English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

English - Essay Example Indeed, benefits to Britain’s economic vitality have been well documented. But the arts and cultural pursuits in Britain have long played a far more profound and spiritual role than pounds and pennies, one that inspires and replenishes the soul. â€Å"The arts broaden horizons, stimulate new thinking, provide pleasure and raise aspirations – they inspire and sustain the spirit. More people are enjoying the arts than ever before (76 percent in 2008-09)† (â€Å"Why the Arts Matter,† 2010). Nevertheless, a crippling economic downturn and Europe’s largest budget deficit have raised a stumbling block that may well prove insurmountable for the arts’ single greatest patron – the British government. Name 2 Background Cuts as high as 40 percent come as hard news for arts and cultural institutions nationwide, which have benefited from an unprecedented growth in government funding over the past decade. Between 2000 and 2010, there has been an inc rease of approximately ?200 million in arts funding. In London, many arts organizations receive as much as 50 percent of their funding from the government. The impact on the city’s cultural life could be massive. London’s venerable museums may have to charge admission, a move that could cut deeply into the tourism market (Faoila, 2010). MPs have expressed concern over the curtailment of artistic activities and events and have recommended a program that would reward regional philanthropy in an effort to mitigate the damage (Phillips, 2011). Britain boasts a grand, centuries-old cultural heritage: one need only stroll through Westminster, where lie Dickens, Chaucer, Tennyson and other luminaries, to appreciate the nation’s unique contribution to Western civilization. As such, the likelihood that Britain’s coalition government could drastically curtail, or discontinue, funding for Britain’s cultural institutions amounts to nothing less than a national crisis of identity. For a nation deep in the grips of a persistent recession, adopting the American model of private philanthropy may do irreparable damage to Britain’s vibrant arts community (Faiola, 2010). With no government-sponsored alternatives on the horizon, Britons is facing a permanent marginalization of the arts, not in the short term but over time, proceeding almost imperceptibly, gradually blotting out some of the brightest stars in Britain’s cultural firmament. Name 3 Shakespeare under siege One could as well imagine the pawning of the crown jewels as entertain the possibility that The Royal Shakespeare Company could fall victim to the balance sheet. But in a report to Parliament, the company warned of dire consequences should budget cuts proceed under the current plans, which make it clear that cuts on the scale proposed (25 – 40 percent) will have real and significant impact for the arts and for the audience who enjoy them. Most likely for us it will mean fewer productions, less touring, and a curtailment of the free events and educational activities which help us reach new audiences† (â€Å"Parliamentary business,† 2011). This holds dire regional repercussions, given the presence the company maintains throughout the country. More specifically, the New Vic Theater in North Staffordshire, which receives about 30 percent of its funding through the Arts Council, played host to 175,000 visitors in 2010. This is significant, since the theater earns about 60 percent of its income

A Strategic report on The CrossChannel Transport Business and Essay

A Strategic report on The CrossChannel Transport Business and Eurotunnel (GET.SA) - Essay Example Choice affects outcomes and this is the nature of strategy. Whereas organizations can often function just fine in periods of stability, this is not appropriate for long-term success. Environmental turbulence and competition are sure to increase at some point, at which the company that was relying so heavily on the stability will be adversely affected. This is the very basis of the formation of strategic management. Whatever strategy a company decides to employ will be based on their unique organizational structure, their access to resources, their relationship with the environment, and their desired objective(s) (Wikipedia, 2008). Capacity on Cross-Channel traffic has grown with the opening of the tunnel in 1994, and with bigger modernized ferries, and fast hydrofoil services. Unlike low-cost airlines where lower prices have led to a growth in travel, demand for vehicle transit across the channel has not also grown rapidly, therefore and intensely competitive situation persists, especially away from holiday 'peaks'. It is easily notable here that while Eurotunnel is experience steadiness, they are not experiencing the growth they desire. People have other choices for travel, such as flying. When the price of airline travel goes down, Eurotunnel experiences less business. Road freight traffic grows steadily with economic growth in the EU; car traffic (especially from the UK) is largely dependent on shopping and vacation choices. Eurotunnel also has 'rail-user' customers 'Eurostar' and 'Rail-freight'; the former is growing rapidly, the latter has problems. According to the company information that is provided to the public on their corporate website, "Eurotunnel is the holder, until 2086, of the Concession to operate the cross-Channel Fixed Link made up of twin rail tunnels and a service tunnel below the bed of the Straits of Dover, of two terminals in Folkestone (Kent) and Coquelles (Pas-de-Calais) which provide access, as well as a fleet of 25 Shuttles which transport passenger vehicles or trucks. This impressive undersea structure, the longest in the world, also gives passage to passenger and freight carrying trains belonging to rail operators" (Eurotunnel, 2008). There are current and future key issues and trends that are likely to affect this market and GET.SA's strategy-making. One major issue is the abolishment of the Strategic Rail Authority in 2006, as it is yet to be determined how this will strategically affect the industry. The United Kingdom's growth rate largely determines the condition of the passenger and freight transport markets in the country. According to Bharat Book Review: "The present economic climate remains favourable for companies operating in the market, with economic growth steady, and both inflation and unemployment levels relatively low by historical standards. Rail passenger markets benefit from the fact that work-related trips, both the journey to work and trips undertaken as part of business activity, are likely to be relatively inelastic to short-term changes in the economic climate. Rail freight, which serves markets for the carriage of industrial materials, is likely to be relatively unaffected by any short-ter m fluctuations in consumer demand (2006). There are other customer concerns that are affecting this market. First of all, they are concerned about issues such as safety and security.