Compare china main land economic and Taiwan Research Paper

Compare china main land economic and Taiwan - Research Paper Example venue had risen to $2278 while that of Mainland had remained a paltry $256.This broadening gap between the two economies had started attracting global attention. Taiwan mostly is considered to have embraced market capitalism whereas China is considered to be a predominantly socialistic country. However both nations have shown that they do not pursue a purely socialistic system or capitalistic system. They in actuality pursue a mixture of both kinds to various levels. Despite the fact that Taiwan pursues a system that is capitalistic ,the government still controls the finance and banking system and makes decisions on which industries it should support and protect. Conversely, China began out under firm socialism but over the years but has started to change so as to widen both domestic and foreign markets. One of the key bases for the disparities in growth between China and Taiwan was the distinctions in international trade. Thus industries that are high-exporting seem to lead to productivity that is faster than industries that are low-exporting. Firms that are owned by the state without any foreign assistance tend to be less productive than the ones that are privatized or joint-ventures having foreign direct investment (FDI). It wasn’t just a coincidence therefore that China for the earliest time ever matched Taiwan’s 8% GDP growth rate that it has had for years after opening up of its foreign markets, allowing the entry of FDI. One of the key stated merits of communism/socialism over capitalism is stability in growth over lengthy periods of time. Taiwan has however under capitalism displayed a more stabilized GDP growth of around 8% over the past 5 decades while China has exhibited unstable and negative GDP growth rate to a point where the government of China refused t o expose statistics officially anymore (Lijun, 2002). It wasn’t until recently when the Chinese government embraced advantages of capitalism that their economy eventually started to grow

Defining concept of design thinking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Defining concept of design thinking - Essay Example ttributed to the design thinking, it can be considered the most powerful tool when used in an efficient way and it can be the basis that drives a brand or business towards success. There are a number of steps that are associated with design thinking which include the definition of the problem, the creation of options, refining the selected options and executing the chosen selections. This part of the process is perceived to be the simplest but is actually the most important part of the four phases since it mainly identifies the problem that is supposed to be solved (Dandy, 2008, p. 89). The design thinking needs a team or business to always have query of the brief as well as the problem that needs to be addressed and participating in the definition of the opportunity and the revision of the opportunity before starting on its creation and implementation. The participation typically encompasses engagement and the extreme cross-examination of the filters that have been utilized in the definition of the problem. As far as design thinking is concerned, observation is at the centre of the process and the observation has the ability to tell the difference between what the people actually do and what they are perceived to be doing (Meinel and Leifer, 2011, p. 163). Getting out of the cube and being involved in the procedures involved, the product shopping experience or the operational theatre is essential and therefore needs a lot of attention. When it comes to the definition of the problem, design thinking also needs cross-functional insight that is directed at each of the problems by the various views and also a regular and persistent questioning the same way that a small child would do. This should go on until the basic answers are established and the fundamental underlying issues are recognized and revealed. The definition of the issue by means of design thinking needs the deferment of judgment when arriving at the definitions of the problem statement whereby the

Hazards In Sewage Treatment Plants Biology Essay

Hazards In Sewage Treatment Plants Biology Essay Wastewater consists of a mixture of domestic sewage which includes waste from sinks, household toilets, showers, washing machines. It also consists of industrial effluent, occasional run-off of surface water and ground water which has infiltrated into the sewers. 99.99% of wastewater consists of water, and 0.01 % of it comprises of dissolved or suspended solid matter (www.fairfield-city.org/wastewater.cfm Date Accessed 14.02.13) 2.1 Wastewater Biology Untreated sewage may contain a number of disease causing organisms including bacteria, viruses, fungus, worms and protozoa (McCunney, 1986; Weldon et al, 2000; Schlosser et al, 1999). Airborne bacteria concentrations are usually very high where sewage is agitated, such as near incoming wastewater inlets and sludge treatment areas (Laitinen et al, 1994). Compare to other areas of a WWTP, a few airborne bacteria have also been found in clean areas such as control rooms (Laitinen et al, 1994). The major route of exposure to these microorganisms is the foecal-oral route (McCunney, 1986). This commonly occurs during eating, drinking, smoking or by touching the face with contaminated hands or gloves (HSE, 1998). Inhalation of aerosols containing microorganisms is not so common. Nevertheless it is an essential method of entry. Skin absorption is less frequent since pathogens only enter skin damaged by cuts, burns, blisters, or puncture wounds (Laitinen et al 1994; McCunney, 1986). The mucous membranes such as in the eyes and nose may also provide a pathway of entry for certain disease causing microorganisms. 2.2 Hazards in sewage treatment plants 2.2.1 Biological Hazards in wastewater Diseases are caused by infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, helminths and fungi which are present in the raw domestic wastewater mainly from human origin and in agricultural wastes. Diseases are also caused by contact with the toxins released by the infectious organisms, by insects or rodents thriving in the sludge drying beds (ILO Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety, 1983). The following infectious agents can be found in raw wastewater: Table 2.1: The biological organisms in wastewater Organism Signs Symptoms Bacteria Salmonella Nausea, headache, diarrhea and vomiting; almost always with a fever. Tetanus (lockjaw) Muscular stiffness in jaw, neck. Sweating, fever, difficulty swallowing. Shigella Cramps, diarrhea, fever, bloody stool, nausea, vomiting. Leptospirosis (Weils Disease) Intestinal problems, liver and kidney disease, jaundice. E. coli Diarrhea, vomiting, little or no fever, blood often seen in stool. Tulareisis Chills, fever, swollen lymph nodes, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting. Yersinia Diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain that resembles appendicitis. Viruses Hepatitis A Fever, abdominal pain, nausea, jaundice, dark-colored urine. Hepatitis B Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, jaundice, joint pain. Hepatitis C Develops slowly, loss of appetite, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting. Jaundice is less common. HIV Destroys immune system, prone to opportunistic infections. Polio Fever, headache, nausea, muscle pain and stiffness, paralysis. Parasites Entameoebahistolytica (amebiasis) Mild nausea, loose stool, abdominal tenderness. In severe cases can spread throughout the body and attack other organs, especially the liver. Giardia lamblia Cramps, weight loss, loose/greasy stool, bloating. Fever is rare. Sources: AFSCME; Utah Dept. of Health. 2.2.2 Virus 2.2.2.1 Hepatitis A A study was carried out to determine whether or not occupational exposure to sewage is associated with a higher seroprevalence of hepatitis A virus. In order to carry out the study about 600 sewage workers in Singapore were tested. The study showed that sewage workers had an increased occupational risk of acquiring HAV infection and should be protected by active immunisation (B. H. Heng, K. T. Goh, S. Doraisingham, and G. H. Quek, 1994). 2.2.3 Bacteria 2.2.3.1 Helicobacter pylori Several studies have shown that there was an increased risk for gastric cancer among sewage workers. During the last decade, the bacterium Helicobacter pylori has appeared as one important risk factor for gastric cancer and is now considered a class I carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (Rajnarayan R. Tiwari, 2008). 2.2.3.2 Legionella Legionella pneumophiliais usually spread by water aerosols caused either pneumonia or a no pneumonic disease (Pontiac fever). An investigation on American sewage workers found that there was no increased risk of infection with L pneumophilia. But recently some cases of Pontiac fever have been reported in workers exposed to aerosols from a sewage plant in the food industry treating only organic industrial waste. L pneumophilia, similar to that present in the infected workers was cultured from the sludge (Gregersen P, Grunnet K, Uldum SA, Andersen BH, Madsen H. 1999). 2.2.4 Parasites There has been a significant positive association between the finding of protozoa in faeces from sewage workers and the duration of exposure to sewage, (Knobloch J,Bialek R,Hagemann J. Intestinaler Protozoenbefall durchberufsbedingten Abwasserkontakt,1983). It has been reported that the prevalence of infestation with intestinal parasites was decreased by adopting good hygienic practices (Schlosser, O., et al, 1999). An increased risk for giardiasis has been reported among workers in France and Germany (Schlosser et al, 1999; Knobloch J, Bialek R, Hagemann J. Intestinalerb Protozoenbefallb durchberufsbedingtenb Abwasserkontakt,1983; Doby JM, Duval JM, Beaucournu JC.Amibiase, 1980; Clark CS, Linnemann CC, Clark JG, Gartside PS.1984; Sullivan R, LinnemannJr CC, Clark CS, Walzer PD.1987).An increased incidence of Entamoebahistiolytica has been reported in sewage exposed workers in France, but not in Germany (Bialek R, Hagemann J. Intestinaler Protozoenbefalldurchberufsbedingten Abwasserk ontakt. Dtsch Med Wochenschr, 1983; Doby JM, Duval JM, Beaucournu JC.Amibiase, 1980). 2.3 Chemical Hazard Wastewater contains a great amount of industrial contaminants which may harm those people who come into contact with sewage. According to the Pennsylvania DEP, methane and carbon dioxide were the most common chemical byproducts of wastewater. If found in a small enclosed space with a quantity of sewage, these gases could crowd out oxygen and asphyxiate anyone trapped in the area (Nellie J.Brown, 1997). Sewage workers were also exposed to gases such as hydrogen disulfide, methane, ammonia and carbon monoxide. Watt and his colleagues carried out a study on 26 sewer workers exposed to smell and it was found that 53.8% developed sub-acute symptoms including sore throat, cough, chest tightness, breathlessness, thirst, sweating and irritability. Severity of symptoms seemed to be dose related (Watt MM, Watt SJ, Seaton A. 1997). 2.4 Physical Hazard Physical hazards were caused due to exposures to excessive noise levels from mechanical equipment, UV radiation and adverse weather such as low or high temperature, and rain. (ILO Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety, 1998) 2.5 Ergonomic Factors Musculoskeletal injuries were caused by over exertion during handling heavy loads, such as containers of chemicals, or by awkward working postures including frequent bending (ILO Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety, 1983). Sewage workers have reported osteoarthritic problems and intervertebral disc herniation which are the common spinal disorders (ILO Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety, 1970). An investigation was carried out by Friedrich on 255 sewage workers to determine the occurrence of spinal troubles (i.e., neck, upper back and lower back pain [LBP]). He reported that the 12-month prevalence rates of neck, upper back and LBP were 52.4%, 54.8% and 72.8%, respectively. He concluded that the occurrence of spinal troubles and work disability due to LBP increased with age, weekly duration of stooping, lifting and higher abnormal illness-behavior scores (Friedrich M, Cermak T, Heiller I, 2000). 2.6 Psychosocial and organizational factors Discomfort and psychological problems were related to prolonged wearing of protective clothing, the bad smells of the wastes, the feeling of working with soiled liquids in a dirty and not too respectable occupation, and to the worries caused by awareness of the dangers of the workplace (ILO Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety, 1983). 2.7 Accidental hazards Accidental hazards which occurred in wastewater treatment plants included the followings: Slips and falls on floors made slippery by water, aqueous solutions or solvents. Falls into ponds, pits, clarifiers or tanks causing injuries or drowning. Hazards related to entry into confined spaces. Suffocation can occur due to oxygen shortage, poisoning such as hydrogen sulfide. Burns, by steam or hot vapors, by splashes of hot plating baths, solvent sand other liquids, by contact with hot surfaces (e.g., annealing ovens), Electric shock caused by contact with faulty electrical equipment and cables. Cuts and pricks by sharp tools sharp edges. Injuries especially of eyes caused by flying particles, in particular from rotating brush cleaning or wheel grinding. Fire and explosions due to the formation and release of flammable gases such as methane, hydrogen during processing. Strong chemical reactions caused by uncontrolled mixing of chemicals For example when mixing water with concentrated sulfuric acid during the preparation of reagents for wastewater treatment. Acute poisoning caused by various chemicals such as gaseous chlorine present in the wastes which is used as reagents, or released during the treatment. Acute intoxication caused if mistakenly drank untreated wastewater. Poisoning by phosgene, this may be formed if a worker smokes in the presence of chlorinated-solvent vapors, or if welding or other flames or arcs are used. Chemical burns by corrosive liquids. Damage to eyes by splashes of irritating or corrosive liquids (ILO Encyclopedia of Occupational Health and Safety, 1998). At a sewage treatment plant in Homeballe in Kimberley,five men aged between thirty and fifty who were repairing the pipes had lost their lives after drowning in a bay. It was believed that they may have gone unconscious due to the toxic fumes from the sewage and the area that they were in then filled up with water and sewage causing all five men to then drown (Jonckie on November 6th, 2012). 2.8 Health problems of workers at the treatment plant 2.8.1 Effects on skin and mucous membranes among the workers Many sewage workers have reported skin disorders (Lundholm M, Rylander R, 1983; Scarlett-Kranz JM, Babish JG, Strickland D, Lisk DJ, 1987) and inflammation of the eyes (Lundholm M, Rylander R, 1983; Mattsby I, Rylander R., 1978).After an accidental exposure to dust containing sludge, several incinerator workers at a sewage treatment plant in Toronto, Canada were affected by irritant contact dermatitis (Nethercott JR, 1981). 2.8.2 Effects on the nervous system Studies have also revealed that central nervous system symptoms such as headache, unusual tiredness, and concentration difficulties have been found among the sewage workers. In addition, an increased risk for non-specific work related gastrointestinal symptoms was found among the sewage workers (J Thorn, L Beijer, R Rylander, 2002). 2.8.3 Respiratory symptoms Several studies have been done to study the respiratory function of sewage workers. All of them demonstrated that respiratory symptoms such as chronic bronchitis and toxic pneumonitis were common among these workers (J Thorn, L Beijer, R Rylander, 2002). Moreover, abnormal respiratory functions which arose due to exposure to endotoxins and airborne bacteria by way of bio aerosols were also discovered in those sewage workers. Furthermore, Zuskin et al. reported that sewage workers were exposed to different occupational noxious agents, which may lead to the development of chronic lung function changes (Zuskin E, Mustajbegovic J, Schachter EN, 1993). 2.9 Health Safety of workers According to OSHA, the employer should give the worker: Training and education about the hazards present at the wastewater treatment plant. A place onsite with clean water for washing hands A place to wash and clean up after work. The right PPE, such as gloves, goggles, a face shield, water-resistant suit, or respirator, depending on the job type. Clean areas for eating and smoking. Cleaning facilities or services for clothing and equipment. (If clothing is badly soiled, change out of it. Keep equipment clean to limit your exposures to the disease-causing agents (Anon, 2004). 2.9.1 Safety of workers In wastewater treatment plants, engineering controls and work practices are the best ways to protect workers from exposures to disease. When engineering controls are not possible, the use personal protective equipment (PPE) is encouraged (Anon, 2004). 2.9.1.2 Engineering controls Engineering controls remove or reduce the hazard either by initial engineering design specifications or by applying methods such as substitution, isolation or ventilation (Raterman, 2002). 2.9.1.3 Administrative control Administrative controls that minimise employees exposures by scheduling reduce work times in contaminant areas, good work practices and employee training. Appropriate training which includes hazard recognition and work practices specific to the employees job that can help reduce exposures are given (Raterman, 2002). 2.9.1.4 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Personal Protective Equipment means any equipment intended to be worn or held by an employee and which protects him against risk to his health or safety. It includes: (a) Any addition or accessory designed to meet that objective; and (b) Clothing affording protection against the weather; (Occupational Safety and Health act, 2005) Workers handling sewage are provided with proper PPE. The following PPE are recommended for workers handing sewage: Goggles: to protect eyes from splashes of human waste or sewage. Protective face mask or splash-proof face shield: to protect nose and mouth from splashes of human waste or sewage. Liquid-repellent coveralls: to keep human waste or sewage off clothing. Waterproof gloves: to prevent exposure to sewage. Rubber boots: to prevent exposure to sewage.(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2002). 2.9.1.5 Training for Workers All workers who handle sewage receive training. The training should include information on basic hygiene practices; use and disposal of personal protective equipment; proper handling of sewage; signs and symptoms of the different types of diseases present; and ways in which diseases can be transmitted. Workers are also advised to immediately seek medical attention if displaying any signs or symptoms such as vomiting, stomach cramps and watery diarrhea (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2002). 2.10 Hygiene Practices 2.10.1 Hygiene Hygiene is the association of human sciences, professions, technologies and disciplines for the purpose of protecting the health of individuals and community from any harmful exposure (Goldner, 2009). The science of hygiene comprises of disciplines, microbiology, parasitology, immunology, toxicology, entomology, pharmacology, environmental health including geography, topography, and engineering, all with a view to limit, inhibit, or block sources and characteristics that deter from normal living. 2.10.2 Hygiene at Work Protecting workers against disease, ill-health or impairment due to chemical, microbiological and physical health hazards, not only during, but after work, has been the traditional goal of occupational hygiene. Prevention of occupational diseases emanating from the workplace due to toxic exposures has been one of the primary roles (Pityn, 2007). A well planned and properly executed sanitation program for the workplace is of great importance for both the workers and the employers as it helps a company to attain better productivity in a safer work place and it ensures good working conditions for the workers. 2.11 Medical surveillance According to Occupational Safety and Health act, health surveillance should be provided to employees who are exposed to potentially hazardous substance. The medical surveillance should be free of charge and should be carried out at intervals of not less than once every 6 months or at shorter intervals as the medical practitioner may advise. (Occupational Safety and Health act 2005). 2.12 The role of Waste Water Management Authority (WMA) The WMA manages the public sewerage system which consists of 515 km of sewer network, 19 treatment plants and 50 pumping stations with the main treatment plants located at St-Martin, Grand-Baie, Baie-du-Tombeau, and Montagne Jacquot. The Wastewater Management Authority (WMA) has been established as a corporate body under the Wastewater Management Authority Act to be responsible for all matters relating to the collection, treatment and disposal of wastewater. It operates as an autonomous organization under the aegis of the Ministry of Renewable Energy and Public Utilities. The WMA thus plays an important role in the protection of the environment and in ensuring the countrys sustainable development by the provision of appropriate water pollution standards, wastewater control systems and management services to the entire population of Mauritius (www.gov.mu Accessed on 16.12.12). 2.13 The purpose of this study The general aim of the present study is to identify the general conditions of workers, the possible communicable and non-communicable disease which may affect the workers, the different types of symptoms experienced by the workers at the workplace, the personal protective equipment provided to the workers and the potential risk that can affect the workplace. In addition, information collected from the survey shall broaden the knowledge of sewage workers in regards to the harmful effects of sewage on health.

Censorship in Fahrenheit 451 :: Fahrenheit 451 Essays

Censorship in Fahrenheit 451 Fahrenheit 451 begins on the East Coast, IN LARGE AMERICAN CITY OF THE FUTURE. The futuristic world described here is chilling, a future where every type of book, save inexpensive comics, are burned by "firemen." One such fireman is Guy Montag, who is tall and dark-haired like most firemen. One thing sets him apart from his colleagues, though he secretly loves books. One night while Montag is walking home from a day's work, he meets a young, bright girl named Clarisse McClellan. She is idealistic and hates the social structure of the times. She says that firemen once put out fires started accidentally instead of starting them. Montag thinks this to be nonsense, for the Chief told him firemen have always been fire-starters. Clarisse goes on to tell him about her uncle, who remembers the past and has a sharp intellect. She tells Montag that her family stays up all night talking about a variety of different subjects. He finds this to be extremely odd. Why would anyone want to stay up and talk? Montag decides that Clarisse is eccentric because hardly anyone except for firemen walk down the street at any time. He goes home to his wife Mildred, a woman who has very little to do except to take part in interactive TV shows. She has three walls of the living room equipped with such walls. She thinks that a fourth wall would be great, while Montag refuses because he thinks it is useless and expensive. The next day, Montag finds Clarisse waiting at the bus stop. He asks her if she goes to school. She says she does NOT, because she HAS been labeled anti-social by her teachers. They SPOKE for a while, and he eventually goes to work. When he gets to work, an alarm is sounded, so the two firemen go to destroy the house of books. Before they burn the house down, Montag takes two books. When the owner of the house refuses to leave, a fireman burns her along with the house and its books. Montag feels sorry for the old lady, and he becomes depressed. The next day he calls in sick. Captain Beatty, comes by and talks to him. Montag is lying in bed with a book behind his pillow.

Leveraging Consumer Behaviour †Coca Cola Case Study Essay

The project aims to decipher how effectively Coca Cola Company has leveraged consumer behaviour in India. We have considered the challenges that India poses for the marketing of globally produced FMCGs (fast moving consumer goods) followed by observation of how the marketing of Coca Cola has been tailored for the Indian context and on its relative successes. Cultural Factors: Culture is the fundamental determinant of a person’s wants and behaviour (Philip Kotler). India has always been known for its cultural diversity. With a variety of cultures in India, Coca Cola faced a challenge in how to target across the cultural lines. Initially, they made the mistake of focusing on the American way of life but they realized their mistake quickly and started researching the Indian market in detail. They found that the 3A’s of availability, affordability and acceptability needed to be employed. Also, affordability was the biggest driver for desirability. Culture: Coca Cola discovered that the values of kinship and togetherness were universal across all cultures in India. So they decided to market coke as a drink for family get-togethers and parties. To achieve this, Coca Cola came up with a marketing campaign that showed Aishwarya Rai solving a feud between her parents with a Coke singing â€Å"Pyar me kabhi kabhi aisa ho jata hai, saath me thanda ho settle ho jata hai†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . Recently, Coca Cola launched â€Å"Saath Khao Khushiyan Badhao† campaign which encouraged the younger teenage group to eat with the family. These advertisements showed Coca Cola as a symbol of bringing families together. Subcultures: Coca Cola leveraged the classic North Indian custom of asking guests â€Å"Thanda Ya Garam† by equating thanda as Coca Cola – â€Å"Thanda matlab Coca Cola†. Gradually, Coca Cola marketed itself across all the states and subcultures in India through a marketing campaign involving Aamir Khan. These ads showed Aamir Khan enjoying Coke in a series of regionally inspired characters ranging from a Mumbai bhai to a Punjabi farmer, a Hyderabadi shopkeeper, a Nepali Sherpa and a UP bhaiya. All these ads used the local dialect but such  that everyone could recognise it. The ads showed both a common man and a person from higher social class enjoying coke together. Thus Coke targeted all socio-economic classes. Coke targeted the rural market by introducing Rs5 bottle. They also introduced small lahris which gave a small glass of Coca Cola company beverages for just Rs 2. Coca Cola has extensively used cultural symbols such as festivals; for instance, their campaigns for Navratri in Gujarat and the campaigns on Independence Day. It has also tied up with restaurants serving regional cuisine with taglines such as ‘Masala Dosa tastes better with a Coke’(on a menu card of Sankalp Restaurant in Ahmedabad ). Coca Cola aimed its newspaper advertising campaign at rural India (which it called India B) through some very creative ads featuring the Desi Jugaad Concept. These ads created an additional appeal to the urban youth (India A) by the way of undermining the actual conventional advertising plan. Hence we see that Coca Cola has established itself as a brand in sync with the Indian cultural values and marketed it across all cadres of the Indian society. Social Factors: Social factors play an essential role in influencing the buying decisions of consumers. Some common influences are: Reference Groups Family Roles and Status Reference Groups Every individual has some people around him who directly or indirectly influence their attitudes and behaviour. Coca Cola has used this factor extensively to leverage its products, particularly with brands like ThumsUp and Sprite. Sprite was marketed as a soft drink for the modern urban youth who was quick-witted and street-smart. It focused on creating an aspirational group which young people would want to be associated with. Various campaigns were launched to achieve this: ‘Chalo Apni Chaal’: These advertisements mainly focused on the influence of aspirational groups on the self-concept, where in it was shown how someone aspires to be talented like others around him, but isn’t. However, after sipping coke, he decides to play by his own rules instead of competing with others, and thereby emerges as the real winner. University of Freshology: This campaign focused on applying fresh techniques to get out of everyday tricky situations that one  may find himself in. It used the image of a serious, bespectacled man – the Freshology Professor – giving lessons to people who find themselves in tricky situations. These advertisements used the concept of aspirational groups, as each person aims to slip out of such situations with ease, just as the ‘Freshology Professor’ preaches. ThumsUp used its ‘Aaj Kuch Toofani Karte Hai’ campaign, to portray a brand image of being different. With its advertisements and tagline, it aimed to urge people to think differently and do things differently – for e.g., in 1 TVC, Salman Khan hires a helicopter in order to pick up the Thums Up truck out of traffic, so that the stock at a shop can be replenished. This focused on attempting to alter the attitudes of consumers and bring about changed, fresh thinking, thereby positioni ng itself as a brand that is vastly different from others. Thums Up is geared towards a particular group of people who seek adventure and want to try something thrilling and exhilarating. This is also reflected in its strong taste. By using conventionally ‘macho’ celebrities like Salman Khan and Akshay Kumar, it means to portray an image of self-confidence and achievement-orientation, which consumers can aspire to become. Coca-Cola TVCs focus more on membership groups, particularly primary groups. For example, the idea of friendship is used in the Hrithik Roshan and Aiswarya Rai ‘Best Friends’ advertisement, professing how best friends are always together despite personal differences as they ‘always share a coke’. Another example is a TVC of school-going kids enjoying Coke together after an intense competition of eating spicy food. It portrays Coke as the medium which brings friends together and creates an atmosphere of camaraderie and friendship. Family Family plays an important role in influencing the buying decisions of individuals. Coca- came up with various strategies to leverage this aspect in influencing consumer behaviour The ‘Share-a-Coke’ campaign used the concept of gifting on special occasions, wherein it gives people the chance to order personalized Coke bottles through a Facebook app. It was tremendously successful and brought about a 7% increase in sales due to this campaign alone. ‘Recipe for great meals’: Under this campaign, Coca-Cola published various recipes and how-to videos for various occasions, be it a picnic, a family feast or a pizza night with friends. It positioned itself  as being an integral part of a great meal, along with family and good food. Along the lines of ‘Recipe for great meals’ is the ‘Saath Khao Khushiyan Badhao’ campaign, which aims to demonstrate family bonding over meals, and positions a Coke bottle as one of the many elements that show and enhance this bonding. The MinuteMaid TVC, which focuses on a mother and child, attempts to influence the woman in the family, understanding that in such a situation, it is the woman who makes the buying decision. Roles and Status Each individual plays a dual role in the society depending on the group he belongs to and each rule in turn connotes to a status, which differentiates the buying needs and tendency of individuals. The products under the Coca-Cola umbrella cater to different segments based on their role in society. For example, Maaza was mainly targeted towards kids, Sprite towards the college-going youth, Thums Up towards the young-adult adventure-seeking male, Minute Maid towards the mother, etc. However, it is also true that apart from the primary demographic, there is a large tertiary demographic for each of these products. For example, consumption of Sprite is not restricted to just the youth. The product of coke comes in different packages and sizes – for example, higher social classes demand for canned coke while the lower classes demand for bottled coca cola. Personal Factors: Age and Stage in the life cycle: Coco Cola has always tried to cater and portray itself to all the age groups. There have been campaigns like ‘Saath Khao Khushiyaan Badhao’ which showed families having dinner together. But there have been certain campaigns targeted towards youth in particular. For example Coco Cola released an ad called ‘Spicy Happiness’ which featured school and college students, thereby targeting the age segment of 15-25 years. In another example, Coco Cola also came up with an ad in which they used the backdrop of a library and showed two students. Coco Cola has used the Indian family concept in a lot of its campaigns. To counter the negative complaints post 2009, Coca Cola adopted the â€Å"Global happiness† campaign. It experimented with different kinds of images for the year. It was projected as a beverage enjoyed by the entire family together through ad campaigns like â€Å"Saath Khao Khushiyaan Badao†. Also after the pesticide incident Coco Cola used Aamir Khan to re-image the brand and in one of the commercials, his character was a Bengali man who comes with his family to a restaurant. Occupation and economic circumstances: ‘Bewajah khushiyaan lutao’ campaign in which the actors from the movie ‘Student of the year’ were shown sharing a coke with people from different economic backgrounds like a waiter, lady on rickshaw and a shoe store helper. This was to create an image that coke is for everyone. Also the campaign ‘Thanda matlab Coco Cola’ showed Aamir Khan play variety of roles ranging from Mumbai Bhai to a Nepali Sherpa. This was also targeted to reinforce coke for everyone image. Personality and Self Concept: Coco Cola has tried to create a happy and fun image. All its marketing campaigns have been directed towards it. ‘Open happiness’ campaign is one of the major ad campaigns by Coke. It is complemented by the jingle ‘Haan haan main crazy hoon’ which features people enjoying, helping and going out of their way to bring smile to strangers. Coca Cola India campaign â€Å"Umeedon Wali Dhoop, Sachchai Wali Asha† TVC launched in the year 2012, sells hope for a better tomorrow. This clearly gives a message of optimism and growth and shows that any and every dream is achievable. Similarly the brand also roped in Sachin Tendulkar, as a â€Å"happiness brand ambassador† to support various CSR initiatives the brand is undertaking. Coca Cola India projects itself as a brand which wants to grow along with the society. In its endeavour, the company has undertaken a variety of community development projects in rural as well as urban areas. Coca Cola India’s Parvartan Program trains local Kirana store owners in good business practices. Similarly in another initiative, Coca cola has distributed Solar water cooler â€Å"ekocool† to female retailers in Interior regions of Uttar Pradesh. Psychological Factors: Perception: All the product ranges available in the Coca-Cola umbrella have a different brand image which is actively developed to cater to a wider demographic. Some products like Coke and Thums Up, for example are very similar but have a widely different perception in the consumers’ minds due to different  marketing strategies. While Coke is associated with happiness and togetherness, Thumbs Up is perceived to be more edgy and gritty and meant for adventurous people. In regards to a specific product, Coke has tried to ingratiate itself with the Indian consumer in order to increase its brand equity. For example, it has launched marketing campaigns for Indian festivals like Diwali so as to encompass the feeling of that festival, which resonate with Indian culture. By associating itself with the Indian culture, it creates a positive impression on the consumers and they remember the core ideas of the campaign, if not the entirety of it. So, selective retention works in this case to carry forward the message of the company. Emotions: The open happiness campaign has strong ties with emotions as people tend to connect more to a brand when they have a reason to feel a sense of elation and joy. HAPPINESS TRUCK: This campaign shows a truck which goes from one part of the country to another and distributes free coke and other gifts like teddy bears, sunglasses, etc. to the general public. This creates a sense of contentment and happiness in the minds of the viewer and creates an emotional tie with them. It also shows a sense of inclusivity as the entire community is seen to enjoy the experience. SMALL WORLD MACHINES: This campaign is a brilliant cross-cultural marketing strategy which surpasses national borders. It has identifies an emotion which can connect both regions and capitalized on that to promote the brand. The advertisement involves people from both nations communication through a ‘happiness machine’ which then distributes bottles of coke as rewards. By associating itself with a joyful experience, it not only promotes its brand, but also created a favourable perception of itself in the minds of the consumer. CRAZY CAMPAIGN: This campaign ties both with memory as well as emotions as it illustrates people connecting with other people through the product. It celebrates impulsiveness and happiness and also has a catchy jingle which would be remembered by viewers long after watching the TVC. Thus it plays on both emotions as well as the memory of the viewers. Learning: Classical Learning Theory: This concept is clearly seen in the ‘Thanda Matlab Coca Cola’ TVC where initially, an unconditioned stimulus (thirst) produces an unconditioned response (need for a cold drink). The TVC links the thirst to the specific thirst for Coca-Cola (which is a conditioned response) by linking the word ‘Thanda’ to Coca-Cola (Conditioned Stimulus). Operant Learning: The idea of positive reinforcement is used in the concept of the Happiness Machines, Happiness Trucks and several variations of the same. The device rewards the customer with additional gifts like toys, flowers, cupcakes, etc when they get a bottle of Coke from the device. This works as an incentive to buy the product again in the future. Memory: All the above mentioned factors like attitudes, perceptions, motivations, etc. play a role in creating top-of-the-mind recall for the company. Minimalistic Advertising: Coke has published several ads which are minimalistic in nature and are thus easily imprinted in the consumers’ minds. An example is the coke hands advertisement which is simple and elegant and stays with the viewer a long time afterwards. Apart from this, in order to translate interest into revenue, the method of spreading activation is used, where one event is used to trigger a favourable action. In this regard, products in stores are tied up with festivals and occasions and tied up in a way so as to immediately capture the attention of the potential buyer. Also, catchy tunes and jingles are associated with the TVCs to ensure top-of –the-mind-recall. Another important factor which ties in with memory correlation is subliminal messaging. An important example is product placement in movies like Dhoom 2, Rang De Basanti, etc. In these movies, the brand is displayed usually as a background event which is not really pertinent to the plot of the movie, but leaves a lasting impression on the minds of the viewers. There are two ways to measure the impact of such a campaign: through explicit and implicit memory retention and how it ties up with economic benefit of the product. Although retention is an important part of brand promotion, memory retrieval is the most important concept, as the consumer has to actually buy the product in retail outlets and other stores in order to translate all the marketing strategies into concrete gains. In this regard, products in stores are tied up with festivals and occasions and tied up in a way so as to immediately capture the attention of the potential buyer. Conclusion: We see that Coca Cola Company has leveraged consumer behaviour in all ways possible and has established itself as synonymous with happiness and fun.

Effective Hr Training

EFFECTIVE HR TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY. EVALUATION OF TRAINING MCQ'S. 1. DISNEY UNIVERSITY IS NOT A CAMPUS BUT A †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.. PROCESS FOR TRAINING ALL EMPLOYEES OF THIS ENTERPRISE ? a. PROCESS. b. EXAMPLE c. PROGRAMME d. ALL OF THE ABOVE. 2. PROFESSIONAL FACILITORS LEAD ONLY. a. CONTENT, PRESENTATION. SESSIONb. HIGH LEVEL SESSION c. TECHNICAL ; EXECUTIVE SESSIONd. NONE OF THE ABOVE. 3. THE ATRITION RATE AT DISNEY IS ONLY †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. PERCENT COMPARED WITH 60 PERCENT. a. 15b. 20 c. 25 d. 10 4. Related article: KFC – Training and Development Problems Encountered by HRM StudentsTHE FIRST PART OF RPOGRAMME INVOLVES TRAINING OR RETRAINING IN QUALITY FINANCE, AND OTHER AREAS. a. TRUE b. FALSE 5. ONCE THE TRAINING IS COMPLETED THE TEAMS BECOME RESPOSIBLE FOR THEIR †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. a. OWN DEVELOPEMENTb. ORGANISATIONS DEVELOPEMENT c. TRAINEES DEVELOPEMENTd. ALL OF THE ABOVE. 6. EACH EMPLOYEE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING HIS OR HER OWN TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN a. TURE b. FALSE. 7. THE PERFORMANCE OF EMPLOYEES THAT ARE MANAGED BY INDIVIDUALS THAT WENT THROUGH THE APPRAISAL a. TURE b. FALSE 8. REACTION IS DEFINE AS. a. WHAT THE TRAINEES THOUGHT ABOUT PRAGRAM. . TARINERS TEACHING SKILL. c. NON OF THE ABOVE 9. MOST TRAINERS BELIVES THAT INITIAL RECEPTIVITY PROVIDES A GOOD ATMOSPHERE FOR LEARNING THE MATERIAL IN THE INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAM BUTDOES NOT NECESSERILY CAUSE†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. a. MANAGEMENT OF STRESSb. INNOVATION, MANAGEMEN T OF STRESS c. HIGH LEVEL OF TRAININGd. NONE OF THE AOVE 10. THE LEARNING OF †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. SHOULD BE USED SO THAT QUANTITIVE RESULT CAN BE DETERMINED . a. ALL PARTICIPANT b. TWO PARTICIPANTS c. EACH PARTICIPANT d. ALL OF THE ABOVE 11. AS FAR AS POSSIBLE THE LEARNING SHOULD BE MEASURED ON AN SUBJECTIVE BASIS a.TURE b. FALSE 12. WHERE PRINCIPLES AND FACT ARE TAUGHT RATHER THAN SKILLS, IT IS MORE DIFFICULT TO EVALUATE LEARNING. a. TURE b. FALSE 13. THE MOST COMMON TECHNIQUES IS THE †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦TEST a. PROJECTORb. PEN AND PENCIL c. CLASSROOMd. NONE OF THE ABOVE. 14. IT IS DIFFICULT TO DO AND HARD TO PROVE THAT TRAINING WAS THE ‘CAUSE’ OF THE ORGANIZATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT. a. TURE b. FALSE 15. †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ IS THE CONCEPT THAT MEANS THE DEGREE TO WHICH AN EVALUATION TECHNIQUE OR INSTRUMENT MEASURES WHAT IT WAS INTENDED TO MEASURE. a. RELIABILITYb. LEARNING c. VALIDITYd. NONE OF THE ABOVE

Free Essays on Impulse

A Life of Self-Deception â€Å"Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive!† Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832), Marmion, Canto vi. Stanza 17. In the short story, Impulse, Conrad Aiken illustrates the main character, Michael Lowes, as an irresponsible person that lies, steals, and is nothing short of a procrastinator. Aiken uses the other characters of his story to enhance the persona of Michael. And above all, Michael has become infected with self-deception by making himself believe that he is still a â€Å"good man† and â€Å"fate† is against him. Michael Lowes becomes a victim of his own guise when he is suddenly hit by the reality of his actions. The depth of Michael’s character starts with a cocky man engrossed in the mirror, wondering whether or not he should tell his wife, Dora, about staying out all night to play cards with his friends. He knows his wife will be unhappy because he should be home after work to do the paper work and pay the bills like any other responsible family man would. But instead of talking to her about the evening, he decides to slip out the door â€Å"pretending that he thought it was later than it really was† (p2). On his way to work he tells himself, â€Å"Let the bills wait, damn them!† (p2). He reassures himself that any normal man needs a rest from everything and he just couldn’t do everything at once. Michael doesn’t even like his friends, Hurwitz, Bryant, and Smith, calling them â€Å"cheap fellows†(p1) and â€Å"mere acquaintances†(p1). He uses them for the alcohol and says they are â€Å"good enough for a little escape†(p1). Th e reader would think that a man in Michael’s position would do the responsible thing and stay home, take care of the bills and spend time with his children. But instead he decides to take advantage of his friends and ignore the responsibilities of marriage and reality. Aiken has already shown the reader that Michael is nothing but full of ... Free Essays on Impulse Free Essays on Impulse A Life of Self-Deception â€Å"Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practise to deceive!† Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832), Marmion, Canto vi. Stanza 17. In the short story, Impulse, Conrad Aiken illustrates the main character, Michael Lowes, as an irresponsible person that lies, steals, and is nothing short of a procrastinator. Aiken uses the other characters of his story to enhance the persona of Michael. And above all, Michael has become infected with self-deception by making himself believe that he is still a â€Å"good man† and â€Å"fate† is against him. Michael Lowes becomes a victim of his own guise when he is suddenly hit by the reality of his actions. The depth of Michael’s character starts with a cocky man engrossed in the mirror, wondering whether or not he should tell his wife, Dora, about staying out all night to play cards with his friends. He knows his wife will be unhappy because he should be home after work to do the paper work and pay the bills like any other responsible family man would. But instead of talking to her about the evening, he decides to slip out the door â€Å"pretending that he thought it was later than it really was† (p2). On his way to work he tells himself, â€Å"Let the bills wait, damn them!† (p2). He reassures himself that any normal man needs a rest from everything and he just couldn’t do everything at once. Michael doesn’t even like his friends, Hurwitz, Bryant, and Smith, calling them â€Å"cheap fellows†(p1) and â€Å"mere acquaintances†(p1). He uses them for the alcohol and says they are â€Å"good enough for a little escape†(p1). Th e reader would think that a man in Michael’s position would do the responsible thing and stay home, take care of the bills and spend time with his children. But instead he decides to take advantage of his friends and ignore the responsibilities of marriage and reality. Aiken has already shown the reader that Michael is nothing but full of ...

Why is the UKs relationship with the rest of the EU so difficult

Why is the UKs relationship with the rest of the EU so difficult Introduction European countries have witnessed great political and economic integration with a Union of 27 European countries being currently in existence. This vibrant European Union can trace its roots to the post World War II years when integration among European nations was seen as necessary to end the devastating wars between neighbours.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Why is the UK’s relationship with the rest of the EU so difficult? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The European Union has achieved significant growth from an initial membership of 6 nations to the current membership of 27 nations. It has emerged as a major political and economic force in the world, even threatening to compete with the traditional superpower, the United States of America. Of the 27 members making up the European Union, the UK has set itself apart as the nation that has a problematic relationship with the EU. While the other nations have a good relationship within the union and mostly support its policies, the UK continues to have a mostly adversarial relationship with the union. This paper will set out to discuss the major reasons for the difficult relationship between the UK and the rest of the EU. Reasons for the Difficult Relationship The UK is more concerned with the economic aspect of the EU than the political dimension. From the onset, the UK has been reluctant to foster stronger political ties with other European countries instead emphasizing on the economic dimension of the union. This is in contrast with the view of the other EU countries that view political goals as being equally important for the union (Chalmers 23). The main motivation of the UK to join the union was economic and the country never strived for political integration. Margaret Thatcher who served as the British Prime Minister from 1979 to 1990 expressed the concerns that Britain had regarding political integration. Thatcher s tated that British was constantly losing her independence and sovereignty as more decision-making power was transferred from the British Parliament to Brussels. The UK’s lack of commitment to political integration, which is a core aspiration for the other EU member states, has increased the difficulty in relationship between it and the EU.Advertising Looking for essay on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Britain’s relationship with the EU is complicated by the fact that Britain was not involved in the founding of the European Union. When the six European countries, France, Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg, founded the EU, Britain choose to isolate herself from this union. British did not feel the need to engage in a union with other European countries since her economy was larger than that of countries such as Germany or France. Therefore, Britain disregarded the oppo rtunities she was given to participate in the process of establishing the EU during its formative years. Watts and Pilkington note that because of this disregard, Britain had excluded itself from the decisive events taking place on its doorstep (21). This created a hurdle for the UK since it did not have a part in the setting up of the basic rules that govern the EU (Watts and Pilkington 127). The formation of the Union led to an acceleration in economic growth for the member states and the six member states were going from strength to strength. This growth persuaded Britain to finally join the Union but by then, the six founding states had shaped the community to serve their best interests. As a new arrival to the Union, Britain had to be content with adapting itself to the rules that had already been put in place by the founding club of states. When a country chooses to be a member of the EU, it gives up some of its national sovereignty and agrees to be bound by some policies that dictate the policies of countries within the union on social, economic, and political matters. Unlike other EU countries, which are ready to give up their local powers and accept the authority of the European Court of Justice, the UK wishes to repatriate power back to Westminster. The UK currently feels exposed to EU integration and is therefore looking for ways to limit this exposure and therefore protect itself (Chalmers 132). The UK has tried to remove itself from some of the agreements of the EU in order to increase its autonomy.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Why is the UK’s relationship with the rest of the EU so difficult? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Britain’s move towards limiting the authority of EU bodies can be seen from the Conservative Parties 2009 election manifesto, which clearly highlighted their commitment to limiting the power of the European Court of Justice over Britains cour ts (Brady 3). In line with this ambition, Britain intends to pull out of most of the EUs crime and policing co-operation in order to avoid having the European Court of Justice undermine Britains common law traditions. Brady observes that the UK wants to remain part of specific elements of EU crime and policing while disregarding those that are deemed unfavourable for the UK (2). This move has made many EU member states hostile to the UK. Britains politicians have played a significant role in making the relationship between the UK and the EU difficult. Begg observes that there is little support for the EU among British politicians with the anti-Europe politicians commanding a substantial political base while those in favour of the EU having little influence in the political system of the country (1). British parliamentarians are constantly calling for a referendum in the country to decide on whether the UK should maintain its EU membership. Public support for the European Union has a lways been low among Britons and this makes the relationship with other EU member states difficult since Britain is perceived to be an undedicated member. From the onset, the British did not unanimously favour membership to the European Community and legislation in support of the European integration was voted into Britain through a small majority in favour. The UK is constantly renegotiating the terms of its membership to the EU, an action that is frustrating the other members of the EU.Advertising Looking for essay on international relations? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Begg notes that the UK government is carrying out an audit of its relationship with the EU with the aim of making changes to suit the interests of Britain (1). This need for renegotiation has been necessitated by the alleged disenchantment of Britons with the EU. For EU member states, such actions are seen as a move towards more exceptional ism by British instead of fostering deeper integration. The special relationship between the UK and the US has made Britains relationship with the rest of the EU difficult since UK foreign policy traditionally started out by trying to build an Anglo-US position. Britain has for decades developed a close and special bilateral relationship with the US and the two governments have constantly sort to cooperate with each other and engage in deep consultation. Niblett notes that the UK and the US has many common foreign policy objectives that they collaboratively pursue (637). These strong bilateral relations tend to make the EU a secondary party to th e US as far as UK policy makers are concerned. The negative perception of deep US-UK relationships by EU member states can be seen by the historical attempt by French President Charles de Gaulle to veto Britains application to join the community in 1961 where President de Gaulle asserted that Britain’s ties with the US would be hindrance to the UKs dedication to the European Union. Nationalism acts as a major undermining force for Britain’s involvement in the EU. Watts and Pilkington states that Britain is the EU member that has mostly employed euroscepticism to defend national sovereignty against the encroachment of an alien Europe (110). In 1994, Leon Brittan, a former British Commissioner expressed the unease about Brussels due to the perception that it was interfering where it should not do so and the belief that Brussels lacked sufficient democratic legitimacy. Following the EU enlargement, the UKs influence in the Union has reduced considerably and it is no longe r able to moderate the EU debate or easily mediate with the majority of EU members. This lack of significant power in the union has increased nationalistic tendencies at the expense of involvement in the EU. Britains idea of her role in the world also contributes to making the relationship between the country and the rest of the EU difficult. George suggests that due to her impressive historical legacy, the British population and its politicians feels superior to the other European countries and are therefore unwilling to relate on an equal footing with them (42). For centuries, the British Empire significantly influenced the world with Britain having colonies on every continent at the height of her imperial era. With such a legacy, entering the EU for Britain meant a loss of some of its worldwide influence. This has created a psychological barrier that has greatly strained Britains relationship with the rest of the EU. The UK has always conducted itself as an independent party to t he EU instead of a member state. This perception was best articulated during Margaret Thatchers rule, which was characterized by increased political isolation. During this period, the UK sort to highlight her sovereignty and opposition to political and social integration with the rest of Europe. Barely 3 years after UKs entry into the EU, the Britons were calling for a renegotiation of their terms of entry (Bideleux 143). This move had the support of the political establishment of the country and its citizenry therefore demonstrating the outsider status that UK aspired for. Financial considerations have made the relationship between the UK and other EU member states problematic. The UK has sort to reduce its financial responsibilities in the Europe and ensure that its financial well-being is not tied up with that of the other European nations (Eudey 15). This stance is best demonstrated by the refusal of the UK to give up its currency, the British Pound in favour of the common curre ncy of the EU, the Euro (Tavlas 37). The Eurozone crisis, which nearly triggered the collapse of the EURO currency, has increased the difficulty of the relationship between the UK and the rest of the EU. This crisis has been costly to the unions big economies with countries such as Germany and France having to shoulder enormous financial responsibilities in order to preserve the integrity of the common currency since its collapse would be devastating. Instead of taking on a more helpful approach, Britain has continually pointed to this event as justification for her scepticism about deep economic integration in the union. Most of the EU members have perceived Britain as being unhelpful during the crisis and this has reduced the goodwill that the UK enjoys with the EU. British officials are not very open with their EU counterparts and this has led to some of their actions been regarded as adversarial. Brady reveals that when taking actions that influence the EU, British ministers hav e not taken the time to articulate their position and enable the other EU members to better understand them (3). This lack of openness has antagonized many EU member states who are at times irritated by the actions of the Britons. Without open communication between British national officials and their EU counterparts, the EU officials can only guess at the motivation behind the actions of the UK government. Discussion Due to the numerous troubles that the UK has been having with the EU, there have been talks of Britain opting out of the union. Such a move would be detrimental to both the UK and the EU. The UK is important to the EUs continued political and economic growth. Without its involvement, the EU would lose some of its global powers and its ability to develop a more dynamic economy. Exclusion from the EU would also see Britain reduce itself to a second-class status in Europe and lack the power to influence the future decisions of the Union. Britain’s role in the EU is crucial to her economic well-being. Cottret states that while most of Britain’s foreign investment comes from outside the EU, the country is regarded as the most suitable launch pad for entry into the European market (192). Britains withdrawal from the EU would therefore seriously damage her advantage and lead to a significant decline in foreign investment. It is therefore in the best interest of Europe for the UK to continue being a member of the EU. However, the difficulties experienced in the relationship between the EU and the rest of the Union need to be mitigated. For the to occur, the UK will have to concede that it cannot maintain its identity entirely and accept to adopt a European identity. The nation will also have to accept the fact that the sovereignty of the British Parliament will be challenged and surpassed by the European Court of Justice from time to time. While this will be an infringement on the fundamental principle of the British community, it will be a small price to pay for the advantages of being in the EU. Conclusion This paper has discussed the difficult relationship between Britain and the EU. It has highlighted the many reasons that make Britains involvement in the EU difficult. The UKs historical legacy makes it difficult for the country to accept narrowing its political interests primarily to the European continent. The lack of involvement in the formative years of the Union also means that Britain did not have a say in the establishment of the core policies and rules that govern the EU. These difficulties have mitigated the role of the UK in the union and led to speculations about its future membership to the EU. This paper has noted that if the UK leaves the EU, there will be significant loses especially for the UK. Action therefore needs to be taken to make the relationship between Britain and the EU less problematic. Begg, Iain. It is entirely possible that Britain could leave the European Union within the next decad e. Feb. 2012. Web. Bideleux, Robert. European Integration and Disintegration: East and West. NY: Routledge, 1996. Print. Brady, Hugo. Britains 2014 justice opt-out: Why it bodes ill for Camerons EU strategy. Brussels: Centre for European Reform, 2013. Print. Chalmers, Daniel. European Union law: text and materials. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006. Print. Cottret, Bernard. Civilization of Modern Britain. Vienna: Breal Publishers, 2004. Print. Eudey, Greg. â€Å"Why Is Europe Forming A Monetary Union.† Business Review 3.1 (1999): 13-21. Web. George, Stephen. An awkward Partner: Britain in the European Community. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998. Print. Niblett, Robin. â€Å"Choosing between America and Europe: a new context for British foreign policy.† International Affairs 83.4 (2007): 627–641. Tavlas, Grant. â€Å"Benefits and costs of entering the Eurozone.† CATO Journal 24.2 (2004): 34-54. Web. Watts, Duncan and Pilkington, Colin. Brita in in the European Union Today. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2005. Print.

3 Key Tips for What to Wear to Salsa Class

3 Key Tips for What to Wear to Salsa Class SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Getting ready to start salsa classes? Awesome! Salsa dancing is a great way to exercise, meet new people, and have fun. If you're preparing for your first salsa class, you may be wondering what to wear to salsa class. While most salsa dancing classes don't have a strict dress code, it's important to dress appropriately for the activity. Follow these guidelines when deciding what to wear for salsa dancing lessons: #1: Your outfit should be easy to move in. Salsa dancing is a physical activity, after all. #2: Your outfit should help keep you safe. You don't want to wear something that you may trip over, for instance, or shoes that don't provide enough support. #3: Your outfit shouldn't make other people uncomfortable. Salsa dancing is a social activity, and you don't want to wear something overly provocative that may make your partners uncomfortable. What to Wear to Salsa Class When deciding what to wear for salsa dancing lessons, you should look for clothing that's functional, comfortable, and makes you feel good wearing it. You'll be moving around a lot during salsa class, so it may help to dress in layers that you can remove as you start getting hot. In this section, I'll give some ideas for what men and women should wear to salsa class to be ready for the physical demands of dancing. What to Wear to Salsa Class- Women Here are some ideas for what to wear to salsa class if you're a woman: Dresses that are knee-length or slightly shorter. Jeans or leggings that are fitted through the ankle so you won't trip on them. Cropped pants, capris, or shorts that you can easily move around in. Short-sleeved or sleeveless tops. A cardigan or sweater that you can wear if it gets chilly. Shoes that are flat or have a small heel (2 inches high or less). What to Wear to Salsa Class- Men Here are some ideas for what to wear to salsa class if you're a man: Cotton t-shirts. Long or short sleeve button up shirts. Jeans, khakis, or slacks. Shorts of any kind. Light vests or sweaters that are easy to remove. Flat shoes with a smooth bottom. Final Thoughts Salsa dancing is a lot of fun, but can be challenging, especially if you're not wearing the right clothing. Make sure that you're wearing comfortable clothes and shoes that allow you to get your groove on and you'll have the time of your life.

International Trade Unions 1 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

International Trade Unions 1 - Assignment Example In this scenario ACFTU, the body in charge of trade unions in the country, has no sovereign responsibility. It would continue to be what it is currently: an outside public bureaucracy of the ministry of labor with very little significance in terms of the major issues of export operations in the private economy. Without its own organizational influence, it stays to be subordinate to the Party, disregarded by the employees. Employers are currently in support of powerful ACFTU trade unions because they are opposing the increasing pressure on collective agreements and wages (Merz, 2011). Industrial action in companies is likely to become more intense if the ACFTU trade unions are involved. In terms of resolution of employee grievances, Trade unions in china have continued officially to play the role of representing the interests of the entire working class under the guidance of the Communist Party. Employees in the country are granted the right to freedom of association. However, the rig ht to strike was eliminated from the constitution in 1982. As a result, the international trade union community does not acknowledge Chinese trade unions as ‘genuine’ trade unions, capable of representing members’ interests. ... The handy role of trade unions in the mediation stage is not to represent the employee but to act as a mediator between the employer and the worker and more generally to act as an agent of the employer (Hunter et al., 2008). At the first two stages, judgment is rarely implemented even when the employee wins, and most grievances end up in court. Judicial procedures have become the chief means for the resolution of employee grievances concerning labor issues in china. The axle of the structure is the arbitration process because, while a complainant can evade the mediation stage, one can only proceed with a case to court by appealing against the decision made during the arbitration process. Trade unions oversee the mediation process which occurs within the enterprise; they chair the mediation committee (Eyferth, 2006). The system of mediation as a method of remedying employees’ serious grievances is weak because, while the number of documented cases has risen, there has been a ra pid decline in the number of cases going to mediation (Hunter et al., 2008). Furthermore, the ratio of appeals against mediation decisions has augmented; therefore there has been a fall in the burden of resolution of employees’ grievances on the courts and local arbitration committees. In 1995, ACFTU tried to strengthen the role of trade unions in providing support to workers in legal disputes by issuing a statement on trade unions’ engagement in settlements of employee grievances. This statement stressed that trade unions should offer legal aid to employees and should establish their individual legal outfits to stand for such employees (Eyferth, 2006). The ACFTU put up legal divisions at state,

The Future of Solid and Hazardous Waste Disposal Research Paper

The Future of Solid and Hazardous Waste Disposal - Research Paper Example In essence, anything that the humankind uses leaves some sort of waste behind. However, the way that society disposes its wastes is what the waste disposal channel becomes. Waste either can be properly disposed or managed in a way that reduces harmful effects to human health and the environment. In this regard, the objective of this paper will be to expound on the environmental issues around public health with relation to hazardous waste disposal. Further, it will touch on effective waste management ways in various countries in the world that have managed to reduce unhygienic waste disposal. Ideally, the European Union member states become wealthier by the day hence translating to increased waste production. However, the Union has made tremendous steps in ensuring that waste disposal is a matter of priority. This has been effected thorough the invocation of three vital principles (Sasikumar and Sanoop 3) . The first and basic principle revolves around the prevention of waste regeneration through the global initiative of going green. This means that manufacturers within the EU block have to produce finished products that have little or no waste after their production. Secondly, the EU emphasizes on the need to recycle and reuse to minimize on the amount of waste generated. Thirdly, the EU imposed directives on the improvement of the last disposal and the amounts of carbon emissions to the atmosphere by the emphasizing on the use of biodegradable materials. These stringent measures have helped to streamline waste management and disposal within the EU in order to achieve an ecology system fit for human habitation. Remarkably, the EU has devised frameworks within its member states to facilitate waste treatment and management as a waste reduction measure. In essence, solid wastes have become useful resources as they act as energy sources. This means that the product responsibility is the core aspect in waste management. In this regard, dangerous

Data Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Data Analysis - Essay Example Second in the list was those aged 21-25 years old at 25% while the respondents aged 18-20 and 26-30 years old were represented at 13% each. Despite five websites i.e. Flickr, Imgur, Instagram, Pinterest, Deviant Art being of interest in the study, it was observed that the only commonly used site is Flickr. 75% of the respondents admitted to be using the Flickr while 25% of the respondents did not respond to the question. It seems the respondents have little time to visit the photo sharing websites. Majority of the respondents interviewed (75%), said to be using the photo sharing websites occasionally, 12.5% use photo sharing frequently while 12.5% admitted to be not using the photo sharing websites. Ease of access and sharing came out as the greatest advantages of using photo sharing websites. 29% of the respondents agreed that photo sharing websites are advantageous in the sense that they are both easy to access and easy to use in sharing the photos. Equal number of participants (14%) mentioned about availability of space, confidentiality and quality of photos as some of the advantages of using photo sharing websites. Website photo sharing is of paramount importance however a few checkups need to be rectified for the trust among the users be increased. Currently people view it as being insecure, it will be very important if security and privacy is improved to allow people interact more proactively with the

Role of participation in Social Movements in career development Essay

Role of participation in Social Movements in career development - Essay Example Assessment about my suitability to jobs with reference to standards of performance set by companies has been very meticulous during interviews due to the nature of qualities required for and responsibilities attached to job. Positions in various departments called for superior talent under highly dynamic and competitive global environment. I have utilized training and orientation programs provided by companies to brush up fundamental knowledge and skills in tune with the requirements related to specific jobs. The reflective report is with reference to use of graduate attributes in entering job market, development of these attributes in work experience and participation in social activities, its relevance to employer’s need and satisfied work-life. ... companies vary considerably, skills acquired and insight into social behavior gained have been useful in grasping the core aspects related to job and enhancing adaptability. Business in McDonalds is very sensitive to inflation and income levels. In macro economics inflation is closely linked to economic growth, interest rates, employment, consumption and demand. This theoretical knowledge was useful in preparing sales reports after analyzing the causes for the variation in sales which improved my analytical ability. The impact of economic slowdown, globalization and liberalization phenomena in competition demand the industries to be more efficient through innovative production and management processes. Working conditions in my job with REED were conducive for me to learn Word and Excel since I had to enter data in various forms relating to customer service. (why? e.g. as I require to input data or write some stuff sometime like that). This attribute has been useful in presentation of reports to management as well. (to whom?)in McDonalds and I have earned good reputation in presentation in my communication. There are certain core aspects in respect of management in any undertaking. Assessment with regard to these aspects carries more importance from organizational perspective. Sustainable growth depends on flexibility in assuming and discharging responsibilities as the situation warrants. I had to coordinate with different sections in McDonalds for collection of data and preparing reports. Educating shop manufacturing personnel to furnish data in the required format is a difficult job. I could apply my theoretical knowledge about interpersonal skills management to achieve a better working relationship which increased my skills in this area for continued employability

The influence of Bunuel on Latin American Cinema Essay

The influence of Bunuel on Latin American Cinema - Essay Example The paper "The influence of Bunuel on Latin American Cinema" concerns the surrealism and the figure of Bunuel. The Dada representatives disdained official art. In 1922 the movement of Dada propagated the dominance of the world of imagination and subconscious. Having become surrealists the former Dadaists started experimenting with the automatic writing. The idea was that one put down the words that occurred to a writer. The same principle was applied to painters who reflected on the canvas the images appearing in their head. In general the direction of surrealism prioritized the fabrication of psychological works rather than creating art masterpieces. The basic principle used in surrealism was irrationalism. Breton published â€Å"Manifesto of Surrealism† where he gave the explanation of this movement. Luis Buà ±uel was the introducer of surrealism to the cinema and in this way he became an innovator. He was prominent both in silent and modern films, he shot not only feature films but also documentaries. He is believed to be the first surrealist in the world of cinematic though he has several works that are said to be made in realistic and non-realistic manner. His most successful films were in the can when he was past 60. As a rule film directors either retire or have a substantial filmography at this age. Due to his rich life experience Buà ±uel touched upon several topics in his films: Yet despite all the innovations and permutations of his work, Buà ±uel remained suprisingly consistent.

Sample Statistic, p-value, Confidence interval Assignment

Sample Statistic, p-value, Confidence interval - Assignment Example 1) What is the null hypothesis (H0) tested? H0: Ï€ ≠¤ 0.5 2) What is the alternative hypothesis (H1)? H1: Ï€ > 0.5 3) Sample statistic: a. What is the meaning of the sample statistic? A sample statistic is calculated numerical value that characterizes some aspect of sample set of data, often meant to estimate the real value of the corresponding parameter in an underlying population. What is its value? 0.05 4) Test statistic: a. What is the meaning of the test statistic? The test stat is the distance of the sample proportion from the population proportion in standard errors of the distribution of the test statistic b. What is its value? 0.8944 5) Critical values: a. What is the meaning of critical value? Critical value(s) is a factor used to compute the margin of error. Critical value(s) of the test statistic bounds the rejection region(s) of probability alpha = the risk we are willing to take of rejecting H0 when H0 is true b. What is (are) the critical value(s)? Critical lower value is 1.6449

The influence of Bunuel on Latin American Cinema Essay

The influence of Bunuel on Latin American Cinema - Essay Example The paper "The influence of Bunuel on Latin American Cinema" concerns the surrealism and the figure of Bunuel. The Dada representatives disdained official art. In 1922 the movement of Dada propagated the dominance of the world of imagination and subconscious. Having become surrealists the former Dadaists started experimenting with the automatic writing. The idea was that one put down the words that occurred to a writer. The same principle was applied to painters who reflected on the canvas the images appearing in their head. In general the direction of surrealism prioritized the fabrication of psychological works rather than creating art masterpieces. The basic principle used in surrealism was irrationalism. Breton published â€Å"Manifesto of Surrealism† where he gave the explanation of this movement. Luis Buà ±uel was the introducer of surrealism to the cinema and in this way he became an innovator. He was prominent both in silent and modern films, he shot not only feature films but also documentaries. He is believed to be the first surrealist in the world of cinematic though he has several works that are said to be made in realistic and non-realistic manner. His most successful films were in the can when he was past 60. As a rule film directors either retire or have a substantial filmography at this age. Due to his rich life experience Buà ±uel touched upon several topics in his films: Yet despite all the innovations and permutations of his work, Buà ±uel remained suprisingly consistent.

The Advantages of Studying Abroad Essay Example for Free

The Advantages of Studying Abroad Essay Studying abroad has been a hotly discussed topic. Various reasons have been analyzed. My writing will critically present the main ones. In the first place, study efficiency is what I put in my priority. It cannot be denied that students are greatly motivated when they study in another country. The national pride inside themselves encourages them to study harder in order to compete with foreign students. The desire to improve their country’s image is likely to boost their studious spirit. Therefore, their academic performances have a tendency to be remarkably improved. More interestingly, foreign education creates chances for students to study at colleges that have the best teaching quality and learning environment in a specific field of studies that they are in favor of. For example, German and Japan are the two most countries for their education in chemical industry. Students are able to learn from the best chemistry teachers and professors in the world. As a result, their learning is definitely developed. Without doubt, studying abroad enables students to haverst fantastic results. In the second place, skill development holds no less importance. It is widely known that there likelihood for students to promote their time-management skill when they learn in a different country. They live on their own then and have no family support on completing household tasks. They also have to take part in many extra-curricular activities. They are forced to create a well-organized time table in order to have enough time for learning. Hence, their abilities to manage time are undoubtedly enhanced. More notably, only by studying in a foreign country can students heighten their decision-making skill. It is attributed to the fact that their parents are not around to make decision for them. They must determine everything by themselves. Additionally, there are lots of dangerous seduction they are bound to face in their independent life. It requires them the ability to resist insidious pleasure and come to the best choice. Thus, they stand a golden chance to improve their ability to hand out good decisions. With no doubt, studying in a country far from home is a beneficial way for students to sharpen their skills considerably. Last but not least, personal enjoyment draws much of my attention. It is common knowledge that studying abroad brings students opportunity to approach a new culture. It is possible for them to get to know to different life style and customs, witness religious activities and taste special dishes of the local people near their schools or colleges. Consequently, their spiritual life is full of excitement and pleasure. More importantly, studying abroad involves helps students to have friends from around the world. International friendships are surely built when students from numerous countries gather in a particular place to study. Students definitely relish the enjoyment of having multinational relationships. Beyond sany doubt, foreign education brings students happiness. In a nutshell, not only study efficiency, skill development but also personal enjoyment are the convincing reasons for studying abroad. I highly recommend that students should take my writing into detailed consideration to make an effective decision on foreign education.

Fedex Express In Vietnam Commerce Essay

Fedex Express In Vietnam Commerce Essay This thesis aims to evaluate and formulate business strategy for FedEx Express in Vietnam to further promote the companys competitive advantages. Fred R. Davids Comprehensive strategic management Model is used for this strategic formulation. At the first stage of this process, FedEx Vietnam quantitative evaluations of internal, external environments and its Competitive Ability Profile are created. A strategic group of five managers and specialists who are knowledgeable in air express transportation industry is formed up to determine factors of each matrix and weight/ score of each attributes of these components. Data from this input stage shows the companys Internal Factor score shows companys weakest points are operating under agency contract. FedEx External Factor score reveals the company is responsive to external environment. However the level of responsiveness to competitors and administration style in Vietnam is not high. In Competitive Profile Matrix, FedEx ranks the second position among the four market leaders. The areas that company needs to look into for improvement is customer service and marketing. With the data from input stage, SWOT matrix and Grand strategy matrix are used to formulate all applicable strategies. At final stage of the formulation process, all alternative strategies that were selected in matching stage are put in Qualitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM) to determine which strategies out of given alternative strategies are more attractive. With the result, the thesis goes to some recommended tactics for some key functions to implement the two selected strategies for FedEx in Vietnam. RATIONALE THE RESEARCH As an infrastructure service, air express transportation playing more and more important role in the global economy. In Vietnam, the economic booming and dramatic growth of international trade bring very high demands for air express transportation. This demand is critical in both terms of transportation capacity and quality of service. Being in Vietnam for more than 17 years, FedEx Express the world leading air express transportation company, has been operating under agency contract with Seabornes Logistic. This business model gave FedEx an excellent access to Vietnam market at start up. However after more than 17 years of development, in new business context with stronger competition and higher customer demand the company is facing with following challenges: Gap between customer needs and the ability of the operation team Various customer demand for value added service versus the current core products Harder competition from main competitors This situation requires FedEx VN to review its strategy for necessary adjustment in order to maintain the good growth and steadily expand its market share. And that is my purpose to choose this topic for my thesis. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The research has 3 main objectives: Review strategy formulation models and theories that are applicable to the practical business. Evaluate FedExs competition ability in the context of Vietnam air express industry. The research will propose recommendations for FedEx business strategy in Vietnam from now to the year 2018. This research will answer the following questions: Why FedEx need to change its business strategy in Viet Nam? What is attractive strategy for FedEx Vietnam to 2018? RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Fred R. Davids strategy formulation framework is used for the strategy evaluation and selection. The model includes three stages: input stage, matching stage and decision stage. In the input stage, a team of strategists with participation of fifteen members from regional and FedEx Express Vietnam sales, marketing, customer service and operation management was formed up. The team discussed and agreed on list for internal factors (for Internal Factor Evaluation IFE Matrix), external factors (for External Factor Evaluation EFE matrix) and key success factors (for Competitiveness Profile Matrix). After the three matrices created, members of the team score weight and rate of each component factor independently. The collective IFE, EFE and CPM are made up by average the score from each team member. These matrices then are brought to team discussion for final review and comment. Secondary data from FedEx profiles, industry surveys/reports and related information from Internet was used for the team analysis and evaluation. In the matching stage, outcome of the input stage is used to generate feasible alternative strategies. SWOT matrix and Grand Strategy Matrix are the two techniques in this stage. Result of matching stage is a consolidated work sheet with all alternative strategies. The strategies which are applicable in both matrices are picked up for analysis in Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM). In QSPM strategist can determine which strategy is most attractive to the firm base on attractive score. This is the last stage of the process. SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS The research is for business strategy of FedEx Express in Vietnam from now to 2018. However strategic management is a continuous process containing of strategy formulation, implementation and evaluation. But in the scope of this research, the thesis will focus on some business strategies recommendation for FedEx Express Vietnam only. Given the scope of the thesis, detail implementation plan and evaluation/feedback for continuous improvement which are equally important to ensure a successful strategy were not deeply mentioned in the research. Without evaluation and feedback, management cannot get all employees involved in the strategic management process and hence cannot take full advantage of the process. CHAPTER I: THEORICAL FRAMEWORK Strategy and Business Strategy Definitions Strategy is not a new concept. In modern economy, when talking about business, strategy is usually the first thing to be mentioned. It is considered as cornerstone of business which determines failure or success of a firm. Thereve been a lot of definitions by scholars and researchers over the world. In an article What is strategy? on Havard Business Review in 1996  [1]  , Micheal E. Porter defined strategy as creating fit among a companys activities. The success of a strategy depends on doing many things well not just a few and integrating among them. If there is no fit among activities, there is no distinctive strategy and little sustainability. Regarding corporate strategy, a definition by Kenneth R. Andrews in 1998  [2]  supposed Corporate strategy is the pattern of decisions in a company that determines and reveals its objectives, purposes and goals and it produces the principle policies and plans for achieving those goals, and defines the range of business the company is to pursue. Strategy also defines the kind of economic and human contribution it intends to make to shareholders, employees, customers and communities. Another definition by John A. Pearce in 2000, a strategy reflects companys awareness of how, when and where it should compete, against whom it should compete and for what purpose it should compete. In all mentioned definitions, strategy and business strategy are almost the same in a corporate or entrepreneur scope. So, in general, a business strategy defines how a business/firm will go to succeed in its industry and market against its competitors. So, it should represent the ways that the management can make to define and secure the future of that business. In particular, a business strategy defines the scope of business, objectives, offering values, competitive advantages to meet customer needs as well as succeed now and in the future. Furthermore, a business strategy should include both objectives to be accomplished and the actions must be done to follow that direction. Business Strategy Management Business strategy management is defined as the set of decisions and actions that result in the formulation and implementation of plan designed to achieve a companys objectives. In general, business strategy management process includes three steps: Figure 1: Strategy management process Source: Strategic Management, Statistic Publishing House 2007  [3]   The formulation step includes analysis of current situation, forecast of future status to select and set up an appropriate strategy. Implementation is a process to achieve strategic target(s) by using strategy formulation that set out in previous step. To make the strategy working well, an important step is evaluate and adjustment. At this phase, the implementation is analyzed to see if there is any area that firms need to change to make the strategy more adaptable. Business strategy management helps enterprise clearly determines its objectives and how to archive it. It is instrumental in archiving high performance, cost effective and action oriented. With setting up of short term objectives in supporting for long-term ones, the process involves all members of the company, from front line employee to senior management level. This in return will enhance the firm to prevent troubles. Manager will get support from subordinates in forecasting of the strategic planning and in monitoring of the implementation stage. The involvement of employees in strategic formulation also improves their knowledge of the productivity reward relationship in all strategic plans hence, it heightens their motivation. The strategy management also helps the firm better adapt to changes of environment. The movement of environment, especially for those fast moving factors, usual creates opportunities as well as risks to the firm. Continuous strategic management which requires managers to analyze and forecast of the near and far future environments, helps manager to better manage and make the best of opportunities while minimize the risk that firm may have to face with. However, business strategy management process usually requires a lot of time and effort from managers. This might has a negative impact to operational responsibilities. Manager must be trained to minimize this impact by scheduling their duties to allow necessary time for strategic activities. Business Strategy Formulation Process: To give out strategic decision, it requires a comprehensive study on internal and external environments of a firm in regard to the firm objectives. Going to further details of the formulation process, it can be divided into 3 stages: Figure 2: Strategy formulation process Source: Strategic management concept and case, Fred R. David 2007  [4]   Input stage In this stage, firm has to gather all basic input information that is required to formulate strategy. They include External Factor Evaluation Matrix (EFE), Internal Factor Evaluation Matrix (IFE) and Competitive Profile Matrix (CPM). External Factor Evaluation: EFE summaries and evaluates both macro and industry (micro) environments. Base on that evaluation, strategist can determine opportunities and threats to have appropriate solution. The aim is to promote opportunities and avoid or reduce impact of the threats. Macro Environment: PEST model is a good tool for evaluation. The components of this model include: Political: The direction and stability of the political factors are major consideration of managers in formulation strategy. Political factors define legal and regulatory frame in which the firm operates in. It includes law and regulation on fair trade, minimum wage, pollution, patent, trade mark and many other actions. Economics: This regarding the nature, environment and direction the countrys economy in which a company operates. The factors to be evaluated include interest rate, inflation rate, finance policy, unemployment, risk level of investment, level of integration of the economy to world economy or to international organization that it is member of, trade balance, GDP growth rate and trends in growth of each economic sector. Social: demography, social structure, life style, education, religion, etc are social factors that affect a firm. Technology: Technological change can have a big impact on the industry that a firm operates. Creative technological adaptations can lead to possibilities for new products, for improvement of existing product. Industry environment: Michael Porters Five Force Model is the tool for this analysis. Competitors: This is the major determinant of competitiveness of the industry. Factors to be evaluated are number of competitor, rate of industry growth, economic of scale, sustainable competitive advantages and fixed cost allocation per value added etc. Suppliers: The bargaining power of suppliers is measured by determining supplier switching cost versus the firm switching cost, degree of differentiation of inputs, present of substitute inputs. Customers: Bargaining power of customers is the ability of customer to force prices down, ask for more higher quality service and play competitors off each other. The level of this power depends on customer volume, switching cost, availability of substitute products and differentiation of products. New entrants: The new entrants bring threat of higher level of competition. This threat is measured through barriers to entry, switching cost, economics of scale, product differentiation, capital requirement etc. Substitute products: The existence of replacement product brings in threat of customer to switch to other alternatives. The determined factors are relative price of substitute, customer propensity to substitute, buyer switching cost, product differentiation. Figure 3: Industry environment (Porter Five Forces Model) Porters Five Forces Source: Mindtool.com  [5]   After gathering information, all external factors are quantitatively evaluated with weight and rating score. Weight of a factor would indicate the relative importance of the factor to be successful in the firms industry. A weight assign to a factor can be from 0 to 1 with condition that total weight of all factors is 1. Rating score measures responsive level of the firm to respective factor. It ranges from 1 to 4 with 1 = poor response, 2= below average response, 3 = above average response and 4 = superior response. Figure 4: Steps to develop EFE matrix Select key external factors. Weigh importance of the factors from 0 to 1. Total weight of all factors must be equal to 1 Rate the level of response of the firm to each external factor from 1 to 4 with 4 is the highest rate Calculate weighted score for each factor (TAS). TAS = factor weight * rate Total weighted score for the firm The total weighted score (TAS) is equal to weighing score time rating score. The firms EFE TAS is sum of all external factors. This TAS shows the responsiveness of the firm to the external environment. If the score is 2.5 up, it means firm response to the environment well. Internal Factor Evaluation IFE summaries and evaluates major strengths and weaknesses in all areas of a firm. This includes: Human resource: The areas to be evaluated are ability to formulate and implement the firms strategy of it management at all level, readiness of the work force to implement that strategy, capacity of the organization structure in adapting with the changes of business environment. Tangible asset: Finance resource, facility, vehicle, raw material, etc. These items are normally reflected on company balance sheet Intangible asset: These are not assets that we can touch and see, but they are very often critical in creating the firms competitive advantages like brand name, company reputation, technical knowledge, patent and trade mark. Functional groups: Capacity and performance of each function of the firm like marketing, sales, finance, RD, operation, quality managementà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Similarly to EFE matrix, the IFE matrix is developed via 5 steps Figure 5: Steps to develop IFE matrix Select key internal factors. Weigh the importance of the factors from 0 to 1. Total weight of all factors must be equal to 1 Rate the level of response of the firm to each internal factor from 1 to 4 with 4 is the highest rate Calculate weighted score for each factor (TAS). TAS = factor weight * rate Total weighted score for the firm The total IFE TAS of the firm shows how strong the firm is. If it is from 2,5 upward, it means the firm is in strong status. Competitive profile Matrix CPM identifies a firm major competitor and their particular strengths and weaknesses in relation to a sample firms strategic position (David, 2007). Different from EFE, critical success factor in a CPM are broader. They dont include specific or fact data and even just focus on internal issues. The critical success factors in a Competitive Profile Matrix also are not grouped into opportunities and threats as they are in EFE. This provides internal strategic information that is also very important to the firm. Matching stage By matching and aligning key external and internal factors, this stage will generate all feasible alternative strategies. The technique use in this stage includes Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats (SWOT) Matrix, Grand strategy Matrix. Other matrices like Strategic Position and Action Evaluation (SPACE) Matrix, Internal-External (IE) Matrix, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Matrix can be considered to use in this matching stage. SWOT Matrix The SWOT analysis was made popular by Andrew (1965). Through evaluating of components of a firms internal and external environments, this analysis enable the firm to approach its most feasible and applicable strategy to get its strategic objectives. By answer the question how the company makes the most of its strengths, circumvent its weaknesses, capitalize on its opportunities and manage its threats, SWOT model provides an efficient tool for the company long range planning base on qualitative analysis rather than merely base on quantitative forecast (Edmund P.  Learned, 1965). SWOT matrix presents a mechanism for facilitating the linkage among company strengths weaknesses threats and opportunities in the market place. It also provide framework for strategy formulation with its 4 types of strategies: SO (Strengths-Opportunities) strategy, WO (Weaknesses-Opportunities) strategy, ST (Strength-Threats) strategy and WT (Weaknesses-Threats) strategy (Figure6). Figure 6: SWOT/TOWS Strategic Alternatives Matrix External Opportunities (O) 1. 2. 3. 4. External Threats (T) 1. 2. 3. 4. Internal Strengths (S) 1. 2. 3. 4. SO Maxi-Maxi Strategy Strategies that use strengths to maximize opportunities. ST Maxi-Mini Strategy Strategies that use strengths to minimize threats. Internal Weaknesses (W) 1. 2. 3. 4. WO Mini-Maxi Strategy Strategies that minimize weaknesses by taking advantage of opportunities. WT Mini-Mini Strategy Strategies that minimize weaknesses and avoid threats. Source: Mindtools.com  [6]   Manager can develop these 4 strategies by answering: SO How can his firm use its strengths to take advantage of the opportunities? ST How can his firm take advantage of its strengths to avoid real and potential threats? WO How can his firm use its opportunities to overcome the weaknesses you are experienced? WT How can his firm minimize its weaknesses and avoid threats? Grand Strategy Matrix Grand Strategy Matrix can be used by firm to select applicable strategies from all 15 principal grand strategies base on evaluating of two dimensions: competitive position and market growth. The two dimensions of Grand Strategy Matrix make up a 4 quadrant axis. Quadrant I is for firms which have strong competition position and operate in rapid growth industry. Aggressive strategies like market penetration, market development, and product development strategies are effective choice for the firm to further promote its competitiveness. The firm can also choose vertical integration to acquire business of its supplier or customer if it has excessive resources. If the firm in this Quadrant is too heavily committed to a single product, it can reduce the risk by using concentric diversification to expand its business through acquiring or generating related business in term of technology, market or product. Quadrant II represents for firms that have a weak competitive position in a rapid growth industry. These firms must evaluate its present position to the marketplace and determine what make them to be ineffective in competing in the market. The firms should firstly apply intensive strategies like market penetration, market development, product development to improve it competitiveness. Using horizontal integration to acquire similar firm(s) operating at the same stage of the product-marketing chain is also a suitable alternative in case the firm lack of a distinctive competence or competitive advantage. In the worst case when there is no chance for competitiveness improvement, divestiture or liquidation should be considered. Quadrant III is for firms operate in slow-growth industries and have weak competitive position. To avoid of further lost or even bankruptcy, the firm must take drastic changes. Retrenchment should be the first strategy that the firm considers to cut cost or reduce asset. Other options for firms on this quadrant are divestiture or liquidation. Quadrant IV is for firms that have a strong competitive position but are in a slow growth industry. Diversification to more promising growth areas is the efficient strategy in this case. The firms can pursue concentric diversification strategy to expand its business to related areas or conglomerate diversification strategy to acquire business that not synergic to its current one but have high profit margin. Figure 7: Grand strategy Matrix Rapid Market growth Quadrant II Slow market growth Strong competition Position Weak competition Position Quadrant IV Quadrant I Quadrant III Source: Formulation, Implementation and Control of Competitive Strategy, Pearce/Robinson, 2000 Decision stage At this final stage of strategy formulation, Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix (QSPM) is used to evaluate feasible alternative strategies identified in Stage 2 with input information from Stage 1. Evaluation through QSPM reveals the relative attractiveness of alternative strategies and thus it is base for selecting specific strategies. This technique allows top managers to assess alternative strategies objectively based on a firms internal strengths/weaknesses and external opportunities/threats (David, 1986). In QSPM, left column consists of key internal and external factors from Stage 1, and the top row includes feasible alternative strategies from Stage 2. Information of key internal/external factors and weight of each factors are extracted directly from the EFE Matrix and IFE Matrix. The top row of a QSPM includes alternative strategies derived from matrixes that used in Stage 2. These matching tools usually generate similar feasible alternatives (David, 2007). QSPM determines best strategy to the firms by calculating total attractiveness scores (Multiply Attractiveness Score with Weight of each factor for each alternative strategy) and sum Total Attractiveness Scores of each alternative strategy in the QSPM table. As mentioned above, weights of the internal and external factors are directly transferred from IFE and EFE matrix in Stage 2 and Attractiveness Scores (AS) are defined as quantitative values with 1 for not attractive, 2 for somewhat attractive, 3 for reasonably attractive, and 4 for highly attractive. Figure 8: Qualitative Strategic Planning Management (QSPM) model Internal factors Weight Strategy alternative Strategy 1 Strategy 2 AS TAS AS TAS 1 2 3 External factors 1 2 3 Total attractive core Total Attractiveness Scores will show the relative attractiveness of each optional strategy, considering the impact of the adjacent internal or external critical success factor. The higher the Total Attractiveness Score, the more attractive the strategic alternative is. The Sum Total Attractiveness Scores reveal most attractive strategy in each set of alternatives (Figure 8).