Changes by Tupac Shakur Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Changes by Tupac Shakur - Essay Example Grossman and DeGaetano in their book "Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill: A Call to Action Against TV Movie and Video Game Violence" (1999) pursue this idea even further, as they prove that media not only conditions children and young adults to violent behavior, but also teaches them the "mechanics of killing". The adherents of this theory consider rap music to be one of the greatest threats for the soles and minds of young Americans. Jay Nordlinger in his article "'Bang': Guns, rap, and silence - violence in rap music" published in National Review (April 2001) claims that "gangsta" rappers glory in guns and gun violence in song after song after song." He, along with the other social activists tries to persuade the society that gun violence promulgated in the lyrics and videos of some rap singers is one of the main reasons for the children to bring guns to school and shoot their teachers and classmates. But it's obvious that rap music videos solely are incapable of creating this effect. Social conditions such as poverty, racial discrimination, substance abuse, inadequate schools, joblessness, and family conflict and dissolution contribute to an environment that fosters violence not just rap music videos. Some journalists and psychologists prove that rap videos are just one of the ways of "selling" rap culture. It's true, that for many of the rap singers their music is just the way to earn money and popularity, thus they fill their songs with the content that sells successfully. Unfortunately, there is always a demand for violence on our market. Before blaming rap music and videos for encouraging children and teenagers to commit violent acts, we should try to find out why is this music so popular among them. Why American teens and young adults, at list part of them, want to listen and watch songs, clips, and movies where people abuse, rape and kill each other Maybe something is wrong with our educational system, as it's unable to persuade the youth in the futility and danger of violence, to teach them that their goals can be achieved using other methods Or the problem lies within the society that cannot offer some of its young inexperienced members other sphere for actualizing their potential than that of crime and violence Typac Shakur, who's one of the most prominent rap singers, of our time made a great impact on part of our contemporaries. His texts expressed the opinions for all of those, who were underprivileged because of their race and financial state. This singer had himself grown up in a poor Afro-American family, thus he knew about the realities that were present in his songs. Lots of people say that Typac, together with other rap singers often overcharged the difficulties and severities the Afro-American poor have to experience, but, nevertheless, his songs became tremendously popular. A question arises here which's would his creativity have been so popular if he were lying in his songs Tupac's song Changes is one of his attempts to let the world see what is going on in the blocks were the poor Afro-Americans dwell. Most of us don't believe it until we see it by ourselves, as our

Global Alumna Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Global Alumna - Essay Example In fact, the first 2 Principles listed are specifically focused on protecting the human rights of all workers. Both of these Principles rely on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, passed in 1948. The declaration guarantees individuals the right to equality, life security, personal freedom, as well as, their economic, social, cultural freedoms.("United nations global," 2012) When it comes to human rights Global Alumina believes in adhering to the internationally, globally, accepted standards of the definition of human rights. More importantly, they feel strongly about not being complicit in situations where human rights may be actively violated.("Global alumina coprotation-," 2012) As previously stated, the Global Alumina Corporation has very strong, internationally embraced, interpretations of what â€Å"human rights† means and they intend to see that that is implemented within their company. In the â€Å"Global Compacts 10 Principles,† they explain their overall philosophy on their labor practices and standards. In fact, â€Å"Principles† 3 through 6 are dedicated to highlighting their company goals. Principle 3 covers the philosophy that all businesses should be upholding the freedom of association and the effective acknowledgment of the right to collective bargaining. Principle 4 is dedicated to eliminating compulsory or forced labor of any kind; while Principle 5, specifically, focuses on the abolition of child slavery of any kind. Lastly, Principle 6 is dedicated to avoiding issues of discrimination within the companies under their umbrella.("United nations global," 2012) Global Alumina’s dedication to these Principles show ho w strongly they seek to make ideal working conditions that are fair, humane and ethical for all individuals. Global Alumina is very dedicated to social and labor issues and that concern

Strategic Marketing at Coca Cola

Strategic Marketing at Coca Cola 1.0 Introduction Background: Coca Cola Company is one of the leading manufacturers of sort drink in the whole World. Coca Cola was launched in May 1986 by Dr. John S. Pemberton in Atlanta Georgia. The name Coca Cola was suggested by Dr. Pembertons bookkeeper, frank Robinson. He reserved the name Coca Cola in the flowing script that is well-known today. The Coca Cola is most important manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of non-alcoholic beverage concentrates and syrups, company in the World, which are used to produce nearly 500 beverage brands that make up for its wide portfolio. The market which I shall be investigating is the soft drink market in the UK, although I think its important that I consider the whole market including soft drinks and energy drinks. This is because soft drinks and Energy drinks are competing with other alcoholic mixer, (2008). This report will focus on a product part of this market and I have chosen the market leader for stimulant drinks, Coca Cola. I shall be examining marketing planning process, and its activities and justifications. Also, marketing environment is included, Internal audit, External audit, macro environment, and looking at the product with PESTLE, SWOT Analysis (Internal strengths and weaknesses). Furthermore, It Includes Porters five forces and Ansoffs Matrix, BCG Matrix and other tools and techniques. At the end, I have given three marketing options and recommended approach after these bibliography. 2.0 Strategic Marketing Planning Process: Strategic marketing is a process in which to develop a strategy to cope with competitors, identify market opportunities, develop and commercialize new products and services, allocate resources among marketing activities and design an appropriate organisational structure to ensure the performance desired is achieved. Corporate strategy is a process in which approach to future that involves examination of the current and anticipated factors associated with customers and competitors and the firm itself, aligning policies, practices, and resources to realize that vision, (2010). Planning and plans are two very different concepts. Planning refers to the process of developing a coherent plan, while the plan is the output from the process. A successful marketing campaign must incorporate strategic marketing planning. Strategic marketing planning is the process of researching a market and its environment to determine the target market. It involves determining what the target market wants and the types of messages that resonate with that audience. Marketing is one of the key elements in addition to other functions without which the company cannot get success. Therefore, marketing planning is a set of document in which details of action is given to achieve the objects set by the management for a period of one or up to five year. It could be based on selling of any kind of product. Its very important to have a very aggressive plan if you are not an introducer of new product and still you want to grab the market, (2010). 2.1 Marketing Planning Benefits: Marketing plan comes through a long process, it starts from a single department and ends up to management decision, plan must be always like easy to understand for management to approved it and realize the facts of market strategies for what they want from customer. Coca Cola always makes a attractive marketing plan which always looks different from others, for now this marketing plan which is very supportive for the organisation is just because it meets the need of customer in a very smart way like they introduced a new Cherry Coke flavour which is they want to be market the product by new style which a customer attract and also get some benefited for an organisation. If the plan is according to organisation and customer then it is easy to take decision for management. Plan should be compressed and productive for organization. Plan should be not so long time process and not to be very costly. Plan should be as per new techniques and 3D type as per new generation like Plan should be process after research Plan should be shows new market prices, long life and skill full. If the plan is according to companies favour so there is no any chance that it could be rejected. Always approach will be positive to make the plan competitive and advance. Coca Cola always looks in those matter which are highly skilled, attractive and sincere with the organisation, to gain the agreement for strategic plan for organization is a very important role for marketing department to extent their plans which are still are in favour of organisation and as before management like the approach to get always new marketing styles, the best approach for management is that to produced their best efforts to capture the market because now a days there are so many competitors in the market if they lack in the advertisement or promotion or introducing in new products then it could be easy for other competitors to overcome, (2010). Marketing Planning Process: There are ten stages of the Strategic Marketing Planning Process which are given bellow in tables. Table 1: The Marketing Planning Process Stages Description Stage 1 Mission Statement At this stage the board establish a long-term vision for the company. This entails communicating a memorable statement easily understood by employees and other key stakeholders. Stage 2 Corporate Objectives At Corporate Objectives the organisation setup the desired level of profitability, business boundaries, such as products/markets, facilities and size of labour force and other corporate objectives, such as social responsibility, corporate image, stock market image, employer image, etc. Stage 3 Marketing Audit Marketing Audit is a structured review of your current marketing activities. It is a systematic review of all the external and internal factors that have affected a companys commercial performance over a defined period. Stage 4 SWOT Analysis SWOT analysis is a tool for auditing an organisation and its environment. It is the first stage of planning and helps marketers to focus on key issues. SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Strengths and weaknesses are internal factors. Opportunities and threats are external factors. Stage 5 Assumptions At this stage assumptions are made on the basis of marketing audit and swot analysis. Marketing manager must keep in mind it should not too broad. Stage 6 Marketing Objectives and Strategies In this stage the objectives and strategies relate to the companies products/services and brands and to the markets you currently/ propose to operate in. Objectives are about deciding what you are offering (selling) and to whom. Strategies are about how you are going to achieve these things. Stage 7 Estimate Expected Results At this stage to employ judgement, analogous experience, field tests and so on. Also, to test out the feasibility of the objectives and strategies in terms of market share, costs, profits and so on. Stage 8 Identify Alternative Plans and Mixes In a strategic marketing plan, It is normally at this stage board identifies alternative plans and mixes are considered. Stage 9 Budget The budget is the process of documenting the expected costs of the proposed marketing plan. To justify all marketing expenditures from a zero base each year against the task that you wish to accomplish. In reality budgets are often incremental, that is, they are based on what was spent in the previous year. Stage 10 First Year Detailed Implementation Programme This may involve spending money on advertising, launching new products, interacting with potential new customers, opening new retail outlets etc. Its major function is to determine where the company is, where its wanted to go and how it can get there. It should be used as an aid to effective management, (McDonald 2006, p. 379-393). I have described all activities and justification in the Marketing Planning Process which are given bellow in table. Table 2: Activities and Justification in the Marketing Planning Process: Stage Activities Justification Stage 1 Mission Statement Board meetings Objectives discussion Target of the company Motivate employees and customers Lack of motivation and output It gives the direction to the company Stage 2 Corporate Objectives Financial forecast Provide long-term stability Profitability of the products Predict financial forecasting Overall company operations It gives review policies and desired level of profitability Stage 3 Marketing Audit Marketing environment objectives Perform STEEPLE Analysis Competition and Market share Competitive advantages Examine internal and external information and procedures Life cycles for major products and for market segments Policies and competitive advantages of other organisation Stage 4 SWOT Analysis Trend in the market Knowledge of the business Value added by competitors Setting objectives and strategies Data Collection Focusing internal and external key factors such as, internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats. A summary of reasons for good and bad performance Stage 5 Assumptions Government policies Economic data Major competitors Price competition It is made on planning environment Pick the right market and sell the right products It emphasises on success factors Stage 6 Marketing Objectives and Strategies Sales promotion objectives Marketing objectives Pricing objectives Advertising objectives Social responsibility Marketing objectives and Strategies are made on marketing plan Advertising, pricing and promotion service levels Highlight sales value, sales volume, percentage penetration of outlets Stage 7 Estimate Expected Results Employ judgment Analogous experience Field test Gap analysis on actual and desired results To test out the viability of market share At this level managers set the expected results Stage 8 Identify Alternative Plans and Mixes Motivate alternative strategies Promote mixes Manage the business Choose the best tactics Understand what market works and what doesnt work From alternative plans managers select best suitable plan Stage 9 Budget Advertising cost and expensive Zero base Emphasis on yearly marketing budget Spend their budget more efficiently and effectively Get smart about market every year they are in business Budget prepare by board of director and marketing managers. Stage 10 First Year Detailed Implementation Programme Customer plans Sales promotion plans Goals are divided into sub goals. Market plans (McDonald 2006, p. 379-393) Target their primary customer Focus on achieving specific objectives In sub goals include pricing plans product plans, promotional plans and market plans with objectives The External Market Audit and External Environment (Macro) Analysis: In this section of the report, I have used some data, of tools and techniques that are relevant to Coca Colas current situation relevant examples. External environment is important to marketing decision making. Initially, I have shown data on market share and growth of UKs soft drink markets. 3.1 External Audit: For scanning external audit and external (macro) environment of Coca Cola I have used Porters five forces. In this part of report to scanning soft drink position in the UKs soft drink market two tables are given. Table 1: Market share in UK soft drink market in 2010 Name of Brand % of market share Coca Cola 44 Pepsi 23 Cadbury 16 Fruit Juice 9.4 Other Drinks 8 From the above table of UK soft drink market share in 2010, it is clear that Coca Cola is the market leader among competitors. Coca Cola hold 44% of soft drink market share whereas Pepsi is in the second position by holding only 23% (2010). Table 2: market growth in UK soft drink market between 2009 to 2010: Name of Brand 2009 (% of market share) 2010 (% of market share) % of growth Coca Cola 43 44 1 Pepsi 24 23 -1 Cadbury 15 16 1 Fruit Juice 9 9.4 0.04 Other Drinks 9 8 -1 From the above table we can see Coca Cola and Cadbury have the most significant growth rate by 1% in the last year and Pepsi and other drinks lose their share by -1%. Fruit Juice has only 0.04% growth in last year. For analysing external market in this part, I have given Porters (1985) five forces model which is given below: Barriers to Entry: It involves; Importance of economy of scale, for example, a new Coca Cola drinks. Challenging with established brands, for example, Coca Cola, Diet Coke. High upfront capital costs or legal requirements, for example, intellectual property protection, factories etc. UKs soft drink market is established by some well known brands, such as, Pepsi, Cadbury, Fruit juice etc. It is very difficult to enter in this market by other competitors. Coca Cola has a long history of heavy advertising and this has made it enormous amount of brand equity and loyal customers entire over the world. Substitutes: It contains; Large numbers of substitutes, for example, coffee, beer, juices, water etc are available in the market for customers but it is countered by brand equity, huge advertising, and making their product easily available for customers. Coca Cola expand its business in the UK by offering substitutes it selves to protect Coca Cola from competition. Its products and services can be easily substituted with another type of product and service such as public transport being used instead of private transport. Buyer Power: It consists of; Large amount of buyers, for example, Wal-Mart or Tesco. Undifferentiated brands and low switching costs. As there are many soft drinks in the UK, so the bargaining power of buyer is extremely very high. Buyers ability to walk away or get an alternative, if buyer does not satisfied with our products or services he can get an alternative products or services. Supplier Power: It includes; Supplier does not depend on one or a small amount of buyers. Supplier product is necessary to buyer. In the UK, soft drinks bargaining power of supplier is low, as the market size is large so suppliers always want to keep contracts by providing low price. A large number of buyers but a small number of suppliers. Most of the times raw materials needed to create concentrate are basic commodities, for example, colour, flavour, additives, sugar etc. Basically, these are the main commodities. Existing Competitors: It computes the degree of competition between existing competitors. Rivalry will be higher if; In the UK, there are a huge amount of similar sized companies, for example, Pepsi, Robina, Red bull etc. Competitors can lead to a dynamic periods of aggressive pricing and promotion in war for customers. Products and services are supposed as a commodity by consumers and resulting in low switching cost for consumers. 3.2 External (macro) Environment Analysis: PESTEL Analysis for external (macro) environment of Coca Cola. PESTEL Analysis undertaken to understand local, global factors influencing business and potential opportunity and threats. Here PESTEL analysis given bellow in a table: Table 1: PESTEL Analysis: Political Economical National Government Regulatory bodies Trade Associates Government Stability Newly Industrialised Employment Law Critical Global Market Important Political Events Market Structure Government Policy Taxation Interest Rates Personal Saving Rates Money Supply Inflation Disposal Income Social-Cultural Technological Population Demographics Culture Attitudes to Work and Leisure Current Issues Income Distribution Social Mobility Lifestyle Changes Level of Education Products Materials / Components Processes Distribution / Spending on Research Marketing/Administration Rates of Obsolescence New Discoveries / Developments / Product Innovations Legal Environmental Competition Law Health and Safety Employment Law National and World Legislation Trading Policies Regulatory Bodies Global Warming Environmental Issues Local and National Issues Current and Future Environmental Legislative Changes Recycling Considerations Source: http://www.slideshare.net/Jackieken/the-marketing-audit-download-ppt Political Factors: Coca Cola operates globally and their performance is influenced by the political stability and instability of these countries. There is currently political stability in the UK and Coca Cola business is flourishing, (2010). Economical Factors: High inflation in any of the counties will cause the price of Coca Cola to rise and consumption of Coca Cola may fall. The UK economy is recovering from recession and employment level is rising people will consume more Coca Cola products, (2010). Social Factors: Consumers in the different counties will have different taste and perception about Coca Cola. In the UK the brand is known for quality products and marketing it will be easier, (2010). Technological Factors: The present environment is technological driven and the need for dynamic development. Coca Cola has got experienced research and development (RD) team who find out new technologies to improve productivity, (2010). Legal Factors: The Coca Cola Company gets all the rights applicable in the nature of their business and every invention and product developments are always going into the copyright process, (2010). Environmental Factors: According to the data of the Coca Cola Company, all the services are strictly approved according to the environmental laws inflicted by the government, (2010). 3.3 Changes in the External (Macro) Environment: The Coca Cola Company has faced many changes in the external environment that have changed the management of the company. During the World War II, the Coca Cola was able to continue the position of the company, at the same time. The Coca Cola was able to enter fresh markets despite of the environment. The company turned out to be more aggressive through supplying free drinks for the GIs in the World War II. During this the corporation was able to hit two birds at one stone. First, because the carbonated drinks sent by the company, it became a loyal symbol by the United States soldiers in which guided to consumer loyalty. Second, the Coca Cola was able to get benefit of the situation and determined the product in newly occupied countries by the Helper forces and due to the company created plants in different locations in the whole World paving the method for its post war expansion. Another thing is that, the external environment is the change of flavour and believes of the consumers. In the mid-1980s where the Americans favoured the sweet flavour of the competitor product, the company made its complement but it turned into a commercial failure. Coca Cola changed its management strategy and restored the old formula, and just changed its name, such as, Coca Cola Classic. After that Coca Cola got its position again and it released latest versions of Coke that address the needs of these kinds of customers, These products are included by Diet Coke and Coca Cola Zero. According to Bool, (2008) companies, for example, Coca Cola is necessary to change due to trends that have a huge impact on its business; another trend is health and fitness. Many people are spending extra money on their health; In addition, Coca Cola launched its new products which are a calorie burning soft drinks, such as, Enviga, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero, and Coke. Furthermore, Coca Cola is working together with the Swiss company Nestle. Coca Cola is contracting with innovation and change. For the duration of the Asian Financial Crisis, Coca Cola was also prompted to change its courses of management in that specific region. The responses and reactions of Coca Cola with the external environment are its internal changes. Organisational Change Management: This theory presents a general process for managing the change in the side of the people at an organisational level (Kotter, 1996). According to Hiatt and Creasey, the organisational change management is contains three stages, which are, preparing for change, managing change and reinforcing change. The theory of organisational change management was efficiently used by Coca Cola. Various managers in different branches of the World have operated organisational change management in order to address the matters that the Coca Cola faced. According to the current stage, the main emphasis of the Coca-Cola is to get the needs of their consumers with outstanding product developing and product distribution. Coca Colas change management is very weak since Coca Cola forecasted that there are a number of marketing challenges in the near future that they have to face. 3.4 Internal Audit (SWOT Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses Analysis of Coca Cola): This part of report provides information about current and previous years profit and loss account data, market share data, performance graph which have indicated internal or operational strengths and weaknesses of current marketing strategy and BCG Matrix. Table 1 Profit and Loss Account: Year ended 31, December 2010(Â £millions) 2009(Â £millions) 2008(Â £millions) Net operating revenues 21,959 ($35,119) 19,377 ($30,990) 19,974 ($31,944) Gross profit 14,022 ($22,426) 12,011 ($19,209) 12,862 ($20,570) Operating income 5,283 ($8,449) 5,146 ($8,231) 5,281 ($8,446) Income before taxes 8,906 ($14,243) 5,593 ($8,946) 4,693 ($7,506) Profit after tax 7,415 ($11,859) 4,318 ($6,906) 3,673 ($5,874) Source: http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/investors/pdfs/form_10K_2010.pdf Profit and loss account indicates operational excellence of current marketing strengths. We see a consistent growth in the profit margin. In 2009 profit after tax was 4,318 and in 2010 it became 7,415. It is increased by 3,097 million pounds in a year. Market share of UKs soft drinks: Analysing market share of UK soft drinks, it is clear that Coca Cola is the market leader by getting 44% of total market.ÂÂ  The comparative positioning of Coca Colas market share with respect to other leading players in the market has been illustrated as follows, (2010). Figure 1: Coca Cola and other competitors Market Share Performance Graph: Performance graph of Coca Cola and Pepsi over the last five years can be summarised with the help of growth in following key indicators, (2010). Figure 2: Coca Cola Last Five Years Market Growth This graph clearly shows that Coca Cola in 2006, it was slight increase in profit margin but in 2007 it was slightly decrease. From 2008 to 2010 market growth of Coca Cola was increase year by year. Internal Strengths of Current Marketing Strategy: Coca-Cola has been an intricate part of American culture for over a century. The products image is laden with sentimentality, and this is an image many people have taken deeply to heart. Coca Cola is a very recognizable firm. Its products/brands are available everywhere in the World. Its popularity is one of greater strength is virtuallyÂÂ  incomparable. Coca Cola deals with huge amounts of money every year. Similarly, whole businesses they have had their ups and downs monetarily, but Coca Cola has done very well in this section and Coca Cola will go on to do well and make better than its competitors (Pepsi). The money they are earning, it is significantly better than most beverage companies (competitors), they use into their own company so that they can get well, (2010). Everybody is knownÂÂ  very well Coca Cola in the World. Its image is displayed on hats, collectible memorabilia and t-shirts. There is no doubt,ÂÂ  no beverage firm (competitor) compares to Coca Colas social popularity status. And this extremely recognizable branding is one of Coca-Colas greatest strengths, (2010). Even though, Coca Cola controls almost 44% of the whole drinks market, the changing health-consciousness attitude of the market could have a serious effect on Coca Cola. In addition, according to Bettman (1998), Coca-Colas bottling system is one of their greatest strengths. It allows them to conduct business on a global scale while at the same time maintain a local approach. The bottling companies are locally owned and managed by independent business people who are authorized to sell products of the Coca-Cola Company. Because, Coke does not have outright ownership of its bottling network, its main source of revenue is the sale of concentrate to its bottlers, (2010). Internal Weaknesses of Current Marketing Strategy: Coca Cola has many weaknesses; they need to be finished these weaknesses, if they want to increase the next level. Now a days, constant shift to health products, some products could probably lose customers. This fresh focus on weight and health might be a problem for the item that is labelled detrimental to your health, (2010). Coca-Cola has recently reported some declines in unit case volumes in Indonesia and Thailand due to reduced consumer purchasing power. According to an article in (Fortune magazine), in Japan, unit case sales fell 3% in the second quarter scary because of Japan produces around 5% of worldwide volume, it contributes three times as much to profits. Latin America, Southeast Asia, and Japan account for about 35% of Cokes volume and none of these markets are performing to expectation (Mclean, 1998). Word of mouth unluckily is something that is very difficult to control. Although, people would have their views, Coca Cola has to try to control their negative views. If bad views are extinguish to people who have yet to try Coca Cola products, after that could create lost of customers which shows why word of mouth is a weakness, (2010). Coca Cola produces many drinks, some are very popular such as, Coke, Diet Coke and Sprite but Coca Cola has approximately made 500 different types of brands, such as, carbonates, energy drinks, sports drinks, fruit juices, water etc. Most of them unknown and rarely seen for available purchase. These drinks do not mostly taste bad, but are rather a result of low profile or nonexistent advertising, (2010). As we know, health is a significant matter in 21st century. Coke have high level of sugar and caffeine content. Boston Consulting Group Matrix (BCG Matrix): The BCG matrix method is the theory to determine list of priorities that should be given in the product portfolio of a business unit. There are two dimensions should be analyzed in the implementation of this method; market share and market growth. There are four characters in this diagram represent four categories of products in companys portfolio, which are given bellow. Stars: It represents the products that have a high market growth and high market share. Products in this class usually need a fairly high cost in the process of development. For example, Coca Colas bottled water (Dasani). Question Marks: It represents the products that have a high market growth and low market share. In this category, products have the worst cash characteristics because they have high level of the demand but low returns because of their low market share. For example, Coca Colas energy drink brand (Full Throttle). Cash Cows: Cash cows represent the products that have low market growth and high market share. In this class products should have huge level of profits and cash generation. In order to achieve that result, company should keep their level of investment low because the market growth for these products also low. Such as, namesakes soft drink (Coca-Cola). Dogs: Dogs represent the products that have low market growth as well as market share. Products in this category will absorb a lot of cash but low level of returns because low provided market share and weak market growth. For example, sweetened juice drinks (Hi-C), (2010). Coca Cola would use income from Coke to invest their primarily in Dasani and Full Throttle, whereas, looking to sell off Hi-C to some private equity fund with huge amount of cash on its hands. It is able to standard product life cycle tends to have five stages which are given bellow. Development Introduction Growth Maturity Decline As a result, Coca-Cola is presently in the maturity stage, which is evidenced mainly by the fact that they have a large, loyal group of stable consumers. In addition, cost management, product differentiation and marketing contain more important as growth slows and market share becomes the key determinant of profitability. In international markets the product life cycle is in more of a growth trend Cokes advantage in this section is primarily due to its establishment strong branding and it is now able to use this part of stable profitability to support financially the domestic Cola Wars, (2010). 4.0 Ansoffs Matrix: This Matrix was developed by Igor Ansoff; it is one of the most well known frameworks for deciding upon strategies for growth. It is a tool that helps the company to decide their product and market growth strategy. It is determined by two scopes of option which are products and markets. It consists of market penetration, product development, market development and diversification. Market Penetration: Selling more of an existing product to an existing market. It is going deeper into a market, such as, coke and diet coke. Coca Cola in UK is doing market penetration through the selling its products to the business buyers and retailers who are huge multinational organizations like Tesco, Asda, McDonalds, Subway, KFC and many more. Market Development: Selling an existing product in a new market, for example, taking out various bottle sizes to attract different buyers. It is called market development. Many flavours of Coca Cola are not being sold in every shop, retailer market and other business buyers. Coca Cola can develop a new market if they introduce those flavours in their market. Product Development: Selling a new product to an existing mark

Why I Hunt: A Predator’s Mediation by Rick Bass :: Hunting Women rick Bass Essays

Why I Hunt: A Predator’s Mediation by Rick Bass Five years ago you could have found me hiding under my covers, praying to a god that I no longer believe in with my eyes shut tightly—but not anymore. These nights I offer up a two minute thanksgiving for the sake of karma; I look out into the darkness and I recognize the shadows as objects in my house rather than the faces of my dead grandfathers. It feels good to open my eyes, but I’ve traded in that old ignorant twinkle for a steady calmness. I still duck and cover when an insect the size of my pupil is within five feet of me, but from a distance I know that I am not so different from the tiny creature. If I am a predator, I am not the kind of predator who hunts but rather the one who kills out of fear. I prefer the role of the prey— it suits me well. I avoid conflict: I prefer spending time at home with my wife, I weigh less than 100lbs, and I have been notorious for becoming paralyzed with laughter upon being attacked by testosterone-laden family membe rs. If a human or other animal my size or larger were to want me for dinner, I would be an easy target though my meat wouldn’t feed a family of four. As a member and supporter of the earth’s weak little peacekeepers (small humans with loud voices), I can say that despite Rick Bass’s honorable honesty, I found â€Å"Why I Hunt: A Predator’s Mediation† to be a threat to womankind. Not all women are vulnerable, but with weapons the hunter can make most anyone his prey. There are predators in the United States who hunt women the way Bass hunts elk. If Bass’s non-human targets are replaced with women and children, the essay has quite a different effect on the reader, though the arguments don’t change. When Bass describes his love of â€Å"sitting in some leaves, completely hidden and motionless—waiting, and waiting† (63), I picture him waiting in a park for an unattended child or an unaccompanied woman. My concerns about Bass’s instincts aren’t neurotic. I’m a loving woman who occasionally hugs trees and wants to feel safe in the world—not a card carrying member of PITA.

Income, Poverty, and Health Care Essay

The objective for this paper is to explain what I have learned from our class discussion and our readings of Chapter 30 of our text, Economics Today. It will show my personal understanding of this week’s objectives through explaining what I have learned by analyzing the impacts of government regulation of the economy, including the rationalization for and history of regulation, degrees of success, and future consequences if regulation does or does not occur while applying economic concepts to explain income distribution, and its connection lifestyle choices and opportunities. In this week’s assignment, to relate them to my life experiences, I have selected two articles relating to this topic, Income, Poverty, and Health Care, and I will be explaining why we are to review what has been happening lately, and why it is happening? The first article that I have chosen relates to the same topic as our class discussion, healthcare. I chose this because it is highly relatable to not just a small group of individuals, but every American citizen in the United States. Obamacare, or Affordable Care Act, will take effect on October 1, 2013, and it is viewed as â€Å"when poor and middle-class Americans will begin signing up for the health care law’s new benefits. † (Young, J. (1-19-13)) To make sure that everyone signs up for this new healthcare program, they have created â€Å"Enroll America, an umbrella organization of nonprofits and health care industry organizations, that will carry out a major national public education campaign with paid advertising, online outreach, community activities and coordination. (Young, J. (1-19-13)) The major problem that most will have a hard time swallowing is the fines that you will receive, either as an individual, or as an employer. Government Health Insurance Mandates – If an individual does not have insurance they will be required to pay a fine of up to â€Å"$750 per year or up to $2,250 per year for a family that is uninsured. Firms with more than 50 employees will receive a fine of $750 for every employee that obtains federal subsidies for coverage. † (Graham, J. & Kaye, D. (2006) Pg. 79) One issue that most people would not even think about concerning the new healthcare laws is that it is going to affect out budgets a great deal more than we first thought. I know that I was shocked to learn that our family pets’ routine visits to the veterinarian office will also come with a higher price tag due to the new healthcare law. While they said this is unintended, the fact that â€Å"medical equipment and supplies will be going up in cost, that extra expense will have to passed on to the customers. (CBSMiami (3-11-13)) Most would wonder how this would affect their office visit for their furry family members. Well, â€Å"it’s part of a new 2. 3-percent federal excise tax on certain medical devices that just went into effect. The tax will help fund the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, intended for people, not pets. † (CBSMiami (3-11-13)) We know that the manufacturers will have to pay this tax, which will in turn cause their costs to produce these products, to rise. They will have no choice but to have to transfer these costs onto the consumers. This affects our vet visits because some of the products that were meant for humans also are used in our vet’s office, such as â€Å"IV pumps, sterile scalpels and anesthesia equipment. † (CBSMiami (3-11-13)) This week’s topic relates to one that I had discussed not too long ago in my Macroeconomics class. Since we are to be charged an additional tax to cover this new law in healthcare, I thought it would be appropriate to bring up the following information. The hoped for results of taxation and government spending as implied by the fiscal policy, is to help keep our economy out of a recession, or even worse, a depression. Depending on how fiscal policy is used in different situations, it will affect different people, and is not always helpful to the whole economy. The economy needs to be closely monitored and adjusted on a constant basis based on what is currently, or what is expected in the future of the economy. In times of high inflation, the government will increase the taxation rate to help build up the economy and keep the inflation rate down. Fiscal policy has the right to increase or decrease government spending which can raise or lower the overall economy monies in circulation. With this being said, it makes it clearer as to why we are taxed higher as the government increases its public spending. It may not seem understandable to the general population because most are not in agreeance with this new healthcare law. Many believe the increase in taxes will not cover the costs that are going to be associated with the healthcare mandate, which will in turn cause the federal and individual states to also raise their taxes or reduce their healthcare costs in order to balance out the increased funding needed to support these new laws. (Graham, J. Kaye, D. (2006) Pg. 681) I must say that after digging deeper into this subject, I am more appalled at the fact that this new â€Å"healthcare reform act† may potentially damage our society instead of help it. In the current state of our economy, which is shaky to say the least, does our government really think this will help us? I for one am not too sure. I do not want to get slapped with a fine because I choose not to purchase healthcare, but taking on an extra payment, when our pocketbooks are already stretched past their limits, is just as equally disconcerting.

Breadfruit Analysis / Reactions

Breadfruit is a short poem written by English poet Philip Larkin. The poem is composed of only two stanzas, each composing of eight lines. The poem is about the failure of men to mature when they dream of unrealistic things, as referred in line14 of the second stanza—the demise of a fantasy of living a life that resembles that of a life in a tropical paradise amidst the reality of life. The title â€Å"Breadfruit† is misleading because the poem is not exactly about the fruit itself. In fact the speaker does not even know what Breadfruits are.â€Å"†¦Whatever they are. † (line 2 and 17). The fruit bears no significance except as an ornament for the native girls. The first line, â€Å"Boys dream of native girls who bring breadfruit. † (line 1) shows readers images of a tropical island paradise where native girls are stereotypically innocent and offer foreigners, in the poem’s case, the boys, a tropical fruit which is breadfruit. As mentioned, the use of breadfruit is insignificant; it may have been just a random tropical fruit that Larkin chose.He could have used coconuts, bananas, or any fruit that is typically found in tropical areas. The third line and fourth lines â€Å"As bribes to teach them how to execute/ Sixteen sexual positions on the sand;† (3-4). This sexual aspiration is of course from the point of view of the day dreaming boys. Although tropical island girls may have been stereotyped (thanks mostly to the movies) as innocent, willing to explore anything types, I don’t think island girls would give an offering as it were, just to satisfy their sexual desires. Specifics again do not matter in this poem.Just as the Breadfruit, at least in my opinion does not bear significance, the number of sexual positions does not really have any symbolic meaning. It could have been just an aesthetic technique of Larkin to relate the number sixteen to the age of the island girls that were willing to offer breadfru it for sex. And again, it is just the product of the boys’ fantasies so the number may be relatively higher to emphasize the unrealistic fantasy. The rest of the lines in the first stanza, lines 5-8, are about the result of the island girls sleeping with the boys.â€Å"This makes them join (the boys) the tennis club,/Jive at the Mecca, use deodorants, and/ On Saturdays squire ex-schoolgirls to the pub/ By private car. † (5-8). The lines suggests that once the island girls have slept with the boys, they would be civilized and let go of their island ways. In a sense, it shows the corruption that sex can possibly do. If the first stanza is all about the dream, then the second stanza is about the realization that these dreams are exactly what they are—dreams. The daydreaming ends, the boys change into men and now they are in churches, probably with their wives, and in offices.â€Å"Such uncorrected visions end in church/ Or registrar:† (9-10). The speaker men tions that these dreams are visions that are â€Å"uncorrected† meaning the speaker too realizes that it is wrong to dream of such things. The rest of the lines, except for the last two which is somewhat a repetition of the first two lines, are all about realities of life in contrast to the fantasies of the first stanza. The lines give examples of negative realities; â€Å"A mortgaged semi†¦, a widowed mum having to scheme with money; illness; age.† These examples show that life has more serious things to attend to other than wandering off in a daydream in an island with innocent, promiscuous girls. The theme of the poem does not have to be thought of that much because the speaker mentions it perfectly at the last lines of the poem. â€Å"Maturity falls, when old men sit and dream/ Of naked native girls who bring breadfruit/ Whatever they are. † (14-16). It is immature for grown men to daydream if they have responsibilities to attend to. Reference Larkin, P . (1961). Breadfruit. Retrieved May 15, 2009. from http://www. philiplarkin. com/pom/pomcurrent. html

How to write HR policies - Emphasis

How to write HR policies How to write HR policies If you need to update your HR policies because of the new Equality Act 2010, now could be a golden opportunity to make them a lot better. The Equality Act brings together legislation regarding discrimination and harassment into a single Act. Since it came into force on 1 October, many HR departments have been busy updating some of their policies. A well-written policy document will leave both employee and employer clear on where they stand, and ideally knowing that where they stand is somewhere that is fair, organised, consistent and protected by law. But whenever legalities are involved in writing, it can be all too easy to slip into legalese typically overlong, complicated sentences. Naturally, its important to be legally compliant. But if no-one can understand a word, the document might as well go in the shredder. Maybe its time to reach for the red pen. Reader-centred policies Follow these tips and youll be sure to have well-written policies. Shorten sentences When youre trying to abide by legislation, it can be easy to get carried away and try to fit far too much information into a sentence, which will keep building, and building (much like this one), interrupted only by commas, and most probably gasps for breath. This can be very unforgiving on the reader, as they try to hold on to the train of thought even as it speeds away from them (quite possibly under attack from cowboys and Native Americans). For example: Indirect discrimination, where an apparently neutral provision, criterion or practice would put a substantially higher proportion of the members of one sex, or persons having a racial or ethnic origin, or a particular religion or belief, or a particular disability or a particular sexual orientation, or age group at a particular disadvantage compared with other persons unless that provision, criterion or practice is objectively justified by a legitimate aim and the means of achieving that aim are appropriate and necessary. When writing, if possible, stick to the principle: one sentence, one idea. Bullet points can also be useful for breaking up list-like points, though dont overuse them. In this example, it would be better to list the protected characteristics (sex, race, age, etc) separately, then go on to define indirect discrimination. Indirect discrimination: when a rule, condition or practice that applies to everyone disadvantages someone with a particular protected characteristic. But this wont be classed as discrimination if the aim and means behind the rule, condition or practice can be objectively justified as legitimate and necessary. Verbs over nouns Using verbs makes language dynamic, which will move things along at a good pace and keep the reader interested. Particularly heavy-going reading arises with the overuse of nominalisations. This is a noun that has been created from a verb, like recommendation (verb = recommend). It may be a rather hypocritical word for us to use here (it is, itself, a nominalisation), and a practice to avoid. It tends to attract unnecessary words and makes your writing pretty dull. Compare: Undertaking the implementation of the policy is the duty of all with Implementing the policy is everyones duty. Keep it active Writing tends to be more interesting in the active voice. Your equality policy probably still wont win the Booker Prize, but at least it is more likely to be read. The active voice is when the doer in the sentence is put before the action they are carrying out. It is generally better than the passive voice (where the doer can be left out altogether). This is because it sounds more human, forces you to be more specific, and leaves no doubt about who will do what. It also usually results in shorter sentences. For example: Passive: A risk assessment will be undertaken before any disabled person begins work and, where doubts exist over a disabled persons ability to perform the full duties of the job concerned, a trial period may be offered after consultation with the HR department. Active: We will carry out a risk assessment before any disabled person begins work. We may offer a trial period if we have any doubts over the persons ability to perform the full duties of the job concerned. And finally, easy on the legalese Legalese is often found in documents like policies. Perhaps its used out of habit, or in an attempt to cover every possible contingency. A lawyer may argue that its employed to be precise and utterly unambiguous. And indeed it might be, except that often no-one but a lawyer can understand the results (complete incomprehensibility may be different from ambiguity, but is hardly better). Since a policy document will have legal implications, it is worth getting a lawyers sign-off on it. But work with them to avoid the common problems of legalese. In addition to the ones outlined above, try to avoid muddying the waters with unnecessary, archaic words, like therein, herein, forthwith, and aforesaid. The goal is for every employee in the company to understand the documents. The wording should be suitable for the average layperson (unless, of course, it is a legal firm), so that everyone really is on an equal footing.

Management of financial resource and performance at Vodafone The WritePass Journal

Management of financial resource and performance at Vodafone Introduction Management of financial resource and performance at Vodafone IntroductionTypes of communication system and Its ImportanceRole of stakeholderFinancial AnalysisConsolidated statement of financial position  Information SystemsStrategiesMarket StrategiesProductPriceAdvertisement and offersFinancial risk managementForeign exchange managementLiquidity risk ManagementConclusionReferencesRelated Introduction Being the largest mobile company of the world it is giving job opportunities to more than 65000 people.It is succeed to popularised its name as a   new largest communication company of the world.Around 130 million people are being the costumers of this company.It   does not see its business and service only but a best and effective communication too provide all over the world.It’s increasing its level of selling power to high status.Vodafone has made its aim   to grow its revenue and improve its profit margin by adding value to its products and services i.e. earning more from each product sold and to be the leadingcompany in the communicationsmarket. Vodafone also has a commitment to  Corporate  Responsibility (CR). This is when a business tries to ensure its activities have a positive influence on the people and places where it works. Vodafone is planning to reduce the company’scarbonfootprint by encouraging therecycling and re-use of old phones.   The Voda fone live! service enables customers to use picture messaging and to download   ring tones, colour games, images and information, through an icon-driven menu.This service will soon be further enhanced by picture messaging libraries, video clips and video telephony (seeing the person youre calling) and improving download speeds. Another service is the Vodafone Mobile Connect Card, which enables customers to access their normal business applications on a laptop when out of the office. Such services add value to the product, and high profile effective promotion will help sell these services to existing and new customers. The head quarter of this company is in London.It operate more than 30 milllion subscribers by the year 2010and largest company is in United States also. As we go to the history of vodafone ,we find its progressive report since 1982,extending from Racal strategies Limited.The Racal got its name change as Racal telecommunication Group Limited in 1995 and in 1996 Racal Electronics bought out the minority shareholders of Vodafone for GB £110 million.The name Vodafone comes from voice data fone, chosen by the company to reflect the provision of voice and data services over mobile phonesThe name Vodafone comes from voice data fone chosen by the company to reflect the provision of voice and data services over mobile phones.(Anderson,T.J.,2006). Types of communication system and Its Importance One-way communication involves a company distributing information via brochures, letters, or with an exchange of information and ideas among stakeholders and the company.   Information is usually exchanged. The next type of communication is stakeholder engagement or stakeholder dialogue.   The intent of stakeholder engagement is learning stakeholdersà ­ issues and concerns. If well designed, dialogue leads to knowledge being gained by both the company and stakeholders.   The company commits itself to considering stakeholder input in making its decisions with an exchange of information and ideas among stakeholders and the company.   Information is usually exchanged The next type of communication is stakeholder engagement or stakeholder dialogue.The intent of stakeholder engagement is learning stakeholders issues and concerns. If well designed, dialogue leads to knowledge being gained by both the company and stakeholders.The company commits itself to considering stakeholder input in making its decisions. Vodafone operates a global Performance Dialogue process for every employee. The process ensures that employees can make a clear connection between their goals and the business objectives. Each individual’s performance is discussed with their manager and career development goals are set. 93% of managers completed the Performance Dialogue process in the 2007 calendar year and 83% of employees approved development goals with their manager. Finally, with participatory/interactive decision making, a company collaborates with stakeholders in making decisions.   Shared decision making is not appropriate in all situations, but can be effective in helping a company design a plan that, when implemented, will be acceptable to its stakeholders. communication and stakeholderTo be a good corporate citizen, your company should be communicating with and involving its   stakeholders to determine their issues concerning a particular facility.   There are costs associated with conducting these activities; however, costs to the company can be even greater if stakeholders take action against the company (e.g., hurting the company’s image through a media campaign, holding up permits, suing the company).   Being aware of issues and concerns and working to resolve them early before they turn into negative action is time and money well spent.   On a positive note, ideas and suggestions from stakeholders can often be insight ful and useful in improving a facilities planning and operation. In this light, stakeholders can be seen as consultants to a company. The basic principles of stakeholder involvement are   Voluntary involvement:   Everyone involved should be committed to progress and full participation.   Openness, honesty, trust:   Open and honest communication is a requirement for mutual trust. Inclusiveness:   Strive to include all interested parties in some form of dialogue.   Common information base: Participants should have access to the same information.   Mutual learning: All parties, including host and stakeholders, should come to the discussion  Ã‚  with a willingness to learn.   Creative options: Have a diverse set of stakeholders as a catalyst for creative thinking.   Collaboration in decision making: Build ownership to increase the likelihood of implementation, and future collaboration.   Coordination of stakeholder feedback: Communicate how you will use stakeholder feedback. Even if consensus is not possible, it is important that stakeholders feel their concerns are heard. Communication and stakeholder involvement should be a continuous activity conducted at a facility level and then augmented during periods of change or crisis when major decisions are being   considered.   This guidebook describes the overall process, which can be tailored to fit the circumstances at your site à ± resources, history of community interaction, the role of the facility in the community, and decisions being contemplated.†This is a new venture for many if not most   cement companies so don’t be discouraged if your communications plan is basic and lacks the involvement of stakeholders†(Barne J,1991).Theenvironmentalandsocialperformanceofcompaniesisincreasinglyunderscrutinyfrominternalstakeholders (e.g. employeesandstockholders) andexternalstakeholders (e.g. localcommunities, activists, regulators).   Greaterscientific, economicandsocialknowledgeisf uelingstakeholders   demandsforincreasedinformation, clarity, andinvolvementinbusinessoutcomes. Role of stakeholder The basic principles of stakeholder involvement are Voluntary involvement:   Everyone involved should be committed to progress and full participation.   Openness, honesty, trust:   Open and honest communication is a requirement for mutual trust. Inclusiveness:   Strive to include all interested parties in some form of dialogue.   Common information base: Participants should have access to the same information.   Mutual learning: All parties, including host and stakeholders, should come to the discussionwith a willingness to learn.   Creative options: Have a diverse set of stakeholders as a catalyst for creative thinking. Collaboration in decision making: Build ownership to increase the likelihood of implementation, and future collaboration.   Coordination of stakeholder feedback: Communicate how you will use stakeholder feedback. Financial Analysis If we talk aabout financial seector of the company we get that It had amarketcapitalisation of approximately  £93 billion as of 9 March 2011 and it is making itself as   the fourth largest company on the London Stock Exchange.Vodafone Group plc is providing its products in Europe, Africa, the Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and the United States. The company offers various handsets; voice and messaging services; data services comprising Internet, email, music, games, and television; and fixed services, including fixed voice and fixed broadband solutions. It also offers value added services, such as Vodafone Email Plus and Windows Mobile. It also offers value added services, such as Vodafone Email Plus and Windows Mobile Email, which provide enterprise customers with real time handheld access to email, calendar, and address book; Vodafone PC Backup and Restore that enable users to remotely store data automatically through their Internet connection.Training and development Consolidated statement of financial position 2010  £m 2009  £m Non-current assets Intangible assets 74,258 74,938 Property, plant and equipment 20,642 19,250 Investments in associates 36,377 34,715 Other non-current assets 11,489 10,767 142,766 139,670 Current assets 14,219 13,029 Total assets 156,985 152,699 Total equity shareholders’ funds 90,381 86,162 Total non-controlling interests 429 (1,385) Total equity 90,810 84,777 Liabilities Borrowings Long-term 28,632 31,749 Short-term 11,163 9,624 Taxation liabilities Deferred tax liabilities 7,377 6,642 Current taxation liabilities 2,874 4,552 Other non-current liabilities 1,550 1,584 Other current liabilities 14,579 13,771 Total liabilities 66,175 67,922 Total equity and liabilities 156,985 152,699      Information Systems Vodafone Information Systems depends on service level agreements (SLAs).according to this system it provides srvice through central reporting system.and brings the different datas from differrent sources.and rpovides them all the time to the employees and costumers.For a long time, Vodafone Information Systems used a combination of two applications for reporting purposes, both of which ran on an IBM mainframe. Training and development Using SAS, Vodafone Information Systems employees are now able to bring together data from a wide range of sources with a few mouse clicks and to create sophisticated reports in a very short period of time. At the heart of the new system is SAS, which allows IT system managers to have a single point of control over all the IT processes. Measurement data from sources. The system also offers completely new ways of presenting the information. Employees and customers can access the reports via the company intranet or the Internet using a Web browser anywhere and at any time. As the SAS solution has been integrated into the V.E.C.T.O.R. reporting system developed by Vodafone Information Systems, the company can guarantee that employees and customers can only display the information that is relevant to their needs. Customers themselves are able to choose the level of detail in the reports and therefore receive only the necessary information that they need to be able to complete their tasks . The simple archiving process means that developments can be tracked over a longer period without any additional work being involved. IT service providers like Vodafone Information Systems depend on service level agreements (SLAs) as a measure of their success. In order to ensure that the agreed service level is provided at all times, the service provider needs a central reporting system, which brings together measurement data from a wide range of sources. The increasing heterogeneity of the IT environment – which includes a host, UNIX and Windows operating systems – makes central access to the relevant data essential. For a long time, Vodafone Information Systems used a combination of two applications for reporting purposes, both of which ran on an IBM mainframe. In spite of the capabilities of these applications, they werent scalable and were no longer able to keep pace with the most recent   requirements.. Strategies Vodafones Partner Network strategy represents an increasingly significant development in the delivery of Vodafones mobile services and Og fjarskipti will be an ideal partner for the further development of mobile services. Vodafone is already established in many regions   through its operator like Vodafone Sweden, as well as Partner Network Agreements with TDC in Denmark and Radiolinja in Finland, and this new agreement will increase one after another.Vodafone will continue to develop the Partner Network strategy, so the customers and partnerscustomers can use Vodafone services in an increasing number of countries.Following todays announcement, Vodafone global services, supported by its global brand communication, will be available in eight Partner Network countries: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Kuwait and Slovenia, in addition to its subsidiary and associate markets.In course of making strategies it has forwarded the following points. A regionally focused Group: Europe, Africa and India Mobile data: accelerate exploitation of mobile data growth opportunity Enterprise: selective expansion in growth segments Emerging markets: drive penetration and data across attractive footprint Total Communications in Europe: continued capital efficient approach New services: growth opportunities including machine-to-machine and financial services Exploit scale to enhance efficiency and deliver cost benefits Generate free cash flow or liquidity from non-controlled assets building on the China Mobile and SoftBank disposals Rigorous application of capital discipline to enhance shareholder returns Market Strategies Product A product with many different features provides customers with opportunities to chat, play games, send and receive pictures, change ring tones, receive information about travel and sporting events, obtain billing information and soon view video clips and send video messages. Vodafone live! provides on-the-move information services. Vodafone UK operates over 300 of its own stores. It also sells through independent retailers e.g. Carphone Warehouse. Customers are able to see and handle products they are considering buying. People are on hand to ensure customers needs are matched with the right product and to explain the different options available. Price Vodafone wants to make its services accessible to as many people as possible from the young, through apprentices and high powered business executives, to the more mature users. It offers various pricing structures to suit different customer groups. Monthly price plans are available as well as prepay options. Phone users can top up their phone on line. Vodafone UK gives NECTAR reward points for every  £1 spent on calls, text messages, picture messages and ring tones. Advertisement and offers Advertising on TV, on billboards, in magazines and in other media outlets reaches large audiences and spreads the brand image and the message very effectively. This is known as above the line promotion. Stores have special offers, promotions and point of sale posters to attract those inside the stores to buy. Vodafones stores, its products and its staff all project the brand image. Vodafone actively develops good public relations by sending press releases to national newspapers and magazines to explain new products and ideas. There is good balance, 70/30 consumer/enterprise, and good balance, more or less 70/30 mature/emerging.the new strategy is composed of five elements. The first one is clear focus of the companyis in three areas – Europe, Africa and India.The second will be   growth; coming from data in different ways.   The vodefone Groupl talks a lot about mobile data, and what internally it call   ‘Supermobile’, but also enterprise and also some regional differences between Europe and emerging markets, and some investment in new services, which, in the future, will be appealing to the customers. Continuing to leverage on our scale advantage, it can really create a difference for our customers in terms of lower costs. It will deal with the assets below the line in an approach to generate liquidity or cash flow from all of our non-controlled assets, in terms of portfolio strategy. Then it continuing to apply capital discipline, financial objectives and commercial tests to al l investments it   makes, internal and external. Financial risk management The Group’s treasury function provides a centralised service to the Group for funding, foreign exchange, interest rate management and counterparty risk management.Treasury operations are conducted within a framework of policies and guidelines authorised and reviewed by the Board, most recently on 1 February 2011(Mc,Hee). A treasury risk committee comprising of the Group’s Chief Financial Officer, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary, Corporate Finance Director and Director of Financial Reporting meets at least annually to review treasury activities and its members receive management information relating to treasury activities on a quarterly basis. The Group accounting function, which does not report to the Group Corporate Finance Director, provides regular update reports of treasury activity to the Board. .Risk management purposes only that are transacted by specialist treasury personnel. The Group mitigates banking sector credit risk by the use of collateral sup port agreements. Financial risk management:Under the Group’s interest rate management policy, interest rates on monetary assets and liabilities denominated in euros, US dollars and sterling.are maintained on a floating rate basis except for periods up to six years where interest rate fixing has to be undertaken in accordance with treasury policy where assets and liabilities are denominated in other currencies interest ratesmay also be fixed. In addition, fixing is undertaken for longer periods when interest rates are statistically low. Foreign exchange management As Vodafone’s primary listing is on the London Stock Exchange.Its share price is quoted in sterling. Since the sterling share price represents the value of its future multi-currency cash flows, principally in euro, US dollars and sterling, the Group maintains the currency of debt and interest charges in proportion to its expected future principal multi-currency cash flows and has a policy to hedge external foreign exchange risks on transactions denominated in other currencies above certain de minimis levels. As the Group’s future cash flows are increasingly likely to be derived from emerging markets it is likely that more debt in emerging market currencies will be drawn. As such, at 31 March 2011 130% of net debt was denominated in currencies other than sterling (55% euro, 47% US dollar and 28% other) while 30% of net debt had been purchased forward in sterling in anticipation of sterling   denominated shareholder returns via dividends and share buybacks. This allows euro, US dollar and other debt to be serviced in proportion to expected future cash flows and therefore provides a partial hedge against income statement translation exposure, as interest costs will be denominated in foreign currencies. Yen debt is used as a hedge against the value of yen assets as the Group has minimal yen cash flows Liquidity risk Management At 31 March 2011 the Group had â‚ ¬4.2 billion and US$4.2 billion syndicated committed indrawn bank facilities and US$15 billion and  £5 billion commercial paper programmes, supported by the â‚ ¬4.2 billion and US$4.2 billion syndicated committed bank facilities, available to manage its liquidity. The Group uses commercial paper and bank facilities to manage short-term liquidity and manages long-term liquidity by raising   funds in the capital markets. â‚ ¬4.2 billion of the syndicated committed facility has a maturity date of 1 July 2015 and US$4.2 billion has a maturity of 9 March 2016 which may be extended by a further year if agreed by those banks who have participated in the facility. Both facilities have remained indrawn throughout the financial year and since year end and provide liquidity support. The Group manages liquidity risk on long-term borrowings by maintaining a varied maturity profile with a cap on the level of debt maturing in any one calendar year, the refore minimising refinancing risk. Long-term borrowings mature between one and 26 years.Liquidity is reviewed daily on at least a 12 month rolling basis and stress tested on the assumption that all commercial paper outstanding matures and is not reissued. The Group maintains substantial cash and cash equivalents which at 31 March 2011 amounted to  £6,252 million (2010). Vodafone also produces proportionate customer number figures on a similar basis, e.g. if an operator in which it has a 30% stake has 10 million customers that equals 3 million proportionate Vodafone customers. This is a common practice in the mobile telecommunications industry. Year ended 31 March Turnover  £m Profit before tax  £m Profit for the year  £m Basiceps (pence) Proportionate customers (m) 2010 44,472 8,674 8,618 16.44 341.1 2009 41,017 4,189 3,080 5.81 302.6 2008 35,478 9,001 6,756 12.56 260 2007 31,104 (2,383) (5,297) (8.94) 206.4 2006* 29,350 (14,835) (21,821) (35.01) 170.6 2005 34,073 7,951 6,518 9.68 154.8 2004 36,492 9,013 6,112 8.70 133.4 Conclusion Valuation plays a key role in many areas of finance – in corporate finance, in mergers and acquisitions and in portfolio management. The value of the company can be directly related to decisions that it makes – on which projects it takes, on how it finances them, and on its dividend policy. Understanding this relationship is the key to making value†increasing decisions and to sensible financial restructuring. In the focus of this thesis was the value of Vodafone Group, who is operating the biggest mobile network worldwide with presence in both emerging and mature markets. Drawing from the analyses of Vodafone and its environment, the major influencing risks, that are the most critical in terms of the future profitability and hence the value of the company, were found as following: 3G market take†up, fixed mobile line substitution and level of regulations. The equity value of Vodafone was calculated using the discounted cash flow scenario method ( £87,954mln) (Domadaran,2008). Provided that the assumptions on which the forecasts were based and the probability distribution are correct, the Vodafone is currently under priced by almost 11%.The following actions could constitute the strategy that will maintain strong performance and deliver value to both customers and shareholders of Vodafone Group: cost reduction and revenue stimulation in mature markets, development of new products and services, extension to new emerging markets and selling unprofitable businesses. As a concluding remark, one has to keep in mind that although the discounted cash flow framework, along with other valuation models, is a quantitative tool, but the inputs leave plenty of space for subjective judgements. A mixture of financial theory, accounting methodology, industry knowledge and sound assumption was used to evaluate the equity of the company. As the underling assumptions change, the estimated value of the firm may change as well. References Andersen, T. J. (2006). â€Å" Global Derivatives   A Strategic Risk Management Perspective†, Pearson  Ã‚  Ã‚   Education,   Harlow, England. Andersen,   J. (2006). â€Å"Perspectives on Strategic Risk Management†,   Copenhagen Business School Press N.P. Barney, J. (1991). â€Å"Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage†, (In Journal of Management, 1991, vol. 17, no. 1, pg. 99†120). Damodaran, A. (2002). â€Å" Investment valuation: Tools and Techniques forDetermining the Value of Any Asset†, John Wiley Sons, New York. Damodaran, A. (2008). â€Å" Strategic Risk Taking†,   Wharton School Publishing,New Jersey. Johnson, G., Scholes, K., Whittington, R. (2005). â€Å" The Environment In Exploring Corporate Strategy†, Earson Education, pp. 64†87). McGee, J., Thomas, H., and Wilson, D. (2005). â€Å"Strategy Analysis Practice†, McGraw†Hill Maidenhead, UK Miller, K. D. (1992).†A framework for integrated risk management in international business†,( In: Journal of International Business Studies.vol. 23, no. 2, pg. 311†331) Wise, D. (1991). Vodafones solo debut could boost share price,The Guardian (Guardian Newspapers). Cane, A. (1996). Companies and Finance: UK: Vodafone acquires Talkland in Pounds 60m deal,Financial Times. p. 22. Reguly, E. (1996). Vodafone pockets Peoples Phone.The Times (Times Newspapers).   News Digest: Vodafone snaps up Astec. Investors Chronicle: p. 55.

Blogging †The Long and Short of Making the Short List

Blogging – The Long and Short of Making the Short List Would you like to earn top pay for your say? â€Å"Make the cut† at top-tier sites that have cult-like followings and opportunities for massive exposure for your work? Like an inventor who stumbles upon a winning formula for launching a popular product, I’ve discovered some savvy insider’s tips, resulting in more â€Å"eureka† moments (and bigger paydays). My strategies and efforts have landed lucrative blogging gigs that have earned $75 to $100 for 500-word posts. For example, a few years ago, I beat out over a thousand applicants for a coveted position at an award winning site that had a Google Rank of 7. Just recently, I was proud as a peacock to â€Å"hack† it as a writer for the highly-regarded, productivity site, LifeHack.org. which boasts 3,000,000 page views per month. Here’s the long and short of why it matters†¦not all writing jobs are created equal. Sometimes it’s not what you write, but where you write, that determines   whether you’ll be a starving artist or enjoy a quality of life that truly puts the free in freelance, and puts some serious cash in your pockets. And here’s the bonus: there’s great truth to the adage, Success breeds success. The more top-tier publishing credits you can add to your portfolio, the easier it becomes to stand tall, get recognized, and beat out the competition. It’s almost like an exclusive club that requires a certain initiation before admittance. Here’s how to make it happen. 1. Establish a reputation for excellence.    Though social media is the rage these days, there’s something even more important than the amount of â€Å"Twitter† followers you have.   It’s your collective online image. Produce a body of work that speaks highly to your professionalism, ethics, and commitment to your craft. And avoid word wars at all costs.    2. Don’t underestimate the importance of a well crafted blog. Blogs have become like the new online resume. It’s one of the first places prospective employers and clients go to assess your writing level, style of expression, diligence, and ability to engage an audience. Wow them with unique, quality content and regularly updated posts. 3. Start guest posting. Try the smaller sites first to help hone your craft and get your name out there. Typically the higher a site is ranked, the more difficult it is to break into. It took me years (and multiple rejections) before my guest posts were finally accepted at Pro Blogger and Men with Pens. Big name sites are usually ranked a Google Rank of 5 or better. To check a site, verify its ranking here: prchecker.info/check_page_rank.php 4. Play to your strengths. Though I love to write, I’m strategic in my efforts. For example, if a writing gig requires extensive technical know-how, or in-depth photography skills, I don’t waste the poster’s time or mine. I have certain areas and topics in which I specialize, which allows me to work smarter, not harder. Be clear on what you do well; then work hard, systematically, to show the world. 5. Go where the money is. Freelance gigs abound. But, from my experiences, I’ve found the most lucrative positions short-listed at well-regarded, reputable sites like www.Problogger.net and www.Bloggingpro.com. 6. Prepare to be tested. The better paying freelance writing and blogging jobs often garner massive applicants. For this reason, you’ll likely have to rise above the rest to even make the short list. Once you’re chosen as a finalist, you’ll be required to take a writing test. This can consist of a selected topic, or one that you submit based on provided criteria. Follow the instructions carefully. Edit your work. Then send off the best representation of you and your skills possible. Follow these six smart tips and it won’t be long before you make the short list that others only dream about, and ultimately earn what you desire and deserve.   

American Dream for Slaves, Indians, and Puritans Essay

American Dream for Slaves, Indians, and Puritans - Essay Example Over time, they establish their communities, and become a part of the cosmopolitan society of America. These people had dreams that pushed them to leave their original homes, and settle in America. In trying to analyze the truth in George Carlin’s comment, it is imperative to consider facts from such groups. In the colonial era, slaves, Indians, and puritans all had dreams; and this paper intends to examine the interpretation of these groups of the American dream. This paper will also consider the obstacles they encountered in their mission, and whether or not they pursued their course. Colonial Era In looking at American history, slaves were of African origin. They Africans could only be referred to as slaves, after they had been bough officially by a planter or an owner of a plantation. The first slaves arrived in America in the early 1500s1. Slavery was oppressive, and colonies with produce specialization relied heavily on slaves. The slaves had no rights, were not allowed to accrue wages, and they were given only what was enough for their survival. Slaves came mainly from West, and Central Africa. By 1700, the number of slaves in America was about 20, 000. The slaves were forcibly brought to America. Between 1700 and 1750, an additional 250, 000 people had been involuntarily brought to British to serve as slaves. At the time that Europeans arrived in America, there were between 10 and 90 million American Indians. This native population appreciated the resources that nature placed at their disposal. The respected it, and used it accordingly. When Europeans landed in America, the American Indians were accommodative of their visitors since they were fascinated by the tools they brought with them. As the number of Europeans grew, they wanted to conquer the land, and make it theirs. Though they tried to coexist with the Europeans, the American Indians were quickly overtaken by events. The Europeans took over the land, pushed them to the side, imposed thei r ideals on them, and became their rulers. The European governments laid claim on the land, and divided it amongst themselves2. The American Indians were even enslaved by the Europeans. The period between 1500 and 1776 is characterized, in American History, by the colonization of America by Europeans. Puritans were immigrants from England to America. The Puritans were established in America by 400 settlers. These settlers in 1629 began the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Their numbers grew in leaps and bounds, and by 1640, their population had reached 1640. They extended their region of coverage to Connecticut, Saybrook, and New Haven3. American dream As time went by, the African population grew to outnumber that of the whites. The African slaves bore children who were born into slavery. These children knew no other home other that the fields in which they worked. To them, slavery was their destined way of life, and some of them did nothing to go against this. But as time passed, some sla ves were able to earn enough to buy their freedom4. They turned around to become advocates against slavery. They convinced their fellow Africans who were still bound in slavery that there was a better way of life. Though brought in captivity, the slaves dreamt of freedom in America. The American Indians, being a people who had respect for nature, found themselves in the midst of

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Venice Biennale 2011 Giardini Review - Essay Example The exhibitions themselves are featured at Gardini Park and currently contain thirty national countries; this figure is regularly growing (for instance, 2005 was the first year China was featured). The 2011 Venice Biennale featured selections from numerous countries and genres of cutting-edge art selections. While a comprehensive review of all the countries would be lengthy, it is possible to consider some of the most prominent exhibitions. This essay reviews the Egyptian, German, French, British, Korean, and Japanese pavilions. Egypt While the Egyptian Pavilion is one of the more sporadic of the national pavilions at the 2011 Venice Biennale, it is also one of the more intriguing. The pavilion is noted as being, â€Å"honored to present a project in the name of friend and brother, Ahmed Basiony (1978-2011)† ("Universes in Universe"). Basiony was a professor that was recently killed by a sniper during the Egyptian political upheaval. As such, the works contained at the pavilio n are a broad ranging selection of Basiony’s work. While a number of Basiony’s work is featured, perhaps the most prominent at the exhibition is his project 30 Days of Running in the Space. This exhibition is a highly abstract concept that is very visually appealing. The piece features an enclosed structure that is constructed with plastic sheets. The artist would then wear a sensory-based suit that would calculate levels of sweat he produced while inside of the enclosed structure that would then be transferred to the walls of the structure and produce a varying degree of corresponding colors. Considered alone, one can view a number of transcendental themes about the nature of the human and the universe and the singularity of existence. However, the Egyptian pavilion is noted to occur as an interaction with the other of Basiony’s pieces. In these regards, 30 Days of Running in the Space is juxtaposed against a number of other screens of material. One of the most prominent such juxtapositions are unedited film footage of individuals running during the revolts on the streets of Cairo. Within the context of the pavilion, Basiony’s original 30 Days of Running in the Space piece takes on newfound political connotations. For instance, the different colors produced by the individual running now represent fear and energy and the revolutionary spirit. In addition to these exhibits, a number of Basiony’s short film work is featured. The work was curated by Aida Eltoire and captures the recent tumultuous political and cultural occurrences of the region. German The German Pavilion at the 2011 Venice Biennale was also of the most outstanding of the world participating cultures. Indeed, the country won the festival’s Golden Lion award for Best National Participation ("Christoph schlingensief. german," 2011). Among the exhibits that were featured at the German exhibition include Christoph Schliengensief’s theatrical production s and films. In briefly viewing these works one is struck by their intense power and focus. Curated by Susanne Gaensheimer, the selection of Schliengenseif’s work varies in nature from experimental video work, photographic stills, and abstract art constructions. Among these works include the Fluxus oratorio A Church of Fear vs. the Alien Within; while highly abstract in nature, it’

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Sould the Soviet Union Be Regarded As a Socialist, Communist or Totalitarian State - Essay Example This paper will discuss whether the Soviet Union should be regarded as a socialist, communist or a totalitarian state. Socialist State A socialist state is a state that practices economics under which productive properties such as corporations are wholly owned by the state. It is the state that determines everything that takes place in these companies. In this regard, in a socialist state, the economic systems consist of well organized production which directly satisfies the economic requirements and needs of the people so that the products and services would then be produced for consumption instead of for individual profit. In a socialist state, the political system is composed of many arrays of political philosophies. These include revolutionary socialism and reformism (Gonner 2010). Communist state A communist state is one in which the government is in charge of the overall economy of the state. Under this system of government, a single party dominates the political system. It dif fers from the socialist state in that with the communist state, people in common have control over property. The communist state is based on a system that everybody irrespective of place, class or country has the power to own factories, tools and farms used in the production of goods and services. Therefore, there is no private ownership of property in the communist state. ... This is evident in counties like France, Italy and India (Pipes 1997). Totalitarian State A totalitarian state is that system of government under which the government recognizes no limit to its jurisdictions, and tends to dictate every aspect of private and public life. Totalitarian states maintain political control through propaganda campaigns which in most cases spread through the state controlled media (Adler and Pouwels 2011 p.576). It is a single party rule marked by control over the economy, political repression and personality cultism. This system of government restricts freedom of expression, practices mass surveillance, and usually unleashes terror to intimidate those who are opposed to the powers that be. This system has been seen in Italy, and Nazi German. Adler and Pouwels (2011 p.575) note that the ideology in totalitarian states is distinctive, mobilizing, and monolithic in nature. Another feature prominent in this kind of system is state control of the overall economy done through preponderance of government ownership of the means of production. The Form of Government in the Soviet Union Harding, Political Studies Association of the United Kingdom, and the Communist Politics Group (1984 p.63) note that in the Soviet Union, institutional rivalry was prevalent. In this case, state institutions and some political parties had common interests which, sometimes, differing from those of other parties and state institutions. Localism and departmentalism existed within the governance structure (Harding, Political studies association of the United Kingdom and the Communist Politics Group 1984 p.63). Convert competition for political office done on the basis of cabinet politics was also prominent in the system. Harding, Political Studies Association of

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Against Abortion - Research Paper Example Whether the fetus has life or not, pregnancy shows the woman had some level of maturity. The woman has ethical obligations towards the fetus as pregnancy occured knowingly (Cline, 2010). The second reason is the religious values. Christianity and Hinduism believe that all human beings come to earth with a definite purpose. Almost all religions are against abortion except special circumstances. Women want abortion because of social stigma or financial reasons. Each one’s destiny is clearly defined and killing would amount to the process of evolution of that soul (Christianet, 2008). Abortion can be traumatic for a woman which could impact her life at a later stage. Her own conscious would nag her and living with the aftermath of aborting can be devastating for a woman (Christianet, 2008). Abortion is immoral, abortion is unethical, abortion can impact the woman physically, mentally and emotionally and hence under no circumstances should abortion be

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OPERATION MANAGEMENT - Essay Example It was necessary to determine if it was still efficient as the company had to undergo numerous changes. Liang understood that it was essential to consider the issues, which would help impact the organization’s strategy and achievement. It was obvious that all the changes should have been made with a long-term orientation. The important issue was to determine, whether the strategy is commensurable with the combination of original equipment manufacturing, original brand manufacturing and original design manufacturing, whether the success of original brand manufacturing business in the international market can impact original equipment manufacturing negatively. The new markets offered new opportunities but also a great number of challenges, the main of which was cultural differences. Thus it was necessary to provide the corresponding quality of service in order to meet the requirements of all the customers in the new market and to cut prices to gain competitive

Marketing Strategy Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Marketing Strategy - Assignment Example Taking cue from international brand, Tesco, along with its various marketing and global expansion strategies over the years, the report will evaluate the various marketing strategies, which are essential for success of a retail firm while entering into a new or foreign market. The report will also throw light on concepts such as, localisation. A situational analysis of the Turkish retail environment will be conducted, which will help in understanding Tesco’s current operations and future in Turkish market. The development of retail sector is based on democratization of the consumption of consumer, which is a result of the development of low price model of economies. This model is founded on value offerings oriented towards low pricing ranges. For effective implementation, this model relies on controlled distribution costs and increasing the circulation speed. Marketing is a critical factor in this category of business and expectations of customers are the major focus, in order to locate the lowest possible prices. However, marketing tends to merge with communication and advertisement in order to bring out the best results out of veracious models and theories adopted by the business. With the increasing success of the retail sector, companies have now started to realize the need for change in their strategies and tactics, majorly by understanding and adapting the evolution in customers’ behaviour as well as expectations (Holt, Quelch and Taylor, 2004). Securing a consumers’ loyalty and increasing their wallet share have taken an important place in the strategies of these retail companies; rather than just acquiring new customers. A sharpening competition among retail brands has prompted these retail firms in paying more attention to their marketing activities. The integrated marketing communication, adopted by many big retail brands, such as, Tesco and Walmart, has given

Improving Student Learning Through Technology Essay Example for Free

Improving Student Learning Through Technology Essay Abstract In this day and age of all sorts of technological advancements, the wonders and possibilities for convenience and assistance could be met almost instantaneously. From arms’ reach to finger tip accessibility of knowledge and information, these advancements only pose greater advantages for more and more people, especially for the school and university sector. The dawn of the valuable personal computer, the mighty internet, and more soon to follow show only promise of development, improving further the chances of success for students is bettered. It would only be of true benefit because as these students step and extend into the real world, they shall be technically and technologically well-equipped to face anything and everything. Improving Student Learning Through Technology The essential purpose of education is one which opts to offer every student the chance to be able to succeed in life, amidst any challenge, circumstance, and failure. This goal could be better realized if and when all efforts, tools, and processes for education are used and optimized to it full potential. With numerous advances among the lines of technology, almost all issues of social, political, economic, and also academic importance could be facilitated with much ease and efficiency. With the use these various tools made easily available, students’ overall learning processes could be improved which would greatly benefit them. With subjects such as Algebra, Physics, and Chemistry, it must be considered that students are very much accustomed the more traditional methods of teaching, learning, and everything else that comes with it. Through the use of new technologies, a fresh, innovative approach is taken, which would stimulate and keep the students interested. Hence, scholarly institutions must recognize the habits of their students and capitalize on such opportunities. They must learn how to adapt with the changing times and incorporate use of technology in their programs. Take for instance gaming programs on the surface and as presented, such tools are used more for leisure than learning. However, the Queensland Government (2008) emphasizes that this must be implemented with function: â€Å"purposefully selected games blended with carefully constructed learning experiences can be used to improve student learning outcomes† (n.p.). Such options are often overlooked, for they are believed to only serve as distractions. However, as argued, the games must of course integrate needed scholarly requirements to help the students learn with passion and sustainable interest. Academic bodies and organization may take this in serious account, for it could truly bring a new sense of learning element that the more traditional methods of education may be lacking. References Queensland Government (2008). Games in learning. Queensland Government: Department of Education, Training and the Arts. Retrieved November 6, 2008, from http://education.qld.gov.au/smartclassrooms/strategy/dp/games.html.