An Assessment of the Vulnerabilities of the iPhone Dissertation

An Assessment of the Vulnerabilities of the iPhone - Dissertation Example â€Å"The instant access that hackers have to the latest tools and techniques demands that companies become more aggressive in defending the security of their networks. Conducting a network vulnerability assessment, a self-induced hack attack, identifies the network components and faults in policies, and procedures that expose a company to the damage caused by malicious network intruders† (Peltier et al. 2003, para. 1). The various steps involved are the †¢ Classify the Information system. †¢ Choose Security measures. †¢ Execute safety measures †¢ Evaluate Security measures †¢ Empower Information Systems. †¢ Scrutinize Security measures †¢ â€Å"A vulnerability assessment provides follow up documentation, reports and additional consulting whenever required after the assessment process† (Penetration Testing Procedures & Methodologies 2011). Vulnerability is a characteristic or feature of a constituent that can be broken by an outside or inside agent like a hacking agent or a malware attack to break a safety policy or cause a harmful consequence on the software of the iphone. The Working of the Vulnerability Tools: â€Å"Performing vulnerability assessment is the only one step in developing a vulnerability management framework, but it is a very important step, you can perform vulnerability assessment internally or externally† (Manzuik et al. 2007, p. 4). ... â€Å"The vulnerability assessment process involves passive and active analysis of the target systems for the known weakness, technical flaws or vulnerabilities. All of the discovered security issues will be services; the next step is to test for the known vulnerabilities that might exist on a host or network. (Rodstein 2007, p. 251). Vulnerability review tools merge both passive and active scanning; the passive scan is worn to determine the vulnerabilities that the objective is a good number likely to contain, and the active scanning is used to confirm that those vulnerabilities are, in fact, both there in the current situation and uncovered as well as utilizable. influential that vulnerabilities are utilizable increase the accurateness of the evaluation device by eradicating the artificial positives, i.e., the occasion in which the scanner detect a prototype or characteristic investigative of a probable vulnerability that which, on analysis, establish to be either (1) absent (2) n ot uncovered, or (3) not utilizable. It is the grouping of passive and active scanning, jointly with amplified computerization that has provided programmed penetration trying suite more extensively helpful in vulnerability evaluation. â€Å"As no commonly agreed rule exists for worm and virus naming, W32.Blaster.A (Symantec) is also known as W32/Lovesan.worm.a (McAfee), Win32.Poza.A (CA), Lovesan (F-Secure), WORM_MSBLAST.A (Trend), W32/Blaster-A (Sophos), W32/Blaster (Panda)or Worm.Win32.Lovesan (KAV). Besides the A version of Blaster, many more variants were developed based on the same exploit code† (Julisch & Kruegel 2005, p. 106). According to the researchers who are responsible for the security, very recently have establish that they have established the primary usable

Review of related literature Essay Example for Free

Review of related literature Essay This chapter covers a review of related literature which is pertinent to the study. The literature reviewed here provides three different but equally relevant insights on how to approach benefits realization. A. Literature Review The Continuing Role of IS The study Show Me the Money: Advanced Practices in Benefits Realization (2005), by Dave Aron, Chuck Tucker, and Richard Hunter, is a piece of related literature that is particularly relevant to the present research paper. Aron et al.’s work provides for a comprehensive analysis of the benefits realization life cycle, and provides for five key characteristics for effective benefits realization. Show Me the Money discusses how the benefits realization life cycle should actually be divided into three phases: 1) planning; 2) execution; and 3) harvesting. Advanced practices, according to Aron et al. , lead to increased business benefits, higher IS credibility, and improved learning which can be applied to an organization’s subsequent projects. An organization should focus on participating fully on each of the three cycles. The focus on benefits planning allows an organization’s portfolio to be maximized in terms of benefits potential. The work for the organization’s IS does not stop at the execution stage of benefits realization, but must continue on until the harvesting phase in order to optimize benefits. In Table 1 below, the advanced practices for each phase of the benefits realization life cycle is outlined by Aron et al. : Table 1. Advanced Practices in the Benefits Realization Process Source: Aron, Dave, Chuck Tucker, Richard Hunter. (December 2005). Show Me the Money: Advanced Practices in Benefits Realization. http://www. gartner. com/DisplayDocument? doc_cd=137020 The significant difference between basic practices and advanced practices in benefits realization, as seen in Table, shows the continued participation of IS in each and every stage of the cycle. During execution, in the advanced practices row, in particular, IS should contribute to change management. This means that information services’ role do not stop after delivery of the technology. The practices outlined in Table 1 can be summed up in the five characteristics for an effective benefits realization program as provided by Aron et al. in their research: Benefits realization is an end-to-end discipline The business should focus on the benefits life cycle. The organization should expand its focus from the systems development life cycle in order to enhance IS contribution to change management. Some factors to consider (Aron, Tucker Hunter, 2005): Benefits realization is a persistent need of every organization. ? Shifting IT portfolios make the benefits realization challenge even more pressing. ? Improving benefits realization goes hand in hand with closer business alignment. ? Benefits of IT-intensive initiatives are realized through three phases (planning, execution, and harvesting) ? Advanced practices deliver optimum benefits realization. ? Planning practices lay the foundation Benefits-focused planning will make sure that an organization’s portfolio is maximized regarding benefits potential. Advanced practices should include: use of benefits framework to define benefits; build results chains to identify all the activities needed; integrate benefits into management processes; synchronize all stakeholders around benefits commitments; make benefits coaching a part of the governance team’s role (Aron, Tucker Hunter, 2005). ? Execution practices get the business ready IS execution should involve helping the organization to get ready for change in terms of process, culture, and addressing issues that arise. Focus however should remain on the end results or benefits the organization wants to achieve, with IS continuing to contribute to its implementation beyond delivery of the technology. Some recommendations provided by the Show Me the Money study on this are include: providing support to the organization with change management capabilities; use of empowered problem-solving teams; and adapting project governance in response to issues (Aron, Tucker Hunter, 2005). Harvesting practices ensure that expected benefits are reaped The role of IS should not stop after execution and implementation of the benefits realization program. It should continue on to what Aron et al. have coined as the â€Å"harvesting† phase. This phase involves measuring the benefits that the project is expected to achieve. The organization, business and IS alike, must: manage the entire harvesting phase; run benefits-focused post-implementation reviews; evolve the project governance team into a harvesting steering group; and conduct an independent harvesting audit (Aron, Tucker Hunter, 2005). In this way, the benefits may be quantified, measured, and valued. At the same time, IS and business learning must be analysed and reviewed at this phase. Evaluate and improve benefits realization practices The organization will have a better understanding IS contribution to benefits and how to improve such contribution when they evaluate its benefits realization practices. An understanding of the organization’s benefits realization readiness, an evaluation of its benefits realization risk, and implementation of benefits-focused pre- and post-implementation review tools will result in better business benefits, higher IS credibility, and improved learning for the entire organization (Aron, Tucker Hunter, 2005). In sum, Aron et al’s critical analysis seeks to redefine and emphasize the role of IS in benefits realization. That role should not be limited to the planning and execution stage but must continue on to the harvesting phase. This analysis is in keeping with the â€Å"concept-to-cash† framework of an ideal and effective benefits realization process. In such a framework, Show Me the Money reminds us, IS, and not just business, plays an important role from start to finish.

Gangs: Power, Conflict, And Trust :: Gang Essays

Gangs have become a harsh reality in today's society. But despite what one might think, gangs illustrate many communication theories. This is done through the power gangs possesses, "gang warfare", and the trust between gang members. Gang power can be seen in many communication theories. There are several types of power that gangs and gang leaders fall under. An example of this would be referent and legitimate power. Referent power can be described as the role model power. We identify with this person and therefore try to be like them. Legitimate power comes from people who we believe should be in power, like children to teacher, law-abiding citizen to the police. Therefore referent and legitimate power go hand in hand, because of the organizational structure within the gang, a gang may "have officers much like that of a cooperation." (Internet Source 1) Generally "adults play leadership roles." (Internet Source 3) Also youngsters who have had severe prison terms are usually found to be the leaders of the gangs, thus being an example of expert power. The reason this is considered an example of expert power is because the individual possesses special knowledge in prison life, etc. By serving a prison term they can come back to the streets, "with more knowledge than ever could have been gained on the streets." (Internet Source 2) Attitudes, meaning how we as people respond to a subject, values, what we perceive is right and wrong, and beliefs play a major role in what brings youngsters into gangs. How does one develop a "gang attitude" to begin with? To answer this we must look at the culture. The values we Americans tend to have, make the alternative life style very appealing, this in conjunction with the glorified gang life style portrayed through the lyrics of the "Gangsta" rap artists all influence the young impressionable mind. This may make the child feel a sense of power, identity, or family, reflecting on the child's attitude. Also one must look at the neighborhood. A child can turn a corner and buy cocaine, see a gang war being played out, etc. It is obvious that the child cannot help but be influenced by this. Gang conflicts boils down to who has power and who wants, and/or deserves it. Most conflict is not within in the gang itself but between two gangs. Conflict can be described as a struggle over ideas or concepts between two parties, or people.

Emotional Disorder Behavior Essay -- essays research papers

Parents today face the dilemma of having a child with emotional or behavioral disorder. For small children, to have it is one thing, but to detect it is another. Since they are still growing up and going through stages such as the â€Å"terrible two’s† and adolescence, you’d think that some of their behavior is normal and it’s all a part of child development. It all depends on how one may look at it. If a small child were to have a severe tantrum and rip their toys apart, one parent may see it as a serious behavioral problem, while another may look at it as their child showing independence or leadership skills. Before seeking mental health assessment, parents must first look at the whole picture. Is the child having social issues at school? Are there any family problems such as divorce or death occurring? Alternatively, may be a specific condition the child has may be affecting their behavior? Whatever the situation may be, parents should first try and un derstand and be aware of the problem that is going on.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  All toddlers, behaviors range differently and may be considered normal for their age. Yet, if there is a delay in language development, in which an infant who is unresponsive to his her environment (doesn’t show emotion such as pleasure or fear that is developmentally appropriate, doesn’t look at or reach for objects within reach or respond to environmental changes such as sound or light), who is over-responsive (easily startled, cries), or who s...

Burger King Essay

Introduction† Million of people around the world walk into Starbucks to have a morning cup of coffee. Starbucks offers a great customer service, good environment and friendly stuff that help customers in any question or problem with the service. Although the strategies and structure of Starbucks. Is a good model to follow, due to it international success. The good reputation of Starbucks as a cafà © and food industry, it shows the importance of sustainability through high quality product, service reliability and management operations. We will identify and analyze solutions to enhance and improve the performance of Starbucks in our country. First of all we will take you through shout over view about Starbucks and how do Starbucks maintained their business then we will discuss the key factor why Starbucks become very well known. Then we will discuss Starbucks inventory management process from raw material reaching the hand of the customer .Finally in our project we will show the cost analyses by evaluate the prices using available data also by the strategic cost analysis as well as timing and out sourcing Starbucks Coffee Company It’s not a mere a normal cup of coffee that attracts millions of people to walk to Starbucks to have their cup of coffee everyday, but it is that great vision associated with this cup that make people prefer it due, to the culture and principles of Starbucks, its product quality, cheery, friendly environment, and excellent level of services. So, what the secrets behind Starbuck cooperation’s success? Here is the story. The history of Starbucks Cooperation Starbucks Corporation is an American global coffee company and coffeehouse chain based USA. It is a roaster, marketer and retailer of coffee operating in more than 60 countries, with 20,891 stores all over the world, including 13,279 in the United States, 1,324 in Canada, 989 in Japan, 851 in China,  and 806 in the United Kingdom. In addition, Starbucks is an active member of the World Cocoa Foundation. The first Starbucks store was opened in 1971, and was named after Herman Melville’s Moby Dick. In 1982, Howard Schultz started working in that store as the company’s marketing officer. Starbucks began providing coffee to fine restaurants and espresso bars. In 1983 Howard Schultz travelled to Italy where he was inspired by the Milan’s very popular espresso bars. He brought this European-styled coffee back to the founders of Starbucks and convinced them to try this coffeehouse concept. In 1984, Seattle, the first Starbucks Cafà © Latte was served. In 1985 Schultz established his own coffee company called II Giomale, which offered brewed coffee and espresso beverages. In 1987 Shultz acquired Starbucks‟ assets and changes the name to Starbucks Corporation. From 1988 till 1990 Starbucks expanded its headquarters in Seattle to reach to 84 ones. In 1991, Starbucks Became the first privately owned U.S. company to offer a stock option program. In 1993 Starbucks opened a coffee roasting plant in Kent, Washington, as a step in the vertical integration. In 1995 Starbucks introduced its Frappuccino, which contained a mix of coffee, milk, sugar, Flavorings and ice. In1996 Starbucks began their international expansion and opened a store in Tokyo, Japan, which was the first store outside North America. They started collaboration with Pepsi-Cola to sell bottled Frappuccino in supermarkets. In mid-1987, Schultz bought his employers out and he became the president of the Starbucks Coffee Company. In 1998 it expanded its activity to open coffee roasting plants in Pennsylvania and in Malaysia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Thailand, . In 1999, it began to call for partners in Middle East like Kuwait, Lebanon, and other countries like China and South Korea. Kuwait was the first country that opened Starbucks store in it by making a licensing agreement with trading partner and licensee MH Al-shaya WLL, a private Kuwait family business since 1999. Today Al-shaya Group, recognized as one of the leading and most influential retailing franchisees in the region, operates more than 230 Starbucks stores in the Middle East and Levant region. In addition to its Starbucks stores, the Al-shaya Group operates more than 1,700 other retail stores in the region, providing jobs for more than 15,000 employees of more than 35 nationalities. In 2000, Starbucks Started to purchase Fair trade coffee, and new stores opened in Australia, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab  Emirates. In 2001 Starbucks Introduced the Starbucks Card, and new stores opened in Austria, Scotland, Switzerland and Wales. In 2002, Starbucks established coffee trading company in Lausanne, Switzerland, Launched Wi Fi in stores, and new stores opened in Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Mexico, Oman, Puerto Rico and Spain. the year of 2004 witnessed the opening the first Farmer Support Center in San Jose, Costa Rica, and new stores opened in France and Northern Ireland. In 2005-2006, Starbucks acquired Ethos Water, launched the industry’s first paper beverage cup containing post consumer recycled fiber, and new stores opened in Bahamas, Ireland and Jordan. Brazil and Egypt. In 2009, Starbucks opened East Africa Farmer Support Center in Kigali, Rwanda, and new stores opened in Aruba and Poland. In 2010, Starbucks Expanded digital offerings for customers with free unlimited Wi- Fi. New stores opened in El Salvador, Hungary and Sweden. In 2011, Starbucks introduced Starbucks ® Blonde Roast, opened Farmer Support Centers in Manizales, Colombiaand Yunnan, China.and new stores opened in Costa Rica, Finland, India, and Norway. In 2013, Starbucks strengthened ethical sourcing efforts with new coffee farming research and development center in Costa Rica, expanded partnership with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, and new stores opened in Vietnam and Monaco. So, the total number of Starbucks stores all over the world from 1971 till 2013 reached to more 19,767 The key factor of business growth and sustainability in star bucks through the most important factor that the Starbucks cafe reliable on the ethic factor their diversity like for example: i. they provide the working farmer who process the coffee seed better quality life and you can find this in their mission ii. they provide the children clean water iii. they built green store iv. they help the farmer reduce the global worming in the crops v. they make all Starbucks cups recyclable vi. employee stock ownership plan A-Service reliability they always seek customer satisfaction take suggestion from customer and feed buck provide customer service training(product and service information training ,face to face service training ,telephone service training ,billing and managing payment ,talking customer order and handling customer complaints training the telephone compliant service have high importance in star bucks the employee shall talk clearly take the order summarize the customer order give him the price and end up by saying good bye within 10 minuets they prevent loyalty program which register usurer in gift card to give them free free of charge use of wifi or refill of coffee or tea they have automated system to know their demand they refund the customer within fourteen day if he want to change item he order it before they have positive psychology  the staff performance is highly indicator to Starbucks cafe B-High product quality Starbucks cafe always insure that the customer will have high quality fresh and clean food and drinks the Starbucks helps to support water sanitation and hygiene the Starbucks cafe provide good highly nutritious and fresh fruit with water as juices the production of coffee there are two type of seed cleaning and collection the dry method which the labor collect the seed and let it dry by air and then smash them to remove massive part by hand, the other method wash the selective seed by big amount of water to remove the massive part of the seed and this way is the most using method then , get store in bags as green coffee then the green coffee roasting by heat and temperature to have the needed flavor depend on the coffee type then the coffee grinding then it serve hot normally by adding additional heated liquid like water or milk C-Operation management They have leader ship management the most important aspect to achieve the compliance is the customer satisfaction the first idea is design the shop then create positive experience they take suggestion and feed buck from customer the Starbucks cafe always seek the optimum profit through implementing market researches they do two type of researches primary and secondary research the primary research gives them over view of the target  customer by getting data out of face to face interview questionnaires ,focus on group customer panel the primary research to seek customer preference and demand . the secondary research conduct by internet and articles to discover whether the business is doing good on the country and the weakness area and the strength Because of development pressures resulting from the globalization, and increasing of development of customers † development waves of works†, through the last periods, starting from the management and goals, achievements, passin g with total quality control then administration of the total quality, after that reestablishing business administration, lastly managing of electronic supplying chain. As a result of above supplying chain for operators and contractors, suppliers it became difficult to convince them in confirmed image. Supplying chain became important phenomenon because of costing which through may the organization achieve what it want to do, the big and new next waves of opportunities may located between the organization and their agents and between the organization and suppliers. This because the administration of supplying relating to the department of information flow and materials, services, finance through any activity by the way which may adding the effectiveness of operations it is relevant to by submitting new tools or changing, modifying known techniques, that because the efficiency is to achieve correct something. In marketing the supply chain management system means coordination of organizing and strategic operations for usual employment, planning such jobs inside the company and through a series of works inside the supply chain, in order to developing the long range performance for companies, individually and for supplying series as a whole. Targets of supply chain management are:- Increasing of information and at the same time, decreasing store expenses and operating the operation. Finding transparency in the information, decreasing obstacles which may be found. Finding comprehensive aspect for supplying operations. Development of the continuity of managing materials and information, and finance flow. Decreasing the complexity of works to the maximum range. Achieving of benefits through cost and time and quality. The supply chain management performing continual connection and effective with the following administration: planning, and follow up, including sails, procurements, production andstores. Any company need supply chain management system; in this report will concentrate on discussing the supply chain of beans in Starbucks and in particular United States, then will analyzing the international suppliers and their effect on supply chains the company. The coffee demand in the United States is very increased, but the risks which Starbucks faces is default of delivery by the suppliers, damaged beans, unexpected demand. Despite the star bucks thought of expected high cost of beans, which may it face still high prices in the normal range. Hence Starbucks will meet 100% of demand which is projected from 2011 -2016. The practices which are used by Starbucks may providing high quality of beans supplying. Also promoting guidelines to guarantee the high quality of beans. High quality considered important factor in supply chain management, in order to ease the process of supplying and processing beans. We find that brazil and Vietnam and Columbia contributed essentially in supplying star bucks the required beans with high quality, and that with market share about 38%, 14% and 12%. However we noticed that coffee beans prices in 2011 increased more than2010 with about 90%. Distribution network playing very important role in supply chain management system for star bucks, the location is very important too, you should ensure that every supplier is meet 100% of demand. Also, to ensure that every distribution center producing the required number to meet the expectation, Starbucks achieved a lot of such targets and through its supply chain it developed the demand and the process of supplying. Star bucks concerned about the phase starting from transferring the beans from the suppliers into the distribution centers. That point is very important point where it may save a lot of costs which is the company may face. But we recommend star bucks to concentrate and advice the suppliers in order to meet the distribution demands as well, distribution center representing corner stone for star bucks company, it allocated a well cost for such distribution centers for meeting regi onal demands of retailers. Star bucks depending on very big base of suppliers who save the appropriate and required amount of resources for that companies, and that benefit push it and helping the company to open new branches in order to expand both its distribution centers and their suppliers around the  world.Starbucks using Kraft in the process of distribution since thousandsof years and that putting a big load on the company, according to the study star bucks should saving money by drawing such krafts from the market. Supplying chain in star bucks works to transfer the customer- demand- to the agent may be having non sufficiency in the storing process, until it can achieve the demand of the customer, and changing the agent to retailer, this supplying chain may existing before the internet, the charging through the internet became spread phenomenon in a lot of industries and services, products charged by multiple factories, and services the products can be charged from many factories into the stores of ag ents this to be restored and transported directly to the end of the stage without to be in the store, the matter which may decreasing time and saves money. Supplying chain often referred to as values chain, this term reflects that the value added to the product and services when it being produced or through the series. Value chain or supplying is to collect separate works organization, as it formed from two factors for each organization: including the supplying and demand.The demand chain includes sales and distribution as a part of value chain. It is being mentioned that the bio organizing of value chain is the way to create the value itself, through organizing and coordinating the activities in effective image to perform the internal operations, to develop the activities of work networks which created in essential image of new markets. Starbucks performing supply chain through the following: Managing the chain of supplying as the management of internal supplying chain. Chain management as concentrating on the resources.  Chain management as managing the works networks which including the agent in addition to suppliers Star bucks using supply chain planning which depending on the mathematics to help in developing flow and efficiency of supplying chain, also, decreasing the storage to the least amount, this program depending on the accuracy of information in which it being updated first by first. Planning of supply applications is available for the factors or main chain of supplying.Also, the program of planning the needs of materials and resources which is considered effective and important tool of supplying chain. Starbucks depending on the following when using its strategy about the second form which is flowing of information in supply chain, which may  be used with better image, through developing the performance when making the following factors available: High qu ality of resources Decreased fixed cost Decreasing cost for the retailer Changing grade in the demand is decreased All such factors contribute in the successful achievements for the company The importance of sustainability in Starbucks Company: During the process of supply chain management (bean to cup), there are many issues coffee farmers face; including environmental affect and economic challenge. If these issues are not addressed well, it could affect the long-term sustainability. Service Reliability: What is Starbucks retail strategy? Starbucks retail strategy is to maintain customer loyalty, to hire and train knowledgeable servers, to associated products and to educate customers about their special drinks. One of the Starbucks strategies in targeting customers is to feel convenient and relax atmosphere for loyal customers. By encouraging this idea, Starbucks stores consist of electronic equipment and furnished with comfortable benches and seating. While making customers more comfortable and relax, causes them to stay more and pay more to have another cup of coffee or have some pastries and sandwiches. Customer Service: What makes Starbucks special is in each store; there is a card for customer recommendation. These cards help the management team to keep in touch with what customers recommend for the store products. Starbucks has a guarantee statement â€Å"Your drink should be perfect, every time. If not, let us know and we will make it right†. Starbucks continuously takes feedback through direct feedback at the counter or customer connections or a questionnaire. By having a look at customer’s response, it helps the company to determine the importance issues and areas by tracking the performance of  customer satisfaction through company community activities, quality products and reliable service. Source in Origin Countries: Starbucks company helps farmers to build up their quality of living while establishing a sustainable supply of high-quality coffee by obtaining at signing long-term contracts, outright prices and purchasing from farms and cooperative. Long-Term contracts: Starbucks Company and producers take an advantage of long-term contracts with suppliers. Farmers are committed an agreeable prices over multiple years. Starbucks Company has the ability to protect the future coffee supplies at predictable cost. Outright Prices: Coffee prices can be agreeable at outright prices or in relationships to the current wholesale price. Today Starbucks favorite choice is to source coffee at outright prices. This provides the reliability and predictability for buyers and sellers. Direct Purchasing: Medium size farms produce most of the coffee beans for Starbucks coffees. The company visited many of these many of these farms and built up a relationship with the growers. More than twelve percent of out supply was acquire directly from farmers and co-ops, which is confirm that more of purchases price went to farmers. Starbucks supply chain Starbucks has a wide range supply chain that covers almost nineteen countries, which it is great to expand its business and also get lower prices for the ingredients to the customer. It has 6 roasting plants, 17000+ stores, 70000+ deliveries per week and worldwide global reach. (figure 1,2). â€Å"Peter Gibbons† was hired in 2008 to run and role the supply chain for  Starbucks. His achievement was rating the serving stores that the supply chain could do. And to find out the sources of the costs to reduce them and make an efficient improvement. The first transformation plan is making main structures for the supply chain which they are: (figure 3): 1- Plan 2- Source 3- Make 4- Deliver You can find that everything in their stores comes from supply chain. It is planning everything from Raw materials to manufacturing to retailers until it reached to the customer (end user). A coffee supply chain is the most complex and unique supply chain and distribution channel with the number of daily deliveries.(figure 4,5). The coffee beans come from Africa, South America and South East of Asia. The most common countries are Brazil, Ethiopia and Ecuador. They are shipped to the storage sites by oceans or air. After that it is moved by trucks to the roasting centres. It has 6 roasting centres with an effective centralized system. The green coffee beans (raw material) are manufactured at many stages: 1- Harvest : First, picking the beans cherries manually in the small farms or mechanically in large ones. The manually pics only the damaged or ripped ones, but in the mechanically it picks the whole crop (figure). Cropping happening once or twice a year. After that it moved to the procedures or processors – the most important step in supply chain – pulping the coffee beans out of their cherries by using special separation machines. Beans are proceeds in two ways dry method or wet method. Each one has its steps. * First, the steps of dry method: 1- Sort the cherries which were harvested. In order to separate the damaged and unripe or overripe from the good ones. 2- Wash (clean) the dirt out of the coffee cherries by washing machines. 3- Dry them by spreading the cherries under the sun. 4- Peeling and hulling to remove the upper layer (skin) and the pulp. 5-  Storing them to roaster or export (inventory). * Second, the steps of the wet method: 1- Sort and clean at the same time by putting them in machined filled with water, the floated cherries means that they are damaged, and the sinking one are good. 2- Removing the pulp mechanically. 3- Removing the last layer by Milling. 4-washing them again to remove any sticky thing came out from pulping. 5- Drying them mechanically or under the sun. 6- Storing them to roast or export. 2- Export and import: Government in some countries is making the export of the coffee beans, while others the private buyers are the one who is making the export. At the import, countries do the test for the coffee beans by tasting and inspecting, and then store them in the warehouses until making a shipment to the roasters. 3- Production ( roasters) : It means turning the green beans to the final product of beans we are using to make coffee. It includes sorting, roasting, cooling and packaging. First, removing the cracked beans then roast them under a high degree between (350 – 550) for a specific time depends on the required specifications. Cooling is the next procedure by using a cooling system. Finally packaging the coffee beans, there is different typed of it depend on the Starbucks managers choice like (aluminium, paper, etc.). All Roaster centre make certain that all the beans are going through all the process in the right and responsive way. 4- Distribution: The roaster products are distributed to the retailers through wholesalers. Coffee retailers have an expected continuous product supply. Starbucks use many distribution designs which mean there are multiple distribution channels for them. It sells their products direct retail system, it also provide their products in shopping centres and supermarkets to sell them. Also direct system uses a direct mail selling. When selling to the grocery store, it uses the single selling system. 5- Retailers: Starbucks coffee is served directly to the customer with the added value in coffee stores and retail shops. They need to find a location store to allocate the demand, supply and minimum transportation cost. 6- Transportation: It must confirm the need of the customers, from the time and the quality of the service. Shipments must be delivered upon agreement (on date). Having a program specialized in transportations is good to satisfy customers and gives high level of benefits and advantages. In transportation shipment (ocean, air) and rucks or vehicles are used to move the product from one place to another. There are some factors that may affect the transportation operation: 1- The cost of Fixed operating such as any related cost with airports or terminals whether the vehicles were working or not. 2- Trio cost – uploading and unloading. 3- Overhead cost – planning cost of the transportation. * Inventory: Inventory must kept in between any process as a raw material, work in progress products and finished goods, in order to satisfy demands of the customers. Starbucks is using for inventory the P-system and EOQ system. It helps to decrease the losses and wastes. It uses a computer programs to track its inventory. The shipping and ordering system in Starbucks is done by two ways, first with the EOQ, it has two days lead time. The other one is by using the P-system and it is done every week with three days lead time. * supply chain goal: The basic goal of the Starbucks supply chain is to insure and provide the availability of coffee at every branch with a reasonable and affordable  price. * Strategies to develop the supply chain: 1- Cooperative farmer’s development. It control and organize the independent farmers and make a collective union called C.A.F.A (coffee and farmers equity. It provides a guideline to support the farmers and lift the equal long term relationships. 2- Increase production and open new markets for special kinds of coffee like espresso. The price of green coffee beans is depending on many factors, such as, weather, economic situation in the production countries. The demand of the coffee depends on customer choice, country region, health level and risks. Figure 1 Figure 3 figure 2 Figure 2 Figure 5 Finally, Starbucks is a model of success to follow.   Starbucks’s key success of the Starbucks brand is determined by people’s interaction with the Company’s experience, and the culture and values of how they relate to customers. By investing and creating a unique relationship with the staff and getting them to understand that first of all is the primary target to exceed the expectations of the employees and then of the customers. People at Starbucks are never viewed as commodities, but as business partners. Also, The Company’s primarily role or responsibility is to ensure that the organizational culture is compatible with the kind of people that they want to attract and retain. The Company’s motivation to develop the most recognizable brand was also based on the good planning and positioning strategy. These all reasons and others make Starbucks retains its worldwide position, recognized as one of the most successful globalized  companies that h as created a strong brand and international experience.

Visas de turista, trabajo y estudio solo para mexicanos

Visas de turista, trabajo y estudio solo para mexicanos Obviamente, los  mexicanos pueden obtener todas las visas americanas disponibles para todo e mundo. Adems, tienen visas disponibles solo para esos nacionales para visitar, trabajar y estudiar. Todas esas ventajas afectan a visas no inmigrantes. Por el contrario, en las visas de inmigrantes para obtener la green card los mexicanos resultan perjudicados. En este artà ­culo se explican por un lado, los  caminos abiertos a mexicanos con  ms facilidades y, por otro,  tambià ©n los caminos cerrados. Visas de turista para los mexicanos Los mexicanos pueden obtener las visas de turista y de negocios conocidas como B1/B2 que aplican a todos los extranjeros. Pero adems, si viven en la zona fronteriza con Estados Unidos, pueden solicitar si asà ­ lo prefieren una visa lser  que tambià ©n se conoce como tarjeta de cruce. Hay que tener claro que las lser son muy cà ³modas para cruzar la frontera de una manera rpida. Pero tienen importantes limitaciones que las distinguen de las visa que se sellan en el pasaporte. Por ejemplo, con una visa lser la estancia en Estados Unidos no puede ser superior a 30 dà ­as. Adems, est limitada la entrada a 25 millas a contar desde la frontera. Con la excepcià ³n de ciertos puertos fronterizos como Nogales o Douglas que permiten internarse en el interior de EEUU hasta 75 millas. Adems, es muy importante saber que sà ³lo se pueden utilizar en puestos aduaneros terrestres. No sirven para viajar a Estados Unidos por barco o avià ³n. Por à ºltimo, estas visas tambià ©n las pueden solicitar los extranjeros que residen legalmente en Mà ©xico y tienen su domicilio en la zona fronteriza. Visas de trabajo para mexicanos Adems de las visas de trabajo disponibles para todos los extranjeros, existen visados que sà ³lo aplican a los mexicanos o a un grupo limitado de nacionales de ciertos paà ­ses entre los que se encuentra Mà ©xico. Los profesionales pueden acceder a una visa TN, creada al amparo del Tratado de Libre Comercio de Norteamà ©rica (NAFTA). Tienen una tramitacià ³n especial y pueden beneficiar a un amplio abanico de profesiones que se encuentran listadas en Apà ©ndice 1603.D.1 y que son estas 60. Para poder solicitarla, es preciso tener una oferta de trabajo a tiempo completo o parcial. Est expresamente prohibido el autoempleo. Adems, existen visas no inmigrantes para trabajar temporalmente en Estados Unidos a las que pueden acceder los nacionales de ciertos paà ­ses, entre ellos los mexicanos, que de hecho son la nacionalidad con ms visas aprobadas en las categorà ­as H-2A y H2-B. Por ejemplo, las H-2B  sirven  trabajar en una gran variedad de empleos, muchos de ellos en el sector turà ­stico y que no requieren de estudios superiores. Para esta categorà ­a se pueden ofertar un mximo de 66.000 mil visas por aà ±o fiscal. Generalmente se conceden por un aà ±o, pudià ©ndose extender hasta un mximo de tres. Adems, estn las H-2A para trabajar en el sector de la agricultura. El cà ³nyuge y los hijos solteros menores de 21 aà ±os de una persona a la que se le dà © esta visa pueden viajar con à ©l o con ella a Estados Unidos, si bien tienen prohibido trabajar mientras dure su estancia. Pero lo hijos podrn estudiar en las escuelas americanas. Este es un listado de ms de 60 reclutadores mexicanos de trabajadores temporeros para trabajar en Estados Unidos. Diferentes a las visas de trabajo son las de inversià ³n, pero permiten trabajar en la empresa que se crea. Los mexicanos pueden acceder a las E-1 para empresas de import/export y a las E-2, donde hay que tener claro desde el principio cà ³mo entender el monto de capital que se debe invertir.   Las visas de inversià ³n E-1 y E-2 pueden ser disfrutadas, adems, por ciudadanos de otros paà ­ses, pero no de todos. Visas para estudiar en Estados Unidos Adems de las tà ­picas F-1 y M-1, los mexicanos y los canadienses que viven a lo largo de sus respectivas fronteras con Estados Unidos pueden estudiar en este paà ­s con una visa F-3. Esas visas son atractivas pero tambià ©n tienen inconvenientes, como por ejemplo que sà ³lo se pueden utilizar para estudiar en escuelas y universidades que estn a un mximo de 75 millas de la frontera. Cà ³mo acelerar el paso por el control migratorio de Estados Unidos Los mexicanos pueden formar parte de programas que permiten un pase ms rpido por el control de las autoridades de Inmigracià ³n de los Estados Unidos.   Para las fronteras terrestres y marà ­timas, se puede utilizar SENTRI, mientras que para ingresar a USA por un aeropuerto el programa correcto es Global Entry. Malas noticias para mexicanos En los prrafos anteriores se seà ±alaron importantes ventajas para mexicanos. Sin embargo, no todo son buenas noticias. Y es que la alta tasa de inmigracià ³n mexicana en los Estados Unidos provoca que en algunas categorà ­as migratorias debe esperar ms aà ±os para emigrar o, simplemente, algunos caminos les està ©n prohibidos. Por ejemplo, los mexicanos, junto con los indios, chinos y filipinos deben esperar ms aà ±os que el resto de nacionalidades en ciertas peticiones de familia, como por ejemplo las peticiones de ciudadano para hermanos o hijos casados o hijos mayores de 21 aà ±os. Asimismo, no pueden participar en la loterà ­a de visas de la diversidad, que permite obtener la green card a los ganadores de un sorteo. Este es un artà ­culo legal, es meramente informativo.

Biography of John Hancock, Founding Father

Biography of John Hancock, Founding Father John Hancock (January 23, 1737–October 8, 1793) is one of America’s best-known founding fathers thanks to his unusually oversized signature on the Declaration of Independence. However, before he autographed one of the nation’s most important documents, he made a name for himself as a wealthy merchant and prominent politician. Fast Facts: John Hancock Known for: Founding father with a prominent signature on the Declaration of IndependenceOccupation: Merchant and politician (president of the Second Continental Congress and governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts)Born: January 23, 1737 in Braintree, MADied: October 8, 1793 in Boston, MAParents: Col. John Hancock Jr. and Mary Hawke ThaxterSpouse: Dorothy QuincyChildren: Lydia and John George Washington Early Years John Hancock III was born in Braintree, Massachusetts, near Quincy, on January 23, 1737. He was the son of Rev. Col. John Hancock Jr., a soldier and clergyman, and Mary Hawke Thaxter. John had all the advantages of a life of privilege, by virtue of both money and lineage. When John was seven years old, his father died, and he was sent to Boston to live with his uncle, Thomas Hancock. Thomas occasionally worked as a smuggler, but over the years, he built up a successful and legitimate mercantile trading operation. He had established profitable contracts with the British government, and when John came to live with him, Thomas was one of the richest men in Boston. John Hancock spent much of his youth learning the family business, and eventually enrolled in Harvard College. Once he graduated, he went to work for Thomas. The firm’s profits, particularly during the French and Indian War, allowed John to live comfortably, and he developed a fondness for finely tailored clothes. For a few years, John lived in London, serving as a company representative, but he returned to the colonies in 1761 because of Thomas’ failing health. When Thomas died childless in 1764, he left his entire fortune to John, making him one of the richest men in the colonies overnight. Political Tensions Grow During the 1760s, Britain was in significant debt. The empire had just emerged from the Seven Years War, and needed to increase revenue quickly. As a result, a series of taxation acts were levied against the colonies. The Sugar Act of 1763 sparked anger in Boston, and men like Samuel Adams became outspoken critics of the legislation. Adams and others argued that only colonial assemblies had the authority to levy taxes upon the North American colonies; because the colonies had no representation in Parliament, Adams said, that governing body wasnt entitled to tax colonists. In early 1765, Hancock was elected to the Boston Board of Selectmen, the city’s governing body. Just a few months later, Parliament passed the Stamp Act, which levied a tax upon any sort of legal document- wills, property deeds, and more- leading to enraged colonists rioting in the streets. Hancock disagreed with Parliament’s actions, but initially believed that the right thing for colonists to do was pay taxes as ordered. Eventually, however, he took a less moderate position, openly disagreeing with taxation laws. He participated in a vocal and public boycott of British imports, and when the Stamp Act was repealed in 1766, Hancock was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Samuel Adams, the leader of Boston’s Whig party, lent his support to Hancock’s political career, and served as a mentor as Hancock rose in popularity. An illustration depicting a group of rioting colonists protesting against the Stamp Act. MPI / Getty Images In 1767, Parliament passed the Townshend Acts, a series of tax laws that regulated customs and imports. Once again, Hancock and Adams called for a boycott of British goods into the colonies, and this time, the Customs Board decided that Hancock had become a problem. In April 1768, Customs agents boarded one of Hancock’s merchant ships, the Lydia, in Boston Harbor. Upon discovering they had no warrant to search the hold, Hancock refused to give the agents access to the cargo area of the ship. The Customs Board filed charges against him, but the Massachusetts Attorney General dismissed the case, as no laws had been broken. A month later, the Customs Board targeted Hancock again; it is possible they believed he was smuggling, but it is also possible that he was singled out for his political stances. Hancock’s sloop Liberty arrived in port, and when customs officials inspected the hold the next day, found it was carrying Madeira wine. However, the stores were only at one-fourth of the ship’s capacity, and agents concluded that Hancock must have offloaded the bulk of the cargo during the night in order to avoid paying import taxes. In June, the Customs Board seized the ship, which led to a riot on the docks. Historians have differing opinions on whether Hancock was smuggling or not, but most are in agreement that his actions of resistance helped spark the flames of revolution. In 1770, five people were killed during the Boston Massacre, and Hancock led a call for the removal of British troops from the city. He told Governor Thomas Hutchinson that thousands of civilian militia were waiting to storm Boston if soldiers were not removed from their quarters, and although it was a bluff, Hutchinson agreed to remove his regiments to the outskirts of town. Hancock was given credit for the withdrawal of the British. Over the next few years, he remained active and outspoken in Massachusetts politics, and stood up against further British taxation laws, including the Tea Act, which led to the Boston Tea Party. Hancock and the Declaration of Independence In December 1774, Hancock was elected as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia; around the same time, he was elected as president of the Provincial Congress. Hancock held significant political influence, and it was only because of Paul Revere’s heroic midnight ride that Hancock and Samuel Adams were not arrested before the battle of Lexington and Concord. Hancock served in Congress during the early years of the American Revolution, regularly writing to General George Washington and relaying requests for supplies to colonial officials. Despite his undoubtedly hectic political life, in 1775 Hancock took the time to get married. His new wife, Dorothy Quincy, was the daughter of prominent justice Edmund Quincy of Braintree. John and Dorothy had two children, but both children died young: their daughter Lydia passed away when she was ten months old, and their son John George Washington Hancock drowned at just eight years of age. Hancock was present when the Declaration of Independence was drafted and adopted. Although popular mythology has it that he signed his name largely and with flourish so King George could read it easily, there is no evidence that this is the case; the story likely originated years later. Other documents signed by Hancock indicate that his signature was consistently large. The reason his name appears at the top of the signatories is because he was president of the Continental Congress and signed first. Regardless, his iconic handwriting has become part of the American cultural lexicon. In common parlance, the phrase â€Å"John Hancock† is synonymous with â€Å"signature.† Fuse / Getty Images The official signed version of the Declaration of Independence, called the engrossed copy, wasn’t produced until after July 4, 1776, and was actually signed at the beginning of August. In fact, Congress kept the names of the signers secret for a while, as Hancock and the others risked being charged with treason if their role in the creation of the document was revealed. Later Life and Death In 1777, Hancock returned to Boston, and was re-elected to the House of Representatives. He spent years rebuilding his finances, which had suffered at the outbreak of the war, and continued working as a philanthropist. A year later, he led men into combat for the first time; as the senior major general of the state militia, he and several thousand troops joined General John Sullivan in an attack on a British garrison at Newport. Unfortunately, it was a disaster, and it was the end of Hancock’s military career. However, his popularity never dwindled, and in 1780 Hancock was elected governor of Massachusetts. Hancock was re-elected annually to the role of governor for the rest of his life. In 1789, he considered a run for the first president of the United States, but that honor ultimately fell to George Washington; Hancock received only four electoral votes in the election. His health was in decline, and on October 8, 1793, he passed away at Hancock Manor in Boston. Legacy After his death, Hancock largely faded from popular memory. This is in part due to the fact that unlike many of the other founding fathers, he left very few writings behind, and his house on Beacon Hill was torn down in 1863. It wasn’t until the 1970s that scholars began seriously investigating Hancock’s life, merits, and accomplishments. Today, numerous landmarks have been named after John Hancock, including the U.S. Navys USS Hancock as well as John Hancock University. Sources History.com, AE Television Networks, www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/john-hancock.â€Å"John Hancock Biography.† John Hancock, 1 Dec. 2012, www.john-hancock-heritage.com/biography-life/.Tyler, John W. Smugglers Patriots: Boston Merchants and the Advent of the American Revolution. Northeastern University Press, 1986.Unger, Harlow G. John Hancock: Merchant King and American Patriot. Castle Books, 2005.

Contract Law essays

Contract Law essays England's contract law is consisted of several laws and they can not be written or at least explained in a student's assignment, which is consisted of 1000 words. Despite that I will try to outline the main points of the contact law and explain briefly what each means. On the second point I will explain the little difference between the English contact law with the equivalent contract law of my home country which is Cyprus. I wrote "little differences " because, Cyprus is following the English system concerning laws. There are three basic essentials to the creation of contract which will be recognised and enforced by the courts. These are: contractual intention, agreement and consideration. This is an expression of willingness to contract made with the intention (actual or apparent) that it shall become binding on the offeror as soon as the person to whom it is addressed accepts it. An offer can be made to one person or a group of persons or to the world at large. The offeror is bound to fulfil the terms of his offer once it is accepted. The offer may be made in writing, by words or conduct. Unilateral - some offers are purely one sided, made without the offeror's having any idea whether they will ever be taken up and accepted, and thereby be transformed into a contract. For example when an advertisement where a person is rewarding another one if he finds his pet (which was lost). In this case the person who is making such an offer is not sure whether this offer will be ever accepted. Bilateral - The majority of offers are Bilateral. While it is not always true, most people make an offer to one named offeree or a small group of parties. Most contracts are made with both parties present on a face-to-face basis. An invitation to treat made by one party to another is not an offer. An invitation to treat is made at a preliminary stage in the making of an agreement, where one party seeks to ascertain whether the other would b...

Implementation and Control for Marketing Plan Assignment

Implementation and Control for Marketing Plan - Assignment Example For monitoring the task, it is proposed to have a cross-functional departmental team assigned to the project which will not just be responsible for having a check at the progress and comparing it against the proposed timeline for ensure timeliness but would also be responsible for regular feedbacks, which may lead to amendments in the marketing plan at any level, even if it is at the fundamental because the organization does not want itself launching a product that backfires and takes down the existing repute of the business as well. Miller (2002) states that 70% of the strategic plans containing various initiatives primarily fail due to factors contributing from the organization itself, the people (the employees) or the partners (share and stakeholders). In this scenario i.e. of SBA, the major participants are the marketing department personnel along with the organizations that are currently involved in the development of these games. Despite the great number of internal forces addition to the external factors, Hrebioniak (2006) conducted researchers to conclude some potential obstacles that hurdle the implementation of an effective strategy. Some of these that are associated with this case are: For overcoming these and several other forms of issues, it is recommended to serve the internal customers on top priority, making people realize that this is a business opportunity that would be beneficial for their organization in the long run and it is a window of opportunity that needs to be  exploited. The concept is similar to that of customer care, i.e. just as the external customers, the strategy to be implemented needs to be ‘sell’ to the internal customers to have a major impact towards its ease of application.  

What is sociology, anyway Why bother to study it Essay

What is sociology, anyway Why bother to study it - Essay Example The official and the most likely reason for the US war on Iraq is not aligned with the author’s claim that war occurs because a lack of understanding of each other’s behavior. There was also no justification for what Hitler’s and his Nazi party was doing prior to World War II, thus not understanding the Nazi culture was not a justifiable excuse for the US and its allies not to have gone to war with Germany. Sociology can be defined as the scientific study of human society and social behavior (NesSmith, pg. 5). The author of the article had a lot of good ideas about the importance of sociology to our society. An innovation that has helped the global society connect more has been the internet. The internet allows for instant communication from people from different parts of the world and provides its users with a vast database of information that can be used to learn about other people’s culture. The culture of each nation across the world is different, but these differences are what make the planet a unique and interesting place to live

Choose from description below Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Choose from description below - Research Paper Example Lee is a Correspondent at the Alberta University - Edmonton Clinic Health Academy. Her article focuses on driving whilst on as an emerging problem that needs urgent solutions. Body Summary The articles exclusively center on the regulatory laws that have placed limitations on the use of the cell phones by the drivers. It is evident that a majority of the states have embarked on a mission to ensure that the mobile phones are handled properly by the concerned drivers whilst on the roads. Despite the laws ranging from one state to another, the laws focus on a recommendation of the use of hands free devices by the drivers. On the other hand, Strayer  & Drew  argue that as a result of the constant use of the mobile phones by the drivers, a lot of accidents have been seen to take place as drivers on phone are likely to over speed, break other traffic rules or even fail to stop for police checks (646). With driving taking the toll of using one hand, while the other is busy texting or rec eiving a call, Lee argues that a lot of lives have been lost as a result of the same (7728). The costs of distracted driving in this case cannot be quantified especially if the lives of innocent individuals have to be at stake. Lee argues that at times, a lot of drivers are at pressure to be connected, an aspect that makes it almost an obvious behavior in the roads today (7723). The author also insists that the problem is a growing one (Lee 7725). It is evident that one of the major causes of deaths and injuries greatly correlates to this form of driving by the drivers. This explains why a lot of states have then embarked on the implementation of legislations that see to the banning of the handsets for the drivers. Drivers on phone were also said to be slower and to also lose focus whilst driving especially after a phone call (Strayer & Drew  641). It is at this juncture that the authors recommend legislation on the ban of cell phones whilst driving (Strayer & Drew  644). Collet , Guillot & Petit are of the opinion that mobile phones lead to the drivers reacting slowly to responses whilst in the traffic environment (590). They also have minimal control and less attention for visual information whilst driving; thus, cannot focus on one activity (593).Legislation on the use of mobile phones amongst other measures like education would therefore be vital in the responsible use of the phones by the divers. Critique The articles analyzed in this work are ones that may be termed as valid and reliable as reference materials in relation to the theme topic. Collet, Guillot & Petit’s article is one that involves review studies on the topic so as to valid that legislations would be useful for present-day drivers. The authors shed light on the major effects on driving using a phone at the same time judging from the simulator works and field research. Its introduction gives a brief summary of the article and what will be explained in terms of applicable data to au thenticate that mobile phones need to be restricted. The conclusion then summarizes the facts; thus, leading to the commendation that drivers need to correct their behaviour which can be facilitated through restrictions on the use of mobile phones whilst driving. Lee’s work, on the other hand, starts from an abstract that gives the outline of the article. The author then gives guidelines on how to deal with concerns in the topic, highlights on the dangers of driving while on phone, gives solutions to this menace and lastly gives a detailed conclusion

Commercial Aircraft Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Commercial Aircraft - Research Paper Example Less-$759 $1,483.5 Trip#2 Time and cost comparison between General Aircraft and Commercial Aircraft (non-stop) for a round trip from BNA to BAB for 3 persons Time Comparison Terms General Aircraft Commercial Aircraft (non-stop) Office to Airport :20 :10 Terminal boarding :90 :30 En route time 4:00 2:00 Deplaning time :30 :15 Airport to office :10 :05 Total 6:30 3:00 Cost Comparison Terms General Aircraft Commercial Aircraft (non-stop) Travel- En route(1) $851.54 $2,310 Rental Car (2) $31.72 $31.72 Value per Man-Hour (VMH)(3) $1,483.5 $655.5 Total $2,366.76 $2,997.22 Calculations 1. General Aircraft- $409 round trip 3 persons (less 30.6% tax savings) Commercial Aircraft- 2 hours $1,155/hour 2. Rental Car- $52/day- unlimited mileages (less 30.6% tax savings) 3. VMH = 2.5 $92,000(avg. salary)/2000 hours= $115.00/hour VMH Summary General Airline Total time: $115 6.5 hour 3 persons $2,242.5 En route time: $115 4 hour 3 persons $1,380 Less- 15% productivity credit - 207 $1,173 Less-$1,173 $1,069.5 Commercial Aircraft (non-stop) Total time: $115 3 hour 3 persons $1,035 En route time: $115 2 hour 3 persons $690 Less- 45% productivity credit 310.5 $379.5 Less- $379.5 $655.5 Trip#3 Time and cost comparison between General Aircraft and Commercial Aircraft (one-stop) for a round trip...There are one stop and non-stop flights between BNA and BAB. From trip 1, it seems that if we use automobile, time and cost are more than using general aircraft. While Automobile takes 12 hours to reach BAB from BNA, it is only 6:30 hours in terms of General Aircraft. But Automobile takes more costs from General Aircraft. It is $3939.41 for Automobile and $2,366.76 for General Aircraft. From trip 1 it is clear to us that General Aviation Aircraft is better than Automobile. From trip 2, it seems that if we use general aircraft, it takes more time than using Commercial Aircraft (non-stop). While General Aircraft takes 6:30 hours to reach BAB from BNA, it is only 3:00 hours in terms of Commercial Aircraft (non-stop). However, it takes little more costs from General Aircraft. It is $2,366.76 for General Aviation Aircraft and $2,997.22 for Commercial Aircraft (non-stop). Although Commercial Aircraft (non -stop) costs a little bit more than the General Aviation Aircraft but Commercial Aircraft (non-stop) saves more valuable time for executives. Therefore, Commercial Aircraft (non-stop) is better than General Aviation Aircraft. From trip 3, it seems that if we use general aircraft, it takes more time than using Commercial Aircraft (one-stop).

Business and or the economy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Business and or the economy - Essay Example In addition, small businesses face the need to downsize. However, the impact of a slowing economy on a small business depends upon the type of small business. In a slowing economy, small businesses involved in vehicle and property repossessions thrive. Likewise, small business owners with a strong financial base find the slowing economy as the right time to buy out their competitors. Small businesses show better adjustment and adaptation to a changing economy. This can primarily be attributed to the fact that decision making is easier and faster in small businesses as compared to the decision making in large businesses. Hence, small businesses can easily make the required changes as per the need of the hour. This is a very informative article about the effects of economy on businesses in general and on small businesses in particular. It not only explains the risks of changing economy on small businesses, but also touches upon ways in which those risks can be turned into

Commercial Aircraft Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Commercial Aircraft - Research Paper Example Less-$759 $1,483.5 Trip#2 Time and cost comparison between General Aircraft and Commercial Aircraft (non-stop) for a round trip from BNA to BAB for 3 persons Time Comparison Terms General Aircraft Commercial Aircraft (non-stop) Office to Airport :20 :10 Terminal boarding :90 :30 En route time 4:00 2:00 Deplaning time :30 :15 Airport to office :10 :05 Total 6:30 3:00 Cost Comparison Terms General Aircraft Commercial Aircraft (non-stop) Travel- En route(1) $851.54 $2,310 Rental Car (2) $31.72 $31.72 Value per Man-Hour (VMH)(3) $1,483.5 $655.5 Total $2,366.76 $2,997.22 Calculations 1. General Aircraft- $409 round trip 3 persons (less 30.6% tax savings) Commercial Aircraft- 2 hours $1,155/hour 2. Rental Car- $52/day- unlimited mileages (less 30.6% tax savings) 3. VMH = 2.5 $92,000(avg. salary)/2000 hours= $115.00/hour VMH Summary General Airline Total time: $115 6.5 hour 3 persons $2,242.5 En route time: $115 4 hour 3 persons $1,380 Less- 15% productivity credit - 207 $1,173 Less-$1,173 $1,069.5 Commercial Aircraft (non-stop) Total time: $115 3 hour 3 persons $1,035 En route time: $115 2 hour 3 persons $690 Less- 45% productivity credit 310.5 $379.5 Less- $379.5 $655.5 Trip#3 Time and cost comparison between General Aircraft and Commercial Aircraft (one-stop) for a round trip...There are one stop and non-stop flights between BNA and BAB. From trip 1, it seems that if we use automobile, time and cost are more than using general aircraft. While Automobile takes 12 hours to reach BAB from BNA, it is only 6:30 hours in terms of General Aircraft. But Automobile takes more costs from General Aircraft. It is $3939.41 for Automobile and $2,366.76 for General Aircraft. From trip 1 it is clear to us that General Aviation Aircraft is better than Automobile. From trip 2, it seems that if we use general aircraft, it takes more time than using Commercial Aircraft (non-stop). While General Aircraft takes 6:30 hours to reach BAB from BNA, it is only 3:00 hours in terms of Commercial Aircraft (non-stop). However, it takes little more costs from General Aircraft. It is $2,366.76 for General Aviation Aircraft and $2,997.22 for Commercial Aircraft (non-stop). Although Commercial Aircraft (non -stop) costs a little bit more than the General Aviation Aircraft but Commercial Aircraft (non-stop) saves more valuable time for executives. Therefore, Commercial Aircraft (non-stop) is better than General Aviation Aircraft. From trip 3, it seems that if we use general aircraft, it takes more time than using Commercial Aircraft (one-stop).

Land Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words - 1

Land Law - Essay Example 'A vendor must be able to prove that he is entitled to the land before he can pass good title to a purchaser. Initially, such proof was provided by the production of the title documents to the land, i.e. the conveyances or leases. The vendor had to be able to show the chain of ownership for the last thirty (now 15 years).And each time the land was sold, all these documents had to be examined under the LRA 2000 a single register entry is substituted for the series of title deeds as proof of titles, and a prospective purchaser need only examine this registry entry.Theodore Rouff had laid down three basic principles of Land Registry. One among them is the mirror principle which states:â€Å" the register of title reflects accurately and completely beyond all arguments the facts that are material to the title†. In simpler terms, it can derive that this principle proposes the fact that the register of the title is the mirror which reflects accurately all the current facts and figur es those are material to the title. However, there are few exceptions to this fact. Other than these exceptions the title is free from all adverse burdens, rights, and qualifications unless they are mentioned in the register. Overriding interest can be described as one of the most an important exceptions to the mirror principle.Overriding interests: Definition: These are defined in s3 (xvi) LRA 1925 as: ‘all the encumbrances, interests, rights and powers not entered on the register, but subject to which registered dispositions are to take effect’... Initially such proof was provided by the production of the title documents to the land, i.e. the conveyances or leases. The vendor had to be able to show the chain of ownership for the last thirty (now 15 years).And each time the land was sold, all these documents had to be examined under the LRA 2000 a single register entry is substituted for the series of title deeds as proof of titles, and a prospective purchaser need only examine this register entry. Theodore Rouff had laid down three basic principles of Land Registry. One among them is the mirror principle which states: " the register of title reflects accurately and completely beyond all arguments the facts that is material to the title" (wikipedia)1. In simpler terms it can derived that this principle proposes the fact that the register of title is the mirror which reflects accurately all the current facts and figures those are material to title. However there are few exceptions to this fact. Other than these exceptions the tile is free from all adverse burdens, rights and qualifications unless they are mentioned in the register. Overriding interest can be described as one of the most important exception to the mirror principle. Overriding interests: Definition: These are defined in s32 (xvi) LRA 1925 as: 'all the encumbrances, interests, rights and powers not entered on the register, but subject to which registered dispositions are to take effect' Meaning: In simpler terms overriding interest can be defined and determined as the interest which override. It is liable on the purchaser to inspect the land and make inquiries as there are few dispositions like overriding

Mintzberg - the Fall and Rise of Strategic Planning Essay Example for Free

Mintzberg the Fall and Rise of Strategic Planning Essay The Fall and Rise of Strategic Planning by Henry Mintzberg When strategic planning arrived on the scene in the mid- ­? 1960s, corporate leaders embraced it as â€Å"the one best way† to devise and implement strategies that would enhance the competitiveness of each business unit. True to the scientific management pioneered by Frederick Taylor, this one best way involved separating thinking from doing and creating a new function staffed by specialists: strategic planners. Planning systems were expected to produce the best strategies as well as step- ­? by- ­? step instructions for arrying out those strategies so that the doers, the managers of businesses, could not get them wrong. As we now know, planning has not exactly worked out that way. While certainly not dead, strategic planning has long since fallen from its pedestal. But even now, few people fully understand the reason: strategic planning is not strategic thinking. Indeed, strategic planning often spoils strategic thinking, causing managers to confuse real vision with the manipulation of numbers. And this confusion lies at the heart of the issue: the most successful strategies are visions, not plans. Strategic planning, as it has een practiced, has really been strategic programming, the articulation and elaboration of strategies, or visions, that already exist. When companies understand the difference between planning and strategic thinking, they can get back to what the strategy- ­? making process should be: capturing what the manager learns from all sources (both the soft insights from his or her personal experiences and the experiences of others throughout the organization and the hard data from market research and the like) and then synthesizing that learning into a vision of the direction that the business should pursue. Organizations isenchanted with strategic planning should not get rid of their planners or conclude that there is no need for programming. Rather, organizations should transform the conventional planning job. Planners should make their contribution around the strategy- ­? making process rather than inside it. They should supply the formal analyses or hard data that strategic thinking requires, as long as they do it to broaden the consideration of issues rather than to discover the one right answer. They should act as catalysts who support strategy making by aiding and encouraging managers to think strategically. And, finally, they an be programmers of a strategy, helping to specify the series of concrete steps needed to carry out the vision. By redefining the planner’s job, companies will acknowledge the difference between planning and strategic thinking. Planning has always been about analysis—about breaking down a goal or set of intentions into steps, formalizing tho se steps so that they can be implemented almost automatically, and articulating the anticipated consequences or results of each step. â€Å"I favour a set of analytical techniques for developing strategy,† Michael 1 Porter, probably the most widely read writer on strategy, wrote in he Economist. The label â€Å"strategic planning† has been applied to all kinds of activities, such as going off to an informal retreat in the mountains to talk about strategy. But call that activity â€Å"planning,† let conventional planners organize it, and watch how quickly the event becomes formalized (mission statements in the morning, assessment of corporate strengths and weaknesses in the afternoon, strategies carefully articulated by 5 p. m. ). Strategic thinking, in contrast, is about synthesis.

Effect of Resource Diversity on Joint Venture Performance

Effect of Resource Diversity on Joint Venture Performance A STUDY OF RESOURCE BASED VIEW: HOW DOES RESOURCE DIVERSITY AND RESOURCE SHARING AFFECT INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE (IJV) PERFORMANCE? ABSTRACT The study of resource based view (RBV) has transcended the limited focus of a single firm by arguing that RBV can be applied to the area of strategic alliance. As the most instrumental alliance form, IJVs are susceptible to the resource characteristics of parent firms. Albeit RBV has been used to explain research topics from IJV formation to performance measurement, more in-depth study is needed for exploring the association between resource characteristics and IJV performance. By analyzing data from 82 IJVs in China, the present research proposes that resource sharing mediates the positive relationship between Resource diversity and IJV performance. And cooperation effectiveness moderates the relationship between resource diversity and resource sharing. INTRODUCTION Barney (1991) believes that the resource based view (RBV) theory can be used to explain the relationship between firm resources and sustained competitive advantage in that valuable, rare, inimitable and unsubstituted resources have the potential to bring sustained competitive advantage to a firm. Transcending the limitations of excessive focus on the study of a single firm, Das and Teng (2000) further contend that resource based view can be applied to explain the entire mechanism of strategic alliance on a continuum from alliance formation to performance measurement. Their research takes RBV study to the next level by introducing more perspectives in studying strategic alliance which has been admitted as a critical device loading corporate strategy (Wassmer, 2010). As the most instrumental alliance form, international joint ventures (IJVs) combine both tangible and intangible characteristics of parent firms that allow resource sharing (including knowledge sharing and tangible resourc e sharing) to happen within the partnership because employees from the parent firms literally work together in IJVs (Kogut, 1988). It is critical for researchers and practitioners to understand how the characteristics and dynamics of two parent firms resources affect IJV performance. Why do firms form IJVs? Resource sharing and inter-organizational learning are the key reasons (Lane, Salk Lyles, 2001). By bringing diversified valuable resources into the IJV, both parent firms strive for a balance between protecting their own valuable resources and absorbing the partners resources (Das Teng, 2000). Therefore, the cooperation effectiveness of IJVs would inevitably affect the way resources are synthesized and shared between partners. However, when an IJV is formed, how are the resources of partner firms synthesized? How do both parties share their resources to maximize the IJV performance? These questions remain underexplored. The present research focuses on studying the dynamism of resource diversity, resource sharing and IJV performance and the moderating role that cooperation plays. Normally, an IJV is formed by two parties: a local firm and a foreign firm. These two parent firms possess different types of resources which are complementary to each other, so they could combine their resources to exploit mutual goals (Ren, Gray Kim, 2009). To contribute to IJV outcome, the resource of parent firms have to be dissimilar and complementary, and the utilization and similarity of resources should be considered synchronously (Das Teng, 2000). Extending their argument, the level of similarity and complementarity can be reflected by resource diversity, and how well the resources are utilized can be reflected by resource sharing. Moreover, to consider resource diversity and resource sharing synchronously, cooperation effectiveness plays an important role (Ren et al., 2009). As shown in figure 1, I propose that in an IJV, the resource diversity is positively related to IJV performance, the more resource diversity the partners have, the better IJV performance they are able to achieve. And resource sharing will mediate the association between resource diversity and IJV performance. Since two partners work in concert in an IJV, cooperation effectiveness inevitably moderates the relationship between resource diversity and resource sharing. Therefore, I put forth following hypotheses: The contribution of the present research is twofold. First, this research expand the resource based view theory by theorizing the model that tap into the relationship between resource diversity and IJV performance by examining the moderating effect of cooperation and the mediating effect of resource sharing. Second, this research also has managerial implications, it helps researchers and practitioners better understand the mechanism of resource diversity and sharing in an IJV, thus they can better deploy different types of resources and facilitate resource sharing accordingly. METHOD Data and Sample IJVs have played a critical role in helping China becoming the best player in the world absorbing foreign direct investment (FDI) (Fang Zou, 2009; Yao, Yang, Fisher, Ma Fang, 2013). Therefore, I draw samples of 200 IJVs in Guangdong Province because it is known as the economic engine of China partly by virtue of its capacity in attracting foreign investment. In their prior studies, Fang and Zou (2009), has adopted IJV sampling in a similar region Jiangsu Province. As suggested by prior researches, considering the validity requirement, solely rely on secondary data is not acceptable, a method combining both survey and secondary data here would be more accurate (Das Teng, 2000). Therefore, I administer surveys and draw on archival data for this research. Data are collected from IJV managers representing both parent firms. I measure IJV performance (the dependent variable) by using archival data. I also measure resource diversity (the independent variable), cooperation effectiveness (the moderating variable) and resource sharing (the mediating variable) by using survey data of CEOs, board members and senior managers from both parent firms to eliminate bias. Measures Resource diversity (the independent variable).As suggested by Das and Teng (2009), I assess the resource diversity by administering survey on IJV senior managers representing different parent firms to gather the response on the degree to which each parent firm brings different types of resources such as: financial resources, physical resources, human resources, technological resources, reputation and organizational resources (Grant, 1991, p.6). Adapting the method that Yao et al. (2013) used to measure knowledge complementarity, a survey on resource diversity will be used in the present research to ask senior managers representing each parent firm in sample IJVs how diversified the resources characteristics are from the parent firms by using a seven-point semantic scale. Since the method of Yao et al. (2013) is also conducted in similar regions in China, the content validity is ensured. In the survey, I ask questions such as: How do you compare your partys industry design with your a lliance partner? (strongly overlapping to strongly complementary). Appendix A includes the form of the items for resource diversity. Cooperation effectiveness (the moderating variable).Following the multi-step process (Churchill Jr, 1979) measure developed by Yao et al. (2013) on knowledge absorption effectiveness, I assess cooperation effectiveness in a similar way by asking top managers representing each parent firm in sample IJVs how effective the partners cooperate in the IJVs using a five-item, seven-point Likert-type scale. I ask questions such as: How do you rate the cooperation effectiveness between partners in your IJV: Our joint venture has been very effective in transferring resources among different partners? (strongly agree to strongly disagree). Appendix B includes the form of the items for cooperation effectiveness. Resource sharing (the mediating variable).Adopting the same rationale of measuring cooperation effectiveness, I develop my own items andassess resource sharing in a similar way by asking top managers to rate the level that the partners share the resources in the IJVs using a four-item, seven-point Likert-type scale. I ask questions such as: How do you rate the resource sharing level between partners in your IJV: IJV partners can easily acquire tangible resources occupied by each other for manufacturing activities? (strongly agree to strongly disagree). Appendix C includes the form of the items for resource sharing. IJV performance (the dependent variable).I will use secondary data to assess IJV performance by two constructs: its financial performance (Return on Investment), and also its longevity (Ren et al., 2009). Control variables.Following the study of Yao et al. (2013). I treat IJV size as control variable measuring by the IJV employee number. Since the market dynamism may be another confounding factor, I also control for market dynamism by using Miller (1987) five items. My data collection procedure is: gather the contact information of sample IJVs through the administrative offices of local development zones that are normally the administrative agencies and service providers of IJVs. Then phone calls and emails will be used to reach out to these IJV CEOs and other senior managers to explain the purpose of the present research and solicit participation in the survey. The ideal target response size of IJV is 82 according to GPower 3.1 test (Effect size = .30, ÃŽÂ ± = .05, Power = .80). Im expecting a 40% response rate which is at the high range of typical response rate (15-40%) since I administer the survey through officials of local development zones who are familiar with the IJV leaders. The questionnaires are distributed to participants in 200 IJVs through email, for non-respondents, the first round of following up phone calls or emails will be carried out two weeks after the distribution of the questionnaires, the second round will be carried o ut four weeks after the distribution of the questionnaires. Following the general method adopted by extant researches, I evaluate responses from the respondents and decide which responses to discard depending on the validity. Given the multinational background of respondents, my original questionnaires are designed in English, they are translated into Chinese when assigning to Chinese respondents, then the responses will be back-translated into English. Statistical description of means and standard deviations is provided. Analysis To test hypothesis 1, resource sharing and IJV performance are separately treated as dependent variables in regression analysis. To test hypothesis 2, I measure the moderating effects of cooperation effectiveness by using moderated regression analysis. To avoid potential multi-collinearity, I take both mean-centered independent and moderating variables into the regression (Aiken, West Reno, 1991). DISCUSSION Prior studies has proved that resource based view can be applied to the study in the area of strategic alliance for about two decades (Das Teng, 2000), yet little has been disclosed about the dynamic relationship between resource diversity, resource sharing and alliance performance. In this research, after examining 82 IJVs in China, the results support my hypotheses that cooperation effectiveness will moderate the positive relationship between resource diversity and IJV performance mediated by resource sharing. Theoretical and Managerial Implications The present research focuses on discovering the relationship between resource diversity, resource sharing and IJV performance, and the moderating role that cooperation effectiveness plays. The influence of resource sharing on IJV performance is examined subsequently. Resource based view has been proved a strong tool used to disclose the relationship between firm resources and sustained competitiveness. This research extended the study of resource based view to a more intricate and in-depth level: IJVs, in that compare with average firms, IJVs are formed by parent firms to utilize and share their resources thus achieve the goal of mutual benefits. Therefore, the research brings new insights about how firm resources are constituted and shared and thus affect firm performance in an ever-changing global context. Prior researches has shown that knowledge complementarity has positive effects on new product performance in IJVs (Yao et al., 2013). This research extends the study to a higher level regarding resources occupied by parent firms and bring more generalizability to researchers. It also helps top managers engaging in alliances better utilize their resources. LIMITATIONS AND FUTURE RESEARCH As other researches, this research has its limitations. First, as pointed out by other scholars, the sample source is somewhat monotonous because it only reflects the IJVs in a certain region in China, and the resource diversity might be pre-established since the IJVs in my sample are all formed by a Chinese firm and a foreign firm, this fact shows a certain pattern of partnership that the Chinese firms offer resources to reach local market while the foreign firms offers technological and financial resources (Yao et al., 2013). Future research may extend the study of resource diversity patterns by examining how different resource diversity relationships effect research sharing and IJV performance. Second, I only discussed the model regarding IJVs, however, there are other equity and non-equity inter-organizational collaborations such as technical exchange and consortia (Majchrzak, Jarvenpaa Bagherzadeh, 2014). The effect in the other types of collaborations may vary a lot from the model I examine in IJVs. However, the limitation here also leads to fruitful future research. Study of the resource dynamism and alignment can be delivered on different forms of strategic alliance. APPENDIX A APPENDIX B APPENDIX C REFERENCES      Ã‚   Aiken, L. S., West, S. G., Reno, R. R. 1991. Multiple regression: Testing and interpreting interactions: Sage. Barney, J. 1991. Firm resources and sustained competitive advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1): 99-120. Churchill Jr, G. A. 1979. A paradigm for developing better measures of marketing constructs. Journal of marketing research: 64-73. Das, T. K., Teng, B.-S. 2000. A resource-based theory of strategic alliances. Journal of Management, 26(1): 31-61. Fang, E. E., Zou, S. 2009. Antecedents and consequences of marketing dynamic capabilities in international joint ventures. Journal of International Business Studies, 40(5): 742-761. Grant, R. M. 1991. The resource-based theory of competitive advantage: implications for strategy formulation. California management review, 33(3): 114-135. Kogut, B. 1988. Joint ventures: Theoretical and empirical perspectives. Strategic Management Journal, 9(4): 319-332. Lane, P. J., Salk, J. E., Lyles, M. A. 2001. Absorptive capacity, learning, and performance in international joint ventures. Strategic Management Journal, 22(12): 1139-1161. Majchrzak, A., Jarvenpaa, S. L., Bagherzadeh, M. 2014. A review of interorganizational collaboration dynamics. Journal of Management: 0149206314563399. Miller, D. 1987. The structural and environmental correlates of business strategy. Strategic Management Journal, 8(1): 55-76. Ren, H., Gray, B., Kim, K. 2009. Performance of International Joint Ventures: What Factors Really Make a Difference and How? Journal of Management, 35(3): 805-832. Wassmer, U. 2010. Alliance portfolios: A review and research agenda. Journal of Management, 36(1): 141-171. Yao, Z., Yang, Z., Fisher, G. J., Ma, C., Fang, E. E. 2013. Knowledge complementarity, knowledge absorption effectiveness, and new product performance: The exploration of international joint ventures in China. International Business Review, 22(1): 216-227. Figure 1 Conceptual model of the current research

Psychology/clockwork Orange Essays -- essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A Clockwork Orange is a film about a wild and troubled young lad Alex. Alex and his friends (droogs) get a high from inflicting harm upon others. They commit random acts of robbery and rape around London. Alex, as the ringleader, eventually gets caught and is sent to prison. It is in prison that scientists study Alex’s violent behavior. Scientists believed that through special training or a program that his evil ways could be fixed. Alex was subjected to a conditioning program that would create an unpleasant physical reaction to just the thought of doing harm to another person. Skinner’s theories on behaviorism are introduced in these scenes where the doctors are trying to â€Å"cure† Alex. As part of the conditioning program, Alex is forced to watch films with his eyelids clamped open. His face is then wrapped in electrical straps and wires. He is forced to watch violent scenes and right after those scenes follow crimes that Alex committed with his gang of friends. In the rear of the theater, the doctors watch his reactions and record his behavior. These images of violence in the films induced nausea caused by the injections. As he watches, a feeling of queasiness slowly takes over. The doctors predicts that he will associate the death experience with the violence he sees. After his first session, the nurse later says that Alex has made a very positive response to the conditioning, and he is being cured. The next day the films are being played with ...

truth about love :: essays research papers

Ang Puno't Dulo ng Pag-ibig ==================== Nakakatawa talaga ang love. Isa siyang napakalaking oxymoron. Lahat ng pwede mong masabi sa kanya, baliktarin mo man ay totoo pa rin. Ang labo diba? Pero ang linaw. Masaya magmahal. Malungkot magmahal. Di mo naiintindihan pero naiintindihan mo. Walang rason. Maraming rason. Di mo na kaya, pero kaya mo pa rin. Masakit magmahal. Pero okey lang. Leche, ano ba talaga?! May kaibigan ako, sabi niya dati "Love is only for stupid people." Nakakatawa kasi laude ang standing niya, pero dumating ang panahon, na-in-love din ang hunghang. At ayun, tanga na siya ngayon. Lahat kasi ng nahahawakan ng love nagiging oxymoron din. O kaya paminsan, nagiging moron lang. Hindi lang kasi basta baliktaran ang pa! g-ibig. Lahat ng bagay nababaligtad din niya. Lahat ng malalakas na tao, humihina. Ang mayayabang, nagpapakumbaba. Ang mga walang pakialam, nag iging Mother Teresa. Ang mga henyo, nauubusan ng sagot. Ang malulungkot, sumasaya. Ang matitigas, lumalambot. (At tumitigas din ang mga bagay na madalas nama'y malambot.) Nakakatawa talaga. Lalo na kapag dumadating siya sa mga taong ayaw na talaga magmahal. Napansin ko nga eh. Parang kung gusto mo lang ma-in-love ulit, sabihin mo lang ang magic words na "Ayoko na ma-inlove!" biglang WACHA! Ayan na siya. Nang-aasar. Magpapaasar ka naman. Di ba nakakatawa rin na pagdating sa problema ng ibang tao, ang galing galing mo? Pero pag problema mo na yung pinag-uusapan parang nawawalan ng saysay lahat ng ipinayo mo dun sa namomroblemang tao? Naiisip mong wala namang mali dun sa mga sinabi mo. Pero bakit parang wala ring tama? Bali-baliktad din ang nasasabi ng ! mga taong tinamaan ng madugong pana ng pag-ibig. "Ngayon ko lang nalaman ganito pala. Sabi ko na eh!" "Ang sarap mabuhay. Pwede na 'ko mamatay. Now na!" At hindi lang 'yon. Ang sarap din pagtawanan ng mga taong alam naman nilang masasaktan lang sila eh magpapatihulog pa rin sa bangin ng pag-ibig. Tapos pag luray-luray na yung puso nila, siyempre hindi sila yung may kasalanan. Siya! "Bakit niya 'ko sinaktan?" May kasama pang

Marketing Concept

In the article â€Å"Pow! Romance! Comics Court Girls† by Matthew Phillips, it features the comic company’s new market. Male readers have always been the comics company’s target market for the past several years. Commonly, the main character portrays the strength of male gender. In the launching of the new comic series, â€Å"The Plain Janes†, â€Å"Re-Gifters†, â€Å"Clubbing,† DC Comics set a new target market, which are the female readers. It is a big opportunity to expand the possible customers for their market. Their market strategy is that they made the titles more appealing to the women. They based it on fantasy and romantic storylines to get girls’ attention. They emphasized female strength and their interests. By this strategic move, comic-book industry had their most significant growth. The Diamond Comics rose their sales to a 15% increase while Marvel Entertainment's publishing-segment revenue — which includes sales to booksellers and comic shops — rose 17% to $108.5 million. This market strategy is very advantageous for both parties. It provides materials for the female readers and also an additional market implying additional income for the company. The benefit of the market expansions is advantageous not only to the customers but more importantly to the company itself. The â€Å"Nolan Ryanx Pitches Virtues of U.S. Beef To Dubious Japanese† written by Amy Chozick, was all about the campaign on how to win back the Japanese customers on buying U.S. beef products. It has been very evident that the demand for beef had decreased since it was banned in Japan at 2003 due to the outbreak of mad-cow disease. It was a big challenge since there is a huge decrease in market and also competition was intensified. Japanese ordered more than 50% of their beef from Australia. By using a promotional strategy on the declining market, their market sales had been saved. Baseball legend Nolan Ryan was made as a campaign model. The slogan â€Å"Beef makes you strong!† was thrown during a ceremonial first pitch during a baseball game at   A concession stand called the â€Å"American Meat Booth† sold boxes filled with American beef and featuring Mr. Ryan's photo in the meat aisles at major grocery stores under in Chiba, a Tokyo suburb, last month. The campaign starring Mr. Ryan was featured in more than 2,000 different beef-related promotions over a three-month period. Once the problem was identified, promotional strategies (advertising campaign) are useful in uplifting the image of the product (U.S. beef) to the customers (Japanese consumers). Using Nolan Ryan, a well-known pitcher, as the endorser has a big impact on the Japanese since Japan is fond of baseball. He is also a credible person in line with meat knowledge since he also has his own cattle farm. In effect of this campaign, the American beef monthly sales had been doubled according to Philip Seng, president of the Denver-based federation. The cost of the promotion has not been stated but the ideal is that it should be relatively lower than the revenue. He admitted that there is a lot more to do to regain the past demand, after the sudden decline in sales due to the negative connotation of the mad-cow outbreak, but as their sales imply, the promotional campaign can be said successful.    Marketing Concept Marketing philosophy has experienced three major shifts during the history of commerce in the United States. First it was production oriented, then sales oriented, and currently it is consumer oriented. Till the late 1920s, companies had limited production capacity, and there was continuous demand for their products. The belief at that time was that, one can sell as much as one can produce. The entire company used to focus on production and Marketing was limited to taking order and supplying products on time. With the introduction of mass-production, production capacity caught up with and, in many areas, exceeded demand. Now, the businesses were sales oriented. Their philosophy became selling as much as one can, by using advertisements and other promotional activitiesThe end of World War II bought a world of choices to the consumers and a lot of competition to the existing players. There started a heavy competition for the consumer dollar. Businesses quickly came to realize that if t hey were going to get their share of those dollars, they were going to have to become more consumer oriented. This change in philosophy became known as the marketing concept.The Marketing concept relies on marketing research to define market segments their size and their needs. It is the philosophy that the companies should analyze the needs of their customers and then make decision to satisfy those needs better than their competition. (www.NetMBA.com)Thus, the marketing concept is essentially establishing a tangible relation between a company’s capabilities with customer needs. However, this is not the only factor that is taken into account. The marketing environment has other competitors who are planning the very same strategies to lure consumers. Herb Kelleher, CEO of Southwest Airlines says†We don’t have a Marketing Department; we have a customer department† And in the words of a fords executive â€Å"If we are not customer driven, our cars won’ t be either† (Kotler, Armstrong. 2006). Companies that have embraced the marketing concept have found that it has had a strong impact on sales. They have also found that, in many respects, it has changed the way they operate.In addition the volatility of the marketing environment like and changes in the political, economic, social and technological environment, should also be taken into account, while developing a strategy. Any organization that applies the marketing concept essentially puts its present and potential customer’s needs as a guideline for its marketing and organizational operations.For e.g. – Consumers need to eat when they are hungry. What they want to eat and in what kind of environment will vary enormously. For some, eating at McDonalds satisfies the need to meet hunger. For others a microwaved ready-meal meets the need. Some consumers are never satisfied unless their food comes served with a bottle of fine Chardonnay. (http://www.tutor2u.net/bus iness/marketing/marketing_concept.asp)However, after creating a desire in the consumers, the pricing should also be sufficiently affordable, make them actually purchase the product.The Marketing concept first analyzes the needs of the consumer and then decides the appropriate product to fulfill those needs. Being customer driven, the marketing concept starts with a target market and customers. The company then focuses on the needs of these consumers and integrates all its marketing activities towards building an effective relation with these customers.For e.g. – The shift in buying behavior from marketplace to â€Å"marketspace â€Å"made Microsoft enter into online automobile retailing with CarPoint.com. While CarPoint could not â€Å"sell† or deliver any cars, it could shift much of consumer search, comparison, and decision-making, including pricing, from the physical platform of the traditional car dealer to the virtual world of the Web (Boyd, Walker, Mullins, 200 6).As is clearly seen above, such customer-driven approaches succeed, when the consumers know what they want. There is a clear need which is fulfilled by a combination of product and promotional mix. In many cases however, the customers do not know what they want or need. For e.g. – 25 years back, the concept of e-books or for that matter cell phones for a regular usage was something an average customer could not foresee.Such cases call for customer driver marketing, where the company understands the customers even better than the customers themselves. As Sony’s Akio Morita says â€Å"Out plan is to lead the public with new products, rather than as them what kind of products they want.† (Kotler, et al, 2006) SONY Corporation was the first to come up with the idea of a â€Å"walkman†, when they observed that consumers like music to be with them always. It is just as if they well â€Å"humming the music†. The idea, which was initially fiercely oppose d, became a milestone in the company’s history.Marketing CommunicationAccording to Philip Kotler – Any Company’s marketing strategy requires more than just developing a good product, attractively pricing it and ensuring its ready availability to its consumers. The strategy must include communicating with its current and prospective customers, and what they communicate should not be left to chance. (Kotler et al 2006)Companies use a wide range of marketing communications to promote the company, their products and their services. A company’s total marketing communication mix consists of a combination of tools like advertising, sales promotion, public relations, personnel selling and direct marketing tools (Kotler et al. 2006).Each of these categories involves specific tools. Advertising includes brochures, flyers TV/radio broadcasts etc.   Sales promotion includes free demos, discount coupons, Sale etc. Public relations includes sponsorships, press releas es etc. Personnel selling includes trade shows, sales presentations etc. Direct marketing includes telemarketing, direct selling etc.Before any company decides to go in for a specific blend of the above mentioned tools, it should first decide the message to be passed across, the recipients or audience for the message, way and means of presentation and its timing. In addition the follow-up actions after the message is passed across should also be decided, in order to avoid confusion when the orders or product information requests do start coming in.Owing to the advancements in Information technology, the consumers are now becoming increasingly aware of various choices available to them. The markets hence are seen to becoming more fragmented. Targeting these different fragmented groups becomes a challenge for the company, especially when they wish to portray different images of the company to the consumers, without affecting the overall company’s brand image. This calls in for Integrated marketing communications,IMC , the integration of the company’s entire communications channel to deliver a clear and consistent message to the consumers, regarding the organization and various products. (Fill, 2004)The first step of any marketing communication strategy is awareness. Awareness in turn starts from curiosity.   A motion-control company launched its products in the Nuremberg market fair for the first time, by placing big boxes of candies in their stall. Needless to say, this attracted the curiosity of many people, who would later become its customers, to the stall just to ‘have a look at what is going on’.There is another thing which goes hand-in-hand with awareness, the target market or audience. This factor sets the tone of the promotion in question, and the kind of message to be passed on. There are two extreme end of the tone – humor and emotional. Companies use emotional appeal concepts like patriotism, family closeness, anim al welfare, sharing and giving etc. to promote their products.For e.g. – Salvation army uses moral appeal as a pull toward its goal of seeking attention. At the other end of the spectrum are the humorous ads, which are gaining more and more acceptance amongst American audience. According to various studies, light natured ads catch the attention of consumers. In one of its popular ads Budwieser and Bud light featured a wannabe donkey that wears fur hoof extensions and brays in effort to becoming a part of the Budweiser Clydesdales team (Kotler et al 2006).Message structure and format is very important, especially when print media is the desired mode of communication between the company and its consumers. Even the tele-ads are very much concerned about the overall logo and messages displayed on-screen to its consumers. The most popular example of this is the Statuary warning written on cigarette packs.They are always there, always mentioned and always displayed and yet the bala nce of injurious-yet fashionable is clearly visible in all of these ads. Yesmail sends clients’ promotional e-mail messages to targeted consumers who said â€Å"yes† when asked whether they wished to receive promotional offers in certain categories of interest (Winer, 2006).Choosing the media of communication is the next step. The is chosen based on getting the maximum amount of visibility and the media that creates lasting impression on the minds of consumers There are many channels that can be used in this case. For e.g. – the success of Harry Potter, collapsible scooters, the Chrysler PT Cruiser, and The Blair Witch Project is all due to word-of-mouth publicity (Kotler, Keller, 2005).The print media includes advertisements in magazine, newspapers, pamphlets etc. The most popular media still remain as the television and radio, though internet marketing is fast gaining over them.After the entire process of communication is done, one of the steps that should alw ays be done is collecting the feedback from the consumers. This is done so as to know the effectiveness of the communication on the minds of the consumer.This total marketing communications program used while promoting a company or business is called the promotional mix. Success is all about integrating separate approaches such as PR, internal and direct marketing into one complete marketing strategy. All the promotional elements which are used to gain customers must be planned and then implemented in a coordinated way. (Smith, Taylor, 2004).ReferencesBooksFill, C., â€Å"Marketing Communications: engagement, strategies and practice†, 2nd ed.,2004, FT Prentice HallKotler, P. Armstrong G., â€Å"Principles of Marketing†, 11th ed, 2006, PearsonKotler, P., Keller, K., â€Å"Marketing Management†, 12th ed., 1 March 2005, Prentice HallMullins, J., Walker, O., Boyd, H., â€Å"Marketing Management: A Strategic Decision-Making Approach†, 6th ed, 17 Oct 2006, McGr aw-Hill/IrwinSmith, R., Taylor, J., â€Å"Marketing Communications: An Integrated Approach†, 4th ed, 1  July 2004, Kogan PageWiner, R., â€Å"Marketing Management†, 3rd ed, 31 May 2006, Prentice HallWebsitesâ€Å"Marketing concept and orientation†,http://www.tutor2u.net/business/reference/marketing-orientationâ€Å"The Marketing Concept†, Oct. 2003, One Vision Ltd.â€Å"10 minutes Guide – Marketing Communication†, 2004, The Chartered Institute ofMarketinghttp://www.cim.co.uk/mediastore/10_minute_guides/10minguide_marketingcommunication.pdf