Leadership Journey Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Leadership Journey - Assignment Example In the very first journal for instance, one got to realize that my initial belief and understanding that leadership is the ability to influence others is just a partial facet of a more comprehensive and widely encompassing theory. It was therefore immensely appreciated that one got to realize that there are different definitions of leadership. In one’s search in Google’s online search engine for the definition of leadership, it amazingly revealed that the output generated as much as 94.7 million results (Google, 2013). This is an indication of the extensiveness and comprehensive depth of studies and information generated on the topic of merely trying to define leadership. Through the course, one eventually got to realize that the concept of leadership constantly transforms and unfolds. It was very helpful to have differentiated the concept of leadership with that of management (Journal 1, 2013). Though closely related, leadership was learned to be an important component as one of the functions of management through directing or leading; in conjunction with the other functions of planning, organizing, staffing and controlling (Management Study Guide, 2013). Thus, one came to realize and recognize that leadership in a crucial component in the quest and pursuit of strategies that influence and direct others to achieve explicitly defined goals. Leaders were learned to possess traits, skills, competencies, and qualifications that make them effective in their specialized endeavors (Journal 2, 2013). Likewise, one learned more about the three skill approaches that were reportedly developed by Katz (Journal 3, 2013) and the role of leaders as coaches (Journal 4, 2013). All the relevant theories also assisted in gaining a more in-depth knowledge of leadership and how this is applied in contemporary settings. How does this relate to the theory? One learned that the concept of leadership has been tried to be explained through the various theories which were presented and expounded: transactional leadership (Journal 5, 2013); the path-goal theory (Journal 6, 2013); transformational leadership (Simic, 1998); the contingency approaches to leadership (Martires & Fule, 2004); and situational model of leadership (Hersey & Blanchard, 1988); among others. For instance, the understanding that leaders are born with innate traits and skills; and not made were eventually inspired in the traits approach. As emphasized, â€Å"theorists sought to identify certain personality traits like intelligence, ambition, and charisma that are associated with effective leaders† (Martires & Fule, 2004, p. 155). On the other hand, there was another approach which allegedly emerged: the behavioral approach. According to Martires & Fule (2004), â€Å"the behavioral approach endeavors to find answers to the question of what behaviors, actions, and skills make effective leadership possible. Compared to the trait approach, the behavioral approach has a great pr actical usefulness since behavior, actions, and skills can be modified and learned† (p. 156). The path-goal theory, for instance, was deemed an action-oriented approach to leadership effectiveness (Journal 6, 2013; Martires & Fule, 2004). Therefore, the importance of understanding this theory lies in determining what factors or strategies would assist leaders and managers in achieving identified goals. It was disclosed that â€Å"beyond the dual functions of goal-setting and path-finding, the (path-goal theory) suggests that the manager’s job is to create a motivational environment that enhances the likelihood that employees will behave toward goals. This requires that managers have to

Ratio Analysis Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Ratio Analysis - Coursework Example In addition, the company performance was higher in reference to industrial average figures. Whereby, the key performance indicators such as; number of visitors, basket value and gross profit margin were put forth. On the contrary, a valuation of the uses of KPIs in assessing organization performance was discussed. The advantages and limitation of using financial ratios as a technique of assessing company performance were also discussed. 1. Comparison of Latest year results with previous year results; Below are the financial statements of ASOS Company for the last year two fiscal years that ended on 31st August 2012 and 31st August 2012. Therefore, based on the consolidated income statement it can be scrutinized that the revenues for 2013 were substantially higher as compared to those of 2012.In addition, the profits before and after tax was higher in 2013 than in 2012. On the other hands, the comprehensive income statement indicates that the total assets and total equity for the fina ncial year 2013 was higher than in 2012. For example, the total equity in 2013 was $159,799,000 while in 2013 it stood at $105,987,000 a difference of $53,812,000. In above connection, the consolidated statement of cash flow indicates that, the net income generated from operating activities was higher in 2013 as compared to 2012.In addition, the net income obtained from financing activities was also higher in 2013 than in 2012. This indicates that the financial performance of ASOS was higher in 2012 than in 2013(ASOS Plc, 2013). ASOS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2013 Year to 5 months to 31 August 2013 31 August 2012 Note ?’000 ?’000 Revenue 2 769,396 238,023 Cost of sales (370,816) (117,892) Gross profit 398,580 120,131 Distribution expenses (115,172) (35,906) Administrative expenses (228,953) (70,883) Operating profit 3 54,455 13,342 Finance income 5 283 – Finance expense 6 (68) (97) Profit before tax 54,670 13,245 Income tax expense 7 (13,744) (3,341) Profit for the period 40,926 9,904 Net exchange adjustments offset in reserves (45) – Fair value gains on derivative financial assets 225 Other comprehensive income for the period 180 – Total comprehensive income for the period 41,106 9,904 Profit for the period attributable to: Owners of the Parent 40,928 9,904 Non-controlling interest 19 (2) – 40,926 9,904 Total comprehensive income for the period attributable to: Owners of the Parent 41,108 9,904 Non-controlling interest 19 (2) – 41,106 9,904 Earnings per share Basic 8 50.1p 12.5p Diluted 8 49.2p 11.9p Source :(ASOS Plc, 2013). ASOS CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION AS AT 31 AUGUST 2013 31 August 2013 31 August 2012 Note ?’000 ?’000 Non-current assets Goodwill 9 1,060 1,060 Other intangible assets 10 38,626 22,176 Property, plant and equipment 11 30,031 27,293 Deferred tax asset 14 8,902 8,111 78,619 58,640 Current assets Inventories 143,348 100,263 Trade and other receivables 15 18,420 19,066 Derivative financial assets 21 225 – Current tax asset – 425Cash and cash equivalents 20 71,139 27,884 233,132 147,638 Current liabilities Trade and other payables 16 (149,511) (100,291) Current tax liability (2,441) – (151,952) (100,291) Net current assets 81,180 47,347 Net assets 159,799 105,987 Equity attributable to owners of the Parent Called up share capital 18 2,890 2,854 Share premium 6,368 6,105 Employee Benefit Trust reserve