The computer will be back soon Essay Example for Free

The computer will be back soon Essay Scrooge knows he is perfectly capable of helping the Cratchits a great deal, but he again cant bear to part with his precious money. Scrooge is like a magpie, he has so much money but just likes hording it, he doesnt try to make his life more comfortable or indeed anyone elses, he just likes having in his possession. On Christmas Eve as Cratchit was getting ready to leave Scrooge exclaimed in an accusing accusation manner that Cratchit would be wanting Christmas off I suppose . . . which Cratchit replayed to as politely as possible that indeed he would be wanting Christmas off. Scrooge got quite angry, at the fact that he would have to pay a days wages without getting any work done. To which Cratchit replied that it was only once a year. A poor excuse for picking a mans pocket every twenty-fifth of December! Said Scrooge, buttoning his greatcoat to the chin. But I suppose you must have the whole day. Be here all the earlier next morning! This just shows how Scrooge has not one drop of Christmas Spirit or charity. He doesnt take in to account that Bob Cratchit is very hard working, doesnt complain, works in terrible conditions and puts up with a deplorable wage even for Victorian times, and in return he asks for one day off a year so he can spend a day with his family. You can see from this that Dickens was putting a strong contrast between the selfish miserly Scrooge, and the loving, caring Bob Cratchit. Some of Dickens message is shown here, showing how Scrooges money doesnt buy him happiness, because he is dismal and lost the love of his life, to his obsession in money. She was called Belle who was a beautiful girl who Scrooge really loved when he was young. But Belle broke off the engagement when Scrooge changed and was becoming more and more obsessed in money. This is shown in the following quotation our contract is an old one. It was made when we were both poor and content to be so Compared to Bob Cratchit who is a happy family man, who shares everything he has (which is very little) but lives life to the full and treasures everything he has. He has everything he wants, a happy family and a loving wife. He may be poor and struggle to put food on the table, but he knows that money doesnt buy happiness. Also on Christmas Eve two charity gentlemen walked into his office. The charity gentlemen are being very polite and are just trying to get money together, no matter how small, for the poor. At first Scrooge uses sarcastic humour and then he just becomes very blunt and rude. Refusing to give them a penny. They try to explain that the poor are desperate and that they have nowhere to go, but Scrooge comes back with a comment that haunts him throughout the book. Are there no prisons? asked Scrooge. And the Union workhouses? demanded Scrooge. Are they still in operation? The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, they? said Scrooge. This passage shows just how cold and unconcerned he is. He doesnt care how awful these people lives are. That they would prefer to die then go to all these horrid places that Scrooge is talking about. If they would rather die, said Scrooge, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. He isnt even slightly embarrassed that he isnt giving to the poor and being so rude to the gentlemen. He is just so convinced that these people are scum, and as far as he is concerned he would prefer it if they were dead to decrease the surplus population. In Stave 1 Marley who was Scrooges good and only friend as an adult, visits Scrooge as a ghost. Marley has a very meaningful message for Scrooge it is a very big part in Dickens message that he is trying to convey throughout the book. In the book when Marley comes to Scrooge he explains that if we do not make the most of our lives on earth, by giving, sharing etc then we have to do so after death, we have to wander the world regretting not helping and being a good person wanting to help but not being able to do so and never being to rest for eternity. That the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow men, and travel far and wide; and if that spirit goes not froth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. Also that the spirit cannot be happy because its not aloud to rest, stay of linger anywhere it has to watch what it could have had done on earth. Doomed to wander through the world oh, woe is me! And witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth, and turned to happiness! Marley then goes on to talk about his chain that has a very strong meaning as well. The chain is all the bad things we have done in life, we then have to carry it when we are dead, and each bad thing is one link. The chain shows how the acts of our life come back to haunt us, so if we are good people we have nothing to fear when we die but if we have been selfish and un-charitable, we have to change now and redeem our selves or pay for eternity. I wear the chain I forged in life, replied the ghost. I made it link by link, and yard by yard; I girded it on of my own free will, and of my own free will I wore it. Fezzywig was Scrooges employer from when he left school. Fezzywig is a popular and vibrant, generous man as well as an employer. Fezzywig shows what power an employer has. He has the power to make his employers content and happy or make their lives hard and desperate. Fezzywig was famous for his Christmas parties. A good example of Fezzywigs character is nearly every good but often poor person was welcome to his parties. Fezzywig knew that it wasnt the amount of money you have that makes you a good or a bad person but whats inside the person that counts. This moral Dickens clearly puts across in this stave when the ghost of Christmas Past, shows Scrooge how Fezzywig made a difference, it wasnt on a worldly scale but it had an effect on all the people that worked for him, it made there lives better and easier. Compared to Scrooge who doesnt care about anyone and how as a consequence his employee was having a hard life, unnecessarily. The lesson was that treat others how you would wont to be treated and how even the smallest kind acts can make a difference on a much larger scale. This is why Scrooge says to the Ghost He has the power to render us happy of unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or toil. Scrooge then goes and says The happiness he gives, is quite as great as if it cost a fortune. The ghost of Christmas present showed Scrooge the Cratchit family. (The family of Bob Cratchit, Scrooges employee.) The ghost took Scrooge here to watch just how loving, caring and happy this family was in spite of being very poor, due to Scrooge paying Bob Cratchit an appalling wage. The whole family love and cherish each other, even though can hardly afford enough food for them all, and Tiny Tim the youngest is a cripple. Peter might have known, and very likely did, the inside of a pawnbroker. But they were happy, grateful, pleased with one another, and contented with the time; This family shows so many lessons that Scrooge at this point in the storey needed to learn. Through the Cratchit family Dickens conveys quite an important message. The Cratchits show, that money doesnt bring happiness, and there are more important things that money; like family and love. Despite all their problems, they are happy. Compared to Scrooge who is very well off for the time, but is a miserable, cold man who nobody loves. From this Scrooge started to realise what he was missing out on and how wrong he had been, thinking that the poor were worthless. This is shown in the book when Scrooge asks the ghost if Tiny Tim will live and the ghost shoots back at him his own words. If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Tiny Tim is a very strong character. Dickens is trying to show through him about appertaining what you have and to make the most of life. Even though Tiny Tim is a cripple and doesnt have long to live he is still happy and unselfish. He is showing what every good Christian should be like. After the Cratchit family the ghost showed Scrooge other people across the world that are in very desperate situations, with hardly anything to keep them happy or in good spirit. But just the fact that its Christmas gives them hope. The ghost takes Scrooge to the hut of a miners, the keepers of the light house, who wish each other a Merry Christmas because its the one thing they can hold on to, the ship at sea reminds them of their families at home and at Scrooges nephews home everyone is cheerful even though they are not well off and are playing games reminding Scrooge of his youth, sickbeds, foreign lands, Almshouses, hospitals and jails. From the folding of the Ghost of Christmas Presents robes came two children. These children were wretched, abject, frightful, hideous, miserable, The ghost told Scrooge that these children were Mans. This is because man hasnt helped and just watches them grow in society. There boy is ignorance and the girl is want. The ghost said to watch out for them, but most of all to watch out for the boy because on his forehead it says Doom, unless something is done about it, this is because Ignorance breeds doom. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing is eased. Dickens is putting another message across here; by ignoring these children it will just get worse and worse, which will spiral out of control. It is mans duty to help the ignorant and the poor because they are mans future. Ignore them and have a bad future with greed, poverty etc or deal with them and prosper in the future. After the ghosts have left Scrooge wakes up to find that its Christmas day, he has now leant all his lessons. He jumps out of bed because he realises how lucky he is in everyway and that hes lucky that the ghosts did visit him because he still has time to redeem himself and make up for lost time. He realises he wont be able to change things like Belle and so forth but that he can help in many ways. The first thing he does is get the biggest and the best turkey and sends it to the Cratchits. He then goes to his nephew Freds house to celebrate Christmas with them, because he now realised that Christmas was far from a humbug. From that moment on Scrooge changed and became the best man he could be. Scrooge was better than his word. He became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the good old city knew. In conclusion to this essay, the message to A Christmas Carol that Dickens is trying to convey in all the different ways is mainly that we are equal, nobody is more important than anyone else even if one person is a millionaire and the other lives on the streets. That we should love and look out for each other Love thy neighbour as thyself. After all, this book is also about Christmas spirit and to be a good Christian. To give to the less fortunate then yourself. Also that money cant make happiness that happiness can be found by being a good person and to love everyone no matter what there situation is. We should live our lives to the full and be grateful for what we have, and not always wishing we had more therefore never being content with what we do have. There is always someone worse off than ourselves. That being selfish and greedy, gets us nowhere, which one day we will regrette. But that its never to let to change and help others.

Analysis Of The Cuban Missile Crisis History Essay

Analysis Of The Cuban Missile Crisis History Essay Introduction The Cuban Missile Crisis was an event occurred in October 1962 when the USA detected that the USSR had deployed medium range missiles in Cuba, which was ninety miles away from Florida. It was the period that the cold war reached its peak because of the possible confrontation between the two superpowers, the US and the USSR, at the time. The Cuban Missiles Crisis was a very important part of the world history because of the risk of nuclear war that could lead to the destruction of the world. Therefore, it is very fascinating to identify what happen before the crisis, the causes, the actual events in the crisis, and the impacts of the crisis (Rich 2003, 416-428). Prior to the Crisis The Cuban Revolution, began in 1956, was the outcome of extensive economic oppression of Cuba by the USA. During Batistas, the ruthless ruler of Cuba, regime, Cuba per capita income was twice greater than other countries in general. The Cuban economy was controlled by the USA, which owned 90% of Cubas telephone and electronic services, 50% of Cubas railway, and 40% of Cubas sugar production (Johnson 1965,p 443). Furthermore, the USA put a very strict controlled on Cuban sugar production. The USA also controlled Cuban import quota, divided lands in to estates, and forced the Cuban farmers to grow monoculture crop, which was sugar (Dye Sicotte 2011, p.674). These USAs investments in Cuba were massive. By the end of Batistas rule, Cuba had the highest investment from the USA than any other countries in Latin America at that time; thus, Cubas per capital income was the highest in Latin America (Johnson 1965, p. 445). However, the distribution of wealth was not equally distributed. The ma jority of people were illiterate, and the mortality rate was very high because the health care system was not extended to the poor in the rural areas, who remained in poverty (Mabry 2003). Furthermore, Batista was a corrupted dictator, and a pro western ruler. These political and economic oppressions from Batiste and the USA inspired Fidel Castro, the charismatic revolution leader, to revolt for reforms (Rich 2003, p. 417). Between 1956 to 1959, Fidel Castro, Ernesto Che Guevera, and his younger brother Rual used the tactic Guerilla warfare to fight against Batistas army at Mount Sierra Maestra in Cuba where he gained support from the local framers. The guerrilla warfare proved to be successful. On January 1959, Castro and his troops were able to overthrown Batista and his government. After the overthrown of Batista government, Fidel Castro set up a shadow government consisted of major Cuban political figures. Still, the majority of power was in the hand of Castro. When the shadow government failed to put forward his reforms, he dismissed them, and took control of the government as he appointed himself Cubas prime minister (Rich 2003, p 418). Two months after the victory of the Guerrilla force, Castro paid his first visit to the USA where his story was romanticized by the media. He was supposed to have a meeting with Eisenhower; however, the President refused to have a meeting with him, and went to the golf court. He was accommodated by Nixon, who was the vice president at that time. During the meeting, he refused to accept USA financial support because he believed that it would continue the USA influence in Cuba. After Castro visited the USA, the relation between the USA and Cuba began to decline (Rich 2003, 419). One month after the visit, Fidel Castro began his reforms. He nationalized Cuban lands, cattle ranch, bank, railroads, oil, and other utilities, which were once owned by the USA (Perez 2011, p. 230-231). On the other hands, the relation between the Cuba and the USSR had become more dynamic. In order to reach economic independency from the USA, Castro turned to the USSR for support. As a result, in 1960, Cuba trade with the USA declined to 0%; while, trade with the USSR increased to 43% (Leogrande Thomas 2002, p 325-363). The Bay of Pig Invasion The Bay of Pig Invasion, January 3, 1961, was the CIAs plan to overthrown Castro government by launching thousand of Cuban exiles on Cubas Bay of Pigs believing that only thousand of trained exiles would be able to overthrown Castro government. However, the mission was a total failure because the Cuban army was already waiting for the Cuban exiles at the Bay of Pigs. As a result, one hundred people were killed and thousands of people were taken as political prisoners. The Bay of Pigs invasion was the last Eisenhower administration plan, which took action during Kennedy presidency (Rich 2003,p. 420). There were several reasons for the causes of the Bay of Pigs Invasion. However, the main reason was the US insecurity of its decline in Latin America domination. The USA based their policy on Latin America policy accordingly to the Monroe Doctrine, which stated that the USA must contain its influence in the Latin America (Perez 2011, P.233). In other words, the idea that the communist Cub a could influence other Latin America countries to transform their political systems to communism was intolerable for the USAs standard (Ferguson 1961, 288-290). Causes The Soviet Unions Hidden Agendas There were several reasons for the USSR to installed missile in Cuba. According to Khrushchev, his two main motives were to balance the missile gap between the USA and the USSR, and to prevent any further America invasion on Cuba (Cimbala 1999, p. 199). Khrushchev believed that the only way to prevent Cuba from the USA invasion was to install missiles in Cuba (Allyn et al 1989-1990, p.138). He believed that it would protect the Cuban national pride. Moreover, in 1959, the US installed Jupiter and Thor missiles, intermediate-range ballistic missiles, in Turkey, which pointed directly at the USSR. Furthermore, during the 50s and the 60s the US had advanced the USSR in terms of the arm race, therefore, Khrushchev decided to deploy missiles in Cuba as a mean to for the USSR to reach symmetry with the USA, which would provide him with negotiation power for the missile trade. He wanted to propose to US that the USSR would remove missiles from Cuba if the USA would remove missiles from Turk ey (Allyn, Blight Welch 1989-1990, p.139). His motive to reach symmetry in terms of arm race with the USA could be seen as a mean for the USSR to boost its nation prestige. If the USA could deploy missiles in Turkey and Italy, the USSR could also deploy missiles in Cuba, which was ninety miles away from the USA (ibid). Nevertheless, President John F. Kennedy already planned to remove the Jupiter missiles from Turkey. (Berstein 1980, p. 120-121). Thus, there should be hidden agendas under Khrushchevs actions. According to many American scholars, the deployment of missiles in Cuba were Khrushchevs plans to test USA reaction for future war, to demonstrate the USSR nuclear superiority to the Soviet and Chinese governments, to persuade the USA that the arm race was useless, and to increase Khrushchev popularity at home and in the Communist bloc, so that he could have freedom to reduce USSR arm built (Cimbala 1999, p. 199). Cuban insecurity The main reason for Cuba agreement on the installation of missile with the USSR was its insecurity. After the Bay of Pig Invasion in 1961, the CIA planed many assassin plots on Fidel Castro. According to the BBC, the CIA and the Cuban exiles came up with more than 600 plots to assassinate him. The plots varied from poisoning, car bombs, to massive underwater explosion. The suspects involved in the plot varied from the mafias to one of Castros ex lovers (Campbell 2009, n.d.). One of the assassination plots that actually took place was a strafe in Havana hotel by Alpha 66, which killed several Cubans and Soviet technicians (Brenner 1990, p.121). On the same hand, the USA began a serious trade embargo against Cuba. If other countries trade with Cuba, they would not receive financial aids from the USA. The Cuban government viewed the USs policy as a mean to weakening the Castro government by weakening Cubas economy (Brenner 1990, p. 188). Moreover, the Cuban intelligent discovered that t he CIA planed another invasion on Cuba, Operation Mongoose, which would be more substantial than the previous invasion. In order for the Cuban government to protect Cuba sovereignty, they believed that they need military aids from the USSR (Brenner 1990, p. 189). Therefore, Castro decided to let the USSR installed missiles on their island. The Crisis and the Resolution In 1962, the USSR sent a cargo ship to Cuba. The ship carried sixty missiles with forty launchers, and 40,000 Soviet technicians for the deployment of middle range missiles in Cuba (Kozak 2009, p. 19). On October 14, the U-2, USA spy plane, spotted missiles in Cuba, which pointed directly to the US. The US intelligent informed the President on October 17 (Berstein 1980, p.9). After the President was informed, there was a meeting between President John F. Kennedy and the EXCOMM, the Committee of the national Security. Many plans were proposed during the meeting. One of the most obvious plans was the scheme to use air strike to remove missiles from Cuba. However, Robert Kennedy, John F. Kennedys younger brother, advised the President not to use air strike because there was no way to guarantee that the air strike could remove all of the missiles from Cuba. If the air strike could not remove all missiles from Cuba, it would give the Cubans time to deploy missiles against the USA. Similar ly to the air strike, any military strikes against the Cuban could lead the Cubans to deploy missiles against the USA. Therefore, President Kennedy and his advisors came up with the naval blockade method as a way to deal with the Cubans (Rich 2003, p. 422). On October 22 John F. Kennedy announced to the media that the Cubans had deployed missiles against the USA with the aid from the USSR. He informed the media of the quarantine, naval blockade, as a mean to bloc USSR ship that carried missile to Cuba, and if the USSR did not turn or stop its cargo ships from entering Cuba, there would be consequences (Weimasma, Larson 1997, p. 13). However, the USSRs cargo ships did not turn back, but its cargo ships did not break the USA quarantine. It seemed that the confrontation between the USSR and the US could happen anytime (Weimasma, Larson 1997, p. 13). Nevertheless, from October 22 to 28, President JFK and Chairman Khrushchev exchanged several letters. Kennedy received Khrushchevs second letter on October 26. The letter proposed that the USSR would remove missiles from Cuba if the USA removed the Jupiter missiles from Turkey and, and that JFK must make a promise in front of the public that the USA would never invade Cuba (Thinkquest Cuban m issile crisis: letters, 1997). On October 27, one day after Khrushchev second letter was sent, the USs U-2 plane was shot down in Cuba. This act was seen by some of American politician as an invitation to start war. This is the quote from Secretary of Defense McNamara `This means war with the Soviet Union. However, because of the secret meeting between Robert Kennedy and Soviet ambassador Dobrynin, the situation was able to cool down. Robert Kennedy assured that the President would remove the missiles in Turkey (Weimasma, Larson 1997, p. 21) On October 28, JFK sent Khrushchev another letter proposed that in exchange for the USSR to uninstall missiles from Cuban soil within the UN inspection, the USA would never invade Cuba, and secretly uninstall missiles from Turkey. Khrushchev accepted the proposal from President Kenndy; thus, both countries were able to resolve their conflicts. In essence, the Cuban Missile Crisis was able to resolve because the USA accepted the USSR proposal. I t removed missiles from Turkey, and made a public announcement that it would never invade Cuba. On the same hand, Khrushchev accepted the USA proposal, and uninstalled missiles from Cuba within inspectors from UN observation (Thinkquest Cuban missile crisis: letters, 1997). Nevertheless, JFKs motives to secretly remove of the missiles in Turkey and Italy should be emphasized. Why would he need to do it secretly? According to many scholars, he was afraid of national resistance from the government and the American citizens as well as losing support from them (Weimasma, Larson 1997, p. 23). Impacts The Cuban Missiles Crisis left several impacts on the USA and the USSR foreign policy. The first impact was the increase in communication between the US and the USSR. Because of the crisis, both superpowers had realized that they needed to improve communication between the two countries to prevent any forms of crisis from occurring again (Rich 2003, p.425). As a result, a hotline was installed between the USAs president and the USSRs chairman (ibid). Moreover, because of the potential confrontation between the two superpowers, which could lead to nuclear war, President Kennedy began to favor the idea of coexistence (Billingsley, p.6). Therefore, after the crisis, there was a temporary period of dà ©tente, the period that the cold war heat cools down (Billingsley p.7). In addition, in August 5, 1963, the USA and the USSR both signed the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The treaty forbidden the testing of nuclear weapons on the earth surface, space, and underwater (Rich 2003, p.427). However, the treaty itself was futile because it did not stop the built up of nuclear weapons, and prevent China from obtaining the nuclear weapons on the following year (Rich 2003, p. 428). Subsequently, the USA and the USSR continue the arm race for another twenty five years. They also competed in terms of strategic gaining (Billingsley p.6). Furthermore, the treaty caused the relation between the USSR and China to decline. Because of the treaty, China concluded that the USSR was being weak, and more importantly, sold its soul to the capitalist camp. Hence, China broke out from the USSRs spear of influence and gained the status of superpower by itself. This caused the balance of power to become imbalance (Rich 2003, p. 428). After the Cuban Missile Crisis, most of the USs oversea policy was focused on the Americanization of Vietnam and the Vietnam War, which required full attention from the USA military resources (Rich 2003, p. 423). Conclusion In conclusion, the major events prior to the Cuban Missile Crisis were the Cuban Revolution, and the Bay of Pigs Invasion. The main causes of the crisis were the Soviet Union hidden agendas and the Cuban insecurity, which was caused by the United States of America. During the crisis, President John F. Kennedy and Chairman Khrushchev exchanged many letters before the resolution could be made. The period of the crisis was the period that the cold war reached its peak because both superpowers almost confront each other. If they had confronted each other, the use of nuclear weapons could have happened. After the crisis, the USSR removed missiles from Cuba under the UN supervision in exchanged for the USA to remove the Jupiter missiles in Turkey, and to never invade Cuba. The impacts of the Cuban Missile Crisis were the improvement in communication between the USA and the USSR. A hot line was established between both countries leaders. Moreover, President Kennedy began to view the USA rel ationship with the USSR in terms of coexistence. As a result, there was a period of detente, and agreement of the Nuclear Test Treaty Ban, which was signed by the USA and the USSR. However, the nuclear competition still continued for the next 25 years. Furthermore, both countries began the competition in the new area, which was the strategic competition.

Strategic Position For The Future Of Sabmiller Commerce Essay

Strategic Position For The Future Of Sabmiller Commerce Essay In the brewery industry, SABMiller, which has been operating across six continents, is now one of the worlds leading brewers. Regarding of the business environment, the company has started from a developing country, South Africa, and has successfully entered into both developed and developing markets through acquisitions and joint venture. According to the financial report for the last five years, the company has been doing quite well (SABMiller, 2012). For the strategic capabilities, the firms resources and competences are taken into account. Firstly, in 1950, the firm was able to move its headquarters from London to Johannesburg in order to expand its business in Southern Africa due to the restriction of trading between the country and the international businesses. Secondly, the firm is able to raise capital through its listing on the London stock exchange. Thirdly, the firm has entered into the global market by acquiring some major brands such as Dreher from Hungary, Miller from USA and forming a joint venture in China. Then, the company also has made other acquisitions, joint ventures and brewery investments in other countries in recent years. However, acquisition may not be applied for SABMiller anymore in the future because of fewer larger transformational deals and lower prospects of high financial of returns. About the management structure of the firm, it practices decentralization as local managers understand deeper about t he local businesses (Johnson, Whittington and Scholes, 2011). 3.2 The new vision statement, mission statement and the strategic objectives Vision The best in the world in providing the most various choices for beer drinkers Mission Increase product portfolios Find more business partners Provide the most comfortable working environment Strategic objectives Increase profit to 15 % annually Increase the sale of premium beers Forming more joint ventures with local brands Upgrade the latest technology in administration and manufacturing. As time goes by, SABMiller has been growing larger enormously through acquisitions and joint ventures, and it has almost earned much profit from these business deals. Therefore, a new vision statement for the firm is to be the best in the world in providing the most various choices for beer drinkers. In order to support the vision, SABMillers mission is to increase more product portfolios for the consumers. The firm will find more business partners to grow bigger and bigger in the brewery industry. The firm will provide the most comfortable working environment that employees will be most satisfied and efficient by providing the most advanced- technological conditions. Those missions must be carried out in specific strategic objectives. First of all, the firms aim is to increase its profit by 15 % annually. Secondly, It needs to increase more types of beer, especially international premium beers to meet the rising demand in emerging markets. Thirdly, it also needs to find out more opportunities for growth with its existing product portfolios through joint ventures in local brands. Finally, the firm needs to upgrade the latest technology in administration as well as manufacturing, so the employees will feel more convenient and put more effort in their work. 3.3 Three alternative possible strategic options for SABMiller The first strategic option recommended for the firm would be the product development, which deliver new products into the existing markets. In terms of Generic strategies, this strategy should focus on differentiation by building more premium types of beer. The reason is that the beer consumption is growing in these emerging markets, and the people here are earning more (Simon, 2012); therefore, they are willing to pay more for their drink as well. Another reason is that consumers nowadays still prefer high quality beer during the economic crisis (Nadine and Simon, 2012). Although this strategy will fall into question marks in the Bostons BCG matrix as these premium beers are totally new products, they are more likely to turn into stars as the market share is growing, and the consumers will pay more as well. Product development is also a strategy belongs to the Ansoff matrix, so SABMiller needs to add more new premium beers to its brand portfolios in the existing markets such as in C hina, Latin America and South Africa, which are also emerging markets. The second strategic option would be the market development, which the firm will penetrate into new markets with the existing products. Even though the target markets here are Africa and Asia, which SABMiller has already entered, it can actually bring more brands from North America, Latin America and Europe to these countries due to the lack of its brand portfolios in these two regions. This is also a cost-focus strategy, based on the Generic strategies, for the firm as the costs of labor and raw materials in African and Asian countries such as China and Vietnam are cheaper, so it is an advantage for the company to cut costs in manufacturing. In terms of the BCG matrix, this option also fall into a question mark as local brands from Europe, for instance, are new in Africa and Asia. However, there will be a high chance to become a star within a short time as consumption is rising up in these regions. Market development is another strategy belongs to the Ansoff matrix as the firms curr ent products portfolios from North America, Latin America and Europe are totally new for consumers in African and Asian countries. The last option, which SABMiller is capable of doing and actually has succeeded before, is joint venture. Based on the case, the firm can consider entering into a joint venture with Dos Equis Brewer Fomento Economico Mexicano (FEMSA) from Mexico, or EFES Breweries International from Turkey. According to Generic strategy, this can be known as a cost-focus strategy for SABMiller because these two brands are currently doing alright in emergent markets like Latin America, Africa and Asia; therefore, SABMiller is able to have a good start as it is also operating businesses prosperously in these markets. In the BCG matrix, both SABMiller and these two brands are having high market share and growth in those emergent markets with their current product portfolios; therefore, if joint venture takes place, there will be no doubt that SABMillers market share and growth will boost up continuously. In terms of Ansoff matrix, this strategic option actually help SABMiller increase its market share i n its current markets, Latin America, Africa and Asia with the current and combined product portfolios of both the firm itself and it partners (Johnson, Whittington and Scholes, 2011). Lower cost Differentiation Broad target Cost leadership Differentiation Narrow target 3 2Cost focus 1Differentiation focus Competitive advantage Competitive scope Table 1: Porters Generic strategies Market share High Low High 3Stars 2 1Question marks Cash cows Dogs Market growth Low Table 2: BCG matrix Products / services Existing New Existing 3Market penetration 1New products services New 2Market development Conglomerate diversification Markets Table 3: Ansoff matrix Strategic options 1 Product development 2 Market development 3 Joint venture 3.4 The most recommended strategic options for SABMiller Out of the above three strategic options, join venture would be a great move recommended for SABMiller. In fact, the firm has succeeded in forming joint ventures with others firm, so it clearly shows that the company is capable of doing such kind of thing. Furthermore, the two considerable firms for forming joint ventures, FEMSA and EFES, are doing quite well in Latin America, Africa and Asia, where SABMiller is also having a good taste with its business, so it will be an advantage for SABMiller as it can achieve more growth, reduce competitors in these markets. In addition, forming joint ventures also helps SABMiller to expand its product portfolios into other current markets. To sum up, forming a joint venture can be seen as a safer option as the current product portfolios are star products with high market share, while the other two option might be a little bit riskier as the products and the markets are new and unpredictable to measure successes.

Peeling the Horrible Onion Essay -- Literary Analysis

When the name Edgar Allan Poe is mentioned, it is usually followed by a gloomy description of his works. His portrayal inevitably involves words as twisted mind, grotesque, and insane. The celebrated work of Poe not only reflects greatness in writing skill, but an unparallel ability to delve into human psychology. Poe reflected his life into his writings, giving a peek into the human psych when it is littered with bad fortune, and turmoil. Edgar Allan Poe’s experiences and personal views are subtlety placed in his works which were influenced by the Transcendentalist movement, Abolitionism, and the grief placed on him by the deaths of the women in his life. The first major influence in Poe’s writing technique and style arises from the philosophical Transcendentalist movement in the 1830’s. The movement called for literacy independence from England, while creating a unique form of literature tailored by Americans. The movement began in 1836 with Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay titled Nature. This essay was used to fuel the movement to develop the American style of literature. The group used its spiritual hunger and infused their writings with spirituality. Emerson wrote about the human soul being a catalyst for perceiving stating â€Å"The move from reason to understand, which could be acquired by the individual’s submission to the spirit, was the necessary opening to the universal† (McIlhenny). Many Transcendentalists had varied opinions on the level and interpretations of the will to change American society into a utopian state. Part of the group wanted to instill a religious doctrine to build a better m oral code, while many disagreed claiming it goes against the stand alone complex they were hoping for. Emerson and his peers continued t... ...ry Theory from Poe to the Present. New York: Russell & Russell, 1962. Print. Lee, Maurice S. "Absolute Poe: His System Of Transcendental Racism." American Literature 75.4 (2003): 751-781. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 May 2012. Magistrale, Tony. Student Companion to Edgar Allen Poe. Westport: Greenwood Press, 2001. Print. McIlhenny, Ryan. "American Transcendentalism: A History./The Transcendentalists." Journal Of The Early Republic 30.3 (2010): 488-491. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 May 2012. Orhan Demir, et al. "Broken Heart" Syndrome Complicated By Acute Severe Mitral Regurgitation." Anatolian Journal Of Cardiology / Anadolu Kardiyoloji Dergisi 11.8 (2011): E-31. Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 May 2012. "Tuberculosis." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 22 July 2004. Web. 5 May. 2012.

Importance of Strategic Planning when Entering International Markets Es

Importance of Strategic Planning when Entering International Markets When a company decides to take their business international, there are many different factors that they need to take into account. There are differences in management styles, international laws and treaties that regulate international business, trade barriers, tariffs, taxes, exchange rates as well as cultural customs that come into play. Each of these is significant and needs to be taken into account in order to minimize potential problems. It is essential to an expanding company to study these factors and integrate them into taking their business abroad. Many times, lack of knowledge can create serious problems and in some situations stop a business deal from happening all together. If such matters are not ever correctly dealt with they can completely destroy the entire business. All a company needs to do to reduce this risk is some research in the international market. Today it is difficult to completely stay out of the international market place. Even if a business is completely based in a specific country, it is very possible that another company outside their country supplies them. Even if there is a small company that is simply importing some parts from Mexico, there are rules that must be met for NAFTA. It is almost impossible today for a company to avoid dealing with international issues. That is why all companies should have some understanding of international business. When first discussing international business, one must realize how beneficial international trade is to the world. Trade amongst countries has been growing very rapidly since the end of the Second World War. One way of looking at international trade is the simpl... ...se Expatriate Managers in Canada.† Journal of International Business Studies 27 (1996): 443-466. 9. Robicheaux, R. A. and Bandyopadhay, S. â€Å"Working With Dealers in India.† Journalof Managerial Issues 7 (1995): 379-402. 10. Saimee, S. â€Å"Costomer Evaluation of Products in a Global Market.† Journal of International Business Studies 25 (1994): 579-604. 11. Simos, Evangelos O. and Triantis, John E. â€Å"International Economic Outlook.† The Journal of Business Forcasting Methods & Systems 18 (1999): 32-36 12. Srinivasan, T. India. New York: Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 1994. 13. â€Å"There’s No Such Thing as Simple in International Business.† Agency Sales 29 (1999): 4-6 14. Walter, Ingo and Murray, Tracy. Handbook of International Business. New York: Ronald Press Publication, 1982. Importance of Strategic Planning when Entering International Markets Es Importance of Strategic Planning when Entering International Markets When a company decides to take their business international, there are many different factors that they need to take into account. There are differences in management styles, international laws and treaties that regulate international business, trade barriers, tariffs, taxes, exchange rates as well as cultural customs that come into play. Each of these is significant and needs to be taken into account in order to minimize potential problems. It is essential to an expanding company to study these factors and integrate them into taking their business abroad. Many times, lack of knowledge can create serious problems and in some situations stop a business deal from happening all together. If such matters are not ever correctly dealt with they can completely destroy the entire business. All a company needs to do to reduce this risk is some research in the international market. Today it is difficult to completely stay out of the international market place. Even if a business is completely based in a specific country, it is very possible that another company outside their country supplies them. Even if there is a small company that is simply importing some parts from Mexico, there are rules that must be met for NAFTA. It is almost impossible today for a company to avoid dealing with international issues. That is why all companies should have some understanding of international business. When first discussing international business, one must realize how beneficial international trade is to the world. Trade amongst countries has been growing very rapidly since the end of the Second World War. One way of looking at international trade is the simpl... ...se Expatriate Managers in Canada.† Journal of International Business Studies 27 (1996): 443-466. 9. Robicheaux, R. A. and Bandyopadhay, S. â€Å"Working With Dealers in India.† Journalof Managerial Issues 7 (1995): 379-402. 10. Saimee, S. â€Å"Costomer Evaluation of Products in a Global Market.† Journal of International Business Studies 25 (1994): 579-604. 11. Simos, Evangelos O. and Triantis, John E. â€Å"International Economic Outlook.† The Journal of Business Forcasting Methods & Systems 18 (1999): 32-36 12. Srinivasan, T. India. New York: Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 1994. 13. â€Å"There’s No Such Thing as Simple in International Business.† Agency Sales 29 (1999): 4-6 14. Walter, Ingo and Murray, Tracy. Handbook of International Business. New York: Ronald Press Publication, 1982.

Office Ergonomics

Office Ergonomics Contents 1. Introduction 2. Office Computer Workstations 3. Computer Workstation Evaluation Checklist 4. Appendix A 1. Introduction Ergonomics is the process of designing the work environment to fit the worker, rather than fitting the worker to the work environment. The goal of this ergonomic program is to minimize accidents and illnesses due to chronic physical and psychological stresses, while maximizing productivity and efficiency.Cumulative trauma disorders (CTD) or repetitive motion strain injuries are musculoskeletal disorders that result from repeated exposure to physical stressors. Stressors affect tendons, ligaments, nerves, muscles and bones. Physical stressors in the office environment are caused by sustained awkward postures, repetitive motions, using excessive force or compression. 2. Office Computer Workstations The workforce population varies greatly in physical size and stature. The idea of the average size person is obsolete.Adjusting office furnitu re and office equipment help employees make changes in the office to ensure proper posture is maintained throughout the day. There is no single â€Å"correct† posture or arrangement of components that will fit everyone. However, there are basic design goals to consider when setting up a computer workstation or performing computer-related tasks. Consider your workstation as you read through this guide and see if you can identify areas for improvement in posture, component placement, or work environment.This guide provides suggestions to minimize or eliminate identified problems, and allows you to create your own â€Å"custom-fit† computer workstation. Good Working Positions: To understand the best way to set up a computer workstation, it is helpful to understand the concept of neutral body positioning. This is a comfortable working posture in which your joints are naturally aligned. Working with the body in a neutral position reduces stress and strain on the muscles, te ndons, and skeletal system and reduces your risk of developing a musculoskeletal disorder (MSD).The following are important considerations when attempting to maintain neutral body postures while working at the computer workstation: †¢ Hands, wrists, and forearms are straight, in-line and roughly parallel to the floor. †¢ Head is level, or bent slightly forward, forward facing, and balanced. †¢ Shoulders are relaxed and upper arms hang normally at the side of the body. †¢ Elbows stay in close to the body and are bent between 90 and 120 degrees. †¢ Feet are fully supported by floor or footrest. †¢ Back is fully supported with appropriate lumbar support when sitting vertical or leaning back. Thighs and hips are supported by a well-padded seat and generally parallel to the floor. †¢ Knees are about the same height as the hips with the feet slightly forward. Regardless of how good your working posture is, working in the same posture or sitting still for prolonged periods is not healthy. You should change your working position frequently throughout the day in the following ways: †¢ Stretch your fingers, hands, arms, and torso. †¢ Stand up and walk around for a few minutes periodically.

Is Summer Reading Really Necessary? Essay

Towards the end of the School year many students begin to look forward to their 3 month Summer vacation. It’s the time where they can hang out with friends, laugh and catch up with some sleep. One thing students don’t look forward to is an 8 letter word that makes them sough, homework. The Summer Reading in Port Richmond High School requires students to read 2 books and create a journal for each one. Some students believe Summer Reading is necessary while others don’t. School Librarian, Mrs. Makler said â€Å"I believe [Summer Reading] is important [because it will] keep the students mind engaged during the Summer. †   While one student who chose to remain anonymous said â€Å"It’s completely unnecessary, that’s why we have school, it’s my summer vacation, it’s time to relax and vacate. Not time to do homework. † When students were asked if they did their Summer Reading some answers were very surprising while others seemed reasonable. â€Å"[I did my homework] because I had no choice and wouldn’t be able to pass the test when they give it in the beginning of the school year† said Aida Sproul from the Leader Ship house. Aisha E. Carson, a Gateway senior also replied saying â€Å"No, I had a summer job and I was more focused on that [and less] on books that were uninteresting. †Ã‚  There were few students who simply said they â€Å"had no money†. However when reminded that the libraries were open every day and money wasn’t a problem. One student replied â€Å"If I have no money for a book, what makes you think I have money for a metro card† while another replied â€Å"I was too lazy some days and too busy on the days I wasn’t†Whether financial or not there were other excuse to why students didn’t read their books. I only read a part of the book because it didn’t interest me at all. I read the first few pages and closed the book† said a Gateway senior. Another student mentioned how they disliked the Summer Reading because they wanted to read a book that they wanted to. Quadry Bellow and Aisha Carson seem to agree with a similar concept that the gateway senior has. What if students chose the books that they wanted to read? Will more students do their reading or will the statistics remain the same it is now? Quadry Bellow believes â€Å"If [students] picked their own books they would actually read it. It would make it fun† and that he believed â€Å"education and fun go great together. † Aisha E. Carson also agrees by saying â€Å"Yes, students will probably read their books but it can’t be anything immature or stupid. A student from the TV and Media arts department seems to disagree with both their opinions. She believes â€Å"If student’s picked their own books then that’s about 30 to 50 different books that are being read in each English class. How will teachers possibly give out their tests? The kids who chose to not do [their summer reading] obviously don’t care about their grades. If they don’t want to read the book, they should at least go to Sparknotes or Cliffnotes and make some type of effort toward their grade. †    Now while some students may not want to hear it Summer Reading is indeed necessary and very important. Like the students said before, when you do your Summer Reading it will start you off with a great grade in your English class and increase your reading abilities. Based on a three year study at the Dominican University graduate school of Library and Information studies, students who took part in their Summer Reading program improved their reading skills. Also a New York University sociology professor, who spent two years following 3,000 sixth and seventh graders in Atlanta Public Schools, found that children who read at least six books during the summer maintained or improved their reading skills opposed to students who didn’t do any. She also found that students who spent time reading were able to increase vocabulary test scores. Now you may not be 6th or 7th graders but the statistics still apply to you. According to the John Hopkins Center for Summer Learning, statistics show that students can lose up to 25 percent of their summer reading. The Learning center also mentions how â€Å"A conservative estimate of lost instructional time is approximately two months or roughly 22 percent of the school year†¦ It’s common for teachers to spend at least a month re-teaching material that students have forgotten over the summer. That month of re-teaching eliminates a month that could have been spent on teaching new information and skills. †   It’s also been said that students who read actively develop higher-order thinking skills, literary skills, life-long reading habits that continue to their adulthoods, and they engage in class discussions more often. Summer reading is very important and crucial. It would be wise to complete your summer reading so your grades can be the highest it can. Read a chapter a day and it will be over before you know it. | |