Saturday, October 5, 2019

The musical thought and influence of Brian Eno Essay - 1

The musical thought and influence of Brian Eno - Essay Example "This resource is very relevant for the topic of study, considering that it traces the history of Brian Eno and what he has been able to do in music, which earns him a name. Through this source, we get to understand that; while music has been introduced with different aims, Brian Eno’s contemporary music, which he has referred as the "ambient" music, has been customized to, and intended for a particular place, or meant to elicit a particular mood. He has sought to influence the people in different contexts, with music that is particularly tailor-made for that purpose. Consequently, he introduced â€Å"ambient music for airports†, after wondering how the architects of an airport in Germany would have managed to be very careful with the floor plan, but neglect the essence of having a soundtrack in the airport terminal. Brian Eno is held in high esteem as a visionary record producer, ambient composer and leading sound experimentalist. His influence is actually felt based o n the choice and the diversity of the musical genres and subjects he handles, such that despite being a confirmed atheist, Brian Eno has gone ahead and done an album inspired by Christian gospel music. Thus, he has been able to traverse different what he refers to as ‘community music’, music that is all-encompassing and all-inclusive, by establishing music that is able to transcend the individuality and sense of self, and making an individual to completely surrender to the tone, mood and texture elicited by the music.  

Friday, October 4, 2019

Biography of Nikola Tesla Annotated Bibliography

Biography of Nikola Tesla - Annotated Bibliography Example Nikola Tesla’s parents had migrated from Serbia to Croatia. His father was a priest, philosopher, and poet. The mental training that Nikola’s father gave him by making him do mathematical calculations without using a pen or paper was his initiation into the field of science. And his mother had â€Å"come from a family of inventors†. Nikola also made his first invention when he was a child of age five when he made himself a fishing hook and caught frogs. When Nokola was seven years old, his family went back to Serbia. In the new town, he became an instant hero as he repaired a newly modeled firefighting equipment which had failed to function on its first demonstration before the public. After his school years, Tesla decided to become an electrical engineer and joined Graz Polytechnic Institute in Austria. During his studies, one of his professors had demonstrated a dynamo which can produce direct current electricity and which was invented by Thomas Alva Edison, in the class. After watching the functioning of a dynamo, when Tesla opined that it might be possible to create an alternate current manufacturing motor, his professor refuted this idea as impossible. After a while, with the support of his father, he joined the University of Prague. But after one term was over, he left this course also and joined the telegraph department. While walking in the city park with a friend, the design of the ac motor suddenly came to his mind like a flash of lightning.

Thursday, October 3, 2019

Tuesdays with Morrie Paper Essay Example for Free

Tuesdays with Morrie Paper Essay Tuesdays with Morrie is a classic piece of literature that depicts an atypical student-teacher relationship. An unusual twist of fate takes the student and this book’s author, Mitch Albom, to once again cross the path of his college professor, whose terminal illness brings both of them to compose their final thesis.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Morrie Schwartz started out as Mitch’s sociology professor back in Brandeis University, Massachusetts.   Mitch could be described as the typical college student who hid beneath his tough impression in order to compensate for his being a year younger to be a freshman. Mitch was a good student and in the long run, despite his initial impression of Morrie, took to the professor’s classes and belief that educating was experience over theory. With their classroom and one-on-one discussions coupled with the number of sociology classes that Mitch took under Morrie, the professor finally encouraged Mitch to write an honors thesis, a year-long task which Mitch proudly submitted to is teacher by spring of that year.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Sixteen years after, life has drastically changed for both of them. Mitch became the career-chasing sports journalist, a job he had traded for his dream to become a piano player. Morrie, on the other hand, had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a brutal illness of the neurological system. It was a typical night in the life of Mitch, as he was changing channels when he heard the once familiar Morrie Schwartz named in one of the popular nighttime shows on television. It featured his old professor, now stricken with the illness, and all their memories back in college came rolling back to him, including the promise he made during graduation that he would keep in touch with his once favored teacher, one that he never fulfilled.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Back on campus, the relationship of Morrie and Mitch’s as professor and student proved promising. One was a very dedicated teacher, the other, a willing student. Their initial acquaintance was concluded with Morrie hoping that one day, Mitch, as many of his friends called him, would also be his friend.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   With most of our generation being in school at one time or another, it would be a truthful observation to say that the relationship between Morrie and Mitch is not the typical teacher-student relationship that we know of. In this time and day, students come and go, and seldom do teachers have the steadfast dedication that Morrie maintained to leave a lasting impression on his students. Although their relationship started out in academics, it eventually developed into a friendship where the old professor became a mentor of life to the young student. They sometimes sat together to eat, had lively discussions about human relationships, and through all these Mitch had agreed to become the player of Morrie, whom he started to call â€Å"Coach.† Despite the need to make up for lost time, the time they met once again, and the Tuesdays after that defined a relationship that was unquestionably one that naturally became a continuation of the friendship they once had.   That reunion after 16 years marked a renewed beginning of a deeper relationship between the two. Both had agreed to meet on Tuesdays immediately after making the pact that the remaining days of Morrie would be devoted to the composition of the â€Å"literature of death.† This would discuss what Mitch pertained to as the issues of his generation such as death, fear, aging, greed, marriage, family, society, forgiveness and a meaningful life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The tape recorded topics of the â€Å"Tuesday people† started with a discussion about the world. Morrie described it as a world where dreams were traded for bigger paychecks, something which Mitch was very guilty of. The culture that the world has generally does not make people feel good about themselves. Morrie suggests that if this is what culture sells you, then you don’t have to buy it. But because of the daily exposure of people to these ads and their promises of beauty, fame, or fortune, they are lured to thinking that being themselves is not enough. As such, each day they fall prey to this very culture that promulgates that what is trendy is equivalent to â€Å"normal.† In the long run, people walk around leading meaningless lives, busy doing things they believe to be important. In their desperation to put meaning in their lives, they chase the wrong things. After chasing these wrong things and end up finding out that they too, are empty, they keep running. And unfortunately this goes on until the day they leave this world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Each morning that Morrie wakes up and feels sorry for himself, he cries for a few minutes and then moves on, deciding that wallowing in self-pity would not be the way he wanted to live his remaining days. This is what he calls detachment, learning to let go after feeling the moment. Dying is about accepting it as a natural phenomenon in this world. Humans should not be thinking that they are above nature but rather, a part of it. As one of Morrie’s favorite stories said, the wave is not going to crash into the shore and die. Instead, it had to remind itself that it was part of the ocean.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When asked about the regrets he had in life, Morrie simply said that it is about vanity and pride. He regretted losing a friendship because of pride. This is where the topic on forgiveness comes in learning to forgive yourself, and then forgiving others before you die. Most important of all, despite his impending death, Morrie faced it with the acceptance of a child. Instead of letting the terminal illness disintegrate his spirit, he enjoyed his dependency on other people as a baby would on a nurturing mother. Ironically, awaiting his death ultimately served as their biggest lesson about living. As Morrie put it, â€Å"once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Topics in their Tuesday sessions dwelled on the importance of love, spirituality, responsibility and awareness. Morrie pointed out that the most important thing in life is learning how to give out love and letting it come in. Quoting his favorite poet, Auden, Morrie frequently told Mitch, love each other or perish. Over and over throughout the book, Morrie emphasized the importance of love and that it would be the only way for your memory to be alive when you’re gone. If the people you leave will remember that feeling, even if you die, you will never really go away. Although death puts an end to life, it doesn’t end a relationship. The only reason people wished to stay young, as the professor said, was because they never had satisfied and fulfilled lives. It is only when one was able to find meaning in life that they were able to move forward and look forward to their destiny.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   What Morrie wanted Mitch to learn was to live a life that was devoted to loving others, the community around you, and being able to create something that gave you meaning and purpose. After loving others, one needs to be able to love the community they live in. Even if every society has its own problems, Morrie proposes that the answer is not about running away but about creating your own culture and embracing your community like your own family. Morrie taught about investing in the human family, in people, by building a community of those you love and those who love you. Showing off to people above you is futile because they will always be looking down on you while showing off to those in the bottom will only cause them to envy you. Status, according to Morrie, gets you nowhere. As the professor once exclaimed, there was nothing wrong with being number two. Who cares?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Other important values during the final days of Morrie were about being compassionate and taking responsibility for each other. He rationalized that the world would be a better place if people had learned these basic lessons in life: regrets, acceptance of death as part of nature, the importance of family, showing emotions, love, and forgiveness. In fact, when Mitch asked Morrie how he wanted to spend his â€Å"last day† on earth, it was neither about being able to experience the exotic nor being a VIP. Surprisingly, it was just about getting in touch with nature, with the people he loved, and enjoying the simple things that truly mattered in life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Among all the things that Mitch has learned from Morrie during his final days, it is the importance of love that proved very essential for me. Even if one had all the riches in the world, clichà © as it may sound, material satisfaction is never enough. Morrie in his final days, as he was stripped of his independence, had learned to be more alive in giving himself, his ideas, to those who wished to hear him out—family, meditation teachers, discussion groups, old students, and friends. He had found more meaning in being able to listen to the problems of other people and contributing in whatever way he can to its solution. He had achieved what he had aspired for in life by having his loved ones surround him in death, rather than hearing of praises when he was on the grave. Morrie imparted the basic idea that indeed, death was not the end of a relationship.   Death was just a phenomenon of nature that we had to understand, that life was not about what society dictated. Life was about living in the moment, being happy with the simple things in life. Not running after the next job, or the next big thing. Paycheck was never in Morrie’s equation of living a happy life. A meaningful life was more about being in touch with those you love, and manifesting that love through affection and uninhibited communication.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As life comes to an end, you only cared about the legacy you leave in this world. How far has your influence gone? Have you told people you cared about that you loved them? Do you want to leave with regrets? Seemingly mediocre to many, these are questions that Morrie challenges us with. As we are posed with these questions, Morrie leaves us the inspiration that we ought to deal with life as if we were dancing with it. Dance with all your heart, with all your might, as if nobody’s looking. If Morrie Schwartz only had the chance, he would have danced his life away, until his last step, until his final breath.

Critical Analysis Of The Strategic Issues Faced Starbucks Marketing Essay

Critical Analysis Of The Strategic Issues Faced Starbucks Marketing Essay The aim of this project report is to critically analyse the strategic issues being faced by an organization. The organization chosen for this task is the company Starbucks, which will be analysed using relevant concepts reviewed in the module using appropriate theory and models. The analysis will include assessment of the external and internal factors and also the competitive forces influencing the company Starbucks. This will be accomplished by the application of PESTEL analysis and the PORTER 5 FORCES model. A combined analysis would be carried out by undertaking a SWOT analysis for the organization. The project report would also include analysis of the Starbucks Corp using the ANSOFF Matrix and the BCG Matrix to suggest the strategic choices the company needs to make to counter the strategic issues outlined by this report. The report structure would start with a brief introduction to the company Starbucks followed by the strategic issues faced by the firm. The issues are outlined before in the report based on the analysis which has been carried out using the above models. After discussing the current and recent issues facing Starbucks the company analysis would follow which would be supported with relevant theory and application of suitable models. After completing the industry analysis conclusion and recommendations would be provided for Starbucks to counter the strategic problems. STARBUCKS AN INTRODUCTION The Starbucks Company was founded in Seattle in 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Gordon Bowker and Zev Seigel with a vision to educate American consumers about the fine coffee drinking experience. In 1987 Howard Schultz took over the Starbucks Group, he wanted to create the Italian espresso bar experience in America by creating a personal relationship between the customers and their coffee. Just within a couple of years they grew from a small coffee business house to a multi-million dollar player in the industry by buying only the best coffee available and providing the people with an unmatched store experience. As standing, Starbucks is number one in the speciality coffee industry, with more than 12,000 shops in more than 35 countries. The Starbucks mission statement is To inspire and nurture the human spirit one person, one cup and one neighbourhood at a time. Freshly brewed coffee is the main product offered by Starbucks along with other drinks which include cold and hot teas, cakes and pastries. The Starbucks coffee comes in a many varieties each possessing a different taste, aroma and flavour. In addition to its extensive product offerings, Starbucks has many brands including; Starbucks Hear Music, Tazo Tea, Starbucks Entertainment, , Ethos Water, Torrefazione Italia coffee and Seattles Best Coffee. The successful management of all of these brands pulled together constitutes the Starbucks portfolio. Starbucks is also one of the most globally conscious corporations in the world.  Ã‚  In 2006 Starbucks donated $36.1 million in cash and products, volunteered 383,000 hours in local communities, required growers to use strict environmental guidelines, used 20% renewable energy in stores, and actively recycled in almost 80% of stores in US and Canada. Starbucks has established itself as the coffee leader in the world and has done so on a socially and environmentally conscious platform.   STRATEGIC ISSUES FACING STARBUCKS The major challenge that Starbucks is dealing with is the current financial crisis in the world economy forcing them to call closures of many stores around the world. Another challenge that Starbucks is dealing with is competitors. There are numerous coffee shops all over the world and being able to stand out to generate customers is important. Their main competitors are Dunkin Donuts, McDonalds, and Nestle in the US and brands like Costa Coffee and Caffà ¨ Nero in the UK, the two major markets for Starbucks. It is important that for Starbucks to know their competitors and what they are currently doing. Also Starbuck coffees are priced higher than other market competitors because of Starbucks only purchasing the highest quality coffee beans for their product, thus increasing the price of the drink giving the competitors a cost advantage over Starbucks. Also Starbucks inadequate marketing strategy on advertising is a hindrance in the business growth opportunities. They prefer to build the brand by promoting the drinks cup-by-cup with customers. The advertisement ends until they drink the coffee, reducing the chances to attract valuable customers. Starbucks also does not emphasize on distributing their products to supermarket because of being concerned with the quality of the coffee; if the coffees were packaged into plastic bags. Also the rigorous expansion strategy followed by Starbucks can take a toll on the firms brand image. As corporations grow there can be a tendency to focus too heavily on increasing output and locations, and less focus on quality and brand image. Starbucks needs to stay with its values and ideals that have made it successful. Also Starbucks policy of not franchising can be a cause of concern for the firm. Franchising would allow the company to open many new stores with less risk, and make considerable profits in doing so. Because of this the firms research and development costs would fall making use of the franchisee knowledge of the local market in terms of geographic, , psychographics, demographics, and the local country regulations. STARBUCKS ANALYSIS This part of the report would analyse the working of the business by application of PESTEL analysis, Porter 5 forces, the BCG Matrix, SWOT analysis and the Ansoff Matrix. PESTEL ANALYSIS POLITICAL Taxation policy High taxes levied on farmers in the bean producing countries, would consequently increase the rate at which Starbuck would buy the coffee beans and any such fluctuations in the taxation policy would certainly be passed on to the consumer, who now would have to purchase the end item at a higher price. International trade regulations and tariffs Trade issues would affect Starbucks directly when exporting and importing goods. When the government of the trading country imposes a tariff it would not only resulting in an efficiency loss for Starbucks but such large income transfers can also become inconsistent with equity. This extra charge would have to be borne by the consumers. Government stability A change in government policies has a direct impact on the taxation and legislation framework. Also the countries in political turmoil or civil war should be considered with great caution when considering probable market ventures. Employment law Reduction in the licensing and permit costs in coffee bean producing countries would consequently lower production costs for the farmers and any such saving would subsequently pass on to Starbucks when purchasing the raw materials and finally to the customers. ECONOMIC Interest rates High interest rates would mean putting off the investment and expansion plans of Starbucks, which would result in fewer earnings for the firm. Low interest rates should have the opposite effect. Economic Growth In periods of negative growth, the consumer incomes would fall leaving less disposable income thus impacting sales for Starbucks. Inflation rates Business costs will rise in times of inflation which would ultimately have to be borne by the consumer. Competitors pricing Competitive pricing from competitors would impact Starbucks pricing that would drive down the profit margin as they try to maintain their market share. Exchange rates If the currency value falls in a bean supplying country, Starbucks would get more for the same price, when importing the goods. This saving would be passed to the end consumer. SOCIAL Population demographics Identification of the target population at which Starbuck needs to aim their products is a significant factor in the business operations. The marketing campaign undertaken would focus accordingly. Coffee is a luxury product in some ways, so the people with the most amount of disposable income should be targeted. Working Population A large number of workers in big cities now go out for lunch and meals. Starbucks can cash this to their advantage and promote the shop as a place where people can meet and eat, boosting the sales. Location A good location which is easily accessible is vital to ensure that the customers visit the shop. TECHNOLOGICAL IT development Starbucks launched its first-generation e-commerce website in 1998. As a result, scalability and performance have improved, and the company now has the tools it needs to profile and target customers, analyse site data, and deliver new features to the market in the shortest time possible. New materials and processes Technology developments in coffee making machines and the computer systems that Starbucks use to operate their cash registers would enable the staff to work swiftly and efficiently. This results in customers being served quickly thus creating potential for serving more people in the day. Rate of technological change Technology is advancing at an astounding rate. Starbucks will need to invest majorly just to stand their ground in the always expanding and developing market, and also to try to stay ahead of competitors. ENVIRONMENTAL Pollution problems Starbucks customers create a lot of waste by disposing off the cup and the contents incorrectly. The material for the cup should be carefully selected to make it as biologically degradable as possible. Planning permissions Planning permission may not be granted to Starbucks if the construction would harm the environment. The land may be protected. Work disposal There are strict laws in most countries pertaining to waste disposal and non-adherence to these could lead to Starbucks being sanctioned, which would affects them financially and also tarnish the reputation of the brand name. Environmental pressure groups Starbucks should be aware of the influential and physical power of groups such as Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace. Any violation of animal or environmental rights by a company is usually followed by a swift and attention-drawing protest from one of the groups. Brand image and customer bases are often irreconcilably tarnished due to the actions of these groups. LEGAL Trade and product restrictions Starbucks need to follow the trade laws of the countries where they have established businesses. They must ensure that they are not in violation of any local laws. Certain countries impose a tariff that has to be paid accordingly when importing or exporting goods and this must be taken into account as well. Employment laws Each country has different employment laws, like limiting the number of hours a person can work per week, varying levels of minimum wage etc. Starbucks should be aware of such factors when considering business expansion. Health and Safety regulations By not maintaining high standards they would be liable for damages if found in violation as it is a legal requirement for them to enable that their staff and customers are safe when they are in their stores. Land use Starbucks have to abide by the laws of the building authorities when constructing shops or altering purchased sites and if found in violation of land rules, it can be panalised by the local authorities. PORTER 5 FORCES ANALYSIS 1. COMPETITIVE RIVALRY Starbucks is the leader in retailing and roasting of specialty coffee in the world. Major competitors include Costa coffee, Caffà © Nero, Seattles Best Coffee and secondary coffee providers such as McDonalds, Burger King and Dunkin Donuts. The competition is nowhere near to Starbucks volume of operations and sales. Consumption of coffee is not dependent on the price of the product but also on the differentiation between each product and several value adding variables such as the quality of customer services, brand, brand recognition and image of the company. Hence, Starbucks is not majorly sensitive to movements of other firms in this segment. 2. THREAT OF NEW ENTRANTS Starbuck is the world leader in its industry and has controlled access to distribution channels. Starbucks have extreme control over such distribution channels because of setting strict guidelines for the suppliers to follow. Starbucks is also constantly innovating and showing strong product differentiation to hamper the possibility of new entrants. However, the entry barrier for the industry is relatively low and any big firm where capital is not a problem could be a potential entrant. Some of the more current and on-going threats of new entrants include fast food chains such as McDonalds, Burger King and Dunkin Donuts which can become a major problem in the near future. 3. BARGAINING POWER OF BUYERS A big threat to Starbucks is the absence of switching costs in the speciality coffee industry, customers face no switching costs in switching from Starbucks to Costa Coffee or Caffà © Nero for a cup of coffee. Also a threat to Starbucks is the ability of customers to brew their own coffee. Starbucks tries to counter this threat by offering the Preferred Office Coffee Providers and also provides directions for making the perfect cup of Starbucks coffee at home, the perfect cup of course includes all ingredients which have to be purchased from Starbucks. Also with new entrants and competitors such as McDonalds who claim to offer premium roast coffee of reasonable quality for lower price, thus giving the customers some bargaining power. 4. BARGAINING POWER OF SUPPLIERS Coffee is the second largest traded commodity in the world. Central and South America produce majority of coffee traded. Starbucks depends upon both outside brokers and a mutually direct contact with exporters for supply of premium coffee beans. The quality of coffee beans sought by Starbucks is very high, proving to be a potential threat to the company. Only suppliers which meet Starbucks coffee standards are able to supply to the giant company. The supplying industry only has few firms which can deliver the quality giving them considerable bargaining powers. However, Starbucks counters this due to its massive size and being the primary buyer and also because of the importance of Starbucks business to any individual supplier as it would account for a large percentage of the total suppliers sales, thus reducing the bargaining power of suppliers. THE THREAT OF SUBSTITUTION Substitute products are the products that can pose as a trade-off for the product being offered by a company. In the specialty coffee industry, substitute products can be soft drinks, tea, energy drinks, fruit juices and other caffeinated drinks. Here innovation would play a huge role. To counter this Starbucks have given their menus a complete revamp and have differentiated so many of their products which are now part of the main product line. The menu includes various teas, hot and cold coffee, baked goods and various confectionary items. The only true direct substitute for specialty coffee would be the basic coffee, which is of lower quality than specialty and as such does not present any threat. BCG MATRIX RELATIVE MARKET SHARE HIGH INDUSTRY SALES GROWTH RATE HIGH STARS ( Growth Strategy ) Global stores Market Penetration and Development Backward, Forward or Horizontal Integration LOW CASH COWS ( Stability Strategy ) Product Development and Differentiation Diversification U.S Stores ANSOFF MATRIX Present Product New Product Present Market Market Penetration: Hotels, Grocery Stores, Businesses, Schools, Airlines and Industries Cafeteria Product Development: New Bold Fresh Lunch Programmes and Salads e.g. fiesta chicken salad, fruit and cheese platter New Market Market Development: Opening of stores all over the world. Expansion strategies into Brazil, Russia, Romania and India. Diversification: Music CDs, Clothing, Coffee Mugs and other accessories. SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGHTS Strong brand name Large retail distribution system Quality product Extensive product list Good supplier relationships Massive capital funding Valued and motivated employees WEAKNESSES Dependence on single source of business/income Prices relatively higher than competitors Strong dependence on suppliers Merchandise sales in stores Over reliance on home market Aggressive expansion leading to failure OPPORTUNITIES Overseas business expansion Business expansion into untapped U.S. markets Extension of brand name to new products and business lines Product range diversification to more food items THREATS Strong competitors with massive capital funding capabilities like McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts Economic conditions may make consumers unwilling to pay higher prices Political conditions overseas may limit business expansion U.S. speciality coffee industry approaching saturation RECCOMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION Starbucks has to effectively pursue a Focus-Based Strategy in conjunction with differentiation and a cost leadership based strategy. Being a lower cost store will increase the difference between Starbucks and provide it with a competitive edge. At present, Starbucks competitors are attempting to specialize in the coffee business, therefore Starbucks must pursue focus strategy to increase its strength. Starbucks must reduce their product price by producing a new product of coffee using cheaper beans or can come out with special discounts and promotions to reduce cost, thus increasing sales enabling Starbucks to enter new low cost markets and increase profitability. Also needs to focus on building alliances in new markets/countries to reduce management focus and benefit from the local and experience curves. Should focus on advertising the brand through internet services for users to access, do road shows, hand out brochures etc. so that consumers become more aware of the brands strong international presence and brand name. Market penetration and market development will help increase the sales. Access unexplored distribution channels like making available packaged Starbucks coffee for consumers by displaying it nationwide in various convenience and shopping stores and not only Starbucks stores. Starbucks must adopt twin policies of Product Development and Product-Market Diversification to counter the stiff competition in international markets. It is important to understand this in the product development phase as they would need to focus solely on making their existing products better. The company can demonstrate product and market diversification through research and development coupled with creativity and innovation. Product differentiation has proven an excellent defence against threats such as bargaining power of buyers. Developing new products will offset such potential risks. A strategy should be formulated to tackle the competition by entering into agreements, long-term contracts, with the food service companies that they are competing against. This way their coffee would be sold at these outlets and they would gain access to new markets and increase sales while decreasing competition. Starbucks should continue to be a first mover into markets with new products and ideas. Being a first mover of new products into new international markets will be an excellent way for Starbucks to build customer loyalty and uphold its image as an innovative company. Starbucks should continue to locate their operations in high traffic areas, high visibility areas. The company should continue to take excellent care in picking locations. It is extremely important that Starbucks international stores reflect uniqueness in their location and layout. Having locations in a variety of locations will ensure large market exposure.

Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Existentialism In No Exit Essay -- essays research papers

In his play, No Exit, Jean-Paul Sartre examines basic themes of existentialism through three characters. The first subject, Garcin, embraces existentialist ideas somewhat. The second character, Inez, seems to fully understand ideas deemed existential. Estelle is the third person, and does not seem to understand these ideas well, nor does she accept them when they are first presented to her. One similarity amongst the three is that they all at some point seem to accept that they are in Hell for a reason.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Garcin admittedly is in Hell because he was unkind and unfaithful to his wife. He however, does not wish he had acted differently, for he says, “I tell you I regret nothing (p. 24).'; In this respect of acknowledging and owning up to his actions, Garcin is following existentialist laws. However, he sometimes violates them. For example, he is so preoccupied with the idea that he is a coward that he demands the women to renounce this and declare his masculinity. He is so dependent upon this that he refuses to engage in sexual activity with Estelle until she affirms him. This is anti-existential because according to its principles, he should not have to rely on others for confidence.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Inez is in Hell because she had seduced her cousin’s wife, then conspired to make his life miserable, until he finally stepped in front of a tram and was killed. Inez also brought a lot of guilt upon her lover, Floren...

Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Santiagos Character :: essays research papers

1.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Describe Santiago’s character in regard to the adversity he faces. What political or historical person could you compare him to? Explain. Santiago faces many adversities in the novel but the main one that makes up the plot is Santiago being shunned as a fisherman in his village by all of the people because he can not catch one fish. A political person that compares to Santiago is Elizabeth Anne Seton. She fought for women’s right to vote and did not care what people called her and what men thought of her. 2.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Draw three parallels between Santiago and the marlin. Choose one quality both share and discuss in detail the impact of this quality on the fate of both the man and the fish. Three parallels between Santiago and the marlin are they are both decisive about what they want. Santiago refuses to stop fishing even though the people of the village are very discouraging, and the marlin will not stop fighting Santiago when he is trying to capture him. Another parallel is that Santiago and the marlin are both old and weak. The last is that there is a lack of faith. Santiago has not caught a fish a very long time and people think the marlin is a legend and it could never exist. 3.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Explain why Hemingway would make the game of baseball and baseball hero, Joe DiMaggio, such important components of a novel about fishing. Hemingway makes the game of baseball and the baseball hero, Joe DiMaggio such important components of the novel because DiMaggio had the attitude of a hero. Also, it was set that when DiMaggio lost his streak in baseball that Santiago set of to go fish and find the marlin. 4.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  What is the role of Manolin? Why would Hemingway choose to portray this character as a child rather than an adult? The role of Manolin is one of a caretaker. He is always there for Santiago even though Santiago never asks for help. Hemingway chooses to show Manolin as a child to show how immature the people in the village are, and also to show that children of all ages can be just as respectful and responsible as adults. 5.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  List three conflicts presented in the novel. Which one do you think is the most significant? Why? Three conflicts that are present in the novel are Santiago verses society, Santiago verses the fish and Santiago verses himself. The most important conflict though is Santiago verses society because with their lack of faith in him to fish, Santiago sets out for an adventure that tests his strength and confidence.

A letter to Dr. King

I hereby write this letter to emphasize on the step that you have taken that will make a great history to the American society and on the social issues that are highlighted in the letter.Being the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) you have the mandate and authority to talk on the injustice which is developing in many states like Birmingham. It is known that injustice is a threat to justice everywhere and this should provide a reason for your actions. More so, we should understand that whatever affects one affects all of us because we are tied in a single garment of destiny.There are many demonstrations going on at Birmingham that should be taken care off by first collecting the facts on whether injustices exist or the use of direct action, all this involves a non-violent action. This city is mostly segregated in United States with the Negros receiving unjust treatments in the courts. This is even worse as many homes for the Negros have experienced more bombings which even extend to their churches.These demonstrations are more so necessary at this moment because of the trend of economy. This is the time when there shall be a strong economic withdrawal program as a result of the direct action, the time when the merchants shall be in need for change.It is necessary to put direct and indirect action towards demonstrations in Birmingham because; this can create a situation that can bring about an open door for negotiation. More so still the Birmingham administration shall not be allowed to act because it must first be prodded before it starts to act. From the past, it has been seen that there has not been any gain without using a determined legal and nonviolent pressures. Therefore, there is need to get engaged in the direct-action campaign because we know that justice that is delayed too long is simply justice denied.The American community has waited for a long duration without having the constitutional and God-given rights which mean s there is a slow down in gaining political independence. Therefore, people have increased their anxiety to break laws which are unjust. This is because of the existence of two types of laws which are just and unjust laws. Unjust laws are those that degrade the human personality like the segregated statutes or just arresting a charge of parading without permit which is used for example to maintain segregation and deny citizens a peaceful assembly and protest.Another major social concern that you expressed in the letter is recognition of the importance of law in a country. That is it exists in order to establish justice and that if violated we are likely to become a dam that is dangerously structured for the purpose of blocking social progress. I certainly do not support this because the whites seem to have a low regard of the existence of law.This is the main limiting factor to establishment of justice in the legal systems. It has however been expected that the oppressor race shall be at least understand the needs of the oppressed race which is just but a dream a reason as to why the oppressed should be strong, persistent and determined for action.I still feel that the church has some inner strong power to take care of the oppressed race which has been an inverse in the present times. But lack of will has made it weak and has had an ineffectual voice that is unable to perform its duties.