherited, and as in doing so, we are respecting and preserving the legacy of every World Heritage Site, so as to preserve the history for future generations. Works Cited   Ã‚   Beck, Warren A, and Ynez D Hasse. California and the Indian Wars: Mariposa Indian War, 1850-1851. California and the Indian Wars: Mariposa Indian War, 1850-1851, www.militarymuseum.org/Mariposa.html. Accessed 2 Mar. 2017. Fuller, Thomas. Bitter Contract Dispute Extends to Who Owns Yosemite Names. The New York Times, The New York Times, 1 Mar. 2016, www.nytimes.com/2016/03/02/us/bitter-contract-dispute-extends-to-who-owns-yosemite-national-park-names.html. Accessed 1 Mar. 2017. Hamilton, John. History. Yosemite National Park, Abdo Pub., Edina, MN, 2005, p. 12. Hiltzik, Michael. The Corporate Grab behind the Yosemite Park Trademark Clash. Los Angeles Times, www.latimes.com/business/hiltzik Accessed 15 Mar. 2017. Kaplan, Sarah. A Private Company Trademarked the Phrase Yosemite National Park. Should the U.S. Pay to Get It Back? The Washington Post, WP Company, 21 Mar. 2016, www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/21 Accessed 10 Mar. 2017. Klein Wilson. Defend Yourself against Copyright Infringement. Klein Wilson, 1 Mar. 2017, www.kleinandwilson.com/blog/2017/03/defend-yourself-against-copyright-infringement.shtml. Accessed 2 Mar. 2017 Morran, Chris. 20 Years Ago, Only 1 Baseball Stadium Had A Corporate Sponsor; Now All But 9 Do.Consumerist, 27 Sept. 2016, consumerist.com/2014/02/06/20-years-ago-only-1-baseball-stadium-had-a-corporate-sponsor-now-all-but-9-do/. Accessed 11 Mar. 2017. NPS. Defining Landscape Terminology / Cultural Landscape Guidelines. National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/tps/standards/four-treatments/landscape-guidelines/terminology.htm. Accessed 6 Mar. 2017. NPS. Rethinking the National Parks for the 21st Century. National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/policy/report.htm. Accessed 5 Mar. 2017. NPS. Yosemite National Park Celebrates 120th Birthday on October 1. National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/yose/learn/news/yose120.htm. Accessed 5 Mar. 2017.. South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology. The Discovery. South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, www.iceman.it/en/the-discovery. Accessed 1 Mar. 2017. TCLF. About Cultural Landscapes. About Cultural Landscapes | The Cultural Landscape Foundation, The Cultural Landscape Foundation, 2001, tclf.org/places/about-cultural-landscapes. Accessed 6 Mar. 2017. UNESCO. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. http://whc.unesco.org/En/Culturallandscape, whc.unesco.org/. Accessed 2 Mar. 2017. US Parks Yosemite National Park History. Yosemite National Park History, National Parks Travel Guide Road Trip Planning, www.us-parks.com/yosemite-national-park/history.html. Accessed 5 Mar. 2017. WIPO. What is Intellectual Property? WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization. Accessed Web. 12 Mar. 2017. [A1]Inserted: IPO [A2]Inserted: , [A3]Deleted:, [A4]Deleted:ipo [A5]Deleted:s [A6]Deleted:, [A7]Inserted: ere [A8]Inserted: te [A9]Inserted: a [A10]Inserted: , [A11]Deleted:as [A12]Deleted:o [A13]Deleted:s