Porter's 5 forces

The model definitely makes sense in my opinion for mulitple reasons. Well first of all I do believe that for analysis of any kind one needs to come up with a systematic approach. Parameters and guidelines that you are going to be judging an industry have to be strictly defined. Well... sure that alone is not enough. If I just come up with random parameters and guidelines on how to evaluate effectiveness of space program with a key parameter being whether I am participating that's probably (most definitely) not going to be enough. Parameters and guidelines have to be chosen so that they realistically reflect the subject matter and provide a current, unbiased and effective view of key characteristics. In order to make judgements about such broad field as the industry as a whole this approach should also be flexible, artbitrary and should make sense for a broad range. Porter's 5 forces definitely fit these requirements in my humble opinion. From using Porter analysis we are supposed to be able to see whether industry is attractive from the point of view we are approaching the questions: whether we would like to invest, open a company or buy an existing one in the industry.

With all of the buzz going on around alternative energy sources and high oil prices I had little choice but to pick Oil and Gas exploration Industry to explain difficulties to enter. An obvoius one is capital requirements to enter the industry. Huge investments are needed in order to purchase drilling equipment, do required R&D, employ hundreds of workers and various other expenses (such as employing a legal squad to make sure you follow massive regulations and trade agreements). Competition in the industry is high and offshore drilling companies are a big threat to US drilling industry. Supply is limited and new sources of oil are much harder to find and require new technologies (once again huge R&D costs). The industry is very hard to enter. However, since demand for oil is huge and oil is vital for operation of major world economies companies that have established themselves in the industry ar reaping the benefits.

Sugarcoating my goals

Hehe... well this post is definitely taking my management skills and initiatives to the next level. I guess that in the back of my mind I always had some kind of mission statement and values but always very general. I have never quite formalized or put them on paper. While I like writing my thoughts/objectives/goals out because it helps me define and crystalize my thoughts I never got to writing this particular one out. The main reason for that is because I always thought, and I am pretty sure you can relate, my mission statement is so innate to me that there is no need to put it on paper. Multiple books and papers state that I should do otherwise. However, being persistent, opinionated and at times simply stubborn I refused to do so . But now even my professor urges me to go ahead and write the mission statement out. That must be fate because not in a million years I would think I'd have to do something that is actually this relevant to my life as one of the tasks for a class in college - if you took Econometrics 4000 you can surely relate.

I have decided to choose a bit broader goal of succeeding in my career as a salesperson in order to create the mission statement. I thought that picking just one of the goals I provided would not be quite enough for a couple of reasons. The plan in my previous post is very career oriented and way too specific (if you don't know what i'm talking about go back immediately and read my previous post)

MISSION STATEMENT OF ALEKSANDR LUKASHOV

TASK
(What Alex Does)

I am a sales person continuously working on improving my qualifications and satisfaction of clients that I am working/dealing with.

VISION
(The Future Toward Which Alex is Moving)

I will be the top sales person in whichever company I work for and will consistently exceed the goals set for me by management.

I will lead the company that I currently work for to 400% or more increase in revenue by the end of 2008.

VALUES
(Ideals to Which Alex is Committed)

I value persistence and determination.
I value punctuality.
I value positive attitude and optimism.
I strive to achieve excellence at everything I do.
I value balance between work and life.


GOALS
(The end-results Alex Wishes to Reach)

I will become a successful educated professional and leading organization I work in to the top while utilizing my full potential through sticking to the goals and adhering to highest self-imposed standards.