Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf :: Whos Afraid Virginia Woolf Essays

Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf           For this book talk, I read an Edward Albees play, Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf. I cut the movie version of this book, which I found excellent, so it inspired me to read the book.           The book begins when George, who is an associate professor of a New England college, and Martha, who is the daughter of the college professor comes hearthstone after a faculty party. Although it is well after midnight and they are heavily drunk, Martha invites another couple, Nick who is a new and young professor in the college, and his married woman Honey. The two couples continue drinking at the living room of George and Marthas house, and Martha starts complaining about George. She reveals Georges failure to advance in the college even if he has an advantage as the son-in-law of the president. George tries to revenge by spliting Marthas weaknesses to the guests, and the fight becomes i mpossible to stop making the new couple who tries to stay detached also become caught up in it. As the fight goes on and they become more drunk, Martha comes to mention about George and shes imaginary son, who has been a secret between them and a forbidden topic to tell others. Nick also tells their painful secret that he married Honey because she thought she was pregnant but that it turned out to be false. When everyone is tired and low-pitched as a result, George, who was very angry about Marthas mentioning his son to the guests, he decides to tell something that will change their lives forever as a final revenge, and hence the party comes to an end.           The main theme of the book is the sadness and difficulties of the adult life. In the story, George and Martha cannot have a child because either of them is impotent, so they had to make up an imaginary son. Heres a quotation about their son form Martha. QUOTATION(p219) Marthas this descrip tion about him shows how much they cared for him and wanted the real one. Furthermore, they constantly fight with each other for futile subjects even though they really want to communicate more seriously and understand deeper. The difference between their view of life also worsens their marriage because Martha unendingly expects George to be more ambitious while George does not

HIV Essay -- Health, Diseases, AIDS

The HIV virus is a complex mix of various epidemics within several countries and regions of the world. It is unquestionably the most crucial public-health crisis of our time. look for has extended our understanding of how the virus reproduces, controls, and hides in a contaminated person. Even though our perception of pathogenesis and transmission of the virus has become more refined and measure options have lengthened, a cure or protective vaccine remains intangible. In 1981, The New York Times published a detailed article virtually an outbreak of an unusual form of cancer among gay men in New York and California. It was primarily referred to as the gay cancer, but medically cognise as Kaposi Sarcoma. Around the same time, emergency rooms in New York City began to receive a large number of apparently healthy young person men who presented with fevers, flu like symptoms, and a pneumonia called Pneumocystis. About a year later, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) linked the i llness to blood and gave it the term Acquired Immune inadequacy Syndrome (AIDS). In that first year over 1,600 cases were diagnosed with close to 700 deaths (3).HIV is a lentivirus, and like all viruses of this kind, it attacks the immune system. Lentiviruses are in turn part of a bigger group of viruses known as retroviruses. The name lentivirus literally means slow virus because they take such a long time to create any disapproving effects in the body. They have been found in plenty of different animals, including cats, sheep, horses and cattle. However, the most appealing lentivirus in terms of the investigation into the origins of HIV is the Simian Immunodeficiency virus (SIV) that affects monkeys, which is believed to be at least 32,000 years old(7).Sc... ...ments from the national level down to the community level to put into action immediate prevention programs based upon education, behavioural modification, and treatment of those infected with HIV. No vaccine has proved successful in preventing HIV. So the epidemic continues to spread, mainly among underprivileged and marginalized populations the poor, people of color, people in prison, blastoff drug users, and men who have sex with men. Many do not understand they are infected and innocently transmit the virus to others. Unawareness, prejudice, and lack of admission charge to healthcare is fueling the outbreak. Therefore, health professionals have a critical role in screening, testing, and educating patients, families, and communities. Health professionals can also teach by example, through religious offering nonjudgmental, sympathetic care to those affected by this deadly virus.

big bang theory :: essays research papers

Big Bang Theory We certainly know that our institution exists, however, this knowledge al star has not satisfied mankinds quest for supercharge understanding. Our curiosity has led us to question our place in this universe and further more, the place of the universe itself. Throughout time we have asked ourselves these questions How did our universe begin? How anile is our universe? How did matter come to exist? Obviously, these argon not simple questions and throughout our brief history on this planet much time and driving has been spent looking for some clue. Yet, after all this energy has been expended, much of what we know is still only speculation. Yet in 1927 a man by the name of Georges Lemaitre from Belgium proposed that the universe began with a bang. He proposed that a primeval atom exploded and that is how the universe formed itself. His proposal came after observing the red open frame in distant nebulas by astronomers to a model of the universe based on relativity. Before I was enrolled in Survey of Astronomy I wasnt sure what to believe. But after sitting through the class I started to realize that all the pieces are starting to fit together like, why the galaxies are increasing in velocity away from us and also explaining the cosmic background radiation. About 15 billion years ago a fantastic explosion started the expansion of the universe. This explosion is known as the Big Bang. At the point of this situation all of the matter and energy of space was contained at one point. What existed prior to this event is completely unknown and is a matter of pure speculation. This occurrence was not a conventional explosion but rather an event filling all of space with all of the particles of the embryonic universe rushing away from each other. The Big Bang actually consisted of an explosion of space within itself unlike an explosion of a bomb were fragments are thrown outward. The galaxies were not all clumped together, but rather the Big Bang lay the foundations for the universe. Even more recently, NASAs COBE satellite was able to detect cosmic microwaves emanating from the outer reaches of the universe. These microwaves were remarkably uniform which illustrated the beginning of the early stages of the universe. However, the satellite also discovered that as the universe began to cool and was still expanding, small fluctuations began to exist due to temperature differences.

Can You Hear Me Now? :: Analysis, Sherry Turkle, Rocler-Gladen

Are technology and the media shedding the very fabric of the existence we have known? As technology and the media lot their influence, the debate over the inherent advantages and disadvantages intensifies. Although opinions vary widely on the subject, two writers offer similar visualizes Professor Sherry Turkle, director of the MIT Initiative on Technology and Self, in her article Can You Hear Me Now and Naomi Rockler-Gladen, who formerly taught media studies at Colorado State University, with her article Me Against the Media From the Trenches of a Media Lit Class. Turkle asserts that technology has changed how wad develop and view themselves, while at the same time affecting their concepts of time management and focus (270). Similarly, Rockler-Gladen believes media and its inherent advertising have had a profound effect on the values and thinking of the public (284). I could not agree more with Professor Turkle and Ms. Rockler-Gladen the effects technology and media have worried and annoyed me for quite so time. The benefits of technology and media are undeniable, but so then are the flaws. People are beginning to shift their focus away from the physical world to the realistic world as they find it easier and more comfortable. The intended purpose of technology and media was to be a tool to improve the quality of life, not shackles to tie people to their devices. I no longer recognize this changed world and long for the simple world of my youth.Turkle argues that technology has fundamentally changed how people view themselves and their lives (271). She reports that, BlackBerry users describe that instinct of encroachment of the device on their time. One says, I dont have enough time alone with my mind another, I artificially subscribe to time to think (274). Her point is that people have to make a deliberate choice to disconnect, to exist in their own mind rather than the realistic world (Turkle 274). Another point Turkle brings up is that in this tec hnologic age children are not learning to be self- reliant. Without having the experience of being truly alone and reservation their own decisions, children are not developing the skills they once did (Turkle 274). As Turkle reports, There used to be a moment in the life of an urban child, normally between 12 and 14, when there was a first time to navigate the city alone. It was a rite of passage that communicated, you are on your own and responsible.

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain :: essays research papers

It is my opinion that the restrain The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn By Mark Twain should be taught in schools because this book is genuinely well written and can teach many lessons. I think that the hatful in todays world, or maybe just the USA, try to be banish and shelter the children. I think that it is wrong to censor things, this book is supposedly wrong because it says the word nigger a lot and has death in it. I think that although the word nigger was used frequently in this book it showed the separation between the slaves and the owners and how Huck overcame this separation and saw through the societies views on niggers . racialism is now a very big issue but when the book was written African Americans didnt have the rights they have today and racism didnt exist. Twain wrote this book not having to worry about racism. In our day and time they want to censor out the words like nigger but that really would be wrong because it wouldnt be realistic, people need to know wha t it was truly like. Sheltering people from the truth Is the worst thing you can do. If kids dont bring out about how slavery was thusly they wont truly understand where racism comes from.In the book there is much violence. "Its a dead man. Yes, indeedy naked, too. Hes been shot in de back."(pg. 50) The book is better with violence because it becomes more interesting to the reader. It becomes more of a real aliveness situation than just a fairy tale world where nothing goes wrong, because in real life things do go wrong and people do get shot and killed. It is hard to read these kinds of things with death that are gruesome but it helps form feelings for the characters. also it was necessary for them to find the dead man so that Huck didnt have to worry about pap taking his money. In the scene where Jim finds pap we learn more about Jim and that he is a sensitive person and was cautious not to upset Huck by letting him see paps body. Many people could have been offended by the stereotypes in this book. For example, "I see it warnt no use wasting words&8212you cant learn a nigger to argue."(pg. 78) In this example Huck stereotypes Jim as being a stupid nigger that cant learn anything.

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain :: essays research papers

It is my opinion that the book The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn By Mark Twain should be taught in schools because this book is very sanitary written and can teach many lessons. I call up that the people in todays world, or maybe just the USA, try to be censor and render the children. I think that it is unseasonable to censor things, this book is supposedly wrong because it says the word nigger a lot and has death in it. I think that although the word nigger was used frequently in this book it showed the separation between the slaves and the owners and how Huck overcame this separation and saw through the societies views on niggers . Racism is this instant a very big issue but when the book was written African Americans didnt cod the rights they have today and racism didnt exist. Twain wrote this book not having to worry about racism. In our day and time they want to censor out the words like nigger but that really would be wrong because it wouldnt be realistic, people need t o know what it was truly like. Sheltering people from the truth Is the worst thing you can do. If kids dont learn about how slavery was then they wont truly understand where racism comes from.In the book there is much violence. "Its a dead man. Yes, indeedy naked, too. Hes been shot in de back."(pg. 50) The book is better with violence because it becomes much evoke to the reader. It becomes more of a real life situation than just a fairy tale world where nothing goes wrong, because in real life things do go wrong and people do get shot and killed. It is hard to read these kinds of things with death that are gruesome but it helps form feelings for the characters. Also it was incumbent for them to find the dead man so that Huck didnt have to worry about pap taking his money. In the scene where Jim finds pap we learn more about Jim and that he is a sensitive person and was cautious not to upset Huck by letting him see paps body. Many people could have been offended by the s tereotypes in this book. For representative, "I see it warnt no use wasting words&8212you cant learn a nigger to argue."(pg. 78) In this example Huck stereotypes Jim as being a stupid nigger that cant learn anything.

The Choosing Essay by Liz Lochead

The Choosing Essay Marianne Lavery The rime The Choosing by Liz Lochead deals with problems of growing up and the issue of education through the 2 central characters, Mary and Liz. This poem is about two young girls called Mary and Liz who grew up together living an ordinary life. They were both intelligent and ambitious. They were best friends for eld at primary school until they had the chance to go to secondary school and they went their separate ways to start their new lives.Later on in the poem they meet very unexpectedly on a bus years later. This really does show the reader just how much the two girls have mixed bag from primary school. In stanzas 1, 2 and 3 the poet Liz Lochead has emphasized the similarities between the two girls by describing their appearances. They both had the same mouse-coloured hair which suggests they are ordinary. Also they were polite, smart and proud.The poet has utilize repetition by saying how equally proud they are. This emphasizes the simil ar attitude the girls had towards their education. Alliteration has also been used. Collins Childrens Classics. Stanza 4, describes how their lives took diffe split paths. Mary moved because of cheaper rent somewhere else and Liz stayed where she was, in her hometown where she grew up. Marys father had a very bad attitude towards girls education and he is also sexist. He didnt remember in high school education especially for girls or in forking out for uniforms. Marys family had also financial difficulties according to the poet. The final three stanzas shows that cristal years have passed since the two girls went their separate ways but they find their selves sitting in the same bus as each other. However this quantify as they meet, Mary does not recognise Liz. Mary is sitting next to her husband who is tall, curly haired and has eyes only for Mary.

Why I Chose Cheer

Simmons 1-6-10 1st block Risky Business Recall an social occasion when you took a risk that you now know was the right thing to do. University of Pennsylvania Taking risks is part of life. Some risks dont end up in your favor, solely there can be times where everything works out for you. One such risk for me was trying out for high school cheer. Doing this was pickings a chance because making the squad is a difficult task. After being a cheerleader in junior high, I knew this was a serious plunge, but I was eager to take it.Now that I have been on the squad for almost three years, I know it was one of the best choices Ive ever made. This experience has brought me so much. Ive learned the importance of teamwork, friendship, and perseverance. Cheerleading exposes you to teamwork at its extremes. When a person is being thrown into the air, there is an immense chance that individual could suffer an injury. To prevent injury, the entire squad must function together and concentrate. Ever yone one of us is working to achieve a common goal, which can start out from perfecting our routine to winning a competition.None of us can fulfill our job as cheerleaders on our own. We must all to perform together. Another vista that is nearly synonymous with teamwork is friendship. When you spend so much time with your squad, you all become extremely close. During practice, you fall short and triumph together, which creates a strong relationship. hostile football or basketball, everyone plays all the time. No one sits out, and there is no offseason. Whether things are successful or difficult, its all a bonding experience. Everything that happens brings you close-hauled to your fellow cheerleaders.Perseverance is a large portion of this sport. You have to be determined to master new skills. There are days that will reckon like you cant quit falling, but you have to keep picking yourself up, which is not al appearances the easy. Youll want to relinquish, but you have to constan tly advance yourself to be better and always deliver you best effort. Risk taking is good for you. It may not always turn out the best way possible in your opinion, but it happens every day. Becoming a cheerleader was a great choice, and Im so fortunate to have made the squad.

Blind Date Script Essay

Far From The Madding Crowd Blind Date Script. Graham Its Blind Date And here is your host, get out Cilla Black Cilla Hello ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Blind Date. In a moment well be get winding the lucky lady who gets to pick from peerless of these gorgeous guys So, lets meet the boys So, hello subject 1 whats your name and where do you come from? Bo Good Evening, Cilla. My name is William Boldwood, and I am from Weatherbury. C clear to meet you, William. So tell everyone a bit about yourself. Bo Well, Cilla, I am a 42 year old bachelor, I own a large farm, and. Im incredibly wealthyC And, I understand, correct me if Im wrong love, that you have had a nasty fuck off involving a Valentines card? Bo That is correct, Cilla. I once received a Valentines card through in the mail, and I had no idea who the sender was. I was a little afraid, you see, it could have been anything. So, I erm, placed it on my mantelpiece. Well, then I couldnt stop thinking of it, so I stared at it for quite few time. C How long for, love? Bo For a matter of days, Cilla. C Oh dear. Well I for one am forever scared when the common carrier comes, I mean, when them bills get posted through my door I know Im too terrified to open them for a weekC alright love, well, best of luck tonight, and please dont be scared of the date cards if youre picked cause weve only got so long, you know. Okay, fare two, whats your name and where do you come from? T Hello, Cilla, my love, my names Frank Troy and Im from Weatherbury too C Hiya Frank. Tell us all a bit about yourself, love. T Well, Im 31, Im a Sergeant in the Army, so I trip up a lot, and I enjoy sword fighting, so I spend a lot of my spare time practising that, and, Im quite experient if I may say so myself. C Oh really? Come on, then. Show us some moves (Troy shows off with sword techniques).C Wow, I wouldnt want to be on the receiving end of that lot Eh, thanks very much love, well done. Best of luck tonight, but if you win , leave the sword at home, wont you? Hello form three, whats your name and where do you come from? O Eh Cilla, me names Gabriel Oak an I be from Weatherbury as well. C Hiya, chuck, wherefore dont you tell everyone a bit about yourself? O Well, Im 28 an I work on a farm in Weatherbury, Cilla. C And I heard that you used to own your own farm, is that right? O Ay, that be correct, Cilla, I used to ave some lovely little sheepies, but, sadly, most of em died in a tragic accident.C Awwwwww (Sympathy) O Yer, so maybe, even though I dont ave a lot, shell still be willing to ave me. Then Ill know she be genuine an all that. An it could get me a few sympathy votes as well, But I fashion let on until after the show, just in case. C A man with a plan Well, you probably wont even need to use the sheep story Gabriel, Im sure youll be fine. And may the best fella win. Good luck to all of you. Now, guys and girls, lets meet the lucky lady who gets her pick of one of these gorgeous guys (Bathshe ba enters) C Hello love, and you are Bathsheba, is that right?B Yes Cilla, thats right. C And where are you from, Bathsheba love? B Im from Weatherbury Cilla. C Oh I didnt see that one coming. Now, what sort of thing are you looking for, and hoping to find tonight in one of our top-class bachelors? B Well, Im looking for someone who will flatter me but also stand up to me. Im very independent. C Oh, thats right, you own a farm, dont you? B I do indeed, Cilla. C Well, lets hope those three blokes over there stand up to you more than your farm animals do. And lets hope they smell better an all. B well I wont know until the date, but lets hope so.C Alright love. Lets get on with your three questions then. Fire away B Hello boys ALL Hello Bathsheba B Okay, my first question is If I was an animal, I would be a tiger, because I could definitely use a little taming. If you were an animal, what would you be, and why? That goes to number 1, please. Bo Well, Bathsheba, I would be a snake, a feather boa constrictor, so I would be able to wrap myself around you, and squeeze you as tight as I can. B And to number 2, please. T Well, I would be a fox, most obviously because of my red coat, but also because I hunt my prey and always get what I want.B And, lastly, to number 3, please. O Well, I would probably be a sheep, because, apart from being cute n cuddly, I would follow you round as a sheep does and always be with you. B Okay, 2nd question. If I were a type of food, I would be a curry, because I am hot and spicy What food would you be, and why? That is to number 2, please. T Well, I would be Egg and Soldiers, so you could have a dip in me anytime B And to number 3, please. O Okay, if I was a food, I would be Shepherds Pie, because I be a shepherd, and I be warm, tasty and simple. So, heat me up, and itll be dinner for two.B And lastly, to number 1, please. Bo If I was a sort of food, I would most certainly be Toad in the hole, because once you dig humble to my deep cen tre and buss the toad, I would be your handsome prince. B And my last question is I am a woman who likes to be pampered and showered with gifts. If you could give me one thing, what would it be and why? To number 3, please. O Well, I dont ave a lot, you see, but I would give you my heart of gold, because that be all I wantin in return. B And to number 1, please. Bo I would give you anything you want, anything your heart desires.And the greatest gift any woman could wish for ME B And last but not least, to number 2, please. T I would give you the sheath to my prized possession, my sword, because then I would be allowed to put my things inside yours. C Oh well, Bathsheba, thats all your questions. But dont unclutter your mind up yet, heres a bit of help from Our Graham G So Bathsheba, will it be Toady number 1, who will give you himself and squeeze you tightly, just dont send him any mail Or, will it be foxy number 2, who likes nothing better than putting on his Soldier coat and do ing sword tricks just keep the toast away from his yolk.Or, will you decide on warm and simple number 3, and if on your date his sheepy antics get on your nerves, you could always sell that gold heart he gave you. THE DECISION IS YOURS C So who will it be love 1, 2 or 3? B Im going to have to go with number 3, Cilla. C Oh, but what about the two you turned down? (introduces Troy, then Boldwood they leave) C So here is your Blind Date, you picked number one, that was Gabriel Oak from Weatherbury come in Gabriel (Gabriel and Bathsheba meet) C Alright, are you pleased? (Both nod).Okay then, lets pick a date Which one will be picking? O Ill let the lovely lady here pick. (Bathsheba picks) B A sightseeing trip to London (Hands envelope to Cilla) C It says here that the two of you will be seeing all the sights of the Famous London Have every of you been there before? (both say no). Good. Then after that, youll be shopping til you drop and then staying in a luxury hotel It says here l ets hope that the two of you arent calling each other pigs by the end of the week Okay, lets have a round of panegyric for Bathsheba and Gabriel

Globalization and Implementation Plan Essay

This report leave behind provide task and demographic information to determine a platform of byplay st accountgies and alternatives for round topographic point shop to re-enter or abandon the Argentinian retail market for home utility centers. fellowship storage must be genuinely specific and strategic to try to re-enter the market due the abject failure in entering the market in 1997 and existing the market in 2001 from the want of emoluments and community acceptance. bag neckcloth cannot afford another failure in genus Argentina or S poph the States. ( headquarters store. 2013). alkali Depot nursing home Depot is the 4th king-sizest retailer in the US, the 5th largest retailer in the gentleman and ultimately the worlds largest home approach specialty retailer. In 35 years, fellowship Depot ope range 2,257 retail stores in 50 states, the Di exacting of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, Canada, and Mexico. The outside(prenominal) locations (294) generate just 12% of Home Depots summation revenues. They cast off engineered entry and expansion into strange markets through science of smaller retailers and expanded upon their achievement. The Home Depot, Inc. operates as a home improvement retailer. It sells come alonging materials, home improvement merchandises, and lawn and garden products, as well as providing installation, home maintenance, and professional service programs to do-it-yourself, do-it-for-me, and professional customers. It serves home owners, professional re sense modalitylers, general contractors, repairmen, small affair owners, and tradesmen.From the beginning, The Home Depot has developed strategic product alliances directly with leading manu occurrenceurers delivering the most exclusive products and content brands. They also provide a combination of proprietary products like Ryobi tools, RIDGID tools, BEHR paint, LG appliances, and Toro lawn equipment. Home Depot has set the standard for innovati ve merchandise for the do-it-yourselfer and the professional contractors. In addition, they can provide exporting servicing for products worldwide. (Home Depot. 2013).ArgentinaThis portion of the report will review the demographics, economic markets, income levels and currency values, culture and along with the legal and policy-making environment in Argentina and South America for Home Depot reentrance.The total tribe of Argentina is just over 42 million people covering 2.8 million squ atomic number 18 kilometers (km). It is the 8th largest nation in the world and speaks mainly Spanish and Italian along with English, German and French. The population is primarily located among five largest cities of the country in northern 30% of the country and within 600 km of the capital Buenos Aires with 13 million citizens. It has less than 1% population commenceth and the average age is 30 years old with a 98% literacy rate and 16 years of formal education. Regretfully, the average unempl oyment rate is estimated to be 10.2 and higher for females.The income level for individuals per capita is $18,820 and ranks 73rd in the world. The labor force is comprised of 17M workers and ranks 36th in the world. The percentage of the population below the poverty line is 30%. Between the poverty line and the percentage of unemployment and contraction in the deliverance is does not provide a atomic pile of discretionary money to be employ for purchasing homes, maintenance, and remodeling.The culture of Argentina is based upon traditional Roman Catholic values (92% membership) centered upon family values and speed of lights of years of religious beliefs, values, dependence and fostering upon local relationships. The culture is also driven by personal relationships with the expectation of working with you to find solutions to consumer needs. m any another(prenominal) Argentinians do not like the big box impersonal retail stores that do not return the personnel to spend time cr eating trust and dedication with customers. (CIA Factbook. 2013).International Considerations for Argentina and Home DepotThe economy of Argentina is the 22nd largest in the world with a ontogeny rate of 2.6% with a GDP of $475B in 2012. It has a diversified economy due to the many natural re consultations available to them. Manufacturing is the largest segment of industry with 20% agriculture with 5% and the remaining in the function and tourism sector. The currency in Argentina is based upon the peso and the current commuting rates ranges for US dollars range from 1 peso to 4.1 to 4.6 dollars. Argentina is a member of Mercosur with Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay implementing a Common External Tariff (CET) for non-members to pay tariffs up to 35%. This was implemented to protect those economies from the dumping of cheaper foreign goods. Argentina defaulted on its debt in 2002 leading foreign investors to flee and take their investments elsewhere. Since then, Argentina nationalize d the $24 billionpensions fund and limited the amounts of foreign purchases of land.Argentina has not been able to pull out if the economic slump and economic growth has completely stalled. The optimistic view point for economic growth in Argentina in 2013 will be less than 3.5% for consumer demand, industrial production and exports. This will apply additional economic pressure for homebuyers to make purchase homes and banks willing to lend.They have implemented a digit of measures to keep dollars in the country restrict foreign currency exchanges and debt obligations in defending the value of the peso. These restraints have effectively made it almost impossible to procure US dollars for the purposes of real estate purchases. The federal tax agencys authorization is now required before making any foreign exchange purchase. The implementation of these tight policy measures has the real estate activity in 2012 fell approximately 40%, making it one of the sectors mop up performing years in the country in a decade. The number of commercial real estate transactions in Buenos Aires fell 46% to 6,315 and residential transactions fell 15% in 2012. (Bifani. 2013)The legal system for Argentina has become very restrictive over the years to protect their business line and economy from inflation and currency issues. They have the Argentinas Customs Code (DGA), which registers all foreign importers and exporters. They apply import duties and taxes to all imports along import duties, statistical taxes, value-added taxes and excise duties. Argentina has strict regulations and fees regarding the purchasing of property by foreign interests, which limits the potential for revenues and growth. (CIA Factbook. 2013).Market Considerations for Argentina and Home DepotIs Argentina, the best possible country for Home Depot to reinvest into? Argentina ranks in the bottom 10 countries in the world for foreign businesses to do business in. Specifically for Home Depot, it takes 12 mo nths for a construction company to obtain a construction permit, which double what it takes throughout the rest of South America. This would greatly impact Home Depot ability to build stores and expand within Argentina. The majority of businesses hours operate between 9am 7 pm and can run to 9 or 10pm for retail stores. The business hierarchy is top down with ideas and instructions come from the top. They are very respectful of business protocol and will not break those social norms or status structure. With these facts in mind, it demonstrates Argentinians require time to develop trust and familiarity, especially for foreigners. Negotiations will take a considerable amount of time and you must be willing to reason out and debate to get their support and consensus. They will not hesitate to interrupt and argue for the finer points of agreements before proceedings to the next step. (Communicaid. 2009). The following are business points regarding the desire to potentially expand into Argentina.They have a value added tax (VAT) across the economy and a wealth tax. These taxes discourage both internal and international business to invest in larger business ventures due the countrys desire to confiscate profits from business people from investing. The government has spacious political swings of ideology and purpose. This creates an environment that can propagate corruption, bribery and short term political or economic decisions to encourage voting support. They are a 60% tax evasion rate, which is triple that of US citizens. For many of the key economic indicators, Argentina ranks the bottom 25% in the world for doing business, economic freedom, human race rights, taxes, and corruption. The inflation rate is about 10% and outside economists are reporting about 20%.Credit cards have low credit limits restricting higher purchases and up to a 45% interest rate. This does not encourage businesses to take any risks or initiatives for business growth i.e. constructio n businesses. (Chafkin, M. 2001). Overall harmonize the financial reports, Argentina is now considered a third world country due to its difficulty with globalization and working with foreign countries. * They have established strict foreign investment guidelines prohibiting foreign ownership. * They have restricted construction companies for building and developing business areas. * They have high tax rates and low reinvestment rates back into their country. * They have problems with government corruption, bribery and ethics. Entry Modes (Globalization & Implementation Plan)This portion will cover the various possibilities for establishing the Modes of Entry for Home Depot to reenter Argentina. Home Depots expansion in foreign markets has been less than happy such as the ones in South America, China and Southeast Asia. They have had some success in Canada and Mexico due to being substantial trading partners in the NAFTA agreement and similar ideology of home ownership and access to credit, Exporting This mode of business entry will not effectively work for expanding and opening home improvement stores in Argentina at this time. Local competitors will prefer to source construction products from local suppliers rather than to purchase from foreign suppliers. They have implemented restrictions for international trade with tariffs and entrance barriers, which will increase the possible competitive determine to become less attractive for Home Depot.Turn-Key Operations This mode of entry will not be a viable alternative due to the fact that Home Depot does not provide any explicit technology over the local DIY businesses such as EASY. This mode could damage Home Depot by training and possibly improving competitors ability to compete with Home Depot in other markets in South America like Mexico. Licensing This mode of entry is similar to Turn-Key due to the lack of control over the foreign business and again Home Depot cannot provide any real production improvement s other than economies of scale to existing or new business. It would only provide royalty fees to Home Depot and would not warrant the business investment.Franchising Franchising is similar to licensing. It works when companies have a strategic production process like such as mentioned in the text with Fuji-Xerox or even McDonalds. Home Depot does not provide the specialized processes or supply chain to support the development of franchising into foreign markets. Wholly Owned Subsidiary This is the method and mode of entry Home Depot tried before and failed. At that point in time, Argentinians ability to own and purchase property was very restrictive for a majority of the population. Argentinians are not accustomed with reinvesting into their homes or dwelling.They did not have the incentives to reinvest or the desire to learn how to perform the tasks that it would take to complete a successful DIY project. Also, Home Depot is not an Argentinian or Latin American business, which cr eates a lack of respect and loyalty. The Easy company growth is due to Home Depot building the model and Easy taking them and restructuring them for Latin American consumers. (Hill, C. 2011). knock Ventures This is the only method or mode of entry that makes sense for Home Depot to pursue. In the textbook, there are examples of Tesco and Jollibee competing with bigger more entrenched businesses by using joint ventures and investments to establish a foothold.For Home Depot to renter the South American market and specifically Argentina, I believe the only choice Home Depot has is to engage in joint ventures with smaller DIY businesses in Argentina and gain some traction similar to Tesco in Europe and Asia. Also, EASY is now the big player in the market with 49 DIY stores. It is equivocal they would entertain any joint ventures without the ability to be the controlling partner or give up its majority interest.Monetary SystemsThis portion will mensurate Argentinas history of monetary policy and its effect upon the potential desire or ability for Home Depot to reopen home improvement retail stores there. Argentina history relating to financial and monetary policy has been turbulent and at a crisis stage numerous times. Argentina is working hard to vamp their economy and currency ratings. It has a GDP of $475B ranking 22nd in the world and one of the largest economies in South America. In 1998 Argentina entered a foursome year depression resulting from governmental tax increases, devaluing of its currency, freezing bank deposits, defaulting on foreign debt up to $93B, and finally removing the linkage between the peso and the US dollar. around of international issues relating to Argentinas reputation have been reducing the international trade/currency exchanges have been their protectionists policy and rated the worst in the world by the World Bank.They have seized control over the largest oil and airline companies in the country. They are also being censured by the IMF for dishonest reporting of national statistics specifically inflation rates. (Singer, H. 2013). Argentina has attempted practically every single monetary system known today to their economy and all have failed resulting in financial crisis over the last 35 years. The flexible exchange rate system led to a hyperinflation and the currency board has led to dramatic recessions. During the graduation three crises, Argentina was using a indomitable exchange rate to allow government control. The first crisis was in 1975 with the collapse of that stabilization plan resulting in the devaluing of their currency by 100% and more than a dozen followed the next year. The second crisis was to the Tablita plan in 1981 the Tablita plan was to reform banking regulations and capital account restriction affecting its currency and exchange rates.It still ended with an 82% devaluation of its currency in one year. The third crisis occurred within 12 months in 1982 with Alemann Plan. This plan was designed around the banking and insurance industries connected to foreign currency exchanges. At this time, Argentina abandoned the fixed exchanges for a floating exchange system. The next strategy Argentina attempted was after the 2001 crisis and implemented a dual exchange rate system to manage and control their economy and currency values.This allows them to use both fixed and/or floating system with the ability for different fixed and floating rates during the same period of time. The fixed exchange rates are used for essential imports and exports account transactions. The floating exchange rates are used for capital account transactions determined by the market critical to providing foreign cash reserves for the country. Usually, countries implementing dual exchanges rates are using protectionist control to protect their economy and financial markets such as China. (Investopedia. 2013)Business Strategy for Home Depot to enter ArgentinaThis portion of the report is to provid e a platform of business strategies and alternatives for Home Depot to re-enter the Argentinian retail market for home improvement centers. Home Depot cannot afford another failure in Argentina or South America. From the beginning, The Home Depot develops strategic product alliances directly with industry-leading manufacturers to deliver the most exclusive products assortments to customers. Home Depots expansion strategies have been very successful throughout North America when they have used acquisition strategies. Their expansion in Argentina did not produce the same results due to the lack of a substantial home improvement company to purchase. They chose to organically grow the market in Argentina. This strategy failed due to many different situations occurring during the same time frame political failure of the government and presidential resignations, huge hook in their GDP, default on the foreign debt, currency failure, widespread unemployment and public riots.It was like the perfect storm for the country and Home Depot. (Home Depot. 2013). In reviewing the many strategies that are available for Home Depot to re-enter the market in Argentina, there are many limitations based upon the history of Argentina and Home Depot. They definitely have the ability to leverage economies of scale for providing home improvement products at almost any price point that the consumers is willing to pay. These economies of scale would be too large for any competitive business to ignore.Their major competitor, Cencosud is the company they sold their four stores to in 2001. It is the largest retailer in South America with over 1,045 retail store in a variety of markets. It is a $19B company with 125,000 employees. Home Depot is a $70B corporation with 331,000 employees in about 2,294 stores. This would be an extremely difficult acquisition and inevitably against their acquisition strategy of buying smaller businesses and expanding through gradual growth. This also limits the amount of exporting potential to Argentina through Cencosud due to the lack of exporting profits. (Cencosud. 2013).RecommendationsAll of these factors leave The Home Depot with a limited amount of possibilities to re-enter the Argentinian market. The best possibility is to partner with Cencosud in a strategic alliance or find smaller specialized retailers that are currently competing with Cencosud in Argentina and offer them very attractive distribution, pricing and profit sharing. I would find it difficult to invest in this countrys economy due the protectionist ideology of the government. Their policies have not created real economic growth and restrict the ability for foreign companies to invest without excessive tax on profits.The current business environment, banking system and construction restrictions are not conducive for foreign involvement or investments. Home Depot has already attempted once, I believe it would take an even larger investment to overcome the negative acq uaintance in 2001. Also, they have a major competitor Sodimac in place and have had double digit growth since 2005. Their best expansion strategies for Home Depot to get back into go into Argentinian markets would be establishes strategic alliances with the smaller retailers for exportations, joint ventures directly with Fallabella and foreign direct investments to invest with either of the businesses if available depending upon the political complexity of the government. (Forbes. 2011).ReferencesBifani. (2013). Argentine Real Estate Activity Sharply Falls. Retrieved fromhttp//www.homechannelnews.com/article/hd-expounds-plans-mexico-latin-america Castro, G. (2012). Chiles new Sodimac home improvement store continues to break soil underground. Retrieved from http//blog.kimcorealty.com/2012/02/chiles-new-sodimac-home-improvement-store-continues-to-break-ground-underground/ Cencosud. (2013). Our Company. Retrieved from http//www.cencosud.com/nuestra-empresa/descripcion/?lang=en Chafki n, M., (2001). Inc. magazine. A Constant Feeling of Crisis. Retrieved from http//www.inc.com/magazine/201106/doing-business-in-argentina_pagen_5.html CIA Handbook. (2013). Argentina. Retrieved from https//www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ar.html Communicaid. (2009). Doing Business in Argentina. Retrieved from http//www.communicaid.com/access/pdf/library/culture/doing-business-in/Doing%20Business%20in%20Argentina.pdf Easy. (2013). Easy Argentina. Retrieved from https//www.easy.com.ar/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/es/easyar/information-page?identifier=mapa_locales.html Encyclopedia of Business. (2013). Joint Ventures and Strategic Alliances. Retrieved from http//www.referenceforbusiness.com/management/Int-Loc/Joint-Ventures-and-Strategic-Alliances.htmlixzz2SRvvAulT Forbes. (2011). Home Depot Remodels Its Growth Plans. Retrieved from http//www.forbes.com/2001/11/30/1130homedepot_print.html Global Property Value. (2013). Argentina. Retrieved from http//www.globalprop ertyguide.com/Latin-America/argentina/Price- level Hill, Charles W. L. (2011). Global Business Today. (7th ed.). New York The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.. ISBN 978-0-07-813721-1. Home Depot. (2013).About Us. Retrieved from https//corporate.homedepot.com/OurCompany/History/Pages/default.aspx Kaminsky, G., (2009). Thirty Years of Currency Crises in Argentina. External Shocks or Domestic Fragility?. George Washington University. Retrieved from http//home.gwu.edu/graciela/HOME-PAGE/RESEARCH-WORK/WORKING-PAPERS/argentina.pdf Isora, M., (2009). Importance of Strategic Alliances in Company Activity. Retrieved from http//www3.mruni.eu/int.economics/5nr/Isoraite.pdf Sprawl Busters. (2008). Argentina. Adios, Home Depot. Retrieved from http//www.sprawl-busters.com/search.php?readstory=821

My First day at sixth-form

I was sixteen and I had to make that same herculean question that everyone had to ask themselves at my age, what am I going to do after I got my results from my GCSEs? The day before I got my results I decided to go to Westwood ST Thomas sixth-form in stead of college. I have been at Westwood School for three twelvemonths so I thought it would be easier to go somewhere that I k refreshing and where they knew me.GCSE results day arrived I took that short five minute walk for the last time of being a trail girl. I got the magic envelope and opened it. I needed five Cs or above to do the a-levels courses as planned. I took one look at the paper and my excitement glowering into disappointment. I only got four Cs.After talking to a careers adviser I decided what I should do. I had chosen to under-go a one year business course that would give me enough GCSEs that I needed.I went away that day feeling very low and disheartened that all my efforts didnt payoff. I entangle like a year of my life was being taken away from me.7AM, Monday morning, my alarm was beeping in my ear, Beep, Beep, beep. I rolled oer and turned it off. I unwillingly thought the first day of Sixth-form of what will be of a long year.I was dragging my feet up the steep hill. A walk which was five proceedings seemed like an hour. As I approached the groom hill my heart was thumping in my chest. I told myself not to be so stupid. I had been at the school for three years but this time I was a student.As I walked through the gates nothing had changed The old falling apart bicycle sheds which faced the gates were s work there. I could see the three main blocks, where the specialist classes were held. Yep The same old gloomy school.I got to where my tutor room was and sit down at an empty seat. I slowly one by one studied the people who are already settled in their seats. I didnt recognise anybody. They must be from different schools. I then studied the room, a big white board in the centre of the longest beleaguer and around the other walls are notice boards with nothing on then. Surrounding the tables in the middle of the room are very old computers lined up against the wall. The decoration was an old off-white colour with paint starting to chip off the walls. The appearance and feeling was an old and depressing.I heard a beaten(prenominal) voice outside the room. It was my friend Amy. She walked in to the room and took her seat next to mine. I felt much relived that someone was in the group that I already knew.My new tutor and key teacher for the year, Mr Kendal, walked in to the room and sat down behind his big desk. He introduced himself then made each of us in turn introduce ourselves to the group. I am not the person for speaking in front of a group and felt my self go very red with embarrassment when it got to my turn.He gave us our student planner and the timetable he went over some things that we were to do that year in the course. The time operate by so quickly. I looked at the clock and it was break time already. I had the chance to meet up with old friends and talk about what we did over the summer.When break time ended we all went back to our tutor rooms. This time I didnt know whether the sun was shinning through a different window, but I was starting to feel a bit more comfortable about the situation the room felt brighter, and a little more inviting.We had the tour of the school which lasted thirty minutes, and then we were allowed to go home.The walk home seemed like the old five minutes walk down the hill. I was feeling emotionally riant and pleased with the first day. (And it wasnt the fact it only lasted half a day).When I got home I told mum all about the day.I couldnt wait till bed time as I was exited about going back again the next day. (Even though it was an whole school assembly to meet the new Head Teacher).As I went to sleep that night I was still very happy, I thought, this year was not going to be as harmful after all .

Johnson Beverage Inc Essay

As president and primary owner of Johnson Beverage, Inc. (JBI), Jack Johnson was beginning to realize that retaining long-term guests was becoming a ch wholeenge. During a delivery actuate yesterday, device driver Joe Stevens had noticed a competitors gross revenue manager lecture with the general manager of recoverer Superstore, one of JBIs largest customers. Then, that morning, Johnsons gross revenue manager, Marsha Ketchum, had mentioned that, during her visit with the same general manager on Wednesday, he was starting to make near noises ab aside wanting to negotiate a lower price. This could make up a dilemma because this customer had been one of the companys largest and most loyal customers for years.Johnson leaned back in his chair. These things always seemed to come up on Friday scarcely in time to monopolize his thoughts over what former(a)wise would possess been a restful weekend. Deciding to address the situation head on, he scheduled a meeting with Stevens, Ketchu m, and several(prenominal) others for later that afternoon.Company BackgroundJBI distributed beverages to retail customers. The company had been in business for two decades and had become a preferred distributor among several retail outlets in the local bea. JBI primarily distributed bottled sports drinks made by small specialty beverage companies, and its business had grown steadily with the popularity of sports drinks over the past 10 to20 years. Last year, JBIs revenues totaled $12 gazillion. The company serviced about 20 customers whose beverage purchases totaled anywhere from about $100,000 to over $1 million yearbookly. The undiscounted list price on the sports drinks that JBI distributed was $15.20 per case of 24 bottles. The full cost (excluding customer service cost) of the bottled drinks was $13.10 per case. The company offered discounts to some of its customers, which varied by customer ground on a number of factors, including the volume of drinks the customer purchas ed, the future potential of the customer, and the negotiating success of the companys sales representative, among others.This case was prepared by coadjutor Professor Luann J. Lynch. It was written as a basis for class discussion rather than to illustrate effective or ineffective handling of an administrative situation. copyright 2009 by the University of Virginia Darden School Foundation, Charlottesville, VA. All rights reserved. To order copies, send an e-mail to salesdardenbusinesspublishing.com. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a recovery system, used in a spreadsheet, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the liberty of the Darden School Foundation. Rev. 6/09.This document is authorized for use only by madelene manu at Douglas College. enliven do not copy or redistribute. Contact permissionsdardenbusinesspublishing.com for questions or additional permissions.The MeetingJohnson opened the meeting by summarizing what he had heard from Stevens and Ketchum over the past couple of days. It looks like weve got some competition for one of our surpass customers Saver Superstore. I guess Im not too surprised. Theyre a big customer. This isnt the first gear time this has happened, added Ketchum. You might commend that this same competitor has approached Saver Superstore before. But that time, we were able to keep the business by offering a smudge more of a discount. I view well have to do more of that this time, or Im afraid well lose the customer.Johnson responded quickly. We undersidet get into a price war on this. I k instantly this is a big customer, and a loyal one too, but its certainly not one of our most profitable. I had Jim suck in some numbers together on several of our accounts. Saver Superstore is one of our lowest-margin customers. Take a look. Jim doubting Thomas in chronicle, who was also in the meeting, had prepared a report (Exhibit 1), wh ich Johnson laid on the table for the others to look at. Thomas explained how the accounting group compiled the numbers For each customer, we just pull the revenues right out of the accounting system. We know what they ordered and what we shipped, and we know what price we charge each customer, so that part is pretty easy.And we know that the cost per case, excluding our customer service be, is $13.10. So we can multiply $13.10 per case by the number of cases we shipped to get our cost of goods. Then, we subtract our cost of goods from revenues for each customer and get a gross margin. Now, you may call in that weve talked about how hard it is to trace our customer service cost to any particular customer. Our customer service cost run about $1.2 million a year, roughly 10% of revenues. To make things easy, we allocate those to each customer based on its share of the companys total revenues. So if a customer accounts for 5% of our revenues, we allocate it 5% of our customer service costs. Then, we calculate a customer margin for each customer.Johnson looked at the numbers and saidI go int think we can lower our price to Saver Superstore much more and make any money on this one. And just think, if we offer a larger discount to them, past well have our other customers wanting the same thingespecially the other big ones. I can see it now Marsha is going to walk in here nextmonth and tell us that Oscars OddLots has heard about the deal we struck with Saver Superstore, has been talking with that competitor, and they want the same thing.This document is authorized for use only by madelene manu at Douglas College. Please do not copy or redistribute. Contact permissionsdardenbusinesspublishing.com for questions or additional permissions.Oscars OddLots, a large local retailer on the edge of town, was another of JBIs large customers.Jason Rodgers, the operations manager for JBI, was listening carefully. This was the first he had heard of the situation, but to a caref ul observer, his nod would have revealed what he was thinking. He saidYou know, Im not a bit surprised to hear all this. Saver Superstore is a great customer. They buy lots of beverages, and theyre easy to deal with. They place their orders on a rhythmical basis and almost never ask for anything special. I dont remember the last time we had to run around in the warehouse draw together a rush order from them. Who wouldnt want that business?Stevens agreed, Youre right. I almost never have to change my delivery schedule because theyve asked for quick delivery. And theyre right around the corner, so theyre easy for us to get to.Rodgers continuedI think about some of our other customers. They seem to never be able toanticipate that theyll be out of stock. Then they call us and make it our problem to deal with. It seems like we have some customers that we work on all day every day. Why cant that competitor go after those customers? Its hard for me to intend that some of those customers are more profitable than Saver Superstore. Maybe we ought to add what we guys in the warehouse call a pain factor onto those other customers and then see who is most profitable for us. As Johnson listened, he realized Rodgers might be onto something. Jim, what types of costs are included in those customer service costs?Thomas replied, Well, that number includes several things. He continued It includes anything related to handling the beverages, like picking the beverages from the warehouse shelves according to the order instructions, moving the beverages over to the dock, and essence them on the delivery truck. It includes any costs related to taking, coordinating, and administering the orders, like what we pay the people in the sales office who take phone orders from customers, the supervisory costs to administer the order, and similar things.It includes anything related to delivering the beverages to the customers location, like the cost of the delivery trucks, truck maintenance , and what we pay Joe and people like him to drive the trucks. It includes anything related to all those rush orders youre talking about, like overtime, extra scheduling, and stuff like that. And it includes what we pay Marsha for what she does, like visiting the customers to check in on them. So on that points quite a bit of stuff in there.Johnson thought about this. So youre telling me that there are some customers that you are toping a lot more time on than others? And its not Saver Superstore?This document is authorized for use only by madelene manu at Douglas College. Please do not copy or redistribute. Contact permissionsdardenbusinesspublishing.com for questions or additional permissions.Thats right, Rodgers replied.Johnson continued, But since our accounting system is allocating these customer service costs based on revenues, and since Saver Superstore is one of our biggest customers, its allocating a large share of those costs to Saver Superstore. Exactly, Thomas said.Let me do this Let me spend a couple of days collecting some information. Ill need some help from each of you because I want to try to find out how much of your time you are spending on each of our customers. Maybe its time to get more sophisticated about how we look at these customer service costs. It may be worth the effort.Stevens, Ketchum, and Rodgers all agreed to spend some time with Thomas so he could summarize the summate of activity they devoted to each customer. They would meet again the following Friday. Thomas promised to compile an analysis that might help them determine how profitable each of their customers sincerely was.Activity AnalysisBefore he left for the weekend, Thomas decided to pull together some information about the customer service costs he had described in the meeting handling the product, taking the orders, delivering the product, expediting rush orders, and visiting the customer. He searched through the accounting system and determined how much of the an nual $1.2 million in customer service costs was associated with each of those categories (Table 1). Table 1. Customer service costs during the prior year by area of activity. sweep of activityTotal $Product handlingTaking orders from customersDelivering the productExpediting deliveries (other than automobile)Sales visits to customersTotal$ 672,000100,000140,000198,00090,000$ 1,200,000This document is authorized for use only by madelene manu at Douglas College. Please do not copy or redistribute. Contact permissionsdardenbusinesspublishing.com for questions or additional permissions.Then, on Monday, Thomas met individually with Stevens, Ketchum, and Rodgers. With their help, he determined what he thought to be the primary driver of the costs in each of those customer service categories (Table 2).Table 2. Cost drivers by area of activity.Area of activityCost driverProduct handlingTaking orders from customersDelivering the productExpediting deliveries (other than automobile)Sales visi ts to customers second of cases soldNumber of purchase ordersNumber of miles travelledNumber of expedited deliveriesNumber of sales visitsThomas determined from the companys accounting records that the company sold 800,000 cases of beverages and processed 500 purchase orders the previous year. Stevens checked the mileage records for the delivery vehicles and determined that the vehicles had traveled a total of 44,800 miles. Rodgers was able to determine that the company made 4,480 deliveries, 2,500 of which were expedited deliveries. And finally, Ketchum checked her daily travel log to determine she had made a total of 360 sales visits to the companys customers. Thomass next step was to determine how much of these cost drivers were attributable to each customer. Again, he was able to obtain some of that information (e.g., number of cases) relatively easily from the companys records. Then his colleagues helped him determine customer numbers for the rest of the activities. Exhibit 2 p resents this data for the quaternary customers included in Thomass first report (Exhibit 1).Exhibit 1JOHNSON BEVERAGE, INC.Report of Customer Profitability during the Previous Year for Four Customers disposed(p) by Jim ThomasNet revenuesCost of goodsGross marginCustomer service costsCustomer profitCustomer profit (% of net revenues)SaverSuperstore$ 1,168,0001,048,000$ 120,000116,800$3,2000.3%OscarsOddLots$ 1,192,0001,048,000$ 144,000119,200$ 24,8002.1%MidwellenSupermarket$ 121,520104,800$ 16,72012,152$ 4,5683.8%DowntownRetail$ 454,500393,000$ 61,50045,450$ 16,0503.5%Total for JBI$12,000,00010,480,000$ 1,520,0001,200,000$ 320,0002.7%Exhibit 2JOHNSON BEVERAGE, INC.Additional Information from Prior Year for Four CustomersPrice per caseNumber of casesNumber of ordersNumber of deliveries1Miles traveled per deliveryNumber of expedited deliveriesNumber of sales visits1SaverSuperstore$14.6080,0001611051012Includes both expedited and fixity deliveries.OscarsOddLots$14.9080,000404001925025M idwellenSupermarket$15.198,000202001113018DowntownRetail$15.1530,000302304909Total for JBI$15.00800,0005004,480102,500360

Lemonade Stand — Season Three

This report provides factual quantative information on Lemonade Stand, sourced from financial statements, the line of products General Journal and financial data collected during Seasons One, both and Three. The following economic summary report provide consider how well Lemonade Stands caper is performing by, among other things, deducting the houses pileus costs from its profits. Through analysis of the previously stated quantiative information, the company will be able to measure how well the stand is using capital to pee economic grade, with perhaps deploying company resources in ways that will further enhance its economic value.In short, the economic summary reports underlying objective is to maximize the stands return for its owners, as well as to focus on very precise value-related targets, be they cost reductions, sweet investments, or other resource allocation. Over the three season period of review, Lemonade Stand has shown a steady revenue growth. Although this gr owth is positive, there are aspects of the business that, if give cared more efficiently, could pass water brought the stand a significant increase in overall profits.First, the price per cup could have been increased throughout Season both instead of maintaining a steady price of $0. 60 during the whole season. This simple increase in price would increase revenues and profits for the season. Second, there was a deficiency of wise management towards the purchase of supplies during Season Two. It was difficult to forecast the turnout for each day and free supplies were purchased in prepaproportionn for a predicted rush of customers.This misdirection lead to a waste of supplies, especially ice a low inventory turnover, increased expenses due to management mistakes instead of business operations and excess inventory at the ending of the season. However, despite the downfall in Season Two, inventory turnover did improve during Season Three as well as the stands circulating(p renominal) ratio. The Lemonade Stands current ratio increased significantly from having $5. 80 in current assets for ever $1. 00 in current liabilities in Season One, to having $14. 50 in current assets for every $1. 0 in current liabilities at the conclusion of Season Three. The higher current ratio indicates the liquidty of the business, meaning that there is a greater margin of safety to cover short-term debts. As a result of a higher current ratio, the stand will be able to obtain necessities from short-term creditors such as suppliers, easier than before. The ability to obtain supplies and other necessities from short-term creditors will allow the stand to smash if desired and perhaps secure a more profitable Season Four.In addition, the decrease in the debt-equity ratio is another positive sign that shows us that the stand can be successful in the future if managed properly. The owners of Lemonade Stand place a value of $100. 00 toward being their own boss and thus have the freedom and flexibility that they would otherwise not experience while working for another person or company. This form of revenue can be ground in the stands implicit revenue on the stands balance sheet and is added to the value of learning how to run the business $50. 0 for Season One as well as gaining more information and/or education on increasing profits and learning how to better manage the stand. During the third season, the stand was more concerned with maximizing returns on resources and therefore lead to a greater economic profit for that season. When the information contained in the business financial statements is used to create strategic objectives, such as maximizing returns on resources, the stand will be able to focus on those activities that will build up the desired result and also guide the owners in the management of the business.By focusing on activities that create the most value and, conversley, avoiding devoting inordinate amounts of resources to activi ties that produce little value the stand will be able to maintain its financial health and generate higher profits in the seasons to come. Lemonade Stand is in a strong position to expand and through expansion, will be able to set larger strategic objectives and potentially increase the health and value of the business.

Kmart and Sears Merger Essay

Kmart had been presented in 1962 by its heighten order S. S. Kresge as a discount department store offering the most variety of goods at the lowest prices. Un- like Sears, the company chose not to locate in large shopping m t unwrap ensembles but to establish its discount stores in gamely visible corner locations. During the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, Kmart prospered. Retail formats in operation Kmart is a range of discount stores that are usu onlyy free standing or located in a pillowcase malls. Big Kmart signals a different kind of Kmart. These stores are bigger, brighter and offer big savings, big value, big survival of the fittest and big convenience.Big Kmart stores are designed to increase store gross gross revenue by increasing the oftenness of customer visits. The format focuses on three distinct businesses home fashions, childrens apparel and consumables and features an blow a fuseed food for thought area known as the Pantry. Kmart Super Center is a chain of hyper securities industrys that carry everything a regular Kmart carries, but also have a full grocery section with meat and poultry, baked goods, a delicatessen, garden produce, and fresh seafood. Most Kmart Super Centers operate 24-hours a day and offer superfluous services.In 1999 Kmart began offering a dial-up internet service called BlueLight, which was eventually spun off as an independent company. BlueLight was initially free and supported by banner ads. BlueLight wasteped the free service in February 2001 and was reacquired by Kmart in July 2001. In 2002 United Online, which also owns NetZero and Juno, bought the BlueLight service after Kmart filed for bankruptcy. In August 2006, Bluelight dropped the banners. As of August 2006, the service cost $14. 95 a month and has around 165,000 subscribers. Promotional Pricing modelPromotional pricing had perpetually been the forte at Kmart. Offering a lower price temporarily in order to evoke the effectiveness of harvest-home sales eff orts to cost sensitive consumer. In 1990, Wal-Mart overtook Kmart in sales, they tried to wean the company away from this strategy. Kmart cut process on 38,000 items and promoted the with expensive television commercials, which failed to lure younger shoppers. Then Wal-Mart countered by using its greater efficiency and economies of scale to fight back on pricing. The outcome was 1% drop in Kmarts sales in December and 8% increase in those of Wal-Mart.Financial epitome Prior to 2001, company was make continues firinges, in order to understand scenario we first analyze the period from 1995 to 1998. Here, Kmart started making some take in. And the second part from the social class 1998 to 2002, where they actually went bankrupts. In 1995, the firm suffered a huge loss of $571 million. This was because of the non-performance of 127 international stores. It was in the alike(p) division that rollS as a percentage of sales were too high as 78%. Operating expenses as a percentage wa s in proportion to that of the industry.However due(p) to the low performance of the international stores, stores outside t United States, Kmart had a bad financial year in 1995. It was the same year that the solicitude decided to do away with the non preforming stores and thereby closed all its international stores and started four brisk stores in the home market. The list of stores by Kmart during the period apprise be seen as under In 1999, COGS was 78% of sales as compared to 72 % of sales in the year 1998. Also, COGS increased drastically compared to increase in sales. Sales in 1999 increased by 6. 26%, yet COGS increased by 12. 23%.Thus, there was a major decrease in the grow profit from 27% of sales to 21% of sales. This was the beginning of the downfall of Kmart. From here on, COGS kept on increasing. In 2002 COG reached 85%, thus gross coast reduced from 21% in 1999 to 14% in 2002. During the same time, Kmarts operational efficiency too decreased and it increased from 18% in the year 1999 to 21% in 2002. Thus, increase in the COGS, lowering of the gross margin and increase in the operational costs, all contributes to the fall of Kmart.Competitors within the industry Its primary competitors were Wal-Mart, Sears, Target, Kohls, and J.C. Penney, with secondary competitors in certain categories. Wal-Mart Wal-Mart followed the lower cost combative strategy of cost leadership. According to our textbook cost leadership aims at the broad mass market and requires efficient scale facilities, cost reductions, cost and overhead control avoids marginal customers, cost minimization in R&D, service, sales force and advertising. Therefore Wal-Mart could get following benefits this strategy provided defense against competitors, provides a restriction to entry for new competitors and generate increased market share.Wal-Mart managed to maintain everyday low prices and achieve highest sales in the industry. It should be noted that Wal-Marts 2005 revenues exceeded that of the next ? ve U. S. retailers combined these are Home Depot, Kroger, Sears Holding accompany (which includes Sears and Kmart), Costco, and Target. Wal-Marts technological edge is in its logistics, distribution, and inventory control helped it reduce cost and offer customers harvest-home cheaper than its competitors. Moreover it could benefit from economies of scale.Wal-Mart also used differentiation focus strategy by creating a product and service unique to customers, according to ReferenceForBusiness. com. It could be argued that this feature is not real and just in the drumhead of the customer customers believed they were cosmos offered something special. Wal-Mart achieved this strategy by offering unique warranties and brand images. Wal-Mart customers believed they were being provided with something that they cannot find at any of the stores competitors. Wall-marts value chain worked in following wayVendors, Wal-Marts suppliers delivered products to Wal-Marts distribu tion center or directly to one of the stores. Wal-Mart was able to bargain for the lowest assertable price because of the high volume of sales. Therefore, Wal-Mart could pass this savings to its customers. After that once the products were delivered to the distribution center, they were sorted and position on trucks to be delivered to stores. This allows for less(prenominal) than 48 hour deliveries to stores and increased efficiency on trucks with backhauls. After products were delivered to the stores, they were placed on the appropriate shelf location for customers to view.Store locations were located throughout the U. S. in rural and urban towns. Moreover customers could purchase products at very low prices and have the ability to return any item. These were the notice elements of Wal-Mart value chain. Overall Wal-Marts warring advantage over its competitors was efficient supply chain management and lower prices achieved through maintaining low costs. Sears Sears, with the se cond-highest annual sales, had a strong position in hard goods, such(prenominal) as home appliances and tools. Around 40% of all major home appliance sales continue to be controlled by Sears.Nevertheless, Sears was struggling with slumping sales as customers turned from Sears mall stores to stand-alone, big-box retailers, such as Lowes and Home Depot, to buy their hard goods. Sears main agonistical disadvantage was its store locations. Sears has been too slow to expand away from mall locations, industry analysts said. As Sears Chairman Alan Lacy said Our service and products are as good as our competitors but theyre not where our customers are. Target Target was third in sales but second in profits, behind Wal-Mart.It used differentiation strategy and tried to offer customers flavour products and had distinguished itself as a merchandiser of stylish upscale products. Targets mission statement focused on great guest service, clean stores and speedy checkouts. Along with Wal-Mart, Target had flourished to such an extent that Dayton-Hudson, its parent company, had changed its corporeal name to Target. Its main focus was statically higher income consumers and early internet adopters. Targets main agonistical advantage was good customer service and quality product. This is where it creates value for its customers.Kohls, and J. C. Penney Both Kohls and J. C. Penney emphasized on soft goods, such as clothing and related items. They both chose differentiation strategy. Kohls concentrated on selling both private and exclusive brands which were only at Kohls as well as national brands like Nike, Adidas, Lee, Levis, Jockey, Van Heusen. Private and exclusive brands contributed a lot more to the gross margin as Kohls has significant control over the production, manufacturing and marketing expense of these brands. Keeping this in mind, Kohls has shifted its merchandise gradually towards this section of merchandise.In 2004, Kohls carried 25% in Private and Exclusive Bra nds, and this phase rose to 50% in 2011. Moreover it tried to provide convenience promise to customers an easy and consolatory shopping experience. Kohls organized departments by lifestyle, added signage and graphics depicting key trends, and presented merchandise to suggest how customers can create new looks. They also continued to improve inventory management to deliver more new product more often, to differentiate line mixes according to geographic preferences, and to assure a shelf never empty of products the consumer desires.J. C Penney targeted moderate income customs, mainly women who as company executive said that were with, too fine time, too little money, and two little kids. Kmart versus Competitors Kmarts main problem was that it did not have all the way defined competitive strategy. In 2001, Kmart proclaimed a new retailing strategy that included less advertising, fewer advertised specials, and lower daily prices on many items. In short, Kmart tried to challenge W al-Mart as the everyday low-price leader. Wal-Mart responded to the Kmart challenge with still lower prices.These new initiatives further weakened the ? nancial position of Kmart Corporation. The Kmart assault on the Wal-Mart image as the low-price leader failed, and Kmart was left with huge volumes of unsold merchandise (Turner 2003, 7172). Kmart forgot to take into comity that its capacity to lower prices was limited because of its poor supply chain management, often popular products would be out of stock, in some cases stored in trailors outside of the stores. Kmart was not successful in using differentiation competitive strategy either.While Wal-Mart reigned supreme as the low cost leader, Target was perceived as being a higher quality retailer. There was basically nothing left for Kmart. In attempt to chase differentiation strategy Kmart updated and enlarged the stores, added name brands, however this was not successful either, acquisitions all performed poorly bank bill min imal net income or losses and distracted management from core business. Kmarts main competitive disadvantages were problems in value proposition, poor supply chain/inventory management and poor customer service. It ask to choose competitive strategy suitable for it and concentrate on it.

Dra Fast Ferment

__________________________________________ MSING014 MSING014B MSINM014 close & lay on the line summary 2011/2012 FINAL exam __________________________________________ The examination bequeath last for cardinal (2) hours. The exam is open book. You atomic bend 18 solelyowed to use the course pack, class hand turn bulge outs and any other materials that relate to the course. You are not get outed to access the internet, or e-mail. The examination paper consists of 10 questions You should answer ALL of the questions. Make intelligible any assumptions underlying your answers, interpret your esults and justify your answers, conclusions and recommendations. But keep your answers short and to the point. In grading, importance allow be attached to the clarity and conciseness of your answers. Good luck DECISION & RISK ANALYSIS EXAM FastFerment FastFerment is a start-up venture started by UCL scientists and engineers. The firm has disc everyplaceed an enzyme which accelerates the evolution of the mold Aspergillus Orgzae, which is used for qualification traditional strain-based alcoholic drinks (rice boozes) in East Asia such as Sake or Makgeolli.W hen this mill is included in the production of the rice boozes, the production lead time is shortened from 10 old age to 3 days without affecting the taste or quality of the wine, as it accelerates the fermentation of the rice. Thus, the pulverize screw substantially increase the production capacity for the rice-wine manu concomitanturing businesss and provide them with a competitive advantage. Recently, FastFerment has perfected the technology of genetically engineering and mass producing this accelerating enzyme and storing it in a powder form.They are presently formulating strategies to commercialize the powder by addressing the powder to manufacturers. Currently, they estimate in that location are 156 rice wine manufacturers, simply this could be as less as 140, as existing firms may no longer b e active, and as some(prenominal) an(prenominal) as 190, as there are recent new entrants to the market as the rice wines assume become popular in recent years. Because the powder is new, they hold back only a few advance(prenominal) adopters would be interested in the product. The y expect between 510% of the firms to be their effectiveness demoralizeers, with no specific percentage being great than the other.The set they would charge for 1 kg of the powder would depend on the damage of manufacturing the powder as well as the value it delivers to apiece manufacturer. later conducting initial market research, they expect an average manufacturer to be giveing to pay as luxuriously as ? 950/kg, only as low as ? 400/kg depending on the initial negotiations. They expect the selling price to be ? 550/kg. Moreover, it is uncertain how much step each manufacturer would want to buy, which will depend on their current production capacity, but they are estimating anywhere betw een 100kg to 400kg per firm.The founders agree that they would aim to hire professional sales people with the necessary k right offledge of the science of the powder to help them sell to each manufacturer. They do not know how many will join, but they have made an stick out to 6, and expect between 4 and 6 to join FastFerment, with each number being catchly likely. The yearly wage will be given in terms of salary (no commission), and it is expected to be ? 50,000, but it is negotiable between ? 45,000 and ? 75,000 depending on their qualifications and experience. FastFerment is similarly examining the court associated with production.While they have perfected the technology to manufacture the powder, they before long do not have the manufacturing plant set up to accommodate the effectiveness direct. Initial estimates rise that the fixed cost associated with setting up a manufacturing plant is at least ? 300,000 and at almost ? 600,000, with ? 500,000 being the most likely. The variant cost for producing 1kg of the powder is expected to be ? 200/kg, but this is also variable by 10% in either direction. Lowest Rice wine manufacturers 140 adopters (%) 5. 0% price/kg 400 Quantity of purchase (kg) 100 salesforce 4 Salary (? ) 45,000 Fixed cost of production (? 300,000 Variable cost per 1kg (? ) 180 TABLE 1 Likely 156 -550 50,000 500,000 200 MSING014 MSING014B MSINM014 superiorest 190 10. 0% 950 400 6 75,000 600,000 220 DECISION & RISK ANALYSIS EXAM The objective of FastFerment is to maximize the annual dough, but it is unclear whether the firm would be profitable based on the numbers. Question 1. Scenario summary Start seek for Excel and open the Excel spreadsheet FastFerment. Perform a scenario analysis for this venture, and determine the best-case and worst-case scenarios (do not use risk of infection for this, just plug the numbers in the model and observe the results).What are your conclusions? The scenario analysis below shows that there is signifi fuelt uncertainty in the profitability of this venture. The worst-case scenario shows a loss of ? 924,000, whereas the best-case scenario shows a strength profit of ? 5,372,000. So there is a substantial downside, but also a huge upside. AT this point, therefore, it is not recommended to thrust any decision, as it is further unclear how the risks will affect th profitability of this venture. Rice wine manufacturers early adopters (%) price/kg Quantity of purchase (kg) salesforce Salary (? ) Fixed cost of production (? )Variable cost per 1kg (? ) Annual profit (? ) Worst Case Scenario Best Case Scenario 140 190 5. 0% 10. 0% 400 950 100 400 6 4 75,000 45,000 600,000 300,000 220 180 -924,000 5,372,000 Question 2. Sensitivity Analysis Which is the biggest risk, (a) the variable cost/kg (b) the price/kg or (c) the % of early adopters? How did you determine this? A consume, do not yet use Risk. Setting as the base case 7. 5% for %-adopters, 250 to quantity of purchase, 5 as the number of salesforce, and the rest of the parameters to the most likely case, and we examine the emf daze of these three parameters.The price/kg is the biggest risk, with a potential impact of ? 1,608,750 when vary from 400 to 950 (-? 165,000 versus ? 1,443,750). The %-early adopters is the second biggest risk with a potential impact of ? 682,500 when varied from 5% to 10% (-? 67,500 versus ? 615,000). The variable cost/kg is the lowest risk with a potential impact of ? 117,000 when varied from 180 to 220 (? 215,250 versus ? 332,250). MSING014 MSING014B MSINM014 DECISION & RISK ANALYSIS EXAM Question 3. Simulation Analysis DistributionsTo coif a simulation analysis, we need to identify an appropriate distribution to model each of the risk factors. desexualize an appropriate distribution and their parameters for each of the risk factors. Triangular distributions (with the lowest, likely and highest estimates as parameters) would work well for all risks except % of early adop ters and quantity of purchase, which should be uniform (with the lowest and highest estimates as the parameters), and salesforce, which should be discrete with equal luck of 0. 33 to each three cases 4,5,6.Question 4. Simulation Analysis Average Using Risk, perform a simulation analysis, and determine the average profit for this venture. How high and low could the profit potentially be? comparison these results with the scenario analysis results. After performing 5000 iterations, the average profit is approximately ? 570,000. This means that if we were to run this business for many years, we would have an average annual profit of around ? 570,000 per year (provided the conditions do no change over time). MSING014 MSING014B MSINM014 DECISION & RISK ANALYSIS EXAMQuestion 5. Simulation Analysis VaR What is the likelihood that the profit is positive? What is the probability that the profit is ? 1. 5M or more? W hat is the Value-at-Risk (VaR)? There is about 80% chance of make a pr ofit, and about 10% chance of making a profit that is ? 1. 5M or more. The VaR at 5% is around -? 300,000. Question 6. Simulation Analysis Tornado Diagram Examine the tornado diagram. What can you conclude? Suppose that increasing the number of sales people and their salaries increase the quantity of powder that each manufacturer buys.Would this be a good investment? The tornado diagram shows that the quantity of purchase and the price/kg are the biggest risk factors. The risks related to the cost of production of the powder or the number of salesforce and salary are actually not that significant. Increasing the salesforce and the salary in return for increase in the quantity of purchase therefore seems to be a good investment. MSING014 MSING014B MSINM014 DECISION & RISK ANALYSIS EXAM quintuplet Grains is whizz of the leading manufacturers of rice wines.The chief executive officer of flipper Grains, a UCL alumnus, has learned about FastFerments powder through his personal net works, and immediately recognized the potential opportunity the powder can represent. According to quintette Grains recent internal consumer trend study, the demand for various speciality rice wines (using different variety of rice), which is currently negligible due to nonproduction, is expected to rise in the next several years. In particular, for the current year, they anticipate that with 50% the demand will be large (translating into a potential profit of ? 4. 5M), and with 50% it will be small (translating into a potential profit of ? . 5M). Although other firms are looking into producing the specialty rice wines, it is difficult for them to quickly do so as it requires building additional capacity, as most firms do not want to produce the specialty rice wines at the expense of sacrificing the traditional rice wine production. However, with access to the powder, firms can immediately free up their production capacity to mass produce the specialty rice-wines and capture its potential demand. atomic number 23 Grains also recognized that the competitors also eventually receive information and gain access to the FastFerments powder.If this happens, vanadium Grains will have to share the demand with its competitors. Based on intuition, the CEO believes that there is 70% chance that more than 1 competing manufacturers will eventually adopt the powder and engross into the specialty rice-wine market. In such case, Five Grains will only capture 20% of the demand and and then earn 20% of the potential profit. On the other hand, there is a 20% chance that one competitor adopts the powder, in which case they will be able to capture 50% of the demand and consequently earn 50% of the potential profit.He believes that there is only 10% chance that nobody else will MSING014 MSING014B MSINM014 DECISION & RISK ANALYSIS EXAM enter the market during the year, in which case they can capture 80% of the demand and 80% of the potential profit. To maximize their knowle dge of the powder, Five Grains is currently negotiating a skunk with FastFerment to look at for a 1-year exclusivity agreement. If the deal can be made, then Five Grains will be the only manufacturer with the access to the powder and be certain to capture 80% of demand (80% of profit). Question 7.Decision Analysis What to do? The meeting takes place and FastFerment asks Five Grains for ? 1. 5M for the 1-year exclusivity deal. Using a decision tree, find out whether or not Five Grains should agree to buy the 1-year exclusivity deal at ? 1. 5M. I would recommend Five Grains to not buy the one year exclusivity deal for ? 1. 5M, as the expected profit associated with not buying the deal (? 0. 8M) is greater than that with the deal (? 0. 5M). MSING014 MSING014B MSINM014 DECISION & RISK ANALYSIS EXAM Question 8. Decision Analysis Value?What is the maximum amount that Five Grains should pay for the 1-year exclusivity deal? The maximum amount that Five Grains should pay for the deal is ? 1. 2M, as it is the price when the expected profits are the same when buying and not buying. Question 9. Decision Analysis Risk/Sensitivity Examine the risk profile for Five Grains with and without the 1-year exclusivity deal at ? 1. 5M. If the demand turns out to be large, what is the (expected) profit with and without the 1 -year exclusivity deal? What if the demand turns out to be small?How does the value of 1-year exclusivity deal change with respect to the probability that the demand is large? If the demand turns out to be large, then with the 1-year exclusivity deal, Five Grains will earn ? 2. 1M, whereas without it they will earn ? 1. 44M on average with the risk of earning less than ? 1M. However, if the demand turns out to be small, then Five Grains will lose ? 1. 1M, whereas without it they will earn ? 0. 16M. Thus, while there is high upside with the 1-year exclusivity deal, it also represents a greater downside risk. MSING014 MSING014B MSINM014 DECISION & RISK A NALYSIS EXAMWhen the probability that the demand is high increases by 1%, there is a ? 12,800 increase in the expected profit. MSING014 MSING014B MSINM014 DECISION & RISK ANALYSIS EXAM Question 10. Decision Analysis A year later The deal for the 1-year exclusivity had been signed for ? 1M, and the demand for the specialty rice wines had turned out to be high. After a new study, Five Grains now projects that the demand for the variety wine will be large with probability 90% (translating into a potential profit of ? 9M), and small with probability 10% (translating into a profit of ? 1M).Moreover, the CEO feels that there is a 95% chance that more than one competitor will adopt the powder, which would allow them to earn 20% of the potential profit, and there is a 5% chance that only 1 firm will adopt , which would allow them to earn 50% of the potential profit. He believes that there is 0% that no firm adopts the powder this year, unless Five Grain brokers a 1-year exclusivity deal again with FastFerment, in which case they will earn 80% of the potential profit. (i) W hat is the value of 1-year exclusivity for this year for Five Grains? Call this VFG. Five Grains contacts FastFerment and offers to pay (0. * VFG) for a 1-year exclusivity deal, citing the fact that it represents a steep increase from the ? 1M paid in the previous year. (ii) From FastFerments point of view, they believe that the acceptation rate of the powder has now increased and expects between 5060% of the manufacturers to become their potential buyers. victorious the rest of the parameters from the previous year as a conservative estimate of the current year (change all the parameters in Table 1, except the % -adopters), what is the minimum amount that FastFerment should demand from Five Grains this year for the 1-year exclusivity deal? pasture the simulation analysis using Risk and find the expected profit with the high adoption rate. W ill the deal go through? From the Decision Tree, we f ind that the value is approximately ? 4. 8M. MSING014 MSING014B MSINM014 DECISION & RISK ANALYSIS EXAM We find that with the adoption rate between 5060%, the expected profit is around ? 8. 9M, and there is 10% chance that FastFerment will make ? 15M or more. The deal wont go through this time as the 1-year exclusivity deal would need to be prohibitively expensive for Five Grains. MSING014 MSING014B MSINM014

The Use of Imagery In A Specific Sport

The term intellectual imagery means mental pictures. It is where an athlete mentally visualises pictures in their opinion in order to complete a set routine. Mental rehearsal is a learned skill, which takes sizeable time and dedication to develop fully. One cannot just decide to have a go and expect conterminous results. Mental practice demands a relaxed state of mind and this itself demands control and practice. Learning how to rehearse comes about with practice and evaluation.The problem with any kind of conscious mental activity is that the mind is very limited in the amount of information it can handle at any time. vision is an experience or situation from memory it is kind of like creating your own instant re fulfill in your mind. One thing to remember is that imagery is not day dreaming about the great things you would like to do. It is a specific psychological mode that can be used to improve your performance.Mental rehearsal is best thought of as an appendix to phy sical practice. It may be particularly valuable aid at times during injury or at other times when not practicing. For learners, it is probably most effective just prior to performance. Imagery should never take the place of physical practice, but should be used in combination with it. each before you get to practice, or in the changing room before you go out to deduct your warm up, it can be useful to go over the drills, techniques and moves that you are likely to be rehearsing. aft(prenominal) practice the feel of the movements involved in the techniques and moves that you practiced will be fresh in your memory, so it should be easier to re- have a clear image of the movements. This will help to cement that image in your mind so that it will be easier to recall during the next practice etc. Even during breaks of play in a game, at that place is time to create a quick, vivid image of what you should do at the next set piece. You can also practice imagery at any time of day. feed Fox, New Zealands most prolific points scorer in internationals, who was a strong advocate of the use of imagery in helping his goal-kicking performance. Another example is the skier Jean Claude Killy used it to run every slalom in his mind just before sleeping the night prior to a competition.Top performers in many sports some(prenominal) team and individual spend time thinking about their performance and testify to the value of mental rehearsal. Grant Fox, of New Zealand rugby said mental rehearsal before and during the game has helped me enormously to concentrate, to stress my attention on the job at hand this would be a positive aspect of imagery. Where as learners who cannot create clear images in their heads cannot recall and often perform worse as the image is wrong in their head.Imagery is successful if it used right. The golfer Jack Nicklaus said I never hit a shot, not even in practice, without having a very sharp image, in-focus picture in my head. Its like a colour m ovie. First I see the ball where I want it to finish, nice and white and sitting in high spirits up on the green grass. Then the barb quickly changes I see the ball going there its path, trajectory and shape, even its behaviour on landing. Then there is a sort of fade-out and the next scene shows me making the kind of swing that will turn the previous images into reality.

Bskyb Marketing Plan

BSKYB MARKETING PLAN MATHEW KURIAN STUDENT ID 4745251 decision maker SUMMARY The rationale of this report is to write a selling Plan for an existing company in the UK (BSkyB Sky), selected from any industry ( telecom industry). This jut is aimed at identifying ways in which the loyal designs its dodge for the next 5 years. BSkyB (Sky) should heading getting 30% of the annually revenue by 2018, aft(prenominal) vanadium years of positive implementation of the extended trade plan.The prey markets of BSkyB are both individual citizens and sm every last(predicate) stemma enterprises, where the later on give be at the centre in the targeting. BSkyB (Sky) is to surgical incision the targeted markets geographically where the dumbness will be refined cities in UK. BSkyB (Sky) will concentrate its product/service scheme on SMS texting, apart from former(a) common planetary communication function. BSkyB (Sky) plans competitive pricing to entreaty the customers in UK ro ving telecommunication sector.When it comes to dispersion strategy, BSkyB (Sky) will place its function to the organized retail shops in the UK diligent telecommunication sector. For some markets, the submit shops will be opened BSkyB (Sky) in malls of the geographically fractioned cities. In regularize to reach the targeted customers in UK mobile telecommunication market BSkyB (Sky) will centrally rivet on denote so far-off as promotion is concerned. INTRODUCTION BSkyB (Sky) is a comparatively y unwraphful firm in UK telecommunication industry, barely has a considerable and rising track in the UK.BSkyB (Sky) offers an array of entertainment and communications services to estimable about 40% of homes, where its aired television channels are watched by more than half the humans every week in the country, and moreover BSkyB (Sky) employs thousands of group all through the different regions of UK the country. BSkyB (Sky) claims to have changed consumers down of television and home communications in UK, whilst making momentous returns for its shareholders and further confidently contribute to the preservation of the country overall. More clearly, overall, BSkyB (Sky) was projected to s put in a ? 5. billion giving to UK gross domestic product in the year of 2011. So far as UK telecommunication industry is concerned, BSkyB (Sky) is fast emerging as a study player in the industry as regards the market surgical incisions of broadband and telephony markets, though its instruction execution in these market segments are still to be acknowledged as leading (CorporateSky, 2013). The major facts about BSkyB (Sky) are presented in the Table. Table Key Facts BSkyB (Sky) Source BSkyB (2013) Ad experted operating profit for BSkyB (Sky) is a foremost measure of the underlying melodic line performance. It has increased by 14% in 2012(? m) Source CorporateSky (2013)Even though BSkyB (Sky) is making substantial profits restricting its carrying into action the so lo targeted segment of UK telecommunication market, yet it has abundant opportunity to grow and increase profits teddy gears, where there ia an opportunity awaiting in mobile telecommunications services market segment. It is in this context that a merchandising planning is poseed for BSkyB (Sky) in this report. IDENTIFICATION AND judicial decision OF MARKET The market process of a firm all concerns to planning and implementation of the research objectives define in terms of the identified market segment to be targeted.This is what market management is described as an methodicalness of selecting target markets and further based on market planning acquire, carry on, and nurture customers all the way through generating , bringing and communicating advanced customer value. In this framework, marketing practitioners in firms are expected to be possessing proficient skill as per the requirements in the market, and they need to look for engageling the echelon, time, and concerto of select (Mullins, Boyd and Larreche, 2006). The marketing attempt is connected to not only servicing he customers but as hearty benefiting the firms. So far as identification and assessment of the market is concerned, the procedure all concerns to analysing marketing opportunities, decision making target markets, planning marketing strategies, extending marketing agendas and last monitoring and controlling the marketing endeavor that generally connect to marketing planning . However, a foremost component of the marketing planning process is discerning, innovational marketing strategies and plans that may well direct marketing attempts (Kotler and Keller, 200980).In this direction, the first and foremost task is to identify the opportunities in the market and find out the prospective segments where a firm can take opportunities to enhance its business and profitability. This report all concerns to identifying and assessing potential segments for BSkyB (Sky) UK telecommunicat ion market. This business organizing operating in UK telecommunication industry is yet to make a mark and achieve a leading position.On the basis of identified market opportunities, it power be suggested to BSkyB (Sky) to concentrate on mobile telecommunications services, which appears a promising market segment, where BSkyB (Sky) huge opportunities to expand its business and so the profitability in order to emerge as a leading player in UK telecommunication industry. It is worth to mention here that UK mobile telecommunications market corresponds to one of the most striking tele-communications markets globally , with the mobile telecommunications services market segment creating just about ? 1 billion of revenue one-year, where yearly growth in this market segment is projected to total ? 900 million yearly. Therefore, BSkyB (Sky) should target acquiring 30% of the yearly revenue by 2018, after five years of systematic implementation of the extended marketing plan. MARKETING PLAN T he marketing plan is the most fundamental tool for expressing and integrating the marketing attempts whilst targeting to a specific market. The marketing plan functions on two echelons namely strategic and tactical. Firstly when it comes to strategic marketing planning it all concerns to establishing target markets and the value offer for the customers.On the other hand, the tactical marketing planning spells out the product, price, place and promotion as strategies (Kotler and Keller, 200980). In the Figure a methodical process of marketing plan model is true that involves planning, implementation, and controlling. Figure marketing Planning Model Source Kotler and Keller (2006) In order to develop marketing planning for BSkyB (Sky), the both the strategic and tactical approach is adopted where the accent of the marketing efforts is concentrating on marketing melt components in the forms of product, price place, and promotion, apart from segmentation and targeting.Moreover, the marketing planning process for BSkyB (Sky) is developed based on the model extended by Kotler and Keller (2009) as mentioned above. This marketing planning is developed for BSkyB (Sky) to target the mobile telecommunication market segment in UK telecommunication market, so that BSkyB (Sky) could expand its business in the market and emerge as a leading player in the segment with enhancing its profitability for ensuring coherent term survival and sustainability. The planning involves marketing objectives, segmentation and targeting.The implementation involves marketing mix strategy and finally controlling involves measuring and reviewing the mid term achievements. This marketing plan is developed guardianship in sagaciousness the duration of five years. Marketing Objectives, Targeting and Segmentation The process and strategy of segmentation all concerns to positioning strategy of a firm in the market, where the firm has already recognized and assessed the targeted customers , and further it is indispensable to determine as what position the firm wishes to engage in the selected market segments (Armstrong and Kotler, 2005).For getting done a thriving positioning, whilst the target customers discover that the product fulfills their wishes and needs, there are strategies the firm needs to peruse in the forms of defining objectives, deciding target markets and for segmentation(Mullins, Boyd and Larreche, 2006 Kotler and Keller, 2009). UK mobile telecommunications market corresponds to one of the most striking telecommunications markets globally, with the mobile telecommunications services market segment creating just about ? 21 billion of revenue early, where yearly growth in this market segment is projected to total ? 900 million yearly. Therefore, BSkyB (Sky) should target acquiring 30% of the yearly revenue from mobile telecommunications services market segment by 2018, after five years of systematic implementation of the extended marketing plan. The target markets of BSkyB are both individual citizens and small business enterprises, where the later will be at the centre in the targeting. BSkyB (Sky) is to segment the targeted markets geographically where the concentration will be small cities in UK. Marketing Mix StrategyThe strategy of marketing mix involves deciding strategy about the four components of marketing mix namely product, price, place and promotion. In fact marketing mix strategy is trademark of marketing actions. Marketing mix is in fact a conscious attempt as regards division of a firm to decide on their offered products/services that eventually determine the success/ loser of the firm in the market. Hence, the marketing mix strategy should be in line with the point in time, competition and the hope of the customers (Armstrong and Kotler, 2005). wherefore the marketing mix strategy is developed for BSkyB (Sky).Product/Service BSkyB (Sky) will concentrate its product/service strategy on SMS texting, apart from other com mon mobile communication services. Price BSkyB (Sky) plans competitive pricing to appeal the customers in UK mobile telecommunication sector. This implies that BSkyB (Sky) will decrease or increase the price of services keeping in mind the movements of competitors, though high pricing strategy will be avoided in order to penetrate the market. Place When it comes to distribution strategy, BSkyB (Sky) will place its services to the organized retail shops in the UK mobile telecommunication sector.For some markets, the distribute shops will be opened BSkyB (Sky) in malls of the geographically segmented cities. forward motion In order to reach the targeted customers in UK mobile telecommunication market BSkyB (Sky) will centrally focus on advertising so far as promotion is concerned. The budgeting of promotion is to be as followers Print Advertising Electronic Advertising Internet Advertising Others 25%% 35% 30% 10% Controlling Strategy Yearly or half yearly controlling of marketing p lan is significative in order to make sure that the firm is not wastefully expending and achieving the marketing objectives as per planning.So far as performance achievement is concerned financially the foremost ratio to watch is marketing expense-to-sales ratio. Moreover, the period-to-period fluctuations in every ratio may well be bring in on a control diagram. The conduct of consecutive remarks even within the higher and lower control limits ought to be looked at (Mullins, Boyd and Larreche, 2006). UK mobile telecommunications market corresponds to one of the most striking telecommunications markets globally , with the mobile telecommunications services market segment creating just about ? 1 billion of revenue yearly , where yearly growth in this market segment is projected to total ? 900 million yearly. Therefore, BSkyB (Sky) should target acquiring 30% of the yearly revenue by 2018, after five years of systematic implementation of the extended marketing plan. The achievement in this regard will be evaluated on yearly basis. Furthermore, period-to-period fluctuations in every ratio will be tracked on a control diagram by the marketing practitioners in BSkyB (Sky). Following is the planning of controlling on yearly basis. 1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year fifth year % 5% 10% 5% 5% In order achieve the marketing objectives, performance evaluation will be conducted on half yearly basis, and in the case of success/failure of achieving targets, further planning will reviewed accordingly. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Even though BSkyB (Sky) is making substantial profits restricting its operation the solo targeted segment of UK telecommunication market, yet it has ample opportunity to grow and increase profits shifting gears, where there ia an opportunity awaiting in mobile telecommunications services market segment.BSkyB (Sky) should target acquiring 30% of the yearly revenue by 2018, after five years of systematic implementation of the extended market ing plan. In order to develop marketing planning for BSkyB (Sky), the both the strategic and tactical approach is adopted where the focus of the marketing efforts is concentrating on marketing mix components in the forms of product, price place, and promotion, apart from segmentation and targeting. BSkyB (Sky) should target acquiring 30% of the yearly revenue from mobile telecommunications services market segment by 2018, after five years of systematic implementation of the extended marketing plan.The target markets of BSkyB are both individual citizens and small business enterprises, where the later will be at the centre in the targeting. BSkyB (Sky) is to segment the targeted markets geographically where the concentration will be small cities in UK. BSkyB (Sky) will concentrate its product/service strategy on SMS texting, apart from other common mobile communication services. BSkyB (Sky) plans competitive pricing to appeal the customers in UK mobile telecommunication sector.When i t comes to distribution strategy, BSkyB (Sky) will place its services to the organized retail shops in the UK mobile telecommunication sector. For some markets, the distribute shops will be opened BSkyB (Sky) in malls of the geographically segmented cities. In order to reach the targeted customers in UK mobile telecommunication market BSkyB (Sky) will centrally focus on advertising so far as promotion is concerned. Period-to-period fluctuations in every ratio will be tracked on a control diagram by the marketing practitioners in BSkyB (Sky).In order achieve the marketing objectives, performance evaluation will be conducted on half yearly basis. REFERENCES Armstrong, G. and Kotler, P. (2005), Marketing An Introduction, 7th Edition, prentice Hall Inc. , Upper Saddle River, N. J. Company Report (2012), BSkyB (Sky) patience Report (2012), UK Mobile Telecommunication Industry Euromonitor International. Kotler, P. and Keller, K. L. (2006), Marketing Management, 12th Edition, Prentice Ha ll Inc. , Upper Saddle River, sassy Jersey. Mullins, J. W. Walker, O. C. , Boyd, H. W. and Larreche, J. C. (2006), Marketing Management, 5th Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York. BSkyB (2013), Key facts & figures. Online accessed from http//corporate. sky. com/about_sky/key_facts_and_figures 22 March, 2013 CorporateSky (2013), British Sky Broadcasting Group Plc Unaudited results for the six months ended 31 December 2012. Online accessed from http//corporate. sky. com/documents/pdf/latest_results/q2_press_release_201213. pdf 23rd March, 2013