Introduction
Theories presented by Machiavelli were introduced when development, modern exposure, and knowledge were almost obsolete. It could probably explain the research studies performed by the present researchers against these ideas. However, other researchers have identified their potentials and laid strong bases to support and strengthen the perceptions of this author (Ledeen 138). In fact, the quotes of Machiavelli have been populated in the world using the internet to guide people in life issues.
Furthermore, these theories boost personal motivation and direct critical thinking that facilitate mind expansion. After studying about Milton in the previous research, a proposal was made and implemented leading to a working promotion.
In this regard, there is need to perform an assessment in relation to Walmart Company. The assessment will aim at applying ideas of the author in order to facilitate development and proper modifications of the company’s processes. Consequently, the potent of the philosopher will be established and encompassed with Walmart.
Machiavelli ideology and Walmart Company
Fitting Ideas
Machiavelli’s ideas have a common ground with most politics and businesses. However, the current paper’s perception identifies various issues in regard to business management that could lead to their success. First, company managers must keep some degree of fear to the workers. In essence, gracious managers could allow employees to take advantage and misuse their role within the company. Essentially, the management of Walmart Company pays attention to workers’ activities ensuring that clients receive quality services.
This sensitivity of the general manager gains support because of proving that the end justifies the means through the great sales’ achievements (Jenster and Hussey 214). The company has a pervasive management that monitors workers and clients to increase customer satisfaction, reduce inactivity, and promote hardworking employees. Moreover, the author stated that it is, “better to be feared than loved” (Machiavelli and Marriott 79).
Primarily, modern world assumes these ideas where fear comes with respect and care. Jenster and Hussey (2001) state that when workers fear their managers, they work to provide quality services and avoid encounters with the seniors. The ideas indicate that one person has to lead whereas the others follow.
The leadership should avoid too much fear to accommodate some trust. In response to this statement, the Walmart’s general manager does not only regulate personal interaction with the workers, but also allocates other managers to share in providing directions within the company. This implies that fear is divided among the managers according to their roles.
Secondly, Machiavelli states that, “the first opinion which one forms of a prince is by observing the men he has around him; and when they show that they are capable and faithful, then he will be considered wise” (Machiavelli and Marriott 112). Vices of betrayal and corruption have affected many companies including Walmart Limited.
In regard to this company, the issues arise during employments and deployment, provision of services to clients, theft of displayed products, and purchase of goods for sale. The author advises that the manager should monitor the employees and manage surveillance of clients properly. Otherwise, the vices could lead to theft of company’s properties, poor services and mismanagement.
Unfitting Ideas
The author does not give opportunities to management that excludes fear and applauses socialization. The Walmart Company requires a system to make workers feel appreciated so that they can work and seek advices from top managers freely. The models of Machiavelli could restrict workers to seek ideas from the managers and cause poor services. Therefore, implementation of the fearful management should be dropped to raise an interactive model where sharing of ideas have been enabled.
The power of business was not present when Machiavelli was writing the book. For instance, the available powerful force at the moment was the government that had not been influenced by business.
In fact, the author was directing the writing towards the government. However, the ideas were revised and noted to be vital in the business sector that plays a vital role in the governmental proceedings. Probably, the author would have perceived these influences to direct the ideas accordingly.
Information Technology was voided during the time making the perception and application of the ideas ineffective to Walmart Company. For instance, surveillance cameras and efficient marketing strategies have been adopted in the company.
Manifestation of Machiavelli Philosophies
The manager of the company provides fulltime monitor services to ensure that all issues are noted early and resolved as fast as possible. This is in accordance with the postulation of the author stating that “…if one is on the spot, disorders are seen as they spring up, and one can quickly remedy them; but if one is not at hand, they are heard of only when they are great, and then one can no longer remedy them” (Machiavelli and Marriott 6-7).
This idea allows managers to access problems for the provision of abrupt solutions without taking a lot of time. Moreover, the manager can give suggestions on issues that the workers are not aware of. Consequently, the presence of the manager is beneficial to the company for provision of adequate resources and directions. Machiavelli also points out the need for preparation in regard to dangers. Apart from insuring the facilities and business assets, Walmart has initiated protective measures to handle hazards appropriately.
For instance, there is adequate provision of carbon dioxide to extinguish fire in cases of fire hazards. Moreover, security has been maintained by inspecting the individuals entering the premises and ensuring that goods are frisked properly before they are allowed into the stores. In another instance, the author warns that the prince (manager) must make people earn trust. Trust should not be given freely to all people who request.
Instead, they should show their desires and needs for it before they could be trusted. For instance, Walmart’s promotions are based on determination, trust, and reliability defined by a long period of working and great achievements within the company. Therefore, the people promoted should not be corrupt or possess some distrustful acts within the company. Working classes are varied according to the complexity of duties, their period, and trust allocated by the managers.
This implies that the upcoming managers will have contributed significantly to the success of the company. Finally, trust comes with genuineness that prohibits theft and corruptions. Walmart and other electronic dealers, such as Tech-Shield limited, have antitheft security measures referred to as closed circuit television (CCTV) that monitors people in the company.
Machiavelli argues that a business have a competitive structure seeking prosperity through earning profits regardless of other factors. In this respect, the Walmart Company faces competition from other small and large scale service/product providers such as WinCo and smart technology services.
The fast advancement of IT has led to crowding of businesses in the market because people invested strongly in this area that customers demanded. The argument states that a prince “must have no other objective, no other thought, nor take up any profession but that of war” (114). These factors are experienced adversely by Walmart Company due to the easy market entrance allowing companies, such as WinCo, to reduce the prices of products and services.
The establishment of partnerships with other businesses is evident from this company analysis. This attribute aligns with the postulation of the author. He suggests that since managers cannot avoid hatred, they should seek love and prevent hate from people with power (Machiavelli and Marriott 93).
The company has roles to explore the market and ensure that adequate partnerships and association with other leading businesses are profound. In response to this aspect, Walmart have been in partnership with Jackson Hewitt Tax services and Bharti Enterprises. Subsequently, the company makes profits and enjoys this association for its beneficial outcomes.
Finally, the manager of Walmart Company operates openly when identifying the individuals to receive salary promotions in regard to determination and commitment. Moreover, charitable actions to help needy people are evident in Walmart’s Community Giving Program that aims at helping people to live better.
The author has pointed out that it is “unnecessary for a prince to … appear merciful, faithful, humane, religious, upright, and to be so, but with a mind so framed that should you require not to be so, you may be able and know how to change to the opposite” (Machiavelli and Marriott 85). This action of giving back to the public not only benefits the community, but also facilitates the creation of preferences from customers due to the charitable work.
Counterarguments
The ideas of the author were made to help the governments existing in the 16th century. Therefore, the application of these ideas to business is a matter of correlation and chances. Another person could have a different opinion with different supporting statements. The important issue is to search for ideas that could prosper the sector of business rapidly.
In addition, these differences are expected due to the time differences that brought about great development stages. For instance, corporations and information technology were not present during the sixteenth century. Their rise has lead to manipulation of business strategies, such as electronic advertisement and other modifications in the operational structures.
Moreover, various lessons learned from the quotes could be applied to handle counterarguments. This could be exemplified by the statement, “where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great” (Machiavelli and Marriott 127). This implies that the action is reliant on how a person perceives information. Maybe, the counterargument could be right in some instances depending on how it is perceived.
Summary of Machiavelli Ideas
The author pays attention to the ways that could raise a prince. In this case, the prince will be viewed as Walmart or its general manager. The person uses evil means such as corruption and crimes to become a price. The individuals are immoral and irreligious as depicted by their actions.
However, even when they attain power, they cannot achieve glory because they butchered and betrayed countrymen. The author uses Agathocles who attained power through killing leaders to show how leadership could become threatened by false princes. He urges that when power is attained through cruel means, the leader can only apply the same styles to lead people because they will be resistant to his rule. Therefore, a prince must determine the pain to cause when seizing a city due to the resulting hardships and hatred.
On the other hand, the prince could arise to power through justified/constitutional principles. In this case, leadership is affected by oppression initiated by people at different levels and classes of responsibilities. This leads to conflict and opposition in the ideas rose. Therefore, leaders apply influential strategies to attract people to a decision. People are moved towards following the strategies suggested by the managers/princes.
Probably, this case arises because the people involved do not have a better suggestion than the ones given by managers. Also, the author argues that leadership through unjustified means does not live for long. This aspect allows other nobles to gain access to the ownership of the leading territory because they participated in the attainment of power. However, if a prince is selected by the public, he is able to rule alone without problems.
The author argues that this form of leadership prevents nobles from directing the actions or decisions of the prince. Moreover, the prince works hard and therefore wins the affection of the people who chose him. Finally, it was suggested that leadership/management should be done through splitting power into small levels that are answerable to the prince.
According to Ladeen (1999), a person who dictates and monitors all operations within a territory is deemed to fail due to close monitoring from people. Therefore, the prince must give roles to minor workers and reduce the attention directed to him. Moral, religious, and vulnerable actions facilitate attainment of success for a prince because he is loved and praised for his charitable work and proper rule.
Ideas Application to Corporation
The term “prince” has been used to signify aspects including actions and people. However, the term could be applied to refer to corporations and other forms of business. A company is taken like a person in business functionality. The actions described in the previous paragraph could be applied into corporations through various ways. A corporation should have precise ways and rules of choosing managers to prevent corruption.
The success of a corporation could be determined highly by the reputation and leadership of a manager. Therefore, tainting the reputation of a manager could influence the achievements of the corporation. The corporation should identify how workers are promoted and provide evidence for the actions leading to the promotion. Otherwise, the corporation could be corrupted leading to poor services and choosing of inexperienced managers.
The management of a corporation must be divided into sections that prevent workload to the general manager. This reduces the effects of negative attitude towards the general manager. Otherwise, the workers can lose respect and trust to the manager. Management can be separated into sections that cater for operations, productions and communication. The problems are solved at these levels before they can be viewed by the general manager.
Other Ideas Promoted by Machiavelli
There are other lessons that can be learned from the author’s work. For instance, the author stated that it is vital to learn from the actions of great men (Machiavelli and Marriott 15). Corporations could review the operations of successful businesses to determine how they managed to prosper.
Moreover, they indicated that selection is vital to determine the best worker (Machiavelli and Marriott 56). Therefore, the corporations should apply these techniques to facilitate successful results. This attribute could allow a corporation to promote workers who are committed. These workers could be the future managers of the corporation.
Conclusion
It has been deduced that Machiavelli’s ideas play a vital role in the development of corporations. Particularly, Walmart Company has many identified alignments to these philosophies and other modifications that require to be implemented for its success. Consequently, the early writing of the author could lead to business and government modifications for the best. Other corporations should consider his arguments to raise income, customer satisfaction and corporation reputation.
Works Cited
Jenster, Per, and David Hussey. Company analysis: determining strategic capability. Chichester: Wiley, 2001. Print.
Ledeen, Michael. Machiavelli on modern leadership: why Machiavelli’s iron rules are as timely and important today as five centuries ago. New York: Truman Talley Books, 1999. Print.
Machiavelli, Niccolo, and William Marriott. The prince. Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica, 1955. Print.