Abstract
This paper is an application essay by a student who is applying for a scholarship to the Aston MBA program in the UK. Within the paper, the candidate explains why he would like to attend the Aston program. Then, he details his personal characteristics and traits that would make him a valuable member of the graduate student population. Finally, the candidate outlines his career goals and shows how they are in line with the courses offered at Aston. The paper concludes with the candidate describing his weaknesses, but showing how they are ultimately strengths.

From the Paper
"I have a great many strengths which I look forward to refining to the benefit of the Aston community. Such core modules as Organisational Behaviour and Leader Development seem to provide the proper measure of instruction in areas where I am particularly skilled and in areas where I still have much to learn. To the point, I believe I am extremely well-qualified to function in a group setting, to work to fruition with those around me and to engage teams in meeting specific goals. These skills resonate closely with the content of the Organisational Behaviour module, which claims its focus to be on "psychology, sociology and anthropology to give you a deep understanding of organisational behaviour and how it can improve the performance and wellbeing of people at work. The module examines issues of globalisation, diversity and cultural differences." I derive great excitement from these areas of consideration, as I am possessed by a strong foundation of personal gifts in these areas."

Tags:graduate school, Master's of Business Administration, financial aid, application scholarship

Abstract
The paper uses the company Aston-Blair to show how the forecasting process is utilized. This case is about the process of solving the issue of losses. The lack of an ongoing process for change has produced a situation where the sudden need for change is seen as a challenge to the existing managers and to the job they have been doing. The paper discusses how the company has found itself in this position, makes recommendations of how to improve the situation using new dimensions and new instruments, and shows how Aston-Blair are responding to the situation. The paper discusses the critical incidents of the task force appointed and their effects on the company. The paper concludes that the managers must be involved in the process of change so that they will invest themselves in this and any resistance can be overcome.

From the Paper
"Forecasting is an important and ongoing process for a business, allowing decision-makers to foresee the needs of the company and so to control everything from raw goods to be purchased to the inventory to be maintained and the equipment and workforce needed to meet the demands of the market. A failure in forecasting could mean that the company will be unable to meet its commitments or to take advantage of opportunities as they arise, or it could mean excessive production and increased storage costs if the error is in the other direction. For the Aston-Blair Company, recent losses have spurred interest in improving the forecasting process. However, this case is about the process of solving this issue more than about the issue itself, and in addition, it involves a resistance to change and how it manifests itself in this organization."

Tags:michael, bacon, convergence, external, economic, changes, high, profitability, forecasts, employment, organizational, inertia

Abstract
The story of Ford Motor Company is a tale of trials and tribulations. This paper describes the plummeting car sales, rising marketing costs and the financial crisis that Ford has battled with in the past decade. It describes how Ford has continued to adapt to changing financial conditions and is beginning to recover from the 2008 financial crisis. A number of graphs and charts are included.

Outline
A History of Auto-Making
A Story of Goodwill
1999 Ford Acquires Volvo
2000 Ford Purchases Land Rover
An Uphill Battle against Losses
2001 Low Sales High Marketing Costs
Assets and Liabilities
2005 Reduction in Assets
2006 Ford Mortgages Assets to Raise Funds
2007 Ford Sells Aston Martin
Liquidity in Millions
Solvency in Millions
The 2008 Financial and Economic Crisis
Reaction to the 2008 Financial and Economic Crisis
Reduction of Goodwill and Sale of Land Rover and Jaguar
The Reductions are Working- Ford is Reducing Operating Costs

From the Paper
"Ford Motor Company is the one of the world's first and oldest car manufacturers, and is the oldest car manufacturer in the United States. Ford Motor Company was founded by Henry Ford, and was incorporated on June 16, 1903. Ford was instrumental in developing efficiencies in the automotive industry by developing assembly line production. Ford is now an American multinational corporation and the world's fourth largest automaker based on worldwide vehicle sales. Ford Motor Company is based in Dearborn, Michigan which is a suburb of Detroit. Currently Ford includes many brands, including Lincoln and Mercury of the U.S. and Volvo of Sweden. Ford also holds some shares in Mazda and has retained a few shares in Aston Martin after its sale in 2007."

Tags:economic crisis, cars goodwill

Abstract
This paper covers the period of approximately 1750 to 1831, known as the Industrial Revolution, which took place in England. As well as technical advances, it also looks at social changes that occured as a result of the massive techonological advancements. The paper looks at the technology that was invented, the effects on capital and labor markets.

From the Paper
"Parallel changes took place in the structure of society during this period. The number of people grew vastly, and the growth of new communities shifted the balance of the population from the South and East to the North and Midlands. Men and women born and bred in the countryside came to live crowded together, earning their bread, no longer as families or groups of neighbors, but as units in the labor force of the factories; and work grew to become more specialized."

Tags:act, aston, england, montaux