Introduction
In this booklet I am going to be comparing two different businesses; Oxfam and Vodafone. I will be talking about their different aims and objectives, the main business activities and their Vision and Mission statements. I will explain the links between these and why a business should have aims and objectives and in the end I will develop SMART aims and objectives for Vodafone.
Background of Businesses
Oxfam
The name Oxfam comes from the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief founded in Britain in 1942 and registered in accordance with UK law in 1943. Oxfam International was formed in 1995 by a group of independent non-governmental organizations. Their aim was to work together for greater impact on the international stage to reduce poverty and injustice. Oxfam’s first paid employee was Joe Mitty, who began working at the Oxfam shop on Broad Street, Oxford on 9 November 1949. Engaged to manage the accounts and distribute donated clothing, he originated the policy of selling anything which people were willing to donate, and developed the shop into a national chain Vodafone Vodafone was responsible for the UK’s first mobile call, just after midnight on 1 January 1985. Within 15 years, they were the largest company in Europe.Vodafone was launched on 1 January 1985 under the new name, Racal-Vodafone (Holdings) Ltd, with its first office based in the Courtyard in Newbury, Berkshire, and shortly thereafter Racal Strategic Radio was renamed Racal Telecommunications Group Limited.
On 29 December 1986, Racal Electronics bought out the minority shareholders of Vodafone for GB£110 million; and Vodafone became a fully owned brand of Racal. In September 1988, the company was again renamed Racal Telecom. On 26 October 1988, Racal Telecom, majority held by Racal Electronics; went public on the London Stock Exchange with 20% of its stock floated. The successful flotation led to a situation where the Racal’s stake in Racal Telecom was valued more than the whole of Racal Electronics. Under stock market pressure to realize full value for shareholders of Racal, Harrison decides in 1991 to demerge Racal Telecom. On 16 September 1991, Racal Telecom was demerged from Racal Electronics as Vodafone Group, with Gerry Whent as its CEO. On 28 July 2000, the Company reverted to its former name, Vodafone Group plc. Main business activities
Oxfam
Oxfam is an international confederation of 17 organizations working in approximately 90 countries worldwide to find solutions to poverty and related injustice around the world In all Oxfam’s actions, the ultimate goal is to enable people to exercise their rights and manage their own lives. Oxfam works directly with communities and seeks to influence the powerful, to ensure that poor people can improve their lives and livelihoods and have a say in decisions that affect them .Oxfam is a global movement of people who share the belief that, in a world rich in resources, poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice which can, and must, be overcome. They are dedicated to building a just and safer world focusing on people’s basic rights and passionate about ending poverty and helping to rebuild the lives affected by it. The purpose of the organization is to fight global poverty. This includes relief initiatives capacity building for poverty-stricken regions, campaigning for policy change at both national and international levels, and providing support and relief in emergency situations such as the recent Haiti crisis. Though Oxfam’s initial concern was the provision of food to relieve famine, over the years the organization has developed strategies to combat the causes of famine. In addition to food and medicine, Oxfam also provides tools to enable people to become self-supporting and opens markets of international trade where crafts and produce from poorer regions of the world can be sold at a fair price to benefit the producer. Oxfam works on trade justice, fair trade, education, debt and aid, livelihoods, health, HIV/AIDS, gender equality, conflict (campaigning for an international arms trade treaty) and natural disasters, democracy and human rights, and climate change. Vodafone Vodafone Group plc is a British multinational telecommunications company headquartered in London. It is the world’s second largest mobile telecommunications company in the world with more than 403 million customers globally. In 25 years, a small mobile operator in Newbury has grown into a global business and the seventh most valuable brand in the world. They now operate in more than 30 countries and partner with networks in over 50 more countries
Vision statement
Oxfam
Oxfam’s vision is a just world without poverty. We envision a world in which people can influence decisions which affect their lives, enjoy their rights, and assume their responsibilities as full citizens of a world in which all human beings are valued and treated equally. Vodafone We see our future in outstanding data services and products, backed up by the best customer experience in the business. And our targets are big – which means millions of customers using our data services every day.
Mission statement
Oxfam
The mission of Oxfam is to help create lasting solutions to the injustice of poverty. We are part of a global movement for change, one that empowers people to create a future that is secure, just, and free from poverty Vodafone
We’re obsessed with giving exceptional customer service. We’re hands-on, positive and always looking for fresh ways to deliver. The essence of who we are underpins our values. And by listening to our people, we’ve found that three things sum up what we’re all about: •Speed – we’re focused on bringing innovative new products and services onto the market quickly •Simplicity – we make things easy for our customers, partners and colleagues •Trust – we’re reliable and transparent to deal with
Aim
Oxfam
We aim to save lives by responding quickly with aid and protection during emergencies empowers people to work their own way out of poverty, and campaign for lasting change. Vodafone Mobile technology is already a vital tool in people’s lives and our aim is for Vodafone’s mobile services to further improve people’s livelihoods and quality of life.
Objectives
Oxfam
•Oxfam uses a combination of rights-based sustainable development programs, public education, Fair Trade, campaigns, advocacy, and humanitarian assistance in disasters and conflict •Oxfam challenges the structural causes of the injustice of poverty at global, regional, national, local, community and household levels, within the framework of rights-based development. •In the pursuit of its purpose Oxfam will be accountable to all stakeholders, especially those living in poverty. We will be positive, optimistic, and committed, and will reach out to engage and include others. Vodafone
•Reduce CO2 per network node by 20% against a 2010/11 baseline by March 2015 for emerging markets •Contribute to building capacity to manage electronic waste in three emerging markets by March 2013 •Be recognised as a ‘green’ brand in at least 75% of the developed markets where we operate by March 2013
Chapter 2: P2
Reasons for aims and objectives
Reason 1:
Businesses set aims and objectives, so as to be able to measure their progress towards their stated goals for a particular financial term or business period. Aims indicate where the business wants to be in the future, whereas objectives set a clearly defined target for the business Reason 2:
It causes the business owner to remain focused, it helps in evaluating the businesses performance, setting time lines on when certain business projects should be accomplished and it motivates the owner of the business to strive to achieve the set aims and objectives in the time allocated. Reason 3:
Aims and objectives help you to define where you want to be strategically and how you are going to get there in practice Reason 4:
Clear and up-to-date aims and objectives are also very important for monitoring and evaluation and for understanding and measuring your social impact; they help you measure your success more accurately
