BCG Matrix.

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Matrix is a four celled matrix (a 2 * 2 matrix) developed by BCG, USA. It is the most renowned corporate portfolio analysis tool. It provides a graphic representation for an organization to examine different businesses in it’s portfolio on the basis of their related market share and industry growth rates. It is a two dimensional analysis on management of SBU’s (Strategic Business Units). In other words, it is a comparative analysis of business potential and the evaluation of environment.

According to this matrix, business could be classified as high or low according to their industry growth rate and relative market share.

Relative Market Share = SBU Sales this year leading competitors sales this year.

Market Growth Rate = Industry sales this year – Industry Sales last year.

The analysis requires that both measures be calculated for each SBU. The dimension of business strength, relative market share, will measure comparative advantage indicated by market dominance. The key theory underlying this is existence of an experience curve and that market share is achieved due to overall cost leadership.

BCG matrix has four cells, with the horizontal axis representing relative market share and the vertical axis denoting market growth rate. The mid-point of relative market share is set at 1.0. if all the SBU’s are in same industry, the average growth rate of the industry is used. While, if all the SBU’s are located in different industries, then the mid-point is set at the growth rate for the economy.

Resources are allocated to the business units according to their situation on the grid. The four cells of this matrix have been called as stars, cash cows, question marks and dogs. Each of these cells represents a particular type of business.

Stars- Stars represent business units having large market share in a fast growing industry. They may generate cash but because of fast growing market, stars require huge investments to maintain their lead. Net cash flow is usually modest. SBU’s located in this cell are attractive as they are located in a robust industry and these business units are highly competitive in the industry. If successful, a star will become a cash cow when the industry matures.

Cash Cows- Cash Cows represents business units having a large market share in a mature, slow growing industry. Cash cows require little investment and generate cash that can be utilized for investment in other business units. These SBU’s are the corporation’s key source of cash, and are specifically the core business. They are the base of an organization. These businesses usually follow stability strategies. When cash cows loose their appeal and move towards deterioration, then a retrenchment policy may be pursued.

Question Marks- Question marks represent business units having low relative market share and located in a high growth industry. They require huge amount of cash to maintain or gain market share. They require attention to determine if the venture can be viable. Question marks are generally new goods and services which have a good commercial prospective. There is no specific strategy which can be adopted. If the firm thinks it has dominant market share, then it can adopt expansion strategy, else retrenchment strategy can be adopted. Most businesses start as question marks as the company tries to enter a high growth market in which there is already a market-share. If ignored, then question marks may become dogs, while if huge investment is made, then they have potential of becoming stars.

Dogs- Dogs represent businesses having weak market shares in low-growth markets. They neither generate cash nor require huge amount of cash. Due to low market share, these business units face cost disadvantages. Generally retrenchment strategies are adopted because these firms can gain market share only at the expense of competitor’s/rival firms. These business firms have weak market share because of high costs, poor quality, ineffective marketing, etc. Unless a dog has some other strategic aim, it should be liquidated if there is fewer prospects for it to gain market share. Number of dogs should be avoided and minimized in an organization.

The Smart City mission

·       
The Smart
Cities Mission is a creative and recent project by the Indian government that
aims to promote local development and use technology to produce smart outcomes
for citizens in order to increase economic growth and improve people’s quality
of life.

·       
A
“smart city” is one that has the fundamental infrastructure necessary
to provide a respectable standard of living as well as a healthy and
sustainable environment.

·       
It
consists of the most fundamental infrastructure, such as a sufficient supply of
water, energy, sanitary facilities that are sustainable, solid waste
management, effective urban transportation, reasonably priced housing, and
strong IT connectivity and e-governance.

·       
The most
urgent demands and life-improving potential are the focus of Smart Cities.

·       
To alter
things, they use a variety of strategies, including public-private
partnerships, best practices in urban planning, digital and information
technology, and policy change. They constantly prioritize people.

 


Its main Objectives

 

·       
The goal
of the Smart Communities Mission is to “promote cities that provide basic
infrastructure, give its residents a respectable standard of living, a clean
and sustainable environment, and the implementation of ‘Smart’ Solutions.”

·       
The
objective is to look at compact regions and construct a repeatable model that
will operate as a lighthouse for other aspirant cities, with an emphasis on
sustainable and inclusive development.

·       
The goal
of the Smart Cities Mission is to provide models that can be used to create
similar Smart Cities both inside and outside of the Smart City. This will help
the country as a whole.

 

COVERAGE
AND DURATION

 

The Mission will last for five years and encompass 100 cities (FY2015-16
to FY2019-20).

Following a review by the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), the
Mission might be resumed after incorporating the lessons learned.

 

FINANCING
OF SMART CITIES

 

The Central Government wants to provide financial support to the Smart
City Mission in the amount of Rs. 48,000 crores over five years, or on average
Rs. 100 crores per city each year. The Smart City Mission would be run as a
Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS).

The State/ULB will be required to provide an equal amount on a matching
basis, making almost Rs. 1 lakh crore in government/ULB funds available for the
creation of smart cities.


Progress up
until now

 

1.     
89 cities
have been chosen three years after the announcement, yet little has changed in
terms of urban transformation.

2.     
A few
cities have approached the challenge with seriousness. Pune has started by
issuing municipal “smart city” bonds in order to raise money.

3.     
An urban
knowledge center, a high-tech transit signal system, and a multimodal railway
hub have all been introduced in Bhubaneswar.

4.     
Through a
command and control center, the New Delhi Municipal Corporation has begun
implementing mini-sewerage plants, Wi-Fi-activated “smart” street
lighting, and city surveillance systems.

5.     
However,
most cities are still having trouble with their initial planning, and project
financial close is still a ways off.

6.     
More
crucially, little has been done to identify and describe private investment.

 

Concerns/Challenges
faced by the Indian government

 

1.     
Smart
cities serve as specialized vehicles that have broken away from conventional
urban governing frameworks.

2.     
Instead of
a citywide inclusive development, it may result in the development of
particular regions.

3.     
Governments
at the state and local levels lack the fine-grained data or the analytical
tools necessary to comprehend the changing requirements of their constituents.

4.     
Despite
the fact that India’s Smart Cities Mission has identified over 20 priority
areas, the interventions made by the appropriate organizations are ineffective.

5.     
Inadequate
attention is paid to how urban municipal bodies operate.

6.     
Only
around 3% of the urban regions connected to these smart cities will use the
Area Based Development strategy, which involves building a sewage system
somewhere or a network of roads in another city.

7.     
Urban
local governments are understaffed and unprofessional on both a technical and
human level.

 

Conclusion

 

On the way to smartness, there are undoubtedly
many opportunities for immediate gains that can be seized with an agile
approach to policy.

Instead of focusing solely on a
technology-driven vision, the plan should acknowledge that diverse and
supportive settings are essential to a city’s lively vitality.

The wise course of action involves having clean
common areas, simple movement, and a foundation of dependable civic services.

It is crucial to concentrate on local governance
as urbanization becomes more prominent in the discussion of global policy.

Linux and Open Source

 

Open Source and Linux

Open Source movement is a large movement of programmers and the computer users that advocate unrestricted access to the Source code of the software. The biggest strength of Open source is that it is free. Other advantages include it can be peer reviewed and make sustained innovation in the softwares. The idea behind the Open source is when programmers read, distribute and modify the source codes for a piece of software, the software is evolving. People improve it, adapt it and fix its bugs themselves.

Linux

Linux is a scaled down operating system originally developed by Linus Torvalds. At beginning Linux was originally Minix, an educational version of UNIX developed by Andrew Tannenbaum. Linux grew up cheap as UNIX that ran on Intel based PC equipment. Linux is really just an OS kernel produced under direction of Linus. Linux comes out with set of utility, desktop and server programs including networking suites, web servers, file systems, compilers etc. A number of organizations that include commercial and volunteers, collect together the versions of all these programs with Linux kernel, test whether everything works together and then release it, it is called a distribution of Linux.

Communication in Cyberspace

 Communication in Cyberspace

Cyberspace is a metamorphic, conceptual or virtual area where files, data, images, text, music etc all fly back and forth from user to user through computers. Internet is physical and technical network which interconnects all the computers located all over the world, it supports the activities of cyberspace. Information and communication technology is the driving force of these activities in Cyberspace. The communication backbone comprises of satellite communication, optic fibre route and other infrastructure supplemented by cellular base stations and antenna towers. The internet infrastructure and the communication system have together brought converged network capable of carrying both voice and data over same physical network carried over by IP(Internet Protocol). ADSL(Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line), VDSL( Very High Speed DSL) , it is also known as FTTN( Fibre To The Node) as well as FTTP( Fibre to the premises) are able to provide multi gigabit per second connectivity.

The IT had greatly impacted on industries – industry involved in creation of global information infrastructure which include servers, computers and communication backbone using optical Fibre, satellite and cellular communication system and associated softwares. Increase in the manufacture, installation, operation, maintenance of activities. The development and production of different capacity and diversified applications, areas , software systems and products. It also include maintenance of product, software and upgrading activities of industries. Many industries provide different services to the society utilizing the IT tools and known as ITES( IT enabled services).

Components Of Sustainable Development

What are the components that cover sustainable development?

The method of development that considers the future of the earth is known as sustainable development. It focuses on establishing a better and cleaner environment for the future while taking into account how human actions for development affect the environment and ecological system. As a result, sustainable development refers to development initiatives that satisfy current needs without endangering the capacity of future generations to satisfy their own. The environment has gotten worse and many natural resources are on the point of running out as a result of increased industrialisation and technology.
As a result, environmental deterioration is forcing humanity to pay attention, and sustainable development is crucial for resource management in industry. The United Nations’ sustainable development objectives place a strong emphasis on protecting natural resources.
The idea of sustainability is a nuanced approach that takes into account the pressing need for long-term solutions to the environmental issues brought on by numerous human activities. The social ripples adopt comprehensive and calculated strategies to raise awareness of the need for sustainable development and to advance the means of attaining it.
 The Social Ripples, a sustainable development programme whose goals are in line with those of the United Nations, promotes the idea that sustainable development encompasses society’s three primary pillars of economic, ecological, and human growth.
Economical component
More than 40% of the world’s population lives below the poverty line, unable to earn the minimum income necessary to support themselves. It affects individual and national development and stagnates individual socioeconomic well-being. The economic component of sustainable development therefore refers to the largest stream of income in terms of rational use of resources, especially scarce resources. To increase the economic well-being of developed countries, we need to build the quality and quantity of manufacturing products using new technologies. But the question is, can the planet support manufacturing, or is development activity taxing it by damaging the environment and depleting energy resources? The economic factor is therefore an important factor that people need to think about financial well-being by staying in harmony with the environment.
Ecological component
Ecological factors relate to three main functions of the environment.
• Resource exponentiation function
• Excretion receptor function
• direct benefit
These are directly related to how people use natural resources for economic development. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals aim to create a better world so that future generations can live in a peaceful environment and meet their own needs. Therefore, ecosystem development is closely related to the interaction between economic development and environmental protection and improvement. The ecological component therefore generally refers to the use of renewable natural resources and the conservation of scarce natural resources. This is because our planet is the only planet endowed with various natural resources as environmental heritage.
Human component
All development activities are by and for people. Human development is therefore the most important component of sustainable development. Apart from the environment, human sustainability is related to social interactions, behavioral activities and mutual relationships, leading to both social and economic development. The human element of sustainable development therefore aims to create a stable and inclusive society to eliminate discrimination and loneliness among individuals in society. Instead, it focuses on promoting human well-being by understanding people’s needs where they live and work. The human component of sustainable development includes the following goals:
• Promoting environmental education, training and public support;
• Protect and promote human health (Sustainable Development Goal 3: Health and well-being)
• Poverty reduction (Sustainable Development Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms)
• Demographic threats to sustainable development, especially by focusing on population growth in developing countries

What is sustainable development?

With the advancements in technology and the rapid development of our
goals, our natural systems are unable to provide resources at scale and as a
result, our resources are depleting faster than they can be replenished. Finding
the right balance to ensure growth that is sustainable for years to come is the
basis of sustainable development. Some steps can be taken today that would have
a huge impact on society’s well-being and environment. Sustainable Development
is defined as the practice of setting goals and guidelines to use natural and
non-renewable resources responsibly and save energy to create new development
projects and maintain old projects.

Importance of sustainable development

1. Provides Essential Human Needs

People will have to compete for scarce resources including food,
shelter, and water due to the population growth. A long-lasting infrastructure
is nearly totally necessary for the adequate provision of these fundamental
needs.

2. Agricultural Requirement

Agriculture must keep up with an increasing population. It can be really
difficult to find solutions to feed more than 3 billion people. The focus of
sustainable development is on agricultural practices that increase yields while
preserving the health of the soil, which provides food for a big population,
such as efficient seeding methods and crop rotation.

 

3. Manage Climate Change

 

Sustainable development methods can
reduce climate change. The goal of sustainable development techniques is to
consume fewer fossil fuels, such as coal, natural gas, and oil. Fossil fuel
energy sources are unsustainable since they will run out in the future and
cause greenhouse gas emissions.


4. Financial Stability

Global economies can become more
financially sustainable by implementing sustainable development strategies.
Renewable energy sources can be used by developing nations without access to
fossil resources to power their economy.

5. Sustain Biodiversity

Overconsumption and unsustainable
development have a significant negative influence on biodiversity. The ecology
of life is set up so that species are dependent on one another to survive. For
example, plants create the oxygen that is necessary for human respiration.

Using organic farming methods and
renewable energy sources that don’t release greenhouse gases into the
atmosphere are encouraged by sustainable development techniques.


Goals of sustainable development


1. Eradication of poverty across the
world

These organizations typically target the poorest and least developed
nations in the world.

By extending social protection programs like school meals, cash
transfers, targeted food aid, etc., they want to abolish poverty on a global
scale.

 

2. The promotion of wellbeing and
health

At every stage of life, this sustainable development objective aims to
promote everyone’s health and well-being. The objective takes into account all
of the top health goals, including reproductive, maternal, and child health.

Additionally, it promotes better health financing, and more research and
development, and enhances each nation’s capacity for health risk management and
prevention.

3. Provision of Quality Education for
All

These organizations are aware that the number of children dropping out
of school is at an all-time high. Even as worldwide communities struggle to
assure quality and equity in the education sector, this gap must be overcome to
ensure sustainable future development.

4. Provision of Clean Water and
Sanitation

Regarding sustainable development, water and sanitation are at the top
of the list. They are essential for the planet’s and humanity’s survival. The
quality and sustainability of water resources around the world, as well as
issues with sanitation, hygiene, and drinking water, are all addressed in this
goal.

5. Building up Strong Infrastructure, Supporting
Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization, and Incubating Innovation

Industrialization, infrastructure, and innovation are three components
of sustainable development that are considered in this objective.
Infrastructure is important because it provides the fundamental framework
required to facilitate the seamless operation of business and society as a
whole.

Industrialization promotes economic growth and creates employment
possibilities, which lowers poverty rates. Industrial sectors’ technological
capabilities are improved by innovation, which also sparks the growth of
innovative skills.

6. Making Affordable and Clean Energy
More Accessible

 

For most sustainable development objectives, energy is the most
important resource. Through improvements in industrialization, education, water
supply, health, and combating climate change, energy plays a crucial role in
reducing poverty.

The growth and expansion of renewable energy sources like solar, wind,
hydropower, liquid and solid biofuels, biogas, and geothermal are the main
objectives of this sustainable development aim.

These clean, renewable energy sources are best for the environment and
people’s health because they don’t release greenhouse gases into the
atmosphere.

 

Challenges faced in achieving
sustainable development

 

Two significant problems stand in the way of sustainable growth.

The first is that employing sustainable techniques and materials can be
costly in many development-related areas. Although sustainability does prove to
be less expensive in the long run than conventional development, developing a
sustainable project may be much more expensive in the beginning.

The lack of a universally acknowledged need for sustainable development
is the second significant problem. The solution to this problem in schooling
could take many years.

When projects are more expensive to start, contractors and investors
cannot see the value in them. It can be quite challenging to create a long-term
vision necessary to comprehend the significance of sustainability when the goal
is to make money in the near term.

To achieve this goal, new governmental rules and incentive
schemes have been implemented to make sustainable development a more alluring
choice for program and project managers.

DEPRESSION

N kavya

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest, also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression. It affects how you feel, think, and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. Depression is not a weakness; you cannot simply “snap out “of it. Depression may require long-term treatment. But we should not feel discouraged because most people with depression feel better with medication, psychotherapy, or both.

Let us see know about the symptoms of depression –:

• Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness, or hopelessness
• Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
• Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, in their hobbies or sports
• Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
• Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
• Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
• Anxiety, agitation, or restlessness
• Slowed thinking, speaking, or body movements
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt fixating on past failures or self-blame
• Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things
• Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or suicide
• Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches.

People dealing with depression may occur only once during their life, people typically have multiple episodes, and during these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day which also affects their day-to-day activities, such as work, school, social activities, or relationships with others. Some people might even feel generally miserable without really knowing the exact reason.

• Depression in children and teens may include sadness, irritability, clinginess, worry, aches, pains, being extremely sensitive, feeling misunderstood, anger, and poor performance.
• Depression in symptoms in older adults may include memory, difficulties or personality changes, fatigue, and often wanting to stay at home, rather than go out to socialize or do new things.

Causes of depression –:

• Biological differences – People with depression appear to have physical changes in their brains. The significance of these changes is still uncertain.
• Brain chemistry – Neurotransmitters are naturally occurring brain chemicals that likely play a role in depression.
• Hormones – Changes in the body’s balance of hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression.
• Inherited traits – Depression is more common in people whose blood relatives also have this condition. Research shows genes may be involved in causing depression.

Risk factors of depression –:

• Certain personality traits, such as low self-esteem and being too dependent, self-critical, or pessimistic
• Traumatic or stressful events, such as physical or sexual abuse, the death or loss of a loved one, a difficult relationship, or financial problems.
• History of other mental health disorders, such as anxiety disorder, eating disorders, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Abuse of alcohol or recreational drugs.
• Serious or chronic illness, including cancer, stroke, chronic pain, or heart disease. Certain medications may also trigger depression such as some high blood pressure medications or sleeping pills.

Complications in depression – :

• Excess weight or obesity, which can lead to heart disease and diabetes
• Pain or physical illness
• Alcohol or drug misuse
• Anxiety, panic disorder, or social phobia
• Family conflicts, relationship difficulties, and work or school problems
• Social isolation
• Suicidal feelings, suicide attempts, or suicide
• Self-mutation, such as cutting
• Premature death from medical conditions

Prevention of depression -:

There is no fixed way to prevent depression but these strategies may play a major role –
• Take steps to control stress
• Reach out to family and friends
• Get treatment at the earliest sign of a problem
• Consider getting long–term treatment because it helps to prevent a relapse of symptoms.

Types of depressive disorders -:

• Major depressive disorder
• Anxious distress, Melancholy, Agitated (Major depression looks different in different people. So they are characterized into three types.)
• Persistent depressive disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
• Psychotic disorder
• Peripartum (Postpartum) Depression
• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
• ‘Situational ’Depression
• Atypical depression
• Clinical depression

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

 Sustainable Development

Sustainable development means not having problems in the world for the future generation and it can help people leave in a peaceful environment. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)s are also known as Global goals to protect the people and promote a better life. By 2030 they aimed to end poverty, get educated and have enjoyed and leave a happy and healthy life.

These 5 components of sustainable development. They are –

* Peace

* Planet

* Poverty

* Partnership

* Planet 

Sustainable development is important for us to conserve the sources and change how we use the resources. Every country should have all the basic unlimited resources for them to use if there is an emergency. They should have the resources like food, water, employment, energy and sanitation. We should make our surroundings clean and keep our environment green. This is our priority for keeping our planet green and safe.

SWOT Analysis explained.

SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. By definition, Strengths (S) and Weaknesses (W) are considered to be internal factors over which you have some measure of control. Also, by definition, Opportunities (O) and Threats (T) are considered to be external factors over which you have essentially no control.

SWOT Analysis is the most renowned tool for audit and analysis of the overall strategic position of the business and its environment. Its key purpose is to identify the strategies that will create a firm specific business model that will best align an organization’s resources and capabilities to the requirements of the environment in which the firm operates.

In other words, it is the foundation for evaluating the internal potential and limitations and the probable/likely opportunities and threats from the external environment. It views all positive and negative factors inside and outside the firm that affect the success. A consistent study of the environment in which the firm operates helps in forecasting/predicting the changing trends and also helps in including them in the decision-making process of the organization.

An overview of the four factors (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) is given below-

Strengths – Strengths are the qualities that enable us to accomplish the organization’s mission. These are the basis on which continued success can be made and continued/sustained.

Strengths can be either tangible or intangible. These are what you are well-versed in or what you have expertise in, the traits and qualities your employees possess (individually and as a team) and the distinct features that give your organization its consistency.

Strengths are the beneficial aspects of the organization or the capabilities of an organization, which includes human competencies, process capabilities, financial resources, products and services, customer goodwill and brand loyalty. Examples of organizational strengths are huge financial resources, broad product line, no debt, committed employees, etc.

Weaknesses – Weaknesses are the qualities that prevent us from accomplishing our mission and achieving our full potential. These weaknesses deteriorate influences on the organizational success and growth. Weaknesses are the factors which do not meet the standards we feel they should meet.

Weaknesses in an organization may be depreciating machinery, insufficient research and development facilities, narrow product range, poor decision-making, etc. Weaknesses are controllable. They must be minimized and eliminated. For instance – to overcome obsolete machinery, new machinery can be purchased. Other examples of organizational weaknesses are huge debts, high employee turnover, complex decision making process, narrow product range, large wastage of raw materials, etc.

Opportunities – Opportunities are presented by the environment within which our organization operates. These arise when an organization can take benefit of conditions in its environment to plan and execute strategies that enable it to become more profitable. Organizations can gain competitive advantage by making use of opportunities.

Organization should be careful and recognize the opportunities and grasp them whenever they arise. Selecting the targets that will best serve the clients while getting desired results is a difficult task. Opportunities may arise from market, competition, industry/government and technology. Increasing demand for telecommunications accompanied by deregulation is a great opportunity for new firms to enter telecom sector and compete with existing firms for revenue.

Threats – Threats arise when conditions in external environment jeopardize the reliability and profitability of the organization’s business. They compound the vulnerability when they relate to the weaknesses. Threats are uncontrollable. When a threat comes, the stability and survival can be at stake. Examples of threats are – unrest among employees; ever changing technology; increasing competition leading to excess capacity, price wars and reducing industry profits; etc.

SWOT Analysis is a strategic management tool that assists an enterprise in discerning their internal Strengths, and Weaknesses, and external Opportunities, and Threats, to determine its competitive position in the market.

SWOT Analysis explained.

SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. By definition, Strengths (S) and Weaknesses (W) are considered to be internal factors over which you have some measure of control. Also, by definition, Opportunities (O) and Threats (T) are considered to be external factors over which you have essentially no control.

SWOT Analysis is the most renowned tool for audit and analysis of the overall strategic position of the business and its environment. Its key purpose is to identify the strategies that will create a firm specific business model that will best align an organization’s resources and capabilities to the requirements of the environment in which the firm operates.

In other words, it is the foundation for evaluating the internal potential and limitations and the probable/likely opportunities and threats from the external environment. It views all positive and negative factors inside and outside the firm that affect the success. A consistent study of the environment in which the firm operates helps in forecasting/predicting the changing trends and also helps in including them in the decision-making process of the organization.

An overview of the four factors (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) is given below-

Strengths – Strengths are the qualities that enable us to accomplish the organization’s mission. These are the basis on which continued success can be made and continued/sustained.

Strengths can be either tangible or intangible. These are what you are well-versed in or what you have expertise in, the traits and qualities your employees possess (individually and as a team) and the distinct features that give your organization its consistency.

Strengths are the beneficial aspects of the organization or the capabilities of an organization, which includes human competencies, process capabilities, financial resources, products and services, customer goodwill and brand loyalty. Examples of organizational strengths are huge financial resources, broad product line, no debt, committed employees, etc.

Weaknesses – Weaknesses are the qualities that prevent us from accomplishing our mission and achieving our full potential. These weaknesses deteriorate influences on the organizational success and growth. Weaknesses are the factors which do not meet the standards we feel they should meet.

Weaknesses in an organization may be depreciating machinery, insufficient research and development facilities, narrow product range, poor decision-making, etc. Weaknesses are controllable. They must be minimized and eliminated. For instance – to overcome obsolete machinery, new machinery can be purchased. Other examples of organizational weaknesses are huge debts, high employee turnover, complex decision making process, narrow product range, large wastage of raw materials, etc.

Opportunities – Opportunities are presented by the environment within which our organization operates. These arise when an organization can take benefit of conditions in its environment to plan and execute strategies that enable it to become more profitable. Organizations can gain competitive advantage by making use of opportunities.

Organization should be careful and recognize the opportunities and grasp them whenever they arise. Selecting the targets that will best serve the clients while getting desired results is a difficult task. Opportunities may arise from market, competition, industry/government and technology. Increasing demand for telecommunications accompanied by deregulation is a great opportunity for new firms to enter telecom sector and compete with existing firms for revenue.

Threats – Threats arise when conditions in external environment jeopardize the reliability and profitability of the organization’s business. They compound the vulnerability when they relate to the weaknesses. Threats are uncontrollable. When a threat comes, the stability and survival can be at stake. Examples of threats are – unrest among employees; ever changing technology; increasing competition leading to excess capacity, price wars and reducing industry profits; etc.

SWOT Analysis is a strategic management tool that assists an enterprise in discerning their internal Strengths, and Weaknesses, and external Opportunities, and Threats, to determine its competitive position in the market.

Need for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

 Need for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Sustainable Development is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are the blueprints or steps that are needed to achieve a better, bright and sustainable future for everyone. They address the global challenges that we all face which include climate change, environmental degradation, inequality, justice, peace and poverty.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) are : 1. No poverty 2.Zero Hunger 3. Good Health and well-being 4. Quality Education 5. Gender Equality 6. Clean water and sanitation 7. Affordable and clean energy 8. Decent work and economic growth 9.Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 10.Reduced Inequalities 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities 12. Responsible Consumption and Production 13. Climate Action 14. Life below water 15. Life on land 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions 17. Partnerships . The idea of UN Sustainable Development Goals has mainly started by the UN. It needs support of the nation’s, business, civil society and NGO’s for its funding and implementation. 

Effective ways to achieve Sustainable Development Goals are

1.We must minimize the excessive use of natural resources in order to preserve it from getting extinct.

2.We must preserve and conserve the national, cultural and traditional heritages for self dignity.

3. Effective and strict governing system for smooth development and administration.

4. Awareness programs should be conducted for spreading the importance of sustainable development.

5. People need to have mutual and cooperative understanding among themselves. 

6. Every illiterate citizen should be provided formal and informal education for attaining better knowledge and sustainable development.

Currency Trading

 Currency Trading 

A foreign exchange market exists whenever one currency is traded for another. It is the largest financial market in the world. It is mainly dominated by large banks, multinational cooperation and governments. Every country manages its currency with respect to foreign currencies and the foreign exchange market. It is known as Exchange Rate Regime.

Working of foreign exchange market

Currency prices are result of supply and demand forces. Currency become valuable when demand for it is greater than available supply. The ever changing current events have high influence on the foreign exchange market. The factors that affect the foreign exchange rate are economic factors, political conditions and market psychology. Internal, regional and international political events and conditions have impact on currency markets. The economic factors that affect are government fiscal policy and monetary policy and economic conditions. The most common regime today is the floating rate. The market decides the movement of exchange rates. Dollar Euro, Yen etc are examples of float currencies. Companies which do international business with different currencies face financial risk due to fluctuating rate it is called foreign exchange risk.

Why were Noida’s twin tower demolished.

The Supertech twin towers were demolished on Sunday (August 28). The demolition of the Emerald Court project in Noida is leading to a loss of about Rs 1,000 crore to developer Supertech. It also took nearly Rs 20 crore to raze the building. 

A part of Supertech’s Emerald Court project, the two 40-story towers, that stand on Noida-Greater Noida expressway, houses over 900 flats in an area of around 7.5 lakh sq. feet. The twin towers (namely Apex and Ceyane) are located at Sector 93A in Noida. One of the buildings has an altitude of 103 metres, while another is around 97-metre tall.

The twin towers are being demolished because of serious violations of building codes. Supreme Court said, the Noida Authority and Supertech had engaged in “nefarious complicity” and ordered the company to demolish the buildings at its own expense under the guidance of the Noida Authority.

The ‘Supertech Emerald Court’ housing society was proposed to be built in Noida’s Sector 93A in 2004. The next year, the Noida authority sanctioned the building plan that showed 14 towers and nine floors. 

But this plan was later revised. And in 2012, the Noida authority reviewed the new plan, in which the height of the twin towers was fixed at 40 floors.

Following this, Residents’ Welfare Association (RWA) of the society moved to Allahabad High Court stating that the construction was illegal. Accordingly, in 2014, the court directed the authority to demolish the twin towers within four months (at its own expense) from the date the order was filed.

Later, in August 2021, Supreme Court upheld the Allahabad HC order, and ordered the demolition, noting that the structures had come up violating construction norms.

The Supreme Court’s decision was the result of a number of petitions submitted by homebuyers in support of and opposition to the Allahabad High Court’s ruling.  According to the Supreme Court, August 28 had affirmed as the date of destruction.

For the demolition, about 3,700 kg of explosives were brought from Palwal (Haryana) to be used. It was a mix of dynamite, emulsions and plastic explosives.