An independent country is self-governed by its government and is not afflicted by larger controlling units. For a long time, Puerto Ricans have wished to be their own country. A person who is governed by their government observes the rules that their government has created and passed, displays their flag in all public institutions, and elects their presidents. Puerto Ricans are sick of being referred to as a “territory” or “commonwealth.” They feel they should be allowed to be free and manage their own country since it provides them with untold benefits (Blocher and Gulati, 2018). They also feel that because they would not be confined, they will be able to soar to greater heights on their own.” This essay will clearly outline why Puerto Rico should be allowed to be an independent country and shape its destiny.
Puerto Rico is experiencing an economic struggle rooted in enormous debts that seem unpayable. Poverty in Puerto Rico has been a chronic issue. Many people are unemployed, some are uneducated, while the number of those working but receiving meager wages (Staudenmaier, 2009). These issues have made Puerto Rico to sink into more and more debts in order to keep moving. It is believed that if Puerto Rico becomes an independent state, the issue of poverty, debts, and unemployment will be easily be solved.
Firstly, I believe that the dwindling and poor economic states of Puerto Rico have, in one way or another, been rooted in its colonial status. As a colony of the United States of America, Puerto Rico cannot be declared bankrupt as that will ruin its colony’s image. The island cannot also ask or receive financial assistance from other international financial institutions, making it even harder to deal with its current economic status. Their economic status is dependent on the United States and limited by it. Puerto Rico Island is now stuck in a financial crisis as they are out of options to get out of the enormous debts. If given a chance to be an independent country, Puerto Rico will finally manage to solve their financial and economic crisis issues. They will no longer be limited on where to seek help. With the help of international financial institutions, Puerto Rico Island will manage to settle its debts and formulate steps to regain economic stability (Jonathan, 2008). It will be easier to run their economy rather than rely on their colony. With Puerto Rico being an independent country comes higher chances of financial stability. They will diversify their capital and export markets and create more employment opportunities. If they remain a commonwealth, Puerto Rico will have no such economic benefits to assist in their economic crisis.
Secondly is the statehood issue. Puerto Rico has no option on the statehood issue as they are termed unincorporated. This means that Puerto Rico belongs to the US, which is different from being part of it. The statehood issue has limited Puerto Rico in growth, governance, and its people’s well-being. In Congress, Puerto Rico is neither acknowledged nor represented. Therefore, most decisions are made for them and in favor of their colony (Cruz, 2014). Most of their issues go unresolved. This would not be the case if Puerto Rico were an independent country. With independence, Puerto Rico will choose its leaders to govern the country and address all issues that affect its country. That is why Puerto Rico needs to be an independent country.
Thirdly, all independent countries enjoy the right to vote for their chief of command. The colony of Puerto Rico prohibits Puerto Ricans from voting in presidential elections. They are only permitted to vote in the presidential primary and not in the finals. The commander of command, on the other hand, selects them to fight for the United States during the conflict. This is not just; it is an insult to the people of Puerto Rico and their generations (Jonathan, 2008). They also vote in elections to elect governors and other leaders to serve as representatives for the island. These leaders, on the other hand, have a limited role in making decisions that affect the people they represent.” Once Puerto Rico is independent, the Puerto Ricans will vote for leaders of their choice whom they believe will well represent them and their issues.
Fourthly, an Independent Puerto Rico will find it easy to protect the rights of its people and care for their well-being. As long as Puerto Rico remains unincorporated, their issues will never be solved. Neither will their welfare and well-being matter. This is because Puerto Rican leaders have no say in the decision-making and representation of issues concerning their people. So their leaders cannot do much as they are limited in all areas, and their hands remain tied. Independence will lead to accountable representatives in the government and transparency and power restoration to the people of Puerto Rico.
Lastly, Puerto Rico is at a high risk of losing its heritage and culture, which is the backbone of the people that hold them together. “The US has demanded that Puerto Ricans make English their national language. For many generations, these people have been speaking Spanish as their national and dialect language (Weiss and Setser, 2019).”The people have no choice rather than do what the US government says; the English language has started being taught in schools. They now have no choice but to recognize English and Spanish as their national languages. These people have the right to conserve their culture and heritage, but it has been taken away from them. An independent Puerto Rico would find ways of promoting, protecting, and preserving its culture and heritage instead of doing away with such.
In conclusion, Puerto Rico should be allowed to be an independent country, as with independence comes endless benefits. The Island has remained in poverty and financial crisis due to its unincorporated. They lack leaders who are accountable for them, who will represent their grievances and mind their welfare and well-being. Puerto Rico needs to be an independent country so that they decide their destiny and fate.
References
Weiss, A., & Setser, B. (2019). America’s Forgotten Colony: Ending Puerto Rico’s Perpetual Crisis. Foreign Alf, 98, 158.
Blocher, J., & Gulati, M. (2018). Puerto Rico and the Right of Accession. Yale J. Int’l L., 43, 229.
Cruz, M. A. (2014). Dream Nation: Puerto Rican Culture and the Fictions of Independence. Rutgers University Press.
Staudenmaier, M. (2009). Puerto Rican independence movement, 1898–present. International Encyclopedia of Revolution and Protest, 2766-2774.
Push And Pull Systems Free Essay
Push and pull systems have been largely used in logistic and supply chain management; however, they can also be used in marketing. A push-pull system can be described as the movement of products and services between two subjects. Consumers pull goods and services to satisfy their needs while suppliers push services and products toward consumers. In marketing, a push is used when a company introduces a new product to consumers. The supplier is tasked to push this product toward the consumers through promotion and distribution. Supply chain management using the push method allows the producers to make products based on the historical orders made by the retailers. However, in pull method production is determined by consumers’ actual demand/orders (Minculete & Olar, 2016). It is also fundamental to understand the advantages and disadvantages of the push-pull model.
Advantages of ‘pull’ system
According to Minculete & Olar (2016), some of the advantages of the pull system include reducing reduces the number of employees required because production and distribution are based on the actual demand by consumers. Additionally, the pull system reduces the company’s waste and total production cost because there is no overproduction. This also results in decreased storage costs and more free space for the company’s operations. Companies that use a pull system enjoy a reduced production cycle, which equates to faster manufacturing resulting in no late penalty cost, and they can also meet consumer needs on time (Chiadamrong & Kohly, 2005). Furthermore, the system attributes to time-saving because there’s no need to plan for future production of goods which may never sell.
A pull system promotes flexibility within a company because the company can promptly respond to changes in customer demand due to accommodation of engineering changes, reduced direct congestion, and dependence on forecasts. Another benefit of this system is better customer satisfaction because products meet specific customer needs. Since there is no overproduction, there is increased defect detection and improved communication among workers who can quickly correct errors found.
Disadvantages of ‘pull’ system
The pull system has certain drawbacks despite the benefits it holds. Pull system increases the risk of lack of stock, meaning that any alteration in demand by customers may result in dissatisfaction if the supplier is unable to fulfill customer’s orders on time. The system may also result in lower product movement management due to reduced delivery predictability and difficulty in tracking inventories. Additionally, the method can be challenging to execute due to the decreased time to operate the business (Minculete & Olar, 2016).
Advantages of ‘push’ system
The push production system reduces the risk of stock-out because companies produce goods in large quantities. It also reduces the loss of consumer loyalty because customers can acquire a product any time they need it. Constant production also makes it easier to control and predict supply chain and control and maintain inventory. Another advantage is that the model allows for long-term planning, which helps the company reduce risks due to poor planning.
Disadvantages of ‘push’ system
The shortcomings of the push system are reduced flexibility because productions are based on forecasted consumer demands (Pyke & Cohen). Obsolete products from the end of holiday peaks or fashion season may result in huge losses as retailers may be forced to sell products at enormous discounts. Additionally, a company may incur additional storage costs resulting from overproduction. Furthermore, the system increases the number of employees a company requires leading to increased costs in the form of training and salaries (Minculete & Olar, 2016).
Conclusion
The above discussion establishes that both push and pull models are effective depending on the circumstances. Therefore, companies should evaluate which strategy satisfies the company’s needs. We cannot ignore their advantages and disadvantages because they can contribute to either failure or success of a business.
References
Chiadamrong, N., & Kohly, P. (2005). A COMPARISON OF THE PUSH AND PULL PRODUCTION SYSTEMS AT THEIR OPTI MAL DESIGNS UNDER THE ECONOMIC CONSIDERATION. ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development, 22(4), 313-330. http://ajstd.org/~ajstd/index.php/ajstd/article/download/168/163
Minculete, G., & Olar, P. (2016). ” PUSH” AND” PULL” SYSTEMS IN SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT. CORRELATIVE APPROACHES IN THE MILITARY FIELD. Journal of Defense Resources Management, 7(2). http://www.jodrm.eu/issues/volume7_issue2/18_minculete_olar_vol7_issue2.pdf
Pyke, D. F., & Cohen, M. A. (1990). Push and pull in manufacturing and distribution systems. Journal of Operations Management, 9(1), 24-43.
Quality Management At Travelodge Restaurant Free Sample
Executive Summary
In the hospitality industry, good quality management is a crucial issue because it impacts a company’s success. The most valuable commodity in the hotel industry is money and services, thus businesses must guarantee that their offerings meet the expectations of their customers. Customers have expressed their dissatisfaction with Travelodge Restaurant, as indicated by the numerous bad reviews posted on Facebook and Trustpilot. Customers complained about issues with refund requests, filthy bedsheets, unfriendly employees, and nighttime noise. Some clients complain that the bed sheets are filthy and that human hair clogs the bathtub. Others claim they have yet to get refunds following the cancellation of their reservations by the company. Travelodge Restaurant now fails to achieve quality standards in areas including tangibles, empathy, assurance, reliability, and responsiveness. For Travelodge Restaurant to increase its fortunes, benchmarking is the ideal strategy.
Introduction
A service, according to Fitzsimmons, Fitzsimmons, and Bordoloi (2014), is defined as interactions between customers and service personnel, and it is usually used as a solution to customer concerns. Although services are perishable and intangible, they are critical to the economy. Quality management in the hotel business comprises offering high-quality services and addressing consumer needs. The definition of quality has changed throughout time, with the emphasis shifting from inspections to complete quality. In the past, the operative works were inspected, which helped to determine if the product should be accepted or rejected. The statistical approach was later applied to quality management. The development of overall quality as the cornerstone of quality management occurred in Japan during the second half of the twentieth century, as a result of advancements that led to the manufacturing of low-cost, high-quality goods. The Japanese used complete quality control, which has since become the global standard for quality control, to emphasize overall quality in an organization (Dale, Van der Wiele, & Van Iwaarden 2013). Because of its current circumstances, Travelodge Restaurant is an example of a business that requires complete quality control. Customers are unhappy with Travelodge’s services, indicating the necessity for quality control measures to increase the company’s competitiveness.
Findings and analysis
Factors affecting the company
One consumer complains about “stained linens, unclean washcloths hidden between clean towels, grime and hair in the shower” on Trustpilot (2021). Another complainant claims that the sink in their hotel room was clogged with human hair, and that the hotel’s showers were faulty, forcing them to shower with cold water.
Another issue concerns reservations and cancellations. When it comes to bookings and cancellations, one consumer claims that speaking with customer support representatives is worthless. The customer says that after making plans in 2020 that were later cancelled owing to the pandemic, they made bookings for January 2021 that were also later cancelled and for which they have yet to get compensation (Facebook 2021). Despite the client’s repeated requests for refunds and rebookings, the company has yet to do so, and the customer has pledged never to utilize the company’s services again. During the coronavirus pandemic, most consumers indicate that their reservations were canceled and they were not refunded. Other customers report that they arrived at the hotel after booking their rooms only to discover that their rooms had already been sold to other customers since they were delayed by a few hours.
Poor customer service is also a complaint. Customers find the company’s employees to be unpleasant and unfriendly. After paying for the accommodation and their pet, one client claims that the hotel personnel broke into their room at midnight while they were sleeping and forced them to leave.
Another customer claims that the employees are uncaring and condescending. Another consumer claims that their reservation was canceled because they had a concealed impairment that prevented them from wearing a mask. Customers were escorted out without being refunded after the receptionist accused them of feigning disability and intending to murder others for not wearing a mask during the coronavirus outbreak. According to Trustpilot (2021), the customer service staff is unprofessional and inexperienced. Another customer who has been at the hotel for more than 100 days over the course of two years claims that they were not granted a refund and is unhappy with how they were handled despite being a long-term customer.
Customers have also complained about noise at night. The majority of customers claim that drugs are sold in the hotel, and that drug users disrupt people’s sleep (Facebook 2021). According to one customer, they only had a good night’s sleep two nights out of four at the hospital. The noise created by drug users in the hotel inhibits individuals from getting a good night’s sleep. Another client claims that after a few hours in their hotel, inebriated guests began slamming doors, causing a noise that forced them to check out.
Service quality dimensions
Service quality is divided into five categories: tangibles, empathy, assurance, dependability, and responsiveness (Johnston, Clark & Shulver, 2012). The tangibles dimension includes the physical appearance of buildings that deliver services, as well as the equipment and people who provide those services. In this dimension, the physical facility’s cleanliness and how guests behave while there are two significant factors to examine. Customers have complained about the Travelodge Restaurant’s noisy and dirty environment,therefore it doesn’t fit this criterion. The majority of clients report that the bedsheets are discolored and that the water baths are clogged with hair. Other guests complained that they couldn’t get a good night’s sleep since other customers were making a lot of noise and appeared to be inebriated. The prevalence of drug users in the company’s hotels demonstrates that Travelodge Restaurant is not concerned with ensuring that guests enjoy a comfortable stay.
Another level is empathy, and this is about providing customer-centric services. Empathy entails qualities such as empathy, approachability, and the ability to comprehend a customer’s needs. In this dimension, Travelodge Restaurant fails in a variety of ways. Despite the fact that one of the customers was disabled and thus unable to wear masks, the receptionist threw them out without verifying their story. The personnel is also unapproachable and unfriendly. The organization fails to meet this criterion because its employees are inept at providing customer service. Assurance is a different level that focuses on employee etiquette and how they inspire confidence and trust. According to Johnston, Clark, and Shulver (2012), assurance entails staff being courteous and respectful of customers, having efficient customer communications, performing services competently, and having the mindset that employees seek to meet customer demands. The personnel at Travelodge Restaurant’s communications with clients cannot be described as effective. Employees are unable to communicate effectively with clients because they do not reassure them that their demands are being met.
Reliability refers to a company’s ability to deliver on its promises of dependable and accurate services. Meeting client expectations, performing duties on schedule and in the same manner, and avoiding errors, according to Johnston, Clark, and Shulver (2012), are all part of delivering trustworthy services. Reliability also includes record keeping and billing. Travelodge Restaurant has failed horribly in this department. Customers book accommodations, but when they arrive at the hotel, they are told that their rooms are already taken (Facebook, 2021). The Failure to keep proper records has resulted in a huge number of dissatisfied customers eager to spread the word about the company’s services. Helping consumers and providing fast services is what responsiveness is all about. According to Johnston, Clark, and Shulver (2012), responsiveness entails not holding clients waiting for no reason and avoiding activities that lead to bad opinions of the company’s services. If a company’s service fails, it should respond immediately and fix the problem to maintain positive opinions. Response time is a major concern for Travelodge. Some of the company’s previous clients have complained about a lack of response. Due to government restrictions on travel and congregations to prevent the virus’s spread, their plans to use the hotel’s services were thwarted. Customers have not been compensated after their reservations were canceled owing to travel restrictions, and they have been told to be patient, which does not sit well with them..
Recommendations and conclusion
For the organization to improve its ratings and on how customers view them, Travelodge Restaurant must undertake numerous modifications. Improving the company’s customer service operations is one suggestion that could be beneficial. Many customers have expressed dissatisfaction with the company’s customer service. According to Al-Azzam (2016), client happiness is critical to a company’s success. Customer pleasure has been the core of marketing since ancient times, according to Stranjancevic & Bulatovic (2015). This emphasizes the significance of customer service in a company’s competitiveness. As a result, in order to boost client happiness, Travelodge Restaurant must improve its customer service. This can be accomplished by teaching employees how to interact with customers.. Most customers complained that the employees were rude to them, which shows the need for the staff to be trained on how to relate with clients.
Conclusion
Quality management is an important idea since it improves the competitiveness of a company like Travelodge Restaurant (Mishra-Patricio 2020). Over the last five years, Travelodge Restaurant has received low reviews.For the previous seven years, Premier Inn has garnered good feedback. Travelodge Restaurant diners have complained about anything from bad service to a filthy environment. These complaints paint a poor picture of the company, thus benchmarking at Premier Inn is vital to learn how to run a business that fulfills consumer expectations.
References
Al-Azzam, A.F.M., 2016. The impact of customer relationship management on hotels performance in Jordan. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 7(4), pp.200-210)
Fitzsimmons, J., Fitzsimmons, M. and Bordoloi, S., 2014. Service management: Operations, Strategy, Information Technology, 8th ed. New York, US: McGraw Hill Education.
Johnston, R., Clark, G. and Shulver, M., 2012. Service Operations Management: Improving Service Delivery, 4th ed. Harlow, England: Pearson Education Limited.
King, J. H. and Cichy, R. F., 2006. Managing for Quality in the Hospitality Industry. New Jersey: Pearson Education Limited.
Mishra-Patricio, N., 2020. Managing Quality in Hospitality, Tourism and Events, (Custom textbook), Pearson: Harlow. (Available on Kortext)
Stranjancevic, A. and Bulatovic, I., 2015. Customer satisfaction as an indicator of service quality in hospitality and tourism. International Journal for Quality Research, 9(4), pp.689-704.
Travelodge. 2020. Our Company – Travelodge. [online] Available at: <https://www.travelodge.co.uk/about/our-company/ > [Accessed 12 February 2021].
Trustpilot, 2021. Trustpilot. [online] Available at: <https://www.trustpilot.com/review/www.travelodge.co.uk> [Accessed 13 February 2021].