Laboratory Techniques and Measurements

Name: Kensley Shelley|Date: 9-17-12| Exp 2: Laboratory Techniques & Measurements|Lab Section: 0000| Data Tables: Step 1: Length and Measurements Object Measured|Length in cm|Length in mm| Key|5. 15 cm|51. 5 mm| CD|12. 0 cm|120. 0 mm| Fork Spoon|18. 05 cm 16. 30 cm|180. 5 mm 163. 0 mm| Step 2: Warm Temperature Measurements Hot tap water temperature49. 50_? C Boiling water temperature __immediately:104. 5; after 5 minutes: 103. 0__? C Step 3: Cold Temperature Measurements Cold tap water temperature_24. 5_? C Ice water temperature after 1 min:4. 5, after 5 min:1. 0 ? C Step 4: Volume MeasurementsVolume of half filled graduated cylinder__12. 5__mL Volume of completely filled small test tube __n/a__mL Number of drops in 1 mL___14_drops Volume of the micro pipet __28__ drops_2___mL Step 6: Density Measurements Part A Mass of empty graduated cylinder_16. 9_g Mass of graduated cylinder and water 21. 1_g Net mass of the water __4. 2_g Density of the water_0. 84_ g/mL Part B Mass of graduated cylinder and alcohol _20. 4_g Net mass of the alcohol __3. 5_g Density of the alcohol__0. 7__ g/mL Part C Mass of graduated cylinder and salt solution ____g Net mass of the salt solution____gDensity of the salt solution____ g/mL Part D Volume of half filled graduated cylinder__8. 0__mL Volume of half filled graduated cylinder and metal bolt_9. 1__mL Volume of the metal bolt_1. 1_mL Mass of the metal bolt __7. 2__g Density of the metal bolt__6. 55__g/mL Part E Mass of half filled beaker__89. 0__g Mass of water displaced by metal bolt__90. 1__g Volume of the metal bolt__1. 1__cc Density of the metal bolt__6. 55__g/cc Mass of half filled beaker__89. 0__g Mass of water displaced by magnet__89. 8__g Volume of the magnet _0. _cc Mass of the magnet __4. 0_g Mass when dropping the magnet in the beaker__92. 9__g Density of the magnet__5. 00__g/cc Calculated volume of the magnet using dimensions of length x width x height__0. 78__cc Density of magnet using the calculated volume_5. 13___g/cc C onclusion: Questions and Problems: A. Which method of determining density is more accurate, the water displacement method in Part D or Archimedes’ principle method in Part E? Why? For the metal bolt, I received the same answer for both experiments, so I would say both were equally accurate in my experiment.B. What is the relationship between mL and cm3? They equal each other; mL = cc C. Everyone knows that water is supposed to boil at 100 ° C. Why did your water sample boil at a different temperature? Water boils at different temperatures depending on the altitude. The higher pressure in the air keeps the molecules from escaping as easily. D. To help you get a feel for metric measurements, you need to know the relative magnitude of a few basic measurements. For example: 1 mm = thickness of a dime, a penny weighs 2 ? grams, and 20 °C = normal room temperature. Determine the following: . What is the mass in kilograms (kg) of a person who weighs 143 lb? 64. 86 kg 2. What wei ghs approximately 1 g? dollar bill, paper clip 3. What is approximately 1 cm long, wide or thick? fingernail is 1 cm wide 4. What weighs about 100 g? 20 nickels, 40 pennies 5. What weighs about 1000 g? 1 liter of water Conclusion: The experiment was designed to help acquaint the student with proper laboratory measurements and techniques. This was done by allowing the student to use the different lab tools in a variety of ways, such as: heating, measurements, volume, and density.In completing this lab, I am better aware of the different tools which will be used and how to properly use them, because a slight mistake in measuring can skew your data. I witnessed this in the density calculations in that the wrong mass or volume could greatly skew the results of the density. I first recorded 7. 6 g as the mass for the metal bolt, but on second glance I realized it was only 7. 2 g. While this may not seem significant at first, having a difference of 0. 4 g is very significant in determinin g the correct density. I also observed how important it is to account for one uncertain digit.When measuring items using the cm side of the ruler, I had to account for an uncertain digit when it measured in between two lines. Accounting for this uncertain digit helps to gain a more accurate reading. Also, reading at the bottom of the meniscus is also very important when measuring. When I first used the beaker, I did not get down to eye level and therefore I could not properly see the meniscus, but after putting it to eye level, I could see that I was slightly off on my measurement. I also learned how to determine the mass of certain objects that are not easily measured.I did so by first measuring the cylinder's mass and then measuring the mass of the cylinder with the liquid in it. I was then able to subtract the two and get a good measurement of the mass of the liquid. Another technique practiced was using displaced water to determine the volume and subsequently the density of an o bject. By putting the object on a string and placing it in the water, I was able to record the mass of the displaced water (90. 1 g), which i was then able to convert to the volume of the object (1. 1 mL). This number along with the mass of the object (7. g), could then be converted to the density of the object (6. 55 g/cc). There were a few potential errors that could have occurred while preforming the experiments. First, when calibrating my at home scale, I had to place an object that was 500 g on the scale. While I believe the object I placed on it was close to that mass, it could have been off slightly which could have skewed my results. Also, there is always the possibility of miscalculations when I was determining the volume of the magnet using the ruler. There is always the chance of miss counting something which can led to inaccurate results. Laboratory Techniques and Measurements Measurement:Length, Mass, Volume, Density, and Time Peter Jeschofnig, Ph. D. Version 42-0267-00-01 Lab RepoRt assistant This document is not meant to be a substitute for a formal laboratory report. The Lab Report Assistant is simply a summary of the experiment’s questions, diagrams if needed, and data tables that should be addressed in a formal lab report. The intent is to facilitate students’ writing of lab reports by providing this information in an editable file which can be sent to an instructor. Data Table 1: Estimation of various measurements| Measurement| Estimated| Actual| % Error| Length (m)| | | | Time (s)| | | |Mass (g)| | | | Data Table 2: Measurement of an object using various instruments| | Length(cm)| Width(cm)| Height(cm)| Volume(cm3)| Object Being Measured:| | | | | Hand (hand units)| | | | | Hand (cm)| | | | | Ruler| | | | | Meter tape| | | | | Data Table 3: Measurement of an object using various instruments| | Length(cm)| Width(cm)| Height(cm)| Volume (cm3)| Object Being Measured:| | | | | Hand (hand units)| | | | | Hand (cm)| | | | | Ruler| | | | | Meter tape| | | | | Data Table 4: Measurement of an object using various instruments| | Length(cm)| Width(cm)| Height(cm)| Volume(cm3)| Object Being Measured:| | | | |Hand (hand units)| | | | | Hand (cm)| | | | | Ruler| | | | | Meter tape| | | | | Data Table 5: Determination of ? | Object| DiameterD(cm)| CircumferenceC(cm)| Slope| % Error| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Data Table 6: Density measurements| Method| Volume of water in graduated cylinder (mL)| Volume of water+ bolt(mL)| Volume of bolt (mL)| Mass of bolt in air (g)| Mass of bolt in water (g)| Mass of bolt â€Å"lost† in water (g)| Density orS. G. ofbolt(g/mL)S. G. =unitless| Water- displacement method| | | | | | | | Archimedes’ principle method| | | | | | | | Data Table 7: Time measurements using visual cues| Drop time (s)| Trial 1| | Trial 2| | Trial 3| | Average| | Data Table 8: Time meas urements using auditory cues| | Drop time (s)| Trial 1| | Trial 2| | Trial 3| | Average| | Questions Exercise 1: Estimation of Various Measurements A. Why is it important to correctly estimate length, time, and mass? Exercise 2: Measuring Using Instruments of Varying Degrees of Precision A. Can you think of an occasion when it would be adequate to use your â€Å"hand† measurement? B. What would happen to your volume calculations if the length, width and height measurements were off a little? Exercise 3: Graphing data and the determination of ?Object Description| Diameter (cm)| Circumference (cm)| Measuring Device| Penny| 1. 90  ± 0. 01| 5. 93  ± 0. 03| Vernier caliper, paper| â€Å"D† cell battery| 3. 30  ± 0. 02| 10. 45  ± 0. 05| Vernier caliper, paper| PVC cylinder A| 4. 23  ± 0. 02| 13. 30  ± 0. 03| Vernier caliper, paper| PVC cylinder B| 6. 04  ± 0. 02| 18. 45  ± 0. 05| Plastic ruler, paper| Tomato soup can| 6. 6  ± 0. 1| 21. 2  ± 0. 1| Plastic ruler, paper| 5. Graph C vs. d using a computer spreadsheet program. 7. What is the slope of the line? What does it represent? 8. Calculate the percent error of your value from the true value of pi.Exercise 4: Density Measurements A. Which of the two volume determinations will be more accurate? Why? B. Research the Archimedes’ principle method. Write one paragraph explaining why it is called Archimedes’ principle Exercise 5: Time Measurements A. Which is more accurate, the individual times or the average? Explain. B. Sometimes many trials are run and recorded. Then the highest and lowest data points are disregarded when taking the average. Could this technique help in this experiment? How? C. Explain any differences that occurred between recording the data visually and aurally.

Fluke, or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings Chapter 17~18

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN Jonathan Livingston Reaper Amy wore an oversized, tattered â€Å"I'M WITH STUPID† nightshirt and Local Motion flip-flops. Her hair was completely flat on one side and splayed out into an improbable sunburst of spikes on the other, making it appear that she was getting hit in the side of the head by a tiny hurricane, which she wasn't. She was, however, performing the longest sustained yawn Clay had ever seen. â€Å"Ooo ahe-e, I aya oa a,† she said in yawnspeak, a language – not unlike Hawaiian – known for its paucity of consonants. (You go ahead, I'm okay, she was saying.) She gestured for Clay to continue. Clay cued the tape and fiddled with the audio. A whale tail in a field of blue passed by on the monitor. â€Å"There's someone outside, Captain.† â€Å"Does he have my sandwich with him?† Amy stopped yawning and scooted forward on the stool she was perched upon behind Clay. When the whale tail came down, Clay stopped the tape and looked back at her. â€Å"Well?† â€Å"Play it again.† He did. â€Å"Can we get a feeling for direction?† Amy asked. â€Å"That housing has stereo microphones, right? What if we move the speakers far apart – can we get a sense where it's coming from?† Clay shook his head. â€Å"The mikes are right next to each other. You have to separate them by at least a meter to get any spatial information. All I can tell you is that it's in the water and it's not particularly loud. In fact, if I hadn't been using the rebreather, I'd never have heard it. You're the audio person. What can you tell me?† He ran it back and played it again. â€Å"It's human speech.† Clay looked at her as if to say, Uh-huh, I woke you up because I needed the obvious pointed out. â€Å"And it's military.† â€Å"Why do you think it's military?† Now Amy gave Clay the same look that he had just finished giving her.† ‘Captain'?† â€Å"Oh, right,† said Clay. â€Å"Speaker in the water? Divers with underwater communications? What do you think?† â€Å"Didn't sound like it. Did it sound like it was coming from small speakers to you?† â€Å"Nope.† Clay played it again. â€Å"Sandwich?† he said. â€Å"Sandwich?† â€Å"The Old Broad said that someone called her claiming to be a whale and asked her to tell Nate to bring him a sandwich.† Amy squeezed Clay's shoulder. â€Å"He's gone, Clay. I know you don't believe what I saw happened, but it certainly wasn't about a sandwich conspiracy.† â€Å"I'm not saying that, Amy. Damn it. I'm not saying this had anything to do with Nate's† – he was going to say drowning and stopped himself – â€Å"accident. But it might have to do with the lab getting wrecked, the tapes getting stolen, and someone trying to mess with the Old Broad. Someone is fucking with us, Amy, and it might be whoever is recorded on this tape.† â€Å"And there's no way the camera could have pulled a signal out of the air, something on the same frequency or something? A mobile phone or something?† â€Å"Through a half-inch of powder-coated aluminum housing and a hundred feet of water? No, that signal came in through the mike. That I'm sure of.† Amy nodded and looked at the paused picture on the screen. â€Å"So you're looking for two things: someone military and someone who has an interest in Nate's work.† â€Å"No one – † Clay stopped himself again, remembering what he'd said to Nate when the lab had been wrecked. That no one cared about their work. But obviously someone did. â€Å"Tarwater?† Amy shrugged. â€Å"He's military. Maybe. Leave the tape out. I'll run a spectrograph on the audio in the morning, see if I can tell if it's coming through some kind of amplifier. I've got nothing left tonight – I'm beat.† â€Å"Thanks,† Clay said. â€Å"You get some rest, kiddo. I'm going to hit it, too. I'll be heading down to the harbor first thing.† † ‘Kay.† â€Å"Oh, and hey, the ‘kiddo' thing, I didn't mean – ; Amy threw her arms around him and kissed the top of his head. â€Å"You big mook. Don't worry, we'll get through this.† She turned and started out the door. â€Å"Amy?† She paused in the doorway. â€Å"Yeah?† â€Å"Can I ask you a†¦ personal question, kinda?† â€Å"Shoot.† â€Å"The shirt – who's stupid?† She looked down at her shirt, then back at him and grinned. â€Å"Always seems to apply, Clay. No matter where I am or who I'm with, the smoke clears and the shirt is true. You gotta hang on to truth when you find it.† â€Å"I like truth,† Clay said. â€Å"Night, Clay.† â€Å"Night, kiddo.† The next day the weather was blown out, with whitecaps frosting the entire channel across to Lanai and the coconut palms whipping overhead like epileptic dust mops. Clay drove by the harbor in his truck, noting that the cabin cruiser that Cliff Hyland's group had been using was parked in its slip. Then he turned around and caught a flash of white out of the corner of his eye as he drove past the hundred-year-old Pioneer Inn – Captain Tarwater's navy whites standing out against the green shiplap. He parked his truck by the giant banyan tree next door and humped it over to the restaurant. When Clay came up to the table, the hostess was just seating Cliff Hyland, Tarwater, and one of their grad students, a young blond woman with a raccoon sunburn and straw-dry hair. â€Å"Hey, Cliff,† Clay said. â€Å"You got a minute?† â€Å"Clay, how you doing?† Hyland took off his sunglasses and stood to shake hands. â€Å"Please, join us.† Clay looked at Tarwater, and the naval officer nodded. â€Å"Sorry to hear about your partner,† he said. Then he looked back down at his menu. The young woman sitting with them was watching the dynamic between the three men as if she might write a paper on it. â€Å"Just a second,† Clay said. â€Å"If I could talk to you outside.† Now Tarwater glanced up and gave Cliff Hyland an almost imperceptible shake of the head. â€Å"Sure, Clay,† Cliff said, â€Å"let's walk.† He looked to the junior researcher. â€Å"When she comes, coffee, Portuguese sausage, eggs over easy, whole wheat.† The girl nodded. Hyland followed Clay out to the front of the hotel, which overlooked the harbor fueling station and the Carthaginian, a steel-hulled replica of a whaling brig, now used as a floating museum. They stood side by side, watching the harbor, each with a foot propped on the seawall. â€Å"What's up, Clay?† â€Å"What are you guys working on, Cliff?† â€Å"You know I can't talk about that. I signed a nondisclosure thing.† â€Å"You got divers in the water, people with underwater coms?† â€Å"Don't be silly, Clay. You've seen my crew. Except for Tarwater, they're just kids. What's this about?† â€Å"Somebody's fucking with us, Cliff. They sank my boat, tore up the office, took Nate's papers and tapes. They're even messing with one of our benefactors. I'm not even sure they don't have something to do with Nate's –  » â€Å"And you think it's me?† Hyland took his foot off the seawall and turned to Clay. â€Å"Nate was my friend, too. I've known you guys, what? Twenty-two, twenty-three years? You can't think I'd do anything like that.† â€Å"I'm not saying you personally. What are you and Tarwater working on, Cliff? What would Nate know that would interfere with what you're doing?† Hyland stared at his feet. Scratched his beard. â€Å"I don't know.† â€Å"You don't know? You know what we're doing – figure it out. Listen, I know you guys are using a big towable sonar rig, right? What's Tarwater looking at? Some new kind of active sonar? If it didn't have a hinky element, he wouldn't be here on site. Mines?† â€Å"Damn it, Clay, I can't tell you! I can tell you that if I thought it was going to hurt the animals, or anyone in the field for that matter, I wouldn't be doing the work.† â€Å"Remember the navy's Pacific Biological Ocean Science Program? Were you in on that?† â€Å"No. Birds, wasn't it?† â€Å"Yeah, seabirds. The navy came to a bunch of field biologists with a ton of money – wanted seabirds tagged and tracked, behavior recorded, population information, habitat, everything. Everyone thought the heavens had opened up and started raining money. Thought the navy was doing some sort of secret impact study to preserve the birds. Do you know what the study was actually for?† â€Å"No, that was before my time, Clay.† â€Å"They wanted to use the birds as delivery systems for biological weapons. Wanted to make sure they could predict that they'd fly to the enemy. Probably fifty scientists helped in that study.† â€Å"But it didn't happen, Clay, did it? I mean, the data was valuable scientifically, but the weapons project didn't pan out.† â€Å"As far as we know. That's the point. How would we know, until a seagull drops fucking anthrax on us?† Cliff Hyland had aged a couple of years in the few minutes they'd been standing there. â€Å"I promise, Clay, if there's any indication that Tarwater or the navy or any of the spooky guys that come around from time to time are involved with trying to sabotage you guys, I'll call you in an instant. I promise you. But I can't tell you what I'm working on, or why. I don't exactly have funding coming out my ears. If I lose this, I'm teaching freshmen about dolphin jaws. I'm not ready for that. I need to be in the field.† Clay looked at him sideways and saw that there was real concern, maybe even a spark of desperation in Hyland's eyes. â€Å"You know, your funding might be a little easier to come by if you weren't based in Iowa. I don't know if you've noticed, but there's no ocean in Iowa.† Hyland smiled at the old dig. â€Å"Thanks for pointing that out, Clay.† Clay extended his hand. â€Å"You promise you'll let me know?† â€Å"Absolutely.† Clay left feeling totally spent. The great head of steam he'd built up through a night of fitful sleep had wilted into exhaustion and confusion. He got in his truck and sat while sweat rolled down his neck. He watched tourists in aloha wear mill around under the great banyan tree like gift-wrapped zombies. Cliff Hyland's eggs were still steaming when he returned to the table. Tarwater looked up from his own breakfast and moved his snow-white hat away from Hyland's plate, as if the rumpled scientist might splash yolk over the gold anchors in a fit of disorganized eating. â€Å"Everything all right?† The young woman at the table fidgeted and tried to look invisible. â€Å"Clay's still a little shaken up. Understandably. He and Nathan Quinn have been working together a long time.† â€Å"Lucky they made it this long without self-destructing,† Tarwater said. â€Å"Slipshod as they run that operation. You see that kid that works for them? Not worth grinding up for chum.† Cliff Hyland dropped his fork in his plate. â€Å"Nathan Quinn was one of the most intuitively brilliant biologists in the field. And Clay Demodocus may very well be the best underwater photographer in the world, certainly when it comes to cetaceans. You have no right.† â€Å"The world turns, Doc. Yesterday's alphas are today's betas. Losers lose. Isn't that what you biologists teach?† Cliff Hyland came very close to burying a fork in Tarwater's tanned forehead, but instead he slowly climbed to his feet. â€Å"I need to use the restroom. Excuse me.† As he walked away, Hyland could hear Tarwater lecturing the junior researcher on how the strong survive. Cliff dug his mobile phone out of the pocket of his safari shirt and began scrolling through the numbers. Clay was just dozing off in the driver's seat when his mobile trilled. Without looking at the display, he figured it was Clair checking up on him. â€Å"Go, baby.† â€Å"Clay, it's Cliff Hyland.† â€Å"Cliff? What's up?† â€Å"You've got to keep this under your hat, Clay. It's my ass.† â€Å"I got you. What is it, Cliff?† â€Å"It's a torpedo range. We're doing site studies for a torpedo test range.† â€Å"Not in the sanctuary?† â€Å"Right in the middle of the sanctuary.† â€Å"Jeepers, Cliff, that's terrible. I don't know if my hat is big enough to hold that.† â€Å"You gave me your word, Clay. What's with ‘jeepers'? Who says ‘jeepers'?† â€Å"Amy does. She's a little eccentric. Tell me more. Does the navy have divers in the water?† CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Heinous Fuckery Most Foul â€Å"Jeepers,† said Amy. She was at Quinn's computer. Streamers of digital videotape were festooned across her lap and over the desk. â€Å"Oh, that's heinous fuckery most foul,† said Kona. He was perched on the high stool behind Amy and actually appeared to be trying to learn something when Clay came in. â€Å"They've been simulating explosions on the lee of Kahoolawe with a big towable array of underwater speakers, measuring the levels. The speaker array is what's in that big case we've seen on their boat.† â€Å"We have a couple of explosions on the singer tapes, but distant,† Amy said. â€Å"Nate thought it might be naval exercises out at sea.† â€Å"Speaking of tapes?† Clay picked up a strand of tape. â€Å"This isn't my rebreather footage, is it?† â€Å"I'm sorry, Clay. I didn't get the video, but I pulled the audio off before this happened. Want to see the spectrograph?† Kona asked, â€Å"You think those voices in the water be navy divers?† Clay looked at Amy, raised an eyebrow. â€Å"He wanted to learn.† â€Å"Cliff says there're no divers in the water, that his operation is it, militarily, in the sanctuary anyway. But he might not even know.† Amy wadded up the videotape and chucked the resulting bird's nest into the wastebasket. â€Å"How can they do that, Clay? How can they put a torpedo range in the middle of the humpback sanctuary? It's not like people won't notice.† â€Å"Yeah, she's a big ocean. Why here?† Kona said. â€Å"I have no idea. Maybe they don't want there to be any mistake about whose waters they're blowing up ordnance in. If they blow them up in between a bunch of American islands, maybe there can't be any misinterpretation about what they're doing.† â€Å"Lost now,† Kona said. â€Å"Does not compute. Danger. Danger. Control room needs herb.† The Rastafarian had affected an accent that seemed an excellent approximation of how a stoned robot might sound. â€Å"Submarine warfare is all about hide and seek with other submarines,† Clay said. â€Å"The crews are autonomous when they're underwater. They make decisions on whether they're being attacked and whether to defend. Maybe if the navy just shot torpedoes off in the middle of the open sea, someone might misinterpret the action as an attack. It's damn unlikely that a Russian sub is going to be cruising up to Wailea for brunch and misinterpret an attack.† â€Å"They can't do that,† Amy said. â€Å"They can't let them set off high explosives around the mothers and calves. It's just insane.† â€Å"They'll go deep and say it doesn't bother them. The navy will guarantee they won't blow up anything shallower than, say, four hundred feet. The humpbacks don't dive that deep in this channel.† â€Å"Yes they do,† Amy said. â€Å"No they don't,† Clay said. â€Å"Yes they do.† â€Å"There's no data on that, Amy. That's specifically what Cliff Hyland asked me about. He wanted to know if we were doing any research on the depth of humpback dives. Said that it would be the only thing the navy would care about.† Amy stood up and shoved the wheeled desk chair away. It bounced off Kona's shins, causing him to wince. â€Å"Ease on up, sistah.† â€Å"Amy, this wasn't my idea,† Clay said. â€Å"I'm just telling you what Hyland told me.† â€Å"Fine,† Amy said. She pushed her way past Clay and headed for the door. â€Å"Where are you going?† â€Å"Somewhere else.† She let the screen door slam behind her. Clay turned to Kona, who appeared to be studying the ceiling with great concentration. â€Å"What?† â€Å"You makin' up that submarine war story?† â€Å"Kind of. I read a Tom Clancy book once. Look, Kona, I'm not supposed to know stuff. Nate knew stuff. I just take the pictures.† â€Å"You think the navy sink your boat? Maybe make something bad happen to Nate?† â€Å"The boat, maybe. I don't think they could have had anything to do with Nate. That was just bad luck.† â€Å"The Snowy Biscuit – all this getting under her skin.† â€Å"Mine, too.† â€Å"I'll go put the calm on her.† â€Å"Thanks,† Clay said. He walked to the other side of the office, slumped in his chair, and pulled his editing tools up on the giant monitor. A half hour later he heard a tiny voice coming through the screen door. â€Å"Sorry,† Amy said. â€Å"It's okay.† She stepped into the room and stood there, not looking as glazed as he would have expected if Kona had put the calm on her in an herbal way. â€Å"Sorry about your tape, too. The camera was making crunching noises on playback, so I sort of rushed taking it out.† â€Å"Not a problem. It was your big rescue scene. It just made me look like an amateur. I got most of it on the hard drive, I think.† â€Å"You did?† She stepped over to the monitor. â€Å"That it?† Frame stopped, the whale tail from the edge, black marks barely visible. â€Å"Just going through it to see if there's anything else the audio picked up. The camera was running the whole time you were saving my bacon.† â€Å"Why don't you let it rest and let me take you out to lunch.† â€Å"It's ten-thirty.† â€Å"What, you're Mr. Rigid Schedule all of a sudden? Come out to lunch with me. I feel bad.† â€Å"Don't feel bad, Amy. It's a huge loss. I†¦ I'm not dealing well myself. You know, to keep this work going, we'll be needing some academic juice.† Amy just stared at the frozen image of the whale tail, and then she caught herself. â€Å"What? Oh, you'll get someone. You put the word out, you'll have Ph.D.'s knocking the door down to work with you.† â€Å"I was thinking about you.† â€Å"Me? I'm crap. I don't even have a bona fide hair color. Ink on my master's isn't even dry. You read my resume.† â€Å"Actually, I didn't.† â€Å"You didn't?† â€Å"You seemed intelligent. You were willing to work for nothing.† â€Å"Nate read it, though, right?† â€Å"I told him you were good. And if it's any consolation, he thought the world of you.† â€Å"That's how you hire? I'm smart and I'm cheap – that's it? What kind of standards do you guys have?† â€Å"Have you met Kona?† She looked back at the monitor, then at Clay again. â€Å"I feel so used. Honored, but used. Look, I'm thrilled you want to keep me on, but I'm not going to bring you funding or legitimacy.† â€Å"I'll worry about that.† â€Å"Worry about it after lunch. Come on, I'll buy.† â€Å"You're poor. Besides, I'm meeting Clair for lunch at one.† â€Å"Okay. Can I borrow Nate's – uh, the green truck?† â€Å"Keys are on the counter.† Clay waved over his shoulder toward the kitchen. Amy took the keys, then started out the door, caught herself, then ran back, and threw her arms around the photographer. â€Å"I really appreciate your asking me to stay.† â€Å"Go. Take Kona with you. Feed him. Hose him off.† â€Å"Nope, if you're not coming, I'm going solo. Tell Clair hi for me.† â€Å"Go.† He looked back at the computer, looked past the window at the brilliant Maui sun, then shut the computer down, feeling very much as if nothing he did mattered or would ever matter again.

Romeo and Juliet Compare and Contrast

Compare and Contrast â€Å"Romeo and Juliet† is a story about two star crossed lovers who meet by fate. This great piece of literature written, by William Shakespeare will be compared with Baz Lurman’s rendition of â€Å"Romeo and Juliet†. The movie missed some details from the play it also added some extra scenes but it still contained the right mood and scenes for it to be a â€Å"Romeo and Juliet† movie. A major similarity between the movie and play occurs in mood.An example of this is the marriage scene. In the marriage scene of the play, Romeo and Juliet act very serious. The reader can tell this by the way the two speak. Romeo says that the Holy Words the Friar speaks can make something without an equal which is a very intelligent thing to say. Similarly in the movie Romeo and Juliet both act serious. This is shown through there clothes, faces, and by the way they act. Romeo wears a suit, and Juliet wears a beautiful dress.Also you can tell by there faces that they look determined to get married and they both act very professional their not jumping around like 5 years olds their acting how people should be when they are getting married. A humongous difference between the play and movie is that Romeo is being chased by the police as he is making his way to Juliet’s resting place. In the play this never even happened he just got on a horse and went to the place. Lurman had to include put a chase in there, but that’s just one weird thing in this scene the other one is that Romeo takes a hostage because he gets surrounded by the police.This part was probably not expected by a lot people. Another deference is the ending of both the play and movie. In the play thinking that Juliet is dead, Romeo drinks some poison. When Juliet wakes up and discovering Romeo died she stabs herself with his dagger. They both lie next to each other, dead, and Juliet has yet another funeral, and Romeo has one too. Their families bury their differences and end their long feud. They also built a gold statue to honour Rome and Juliet.In contrast the movie ends with Romeo finding Juliet dead so he drinks the poison but this time Juliet wakes up: but Romeo has already drunken the poison so Juliet shoots her self in the head. Some people were not too happy about that. In conclusion the movie contained the necessary elements for it to be a fairly good adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play â€Å"Romeo and Juliet† but it missed details from the play and added a few details which may not be liked by all audiences. Both the play and movie are great.

Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 242

Assignment Example investigation before discipline, proof of guilt, reasonable penalty, absence of discrimination, and fair investigation imply that an employee may have been wrongly terminated. 3. The Fair Labor Standard Act describes two categories of employees; exempt and non-exempt. According to the legislation, exempt employees are not governed by this act and must be paid a fixed salary and meet certain criteria in relation to the job content. Non-exempt employees are covered by the act and are entitle to overtime pay. 4. Job evaluation refers to the process of determining the relative worth of one job to another. Performance evaluation refers to a process of determining, documenting, and evaluating and employee’s job performance. 5. The Lead policy ascribes to an organization’s pay structure that is set to remain ahead of the market for an annum. The match policy sets an organization compensation structure to bare similarity to that of the market. The lag policy sets the pay structure of an organization behind that of its market competitors. 9. Training focuses on the current job while development focuses on current and future jobs at the organization. Training has a shorter time frame compared to development in that it is immediate while development takes on a long term time frame. The scope of training aims at individual employees while development targets at the work group organization. The goal of training is at fixing a current skill deficit among employees while development prepares employees for future work demands. An example of training is onboarding where freshly hired management level employees are imparted with skills to perform the immediate tasks placed on them. An example of a development program for employees is off-site training where employees get to attend seminars and course offered outside the organization, which can assist them to come up with creative solutions towards ongoing

Finance For Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Finance For Management - Essay Example 383) This part of the paper seeks to analyse the Jensen argument in 1978, quoted by Pike& Neale that the efficient market hypothesis is the "best established fact in all of social science". Whilst Neale & McElroy (2004) were less categorical "sometimes stock market valuations may look irrational. But in the longer term the markets are efficient processors of information and get valuation about right" Numerous papers have demonstrated that early identification of new information can provide substantial profits. Insiders who trade on the basis of privileged information can therefore make excess returns, violating the strong form of the efficient market hypothesis. Even the earliest studies by Cowles (1933,1944), however, make it clear that investment professionals do not beat the market. It has already been stated that an efficient market is one where the prices of securities fully reflect all available information, but then what are the sufficient conditions for capital market efficiency In an idealized world, such conditions would be the debate about market efficiency has resulted in thousands of empirical studies and literature attempting to determine whether particular markets are in fact 'efficient', and if so to what degree. In fact, the majority of studies and researches of technical theories have gone to the result that it is difficult to predict prices. No wonder, Neale & McElroy (2004) were less categorical, and stated that "sometimes stock market valuations may look irrational. But in the longer term the markets are efficient processors of information and get valuation about right" In addition, the random walk theory indicates that price movements will not follow any trends and so by knowing the past price movements it's not possible to predict the future price movements. All these state that markets are in fact efficient. However, researchers have also exposed many stock market anomalies that seem to be inconsistent with the efficient market hypothesis. Conclusion This section attempts an analysis of Michael Jensen 1978 arguments on the efficient market hypothesis. An attempt was also made to reconcile this statement with Neale & McElroy 2004 statement. From the above analysis, one can gently conclude that trading strategies seem to be widespread among fund managers and there is little evidence that they would generate excess returns in practice (Malkiel, 2003). Researchers have also exposed many stock market anomalies that seem to be inconsistent with the efficient market hypothesis. The end of the year effect, small firm effect is all good examples to this effect. The efficient market hypothesis has been challenged by numerous studies on the grounds that there are often underrreactions or overreaction of stock markets to information. (Baberies et al, 1998; Daniel et al, 1998; Hong and Stein, 1999). Accordingly, in a variety of markets, sophisticated investors can earn

Freedom of Speech Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 5

Freedom of Speech - Essay Example The victims of fighting words are usually silenced by their relative powerless position in society. A common presumption that is usually made by the fighting words doctrine is that an encounter between two individuals that relatively have equal degrees of power will generally result in violence. Boss (2009), points out that freedom of speech is often described as being a liberal right; in this regard we all have an innate right to express all of our opinions without having to face any interference or inhibition from other people or the government (Paikin, 2014). However, Boss (2009) cautions that not all forms of verbal expression can be considered to be speech and similarly to most of the other liberty rights,freedom of speech is considered as not being an absolute right. All societies place limits on speech with the objective of preventing the occurrence of civil disorder and violence which in turn helps society in protecting its citizens against harassment, threats and fraud. The government can largely be considered as acting in an heteronomous manner when it moves to curtail the people’s freedom of speech. This is because there are now wide ranging concerns over how the government exercises censorship. The notion of censorship has traditionally been based on the assumption that the government and people in positions of authority have access to the truth and as such are well placed to make final decisions as to what exactly should be considered to be good and right. However, this authority has in recent years come under heavy criticism as a result of the fact that as a result of some perceived heteronomy on the part of the government. An example of this is the formulation and implementation of the Patriot Act. The Patriot Act makes it legal for law enforcement officials to now be able to search people’s bookstore and library records in

Is there a clash of civilizations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Is there a clash of civilizations - Essay Example and its allies, due to the perceived threat of western cultural values, lifestyles, democracy, liberalness, secularism as well as capitalism to the Muslim spiritual customs and dogmas, is indicative of a clash of civilizations between Islam and the west. There is compelling evidence of the ever-broadening gap between the Muslim world and the west, due to unique differences in values that define the two cultural blocks. While there is no single civilization that dominates the world, the western culture and the Islamic culture are perhaps the greatest civilizations of the world, with the latter being the most troublesome. The Muslim world is always antagonizing the west and individuals in the Islamic civilization do not see eye to eye with those in the western civilization on many issues. The assault on Pentagon and New York’s Twin Towers was not only an attack against the United States as a nation, but also an attack on the glorified western society and philosophy in general (Wistrich, 2001). The Muslim terrorists will not relent until they have reduced the western civilization to the ground and only then will they be satisfied that the spread of contemporary western way of life and western values across the world has been con tained. The Muslim world has always been threatened by the U.S. led â€Å"western democracy, freedom of thought, secularism and capitalism, ideals that have been hailed as the epitome of modern civilization and modelled by many nations across the world. As the western nations revel their successful democratization of the rest of the world, the Muslim world frowns at their successes and their hatred grows even further. The longstanding confrontational relationship between the west and the Muslim world does indicate the obvious conflicting interests of the two sides, with each seeking domination of the global world order. The western world, particularly the U.S. and Israel, have been loathed and targeted by the Muslim world since they are

Embedded Systems and Drives Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Embedded Systems and Drives - Lab Report Example The following code blocks show the implementation of the project. The codes as explained in the comment box. Â  For this exercise, each node was to be identified as an 8-bit code. Four bits compromised of a system code which is all from the same number while the other four bits were used to identify a node within the system. Â  For the condition, from if (sysIdS== sysId), is that the value received for system matches the value set for the system, nodeId check is true, and is within value of 0 to 16 in terms of arrays, then the condition is True, then the commands with the curly braces are therefore executed. For this case, the immediate action is to display date, temperature, Humidity etc. Â  for (int m = 0; m < array_size; m++) The for command, in this, defines a variable called m and gives this variable an initial value of 0. The text m < array_size appears after the semicolon. This is the representation of the condition required in staying within the loop. Therefore in other words, when m is less than array_size, things inside with the curly brackets will repeat. Â  The project implementation started with the identification of the required variables. The variables were then declared, with their relevant libraries also called. To ensure that the 16-nodes are identified, each node was declared as an integer, and assigned a name. The blocks of codes are explained in the comment box. The comment section explains why certain codes were used in a given section of the program. The transmitter and receiver snapshots are also provided.

Intercultural communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Intercultural communication - Essay Example This happens when cultural differences interfere in the interpretation of the message, wherein difficulties may arise, as well as misunderstandings and hatred. Surface-structure cultural transfer comes in either the language form or the speech act. The language form involves understanding of the different lexical culture, such a vacant words, words with strong cultural connotation, idioms, proverbs and polite formulas. Since native speakers acquire them unconsciously, second language learners learn them according to their own cultural background. On the other hand, speech act may only be avoided if the people involved in the communication process should take time in analyzing first the culture of the speaker in which the speech is delivered. The negative transfer of deep-structure culture, on the other hand, occurs in situations where individuals have varying cultural values, thought patterns, religious beliefs and ethics. In Wei’s study of Chinese and the American intercultural communication, culture plays a big factor in the negative transfer of ideas. China, as a country driven by collectivism, puts emphasis on the views, needs and goals of the in-group (relatives, clans, organizations) rather than oneself; social norms and duty defined by the in-group rather than behavior to get pleasure; beliefs shared with the in-group rather than beliefs that distinguish self from in-group; great readiness to cooperate with in-group members. In contrast, American culture is deeply rooted in individualism, thus the interpretation of these two cultures vary. In addition, Chinese associate and depend their decision according to their past experiences. They give emphasis on their past such that they believe that the past guide s them for their actions in the present. However, Americans believe the other way. They give more emphasis on the future such that they give much attention to what would happen next rather than look at the

The Impact of Diversity & Inclusion on Organizational Effectiveness in Research Paper

The Impact of Diversity & Inclusion on Organizational Effectiveness in the United States - Research Paper Example Avon, the company meant for women, is a well-renowned international beauty-products company, reporting of the excess of $11 billion in revenue per annum. Avon markets its products in more than 134 nations and is the globe’s largest direct seller as it markets its products through its about â€Å"6.4 million autonomous Avon sales agents†. Avon Products includes home and fashion products and beauty and cosmetic products. Avon Products, Inc is a U.S. based company and is the globe’s leading direct seller of cosmetic and beauty products, has initiated diversity and inclusion program as early as in the 1970s. Avon supported three minority communities in U.S.A such as Asians, African-Americans, and Hispanics’ networks that interconnect AVON minority networks in all the fifty states. Each network selects its top leaders, senior management will appoint an advisor and will induct representatives on the company’s Multicultural Participation Council, to which the feedback from the management is given about perspectives of employees on issues relating to diversities. Avon’s strong support to diversity and inclusion is duly recognized, and it was one of the top ten companies listed by Business Ethics magazine published from Minneapolis as â€Å"100 Best Corporate Citizens† and well admired by Fortune magazine as one the U.S.A’s most esteemed companies. Avon’s chairperson and CEO, Andrea Jung was named by Business Week Magazine as most powerful women among 50 nominations in 2009 and named as the best manager in the year 2002.

Introduction Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Introduction Assignment - Essay Example Having dabbled in fiction writing during my spare time, I find that most of my characters are created to be replicas of people whom I interact with in the real world. Thus serving to become an analytical tool of my relationship with people. Allowing me to vent out my frustration, joy, and sadness as I deal with real life situations in fictionalized manners. Thus giving me room for creative release of my pent up emotions and tension. For me, it is the fact that I can use my personal life to create a fictional story that serves as both my strength and weakness. My strength because I am able to create situations that help me deal with my life, and my weakness because I have to write things down in order to be able to properly deal with my problems. Without writing as a channel for my inner troubles and demons, I feel that I would have not become the capable and adjusted person that I am today. Writing her helped me find my voice. It is that voice that helps me get through my life tribulations because as I write things down, I begin to analyze and find solutions to whatever problem is plaguing me at the

General Giap Essay Example for Free

General Giap Essay General Vo Nguyen Giap is perhaps the most important figure in the early history of communist Vietnam with the exception of Ho Chi Minh. General Giaps skills and expertise of were an essential element of the French defeat in 1954. However General Giap cannot be held solely responsible, the political skills of Ho Chi Minh (the leader of the Viet Minh independence movement) cannot be underestimated. There were many reasons for the French defeat in Vietnam, abundant mistakes were made and the Viet Minh were lead by two of the greatest leaders of the 20th century. Giap rchestrated the defeat of the French and was particularly important in the battle of Dien Bien Phu. Ho Chi Minh was an experienced revolutionary and passionate nationalist infatuated by a single goal: independence for his country. He was a central fgure in the movement to free Asia from the restraints of colonialism. Ho Chi Minh was ultimately working towards the liberation of Vietnam from French colonial rule and unity of views between the army and the people. Ho Chi Minh was a founding member of the Indochinese Communist Party (ICP). The goals of the ICP included the overthrow of the French; establishment of an independent Vietnam uled by a peoples government; help people in production, anti-literacy, sanitation and disease prevention. General Giap was the Commander and Defence Minister of North Vietnam from 1944-1980 and was an integral component in the unravelling of French control in Vietnam. Previously, on the outbreak of World War II, Giap fled to China to Join Vietnamese Communist leader Ho Chi Minh, which led to the formation of the Vietnamese Independence League, abbreviated to Viet Minh. In 1945, armed propaganda teams under Giaps command became the Peoples Liberation Army. Subsequently in 1945, Giap served as interior minister in Ho Chi Minhs revolutionary government created to defeat the French. Giaps strength lay as a military commander and his scrupulous attention to organisation, which were vital elements in the French downfall. The Vietnamese opposition to the French began almost as soon as the French began to rule. The Vietnamese traditionally have resisted foreigners. Their defeat of China previously gave them a reputation of being one of the most feared nations in South East Asia, meaning that it took the French an extended amount of time to gain overall control. Prior to the 20th century, resistance to the French was constant and violent. The resistance was traditional and localised, involving isolated attacks which were easily contained by the French. Furthermore, World War One gave impetus and momentum to the growth of nationalism, the strong wish for growth, freedom and independence of ones country and patriotism for Vietnam. Many Vietnamese men were forced to serve in France during WW1 and those who returned brought with them the revolutionary concept of nationalism and as a result the nature of the resistance changed to a more national approach rather than regionally focussed. Additionally, in 1905, Japan became the first Asian power in modern times to efeat a European power during a large naval battle. The Vietnamese determination and motivation were boosted, demonstrating that they could potentially defeat the French, one ot the most intluential European powers at the time. Following the reoccupation of Indochina by the French at the end of World War Two, the Viet Minh rebelled against the French and this became known as the first Indochinese war. French lack of knowledge of Vietnamese geography made it difficult for them to defend themselves. The army trained the people in guerrilla tactics that were highly successful as they were unlike any approach in the Western world. The unpredictable nature of the guerrilla tactics also minimised the losses of the Viet Minhs army, making it stronger. The French army began to wear down, decreasing the mens morale and eventually leading to an easier fght for the Viet Minh. Initially the French underestimated Vietnamese ability; unbeknown to the French they were numerically disadvantaged with 13000 Frenchmen fghting a 35000 strong Viet Minh Peoples Army. Prior to the war it was acknowledged that Ho Chi Minhs original name, Nguyen Tat Thanh, was widely known as many people had heard that he had been a ajor supporter of peasants and workers rights, who in turn supported him. This meant that if he needed a place to hide, the local peasants happily helped, making the Viet Minh virtually untraceable. The widespread support of Ho Chi Minh also meant that people trusted the movement towards independence and nationalism; giving the Viet Minh the political edge over the French. Back in France, the French public were beginning to realise that the conflict in Vietnam was not worth the effort; therefore support for the conflict was lessening. In addition, the Vietnamese determination and strength could not be matched by the French; the Viet Minh had ne thing that the French did not, a goal. The Viet Minh and Giap had learnt invaluable lessons from previous conflicts and mistakes, whereas the French had not. Dien Bien Phu was the longest confrontation and most furious battle of the French Expeditionary Corps. It was the final undoing of the French. In 1953, as both sides prepared for peace talks in the Indochina War, French military commanders selected Dien Bien Phu as the location for a fght with the Viet Minh. Viet Minh guerrillas and troops from the Peoples Army of Vietnam surrounded Dien Bien Phu during the build up of the garrisons. The Viet Minh concealed artillery and supplies in camouflaged caves on the mountain face. The Viet Minhs initial assault on the French almost immediately proved the vulnerability and flawed defence of the French. The French supplies and weapons were flown in by plane; however, this usually led to the shelling of the aircraft. The Viet Minh used local peasants to bring in supplies and weaponry, through dense forests, an entry the French had written off as impassable. As source A suggests The Army established a good relationship with the people and relied on the people to fight and defeat the enemy. Giap used the element of surprise by skilfully employing supporting operations which deceived the French. Giap easily identified the Frenchs critical vulnerability and used their mistakes to his own advantage. The work of a great strategist. One crucial decision that Giap made was when he moved his own headquarters to the Dien Bien Phu battle site. This allowed him to personally oversee the conflict, and clear up confusion or misunderstandings straight away. General Giap was able to carefully dictate time and place engagements throughout his meticulously planned operation. The heavy

The Limitations Of Activity Based Costing Accounting Essay

The Limitations Of Activity Based Costing Accounting Essay ABC Costing is a modern costing technique that is used to determine the cost of the product for the management reporting purposes. ABC Costing System is a tool that is used in decision-making process. However, it has some certain limitations. ABC Costing System is very costly to implement and maintain in a manufacturing and serving departments. Data concerning numerous activity measures must be collected, checked, and entered into the system. Which raise the labor requirement and need to be scrutinized on activity basis? ABC costing systems produces the reports that are different from the profit and loss reports produced through traditional costing systems. As most of the companies are using traditional costing systems, so because of the difference in the costing basis the costing and financial reports of the two companies of the same industry could not be compared for performance evaluation purposes. Adaptability of ABC Costing System is not suitable for all kind of companies because small companies have not many resources to adapt it and have too many activities but size of transactions is too low.   Data Produced through ABC Costing System can easily misinterpret and can lead towards wrong decisions. So manager should use the data produced through ABC Costing System with extreme care and should assign the costs that are relevant to the products, customers and should not consider the other cost objects that are irrelevant. ABC costing system does not comply with the GAAP and a company has to produce its reports for internal and external purposes by using traditional and ABC costing system both at a time. In ABC costing system costs are allocated on the base of cost drivers and activities undertaken to manufacture the product, definitely, it provides the accurate and proper allocation of the costs to the products but there is a danger of over or under costing of the products when irrelevant cost drivers or activities are assigned to the products or services produced. Q2) Please explain the differences between FIFO and Weighted Average Method in the process industry. How are units accounted for?   How are costs accounted for?   In periods of low inflation what method would make a difference? From a TAX point of view, does it make a difference? Differences in Weighted Average and FIFO Costing Systems: The main difference between FIFO and Weighted Average Costing systems is the method of calculation of the inventory and cost of goods sold in process costing system. Valuation Method: In FIFO costing method, costing department assumes that the goods that are sold earlier are the goods that are brought earlier and so on. The cost of goods sold is calculated on the base of the sequence of goods brought and sold. In Weighted Average costing method, goods are valued on the base of total goods available for sale and ignore the sequence of their arrival in inventory and sales to the customer. Formula of the cost of goods available for sale or cost of sale is as follows: Cost of total available for Sales ($) Per Unit Cost of Goods Sold = Total No. Of Units available for Sales Suitability: FIFO method can only be used where inventory can be separated easily and the cost of the inventory can be determined like computer, vehicles and other industries of the same nature. Weighted Average Method is the most commonly used method and can be applicable in all industries but the organizations engaged in those products that could not be separated like oil; Natural Gas and LPG etc use particularly weighted average costing method. In calculation of units accounted for FIFO method consider the units started and completed in the current period only and the beginning work in process units and its cost remain separate and it is considered that the opening work in process units are completed first and then new units started and completed in the same time period and units costs are calculated separately for beginning work in process units and units started in current period. While in average costing method, equivalent production is calculated and based on equivalent production the cost of unit is determined and allocated to the production. Q3) Can you explain the advantages and disadvantages of the Standard Cost system? Advantages / Benefits of Standard Costing System: Standards are the key factors that are used in management by exception approach. If costs remain within the standards, managers would be satisfied and would concentrate at routine activities but if it across the standards then it would be an alarming situation for the managers and they would try to analyze the reasons of inefficiency. Standards are the targets that have been set by the management to achieve and they compare the actual performance of the employees with the standards. Standard costs simplify the book keeping process as well by charging the standard cost to the job or product and by making the adjusting entry of the variance at the end of the period. Standard costs fit naturally in an integrated system of responsibility accounting. The standards establish what costs should be, who should be responsible for them, and what actual costs are under control. Disadvantages / Problems / Limitations of Standard Costing System: Frequency of reporting the variance is too low that make the prà ©cised and useful data useless due to its release too late when it became out of date. Labour variances consists mainly on labour quantity standards and labour efficiency variances and in both variances it is assumed that the production is highly labour intensive and the factor of machines performance is ignored. There are some cases where a favourable variance can be as bad as or worse than an unfavourable variance i.e McDonalds has a standard for hamburger meat that should be in a Big Mac. A favourable variance would mean that less meat was used than standard specifies. The result is a substandard Big Mac and possibly a unsatisfied customer. In standards costing system, meeting the standards of production and cost efficiency has more importance and other factors like quality of the products and satisfaction of the customer have been ignored. In standard costing approach, the standards are considered the final destination and improvement process become very slow or stopped. Q4) Please explain the following:   NET PRESENT VALUE CONCEPT.If the NET Present Value is   Then the PROJECT ISPositive .Acceptable since it promises a return greater than the required rate of return! Net Present Value Approach: NPV is a technique used in the management accounting for the decision-making and covered under the head of capital budgeting. In NPV approach the present value of the net inflow and outflows are compared by taking the effect of inflation and other factors influencing the value of money. The present value of the cash outflow is adjusted against the present value of the inflows resulting from the investment and multiplying with the discount factor to equate it to the present value of this future inflow. Then the results are compared with the following table. If the net present value is Then the project is Positive Acceptable since it promises a return greater than the required rate of return Zero Acceptable, since it promises a return equal to the required rate of return. Negative Not acceptable, since it promises a return less than the required rate of return Q5) Please explain a comparison of the Net Present Value and the Internal Rate of Return Methods. Which method do you like?   What are the strengths of each.   Comparison between NPV and IRR Method: In most of the conditions, Net Present Value Approach and Internal Rate of Return Method provide the same results. However, some times these present opposite results. When we compare both methods, we consider the mechanism working behind both techniques. In internal rate of return, a rate of return is calculated based on the future net income arising from the investment by using given formula: IRR = Initial Investment Net Income Then this required rate of return is compared with the required rate of return from investment, if IRR of the investment is greater than the required rate of return then the project is accepted otherwise the project is rejected. This method is much better than payback period and other old methods, because it considers the income of the projects to evaluate the project and also take account the inflows after the completion of payback period. In NPV method the present value cash outflow is matched with the present value of the cash inflows arising from the projects and if the NPV is positive then the project is accepted otherwise rejected. NPV Approach is better approach then IRR because IRR completely ignores the time value of the money and just consider the net income arising from the project whereas NPV is based on the time value of the money by considering the inflation factors. Q6) Managerial Accounting can work in many fields manufacturing and in the service industry. Provide some examples of how Managerial Accounting can work in your industry using some of the tools you learned in this course?   If in the Health Field, Could Relevant Costs be of use?   Application of Managerial Accounting: Managerial Accounting has equal application in the service and manufacturing industry as well. There are three major an aspect for which managerial accounting is widely used. Decision Making Products Pricing Performance Evaluation Decision Making: One of the most important functions of the management is to make the right and timely decisions for the development and security of the going concern status of an organization. This function is required in all kind of industries whether services or manufacturing. Managerial Accounting tools are used to provide the basis for comparison and making the accurate decisions. Product /Services Pricing: Every business has been established in order to earn some financial benefit and every business whether it deals in goods or services have to charge a price from its customers for the use of products or clients against the services provided. So managerial accounting tools and techniques would be used in order to determine the price of the goods or services to achieve the targeted profit. Performance Evaluation: Performance evaluation is required in all business areas and managerial accounting techniques would be used to evaluate the performance of a particular organization by comparing it with the same kind of industry or performance of the departments and businesses could be compared but all of these tasks are accomplished by the effective use of managerial accounting. Relevant costing techniques are used in all industries and have application in the health field as well. The price charged to the patients should be formulated by keeping the factors of relevance in mind and historical costs should be eliminated when there are surplus capacity is available.

Plan for launching a sugarcane juice

Plan for launching a sugarcane juice This report explains the marketing plan for launching a sugarcane Juice named Freezy. This product has been made by the Freshwater. In the very beginning of the report we have explained the mission and vision of the Sugarcane juice and then we have further carried out our activities to achieve our goals and objectives. It will be introduced in the market with the help of various promotional displays, advertisement and distribution of free samples to the general public and financial institution. This report examines that this product is initially launching in Whole Pakistan domestic market. The study included both primary and secondary research. We have conducted SWOT analysis of the company to see the companys strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Then we have explained the purposes, benefits and objectives of our product. Then we have made marketing strategies for our product. We have divided market into different segments and decided to target the male, female, youngster mature and old age person. We have also paid special attention to the packaging, color and price of the product. We have decided to place the product in all the markets of Pakistan. We will promote our product through electronic media, print media, cable, and outdoor sources. We shall also conduct a market survey in future to know the opinion of public about our product and developed our product accordingly to our customers changing needs and demands. Description of the Company Freezy is the brand name of new juice launched by Freshwater in Pakistan. Freshwater is founded in 2010 with the launching of their first product named as Freezy. High capital investments are involved in new business. We have started this business to produce new products and to monopolize the market through our products. Our target products in which we are specialized are juices. So we will produce new and new type of juices in different flavors which already doesnt exist in the market. After observing the high consumption of sugar cane juices at the roadside sellers of non-purified sugar cane juice, we realized the need for sugar cane juice because for long period of time there was no entry in the market as sugar cane juice in the form of disposable bottle packing. We are launching our product throughout the Pakistan except some cold climate areas. Mission Statement To refresh the people of all ages with our product. We want to be at the top in the field of juices and breweries. Vision To evolve as one of the best Producer of quality sugarcane which is organically, grown extract juice scientifically and, serve totally natural healthy and hygienic DESI refreshment in the world and continue to retain the position. Product Our product is basically a sugarcane juice in a bottle pack. The product will be enjoying a monopoly in the market as there is no existing sugarcane juice in the form of disposable bottle in the market but if we see as overall market than there is no monopoly for this juice because this juice is been sold on the roadsides by crushing the sugar cans with machines in the glass. Sugar cane juice is a healthy alternative to refined sugar. While both sweeteners are made from sugar cane, evaporated cane juice does not undergo the same degree of processing that refined sugar does. Therefore, unlike refined sugar, it retains more of the nutrients found in sugar cane. Sugar cane juice is a highly refreshing drink. It contains about 15 per cent natural sugar and is rich in organic salts and vitamins. Fresh sugar cane juice has no preservatives, however its tendency to turn black from oxidation soon after pressing is very high, so to secure from oxidation we should pack in air tight di sposable bottle packaging. Current Situation Market Analysis Market Definition: Demographic and Geographic segmentation: Age: 3+ Years Gender: Both male and female. Income: All social classes except lower lower. Geographic: We are targeting all of the Pakistan except some of the northern areas in Pakistan Market Needs In summer people of all ages take soft drinks and juices to reduce their thirst. So Sugarcane juice in disposable bottle pack is highly demanded by customers because it reduces the thirst and it is useful for healthy life because it is hygienic and pure. So when it is highly available at affordable price at everywhere customers will use Sugarcane juice than soft drinks because it has no side effects and it is safe. Total population As our current target is the whole country Pakistan other than some northern areas so total population will be almost 100+ million people. Potential market As if we take a look at the market of Pakistan huge number of people are interested in consuming liquid products as their daily usage products like juices. The sugar cane juice is available on the roadsides but they are not much purified which is block between the juice and the upper class customers which are basically loyal to quality specially. So the probability of marketing Sugarcane juice to potential customer as upper class or quality loyal customer will be high. If we look overall our potential customer are almost all of the people in the country from lower middle class to upper middle class except the northern areas because people are not much demanding the frosty drinks there. Market segmentation Selecting Target Market: According to market segmentation our target market are the people of almost all the classes starting from lower upper to upper class. As according to the demographics people use to drink the sugarcane juice in the summer season. As this product is particularly for summer season because it only taste well in hot climate. And consuming it in winter doesnt suits the mind of people because people tend to consume hot products like coffee and tea. Our less focus areas are the northern areas because throughout the year those areas are having cold climates. Our Target Market based on demographics Includes: Individuals with age 3 years and above Individuals across all income groups Working and non working individuals Students Institutions and offices Restaurants and hotels Psychographic Segmentation: According to psychographic segmentation we targeted people who are: Health conscious customers Customers who have preference towards Nature and natural products Quality conscious customers Customers who have diverse tastes and Seek variety Non users and potential users Competitor: Our competitors are the roadside sellers of sugar cane juice. But the substitute products are another big competitive force affecting our product in the market. Substitute competitors include Manufacturers and producers of: Branded and unbranded fruit juices. Fruit based milk drinks. Natural mineral water. Fruit shakes. These substitute products are totally different in nature from the sugar cane juice but still its a substitute because these are also cold juices. There are some factors which differ allot between our juice and roadside juice sellers juice who are the main competitor of FREEZY Juice: We are different from roadside sellers because Our juice is a purified and quality assured product. We offer juice in a sealed bottle packing where as roadside sellers are delivering the product in the glasses. We have quality standards and can turn customers from the road to our outlet through effective marketing strategies. Due to lack of packing roadside sellers are not easily available everywhere. Whereas our product is available in every general store in almost all the target cites in Pakistan. Market trends: In target market there is trend of soft drinks and juices. People use juices to have a fit life and also to serve their guests as well. Because juices are hygienic and nutritious and have a good taste then soft drinks. In summer its usage is more so the availability should be increased to meet the demand of customers. Summary of Situation Analysis: SWOT Analysis: Internal: Strength: First opportunity that we enjoy is that we are playing a monopoly in the means of sugar cane juice in the form of packing in Pakistan. As for first producer of sugar cane juice in bottle packing in Pakistan we can make our customer loyal to our product in the means of brand, quality, price etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. by making effective marketing strategies. Weaknesses : As the juice is fresh and no artificial flavors are used in the production of the juice. So juice has not long lasting life. The life of juice is 15 days which creates barriers for not buying juices in bulk for home use. External: Opportunity As for new product in the market we can make huge number of profits from the market. We can introduce flavored sugarcane juices. E.g., mint and ginger flavor etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ This in results can increase the sales to earn more profits to the organization. We can export our product to foreign country in order to earn more profit. Threats Due to growth in inflation rate in Pakistan the intermediary goods are getting expensive which lead to an increase in price in future and increase in price leads to a loss of customer from the most lower class of our target market and price conscious customers as well, and may affect sales by turning to substitute and competitive goods. Our product is especially for summers so there is low number of sales in winter season. So high marketing costs are required to increase sales in winter season. There are no many entry barriers so a large numbers of local juices enter in juices market. Marketing Strategies: Product: Core benefit Core benefit means the services and benefits the customer is really buying. Our customer fulfills its need of thrust and refreshment by buying our freezy juice. Juice as being a pure sugarcane juice without any artificial flavors is also a core benefit of our product Augmented product Products that include deign, features and packaging that go beyond consumer expectations and differentiate the product from competitors. Our juice taste and flavor is according to the customer expectations because we provide 100% pure juice. We have no compromise with quality Following things include in the sale of product: Design The design of sugarcane juice that it will be in attractive and stylish disposable bottle pack in following size: 250ml 500ml 1000ml Features The features of our product are: Use full for healthy life Good in taste Help to digest food Everyday Energy Available in different flavors in future. Packaging: Our product will be in disposable bottle packaging and is air tight sealed so the juice could survive for some period of time. The design of our packing is attractive and eye catching. Price: The price of the product can also influence the buying behavior of the consumers because in Pakistan there are different level of classes based on the income difference so price is the one of the important factor, some of the consumer can afford the price and others cant, so we must set the price of the product that is afforded by all the social classes of the region. So we use penetration pricing strategy. If we look at the middle middle till lower lower class in Pakistan all of the people are highly price conscious. Price Structure (Consumer price): 250ml Rs.20 500 ml Rs.35 1000ml Rs.60 Distribution: The place of the distribution and availability of the product also influence the buying behavior because if the product is in reach of the consumer he will prefer it and if it is hard to find the product in the market he will never buy that product. So we have effective distribution strategies by making distributors in every city and provided them with number of facilities like order bookers and sales persons and a supervisor. And we allow our distributors to supply product to both wholesalers and retailers. Because of this our product will be available at more shops and our sales will increase. Distribution Channel: Manufacturer Distributor Retailer Wholesaler Promotional Strategies: The promotion of the product i.e. the advertisement, sales promotion and other promotional tools can change the buying behavior because some of the individuals highly influenced by the advertisement of the product. We have decided to use integrated marketing communication in which there will be blend of different marketing promotional tools that will convey clear and consistent message of our product to the customers. These Promotional tools which are given below: Newspapers: Newspaper has the widest readership and circulation among our targeted market; these would carry most of the advertisements for the publication media. Also, the print ads will be published in other much read newspapers like be designed, i.e. half page and quarter page. Television: Tele commercials will be aired on sports channels and news channels as the viewer ship Of these channels is highly common among the targeted market. Billboards: Billboards will be placed at busy roads in big cities. Billboards will be our most permanent and long lasting form of advertisement. Promotional Vans and Activities: Promotional vans would be deployed on public places which would distribute sugar cane juice for free giving out the message of being an instant energy drink. This campaign of free sampling would last for three months at least in order to make people aware of the benefits and the attributes. Also all the delivery vans distributor have will be printed by the advertisement of Freezy juice. Promotional Activities includes the display of juice in the retail shops by paying retailers or giving discount on the juice. And deploying stalls outside or inside the shop so to bring in the product to the customers who came to the retail shop for purchasing and create awareness in them for the purchase of Freezy Sugar cane juice.

Appreciating a Gothic Cathedral: Milan Cathedral Essay -- Architecture

All over the world people still come to admire the beauty of European cathedrals. Many of the cathedrals are fragile due to age, neglect, pollution, and insufficient funds available to restore these historical and beautiful buildings. Nevertheless, visitors to these architectural masterpieces are fascinated by the design and structure of these churches. The cathedral builders using their own ingenuity, expertise, and limited resources were able to defy the laws of gravity and time. (Icher 30) There were two main types of architecture during the middle ages, the Romanesque style and the Gothic style. The Romanesque period took place approximately between 1096 and 1270 (the eleventh and twelfth centuries) and the Gothic period took place approximately between 1150 and 1450 (the thirteenth through the fifteenth centuries) (Bersson 383). Evidence of both styles of architecture emerged throughout Europe. The political landscape had changed and the Christian church provided a measure of unity throughout the centuries of this medieval era (Stalley 13). The Romanesque period began a time when the interest in religion intensified. The church was a place that all people could belong to regardless of their status. It was during these times that big churches called cathedrals began to emerge. The age of the Crusades took place emphasizing the need for places of worship and a place for the community to gather together. People sought the churches not only to see the relics housed in the church brought back from the Holy Lands by the Crusades but also to seek redemption as well. This influx of seekers brought in money to help then pay for the churches. This allowed for the emergence of new towns, the exchange of goods and services, which ev... ...stinations. Web. 22 Nov. 2010. . Icher, Francois. Building the Great Cathedrals. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 1998. Print. "Italian Gothic." Encyclopedia Britannica. 2010. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Web. 22 Nov. 2010 . . Keyes, Zachariah. Personal Interview. Denise Keyes. 21 Nov. 2010. Stalley, Roger. Early Medieval Architecture. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999. Print. Tyler, Ellen. "Milan Cathedral - Symbolizing the Gothic Structure." 14 May 2010. Ezine Articles. Web. 22 Nov. 2010. . Wilson, Christopher. The Gothic Cathedral: The Architecture of the Great Church. New York: Thames & Hudson, 1990. Print.

Comparing Carbon Footprint of Reusable Nalgene Water Bottles to Single

One of the greatest problems facing humanity is global climate change. Global climate change is the increase in average global temperature, caused by an increase in greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gases are the blanket of gases surrounding the earth that allow the world to be inhabitable. This layer of water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and other gases works in the same way that a greenhouse does, by trapping heat energy inside the atmosphere. Unfortunately, since the Industrial Revolution, people have released more of these gases into the atmosphere, thickening the blanketing layer. This thicker layer traps more heat, leading to dramatic changes in the earth's climate. In order to reduce to potential climate change, the amount of greenhouse gases being released need to be reduced. One starting point to reducing the amount of greenhouse gases that you release is to find your carbon footprint. The carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases that is emitted over the full life of a process. Although it is called the carbon footprint, it is a measure of the total greenhouse gases released, converted to the equivalent amount of CO2. This number is not completely accurate, but it is a good estimate of the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere through our activities. Once you have found your personal carbon footprint, you can begin to work to reduce it. One way to reduce your carbon footprint is to look closely at each product you use, and find a more carbon efficient version. This paper can help you with that. In this paper, you will find a comparison of the carbon footprint o... ...s&oldid=228960982 Pacific Institute (2008). Bottled Water and Energy: A Fact Sheet. Retrieved July 31, 2008, Web site: http://www.pacinst.org/topics/water_and_sustainability/bottled_water/bottled_water_and_energy.html Pimental, David & Marcia. "Energy use in food processing for nutrition and development." Retrieved July 31, 2008, from http://www.unu.edu/unupress/food/8f072e/8f072e06.htm Neustaedter, Randall (7/18/2004). Plastic Water Bottles. Retrieved July 31, 2008, from Holistic Pediatric Association Web site: http://www.hpakids.org/holistic-health/articles/108/1/Plastic-Water-Bottles Images http://jamaicaplainforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/low-carbon-diet-earth.jpg http://archives.zinester.com/13183/128920/202817_global-warming%20(Small).jpg http://www.martin-waugh.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/water-drop-1b.jpg http://www.nalgene.com

The Benefits Of Fitness In The Workplace

Tit care costs over the past decade; from 2002 to 2008, the return was $2. 71 for every dollar sped NT. A corporate wellness program is an employer-sponsored program designed to support employees as they adopt and sustain behaviors that reduce health risks, improve quality of life, and enhance personal effectiveness. A key component of the wellness program is sponsoring a fitness center in or near the workplace. Studies show that a regular regime of exercise for the employee will lower health care costs, absenteeism, and workplace stress.Productivity increases as the worker can operate more efficiently. Happy and healthy employees are more focused, dedicated, and productive while at work. While providing employees with nutrition education, employer s can take a preventative approach to the health of their staff. This preventative practice o f health care benefits the employer as well as the employee by preventing chronic diseases through proper diet and exercise. This increases the e mployee's physical and mental health, make Eng a more productive employee. The more productive the employee, the more successful lull the business.In Duran 2 order for this approach to succeed, businesses would require employees to p eradicate in at least one form of exercise provided by the company. The company would need to establish a fitness center ideal for increasing heart rates and challenging muscles. The difficulty of staying healthy in today's society has become overwhelming t o the fulfillment worker. Many jobs require long periods of sitting or standing, thereby creating weak and strained muscles. Work takes up a majority of the day, preventing people from squeezing in a full work Out.Having a fitness center at or near the workplace allows employ yes to conveniently improve their mental and physical health without the stress of a overloaded schedule. A company's wellness center should support a wide range of exercise sees for a diverse group of employees with different f itness goals. Cardiovascular exercise is pr oven to improve the condition of the heart, while lifting weights builds muscles to support a strong err body and promotes joint function. Rotating exercises each day, business could organize runs, walks, and bike rides during work hours for their staff.Yoga classes offered before work help stretch and awaken the employees, giving them better focus and concentration. To count err the midday slump any jobholders experience after a hard morning at work, employers could r fresh their employees with an afternoon session of strength training to work the muscles that have been cramped from sitting or standing for long periods of time. An hour break woo old be enough time to improve the productivity of an employee if utilized correctly. An effective BRB cake from work would include a cardiovascular exercise with moderate resistance to challenge e and increase the heart rate.Another benefit of corporate wellness is a stronger relationship between cow errors. The time spent in the gym and outside running or biking with employees allows the m to bond, Duran 3 creating trust and understanding. The more an employee can trust and relate to his or her coworker, the better they can work together. Living a healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise is a desirable benefit offered b company. Joanne McFadden, an American City Business Journal writer, stated, (1 benefits of exercise are welkin and irrefutable, and an onsite fitness center is an at attractive benefit for employees. The health of the American workforce has been declining, reducing productive TTY and company earnings. An unhealthy employee costs more to cover than a health y employee. However, the need for health care is greater than ever. (2) More than 133 mill ion Americans, have at least one chronic condition. Providing healthcare to more than 1 33 mi Lion American requires a large amount of money. ( 3)According to the Centers for Disease C intro (CDC), chronic disease re quires 75% of the health care spending budget. 5)Premium s for multiprocessors health insurance have risen from $5,791 in 1999 to $13,3 75 in 2009 (a 131 % increase), with the amount paid by workers rising by 128%. Employers c loud have a significant impact on the health care system just by improving the health of the IR employees. (4)Obesity is one of the root causes of chronic disease, accounting for nearly 1 0% of the amount that the U. S. Spends annually on healthcare. Obesity is preventable as well as reversible. Living a healthy lifestyle includes working in an environment that encourages physical wellness.Reducing stress and increasing productivity encourage healthier weight man segment. The benefits are not only for the employee but also for the employer. The financial I benefits a company receives from a healthy employee include reduced cost in health car e spending. The employee will cost less to cover if the worker is maintaining or improving his or her overall Duran 4 co ndition. (6)A recent study shows that if individuals adhere to healthy lifestyle e practices such as maintaining a healthy weight, eating well, exercising regularly, and avoiding to sins, chronic disease could be reduced by as much as 80%.The price of an unhealthy ample eye takes a toll on the financial success of a company as well as the overall health care system. Businesses are beginning to provide employees with tools they need to cache eve a healthier lifestyle. (7) â€Å"Two years ago, Trust Company of Illinois started a well as program. The company's thirty employees underwent biometric screening-?tests of r blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol. Workplace wellness helps curb health care costs, term 01 levels and other important measures. ‘It was really an eye-opening exercise,' says Debbie Greg rash, SCOFF at the Downers Aggravated company. It turned on the lightly for people. ‘ â€Å"The company went a step further last year. Workplace wellness consultant C thy Leman, who runs Glen Lambasted Nutrient Inc. , was hired to conduct a seminal r on walking. Workers got pedometers for a walking contest. Other wellness events were added this year, including seminars and healthy c joking demonstrations, and more sessions are scheduled for 2013. ‘We are still in the e infancy stages of our program,' notes Ms. Gregorian, who can't quantify the savings yet. † â€Å"Overall, the cost benefits of worker wellness are becoming apparent.A 201 0 study in the journal Health Affairs showed that every dollar spent on wellness program ms reduced corporate medical costs by $3. 27 and cut absenteeism costs by $2. 73. An Jug just survey by the National Business Group on Health found that 61 % of firms found wellness in titivates to be one f the three most effective tools to keep down healthcare costs. A 201 0 study in the American Duran 5 Journal of Health Promotion showed that workers highly engaged in a wellness s program have fewer hospital adm issions, shorter hospital stays and lower overall costs. The negative aspect of providing an in office wellness center is the budget. The e cost of a wellness center in an office will vary depending on the equipment; however, c costly machines are not necessarily the most effective method of working out. Free weights are an inexpensive way to perform a variety of exercises in any environment. Jumping rope and ruin Eng the stairs are common and effective cardiovascular exercises. The amount of body weight e exercises that can be done in a variety Of places is more than enough to fill an hour long workout t.Providing an affordable fitness center for the employees is achievable by using the surround ding space, going outside, and including free weights as well as using body)weight to work out. Many employees seeking weight loss as a wellness goal will have more of an I incentive to go to work if exercising is included in the workplace. By creating a more desire able work space, equines see a decrease in absences and late arrivals. Providing employees WI the motivation to go to work increases attendance and performance.Educating unhealthy employ sees and giving them the opportunities to improve their physical condition in the workplace is a des arable benefit that all businesses should offer. By providing employees with a wellness center, the employer will create a MO re efficient worker. The stressful tasks of a workday can be approached with more energy y and productivity through a healthy diet and exercise routine provided by the company. The me player benefits ancillary, while the employee benefits both mentally and physically from exe rising in the workplace.

Alliance Boots Marketing Essay

Task 1 (L.O.1.1) What is the Marketing Process? There are many different definitions of the Marketing Process, here are just two of them. i) â€Å"Marketing is the social process by which individuals and organizations obtain what they need and want through creating and exchanging value with others.† (Kotler and Armstrong 2010) This basic definition of marketing explains how societies and organisation interact, where an organisation fulfils the wants or needs of individuals. In return, the organisation hopes to make a profit. ii) â€Å"Marketing is the process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, goods, and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organisational goals† (Marketing Principles, BPP Learning Media,2010 pg.6) This definition looks at marketing more from the view of an organisation. It takes into account a lot more factors, such as the marketing mix, and looks at marketing as something that has to be done in order to achieve their goal, ie. Profits. The marketing mix is essential for an organisation to establish both its target market and unique selling point, it uses the 4 P’s to help find these. The four P’s are the idea of modern marketing theorists and they cover the ways that an organisation can influence consumers to buy their particular brand. The Four P’s are Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. Product: A product is anything that can be offered to the marketplace for consumption that will satisfy a need or want. It is not just something physical (tangible), it can also be a service provided e.g. cleaners, psychics etc., where, once the transaction is finished the consumer does not have anything to show for the money spent. These are non-tangible goods. The packaging of a product is important, not only as protection, but for communication (how to use a product), to remind consumers of the brand, and also to express company brand values (fair trade, supporting charities etc.). (appendix 1.1.1) Price â€Å"Costs will dictate the minimum price that can be charged in order to make a profit† (Marketing Principles, BPP Learning Media Pg.19)  Except for Loss Leaders, the purpose of a product is to make a profit for an organisation. The product must be bringing in more money than it’s costing to make or it’s not a viable source of income. This involves balancing a range of factors. Some examples are: 1. The price of competitors: If a product costs too much when compared to a similar product, the company could price itself out of the market. 2. What the target market is willing to pay: â€Å"The amount your target market is prepared to pay for your product depends on its features and the target market’s budget.† (http://www.learnmarketing.net/marketingmix.htm). 3. Consumers Perception: Some consumers will equate the price of goods with quality. What matters for a product in relation to pricing is the average price paid. Eg. Fashion & technology starts off with high prices, while FMCG’s start low Place   Traditionally in the 4P’s, place refers to distribution. It is concerned with where the product is bought and consumed, and getting the product in the right place at the right time (S. Hilliard, notes). Distribution also concerns itself with where a product is made, how it is stored and how many people are involved with a product before it reaches the shelves. The more people involved, the more expensive the product. If the producer of a product sells directly to the public, they must be easily accessible. There are three main distribution strategies available: 1. Intensive Distribution: This can be used for impulse or low-priced goods e.g. Coca-Cola. 2. Selective Distribution: This is used when a product is sold in a few places. Products still gets to wide geographical markets, but at the same time, feels like there’s some exclusivity to it. Eg. John Rocha at Debenhams. 3. Exclusive Distribution: Is when a product  is given to a sole distributor. The product is usually high-priced. Eg. Ferrari dealers or boutique clothes. Promotion Promotion is the means by which information about a product is communicated. It is done through advertising and Public Relations, where the company pays for, and so has control over information given to the consumer (Tesco’s Computers for schools programme). Publicity is uncontrolled and so can have a bad, as well as a good impact on a company (BP’s Gulf of Mexico’s oil spill). It is vital for businesses to have good reputations since the internet is so easily accessible to the public nowadays, and news is not so easily forgotten. Promotion also involves the selling efforts of staff involved with a product. If a consumer is happy with service they would be more likely to come back to the same store but may not talk about it to other potential clients, on the other hand, if a consumer has a bad experience in a place they are far more likely to tell other people about it. You can find examples of this all over social media sites. Promotional offers are also helpful in stimulating a demand for goods, especially impulse bought goods. Eg. Boots pharmacy’s â€Å"Three for the price of two†. Task 2 (L.O.1.2) Alliance Boots Marketing Approach: Charles Revlon said â€Å"In the factory we make cosmetics, in the store we sell hope†. This can also be said of the company this assignment will be looking at. Alliance Boots marketing approach is both market and consumer based. They have necessary goods like prescription medicines & opticians, but they also have their health and beauty ranges in-store, they are also a major pharmaceutical wholesaler and distributor, in doing this they have become a world leader in their field. Their revenue at year ended 31March 2012 is  £23 billion, up 18.4% on 2011. Their trade profit was almost  £1.03 billion, up 12.4% on the previous year and 88% over the last five. The cause for this is that they been increasing their direct ownership in emerging global markets, they have also been increasing joint ventures with companies such as Farmexpert & Guangzhou Pharmaceuticals Corporation in China (Alliance Boots Annual Report 2012 Pg.7). They have brought their products such as No.7 and Boots Laboratories into countries where they do  not have a retail presence through selling to independent pharmacies and online. In their stores, the organisation is very concerned with customer care. They have training programmes for their staff when launching a new product so staff can be informed in case of questions from the public. At the moment they are refitting stores and opticians so as to make them more accessible to consumers. Boots are continuing to develop their website, and also their BootsWebMD.com page, a health. The Boots brand is the most recognisable pharmacy-based health and beauty brand in Europe and their No.7, Soltan and Botanic ranges are synonymous with good quality and good value (Appendix 1.2.2). This and other promotions like their â€Å"Only at Boots† offers are what they use to keep themselves ahead of competitors. They seek to give consumers the best possible value by reducing prices where possible and also increasing their â€Å"Advantage Card†, and in doing so promote brand loyalty, which leads to extra sales. The organisation has gone into multiple charities to continue with improving the brands name and keeping itself in the public’s mind. They understand that the â€Å"link between good Corporate Social Responsibility and good business is vital† (Boots Annual Report 2012 Pg44). In this, they encourage their people to volunteer in charities that benefit local communities, and have developed a good reputation by doing so. They have volunteers that travel to the developing world to help promote eye-care in collaboration with Vision Aid Overseas. (Appendix 1.2.1) In the U.K. especially, Boots have a very selective strategy when looking at where to put their stores so as to maximise their profits. They place their flagship stores in the heart of major towns or cities for all the consumer’s needs, their local pharmacies are healthcare focused for communities, high street stores are geared towards health and beauty, and finally their stores in airports for travellers’ last minute needs. Task 3 (L.O. 2.1) SWOT Analysis of Alliance Boots Strengths * They are world leaders in a market that has potential for long term growth and so are at the forefront of technology * 69% of a survey asked why they shopped at Boots said it was because of the range of products in  their store(*table down the bottom*). They have a wider selection than competitors in their market. * With training programmes for Boots staff, especially for their own brand products, consumers can be more informed about any questions or worries they may have without necessarily having to go to a doctor. * Their brands are well trusted by consumers so they have a loyal group of consumers. * Through BCM, their Contract Manufacturing business, they manufacture special prescription medicines for individuals. * Boots have an excellent reputation when it comes to delivery of prescription medicines for patients’ needs Weaknesses * As a major organisation in their field, any negative publicity could cause major damage to the brand’s name. In 2011 Alliance Boots offered members of its final salary scheme the chance to take part in a so-called â€Å"pensions increase exchange†. This would see members handed a one-off increase to the value of their pensions in place of annual inflation-linked rises. This may lead to problems for them in the future if pensioners do not get enough money to see them all the way through old age which, in turn, could see consumers look at Boots in a bad light. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/pensions/8820994/Alliance-Boots-could-be-open-to-pension-mis-selling-claims.html) * During a recession, people are more willing to buy generic brands, in doing this, the organisation may lose out on selling their own brand products and so lose out on profits. Opportunities * Boots are continuously evaluating franchise opportunities in selective countries with large populations, and growing healthcare expenditure that they have not yet penetrated. * They have attempted to tackle the weakness mentioned above by releasing their own generic brand of pharmaceuticals, â€Å"Almus†, which has been released in six countries, after the recent launch in Germany. * In certain health and beauty stores (mainly stores inside shopping centres), the group have just started to sell sandwiches and drinks to give consumers a place to grab a quick lunch. When it comes to profit, to paraphrase another company’s slogan â€Å"Every Little Helps† . Threats * Boots had an excellent market position; it was in this position that the company had to deal with changes in the external business environment. There were supermarket chains like TESCO that entered the personal care market with big plans and stores that covered every product line that the customer would deal with. Naturally, supermarket chains threatened the niche that Boots was ruling and these large retailers had much more to offer than just drugs, drawing in crowds from all parts with a comprehensive product package under one roof. * Other more direct competition, like Superdrug have been a threat to Boots recently. They have launched their own brand of cosmetics which has meant that Boots, in response have had to lower their prices. Pest Analysis of Alliance Boots Political With governments increasing the number of medicines available for purchase for minor illnesses, Boots have been able to sell a lot more over the counter products to consumers without them having to go to the doctor for prescriptions. The American company Walgreens have bought a stake in the organisation. â€Å"The U.S. government is becoming the largest payer of prescription drugs could be a larger long-term challenge for pharmacy reimbursement.† (http://eupolitics.einnews.com/article_frame/120352863) There is a view that this has been done as a way for Walgreens to hedge their bets, in case it becomes problematic getting reimbursed from a government trillions of dollars in debt. Economics With the worldwide recession at the moment, a lot of companies are finding it hard to run a business profitably. Alliance Boots seem to have made their industry recession-proof. Consumers may go without holidays or nights out, but it seems the population still can’t do without their health and beauty products. Although, consumers do seem more brand aware and are more receptive to lower priced or generic brands. Sociocultural Factors A person’s social environment includes their living and working conditions, income level, educational background and the communities they are part of. The organisation seems to understand this and in developing worlds where they have a market presence they support multiple charities, Doctors without  Borders in Africa and South America. â€Å"As an organisation focused on pharmacy-led health and beauty, promoting and supporting a range of initiatives that improve the health and wellbeing of the communities in which we serve is a natural extension of our business activities.† (http://media.allianceboots.com/app_media/alliancebootscsr/home/pdfs/AllianceBootsCorporateSocialResponsibilityReport.pdf). Closer to home, they understand how the government are trying to promote a more healthy lifestyle (although not doing a whole lot to encourage it, reduce taxes on health products/ fruit)* and are trying to capitalise on the idea. Technology Through Boots â€Å"Centre of Innovation†, the organisation tries to get new entrepreneurs to get in contact with them. If a product is good enough Boots may help fund it with a view to the product going into their stores. In the U.K., they are trying to lower their carbon footprint by fitting new stores, and refitting existing stores with sky lights, sun pipes and solar panels. These stores have seen their carbon emissions reduced by a third. Task 4 (L.O.2.2 & 2.4) Buyer behaviour is the study of the why, when, what, where and how consumers buy a certain product. To steal a line from the real estate industry, the three most important things in marketing are segmentation, segmentation and†¦ segmentation. Research places groups into different segments and allows an organisation to know the geographic, demographic, and psychographic variables (target market) to aim their products at. The two products this assignment will be looking at are 1) â€Å"Boots Winter vaccine† and 2) â€Å"FCUK men’s deodorant†. (Appendix 2.2.1, 2.2.2 & 2.2.3) The stages of buyer behaviour are: * Need recognition * Information search * Evaluation of alternatives * Purchase decision * Post purchase evaluation (Marketing Principles BPP Learning Media Pg. 132) Need recognition: 1) A person vulnerable to influenza and wants to protect against it. 2)  Consumer needs a new can of deodorant. Information search 1) Internet search, Emails ( If the consumer has an Advantage Card) 2) Ask friends, TV adverts, flyers from the last time shopper was in the store Evaluation of alternatives: 1) Talk to a GP. Are the GP’s services more hygienic? 2) Is the price okay for the product compared to the other products like Lynx, Nivea etc, does it smell better than the other products? Purchase decision: 1) Confirm that factors important to the consumer are met. 2) Price is right, product smells good. Post purchase evaluation: 1) Did the vaccine work? Were the standards of the consumer met? 2) Does the spray do what it was bought for? Segmentation: Geographic: As seen in task 2, Boots have strategically placed stores to maximise their consumer base and profits. (Flagship stores corner shops, airports etc.). Demographic: Appendix 2.2.4 1) Winter Flu Vaccine: * With winter starting soon Boots are beginning to promote their Winter Flu vaccination service. This will be aimed at a wide demographic. * This vaccination is strongly recommended for: * persons aged 65 and over †¢ Those with a long-term medical condition such as diabetes, heart or lung disease †¢ People whose immune system is impaired due to disease or treatment †¢ Persons with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40 †¢ Pregnant women (can be given at any stage of pregnancy) †¢ Residents of nursing homes and other long stay institutions †¢ Healthcare workers †¢ Carers †¢ People with regular close contact with poultry, water fowl or pigs. (http://www.boots.ie/winter-flu-vaccination-service.aspx) 2) FCUK men’s deodorant: Boots target market for this and all other â€Å"designer† body-sprays are males aged from 16 to 35. These are consumers (usually) with plenty of discretionary income and who may feel more under pressure to look their best. They don’t always worry about money when it comes to this. Psychographic: 1) Winter Flu vaccine Boots aim this product at people who are security and status seeking. If this is to work for them they cannot afford to be lackadaisical when it comes to hygiene. They can instil confidence in their consumers simply because they are such a well-known brand, and if they had any negative press it would surely be widely reported on. 2) FCUK men’s deodorant: This product is a more expensive option than a lot of the competitive products Boots have for sale. It’s also a bit more expensive than if consumers were to go into a supermarket and buy the same product. As FCUK is a well-known brand, consumers who are status seeking could be looked at as a potential target-market base, but consumers who have the â€Å"Hedonistic† approach to life would be more appropriate. Task 5 L.O. (2.3& 2.5) Boots target-market ranges from the pharmacies they supply as part of their wholesaling and distribution right through to what they hope will be their loyal consumer. Through wholesaling, they must ensure their products are the best quality for the best price when compared to rivals like Superdrug. If they were to be found to lack the quality of their rivals it could have a lasting damaging effect on the organisation. (Boots estimate the goodwill of their name in their joint ventures to be worth  £4.7billion). As a pharmacy store Boots are aimed at consumers who are security and status seeking. Recently their â€Å"First Leaf† advertisement for the autumn/ winter begun on television and was aimed at mothers who want to avoid illnesses in their family throughout the winter with vitamins and throat sprays, and at the  same time promotes luxury items like bubble-bath and autumn coloured hair-dyes. The â€Å"advantage card† is a major factor in how Boots target their market. They have been able to understand their target market so well that they send separate offers to individuals based on their spending habits, which encourages consumers back to the store and can only be an advantage on their behalf. The card has also gotten excellent reviews from consumers on websites like reviewcentre.com. Boots are in a very strong position for the challenges that may face them in the next few years. Although with the â€Å"green movement† becoming a more prolific part of lifestyle segments, they could promote their CSR, which does a lot of charity works in developing countries they have employees in. They do not test on animals, or have testing carried out on their behalf. With governments looking to provide more cost-effective ways of managing healthcare, Boots could possibly expand in communities through weight- management programmes, health check-ups and smoking cessation advice. But if they don’t do this I still think they’ll be fine.