Ethos

In this assignment I will be talking about how Ethos, Missions, Aims and Values are used within the running of the school. And how it helps to provide the highest standard of curriculum for children. As well as how this information is avaliable to parents, and where they are able to obtain this information. Ethos – A school’s ethos helps to to set a framework which will help the school to provide a safe and secure learning environment. This will help to reflect its values for a good working environment.

A school’s positive overall ethos process will provide the school community and all its members with an environment which is paramount for obtaining a successful learning environment for all. A school’s ethos is also an agreement which concerns itself with the character and spirit of a particular school, as well as making sure it is reflected in the attitude of the school including the expectations of staff and children. Missions – Missions within a school is to help to provide a statement of the values and principles, which help to guides a school’s curriculum.

It will also help the school to set program goals and objectives. Missions should make clear its purposes with which the school is aiming to achieve and the values and standards, with which this is guiding to help and of which they are consistent. Aims and values – Aims are similar to mission statements in order to make sure that every child matters. As well as parents and the community work together to provide the children with the best care. As well as helping each and every child is helped in developing skills which they will use for life long learning.

As well as learning through a broad and balanced curriculum which will help them to become responsible adults. Values play an important part in helping children to feel that they are special in their own way no matter what, and making them feel comfortable within the school environment. As well as helping each child to appreciate others around them whatever their religion, ethnical background etc. Ethos, Missions, Aims and Values are used in the everyday running of the school. They aim to make sure that the curriculum is met to a high standard.

As well as making sure that the children are able to learn in a safe and secure environment. They also aim to make sure that the school meets their goals and objectives throughout the school year. The school will also intend to provide the children with the correct resources that will help them to become confident and individual learning, and also sure that they work with school governors to enable them to continually strive and enable them to be able to improve teaching and learning as part of research,, and provide good practice in education policies.

The ways that the schools provides information on ethos,missions,aims and values can be through there brochures, which are avaliable on request to parents, governors and OFSTED. They can also palce the information on the schools website which again can be accesed by parents, governors etc. Schools can also provide this information at governors meetings which are held within the school. The schools can also provide the information at school events such as fetes as well as using the local media to get the information across, as well as word of mouth.

Although not all parents, carers have access to the internet, which can stop them from gaining the information that they need, so they will rely on the school events, local media and word of mouth from other parents, teachers etc. Some parents, carers may not be able to understand this information so may need someone to explain the meaning of the information, in order for them to be able to understand. The effectiveness of these methods are useful as parents and governors are able to see what the school aims to achieve and how they are going to achieve their goals.

Also parents and governors are able to see how this will affect the children, and how this will prepare them for adult life. They will also be able to see how these methods will meet the educational needs of the children, and how this will nurture the children, in a strong, safe and respected learning environment. Also this will help parents, carers who are unable understand the methods within a school, to feel valued, as teachers etc have taken the time to explain to them the effectiveness that ethos, missions, aims and values have within the school,

From writing this assignment I can see how effective it is to have ethos, missions aims and values within a school, and how they help children to achieve the best education which will help them to achieve to the best of their abilities. In having these in place it will allow the school to have a strong structure in place, to help the school provide children and the community with a strong and safe environment.

Company overview

Cengiz Holding is a family owned, leading multinational company with its headquarters in Istanbul, Turkey. Ever since its inception in 1980, the company has operated under the chairmanship of Mr. Mehmet Cengiz (Cengiz, 2012). Since its incorporation, the company has grown to become one of the leading investment companies in Turkey. Its main investments are in finance tourism, mining and energy sectors and are spread over twelve organizations. The company’s largest investment is in the construction industry. Most of its construction projects include airports, subways, motorways, dams, pipelines, bridges, railways, tunnels and telecommunication infrastructures alongside tourism abodes and amenities (Cengiz, 2012). In ddition to these, Cengiz Holding has recently diversified into insurance and aviation, yielding an effectual success within a very short time.

Abstract

The following paper seeks to evaluate the ethos and challenges facing family business organisations with Cengiz Holding as the company of study. The study critically analyses the scope and significance of family owned businesses highlighting both the advantages and disadvantages related to it. Further, the study presents the challenges faced by Cengiz Holdings in relation to family business organisations. In conclusion, recommendations are provided as to what Cengiz Holdings needs to do to help curb the escalating problems associated with family owned businesses.

The scope and significance of family business

In most companies, (Cengiz Holdings for example), family owned businesses are born out of the desire and autonomy for a family’s financial independence. For the last two decades, the aspect of family businesses has being subject of research and development with continued support from countries governments. The current developments can be attributed to an increased research and study on the subject, changes in policies and developments in cooperation networks (Kelin et al, 1997). The scope of family business has recently gained a lot of attention not only in the European Union but globally.

Family business account for over 70% of all business in the European Union Block creating an employment level of over 40% of the population leading to an increase on its benefits in the social economic development of countries economies. This has led the countries governments to form policies to foster the growth of family run business. An example of these policies includes the implementation of the 2008 European Council’s Small Business Act (kosgeb, 2012). This act was meant for European nations to help create viable environments for the development of family owned businesses (Quentin, 2010). The Competition and Innovation framework Programme (CIP) for 2007-2013 recognizes Cengiz Holding as a key example of successful family owned business despite its relenting woes and associated lawsuits.

Advantages of family businesses

Currently, it is estimate that family owned businesses contribute up to 70% of the every county’s Gross Domestic Product. These constitute a basis for significant advantage in terms of growth and development of the host country. These advantages include:

Common values among family members: Just like in most family run businesses, the Cengiz’s seem to possess similar ethos and beliefs on how the business should be conducted. This has helped in the solidification in the relationship among the family members creating strong business acumen amongst them.

Strong business commitment: The Cengiz’s Family members are known to commit a lot of time and resources for the development of the business than non-family members.

A sense of loyalty: It is evident that the Cengiz’s Family members are loyal to their own business. This loyalty has created a bond between them and the business fostering continued loyalty to the business and on to one another, creating a technique for endurance and determination for success at all costs. This can be proven at the 2009 Nokia and Motorola Lawsuits at which both family members boycotted the hearing process. This signified unity among family members.

Decreased operational costs: This is mainly realized through reduced labor requirements as Cengiz’s Family members constitute the largest number of employees of this business empire. The Cengiz’s Family members are also known to have made huge financial sacrifices towards the development of the company, reducing the cost of acquiring funds from elsewhere. i.e. loan costs and interests.

Creation of independence: being in a family business means that decisions are made by family members at their own interests. This limits external pressure in the business and all the profits realized are streamed to the business owners (Quentin, 2010).

Disadvantages of family businesses

There are certain disadvantages associated with family owned businesses. They include but are not limited to:

Lack of interest: Not all members of the family are born with a strong business sense. Sluggish family members might lead to the demise of the business.

Unfair rewarding system; Family members are likely to accept lower wages than non family members. This can limit financial incomes for the family members.

Lack of professionalism: Family owned businesses are unlikely to attract unprofessionalism from the family members as they are reluctant to employ professionals from the outside. This is the case in most of the major investments of Cengiz Holdings as the top management is mostly constituted of family members.

Financial constraints: Mostly, family businesses are faced with financial constraints in the case where family members are not in a position to raise the desired amount of cash for the development of the business.

Challenges faced by Cengiz Holding as a family business

Emotions from family members: Emotional outbursts from family members are known to affect non-family members who are employees of the institution. In return, this may lead to the formation of warring camps in the institution just like the case in the Cengiz holdings Business or family; which is which?: This is a major problem realized in Cengiz Holding just like any other family owned business entity. This can be affiliated to emotional attachment among family members in managerial positions. Business scholars and researchers have being engaged in debates to consider the involvement of women in the management of family owned business citing their leniency towards family than business which is likely to ruin their concentration in the affairs of the business (Kosgeb, 2012).

Succession planning: This is another key challenge realized in family businesses. As generations pass on, different family members have different opinions as to who should the management of the business be left to.

Unprofessionalism amongst family members: Family run businesses are usually faced by the dilemma in retaining unprofessional members of the family in the business. The Cengiz holdings family business has been faced with a range of law suits most of which are attributed to various members of the family. The company has faced cases of fraud, libel and even racketeering both termed to have been steered by members of the family. Also, the chairman, Mr. Mehmet Cengiz has being blamed for using his strong business empire to bolster his political activities (Hurriyet Daily News, 2012).

Organization structure: The lack of a well defined organizational culture has depleted the Human Resources department in the institution of most of its functions i.e. Despite various misdeeds, lawsuits and criticisms on the company’s chairman, he still retains the top seat. The 2009 Nokia and Motorola lawsuit against the company cost the company an enormous amount of money raising issues of management competence (Quentin, 2010).

Huge compensation plans for family members: Family members affiliated to the company are known to receive larger wages and salaries compared with other management professionals in the company. The company also suffers from financial constraints brought about by the misdeeds from its chairman and family members. During the 2009 Nokia and Motorola lawsuit, family members were issued with an arrest warrant should they set their foot in US soil. The chairman uses allowances from the company to cover his political asylums like the 2008 France asylum.

Conclusions and recommendations

The case of Cengiz Holding is one among many cases relating to family owned business. Having a business being operated by family member can either break or make the business. Cengiz Holding has been faced with various criticisms from the public and government citing misconducts among family members. According to the above findings, it is true to state that the unrelenting woes at Cengiz Holding can only come to an end if only the company could be left to operate without the participation of family members in its activities (Kosgeb, 2012). However, it is important to consider the fact that the business is highly advantaged in having a hand in knowledge on what is best for the company, a feature that is mostly missing in partnership and corporation businesses. Another dimension of a demeaning factor affecting the business is in social issues.

References

Cengiz Holding. 2012. Available on-line from

Cuhadar, T. and Ibrahim, H. (2010). Mission statement in institutional family business: Istanbul:

Balikesir University UP

Hurriyet Daily News. 2012. Forbes announces 100 richest Turks. Available online from <

http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/finance/11117628.asp>. {Retrieved on 23rd November, 2012}

Kosgeb.(2012). Family Business: Approaches in European Union. Available

on-line from < http://www.kosgeb.gov.tr/pages/ui/Baskanligimiz.aspx?ref=78> {retrieved on 23rd November, 2012}

Kelin, E. G. etal. 1997.Generation to Generation: Life Cycles of the Family Business

London: Harvard Business Review Press

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