Sustainability within National Parks Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words - 1

Sustainability within National Parks - Essay Example MICE is commonly organised through meetings, exhibitions, conferences, corporate travels and incentive travels among others as a mechanism to generate awareness among the global communities regarding a particular issue. The special events are organised to attract visitors from global contexts, assisting in generating revenue as well, with the intention to support any developmental need towards sustainable development. It is in this context that these special events are identified to be attached with various environmental issues such as polluting air, water and land immensely. Nevertheless, organising MICE has also been criticised on the ground that holding these special events causes excessive use of non-renewable energy, increased transportation and abundant use of other natural resources such as water among others. According to Zamzuri & et. al. (2011), special events have adversely affected the environment due to increased wastes, inappropriate way of waste management, increased t ransportation and unnecessary materials purchasing among others (Pizam, 2012; Zamzuri & et. al., 2011). However, with a much positive perspective, according to Pao (2004), special events, which include conference and corporate meeting among others are organised in various locations with the intention of generating revenue for economic development. These events are identified to develop the tourism sectors; but on the other hand, they are identified as important sources affecting the ecological environment of a country at large causing pollution, traffic congestion and waste among others, within a short span of time as compared to other sources of similar environmental degradation (Anand, 2013; Wood & Brotherton, 2008). These environmental issues, identified from events organised under MICE, are also classified as those factors accountable for increasing social costs and thereby, affecting the environmental equilibrium (Pao, 2004). Green Business Tourism The tourism industry has aime d at developing an effective and eco-friendly environment with the aim of attracting visitors and making a country an attractive location for organising special events (Lau, 2009). According to Lau (2009), there are three main players that are associated with MICE, which include clients, suppliers and other players like government and sponsors among others. The organisers of MICE thus need to held meetings and exhibitions and other intended functions in an appropriate manner with the aim of ensuring that events are executed with better considerations towards the environmental sustainability responsibilities and societal stability. The organiser should also develop and initiate policies as well as measures on the basis of which, meetings and exhibitions should be conducted. Moreover, the organisers should seek that the site where the MICE events are to be organised,

Information Technology Coursework Essay Example for Free

Information Technology Coursework Essay Input The Keyboard The keyboard is essentially based on the standard QWERTY keyboard used by typists. The main differences are the additions made by computer manufacturers. The first thing to notice is that the keyboard has three main sections. The first section is the main QWERTY keyboard, which has three extra keys. The most important of these extra keys is usually marked ENTER or RETURN. The enter key is on the right side of the keyboard and is used to tell the computer that you have finished typing and wish either to move to a fresh empty line or that you want the computer to carry out the typed instruction. The other two additional keys are the ALT and the CONTROL keys (CTRL). These act in the same way as the shift key on the typewriter and so allow normal keys to have a number of different effects. The second part of the keyboard is the FUNCTION keys. There are always at least ten and sometimes twelve of these labelled F1 to F10 or F12, which are grouped together on the left of the keyboard or along the top of it. They are used by programs like word processors or spreadsheets to give instructions to the computer. They do not normally produce an effect on the screen but can do in some programs. The third part of the keyboard is the numeric key pad. This is situated on the right of the keyboard and serves two functions. Firstly, to move the cursor and secondly to type numbers into the computer. The keys on the keypad usually contain the numbers 0 to 9, the decimal point and the mathematical symbols. The key marked NUMLOCK is used to tell the computer if the pad is used to enter numbers (NUMLOCK ON) or to move the cursor (NUMLOCK OFF). Input The Mouse A mouse is a device, which can provide an alternative to the keyboard. The mouse itself has a small ball in its base which, when pulled across a smooth surface, moves a special cursor across the screen. This cursor can be used to draw or point and is especially effective in providing an easy to use interface for those who have difficulty with keyboards etc. Processing The Central Processing Unit Inside the microcomputer is a tiny silicon chip called the Central Processing Unit or CPU: this can be regarded as the brain of the entire system. With the help of the computers internal memory it executes the instructions in a program by performing simple logical operations at very high speeds typically an instruction will be performed in millionths of a second. The chip containing the Central Processing Unit or CPU is the place where the computer does its thinking. The CPU processes information by fetching a program instruction stored in the computers memory, executing the instruction and proceeding to the next step in the program. The CPU contains (1) a program counter that tells the CPU where it is in the program. (2) an instruction register that stores the current program instruction. (3) a control unit that decodes the contents of the instruction register. (4) data registers that store the small units of information the CPU is currently processing. (5) a memory address register that holds the address or memory location of the information in its data registers. (6) an Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU) that actually performs each small step in the program, and (7) a status or flags register that reports on the work of the ALU. The size or power of a CPU is determined by the length of its registers: 8-bit processors work on information in 8- bit groups; 16-bit processors have registers that hold 16 bits and are twice as fast. 32-bit processors provide even more computing speed, and so on. Internal Memory RAM and ROM Because the central processing unit only works on small pieces of information at a time, the computer needs a way to store information while it is not being processed. Two kinds of silicon chips serve as the computers internal memory. Random Access Memory or RAM chips store information temporarily, and the computer can write, read, and erase information on them. RAM chips are erased every time the computer is turned off, so Read Only Memory or ROM chips act as the computers permanent memory: they store the instructions the CPU needs when you first turn it on. External Memory Disks and Disk Drives External memory devices like floppy disks, hard disks, and CD-ROMs store programs and data when the computer is turned off. When a disk is inserted into a disk drive, the computer can read information from it or write new information onto it. Only certain types of CD-ROM can have information written onto them. Output: The Printer Printers receive electrical codes from the computer and then print the corresponding letter or number on paper. The result is called hard copy. Plotters and some printers can even reproduce computer graphics on paper. Types of Printer Ink Jet Printers Ink jet printers work as their name suggests, by squirting jets of ink onto the paper through tiny nozzles. Ink-jets provide good quality output (on average 600 dots per inch) at reasonable speed and at relatively low cost. Laser Printers A laser printer is essentially a photocopier attached to the computer as an output device. Laser printers are capable of high quality output (around 720 dots per inch), at high speed. They can be bought from as little as around à ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½100. Output Monitors (Visual Display Units) Monitors (V.D.U.s) are the most frequently used output device. The display is transmitted from the computer to the surface of a cathode ray tube, which is rather like a television screen. Slim, flat screen monitors are also available. The display consists of very small phosphorescent dots combined in different patterns to form words, numbers, and pictures. Monitors vary in their resolution (clarity), more dots on the screen means a higher resolution but obviously costs more. The range of resolutions are CGA, EGA and the highest resolution VGA. Software Computer Programs A program is simply a set of instructions, which the programmer wishes the computer to obey. The computer blindly obeys any instruction which it is given it possess no abilities to determine whether an instruction (so long as it is framed correctly) is the correct instruction for any given situation. Programs tell the computer how to turn the input you provide into the output you want. A program is therefore a detailed set of instructions for performing a particular task. Because you cannot actually touch programs they have become known as software; this contrasts with the hardware of a computer system monitors, chips, printers etc. which you can touch! Software takes many forms the computer system itself is co-ordinated by a special resident program called an operating system (you can read more about this program below), programs to carry out specific tasks for the user are termed application programs. Stock control, word processing, payroll and accounting functions are typical areas, which are serviced by application programs. Input/output Media Mass Storage Floppy Disks A floppy disk is 3 1/2 inches square. Inside its protective case or sleeve, each floppy disc is a circle of flexible plastic whose surface is covered with magnetic oxide. When you use a disc for the first time, you must use a special program called an operating system to format the disks surface by creating circular tracks divided into pie-shaped sectors. A hole punched near the hub of the disk lets the computer know where the first sector is. A track on each disk stores a directory that tells the computer where to find what information. This means that it can go directly to the correct part of the disk instead of wading through all of its contents to find the information it wants. A typical floppy disk can store around 200 pages of typewritten text, depending on how tightly the information is packed. If pictures are stored on disk, they take up a lot of room. Care of Floppy Disks Information is stored on floppy disk by means of magnetism. The information stored on a disk can be lost if the magnetic surface of the disk is damaged. When handling a disk you must be careful not to bend it or touch the exposed portions. Moisture, extreme temperatures, and exposure to magnetic fields or equipment can also ruin disks. You should keep back-up copies of all important disks to insure that your data will not be lost if a disk is damaged. You can guard against the possibility of accidentally writing over and erasing important data and programs by moving the small write-protect notch on the side of the disk. When this notch is closed, a sensor inside the drive prevents the head from writing onto the disk. Hard Disks All modern PCs have hard disks, which can store vast amounts of information this varies depending upon their size. Although they operate on the same basic principles as floppies, hard disks spin many times more quickly allowing the read/write head to pass only fractions of an inch over the disks surface. Hard disks are hermetically sealed in special chambers to prevent dust particles from ruining the disks surface. Disk Drives: Read/Write Heads To use a disk, you place it into a disk drive so that the circular hole in the centre of the disk fits into a cone in the drive. This cone spins the disk allowing all of its sectors to come under a window cut into the sleeve. As the disk spins around, a read / write head moves back and forth over the exposed portion of the disk. The head works like the head on a tape recorder. It reads information on the disk by translating its magnetic fields into electrical signals that are sent to the computer; information is written onto the disk when the head converts the electrical signals from the computer into magnetic fields on the disks surface. Operating Systems A computer is really a system of interconnected parts: a keyboard or input device; internal memory (RAM and ROM); a processor; disks and disk drives; output devices like a monitor and a printer; and, of course, software. A special kind of program called an operating system controls the flow of information between these different components. One of its most important jobs is to enable your hardware to understand the instructions of your software. When you buy a computer, you must be sure that its design or architecture is compatible with the operating system for which the software you want is written. The operating system manages the files on your disks and offers utilities such as formatting blank disks, listing the directory of files on a disk, as well as copying, renaming, and deleting files. Sometimes operating systems are permanently installed, but if the operating system is pre-packaged on a disk, its contents must either be loaded separately into the computer or written onto ev ery disk used, during the formatting process. Windows 95 and Windows 98 are the most common operating systems used today. Modems and Networks With the help of a modem, your computer can link up and communicate with other computers all over the world. The modem translates the computers language of ons and offs into tones of different frequencies, which are then transmitted across telephone lines. At the receiving end the process is reversed: a modem converts tone variations back into the computers digital code. Computer networks are systems of computers linked together in this way: they are used to send and receive electronic mail, and to allow small personal computers access to the vast data libraries of larger computers, via the Internet. COMPUTER APPLICATIONS Application Packages These are programs that actually perform the tasks that the user wishes to be done. The tasks are usually so complicated that several programs are required and these are collectively called a suite of programs. Typical examples of applications are Stock Control, Databases, Order Processing, Word Processing, Airline Booking Systems, Spreadsheets, Viewdata Systems and Point of Sale Systems. Each package will now be discussed in turn, to give a general explanation of what they are, when they are used and for what purpose. Stock Control A stock control system keeps track of all the stock currently held by the company. The computer is informed through the till when each item is sold. It is then an easy matter to deduct the number sold from the current stock level to give a new stock level. If this level is below a re-order level which again is held by the computer, then the computer can automatically print a re-order letter to the supplier. The number of each item to be supplied is stored and when the supplier delivers, the number of items delivered is added to the amount in stock. Therefore the company, in theory, should never, through its own efforts, run out of any item of stock and should at all times know how much stock it has, in the warehouse, in storage at a retail outlet and on the shelves. Losses through theft are easily calculated through a manual shelf count, and corrective action to reduce losses can be implemented quickly. Database A database is a store of information made up of records. A record contains information relating to one person or one company and is made up of individual pieces of information called fields. For example, you may create your records having the following fields: company name, address, telephone number, credit limit, amount owed, payment due etc. When all the information has been entered the database may then be used by searching for particular information, called cross-referencing (e.g. to find out at the end of the month who the company owes money to and how much, in order to settle their accounts). New information can be fed in and the database is changed (updated) to include the new data, so that it is always up to date. Large databases are best used with static information (remains the same), with new records being added to the end. An example of this type is a Library with records on all the books in stock. The computer operated by the DVLA in Swansea (Driving Vehicle Licensing Authority) might be an example of a large database. Information relating to every motor vehicle in the U.K. is stored on computer and can be sorted or searched to find out, for example, who owns a particular car. Word Processing In word processing a computer behaves like a much enhanced form of typewriter. Facilities are provided for entering, manipulating, storing and retrieving blocks of text. This means that standard letters and lists of names and addresses can be generated separately and then letters to everyone on the list can be printed without retyping the document. The processor retrieves the letter and the first name and address, prints the letter, retrieves the next name and address, changes the information in the letter, prints the next letter and so on. Real-Time Systems An example of a real-time system is Airline Booking. This is a system which updates the data immediately it changes. All the terminals in all the booking offices are connected via a telephone line to a large computer in the head office of the company. This is so that information can be accessed immediately and be changed on confirmation of a booking immediately. For example, if you wanted to book a flight, you would feed details into the terminal about the flight, and back would come a message saying perhaps that only two seats remain on that flight. If you then take these seats by sending that information back, confirmation would take place and then no-one anywhere in the world would be able to book a seat on that particular flight (even if they tried to book only ten seconds after you). Spreadsheet A spreadsheet is a special application package, which allows the user to set up tables of information and add up rows and columns which make up the table. They are used mainly for displaying cash forecasts of companies, in the form of a table where all the figures are interconnected. Each intersection of a row and a column is called a cell. The cells are filled with figures and then changes can be made and the spreadsheet calculates all the related cells, alters and reprints them. Figures can be changed and the overall effect on the complete table can be seen immediately.

Corruption in Hamlet :: Essays on Shakespeare Hamlet

Corruption in Hamlet  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚        Ã‚  Ã‚   An incidental comment from a minor character lays down, in the opening moments of Shakespeare's Hamlet, the theme which is to pin together all its aspects. Francisco the guard says, 'I am sick at heart.' [Act I. Sc. I, 29]. Francisco's sick melancholy is in keeping with the atmosphere of corruption and decay which permeates the play; unexplained, difficult to define, but with a clear component of dread. And, typically, his expression of misgivings is misinterpreted, perhaps even underestimated. Barnardo, seeking palpable reasons for Francisco's distraction, asks whether Francisco has had a quiet watch. Perhaps he wonders if the ghost has disturbed Francisco, but whatever is ailing Franciso remains secret, simply becoming a part of the anxious atmosphere.       We are constantly reminded of the pervading atmosphere of decay through the imagery used in the play. It is a significant point that the ghost, the only character that could arguably be termed an outside observer, and who is certainly qualified to make some form of prophetic judgement, should be one of the prime sources of imagery of decay, poison and rotting.    Upon my secure hour thy uncle stole With juice of cursed hebona in a vial, And in the porches of my ears did pour The leperous distilment . . . . . . doth posset And curd, like eager droppings into milk, the thin and wholesome blood. So did it mine. And a most instant tetter barked about, Most lazar-like, with vile and loathsome crust All my smooth body [Act I, Sc. v, 66 - 78]    A graphic description, especially since only moments before the ghost had instructed Hamlet not to pity it!    Throughout the play we can trace a progression of corruption, that leads to death, through 'disease' in the characters of Polonius, Claudius and Hamlet.       Polonius is perhaps the most obviously corrupt character in Hamlet. His corruption has occurred long before the play begins; the progression is in the extent to which it is revealed to us. From this courteous, almost comically long-winded member of the court, emerges a personality that is first dominating (as he instructs Laertes: 'These few precepts in thy memory/ Look thou character.' [Act I, Sc. iii, 63]), clearly abusive towards Ophelia:    Affection? Pooh! You speak like a green girl, Unsifted in such perilous circumstance,

Discuss sex differences in parental investment

Trivers suggests that parental investment differs because of the sex differences that exist between males and females. From the outset of parenthood, females make a greater biological investment then males. Notably, female’s reproductive system is more precious as they produce very few eggs whilst males produce a large number ofcom/exercise-43/"> sperm. This suggests that the biological aspect of conceiving a child is much more costly for females hence their greater parental investment. As a result of this, females have to be much chooser in their selection of a male as they do not want to waste their eggs. It is not just a larger prenatal investment that females make but it is also much larger postnatal investment. Due to the immaturity of human babies at birth compared to other mammals, there is an extended period of childcare featuring breastfeeding. Males are unable to breastfeed as thus the female’s role is much more dominant and explains why they have high levels of investment at this stage and why she may seek a man with good genes and commitment to the relationship. This supports Buss’s cross cultural findings that women value material resources in potential partners, whereas males, who make less parental investment, have multiple mating’s with young females. This greater investment of females can be further explained by parental certainty. Female’s paternity can be certain as the pregnancy is happening internally. However, males cannot be as certain that the child is theirs. For this reason, it is suggested that males protect themselves from the rick of cuckoldry by being reluctant to invest heavily in offspring. Sexual infidelity is not just a risk for males investing in offspring that is not genetically theirs but it is also a risk for females. This is because if a male carries out sexual infidelity, they bear a child with another woman and the male will invest in that offspring, diverting his resources away from the original relationship. This explains why males are more jealous of the sexual act and females are more jealous in the shift of emotional focus. Buss et al support the differences in jealously between males and females, as he found that males showed more distress for the sexual element whereas females showed more distress for the emotional element. As a result of sex differences in parental investment, some women may choose to use cuckoldry as a method of obtaining more resources from multiple men and thus decrease own personal investment. However, this method carries great risk for the female as this could lead to abandonment or retention strategies such as violence. Parental investment theory suggests that men don’t want to father children that aren’t theirs as they will use up all their resources. Anderson found that this wasn’t the case. They found that fathers and stepfathers did not discriminate between children who were biological and those who were their partner’s children. Parental investment models have been critiqued for lacking relevance to real life and modern society because now females and males both work hard to attend to children and do house chores. It is a shared responsibility and investment. This means this idea is outdated. The theory also supports gender stereotyping as males are seen to be evolutionally programmed to be promiscuous. Not all males act in this manner, especially in extreme religious groups where sec is not practised before marriage. Trivers theory also tells us little about homosexual relationships which are not reproductive. It assumed we are all a product of our genes in pursuit of fostering these, which is a determinist viewpoint. The theory is also very nature and evolutionary based. Trivers theory assumes sexual attraction is all about babies and ignores it can be for fun rather than reproduction, highlighted by the wide use of contraception. Not all mating is long term and women do also engage in short term relationships such as one night stands and affairs. Therefore, his theory is oversimplified, animalistic, and deterministic and suffers from evolutionary reductionism. In conclusion, a physiological approach can better explained to show the different parental investments. Geher et al found that males showed a greater AMS arousal when presented with scenarios that showed the real costs of parenting. This is a consistent with the theory of parental investment as males are found to be less prepared than females for dealing with parental issues.

Opposing Views on Columbus’ Character

It is quite clear that Columbus is a controversial figure in American history; many different views of the â€Å"Admiral of the Ocean† are presented to the American public. For starters Columbus Day is still viewed as a national holiday; on the other side many people are strongly rooted against celebrating the landing of Columbus on the Americas. Some people argue that there is no point to the holiday because Columbus did not even land in North America; others say that he is a crucial part of American History, and of course some say he did more harm than good.Academics have many varying views on the explorer as well; for example Zinn and Morrison, both men wrote on almost exactly the same topic and the end results were two completely different views. Both Zinn and Morrison’s views on Columbus are much more different than similar resulting in two very different articles. Each author depicts Columbus as a different figure entirely. Howard Zinn seems to portray Columbus as a power hungry, money seeking, and arrogant war monger: â€Å"The first man to sight land [For money]†¦ Rodrigo never got it.Columbus Claimed he had seen a light the evening before. He got the reward (Zinn). † (Morrison does not acknowledge this) The reader can clearly feel a strong sense of anger from the author towards Columbus, for one thing this particular sentence was not crucial to the essay whatsoever, therefore the lack of necessity and the bluntness of the statement reveals a strong bias. This was only one example of how Zinn portrays Columbus as the next worse thing to the plague, he continues on by explaining, in immense detail, various unnecessary acts of violence by Columbus.Morrison on the other side of the spectrum presents Columbus more neutrally, writing on both Columbus’ good deeds and negative also. Morrison also delves into Columbus’ background to explain some of his shortcomings such as greed and the need for attention. However Morriso n almost defends and sympathizes with Columbus at points by saying Columbus was â€Å"forced† into the position in which he had to act immoral. In comparison, though, Morrison takes a more neutral stand point on Columbus’ character than Zinn.Of course both authors share something in their writing and that is bias, however Zinn’s sense of bias is much stronger than that of Morrison’s. Zinn’s bias primarily focuses on his view of Columbus’ treatment of the Natives and Columbus’ character, which greatly influences Zinn’s article. It is clear from the beginning that Zinn wishes to write primarily about the Indians and how they were treated by the way his first paragraph is centered on the Indians and how Columbus planned to treat them.Every chance Zinn was able to write in violence he chose to; five different instances of violence can be read in his article. Finally Mr. Zinn states that Columbus’ second much larger voyage wa s only due to his â€Å"exaggerated report and promises (Zinn). † This statement is supplied with no evidence whatsoever and any somewhat read person could plainly see this as an opinion. Morrison on the other hand almost seems to take the side of Columbus, perhaps to counter all the negativity towards the infamous explorer.Bashing Columbus was simply not the goal of Morrison; instead he takes a more in analytical approach by acknowledging both good and bad qualities to the trip and chooses to focus on the journey as a whole and how it began to evolve. To contrast the two writers, three events were mentioned in both articles but all three were totally represented differently. The first being when Columbus takes a few Arawaks to guide him to the gold, Morrison simply states that he picked â€Å"up a few Indians as guides,† while of course Zinn decides to say Columbus took â€Å"some of them [Indians] as prisoners. Of course as a reader it is difficult to discern which is more accurate. Both authors explain the destruction of fort Navidad, however very differently, Morrison is straight forward saying the sailors got into a quarrel with the Indians because of their search for girls and gold; at the same time Zinn goes into explicit details that the sailors were attempting to rape and plunder. The last incident is Columbus’ request of gold tributes from the natives, both explain that the tribute was impossible but Zinn goes into grotesque detail regarding the punishment of the slaves furthering how biased he really is.The angry passion Zinn writes with is something that could make it hard for the audience to believe. Instead of using a strong argument and direct evidence Mr. Zinn chooses to write angrily on his topic and is extremely blatant in doing so, because of this his account of the entire journey is much harder to believe than that of Morrison’s. Simultaneously Zinn’s style of writing versus Morrison’s makes both a rticles, although pertaining to the same thing, extremely different.

Cadbury Swot Analysis Essays

Cadbury Swot Analysis Essays Cadbury Swot Analysis Paper Cadbury Swot Analysis Paper SWOT Analysis Strengths The Company’s Long History. Cadbury Schweppes is one of the biggest beverage and confectionery companies in the world. With a history stretching back over 200 years, today their products are enjoyed in almost every country around the world. Cadbury Schweppes plc was formed by our merger of these two great British household names in 1969. Since then they have expanded the business throughout the world by a program of organic and acquisition led growth. It was in 1783 that Jacob Schweppe perfected his process for manufacturing carbonated mineral water in Geneva, Switzerland. John Cadbury opened in Birmingham in the UK in 1824. Originally selling tea and coffee, it was, however, his marginal lines of cocoa and chocolate that, in just a few years, took over as the mainstay of the business and started the Cadbury success story. Cadbury Schweppes took the strategic decision in the mid 1980s to concentrate on our core international brands of beverages and confectionery and exit the general foods and hygiene sector with the sale of non-core brands such as Typhoo Tea, Kenco Coffee and Jeyes. Since then, we have strengthened our portfolio of key brands through the purchase of Motts (1982), Canada Dry (1986), Trebor (1989), Bassett (1989), Dr Pepper and 7 UP (1995) and Hawaiian Punch (1999). The new millennium has seen us continue to make acquisitions concentrating our interests in North America, Europe and the Asian Pacific regions. Snapple and Hollywood were acquired in 2000, and in 2001 we became number two in the soft drinks market in France with the acquisition of Orangina. In 2002 Cadbury Schweppes catapulted to joint number one position worldwide in confectionery and number two worldwide in chewing gum, first by buying Dandy, the Danish chewing gum company and, at the end of the year, announcing our proposed $4. 2 billion acquisition of Adams. The American Customer Satisfaction Index report rates Cadbury Schweppes as number 1 on the beverages market. Cadbury Schweppes plc Base- line 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 Previous Year % Change First Year % Change Cadbury Schweppes plc NM N/A 85 86 83 88 85 86 85 86 89 84 83 86 86 0. 0 1. 2 Soft Drinks 6 N/A 86 86 83 83 84 86 82 85 84 83 83 84 84 0. 0 -2. 3 Coca -Cola Company, The 85 N/A 85 87 84 82 84 86 81 85 83 83 84 82 84 2. 4 -1. 2 PepsiCo, Inc. 86 N/A 87 86 83 83 82 85 84 86 83 83 82 86 84 -2. 3 -2. 3 All Others NM N/A NM NM NM NM NM NM NM NM NM NM NM 83 83 0. 0 0. 0 Cadbury Schweppes has been number one on the American Customer Satisfaction Index for two years in a row now, even though they a re competing with world giants in the beverage industry, Coca-Cola and Pepsi. This yet again presents their excellence in the beverage industry from a different angle and from a different source. Acquisition of Dr. Pepper/ Seven Up Bottling group and distribution channels. On May 2, 2006, Cadbury Schweppes completed the acquisition of The Carlyle Groups 53% stake in Dr Pepper/Seven Up Bottling Group forming the Cadbury Schweppes Bottling Group. The Cadbury Schweppes Bottling Group (formerly Dr Pepper/Seven Up Bottling Group, Inc. ) is the largest independent manufacturer, marketer and distributor of well-known and widely-consumed carbonated and non-carbonated soft drinks in the United States. They service more than one-third of the U. S. population with operations in 25 states. They operate ten manufacturing plants, over 100 distribution centers and employ over 9,000 employees. The Company’s portfolio of carbonated soft drinks (CSD) and alternative beverages consist of highly recognizable national brands that are in many cases the first or second ranking brand in their flavor or product category. Dr Pepper, Seven Up, AW, Sunkist, Canada Dry, Schweppes and Squirt are a few of the leading CSD brands. The leading alternative beverages manufactured and/or distributed by the Company are: Snapple, Fiji, Arizona, Clearly Canadian, Glaceau and Deja Blue water. Also, the acquisition of SeaBevs, and independent bottler, strengthened the Company’s route to markets in the South-East of the US. The Company’s strong and highly valued organization culture. Cadbury Schweppes’ success relies on their people. The Company has a strong heritage in the way it respects its people and its social responsibilities. Some key facts and figures: ?They employ over 50,000 people in over 60 countries. ?Currently women constitute 33% of the global workforce, 33% of out managers and 13% of our executive management team. Global staff turn-over is generally low, between 2% and 5% per year. Their people practices are guided by our key values, which are to be open and honest, to act with complete integrity and to provide quality in products and services. We value diversity and value employees from varied backgrounds as they enrich our culture and support our commercial success. Our diversity practice helps us to attract the best people to Cadbury Schweppes and allows us to reflect the diversity of the world around us better our consumer base and the communities in which we operate. We aim to reflect diversity in both our workforce and in our leadership teams. Through a culture of inclusiveness, we also aim to inspire the best in our people, earn their trust, increase their engagement and promote pride in our company. Responsible business is underpinned by strong values and has a clear and compelling vision of where it is going. Over many years Cadbury Schweppes has earned success on the strength of its distinctive values and clear vision. This update sets out the steps we are taking to ensure that in our present and future business, as in the past, we continue to live our values. Ultimately the Company’s goals and those of their shareowners are similar; a responsible and well-run company that delivers consistently superior profits over the long-term. Performance driven, values led. Good business and strong values go hand in hand. For our long term future, and that of all our stakeholders, it is in our mutual interests that we create a world in which our business will grow and thrive. A wide portfolio of products and emphasis on innovation and creativity. Cadbury Schweppes brands become old friends with whom our consumers have special relationships. This makes the protection of their reputation an essential ingredient of our-long term success. Cadbury Schweppes is also constantly seeking new and innovative ways to satisfy the consumers willingness to try new things. Whenever they develop a new product they have to build consumer awareness through advertising and promotion. Consumers want to be informed, whether to be reminded of their feelings about established favorites or to be told of new delights available for their enjoyment. Their products fulfill a broad range of needs. They offer energy, taste, rewards and gift opportunities. Cadbury Schweppes caters for these fundamental needs in a range of products which offer a huge variety of ingredients and styles. Variety is important. In this business freedom of choice means not only the freedom to seek new combinations of old favorites, but also new experiences. With choice, comes access to our products. Cadbury Schweppes makes sure their products are as widely available as possible, to ensure that they are always within an arms reach whether as an impulse or a considered buy. To achieve this, they work with our customers in many different trade channels. How well they achieve the above determines how successful they will become in the market. Exiting markets and products where profitability is low. Cadbury Schweppes over their long history has had the tendency to focus more on the most productive and most profitable products and leave behind the ones that did not fit well with the Company’s expectation. This has definitely served them well and has made them more consistent in the eyes of the customers as a Company that delivers only the best products. Even before the merger in 1969, John Cadbury’s business was tea, coffee, and cocoa, but it was the cocoa and chocolate that made him more successful and therefore that was the area that he focused and specialized in. Another example was in mid 1980s, the Company decided to exit the general foods and hygiene sector with the sale of non-core brands such as Typhoo Tea, Kenco Coffee and Jeyes. They diverted the attention in the direction of purchasing and developing more successful brands such as: Motts, Canada Dry, Dr Pepper, 7-UP, etc. Efficient supply management of raw materials. Cadbury Schweppes uses a wide range of raw materials in manufacturing our products, the main ones being cocoa beans, sugar and other sweeteners (including polyols and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame), dairy products (including milk), gum base and fruit and nuts. They buy the raw materials from about 40,000 suppliers around the world. No single supplier accounts for more than 10% of the raw material purchases. The quality of these materials underpins the quality of the Cadbury products and they work with suppliers to maintain this. Ingredients suppliers are asked to meet the Cadbury standards and achieve independent external accreditation. In addition Cadbury Schweppes considers the standards within our supply chain in terms of ethical trade (labor standards), sustainable agriculture and environmental management. They seek to minimize the impact of price fluctuations and ensure security of supply by entering into forward agreements and long-term contracts wherever available. In the case of cocoa, one of their main agricultural ingredients, they import cocoa beans from West Africa, primarily Ghana, and the Americas. West Africa accounts for over 60% of world production. The Company buys cocoa beans and cocoa butter from a range of suppliers, and try to minimize the effect of cocoa price movements and secure our future requirements by entering into forward and future contracts. They have developed the Cadbury Cocoa Partnership to support and develop the livelihoods of farmers who provide our cocoa beans, helping to support them and the Company’s supply chain for the future. They are also developing sustainable agriculture strategies for other crops that are key to their ingredients supply such as sugar. Strong Financial backbone. Financial Highlights of 2007: ?Americas Beverage revenue grew 4% which is a really good performance in these challenging markets. ?Snapple Revenue grew 5% due to innovation. ?Underlying beverage margins impacted by the bottler acquisition and the launch costs of Accelerade sports drink. ?2007 overall revenue was ? 7,971 million, 7% increase from the precious year. ?Free Cash Flow was ? 527 million, compared to ? 472 in 2006.

Financial Globalization in Modern Business

Financial Globalization in Modern Business Introduction Globalization can be defined as a force or a process that connects more and more people across heretofore-impermeable economic and social boundaries. This means that people become connected across large distances with the assistance of information technology and human transport. This process can also be seen as the advancement of human co-operation across national boundaries, therefore making the world a global village.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Financial Globalization in Modern Business specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Globalization is a term that is often used to explain todays world. Its terminology has gradually been accepted by the greater public and various scholarly personalities have integrated it as a vocabulary it into their field of research. Globalization has also increased the inclusiveness and the unification of economic systematization, global relations, and has led to a trend of doi ng business in different organizations (Suder, 2007). Proponents of big businesses look at globalization as a blueprint of a straightforward policy agenda that promotes economic growth, increased trade, and integration into the global economy. Therefore, from this perspective, globalization is viewed as unequivocally benevolent and corporations are seen to be leading the way towards spreading the benefits of globalization around the world. Globalization as a trend of doing business The American way of doing business has co-opted globalization into commercial Americanization of and by non-American firms. Post World War 2 saw many American companies expanding into foreign markets while also seeking some mystical formula for success in Japanese management techniques. Asian, European, African, and Latin American firms quietly and gradually learned, refined, and adopted the U.S. business models and practices the American way, while consumerism was still capturing Americans hearts and min ds (Mott, 2004). American businesses have successfully penetrated world markets by largely relying on adding local flavor to a product that has proven successful in home markets such as the McDonalds model of globalization. To expand market penetration into commercial success, U.S. firms have uniformly presented instrumental reason and standardization to integrate those markets into a global economy. Those firms that have succeeded at going global have recognized that the American model is as deep as it is broad and as local as it is global. The successful firms have learned to adapt to local tastes, identify what appeals to or offends the local customers, and change cultural and political climates even while standardizing.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The managers of these organizations are therefore periodically required to maintain a delicate balance between acting locally and thinking globally. This line of thought has led to companies in smaller countries such as Nestle in Switzerland and Heineken in the Netherlands, recognize that their domestic markets were too small to sustain much growth and therefore moved into the international arena, with controlling market costs and reducing labor costs being on their main agenda. The European Union (EU) has also played a significant role in the international business environment by signing trade agreements with different strategic partners, and this has led to the globalization of many of its corporations. The EU has intensive trade agreements with the U.S on integration, business dialogue, and dialogue between consumers, trade unionists and environmentalists, which talks about competition law and recognition of technical standards. The agreement further implies on scientific and technological co-operation, on extradition, on mutual legal assistance, and the cooperation on satellite navigatio n systems (Suder, 2007). The managers of these corporations will therefore be forced to redesign their organizations to act according to these agreements. The trading power of the member states is embodied by its role as the worlds leading exporter of goods. Member states also enjoy comparatively sound GDP on a country-to-country basis. Such an agreement has assisted the EU member states to penetrate the U.S market through their various corporations, and as compared to other trade powers globally, Europe benefits from an exceptional business environment. This can be seen through the following table; Table 1.0 Worldwide exports of the EU Country Percentage of total Percentage of total EU-15 Trade EU-25 trade USA 21.0 % 23.3 % Switzerland 6.5 % 7.4 % China 5.8 % 6.5 % Japan 5.6 % 6.4 % Russia 3.9 % 5.3 % (Suder, 2007) Implications of globalization towards organizational behavior The environment of business has changed at an unprecedented rate, and the understanding an d addressing of this environment has been left to top managers of these businesses. The most significant source of change today that is impacting many organizations is the increasing globalization of organizations and management. The primary concerns are the employee and managerial behavior in an organizational setting.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Financial Globalization in Modern Business specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More a) Human (employee) behavior towards organizational globalization Most organizations do tend to take an international out-look with the globalization of its companies. Firstly, cultural and national boundaries do not necessarily coincide. Some areas of Switzerland are very much like Italy, other parts like France, and still other parts like Germany. Similarly, within the U.S there are large cultural differences across the West coast and the East coast. This therefore sets the stage for behavior al variance across cultures on the international management of these organizations. Employees in companies based in Japan, the U.S, and Germany are likely to have different attitudes and patterns of behavior, therefore behavioral patterns are likely to be widespread and pervasive within an organization. Secondly with culture being a major cause of this variation, the shared values often taken for granted, that help people in a group or organization may conflict with the organizations policies (Mott, 2004). Although the causes and consequences of behavior within organizational settings remains quite diver across cultures, organizational structures still appear to be increasingly similar. The managerial practices at a general level may be more and more alike, but the people who work within organizations still differ noticeably and this may affect organizational effectiveness. b) Managerial role towards Organizational Globalization Individual variations in people from different culture s shape the behavior of managers and their ability to manage, just as with employee variations. In general these differences relate to managerial beliefs about the role of authority and power in the organization. For instance, due some culture variations, some managers may tend to believe that the purpose of an organization structure is to let everyone know who his or her boss is, in relation to medium to high power structures. Also to some financial managers language barrier may hinder them from doing international business, for their lack of understanding what other foreign competitors are doing, and so they may need a guide to capital markets or a translator (Mott, 2004). These barriers may hinder managers from taking the right approach in important decisions within an organization.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Implications of globalization towards world economy Globalization is good for market exchange, for businesses, and also to those who have a propertied stake in the economy and also good for consumers. The rise in efficiency that globalization engenders does increase consumers options and reduces the price of some goods and services, this therefore means that the average consumer has more spending power and access to better variety of products. Foods such as corn, mango, tomatoes, strawberries and avocado, do not have to be eaten seasonally due to its availability or not, as today, grocery stores are ripe with all varieties of fruits and vegetables year-round. All this has been made possible due to the trend of organizational partnerships, globalization has therefore given consumers access to perpetual growing seasons. Apart from making this positive step towards strengthening world economies, globalization has been seen to favor wealthy nations, especially the economic elites in tho se countries, as well as the well-to- do in less well-off nations. The poor have been exploited across the board and they do not share in the wealth generated by globalization from above. In reference to international management, most organizations tend to be bias when it comes to employing and do give high positions to one of their own, and the local communities where such organizations are situated, tend to go at loss. Similarly, power is linked to globalization from above while a relative lack of power is linked to globalization from below. Executive Summary Through fortunate or unfortunate historical events, we have seen here how globalization progressed and rose amid these occasions, such as the World War 2 period. Also through innovations in the information technology sector, globalization has been driven across the international waters and territories, therefore bringing a climate of business and investment. It has also led to signing of major international trade agreements s uch as the one between the U.S and EU, which has not only impacted the economies of the two regions, but the world at large. Although globalization has taken a master concept in the world today, it has also attracted critics with powerful attacks against it with concerns of national interests being a major issue. Despite all these concerns, globalization is not an accident and will not be easily stopped. It is the result of long-standing policies between different nations and organizations, and this has seen the United States and other countries create a strong integrative force in the global economy. Many countries and communities have utilized and embarked on the opportunities created by globalization, and this has led to the increase and rise in their economies. Although in some areas it has led to insecurity and lack of control to their economies, which they once had. The model of globalization has also risen on issues concerning cost manipulation on certain products from these companies due to the control which they have on the markets. However, globalization has the potential of raising collateral profits which may help sustain economic growth in the long run. Due to the rapid growth of globalization, some corporations may imply some indirect methods of channeling their businesses, which may have a negative impact on various economies. Major differences are also observed in international management and relations within organizations and culture variations do tend to leave a dent towards globalization. Manager- employee relationship leaves a lot to be desired with concerns of employment biasness being rampant. Managers have a hard time accessing the organizations new global perspective and therefore have to address the local concerns which may take them precious time, this will make their decisions and assertion of power quite cumbersome. Despite these challenges, globalization has opened up doors for international interaction with new and innovative idea s being shared. Conclusion A massive cloud and attitude of openness is required in matters dealing with financial globalization. The effective gains made by globalization can only be sustained and progressed if lawmakers in different countries come up with laws that will expose and cub any malicious acts that various organizations may convey when conducting their businesses. These laws can be better achieved if different trade organizations and partners have a mutual understanding on the same. These agreements and laws should not be seen to favor a particular country or trading bloc, and the minority countries, or people should not be exploited in the process. In relation to international management, various organizations should also come up with an induction course for managers so that they may adapt and learn the local cultures and environment for better relations with employees and locals. The attitude of globalization as a trend of doing business has created an open market and n ew opportunities that if well managed can have a positive economic and social impact to the greater society. References Mott, W. H. (2004). Globalization: People, Perspectives, and Progress. Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN-0275979172, 9780275979171. Suder, G. (2007). Doing Business in Europe. London: SAGE Publications. ISBN-1412918464, 9781412918466.

Biography of Richard Aoki, Asian-American Black Panther

Biography of Richard Aoki, Asian-American Black Panther Richard Aoki was a field marshal in the Black Panther Party, the less well known colleague of Bobby Seale. Eldridge Cleaver. Huey Newton. These names often come to mind when the Black Panther Party is the topic at hand. But after his death at the age of 70 in 2009, there has been a renewed effort to familiarize the public with this Panther who’s not as well known. Fast Facts: Richard Aoki Known For: Civil rights activist, founder of the Asian American Political Alliance and field marshal of the Black PanthersBorn: November 20, 1938, in San Leandro, CaliforniaParents: Shozo Aoki and Toshiko KaniyeDied: March 15, 2009, BerkeleyEducation: Merritt Community College (1964–1966) Sociology BS, University of California at Berkeley (1966–1968) MS Social WelfareSpouse(s): noneChildren: none Early Life Richard Masato  Aoki was born Nov. 20, 1938, in San Leandro, California, the eldest of two sons born to Shozo Aoki and Toshiko Kaniye. His grandparents were Issei, first-generation Japanese Americans, and his parents were Nisei, second-generation Japanese Americans. Richard spent the first few years of his life in Berkeley, but his life underwent a major shift after World War II. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941, xenophobia against Japanese Americans reached unparalleled heights in the U.S. The Issei and Nisei were not only held responsible for the attack but also generally regarded as enemies of the state still loyal to Japan. As a result, President Franklin Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 in 1942. The order mandated that individuals of Japanese origin be rounded up and placed in internment camps. The four-year old Aoki and his family were evacuated first to the Tanforan Assembly Center in San Bruno, and then to a concentration camp in Topaz, Utah, where they lived without indoor plumbing or heating. â€Å"Our civil liberties were grossly violated,† Aoki told the Apex Express radio show of being relocated. â€Å"We were not criminals. We were not prisoners of war.† During the politically tumultuous 1960s and ’70s, Aoki developed a militant ideology directly in response to being forced into an internment camp for no reason other than his racial ancestry. Life After Topaz After his discharge from the Topaz internment camp, Aoki settled with his father, brother and extended family in West Oakland, a diverse neighborhood that many African Americans called home. Growing up in that part of town, Aoki encountered blacks from the South who told him about lynchings and other acts of severe bigotry. He connected the treatment of blacks in the South to incidents of police brutality he’d witnessed in Oakland. â€Å"I began putting two and two together and saw that people of color in this country really get unequal treatment and aren’t presented with many opportunities for gainful employment,† he said. After high school, Aoki enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he served for eight years. As the war in Vietnam began to escalate, however, Aoki decided against a military career because he didn’t fully support the conflict and wanted no part in the killing of Vietnamese civilians. When he returned to Oakland following his honorable discharge from the army, Aoki enrolled in Merritt Community College, where he discussed civil rights and radicalism with future Panthers, Bobby Seale and Huey Newton. Black Panther Party Aoki read the writings of Marx, Engels and Lenin, standard reading for radicals in the 1960s. But he wanted to be more than just well read. He also wanted to effect social change. That opportunity came along when Seale and Newton invited him to read over the Ten-Point Program that would form the foundation of the Black Panther Party. After the list was finalized, Newton and Seale asked Aoki to join the newly formed Black Panthers. Aoki accepted after Newton explained that being African-American wasn’t a prerequisite to joining the group. He recalled Newton saying: â€Å"The struggle for freedom, justice and equality transcends racial and ethnic barriers. As far as I’m concerned, you black.† Aoki served as a field marshal in the group, putting his experience in the military to use to help members defend the community. Soon after Aoki became a Panther, he, Seale and Newton took to the streets of Oakland to pass out the Ten-Point Program. They asked residents to tell them their top community concern. Police brutality emerged as the No. 1 issue. Accordingly, the BPP launched what they called â€Å"shotgun patrols,† which entailed following the police as they patrolled the neighborhood and observing as they made arrests. â€Å"We had cameras and tape recorders to chronicle what was going on,† Aoki said. Asian American Political Alliance But the BPP wasn’t the only group Aoki joined. After transferring from Merritt College to UC Berkeley in 1966, Aoki played a key role in the Asian American Political Alliance. The organization supported the Black Panthers and opposed the war in Vietnam. Aoki â€Å"gave a very important dimension to the Asian-American movement in terms of linking the struggles of the African-American community with the Asian-American community,† friend Harvey Dong told the Contra Costa Times. In addition, the AAPA participated in local labor struggles on behalf of groups such as the Filipino Americans who worked in the agricultural fields. The group also reached out to other radical student groups on campus, including those that were Latino- and Native American-based such as MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztln), the Brown Berets and the Native American Student Association. Third World Liberation Front Strike The disparate resistance groups eventually united in the collective organization known as the Third World Council. The council wanted to create a Third World College, â€Å"an autonomous academic component of (UC Berkeley), whereby we could have classes that were relevant to our communities,† Aoki said, â€Å"whereby we could hire our own faculty, determine our own curriculum. In winter of 1969, the council started the Third World Liberation Front Strike, which lasted an entire academic quarter- three months. Aoki estimated that 147 strikers were arrested. He himself spent time at the Berkeley City Jail for protesting. The strike ended when UC Berkeley agreed to create an ethnic studies department. Aoki, who had recently completed enough graduate courses in social work to obtain a master’s degree, was among the first to teach ethnic studies courses at Berkeley. Teacher, Counselor, Adminstrator In 1971, Aoki returned to Merritt College, a part of the Peralta Community College district, to teach. For 25 years, he served as a counselor, instructor and administrator in the Peralta district. His activity in the Black Panther Party waned as members were imprisoned, assassinated, forced into exile or expelled from the group. By the end of the 1970s, the party met its demise due to successful attempts by the FBI and other government agencies to neutralize revolutionary groups in the United States. Although the Black Panther Party fell apart, Aoki remained politically active. When budget cuts at UC Berkeley placed the future of the ethnic studies department in jeopardy in 1999, Aoki returned to campus 30 years after he participated in the original strike to support student demonstrators who demanded that the program continue. Death Inspired by his lifelong activism, two students named Ben Wang and Mike Cheng decided to make a documentary about the onetime Panther titled â€Å"Aoki.† It debuted in 2009. Before his death on March 15 of that year, Aoki saw a rough cut of the film. Sadly, after suffering several health problems, including a stroke, a heart attack and failing kidneys, Aoki died on March 15, 2009. He was 70. Following his tragic death, fellow Panther Bobby Seale remembered Aoki fondly. Seale told the Contra Costa Times, Aoki â€Å"was one consistent, principled person, who stood up and understood the international necessity for human and community unity in opposition to oppressors and exploiters.† Legacy What distinguished Aoki from others in the black radical group? He was the only founding member of Asian descent. A third-generation Japanese-American from the San Francisco Bay area, Aoki not only played a fundamental role in the Panthers, he also helped to establish an ethnic studies program at the University of California, Berkeley. The late Aoki’s biography based on interviews with Diane C. Fujino reveals a man who counteracted the passive Asian stereotype and embraced radicalism to make long-lasting contributions to both the African- and Asian-American communities. Sources Chang, Momo. Former Black Panther leaves legacy of activism and Third World solidarity. East Bay Times, March 19, 2009.  Dong, Harvey. Richard Aoki (1938–2008): Toughest Oriental to Come out of West Oakland. Amerasia Journal 35.2 (2009): 223–32. Print.Fujino, Diane C. Samurai Among Panthers: Richard Aoki on Race, Resistance, and a Paradoxical Life. Minneapolis, University of Minnesota Press, 2012.

International Finance Airbus and Boeing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

International Finance Airbus and Boeing - Essay Example Boeing Company is the largest aerospace company of US. Its operations are in more than 90 countries. The commercial airplane division is the most prominent of all divisions. The company is headquartered in Illinois and known as premier US aircraft manufacturer. Boeing's revenue in the year 2010 was $64.31 billion and first-half revenue in 2011 was $31.45 billion. The company is subject to foreign currency exchange risk for company's revenue comes through its operations in various locations and company also makes payments to suppliers in foreign currencies. The company needs to manage foreign currency risk by entering into the foreign currency forward contracts, hedging the price risk associated with receipts and payments with respect to current business. The forward contracts neutralize the effect of any negative exchange rate fluctuations and safeguard the company. Airbus is headquartered in Toulousse and owned by EADS. Airbus' operations are spread throughout the world with total workforce of more than 119,000. The company's costs are made in euro but bulk of the revenues comes in US dollar. Airbus has long delivery periods for the order received today for the aircraft the delivery will be made only after 4-5 years. In view of this, they need to enter into forward contracts to lock currency exchange rates to safe guard themselves because they should not lose when the final payments are made to them on delivery. The company’s half of the cost are paid in Euros and the company needs to hedge for at least two years at the appropriate rates against dollar for bulk of its revenue comes in dollars. The company should also make its European suppliers to bill them in dollars so that currency risk is passed on to them. Discuss a framework a firm might adopt for capital budgeting internationally. A multinational or for that matter any firm operating internationally is always worried about the revenue streams or cash flows that their investments in some other country will bring. The conversion value fluctuations between host and home currencies may make all the difference in budget and actual cash flows received after implementation of the project. 1. An international firm may adopt a simple approach as per the following. 2. Estimating future cash flows in host country currency where investment has been made. 3. Estimating an appropriate discount rate in foreign currency based on the interest rate and prevailing inflation rate in that country. 4. All revenues streams for the expected life of the project are calculated in the foreign currency of the country of operation and the same are converted to Net present value (NPV) using the discount rate also called cost of capital. 5. Converting the foreign currency NPV as calculated above into own currency using the spot exchange rate In another approach, a firm may first convert the foreign cash flows into own currency at the exchange rate expected to prevail. Then the firm may calculate its NPV based on the cost of capital prevailing in its own country. Any of the above approaches will bring the same result s. Again, in order to safeguard and mitigate the risk involved with the capital invested at international shore, the company needs to enter into a suitable forward currency contract as per the cash flows available to them for remittance to own country. Critically assess the work of the credit rating agencies and suggest possible reforms to improve their functioning. Briefly discuss whether your reforms could have prevented the â€Å"Credit Crunch†. The credibility of credit rating agencies has gone downhill after subprime crisis. The high ratings they awarded to residential mortgage-backed bonds facilitated commercial transactions across all financial markets in US and Europe. At times, their action raises host of doubts in the investor's mind. The Enron case reminds us how rating

The Strategic Verticals of Davivienda Assignment

The Strategic Verticals of Davivienda - Assignment Example The assignment "The Strategic Verticals of Davivienda" analyzes the existing issues regarding internal communication inefficiencies, lagging project duration for O&M department of Davivienda Bank by measuring each of mentioned problems and their impact on the operational efficiency of O&M department. External and internal environment scan in context to O&M department has been done by the researcher in order elaborate scope of the paper. The recommends strategies like implementation of virtual communication portal, enhancement in e-mail communication efficiency, establishment of department consisting of process specialist that would work with O&M department in integrated manner, providing communication training to O&M personnel, implementing ERP system within O&M department, conducting monthly cross-departmental meeting to top level management and CEO of Davivienda to improve overall competitiveness of O&M department. The recommendations should not only improve internal communication between O&M department but also work as strategic initiatives for Davivienda. Financial organizations like banks start their strategic planning from understanding the scope of the service offerings. Davivienda is a bank and it also focuses heavily on the service and product offerings. There is very little scopes exist for banks to standardize its product portfolio and service offerings rather banks need to adapt to changes in customer requirements and design product portfolio that can be relevant in changing business environment.... As the report is addressing to key people of the organization hence there is no point in putting company information in the report because it is expected that the key members of the organization such as CEO is completely aware of these information. In short, O&M department of the organization handles issues like coordinating with marketing department to perform operational initiatives, updating administrative reports regarding organizational hierarchy, preparing system manuals, preparing process reports for the entire administrative blocks in the bank. The O&M department works in close loop manner with operational verticals like Human Resources division, Audit section, Information Technology division and General Administration. Now, what is the objective of this paper? Well, to be precise, the report will suggest a strategic plan for O&M department and study will also review the strategic plans that have been discussed in the previous works and suggestion regarding implementation of contingency plans to mitigate the identified risks will also be important part of this paper. Backgrounds and Accomplishments Bouquet, Hebert & Delios (2004) pointed out that financial organization like banks start their strategic planning from understanding the scope of the service offerings. In similar context, Davivienda is a bank and it also focuses heavily on the service and product offerings while making strategic choices. According to Bouquet, Hebert & Delios (2004), there is very little scopes exist for banks to standardize its product portfolio and service offerings rather banks need to adapt to changes in customer requirements and design product portfolio that can be relevant in changing business environment. Roth and Menor

Law discussions (2) Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Law discussions (2) - Assignment Example Another element is offer, which every manager should know is a specifically, clearly asserted proposition (Margolies, 2007). A manager needs to have a complete understanding of the UCC in the state in which he or she conducts business. This is because the UCC is a detailed canon of laws that lead commercial dealings amongst states in the United States (Legal Information Institute, n.d.). Since managerial dealings involve borrowing funds, letting equipment, setting up contracts, and selling products and services, a clear picture of the UCC within the given state is mandatory to avoid legal mishaps. One practice managers in most industries can take to protect the privacy of their employees and customers is knowing the type and amount of personal data the business deals with (Foege, 2013). Secondly, knowing the organization’s duties and risks is essential mostly to employee privacy. A third practice is involving top management in building a privacy strategy for its staff and clients. Fourthly, forming a game plan that entails a privacy committee inside the organization is encouraged. Lastly, introducing oversight of the privacy program to customers and staff members is critical to their privacy (Foege, 2013). I see personal responsibility and accountability fitting into product liability in the sense that limited liability companies have a second cover of liability defense that shields the enterprise from any personal litigation that might affect it. Foege, A. (2013). 7 Best Privacy Practices for Companies Managing Customer Data. Data Informed. Retrieved from

Determination of Nitrous oxide in gases Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Determination of Nitrous oxide in gases - Essay Example The paper is a comparative review of a few of the methods used in determination of nitrous oxide in gases. It has been concluded after a time, quality and cost-benefit analysis, that the use of passive diffusion sampling methods followed by thermal desorption and analysis with an EC-GC may be the optimal choice. Ambient air bag sampling- Personnel are fitted with air bags that passively collect fumes of nitrous oxide. The gas is absorbed in an appropriate sorbant material. An active sampling involves filling a sampling bag by means of a personal pump provided with a driving device or another equivalent method. The major disadvantage of the method being that the bags can get punctured and cannot be airlifted unless they are stored in pressurized cabins. Besides the potential for leakage is higher and leak checks using the soap bubble technique have to be performed. (US Govt. NIOSH documents-http://www.cdc.gov/niosh ) Passive dosimeter badges- Workers exposed to Nitrous oxide wear the badges and these absorb the vapour by diffusion principles. The minimum time for exposure is one hour and the maximum is 40 hours (one work day). Sampling capacity 560ppm-hrs, detection limit- 2ppm-hrs, sampling rate- 0.75ml/min, functions between 10%-80% relative humidity, accuracy (Max. Total Error) 25%, functional temperature limits are between 0C-50C (affect result by 5%). The major advantages are that, "no sampling pump is required... The major disadvantage is that badges have to be analysed within one week after the sample period for accuracy. Badges must be used before the expiration date and are usually more expensive than diffusion tubes (http://www.assaytech.com; http://www.labsafety.com) Passive diffusion tubes- Steel tubes packed with molecular sieves and caped with diffusive caps. It has been found that the method is valid for detecting Nitrous oxide between 25 and 1000ppm. The quantitative detection limit is at 2 g. Passive monitors work accurate between 60-90% RH at 25C and can measure concentrations as high as 500ppm for 8 hours. The NIOSH declares the method as, "adequate," for measuring Nitrous Oxide in air as the method is not bulky, does not involve liquids and does not require pre and post calibration. Some types of tubes can be stored in temperatures between 20C-25C for a period of 30 days. Sample recoveries in 30 days were found to be 10% compared to results in day 2. Recovery rates were found to be 98%-100% is varying concentrations. The one disadvantage is because of reliance on samples being tested at the vendor site (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh) Active diffusion tubes- The sample is collected filling a sampling bag by means of a personal pump provided with a driving device or another equivalent method. They consist of a pump that pulls a constant amount of air (usually in l/min), the molecular sieve and a clip for attaching the device onto the breathing zone. No change in results were noted under a Relative Humidity (RH) of 90% under 25 C. Recovery rates were found to be between 99%-100% in varying concentration. The advantage of the method is that it is usually more

Decision Support System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Decision Support System - Essay Example Companies, therefore, seek new profit opportunities suggested by them. They must plan innovations and purposely set out to capitalize on new approaches. Marketing is perceived as a means of adjusting to changes through altering such variables as products, services, prices, and channels of distribution to better meet changing environments. Change will be discussed in the chapters on assessment of marketing opportunity and the product and service mix. Chapter 8, Nonlinear Optimization processes will help a manager to model the performance of the company and predict its development opportunities. As an integral part of business, optimization is concerned with setting goals, establishing policies and programs, and implementing business action for the entire firm. Its major tasks are to translate consumer wants and needs, actual and potential, into profitable products and services that the company is capable of producing; to cultivate markets to support these products; and to program the distribution activities necessary to reach the markets. Chapter 16, Markov processes, will help a manager to evaluate random sample and predict possible variations in the proposed management model. ... In reality, the conception of Markov processes as a viewpoint or as the fundamental purpose of a business focuses on the business as a satisfier of consumer wants and needs. This conception implies a top-management philosophy of business operation -- the marketing philosophy. Accordingly, customers and consumers become the core around which a business revolves, thus recognizing customer orientation to decision-making and problem-solving and the impact of marketing on other functional areas. Chapter 2 and 3, Introduction to Linear programming and Linear programming sensitivity analysis, will help a manager to model different situation and select the best alternative. This technique of analysis is intended to provide an overview of the performance of the corporate. The ratios can be applied to the business to examine current achievement and trends. They can also be applied to competitors to enable external benchmarks' of performance to be established. Businesses realize that they cannot appeal to all consumer wants and needs, even for limited markets. Thus they assess both corporate capabilities and goals (actual and potential) and market opportunities to seek areas of profitable intersection. It reflects an integrated and coordinated approach to the management of marketing activity, and the development of total systems of business action that recognize the market as the focal point of business. Essentially, the marketing philosophy is a way of thinking about corporate ac tivity; a frame of mind; an attitude. It recognizes the primacy of consumers and customers as they influence all business operations. It starts with the company's chief executive, who must recognize that, lacking markets for the company's products and lacking customer wants and needs,

Anger,hatred,powerlessness and connection Assignment

Anger,hatred,powerlessness and connection - Assignment Example Anger is a natural emotion, but it does not mean that one cannot avoid it. For anger to flourish there must be a root of where it sprung. One must develop the discipline to not harbor such seeds that can lead to hatred. Having a serene and tranquil mind will help us to be mindful of our anger and relieve us from resorting to foul and malicious behavior. While coming into terms with one’s emotions is seldom deemed healthy, it is considered a normal aspect of life. By hating, one risks the cultivation of such hatred, which in turn further causes negative repercussions not only to the individual but also to society itself by developing the culture of hate. Gould (2011) offers a more healthy approach in dealing with the haters: by working â€Å"within the dynamics of identity formation, maintenance, and defense to transform hate†. By doing so, haters can be dealt with in a more positive light and the culture of hated can be

Decision Support System Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Decision Support System - Essay Example Companies, therefore, seek new profit opportunities suggested by them. They must plan innovations and purposely set out to capitalize on new approaches. Marketing is perceived as a means of adjusting to changes through altering such variables as products, services, prices, and channels of distribution to better meet changing environments. Change will be discussed in the chapters on assessment of marketing opportunity and the product and service mix. Chapter 8, Nonlinear Optimization processes will help a manager to model the performance of the company and predict its development opportunities. As an integral part of business, optimization is concerned with setting goals, establishing policies and programs, and implementing business action for the entire firm. Its major tasks are to translate consumer wants and needs, actual and potential, into profitable products and services that the company is capable of producing; to cultivate markets to support these products; and to program the distribution activities necessary to reach the markets. Chapter 16, Markov processes, will help a manager to evaluate random sample and predict possible variations in the proposed management model. ... In reality, the conception of Markov processes as a viewpoint or as the fundamental purpose of a business focuses on the business as a satisfier of consumer wants and needs. This conception implies a top-management philosophy of business operation -- the marketing philosophy. Accordingly, customers and consumers become the core around which a business revolves, thus recognizing customer orientation to decision-making and problem-solving and the impact of marketing on other functional areas. Chapter 2 and 3, Introduction to Linear programming and Linear programming sensitivity analysis, will help a manager to model different situation and select the best alternative. This technique of analysis is intended to provide an overview of the performance of the corporate. The ratios can be applied to the business to examine current achievement and trends. They can also be applied to competitors to enable external benchmarks' of performance to be established. Businesses realize that they cannot appeal to all consumer wants and needs, even for limited markets. Thus they assess both corporate capabilities and goals (actual and potential) and market opportunities to seek areas of profitable intersection. It reflects an integrated and coordinated approach to the management of marketing activity, and the development of total systems of business action that recognize the market as the focal point of business. Essentially, the marketing philosophy is a way of thinking about corporate ac tivity; a frame of mind; an attitude. It recognizes the primacy of consumers and customers as they influence all business operations. It starts with the company's chief executive, who must recognize that, lacking markets for the company's products and lacking customer wants and needs,

Experiences of Community-Based Children's Nurses Providing Pallative Essay

Experiences of Community-Based Children's Nurses Providing Pallative Care - Essay Example These keyword were selected so that I could focus the search on the nurses’ group who worked with children and with the community in providing palliative care. As it is the child cancer patients who are in need of community-based palliative care more than any other child patient groups, I included ‘cancer care’, and ‘onchology’ into my keyword list. I could locate many UK sources from this database but majority of articles that I found on this database were non-UK sources. There were also a limited number of post-2004 articles on this topic in this database. The next database that I searched for articles was CINAHL. I could locate many British journals on nursing here. Internurse.com was a very useful nursing article archive that I found more user-friendly as well. In Internurse.com, I could find plenty of UK sources. Medline database was accessed by me through PubMed and became the source of many UK-sources for this study. I used CASP QUALITATIVE as my critiquing tool for this research because this tool gave me a comprehensive framework to locate my research in. Using this tool, I could address oft-faced research issues like clarity about the aim of the research, the appropriateness of the selected methodology, effectiveness of the research design, data collection and analysis related issues, ethical concerns, and the validity of the research. Especially, the qualitative approach was relevant because this research concerns directly with the experiences of the subjects being studied and hence should be anchored in their own first person accounts of those experiences in the form of interviews. Findings- General Overview As WHO (2003) has observed, palliative care â€Å"Improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification and impeccable assessment and treatment of pain and other probl ems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual.† (as cited in Quin et al., 2005, p.5). (WHO, 2003)Neilson, Kai, Macarthur, and Greenfield (2011) have done a community-based qualitative study in West Midlands region to investigate the experience of GPs and community-based nursing practitioners who were working with children having cancer in their homes. The findings of this study (Neilson, Kai, Macarthur, and Greenfield, 2011) are relevant to this paper because it proved that more than the general practitioners, it were the community nurses who could play an active role in the treatment and palliative care of such children (p.551-553). Another study done by the same authors in 2010 was also located from this database which showed that community  children's nurses (CCNs) and  children's  palliative care  nurses (CPCNs) needed to be imparted further skills and knowledge regarding palliative care of children and suggested that more funds be allocated for the same (Neilson, Kai, Macarthur, and Greenfield, 2010). This was a qualitative study that employed one-to-one interviews for data collection. Grounded theory approach was the method by which data was analysed. There was another UK-based study that I could find in this database. In this study, Beringer, Eaton and Jones (2007) have carried out a qualitative analysis of the

Operational difference Essay Example for Free

Operational difference Essay Both McDonalds Corporations and Burger King Corporation operate in the highly competitive and growing fast food industry. In a fierce battle to capture market share both companies operate in an environment of tight controls and clearly defined operations strategies. While McDonalds has opted to offer a standardized product to its customers, Burger King has attempted to capture market share by offering its customers the flexibility to customize. The advertising slogans, Have It Your Way by Burger King vs We Do It All For You by McDonalds explains the difference in production methods. Therefore, the operational strategy has direct implications on the process flow, the output, the human resource management and the bottom line of each company. McDonalds uses a batch process to cook hamburgers (Exhibit A). Using a batch process means that the speed of delivery is dependent upon the speed and experience of the individual worker. Hamburgers are cooked on a large platen, in batches of up to twelve. Two or more batches may be on the platen at one time, in various stages of cooking. This means that a worker is required to manage the grill exclusively during rush hours. The hamburgers are hand-seared after 20 seconds on the grill, turned at 60 seconds, and pulled at 100 seconds. While the hamburgers are cooking, buns are toasted (55 seconds) the crown of the bun is dressed and condiments are added. When the hamburgers come off the grill, workers complete the hamburger as per the pre-defined guidelines, wrap and shelve them in the bin. If there are two batches going in different stages of cooking, speed is essential to keep the production moving For years, McDonald’s and Burger King (BK) have been the world’s two largest and most successful fast food chains. Both have battled out all these years over their operational differences which form the core of their corporate culture. The â€Å"Doing It All For You† (McDonald’s) vs. â€Å"Having It Your Way† (BK’s) stems from their respective production methods. McDonald’s â€Å"Made to Stock† vs. BK’s â€Å"Made to Order† also originate from the differences in their respective processes. Exhibits 1 and 2 show the Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs) of McDonald’s and BK respectively. Exhibit 3 provides a detailed comparative analysis of the PFDs of these two fast food chains. The main operational difference between McDonald’s and BK is that McDonald’s cooks their hamburgers on grills using a â€Å"batch process† (a batch of upto 12 patties/grill) with human intervention to turn, sear, and pull. BK uses the machine based – Continuous Chain Broiler assembly process (8 burgers/meat chain) for the production of their burgers – similar to an assembly line in a manufacturing process thus, requiring no human intervention. For a â€Å"made to stock† process, it requires burgers in bulk and hence the batch process in McDonald’s. Whereas, for a â€Å"made to order† process, it requires an assembly chain process where meat patties are placed at one end and after 80 seconds they come out the other end, cooked – one by one. Also, since BK harps on â€Å"make to order† process, it requires a semi-finished inventory – Steam Table in which mated buns and patties sit for 10 minutes and then discarded. In McDonald’s â€Å"continuous process† there is no such inventory and all the buns and patties are mated during the assembly process following the dressing. It should be noted that mating of the buns and patties before the assembly process in BK is a result of BK’s variety of menu. Whoppers and Burgers both are of different sizes and hence the mating before assembly process. McDonald’s menu† less product more often†.

Barclays PEST Analysis and Strategy

Barclays PEST Analysis and Strategy Jump to: Barclays PEST Analysis Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail and commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services, with an extensive international presence in Europe, the USA, Africa and Asia. With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs over 150,000 people. Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for over 42 million customers and clients worldwide (www.barclays.com). Barclays Group strategy overview Barclays ambition is to become one of the handfuls of universal banks leading the global financial services industry. This means offering a full range of retail and wholesale services to customers and clients throughout the world. These services include: retail, business and private banking, credit cards, investment banking, investment management and wealth management. The banks strategy follows a simple premise: anticipate the needs of their customers and clients, then serve them by helping them achieve their goals (www.barclays.com). Introduction of the External Marketing Environment No business operates with out rules and regulations any business is surrounded by laws and liabilities, pressure groups and public bodies, customers and competitors. These are part of the marketing environment that the organisation works within, and since marketing is the interface between the organisation and the outside world, dealing with this environment is a major part of marketers work (Jim Blythe 2008) The external marketing environment analysis is the first stage of auditing process. It creates the information and analysis necessary for an organisation to begin to identify the key issues it will need to address in order to develop successful strategy. As environment of business has never been the so complex as it is today you need a grasp of the big picture, the role of organisation and yourself within it. System theory makes clear that every organisation operates within an industry setting that in turn interacts with a societal environment that is itself influenced by a global marketplace. The global market environment appears very distant to marketers operating on a regional or even national scale, but with the information technologies shrinking distances, these multinational operation are extending into every corner of the market place (Mike Oldroyd 2006, Graeme Drummond, John Ensor, Ruth Ashford 2008). Therefore the marketing environment is The external forces that directly or indirectly influence an organizations acquisition of inputs and generation of outputs, comprising six categories of forces: political, legal, regulatory, societal/green, technological, and economic/competitive (Dibb et al, 2006: 68). Within any society, all businesses face a common political, economic, social and technological environment, although any one element will often impact differently according to the size and situation of the firm (Mike Oldroyd 2006). Whether a market fluctuates rapidly or slowly, environmental forces are always dynamic. Changing in the marketing environment can create uncertainty, threats and opportunities for the marketers. Although the future is not very predictable, marketers can estimate what will happen, although some fail to do so, thus negatively affecting the performance of their businesses. It can be stated with certainty that marketers will continue to modify their market ing strategies in response to the dynamic environment. Furthermore, marketing managers who fail to recognise changes in environmental forces leave their firms unprepared to capitalize on marketing opportunities or to cope with the changes created in the marketing environment (Dibb et al, 2006: 68) Research Methodology Using PEST analysis to understand your environment PEST analysis is designed to provide a focused framework to assist you in establishing your objectives. It will take the result of your marketing audit and place them in a logical format to ensure that you have considered all of the factors that could affect your market (Phil Stone 2001) Barclays PEST Analysis Political Environment In every country there are rules and regulations that all businesses need to follow in order to operate legally. Government at both national and local levels can affect companies not only on a day-day basis through law, policies and authority but also a strategic level by creating opportunities and threats. Specifically, these arise because at competitive level the government can determine industry structure via monopoly and restrictive trade practices legislations further. Legislations will encourage competition so that customers can have more options (Dale Littler and Dominic Wilson 1995). So there is a range of political organisations that have to be considered when looking at the influences in this area of the audit. The structure of a political system defines the centres of political influence. A state with a federal political structure will differ from a unitary political system. In the UK there is a parliament for Scotland and an assembly for Wales. However some of the responsibilities are still the responsibility of Westminster parliament. There is also string of decisions taking place both politically and legally within the framework of European Union. Political groups such Greenpeace can also effect the political agenda. Therefore when considering these area of the environment a much wider view has to be taken than just the domestic national government or legal process (reference). Banks are fighting for survival because the current situation in the world economy the UK government is giving support to banks by intervening. The government has pledged to spend up to  £37bn to buy stakes in three banks Royal Bank of Scotland, Lloyds TSB and HBOS. The Bank of England has lent further billions of pounds to the wider banking sector (bbc.co.uk). The UK Treasury has announced a financial lifeline, which could ultimately be worth up to  £500bn, to try and stabilise the UK banking sector. Opposition parties broadly backed the plans, which could see the government inject up to  £50bn in capital essentially taxpayers money into leading banks and building societies. As fears of a prolonged global recession rise, the Bank of England, the US Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank each announced an emergency 0.5% cut in interest rates. But this unprecedented move has had only a limited impact on the turbulent stock markets. Despite recovering slightly, the FTSE 100 was still down 2% in London by mid-afternoon while markets in Germany and France were down by more than 3%. But in the US, the Dow Jones rallied in early trading after the sharp falls of recent days. In another key development, the UK government moved to protect deposit holders in UK offshoots of Icelandic banks, threatening legal action against Iceland to rec over money from one collapsed bank (bbc.co.uk) However Barclays did not seek help from the UK government in the current economic crisis instead they raised cash from Middle Eastern investors (www.telegraph.co.uk). Economic Environment The economy is closely linked with political environment, it consists the current and future state of key economic variables used to describe the wealth, purchasing power, savings and consumption together with the government economic policies deployed to effect those variable. These include the effect of inflation, interest rates and exchange rates and will have impact on the cost, prices, competitiveness and profitability of the business. In terms of strategic marketing tasks, of prime importance as part of the strategic planning process is the identification, monitoring and forecasting of those economic variables to which the companys market effort is most sensitive. So understanding of the key economic indicators provides the necessary information for anticipating developments in the market place. Economic uncertainties impact negatively on business and consumer confidence so the key marketing task is to attempt to realize the relationships between movements in the economy and cha nges in the market place. Social Environment This is perhaps the most difficult for the marketer to identify evaluate and respond to it. It is a complex of demographics it includes changes in population characteristics educational standards, culture, lifestyle attitudes and beliefs. The way we think, we live and behave is the outcome of complex cultural conditioning by family, friends, schools, work and various media. It conditions who decides what we buy, where and when we buy it, and whether we credit or cash for example 45 percent of consumers agreed that they give into temptation and buy things because they like them and not because they need them. This was up from 30 percent 20 years ago. So businesses need to consider the changing demographic trends in their business and the changing social climate in different parts of the world (Dale Littler and Dominic Wilson 1995, Phil Stone 2001 and Mike Oldroyd 2006). Peoples lifestyle are changing because in todays world expectations are higher as people have become more wealthy, they have come to expect more. In twenty first century Britain, few people would consider living with out a telephone, television, refrigerator, car, bank account or credit cards. In 1960s all these products were examples of things owned by only a minority of the population so the marketer will be concerned with all the influences affecting the customers choice (Jim Blythe 2008 and Mike Oldroyd 2006) Barclays Financial Planning has launched two new pensions products to rival stakeholder pensions. According to the bank, customers can choose either a basic investment solution, comparable to a stakeholder product, or to diversify their pension assets, including the option of a select choice fund proposition. Barclays director of investment advice and products David Stuart says the new pensions offer everyday pensions investors something much more flexible than a stakeholder plan but without the more complicated structure or cost implications of a full Sipp. (www.moneymarketing.co.uk) Technological Environment Technology has become one of the most important factors affecting businesses over the last decade. The development of information technology has impacted in the way business is conducted. For example the use of faxes and e-mail and opportunities created by the internet (Phil Stone 2001). For many businesses the use of internet as marketing tool is little understood and certainly not appreciated internet can be very efficient marketing tool creating world-wide opportunities for even smaller one employee businesses style. Barclays must consider the use of latest available technology (Phil Stone 2001) in order to stay competitive with other banks E.G. HSBC because few serious marketers would consider not having a corporate website. Yet only ten years ago such websites were rare, and were often merely presence sites which directed visitors to a telephone number or address (Jim Blythe 2008). New technologies create new markets and opportunities (Philip Kotler and Gary Armstrong2004) Conclusion A company will not have strategic marketing planning process with out taking into consideration in to the external marketing environment as this vital in the company ability to operate as business. Because any organisation is surrounded by laws and liabilities, pressures groups and public bodies, customers and competitors. These liabilities are part of the marketing environment that the organisation works within. And since marketing is at the interface between organisation and the outside world, dealing with this environment is a major part of marketers work (stone Phil 2001). Barclays external environment is undertaken in order to discover the opportunities and threats that are evolving and that need to be addressed by the company (Graeme Drummond, John Ensor, Ruth Ashford 2008). External environmental analysis will provide Barclays with a wider perspective on the future marketing objectives of the business. It concentrates on the future of the business. PEST analysis must be forward looking based on existing knowledge. It is in this way that you can establish objectives that will either counter the threats that you will face in the market or exploit the opportunities that you will find. Barclays need to act socially responsible because this can give them competitive advantage through good media feedback and this will reflect on the way customers see the Barclays so reputation is important. A successful marketing plan is all about gaining competitive advantage. It is therefore virtually important you do assess all of your options carefully (Stone Phil 2001) References Stone, Phil. (2001) Develop a winning marketing plan, Oldroyd, Mike 2006 Marketing environment Drummond, G. Ensor, J. Ashford, R. 2008. Strategic Marketing : planning and control. 3rd edition. Amsterdam ; London: Butterworth-Heinemann Blythe, J. 2008 Essentials of Marketing 4th edition. Kotler, P. Armstrong, G. 2004 Principles of Marketing 10th edition. International edition. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7747608.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7658518.stm http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/3539562/RBS-six-month-repossession-delay-pledge-will-have-limited-impact-say-analysts.html http://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/cgi-bin/item.cgi?id=177908d=340h=341f=342 http://www.aboutbarclays.com/content/detail.asp?NewsAreaID=111 http://www.aboutbarclays.com/