Strategic Management Company Easy Jets Strategic Analysis

Introduction The airline industry across the world is characterized by stiff competition. Every player is doing everything possible to acquire the biggest market share and have an advantage over competitors. Business executives in this industry treat strategic management as an important aspect of making a business succeed.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Strategic Management: Company Easy Jet’s Strategic Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This is not unjustified; a critical analysis of the market reveals an array of strategic management tools used by the various players in the industry to keep companies afloat, giving them an advantageous edge over others. This report analyses UK’s airline industry, and how it affects Easy Jet’s strategic management. The industry’s current and future Macro environment The leadership of any profit oriented company is always concerned about the c urrent trends in the environment in which it operates. The UK government’s decision to increase corporation tax has affected the operations of many airlines, with some such as Ryanair opting to move their operation bases to other locations (Mintel, 2011b). The recent global economic problems affected most economies in the world, including the UK. The credit crunch slowed economic growth in many countries, with most posting a negative growth curve. The recession had far reaching effects in the credit industry, which is the life line of most economies (Association of European Airlines, 2011) It became exceedingly difficult for companies and other business entities to acquire credit to keep their operations running. It also became difficult for consumers to access credit for their expenses, and this almost brought most credit driven economies to their knees. The effects of the recession are still being felt, and the airline industry is no exception. It is still reeling from the effects of high operational costs worsened by the rising cost of fuel among others (Hitt, Ireland Hoskisson, 2010). Economic growth is still very slow in the UK, and the country posted a 0.2% growth rate in 2011 (Mintel, 2011a).This is a negative growth trend, and the economy is still far from full recovery. The slow economic recovery and growth is doing little to raise consumer confidence. Though interest rates are falling, the restrictions on borrowing only worsen inflation, which by 2011 figures stands at 0.5%. (Mintel, 2011b). The decrease in consumers’ disposable income only makes it more real that they are likely to cut down on spending.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The effect of this on the airline industry is that many customers are likely to abandon high cost carriers for cheaper airlines. With unemployment numbers in the UK projected to hit 3 million so on, (Mintel, 2011a) airlines have a need to adopt strategies that will keep them afloat when their consumers spend less, or decide to ditch them altogether. Consumer perception is fundamental to any business. Consumers in the airline industry have the perception that flying is the fastest way by which one can get to the destination they desire. Most people do not want to be late, and delays and other inconveniences can easily change this consumer perception. Technological advancements are set to change this. Though flying is undoubtedly the fastest way to travel, investment in fast and convenient international rail systems could make a consumer rethink his/her options. When check-in, inspection and boarding time is factored in, for some consumers the better option turns out to be the rail system. There are reasons for each consumer’s decision to use one airline and not the other. For some consumers, cost is an important consideration and for others, convenience and comfort ar e more valuable. Research shows that young adults are more likely to use cost as a determinant in their choice, while older passengers may hinge their decision on convenience and comfort. UK’s demographics show that its population is ageing fast. Statistics show that the 75-84 age group is growing at a faster rate than any other age segment. The younger age segments are increasing at a much slower pace (Mintel, 2011c). Research findings on consumer trends show that the older generation is most likely to choose a carrier on the basis of much more than cost alone (Hitt, Ireland Hoskisson, 2010).This group of people is also working for a longer period of time, and shunning early retirement. This means that they have access to income even in their old age. The young adults, however, almost always consider cost as a prime determinant in their flying decisions. The low cost fliers, therefore, may be faced with a consumer base that is slowly shrinking, due to the growing ageing pop ulation.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Strategic Management: Company Easy Jet’s Strategic Analysis specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The company’s current position in the competitive environment in the UK, and abroad Easy Jet is a low cost carrier that targets the domestic European (short haul) market though it also operates in North Africa. The airline is one of the top performers in the industry (Mintel, 2011d). It is reported to have airlifted the largest number of passengers in 2011, despite not having the largest fleet (Mintel, 2011e). Easy Jet has the record of being the only airline in Europe that repeatedly recorded increases in passenger numbers over the recession period, even as passengers cut back on traveling (Mintel, 2011d). International travel especially, reduced by a considerably huge margin (Mintel, 2011c). These reports do not purport that the company faces no threats to its sur vival. The competition in the industry is high, and rivalry among the competitors is at its peak. The low cost carriers command almost two thirds of the airline industry in Europe. The players are numerous, most of them having similar strategies and with little differentiation in products. Competitors such as Flybe, Monarch airlines and Ryanair offer similar services to their customers (Mintel, 2011e). They also use expansion as a strategy to acquire a bigger market share. Since they are low cost carriers, cost leadership is a strategy present in almost every company’s strategy. The consumers in this industry, therefore, wield a lot of power over the companies as they can easily switch from one airline to another. The low cost airlines are expected to increase their market share considerably in the near future (Mintel, 2011f). These projections are likely to trigger an influx of players into the market. Most of the existing carriers are already positioning themselves for this . Ryanair for example, is strategically trying to consolidate its market share. This is by focusing on the routes it already operates, and not necessarily expanding to newer routes. It is also trying to keep its costs low by indicating that it may move its operating base to places in Europe outside the UK. This move is intended to reduce expenses on airport charges and â€Å"tourism taxation† to which it is exposed in the UK (Mintel, 2011g).Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Easy Jet’s operations are profitable, and going by figures provided by the Association of European Airlines (2011), it is doing better than most of its competitors. In the financial year 2009/10, it saw its profits rise by about 70%, an increase fuelled by growth in passenger numbers (Mintel, 2011b). In 2011, it recorded a pretax profit of about  £230 million (Mintel, 2011c). Virgin Atlantic’s profits during the same period increased by 13%, while Ryanair recorded a 29% increase (Association of European Airlines, 2011). Easy Jet is poised to maintain its profitability, though its current expansion strategy puts it at risk, due to the high costs involved. In order to remain ahead of the pack, Easy Jet employs several strategies. First of all, the airline employs low-cost and cost leadership strategies. It offers a low cost, no frills service aimed at the cost-conscious client. It is well known among strategists that the consumer’s perception of a product is cru cial, and this perception can change in an instant (Delfmann, Baum, Auerbach Albers 2005). Armed with this knowledge, the company tries to convince its customers that flying with the airline gives one a unique experience, but at a considerably low cost. It may not be the lowest in the industry, but the consumer needs to be convinced of its uniqueness. It conducts media campaigns to enlighten the consumers on how much money they end up saving by flying with it. The airline also employs the focus strategy, targeting business travelers whose schedules change all the time. It has introduced a flexible package that allows the customer to adjust his/her flight even two hours before the scheduled departure time. This time is a reduction from the previous 1 week, and it is set to have a great appeal to the business community due to its flexibility. This was rolled out in 2010, and the company also has plans to introduce new destinations such as Berlin and Madrid. This move is aimed at attr acting tourists, and the company entered into a partnership with VisitBritain in 2011 so as to sell its services to tourists and increase its market share and profitability (Mintel, 2011d).See index- figure 3.0 for Easy Jet and its competitors’ market share, figure 4.0 for profits. The Company’s current resources and capabilities The airline industry, like almost every other sector of the economy is increasingly becoming unstable and to a certain extent, unpredictable (Hitt, Ireland Hoskisson, 2010). Company managers and other business executives can no longer afford to rely on the macro environment to formulate their strategies. Competitive advantage is now seen as achievable through the utilization of an organization’s internal resources and capabilities (Proctor, 2000).This leads the strategist towards the company’s internal environment for inspiration for a successful strategy formulation (Haberberg Rieple, 2008). Many times, a company’s reso urces are mistakenly looked at as the tangible assets. Little regard is given to the intangible resources at its disposal such as market intelligence, consumer information, technology, corporate culture, brand name and reputation (Haberberg Rieple, 2001). This remains the case even though research has proved that they are invaluable to the company’s competitive power (Yilmaz, 2008).These have been termed by many writers such as Haberberg Rieple (2001 2008) as the only real competitive edge sources that a company can maintain over time. As a provider of low cost flights, Easy Jet’s strong brand name is associated with efficiency and reliability. It enjoys a good reputation as a market leader, and also benefits from customer loyalty. It is the only airline that reported increasing numbers of passengers since 2005 (Mintel, 2011g). Easy Jet offers friendly services, ticketless traveling to cut costs, and most of its operations are paperless (Easy Jet Plc, 2007). Most of its bookings are done online, and the airline does not offer free lunch to passengers. The company has a relatively small fleet, and as of September 2010 the figures stood at 196 planes, with plans to increase this to about 220 by the year 2013 (Mintel, 2011b). The company continues to bank on its capabilities such as the efficient utilization of airports, for a profitable existence and successful expansion of its operations in the industry (Easy Jet Plc, 2007). It is among the leaders in the airline industry, with a market share of about 30.31% (Easy Jet Plc, 2011). Its competitive edge is enhanced by high utilization of its assets, and efficient management of its fleet. Its operations have a cost advantage, and it enjoys economies of scale. The company has a strong financial performance. Its pretax profits in 2011 rose by about  £60 Million (Easy Jet Plc 2011). This was made possible by an 11.8% increase in passenger numbers, and a 4.1% increase in total revenue per seat. Much of a company’s success is often attributed to its leadership (Haberberg Rieple 2008). A strong balance sheet reflects well on leadership and when things are not going so well, then fingers point at leaders (Smith Golden, 2001). In order to transform an organization from its current position to a desired status, strong leadership is required, leadership that will give guidance to employees and inspire them to perform. Charisma, motivation and intelligence are desirable attributes of a good leader in an organization (Proctor, 2000). Easy Jet has a transformational leadership that spearheads changes in the company to meet changing circumstances in the market. The company is pursuing several strategies that are reflective of this kind of leadership. In a move targeting UK bound tourists and the likely increase in travelers due to the upcoming Olympics, the company has plans to increase its fleet. It has also opened up new routes and rolled out a flexible package for business tr avelers. These transformative undertakings reflect a transformative leadership. Strategic options available to Easy Jet. Diversification Every strategy pursued by a company is aimed at achieving the company’s goals and objectives, which include giving it a competitive edge over its competitors Delfmann, Baum, Auerbach Albers 2005).The airline should diversify its products in order to attract tourists and other un exploited markets. In terms of acceptability, strategy is acceptable to its shareholders and other stakeholders, because it is likely to increase the company’s revenue and expand its profit margins. It is also feasible since even though it will require a lot of money to finance, the company is very profitable and it can comfortably meet the costs. Since the company’s strategic plan is to lead the low-cost airline industry, then a diversification strategy is suitable for the purpose of achieving this goal. International expansion The company recently in vested heavily in new airplanes (Easy Jet Plc 2011), and an international expansion strategy is suitable, since it will be a justification for such a huge investment. Expanding to the international market is feasible since huge capital investments have already been made in the acquisition of new air planes, and these can be used in the new routes. Shareholders and other stakeholders will be inclined to accept it since it may be instrumental in realizing the returns on these investments. It is also bound to raise its revenue and profit margins. The company is in a good position to exploit low-cost international markets, since it is already a low-cost carrier. Diversification, which involves selling new products to the new markets may be a risky move for Easy Jet, but if it is successfully done, the company is set to reap big from it. When expanding to the new routes, the company should concentrate on developing markets for its already existing products such as, popularizing the flexi ble package among tourists. The company’s Ansoff analysis shows us the possible strategies the company can pursue in order to maintain its profitability.  See Index-Figure 5.0 for Ansoff’s grid. Conclusion A company’s strategic management may mean its success or failure. It needs to have leaders who understand the market and know the right decisions to make when the need arises. The airline industry has so many players that many airlines are forced to work with others either through alliances or mergers, if only to ensure their survival. The analysis of Easy Jet reveals an industry that forces even the market leaders to look towards other smaller and arguably insignificant players for survival. References Association of European Airlines 2011, Research and Statistics: Trends, via AEA database. Delfmann, W, Baum, H, Auerbach, S, Albers, S. 2005. Strategic Management in the Aviation Industry, Ashgate Publishing Ltd. Easy Jet Plc 2007, Preliminary Results 2007. Web. Easy Jet Plc 2011, Europe by Easy Jet Plc: Annual Reports and Accounts. Web. Haberberg, A Rieple, A 2001, The Strategic Management of Organizations, Prentice Hall. Haberberg, A Rieple, A 2008, Strategic Management: Theory and Approach, Oxford University Press. Hitt, M.A, Ireland, D.R Hoskisson, R.E 2010, Strategic Management: Concepts: Competitiveness and Globalization (Concepts (Cengage Learning), South-Western College Publishers. Mintel 2011a, ‘Airlines-UK-September 2011: Broader Market Environment,’ Mintel.com, via Mintel database. Mintel, 2011b, ‘Airlines-UK-September 2011: Companies and Products,’ Mintel.com, via Mintel database. Mintel, 2011c, ‘Airlines-UK-September 2011: Competitive context,’ Mintel.com, via Mintel database. Mintel, 2011d, ‘Airlines-UK-September 2011: Market Share,’ Mintel.com, via Mintel database. Mintel, 2011e, ‘Airlines-UK-September 2011: Market Size and Forecast,’ Mintel.com, v ia Mintel database. Mintel, 2011f, ‘Airlines-UK-September 2011: What people think of Airlines,’ Mintel.com, via Mintel database. Mintel, 2011g, ‘Airlines-UK-September 2011: Segment Performance,’ Mintel.com, via Mintel database. Proctor, T 2000, Strategic Marketing: An Introduction, Routledge: London. Smith, J. R Golden, P. A 2001, A Strategic Management Simulation, Prentice Hall: New Jersey. Yilmaz, K. A 2008, ‘The Corporate Sustainability Model for Airline Business,’ European Journal of Scientific Research, Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 304-317, via Eurojournals. Index The Net margin and Margin profitability ratios were used to determine Easy Jet’s profitability. Fig. 1.0 Easy Jet’s Profitability (2010 2011) Profitability 2010 2011 Margin 32.8% 46.6% Net Margin 22.3% 31.2% Fig. 2. Easy Jet’s Profitability (2010 2011) Figure 3. Revenue generated by Easy Jet and its Competitors. (Financial Year 2010/2011) Airlines R evenue ( £ bn) Virgin Atlantic 2.7 Thomson 3.4 Thomas Cook 3.1 Ryanair 3.6 Monarch 0.614 Jet 2 0.296 Flybe 0.595 Easy Jet 2.9 Bmi 0.896 British Airways 6.6 Figure 4. Market Share (Easy Jet and its Competitors) Figure 5. Ansoff’s grid for Easy Jet. Existing Product (Flexible Package) New Product (Flexible package for tourists) Existing market Market Penetration Penetrate the existing market more deeply to increase the sales of its existing products to the already existing market comprising of business travelers. Product development. Develop a new product for the already existing market. New market Market Development (Tourists) The airline’s existing products should Be sold to the new markets that are Being developed, such as new routes And different groups of clients. Diversification Selling the new packages or services to new markets. This may however, be highly risky. This report on Strategic Management: Company Easy Jet’s Strategic Analysis was written and submitted by user Edward B. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

The concept of revenge in Shakespeares Hamlet Essays

The concept of revenge in Shakespeares Hamlet Essays The concept of revenge in Shakespeares Hamlet Paper The concept of revenge in Shakespeares Hamlet Paper Essay Topic: Hamlet In the Elizabethan era revenge was an important issue; this was a popular theme in the theatre and a main plot of the day. Shakespeares plays were in great demand by the public and had a great effect on the audiences who watched. Although most of the Elizabethan revenge plays were set in Italy or Spain the Elizabethan was still able to grasp the concept of the issues that were being raised in the play and was able to apply these issues to their daily living. Shakespeare was greatly influenced by the classical Roman dramatist Seneca; Shakespeare applied Senecas ideas to his work. This is because the structure and the plot of Senecas work were of such a high standard that Seneca became well known. Many revenge tragedies consists of a typical structure which, when analysed is found to be comprised of five parts which are as follows: Exposition this is usually shown through the image of a ghost who motivates the character to take revenge. Anticipation this is where a planning of the revenge takes place. Confrontation This occurs between the avenger and the proposed victim. Delay The avenger has doubts as to whether or not he or she should carry out the murder. Completion this is the finale, which often concludes with the death of the revenger. In Shakespeares Hamlet there are two main plots, that is the main plot and the sub- plot. In the main plot of the play, Hamlet is commanded by the ghost of his father to seek revenge for his death. Before Hamlets encounter with the ghost Hamlet had no real motive of his own to seek revenge for the death of his father, as he was unaware of the cause. However, during this encounter the ghost says: Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder (Act 1 Sc5 Line25) This is where the tragedy begins, Hamlet is unsure of what to do at this point, as he wants to do the right thing for his father. The ghost explains the events of his murder to Hamlet. O all you host of heaven! O earth! What else? And shall I couple hell? Oh fie! Hold, hold, my heart, (Act 1 Sc5 Line 92-93) This shocks and appals Hamlet. This is evident through the language and punctuation that Shakespeare uses to express Hamlets surprise and disgust of his uncles betrayal Hamlet has many questions in which he needed answering, as he does not understand why the death of his father has happened, he seeks to get his questions answered of how to seek revenge from a spiritual realm as he feels God has forsaken him. Ay so, God bye to you. Now I am alone. (Act2 Sc2 Line 501) Hamlet is indecisive as to what action to take, he vows to the ghost never to speak to anyone of their encounter or their conversation. With his newfound information, Hamlet now had to find evidence that Claudius committed the murder. The ghost of Hamlets father instigates Hamlets drive for revenge. From then on, Hamlets behaviour towards other people changes causing him to act strangely with everyone. He speaks in riddles for example, he withdraws people in society so that he is not asked any personal questions, which may cause him to declare he is looking for revenge, especially by Marcellus and Horatio who have also seen the ghost and are eager to find out who it was and what it required of Hamlet. Marcellus and Hortatio have been sworn to secrecy, not to speak of what they have seen. If they do see Hamlet acting strangely they are not to show any knowledge of why this is happening. At this point Hamlet begins to feign his madness in order as part of his revenge tactic so that he can buy time to find out if Claudius committed this murder or not. Why what an ass am I! This is most brave, That I, the son of the dear murdered, Prompted to my revenge by heaven and hell, Must like a whore un pack my heart with words and fall a cursing like a very drab, A scullion! (Act 2 Sc 2) Hamlet is ashamed of his own inaction. This is because he needed to be clear with his intentions as to what his motives are. Hamlet is now playing on his madness in order to catch his uncles conscience; as another revenge tactic Hamlet puts on a play which re-enacts the story of his fathers death. This use of reverse psychology does work as Hamlet and Horatio notice Claudius uneasy behaviour as the play progresses. Thomas Kyds The Spanish Tragedy also uses the technique of a play within a play in order to inform the Spanish King, Viceroy and the Duke of Castile of the events, which have occurred (Act 4 Sc 1). As for Hamlet, he does this so that he can investigate the reaction of Claudius. Hamlet wants to distinguish the fact as to whether or not Claudius is guilty of his fathers murder. The ghost informs Hamlet as to what happened the night he was murdered and he is told to seek revenge. Revenge his foul and most unnatural murder (Act1 Sc5) Despite evidence to suggest Claudius is guilty and the desperate words of Hamlets fathers ghost convicting Claudius of the murder, Hamlets own conscience causes him to have second thoughts about killing his uncle. He ponders over his eternal consequences after death. Claudius is aware of what Hamlet is trying to achieve and knows he is feigning his madness. Claudius knows the reason why Hamlet has been acting this way and is threatened by this, as he knows he stands a chance of losing every thing. Claudius decides to send Hamlet to England because he fears he is a threat to everyone because if his madness so he wants every one to believe. Claudius has ulterior motives. He plans later in the plot with Laertes to have Hamlet killed. When Hamlet returns home from England he argues that his reasons for revenge are well justified. Hamlet expresses his regret in actions towards Laertes, he acknowledges that Laertes is seeking revenge and he understands him as a fellow avenger. That to Laertes I forgot myself, For by the images of my cause, I see The portraiture of his. Ill court his favours. But sure the bravery of his grief did put me Into a towering passion (Act 5 Scene 2 Line 76- 80) The second plot, which is the sub-plot of the play, is with relation to Laertes who wants to seek revenge for the death of his father and sister at the hand of Hamlet. While Hamlet is feigning in sanity, without any motive he kills someone who was spying on his mother who was in private room who turns out to be Polonius. This careless action or reaction also results in the death of Hamlets love and Laertes sister Ophelia. When Ophelia was told the tragic news of her fathers death, she was deeply affected mentally this consequently resulted in her insanity. Laertes is very vengeful as he returns from his voyage to find his sister in this strange state of mind and his father dead. Laertes turns to Claudius in his despair. Claudius attempts to calm Leartes down by reassuring him it was not him who committed the murder of his father but they together can investigate who is responsible for this even though he knows the main suspect. Like a good child and a true gentleman. That I am guiltless of your fathers death, and am most sensibly in grief for it, it shall as level to your judgement pierce As day does your eye (Act 4 Sc 5) The feud has now begun with Laertes, with his duty to avenge the death of his father. Laertes visits his sister and is daunted by the extent of her madness. This disturbs Laertes greatly and becomes his main focus that is, seeking revenge for the monstrous act, which has taken place. Claudius has his personal grudge against Hamlet and comes up with a plan of how Laertes can seek his revenge on Hamlet, which concludes with his death. Claudius plans for Alerts and Hamlet to have a duel, but he plans on sabotaging the duel by having one of the swords without a blunt. Laertes bids to poison the tip of the sword to ensure that Hamlets death is certain. Claudius agrees to this, as he believes it is the way to secure all that he has at stake, as Hamlet knows about the murder of the late king. At this point of the play revenge dominates many characters causing the dramatic tension to be very intense with both the plot and sub plot. The play is now at it its climax, leaving the audience in suspense as to what is going to happen next. In both plots the main characters want to seek their revenge, Laertes on Hamlet and Hamlet on Claudius. When looked at in depth both Hamlet and Laertes have a link with Claudius. Hamlet wants his revenge on Claudius; but also Laertes who wants revenge on Hamlet is used by Claudius to remove Hamlet. At this point of the play Shakespeare shows the consequences of revenge through multiple tragic events. Firstly Claudius asks Hamlet if he will duel with Laertes, he accepts. Hamlet apologises for the murder of his father and also Laertes accepts. They begin their duel. Claudius offers to order wine in celebration of Hamlets triumph Hamlet declines the drink, but Gertrude drinks from the cup unaware that it is poison. As the two continue to duel Hamlet gets wounded they exchange swords, Claudius was unaware that this was going to happen and Laertes is then wounded. Claudius believes his plot is going to plan not knowing that Laertes and Hamlet have settled their differences as Leartes reveals deceitful plan. Hamlet is livid at this precise moment with Claudius as he wounds him and forces him to drink form the poisonous cup. Claudius dies shortly after Leartes and finally Hamlet who declares Fortinbras to be his choice for king. In concluding it would be fair to say this revenge tragedy is more about questions than answers. (AOL.co.uk: Search: Shakespeares revenge) Although the play is dominated by revenge Shakespeare devotes the climax of the play to the consequences of seeking revenge. The character of Hamlet was presented as a great and noble figure that suffered a great deal after his father died to the point of where he lost every thing including his mind. This suffering is evident from the beginning of the play and continues throughout as Hamlet is faced with making some difficult decisions. To make his situation worse he loses his chance for the throne, which was his birthright, his mother, Ophelia, friends and his peace of mind. Hamlet experiences a tremendous down fall and recognises that there is satisfaction in getting revenge however, he continues to seek revenge. From a moral standpoint revenge is seen as an immoral act as it is seen as seeking personal justice which is socially unacceptable however, it is also a human instinct which requires a great deal of self control to gainsay . Some people resort to revenge based on the theory of An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth which they believe justifies their actions before God. Criminals still use this as a way of defending honour today even though seeking your own revenge is illegal. The plot in Hamlet draws us in to the play, which allows the reader to think deeply about the issues that have been raised about morality as the play questions moral goodness. This is where Hamlet comes face to face with the fact that we as humans are all going to die regardless of wealth or class. Although Hamlet was set in the Elizabethan era, the issues raised in this essay are still relevant to a contemporary audience. The issues were as relevant then as they are today.

Cause and Effect Essay - McDonalds Causes More Deaths than Terrorists

It was probably inevitable that one day people would start suing McDonald's for making them fat. That day came this summer, when New York lawyer Samuel Hirsch filed several lawsuits against McDonald's, as well as four other fast-food companies, on the grounds that they had failed to adequately disclose the bad health effects of their menus. One of the suits involves a Bronx teenager who tips the scale at 400 pounds and whose mother, in papers filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, said, "I always believed McDonald's food was healthy for my son." Uh-huh. And the tooth fairy really put that dollar under his pillow. But once you've stopped sniggering at our litigious society, remember that it once seemed equally ludicrous that smokers could successfully sue tobacco companies for their addiction to cigarettes. And while nobody is claiming that Big Macs are addictive -- at least not yet -- the restaurant industry and food packagers have clearly helped give many Americans the roly-poly shape they have today. This is not to say that the folks in the food industry want us to be fat. But make no mistake: When they do well economically, we gain weight. It wasn't always thus. There was a time when a trip to McDonald's seemed like a treat and when a small bag of French fries, a plain burger and a 12-ounce Coke seemed like a full meal. Fast food wasn't any healthier back then; we simply ate a lot less of it. How did today's oversized appetites become the norm? It didn't happen by accident or some inevitable evolutionary process. It was to a large degree the result of consumer manipulation. Fast food's marketing strategies, which make p d McDonald's just suffered its first quarterly loss since the company went public 47 years ago. The obvious direction to go is down, toward what nutritional policymakers are calling "smart-sizing." Or at least it should be obvious, if food purveyors cared as much about helping Americans slim down as they would have us believe. Instead of urging Americans to "Get Active, Stay Active" -- Pepsi Cola's new criticism-deflecting slogan -- how about bringing back the 6.5-ounce sodas of the '40s and '50s? Or, imagine, as Critser does, the day when McDonald's advertises Le Petit Mac, made with high-grade beef, a delicious whole-grain bun and hawked by, say, Serena Williams. One way or another, as Americans wake up to the fact that obesity is killing nearly as many citizens as cigarettes are, jumbo burgers and super-size fries will seem like less of a bargain.

Evaluating the success of the tutoring program Case Study

Evaluating the success of the tutoring program - Case Study Example Unlike other programs that are assessed only on the basis of their outcomes, the success of this program will be assessed right from the way it aims to identify the need to its design and finally to the way its objectives and goals defined. According to Richards and Lassonde (2009) a successful tutoring program can be evaluated right from goal setting to curriculum development. The need The success of tutoring program is one that begins by identifying the need for which the program is being designed. For instance, the targeted person may already have some assessment information like retention rates, test scores, and even anecdotal reports from teachers and family. In such a case, the assessment is likely to entail a clear inventory of up-to-date reading aspects, with a clear indication or identification of their scope and nature, in order to effectively measure the need against existing services, as well as to identify the gaps that the new program is intended to fill. This process h elps at minimizing duplication, mobilize resources, build on experience, and avert the tensions that are likely to arise when the new program is rolled out. Most importantly, this information is aimed at helping the planners to concentrate on the kids whose needs are very high. Research shows that, on average, four out of ten kids are at a high risk particularly in terms of developing their level of literacy (Fashola, 2002). The tutoring program in this case was a success as it captured all the aspects mentioned. For instance, picking a child and administering an informal reading inventory. Analyzing and synthesize the results to know the need of the child. Interviewing the student by asking information about her and her family background such as age and language they speak at home. This initial stage was a big success as it helped the teacher to know the need and also to effectively measure the need against available services. Defines the mission A successful tutoring program must have a well-defined overall mission. According to Morrow and Woo (2001) when developing the mission of the program, planners are supposed to take into consideration significant contributions to supporting the child’s literacy development made by institutions such as child care centers, as well as other out-of-school community programs. Therefore, the mission statement must describe what the tutoring program intends to do in order to effectively address the needs identified. In this case, the tutoring program will be successful if its mission is based around the identified needs. In this case, the assessment will want to establish if the need is well identified: the student is female and bilingual. She does not do much reading at home, she like basketball, like Latin music just to mention but a few. In spite of all these, she wants to learn. When some words list and reading stories, started from 3rd grade word lists to 12th grade to read were administered to test her reading s kills, She did well until 6th grade word lists. The instructor was able to notice that she needed instructions and have comprehension problems. Generally, the need for the tutoring program was about reading. Therefore, the mission would read like: The mission of this Tutoring Program is to encourage the student to develop an attitude for reading, to learn, to help the student become an engaged reader, as well as to ensuring that the student has access to high quality reading materials. If the instructor developed a mission statement like this, he could easily proceed as it sets objectives and goals that the tutoring program is expected to deliver. Therefore, a successful tutoring program is assessed on whether or not it has a well-defined mission statement.

Factors that Motivate Consumers Towards Internet Shopping Assignment

Factors that Motivate Consumers Towards Internet Shopping - Assignment Example The same study quoted the definition of an e-market as â€Å"an interorganisational information system that allows the participating buyers and sellers to exchange information about prices and product offerings† (Bakos, 1991, p.295). An e-market was also described as â€Å"a way of conducting business by companies and customers performing electronic transactions through computer networks (Liu and Arnett, 2000, p. 34). Also, it is â€Å"a virtual realm where products and services exist as digital information and can be delivered through information-based channels† (Meuter, et al., 2000, p. 50). These various definitions of online/internet shopping/retailing as the more concrete media, system, or network, to the more abstract â€Å"virtual realm† is testament to the various levels this phenomenon affects the psyche and actions of the buying public. It begs the question, â€Å"What factors significantly influence shoppers to buy products over the internet?† From a cursory scan of academic literature, it appears that studies on what influences the online purchase decision may be categorized into three general sets of theories: behavioural, rational, and experiential. Based on this observation, this researcher shall classify the theories gathered from the survey of literature and discuss them in groups, then thereafter compare the groups of theories as this researcher perceived them. Rational The rationale to the inquiry as to customers’ purchase intentions, rather than their attitudes or tendencies to patronize internet shopping, is based on the theory of reasoned action by Ajzen and Fishbein (1980) which states that rational intention is a more powerful or compelling force compared to attitude or behaviour on the decision to purchase, and that the antecedents of intention are shopping orientations, online trust and prior online purchase experience. In determining customers’ attitudes towards internet shopping, early studies tended to touch on a wide range of factors including income, involvement, home shopping versus internet shopping experience, even attitude towards the retailers’ brand and attitude towards retailers’ websites. Along this line, Balabanis and Vassileiou (1999) found that high income favours internet shopping from retailers with strong brand names, and that high involvement with a product category affects adversely shopping from retailers’ sites with weak brands. Furthermore, it was determined that customers’ extensive home-shopping experience and positive attitudes towards a retailer’s web site both had positive effects on the shopper’s buying intentions, whether the product had a strong or weak brand (p. 361). Ling, Chai and Piew (2010) had likewise adopted the same approach to test multiple aspects of online shopping over a broad range of market segments to d etermine any general considerations of the decision to purchase online. Findings showed that such factors as impulse purchase intention, quality orientation, brand orientation, online trust, and prior online purchase experience all positively related to the customers’ intention to purchase online (p. 63). Behavioural The theories that adhere to the behavioural factors propose that customers tend to buy online because certain attitudes, values, and personality traits beyond the scope of reason compel the desire to do so. The result is that the purchase is not so much arrived at as a rational decision but a feeling that the purchase is desirable. Online shoppers’ actions are determined by three elements, namely affect (emotional feelings), intentions (desires), and behaviours, where behaviour is the product of two dimensions: internal

Cisco Systems Business Analysis Essay examples -- Technology Companies

Cisco Systems Cisco Systems - World's Leading Network Hardware Products Cisco Systems, Inc. is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco operates in one industry segment and creates hardware and software solutions that link computer networks so that people have easy access to information without regard to differences in time, place or type of computer system. Networking is a multi-billion dollar global market whose growth is spurred by the belief that the Internet is changing the way we work, live, play, and learn. Over the last year, there has been a key shift in the role of the Internet and in how the Internet is perceived. What was once a fairly complex tool used by an elite group of highly technical individuals is now a technology driving economic change globally by creating new jobs and market opportunities. The Company markets its products through its direct sales force, single and two-tier distributors, value-added resellers, service providers and system integrators. This multiple-channel approach allows customers to select the channel that addresses their specific needs and provides the Company with broad coverage of worldwide markets. Customers benefit from Cisco networking solutions through more efficient exchange of information, which in turn leads to cost savings, process efficiencies, and closer relationships with customers, prospects, business partners, suppliers, and employees. Cisco solutions are the networking foundation for companies, universities, utilities, and government agencies worldwide. The Company was founded in late 1984 by a small group of computer scientists from Stanford University seeking an easier way to connect different types of computer systems. Cisco Systems... ...Internet. Their relationship with Hewlett-Packard covers a broad range of initiatives including technology development, product integration, professional services, and customer service. Last May, GTE announced that it would build a national network based on Cisco's products, enabling service providers to rapidly deploy value-added services and drive next-generation Internet offerings. And the goal of their collaboration with Alcatel is to offer complete networking solutions to telecommunications carriers and other Internet service providers worldwide. Each of Cisco's strategic alliances will create a sustainable competitive advantage for both companies in order to optimize products, price points, distribution, and services. Through these relationships, Cisco will provide its customers the ability to become global networked businesses well into the next century.

Racism from past to present

Racism is the belief that a race is superior to all other races and has the right to manage all other races. This term emphasizes the superiority In terms of the biological differences, such as color and gender. In the history, although racism was used to organize daily life in clans, with Greeks it gained its negative meaning. With the Renaissance and the Reform, Europeans discovered new nations and places. However, according to Europeans' understanding, these new people can only be slaves. Therefore, racism has actually begun. The first modern fascist leader ofEuropean, Mussolini had a strong belief about being racist. He did not give right to live to any thought but his thought. He killed many people. In Dalton, Hitler was another fascist leader who murdered millions of people because of their races. Thus racism has become known. Basically, as both Connelly (2004, p. 72) and Shah (2010, Para. L) say that people have tendency to be superior to others. Shah adds that racism has been used as weapons. As it was in the past, racism still exists all over the world. Proponents of the idea that racism still exist claim that due to laws, racism Anton exist.They also mention that according to the universal Declaration of Human Rights, all humans are equal. They may have a point but laws cannot prevent racism and racists. Laws are valid only racists are caught. In the united States for example, although punishment is serious, racism exists in the aspect of black and white. Blacks have separate neighborhood from whites, they do not like whites' thoughts or they do not have a white person in their environment. The reason for this is that in the past, whites saw and used blacks as slaves. In today, there is not a comprehension about Ewing slave but whites still humiliates blacks.This causes white racism. Moreover, racists do not have to show how they believe or they do not have to discriminate. They can only have thoughts of being racist and laws cannot catch or prevent t his kind of thoughts. The reason why racism still exists is the human nature regarding inferior and superior. First, in the aspect of superior, they are naturally arrogant people. This class thinks that they are superior to everyone in everything. Therefore, they humiliate other races. Due to physical characteristic of other races, they make a trooper for specific races and they become prejudice.Europeans prejudice about Arabians can be given as an example. They think that Arabians are dirty and they smell bad. This situation causes racism today. Moreover, superior race thinks that they have the right to determine other races' rights, such as how they think, where they can live or whether they can live or not. Hitler for example, had a great power to take lives of Jewish people. Today, similarly to Hitter's reason, there is a problem called smuggling of people. Generally, people who are smuggled are from either Africa or Middle East, they were never European.Smuggling soul exists be cause superior races think that they can employ them illegally. Second, in aspect of inferior people, there is a fear of superior ones. Being a criminal race produces that kind of fear. As Russell (1 998, p. 124) mentions Willow's thesis about black crime causes white fear, white racism caused by Black and Latino men. If they did not have this high rate of crime, there would not be white fear. Furthermore, another kind of fear from superior happens as action and reaction. If Europeans are racists to Arabians, then stay away from Europeans because they feel inferior.Another reason why racism still exists is what happened in history. They may have not happened because of racism but they trigger racism today. First, events about economy have really changed the world. After the Reform and the Renaissance, colonialism came into the world. India was one of the countries colonized by England. As Marvin states, â€Å"At any rate, no serious effort has ever been made to colonize the country , and the English who go to India think only of acquiring the largest amount of money in the shortest possible time, and returning home to enjoy it in their beloved fatherland† (2006, p. ). Thus, today racism still exists between India and England. Second, political history caused racism today as well. In the history, states struggled for independence. In Ottoman Empire, for example, there were many nations who live peacefully. However, when the Ottoman Empire started to fall down, Armenian rebelled. They wanted to have their own country in the soil that they live in but it belonged to the Ottoman Empire. Because of this situation, Ottomans and Armenian had disagreement. Then that disagreement cause today the so-called Armenian genocide. Now, Turkey andArmenian are prejudiced to each other because of what happened in history. Bad treatment to Armenian or reverse produces racism in both countries. All in all, racism still exists in our world. People should remember that as worl d and politic changes, terms meanings will either be change or be broaden. While the term racism was used for people who support his race, then it is used for humiliation. In our world, it almost lost its meaning because today anything can be racism, such as prejudice or difference of thoughts among nations. Racism is not biological differences anymore.