water matter!!

The Ogallala aquifer is quite appropriately termed as the bread basket of the USA. According to some statistics it suffices about more than one-fifth of the countries water demand especially for agriculture, cultivation and domestic use. This aquifer was formed during the Pliocene age when the seas retreated and rivers cut valleys in south east and south direction finally getting deposited into what is now known as the Ogallala aquifer. The source is renewable though getting recharged by the rains only through the regions where playa soil is deposited at the boundary of the aquifer which is quite unlike the caliches deposit of limestone and the silica. So the reservoir is somewhat renewable, however the rate of depletion of water from he reserve is many numerous times fold than that of the rate of recharge. In other words the ‘mass balance’ is way negative which threatens to dry up the stock in the next twenty- twenty five years.

The managing of water rights includes many policies that are an attempt for the best practices followed for best and sustainable use of the reserve. Firstly the equity comes into the picture which concerns about the availability to water to every necessary demand in the local region. It also states about the current and future benefits having equal weight associated with the allocation of this natural reserve for sustainable use of water. It also suggest about the use of technologically advanced methods for better use. We should also aim at conserving water for moral values sake. There’s a ‘doctrine of prior appropriation’ which suggests that any construction or development should lead to provision of water in the deficit areas of the state. Another water management right is the policies adopted in the high plains which drive the economy of the states, now a myth that aquifers don’t die is eradicated the problem of feed stoking the high plains as become graver. So a better management policy for the high planes serves half of the purpose.

However one of the water management policies defeats the whole purpose of the above stated sustainable regulations. This policy gives the land owner over the underlying aquifer area has the right to the water underlying his land area. Though the landowner has to acquire a license to drill a well still this regulation is relatively weak. The panhandle country farmers' demand for the fossil water is elated over the days and will continue to do so. The mesa water company owner Pickens who claims himself to be the no. 1 steward of the land own a large area of the panhandle countries and contemplates at seeking a gain by selling these water reserves to the region and people in Texas. The aquifer is like a pool of water which if sucked by a straw over at even one place is going to deplete or dry up the whole reserve’s, the mesa water company procures an impending threat without any concern and blatantly stating that the water is in surplus amounts. This policy of the mesa water is however infuriating farmers and are resenting against this step of the mesa water. Despite such debates and tension over the management of water of the aquifer there’s a relief that the aquifer replenishes itself though slowly so an optimized solution for reducing the use of the water from the aquifer can help conserve the water for our future generation. Thus an utmost urgency in imposing strict policies is required for conserving the natural and geological gift of Mother Nature.

The Mattel

Back in the 1960’s Mattel was announced as the best or number 1 company in the world, it still beholds the reputation and the value for its brand. This company still boasts of its ever famous toys such as the Barbie dolls, hot-wheel cars etc. This popularity and appreciation from the consumers and the retailers are solely responsible for the company’s progress and success through its risk taking abilities, risks as well as crisis management policies at the same time being concerned about its translational gain.

Several instances of risk taken by the company and shrewd implementation of risk management never did let the company to falter or loose its charm. This one instance when the Mattel Company acquired ‘the learning company’ which was an entertainment company in the hope and idea of business diversification and occupying a leading position in the company market. This strategy didn’t payoff well and induced pre-tax losses over the revenues. So sometimes the risk and the idea behind it may not work. Though the company under acquisition incurred huge losses but it sure did appealed to the consumers closely via this entertainment company and gained their trust.

Anther strategy of the Mattel Company is quite evident through history. The Mattel set up its production unit in China this involved a lot of risk and speculation. While the toys imported into the country after its manufacture were found to be very high in lead content due to some design issues. Thus this led to a large scale and numerous recalls of the toys. So, in order to get marks from consumers and retailers the company decided to come out clean by spreading the message out. Some of the staffs were sent immediately to report at the biggest media outlets. The CEO himself had set up to talk with reporters explaining all the media queries, apologizing for the defect in designing and to the people for the mistake. This helped elate the reputation and the image of the company. Besides this, before the ‘recalls’ the manufacturing and import-export of products from china led to currency exchange and levied much less tariff over the products thus leading to a translation gain before the recalling phase.

Presently the company is much concerned about the use of paper pulp for packaging, showing much concern about the issues of deforestation. This strategy of becoming responsible and also reduction in use of wooden parts in toys are a matter of concern of this company presently. These thrive for the sustainability works very well to create a positive impact on people which has been the main aim or goal of the company. Hopefully, if the company strikes the right balance between these risks and their management then only its path can be defined towards the road of progress and success besides sufficient gain

the abstract
Leadership styles of two companies the one with the authoritarian (top down) style was the largest company in the world at that time. The foreign company that used the participative (bottom up) style was much smaller. They both were in the same kind of business; they made automobiles.That was then; this is now. Today the small company (Toyota) has overtaken the large one (General Motors). In the early 70's this style was new to the United States. Most corporations were managed by a CEO and a board of directors. This was an authoritarian, top down style where the executives made all decisions. The participative model was being used by a company in Japan. There the executives actually involved employees, communicating directly with them and acting on their recommendations. Employees were not only involved in two way communication; they were also given authority to make decisions, especially those that related to their jobs...how does this story appeal to the style that should be adopted in churches?

the answer
The story of the ‘Toyota’ and ‘General Motors’ is very different in the way it appeals people than that which is concerned with church. The former matter infers about the adaptation of autonomy which collaterally induces increased knowledge pool and also recognition of employees. This strategy thus leads to a better growth and development of company. While the church concerns itself with inducing faith in people about God and the Bible which depicts his life as a guide to our life. Church is not a company with limited number of people who are skilled (having appropriate knowledge about god and his life) it is a temple where people try to seek salvation and not monetary gains. To inculcate faith about the God and bible, people need inspiration and who is a better inspiration than Jesus Christ himself as our head as our leader. Thus the authoritarian style which follows a hierarchical system is in fact a good idea to lead people to conquer their vision.
The Red Deer House Church, Red Deer, A B, Canada is the one I know that implies the participative style of leadership; its vision is to empower people. But, do we need to lure people with the fancy terms such as ‘autonomy’ and ‘empowerment’ to motivate them much to have faith in god and church? There’s in fact a better idea, instead the church should teach to empower people to go on with their lives, enlightening them about their rights, helping them to take the right decision. It’s more like teaching and preaching and we want only one leader, one teacher to guide us. However people can be involved in other church activities such as charity and spreading the message of god, these activities should have the participative spirit in managing such events as well as volunteering. Thus, the above discussion points out the strength and weaknesses of the participative style. It is not at all a sign of weakness to ask a worker for advice; nobody is perfect, as a matter of fact true leader is one who is connected to masses and is empathetic.