Political Issues Essay

Political and Social Apathy, there are two faces of apathy. The first considers apathy as a choice and participation in public life a consequence of one’s affirmative use of freedom. The second face of apathy arises when citizens are led to believe that their personal needs are not part of the political agenda, resulting into political deprivation and the reaffirmation of the status quo. Philippines political and social life is marked by the second kind of apathy, which might also arise from the belief that individuals are powerless and hopeless in making significant changes in their lives. For this reason, the paper would like to awaken reflection on apathy in the personal and public spheres and to outline ways by which the individual can move towards sympathy. It is the intention of this paper to show contemporary Filipinos can find his passion again in order to move out of apathy. The paper will explain the rationale behind the development of the Philippines social and political issues. The Philippines is faced with a number of issues that concern our organization. We are passionate about raising awareness of these issues, and developing grass-roots solutions. Poverty, unemployment and environmental legislation are the major issues facing the country, and these problems have resulted in a large number of Filipinos moving overseas for work. We believe social entrepreneurship can help address some of the issues facing the Philippines at the moment. Read more:Â  Political Issues in the Philippines Essay

Business Buying Center Essay

A.Describe the different roles in a business buying center. Then identify each member of the buying group in a medium-sized company that purchases components and assembles small household appliances. A business buying center is described as all persons involved in any aspect of a company’s buying activity (source: page 186, Contemporary Marketing). A business buying center is also known as a decision making unit or DMU and can be further defined as a group of employees, family members, or members of any type of organization responsible for finalizing major decisions, usually involving a purchase (source: Financial Times Lexicon: http://lexicon.ft.com/decision-making-unit). In a business setting, major purchases typically require input from various parts of the organization, including finance, accounting, purchasing, information technology management, and senior management. Highly technical purchases, such as information systems or production equipment, also require the expertise of technical specialists. In some cases the buying center is an informal ad hoc group, but in other cases, it is a formally sanctioned group with specific mandates, criteria, and procedures. The employees that constitute the buying center will vary depending on the item being purchased. There are typically five roles within any buying center. For purposes of this assignment, a buying center for a medium-sized company that purchases components and assembles small household appliances could be described as follows: 1.Influencers who try to affect the outcome decision with their opinions. An Influencer would also set specific buying specifications for the company. This group would guide evaluation as well. 2.Deciders who have the final decision. The Deciders also choose the good or service. They may need to involve another person with more formal authority 3.Buyers who are responsible for the contract. Buyers also secure the good or service. 4.Users of the item being purchased. Users are the people who will actually â€Å"use† the good or service. 5.Gatekeepers who control the flow of information that all buying center members will review. (Sources: http://books.google.com/books?id=wAMsaLJoykYC&pg=PA130&lpg=PA130 and source: page 186 and 187, Contemporary Marketing)

1000 words APA format Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

1000 words APA format - Article Example The authors utilize this particular case as a means of drawing attention to an industrially developed society that exhibits a larger than average overall life expectancy as a means of focusing upon the aforementioned determinants of COPD. Accordingly, the forthcoming analysis will serve as a brief review and synthesis of the main findings that this particular article was able to exhibit and the overall inference that can be drawn based upon these findings in terms of proposed future research and a greater understanding of COPD as it relates to individuals beyond the age of 65. Firstly, the article presents the broader understanding that COPD is oftentimes represented an old age as a direct result of environmental hazards and/4 prior activities such as smoking which might have contributed to the prevalence of this particular disease as old age is experienced. Within this particular dynamic, the article encourages healthcare professionals to be keenly aware of the fact that COPD, although having very similar symptoms and effects upon the individual who suffers from it regardless of age, has distinctly different impacts upon individuals that are over the age of 65 and potentially experience other health complications and issues alongside this. Yet, rather than providing a mere definition of COPD, symptoms, and its potential treatments, the article establishes a research methodology that will assess stakeholders and more effectively understanding and defining COPD in terms of future treatments. Accordingly, a cross-sectional study was conducted between March 2007 to January 2008; during this period, 406 primary family caregivers of COPD patients were recruited as a means of answering a questionnaire. Essentially, this study sought to categorize, classify, and ultimately understand the differentials in approach that caregivers had towards individual suffering from COPD based

Week 3 Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Week 3 Assignment - Essay Example The issue about abortion is highly contemptuous both from the legal, philosophical and more especially theological perspective. While current law tends to be more liberal with the legalization of abortion in some states and some countries, the controversy and debate about its propriety is still as heated as before. The argument whether it is right or wrong has not yet settled and confounded by the equally heated discourse about the woman’s right to choose with what to do with her own body and the fetus/zygote right to live. The arguments about abortion are grounded on several philosophical and theological premises. First is the argument about when did life begin? Some posits that life begins at conception while others argue that life already begun at implantation. The Catholic Church brings forth the argument of its foremost theologian, St. Thomas Aquinas who believed that life actually begins at 40 days for male and 80 for female. He based this theological basis of his from the Greek’s view about fetal development. It became more acceptable however that life begun when the fetus acquired personhood and/or â€Å"ensoulment† which has the same value and right as any human being to live. Having accepted this standard of where life actually begun, limits the argument to the point of when a fetus gains personhood. Development in science has helped to settle this dilemma for it provided that the fetus is already a viable human life at the end of second trimester of pregnancy. But even if perso nhood or ensoulment is already established, there are however circumstances that would make abortion morally acceptable. This particularly true when the pregnancy and/or is threatening the mother’s life that continuing the pregnancy would induce the death the mother. Thus, in this instance, abortion becomes

Life Cycle of the Service Industry Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Life Cycle of the Service Industry - Essay Example As the report declares the products are of a wide variety due to few cases of imitation and replication. Competition is not intense because the industry is yet to be flooded with new firms. For a firm to survive this stage, it needs to advertise its services and take measures to retain customers.  At the growth stage, demand is growing because the industry can penetrate the market. Firms are utilizing and innovating new technology. The quality and design of products improves because they now know what the clients want. Competition is growing because of new entrants leading to mergers and exit of some firms. For a company to survive this stage, it should be creative in the way it offers its services.  This discussion stresses that at the maturity stage, demand is improving due to repeat buying. Customers are also becoming price sensitive. Firms are using innovative technology to beat their rivals and retain clients. Consumers can now differentiate between the firms through their b rands. Competition is stiff. Weaker firms are falling out. A company that survives this stage should have a strong brand, better technology and the muscle to rival out competitors. The decline stage is the final phase of the industry cycle. The demand for the services has gone down due to obsolescence. There is little technological innovation in firms. The services are all similar in the eyes of the consumers. The competition is intense- there are price wars and exits.  

Business Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Business Strategy - Essay Example The vast existing literature based on strategic management reflects both these perspectives from the firm’s point of view. The traditional economic theories embrace the firm’s resource position while conceptualizing strategies to be adopted by the firm (Andrews, 1971). On the other hand, a majority of the formal tools used in economics nowadays emphasize upon the product-market facet of a firm. Although these are two different perspectives of studying a firm’s resource position and its market activities, these are both focused on the role of resources used by the firm in determining its strategic decisions. Hence, one might expect to yield the same insight on following either of these two perspectives of the resource based view of a corporate organization. However, these insights might arrive with differing levels of ease, depending on which perspective the analyst has chosen. Literature review Economists traditionally consider economic units (firms) in terms of the resource endowments each firm has. These resource endowments are typically confined to three factors, namely, land, labour and capital. Authors that espouse the resource based perspective of the firm accredit Edith Tilton Penrose for laying the building blocks of this theory (Rugman and Verbeke, 2002). Penrose (1959) has made direct contributions to develop the modern view of resource based management. She has as well indirectly influenced the proposition by contributing further into these theories; the theory of creating competitive advantage, theory of sustaining the competitive advantage for the firm and the relationship between economic rents and competitive advantage (Penrose, 1959). There are debates regarding the work by Penrose. Rugman and Verbeke (2002) have put forth the argument that Penrose’s work was not aimed at providing strategy prescriptions for the creation of a sustainable flow of rents. The ideas put forth by Penrose have been used by several scholars as the foundation for models depicting the relationship between rents and competitive advantage of firms and they emphasise that this relationship plays a significant role in the achievement of sustainable competitive advantage. However, the argument against the espousing of the resource-based view (RBV) of Penrose by these scholars, is that, she had given a rigorous description of the growth process of firms in her works and did not intend to build up a strategy prescription for firms (Rugman and Verbeke, 2002). Till 1984, when Wernerfelt presented his work ‘A resource-based view of the Firm’ this perspective of looking at firms did not become well accustomed with economists and analysts. While other papers did not yet receive much formal attention, the paper by Penrose (1959) had received wide acclamation from contemporary and modern economists. According to Wernerfelt (1984), some of the resources used in firms have certain properties that are unpleasant and unhelpfu l for modelling purposes. Due to this reason economists might not have considered these resources as a good measure for strategizing competitive advantage of firms’. While products of a firm are easy to identify and the characteristics of their production and sales can be categorised and measured easily, a firm’

Legal Skills Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Legal Skills - Essay Example In the United States alone, they take up 24% of the total number of attorneys. This volume continues to grow especially with the fact that the current number of women law students today is 40% of total. Furthermore, it is forecasted that by 2010, 40% of the legal profession will be made up of women1,2. Despite these fact however, it is regrettable to note that some sectors in society remain reluctant in accepting the legitimacy of women as barristers and solicitors and their eventual appointment to judicial office. No less than the media is participatory in such discriminatory actions towards women. This is evident in many of the articles written about women in the legal profession such as â€Å"Justice Wears a Skirt† and that which talked about the law being â€Å"feminized†.3 This paper will be focusing on the women in law profession and their role as barristers and solicitors. It will make mention of several of the most famous of them and how they got to where they a re. II. The Role of Solicitors and Barristers Solicitors refer to lawyers who have complied with the educational demands and other prerequisites of the Law Society and have worked for two years under the supervision of a practicing solicitor. They have restricted authorization to plead before a court but in general, do not. Solicitors act as professional middlepersons between clients and barristers. They spend majority of their time in the office to plan strategies for the case and to write comprehensive guidelines for the barristers to follow. Barristers, on the other hand, are the legal experts who actually appear in court, and present the case compliant with the guidelines provided by the solicitors. Unlike solicitors, they do not interact with the clients; rather, they function as highly-trained and well-experienced specialists in legal procedure and points of law. Unlike solicitors also, they have direct access to court. However, the restriction on the right of solicitors to ap pear before the court has been removed by the Court and Legal Services Act. Also, the clients are given more direct access to barristers who have complied with the Bar Council prerequisites and have informed the council that they plan on doing direct access work. III. Statistics on Women Solicitors and Barristers Women make up 24% of the lawyers of the country. This amount is almost twice higher since 1985, when the percentage was just 13%, and higher by eight times than in 1971, when the percentage was just 3%. The place of women in the legal profession continues to rise. Women comprise 44% of all law students. However, despite making up over 50% of the population, the present projections indicate that the percentage of women in the profession will never reach 50%. Women are instituting themselves as leaders in the legal profession. By 1997, women made up 32% of the ABA Board of Governors, 22% of the members of the American Bar Association House of Delegates, 20% of state civil jud ges, 19% of federal judges, 8% of deans of law school, 19% of law school professors, and 14% of law firm partners4. Since the early part of the 1970s, the portion of female law students has increased by over four times, from 9.4% in 1972/1973 to 44% in 1996/19975. In response to reports by members of the faculty and female law students in law schools regarding gender discrimination, a sequence of hearings were carried out in 1994 and 1995 by the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession for the purpose of

Trade Unionism in the United Kingdom Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Trade Unionism in the United Kingdom - Essay Example This paper looks into the status of trade unionism in the United Kingdom from a cross-section of reports of trade unionists themselves who are also authorities on the subject, with some inputs of a unionist from a neighbouring union. All of them accept trade unionism in UK is declining but each qualifies what he means by "decline." Monks 6, however, is more of being non-committal about declination. Much categorical about UK unionism declination are Hyman7 and Gall,8 with the first at least hopeful for unions reclaiming a positive climb, and the latter more or less seeing a dim future for the unions. Finally, this paper looks into the possible role of UK trade unionism in employee relations. Decline of UK Trade unionism is perceived from many angles. If it were on terminal decline it would mean it is tapering off, concluding, finishing, and ending. Therefore, memberships in unions are expected to fall. As a manifestation of its terminal declination, unions would have no power at all, for example, in collective bargaining. With employers, they would have no political teeth to negotiate for better management practices. As presented from several reports on UK trade unionism, however, the end is not yet for the British unions although decline is more or less accepted as discussed in the following - Richard Hyman (2004).9 Hyman is professor of Industrial Relations at the London School of Economics. His main research interests are trade unions and industrial conflict. The author of many books on trade unionism, Hyman locates decline in the trade unions in strength and militancy. Among the sources mentioned here, it is Hyman who strongly states that the trade unions have indeed declined. Yet, hopeful as he is, he declares that unions can recapture misplaced identification of the worker with new world and new futures back to the union by being knowledgeable in the battle for ideas. He then proposes concepts which he declares are the strength of contemporary personnel managers that trade unions should begin to exploit. Gregor Gall (2005).10 Gall, a member of the Scottish Socialist Party and Professor of Industrial Relations at the University of Hertfordshire says the contemporary decline of trade unionism in Britain is in the membership, bargaining power and political influence. Going beyond Hyman11 who sets his statements with a question mark, he is one authority who describes declination quantitatively. According to Gall, trade union density in 2004 was 28.8%, having previously been 55% in 1979. He asks, if social democracy is revived, could it provide a new source of politically inspired union activists Gall puts weight on the role of the activist who's energy has waned and ebbed and refuses to fight. According to him, the activist is the spirit behind unionism. Without the activist, unionism dies. Since the activist today has found his concerns in other things, unionism has weakened. As proof, he said, the Labour Representation Committee was launched a few years ago, but judged by the poor attendance at its annual conferences, and the number of affiliated organizations and local groups, revival does not seem to be making much headway. However,

Drug Use in Sports Essay Example for Free

Drug Use in Sports Essay In the article William Moller blames discusses Alex Rodriguez and other athlete’s performance enhancing drug use. He compared the harsh pressure that is forced upon athletes to his own experience in high school that led him to try illegal substances. He stated â€Å"I did what I felt was needed to do, to accomplish what was demanded of me† (Moller 547). Moller later goes on to ultimately place blame on the fans by placing Rodriguez and other athletes on a pedestal, and viewing them in a god like manner by saying â€Å"What it really comes down to is that the reason Alex did steroids is you and me†(Moller 547). The writer argues that Rodriguez just wanted success wherever he went he wanted â€Å"To erase the memories of Mantle and DiMaggio and Berra† (Moller 548. ) Moller also discussed how we shouldn’t hate players who have gotten caught because the majority of the best athletes in baseball are users. â€Å"He’s just one of the gang† (Moller 551) Moller says about athletes who have gotten caught using steroids. Moller states â€Å"This game is all about getting an edge† (Moller 549) whether you’re taking illegal substances or your corking your bat everyone is trying to get the edge on their opponent. The author did not bring any outside sources or naysayers in his article that may have provided objections to his views. His article may have been more persuasive if he had maybe speculated on the negative side effects of steroid use as he did earlier in the article about his Ritalin use.

Marketing Plan for New Coca Cola Drink

Marketing Plan for New Coca Cola Drink The following marketing plan is for the introduction of the innovative product line extension of the pioneer beverages company Coca-Cola. The Coke Buzz Tea is fresh and innovative product which will enhance the revenue of the company. The following analysis will allow in outlining the best practises to achieve the strategic goals outlaid by the company. The mix of marketing strategies will facilitate to achieve market share of an estimated 8,688,300 people (target) with a growth of 7.3% as forecasted in 4 years. This will capture the unserved market for ready-to-drink Coke Buzz Tea. The success in the sales growth with this product line extension will bring company to apex position and will tag the company as a market leader in the functional soft drink. Situational analysis Under the situational analysis the changes of trends in beverages industry are thoroughly examined. The SWOT analysis is done to get a clear picture of micro environment variables. Under the industry analysis, the opportunities for an innovative product are discussed Marketing plan In the marketing plan all the research work and marketing strategy is listed. The pricing, promotion and place strategies are in accordance with the ongoing Coca-Cola strategy. The strategies are critically revised to add more value in the balance sheet of the company Financial analysis Under the financial analysis breakeven point calculations are done and also incorporated the expected sales growth and revenue figures. Company description Founded in 1886, we are the worlds major marketer, manufacturer and distributor in non-alcoholic beverages syrups and concentrates, which are consumed in the production of nearly 400 beverages brands that contributes our wide portfolio. We are operating in more than 200 countries with our head office established in Atlanta. We are at the second position in functional and specialty Asian drinks. The Coke Buzz Tea will help the company to achieve the top most position in the ready to drink tea sector. Product description and strategic role in future of the company: Coke Buzz Tea will be a canned and bottled beverage and it will be positioned as the only ready-to-drink tea product available in the market. The product will bring entirely unique experience with the base of green tea enhanced with the fruit flavors such as strawberry, passion fruit and lime. Customers will feel fresh and energetic after sipping this delicious tea. It will pose itself different than the traditional tea while offering the delicious taste of fruit juices in convenient and attractive packing. The strategic role of the Coke Buzz Tea in for Coca-Cola is focused on three objectives: Grow to be a market leader in the functional and ready-to-drink sector with increased market share. To attract the Gen-Y consumers and satisfy their needs with an eye catching and FUNctional product. To stay at the front position as the market leader in innovative product development and successful product launches. SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS INDUSTRY ANALYSIS Consumption The sales amount for the functional drinks sector in Canada has approached to $342.2 million in 2004 for a volume of 125.9 million liters. This product division has shown a steady growth since 1999: raise of 13.5% over a phase of 6 years. The consumption rate per capita in 2004 has risen to 4 3.94 liters, which represents a 4.0% increase compared to 1999. The increase of this particular market is mainly due to a slow shift in consumer trends. Trends Through the early 1960s, soft drinks were one and the same with colas in the mind of consumers. In the 1980s and 1990s, however, further beverages (from bottled water to tea) became more accepted. Coca-Cola and Pepsi responded by expanding their product offerings through coalition (e.g. Coke Nestea) and acquisitions (e.g. Coke Minute Maid), but also by keeping their focus on the portfolio diversification. Today, while the soft drink industrys importance has amplified in 2010, the volume sales of carbonated soft drinks has declined due to a large share of consumers who are more attracted towards the trend of healthier drink options in the functional drink segment(smoothies, energy drink, sport drink, milk and juice drinks). Companies have been actively involved in new product developments in order to defy the growing concerns about harmful health impacts of high-fructose drinks, but also to enlarge the demand in a market where product offerings are rapidly maturing. New flavor introductions and health-conscious formulations have been introduced in an attempt to offset the rejection in carbonated soft drink sales The functional market is predictable to show sustained growth and consumer concern in the future years as consumption shifts to healthier, trendier and sophisticated products. Profitability future growth potential In 1993, Concentrate Producers grossed 29% pretax profits on their sales, while bottlers made 9% profits on their sales, for an entire industry profitability of 14%. While the functional drinks segment only accounts for 3.7% of the whole soft drinks sales in 2004, estimations are forecasting a growth of 7.3% in sales and 11.0% in volume consumption by 2010 (ref.4). SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGHTS Effective strides in new markets Coca-Cola has aligned with several companies (such as the joint venture with Nestlà ©) in order to boost the ability to react to demands and variation in the markets of coffee, iced tea and juices. The developing markets are more complex than the developed markets. They require more marketing and product awareness. Strong existing distribution channels Coca-Cola has global operations and is well recognized in its distribution channels (such as store retailers or vending machines). Therefore, a new product launch can usually rely on the existing distribution structure in order to reach the greater part of its target market while requiring no major supply / delivery enlargements. Brand strength The Coca-Cola Company is the biggest manufacturer, distributor and marketer of non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups in the world. The Coca-Cola brand is unarguably recognizable brands in the 200 countries where it trade its products. The well established and strong brand name is one of the bases for the companys competitive benefit on several of its core markets. WEAKNESSES Relying upon line extensions Coca-Cola is relying on brand expansions increase sales in specific lines, particularly its long-time carbonated soft drink products (i.e. the introduction of Vanilla Coke assisted maintain sales for the core Cola beverages). However, there is a major risk of cannibalizing existing sales in the long term (for example, Bubble Tea might deter on sales for iced tea). Reliant upon particular carbonated drinks The long-time existence of Coca-Colas Coke beverage has conventionally promoted this particular line as a flagship product. The core coke products have gained strong loyalty from customers and have solid basis of sales. The brand is more and more anchored as a single line carbonated drinks which may have taken away the freedom to diversify in other non carbonated products. The Coca-Cola Company is a strictly global multinational business giant. Most of its products are shipped to many areas of the globe. These products have adapted to the geographical requirements Furthermore, many smaller and diversified product lines are more or less accepted in one particular region over another. Therefore, the course of diversifying the production and marketing all products engage costly investments. These capital necessities typically increase as the product becomes heavily focused (for example to market a coke bottle in Japan is less difficult due to the worldwide recognition of the bottle rather than the Qoo in the same country, as the Qoo is the newest non carbonated drink introduced by Coca-Cola in 1999) OPPORTUNITIES New product introductions The functional drinks market is one that predominantly allows more opportunities, innovations and gives greater freedom for creativeness in the production, design, distribution, manufacturing, promotion and retailing choices and processes. Brand is attractive to global partners Because of the size of the company and broad portfolio base, Coca-Cola has strong purchasing power over its suppliers, and also draws large partnerships with various levels of consumer contact (e.g. McDonald, movie studio promotions, promotions in universities, sponsorship agreements, etc.). Existing brand awareness also offer an international playing field for powerful marketing strategies. THREATS Strong competition Coca-Cola has a tough competition in the global market. Though the number of the competitors is less but to capture the bigger share in the crowded market will be a tougher one. Potential health issues The current drift of consumer and consumers groups consciousness towards goods and services is both beneficial and threatening for companies in the food and beverages business. Over the last few years, concerns over health concerns have risen in the media through an extended and ever- growing network of knowledge outputs (TV channels, journals, internet). The shift of the younger generation towards a healthier standard of living needs a careful planning and decision- making in new product developments. Large companies can also straightforwardly become the target of consumers apprehension. Target market Segment identification: RTD (Ready-to-drink) bottled Coke Buzz Tea, to be established within the Functional Drinks sector. Segment needs The product will accommodate to both social needs (perception of a social, fun drink with a sense of belonging within peer consumer groups) and physiological needs (hydrating and nutritional value). Segment trends The current trends include a move away from junk foods and carbonated drinks, a rising interest for healthier / beneficial foodstuffs for the mind and body, the trend towards the accessibility of on-the-go products for those with an active lifestyle, as well as the inclination for personalization through customization. Conclusion Based on the aforementioned analysis, Coke Buzz Tea appears to be a profitable and innovative product with a strong outlook for market share presence and segment growth opportunity. Upon execution of the marketing plan, the Coca-Cola Company will reclaim increased market shares and claim its targeted situational place of market leader in the functional drinks section as well as keeping its long-standing consumer appreciation for innovative and successful product launches in diversified markets. Projected profits will be $243,029.47. Objective The objectives of the marketing plan are focused on the three main criteria: To establish a wide brand recognition through the capturing of market share Making consumers more aware regarding the Coke Buzz Tea product from coke. To attain a market leader position in the functional drink sector PRODUCT STRATEGY The core Bubble Tea beverage in a pre-bottled and pre canned, ready-to-drink format. The actual product Packaging and labeling: see figure images.jpg Branding: Colorful, aspect of play, round shaped, prominent Buzz logo written in modern font, catchphrases such as Think outside the Bubble and Get Your Buzz. Trade name: Coke Buzz Teaà ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¾Ã‚ ¢, a Coca-Cola product Brand personality: oomph, funky, cool, purposeful, original, funny, healthy, etc. Brand equity: Coca-Cola provides a consistent, quality, accessible and innovative soft drink reputation. Augmented product Nutritional information, Status (social drink), Features promoting the website, Healthy drink with an advantage of a green tea base. Marketing considerations Product life cycle Coke Buzz Tea is a low-learning product. With a strong marketing promotion, sales [will] begin immediately and the paybacks of the purchases are readily understood. Since Coke Buzz Tea is prone to product imitation, Coca- Colas strategy is to widen distribution rapidly, which is currently possible, credit to the companys high manufacturing capacity. Coke Buzz Tea pursues the practice of product line extension. PRICE STRATEGY The price strategy that will be undertaken should consider the following aspects: 1. Consumer demand 2. The product lifecycle 3. Potential substitutes Customer demand Customer demand is a vital factor which is driven by flavor, income and availability of others alike products at a different price (mentioned later in the potential substitutes section). For a lot of customers, value and price are much related: the higher the price, the higher the value. As a result, Coca-Colas intention to position Coke Buzz Tea as an exclusive, innovative and attractive product offer it a certain control over price. The product lifecycle The company should take benefit also to the fact that the newer the product and the in advance in its lifecycle the higher the price can typically be. It ensures a high profit margin as the early adopters get the product and the firm seeks to earn development costs quickly and it also carry a certain prestige to the product. http://www.sabertek.co.za/images/ProductLifeCycle.png PROMOTION STRATEGY Objectives: To create strong awareness about the launch of Coke Buzz Tea among the Gen-Y (10-29 years old) consumers and their parents. This is very essential to win the market share against the main competitor PepsiCo. Message: The promotional outputs will convey the clear message that:- Coke Buzz is a healthy drink for active and young people who simply enjoy taking care of their body and life. Think outside the buzz: BeBold, BeOriginal, BeDifferent, BeYourself. A good spirit in a good body. Media selection: Before selecting the appropriate medias, it is significant to note that Generation Y consumers only give partial consideration to media. However, they can be reached through incorporated programs. They are typically using other than one communication media at a time; a behavior that is commonly called multitasking. This set of consumers doesnt give its complete attention to one single message, but rather uses continuous fractional attention to scan the media. Marketers can still communicate with Generation Y by means of a variety of targeted promotional tools. Another vital tactic to reach our target market is through Viral or Buzz marketing, which Coca-Cola will greatly use in this campaign (campus, contests). Advertising: PROMOTIONAL MIX Consumer oriented: Contests: Win another Coke Buzz Tea flavor, Uncover a secret code beneath the bottle cap and win sporting goods and electronics by logging on the website (Arguments: It will boost consumer purchases and encourage consumer involvement with the product). Samples: Distribution of samples in supermarkets, school/universities and near theaters. Samples are a technique to avoid product resistance since people are not used to find bubbles in their drinks. Arguments: It will encourage people to buy the new Coke Buzz Tea and it signifies low risk for customers since they get it for free. They have nothing to lose by trying it. Point-of-purchase: In supermarkets (to reach the parents of generation Y). Arguments: It is also a way to increase product trial and provides a good product visibility. Trade oriented: Allowances and discounts: Case allowance (Arguments: The free goods approach will be used so it can push retailers to buy more of the product to get a certain amount for free). Cooperative advertising: To cheer retailers to buy our product and to sustain our high level of advertisement that consumers anticipate from Coca-Cola. Other considerations: IMC (integrated marketing communication) Intermediary: personal selling will be more often used. Ultimate consumer: Coca-Cola will use additional mass media because the amount of possible buyers is large. PLACE (DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY) Coke Buzz Tea will be distributed through these channels: Convenience stores Supermarkets Independent food stores Multiple grocers Discount stores Vending machines Direct sales. FINANCIAL MEASURES Requirement for success analysis: C.M. per bottle = 382,159.36 / 328,000 = $1.17 Break-even: (113,453.56+25,676.33) / 1.17 = 118,914 (bottles) http://www.mirrorservice.org/sites/home.ubalt.edu/ntsbarsh/Business-stat/otherapplets/BreakEvent.gif Market share: 118,914 / 1,000,000 = 11.9% In one year, if Coca-cola can sell 118,914 bottles of Coke Buzz Tea, or in other words achieve 11.9% of the functional drink market share, it will break even. After this point, every bottle Coca cola sells will generate average $1.17 towards the profits. The potential profits can up to $1,030,770.001 based on our target market. Expected Costs: COGS: $597,124 * 36% = $214,964.64 O/H: $597,124* 38% = $226,907.12 Expected Revenues (total) = $597,124 1 $1.17*(1-11.9%)*1,000,000 = $1,030,770 CALCULATIONS Based on Coca-Colas previous financial statements, we will see the Average COGS/Revenues for year 2005, 2004, and 2003 is 36%4. Operating Costs /Revenues = 38%5 Moreover, since our target market are 1,000,000 cans annually assuming Coca-cola maintains its market share in functional drink 32.8%, we predict our sales as 1,000,000 * 32.8% = 328,000 bottles. We use the ratio of average capital expenditures / net operation income for North America to estimate the fixed cost we need for producing Bubble Buzz in Canada: 4.3%6 of the total revenue. Task 3 The Coke Buzz Tea is a product line extension for the well established Brand Coca-Cola. The company has won the award of the most valuable company and always at the first place in providing the full value for the money. The Coke Buzz is the extension in the product line but it offers the same commitment for the value for the money as the other Coke products are offering. As the starting price of the Coke Buzz is kept little higher than the existing products. This can be compensated by justifying the nutrition content and the uniqueness of the product. The freshness of the green tea and the delicious taste of the fruit flavors will let consumers enjoy the full value of their money. The advertisement has a vital role in the success of the product. As there is a neck to neck competition between Coke and Pepsi. So Coke needs a strong advertisement to backup the launch of the product. In the marketing plan I have discussed the promotion process which is very diversified. This product is clearly targeting the young generation, which may be students, college students, young employees, athletes and few old people who like to change the conventional tea with something exciting. This age groups is not limited to a single advertisement media. So a proper mix of advertisement media is required. Critical reflective learning is the learning technique with which students or the learner brings the theoretical knowledge into practical use. With the help of the reflective learning individuals grow in term of knowledge, social and professional skills. In the course of MBA the reflective learning process plays very critical role. Sometimes even in organizations, the managers fail to possess reflective learning skills. The reflective learning bridges the gap between what we have learned in the school and what we need to stay in business. In the course of Marketing Management, I have leaned the various marketing tools, techniques, concept and theories. In the starting the course module was very easy and according to my prior experience of sales assistant. Before the MBA course I was working as an efficient sales executive in a multinational company. Though my background was not supporting the role I was working in. but my strong communication and social skills bought success and perks during my job tenure. To add more skill set under my CV and to gain the insight of the corporate world, I chosen the business study. During the first few weeks of Marketing Management course I was very amused to see the simple marketing techniques but having critical affect on the revenues. The mode of teaching was mainly through slides and case studies. This helped in the implementation of the theories and various concepts in on the real time companies. The course started with a slow pace and I was able to gain the basics of the marketing. The aim of the module was to provide future managers an understanding of the key theories that underpin the study of Marketing, as well as an opportunity to analyze and evaluate the marketing strategies of successful and not-so-successful businesses. The module started with the 4ps of marketing and phillip kotler reaserch work. I have gained the sense of importance of the Place, Promotion, Price and Product. To make any product successful, there should be a proper strategy for the marketing mix. In the preceding week I came to know the various aspects of the buying behavior of the consumers. The adoption process sounded very interesting in creating hype for the product. I learned how adoption levels vary among the consumers and came to know the various classes of the consumers. After gaining the insight of the concept the course was advanced to the product life cycle. This helped me in the understanding of the processes involved in the birth phase of the product to the decline of the product and how the marketing mix changes with the life cycle. Week 4 and 5 revolved around the segmentation of the market and how to capture the target market. Though I had little knowledge of the market segmentation and the target market due to my past job. The addition to my knowledge was the techniques used to segment the market. Earlier I was not sure how the companies segment their markets but the study of demographic, geographic, behavior descriptors made me aware of the causes of segmentation. But sometimes I got confused as there are some companies whose products are same for all buyers e.g. Coca-Cola, and Pepsi. Although they produce different products but the basis of their sales is still the old flavor drink. I had very fascinating moment when I studied Michel Porters generic strategies. I found the practice use of the generic strategies when I writing my project report. These strategies found very helpful in the positioning of the product in the market. After studying the half of the course I was bit confused in the fit between the preference of the market segment and current positioning of the product. For this I did a personal research and wrote a positioning statement to guide development and implementation of marketing strategy. After this revision I was able to grasp the concept of the final decision on where a product will be placed, OR where a current product will be repositioned to within the market. Learning of the Forecasting technique was a very new thing for me. This concept was totally practical and had mathematical touch. This was the only topic I faced in module in which I touched the calculator. Along with the course work I learned the concept of forecasting techniques with my own research. The six techniques took long time to learn. In the same week I learned the importance of the market research techniques. These were very helpful for me to grow socially. I found them very interesting as they need a direct contact with the customers. The thing that disappointed me in the course module is the affective use of the technology in the market segment. The module was not equipped with the technologies that help in the real time marketing environment. I felt to do self study in this field but the burden of the study and work restricted me to go beyond the course module. Though I kept myself updated with the use of internet and various marketing magazines. In the course work I read about the client contact management system ACT. In the ACT system the Advertising companies have the salespersons contacts in the ACT database and they offer information on the last ad they purchased. This helps the sales person be more effective in their sales and try to sell products (advertisements) they know the customer will be interested in purchasing. By the week 6 I gained the basic and advanced knowledge in the module. Week 7 was little difficult for me to understand. The positioning process was very confusing for me as it involved lot of research and practical knowledge. For this purpose I took help from my friends who were working in the supermarkets and big grocery stores. The term positioning was very new to me as I had never encountered with this process during my job. The positioning task had many steps as I learned: Select the target market Set the promotional objective Set the promotional budget Design the promotional mix Carry out a research to find out if the promotional objectives met This was the scene when I had to implement my all marketing knowledge which I had learned in the course. Week 8 study was more practical than the article. In that week I practiced many real time problems which a manager can face or the issues which can arise in the marketing division or in the whole organization. In that particular lecture I came to know the ethical issues associated with the marketing practice. Though in the lecture very limited knowledge was given on that topic but the lecturer was able to convey the importance of the topic. After the week 8 I assessed myself on the basis of the knowledge I earned in the module and found that I become sound in theoretical part but I found difficulties in relating the concepts with the real time scenarios. This was due to the less number of assignments given in the module description. Though the final assignment which needed a lot of research and cleared most of the quarries. But the module needs to be revised as there should be a proper assignment is required in the middle of the course work, so that students will able to attach themselves with the practical world at very early stage. I felt the major drawback in the course module is the involvement of the students. There was negligible number of the seminars given by the students. This kept me at back end in term of confidence to speak in front of the whole class. There were no debates or maybe there wasnt any weighting to the debate, thats why nobody cared about them. At the end of the reflective learning process I am still not comfortable with the technological advancement in the sector of the marketing. I have very limited knowledge about the tools used by the managers in the real world. I thought to attend a seminar to overcome the limitation of my knowledge but then I realized it would be better if the college admin will add this as activity in the course module. My personal assessment revealed the shortcomings in my presentational skills and analytical skills. To overcome the hurdle I made proper strategy for which I joined the study groups in the libraries and started to read case studies. The other tools which helped in the reflective learning are the journals, magazines, TV, internet and the various seminars. http://www.scribd.com

Accounting Ratio Analysis And Comparison Of Companies Finance Essay

Accounting Ratio Analysis And Comparison Of Companies Finance Essay 1) Question 1 Find the most recent financial statements for two companies of same company industry which are listed in KLSE (Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange).Evaluate the financial position and performance for each of these two companies using accounting ratio analysis. You are required to compute and compare the accounting ratio between these two companies, and conclude the results of your finding. The limitations or problems of using accounting ratios for performance analysis should be included in your conclusion. entify and discuss three different ways for transferring capital or fund from saves to borrowers in the financial market. Table of content Page Questions 1 Introduction for question 1 3 7 Calculation for Gamuda and WCT Berhad 8 14 The ratio comparison between two companies 15 16 Conclusion 17 Question 2 18 24 Bibliography 25 Appendix 26 2) Question 1 Introduction Accounting ratios are the ratios that expressed and counted based on the financial statement of a company. Besides that, accounting ratios are also useful indicators of a firms performance and financial situation. Most of the ratios can be calculated from the information that is provided by the financial statements. Each type of accounting ratio provides an important data about a firms ability to repay its debts, its financial standing, and the potential for profit and how valuable stocks or investments in the company are. On top of that, accounting ratio also can be used to analyze the calculation and comparison of ratios which are derived from the information in a companys financial statements. Accounting ratios are a valuable and easy to interpret the numbers that is found in statements. When computing financial relationships, a good indication of the companys financial strengths and weaknesses becomes clear. Accounting ratio analysis the ratios into categories which tell us about different facets of a companys finances and operations. The following types of accounting ratios that is used, Liquidity ratios Asset turnover ratios Financial leverage ratios Profitability ratios Dividend policy ratios The purpose of an accounting ratio is to make financial reports regarding the performance of a company in a specified period normally by a year. These financial reports are later made available to the tax authorities, investors and creditors of the firm. Accounting ratios are calculated and grouped into five different categories for measuring the five different aspects of the business performance. There are five aspects of business measured by an accounting ratio. Profitability of company Liquidity of company Asset management of company Debts management and gearing of company Market value of investment to ordinary shareholders and common stockholders The formula for accounting ratio that are used to measure each aspect or area of business by accounting ratios are Profitability of company Gross profit markup (%) = Gross profit à · Cost of goods sold 100 Gross profit margin (%) = gross profit à · net sales value 100 Operating profit margin (%) = operating profit before interest and before taxation à · net sales valuex100 Profit margin on sales (%) = net income available to common stockholders à · Net sales value -100 Basic earning power (BEP) = operating profit before interest and before taxation à · total assets 100 Return on total assets (ROA) = net income available to common stockholders à · total assets 100 Return on common equity (ROE) = net income available to common stockholders à · common equityx100 Liquidity of company Current ratio/working capital ratio = current assets à · current liabilities Liquid ratio/quick ratio/acid-test ratio = liquid assets à · current liabilities Asset management of company Inventory turnover or stock turnover = cost of salesà · average stock value OR cost of salesà · closing stock value Total assets turnover = net sales à · total assets Debtor ratio = debtor à · credit sales Days sales outstanding (DSO) = debtor à · credit sales 365 days Debts management and capital gearing of company Debts ratio = total debts à · total assets Debts equity ratio = total debts à · common equity Times interest earned = profit before interest and before taxation à · interest charges Market value of investment to ordinary shareholders/common stockholders Earnings per share = net income available to common stockholders à · number of ordinary shares in issue Price/earnings ratio = market price per ordinary share à · earnings per share Earnings yield = gross earnings per share à · market price per ordinary share 100 Market price/book value ratio = market price per ordinary share à · net book value per ordinary share Besides that, there are three methods to compare accounting ratios for business performance measurement which are inter-temporal comparison between two periods, inter-firms comparison between two companies and comparison with industry averages. The two companies that are selected for business performance measurement are Gamuda Berhad and WCT Corporation Berhad. Gamuda Berhad is a Malaysia-based investment holding company which is the most famous in civil engineering construction. The industry of this company also operates in three business segment which involves engineering and construction, construction of highways and bridges, airfield facilities, railway, water treatment plants, dams and general and trading services. WCT Berhad is a Malaysia-based company which provides the provision of engineering services. The Company operates in three segments: civil engineering and construction, civil engineering works specializing in earthworks, infrastructure works, and property development. The information for these two companies which are required for business performance is measurement by accounting ratios in income statements and balance sheets of the two companies. Ratio with formula (Profitability of company) Calculation for 1st company (Gamuda Berhad) Calculation for 2nd company (WCT Berhad) Gross Profit Markup(%)= Gross profit=2455143000-1580125000-363348000-8595000-19973000-19260000-40866000 =RM422976000 Cost of goods sold =1580125000+363348000+8595000+19973000+19260000+40866000 =RM2032167000 =20.81% Gross profit =RM354659000 Cost of goods sold =RM4311943000 =8.23% Gross Profit Margin(%)= Net sales value=2455143000-0 =2455143000 Gross profit=2455143000-1580125000-363348000-8595000-19973000-19260000-40866000 =422976000 =17.23% Gross profit =RM354659000 Net sales value =sales return inwards =4666602000-0 =RM4666602000 =7.60% Operating Profit Margin On Sales(%)= Net sales value=2455143000-0 =2455143000 Operating profit before interest and taxation =259852000 =10.58% Operating profit before interest and taxation =RM244145000 Net sales value =sales return inwards =4666602000-0 =RM4666602000 =5.23% Profit Margin On Sales(%)= Net income available to common stockholders =280693000 Net sales value =2455143000-0 =2455143000 =11.43% Net income available to common stockholders =RM147098000 Net sales value =sales return inwards =4666602000-0 =RM4666602000 =3.15% Basic Earning Power= Operating profit before interest and taxation =RM259852000 Total assets =total non-current assets + total current assets =2347737000+4203173000 =RM6550910000 =3.97% Operating profit before interest and taxation =RM244145000 Total assets =total non-current assets + total current assets =RM1925297000+RM2553187000 =RM4478484000 =5.45% Return On Total Assets= Net income available to common stockholders =RM280693000 Total assets =total non-current assets + total current assets =2347737000+4203173000 =RM6550910000 =4.28% Net income available to common stockholders =RM147098000 Total assets =total non-current assets + total current assets =RM1925297000+RM2553187000 =RM4478484000 =3.28% Return On Common Equity= Net income available to common stockholders =RM280693000 Common equity =Ordinary share capital + Reserves =2025888000+1231637000 =RM3257525000 =8.62% Net income available to common stockholders =RM147098000 Common equity =Ordinary share capital + Reserves + Share premium =388856000+369256000+492134000 =RM1250246000 =11.77% Ratio with formula (Liquidity of company) Calculation for 1st company (Gamuda Berhad) Calculation for 2nd company (WCT Berhad) Current Ratio= Current assets =RM4203173000 Current liabilities =RM1930241000 =2.18:1 Current assets =RM2553187000 Current liabilities =RM1807550000 =1.41:1 Acid-test ratio= Liquid assets =Current assets Inventories =4203173000-79738000 =RM4123435000 Current liabilities =RM1930241000 =2.14:1 Liquid assets =Current assets- Inventories =2553187000-113709000 =RM2439478000 Current liabilities =RM1807550000 =1.35:1 Ratio with formula (Asset Management of Company) Calculation for 1st company (Gamuda Berhad) Calculation for 2nd company (WCT Berhad) Inventory Turnover= Cost of goods sold=1580125000+363348000+8595000+19973000+19260000+40866000 =RM2032167000 Closing inventories or stock =RM79738000 =25.49 times Cost of goods sold =RM4311943000 Closing inventories or stock =RM113709000 =37.92 times Total Assets Turnover= Net sales value =sales return inwards =2455143000-0 =RM2455143000 Total assets =total non-current assets + total current assets =2347737000+4203173000 =RM6550910000 =0.37 times Net sales value =sales return inwards =4666602000-0 =RM4666602000 Total assets =total non-current assets + total current assets =RM1925297000+RM2553187000 =RM4478484000 =1.04 times Debtor Ratio= Debtor or receivables =RM1607772000 Credit sales =RM2455143000 =0.65:1 Debtor or receivables =1206971000+265684000 =RM1472655000 Credit sales =RM4666602000 =0.32:1 Day Sales Outstanding= Debtor or receivables =RM1607772000 Credit sales =RM2455143000 =237.25 days OR =0.65-365days=237.25 days Debtor or receivables =1206971000+265684000 =RM1472655000 Credit sales=RM4666602000 =116.8 days or =0.32-365days=116.8 days Ratio with formula (Debts Managements of company) Calculation for 1st company (Gamuda Berhad) Calculation for 2nd company (WCT Berhad) Debts Ratio= Total debts =total non-current liabilities + current liabilities =1312946000+1930241000 =RM3243187000 Total assets =total non-current assets + total current assets =2347737000+4203173000 =RM6550910000 =0.50:1 Total debts =total non-current liabilities +current liabilities =1183958000+1807550000 =RM2991508000 Total assets =total non-current assets + total current assets =1925297000+2553187000 =RM4478484000 =0.67:1 Debts Equity Ratio= Total debts =total non-current liabilities + current liabilities =1312946000+1930241000 =RM3243187000 Common equity =Ordinary share capital + Reserves =2025888000+1231637000 =RM3257525000 =1:1 Total debts =total non-current liabilities +current liabilities =1183958000+1807550000 =RM2991508000 Common equity =Ordinary share capital + Reserves + Share premium =388856000+369256000+492134000 =RM1250246000 =2.39:1 Times Interest Earned Or Interest Cover= Operating profit before interest and taxation =RM259852000 Interest charge or cost =RM43813000 =5.93 times Operating profit before interest and taxation =RM244145000 Interest charge or cost =RM50308000 =4.85 times Ratio with formula (Market Value of Investment to Stockholders of Company) Calculation for 1st company (Gamuda Berhad) Calculation for 2nd company (WCT Berhad) Earnings Per Share= Net income available to common stockholders =RM280693000 Number of ordinary shares issue or ordinary share capital =2025888000 shares =RM 0.14 Net income available to common stockholders =RM147098000 Number of ordinary shares issue or ordinary share capital=388856à ·RM0.50=777712 shares =RM0.19 Price Earnings Ratio= Market price per ordinary share=RM3.20 Earnings per share=RM0.14 =22.86 times Market per ordinary share=RM2.60 Earnings per share=RM0.19 =13.68 times Earnings Yield= Gross earnings per share =100à ·75 Rm0.14 =0.187 Market price per ordinary share=RM3.20 =5.83% Gross earnings per share =100à ·75-RM0.19 =0.253 Market price per ordinary share=RM2.60 =9.74% Market Price Per Book Value= Market price per ordinary share=RM3.20 Net book value per ordinary share =Common equity / ordinary share in issue = Common equity =Ordinary share capital + Reserves =2025888000+1231637000 =RM3257525000 Number of ordinary shares issue or ordinary share capital =2025888000 shares ==Rm1.61 = =1.99:1 Market price per ordinary share=RM2.60 Net book value per ordinary share =common equity / ordinary share in issue Common equity =Ordinary share capital + Reserves + Share premium =388856000+369256000+492134000 =RM1250246000 Number of ordinary shares issue or ordinary share capital =388856à ·RM0.50=777712 shares ==RM1.61 = =1.61:1 Profitability of company: Gross profit markup, Gross profit margin, Operating profit margin, Basic earning power, and return on total asset of Gamuda Berhad is higher than the second company that is WCT Berhad. This indicates that the company was effective in controlling the expenditures. Besides that, for Basic earning power and Return on common equity, the first company is lower than the second company. This is because the ineffective use of assets and capital employed in business activities are at higher costs to reduce the production volume and sales volume. Liquidity of company The current ratio and the Acid test ratio for the companies Gamuda Berhad is higher than the second company WCT Berhad because the has the Gamuda Berhad highest amount of current assets and also highest amount of liquid assets that can be used to finance its current liabilities so that the company has highest liquidity to finance its short-term liabilities and also got chances to face short-term liabilities financial problem. Asset Management of company The inventory turnover for the Gamuda Berhad is much lower than the WCT Berhad because Gamuda has a slow stock turnover in the business which kept in store was very slowly taken out for resale, resulting large amount of stock accumulated to tie up money, which were having poor inventory management. For total assets turnover, the first company is low than the WCT because the Gamuda has a lowest sales from the assets indicating that company was inefficiently using the assets in business. On top of that, debtor ratio and day sales outstanding of the first company is higher than the WCT because the company got longer credit time to collect money slowly from debtors so that the balance is collected to tie up money and thus, having poor management on debtor collection. Debts Management The debts ratio for the Gamuda is less than the second company because the Gamuda got lower debts burden with smaller amount of debts and also bearing low interest cost to the available profit. Therefore, times interest earned for the Gamunda is much higher than the WCT because it has a bearing high interest charges to the available profit. Market value of investment to stockholders Earnings per share and earnings yield for the Gamuda is less than the WCT which indicates that the company has less growth in business profit , resulting lower net income available to each unit share , being less attractive and lower value to the common stockholders. Due to lower earnings per share, stockholders have to use more times of profit earning, more times of net cash inflow and a longer period to recover back their share investment. Besides, the price earnings ratio for the Gamuda is higher than the WCT. Market price per book value for the Gamuda is higher than the WCT that shows the company share price has inequitably risen up above its real asset value or book value for not being realistic to the stockholders. Conclusion As a conclusion, I will like to choose WCT Berhad because this company has a better performance in the business and here are some goods points of this company. On top of that, the WCT berhad company also have the highest Basic earning power and Return on common equity which is meant to increase the production volume and sales volume at lower costs as well as to increase the profit earning. Other than that, WCT berhad also has the is highest Inventory turnover which indicates a fast stock turnover where the goods purchased kept in store are fast taken out for resale so that the stock is not accumulated and money is not tied up with stock. Thus, the WCT berhad company did not face any short-term liabilities, and they are stable. The different firms using different financial policies which are also the comparison problems in inter firm. Question 2 Definition Financial markets are an organization for the people who are shortcoming of money and want to borrow money. Besides that, each financial market has different ways of financial methods in terms of its maturity and the asset backing it. Different financial markets have different ways of serving customers and operate different types the country. Financial markets dissent from physical asset markets because it is called tangible asset markets or real asset markets to deal with the tangible and physical manufacture such as machinery, computer and other physical assets. Physical asset market and financial market can also work as the future or spot market. Future market defines as the deals being sold for on the future delivery at some future date such as a year into the future whereas the spot market is define as the deals is being bought on the spot delivery within a few days. There are many types of various in financial market for an example such as money markets, capital markets, mortgage markets, consumer credit markets, primary markets, secondary markets, initial public offering (IPO) market and last but not least private market.   Money markets: Money market is a market dealing with short-term financial methods. Money market methods are include bankers acceptance, commercial paper, federal funds, treasury bills, and highly liquid debt securities which funds are loaned or borrowed for a short periods of less than one year. Money market is a segment of the financial  market in which financial instruments with high liquidity and very short maturities are traded. The money market  is used by participants as a means for borrowing and  lending in the short term, from several days to just under a year. Money markets do not have a fixed physical location. A money market fund is also called a mutual fund that empower in money market securities. Capital markets: Financial market that works as a conduit for demand and supply of primarily long term debt and equity capital. It channels the money provided by savers and depository institutions banks, credit unions, and insurance companies to the borrowers and investors through a variety of financial instruments called securities. It transports the money that is provided by depository institution and savers to invest or borrow through choices of financial methods called securities. Capital market also runs as an interchange for trading existing that request on capital in the form of shares or stock. Mortgage markets: A market for loans to people and organizations buying property a market for mortgages those has been bought by financial institutions and are then traded as asset backed securities. This arrangement will sum up the transaction in commercial mortgage, multi-family residential mortgage, home mortgage and farm mortgage. The holders of mortgage including the lenders that both originate the investment and change them as assets, such as thrift institution, commercial banks and insurance companies as well as those institutions that gets the loans in the secondary market.   Consumer credit markets: Consumer credit market is about a borrower uses any line of credit or loan to purchase goods services at the retail level. The cost of credit is the additional amount, over and above the amount borrowed, that the borrower has to pay. It includes interest, arrangement fees and any other charges. Consistently, consumer credit finances can be use at any asset that it will minimize quickly and it is not use for investment purpose. Loans for education, vacation or cars are also examples of consumer credit. However, consumer credit does not include loans that are for real estate. Primary markets: Primary market consists of the first buyers and issuer of the issues. Investors who buy shares in a new security issue meant they are buying from the primary market. Besides that, investors who purchase bonds and stocks in the primary market normally are not refundable commissions because the fees for selling the issue are built into its price and collected by the issue. Secondary markets: This market in which the existing and already purchases a security or other financial assets are able to trade among the investors after they have been issued by the institutions or corporation. Secondary markets is a market which investor buys a security from another investor rather than the issuer, the consequences to the original issue in the primary market is also called as aftermarket.   Initial public offering (IPO) market: IPO is the first sale of stock to a company. Furthermore, the most common reason is by offering securities or shares to the public for the first time. The most difficult part of an IPO is to find out the proper price to initially proffer the new stock. If the price is too high, the buyers will not be interested but if its too low, the company will sacrifice a lot of money that might have been made if others are higher. Private market: Private markets in financial transactions are worked out directly and privately between the two parties without going to the public where the transactions may be structured in any manner to those who appeals to the two parties. The three different ways for transferring capital or fund from savers to borrowers in the financial market are direct transfer from savers to borrowers, indirect transfer from savers to borrowers through investment banking house and indirect transfer from savers to borrowers through a financial intermediary. Direct transfer from savers to borrowers: Direct transfer takes place when an organization issues and sells its stock or shares immediately to the savers without passing through any other financial institution so that the organization as borrower immediately delivers its securities to the saver who in turn gives money to the organization. By this, the fund or capital is immediately transferred from savers to the organization or borrower. Issue corporations securities to Business Corporation -Æ’Â   Savers (Borrower)   Æ’Å ¸Ã‚  (Money Lender)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Receive capital of fund from Indirect transfer from savers to borrowers through investment banking house: This takes place when investment underwrites the issuance of a cooperations securities and where the contributors bank serves as a middleman to facilitate the issuance by buying the securities of the organization and then resell the same securities of the organization to the savers so that the money paid by the savers for buying of organizations securities are passed by the investment bank and will be received by the organization which acts as borrower. Issue Corporations Resell corporations Securities to Securities to Business Æ’Â   Investmentâ‚ ¬Ã‚   -Æ’Â  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Savers (Money CorporationÆ’Å ¸ Banking House Æ’Å ¸ Lender) Receive fund from Receive fund from Indirect transfer from savers to borrowers through a financial intermediary: This takes place when a financial intermediary also know as a bank or a mutual fund that is obtain fund that are from the savers and by issuing its own certificate or securities of deposit to the savers. Then, the financial intermediary uses the fund that is collected from the savers to buy and to hold the securities of other company as contributors. In this case, the fund or the capital is transferred from the saver to financial intermediary when the saver has pay the money to the financial intermediary in interchange for receiving a certificate if securities or deposit issued by the financial intermediary. Therefore, the financial intermediaries will incredibly increase the efficiency of money and capital markets. This is shown in the following diagram:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Issue corporations securities to  Issue intermediarys own securities to Business Corporation -Æ’Â  Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  Financial intermediary Æ’Â  Savers (Borrow) Æ’Å ¸Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Æ’Å ¸ (Money Lender)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Receive fund from  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Receive fund from Investment banking house: The investment banking house runs by buying all the new security issue from a company or organization at one price and selling the issue with a smaller unit to the investing public at a inadequate high price to cover the expenses of sale and earn a profit. The company or corporation that distributes and underwrites the new issue of business organizations securities to assist the organization to collect fund for financing.   Financial intermediaries: Since the financial intermediaries are usually very large and they have gain economies of scale in analyzing the creditworthiness of those borrowers potential in collecting and processing loans. There are many type or various in financial intermediaries and those are commercial banks, savings and loan associations, mutual savings fund, credit unions, pension funds, life insurance companies and mutual funds. Commercial banks: Commercial banks are totally different from investment banks because commercial banks, they lend out money to the borrowers whereas the investment banks, they assist business company to raise fund or capital from the savers. Savings and loan associations: Savings and loan associations served residential and commercial mortgage borrowers where they likes to collect money or funds from those small savers and lend out this money to his house buyers or any other types of borrowers. Mutual savings fund: Mutual savings fund and savings and loan associations are almost the same process because they also accept savings from individual savers and lend out the money on a long-term basis to his house buyers and consumers.   Credit unions: This is a cooperative association which members are supposed to have something in common, so that the association collects funds from members and then lend to other members who need money to finance their house mortgage, house improvement and auto purchases. Pension funds: This is a retirement plans that given by the organization or government agencies for their employee   and administered primarily from the life insurance companies or the trust departments of commercial banks. Life insurance companies: Life insurance companies collect funds in the term of annual premiums and then invest back in to real estate, bonds, mortgages and shares, after that they will make their payments to the beneficiaries of the insured parties. Mutual funds: Mutual funds will collect savings from those savers and then use the savings to buy shares, short-term debt and long-term bonds method

Ogden Financial Data :: essays research papers

OGDEN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA DECEMBER 31 1988 1987(*) 1986(*) (In thousands of dollars, except per-share amounts) Net sales and service revenues $1,087,785 $ 902,565 $ 819,629 INCOME (LOSS) FROM: Continuing operations 57,780 47,802 35,109 Discontinued operations 80,920 Net income (loss) 57,780 47,802 116,029 EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE: Continuing operations 1.44 1.19 .89 Discontinued operations 2.09 Total 1.44 1.19 2.98 EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE-ASSUMING FULL DILUTION: Continuing operations 1.41 1.17 .88 Discontinued operations 2.00 Total 1.41 1.17 2.88 Total assets 2,201,745 1,759,496 1,642,634 LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS: Operations other than resource-recovery 251,855 183,740 110,315 Resource-recovery operation 1,163,565 795,195 772,754 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 425,754 406,576 392,639 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY PER COMMON SHARE 10.70 10.32 10.09 CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE 1.10 1.00 .90 (TABLE CONTINUED) DECEMBER 31 1985(*) 1984(*) (In thousands of dollars, except per-share amounts) Net sales and service revenues $ 743,963 $688,669 INCOME (LOSS) FROM: Continuing operations 14,375 24,591 Discontinued operations (35,675) 15,150 Net income (loss) (21,300) 39,741 EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE: Continuing operations .36 .63 Discontinued operations (.94) .40 Total (.58) 1.03 EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE-ASSUMING FULL DILUTION: Continuing operations .36 .62 Discontinued operations (.94) .38 Total (.58) 1.00 Total assets 1,465,023 837,445 LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS: Operations other than resource-recovery 228,103 261,567 Resource-recovery operation 597,945 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 308,833 361,098 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY PER COMMON SHARE 7.19 9.38 CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE .90 .90 (*) Restated - See Note 1 to Consolidated Financial Statements. [*37] [HARDCOPY PAGE 37] Ogden Corporation and Subsidiaries MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS The accompanying financial statements for prior years have been restated to reflect the consolidation of Ogden's leasing and financing subsidiaries and a captive insurance company previously included on the equity method of accounting, as well as the previously off-balance sheet financing assets, liabilities, and related revenues and costs of resource-recovery facilities. (See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.) OPERATIONS: Sales and service revenues for 1988 increased by $185,200,000, or 20.5%, over 1987. Operating Services revenues were $108,600,000 higher, primarily reflecting increased revenues of $62,500,000 and $40,000,000 in the Building Services and Aviation Services groups, respectively, chiefly associated with new accounts and increased customer activity. The other areas of Operating Services also had increased revenues, which were partially offset by reduced revenues in Leisure Services of $20,400,000, due primarily to the loss of certain theatre concession accounts in 1987. Environmental Services started commercial operations in 1988 and had revenues of $7,500,000 for the year. Resource-recovery operations had increased revenues of $69,000,000. Service revenues increased $37,000,000 over 1987, reflecting eight facilities in operation in 1988 having a per-day capacity of 7,762 tons, compared with five facilities in operation in 1987 having a per-day capacity of 3,200 tons. Construction revenues were $32,000,000 higher, reflecting three projects under construction in 1988, only one of which reaching more than 25% completion in 1988, compared with two plants under construction and one completed in 1987. Income from operations for 1988 increased $6,000,000 over 1987. Ogden Financial Data :: essays research papers OGDEN CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA DECEMBER 31 1988 1987(*) 1986(*) (In thousands of dollars, except per-share amounts) Net sales and service revenues $1,087,785 $ 902,565 $ 819,629 INCOME (LOSS) FROM: Continuing operations 57,780 47,802 35,109 Discontinued operations 80,920 Net income (loss) 57,780 47,802 116,029 EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE: Continuing operations 1.44 1.19 .89 Discontinued operations 2.09 Total 1.44 1.19 2.98 EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE-ASSUMING FULL DILUTION: Continuing operations 1.41 1.17 .88 Discontinued operations 2.00 Total 1.41 1.17 2.88 Total assets 2,201,745 1,759,496 1,642,634 LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS: Operations other than resource-recovery 251,855 183,740 110,315 Resource-recovery operation 1,163,565 795,195 772,754 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 425,754 406,576 392,639 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY PER COMMON SHARE 10.70 10.32 10.09 CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE 1.10 1.00 .90 (TABLE CONTINUED) DECEMBER 31 1985(*) 1984(*) (In thousands of dollars, except per-share amounts) Net sales and service revenues $ 743,963 $688,669 INCOME (LOSS) FROM: Continuing operations 14,375 24,591 Discontinued operations (35,675) 15,150 Net income (loss) (21,300) 39,741 EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE: Continuing operations .36 .63 Discontinued operations (.94) .40 Total (.58) 1.03 EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE-ASSUMING FULL DILUTION: Continuing operations .36 .62 Discontinued operations (.94) .38 Total (.58) 1.00 Total assets 1,465,023 837,445 LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS: Operations other than resource-recovery 228,103 261,567 Resource-recovery operation 597,945 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 308,833 361,098 SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY PER COMMON SHARE 7.19 9.38 CASH DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE .90 .90 (*) Restated - See Note 1 to Consolidated Financial Statements. [*37] [HARDCOPY PAGE 37] Ogden Corporation and Subsidiaries MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF CONSOLIDATED OPERATIONS The accompanying financial statements for prior years have been restated to reflect the consolidation of Ogden's leasing and financing subsidiaries and a captive insurance company previously included on the equity method of accounting, as well as the previously off-balance sheet financing assets, liabilities, and related revenues and costs of resource-recovery facilities. (See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.) OPERATIONS: Sales and service revenues for 1988 increased by $185,200,000, or 20.5%, over 1987. Operating Services revenues were $108,600,000 higher, primarily reflecting increased revenues of $62,500,000 and $40,000,000 in the Building Services and Aviation Services groups, respectively, chiefly associated with new accounts and increased customer activity. The other areas of Operating Services also had increased revenues, which were partially offset by reduced revenues in Leisure Services of $20,400,000, due primarily to the loss of certain theatre concession accounts in 1987. Environmental Services started commercial operations in 1988 and had revenues of $7,500,000 for the year. Resource-recovery operations had increased revenues of $69,000,000. Service revenues increased $37,000,000 over 1987, reflecting eight facilities in operation in 1988 having a per-day capacity of 7,762 tons, compared with five facilities in operation in 1987 having a per-day capacity of 3,200 tons. Construction revenues were $32,000,000 higher, reflecting three projects under construction in 1988, only one of which reaching more than 25% completion in 1988, compared with two plants under construction and one completed in 1987. Income from operations for 1988 increased $6,000,000 over 1987.

Struggle to Cope with Death in Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night Es

Struggle to Cope with  Death in Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night Poetry requires more than just a verse.   It must appeal to your mind and generate emotion.   It should be constructed in a way that appears so simple, yet is intricate in every detail.   Dylan Thomas's poem, Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night is a brilliant poem that appears so simple, yet upon looking closer it's complexity can be seen.   Dylan Thomas was born on October 27, 1914 in Swansea, Wales.   He was educated at Swansea Grammar School.   He was urged by his father to go farther in his education, however Thomas began to write.   He published his first book in 1934.   Thomas and his father had a very close relationship throughout his life.   This is important to know while reading the poem Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night.   His father was very ill for many years, and Thomas had to watch his father's suffering.   Thomas has said, "Poetry comforts and heals".   Hopefully that is what Thomas was doing when he wrote this poem.   The structure of the poem is a villanelle.   The villanelle comes from the French middle ages and is composed of nineteen lines.   It has five tercets and a concluding quatrain:   ABA-ABA-ABA-ABA-ABA-ABAA.   Two different lines are repeated.   Lines one, six, twelve, and eighteen are all the same.   Line three reappears in line nine fifteen and nineteen.   Each tercet will conclude with an exact or very close duplication of line one or three.   The final quatrain repeats line one and three.   The villanelle is one of the most difficult forms of poetry to follow.   Perhaps Thomas wanted to use this form to show how special his father meant to him.   Dylan Thomas speaks of death throughout this poem.   Death is the major theme of the vil... ...ther should be traveling into the light, and not into the darkness.   Thomas should not be scared of death, yet he questions it in most of his poetry.   He is angry at death and believes that the only place with light is in this world.   He may be saying that light is life.   Life is happiness.   Is death then age and unhappiness?  Ã‚   The last quatrain of this Villanelle describes his father on top of the list of men facing death.   Thomas curses himself for wanting his father to fight even though he sees his suffering, yet he is not ready to let go of his father.   He begs his father to fight death.   This whole poem is Thomas's struggle to cope with his father's death.   He writes the poem while his father is still alive and never shows it to him.   This poem may have helped him to deal with his father's death, and it may have taught Thomas a little about death itself.   

People talk of natural sympathies Essay

A running theme from Charlotte Bronte throughout her novel, Jane Eyre is the idea, I have previously used that ‘conventionality is not morality’. This idea is continued throughout the novel. It would be thought, in the Victorian era far more conventional for Jane and Rochester to just be Governess and Master; however Jane, throughout the novel, rejects the norm for what she believes to be morally correct, and this is why she could ‘never unlove him;’ she believes, despite what society thinks, something that her late friend Helen Burns taught her, that they are in fact a good match. From their first meeting it would be easy to say that Jane and Rochester aren’t well matched and there are various reasons for this is. The moment that Rochester appears into Jane’s life the weather is ‘cold’ and the wind had ‘froze keenly’ highlighting the Gothic nature of Rochester and the fact that it would be seem completely unconventional for Jane to ever love this man. The atmosphere of the lane reflects Rochester. There is a mystery and suspense that Jane creates due to her love and certainty of the supernatural world, such as stating that the object that is moving towards her has no name, she says ‘it approached’. The fact that she refuses to believe that this object could be a person shows her willingness for a supernatural incident. As we can see from her assumption that Rochester’s dog is the ‘Gytrash’, her imagination is full of fiends, and the fact that she is sensitive to omens becomes important later in the novel. Jane’s imagination works overtime in this scene and she starts becoming very stereotypical of women in this Victorian Ear, irrational. Bronte builds the tension for the reader by leading us to believe that Jane’s ‘fancies’ are ‘bright and dark’. At the beginning of this scene Jane is sitting on a style, which indicates that she is in liminal, in between two worlds. You could say she is in liminal about whether she can love this man. Rochester appears onto the scene fast and subsequently falls off his horse which could suggest Jane falls off her fence, as the barrier between this man is broken due to his pathetic fall of his steed. A man should not fall from his horse therefore Bronte is showing us that both characters here are unconventional and therefore in this opening scene between them we can assume that, yes they are well matched. Rochester’s character presents a cold exterior with the ‘roughness of the traveller’. His arrival is somewhat of an anti-climax, there is no warmth brought by him and no thanks to Jane for her concentration throughout the scene. The hint of his Byronic characteristics creates a certain appeal for Jane. She is reflecting on the man she has just seen, she describes him as ‘masculine, dark, strong, stern’. This is, I think we have to remember the first time Jane has interacted by herself with a man older than herself. He is broody and moody, Jane finds an allure to this nature about Rochester. Although Jane hasn’t made her mind up whether she likes him or not yet, it is ironic to remember that Jane is writing from the position that she is presently married to him, though she tries to convey her meeting with him as well as she can. On that note, it is worth mentioning that Jane does end up marrying Rochester, therefore with the images Bronte is feeding us, they must be ‘well-matched’. The scene in which Jane and Rochester meet for the first time is dramatic and its outcome, when he finds that ‘necessity compels me to make you useful’, foreshadows his ultimate dependence on her later in the book. Again, it is significant that they meet over ice, and that later she finds the fires lit at Thornfield where the grates had stood empty. Indeed, until Rochester comes, to return to the house is ‘to return to stagnation’. Jane does not want the trappings of conventional femininity, as she says herself, she is ‘becoming incapable of appreciating’ the ‘very privileges of security and ease’ her job at Thornfield will be given to her. Under his power she will begin to melt and unlearn much of her Lowood reserve, while for her he will renounce his wandering ways. In the second meeting Jane’s ideas about Rochester are reinforced, as she and we see him in more detail. His physical appearance is very attractive to Jane such as his ‘jetty eyebrows†¦sweep (hair flows back) of black hair†¦decisive nose†¦.. ,grim mouth’. Although she find these attractive, is it for the right reasons. These are all very strong mysterious features. Is it the attractiveness of Mr Rochester or the feeling of danger that lures Jane. Though, Jane believes that Rochester’s ‘superiority depends on the use [he has] made of his time and experience. ’ Not just a financial difference. Jane believes that she has achieved more than him albeit with less money. So although there may be ‘twenty years difference in age’ and a huge contrast in their experiences, Jane claims that all of this is irrelevant whether they are socially equal does not matter. What is important for Jane, however, is that they are well-matched in character and personality. Despite this, it is interesting how Bronte allows the reader to explore the complicated and liminal social position of a governess who is not expected to ask questions let alone be on equal status of masters, like Rochester. Not for the first time in this bildungsroman Jane becomes a character of ambiguous class standing, much like Mary Wolfstencraft wanted, but although Jane may not be Rochester’s social equal she is certainly his intellectual equal. Mr Rochester is a Romantic, almost Byronic, figure that is shown to be forceful and independent; in this respect he is in part Jane’s alter ego. A Byronic hero is so called after the poet Lord Byron, and this term is especially apt as it refers to a charismatic yet brooding and misanthropic character. Jane and Rochester’s convincing witty banter brings both character’s alive, with fire. She may have feminine accomplishments, but she is as unconventional and strong-minded as he is and can always match his blow for blow in any conversation, Rochester often refers to Jane as a fairy, a sprite and an imp, ‘when you came on me in Hay Lane last night, I thought unaccountably of fairy tales’. This is not per chance, Bronte has deliberately created this line for Rochester to show the reader that even in, a subconscious level they are thinking alike, they are ‘well-matched’ Rochester has wealth, a high social class, far more age and experience and is male, however he is determined to ignore all of these superiorities and take notice only of Jane’s inner-spirit and personality. This shows the extent of Rochester’s unconventionality, and this irregularity of character is what really allows their relationship to develop. Jane and the Witch’s conversation begins in a way that mirrors a conversation that she had with Mr Brocklehurst. ‘You’ve a quick ear’ ‘I have; a quick eye and a quick brain’. The conversation between the Fortune Teller (Rochester) and Jane becomes more intimate who stirs the fire to light her up, though she complains that the fire ‘scorches me’. This shows that although not perfect, as a couple they are fairly well matched. This also further suggests Rochester kindles passion in Jane. His reading of nature, of the way ‘passion may rage furiously†¦but judgement shall have the last word in every argument’ tells us that he is a close observer of Jane and captures every essences of her character. Later, when she leaves she is angry, at the way her story has been stolen from her by the Witch, though she now knows is Rochester. But, this is their most intimate encounter between them to date. Although it would be easy to say that Jane and Rochester are not ‘well matched’ due to, primarily, complications that their difference in social class produce, Rochester is very quick to remove these layers of unnecessary complications, as well as letting Jane ‘learn to be more natural’. By removing these obstacles, the reader begins to see how ‘well matched’ they are; they both have the similar moral values, and ‘are intellectual equals’ with Jane matching Rochester in any argument, which is what Blanche Ingram, with all her ‘beauty and accomplishments’ lacks. A sense of originality, which Jane possesses. Conventionality would have forbidden their relationship and it would have never become anything more that strictly professional, but as it is both are extremely unconventional they were, therefore wiling to break the stereotype in that era of having a marriage for financial resources, and it is therefore fair to say that they are, in fact, ‘well-matched’.

Case Analysis Callaway Golf Company Essay

When it comes to the factors contributed to Callaway Golf Company’s success, the tremendous effort it made on updating technology was one thing. With Senior Executive Vice President like Richard Helmstetter, who is the Chief of New Products as well, Research and Development has always been the lifeblood of Callaway Golf Company (CGC). Helmstetter believes that â€Å"If you can make something sufficiently good, what it costs doesn’t matter.† CGC was consistently be on the leading position of technology, which differentiated their products from others and led to the results that CGC sold more units of equipment at the higher price than any other of its competitors in the market. The consumer behavior in golf equipment industry was another factor that led to CGC’s success. First, golf was unlike almost any other sport, the equipment played a significant role in golfer’s performance. Therefore, golfers always seeking for an edge that would help improve their plays. Average golfers, who were the segment CGC targeted, were able to tell the noticeable differences when they used premium equipment. The advanced technologies CGC had with their products perfectly fitted the behavior. Second, when making a purchase, most golfers accepted word-of-mouth recommendations. The form of advertising worked for CGC since golf was played in groups of people who spent hours together, and whenever one player had a good shot with a new club, it impressed others. The last factor that contributed to CGC’s success was the support mechanisms it provided to its retailers. As CGC achieved product differentiation with continuously updated technology, it was important for retail salespeople to understand the product and technology well. To accomplish the goal, CGC supplied its retailers with brochures, informational videos, pocket-sized product guides, and training. CGC also provided product advertising, endorsements, warranty programs and most importantly, the closeouts to help its retail channels. Closeouts occurred when a new-product introduction or when CGC would like to get rid of its inventory and it helped the retailers to bring down the average cost of the remaining inventory as well. As a result of these support mechanisms, CGC was placed in top three for excellence in customer service.

Introduction and Purpose Statement Essay

Introduction and Purpose Statement Defined In this week’s assigment, I am turning my attention to article B, to evaluate the introduction and purpose statement. The authors reporting on a qualitative study use the introduction to provide the audience with a narrative to introduce the topic, to identify that the topic is well-established, beginning with the general problem, then focusing on a specific problem and its consequences (Creswell, 2009; Harley, Buckworth, Katz, Willis, Odoms-Young & Heaney, 2007; Laureate Education, Inc., 2009). The authors additionally use the introduction to justify the importance of the problem associated with the topic, identify discrepancies in literature, and conclude with the purpose of the study. The introduction is an important aspect of a journal article, because it not only provides background information, and allows the authors to describe the problem by exploring a specific phenomenon or concept, but it also provides how the study will provide remedies or solutions, and adds to the existing knowledge base (Creswell, 2009; Laureate Education, Inc., 2009; Harley et al., 2007). The introduction concludes with the purpose statement, which establishes the direction of the research, orients readers to the main intent of the study, and what the researchers hope to accomplish (Creswell, 2009). Qualitative research uses the purpose statement to focus on and advance a single phenomenon by exploring relationships or by drawing comparisons among ideas using neutral language. In addition, it demonstrates inquiry strategies for data collection, analysis, and research processes, identifies the participants, and the site at which the research takes place (Creswell, 2009). In the following paragraphs, the introduction and purpose statement elements of the McGrath & Pistrang (2007) article are examined and evaluated, along with some of the nine purposes for research from as described by Newman, Ridenour, Newman & DeMarco (2003). Evaluation of the Introduction of Article B (McGrath & Pistrang (2007) McGrath & Pistrang (2007) begin to introduce the topic of interest in their abstract, by mentioning what the study examined, defining who the participants were, the location where the study took place, data collection methodology, three dimensions of qualitative data collection and analysis, and the issue involved in the topic. As described by Creswell (2009), Dr. Patton (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009), and Harley et al. (2007), the authors begin to justify the study in the first paragraph of the introduction by citing that the topic is a well-established concern, and mention a specific cultural and sub-cultural population, by mentioning that the study took place in the U. K, and involves youth and staff at homeless hostels. McGrath & Pistrang (2007) explore the past extent of the problem, along with how it has changed in recent times, giving statistics outlining the extent of the problem. The authors then identify past research that has identified youths at homeless hostels as being at greater risk for social, emotional, and physical problems to a much greater extent than other people in the same age group. The authors narrow the problem by asserting that homeless youth living in hostels lack of supportive social networks to help improve their experiences, and address the difficulties associated with defining whether their problems are causes or consequences of being homeless youths. McGrath & Pistrang (2007) maintain that previous authors recommended that hostels hire older staff to establish or offer youth surrogate parent relationships, and address a specific discrepancy as failure to expand on how the relationship would work, offering no theoretical model for programs to follow for working with homeless youth. Furthermore, they examine specific staff helper elements of warmth, empathy, and acceptance as important issues to address, which contribute to the quality of the relationship between hostel workers and homeless youth. The authors define the relationship between homeless youth and hostel workers as the broad investigation and aim of the study, the areas and aspects of the hostels, the range of time youth spend at hostels, and the types of support youth and staff required so that the programs are beneficial. They indicate that staff members often have little training or education regarding their role, or how to effectively work with, and support the needs of homeless youth. Their introduction concludes by describing the purpose statement and research methodology, described next. Research Purposes as Described by Newman et al. (2003) Newman et al. (2003) describe nine elements, which may be included in the purpose statement. Adding to the existing knowledge base, the impact on a personal, social, and organizational level, understanding complex phenomena, generating new ideas, informing constituencies, and examining the past all seem to be relatively important features in the McGrath & Pistrang (2007) article. The authors are attempting to add to the existing knowledge base by describing the aim of the study as examining the experiences and elements involved in the relationship between residents and hostel workers, based upon the perceptions of the residents. They provide the direction of the study, by indicating why it was qualitative, which justifies the research. McGrath & Pistrang (2007) mention using a phenomenological approach, which is used to enlighten the audience to the specific issue of the nature of the relationship between homeless youth and hostel workers. They identify the phenomena as having three helping or supportive elements of warmth, empathy, and acceptance on behalf of the staff, based upon the perceptions of the residents. Therefore, they are including the impact of these elements on the residents on a personal, social, and organizational level to explain the complexities involved in the phenomena, and to inform constituencies (Newman et al., 2003). McGrath & Pistrang (2007) examine the past in order to interpret and reinterpret findings, examine discrepancies and consistencies, and examine social and historical origins of the current social issue. The authors accomplish this by mentioning that there has been little research focusing on the psychological issues related to the experiences of homeless individuals, and the need to study the issue in a social context. Their phenomenological method of inquiry justifies the aim of the study, which was to obtain accounts of the experiences of the homeless youth, and the emotional, empathetic, and acceptance levels of staff to improve upon services, as to make programs more beneficial. The three dimensions of emotional, empathetic, and acceptance levels of hostel staff generate new ideas, helped the researchers form the hypothesis and theory, and to describe and define relationships, along with culture and sub-culture. For example, the authors define the relationship between residents and hostel workers on the three dimensions, and they describe the U. K. as a specific general culture, and the sub-cultures as the homeless youth and hostel workers as the participants of the study. The two sub-cultures exist within  the larger cultural population, as homeless youth living in two different types of hostels, and the work sub-culture described as the uneducated or undertrained staff members at the two types of hostels (McGrath & Pistrang, 2007). The general culture, along with the two sub-cultures are used in order to describe why the specific methodology of interviewing residents was utilized, further justifying why they conducted the research, the studies aim, and strategies for improving conditions. In conclusion, there is a great deal more to say about the McGrath & Pistrang (2007) article, but overall, I found many of the key elements included in the introduction, described by Dr. Patton (Laureate Education, Inc., 2009), Creswell (2009), and Harley et al. (2009). I was also able to identify several of the nine features of the purpose statement, as proposed by Newman et al. (2003), found in the way that McGrath & Pistrang (2007) addressed the purpose of the study. Examining and evaluating the writing of these authors gave me an opportunity to gain a much greater understanding of the key elements and concepts regarding the nature and importance of the introduction and purpose statements. References Creswell, J. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications. Harley, A. E., Buckworth, J., Katz, M. L., Willis, S. K., Odoms-Young, & Heaney, C. A. (2007). Developing long-term physical activity participation: A grounded theory study with African American women. Health Education & Behavior, doi:10.1177/1090198107306434 Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2009). Purposes of Research. Baltimore: Author. McGrath, L., & Pistrang, N. (2007). Policeman or friend? Dilemmas in working with homeless young people in the United Kingdom. Journal of Social Issues, 63(3), 589-606. doi 10.1111/j.1540-4560.2007.00525.x Newman, I., Ridenour, C. S., Newman, C., & DeMarco, G. M. P. (2003). A typology of research purposes and its relationship to mixed methods. In A. Tashakkori & C. Teddlie (Eds.), Handbook of mixed methods in social and behavioral research (pp. 167-188). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.