Skip to main content

Comparison between two retail companies picked are Walmart and Costco

The two retail companies picked are Walmart and Costco whose 2017 Financial statement links are provided below: WALMART https://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/ wmt/financials?query=income- statement COSTCO https://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/ cost/financials?query=income- statement Both organizations are well known brands and position themselves well with their customer base. Walmart’s value proposition is “We save people money so they can live better”. On the other hand, Costco’s value proposition is “All-in-one convenience and everyday affordability”. Both retailers focus on cost saving for their customers. Looking at their financial statements and by analyzing them a few key areas are evident when comparing the two organization. Looking at the current ratio and quick ratio we can determine the short-term solvency of each organization. The current ratio can be determined by dividing the assets by the liabilities. Walmart’s current ratio sits at 0.86 while Costco’s sits at 0.99. The quick ratio is c

Ali and My Mother



I was just transferred to that small district town. As a bachelor I found it was difficult for me to get a modest accommodation on rent. My colleges were all quite supportive, promised to find out one. But even after a month they too failed to find a hovel for their young boss. Their hesitation to disclose the reason for the failure of their sincere mission turned me bit curious. I asked Burrababu , calling him into my chamber considering this would offer required confidentiality. Frankly disclosing uncomfortable situation with my purse after meeting the hotel bills for a whole month; I pleaded staying in hotel for discharging my duties would finally land bankrupt! Mind you; salary in 70s with government job was not so lucrative. Burrababu understood my point; then submitted prudently that as a eligible bachelor I am not eligible for accommodation on rent from any good Samaritan. Just think my plight!


Getting married was a long drawn process as far as arranged marriages are concerned. The same is true even today. Thank God! Most of the parents are relieved by their smart wards of this arduous task these days. So; for getting a rental accommodation to keep my body and soul together with meager salary, my aged widow mother volunteered for my rescue. The lady was Victorian in nature. As in those days, a Brahmin , widow lady used to be strictly vegetarian and people surrounding her should adhere to her own set rules and regulations. I her only son , was just the right humble subject. Burrababu immediately found one two bedroom sprawling single storied accommodation for her with a local Brahmin family. They too were apparently delighted finding a lady tenant with her bachelor boy.

Well the days there after become easy. At least at the end of the week I did not have to worry about the hotel bills. It even less the half I had spend for running my household with mother than what I was paying to hotel wallas. In six months I developed a rapport with my colleagues. They are happy with their less experienced, almost stupid boss who believed in them and accepted their bare lies as truth! However, I felt amused watching one lying before me in most amateurish posture.
Amongst them Ali, was different. The man was sincere and hard working. He was the only Muslim in that office and I found him bit lonesome. At times I used to call him in my chamber just for a chat. Found the man was a ardent reader and updated with all the recent developments Bengali literature. Interesting; our friendship crossed the barrier of men-officer fencing. Ali use to invite me to his house for dinner time and again. He was newly married and staying in nearby locality. I just casually use to not his invitation , never to accept it really. Neither, I ever gave a serious consideration to them. Ali became insistent; just to divert the direction; I told him ' I am you boss why don't you come to my place with your wife for dinner'. Ali readily agreed.


How stupid I was I tried to gauge in that evening when I was heading to my house. At the time of inviting Ali, it did not crossed my mind how my mother would see it! An all white, Brahmin widow traditionally would not cook or serve one who is not from here community. It was something like tapped in one's own trap. I surrendered to my mother. By then she developed good relation with Burrababu's family. She assured me the day Ali comes, she would go to Burrababu's house and be back after Ali's departure. Think my embarrassment. But I had confidence in Ali, consoled myself Ali would understand.

The next Sunday; I was getting ready to receive Ali; I already talked to local Hoteliers, who promised to protect my dignity and assured the best non-vegetarian lunch they would deliver at my door. I was surprised watch my mother was not in hurry to leave for Burarbabu's house. I reminded her, Ali was expected at any moment. She revolted and retorted back ' you want me to be out and you enjoy their company alone!'. I was shocked to hear her comments! Ali turned up with his wife ; they both were bright and wore a very smiling face. Perhaps my embarrassing look did not escape their notice; aging to my utter dismay they appeared to be more amused for my embarrassment. Then to my horror; my mother turned up. Ali's wife bent her and touched her feet in cent percent traditional Hindu style. My mother embraced her closed to her body and dragged her to her own room!
Ali stayed for the whole day. His wife took her afternoon nap sleeping beside my mother right on her bed. In the evening when they were about to leave, my mother started weeping for her incapability to cook non-vegetarian dishes for her daughter. I was perplexed!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

TATA SKY OR TATA SQUEEZE!!

This is my debut article in the interest of Indian consumers. Just my humble contribution; to enlighten them about the product or service of famous TATA SKY. Amir Khan, the brand ambassador or Mr. Ratan Tata, the person at the helm of all TATA affairs, would be ashamed of TATA SKY, once they know instead of making the life “JINA LALA”; it is turning the life “JINA HARAM” with TATA SKY at times. With much expectation I switch over to TATA SKY from local cable operator in the month of May this year. Within six months twice I they have replaced their set top box. They went out of order and it is under warranty for one year. Every time I called their customer care, they receive they call as if your are naïve. They take no less than half an hour, to guide you to switch off and on , take out their digi-card and put it back, whether you are young or old caring a fig for that! Surprisingly their call centre’s number is not toll free! You are put on hold for ten minutes and another twenty m

A trip to TAKI, West Bengal , India

                                   As Bangldesh looks on the bank of Ichamoti, from TAKI, West Bengal. Take a closed look, a cattle corpse i s floating on the river bed, near the Bangladeshi bank. Victim of transborder cattle smuggling. I am not sure how young generation would react to the name of yester year’s one of the most popular writer portraying the essence of rural Bengal, its pains and joys, prosperity and poverty and off course the thread of society; Bibhuti Bhusan Bandopadhyay. His simplicity was eminent in is writing; that was best projected by famous film director Satyojit Roy in his internationally acclaimed films like ‘Pother Panchali’, ‘Aparajito’ et el.  At the age of 9, I read ‘Pother Panchali’. Though I was not matured, enough to comprehend its intrinsic message of the content but the very story left a pugmark in my mind. I became more interested about the author later. The river ‘Ichamoti’ ; again and again surfaced in his rendition; so in my mind. I always cher

five stages of radical change

The five stages of radical change are Planning, Enabling, Launching, Catalyzing and Maintaining. While each stage needs a leader with varying leadership styles, I will focus on the most important leadership styles for each.  Planning   stage requires an inspirational leader above all else (Reardon et al, 1998). The planning stage requires a leader that can get people excited about changes that might otherwise be uncomfortable or scary. A leader has to be able to convince people that change is good and will have extraordinary results, and that the status quo is worth changing.  Enabling   stage requires a leader that is mostly logical. Enabling involves examining and analyzing next steps in a way that is easy to explain to team members/employees (Reardon et al, 1998). A leader in the Enabling stage of radical organizational change will need to be accessible and able to assist employees in the next steps in a practical way. Launching   stage requires a leader who can be authoritative bec