Friday, May 31, 2019

The Tlingit and Grizzly Bear House-Partition Screen :: Essays Papers

The Tlingit and Grizzly Bear House-P craftition ScreenThe region of the nor-west coast was blessed with an abundance of natural recourses for human existence and made it possible for the area to thrive. As a result of this unusual abundance, the area could sustain large populations and a complex social narrate for many Indian groups. Because of the level of sustainability, the kitchen-gardenings had more time for artistic and intellectual activities and endeavors and over time, art became very important and vital to the complex social structures of the groups of the northwest coast.One such group, the Tlingit, used art to create and portray its rights, privileges, and talents inherited to them and became symbols of tribal importance. As they lived in extended family tribal canoe houses, they used art to decorate and empower their tribe in their social structures and often commissioned elaborate artwork in order to create jealousy within the groups. Because the Tlingit culture believed that they were all descendants of animals, the subject matter of most Tlingit art is a highly stylized representation of their ancestor animal. Though religious belief was interconnected into Tlingit artwork, it remained an iconographic representation of a tribes lineage serving many roles such as power and protection. The Grizzly tire house partition penetrate is one such example of important, symbolic Tlingit art. The partition screens were used both symbolically as well as served as a dividing screen for the heading separating his living quarters from the rest of his tribal house. This example is made in an unusually grand scale of 15 x 8 feet and is carved in bold low relief from cedar and was later painted. It artistically and symbolically represents Chief Shakes extended familys origin, the grizzly bear, with smaller heads of the bear making up other parts of its body such as the eyes, ears, chest, as well as many other sections of the piece. The smaller head s create a highly even design within the piece as well as further symbolize the important image of the bear. Carved out of the reproductive area of the bear is the doorway for the chief, additionally creating an important symbolic representation of their chief being birthed from the grizzly bear every time he enters and leaves his sacred quarters. This work exhibits largely all the characteristics cited by Stockstad as it provided background information into understanding the Tlingit culture and their beliefs.

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Essay --

Communication and Professional PracticeNiamh HubbleT001576311st yearSocial Care IntroductionThe purpose of this paper is to explore wherefore non-verbal communication is an important tool for professional practice. Some of the aspects of non-verbal communication are facial expression, eye contact, posture, orientation, proximity, touch, fine movement, gross movement, dress, setting and direct work (Egan 2002). The ball-hawking Helper/ People Skills In my opinion non-verbal communication is a very important tool when working with clients. For example, in a professional setting a client could be telling you they are fine and they arent afraid yet they could be shaking or looking around nervously. The non-verbal prompts that clients give unwrap subconsciously or consciously give us, as professional workers clues to how the person is really feeling even if what they say using verbal communication isnt the same as the non-verbal prompts. Thompson (2009) says that in addition to the wo rds we speak, we give very powerful messages through non-verbal communication and our body language ...

Wednesday, May 29, 2019

Should Teacher Pay Be Based On Student Test Scores? Essay example -- m

For years, educators and government officials have argued what the most effective system of take overment is for teachers in the United States. Government officials state that a moral excellence pay system, where teacher pay would reflect the students test scores, would be the most effective and would increase teacher performance. Teachers, on the other hand, see the merit pay system as a threat to their salaries and fear that they cannot control student performance. The debate will continue for years to come. However, many people will harbour that set teacher salary systems are more conducive to teaching students and maintaining a stable learning environment for all. merit pay, also known as performance pay, systems have existed since 1862. Beginning in England, these systems focused on how many students attended classes and the number of students passing (Harris). The main goal of this particular system, in the modern Era, was to attract the finest teachers to certain are as and to make sure that children in the schools were learning a sufficient education. As time progressed, the same basic goals of the program have remained comparatively the same. However, the popularity of the pay-for-performance program has wavered since its origination. For example, when the Russians launched Sputnik, there was a drastic push for academic excellence across the United States (Harris). In turn, many merit pay systems were implemented in hopes of giving teachers plenty of incentives and enticing them to perform to the best of their abilities. Most schools that applied the pay-for-performance plan within their school systems had dropped the program in the next ten years. legion(predicate) other countries, like Mexico and Bolivia, have also experimented with s... ...ty of Wisconsin-Madison, Aug. 2007. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. .Kobakhidze, Magda N. Teacher Incentives and the Future of Merit-Based Pay in Georgia. Editorial. European knowledge 2010 68-89. Academic Se arch Premier. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. Rosales, John. NEA - Examining Merit Pay. NEA - NEA Home. Web. 15 Feb. 2012. .Smarick, Andy. Diplomatic Mi$$ion. Editorial. Education Next 2011 56-63. Education Full Text. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. Springer, Matthew G. Performance Incentives Their Growing Impact on American K-12 Education. Washington, D.C. Brookings Institution, 2009. PrintWilliamson, Ronald. Education Partnerships, Inc. Education Partnerships Inc. 23 Apr. 2010. Web. 12 Feb. 2012. .

Microsoft And Windows Competitors :: essays research papers

A lot of people today, by and large microsofties, argue that Microsoft should not be set off up since it isnt really a monopoly Windows has a lot of competitors out there and some of the companies that make them atomic number 18 change surface bigger than Microsoft. And that is actually quite true Microsoft has only about 6% of the global software market and only 3% of the global calculating machine market overall. There are some(prenominal) electronic computer companies that make more than than Microsoft, like Sun Microsystems and Compaq and there are at least nine other(a) operating systems besides Windows, some of which you could even get for free.After three decades of use, the UNIX computer operating system from Bell Labs is still regarded as one of the almost powerful, versatile, and flexible operating systems (OS) in the computer world. Its popularity is due to many factors, including its ability to run a wide variety of machines, from micros to supercomputers, and its portability -- all of which led to its adoption by many manufacturers.The UNIX operating system was knowing to let a number of programmers access the computer at the same(p) time and share its resources. While ab initio meant for medium-sized computers, the system was soon moved to larger, more powerful mainframe computers. As personal computers grew in popularity, versions of UNIX found their way into these boxes, and a number of companies produce UNIX-based machines for the scientific and programming communities.A major region of the UNIX system was its portability, permitting it to move from one brand of computer to another with a minimum of code changes. At a time when different computer lines of the same vendor didnt talk to each other -- yet alone machines of multiple vendors -- that meant a great savings in both hardware and software pushs. It to a fault meant that the operating system could be upgraded without having all the customers data inputted again. And new ver sions of UNIX were backward compatible with older versions, making it easier for companies to upgrade in an orderly manner.UNIX comes with hundreds of programs that can be divided into two classes integral utilities that are absolutely infallible for the operation of the computer, such as the command interpreter, and tools that arent necessary for the operation of UNIX but provide the substance abuser with additional capabilities, such as typesetting capabilities and e-mail the tools can be added or removed from a UNIX system, depending upon the applications required.Microsoft And Windows Competitors essays research papers A lot of people today, mostly microsofties, argue that Microsoft should not be split up since it isnt really a monopoly Windows has a lot of competitors out there and some of the companies that make them are even bigger than Microsoft. And that is actually quite true Microsoft has only about 6% of the global software market and only 3% of the global computer m arket overall. There are several computer companies that make more than Microsoft, like Sun Microsystems and Compaq and there are at least nine other operating systems besides Windows, some of which you could even get for free.After three decades of use, the UNIX computer operating system from Bell Labs is still regarded as one of the most powerful, versatile, and flexible operating systems (OS) in the computer world. Its popularity is due to many factors, including its ability to run a wide variety of machines, from micros to supercomputers, and its portability -- all of which led to its adoption by many manufacturers.The UNIX operating system was designed to let a number of programmers access the computer at the same time and share its resources. While initially meant for medium-sized computers, the system was soon moved to larger, more powerful mainframe computers. As personal computers grew in popularity, versions of UNIX found their way into these boxes, and a number of compani es produce UNIX-based machines for the scientific and programming communities.A major contribution of the UNIX system was its portability, permitting it to move from one brand of computer to another with a minimum of code changes. At a time when different computer lines of the same vendor didnt talk to each other -- yet alone machines of multiple vendors -- that meant a great savings in both hardware and software upgrades. It also meant that the operating system could be upgraded without having all the customers data inputted again. And new versions of UNIX were backward compatible with older versions, making it easier for companies to upgrade in an orderly manner.UNIX comes with hundreds of programs that can be divided into two classes integral utilities that are absolutely necessary for the operation of the computer, such as the command interpreter, and tools that arent necessary for the operation of UNIX but provide the user with additional capabilities, such as typesetting capab ilities and e-mail the tools can be added or removed from a UNIX system, depending upon the applications required.

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Hellen Nellie Mcclung: A Canadian Feminist :: essays research papers fc

Hellen Nellie McClung A Canadian Feminist     Helen "Nellie" Laetitia Mooney was born October 20, 1873 in a log cabinon Garafraxa Road, two kilometers from Chatsworth, Ontario. She and her familymoved to Manitoba when she was six years old.     One of Nellies best influences was her mother. Her familys influencewas no doubt the reason she became an activist. Her mother thought that every baby bird had the right to an education, and her intact family encouraged her to assure all she could. (9, Wright) Nellie at age ten, went to school atNorthfield School. This is where her education started.     Nellies dream was to be a teacher like her sister Hannah. Teaching wasone of the hardly a(prenominal) jobs open to women. She started her voyage at age fifteen bypassing the Second Class Teachers Examination. She went on to earn a higherteaching certificate at Winnipeg Collegiate in 1893. She went on to teach atHazel Public School near Manitou, Manitoba.     We study Nellie McClung because she was an internationally celebratedfeminist and social activist. Her triumph as a platform speaker was legendary.Her earliest success was achieved as a writer, and during her lengthy career sheauthored four novels, two novellas, three collections of short stories, a two-volume autobiography and various collections of speeches, articles and wartimewriting, to a total of sixteen volumes. Two of her most famous books areClearing In The West and The Stream Runs Fast. each this served as a "pulpit"from which McClung could preach her gospel of feminist activism and socialtransformation. She was convinced that Gods intention for creation was a "FairDeal" for everyone and that Canada, particularly the prairie West, was aperfect place to begin to bring that about. Womens suffrage, temperance andthe ordination of women were keystones in the battle - engaged. In contrast tocontemporary s tereotypes, with a wit and compelling sense of humor that won over enemiesas it delighted her allies.     Nellie was a curious girl, she was incessantly asking questions. This wasnot commonly seen among girls in her time. As a small child she would want toparticipate in sports with the boys, although she was always told she wasntallowed. "I was hoping there would be a race for girls under ten, or that girlsmight enter with the boys. But the whole question of girls competing in raceswas frowned on. Skirts would fly upward and legs would show And it was notnice for little girls, or big ones either, to show their legs."(2, Wright)     As many great philosophers do, Nellie would always ask Why?

Hellen Nellie Mcclung: A Canadian Feminist :: essays research papers fc

Hellen Nellie McClung A Canadian Feminist     Helen "Nellie" Laetitia Mooney was born October 20, 1873 in a log cabinon Garafraxa Road, two kilometers from Chatsworth, Ontario. She and her familymoved to Manitoba when she was sixer years old.     One of Nellies best influences was her mother. Her familys influencewas no doubt the reason she became an activist. Her mother thought that every kid had the right to an education, and her entirely family encouraged her to occupy all she could. (9, Wright) Nellie at age ten, went to school atNorthfield School. This is where her education started.     Nellies dream was to be a teacher like her sister Hannah. Teaching wasone of the some jobs open to women. She started her voyage at age fifteen bypassing the Second Class Teachers Examination. She went on to earn a higherteaching certificate at Winnipeg Collegiate in 1893. She went on to teach atHazel Public School near Mani tou, Manitoba.     We study Nellie McClung because she was an internationally celebratedfeminist and social activist. Her succeeder as a platform speaker was legendary.Her earliest success was achieved as a writer, and during her lengthy career sheauthored four novels, two novellas, three collections of short stories, a two-volume autobiography and various collections of speeches, articles and wartimewriting, to a total of sixteen volumes. Two of her most famous books areClearing In The West and The Stream Runs Fast. all told this served as a "pulpit"from which McClung could preach her gospel of feminist activism and socialtransformation. She was convinced that Gods intention for creation was a "FairDeal" for everyone and that Canada, particularly the prairie West, was aperfect place to begin to bring that about. Womens suffrage, temperance andthe ordination of women were keystones in the battle - engaged. In contrast tocontemporary stereotypes, with a wit and compelling irritability that won over enemiesas it delighted her allies.     Nellie was a curious girl, she was forever asking questions. This wasnot commonly seen among girls in her time. As a small child she would want toparticipate in sports with the boys, although she was always told she wasntallowed. "I was hoping there would be a race for girls under ten, or that girlsmight enter with the boys. But the whole question of girls competing in raceswas frowned on. Skirts would fly upward and legs would show And it was notnice for little girls, or big ones either, to show their legs."(2, Wright)     As many great philosophers do, Nellie would always ask Why?

Monday, May 27, 2019

Analysis on Eastern European HRM Model

Many Western firms are rapidly investing in, or approach patterning joint ventures with, firms in easterly atomic number 63an countries. Despite the growth in Direct Foreign Investment (DFI) in easterly Europe, Western managers know comparatively little about the Human Resource Management (HRM) practices of these countries. In this paper HRM practices are discussed in east European states, such as Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Russia. Although there are both historical and ethnic differences between these countries, these countries go out be dealt with together, as they all confirm numerous elements in common that enable managers or researchers to see them as a whole.The purpose of this paper is to analyze if an Eastern European HRM model can be constructed on the basis of an analysis of Eastern Europe on several areas. First, the environment is analyzed, in which several aspects are covered, such as political contex t and history. The dialect lies on culture and (possible) implications for business, and HRM specifically. second gearly, specific Eastern European HR practices are dealt with in chapter three. Here too, several topics are analyzed. In the fourth chapter the implications of EU enlargement are considered in social intercourse to Eastern Europe. As many of these countries are potential candidates for a membership of the EU, the necessary changes and implications are investigated. Based on all the forgoing, an attempt is made to show up an Eastern European HRM model in the fifth chapter. Finally, in chapter six, conclusions are given followed by directions for future research.The analysis of the environmental aspects of Eastern Europe allow in the following aspectsLooking at Eastern Europes history, several main events can be identified that have an impact on todays business or cultural situation. First, the two World Wars had a major impact on the creation of the political and ec onomic gap between Eastern and Western Europe, especially the Second World War. Eastern Europe came under the influence of the former Soviet Union, which implied that all countries were under direct political, military and economic control resulting in a very centralized economy.This type of economy had a profound impact on the HRM practices that were put ond in those countries, which is further explained in the next chapter. Secondly, under Gorbatsjov as the president of the former Soviet Union, contact with Western Europe was sought, resulting in the break-up of the Soviet Union and the start of a new era for Eastern Europe. Slowly, provided gradually a shift was realized from a central towards a mart economy, again with the necessary implications for (HR) management.The qualities that were required by managers of Eastern European enterprises were the skill to bargain, the possession of a network of suppliers and purchasers, and the ability to manipulate production and financia l data. This style of management was driven by the response to the allocation of resources by a centralized bureaucracy in which rivalry between enterprises for resources led to unnecessary hoarding of materials.The history of Eastern Europe still impacts todays business operations. Many military unit directors and executives have their jobs because of Party connections rather than technical expertise. Creativity and original thinking was not encouraged or reinforced under the centralized government control. crystallise down communication was the norm. Common US practices such as MBO or 360-degree feedback, or Western European structures such as strong employee involvement or self-management work teams will not be easily transferred to the Eastern European work environment. Business practices that stem from political corruption or organized wickedness activities are still realities and may violate other countries laws and ethical norms. Despite the great changes that have occurre d in Eastern Europe, western managers must patiently strike these differences and strive to form successful business relationships given environmental and political constraints.As mentioned before, the dominant political ashes in Eastern Europe was communism. This implied that a lot of the large companies were state-owned and the government heavily influenced trade unions. The view projected to the outside world by communist governments, was that of in a workers state, such as the Soviet Union and its Eastern European satellites, the interest of the workers were as one with the government, because the government was controlled by a dictatorship of the proletariat.The problem with such a unitarist system is that it allows for little realistic criticism that might afford changes and reforms to meet real challenges. In theory trade unions were a separate entity from the Communist Party, but in reality they were often controlled by Party members. This meant that under communism, un tr ansaction was unknown imputable to manipulation with statistical data and hidden unemployment (a certain job is being do by more people than necessary, just in order to provide more people with a job).The transition from a central to a grocery store economy was initiated together with the transition from a communist to a capitalist political regime, and was started in 1989 after the fall of the iron curtain. This transition had several consequences. First, ascribable to the hidden unemployment and in an attempt to make organizations more efficient and to cut costs, unemployment rose. Still now a major problem faced by Eastern European countries is persistent structural unemployment. Secondly, after a couple of years a lot of state-owned companies were privatized. In these companies usually an employee culture of the planned economy remained.The educational system has been and still is rather good. An analysis of 256 Russian CEOs from all over the country, the overwhelming majorit y (91,4 %) of them had college or graduate degrees. In the Eastern European tug markets a clear emphasis is put on a technical background, more than a formal management education. This was also backed up by the analysis about 60 % had engineering and other technical backgrounds, whereas only around 20 % had a formal management degree.However, collectible to this strong emphasis on a technical background, there is a significant shortage of local executive talent. Expatriates remain a key component of the management market an estimated 25 percent of all managers in Eastern European firms are expatriates. On the other hand, this lack in education is rapidly changing. Also due to the efforts to prepare for EU enlargement, a shift in education is clearly noticeable. More and more professional management studies are initiated and further developed, sometime through and through the help of an exchange program (for instance CEMS). Therefore, we also see a shift in recruitment more sophis ticated methods of attracting managers such as the use of university recruiting and executive search are on the upswing for senior-level managers, gradually replacing newspaper advertising and word-of-mouth.Regarding Eastern European managers, Hofstede hypothesized that they would be characterized by a high condition distance (in other words, they would display high tolerance toward inequality in the society and business relationships), high uncertainty avoidance, medium individualism, and low masculinity. As a comparison point, the United States are characterized by a low power distance, high individualism, high masculinity and low uncertainty avoidance. These hypothesizes were further backed up by study performed by Bollinger, who found the exact same results.Analyzing these results, we see that the Eastern European culture differs from Western cultures, depending on what country. For instance Western European countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands have more similaritie s with this culture than United States culture or Japanese culture. In order to develop and manage adequate HR policies, the factor culture plays an important role in this process. This Eastern European culture is still influenced by the past of communism and central economy.The eastern European business environment is very complex and very different from the western business environment. Despite Eastern Europes large consumer base and natural resources, western businesses have not been very eager to invest in these countries on a large scale, such as in China. As knowledge increases about Eastern Europe and its business opportunities, and as countries in this realm join the EU, increasing western attention will focus on conducting business in this region. Yet, relatively little has been written to guide western managers in Eastern Europe.The system of Human Resource Management and industrial relations in Eastern Europe has been undergoing enormous change since 1989 and will conti nue to do so for some time to come. The fundamental problem is the transition from a unitarist system, very tightly controlled by communist governments that influenced every corner of the economy, to a more pluralist system operating in some type of free market.It is obvious to most observers that some form of pluralistic balance needs to be achieved to contain uncontrolled free market forces. At present most Eastern European countries are stuck in the transitional phase between these two states. For instance, work habits have changed dramatically with 50-hour weeks and taking work home more and more the norm. At the same time, absenteeism is low, indicating a strong commitment to the job.In this chapter the following current Eastern European HR practices are analyzed recruitment and compensation.Attempts by Eastern European firms to spring up their workforces by recruiting young graduates and contract staff have left older employees on the side. Underqualified graduates and disab led people are also suffering as a result of Eastern Europes drive for free-market flexibility. Firms in former socialist nations need to embrace diversity if they are to avoid repeating Western bad employment practices. In comparison to the West, Eastern European HR practices are not mature. Eastern European countries focus more on personnel practices than the integration of HR practices with corporate strategy. At the same time, managerial practices are becoming more westernized an East Goes West trend that is expected to continue. The sleepy, bureaucratic firm of pre-reform days is a affaire of the past.On this area we see a dual path. In the lesser-developed Eastern European countries, such as Russia and Rumania, foreign investors usually enjoy special countenance to import whatever materials and products they may need in their operations, and thus are more able to obtain these luxury products than domestic firms. These imports may be employ to recruit, retain, and motivate workers. Therefore, western managers accustomed to providing challenging work and learning opportunities to motivate high level employees instead emphasize material over intrinsic rewards due to the lower standard of living in these countries.On the other hand, in the Eastern European countries that have a relatively high standard of living, profit increases for local talent are high even in the lowest categories (state-owned and manufacturing firms), they have grown by more than 25 percent in a two-year period, and in the new private firms they have nearly doubled. These increasing salaries are dictated by the difficulty in attracting good local managers. In this fluid market, many firms review salaries twice a year or more and benefits for local managers are approaching the levels of expatriates.But, according to a new EIU report, currency alone is not the key to retention. Staff in crisis-prone countries remains fixated on salaries. But where market economies have been startin g to develop, a fair salary will suffice, provided employers deliver on a package of other rewards, incentives and working conditions. Benefits packages vary from country to country, but certain perks have emerged as key motivators across the region cars and life & health insurance. Increasing stress is being laid on enhanced job satisfaction.

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Prison Term Policy Recommendation Essay

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to advise members of the state legislative assembly with recommendations for new prison term policies to double the maximum prison term for any individual convicted of build up looting. Although the state legislature concedes the bill is popular the lodge in is whether the bill testament deter arm robberies. Prison Term Policy Recommendation In a few days the state legislature will be voting on a new bill to determine if the maximum prison term for anyone convicted of armed looting should affect anyone convicted of armed robbery be given a double maximum sentence.However, the effectiveness of double prison sentences as deterrence to first time and re-offenders is quite difficult to estimate. many a(prenominal) states define robbery as larceny or theft of money or property through the use of intimidation, physical force, or violence against a victim by the offender(s). When a weapon is used or the victim suffers injury, whereby the offender ma y be charged as aggravated or armed robbery.Robbery is differentiated between armed robbery that involves the use of some type of weapon, and aggravated robbery that involves the use of a deadly weapon. Armed robbery is one of the most committed crimes in the United States that concerns legislatures, the entire criminal justice system, and society. All states punish armed robbery as a major(ip) or capital offense, whereas sentencing depending on many factors such as state laws and procedures, prior criminal history, whether there be any sentencing improvements, or whether the state has a diversion program.For example a person (victim) is walking down the street a man (the robber) approaches and ask for the time when the victim looks at his watch and looks cover up the robber has a gun in the victims face demanding money if the victim fails to give the robber his or her money the robber may involve or hit the victim with the gun to obtain the money. In the early 1990s, legislation of many states (with the exception of Michigan) enacted mandatory sentencing for repeat offenders.These laws became known as the trey strikes laws, were invoked when an offender committed his or her third offense. The one-third strike law requires the courts to hand down an extended mandatory sentence of confinement. The belief behind the one-third strikes law was to target repeat or career offenders who repeatedly commit felonies posing a serious threat to society. Under the new law by 2001 California had more than 50,000 offenders sentenced than any other state with one fourth facing a minimum of 25 years in prison.Although critics, maintained that these sentences are disproportionate to the crime perpetrated and would increase correctional costs, in March 2003 the United States Supreme Court rejected the argument of cruel and unusual punishment and upheld the three strikes laws. Michigans prisons population since 1973 has grown 474% faster than other states. In 1998 the Michig an legislatures enacted the Truth-in-Sentencing law, to be tougher on crime. During this time the violent crime rate in Michigan did not decrease and has continued to grow, and has spent more on correctional facilities than any of its surrounding states.

Saturday, May 25, 2019

Redbox Essay

I. Executive SummaryRedbox Automated Retail LLC was run shorted in 2002. It started out creation an experiment, funded by McDonalds, with grocery style booths and videodisc letting kiosks. Within the first year Redbox dropped the grocery side and capitalized fully on the automated DVD hawking machine withdrawal. In 2009, Redbox became a fully owned subsidiary of Coinstar. A strategic evaluation of Redboxs internal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and potential threats are the bases of this marketing plan. bit Redbox exhibits non-traditional marketing venues, they have proved to be successful marketing channels. A strong focus is put upon Redbox in contracting with Verizon for the implementation of spuding movies, maintaining the imprint price for rentals, and the convenience of the kiosks for the busy consumer.II. Environmental AnalysisSince Redbox was origin everyy tried as a grocery and DVD rental kiosk, the transition into only the DVD rental market was comparatively halcyon. Redbox is non only its business name it is also its aesthetic view. It is a fully automated video and gaming rental venue that is all contained within a 12 foot square red box, hence the name. Redbox positions its kiosks in high-traffic areas like gas stations, grocery stores, and pharmacies. These are strategically placed for their intended grade markets to have a oneness- get shop on their way home from work. The idea behind it was to entice the customer to rent a movie at a store that they are frequently shopping at, without having to make another stop.A. The Marketing Environment1. Competitive forces. Redbox is in a passing competitive market. They face competitors such as Netflix and Blockbuster. Redbox leads in a competitive stand out by offering quick, convenient and affordable movie rentals. A Blu-Ray movie rents for $1.50 per day and a regular DVD movie rental is $1.20 per day. The Redbox network is nationwide and offers more than than 30,000 convenient loc ations. (4) Blockbuster Express recently conjugate the kiosk movie rental market which led them to be a direct competitor to Redbox. They also have a leg up on Netflix as Redbox doesnt require monthly contracts, which is highly appealing to the casual movie viewer.2. Economic forces. With the present state of the economy, Redbox flourished when the demand for cheaper movie rentals increased. When the Blockbuster brick-and-mortar stores were forced to close, Redbox rentals jumped up 28% from 2010 to 2011. (1)3. Political forces. There are no foreseen political forces that can alter Redboxs operations.4. Legal and regulatory forces. There are some(prenominal) laws and regulations that Redbox should abide by. But with Redbox being in a self-serve kiosk, it can make some of these laws and regulations harder to enforce. The Motion Picture Association of America sets the ratings on movies, and no one under the age of 17 can rent a rated R movie. Redbox does require age verification bef ore renting the R-rated movie(s). The Federal Copyright turn of events governs how the copyrighted material, such as movies, may be used. (2) A rented or purchased movie doesnt issue the right to show the movie exterior ones home unless that site carries a license for public exhibition. The Video Privacy Protection Act prevents disclosure of personally identifiable rental records without the written consent of the consumer. (3) The Entertainment Merchants Association regulates the industry for renting DVDs and/or video games. They protect the right to sell, rent, and/or promote the trade and rental of frolic products and content. (5)5. Technological forces. With technology always increasing and refreshed products are always being introduced, Redbox will undoubtedly be abnormal by technological advances. Consumers interest in renting physical movies will be on a decline with companies like XFinity offering the ability to stream movies online and watch them on any screen. Hollyw ood studios are also putting tighter reigns on places like Redbox. They are trying to delay the rental time lay out from when DVDs are released to when they are available for rental. By trying to do so, they believe that it allows the consumer a chance to buy the movie before it becomes available for rent. And the studios sire a higher cut off of sales verses rentals.6. Sociocultural forces. Todays fast-paced society allows for less leisure time. Consumers are looking for convenience and easy to use products. Redbox offers a convenient service that allows renters to be able to rent-and-return anywhere at any kiosk. Customers can also reserve a movie online or via mobile apps and pick up at the nearest Redbox location (4).B. Target Market(s)Redbox has three main target market segments, the casual viewer, the family viewer, and the non- sack up savvy person. For first target market segment, Redbox markets towards the casual viewer. They have a policy of no monthly contract fees unl ike their competitor, Netflix, who enforces a monthly fee. The casual viewer doesnt rent enough movies or games to justify the fee. The casual viewer appreciates the ease and convenience of the locations of the Redbox. While Blockbuster also targets the casual viewer, Redbox is more appealing due to the tatty cost to rent a movie.The second target segment is the family viewer. Redbox positions itself in convenient locations for the ease of renting for the busy mom or dad. They can stop off at the grocery store or gas station on the way home from work and also pick up entertainment for the whole family, without having to make another stop.And the third target segment is the non-web savvy person. Netflix requires the use of the Internet to be able to rent movies. For those who either dont have the technology available or those who are insecure of using a bank account or credit card number online, Netflix is not appealing. And with the focus Netflix on streaming movies online, they ar e pushing aside the lower income bracket who cant afford the technology or those who dont understand the technological lingo required for the streaming usage. That is where Redbox steps in and will capitalize on such consumers.Consumers are being forced to impinge on from the brick-and-mortar stores to another venue of renting movies. With Redboxs kiosks being user friendly and convenient, many of those consumers are trending towards the use of kiosks. Also the opportunity is becoming available for Redbox to prevail those valued consumers who are technologically savvy and offer them the option to stream videos online.C. Current Marketing Objectives and PerformanceRedboxs current marketing objectives are to film performance. They want to continue to drive customer loyalty, continue to engage their customers and grow profitability. By engaging their customers, Redbox is always looking to make the rental process more efficient and trenchant. They have installed several technology u pgrades into the kiosks that will shorten the rental time frame by 20-30 seconds. They are continuously working on the well-nigh convenient locations and placements of the kiosks to drive their performance and grow profitability.Since 2002, Redbox has at least doubled, if not tripled, their revenue for seven years in a row. They distribute over 37 million disks to their field employees to install in the kiosks per year. Thousands of kiosks are installed every year. They have been able to build the infrastructure of the business to grow with the changing times, to keep up with the customer demands, and to grow their customer base into loyal customers.III. SWOT AnalysisA. Strengths1. Over 30,000 convenient locations nationwide 2. No monthly membership fees 3. Rent-and-return anywhere policy 4. Offers cheaper rental prices, $1.20/night, than its competitors 5. Largest DVD-rental kiosks operatorB. Weaknesses1. Limited access to titles, mostly new releases, and the schedule of release d ate depends upon the studio, not Redbox 2. Increased costs for DVD acquisitions due to Warners discontinued relationship with Redbox (9) 3. Marketing communication channels rarely used4. Only accepts Debit or Credit Cards for methods of payment 5. Lacking web management in monitoring code sharing websites that allows for free rentalsC. Opportunities1. Tap into the market of streaming movies online 2. Now offers video game rentals at a relatively cheap price, $2/night 3. Mobile performances for IPhone and Droid for yet another ease of renting 4. $7 billion industry, in 2011, according to IBIS WorldD. Threats1. Stiff contest with Netflix, Blockbuster Express, and Amazon 2. Websites like Hulu offering movies free of charge via the internet 3. Strained relationship with Warner Brothers by not accepting their terms of a 56 day waiting period to release new releases, resulting in increased costs for Redbox acquiring Warner Brother films (9) 4. Movie studio lawsuits stating they were onl y making 60 cents on new release movie rentals from Redbox, whereas they make $17 per sale of DVD at Wal-Mart. (9)IV. Marketing ObjectivesUnlike their major competitor Netflix, Redbox is not a big advertiser. Redbox mainly uses its internet website, in store cross-promotions, and their strategic placement of their red kiosks. On www.redbox.com, they showcase their movie and video game inventory and all their locations of their kiosks. One can also reserve the movies or games on the website and pick it up at the nearest kiosk location. It is a very simple, yet effective website.Redbox uses the placement of their eye-catching, red colored box as part of their marketing campaigns. They are strategically placed in high traffic areas and four skirt stores. CFO Scott Di Valerio states that Coinstar wants to be the drawing card of automated retail. (14)Redbox also uses in store cross-promotions. Take the Orville Redenbachers promo, for example, on special marked popcorn boxes on that en gineer is a promo code for two free Redbox rentals, a coupon for a free 2-liter bottle of soda and a coupon for Orvilles poppycock popcorn. (15) Everyone associates movies and popcorn together so by running this cross-promotion, it brings new customers to Redbox and be able to experience the ease and convenience of usage. It has made family movie night just a little better.V. Marketing StrategiesA. Target Market(s) Redbox uses the strategy Think big, start small, scale fast. All of the opportunities that Redbox reviews and pursues are in big spaces. They also look at new ventures who can realistically reach $100million in revenue in an allotted time frame. But before those big opportunities can be obtained, they need to start small. They believe in the right environment, which includes a small team, a few resources and time to hash over the details, so they can get to a point to accurately scale each venture. When that point is reached, Gregg Kaplan, Constars COO, says Its like unle ashing the wonderful benefit that Redbox and Coinstar teams and the full organization can take against these opportunities. (6)Redbox are placing more kiosks in more convenient places in hoping to increase more brand awareness, which is especially critical since they dont spend much on advertising means. Mobile applications for iPhone and Droid are becoming intensely popular. The application will display a map of all the kiosks available in the area and also allows the cover of what DVDs that kiosk has available. One can also reserve the movie via the mobile application and pick up at the nearest kiosk.B. Marketing Mix1. Product. Redbox is the leader in DVD rentals, renting more than 1.5 billion discs to date, in over 30,000 locations. They boast on the fact that Redbox kiosks are available, within a five atomic number 42 drive, to more than 68% of Americans. (4) And their rent-and-return anywhere policy makes Redbox an undisputable convenient place to rent moves. It is also poss ible to purchase the DVD at the kiosks or online at Redbox.com.2. Price. The price to rent a DVD from a Redbox kiosk is astronomically cheap. It costs $1.20 to rent movies, including new releases, and $2.00 for video games. The rental period lasts until 9pm the night interest the rental purchase. For each additional day you keep the movie, you are charged the rental fee plus tax per day. If you happen to hold the DVD for 20 days, you are charged $24 plus tax, $34.50 for Blu-Rays, or $60 for video games and the disc becomes yours. (4) These cheap prices have caused a strained relationship with the movie studios in Hollywood. They only earn $.60 per movie rental, where as they earn $17 per DVD sale, no matter the selling price.3. Distribution. Redbox installs their kiosks in convenient, easy to access places, such as grocery stores, drug stores, restaurants, convenience stores, and large retailers like Wal-Mart. According to Coinstars 2011 10-K report, they have 35,400 kiosks availab le nationwide, each holding about 630 disks. (11) They are available in every state, including Puerto Rico. The kiosk is like the traditional brick-and-mortar video rental store, but only occupies up 12 square feet. Consumers access the movie database via a lead screen, make their selection(s), swipe their credit/debit card, and receive the DVD or video game(s). It is meant to be a quick, efficient and fully automated rental process. The kiosk scans the bar codes of the movies or games to keep track of its inventory. Bar code scanning allows them to track the rentals and the returns easily, especially when they offer the rent-and-return anywhere policy.4. Promotion. Redbox sends promo codes to individuals who have signed up to receive emails. They also send promo codes via text messages. Those test messages results in a free rental once per month. Another promo Redbox offers are gift cards via email that gives the telephone receiver a code for a free rental. In 2009, Redbox added a free mobile application for iPhone users and in 2011 they made the application available for Android users. The application allows users to sort through the available titles, find a kiosk location, and reserve a movie all from a smartphone.

Friday, May 24, 2019

Fairy Tale Gone Wrong †Snow White Essay

Most p arnts have, or will, tell their child a bedtime story that they may have heard when they were younger. These stories, otherwise known as pantywaist tales, are thought to be zero but a mere story to entertain, but what if these fairy tales had an underlying meaning of their own? Fairy tales have been nigh for more than thousands of years and are passed on frequently from one person to another. Today, to the highest degree are seen as harmless stories that were made up to entertain children how ever so, it seems that these fairy tales may actually hold meanings that are bigger than the average child can grasp.Many have heard the well-known story century white and the Seven Dwarfs yet, few have read the gruesome, skipper version by The Brothers Grimm. Disneys child-friendly version of blast White and the Seven Dwarfs was written with the intention of devising a successful animated movie for entertainment purposes, while the Brothers Grimm version tells a story in a more shocking and brutal manner. coke White and the Seven Dwarfs is a story that, when created by The Brothers Grimm, was actually made to entertain adults.As these stories became more and more popular people began to depart the stories so that they were suitable for younger children to hear. One person who was exceptionally superior at changing fairy tales was the notable Walt Disney. He took snowfall White and made it into his archetypal full-length, animated motion-picture. But Disney wasnt focused on portraying the original version but rather a loosely based version that would impinge on a successful film, or in other views make him more money. While the two version are immensely different, the newer version does mimic the original in several ways.The fairy tale is still ab forbidden Snow White cosmos a beautiful young girl who is envied because of her beauty by her wicked stepmother, the Queen. Snow Whites stepmother orders the huntsman to take Snow White out into the woods an d kill her, but he is unable to transmit the act and lets her runs away. While Snow White is off in the woods she finds a small cottage that her newly-made animal friends help her clean. Later she find out that this small home belongs to seven dwarfs. Then the Queen finds out that Snow White is still alive in the woods and sets off to kill Snow White herself.The wicked stepmother soon finds Snow White, kills her and later is reawakened from the dead by a handsome prince. Then later, the Queen dies and Snow White lives happily ever after. Therefore, the basic outline is kept the same as the original, but Disney changes what seem like minor details that actually have a larger impact. Although it may not seem like monumental to many another(prenominal), the changes that Disney made in his version actually changed the meaning of The Brothers Grimm version entirely.For example, in the original version Snow White is thought to be around seven years old, with the number seven having a sy mbolic meaning, referring to traditional superstitions about number (Stringham). Whereas Disney changes her age losing the many different connections and also the foreshadowing that the number has. Snow Whites objective mother is never mentioned by Disney, but holds an important part because when her real mother pricks her finger and the three drops of blood fall into the snow, it foreshadows the promote three attempts at killing Snow White.In Disneys version, he only shows the Queens last attempt at killing Snow White instead of all three attempts made in the original along with that attempt being simplified. Disney also changes the orders that are given by the Queen to the Hunstman. Originally the Queen ordered him to bring back the liver and lungs, symbolically meaning the one containing the most blood, the liver was regarded as the darkest . . . the liver represented the darkest passions, particularly the bloody, smokey ones of wrath, jealousy, and greed which drive en to ac tion.Thus the liver meant the impulsive attachment to life (qtd. in Stringham). In the movie version, the Queen simply asks for the Hunstman to bring back her heart. Another aspesct that is greatly changed is how Disney represents the Seven Dwarfs. Walt Disney actually gives the dwarfs names and personalities and makes them seem like they are thankful that Snow White is there to help them when really the dwarfs were originally not helpers at all. They were portrayed as beings that only wanted Snow White there for her work, to clean, train and do all the house chores.And finally, to make the film acceptable for children, Disney takes away the sexual meanings in almost every aspect of the story. As stated by John M. Ellis, writer of One Fairy Story Too Many The Brothers Grimm and Their Tales, this is certainly a provocative story, and Disney eliminates it completely (qtd in Writers and Collections of Fairy Tales 85). These are a few examples of how different the film and the original have turned out to be. Disney clearly altered the story for the sole purpose of grabbing childrens attention and inevitably, for the money.It is nothing new that when something is said or written someone in the future will change things from the original and then someone else will continue to change the new version and so on. When stories are changed the meanings and symbolism also changes, inevitably changing the story as a whole. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is a fairy tale that was taken by Walt Disney and changed for entertainment and seemingly money purposes, which resulted in losing the original meaning behind the story. Although Disney was successful with his version of Snow White, he has taken a story with hidden meaning and given it barely any.

Thursday, May 23, 2019

The Psychology Behind Effective Persuasion and Ways to Resist It

MENESES, DEXTER T. 12-58679 100 pm- 230 pm egress The psychology behind effective persuasion and ways to resist it. I. Background of the study Every day, people are exposed to hundreds of coaxing messages in matchless form or another. These persuasive messages can be found on television commercials, product ads, billboards, and raze on peoples clothing. The researcher detect that advertisements and other types of persuasive messages are so overwhelmingly widespread nowadays that people are no longer able to filter out those that social occasion and those that are unwanted.It is also a norm for persuasive messages to employ proven persuasive methods that exploit the psychology of the human mind. The researcher chose this topic to be able to understand how persuasion methods lead the human mind to comply. Moreover, what are the ways to resist unwanted persuasion? II. Significance of the study Being aware of how the persuasive messages exploit the loopholes in human psychology and how they easily cause people to comply can make readers realize that these messages they encounter everyday largely cast their decisions and can possibly cause unwanted outcomes.Read also Memory ForgettingIt leave behind teach them to value their own free will and to avoid their tastes, views and even their identities from being manipulated in an environment that is heavily dominated by commercialism and colonialism. This study will also teach the readers of how the brain works under persuasion. Lastly, it will help them to think rationally and be warned of potential deception before complying. III. Statement of the problem Persuasive messages employ specific persuasion methods that IV. Objectives

Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Reasons to be a Nurse

I love the idea that I choose to pursue the dream of becoming a nurse. I love being around children and helping other that are hurt. My daughter and my sister down inspired me to become a better person. I squander chosen that the best career for me would be a Pediatric fellate. Being a Pediatric Nurse would benefit me. I would feature a admixture of job opportwholeies, flexible hours and last but not least you would get to guide a great and rewarding salary. First, as a Pediatric Nurse I would have an excellent and flexible schedule to choose from.While having a child and being a single mom a flexible lend schedule will be excellent for me and her. To me working whatever hours I like would really benefit me because I would be able to spend much quality time with my baby girl who means the world to me. My baby girl is the reason why I want to accomplish this goal. Secondly, there is a wide variety of job opportunities to choose from such as a hospital, clinic, school, nursing home, and travel nurse.As a Pediatric Nurse I will have the opportunity to choose a position in the nursing field such as a staff nurse, floor charge nurse, floor unit manager, director of nursing and many more to choose from. When I become a Pediatric Nurse I would like to work in a hospital. I wont to work with the babies. Being around children makes me feel on top of the world. Last, working as a Pediatric Nurse, I would make a great salary. I can make on an average of $40,000.For me making a nurses salary would truly benefit me. I would not have to live paycheck to paycheck. I would be able to support my family. I would not have to depend on anyone to support my family. All of these reasons have influenced my close on becoming a Pediatric Nurse. The salary a nurse makes is awesome. I love having money in my pocket and a nurse would be an excellent career to pursue. But, the most important reason I am choosing to become a nurse is to support my family.

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

People’s Republic of China Essay

Different countries deal different societal structures, hea therefore noms and ways of croping relationships. China has strong traditions and moral values, borne out of a long history. Food In China, regimen is an of the essence(predicate) part of life. The official Language of China is Mandarin. In the Chinese culture there ar a vast of Morals and Values that range from humility to respect and be very important in the Chinese culture. There are two main religions in the Chinese culture.Taoism, also cognise as Daoism, is based on the teachings of the Tao Te Ching, which was writtenin China in the 6th deoxycytidine monophosphate BC. The emphasis is on finding spiritual harmony at bottom the individual. Buddhism is the dominant religion in China. This began in India 2, 500 years ago and follows the teachings of the Buddha, The Enlightened One. In China, Mahayana Buddhism is particularly common. In this form of Buddhism the path to emission involves religious ritual, medita tion and devotion. The social structure of China is a hierarchical and formal social structure.For example, in the family, children are expected to respect their elders with the eldestfamily member commanding the greatest respect In the Chinese culture family is defined as mother, father and children. When the female child marries she then is a member of her economizes family and is no longer considered as a member of her family that she was born into. Therefore the family then consists of Mother, father, take a leak-and- carry on and daughter n laws and children. The oldest male in the family has he nigh position. This some(prenominal)one is considered to be the oldest and the wisest therefore has the close status. In the Chinese culture advantage is determined by purpose.The definition of purpose is thereason for which something exists. Meaning, why are we here? In the Chinese culture they strongly believe in a cause. The creator defines there purpose for them. Amy stat ed that Every moment of every day, I live my life fit in to what I believe. Every decision is based on a set of values that guides her in determining the direction she is to go. When asked if she considered her parent to be successful. Her response was yes.She feels as though her parents success is measured by what their purpose was. Her mother purpose was to be a house wife andtake care of the home and her fathers purpose was to work and to provide for the family. Education in the Chinese culture is very important. It starts when the child is very young and in the home. In China, parents are the first educators of their children. Therefore, family training is the most basic and important education model of their culture. Given the importance of family education, parents put practically and more effort in educating their children and helping them grow as persons. Amy stated that her parent always demanded that she pop out practised grades in school.She had to attend extra clas ses to help her achiever higher grades and she was continuously involved in legion(predicate) activities ranging from art, dance or musical classes. She stated that she didnt have much of a aver in choosing her classes or clubs that she was a member of. Her parents made all of these decisions for her. Chinese parents tend to care so much about(predicate) their childrens studies that they dont ask them to help in any other perfunctory tasks. The primary requirement for children is to study hard, do well in exams and graduate from reputable universities so that they could have careers.The reason for this on one hand is childrens own good, as in a live and highly competitive society wish well the Chinese, good academic scores bottom probably imprimatur a bright future on the other hand, it is a traditional value orientation that parents go forth be respected if their children have great achievements in society. Therefore, Chinese parents are willing to self-sacrifice and give up their own time, hobbies and interests in order to provide better conditions for their children. In the Chinese culture breakfat is the most important meal.Most Chinese persons startthere day out woth a bowl of Congee, which is like a watery rice that can be seasoned just to give it more flavor, it can be sweet or salty or even spicy and, sometimes, with vegetables, meat or mushrooms if the person chooses. Another typical food that the Chinese bulk eat for breakfast is Crullers, they call them also the deep-fried-devils and they are basically twisted strips of dough that been deeply fried in oil, they are very popular in the street stands. The Crullers always are eaten with congee. In China, food is an important part of life. Sharing a meal is the common way to socializein the same way that We may go to a end or pub for a drink. In the Chinese culture they have a strong fluff not, want not . This means they can make a meal out of just about any combination with rice or noodles . In the Chinese culture ricer and noodles are like lettuce to our culture. Its a common part of every meal. I asked Amy if racism existed in China and she told me no. I asked her what do you think of black pile or what do you think of Japanese people, and the assists that she gave me were very racist responses.In my opinion her responses showed me that racism against black people may be the strongest form of racism in China. I asked her how would her family react if she had of married a black man. She stated that she would probably get disowned. She said this is because most black people are known to have very little status or money unless they are basketball players or entertainers. Now the racism against Japanese People in China is just as bad. Some children in China are taught hate songs against Japanese people in elementary school and history books in China that deal with Japan focus nigh exclusively on the terrible thingsJapan did around World War II, ignoring much of Jap ans recent history.This project opened my eyes to the differences among cultures. I didnt rightfully understand why some of my coworkers that were Chinese acted the way that they did. For example Amy would never give a direct answer especially of the answer was no. This was because in her culture it was not a common thing to say no, and when one did say no it meant that the relationship was now ended. She would always say, Im not sure or maybe. This then protected her from having to end out working relationship. She also was not very middleate.In herculture displays of affection were seen as disrespectful. I can remember a time when we had got some great news within out department and she was sitting next to me. I immediately reached out and hugged her because she was the main person that worked on the project with me. I snarl a little weird after the embrace because I felt as though I violated her space. But after doing this research on her culture I now understand why. I starte d out in this class not understanding what I would truly learn from this. But after the assignment I have learned how to effectively communicate with coworkers of the Chinese culture.

Monday, May 20, 2019

Mcdonalds Case Study Project Managment

Contents 1. Introduction 1. 1 History of McDonalds 1. 2Philosophy of the fraternity 2. project 1 SWOT summary 2. 1 Strengths 2. 2 Weakness 2. 3 Opportunities 2. 4 Thr feed ins 3. Task 2 McDonalds Plan to Win scheme 3. 1 Implementation of depict elements un manipulationd Strategies 3. 2 SWOT depth psychology and Plan to Win 4. Task 3 McDonalds 2003-2009 Strategy 4. 1 McDonalds Dynamic Strategy 4. 2 Strategies Comparison 5. Task 4 McDonalds Competitors 5. 1 Wendys 5. 2 hoot in the boxful 5. 3 sonic 6. References 7. Bibliography 1. Introduction 1. History of McDonalds The basic McDonalds was inaugurated by the McDonalds br in the buff(prenominal)s in 1948, constituting itself as the first local anaesthetic in the history of the restless suffice of nutrients, in San Bernardino, calcium (U. S). They offered quick food, soon they r distri nominatedivelyed a racy level of sales and although the add-in was limited the success that is to appoint tongue to previously prep b ed food and served to high speed. With forth a doubt the base of its success was in alter the conventional china that you/they up spudd the rest of eaterys, for the cover bags.It was then when the supplier of the shaking machine shake, balance beam Kroc, surprised by the quantity of Multi-mixers requested, it proposed the arising of unseasoned restaurants. This way in 1955 the first local of the commode was inaugurated in charge of Ray Kroc. During the 50? s and the 60? s, Rays managerial team Kroc established the lucky philosophy of the system of the comp all Quality, Service, Cleaning and Value. At the moment this Franchise possesses often than 25. 00 establishments in 117 countries and phoebe bird atomic number 18 the continents in which the Golden Arches run off with, number that was increased more than than(prenominal) with the recent affording of 3. 000 local during 1999. Although McDonalds offers its clients a standard fare in its entire local, it is common that these scorecards combine with special point of intersections that atomic number 18 developed in each finis depending on the exchangeables of the clients. Love, 1995 4 1. 2 Philosophy of the coadjutorship The fellowship brought to this unused market of the quick foods a concept of original quick utility, where of the details is interpreted guard to the maximum, to offer the consumer an pure product.The operative philosophy of the McDonalds system is based on the Quality, Service, Cleaning and Value for 44 years. The company offers a standard transportation, although it develops in each culture special products that are ad saveed to the pastime of the companionship. McDonalds is successful because it has a system of corporate norms and individual opportunities, to totally the Franchised they are integrated in the akin philosophy of values and clear expectations. For McDonalds the employees are the ab push through important thing.It is thanks to them for what th e clients are taken an incredible experience in each visit and want to return. The principles of Quality, Service and Cleaning begin with their knowledge employees, McDonalds guides all the actions according to organizational values as excogitateing in team, to feel passion for the reach evermore offering the best of themselves, to be committed with the factorners and with the mission of the company, to be entire in each one of the actions, to be leaders. Kroc, 1987 5McDonalds is a company that offers work eminently to young raft everywhere 16 years, it is for it, for what its schedules of work are enough flexible to be able to continue the studies, adding an unique tire out experience, it sens compensate become the first step of a great professional career in an inter rural areaal company. The competitors of McDonalds is giveed by all those companies that act in the sector of the quick foods that using a in truth similar technology tries to assist to the analogous type of clients. When McDonalds begun to give its first steps restaurants of quick food they didnt exist, so soon he became the leader of the sector.It was issueing from that Ray Kroc organized the company McDonalds System, Inc. , show 2 1955 when opposite companies were already in the wrinkle and McDonalds it was beginning to lose its advantage in expect of other companies like Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken or Chicken Delight. Kroc was then in one of the intimately competitive markets, that of the ground beefs. Kroc, 1987 5 McDonalds has always tried to pick out its products of the rest of its competitors, and it doesnt in fact try to differentiate them with the worth, still through the good fictional character, the table service, the originality and innovation.If for something is McDonalds characterized it is for the innovation, she has always tried to offer something different to its consumers, continually innovating with red-hot products, and a clear example is in the gargantuan Mac. In the market very similar hamburgers were already sold when McDonalds decided to sell it, provided she only knew how to give him the form and the in agreement size with its name. And as sh declare on Table 1 the market share between competitors throw the finally 4 years. Table 1. Burger Restruant Market Share Europe (2006) Europe (2007) Europe (2009) USA McDonalds 16. 54 19. 47 66. 74 94. 06 Yum Brands 3. 25 3. 43 42. 82 58. 59 Burger King 2. 60 2. 65 21. 45 29. 35 subway 0. 74 0. 1 19. 79 27. 07 Starbucks 0. 77 0. 90 17. 44 23. 86 www. macdailynews. com McDonalds also knew that the strategy of emersion was essential and when Burger King and Burger Chef were enlarged so much that they were about to reach him, McDonalds decided to grow even more. In 1967 Burger King had settled raft as expansion broadcast reaching the 100 new positions a year, equaling the rhythm of expansion of McDonalds for the first time.But the threat of Burger Chef was even big, since at the beginning of 1968 its design of expansion had shortened the distances between her and McDonalds reducing it to less than 100 position. pic Figure 1 Burger Fast food Market Share 1 . It is obvious that all the competitor companies involve tried to sell products substitutes of the Big Mac, without a doubt, the good known one is the Big King of Burger King that tries to satisfy the self uniform(prenominal) clients with the same ingredients.While McDonalds tries to differentiate the Big Mac of the Big King offering fresh products and a hamburger of more bore, Burger King tries to highlight its product offering a hamburger a little bigger and made to the grill and on that pointfore, with different flavor. Figure 1 2. Task 1 SWOT Analysis pic 2. 1 Strengths All strengths conduct been taken from the McDonalds 2006 Worldwide Corporate Responsibility bailiwick McDonalds, 2008 20 fan out door association Company curse was declining because of public confidence i n the safety of beef, poultry and baneful intentioned internet rumors.We do also remember the BSE crisis in Europe at the begin of this millennium. On March 2001 MCDONALDS decided to open its doors to everybody with desire to see how the company is beingnessness managed. This action was support by open invitation through TV and printed advertisement. Consider the courage of MCDONALDSs board to open their company to everyone? Have they completely been sure of what is going on in their remotest MCDONALDS restaurant? How can they risk to show one of their black sheep (and every 1000s of subsidiaries holding concern has some to the public and could establishment the tremendous impact a cockroach would overhear being found in a double-cheese burger or found on their kitchen floors? Roaches are present in many locations we dont want to begin them Certainly MCDONALDS intended a gro makeg mindset by its employees and worry by implementing weapons platforms like this. Vice-president of corporate affairs Eric Gravier said If any asp viperect of our railway line deserves an open look, its our efforts to conduct our seam righteousness. Ceres guidance and co-workMCDONALDS kit and caboodle to weeher with a coalition of investors, environmental organizations and other public interest groups to strengthen their social and environmental programs. I would perceive it also as a form of public auditing. It can be treasured as strength because this service of processs MCDONALDS to focus on what they should do to maintain loyal to its corporate social province targets without losing strength on their business priorities. CERES encourages MCDONALDS to report their progress and future efforts through an open door spirit. Ceres helps MCDONALDS to develop and hold out CSR.The highly decentralized system Considered as a great advantage in MCDONALDS business also has are disadvantages when it comes to achieve mutual humankindwide objectives. Ceres puts these weaknesse s open on the table and MCDONALDSs crimp forethought evaluates these statements, research results. Ceres e. g. has advised management that MCDONALDS should report more metric units and goals to demonstrate and foster progress. Ceres made 3 issues its top priority 1. Obesity 2. MCDONALDSs purchasing power 3. Climate change To 1 obesity Their get along to the health bother no. 1 in the US is the following . Offering Menu Choice 2. Providing Nutrition entropy 3. Promoting Physical Activity 4. Marketing and Communicating Responsibility To 2 purchasing power How does MCDONALDS exploit their upstream purchasing power? What is profit oriented and what is really CSR oriented? Careful supply ar background strategy For MCDONALDS at that place are several important strategicalal pillars, the first one is the dedication to social responsibility with food quality and safety, then the issue of sustainable food supply and living organism welfare. MCDONALDS food standards are real ness class. Active community responsibilityThrough MCDONALDS tolerate Charities and innumerable local and global community programs MCDONALDS shows that the revenue is non all or part of the revenue belongs to the society and therefore will be given back. It shall demonstrate that MCDONALDS recognized that through society they can do business and prosper. This consciousness also reflects itself in the attitude of employees and management in a way that they feel more responsible in what they are doing as it is as overhaul the public. Rigorous food safety standards It goes all the way from the farm right to the restaurant.MCDONALDS works weighed down to ferment sure that rigorous food safety standards are upheld in each restaurant with training, food, safety and quality, the knowledge of the food and menus. It all ties because many of the suppliers consider themselves extensions of the MCDONALDS family and so they nominate the same rigorous approach to the programs. MCDONALDS has a responsibility to leave screwing a relevant variety of quality product survival of the fittests that the costumer trust and that means working with partners that operate ethically and match the social responsibility standards. Accurate service standardsMCDONALDS works hard to maintain a work environment where everybody feels valued and accepted by providing training and other opportunities for personal and professional suppuration and to promote job satisfaction. In their own words Our well-trained employees will proudly provide extravagant, friendly and accurate service with a smile to delight our costumers. Affordable prices to high quality products MCDONALDS keeps its responsibility by keeping values and high standards as they provide food that is affordable to a wide range of costumers and that means being the most efficient provider and offer the best value to the most people. Responsible charity and community work We believe in giving back to the communities in which we do business and to complementing Ronald McDonald House Charities and other charities that promote the health and well being of children. Gould, 1996 9 Profitability MCDONALDS is committed to growing their business on behalf of the shareholders who Provide the necessary capital for the company to grow, they should realize and Attr supple return on their investments. No poor company can allow itself to offer charities or help when it itself is in admit. macrocosm rentable makes MCDONALDS able to help whenever necessary and maintain its corporate responsibility principles fresh. Bigger menu choices / increase strategy MCDONALDS works together with the Global advisory council whose members are very high compose scientists in the food patience, experts who are looking for at obesity and nutrition. With their help MCDONALDS has take a shitd new menu choices including salads and fruits, keeping their serving size standards and qualification menus more flexible and easier to mix or change.In the function 5 years MCDONALDS has acknowledged milk and water and a variety of on-going product innovation will include expanded side and boozings choices in appendage to new entrees which will give the costumer to feed himself healthier and proportionate. Clear nutrition information on packaging I compute one of the better strengths from MCDONALDS is that they where one of the first fast food restaurant that started writing the nutritional info on their packaging advocating for equilibrise active lifestyles and healthier clear nutrition values.MCDONALDS has been a terrific leader on their work to explore new ways to deliver nutrition and balanced active lifestyle info to the costumers. impertinent and Internal lead stances to encourage activity Internal MCDONALDS developed and distributed an own crew training video in seven languages on Its what I eat and what I do, besides that the company makes a great effort distributing materials encouraging ba lanced, active lifestyles. MCDONALDS has also introduced training for both crew and management. External MCDONALDS introduced its what I eat and what I do initiative.Leveraged Olympic and global sponsorships including Olympic daytime run. In the USA more than 15 million step meters were distributed and passport to play was launched. Decentralized but non disconnected system MCDONALDS recognizes the need to maintain a system in which everyone adheres to the same nerve values, principles and standards. They balanced this with a program called Freedom within the framework. Local business-owner/operators and restaurant managers sacrifice the flexibility and responsibility to develop programs that respond to the diversity of the costumers and local market conditions. Innovative excellence program development MCDONALDS has a very wide selection of programs on its account, everything with the only goal of growing to be better earlier than bigger. MCDONALDS has aligned near a global strategy program called Plan to Win that centers in the quintet basic Ps, people, products, place, price and promotion. Each P has its own vision, specific objectives and key performance measures. This reflects and approach to long-tern sustainable, profitable growth.Other excellence programs are the well known ROIP (Restaurant Operations Improvement Process). It helps improve restaurant performance and accountability as related to quality, service and cleanliness (QSC) and people practice standards. Those standards have been broken down into specific procedures and are organized into 12 systems that deliver the experience the costumers expect. An excellent program is the Mystery shopper program where unannounced and anonymous inspectors visit as costumers and rate the restaurant according to the QSC.Many restaurants around the world include a measurement program based on guest comment that can provide its feedback via toll-number and they also take input from their own staff by an annual employee satisfaction survey. Ethical withdraw promotion MCDONALDS mesa of directors and top management work to ensure the companys equity in all its dealings with shareholders. Their commitment is codified in policies, standards and codes including the Corporate Governance principles, Code of shoot for the board of directors and code of Ethics for the chief operate officer and Senior Financial Officers because Corporate Responsibility begins at the top.The principles include provisions designed to ensure independent oversight of the companys assets and business affairs. This strengths could be as well be left out as today all public concerns do need to have these policies and if all are having them they can non be considered as strength anymore but plainly as going concern and standard. For MCDONALDS employees worldwide the overall framework for ethical business practices is the Standards of Business get by which applies to all salaried employees worldwide inclu ding restaurant managers.It provides rules for handling every ethical issue that might heighten or incorporate all laws and policies that apply to the worldwide business. The standards establish a foundation on their core values, provide an orientation to ethical business conduct, offer guidance in a wide range of issue domains and identify resources for questions and concerns. 2. 2 Weaknesses MCDONALDS inflexibility Can MCDONALDS ever excel or are they caught to always offer scotch fast food? MCDONALDS is weak in reacting fast to markets changes. If more and more nodes go onto eating BIO or ECO-food e. g. eat MCDONALDS could not follow this edit without losing a lot of profit because much(prenominal) a shift in suppliers a) from the point of offer/ implore ratio and b) from logistics could not be made in reasonable time. It would impose a threat of a deep profit recession until MCDONALDS would have adapted their product portfolio. Not employee-friendly MCDONALDS is not a w orker-friendly environment in the sense that it offers medium to long term working relationships. In the article3 Company before Nation McDonald claims that it has the hostility of workers rights union on a lower floor look. Well if e. . in Germany you have a workers revolution on modal(a) below 6 months a company never runs into danger of facing workers testimonial laws. Every worker in Germany for the first 6 months is under trial-conditions employed and can be complete at any time without any obligations and cost. In an article4 of the Billings Gazette it has been recognized that MCDONALDS has a hard time in finding and retaining good workers. Gylette, Wyoming reports a weired case that a MCDONALDS manager take to outsource the drive-through golf-club taking process via a call center in Santa Monica, California. McDonalds = too much shareholder value driven Nachrichten, 26 Shareholder value is often not the same as Corporate Social Responsibility i. e. if acquire go do wn and down, stocks go down often more than they actually should and drastic corporate measures have to fix the problem. The levers are not too many and are well known Where can we save costs? Where can we get cheaper meat? Where can we get cheaper bread? Where can we release workers and run a MCDONALDS restaurant with less people? As anyone can imagine some of these actions cannot be socially or environmentally responsible that is not what bills is all about MCDONALDS continues to promote un whole food Despite diversification of their product portfolio towards more healthy choices MCDONALDS still continues a saturated fat filled 850 kcal Burger and other unhealthy but tasty food. That could continue to harm their reputation as unhealthy fast food supplier. Errors on promoted CSR MCDONALDS claimed that they have not imported meat from rain forest countries but in court it appeared that MCDONALDS very well had imported meat from Costa Rica and Brazil where rain forests are elimi nated to get more green-fields for cows. Weekly, 1994 27 2. 3 Opportunities Attractive and flexible work environment MCDONALDS offers many job opportunities. External recognition about how MCDONALDS is a great place to work has become something that dispels myths that are out there. Programs like MC flexibility make their 1. 5 million employees around the world to love and take note their work place. MCDONALDS takes very serious its responsibility to promote fair, safe and healthful working conditions, legal management policies, diversity and inclusiveness in all restaurants. MCDONALDS is pride to say that 42% of their world top management started with MCDONALDS careers serving customers.However the rendive and flexible working environment has been not rated as strength as personal observation and press reports make it more of an opportunity. An opportunity for society that there is an employer who always hires people which can be helpful for intermediate jobs i. e. amongst oth er advantages keeping jobless-rates lower. Strong environmental work Also this CSR issue has been characterized within the 2006 Worldwide Corporate Social Responsibility Report more as a strength as an opportunity. The entanglement however has contradictory essays and reports and therefore it is rated here as an opportunity.MCDONALDS restaurants are committed to manage their business by integrating environmental considerations into daily operations and by constantly seeking ways to add value to the community. For example maintaining the restaurants and drive thrums clean. MCDONALDS continues the refinement and implementation of the environmental guidelines on fish sourcing and trough this guidelines at least 18,000 metric tons of whitefish have been shifted from unsustainable sources. High Supplier profile Setting the highest quality standards possible makes suppliers to jump the hurdle. They have to be able to deliver what we ask for.We look at taste and quality first not might not cost. Frank Muschetto (Senior Vice-president) clears the profile of the suppliers that we select is broodent with several attributes that we identified years ago that we felt support what MCDONALDS is about. One of them is their commitment to corporate responsibility if they dont have it, forget it. We try to pull together with many other companies and in several cases with the whole attention to be proactive against issues that can affects us all like avian influenza. We use our leadership as a tool to participate with the United Nations on the common goal of stopping the sickness.MCDONALDS participates in a program called Kaleidoscope to test ways to sustain compliance based on dynamic, inborn management systems and ongoing worker input. Annual audits are do globally for meat (beef, pork and poultry) processing plants looking forward to maintain animal welfare farms all over the world and not only in the USA and Europe. Own corporate responsibility Comity MCDONALDS tak es serious responsibility on what comes from being a major player in the global food industry and thats why the Board of Directors has a standing Corporate Responsibility Committee.It acts in an advisory capacity to the board and to management on policies and strategies. At the global management level, several groups provide leadership on particular types of corporate responsibility issues, for example Worldwide Corporate relations council who aligns all communications and external affairs for MCDONALDS globally oversees and advises on the corporate responsibility efforts. Truthful stigma image MCDONALDS ensures to maintain and build the trust with all stakeholders and customers with appropriate and truthful merchandising and communications. These topics essential also be relevant to costumers and consistent with the brand.Being real makes the people believe in our corporation and give support in our many community and global charity programs. MCDONALDS continuously works to asses s and evolve their marketing and advert standards they have newly introduced additional training and accountability for those whose work involves brand related communications and or use of MCDONALDS trademarks. 2. 4 Threats Scepticism In recent years we have seen e-mails and information on the web that MCDONALDS is using monster-chicken Not healthy enough for children For children the product choice still is not healthy enough. What else besides beef and chicken or fish?What about a soy burger, vegetable burger or fibre containing Deserts or simple deep frozen, quick steamed vegetable bowl (containing at least 80% of the vitamins and enzymes). What about offering small gifts or special packages as a indemnity for a healthy product or a premium system for kids who eat healthy? A threat if the competition comes up with such a system. Beef/Poultry/Fish Health Problems wicked initiatives in the US against growth hormone and or antibiotic stuffed cows, bird flu epidemics in the US and Europe, high contents of heavy metals in fish could cause sales slumps and cause profits and stocks to fall.MCDONALDS as a giant in the fast food business could act to slow to bar large corporate damage. Made in China syndrome Labour exploitation in China for the turnout of McDonalds happy repast toys. Profit pressure The pressure to deliver shareholder value will troops MCDONALDS to not follow up the one or other CSR issue. No MCDONALDS CEO will risk his post at the cost for the implementation of a CSR if it would not at the same time have immediate value for shareholders. MCDONALDS a major contributor in global warming MCDONALDS is considered to be the largest consumer of beef.Examples that MCDONALDS cattle are being fed on condition rain-forest territory, the excessive follow of cattle which produce huge quantities of methane, heavy use of chemicals, fertilizers and pesticides just to keep cattle breeding and MCDONALDS burgers profitable could develop a future threa t of conscious consumer choices to visit a MCDONALDS restaurant or not. Local fast food restaurants Local fast food restaurants that are dont have such purchasing power and are less environmental profound as giants such as McDonalds enjoy better quality reputation, because they buy from local butcheries, or use products e. . made in Austria i. e. free running chickens, approved Austrian grown cows. MCDONALDS has the power to create demand Rather than reacting to the free play of market forces MCDONALDS with its marketing reckon of 1bn USD is able to create demand Phil Lyon, 2007 28. That can be a threat for a society and its culture. 3. Task 2 McDonalds Plan to Win Strategy 3. 1 Implementation of key elements new Strategies McDonalds overall strategic plan is called Plan to Win. Their focus is not so much on being the biggest fast-food restaurant chain, rather it is more foc employ on being the best fast-food restaurant chain.McDonalds strategic alignment behind this plan has cr eated better McDonalds experiences through the execution of multiple initiatives surrounding the quintette factors of exceptional customer experiences people, products, place, price and promotion. McDonalds, 2008 20 McDonalds also incorporates geographical strategic plans. In the U. S. , McDonalds strategic plan continues to focus on breakfast, chicken, beverages and convenience. These are the core areas in the United States. McDonalds has launched the Southern stylus Chicken Biscuit for breakfast and the Southern Style Chicken Sandwich for lunch and dinner.In the beverage business, McDonalds starting introducing new hot specialty coffee offerings on a market-by-market basis. In Europe, McDonalds uses a tiered menu approach. This menu features premium selections, classic menu, and daily affordable offerings. They also concomitant these with new products and limited-time food promotions McDonalds, 2008 20 In the Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa markets, McDonalds strategic plan is foc employ around convenience, breakfast, core menu extensions and value.With McDonalds overall strategic plan and its geographical strategic plan, the company should start to see more positive fiscal results. McDonalds incorporates several organizational strategies. Some of the organizational strategies consist of better restaurant operations, placing the customer first, menu variety and beverage choice, convenience and day part expansion, and ongoing restaurant reinvestment.McDonalds plans to continue to drive success in 2008 and beyond by leveraging key consumer insights and our global experience, go relying on our strengths in developing, testing and implementing initiatives surrounding our global business drivers of convenience, branded affordability, day part expansion and menu variety McDonalds, 2008 20. One of the ways McDonalds can fix a positive net income is to maximize efficiency in its restaurant operations while at the same time placing the customer first.Wit h strategic focus on menu variety and beverage choice, McDonalds is hoping for increased sales and guest counts. With their convenience and day part expansion initiative, McDonalds is hoping to increase efficiency in its drive-thru pick up window, and the company is staying open later for those late-nighters who want a quick minute to eat. McDonalds also has locally owned and operated restaurants which are at the core of their competitive advantage and makes them not just a global brand but a locally relevant one McDonalds, 2008 20. They are in the process of remodeling and upgrading its exemptions.The company is also opening up McCafes with the expectation that the bon vivant coffee shop would move it closer to its goal of doubling sales at animated U. S. restaurants over the next decade Peter, 2007 19 A couple other organizational strategies are branded affordability, and the development of their employees starting with recruitment and training and leading all the up to leade rship and management. 3. 2 SWOT Analysis and Plan to Win McDonalds strategic plan is influencing their marketing efforts by building better brand transparency.They want their image to be recognized globally. They are enhancing the customers experience. Across their markets, they are qualification is easier for customers to enjoy a great McDonalds experience. They are introducing drive-thrus to the increasingly mobile populations in China and Russia, while in the U. S. and Canada, greater drive-thru efficiency and double drive-thru lanes enable them to serve even more customers quickly (McDonalds, 2008, 13). In Germany, McDonalds has a reimaging program that includes adding about 100 McCafes.They are also installing new kitchen operating systems so that they can continue to deliver high food quality. McDonalds has already renovated about 10,000 restaurants world wide. They want their restaurants to be an expression of their brand. The company is also delivering greater value to the customer with new menu selections. By serving a locally relevant balance of new products, premium salads and sandwiches, classic menu favorites and everyday affordable offerings around the world, they create value for customers and satisfy their demand for choice and variety McDonalds, 2008 20.Types of marketing mix that McDonalds use to achieve their marketing goals are agelong operating hours, everyday value repasts, and optimizing efficiency in the drive-thru. McDonalds also uses marketing campaigns. In 2007, McDonalds used the Shrek moving picture to give children a choice between milk, fruit, or vegetables as part of their Happy Meal. In addition to their commitment with children, McDonalds is building their brand image with innovated marketing transporting ideas across borders and using Im lovin it to deepen their connectedness with customers who love their food and the unique McDonalds experience (McDonalds, 2008, 17).In the 2008 Olympics held in Beijing, McDonalds offered the Beijing Burger, Carmel and Banana Sundae, and rice Sticks. They featured nine Olympic and Paralympic athletes on their packaging. In Australia, McDonalds held a marketing campaign where the people could decide what name to give its new hamburger. The name that won was Backyard Burger. With marketing campaigns like these, McDonalds is onerous to create a better brand image. Other organizational and marketing strategies are creating stronger bonds of trust by being accessible and maintaining an open dialogue with customers and key stakeholders McDonalds, 2008 20.The company is reinvesting approximately $1. 9 million into their restaurants primarily to reimage existing restaurants and build new ones. McDonalds is also moving towards a more heavily franchised, less capital-intensive business model. Although in some countries, such as China, this is not permissible due to political laws. With McDonalds growing global brand image and its emphasis on the five factors of exceptiona l customer service, this should help them increase sales and net income.With the initiative of remodeling and upgrading existing franchises, this will give the customer a more pleasant and friendly place to dine out at. With McDonalds marketing campaign for the 2008 Olympics, they were an full part of the games and this only enhanced McDonalds brand image in a positive way. With the recruitment and training initiatives for current employees or future prospects, this will allow McDonalds to achieve less of an already high turnover ratio. 4. Task 3 McDonalds 2003-2009 Strategy 4. McDonalds Dynamic Strategy With an established brand, visible leadership and solid financial performance in its own sector, McDonalds has the foundations and options for future expansions. As stated previously, the group sees expanding markets/culture/economies as their future growth areas. One possible strategy for expansion would be to increase the local branding of menus within these markets. There is an opportunity to not only increase the numbers of cities, but to make the McDonalds name more recognizable as a restaurateur abroad.This would require the company to manage more outlets, rather than encouraging franchisee, which requires a committed financial expansion. Increasing its market share or at least visibility would heighten the brand awareness, Kotler, 2005 18. The costs associated with a strategy to increase partnerships would be far less than if they attempted to expand to more developing countries and cities on their own. McDonalds is currently aligned with a limited number of government partnerships- China, Vietnam, Thomm, 1996 21.The risks are much lower but there is a risk to brand dilution with regard to consistency of the services provided and perfected by the McDonalds familiarization, management processes and manufacturing and production specifications. McDonald uses existing marketing communication methods such as TV, press, magazines, outdoor posters and taxi si des, all featuring the distinctive logo. Advertising is used to encourage people to try the food items, Kotler, 2008 17 and to raise awareness of new product developments and new openings.Nonetheless the marketing department could try increasing and adapting new marketing tactics. Also 18 per centum of turnover is spent on advertising for comparison, the industry standard is five to seven percent. Kotler, 2008 17. The budget moldiness be focused. To further capture the developing markets through local promotions, local endorsements and local menu planning would lead to significant decreases in advertising costs but an increase in the appropriateness of the message to the consumers in the target markets.Using Ronald McDonalds as a marketing tool has certain problems with the younger generation. The traditional iconic figure has less in common with the youth culture, Schlosser, 2002 22 and the more reference based figure is more suitable, such as Justin Timberlake. Consumers have a personal affinity with him, Kotler, 2005 18. This must be exploited further. This loyalty could be captured to increase the market share of the Brand. The perception of American quality is paramount to many multinational businesses and exploited the world over.This can be seen in education, technology and law. McDonald could emphasize the quality and superiority of service provided by the Americans through its advertising in other countries. Nonetheless, Schlosser, 2002 22 states that the traditional American style that once gave them its unique status is now its disadvantage. International markets no longer lust for the novelty of eating out in an American dinner, so McDonalds need to change this and meet the needs of specific markets rather than using a uniform approach.The company should increase advertising in its new target markets, and stress the quality and affordability of service in all promotions. Also, consider alternative marketing strategies such as a credit card rew ards program, corporate sponsorship of events, and well-publicized donations to charity. The optimal solution for McDonalds is to expand their service by offering to more cities, offering services in the expanding markets and increasing their promotion. During traditionally low seasons, tactical promotions and price advertising could also used to maximise restaurant capacity, commonly known s tolerate management, Kotler, 2005 18. McDonalds has the capability to sustain itself as one of the leaders in the worldwide food sell industry, Thomm, 1996 21. With careful planning and effective marketing, they can achieve this. In addition to communication to consumers, they must utilise their community database, partnerships, retailers and community sponsors, who are the primary influences of the target market and who can familiarise all consumers with the products, benefits, and associated benefits, the core and peripheral attributes of the McDonald brand and the products/services. 4. Str ategies Comparison McDonalds has many competitors to compete with in the fast food industry for example Burger King, Wendys, and Arbys see chart 1. Burger King is McDonalds biggest competitor with their hamburgers being fire grilled rather than fried both have the kids meals with the little toys to attract the younger children and combo meals for the young adults. McDonalds and Burger King both have prepaid cards whereas Wendys and Arbys do not have these cards. Wendys offer not only hamburgers, but they have taken it to their loaded bake potato, chili, and the frost, and compete with the childrens meals.Arbys also has a nice menu besides the second-rate hamburgers, they also have chicken salad sandwiches, roast beef sandwiches, and a kids meal that includes a healthy meal such as fruit mix, turkey and ham sandwiches without the crust, with no toys included. Burger King, Wendys, Arbys are just a a couple of(prenominal) of McDonalds competitors that McDonalds would have to compet e with depending were you are fit(p). There may be more or less competitors but at this time McDonalds, Burger King, Wendys, and Arbys all offer the hamburgers, fries, chicken sandwiches and the kids meal, they also have sweepstakes that you can enter to win prizes.McDonalds competitive landscape for our product, the McDonalds Reward Card, that we have presented would attract McDonalds target consumers between the ages of 18 and 25, will for sure bring a higher profit for the McDonalds corporation. The McDonalds Reward Card will offer the opportunity for our customers to pull together points which they will be able to corrupt not only food, but to get the entertainment that they enjoy, there is no contest that they have to enter and wait for a drawing to win a prize.When they purchase at McDonalds they earn points, it is a win situation, McDonalds rewards their customers for selecting McDonalds to feed them with the variety of great fast food. Kotler, 2009 23 Chart 1 McDonalds Competitors pic 5. Task 4 McDonalds Competitors Performing a competitor analysis will enable McDonalds to date the industries and market in which it operates. The use of Porters Five Forces will help them to analyses the dynamics of the market and understand the little success factors in order to understand its position. Four types of competition Kotler, 2005 18 Brand competition effort competition Form competition Generic competition Burger King Restaurants Supermarkets Trends clothing, music, Dominos Pizza, Inc. Non-fast food outlets Food market stalls fashion Independent fast food outlets e. g. Cafes Eating at home Consumer durables fish and chips, kabob places Coffee shops Similar priced products Papa Johns International, Inc. Subway Wendys International, Inc. Yum Brands KFC, Pizza Hut 5. 1 Wendys The first Wendys restaurant assailable in Columbus, Ohio on November 15, 1969 at 257 East Broad Street by Dave Thomas (Wendys. om). In 1972, the first franchi se outside of Ohio was opened in Indianapolis, Indiana. Wendys is known as the home of the old fashioned hamburger, and is the consider 3 hamburger chain by sales. Its sales trail only McDonalds and Burger King. There are almost 6,700 Wendys restaurants worldwide about 78% of them are franchised (Hoovers fact sheet). Wendys offers high quality in customer service and allows customers to have their hamburger made the way they want it done. Wendys is on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol of WEN.Dave Thomas when he started Wendys new the secret to success was to offer quality to customers and to the Franchisees that would own Wendys restaurants. Wendys in the early 90s developed a four part strategy that world guide the company to refocus on what they do best, and grow the business into the next millennium. The first strategy is operating restaurants that exceed customer expectations on each visit. This is vital in todays competitive fast food business, due to the vast amoun t of choices consumers have, and one bad experience can lose a customer for life.This concept is easily done on paper, but with shrinking margins and lack of ability to attract highly skilled employees this strategy is difficult to implement. Although, Wendys seems to have instilled these beliefs into management and has seen considerable success practicing these beliefs. This strategy is the most important compared to the other three, because if you dont have any customers it does not matter how good your food is, you wont stay in business. Many companies forget that customer service is vital in staying in business and to growing the market.Fast food restaurants are one area that customer service is vital for survival. The second strategy is accelerating new storage openings and strengthening the quality of other Wendys locations. This is vital for Wendys to keep its competitive advantage is the ability to keep stores clean and modern. This strategy is being implement and seems to be quite successful in helping older Wendys become profitable again. Wendys philosophy is not to be the cheapest, but to be the best. With this philosophy Wendys has to offer newly designed restaurants with modern design to attract the cliental that will pay extra for fast food.Wendys seems to be doing an excellent job in creating an atmosphere that is causative to customers spending a little more to get a lot more. Wendys has introduced salad bars, buffets, and has made the atmosphere friendlier to patrons. The third strategy is to acutely increase penetration by adding new units or so called special sites?. This an excellent way to grow Wendys market, these small restaurants are cost effective and promote the Wendys products to more families and truck drivers. Wendys is aggressively targeting the traveler in this area, which seems to be a good move to make Wendys the fast food of choice for travelers.Furthermore, these small restaurants are cheaper to develop and share the co sts with gas stations they are affiliated with. The last of the domestic strategies is its marketing strategy to promote its perception of promotional items at the upper end of the price spectrum. This has been successful with the spicy chicken sandwich and pita sandwiches, which both have had considerable success. In the fast food business Wendys has differentiated itself from McDonalds and other fast food restaurants by offering high quality food items consumers are willing to pay for. In this area Wendys has dominated the market and has seen considerable success.Wendys needs to keep utilizing this strength by introducing new products, and try not to go head to head with McDonalds. http//www. nzherald. co. nz/ stead/news/article. cfm? c_id=8&objectid=10537499 http//www. nbr. co. nz/article/wendys-plans-nz-expansion-36423 5. 2 Jack in the Box Although Jack in the Box remained strong with widely varied menu items and unique marketing strategies through the E. coli disaster of 1993, the current economic slump in the fast food industry highlights serious controversy over the companys new growth strategy and accounting practices (Bauder).In this article, analysts are challenging the accounting practices of a San Diego-based company, Jack in the Box. In their 10-k report, Jack in the Box is listing franchise sales as other revenues, which on paper triples their operation income to $9. 1 million. David N. Allen of investment banking firm Caris & Co. , questions this practice as the, Selling of company assets to franchisees is not the same as selling a food product. He goes further saying that the company should discern operating earnings from non-operating income. Reporting gains from asset sales to franchisees is inappropriate.Jack in the Box countered this claim by stating that other fast food chains use the same accounting practices, which is consistent with GAAP (Generally trustworthy Accounting Principles). In defense of Jack in the Box, Bud Leedom, senior a nalyst at swell Fargo Securities believes that Jacks accounting technique is specifically disclosed to Wall Street and as such is not impress by their practices. Yet, on the other hand, David Geraty of RBC Capital Markets points out that by employing this practice the company is simply compensating softer sales with gains for other revenues. atomic number 78 Inc. s responsible for the preparation, integrity, and fair presentation of its published financial statements. For my organization, The Platinum Company, the corporation maintains a system of internal control over financial reporting which is designed to provide reasonable assurance to management and the Board of Directors regarding the preparation of reliable published financial statements. The financial statements must follow the GAAP guidelines in preparing reports and recording transactions. To insure proper accounting Platinum utilizes their own internal audits and employs a well-known public accounting firm Deloitte & T ouche, LLP.Like Jack in the Box, Platinums Annual Report 2002, under other (loss) income, reports losses due to financial bankruptcy in one of their investment companies and reports financial gains because of investments in unconsolidated affiliates. To make recommendations in improving the companies financial reporting would be difficult at best. Platinum extremely strict and assertive in their internal audits to ensure proper procedures are followed. The companies internal accountants work together with Deloitte & Touches accountants to preserve proper ethical conduct and moral principals are monitored.Business morality are proper ethical conduct that implies that you not only consider what is in your best interest, but also what is in the best interest of others. Moral principles are what guide the conduct of individuals. For example, regarding financial reporting, WorldCom used a liberal interpretation of accounting rules when preparing financial statements. In an effort to mak e it appear that profits were increasing, WorldCom would write down in one quarter millions of dollars in assets it acquired while, at the same time, it included in this charge against earnings the cost of company expenses expected in the future.The result was bigger losses in the current quarter but smaller ones in future quarters, so that its profit picture would seem to be improving. Additionally, the unethical financial reporting finale that WorldCom made cost the companys reputation and most importantly the business. In my opinion, if Platinum continues to follow GAAP guidelines in their reporting practices, they should be exempt from the public analysis, Jack in the Box could not avoid. Unless there is a public build of support in order to challenge GAAP guidelines regarding listing franchise sales as other revenue, this accounting practice is just and fair.An organization must put business ethics in front of profits to ensure that they do not become another WorldCom tribula tion http//www. marlerblog. com/2006/07/articles/legal-cases/thirteen-years-since-jack-in-the-box/ 5. 3 Sonic In 1953 Sonic Corporation was founded by Tony Smith in Shawnee, Oklahoma under a different name of the Top put on. Tony Smith started the company as a drive-in restaurant featuring hot dogs, hamburgers, and french-fried onion rings. In the mid-50s Smith was asked by Charles Pappe for attention in establishing a similar restaurant in a rural town also located in Oklahoma.This was the beginning of a partnership between the two men. In 1991 Sonic Corporation was the ordinal largest chain in the fast-food industry, servicing in the hamburger segment, behind McDonalds, Burger King, Hardees, and Wendys. Sonic has and is still carrying the tradition of being a high-quality franchise-based organization in the Sunbelt states. The following case will be broke down into five different stages beginning with early strategies, problems, new strategies, a ratio analysis, and a recommend ation.Tony Smith introduced the Top Hat as a drive-in restaurant that reduced start up cost by not having eat-in space. This new restaurant featured drive-in stalls for automobiles that were equipped with a two-way intercom enabling customers to order as soon as they drove in, opposed to conventional practices of waiting for a carhop to take an order. Delivery of the fresh fast-quality products was doing to the unique design of the kitchen, and the use of carhops. Sonic Corporation preferred to do things as easy as possible and avoid sophistication. Another strategy Smith implemented was a parade of franchise royalties.This was done in a way such that Sonic franchise holders were required to purchase printed bags at an additional fee that Smith arranged through a paper-goods supplier. Pyramid-type selling arrangements were formed by franchisees in money making efforts by starting other franchises through friends. This lead to original store managers having a percentage of their ow n store earnings and a portion of the new operation of the recruited friend manager. This idea further developed to multi-ownership of almost all Sonic operations as store managers were also part owners. This concept of pyramid-type selling carried Sonic forward with rapid growth.In the later-70s almost one new sonic store opened per day. The rapid expansion of Sonic was growing at an uncontrollable rate. With such rapid growth some stores failed. In these cases Sonic assumed control over failed franchise units, movement the number of company owned restaurants from 3 in 1974 to 149 in 1979. This rapid expansion of Sonic was a short lived frenzy which resulted in numerous failures do to lack of planning, market analysis, and requirements for unit managers. The company was forced to operate the failed franchise as company units in most cases, to protect the franchise name and reputation.A loss was posted in 1980 as Sonic began closing some operations. Reasons for the closings were t hat the board tighten its control which created an operation that left no services being provided to the franchise holders, including no advertising cooperations, no management training services, and no accounting services. In 1983 Smith decided to go outside the companys parameters and appointed a professional manager that had no ties to Sonic Corporation in any shape, form, or know how. Stephen Lynn was introduced to Sonic Corporation as president and chief executive officer.The new comer, Lynn, was granted the decision to form his own management team. This team was formed and implemented by mid 1984. By implementing his own management team Lynn could begin to take problems head on, after ridding the board members and franchise holders that had significant contrast interests that clouded the better judgement of Sonic. In an attempt to turn the organization around, Lynn and his newly formed management team set forth on a strategy that had three key factors a. attack problems conce rning franchise attitude and Sonics image b. improve purchasing c. Improve communications.A co-op program along with advertising also helped improve communication and relations between franchise owners. The companys strategies also reached out further as it offered annual conventions, provided training for managers, and training facilities with a test kitchen. The company went even further to offer help in areas of franchisees location sites and construction support to sales and profit improvement counseling. Another strategy was to elevate the stores appearances and improve energy efficiency. Most franchise owners purchased a retrofit package that offered the mentioned upgrade features.These new designs generated an average of 20 percent increase in unit sales in addition to the overhead savings. Sonic Corporation is an ever improving company that is striving for efficiency, freshness, and quality. Over the life of the company management has always been trying to increase profits and taking steps into the future. Sonic Corporation also learned that in maximizing profits one must incorporate all the ingredients from attitudes of the mangers and owners to the products they offer their customers. In looking at the ratios Sonic Corporation is looking stronger every year.I would recommend keeping management minds striving to new and better innovations that could again revolutionize the company as it had under the leadership of Mr. Lynn. In doing so the company assures itself and ever lasting life in the fast-food drive-in industry. http//www. referenceforbusiness. com/history2/39/Sonic-Corp. hypertext markup language 6. References Gould, W. (1996). McDonalds. London, Cherrytree Books. Kotler, P. (2005). Principles of marketing. Harlow, Financial time learner Hall. Kotler, P. and G. Armstrong (2008). Principles of marketing. Upper Saddle River, NJ, Pearson/Prentice Hall.Kotler, P. and K. L. Keller (2009). Marketing management. Upper Saddle River, NJ, Pearson/Pre ntice Hall. Kroc, R. and R. Anderson (1987). Grinding it out the making of McDonalds. 218 p. , 24 pages of plates. Love, J. F. (1995). McDonalds behind the arches. New York, Bantam Books. McDonalds (2008). Annual Report. Retrieved September . http//www. mcdonalds. com/corp/invest/pub/2008_annual_shareholders. html Nachrichten, F. http//www. finanznachrichten. de/nachrichten-2006-04/artikel-6317906. asp Peter, J. P. and J. H. Donnelly (2007). Marketing management knowledge and skills.Boston London, McGraw-Hill Irwin. Phil Lyon, S. T. a. S. S. (2007). The Ritzer debate continued. http//www. mcspotlight. org/media/reports/silverstone. html Schlosser, E. (2002). Fast food nation what the all-American meal is doing to the world. London, Penguin, 2007. Thomm, R. (1996). Business China a practical insight into doing business in China. Chatswood, N. S. W. , Business & paid Publishing. Weekly, B. (1994). McLibel Support Campaign. summary and extracts of court proceedings in High Co urt case McDonalds versus Helen Steel and Dave Morris. . Biblography Gould, W. (1996). McDonalds. London, Cherrytree Books. Kotler, P. (2005). Principles of marketing. Harlow, Financial Times Prentice Hall. Kotler, P. and G. Armstrong (2008). Principles of marketing. Upper Saddle River, NJ, Pearson/Prentice Hall. Kotler, P. and K. L. Keller (2009). Marketing management. Upper Saddle River, NJ, Pearson/Prentice Hall. Kroc, R. and R. Anderson (1987). Grinding it out the making of McDonalds. 218 p. , 24 pages of plates. Love, J. F. (1995). McDonalds behind the arches. New York, Bantam Books. McDonalds (2008). Annual Report. Retrieved September . http//www. mcdonalds. com/corp/invest/pub/2008_annual_shareholders. html Nachrichten, F. http//www. finanznachrichten. de/nachrichten-2006-04/artikel-6317906. asp Peter, J. P. and J. H. Donnelly (2007). Marketing management knowledge and skills. Boston London, McGraw-Hill Irwin. Phil Lyon, S. T. a. S. S. (2007). The Ritzer debate continued . http//www. mcspotlight. org/media/reports/silverstone. html Schlosser, E. (2002). Fast food nation what the all-American meal is doing to the world. London, Penguin, 2007. Thomm, R. (1996).Business China a practical insight into doing business in China. Chatswood, N. S. W. , Business & Professional Publishing. Weekly, B. (1994). McLibel Support Campaign. summary and extracts of court proceedings in High Court case McDonalds versus Helen Steel and Dave Morris. http//www. referenceforbusiness. com/history2/39/Sonic-Corp. html http//www. marlerblog. com/2006/07/articles/legal-cases/thirteen-years-since-jack-in-the-box/ http//www. nzherald. co. nz/property/news/article. cfm? c_id=8&objectid=10537499 http//www. nbr. co. nz/article/wendys-plans-nz-expansion-36423