How setting clarifies the theme in “Macbeth” Essay

In the play The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare, the setting clarifies the various themes and characters of the play. Darkness, deceiving appearances, and the supernatural are aspects of setting that influence the characters actions and lives. The play shows that an environment is a crucial aspect of one’s life. Depending on where they live, one’s surroundings affect their reactions and decisions. The play initiates it’s setting on a dark, gloomy battlefield where war is in order. This setting clarifies the ‘darkness is equivalent to evil’ theme, and Macbeth’s evil mentality because it shows that Scotland is in a state of disorder. This setting brings darkness upon the entire country, and Macbeth’s actions as well. And as the setting grows darker, Macbeth’s wickedness develops alongside. Except for Macbeth’s, all murders in the play occur at night. Macbeth wanted ‘stars hide your fires’ so he could kill Duncan without heaven seeing what he was doing. This obviously, is an example of men’s mentality as they go into war. Even Duncan’s trained horses seem like they are going to, â€Å"Make war with mankind,† (2.4.18) by going wild and breaking out of their stalls on the night of his death. This shows that the dark and warlike setting influences even the animals in Shakespeare’s play. Secondly, castles in the Shakespearian time period were deceiving in appearance. They are looked upon as glorious structures that were beautiful, peaceful, and everything but cold and reeking of feces. Such a setting is Macbeth’s castle; it’s deceiving appearance clarifies the deceiving actions of the characters that inhabit it. The king, as Macbeth’s guest, is first to be deceived by the castle. â€Å"This castle hath a pleasant seat; the air nimbly and sweetly recommends itself unto our gentle senses.† (1.6.1-3) This shows that the king is pleased with the setting. The castle’s deceiving quality also clarifies Lady Macbeth’s mentality. â€Å"To beguile the time, look like the time.† (1.5.61-62) Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth to deceive the people by wearing a false face and hiding the ugliness behind his thoughts, like his misleading castle. Furthermore she deceives her own husband by coaxing him into killing the king. â€Å"Wouldst thou / live a coward in thine own esteem?† (1.7.44-45) Macbeth objected to murder the king and this clarifies that Lady  Macbeth betrayed him. Like a castle is misleading in appearance, the inhibitors of Macbeth’s castle deceive their guest and each other. Lastly, the play incorporates a supernatural theme. The main setting that employs this theme is the The Birnam Wood’s. Macbeth was told by apparitions from the witches that, â€Å"Macbeth shall never vanquished be until Great Birnam Wood to high Dunsinane Hill shall come against him.† (4.1.93-94) This setting influences Macbeth into believing he is invincible, which ultimately leads him to his destruction. â€Å"Who can impress the forest, bid the tree unfix his earth-bound root? Sweet bodements, good!† (4.1.95-96) This shows the In conclusion, The Tragedy of Macbeth by William Shakespeare clarifies the various themes and characters of the play with its extensive use of setting. Darkness, deceiving appearances, and the supernatural are aspects of setting that influence the characters actions and lives. The play shows that a setting is a crucial aspect of one’s life. Depending on where they live, one’s reactions and decisions may be clarified and simplified by their surroundings.

Elementary School Literature Class Essay

The biography genre allows the reader to learn about the events in the life of a non-fictional character. An example would be the book Rocks in His Head by Carol Hurst. After reading the text, the students may then be required to complete a character biography which would outline personal information about the character, interesting information about him, important dates mentioned in the text, his name, where he lived, and such. a)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Fable The fable genre introduces things which are given human qualities as characters. Fables often contain moral lessons. An example of a fable would be Aesop’s fable of The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Students may then be asked to fill out a dissection chart wherein they will have to describe scenes corresponding to the different parts of the story, such as conflict, resolution, moral, etc. b)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Fairy Tale Fairy tales are fictional stories which often have magical elements integrated into the story. An example would be Hans Christian Andersen’s Thumbelina. A story map would be one applicable graphic organizer which would require the students to map out the beginning, purpose, conflict, most important moment, and conclusion of the story. c)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Folktales Folktales are stories which are grounded on the cultural tradition of a particular place. The story of Johnny Appleseed is one popular American folktale. A venn diagram may be used to graphically organize the information learned from the story. d)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Historical Fiction Historical fiction is a sub-genre of fiction. It portrays fictional stories of historical figures or events. An example would be the book The Mary Celeste written by Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple. A time line may be used as a graphic organizer in the case of historical fiction stories. e)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Informational Text or Nonfiction Informational texts are non-fiction texts which give the reader current and accurate information regarding a particular topic. Secrets of a Civil War Submarine by Sally M. Walker talks about the disappearance of the first submarine to sink an enemy ship in the Civil War and is a leading example of an informational text. For this purpose, a map may be accomplished by the student plotting out the problem and solution found in the informational text. KWLs are also popular organizers for informational texts. f)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Mystery Mystery texts involve the solving of puzzles or crimes by the characters in the text. There are several series which involve mystery plots such as Nancy Drew and Babysitter’s Club. With this genre, charts may be used after the reading of the text requiring students to fill out information regarding the characterization of the hero, the villain, the victim, the crime or problem and the solution. g)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Picture books Picture books provides verbal and visual narratives of the plot and story. Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are is a good example of a picture book. The text is quite simple and sparse but the blend with the visual narrative makes for better communication of the author’s intention. A character analysis or a plot diagram may be accomplished by the student after reading a picture book. h)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Poetry Poetry depicts a concept or story through a particular form. A famous children’s literature poet is Shel Silverstein. Some of his more popular works are The Missing Piece Meets the Big O and The Giving Tree. Since poems are more complex than story-telling texts, a plot diagram would be a good graphic organizer for students to accomplish. i)  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Realistic Fiction Realistic fiction presents fictional characters, plot and settings but depict them in such a way that they could be found in real life. There are many examples of this genre such as Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret by Judy Blume. The challenge is for the author to create a story addressing a concern or issue of the target reader audience. Given the purpose of realistic fiction, a character analysis may be completed by the student along with an analogy for what the student would do if they were in the same situation. 7. Design a literature lesson plan to include the following categories: grade, 2 behavioral objectives (Sunshine State Standards), 2 activities, 1 assessment instrument, and 1 follow-up homework assignment. Include the title of the book and its genre. This is a literature lesson plan for a second grade class. One picture book will be used as class reading material, in this case Maurice Sendak’s Where The Wild Things Are, and several wordless picture books will be provided for the students’ activities. One objective of the lesson is to teach students the various character perspectives that may be employed in telling a story and to have the students apply this learning in the activities. Another objective is to have the students exercise and display their creative talents, particularly their writing skills through the creation of their own story. At the beginning of the lesson the picture book will be read to the students. After the reading of the text, the students will be asked to complete a character diagram for each of the main characters involved in the text. They will be asked to map out the descriptions of the characters as well as the activities which the character actually engaged in throughout the story. This will not only allow the instructor to assess the students’ understanding of the story but it will allow for a better platform for discussing how character perspectives can be used in telling a story. The students will thus be asked to engage in an activity of shifting the character perspectives in the book so that the narrative is told from a first, second or third person perspective. This will be done by focusing on particular scenes in the picture book used for storytelling. Having in mind their description of the characters, the students will be asked to change the text corresponding to the scene pinpointed so that it would be in first, second or third person perspective. Further application of the lesson will be engaged in by having the students break off into groups. Each group is to take a wordless picture book. They will then be asked to draw a piece of paper from a hat. The strip of paper will indicate in what perspective the text of the narrative should be told. The students will then be asked to write a simple narrative for the wordless picture book. One line narrations for each picture would be deemed sufficient. The students would be informed that although creativity in formulating the text would be incentivized, what is more important is the proper use of the perspective as well as the grammatical correctness of the work. At the end of the class the students will submit the completed story. Before dismissal, the instructor will make copies of the students’ stories. The stories of the different groups will be switched so that each student is left with a copy of a story completed by another group. As an assignment, the students will be asked to shift the perspective of the story assigned to them. They are informed that they may vary the manner in which the story was told as long as they maintain the same framework for the narrative and as long as they are able to use a perspective other than that which was used.

News and Journalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

News and Journalism - Essay Example News and Journalism Amidst a whirlpool of contemporary movements like citizen journalism and new grassroots online media initiatives and with the mediascape changing at an incomprehensibly rapid pace, it's no wonder that so many publications are left wondering what the future looks like. Understanding the impact of these shifts and changes, and how an organization can take advantage of them to deliver a certain message and reach out to the audience, will be an important journey. It is not new to say that there is an ethnic bias in the mainstream media in almost all parts of the world and this fact has been proven beyond doubt by innumerable studies. Compounded by protracted ethno-political conflict, exacerbated by ineffective media reforms and coupled with the imperatives of market economics, the mainstream media in continues to perceive ethnicity as immutable and innate thereby neglecting its responsibility to demystify stereotypes and buttress institutions and practices that can ameliorate ethno-political conflict. It is natural for a media to keep its language readership in mind but impartiality and accuracy suffer as a result of this inherent bias. In an ethnically polarized society, ethnic bias in mainstream news media can take multiple forms and these are also reflected in the ownership of media houses. The problem facing journalists all over is how to protect their 'independence' when the world around them asks them to follow strategies and ethics which bind them to a certain ideology and path when no path or method is value neutral. And yet, the imperatives of journalism - accuracy, fairness, impartiality and reliability (Ross,2002) - bolstered by the freedom of expression, speech and information and open government provide the backbone of democratic pluralism. However, the multiplicity of voices in the media should not become a cacophony of half-truths, and must avoid the ills of rabid ethnocentrism and tabloid sensationalism. this could be done by promoting ethnic and gender balance in the newsrooms, regular updating and internal review of editing and style handbooks, in-house workshops and training on conflict sensitive journalism and greater co-operation between personnel and grass-roots level correspondents. Media reform has to have a holistic approach. Inextricably entwined with the impetus for media reform should also be the enabling framework of legislation regarding the right to information, the right to speech and the freedom of expression. A piecemeal approach to media reform, neglecting the wider canvas within which such reform takes place, is short-sighted and will not lead to any noticeable change. There are numerous external factors which influence the nature of the media. The rapid development of telecommunications and media technologies has transformed the very nature of the media by becoming an integral part of all events taking place in space and time. Live coverage in itself is recognized as a new event. Examples of this are the landing of US marines in Somalia and Haiti and the assault on the Beli dom and the Ostankino television station in Moscow. National and state politics have a powerful and crucial influence on the media in non-democratic regimes and unconsolidated democracies. In democratic societies

UK Shouldn't leave European union Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

UK Shouldn't leave European union - Essay Example British are of the fact that the weak stance of the Euro zone due to the economic hardships is burdening UK. They are paying for the stability of other countries which are the members of the EU. The cost of this union is very high and the heritage of UK is at stake due to the policies which have been enforced on Britain by EU. This report suggests that UK should remain a part of the EU to ensure a more stable future and dominance on the Euro Zone. This will improve its economic strength and the power of dominance which has been a part of the heritage of UK. INTRODUCTION EUROPEAN UNION (EU) The European Union is an alliance between some of the European nations to support each other in maintaining the stability which arise due to the economic or the social / societal hardships in an economy. The European Union came into existence in the year 1993. A treaty was signed by the members called the Treaty of Maastricht. The base of this alliance was formed in 1958 by European Economic Commun ity (EEC) which was the result of signing of the Treaty of Rome. A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE ENGLISH AND THE EUROPEAN NATION United Kingdom (UK) and the European Union (EU) have a history which goes back in time. Both the regions have their own significant importance with respect to the business situations. UK operates under the currency of British Pound and the EU states use the standardised currency Euro all across the nation. The history of these states has always been complicated. The current scenario of the states is making problems for the strategic alliance between both the countries. The economic turmoil and the period of recession are forcing a strategic alliance between both the nations. UK has always been on the stronger side due to the British reign and the supremacy of the queen. The strategic personnel of UK and the think tanks which make the strategic decision of the countries progress are of the view of breaking the strategic alliance with the EU. In this report the areas emphasising on the importance of this alliance have been discussed. The current economic factors which are the main detrimental factors of the problems will also be discussed in this report. The economic recession has brought hardship on many nations. We will see that what strategies have been adopted by the UK & EU states. UK wants to break the alliance which has been developed. The factors which have led behind this decision and the study that whether this decision will be or will not be feasible for the states of this region or not. Breaking an alliance at this point may cause a disruption in the complete system and may require the re-establishing of the strategic goals which the region wants to implement. Whether Britain should or should not leave the European Union. If not then what are the factors which will affect the states if this alliance breaks. The alliance would have brought some sort of advantage to the UK and EU nation both. The recommendations should be analysed aft er the detailed study of the topic to present a best possibly applicable conclusion. A POLICY POSITION- UK SHOULDN’T LEAVE EU The votes in the Parliament have emphasised on the point that Britain does not plan to stay a part of the European Union. The current course of action of the representative is showing a trend that Britain will leave the EU by the time the next parliamentarian

Understanding the Court System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Understanding the Court System - Essay Example This paper endeavors to help in understanding the United States of America court system. To achieve this, the paper will discuss the case of Riley v. California heard in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court determination in this case considered two individual cases. Both cases involved cell phone searches during arrest without a warrant of search. One case involved David Leon Riley stopped in San Diego by a police officer in 2009 for having expired car registration tags (Harvard Law Review, 2014). The police towed the vehicle and searched it. During the search, they discovered two handguns hidden under the boot of his car. The police seized his phone without warrant and searched it. The phone records showed that Riley was part of a gang known as the Lincoln Park gang the evidence from the phone also placed him at a crime scene three weeks before and his made the prosecution used this evidence to build a case of assault and attempted murder against Riley (Harvard Law Review, 2014). During the trial, the judge upheld that the evidence from Riley’s Smartphone was admissible because it fell under the exceptions provided by search-incident-to-arrest provisions. The trial led to the conviction of Riley and the California court of appeal upheld this ruling (Harvard Law Review, 2014). The second case involved Brima Wurie arrested by a police officer who observed him participating in drug trade. During the arrest, the police officers confiscated two mobile phones from him (Harvard Law Review, 2014). After searching the call log, they determined the location of a caller and traced it to a location where they seized drugs, firearms and cash. The prosecution charged Wurie with drug and firearm possession. The district court declined to declare the evidence from the mobile phone as inadmissible since the police acquired it without a warrant. However, the first circuit court overturned the decision by the district court citing that mobile

Implementing an Environmental Management System Essay

Implementing an Environmental Management System - Essay Example The process that is going to be described in this paper on how to create an EMS and implement the system is based on the recommended EPA processes and guidelines. The four-phase EMS implementation process has the following four steps: getting ready, plan, do, check & act (Peercenter, 2009). In the first phase of the process, the manager has to recognize that each company has unique needs and the system must be tailored made to cover those needs. The objectives, challenges, and potential benefits must be established. The company also has to establish the reasons for implementing the EMS. The reasons may vary but include: improving public image, reduce environmental pollution, and business politics among others. During the first face, the company has to select the activities or operations where the EMS will apply. The activities and operations selected have to be reasonable as far as the system is able to manage the tasks needed to achieve environmental improvements. The cost of opport unity cannot exceed the benefits achieved from implementing the system. The company has to create a new job position for an employee to be the official EMS representative that coordinates the efforts of the system. The EMS representative has to select a core team of employees for the project and he must also choose and implementation team. The first step of phase II is designing an environmental footprint which is basically the environmental aspects the EMS impacts. Reduced energy consumption and lower CO2 emissions are two examples of environmental aspects. The second step is to identify the hot spot areas of each aspect within the organization. The hot spots must meet the significant criteria the EMS core team established.  

Excessive Guns Laws And Gun Crime Statistics Essay

Excessive Guns Laws And Gun Crime Statistics - Essay Example The report takes a â€Å"Pro-gun† or â€Å"Pro-gun user† stand and points out facts that support the relaxation of guns laws. It elaborates on the need to shift the focus to other restrictive measures as for example stricter registration procedures, stringent tracking, and recording, background check etc instead of exercising excessive laws on weapon possession. The backdrop of the prevalent gun crime scenario of the United States and the United Kingdom have been taken into consideration in preparing the data, literature review and facts and figures. The report concludes that excessive guns laws are ineffective in curbing gun-related crimes and is against the second amendment. The second amendment to the United States Constitution is a part of the larger US Bill of rights and is concerned with protecting the individual’s right to bear and keep arms. This amendment was adopted on December 15, 1791, along with the rest of the Bill of Rights. The interpretation of the second amendment of Guns Laws clearly states that the affiliation of a person to a militia (well regulated military establishment) preserves, guarantees and protects the pre-existing right to possess arms in view of their responsibility for the security of a free state. It, however, doesn’t grant an individual the right to keep and bear arms. During the discussion, tabling, and ratification of the 2nd amendment to the Guns Laws there was a clear intention to prevent jeopardizing the rights of individuals invested with the safety and security of a free state, to possess and carry firearms (e.g.: Guns). This is in clear accordance with the continuation of fire-arm possession of individuals already doing the same and barring any individual from possessing or bearing fire-arms without the need of protecting a community.

Interplay of Bilbo's Tookish and Baggins sides in J.R.R Tolkein's 'The Essay

Interplay of Bilbo's Tookish and Baggins sides in J.R.R Tolkein's 'The Hobbit' - Essay Example Bilbo Baggins, the protagonist, is a timid hobbit who although a good man from inside is prone to living the life that he has always led. He doesn’t leave his home even though he has a ‘Tookish’ adventurous enigma in his blood from his mother’s side. It seems as though the Baggins side (His father’s), overwhelms his personality more than anything else. At the beginning, he is seen to be kind and serene, living in the nobility of his name in his home town and drinking tea like the old English. However, after he is set on the adventure at the persistence of Gandalf the Wizard, probably the friend he admires the most, that he lets other aspects intercept his usually peace and quiet loving nature. At the end though after the battle and when he sees the familiarity of home, he feels at peace again and does not want to go away from it for a long time. He lives in the stories and even though the days seem long to him because he has, after all, made the most exciting journey that settling would be hard after that. Still, it is very clear that he has embraced his Tookish side and is very confident about himself. The conflicts that he was facing early on and during the middle of his journey is nonexistent the heroism he had portrayed at circumstances forth facilitates the better understanding and self-reliance he has now. He does not possess a dual personality; he just had not experienced the many talents and hidden courage he had. They were explored only because Gandalf had faith in his little friend. The transformation he faced from start to end is just learning and molding of character because he still is the same Bilbo Baggins.

The Things They Carried by Tim OBrien Essay Example for Free

The Things They Carried by Tim OBrien Essay Tim OBrien, author and veteran, covers several multiple in his novel The Things They Carried. The book bases itself on the psychological strain caused by the stress and conflicting interests in the war. OBrien wants us to see what hes afraid to look back at. Story truth is his way of facing the confronting the past and admitting his responsibility in it. OBrien tells his stories from a constant gush of memories. Emotions and morals are among the more evident themes covered in the novel. Pain, embarrassment, love, hate, loneliness, frustration, isolation, bravery, and struggles with morality. All of these, and combinations of these are religiously covered in the book. Though people not involved in a war could never even begin to understand, not even an ounce of what happened; OBrien uses these themes and emotions to help describe the crude and passionate feelings that the veterans felt throughout the war. Pain is one of the better know feelings about Vietnam. It still affects many Vietnam War veterans in many forms. Even though the war ended over 25 years ago, OBrien shows that the trauma associated with the war has had mental and physical effects on the soldiers since the war has passed. Because of this pain, it only makes sense that OBrien illustrates and reflects on the pains he and others felt during the war. Pain is caused by so many of the emotions used in this book, that it becomes difficult not to realize its significance in the book. The guilt caused by killing a man, even though he would have killed you. The mental torment felt when watching your comrade being scraped off of a tree. They were just goofing. There was a noise, I suppose, which mustve been the detonator, so I glanced behind me and watched Lemon step from the shade into bright sunlight. His face was suddenly brown and shining. A handsome kid, really. Sharp gray eyes, lean and narrow-waisted, and when he died it was almost beautiful, the way the sunlight came around him and lifted him up and sucked him high into a tree full of moss and vines and white blossoms. (OBrien p.70). These are the types of pains that can only be understood by having felt them yourself, the type of pain that lives deep within you forever, whether you want to remember it or not. Embarrassment was probably one of the more hidden feelings in the war. In the  chapter titled On the Rainy River, OBrien tells of something so deeply embarrassing, that he was too ashamed to tell even his closest friends, and family. He, being an anti-war individual at the time, would rationally have been opposed to fighting for a cause he didnt believe in. He ran. Running was a popular choice for those who were opposed to, or just scared of, war. At some point in mid-July I began thinking seriously about Canada. The border lay a few hundred miles north, and eight-hour drive. Both my conscience and my instincts were telling me to make a break for it, just take off and run like hell and never stop.(OBrien p.44). In the book he fled to the border, but stopped to rest before he crossed. His rest was the duration of six days. He was in a continuous battle with his conscience. He thought of his parents, the shame they would be faced with because of their sons weakness. He could hear his townspeople and peers mocking him. He couldnt risk the embarrassment. He submitted. I would go to war-I would kill any maybe did-because I was too embarrassed not too.(OBrien p.59.). The emotion considered by many to be the strongest of all emotions, was the focus, and title of the second chapter. Love tells of a young lieutenant, and the object of his affection, a girl from his hometown, Martha. Among the things in which Lieutenant Cross humped were two photographs, a good luck pebble, and letters from Martha. Lieutenant Cross kept to himself. He pictured Marthas smooth young face, thinking he loved her more than anything, more than his men, and now Ted Lavender was dead because he loved her so much and could not stop thinking about her.(OBrien p.7). When emotions like love make you think more of home, and less of the war, mistakes are inevitable; they simply affect your ability to work. Lieutenant Cross found this out the hard way. He burned Marthas pictures and letters. He would have to carry the burden of his mistakes, regret. A struggle with ones morality could be expected for any man. It all came down to one question. Am I willing to kill another man? Should I kill and live with the heavy guilt and burden on my conscience, or perish knowing the consequences youd be faced with would be worse. OBrien made a choice, he chose to live, and kill, and kill he did. In the chapter The Man I Killed OBrien reminisces over this experience. His jaw was in his throat, his  upper lip and teeth were gone, his one eye was shut, his other eye was a star-shaped hole, his eyebrows were thin and arched like a womans, his nose was undamaged, there was a slight tear at the lobe of one ear, his clean black hair was swept upward into a cowlick at the rear of the skull, his forehead was lightly freckled, his fingernails were clean, the skin at his left cheek was peeled back in three ragged strips, his right cheek was smooth and hairless, there was a butterfly on his chin, his neck was open to the spinal cord and the blood there was thick and shiny and it was this wound that had killed him.(OBrien p.124). Following his experience, he imagined what the mans life had been like before this. His memories created an existence for whom he killed. Memories are what kept them alive. He is astounded by what he has done, by what he had been forced to do. This novel, summarized, is about a young soldier who is overwhelmed by emotions and feelings about a war he wants nothing to do with. It conveys nearly every emotion that one can experience. It is because of these themes that people can even begin to understand what those living the war felt. As with most other veterans, OBrien experienced a loss so great, a burden so heavy, it is almost impossible to carry, but carry they did. They carried the burden of murders, the embarrassment of running, the bodies of their friends, and the memories that would haunt them for a lifetime. For these veterans the war will never end. Bonn, Maria S., Can Stories Save Us? Tim OBrien and the Efficacy of the Text, in Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction, Vol. 36, No. 1, Fall, 1994, pp. 2-14. Harris, Robert R., Too Embarrassed Not to Kill: A review of The Things They Carried, in New York Times Book Review, March 11, 1990, p. 8.

Becoming an effective Leader Essay Example for Free

Becoming an effective Leader Essay Understand own ability to fulfil key responsibilities of the leadership role Leadership is the ability to pinpoint values or objectives which can be reached through encouragement and a cohesive effort through the gradual assistance to the members of the team. The objective can be reached through persistence and insistence in such a way that members are not irritated or discouraged. In a particular company the commercial Department has four branches the Sales team, Business Sales, Customer Experience and Marketing Teams. We will evaluate leadership roles incorporating different Leadership Styles and how they impact the Customer Experience Team and the Sales Team. The Customer Experience team evaluates the importance of understanding the client, empathising and providing solutions for their queries in a convenient time frame. The clients’ degree of satisfaction dictates the choice of decisions. The democratic approach shows and indicates that once the team members feel important because they are involved they do willingly provide a better service and once they come across some problem or some difficulty they are more prone to discuss it with their supervisor and in so doing they achieve client satisfaction in a quicker manner (Kurt Lewin, 1939). However when there is the autocratic approach which means the Leader has technically his own way, the other team members feel uneasy to approach him and because of this attitude the clients may suffer with the result that they will not be satisfied and they may therefore choose another company to the detriment of the said company(Kurt Lewin, 1939). When the Laissez-faire approach is used the client may be served in an extended time and not necessarily up to his expectations (Kurt Lewin, 1939). The bottom line in any company is the clients; the clients who come and go out of their own free will; however they can be encouraged or discouraged by comments or negative criticism of their friends and passers-by. One client can be the best advertisement for the whole company; however another client may destroy the company’s name, so it is imperative that each and every single client who comes to the outlet is given full prompt attention and excellent service. There is no point in serving well a large number of clients and deal carelessly with one or two. This attitude of finesse can be supervised by the managers who can judiciously direct the employees to persist in clientele diligence, having the full number of clients being served to the  best standard will ensure satisfaction, prosperity and Job happiness. The sales team knows that the company values should always be transparent namely Honesty, service, accountability and reliability. It stands to reason that the Autocratic Leader would involve himself or herself in checking each and every single move of any team member, however this could be suffocating even if they have no experience so there would be a time when the Democratic approach should be used carefully and there could come a time also when the Laissez-fair attitude could come into force, this can happen when the agents themselves grow accustomed to the service, know their clientele and are prompt to provide for the needs of those who come to be assisted (Kurt Lewin, 1939). When the Leader is astute enough to know the attitudes and the abilities of his team members he can know at what time the particular approach should be used. In this manner the optimum result will be achieved and the agents will be happy, therefore there will be more service; more input of the team, more clientele satisfaction and the company values would come into force regularly. It is obvious that clients suffer from different and swinging moods. It stands to reason that they will misread the attitude of the employees so it would be imperative that a cordial welcome is given, a listening ear is provided and explaining speech can make the client fully satisfied. This professional approach will definitely boost the sales and any sales offer being promoted at that particular time stands a better chance of being accepted because of the professional approach, thus sales will increase thanks to the proper attitude by employees. The expert manager knows his own feelings, his attitudes and his own negative emotions so when he is at work he knows how to harness them so that they do not get in the way but rather help him to promote the wellbeing of the team. When he talks to his team members and he provides a motivation for their work they are free to go forward enthusiastically to carry out what he puts forward as the need to succeed; that way they do succeed. They are satisfied and the other team members are willing to share the same team spirit so at the end of the day, when the work is finished the manager will know that thanks to his caring about his emotional intelligence which means keeping his anger in harness or his unhappiness at bay, could help him and others to  promote the company values of service for all clientele. When the members know that they have a bad day they feel that they will be understood and will receive sympathy, in not feeling threatened they can go about their work without committing errors because they are not under undue pressure because of their present mood. When they are in better spirits they will work harder to compensate for when they couldn’t. This they will do because they feel cared for and important in their company. â€Å"Daniel Goleman emotional intelligence†¦ (Allen Gregg, Mar 13, 2012)† Be able to evaluate own ability to lead others When during initial meetings the manager elicits the attention and the respect of all the employees, by explaining the objectives that should be reached within a time frame mainly selling a number of products within a set time frame and try to attract clients namely in the range of hundred a week. The manager appreciates the talents of the employees and tells them so specifically; â€Å"I know that you can succeed; I have full trust in all of you. However in case you need clarification or information or direction I am at your full disposal whenever you feel you want to contact me, all of you have been duly trained and I have been through your personal files and know that you can make it, so we can start as from today†. Frank two-way discussions between the manager and the employees will do away with any pent-up feelings and employees will relish the opportunity to provide their verbal contributions. This informal opportunity to disseminate and accumulate information will be the right forum to avail oneself of the entire information possible, do away with misinformation and disintegrate prejudices. Every week an analysis is carried out by the manager to check whether the objectives have been reached or whether new adjustments have to be made or maybe change the benchmark in so doing the manager has the ability to know where he stands for future reference and adapts the approaches for his personnel accordingly. When members in a company know their objectives and they are happy in their environment they can achieve much and so much more that the end result would be comfortable for everybody. However if they feel demotivated because they  feel not accepted in their environment and they feel that there is unfair competition between themselves, then they fall back on their objectives. One way in order to eliminate dissatisfaction is to meet them personally, let them vent their own ill feelings or unhappiness and then direct them tactfully in order to realise their unique importance in the company and their contribution, in doing so they will feel emotionally satisfied and they will start, continue and finish their work with great enthusiasm thus the end result will be satisfactory for all. If however they will feel the management has no time for them as employees or they have to follow blindly the directives that the management issues from time to time eventually they will get tired, this will be reflected in poor service towards the clients and then the customer care will reflect this haphazard attitude. If every employee feels that he or she is being treated fairly and given the fair share time of work and rest, then they will be duly motivated and there will be no dissatisfaction in their work. Another way to assist them in knowing that they are important is letting them know how others and themselves have done during the month and try to explain to them that if there objective is not yet done in that particular instance it is because of some cause beyond their control in so realising and in so hearing they will feel emotionally stable, they won’t feel guilty and upset, they will give their full drive towards completing and achieving company directives. An intelligent leader knows that if all work is completed by himself it will either be carried out superficially or at the most carelessly because there is so much time that can be spent diligently on one job or several jobs. However if he realises that his personnel around him have certain abilities and that they can carry out his job instead he can explain to them in due time, give them reasons why they are being chosen because they are the best within the company, show them the ways and means, give them a time frame and then let them achieve results. Once you delegate and explain, you may be satisfied, however there is always the chance that the result may not be up to your personal standard because it could be that the person chosen may be very proficient but not meticulous as you are, so in that department you may feel let down. However there must be a choice should the work be carried out by myself with the possibility that the work is not carried out up to  standard or should it be delegated to team members who most probably are the best, but they may not achieve the hundred percent but the result may be satisfactory enough for the company and clientele. The manager explains in detail the talents and abilities of his employees thus showing them publicly that he is aware of their strong points. He is so comfortable in their capabilities that he will delegate to them tasks which he usually carries out himself. When regular seminars take place and employees are asked to give their ideas on how to run the company and improve its progress they will surely bring out powerful ideas which will transform the employees into thinkers and provide ample space so that the members will feel that they can propel the public venture from their own angle, particular point of view. So they will feel strong enough to perform with energy and zest. As a group, they will feel empowered because their knowledge will grow because they will feel that they are up to par with their leaders and feel proud to belong to this particular group. This approach will create a very warm work atmosphere which will definitely push or motivate the employees to give their best at all times even when the going is hard. They feel that the manager is so close to them that they can share and promote the mission statement. Setbacks are ideal opportunities for leaders and managers to review their decisions and approach in learning not to repeat such mistakes. Such flexibility helps the whole team to realise that is not important to worry about past failures but to re-direct their energy through new ventures in listening to fresh ideas, coming from different angles. The fact that the Manager keeps himself posted with different learnings and ideas can inject new power in his company. The ability to absorb new ideas and effect them can make the company an effective business venture and once the leader is open to the criticism and appreciation from his employees he has a consolidated commitment towards progress from all his team. In sharing full technical knowledge and trust, he is ensuring that the company will never be lax or indifferent. Thriving members of the company will push forward and accept ideas that will make the company client friendly. Employees who feel they fully belong to their place of wor k do not fall victim to sick leave abuse or absenteeism. Members who are supported by each other will feel motivated and happy in their working environment, satisfied workers will be  able to gain more profit for themselves and for the company, this happy atmosphere will keep the members healthy and so there will be less unhealthy tension, no bickering and full cooperation among themselves. A happy worker attracts clients, who in turn will bring along more clients so definitely more job satisfaction. The distinction of those workers who can carry out on top level is appreciated and increases motivation while the members who do their utmost but produce on a different level are acknowledged and they don’t feel left out but rather know that their dignity is respected. Tension is a very unhealthy attitude when the manager compares himself harshly to what he unrealistically expected from himself or others to do, he will feel upset and worried and invariably he will pass this tension onto his employees. If he realises that he can only do so much and that if his efforts are carried out in due manner then he has nothing to worry about no illnesses due to tension, rough approach due to attitude and no fear amongst his employees. If the manager treats himself fairly and expects from himself a performance which he can carry out then there is a stable character which influences the rest of the employees, knowing there is always flux in a company and that at times it may go forward at a very fast pace and at times it may go forward and at times it may regress. This is part of life which is accepted by mature managers, and the next day is considered a new day with the past feeling to be forgotten. Such an attitude provides a happy atmosphere were workers can leave their place of work to go home happy and will return to their work in good spirits. Being mature, the leader accepts that reality fluctuates and there is no standard progress so he may end up continuing leading the company till his age of pension, rather then come down along with other employees with a cerebral stroke! â€Å"What is Success? – It is being able to go to bed each night with your soul at peace† – (Paolo Coelho, 2013) References: Allen Gregg, Mar 13, 2012. Daniel Goleman emotional intelligence. [Video Online] Available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeJ3FF1yFyc [Accessed11th January 2014] (KurtLewin,1939)[Online]Available at: [Accessed 11th January 2014] Coelho P., 2013. Manuscript of Accra. Hammersmith, London W6 8JB. HarperCollinsPublishers

Impact of Project Management on Mergers and Acquisition

Impact of Project Management on Mergers and Acquisition In todays complex and competitive global business environment, organizations must adapt to changing environmental conditions by continuously initiating changes in order to remain competitive and profitable. These changes occurs when organizations undertake such changes as implementation new technologies, mergers or acquisition, downsizing, restructuring operations, and outsourcing. During these changes if companies implement programmes like six-sigma or business process improvement then according to Hayes(2002), these changes are usually prompted by a need to maintain or improve an organization effectiveness where effectiveness relates to the organizations ability to use recourse efficiently to achieve immediate goals as well as embracing the need to changing conditions to be to remain efficient over the long term (Carnell, 1999). According to France, Harrington and Marguire (1987), improving an organization effectiveness has important consequences for its overall corporate performan ce. Despite the available of a number of models to aid the successful diagnosis and implementation of change effort, Beer and Nohria (2000,p.88) claims that 70% of all changes initiates fail because managers immerse themselves in an alphabet soup of initiatives without fully understanding the nature and process of corporate change. Therefore there is organization growth is very much important to understand how changes occur so that they can better manage the change process to improve their organizational effectiveness. Rationale of Research The benefits of this importance of this research help us to understand the impact of change management. Merger and acquisition are very much frequent nowadays. Everyone passes Merger and acquisition either themselves working in an organization or someone who is working or owning shares in the firm or merged with another organization. When firms merges between two organizations under takes changes. This change can be in positive or may be the other side of suffering. This motives has been studies previously in the financial sectors, however it frequently linked with the acquisition and merging process. Based on a literature review it has been said that there are two main types of motives for mergers and acquisition. First motive reason is the financial reason, such as increasing the overall performance and creating value for shareholder. Second reason is the non value maximizing managerially based motive. Recently due the economic situation, cross borders Mergers and Acquisition activities have risen significantly. Countries in the Europe are very much involved in the Mergers and Acquisition market. The acquisition motive is therefore often linked to acquisition and integration strategies and outcome in the research. Hence it is important to know and understand the process of acquisitions and help to make it more effective in order to gain extra benefits arising of it. Mainly to review the different kinds of product and processes these two companies has and find the positives for a final decision. This research explains the impact of project management merging acquisition between GE Money and Banco Santander. This comparison review answers the importance of integration process in making the acquisition more effective. Limitation of Research When analysis the Acquisition project we need to remember one key fact that the process actually is long drawn out and can take months or years to be completed. The organizational change takes places and this can be sure when the change will be effective for the organizations. Hence due to time constraints, it was not possible for this study to look at any particular Acquisition deal across its lifecycle. To analyse this research I have relied on information got through sources like, management team meeting, financial books and reports. CHAPTER 2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Aim The aim of the research to find out the impact of project management on mergers and acquisitions. This aim is to organize and review the relevant literature on organizational change. Objectives Primary To study the impact of Project management on Mergers and Acquisitions. Secondary To understand the importance of Project management on Mergers and Acquisition. To understand the importance of the integration in the Acquisition. To study the importance and need of Project management tools and techniques on the process of Integration. To analyse the success on implementation of Project management approach in mergers and acquisitions. CHAPTER 3 OUTLINE OF RESEARCH LITERATURE REVIEW 3.1 Definition of Mergers and Acquisition Many authors have explained and written several definitions about merging and acquisitions, some of them are mentioned below. According to Joseph (2008), Change management is a loosely defined term that refers to a broad array of activities and initiatives that occurs in the workplace. As such in order of effective, a change management program must integrate those programs elements that address any of the variety of elements, communication, training, testing, program planning, market analysis and implementation of new policies and procedures. According to Gaughan (1996), à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“A merger is a combination of two corporations in which only one corporation survives and the merged corporation goes out of existenceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?. (1). He explained that according to merger the acquiring company assumes the assets and liabilities of the merged company. A statutory merger differs from a subsidiary merger, which is a merger of two companies in which the target company becomes a subsidiary or part of a subsidiary of the parent company. Gaughan also states that a merger differs from a consolidation which is a business combination where two or more company joins to form a new company. In this all combining companies get dissolved and new company is formed. For E.g.: There are two companies. Company A and Company B, where B is merged with A. In a consolidation (Company A + Company B = Company C). In this Company C is entirely a new company. There are differences between the terms merger and acquisition, however many terms between mergers and acquisition are interchangeable. According to Sudarsanam (2003), à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“In a merger, the corporations come together to combine and share their resources to achieve common objectives. The shareholders of the combining firms often remain as joint owners of the combined entity.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (2) Pearson (1989), An acquisition profile is a written documentation of description of the importance features required in a company to be acquired. This profile is a valuable aid and should be signed off by the senior management team (Board of Directors), to authorise work to proceed. Both the companies are adequate to give a description which will focus the search for the suitable companies, which means that the company which fall out of the acquisition profile will be rejected with a minimum of time and effort. (3) According to Sudarsanam (2003), à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“An acquisition resembles more of an arms length deal, with one firm purchasing the assets or shares of another, and with the acquired firms shareholders ceasing to be owners of that firm.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? 3.2 Types of Mergers Merger and Acquisition is depends on the particular company to which it target company is acquired. An organization or company will try to merge or acquire only when it has come to a stage of expand its operation to make it growth internal strength. The company aims to have its position stabilized under business growth, finance, and be a leader in the market. According to Neirinckx (1999) he explains this in detail three types of mergers and acquisition. 3.2.1 Horizontal Mergers Acquisition The best acquisition of this type tends to be companies, which have a high quality product line and are trading in market where the acquirer is also present. The horizontal acquisition allows rationalism and thus allows an improved cash flow. Horizontal acquisition are however not a guarantee for success. One of the variables which need to be considered whether one major acquisition is desirable or whether a series of smaller ones is preferred. Sequential acquisition of smaller companies tend to be more successful because the digestion of a very large acquisition is complex and entails a lot of dangers, such as integrating two potential different cultures into one. The main reason of these mergers in to obtain economy in sales production. These mergers results in reduce of firms in an industry, due to which such mergers types becomes easier for the industry to join together for monopoly gain or profit. Example: In 1998 Merging and acquisition which took place Exxon and Mobil which can be considered as a typical example for horizontal mergers and acquisition 3.2.2 Vertical Mergers Acquisition A company proceed in a vertical merger when its usually seeks to merger with another company to takeover another company especially to expand its operations by the process of integration. Organizations integrate vertically between different stages due to reasons like improves planning for inventory and production, technological economies, reconciliation of divergent interests of parties to a transaction, elimination of transaction costs, etc. Vertical acquisition have a very bad reputation and while many companies are actually reducing their vertical integration. Example: In 1993 a Merging and acquisition took place between Merck and Medco in the pharmaceutical Industry. 3.2.3 Concentric Mergers Acquisition According to Neirinckx, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Typically this means the acquisition of companies in business areas which are connected to the core business.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? This happens when the company feels strong in its basis of technologies distribution or marketing. Companies engage in concentric merging and acquisition tends to make a limited line of products and are very strong in one of the business segments. This happens in slow growing firms and is being used by companies which occupy a rather narrow segment of a widely spread firm and took for higher profit margin in other firms. 3.2.4 Conglomerate Mergers Acquisition à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Conglomerates are group of companies that operate in widely diverse industry.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (Coyle, 2000 p 22). According to John C. Narver à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The definitions of conglomerate mergers in the report referred to little or no discernible relationship between acquiring and acquired firm.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? According Guaghan (1996 p. 7), à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“A conglomerate merger occurs when the companies are not competitors and do not have a buyer- seller relationship.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? This conglomerate mergers Acquisition can be distinguished between two types. Financial Conglomerates Managerial Conglomerates 3.3 Motives of Mergers According to Hilda, (2000), the motives behind mergers are complex. Freidrich Trautwein was one of the researchers to attempt to make sense of the various theories extended to explain the allure of mergers. Freidrich Trautwein identified seven theories and looking at examples of organizations espousing that motive, investigated evidence of that motive and plausibility of the theory. The theories Freidrich Trautwein examined were:- Efficiency Monopoly Valuation Empire Building Process Raider Disturbance Stephen Wernet and Sandra Jones suggest that there is a difference in motive between for profit and non- profit companies. In the profit sector mergers are understood from the perspective of the purchaser not the acquired firm, and occur as a strategy for growth and expansion. In the nonprofit sector, resource scarcity and environmental uncertainty motivate mergers. 3.4 Defining an Acquisition Profile Acquisition profile needs to be described with quantitative and qualitative features which are very much important to the acquiring company. Pearson (1989) explains the content of an acquisition profile must have a description of the acquisition project. The profile has been explained below according to him. (4) 3.2.1 Market segment, Product and Services 3.2.2 Commercial Rationale 3.2.3 Maximum Cash Available For Acquisition 3.2.4 Maximum Total Purchase consideration 3.2.5 Minimum Size 3.2.6 Minimum Profitability 3.2.7 Management Style 3.2.8 Location 3.2.9 Key Requirements for Success 3.2.10 Financial Returns to be achieved 3.5 Overseas Acquisition Overseas acquisition is not as normal as acquisition of companies within the same countries. Lets study the more about overseas acquisition. Pearson, (1989). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Acquiring a company overseas needs proper research and analysis at the outset. It could prove to be an expensive ego trip. An overseas acquisition should be demonstrably relevant to defined corporate objectives and strategyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?. If there is a depression in the home market, however the same business may find growth in the overseas market. Overseas growth may provide the opportunity to develop the business. According to Pearson, Politically a business which is multinational is less vulnerable to threats such as nationalization. There are risks involved the overseas acquisition such as customer resistance to overseas owned companies, different culture, language difficulties and local regulation rule. It is important that the acquiring company need to examine where to extend it business and also selecting the country under business development and profitability. 3.6 Selecting the Country The country for acquisition must be chosen before an acquisition profile. This involves in market research and some key factors. According to Pearson, there are five key factors for selecting the country for acquisition. The key factors are mention and explained below in detail. 3.6.1 Political Stability 3.6.2 Cultural and Social Background 3.6.3 Economic Environment 3.6.4 Legal Requirement 3.6.5 Taxation and Repatriation of Funds 3.6.1 Political Stability The political stability depends on the payback time for an overseas investment. This is like setting up a company in the rented premises and then the packback period would be less than two years. For an acquisition the time period is much longer. There are political instability like civil unrest, national strike and local wars. Political stability for many countries will be ruled out on this factor. 3.6.2 Cultural and Social Background Pearson, (1989), à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“It is important that the country accepts overseas ownership of business, a ownership the implications of capitalism involvedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?. Foreign investors are treated differently than home investors. In some countries they offer valuable incentives where as other side discriminate against foreign ownership. The education standard, communication and services need to be adequate to support the business and management style. The health and safety hazard need to checked. In some countries, its not safe for executives and family lifestyle due to many kidnapping and unacceptable threat of violence. Precautions and insurance for personal safety may be required. Business culture and ethics varies from country to country. In some countries it may be not possible to run the business effectively without paying bride to get things approved. 3.6.3 Economic Environment According to Pearson, the ideal country will combine the prospect of good growth in the relevant market sector and acceptable levels of inflation with a relatively stable currency. The economic growth in some country may be poor, however in some markets will still open doors for attractive investment opportunity. 3.6.4 Legal Requirements Government approval is required to complete an acquisition. Anti trust and monopoly issues legislation may exist. Local advisers are needed to complete a course to meet the legal requirement of the country. In acquisition there will be need to meet the local requirements and these are known as outset. Adding to Anti trust rules and regulations there will be exchange control regulation, Law of employment and other legal laws which is required. 3.6.5 Taxation and Repatriation of Funds Investment in an overseas acquisition need to be evaluated for net of taxes. Taxation rate, tariff, incentives double taxation agreement and withhold taxation must be taken in to account. Fund that are invested in the net of taxation, it is not necessary to achieve an acceptable rate of return. The rule for repatriation of profits and capital should provide adequate scope for funds movements. As per the above factor a satisfactory country should always be possible. It is very much important to check that enough suitable potential acquisition companies exist and the purchase price, company expectations are to be acceptable. 3.7 Reason for Merging and Acquisition According to Gaughan, there are several reasons and motives that firm might engage in merging and acquisition. Out of all motives and reason one of the main motives is expansion. Acquiring a company in a business line or geographic area where the company may want to expand can be quicker than internal expansion. Acquisition of a company may provide certain synergistic benefits for the acquirer, such as two lines of business complement one another. An acquisition can also be a part of diversification process that allows the company to move into a different line of business. When firms get engaged in merging and acquisition for the motive of expansion, the cite potential gain as one of the reason for the transaction. Financial factor motivates some merging and acquisition. For E.g., An acquirers financial analysis may reveal that the target is undervalued, which is the value of the buyer may be significantly in excess of the market value of the target. Even when a premium that is normally associated with changes in control is always added to the acquisition price. Apart from this tax motivation also plays a major role in acquisition. 3.8 Definition of Project Management According to James P Lewis, he defines project management as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“application of knowledge skills tools and techniques to project activities to meet project requirementà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?. Project management is accomplished through the application and integration of the project management processes of initiating, planning , executing, monitoring, controlling and closing. According to Timothy J. Kloppenborg, Arthur Shriberg, Jayashree Venkatraman, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“A project is a temporaray endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or serviceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?. Project management is the application of skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements, which in turns requires project management to understand to project objectives, limitations, lifecycle and roles of the participants. 3.9 What is Project Management? Project management is a set of principles, method, and techniques that people use to effectively plan and control project work. It established a sound basis for effective planning, scheduling, resourcing, decision-making, controlling and replanning. Project management principle and techniques help complete projects on scheduled, within budget and in full accordance with project specifications. At the same time, they help achieve the other goals of the organization, such as productivity, quality and cost effectiveness. The objective of project management is to optimize project cost, time and quality. 3.10 Importance of Project Management In this world many people become project with knowing the meaning of projects. Someone assign them to manage a project because of their areas of expertise, not because they have received any by accident, it will become a disaster. Learning project management skills can help you complete projects on time, on budgets and on targets. The discipline of project management includes proven strategies for clarifying projects objectives, avoiding serious errors of omissions and eliminating costly mistakes. It also addresses the necessary people skills for getting the cooperation, support and resource to get the job done. Project management is not just for project managers. Team members need to know how carry out their parts of the project and business executive need to understand how to support project management efforts in the organization. 3.11 Project Management Role According to Gary Heerkens, project success will depends on personality traits like honesty, tolerance for ambiguity and openness. However skills required to make a process to go smooth. Paying constant attention to communication, making sure that, the project sponsor and the team members are clear on boundaries and expectation, documenting the project process (task, responsibilities, and relationships) and understanding customer and business needs. There are three main project management skills which are mandatory to have to lead or be a part of a project. 3.11.1 Develop Process Management Skill Learn tools for coordinating the work of many people. Get comfortable dealing with managers on issues of expectations, cost, scheduled and resources. 3.11.2 Build Your Interpersonal Skill Project management is all about getting things done through other people. Work on written and oral communication skills. Learn how to negotiate and influence. Become a coach and mentor to your project members. 3.11.3 Build a Project Network In all likelihood, your project will involve issues that are beyond your own area expertise. You should educate yourself as much as possible about the work your organization does, but it also helps to make contacts with people from diverse areas of your company. CHAPTER 4 RESEARCH PLAN AND METHOD 4.1 Methodology The methodology part specify details about the research method design, which indicates the action plan which has been followed to carry out the research to find the impact of project management on mergers and acquisitions. The amount of information which are collected, along with the techniques are used for sampling the data collection method. This also includes the data collected by primary and secondary resource. Data analysis process or method and limitation of the research that impacts the study are also explained. 4.2 Research Design This research will help us to understand the impact of project management for mergers and acquisitions. It has become clear that several ways of doing things may have to be melded and compared before the aims can be fully met. Researches will need to be conducted on the impact on mergers and acquisition firms. We need to evaluate reliability and efficiency under real world conditions using various techniques. This data would be helpful in determine what steps does the organization takes when it comes to change between the organization in terms of mergers and acquisitions. This research will follow the methods of qualitative, inductive, deductive, experimental and empirical research methods. The chapter begins with the introduction, rationale of research, literature review followed by the aims and objectives of the research. Then the research approach, research design, data collection, survey design, data analysis and questionnaire design are discussed. The chapter ends with the outco mes and limitations of the research. This research will be followed as per the below step. Objectives Development Primary and Secondary Data Collection Questionnaire Preparation Design Sample Data Analysis Calculation Final Report This research was designed to achieve the objectives mentioned above. The below mention are the tool used for data collection. Data collection method, Sampling size, frame and technique. 4.3 Data Analysis The data is collected from the actual respondents, the next step in the research process is data analysis. The purpose of this analysis is to interpret and draw conclusions from the collected date. Here a four-step procedure is followed for data analysis. Editing. Coding. Data entry. Tabulation. 4.4 Research Planning First 2 weeks of February 2011 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Collection of Literature Last 2 weeks of February 2011 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Preparation of research methodology and preparation of questionnaire In First 2 weeks of March 2010 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Collection of primary/secondary data Last two weeks of March 2011 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Critical analysis of data Last week of March 2011 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Drawing a conclusion First weeks of April 2011 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Drafting the final report Second weeks of April 2011 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Final report documentation Graphical Representation for Research Planning à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" This presentation shows that for the first two weeks will be required to collect the primary data. During this process it ensures that the researcher is equipped or has received the sufficient knowledge about the topic under research. This gained knowledge would help the researcher in his further course of the research. This is based on this literature review where the statement of the problem is explained. Based on statement of the problem, the exact research methodology is taken out and the questionnaire for primary data will be designed. After this the primary data collection begins, which takes longer time to complete about 3 weeks. At this stage the researcher (I) has to make sure that he receive the maximum or highest number of respondents. This process takes close to two weeks. Followed by this we have the most critical part of the research, which is the analysis of primary data and secondary data. To complete this analysis process it takes about two weeks. Once this analysis is completed accurately the researcher needs another week for writing the conclusion and result from the analysis, followed by another week for drafting and finalizing the report Based on the resources given, in terms of knowledge or skill of the researcher, and the time available for conducting the research with access to a wide range of relevant or accurate data and information, the above plan is the most feasible one for successfully conducting the research and obtaining results. CHAPTER 5 BIBLIOGRAPHY 5.1 Conclusion The conclusion of this research would give a clear picture of the successful acquisition and integration process and how Santander continues to grow in this business. 5.2 Bibliography This topic which I have chosen is an acquisition project between GE and Santander, with regards to the integration of product and processes of the two organizations. The content was taken from newspapers, journals, articles, internet, internal email and interviews. There will be few interviews taken under this topic, with the senior directors and manager in the organizations. I being an employee for Santander UK, and a lead member of an integration and migration project in the New Business Department, getting information will be easy as I have an authorization from my manager. During this research I have referred to many books, meeting with the senior management team, discussion with all required departments to deliver the integration with values. I hereby will confirm that the all information which will be taken will very much be mention as references and index on the final dissertation. Impact of Project Management on Mergers and Acquisition Impact of Project Management on Mergers and Acquisition In todays complex and competitive global business environment, organizations must adapt to changing environmental conditions by continuously initiating changes in order to remain competitive and profitable. These changes occurs when organizations undertake such changes as implementation new technologies, mergers or acquisition, downsizing, restructuring operations, and outsourcing. During these changes if companies implement programmes like six-sigma or business process improvement then according to Hayes(2002), these changes are usually prompted by a need to maintain or improve an organization effectiveness where effectiveness relates to the organizations ability to use recourse efficiently to achieve immediate goals as well as embracing the need to changing conditions to be to remain efficient over the long term (Carnell, 1999). According to France, Harrington and Marguire (1987), improving an organization effectiveness has important consequences for its overall corporate performan ce. Despite the available of a number of models to aid the successful diagnosis and implementation of change effort, Beer and Nohria (2000,p.88) claims that 70% of all changes initiates fail because managers immerse themselves in an alphabet soup of initiatives without fully understanding the nature and process of corporate change. Therefore there is organization growth is very much important to understand how changes occur so that they can better manage the change process to improve their organizational effectiveness. Rationale of Research The benefits of this importance of this research help us to understand the impact of change management. Merger and acquisition are very much frequent nowadays. Everyone passes Merger and acquisition either themselves working in an organization or someone who is working or owning shares in the firm or merged with another organization. When firms merges between two organizations under takes changes. This change can be in positive or may be the other side of suffering. This motives has been studies previously in the financial sectors, however it frequently linked with the acquisition and merging process. Based on a literature review it has been said that there are two main types of motives for mergers and acquisition. First motive reason is the financial reason, such as increasing the overall performance and creating value for shareholder. Second reason is the non value maximizing managerially based motive. Recently due the economic situation, cross borders Mergers and Acquisition activities have risen significantly. Countries in the Europe are very much involved in the Mergers and Acquisition market. The acquisition motive is therefore often linked to acquisition and integration strategies and outcome in the research. Hence it is important to know and understand the process of acquisitions and help to make it more effective in order to gain extra benefits arising of it. Mainly to review the different kinds of product and processes these two companies has and find the positives for a final decision. This research explains the impact of project management merging acquisition between GE Money and Banco Santander. This comparison review answers the importance of integration process in making the acquisition more effective. Limitation of Research When analysis the Acquisition project we need to remember one key fact that the process actually is long drawn out and can take months or years to be completed. The organizational change takes places and this can be sure when the change will be effective for the organizations. Hence due to time constraints, it was not possible for this study to look at any particular Acquisition deal across its lifecycle. To analyse this research I have relied on information got through sources like, management team meeting, financial books and reports. CHAPTER 2 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES Aim The aim of the research to find out the impact of project management on mergers and acquisitions. This aim is to organize and review the relevant literature on organizational change. Objectives Primary To study the impact of Project management on Mergers and Acquisitions. Secondary To understand the importance of Project management on Mergers and Acquisition. To understand the importance of the integration in the Acquisition. To study the importance and need of Project management tools and techniques on the process of Integration. To analyse the success on implementation of Project management approach in mergers and acquisitions. CHAPTER 3 OUTLINE OF RESEARCH LITERATURE REVIEW 3.1 Definition of Mergers and Acquisition Many authors have explained and written several definitions about merging and acquisitions, some of them are mentioned below. According to Joseph (2008), Change management is a loosely defined term that refers to a broad array of activities and initiatives that occurs in the workplace. As such in order of effective, a change management program must integrate those programs elements that address any of the variety of elements, communication, training, testing, program planning, market analysis and implementation of new policies and procedures. According to Gaughan (1996), à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“A merger is a combination of two corporations in which only one corporation survives and the merged corporation goes out of existenceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?. (1). He explained that according to merger the acquiring company assumes the assets and liabilities of the merged company. A statutory merger differs from a subsidiary merger, which is a merger of two companies in which the target company becomes a subsidiary or part of a subsidiary of the parent company. Gaughan also states that a merger differs from a consolidation which is a business combination where two or more company joins to form a new company. In this all combining companies get dissolved and new company is formed. For E.g.: There are two companies. Company A and Company B, where B is merged with A. In a consolidation (Company A + Company B = Company C). In this Company C is entirely a new company. There are differences between the terms merger and acquisition, however many terms between mergers and acquisition are interchangeable. According to Sudarsanam (2003), à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“In a merger, the corporations come together to combine and share their resources to achieve common objectives. The shareholders of the combining firms often remain as joint owners of the combined entity.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (2) Pearson (1989), An acquisition profile is a written documentation of description of the importance features required in a company to be acquired. This profile is a valuable aid and should be signed off by the senior management team (Board of Directors), to authorise work to proceed. Both the companies are adequate to give a description which will focus the search for the suitable companies, which means that the company which fall out of the acquisition profile will be rejected with a minimum of time and effort. (3) According to Sudarsanam (2003), à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“An acquisition resembles more of an arms length deal, with one firm purchasing the assets or shares of another, and with the acquired firms shareholders ceasing to be owners of that firm.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? 3.2 Types of Mergers Merger and Acquisition is depends on the particular company to which it target company is acquired. An organization or company will try to merge or acquire only when it has come to a stage of expand its operation to make it growth internal strength. The company aims to have its position stabilized under business growth, finance, and be a leader in the market. According to Neirinckx (1999) he explains this in detail three types of mergers and acquisition. 3.2.1 Horizontal Mergers Acquisition The best acquisition of this type tends to be companies, which have a high quality product line and are trading in market where the acquirer is also present. The horizontal acquisition allows rationalism and thus allows an improved cash flow. Horizontal acquisition are however not a guarantee for success. One of the variables which need to be considered whether one major acquisition is desirable or whether a series of smaller ones is preferred. Sequential acquisition of smaller companies tend to be more successful because the digestion of a very large acquisition is complex and entails a lot of dangers, such as integrating two potential different cultures into one. The main reason of these mergers in to obtain economy in sales production. These mergers results in reduce of firms in an industry, due to which such mergers types becomes easier for the industry to join together for monopoly gain or profit. Example: In 1998 Merging and acquisition which took place Exxon and Mobil which can be considered as a typical example for horizontal mergers and acquisition 3.2.2 Vertical Mergers Acquisition A company proceed in a vertical merger when its usually seeks to merger with another company to takeover another company especially to expand its operations by the process of integration. Organizations integrate vertically between different stages due to reasons like improves planning for inventory and production, technological economies, reconciliation of divergent interests of parties to a transaction, elimination of transaction costs, etc. Vertical acquisition have a very bad reputation and while many companies are actually reducing their vertical integration. Example: In 1993 a Merging and acquisition took place between Merck and Medco in the pharmaceutical Industry. 3.2.3 Concentric Mergers Acquisition According to Neirinckx, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Typically this means the acquisition of companies in business areas which are connected to the core business.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? This happens when the company feels strong in its basis of technologies distribution or marketing. Companies engage in concentric merging and acquisition tends to make a limited line of products and are very strong in one of the business segments. This happens in slow growing firms and is being used by companies which occupy a rather narrow segment of a widely spread firm and took for higher profit margin in other firms. 3.2.4 Conglomerate Mergers Acquisition à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Conglomerates are group of companies that operate in widely diverse industry.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (Coyle, 2000 p 22). According to John C. Narver à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“The definitions of conglomerate mergers in the report referred to little or no discernible relationship between acquiring and acquired firm.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? According Guaghan (1996 p. 7), à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“A conglomerate merger occurs when the companies are not competitors and do not have a buyer- seller relationship.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? This conglomerate mergers Acquisition can be distinguished between two types. Financial Conglomerates Managerial Conglomerates 3.3 Motives of Mergers According to Hilda, (2000), the motives behind mergers are complex. Freidrich Trautwein was one of the researchers to attempt to make sense of the various theories extended to explain the allure of mergers. Freidrich Trautwein identified seven theories and looking at examples of organizations espousing that motive, investigated evidence of that motive and plausibility of the theory. The theories Freidrich Trautwein examined were:- Efficiency Monopoly Valuation Empire Building Process Raider Disturbance Stephen Wernet and Sandra Jones suggest that there is a difference in motive between for profit and non- profit companies. In the profit sector mergers are understood from the perspective of the purchaser not the acquired firm, and occur as a strategy for growth and expansion. In the nonprofit sector, resource scarcity and environmental uncertainty motivate mergers. 3.4 Defining an Acquisition Profile Acquisition profile needs to be described with quantitative and qualitative features which are very much important to the acquiring company. Pearson (1989) explains the content of an acquisition profile must have a description of the acquisition project. The profile has been explained below according to him. (4) 3.2.1 Market segment, Product and Services 3.2.2 Commercial Rationale 3.2.3 Maximum Cash Available For Acquisition 3.2.4 Maximum Total Purchase consideration 3.2.5 Minimum Size 3.2.6 Minimum Profitability 3.2.7 Management Style 3.2.8 Location 3.2.9 Key Requirements for Success 3.2.10 Financial Returns to be achieved 3.5 Overseas Acquisition Overseas acquisition is not as normal as acquisition of companies within the same countries. Lets study the more about overseas acquisition. Pearson, (1989). à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Acquiring a company overseas needs proper research and analysis at the outset. It could prove to be an expensive ego trip. An overseas acquisition should be demonstrably relevant to defined corporate objectives and strategyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?. If there is a depression in the home market, however the same business may find growth in the overseas market. Overseas growth may provide the opportunity to develop the business. According to Pearson, Politically a business which is multinational is less vulnerable to threats such as nationalization. There are risks involved the overseas acquisition such as customer resistance to overseas owned companies, different culture, language difficulties and local regulation rule. It is important that the acquiring company need to examine where to extend it business and also selecting the country under business development and profitability. 3.6 Selecting the Country The country for acquisition must be chosen before an acquisition profile. This involves in market research and some key factors. According to Pearson, there are five key factors for selecting the country for acquisition. The key factors are mention and explained below in detail. 3.6.1 Political Stability 3.6.2 Cultural and Social Background 3.6.3 Economic Environment 3.6.4 Legal Requirement 3.6.5 Taxation and Repatriation of Funds 3.6.1 Political Stability The political stability depends on the payback time for an overseas investment. This is like setting up a company in the rented premises and then the packback period would be less than two years. For an acquisition the time period is much longer. There are political instability like civil unrest, national strike and local wars. Political stability for many countries will be ruled out on this factor. 3.6.2 Cultural and Social Background Pearson, (1989), à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“It is important that the country accepts overseas ownership of business, a ownership the implications of capitalism involvedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?. Foreign investors are treated differently than home investors. In some countries they offer valuable incentives where as other side discriminate against foreign ownership. The education standard, communication and services need to be adequate to support the business and management style. The health and safety hazard need to checked. In some countries, its not safe for executives and family lifestyle due to many kidnapping and unacceptable threat of violence. Precautions and insurance for personal safety may be required. Business culture and ethics varies from country to country. In some countries it may be not possible to run the business effectively without paying bride to get things approved. 3.6.3 Economic Environment According to Pearson, the ideal country will combine the prospect of good growth in the relevant market sector and acceptable levels of inflation with a relatively stable currency. The economic growth in some country may be poor, however in some markets will still open doors for attractive investment opportunity. 3.6.4 Legal Requirements Government approval is required to complete an acquisition. Anti trust and monopoly issues legislation may exist. Local advisers are needed to complete a course to meet the legal requirement of the country. In acquisition there will be need to meet the local requirements and these are known as outset. Adding to Anti trust rules and regulations there will be exchange control regulation, Law of employment and other legal laws which is required. 3.6.5 Taxation and Repatriation of Funds Investment in an overseas acquisition need to be evaluated for net of taxes. Taxation rate, tariff, incentives double taxation agreement and withhold taxation must be taken in to account. Fund that are invested in the net of taxation, it is not necessary to achieve an acceptable rate of return. The rule for repatriation of profits and capital should provide adequate scope for funds movements. As per the above factor a satisfactory country should always be possible. It is very much important to check that enough suitable potential acquisition companies exist and the purchase price, company expectations are to be acceptable. 3.7 Reason for Merging and Acquisition According to Gaughan, there are several reasons and motives that firm might engage in merging and acquisition. Out of all motives and reason one of the main motives is expansion. Acquiring a company in a business line or geographic area where the company may want to expand can be quicker than internal expansion. Acquisition of a company may provide certain synergistic benefits for the acquirer, such as two lines of business complement one another. An acquisition can also be a part of diversification process that allows the company to move into a different line of business. When firms get engaged in merging and acquisition for the motive of expansion, the cite potential gain as one of the reason for the transaction. Financial factor motivates some merging and acquisition. For E.g., An acquirers financial analysis may reveal that the target is undervalued, which is the value of the buyer may be significantly in excess of the market value of the target. Even when a premium that is normally associated with changes in control is always added to the acquisition price. Apart from this tax motivation also plays a major role in acquisition. 3.8 Definition of Project Management According to James P Lewis, he defines project management as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“application of knowledge skills tools and techniques to project activities to meet project requirementà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?. Project management is accomplished through the application and integration of the project management processes of initiating, planning , executing, monitoring, controlling and closing. According to Timothy J. Kloppenborg, Arthur Shriberg, Jayashree Venkatraman, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“A project is a temporaray endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or serviceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?. Project management is the application of skills, tools and techniques to project activities to meet project requirements, which in turns requires project management to understand to project objectives, limitations, lifecycle and roles of the participants. 3.9 What is Project Management? Project management is a set of principles, method, and techniques that people use to effectively plan and control project work. It established a sound basis for effective planning, scheduling, resourcing, decision-making, controlling and replanning. Project management principle and techniques help complete projects on scheduled, within budget and in full accordance with project specifications. At the same time, they help achieve the other goals of the organization, such as productivity, quality and cost effectiveness. The objective of project management is to optimize project cost, time and quality. 3.10 Importance of Project Management In this world many people become project with knowing the meaning of projects. Someone assign them to manage a project because of their areas of expertise, not because they have received any by accident, it will become a disaster. Learning project management skills can help you complete projects on time, on budgets and on targets. The discipline of project management includes proven strategies for clarifying projects objectives, avoiding serious errors of omissions and eliminating costly mistakes. It also addresses the necessary people skills for getting the cooperation, support and resource to get the job done. Project management is not just for project managers. Team members need to know how carry out their parts of the project and business executive need to understand how to support project management efforts in the organization. 3.11 Project Management Role According to Gary Heerkens, project success will depends on personality traits like honesty, tolerance for ambiguity and openness. However skills required to make a process to go smooth. Paying constant attention to communication, making sure that, the project sponsor and the team members are clear on boundaries and expectation, documenting the project process (task, responsibilities, and relationships) and understanding customer and business needs. There are three main project management skills which are mandatory to have to lead or be a part of a project. 3.11.1 Develop Process Management Skill Learn tools for coordinating the work of many people. Get comfortable dealing with managers on issues of expectations, cost, scheduled and resources. 3.11.2 Build Your Interpersonal Skill Project management is all about getting things done through other people. Work on written and oral communication skills. Learn how to negotiate and influence. Become a coach and mentor to your project members. 3.11.3 Build a Project Network In all likelihood, your project will involve issues that are beyond your own area expertise. You should educate yourself as much as possible about the work your organization does, but it also helps to make contacts with people from diverse areas of your company. CHAPTER 4 RESEARCH PLAN AND METHOD 4.1 Methodology The methodology part specify details about the research method design, which indicates the action plan which has been followed to carry out the research to find the impact of project management on mergers and acquisitions. The amount of information which are collected, along with the techniques are used for sampling the data collection method. This also includes the data collected by primary and secondary resource. Data analysis process or method and limitation of the research that impacts the study are also explained. 4.2 Research Design This research will help us to understand the impact of project management for mergers and acquisitions. It has become clear that several ways of doing things may have to be melded and compared before the aims can be fully met. Researches will need to be conducted on the impact on mergers and acquisition firms. We need to evaluate reliability and efficiency under real world conditions using various techniques. This data would be helpful in determine what steps does the organization takes when it comes to change between the organization in terms of mergers and acquisitions. This research will follow the methods of qualitative, inductive, deductive, experimental and empirical research methods. The chapter begins with the introduction, rationale of research, literature review followed by the aims and objectives of the research. Then the research approach, research design, data collection, survey design, data analysis and questionnaire design are discussed. The chapter ends with the outco mes and limitations of the research. This research will be followed as per the below step. Objectives Development Primary and Secondary Data Collection Questionnaire Preparation Design Sample Data Analysis Calculation Final Report This research was designed to achieve the objectives mentioned above. The below mention are the tool used for data collection. Data collection method, Sampling size, frame and technique. 4.3 Data Analysis The data is collected from the actual respondents, the next step in the research process is data analysis. The purpose of this analysis is to interpret and draw conclusions from the collected date. Here a four-step procedure is followed for data analysis. Editing. Coding. Data entry. Tabulation. 4.4 Research Planning First 2 weeks of February 2011 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Collection of Literature Last 2 weeks of February 2011 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Preparation of research methodology and preparation of questionnaire In First 2 weeks of March 2010 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Collection of primary/secondary data Last two weeks of March 2011 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Critical analysis of data Last week of March 2011 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Drawing a conclusion First weeks of April 2011 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Drafting the final report Second weeks of April 2011 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" Final report documentation Graphical Representation for Research Planning à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" This presentation shows that for the first two weeks will be required to collect the primary data. During this process it ensures that the researcher is equipped or has received the sufficient knowledge about the topic under research. This gained knowledge would help the researcher in his further course of the research. This is based on this literature review where the statement of the problem is explained. Based on statement of the problem, the exact research methodology is taken out and the questionnaire for primary data will be designed. After this the primary data collection begins, which takes longer time to complete about 3 weeks. At this stage the researcher (I) has to make sure that he receive the maximum or highest number of respondents. This process takes close to two weeks. Followed by this we have the most critical part of the research, which is the analysis of primary data and secondary data. To complete this analysis process it takes about two weeks. Once this analysis is completed accurately the researcher needs another week for writing the conclusion and result from the analysis, followed by another week for drafting and finalizing the report Based on the resources given, in terms of knowledge or skill of the researcher, and the time available for conducting the research with access to a wide range of relevant or accurate data and information, the above plan is the most feasible one for successfully conducting the research and obtaining results. CHAPTER 5 BIBLIOGRAPHY 5.1 Conclusion The conclusion of this research would give a clear picture of the successful acquisition and integration process and how Santander continues to grow in this business. 5.2 Bibliography This topic which I have chosen is an acquisition project between GE and Santander, with regards to the integration of product and processes of the two organizations. The content was taken from newspapers, journals, articles, internet, internal email and interviews. There will be few interviews taken under this topic, with the senior directors and manager in the organizations. I being an employee for Santander UK, and a lead member of an integration and migration project in the New Business Department, getting information will be easy as I have an authorization from my manager. During this research I have referred to many books, meeting with the senior management team, discussion with all required departments to deliver the integration with values. I hereby will confirm that the all information which will be taken will very much be mention as references and index on the final dissertation.