Star Goup Essay

Investigation The modern time is about change in variables existing in the environment that surrounds any organization. The corporate therefore has to plan the uncertainty in a limited time span focusing on training and development of staff ( Delahaya,2011,p.2). The most critical component for success of the organizations rest on how competent and knowledgeable their staffs are. Likewise the investment has to made on the human resource so that they are efficient and effective enough to reach the company goals. HRDNI is a process that identifies the flaws in the incident that is happening in any organization. The main motive of HRDNI is to find out what is the defect that is preventing the organization to reach the target. Therefore HRDNI helps to identify the deviation between what is currently happening and what should be occurring. Star Group, a company which has a number of staffs to reach the goal of the organization has a global onboarding processes and the materials. It onboards new employees to the organization in order to make the entrants get familiar with the organization’s culture. As HRDNI focuses on gap analysis to reach the standards of the organization, the modern concept believes that HRDNI should be future oriented and positive rather than being reactive and negative. Star group therefore introduces Johnson & Associates to analyze the on boarding process to find out if the on boarding process is actually being effective to the new employees to get the overview of the organization. Like any growing company, Star group has faced many challenges in creating standard global processes and controls. Onboarding materials across the group reflect this, with the sites developing their own documents over a number of years. Consequently these artifacts vary greatly in style, branding, content, formatting and quality. Analysis of the process-related information and interviews with key stakeholders highlighted a number of â€Å"pain points’ commonly experienced with the existing onboarding process. The step of data gathering was further elaborated through a qualitative approach  i.e. developing a questionnaire and distributing it to the participants of the induction program because ‘the survey questionnaires can gather hard data that can be ana lyzed objectively from large groups of people’, (Sofo,2012,p.110). Finally the other data gathering process that was actually implemented was through the formation of the pilot group. The pilot group thus was interviewed with a number of questions to decide if the onboarding process was actually effective to new starters. Some of the ‘pain points’ were summarized in six common themes: 1. Lack of documented processes and procedures Each stake holder reported a worrying lack of documented processes and procedures, not just in onboarding but other Human resources and Shared Business Services functions. Particular concern was raised about visibility to geographically dispersed processes. 2. Quality and consistency of onboarding information The pilot group along with the stakeholders reported that onboarding materials had some flaws in it. Inconsistent content Lack of Standardization Lengthy induction presentations Time and accuracy challenges in manually copying employee details provided during the recruitment to other systems such as SAP and Active Directory Challenges in delivering the LOG ON information to non- PC or kiosks users. 3. Lack of manager accountability Managers believe that they do not include the responsibility for onboarding Managers do not receive training in successful onboarding practices, processes or strategies Onboarding commonly viewed as an HR function Onboarding commonly viewed as a series of administrative task rather than an opportunity to provide new starters with a great first impression No evaluation of the success of the onboarding experience for the new  employees. The review also suggested that the manager had to call the new starter to congratulate them which was rarely done by the managers. 4. Delay in conformation of commencement date The commencement date for a new starter is not negotiated in the recruitment process which led to the delay of other downstream processes such as SAP and network set up. 5. Lack of SAP training resources IT and systems training is not provided in any formal way due to resource and time constraints. One SAP trainer divides time between locations which results in inadequate training among new starters and existing employees. 6. Lack of Workflow No process exists to drive or track completion of onboarding tasks. Sites rely heavily on the use of checklists, follow-up emails and phone calls from the human resources. Specific pain points reported by the stakeholders included: Allowance of sufficient lead-time for pre-commencement activities such as visa and work permit applications Lack of mechanisms to ensure mid-year new starters were fully engaged in different program sessions. No controls or process to trigger onboarding processes for contractors, particularly non-payroll and short-term consultants such as PTA Timing of prerequisite compliance checks such as medical clearances.

Poverty in America Essay

Poverty is a disturbing but significant global concern. Just as it is for millions of other people all over the globe, poverty is occurring in America. Over the past decades, income disparity is ascending, in addition to the number of communities that failed to keep up with the national economic standard. Although poverty is present everywhere, it is more serious in developing countries, wherein one in every five person lives on not more than $1 for each day, which is the threshold being applied by the World Bank to classify poverty. The unrelenting problem of poverty is a multifaceted one that embraces individuals and communities who, without their fault, find themselves powerless to manage in this information-intensive and constantly developing world. For the majority Americans, poverty implies destitution, or the lack of ability to provide the family with reasonable shelter, clothing, and nutritious food. Despite the fact that material destitution does exist in America, it is relatively confined in severity and scope. To be aware of poverty in America, it is necessary to observe several statistics, as well as to observe the actual living conditions of the persons that are considered poor by the government. Overview of Poverty in America A large numbers of the country’s population live at or below the threshold of poverty, which means payment of bills every month and financing for the essentials, consisting of shelter, clothing, and food, not counting access to health care and a number of simple comforts is a constant struggle. According to estimates in 2003, roughly 25 percent of counties in the United States had low rates of workforce participation, soaring rates of unemployment, high reliance on government transfer expenditures, and incomes that is lower than one-half of the national average or less for each person. The Census Bureau classifies poverty as a family of three earning not more than $14,680, and not more than $9,393 for a worker without any dependent (Blanco, 2004). According to the 2003 statistics of the Census Bureau, almost 36 million Americans lived in poverty, which is 1.3 million more in 2002. Since 2000, the country has experienced an increase of 4.4 million people who lives in poverty (Blanco, 2004). According to a survey, the present American families are experiencing worse living conditions than they have in the previous years, as 10 percent of all families or approximately 7.6 million families in 2003 lived in poverty, which is an enormous ascend from the previous years (Blanco, 2004). In 2005, the registration of the United States Census Bureau of poor individuals in the country totaled to approximately 37 million poor Americans (Rector & Johnson, 2004). Therefore, there is one in every eight Americans that is struggling with inconceivable poverty. These millions of Americans are asserted to be deficient of the necessary clothing, shelter, and enough money for the food, as well as being forced to live in unpleasant conditions (Rector & Johnson, 2004). Common Factors of Poverty In the concluding half of the 20th century, the three factors that are generally offered to explain movements of poverty in the United States are changes in family structure, economic inequality, and income growth. If the average per-capita incomes are increased, such as increasing wages and employment, then it is expected that poverty will generally decline. Nevertheless, economic inequality can take the edge off the overall constructive impact of income growth if lower-income workforce and unemployed citizens do not benefit from the fruits of such development. On the other hand, changes in the family structure, primarily the ever-increasing number of families headed by female may be linked with higher rates of poverty for the reason that such families are more expected to be poor and are more economically vulnerable. I. Economic Equality Certainly, the country has made several enhancements over the intervening decades in terms of the overall minimum living standard as measured through material conditions. Yet the living conditions of the poor individuals are severely different from that of families and individuals who take advantage of various degree of economic security as measured through income levels that provide unstressed and comfortable situations. The escalation in the number of poor individuals and families in the country ought to provide the government various apprehension, but even more upsetting is the increasing difference between the underprivileged and wealthy in America. In the previous decades, compensation for more affluent Americans has considerably ascended, stimulated by increase in stock options, bonuses, salaries and other rewards. However, the compensation provided for millions of lower-wage workforces dropped off; and in fact, a number of them have even lost their jobs (Blanco, 2004). Therefore, this factor has prevented the advantages of economic growth from being equally drawn out. Moreover, in 2005, non-Hispanic white men, not less than 25 years of age, holding only high-school qualification have $35,679 median income; whereas women within the same age group, need a degree in college in order to obtain a comparable median income (Spriggs, 2007). The outcome is that the households headed by female are harmed by the major earnings gap, which has a poverty rate of 31.1 percent in contrast to their male-headed household counterparts, which only had a 13.4 percent poverty rate (Spriggs, 2007). In 2005, poverty for women is excessively elevated than men, which is14.1 percent in contrast to 11.1 (Spriggs, 2007). The disparity reflects unrelenting gaps in earnings between male and female workers. At the same time, since 1959 the median income of white males with a family of five has been higher than the poverty line, but for women with a family of three, it was only in 1990 that their median income broke beyond the poverty line (Spriggs, 2007). Further, notwithstanding the progressive structure of benefit procedure in Social Security benefits, the constant gap is best reflected in disparities in poverty among the elderly, where the lifetime earnings of women suggest they have lower assets than men. II. Family Structure Higher rates of poverty among women have generally been contributed to the changes in family structure. The percentage of families headed by single female with children rapidly rose over the previous decades of the 20th century, which reached 26.5 percent in 1995 from only 11.5 percent of all families with children in 1970; with higher rates for Hispanics and blacks. At the start of year 2003, roughly 26.1 percent of the entire families with children in the country were headed by single woman. A number of such families do not obtain any or adequate child support from the absent fathers of the children. It is suggested in one study that if fathers married the destitute mothers of their children, approximately three-quarters of the single-parents would instantly be elevated outside poverty status (Rector & Johnson, 2004). Obviously, two parents in a household generally earn more than single-parent. The burden of receiving enough income to raise dependent children outside poverty additionally confronts women who are the single head of the family, as well as getting and paying for child care concurrently with their work and management of the household without help. Since this hazard confronted by women of serving non-working dependents as well as their efforts in looking after their elderly parents is not distributed by society, women who head such families are expected to obtain lower levels of education, therefore, resulting to their lower earnings. Aside from the fact that women are more expected to earn significantly less than men with similar qualifications, mothers have a tendency to accumulate less experience than other workers. III. Income Growth Poverty is associated with the lack of sufficient income, so the core problem therefore is the compensation for the workers. Among the poor, only 11.4 percent or 2.9 million jobs around the clock is available for the whole year (Spriggs, 2007). This sector of the population is further directly impaired by minimum-wage laws that have hindered costs of living. This setback is particularly severe for poverty stricken American-Hispanics and American-Asians, where 18 percent of them worked year-round for full time (Spriggs, 2007). There are several reasons why numerous people lack the income to overcome poverty. For instance, people do not work or if they work, they do not earn sufficient amount of money. Whether in good or bad economic times, the ordinary poor family with children exerts only 800 hours of work throughout a year or 16 hours of work for each week (Rector & Johnson, 2004). Evidently, almost 75 percent of poor children would be lifted outside certified poverty status if work is provided in every family, that would increase the work hours to 2,000 for every year or comparable to 40 hours for each week all through the year (Rector & Johnson, 2004). In 2005, approximately 61 percent underprivileged families have no less than one worker; and of twice-poor families, 71 percent have no less than one worker. In view of the 1990s record job creation, the number of poor but working people declined to 8.5 million in 2000 from 10.1 million in 1993. In short, America is capable of dealing with poverty. But there have been vast stubborn concerns that have lodged the face of poverty. Mounting disparity in the labor market has increased the share of the working age poor citizens, and the unsympathetic federal minimum-wage laws that have amplified the numbers of poor people working year-round for full-time. In a country with a per capita Gross Domestic Product is exceeding the poverty line for a family of four, it is atrocious that there are still more than 12 million poverty stricken American children, and nearly 3 million people work around the clock, for one whole year who are still finding it hard to make ends meet. Facts Concerning the American Poor Sector Based on the American’s accepted definition of poverty, only a small number of the 37 million individuals fit the poor description, contrary to what the Census Bureau classified. Despite the fact that real material destitution undoubtedly does take place, it is limited in severity and scope. A number of America’s underprivileged lives in material conditions that would be considered as well-off or comfortable some generations ago. The following are information obtained from different government reports regarding people classified as poor by the Census Bureau: 1. Roughly 46 percent of the entire poor households actually own their individual houses (Rector & Johnson, 2004). The typical house owned by persons identified as poor by the Census Bureau is a three-bedroom house with a garage, one-and-a-half baths, with at least a patio or porch. 2. About 76 percent of underprivileged families have air conditioning in their houses (Rector & Johnson, 2004). By comparison, merely 36 percent of the entire population of the United States benefited from air conditioning 3 decades ago. 3. Only 6 percent of the underprivileged families are considered overcrowded, and not less than two-thirds of them have extra two rooms for every person (Rector & Johnson, 2004). 4. The typical poor American has more living space than the average individual living in Athens, Vienna, London, Paris, and other cities all over Europe (Rector & Johnson, 2004). 5. Practically three-quarters of poor families own an automobile, while 30 percent own at least two automobiles (Rector & Johnson, 2004). 6. Approximately 97 percent of poor households own at least one colored television, while half of the said percentage has at least two colored televisions (Rector & Johnson, 2004). 7. Roughly 78 percent own DVD or VCR players, while 62 percent have satellite or cable television reception (Rector & Johnson, 2004). 8. Around 73 percent of the poor households have microwave ovens, one-third owns an automatic dishwasher, and over half own a stereo system (Rector & Johnson, 2004). Further, as a group, America’s poor are far from being constantly malnourished. In fact poor children have usual protein intakes of 100 percent beyond the medically suggested levels and consume more meat than children of higher-income do (Rector & Johnson, 2004). Nevertheless, despite the fact that in general the poor are well-nourished, there are still several poor families who experience short-term distress due to food deficiencies. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, although most of the time the hunger is temporary, still 2.6 percent of poor children and 13 percent of poor families experience food shortage sometime during the year (Rector & Johnson, 2004). Approximately 89 percent of the poor account sufficient food to eat to their families, at the same time only 2 percent says they often do not have adequate food to eat (Rector & Johnson, 2004). Conclusion / Recommendations Following the United States government classification of poverty, the typical poor American people have a living standard far superior as compared to what the public envisions. Nevertheless, the typical poor person’s living conditions should not be taken to suggest that every poor American lives devoid of hardship. Millions of Americans are still continually struggling to hang on, making tough choices between housing, hunger and health care for their families. Economic inequality, income growth, and changes in family structure without doubt affected poverty trends over the latter half of the 20th century. Poverty in America can be readily reduced, if parents are provided with sufficient hours of work and if fathers are at all times present with their families. Although marriage and work are unyielding ladders away from poverty, the country’s welfare system uncooperatively continues to be unsympathetic to both. Foremost programs such as Medicaid, public housing, and food stamps keep on reprimanding marriage and rewarding idleness. Therefore, if welfare could be turned around to uphold marriage and work, the remaining number of poor family would quickly decrease. Further, as a matter of course, the United States has employed over the years job creation and economic growth to trim down poverty, but at present situation the courses are consequential only to the extent that inequality on wages is reduced. Poor people are generally not victims of themselves, but of appalling economic policies along with obstructions to opportunity. Since work generates income, it is important therefore that the government must provide a great increase in available working hours in different labor sectors for the poor. Along with the work opportunities, it is also important to eliminate economic inequalities based on gender, age, economic status, and many others in order to provide higher wages and higher incomes to the underprivileged sectors of the country. America is a nation with one of the most productive and strongest economies in the world. As such, the country must exert a continuing effort to fully utilize the abundance and therefore eliminate the country ’s alarming poverty rate.

International Marketing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

International Marketing - Essay Example Spain is the principal olive oil manufacturer in the world. Therefore, the companies producing olive oil in Spain will diversify their markets by exploiting market opportunities. Over the past 20 years, there has been an augment in olive oil consumption in United Kingdom where in 2010; half of the households were consuming olive oil. United Kingdom is the main importer of olive oil in the world (Food & Drink Innovation Network 2010, p. 1). The company will, therefore, expand its market by selling olive oil surplus in United Kingdom. The other objective of the company will be to increase the awareness of its olive oil brands among customers in United Kingdom. United Kingdom is the largest consumer of olive oil in Europe. There are various uses of olive oil as a salads condiment or a cooking ingredient (Harwood & Aparicio 2000, p. 15). The company will seek to inform olive oil consumers concerning the various dietary benefits and outstanding culinary traits of consuming olive oil. The company has to inform consumers about their product, first whether it is extra virgin olive oil, which is utilized principally for dressing salads, for preparing sauces and as a dip for bread. Mixed oil and olive oil are utilized for cooking and preparing tender sauces. Assessment of the Market Over the last twenty years, the consumption of olive oil in the United Kingdom has been increasing constantly. From 1990 to 2009, the United Kingdom share of the global consumption of olive oil increased from 1.9% to 2.9%. All the quantity of olive oil consumed in the United Kingdom is imported. Spain is the leading exporter of olive oil in the United Kingdom. In 2009, half of the United Kingdom households were... This paper stresses that the company has to assess the size of the potential market, the type and level of competition, promotional variations, price, product variations and barriers to trade. The company has also to analyze the cost effectiveness of various modes of transport. The company has to identify marketing objectives, marketing strategies and marketing budget of this market. The company has also to identify the potential customers of olive oil in United Kingdom, identify the critical issues and develop a system of monitoring and evaluating the marketing activities. This essay makes a conclusion that while preparing an initial market plan, the company first identifies the target market. The company will then conduct a market analysis to evaluate the viability of the market. Secondly, the company set objectives it seeks to achieve in the new market. The analysis of the company comprises of the assessment of the market environment. The assessment will identify the prevailing economic conditions, challenges and the level of competition. The company decides the best marketing mix for its products. The company will offer a broad variety of products with different brand names, which will attract new customers. The company will adopt advertising activities, which will persuade consumers to buy its products. The pricing strategy of the company will influence the amount of sales in the target market. The company has to develop distribution channels, which will deliver products to the target customers.

Financial management Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Financial management - Assignment Example Present value of the expected cash flows is computed by discounting them at the required rate of return (also called minimum rate of return); a zero NPV means the project repays original investment plus the required rate of return. A positive NPV means a better return, and a negative NPV means a worse return, than the return from zero NPV. It is one of the two discounted cash flow (DCF) techniques (the other is internal rate of return) used in comparative appraisal of investment proposals where the flow of income varies over time†. ... The incremental costs remain the same throughout the five years. Depreciation is added back because it is a non-cash item; it is only deducted earlier to calculate the tax. It is assumed that tax is paid in the year in which it is accrued. Workings Direct Costs Yr 1 – $950,000(Sales in Year 1) * 55% = $522,500 Yr 2 onwards – $1,500,000 (Sales in Year 2 and onwards) * 55% = $825,000 Depreciation Depreciation for the five years on straight line basis = $1,000,000 ? 5 = $200,000 Conclusion Based on the fact that the project generates a positive Net Present Value of $397500, the project would have beneficial prospects for the company. Hence, the project should be undertaken. References Top of Form Bpp Learning Media. (2009).  Acca - F9 Financial Management: I-learn. Gardners Books. BusinessDictionary.com, Net Present value, Definition. http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/net-present-value-NPV.html Bottom of

Recycling of Construction and Demolition Waste in the Gulf Cooperation Essay

Recycling of Construction and Demolition Waste in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries - Essay Example It is estimated that 55 percent of this total waste comes from construction and demolition, 20 percent from municipal waste, 18 percent from industrial waste, and 7 percent from hazardous waste. The rapid development in the region, population growth, industrial diversification and construction activities combined have led forecasters to predict that the Middle East will invest billions of dollars in waste management sector over the next few years (Summit to focus on waste control). Basically, there are two types of construction wastes. The first one is obviously caused due to some construction work undertaken at different places from time to time as economies improve. The second construction waste happens when there is large scale urbanization of locations when along with residential buildings there are construction of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, bus depots, railway stations, hospitals, sports stadiums and even airports. Construction waste on a large scale, if not managed properly, can prove to be an irritant and challenge to the environment. Dust pollutants, noise, asthmatic attacks, and mounds after mounds of waste material dot the landscape in this scenario. It is imperative that these wastes are immediately carted away and disposed so that they leave room for fresh wastes until the complete construction has taken place. It is necessary to manage construction waste profitably so that it is not detrimental to environment and creates additional revenue (Government to tackle demolition waste). A booming economy naturally raises living standards and styles. It brings about a sea change in the landscape. Places where there were dry and arid land, towns and cities containing swanky buildings and industries arise. There are office and residential buildings, swanky malls, roads, bridges, schools, places of entertainment, sports stadiums, hospitals, railway stations, and airports. The fast industrialization and

How does the No Child Left Behind Act affect Leadership in Early Research Paper

How does the No Child Left Behind Act affect Leadership in Early Childhood programs - Research Paper Example There is a conflict between the student’s learning ability and performance and the reputation of the school. Hence it might be difficult for the schools to achieve the targets set by the act unless suitable changes are applied.   How does the ‘No Child Left Behind’  Act affect Leadership in Early Childhood programs   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001(NCLB) is a breakthrough educational reform that has been designed to improve achievement of the student and alter the American schooling culture. The then president George Bush signed the NCLB Act on 8th January 2002 as he earmarked its inception as the start of a new era. NCLB’s aim is to guarantee quality as well as equality in educational provision to all students to bridge the gap between the underprivileged students and their prosperous peers. The major functions of NCLB are to support learning activities in the nascent ages of education thereby ensuring prevention of any diffi culties in learning processes that might arise later, provide more information regarding a child’s progress and performance to his/her parents, improve quality of teaching and learning by providing requisite information to principals of schools and the teachers, enrich the schools with more and better resources, provide more funds to research oriented programs and curriculums, provide more flexibility, provide attention to things that work in future (No Child Left Behind- A Parent’s Guide, 2003, pp. 1-3; Glenn, & Marytza, 2011, pp 1-2; Nichols, Dowdy,& Nichols, 2010, pp. 1-2). The paper will assess whether the act has been effectual with respect to the early childhood programs and how it affects leadership in such programs.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The NCLB Act has been subject of appraisal as well as criticism from various circles, though it has obtained very little notice in the legal literature and mostly due to its overemphasis on te sting. There has been a bifurcation among the academicians regarding the feasible targets and real achievements of the NCLB Act. Those in support of this Act are of the view that it has completely succeeded in achieving its impressive targets and they often promote the hard accountability procedures of the NCLB Act. Many academicians and politicians have criticized NCLB’s policies that focus on testing as the main mode of assessment of the progress of a school. They also blame the federal government for heavily interfering with the local and state authorities on issues of education while miserably failing to supply requisite funds for the proceeds of this Act. In truth, the NCLB Act does highlight a quandary at the root of all test-based methods of accountability. However, testing alone is not sufficient to assess the school‘s proper assessment. It in turn binds the teachers to teach things that are related to the syllabus and books and not the wider aspects of the curr iculum, which would lead to a time loss, which could have been utilized, on other educational purposes. Moreover, it encourages institutions that play the leading role in such programs to drop out underperforming students rather than expand resources to help these students perform well in their education. The Act is so designed to elevate the segregation by race as well as class, and throw lower performing students out of the school, which makes it even harder for the destitute students to carry on their competition with the more affluent pupils. The Act claims to provide the best of the

Meeting stakeholders needs Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Meeting stakeholders needs - Assignment Example Stakeholders can be further subdivided into two groups: Internal stakeholders: people or group belonging within a business – owners, employees. External stakeholders: people or group belonging outside the business – debt holders, creditors, government, customers, community (BBC, 2013). 1. b. Diagram depicting the stakeholders in an organization (Source: BBC, 2013) 1. c i) Employees (internal stakeholders) in my organization are provided with bonus at the time of their monthly salary. They are also given performance based incentives/appraisals. In my field of work, where there is extensive use of chemicals, workers are given proper training as to how to use them safely and high quality equipments are provided to them in order to build a safe working environment. Customers (external stakeholders) are provided with good quality products and services, ensuring a timely and safe delivery of products. Customer feedbacks are constantly monitored. These are the tasks and respon sibilities assigned to us, as engineers, sales and shop floor operators of the organization. ii) Ensuring an effective communication between the internal stakeholders and the management is an important framework by means of which the former can convey their expectations and needs to the latter and through this the management extracts necessary detail to know the needs of the stakeholders in terms of quality, quantity, timeliness and cost. As far as the external stakeholders are concerned, keeping track of their feedbacks, as well as conducting timely surveys is one way of knowing their needs in terms of quality, quantity, timeliness and cost. 1. d A process involves set of steps and activities designed to perform a certain task in order to reach a specified objective. In other words it can also be described as â€Å"the way in which the abstract goal of putting customers first gets turned on its practical consequences† (Seethamraju, 2012, p. 537). 1. e. The difference between the cost of manufacturing a product and the amount received when that product is sold is termed as the value added to that product (Business Dictionary, 2013b). 1. f. In my field of work, re – works/repairs, defects, chemical waste, delays, poor material allocation, unnecessary material handling is considered as non value adding activities (Alwi, Hampson, and Mohamed, 2002). 1. g. i) I work for an organization which specializes in photo – etching. It is a process which produces complex metal parts with precise detail by adopting a tightly controlled corrosion mechanism (Precision micro, 2013). ii) Photosensitive polymers, metal sheets, stencils, chemicals, UV ray source are key inputs to a photo etching process (Leeweston1980, 2010). iii) The products derived from photo etching process are electronics packaging components, frets & harnesses, medical devices & implants etc. iv) Materials used as inputs (as mentioned above) are changed or used up by the process whereas the workforce involved/the activity involved in the process remains unchanged. v) The amount generated after the output product is sold less the cost involved in the production is the value added to the product. TASK 2 2.a.i. The different stakeholders involved in this incident can be classified into two divisions namely: Internal Stakeholders: The employees working for Swinton. External Stakeholders: The customer and the supplying insurance company. 2.a.ii. As

Annual Rreport Analysis Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Annual Rreport Analysis - Coursework Example More significantly, financial analysis measures the financial performance of a company as in terms of profitability and investment ratios in its operations. As a result, financial analysis of a company, through the financial ratio allows the management to carry out both firms performance and the trend analysis performance for specific years. Sources of Finance More than often, companies have to seek sources of financing requires funds to purchase fixed assets, to finance growth and expansion and to increase its working capital. Nevertheless, these sources of long-term financing are not easily accessible because they include a fixed term contract and large amounts of fund (Brigham & Ehrhardt, 2011). As a result, companies opt to raise long-term capital by issuing shares to shareholders from the public. There are two types of shareholders including equity shareholders who are directly involved in company affairs and the preference shareholders who are entitled to profits before equity shareholders (Davies & Pain, 2011). In addition, companies can use long-term loans as sources of finance from financial institutions. These loans could either be from government or private financial institutions who give long-term loans at reasonable rate of interest and repayment period (Gowthorpe, 2011). More so, the companies can use debentures as there sources of finance that are issued to the public. ... Financial Analysis of TCB bank and Bank of Georgia As financial services provider institutions, both the TCB bank and Bank of Georgia seek these sources of long-term finance to increase their business lines and boost their working capital. As a result, the two companies have shareholders both equity and the preference shareholders who are entitled to profits from the company’s proceedings. In addition, the financial institutions use debentures as there sources of finance from the public who make up the creditors of the companies (Nikolai, Bazley & Jones, 2010). As other financial institutions, the two companies source out for long-term loans as sources of finance from other financial institutions within reasonable rate of interest and repayment period. In addition, the two companies have funds from their retained earnings as sources of long-term finance (Fields, 2011). 1) Profitability Ratio 2011 2010 Return on assets= Net income/ = 91,625 /2783901=0.033 49,435/2002900.5=0.025 TCB Bank Total average asset Return on assets= Net income/ = 138973/ 4182165=0.033 78043/ 4004922=0.019 Bank of Georgia Total average asset Return on equity=Net income/ = 91,625 / 423026.5 =0.217 49,435/352007.5=0.140 TCB Bank Average stockholders’ equity Return on equity=Net income/ = 138973/918677.5=0.151 78043/812,603=0.096 Bank of Georgia Average stockholders’ equity Net Profit margin= Net Income/ Sales = 91,625 /209,081=0.438 49,435/162,814=0.304 TCB Bank (TCB Bank, 2012) Net Profit margin= Net income/ Sales = 138973/360,215=0.386 78043/413673=0.189 Bank of Georgia Gross Profit margin= Gross Income/ Sales = 209,081/ 360,215=0.580 162,814/ 271,805=0.600 TCB Bank Gross

Pro Death Penalty Essay Example for Free

Pro Death Penalty Essay The death penalty should be kept as a punishment in our court systems. It should be kept because it helps crime rates drop, helps give closure, serves justice, and more. Even though it gives a great outcome to the system there are people who argue against it. People against say that capital punishment is not rite, innocent people get killed, and its cruel and unusual punishment; yet none of those facts are proven, in fact, there is prove against them. Ultimately the death penalty helps society feel better and be a better place. The death penalty prevents more murders in society by causing one that is deserved. This is because people get scared of giving up everything for nothing. They think twice before they take a life because they can be punished by getting their life taken. The death penalty stops most people from killing others over stupid things like money, arguments, etc. Most of the people that do commit murders either dont care about there life, didnt mean to, or have some kind of anger or psychiatric problem like being psychotic, schizophrenic, bipolar and more. Many people tried to prove that the death penalty prevented murders, but there attempts were inconclusive. In 1973 Isaac Ehlrich engaged in an analysis which results showed that for every criminal executed 7 lives were saved (MSU); only because people were scared of the death penalty and didnt want to take a chance with there life. The many people that appose the death penalty say that the death penalty doesnt prevent murders, but causes th em. Like criminologist William Bowers of Northeastern University says Society is hurt by the use of the death penalty, this ups the likelihood of more murder. (MSU) I think that this is an insane idea. Even if society was brutalized by the use of the death penalty, why would they ever even think of committing more murders. The more murders that they commit the more the state would have to sentence the death penalty thus making what they were brutalized by even worse. What about all the criminals in our prisons that are serving life sentences. Life imprisonment is the worst punishment next to the death penalty and without that there is nothing left to punish the inmates with. If the inmate knows that it cant get worse than that they could kill guard and do whatever they wanted. When there is a punishment of death the inmates have to think that they are in jail and its not a nice place there but at least they are alive. Murder is very severe crime and can not be handled lightly. As stated by MSU when someone kills somebody they must be punished equally; as they should be for any other crime. This can be related to the saying an eye for an eye of course we dont take it to as great extent as they did before. If a teenager steels something like a CD they will get a certain amount of community service. This is basically being forced to do volunteer work to pay back for what you would have stolen and extra hours as a punishment. In an act of murder the victims family gets extremely traumatized. The damage caused can never be fixed. If the victim was say caught in a crossfire some family members might be scared to go outside. They could have nightmares and much more can happen. If the murderer is put to justice and executed at least they will have some kind of closure and know that the murderer is not able to commit any more murders. New Media Mill states that only good has happened since the government r einstated the death penalty after the court case Gregg vs. Georgia (1976). Ever since it was reinstated murder rates have dropped in almost all the states from 30% to 65%. Today, about 70% of America is for the death penalty even though there are a few problems just as there is in any other system. The main problem is executing and innocent person. According to MSU there is no proof of any innocent person getting executed. It would be extremely hard to happen because of all the safeguards and appeals added in the 1970s. Even if an innocent has been executed it is very rare. It wouldnt be rite to try an stop the death penalty because of some unproven fact, thats like saying there are innocent people in prison so abolish prison. There is no way you can be 100% sure which inmates are innocent and which ones are not, and you cant re-investigate all there cases because that would take too much man power and time. The people that do get out of death row normally get out because of legal technicalities. If someone can be proven innocent the governor will grant them clemency. The other claims are usually just delaying tactics (MSU). This is way the court has the appeal system which allows the inmate to postpone the execution. According to statistics on New Media Mill it is more likely to take a guilty man off death row and put him in a normal prison for life than it is to execute an innocent man. People say that the death penalty is cruel and unusual punishment if anything the system goes way too easy on the death row inmates. Some murderers kill people in the most brutal, disgusting, and unimaginable ways and they are executed by lethal injection. They get to die in there sleep without any pain or suffering. They die the way everyone wishes they die. In my eyes, thats not considered a punishment comparing it to how some inmates have killed people. For example Michele Ross got the death penalty and was killed by painless lethal injection after raping and killing eight women. The people put on death row should be killed in a harsher way. According to MSU government isnt giving cruel and unusual punishment by lethal injection, people should be happy that they are nice enough to execute the inmates so peacefully. I could understand people seeing it as cruel and unusual if the government banned lethal injection and left the inmates with a choice of the other four methods for execution which are hanging, gas chamber, firing squad, and electrocution which cause pain (MSU). When hanging the person drops with the noose around his neck so that it snaps his neck. Instant death doesnt always happen so the person sometimes suffocates. Using the gas chamber they sit the person in a chair and fill the room until he chokes from the lethal gas. The firing squad gives a shot to the heart and kills the person in a few seconds or if the heart is missed the person bleeds to death. When being electrocuted the person is tied to a chair while they put 2000 volts of electricity through them. During lethal injection the person is put to sleep then paralyzed then given a liquid witch stops all function in the body. As you see execution cant get much better than lethal injection. Cruel and unusual is when Ronell Wil son shot and killed detectives James Nemorin and Rodney Andrews in 2003 (Google News). Hopefully you know realize that the death penalty should be kept as a punishment in our court systems. It has helped crime rates in almost every state drop, it has given closure to many families, it has served justice, and more. There will always be people coming up with reasons why the death penalty should be stopped. Reasons like cruel and unusual punishment, that it hurts society, and more but in the end it is the main thing that stops people from going out of control and makes society a better place. Work Cited Google News. The Death Penalty. 2006. 11/25/06. http://news.google.com/news?q=for+the+death+penaltyMichigan State University. The Death Penalty. 2006. 11/21/06. http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.msu.eduNew Media Mill. DPIC. 2006. 11/20/06. http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org

Cisco Systems Architecture Essay Example for Free

Cisco Systems Architecture Essay Cisco is a company with a clear vision and an ambitious goal of becoming the global Internet expert. The company set its sights on challenging the norm of the time and working on making voice calls over the Internet free. Established in 1984 by two Stanford graduates, Cisco became the most valuable business on earth by March 2000. The company’s strategy is to provide a complete solutions offer to its customers through offering a wide product range and growing the business through acquisitions and business alliances. From its original core technology of routers, the company is now focusing in three independent networks of phone, local and wide area and broadcast networks. The turnaround point for the company was its database failure and forced two-day shutdown in 1994. This event highlighted the need to change company’s approach to systems replacement and the need to integrate all of company’s applications. The company decided to adopt new practices and retrain its staff rather than mirroring the â€Å"old and tried†. The decision was made to collaborate with Oracle to develop a single ERP solution to replace all current systems. The project was a success and was followed by replacement and standardization of all company’s platforms and applications worldwide. Further to this project, Cisco web-enabled all its applications, resulting in customer service, HR and supply chain efficiencies. Cisco’s success continues and is being made possible by its growth through acquisitions and strategic alliances (such as that with KPMG). The company is where it is today largely due to its effective integrated Internet business systems, resulting in great efficiencies for the company and its various stakeholders. 1) Cisco – Information Age Company. Cisco is far from being an Industrial Age Company. The main reason for this is that the company has been able to recognise the value in IT and use it to better their performance and achieve the desired growth. According to Weill Ross (2009), it is a characteristic of an IT Savvy firm. To be more specific, through integrating their processes and applications into an ERP solution and then to proceeding to full replacement of all of its IT solutions worldwide, Cisco moved to a digitalized platform. According to Weill Ross (2009), digitalized platform is an integrated set of electronic business processes and technologies. This would hardly be a characteristic of an Industrial Age company. Further to that, Cisco’s approach to implementation of its ERP solution and deciding not to mirror known and learnt old approaches but to make a bold move and rather retrain its people in new systems, demonstrates forward thinking and innovation, which is critical to get significant value from IT. Again this is a more fitting characteristic of an Information Age company rather than an Industrial Age company. In implementing the ERP system, the company successfully identified where it lacked necessary expertise and was not scared to outsource their needs analysis to KPMG and then the ERP project to Oracle, who had significant knowledge and experience in the solutions Cisco were after. The â€Å"outside the square† thinking allowed the company to focus on own competences and keep them in-house while tapping into the expertise of others through outsourcing and alliances. This is a definite characteristic of an Information Age company. Finally, keeping communication lines open across functional divisions and getting an input from across the business to avoid making the project an IT-only initiative and to ensure it addresses the real needs is another reason why Cisco is an Information Age company. 2) IT contribution to the company’s strategy IT greatly contributed to the company’s strategy to provide comprehensive one-stop-shop business networks solution for its customers, to set industry standards for networking, to systemize acquisitions and pick the right partners. Firstly, it was the company’s IP-based IT Architecture that enabled them to effectively and smoothly handle business acquisition and fully integrate these new acquisitions in a short period of time. Secondly, ERP implementation and application of web-enabled IT allowed Cisco to meet its goals of streamlining its internal processes and improving productivity, to improve customer satisfaction through the provision of online technical support, to pioneer net commerce and set industry standards and to achieve an extremely efficient supply chain. IT and systems implemented were at the heart of executing the company’s strategy. Thirdly, IT is an integral part of Cisco’s information system. According to Picolli (2008), information systems satisfy firm’s information needs and thus improve firm’s efficiency and enable it to achieve its goals. Being an important part of this efficiency improvement process makes IT a significant contributor to Cisco’s strategy. 3) The role of CIO Pete Solvik Pete Solvik’s role was integral in Cisco being able to derive significant value from IT and recognise it as a strategic asset as opposed to a liability. Prior to Cisco’s defining moment, it had the ambitious goals but the company was running standard operations not being able to support what it aspired to become. Solvik brought fresh visions and innovative thinking to the company. His initiatives were to redefine how IT was viewed internally and depart from finance cost centre reporting perception of the department. He was also able to see the limitations of Cisco’s systems and the potential of improvements. According to Weil Ross (2009), when IT systems are deficient you need to first change the entire approach to IT. Only once this is accomplished can the digitalized platform be implemented. Solvik did manage to do that. Weil Ross (2009) emphasize the need to strong leadership in turning IT into a strategic asset. And this is ultimately what Solvik’s r ole was in Cisco’s transformation.

Market Strategy Of Titan Watches

Market Strategy Of Titan Watches During late 2008 and 2009 confidence of consumer fell and people became more aware about their spending in watches and jewellery has not been immune to the economic climate. During 2005 jewellery and watches market grew by 10 % were it reaches to  £4.8 billion in 2010 and over next five year Mintel forecasts is 11%growth in watches and jewellery market. Hence 2011 is also going to be the year to invest in mens jewellery. Stephen Webster presented a strong case for mens jewellery at IJL in September 2010, and assuming male customer only want watches and the odd signet or chain could lead to missing out on a potential wealth of customer. Its not that male customers dont want it: they just dont know they want it. Men dont have thinking about what to wear as women do, explain Webster. But once a man is bejewelled, theres no looking back. They also dont wait for special occasions like woman do, and they can go from zero to jewellery enthusiast in no time. Market research company Mintels September 2010 report Watches and Jewellery Retailing UK found that 20% of male respondent said they like receiving jewellery as a gift, and 12% said that they had purchased all of their own jewellery. So the market is clearly there to be exploited. http://www.retail-jeweller.com/trends/in-with-the-new-2011-trends/5020089.article Rapid increase in gold prices and recession change many consumers mind to buy silver instead of gold, this trend is rising to nearly three in ten women with almost one in five people wearing silver jewellery than gold; particularly young people aged 15-24. Now days Consumers are willing to experiment and try new looks with little minimising their bank balances which means many costume jewellery items are affordable and easy disposable without denting their bank balance. Young aged under-35 is more open to pay large amounts for watches these are consumers who do not wear jewellery to express their individuality or to show their consumer spending power. As the research has should that 86% of consumers wear a watch, were 40% only buy a new watch when their old watch is broken. The new reason for purchase a watch could be watchs main function with health benefits as a new way of helping the consumer. http://oxygen.mintel.com/sinatra/oxygen/display/id=479809 Executive Summary: https://www.keynote.co.uk/market-intelligence/view/product/10331/chapter/0 Why buy me. Can be better explain by to fend off the competition by constant innovation, reinvigorate, recalibrate, update. Many brands and companies are continuously renovating their business and holding positioning themselves for growth. Positioning able offerings for brands and availability of product in the market. Several key target groups and users meet their needs as it reaches a certain mode of consumers and delivers benefits to them. Consumer and user are attributed by benefits and product as they are depended on how actual approach of a company or brands position communicates in the market place. As a result positioning or product of a company find one to keep further distance itself from competitors which is based on list of items, but very importantly in six key :, Distribution, Quality, Attributes, Product, Price and Usage Occasions. As compared to earlier times consumerism has undergone a sea change where the consumers are informed about the products. Hence, the market has become customer centric. Understanding the importance of customer is become the structure of business; in effects companies have started in regular basis i.e. repositioning exercise. In the recent times Titian Industries Ltd had a major brand repositioning exercise was planned more in order to provide more to its customers. Now the company holds new position. This study will help to understand the revived positioning strategies of Titan watches. An analysis of repositioning strategies of Titan also forms of the study. Firstly it is important to understand the overall wrist watch industry in UK. Secondly to study the brand positioning and re-positioning strategy of Titan wrist watches and to find out about the loyal customers of Titan watches as they are aware of the new positioning strategies of the company and how they used them. To study primary and secondary data have been used. Analysis UK wrist watch industry and brand repositioning strategies of TITAN Company has been analysed and completed on the basis of secondary data. Internet, journals, books and magazines have been used for this purpose. Project comprises conducting a questionnaire survey. (function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "https://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })() Introduction: 1.1 Theory and concepts: According to Peter Drucker A business has two and only two basic functions: marketing and innovation To maintain business relevance and market position, it is important to continuously innovate and invent brand image in the market to pace with change and intense competitive pressure in the marketplace. In this context, now days brand positioning and revitalization strategies have become a business vital part for battling brand erosion. Further heightened for brand repositioning is because of rising cost and high risk connected with launching a new brand in market. Increase in the cost and high risk related with launching a new brand that is a part of brand reposition. Brand reposition has received very importance in the marketing literature and treated as a difference of brand positioning. Reposition can be required as the market changes and new opportunities occur. In order to reach the customer which was never targeted at first can also be targeted with brand reposition. In order to change its image in the market it is important to focus towards brand repositioning, although it is one of the toughest and harder actions for repositioning of familiar brand in market. As per Solomon, essential part in the marketing efforts is position strategy because companies have to use the elements in the marketing mix to influence the customers understanding the position. There has to be several choices to be, so to as to be in more attractive and relevant position. It is important for the person who is reposition for the reposition to know and understand why reposition is necessary and its need, and if the offer is the one that will change or just the brand name. While repositioning it is important to undertake and understand all the risk factors that is likely to affect it in the market. A company risks its credibility and reliability more while repositioning its brand in the market and the need for a thorough strategy is very important to avoid any occurrence. Some analyst argues that to successfully reposition a established brand name is almost impossible because repositioning of a brand can make the most loyal customer to switch brand. If the brand is eroded then brand reposition becomes important. Numerous attempts to reposition brand in the market may fail which is testified by many company for example while soft drink has successfully been able to connect with the youth though they exist for 40 years in the market but at the same Levis, jeans has been losing its market share to newcomers such as The Gap despite numerous campaigns designed to reposition the brand trend. 1.2 Literature Review: The reposition strategy is defined into three stages that is: Introductory Elaboration Fortification This involves the introduction of a new or a repositioned brand, seeking underline the brands value over others, and to broaden the brand position. It is truly hard to change the customers perceived attitude towards a brand, and therefore the risk is great that the attempt to repositioning might fail. After rolling out the strategy, it is time to modify the proposition through update of the personality and through repositioning. There pros and cons with both of this segments and it is great significance that they are truly calculate when deciding the next step in the process. To understand it more deeply http://htmlimg4.scribdassets.com/55f3acalz4nfgla/images/10-81b5e3fa9c/000.jpg Figure 1: Stages in brand strategy development. When a company modifies or change something that is already there in the market established in the mind of the customer that is called as repositioning. Different profession and individuals have different meaning and understanding towards Repositioning. There are few different definitions and greater understanding about this concept: Repositioning is a change, principally about triggering the vision, mission and value in a new direction that is more suited f or the brand in the future- Brand manager consultant. Principally, reposition concerns changing the consumers perception of the brand PR consultant. Repositioning is built upon the change of unique and differentiated associations with the brand in some kind of direction; it is about having a balance between the category party and differentiation when using reposition strategies (Leading Brand strategies) From these definitions, it is obvious that reposition is about moving something to more attractive and relevant position. Reposition direction is often decided as to what a company wants to achieve. There is also a visible relation between price and quantity aspects. When a company perceives the market as a demand curve, the purpose is to down stretch or upward curve. When moving up and there is a need for reaching the premium segment and expand up wards. Figure: The principle of reposition. When striving towards a new position in the market, it is important to understand those consumers are limited. Peoples minds select what to remember and it is important to convince the consumers with greater arguments. The market always strive for change which is rapid and therefore repositioning can be necessary to meet these demands, newer and stronger arguments have to be established to convinced them to stay as loyal customers. As repositioning is a very complicated matter and therefore there are no detailed theories or models. Aim for repositioning is different for different person, and the only connection between all the different theories is that repositioning is moving something from somewhere towards a greater position at the market. Corstjens and Doyle (1989) identified three types of repositioning strategies: Zero repositioning, which is not a repositioning at all since the firm maintains its initial strategy in the face of a changing environment. Gradual repositioning, where the firm performs incremental, continuous adjustments to its positioning strategy to reflect the evolution of its environment; and Radical repositioning that corresponds to a discontinuous shift towards a new target market and /or a new competitive advantage. After learning the repositioning of several brands from the UK market, the following 8 types of repositioning have been identified. These are: Increasing relevance to the consumer Increasing occasions for use Making the brand serious Falling sales Bringing in new customers Making the rand contemporary Differentiate from other brands Changed market conditions A four phased brand repositioning approach can be followed to achieve the intended benfits- Phase I. Determining the current status of the brand Phase II. What does the brand stand for today? Phase III. Developing the brand positioning platforms Phase IV. Refining the brand Positioning and Management Presentation The advantages that can be derived from brand repositioning exercises can be summarized as: Value over others Updated personality Relevant position The risks associated with such strategies are: Loss of focus Neglecting original customers Losing credibility for the brand Confusing the brand Therefore, in order UNLEARN the brand positioning one must help the customer to know brand repositioning in more difficult than initially positioning. This can be done by: Carefully crafted communication New products, packaging Associations with other brands ( co- branding, co- marketing, ingredient branding, strategic alliances, etc) that reinforce the new brand positioning. This exercise is so critical to an organizations success that the organizations and leader in marketing/brand management should develop skill preferably with the help and facilitation of an outside brand positioning expert. Research Methodology: 2.1 Objectives To study the current scenario of UK wrist watch industry. To review the brand positioning strategies of different sub-brands of watches. To analyze the brand repositioning strategies of watches. To study consumer awareness and perception about the brand repositioning strategies of watches. This study will help to understand the gap in its communication strategy regarding brand repositioning exercises and the further measures to be taken for effective marketing communications. 2.2 Limitations: The study is confined to London area only There is possibility of sampling errors in the study The responses of the consumers may not be genuine Questionnaire may not be comprehensive 2.3 Sources of Data Collection: The relevant data was collected from both primary sources and secondary sources. The starting point of my information gathering has been the secondary sources such as internet, books, and journals and so on. Firstly, brand positioning and repositioning strategies of Titan, secondary sources such as internet, insurance magazines, and journals and so on. Then I conducted a consumer awareness survey on brand repositioning strategies undertaken by Titan watches in recent times. 2.4 Sampling: To conduct sampling of 50 loyal consumers of Titan and in the age group of 20 30 years for this study. Since Titan has taken up brand repositioning strategies since January 2011, consumers who have seen the previous and new campaigns have been targeted. 2.5 Primary data: Data was collected through an interview schedule, consisting of both open ended and closed ended questions. It consisted of the parameters like reasons consumers brand preference, recollection of earlier tagline and advertisement, brand ambassador of Titan awareness of new tagline and campaign featuring sportsmen and actors from International body and so on. The data was collected through e-mails, telephone contacts and one to one personal interviews. Industry Overview UK Watch industry: In 2004 and 2008 market report examines the jewellery and watches market in UK were fluctuated and fell by 2.8% and finish at  £4.33 billion in the review report. Large declined in 2008 contribute to the global economic downturn and UK recession which adversely effected nearly all UK industries. The only unaffected by the downturn was the luxury end of the market end, but by the 2008 and 2009 it begun to take effect on it. In recent year the jewellery and watches become increasingly competitive. Although this market have wide range of suppliers and retailers also online retailing have contributed highly for transparent for information on pricing and availability of products. This was a positive trend for small brands that was previously unable to deal with consumer directly. Some larger retailers and few independents have developed their transactional sites to deal with their consumer demand. The product which have high rate of consumer penetration with around a third of the UK population owning piece jewellery and watches. In 2009 downturn in UK economy shows that it will affect all areas of consumer spending and unlikely to show reversal in near future. It seems the concepts of a wrist watch have become that of a status symbol rather than a practical chronometer. According to a survey that suggest one in seven people in the UK has no need for watch, apart from as a fashion accessory. Gadgets such as iPods, laptops and mobile phone, represent threat to the watch industry, survey conducted by Mintel. Even in the age of iPhones, people spend huge amount of money on a quality time piece, with high-end brands such as Rolex and Tag Heuer adorning blinged up wrist of rappers, bankers and fashionistas alike. http://www.wharf.co.uk/2010/11/why-wrist-watches-are-dialling.html SWOT ANALYSIS OF THE UK WATCH INDUSTRY: Strengths: Watch industry is growing industry which faster rate As the population is rising, the watch market is also expanding Customers are not very price sensitive as far as quality watch is concerned Weakness: There is not much advertising done by watch industry No innovation in products There are few number of exclusive showrooms that reduces the consumers accessibility to the product There are few marketers, who are concentrated only upon a particular niche segment (Tag Heuer ) Opportunities: There is more need of fashionable luxury watch and fine luxury watch brands that can be targeted in UK, as customers are more like trendsetter and fashionable. UK especially London is a metropolitan city which makes it more attractive for the new company. Youth are more brand conscious than their predecessors. That leads to the expansion of the market for branded watches. Threats: There are many foreign players entering in the race Too many players will dilute the market and the profit margin. Mobile phones acting as substitutes of the watches. The Indian watch industry began in the year 1961 with the commissioning of the watch division of Titan. The first watch model manufactured by HMT was the Janata model in the year 1962. HMT was the leader in the watch market till the Tatas formed Titan watches in association with Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation in the year 1987. They took a major strategy decision, which later changed the face of the Indian watch market to manufacture only quartz watches. Liberalisation in 1992 and removal of quantitative restrictions due to WTO has opened the doors for many the Indian market viz. Tissot, Swatch, Omega, Rado, TAGHeuer. The import duties on watches are falling which makes the Indian market look attractive for the global majors like Casio, Swatch and Citizen. Company Profile: Overview Titan is one of the largest watch producer in India and sixth largest in the world. Titan manufactures over 7 million watches per annum and have 65 million customer. In 1984 titan was established as a joint venture between the Tata Group and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation. Manufacturing in a state- of -the art at Hosur, Tamil Nadu the company brought the large change in Indian market, by offering quartz technology with international styling. By understanding the different segments in the market, the company launched its second brand Sonata watch, as value brand for those who like styled watches with affordable prices. In last two decade the company has build an very good impression in watch business to become Indias largest manufacturer and world largest sixth manufacturer of watches. This was mainly because good formidable distribution network. Being one of largest retail chain of exclusive retail showroom for watches called The world of Titan spread over 100 towns. Titan have branches over 30 countries, its also have multi brand outlets named Time Zone, service centres and dealer outlets. The company has watch plant at Dehradun (UP) and Baddi (Himachal Pradesh) and electronic circuit boards in Goa. The promoters held majority stake of the company, with Tidco having 28% of the shares and Tata Group companies owing 25% of the shares and the public sharing holding around 28% in the company. The rest of the stake held by the foreign institution, non resident Indian, mutual fund and other institution. It also acquiring a license for global brands such as Tommy Hilfiger and Hugo Boss, while. It has also in its portfolio its first Swiss Made watch brand Xylys. In 1995 the company capitalize to brand Tanishq as diversified into jewellery in fragmented market operating no brand in urban city. Also in 2005 the company launched its second Jewellery brand, GoldPlus, as using its opportunity for capitalizing in small town and rural India. Its also diversified into fashion Eyewear by launching Fastrack Eye Gear sunglasses as well as prescription eyewear. TITAN WATCHES: BRAND POSITIONING STRATEGIES Overall strategies: Since from the beginning Titan has been positioned as a premium brand, because its high quality products for its customer. Titan is struggling to have a strong brand image in UK market due to its numerous sub-brands that caters to different segments in India. It follows different positioning strategies; these strategies can also be analyzed as given below: Attribute Positioning: The company launched first quartz watches to Indian market as its product. The company successfully penetrate the market by this launch, under this strategy came Raga, Classique and Regalia. Classique positioned as style corporate wear that leaves a quiet definite impression and qualities of function. Regalia ranger represent the elegant-wear. Raga is an exclusive watch as positioned. The Raga and silver Raga collection of style, delicate and feminine with each piece unique truly. User Positioning: Titan provides to several user groups children (the Dash), sportspersons and adventurers. The fastrack range is seen as being modern and related to present time, reliable and sturdy. The advertising, packaging and merchandising of this range is young, cool and vibrant. Benefit Positioning: Titan offer many deals to differentiate its offering on the basis of superior style and attractiveness which is offered by Digital range fastrack. Competitors Positioning: Titan had to encounter the threat with the entry of several foreign watchmakers into the market; most the entrants are catering to the upper end of the market Omega, Cartier etc. Quality or Price Positioning: In the overseas market, especially in Europe where it is competing with Swiss and Japanese watches, it is position itself as value-for-money (less than Swiss watches and higher than Japanese), by giving attractively styled and of good quality. TITAN WATCHES: BRAND RE-POSITIONING STRATEGIES FOR GLOBALISATION Titan has managed to get fair market in Middle East and Africa but its failure in Europe was a downturn for the Company as the return was not as good as investment made for the expansion. Titan has decided to revamp its flagship watch brand in Europe mainly in UK. Titan wants to reposition it more youthful and relevant to the changing times. Titan has entered the International markets in 1989 through the export of watch movements. Titans first global footprint was placed in the UAE the largest market in the Middle East then it moved towards Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia and few markets in Africa. Though it faced strong competition, it reached the sales of 100,000 watches within a year of its launch. It started to move globally and moves towards Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives and Nepal. After its extensive survey, it concluded that it needs good reason to stock the brand. Titan needs to re-position its brand image in the UK market. And so Titan decided to against soft option of driving its globalization through private label exports. It would launch its product under its own brand with market positioning Therefore Titan found a massive advertising campaign to create brand awareness. It also participated in the fair which showcases the worlds biggest watch brand in the world. http://www.moodiereport.com/images/luxury_watch_tables_jan10_04.jpg http://www.moodiereport.com/images/luxury_watch_tables_jan10_05.jpg CONCLUSION: The suggestions to improve consumer awareness about brand repositioning strategy of Titan are as follows: To increase its visibility, Titan Company can sponsor events similar to fashion shows which all latest designs launched are displayed. This is important as it has a great effect on different segments of the customers in different ways. It is important to have Tie up with radio channels and television to broadcast and telecast its advertisement about various sales promotion from time to time. RD needs more investment as customer expectations are changing rapidly. It should focus more on introducing more varieties and luxury items in the market at regular interval. Introduce exclusive collection for working women which is more contemporary and complements any fashion styles. Tie up with international watch brands to make the product stronger in the market. To use internet to spread awareness among consumer about the brand. (function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "https://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })()

Nietzsches Revaluation of All Values Essay -- Philosophy Nietzsche Es

In the nineteenth century, popular philosophy - particularly the Hegelian dialectic - professed that mankind was developing in an upward direction, becoming more angelic as it were. Man's moral laws were more advanced, as support for democracy and equal rights were beginning to become popular. However, Friedrich Nietzsche believed that mankind was entering a downward spiral towards complete decadence. Modern man, with its 'advanced' morality, was, in truth, decaying on the inside. Claims of morality merely masked modern man's decay: he is veiled behind moral formulas and concepts of decency?. [not] to mask human malice and villainy?. [but] it is precisely as tame animals that we are a shameful sight?. The European disguises himself with morality because he has become a sick, sickly, crippled animal that has good reasons for being ?tame?. [GS 352] Nietzsche believed this to be a form of nihilism because mankind valued precisely what was halting his advancement. With this in mind, Nietzsche began his bold movement towards the revaluation of all values. We need a critique of moral values, the value of these values should itself, for once, be examined?. [What if] morality itself were to blame if man, as a species, never reached his highest potential power and splendour? [GM P 6] In this essay I will first look at several reasons for the necessity of a revaluation of all values. Then I shall look at Nietzsche?s conception of the ?noble? and how through egoism, they can undertake the revaluation of all values. Nietzsche?s most famous statement is, without a doubt, that ?God is dead? (GS 108/125, Z P 2, etc.). Through many years of being quoted, contemporary society seems to have lost the significance of such a profound statement. Perhaps the most frightening aspect of this statement is that ?we have killed him - you and I. All of us are his murderers? (GS 125). It is important to remember that Nietzsche did not believe this to be a literal event. Instead, he explains ?that the belief in the Christian god has become unbelievable? (GS 343). Such disbelief has begun to cast morality, indeed mankind?s meaning, into doubt. Without God, how can universal moral truths be justified? Where is the meaning of man? What were we doing when we unchained this earth from its sun? Whither is it moving now? Whither are we moving? Away from all suns? Are we not plung... ...ss that of all, all! [GS 335] Nietzsche believed that the ego is very important for the revaluation of values. It provides a person with the proper attitude to look within himself and determine those values that are in accordance with personal well-being. The ego also gives the person the conviction to act upon them. In the end, Nietzsche began to perceive that his ?wicked thoughts? on the revaluation of all values were themselves becoming eternal truths: ?you have already taken off your novelty, and some of you are ready, I fear, to become truths: they already look so immortal, so pathetically decent, so dull!? (BGE 296) Nietzsche implies that his views on issues might not be correct, such as when he claims ?assuming that it is now known at the outset how very much these are after all only - my truths? (BGE 231) before beginning a sad tirade on women. The danger of stating a method of creating truth that is indefinite is that certain aspects will be cast into truths in the future, much against the spirit of Nietzsche. While his elitist views might seem extreme, perhaps he is only offering his truth to creating meaning, and it is our individual duty to come up with our own.

The Environment and Environmental Hysteria :: Environment Environmental Research

The Environment and Environmental Hysteria missing Works Cited Fanatics see everything in absolutes. Perspective means nothing to them(425). In this essay I will focus on the events surrounding the regulation of Alar (diaminozide) up to and including 1985, as a case-study of knowledge and decision-making amidst uncertainty (418-19). I pick this time period in particular, because it is when the NRDC and other public interest groups began their campaign in protest against the EPA's decision to not ban Alar. My analysis of the events surrounding Alar will take shape around a critique of Michael Fumento's article "Environmental Hysteria: The Alar Scare," in which he paints the NRDC as "fanatics" launching a "smear campaign" not founded in any rational decision-making. This is an important argument to counter, because it has not only been taken up by many to condemn citizen-group action in the case of Alar, but to criticize their activities in many other regulatory processes. The chief framework used to devalue public action in these cases is the technocratic model, wherein it is believed that decisions can be best made by obj ective, rational experts acting based upon scientific knowledge. In this case, we can see a perfect example of when a decision was decided by scientific experts, in accordance with the technocratic model. Fumento and other supporters of the technocratic mode privilege the scientific knowledge of bodies such as the Scientific Advisory Panel in this case over other forms of knowledge. He denounces NRDC as fanatics based on his claim that they acted in spite of, and in contradiction to scientific declarations and reports which indicated that their "Alar alarm" did not correspond to the evidence at hand (423). However, the Alar saga is typical of many regulatory decision-making processes in that the scientists and administrators were forced to act before scientific opinion has solidified around a certain determination of the dangers of the chemical. In this case, the scientists cannot simply rely on the accepted scientific verdict, but they need to make value judgements about what evidence and opinion to include in their decision-making and what to ex clude. In this type of scenario, I will first argue, the technocratic model is imperfect for our democratic country, as it privileges the value judgements of scientists over those of the populace. I further suggest that scientists themselves should not be considered above subjectivity nor fanaticism, but rather in some cases their rigorous abidance to objectivity can be seen as a certain type of blind"fanaticism.