Little Miss Sunshine

â€Å"By the end, all have achieved a deeper appreciation of the others, a deeper understanding of the value of family, a better life were love, solidarity and understanding replace hatred, sarcasm and anger. † Little Miss Sunshine (2006) directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, is an American road-comedy that shatters the mold. Incredibly satirical and ironic yet, is how deeply human as the Hover family is one of the most appealing in recent film history. The film has a fabulous beginning in which you meet each Hoover individually, pointing out their great differences, during their personal moments through a series of montage shots. Throughout the road trip the family suffers many personal setbacks and discovers the need for each other’s support. Olive is the youngest of the Hoover family and the central character of Little Miss Sunshine. The film begins with her standing in front of the television mimicking the beauty pageant winner. When she finds out she has qualified in the Little Miss Sunshine pageant she is ecstatic but her Uncle, Brother and Father are not too keen on going. Because Olive is the centre of the family they all agree that it they will go and support but choose not to have any fun. Richard puts a lot of pressure on Olive when they find out she’s in the final of the pageant. After listening to her dad talking about winning and losing all the time Olive is scared her dad won’t be proud of her like her Mother would be. Olive asks her Grandpa about the pageant and losing and Grandpa tells her â€Å"Losers are people who are so afraid of not winning, they don't even try†, he is not a big fan of Richards nine steps and gives his own definition of ‘Losers’. On the way to Florida they stop at a gas station and realize they have left Olive there so they quickly turn around but Olive is still standing there waiting and is not at all worried they have forgotten her because she is the whole reason they are going. A big moment in the movie would be when there symbolic, yellow Volkswagen breaks down and they all have to push to get it started; for once they are all working together and become happier. Despite everything that happens with the Hoover family, the biggest change in Olive throughout the whole movie would be that she finally accepts herself for who she is and doesn’t care what people think of her. Richard is the father of Olive and stepfather of Dwayne. A45 year old motivational speaker, he wears pleated pants, a golf shirt and sneakers. Richard can’t cope with losers, and with his nine steps to success that’s all he talks about at home. You can tell by the old technology he uses that his nine steps are not very successful; at this point he is not a winner but has strong belief. When the family finds out Olive got into the finals of little miss sunshine Richard tries to talk them out of going because he could have a big break in his nine steps. When Sheryl tells Richard Frank is staying with them he doesn’t really care and asks about Stan Grossman calling in case he liked his proposal. Frank asks about Dwayne’s vow of silence Richard of course, goes on about his nine steps and the whole family is sick of it and tries to shut him off. Sheryl is set on taking Olive to Florida but Richard is being selfish and only cares about if Stan Grossman likes his ‘nine steps’. When Sheryl finally convinces him to go he puts a lot of pressure on Olive about winning. I think Richard changes the most in Little Miss Sunshine as at the start of the movie he only cares about himself and his nine steps but throughout the movie and when he loses his father he begins to accept his family and doesn’t care about his â€Å"big break†. At the pageant he doesn’t want Olive to go on stage because he is afraid people will make fun of her and he really starts to care. Dwayne is first seen at the start of the movie lifting weights, doing push ups and sit up. You then see him put a big cross on his calendar, by this you can see he has set a goal but not quite sure what it is yet. When the whole family is home, you notice Dwayne doesn’t talk and writes everything on a notepad. When Frank asks him about having any friends he writes on his notepad: â€Å"I hate everyone† Frank finds it weird and asks about his family, he then rolls his eyes and underlines everyone. Dwayne can not put up with Richards nine steps and when Frank asks him about his goal Richard butts in and is making it all about him. When Dwayne finds out he is colour blind during the trip he gets really agitated in the car and starts hitting his head against the wall, they final stop the car and he lets out a big scream. When Sheryl goes to try and make him feel better he just says he hates his family and wants to be left alone. They agree that they cant do much else except wait for him to calm down, when Olive goes down she just leans her head on his shoulder and I guess he realises he is being kind of selfish and for the first time in the whole movie you hear Dwayne speak and apoligises to the family. While at the beauty pageant Dwayne starts to really care for Olive and tells Sheryl not to let her on the stage otherwise everyone will make fun of her but even though one judge is shocked with Olive’s dance the rest of the family don’t care and go up and join her. Dwayne changes dramatically in the movie. Going from someone who didn’t talk, was very selfish and hated everyone to now really caring for his family, talking and overall a changed person. There are heaps of different film techniques used in Little Miss Sunshine for instance, when Dwayne tries the colour test the music goes from happy music to the music where you know something bad is going to happen and that’s when you find out Dwayne is colour blind. The opening and closing scenes are completely opposite to one another. The effect it would have on the audience would be significant, like even a dysfunctional family like the Hoovers can get through tough times, anyone can. In conclusion the movie Little Miss Sunshine was very well filmed, it had a big effect on the audience and the actors worked really well.

Financial Statement Review Essay

Introduction Patton-Fuller Community hospital is committed to offering our patients innovative medical services. This is not possible if the financial staff does not take steps to ensure the relationship between sources and expenses reflect positive results. Understanding the differences between the audited and unaudited financial statements will allow the facility to balance its finances. We will evaluate the effects of revenue sources for planning and control. Examining the differences between 2008 and 2009 financial statements will help pinpoint if there were positive or negative changes and why. This will allow us to identify how we can work more efficiently fund necessary advancements of our medical services (Patton-Fuller Community Hospital, 2006) Financial Statements Review The first difference between the audited and unaudited statements is with Patient Accounts Receivable. For 2009 the total in the unaudited form is $59,787, and the audited is $58,787 which is a difference of $1,000. The second difference is in the Statement of Revenue and Expense report. Under the Provision for Doubtful accounts for 2009, the unaudited statement has a value of $13,797, where the audited statement has a value of $14,797 – a difference of $1,000. Under the same statement, operating income for 2009 was reported as $689, but after audit it was found to be -$311, a difference of $378. These changes made a difference in the net income from the unaudited statement of $627 to -$373 in the audited statement. Effect of Revenue Sources With any company the revenue will come from many sources, which will include the interest on loans, income from renting or leasing, and the sale of goods. Patton Fuller Community hospital revenue comes from eighty percent inpatient activity, what is included in this is the surgical nursing, medical, surgery charges, and the intensive care unit charges. Then, the other twenty percent, of the revenue, from the hospital will come from the emergency department, and from any other outpatient services. Accountants will be the first ones to record the hospital information, on ledgers than they are transferred to the official financial statements. This will used to retain earning statements, income statements, statements of the cash flows,  and the balance sheet are the four basic types of the financial statements that are hit by the revenue sources. Revenues and Expenses Grouping Financial ratios show that they are not improving from the information given. Out of the eight ratios only two show improvement from 2008 to 2009. Current, quick, day’s cash, A/R days debt service coverage and liabilities to net worth are all showing that they have gotten worse since 2008. Looking at Patton Fuller liquidity we can determine that they are unable to cover their short term debt, due to current ratios, current assets compared to the current liabilities that decreased putting them in financial trouble. Patton Fuller shows that â€Å"The day’s cash on hand† has decreased it are determined that the company has less money available to pay daily operation debts. It also looks as if they are using their assets to generate income. As of 2009 the profit was much higher than for Patton Fuller than as of 2008. Patton Fuller as they have grouped expenses throughout different categories and departments it allows them to control the revenue and total expenses of the organization. It will also allow Patton Fuller to control expired and unexpired costs. As we know it is very important to keep track of all inflow and outflow of cash coming in and out of any organization. Conclusion The annual reporting of financial statement review of Patton-Fuller community Hospital showed profits and losses for the hospital. Audited and unaudited statements showed losses and profits incurred by the hospital within a two year period. Financial statements are important when reviewing profits and loses for current and previous year? Yes they are, financial statements allows management to review the areas that have fluctuations that negative affect the organization. References Baker, J. J., & Baker, R. W. (2011). Health care finance: Basic tools for nonfinancial managers. 3rd.ed. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett publishers. Patton-Fuller Community Hospital. (2006). Retrieved June 8, 2014, from Virtual Organizations Portal

The effectiveness of tourism as an economic developmental model for Research Paper

The effectiveness of tourism as an economic developmental model for underdeveloped countries - Research Paper Example Earnings from the tourism sector are impressive, providing about 50 percent of Seychelles’ GDP (Seychelles - THE ECONOMY, n.d.). Unlike majority of the African countries, Seychelles is one of the most developed countries in the African region. Even though most of the African countries are blessed with dense forests and natural beauties, none of those countries exploited it as did by Seychelles. The administrators of Seychelles did everything possible to transform Seychelles as the tourist’s paradise in the African region. It should be noted that the administrators have developed the necessary infrastructure facilities for tourism development in Seychelles. Plenty of world class hotels and restaurants are available in Seychelles so that tourist may not face any problems in the country. Moreover, the government has liberalised the procedures for getting tourists visas to Seychelles. An international airport was opened at Anse Dejenner, Mahe in July 1971 by the government of Seychelles to encourage tourism. Since then, the number of tourists visiting Seychelles has been gradually increasing. â€Å"From a relatively small number of 3,175 tourists in 1971, the figure exceeded the 100,000 mark for the first time in 1990†(Gabbay and Ghosh, n.d., p.1). The number of tourists in has already been crossed the 200000 mark. The case of Botswana is also similar to that of Seychelles. â€Å"Tourism income at present is valued at around $240 million per year in Botswana† (Botswana, 2011). Plenty of game reserves with hunting and photographic safaris are available in available Botswana. Central Kalahari Game Reserve is the most famous park in the Kalahari Desert of Botswana. More than one million tourists are visiting Botswana every year.... This paper offers an thorough analysis of the effectiveness of tourism as an economic developmental model for underdeveloped countries taking Seychelles, Botswana, Mauritius and Caribbean islands as examples. One of the major reasons for underdevelopment in poor countries is lack of resources. However, majority of the poor countries are full of natural beauty and hence such countries can develop tourism as a major revenue source. For example, Seychelles, Botswana, Mauritius and Caribbean islands are some countries, which have lack of internal resources, but have beautiful beaches, seashores and landscapes. Unlike majority of the African countries, Seychelles is one of the most developed countries in the African region. It should be noted that the administrators have developed the necessary infrastructure facilities for tourism development in Seychelles. Plenty of world class hotels and restaurants are available in Seychelles so that tourist may not face any problems in the country. Moreover, the government has liberalised the procedures for getting tourists visas to Seychelles. The case of Botswana is also similar to that of Seychelles. Plenty of game reserves with hunting and photographic safaris are available in available Botswana. As in the cases of Seychelles and Botswana, Mauritius is also utilizing tourism revenue for economic development.Antigua is the most developed Caribbean island with the help of tourism followed by Bahamas and Barbados. Underdeveloped countries can definitely promote tourism as a major revenue source.

The Case of Wooden Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The Case of Wooden - Essay Example The employers are neglecting the safety conditions require to dispose of the wooden dust and reduce or eliminate the risk of any unnecessary event from happening. There seems to be less emphasis on the safety precautions and safe workplace environment rules in the company premises. The employees of wooden seem to be concerned about the possible impacts of lack of measures regarding the issue. The employers are, however, neglecting their duty to carefully formulate a strategy where employees may be provided with a safe, clean and secure place to work. The Safety coordinator seems to reject the concerns, which is an alarming situation. The safety coordinator has the duty to perform all the necessary steps to make the workplace safer and better. Rhine is of the opinion that â€Å"wood dust is not explosive†. The claim can be forfeited by explaining the issue to Rhine using different examples where wood dust did cause the explosion. Parse’s statement can be used as supporti ng evidence as Parse explains the devastating explosion in the plant near his place. However, if Rhine does not pay heed to the issue after explanation and further evidences, I still have the duty to report to the member of staff immediately above my rank.

Online education can be good supplement to regular school education Research Paper

Online education can be good supplement to regular school education - Research Paper Example According to Doan, Kim and Bloomfield (65), this kind of education is facilitated by virtual schools which are web-based programs catering for distance education students’ needs. Virtual schools provide facilitation for online education by providing the necessary learning environment consisting of software and hardware essential for online learning (Means 9). In the list of what virtual schools provide are cyber schools, electronic schools, cyber charts and e-schools. The internet has been observed to contain information overload (Greenblatt and Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly 788). This information is important in providing expansion of knowledge that is attained in regular school education. Thus, online learning serves this purpose of adding to the learning attained through regular school education programs. The combination of both, regular school learning and online learning, characteristically comprise what is referred to as blended learning. This has substantial benefits to an individual’s knowledge enrichment. The delivery as well as receiving of online courses involves relatively user-friendly essential software and hardware. The software system utilized for the packaging the communication tools, grade book, course content among other essential elements of the course is the learning management system (LMS) (Doan, Kim and Bloomfield 63). The second essential software for online learning is the student information system (SIS) which basically manages the students’ data (Ibid 63). Online instructors and students utilize audio and video plug-ins: to share course contents. Basic productivity software such as web browsers, Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Reader and Microsoft PowerPoint are important for a variety of activities expected of the instructors and students for information sharing (Ibid 64). Hardware requirements are also

How buyer behaviour is used in the context of marketing Essay

How buyer behaviour is used in the context of marketing - Essay Example Firstly the study provides the information about the number of prospective buyers residing in a particular region. Secondly the study helps to understand the demographic and psychographic features of the buying population. Thirdly the study confirms the tastes of the consumers in relation to choosing and consuming different products. Fourthly it analyses the responses of the consumer to the different types of promotions carried on by the company. Fifthly it also endeavors to understand the responses of the consumers to change in the price structure of goods and services produced. Sixthly it helps in highlighting the desires of the consumers in making repeat visits to a certain stores located at particular localities (Malhotra, 2008, p.45). The behaviors of the customers can essentially be grouped under four categories. Firstly the products, which are cheaply available to the consumers, like snacks and cold drinks are almost bought by the consumer amounting from impulse and owe little to decision-making actions. Secondly the consumers while purchasing products from a known category often take little decisions regarding its brands and market value. However in the third case the consumers when purchasing products of high economic value and belonging to niche categories makes a lot of decisions (D’Souza, 2009). ... Estimates made show that on a weekly basis around 21 million customers pay their visit to the stores of the company located in United Kingdom. The products offered by the company are generally of high class and render the best quality to the different classes of consumers in the region. The products offered by the company belong to categories like women’s and men’s wear. Marks and Spencer which specializes in the women wear market also is expanding its share in the retail market by moving over to other categories like children wear and home furnishings. The company operates based on a total number of 600 stores based along the region of United Kingdom. (Marks and Spencer, 2011). Understanding Buyer Behavior in Retail Management The process of understanding the behavior of the consumers in the context of retail management can be subdivided along three essential fields of study. Firstly the retailer must make an analysis of the marketing segments to which it desires to of fer its products and services. Secondly after segmenting the particular market the retailer must understand the process of targeting the prospective customers. Thirdly the retail operations of a company earn success in their strategy of positioning themselves in the light of the large number of competitors targeting the said market. The process of marketing segmentation in the context of retail management signifies the identification of those consumers to which the retailer desires to offer its products and services. The retail company also focuses to design its marketing programs, which aim to serve the consumers identified in the above context. Herein, the retail company also decides

Agricultural Development Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Agricultural Development - Assignment Example An ongoing debate about the integration of farmers' empirical knowledge in agricultural development was sought to be answered by studying soil fertility management strategies in the Jos Plateau of Nigeria. The paper of Pasquini and Alexander (2005) tried to illustrate how farmers collectively can acquire considerable and detailed knowledge, which can be supported by scientific explanations.Since time immemorial, the idea that local people could have something to contribute to development is not always considered. Some scholars and scientists often put down local, indigenous knowledge. Often, they dismiss it as 'primitive', 'unscientific' and 'wrong'. Thus, they assigned themselves of 'educating' rural people, using a top-down, transfer-of-technology approach (Okali et al. 1994; Scoones and Thompson 1994a; Sillitoe 2002). Fortunately, Pasquini and Alexander (2005) mentioned that this perspective was challenged with a populist approach that viewed indigenous technical knowledge as a va luable, untapped source, and believed that it had to be 'incorporated' into formal research extension and practices in order to make agricultural development more sustainable.In the late 1980s-early 1990s, a thorough research in the Jos Plateau, Nigeria congruently examined how the knowledge and management of soil fertility by local farmers could be integrated in the development of a viable strategy for the maintenance of soil fertility (Phillips-Howard and Kidd 1991). As a previous site of tin mining since the beginning of the twentieth century, farming systems have been agitated about 320 km2 of cultivable land, much of which was needed for food production, because of the growing population (Alexander and Kidd 2000). In 1949, a series of trials was established to find the best way of restoring the mined land to agriculture, but after three years of trials, the Mines Land Reclamation Unit declared that it was impractical and uneconomic to raise the fertility of the degraded soil to the point that it would be able to sustain traditional arable agriculture (Alexander 1996). Local farmers were unaware of this opinion and continued with their informal reclamation strategy, which proved successful in raising significantly the nutrient status of the soils (Alexander and Kidd 2000). Thus, Phillips-Howard and Kidd (1991) showed that farmers had extensive and detailed knowledge of a variety of traditional (in Hausa: takin gargajiya) and modern (takin zamani) fertilizers, being able to differentiate between them according to their perceived characteristics and usefulness. Inorganic fertilizers are 'modern' fertilizers, whereas various livestock manures and waste ash are classified as traditional fertilizers. In fact, the key to the reclamation strategy was that farmers applied a combination of inorganic fertilizers, different types of animal manure and urban waste ash (Alexander 1996). Also, urban waste ash was regarded as valuable by the farmers, and for this reason one of the conclusions Phillips-Howard and Kidd (1991) came to was that further investigation of the characteristics and supply of this material (tokan bola) (and other unfamiliar fertilizers such as egret manure--kashin balbela) would be worthwhile. Research carried out in the 2000/2001 dry farming se ason (from September through to May) aimed to provide an appreciation of the role played by urban refuse ash, while highlighting the risks attached to its use. Thus, Pasquini and Alexander (2005) have to identify

Acdamic skill Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Acdamic skill - Essay Example Sources, such as Google sources, are not that reliable, because anybody can publicly do things on the internet. However, books are generally considered more trustworthy because the author and publisher are clearly stated and they are held responsibility for its truthfulness. One reliable resource, found by Erik, A.(2010), had introduced product strategies for the iPhone, including four successful ways which are markets, product cycles, pricing and software. However, the iPhone was not the first smartphone to have mobile Web, email, and touch-screen user interface capabilities, but it was designed to offer an improved experience compared to other smartphones. Firstly, this resource is reliable; because of its demand media. Secondly, it is useful for this research proposal. The significant aim of this article is exploring the iPhone product strategy, it was designed to offer an improved experience compared to other smartphones. Following the four product strategies for the iPhone which are markets, product cycles, pricing and software, we can clearly see the iPhone why can be successful. These four aspects are indispensable to the business strategies. According to Dorrell, E. (2007), more than half of the consumers in the UK stipulate that Apple iPhones are too expensive. Two weeks after the launch in the UK, the vote at the market research company GFK NOP showed that more than 70% of the consumers feel that the proposed retail price of  £269 was on the high side while only 2% of the respondents considered buying an iPhone. This resource, found by a newspaper, makes it reliable. And using customer interviews further increases its reliability. The main purpose of this paper is for customer surveys to getting the price of the iPhone to a more detailed study of the iPhone business strategy. Furthermore, collecting data is the important way to get a reliable source. Due to this fact received from this

Clime letter Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Clime letter - Assignment Example Pizza Hut prides itself in 30 minute deliveries or the order is free. However, my pizza was delivered very late and was lacking a few of the other food items that I did place with my order. Not only that but the delivery guy insisted that I pay for the food when your advertising clearly states that when my order is delivered after 30 minutes, I get the food free of charge. Is there a case of false advertising existing here? I am hoping that my experience will serve as a wake up call for your branch of Pizza Hut. Your service is not at par with the other Pizza Hut branches in our area and will destroy the good company name that the company has worked hard to build. To resolve this situation, I would appreciate it if your staff would reimburse the amount I paid as per the â€Å"30 minute delivery guaranteed† promise that Pizza Hut gives all its delivery customers. Enclosed is a copy of my receipt for the transaction in question. I am looking forward to your response and resolution of this situation. I will wait 14 days before seeking help from the consumer protection agency or the Better Business Bureau. Please contact me at my above address pr by phone at (mention your phone

Global Business Strategies Essay Example for Free

Global Business Strategies Essay Course Description The managers perspective in the fields of international payments, international trade, and investment are analyzed. Emphasis is given to the materials and concepts that illuminate the strategies, structure, practices, and effects of multinational enterprises. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Hill, C. W. (2009). International business. Competing in the global marketplace (7th ed.). Boston, MA: McGraw-Hill. All electronic materials are available on the student website. Week One: Contemporary Global Business Environment Details Due Points Objectives 1.1 Define globalization. 1.2 List the major drivers of globalization. 1.3 Explain some effects of globalization. 1.4 Compare and contrast the role of economic integration in promoting global business. 1.5 Relate the stage of economic development of an economically integrated region to potential business opportunities. Readings Read Ch. 1 of International Business. Read Ch. 2 of International Business. Read Ch. 3 of International Business. Read Ch. 5 of International Business. Review this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. Read the Week One Read Me First. Participation Participate in class discussion. 1 Individual Week One Quiz Post week one quiz. 1 Individual Globalization Questionnaire Prepare a comprehensive response to the following questions in 350 words. What is globalization, and what are some of the traditional international trade theories that support the concept of globalization? List the major drivers of globalization and provide three examples of each. Explain at least four effects of globalization that affect your community and your organization. 10 Week Two: Global Business Strategy Formulation Details Due Points Objectives 2 2.1 Conduct a business risk analysis. 2.2 Choose an appropriate mode of entry for global products or services. Readings Read Ch. 6 of International Business. Read Ch. 7 of International Business. Read Ch. 8 of International Business. Review this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. Read the Week Two Read Me First. Participation Participate in class discussion. 1 Individual Week Two Quiz Post week two quiz. 1 Learning Team Instructions Select a country and product to focus your cumulative Global Business Plan Learning Team project. The deliverables for the project include the following Learning Team assignments: Week Two: Comprehensive Analysis Outline and Presentation Week Three: Country Risk and Strategic Planning Analysis Paper Week Five: Final Global Business Plan and Presentation Individual Regional Integration for and Against Articles Select a region approved by your instructor and choose a trading bloc (NAFTA, EU, ASEAN, etc.) within that region. Write two 350- to 500-word articles, one article in favor of regional integration and another article against regional integration. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of regional integration and relate the stage of economic development of the economically integrated region to [emailprotected] potential business opportunities. 10 Learning Team Comprehensive Analysis Outline and Presentation Select a product and a country for a global business venture. Conduct a regional, country, and product analyses for your new global venture. Prepare a 1,050- to 1,400-word outline and a 5- to 7-slide summary presentation illustrating the following: Region Analysis Regional alliances and economic integration Physical environment and its affect on trade Political stability Economic conditions Finance options available Social, health, and environmental conditions Terrorism threats Country Analysis Political stability Economic conditions Finance options available Physical environment and its affect on trade Social, health, and environmental conditions Cultural considerations Organization and product or service analysis Description of your organization Product needs assessment of the target country Description of product to meet the need Format your written paper consistent with APA guidelines. 5 Week Three: Strategic Implementation: Global Business Operations Details Due Points Objectives 3 3.1 Describe the legal, cultural, and ethical challenges that confront global businesses. 3.2 Determine the various roles that host governments play in global business operations. Readings Read Ch. 12 of International Business. Read Ch. 14 of International Business. Read Ch. 15 of International Business. Read Ch. 17 of International Business. Review this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. Read the Week Three Read Me First. Participation Participate in class discussion. 1 Individual Week Three Quiz Post week three quiz. 1 Learning Team Country Risk and Strategic Planning Analysis Paper Prepare a 1,400- to 2,100-word paper in which you conduct a country risk analysis for your selected global business venture. Analyze the following risks in your paper: Political, legal, and regulatory risks Exchange and repatriation of funds risks Competitive risk assessment Taxation and double taxation risks Market risks (four Ps) Distribution and supply chain risks Physical and environmental challenges to entering and operating in a target market Social and cultural risks Cyber or technology Describe how you would manage these risks Summarize your strategic planning process: Define and clarify mission and objectives SWOTT analysis of target country Make strategy selection Select and justify an appropriate mode of entry for your global product or service Control and evaluation Devise contingency plan Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. 10 Week Four: Strategy Implementation: Finance and Marketing in Global Business Details Due Points Objectives 4 4.1 Analyze global financing and exchange rate mechanisms. 4.2 Identify multilateral and regional financial institutions that help foster global business. 4.3 Identify various methods of financing global operations. 4.4 Identify key foreign exchange risks and techniques to mitigate risk. 4.5 Conduct a global marketing analysis for a product or service. Readings Read Ch. 9 of International Business. Read Ch. 11 of International Business. Read Ch. 16 of International Business. Read Ch. 18 of International Business. Read Ch. 20 of International Business. Review this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. Read the Week Four Read Me First. Participation Participate in class discussion. 1 Individual Week Four Quiz Post week four quiz. 1 Individual Case Study Select one of the following cases from the International Business Textbook: â€Å"Nike: The Sweatshop Debate† at the end of Part 2 â€Å"Google in China† at the end of Chapter 4  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Boeing versus Airbus: Two Decades of Trade Disputes† at the end of Part 3 (Video is not required to complete this case.) â€Å"The Russian Ruble Crisis and Its Aftermath† at the end of Part 4 â€Å"Molex† at the end of Part 6 â€Å"Merrill Lynch in Japan† at the end of Part 6 Write a 500- to 750-word paper in which you address the following topics: Describe the legal, cultural, and ethical challenges that confront the global business presented in your selected case study. Determine the various roles that host governments played in this particular global business operation. Summarize the strategic and operational challenges facing global managers illustrated in your selected case. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. 15 Week Five: Changing Environment of Global Business Details Due Points Objectives 5 5.1 Identify appropriate business strategies based on business risk analysis. 5.2 Determine appropriate exit strategies for a global organization. Readings Read Ch. 4 of International Business. Read Ch. 13 of International Business. Review this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings. Read the Week Five Read Me First. Participation Participate in class discussion. 1 Individual Week Five Quiz Post week five quiz. 1 Individual Global Financing and Exchange Rate Mechanisms Choose one of the following topics. Prepare a 1,050- to 1,750-word paper in which you analyze one of the following global financing and exchange rate topics: Purchasing power parity and the Big Mac index Currency hedging Hard and soft currencies Countertrade Financing via letters of credit and EXIM Bank and commercial banks Tariff and nontariff barriers Roles of international financial institutions (e.g. IMF, World Bank, ADB, etc.) Euro currency markets Define your selected topic. Explain how your topic is used in global financing operations and describe its importance in managing risks. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. 15 Individual Final Examination Prepare to take a final exam. 10 Learning Team Final Global Business Plan Paper and Presentation Prepare a 7,000- to 8,750-word paper integrating your previous Learning Team assignments to include the following new material: Summarize your findings from previous Learning Team assignments. Include the rationale for selecting your target country. Refer to your Learning Team Country Risk Analysis for highlights. Determine the marketing mix specific to your selected global product or service and explain your choice of marketing mix. Prepare a marketing plan that addresses product modification, pricing, promotional programs, distribution channels, and e-business in your chosen country. Include market indicators and trends for your product or service. Prepare a financial overview for your global venture. Include a chart that represents the general budget for your global venture. Explain how your company deals with foreign exchange risk for your global operation. Identify potential domestic and international sources of financing for your global venture. Include at least two possible financial institutions within your chosen region. Describe the degree to which your organization operates as a centralized versus decentralized organization. Include a chain of command chart to illustrate how communications would reach senior management from the field when events necessitate changes in tactics or strategy. What types of exit strategies would be most appropriate for your global venture? Some strategies to consider include divestiture of assets, handing over to a joint venture partner, diversification, shutting down operation, and contingencies for your global venture. Based on your findings, make final recommendations about the feasibility of this global venture. Would you recommend proceeding with this global venture? Explain why or why not. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines. 15 Week One Quiz Questions What technological advances in telecommunications and transportation have influenced global business in the last decade? How have these technological advances affected regional economic development? What trends may be anticipated in these areas? Would globalization have been possible without these technological advances? Discuss how culture, language, and religion might influence the costs of doing business in a particular country. Support your statement with examples. Discuss the following theory: The study of global business is relevant if you work or plan to work in a large multinational company, but it has little or no significance for individuals who work in smaller national firms. Do you agree or disagree? Defend your argument with at least two supporting statements. Week Two Quiz Questions What is country risk analysis? How is this analysis conducted? Is country risk analysis an effective tool in determining the desirability of establishing a manufacturing site or other mode of entry? Define a trade deficit and a trade surplus. What are the implications of a long-term trade deficit or trade surplus? What techniques are available to correct balance of payment deficit or surplus? Does free trade equate to fair trade? Does free trade exist anywhere in the world? Respond to the questions and support your answers with examples. Week Three Quiz Questions What is the current status of the telecommunications, energy, and transportation infrastructures of the world’s fastest developing countries? What effect does importing advanced technology, such as wireless technologies, into a developing country have on that country’s telecommunications, energy, and transportation infrastructures? How do these changes in infrastructure and technology alter business productivity? What are some issues and trends in global sociocultural issues? Why must a company be sensitive to the sociocultural environment within the host country? What affect does sociocultural sensitivity have on a company’s operations or sales within a host country? What are the major staffing policies that global organizations must consider? How must an organization choose among these staffing policies? How do you assess the effect of implementing a specific staffing policy? What are the primary functions of the foreign-exchange market? Who are the participants in the market? How do global companies use the foreign-exchange market to hedge against foreign-exchange risks? Felix, a U.S. technology company has recently developed a revolutionary wireless phone. The product offers exciting new features along with all of the features of current products, but at a fraction of the manufacturing costs. As the international business manager of Felix, you have been asked to choose the best mode of entry into the European market. Your have the following options: Export your product from the United States. Enter into an alliance with a large European company. Manufacture the product in the United States and set up a wholly owned subsidiary in Europe. License a European firm to manufacture and market the phone in Europe. In preparation for your choice, list the pros and cons of each method of entry. Which choice do you present to your CEO? Support your decision. Can any product or service be marketed globally? If it sells in the United States, does it sell in another country? Explain why or why not. Can a product be marketed in the same manner in multiple countries? Defend your answer with examples. How might you relate the four Ps of marketing to customer relations management (CRM) in a global business environment? Week Four Quiz Questions What are the elements of capital budgeting? How do you determine these elements in the global business arena? Provide examples of how you would use capital budgeting analysis to determine the desirability of global projects. What are the international and regional institutions that comprise the global monetary and financial system? What role do these institutions play in  promoting global business operations? Under what conditions is it better to borrow funds from a domestic bank? When might it be necessary to borrow from a target country financial institution? Explain your answer. When would a firm choose to operate on a transnational basis? Under what circumstances would a firm use a localization strategy? When would an international strategy be employed? Support your answers with examples. Week Five Quiz Questions Describe one exit strategy an organization may use when things go wrong in a foreign country. What are some of the issues that might prompt the implementation of an exit strategy? Summarize the effect of an exit strategy on the strategic planning for a global organization? Name the factors that may contribute to the global business failure of an organization? How might a global organization protect itself against a global business failure? Are US ethical standards applicable worldwide? Explain your answer and provide examples. What are the consequences of failure to incorporate ethical considerations into global planning.

The relevance of various management theory schools of thought

The relevance of various management theory schools of thought This essay will identify the predominant and diverse schools of thought encapsulated within management theory and their relevance or lack thereof, or appropriateness of application within todays organisations. Four separate methodologies shall be addressed, the classical school, the school of human relations, and both systems and contingency theory. The Classical theory of management was born of the scientific age (Wren, 1995, p5). Taking account of this theory in the present age, a classical approach can offer structured management with purpose, drive and clear, understandable hierarchy (Cole, 2004, p4). Scientific management, with exponents such as Owen, Babbage and later Taylor and Gantt (Pindur et al, 1995, pp61-62) were concerned with observation and experience to seek greater efficiency for expanding industry; viewing workers as cogs in a machine and as another resource to be organised (Morgan, 1997, p38). General administrative managements focus was on the running of the whole organisation (Pindur et al, 1995, p62). Fayol looked in more detail at the role of manager and purported five functions: planning, organising, commanding, coordinating and controlling (Fells, 2000, p346). Bureaucracy, with the main advocate Weber, took a theoretical view seeking to understand power and authority (Mullins, 1996, p46; Pugh and Hickson, 2007, p5). Weber sought clear hierarchy advocating recruitment and promotion due to merit. [With] standardization across the organisation; no matter who was in post (HÃ ¶pfl, 2006, pp10-11). Although still relevant today as a tool to offer clear direction, (Lamond, 2005, p1279) classical theory has been heavily criticized for being too prescriptive, limiting individual thought, creativity and flexibility of the organisation (Morgan, 1997, pp30-33; Mullins, 1996, pp41-46). It was thought not to look beyond the individual organisation to its wider context. (Mullins, 1996, p52). Contrastingly, the human relations (HR) theory of management sometimes referred to as human behaviour school, leadership or behavioural sciences approach, considers and prioritises people as part of the management role. The exponents of this school lean heavily towards psychology and social studies believing people should understand people (Koontz, 1961, p178). In the 1920s an awareness of the impact of social factors within the workplace grew and behaviour and performance of employees became a focus for study (Mullins, 1996). Mary Parker Follett wrote about individual and group behaviour within organisations (Wolfgang et al, 1995). She contentiously believed that authority was rooted in a position and not with a person, causing much dispute and debate (Clegg et al, 2005; Mandeville, 1960). Arguably HR theory originated with the Hawthorne Studies conducted from 1920s and 1930s (Grey, 2005). Ironically the origins of the studies can be linked to the scientific approach however they became inextricably linked with Elton Mayo and showed productivity increased often when not expected. Mayo identified ,when people felt valued production could rise (Clegg et al, 2005). Whilst methods used and accuracy of data is disputed the results opened minds and encouraged debate on topics such as leadership, motivation and informal groups within organisations and so the neo-human relations approach developed with Maslow and his understanding of peoples needs entering the arena of theories (Mullins, 1996). The HR approach can help provide solutions to problems such as absenteeism, staff turnover and production quality brought about by strict scientific approaches. However some may view the approach as an unwelcome intrusion; leaving no demarcation between private and work life (Grey, 2005). People are the key ingredient to the HR theory but we should not set aside that, structure and rules are undoubtedly required in the mix. Accepting that Systems theory attempts to reconcile the classical and human relations approaches, this may then potentially provide the ideal management theory. But does such an ideal really exist? Exploring further, Systems theory focuses on the elements of organization, in terms of their interaction with external environment. Attention is focused on the total work organisation and the interrelationships of structure and behaviour, and the range of variables within the organisation (Mullins, 2000). The belief is that all employees work harmoniously through sharing common goals. The Systems approach to management began in 19th century, and Ludwig von Bertalanffy made great contributions in developing it. There are two basic types of systems; closed and open; and one of the key concepts of von Bertalanffys theory mentioned that open systems responded to their environments through exchanged information, energy or material (Kast and Rosenweig, 1972). The open systems model contains human relations as well as organisation development (Pindur et al, 1995). Closed systems [on the other hand] are self-contained and do not interact with their environment (Cole, 2004). Some classical theories, like Taylors scientific management, Webers bureaucratic theory and Gulicks administrative management can be classified to the closed system model (Pindur et al, 1995). Limitations within the Systems theory did exist though, and whilst the approach fostered both technical and social variables viewing organisations as a whole; alterations to one aspect directly affected the other part. The changing nature of the work environment, the increasing demands for flexibility and concerns with the contextual factors influencing structure have drawn attention to the contingency approach to organisational design (Mullins, 2000, p564). Diversity is no longer just the right thing to do; it has become a business imperative and perhaps the single most important factor of the twenty-first century for organization performance (Wheeler, 2005, s1-s7; Daft, 2008, p420). Observed as a development of the Systems approach, the contingency theory goes a stage further in relating the environment, and other variables, to specific structures of organisation. [It] takes the view that there is no one best, universal structure (Mullins, 2000, p564), [or] universal principles that can be used for every situation, but instead [it] seeks to explain how one attribute or characteristic depends upon another (Vecchio, 2000,p338). The contingency approach can be seen as a form of if-then matrix relationship (Luthans, 1985); [it] draws attention to the situational factors; emphasis[ing] the need for flexibility (Mullins, 2000, p564). There is a multitude of possibilities and the best or preferred choice will be contingent on the situation being analysed (Hunt, 1992, p170). Criticisms or doubts about the contingency approach and its practical value to management have been voiced. According to Robey (1982, p59), modern contingency theory provides an increasing amount of empirical research; defin[ing] variables ignored in earlier work. However, the contingency approach runs the risk of concluding that it all depends on everything. Indeed, Vecchio (2000, pp.11-12) simply summarises the contingency approach in two words. It depends. Whatever the criticisms and limitations of contingency models, the application of modern contingency theory can help contribute to more effective performance(Mullins, 2002, p578) so can we deduce that whilst possibly overly flexible in its make-up, the contingency approach is however within practice, a suitably acceptable management theory? Conclusion In conclusion it would appear that it is not only management theory that is disparate; the multiplicity of variables affecting the everyday running of organisations, also provides immense organisational diversity. Management theory and practice in implementation are inextricably linked which ensures that no holistic theory of management can be developed. Many paradigms have been created within an historical context where necessity for change has been encountered. Theoretical management and its functions are therefore viewed as evolutionary. Classical theory, whilst used today appears limited in application. Human Relations theory is still useful when applied in terms of an organisations social dimension. A unitarist Systems theory whilst initially popular was overtaken by a more necessary flexible approach to management, gleaned from Contingency theory. This perspective took a pluralist view of organisations. Organisations vary in terms of groups of individuals, industry type, structure, culture and objectives, making management differ within each entity. The trajectory of management theory, as time has progressed has added to the management debate and provided structure in which there is near agreement within groupings of schools who disagree vehemently as to the thinking of their adversaries. Because of managements diversity we are of the thinking that there is no one solution that will remedy or enhance all situations. (Word Count: 1319 words)

The Effects of Mono Lakes Hydrology on its Ecosystem :: Environment Biology Essays

The Effects of Mono Lake's Hydrology on its Ecosystem Situated at the foothills of the Eastern Sierra Nevada, Mono Lake has an unusual and unique hydrology that is highly influential in shaping the water chemistry (specifically the water's salinity and alkalinity) and biological life that survives there. Mono Lake is a hypersaline, highly alkaline, hydrographically closed basin in which the only natural means of water export is through evaporation. The basin itself was carved out by faulting of tectonic plates that occurred atleast 500,000 years ago. Mono Basin contains up to 7,000 ft. of glacial, fluvial, lacustrine and volcanic deposits in a large structural depression formed in part by down-dropping along the Sierra Nevada fault (Pakiser 1976). In addition to the water evaporated, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (DWP) began diverting Mono Lake's water and approximately 58% of its natural inflow (annually) to supply 13% of the city of Los Angeles's water supply in 1940 (Stine 1991). Because lake volume fluctuates in response to varying inflow and evaporation, the late-water concentration and composition can experience substantial change through time (Rogers 1992). A high concentration of soluble compounds and salts formed inherently as evaporation occurred, and minerals and compounds were left behind. Runoff, erosional sediments and precipitation (rain and snowfall are limited in the Eastern side due to the rainshadow effect) from the Sierra Nevada accumulate in the Mono Basin. Also ephemeral perennial streams from the Sierra Nevada flow into the Mono Basin. Because of this, a great deal of the groundwater and the groundwater hydrological system is dominated by stream losses from the mountains. Fault lines can also be highly influential to the production of groundwater. According to USGS's Ronald Oremland, The lake is usually monomictic, and undergoes one complete winter mixing event induced by the sinking of cold surface waters. However, inputs of large amounts of freshwater into the lake in the early 1980s and again in the late 1990s resulted in episodes of meromixis (Oremland 2000). Jellison predicts that the meromixis phase that is currently occurring will last several decades. Meromixis generally produces buildup of ammonia, sulfide and methane. In many cases diversions of freshwater inputs for irrigation or other human uses have resulted in diminished size and increased salinity (Jellison 1992). Diverting Mono Lake's streams has not only stirred political and environmental controversy over rights but has also led to the waters of Mono Lake being halved in lake volume, reduced by 45 ft.

Frankenstein vs. The Bride of Frankenstein :: Essays Papers

Frankenstein vs. The Bride of Frankenstein In Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein, sound is used as an effect to scare people and create a â€Å"spooky† feeling. They used the sounds of a storm with rain and thunder, the sound of footsteps coming up from behind people, and other noises like creaky stairs, floors, and doors. This created that â€Å"haunted† or â€Å"spooky† feeling that would be used over and over again in horror films for decades. When they used sound effects, it was to emphasize that something was either happening or about to happen. Many people consider The Bride of Frankenstein to be better than the original Frankenstein. This is because the sequel to Frankenstein had a musical score whereas the original Frankenstein never had one. The fact that the original lacked background music and the sequel had a wonderful music score is the biggest difference between the two movies when it came to sound. In The Bride of Frankenstein, music was used as a way of hinting things to the audience. Music would become faster and louder right before something big was about to happen and it would slow down and sound sweet in parts that were supposed to show the good, gentle side of the monster. The music also filled space in between scenes and made the film flow better. In The Bride of Frankenstein, there were many mise en scenes that could be easily found. For one thing, there were many religious symbols thrown in all around the movie. There were many crosses, which had been placed inside the houses. There was a good amount of talking about blasphemy and whether creating this monster was good or bad. One of the biggest issues was about how Dr. Frankenstein seemed to play the role of God. He was creating beings and bringing parts of people back to life. Also, in many scenes, they would use unique camera angles to set up a scene in a particular manner so that the audience would know that something was about to happen. For example, when Elizabeth was in her room, the camera showed the window, Elizabeth, and the reflection of the mirror as the monster began to approach her. Frankenstein vs. The Bride of Frankenstein :: Essays Papers Frankenstein vs. The Bride of Frankenstein In Frankenstein and The Bride of Frankenstein, sound is used as an effect to scare people and create a â€Å"spooky† feeling. They used the sounds of a storm with rain and thunder, the sound of footsteps coming up from behind people, and other noises like creaky stairs, floors, and doors. This created that â€Å"haunted† or â€Å"spooky† feeling that would be used over and over again in horror films for decades. When they used sound effects, it was to emphasize that something was either happening or about to happen. Many people consider The Bride of Frankenstein to be better than the original Frankenstein. This is because the sequel to Frankenstein had a musical score whereas the original Frankenstein never had one. The fact that the original lacked background music and the sequel had a wonderful music score is the biggest difference between the two movies when it came to sound. In The Bride of Frankenstein, music was used as a way of hinting things to the audience. Music would become faster and louder right before something big was about to happen and it would slow down and sound sweet in parts that were supposed to show the good, gentle side of the monster. The music also filled space in between scenes and made the film flow better. In The Bride of Frankenstein, there were many mise en scenes that could be easily found. For one thing, there were many religious symbols thrown in all around the movie. There were many crosses, which had been placed inside the houses. There was a good amount of talking about blasphemy and whether creating this monster was good or bad. One of the biggest issues was about how Dr. Frankenstein seemed to play the role of God. He was creating beings and bringing parts of people back to life. Also, in many scenes, they would use unique camera angles to set up a scene in a particular manner so that the audience would know that something was about to happen. For example, when Elizabeth was in her room, the camera showed the window, Elizabeth, and the reflection of the mirror as the monster began to approach her.

The Death of Christen :: Personal Narrative Writing

The Death of Christen It snowed for three straight days after my grandmother died. I wouldn't think the two facts were related but for the fact that the roads were all closed on the second day of the blizzard, and we were stuck at the wake all night long, like someone or something was trying to keep us there. It was weird, spending the night with dead people. I wasn't alone, of course. There was my family, and then there were the Szerniaks and their dead father, and the corpse of some creepy guy named William Manfred III who had apparently been abandoned at his own wake because his family couldn't make it through the snow. I went in to visit him once, but it was just too creepy in there by myself. My own dead relatives were bad enough, thanks. I finished off another piece of cold, greasy fried chicken from the fast food place next door and looked up. My uncle was still snoring in the corner, my cousin was still trying to look up my skirt (the perv) and my dad was still just sitting there in front of the coffin, candlelight tracing shapes around his eyes, swallowing the few tears he had left to cry. My mother wasn't there...she was stranded like us, although she had it slightly better. While we were here with a bunch of corpses, she was at least stuck in an office with hot coffee and her computer and stuff. She was probably having a blast. I wasn't. After a few more minutes of boredom, I decided to get up, stretch my legs and look for some sort of entertainment. There was a television in a small lounge near the bathroom, but it was currently being used as a smoking room by some nervous Szerniaks. I wasn't in the mood for watery eyes and a hacking cough, so I avoided the low-tar menthol-flavored fog bank and went and traced my name on the ice that had formed on the inside of the outside glass door, watching the world swirl around outside as I tried to avoid getting slush on my shoes. That's how I met Christen. "Can I sit here?" she asked, sliding down the wall and landing with a thump on the floor across from me, knees drawn up tight because I was taking up most of the hallway.

Dell’s Marketing Strategy

Dell’s marketing strategy In the realm of enterprise IT, Dell is often viewed as having a singular strategy-build and sell products cheaper and more efficiently than competitors, and thereby grow both market share and revenue. While that deceptively simple plan lies at the heart of Dell’s approach for customers, its overall enterprise strategy, like its presence in the enterprise market, it maturing, growing stronger and becoming more complex with each passing year.Dell has crystallized its long-term strategy for business customers in a vision it calls the Scalable Enterprise, which has many similarities with the dynamic computing strategies of its competitors—IBM (On Demand), Hewlett-Packard (Adaptive Enterprise), and so forth. Scalable Enterprise is centered on Dell products, services and alliances—all of which are rooted in industry standards and cloaked in the famous Dell direct model. The company has been promoting and marketing this vision for only a few years, but it has quickly become a focal point for how Dell rationalizes its product and services roadmaps.And it intersects with Dell’s overall view that the industry will continue to leverage clusters of high-performance, industry-standard servers and operating environments, and move away from larger-scale, proprietary systems. More important, the Scalable Enterprise vision also gives Dell a method for speaking with customers about its overall value proposition, and how it can help customers migrate to the long-term dynamic computing vision.Dell’s Services employees, in particular professional services, play a critical role in evangelizing the value of the Scalable Enterprise and in engaging customers in discussions as to how to make the vision real in their IT environments. Dell has never aspired to grow its professional services business to rival those of IBM Global Services (IGS) or the global systems integrators (GSIs). However, the company does recognize th at services are a linchpin for helping customers use Dell products to address both their IT and their business challenges, and convincing them that Dell’s products and solutions are truly enterprise-class.To that end, Dell has refocused its professional services portfolio (and its entire services roster), placing overall customer satisfaction, â€Å"lifecycle† services and the Scalable Enterprise at the core. In this report, I am examining how Dell is trying to leverage professional services to drive its Scalable Enterprise vision. We begin with an overview of how customers view Dell’s Scalable Enterprise vision, based on data from a recently completed Summit Strategies survey.We then briefly review the tenets of the Scalable Enterprise strategy and drill down into Dell’s services portfolio, with a particular focus on professional services and some of Dell’s newer offerings. We conclude with suggestions about steps Dell can take—in particula r with enterprise services partners—to further enhance its professional services strategy and spread its Scalable Enterprise vision throughout the market. We first explored Dell’s services strategy two years ago (see our January 2003 report, Can Dell Find Success in Enterprise Services? ).Then, Dell was still refining its services strategy—particularly, how it would move ahead in enterprise services. At that time, many of Dell’s executives were concerned that customers did not view the company as a strategic enterprise vendor, or thought that Dell lacked enterprise-level expertise for designing and deploying IT environments. What a difference two years can make. We recently asked IT buyers—enterprise and SMB—to identify their most strategic IT vendors, both for overall IT strategy and in a variety of different IT areas, including infrastructure software and implementation and support.As shown in Figure 1, when we asked all respondents how im portant various vendors would be to their organizations’ overall IT strategy during the next three years, Dell ranked fourth (19%) among those vendors identified as most strategic—behind Microsoft (36%), IBM (21%) and Cisco (21%). Dell ranked ahead of Hewlett-Packard (HP), Oracle, Sun Microsystems, SAP, and some global integrators and outsourcers. Another 28% named Dell as one of their top two or three most strategic vendors.In another survey data point, among large enterprise customers (with 1,000 or more employees), Dell ranked as the fifth most strategic vendor (20%), with Oracle moving ahead of Dell. The news was even better for Dell when respondents were asked about strategic vendors for their server and storage strategies during the next three years. Dell came out on top among enterprise customers—ahead of HP, IBM, EMC and Sun (see Figure 2). Dell also outpaced IBM among small and medium businesses (SMBs), a market that both companies view as a strategic p riority.While these two data points do not directly relate to the robustness of Dell’s services capabilities, they do demonstrate that Dell’s profile as a provider of enterprise-caliber solutions has gone up considerably in the past few years. In addition, when we asked our survey audience to select their most strategic vendor for IT support and implementation services in the next three years, Dell placed fourth among total respondents—again behind Microsoft, Cisco and IBM—and fifth among enterprise respondents.It’s also clear that Dell’s contention that lower-cost, standards based systems can handle IT functions previously reserved for higher-end, proprietary systems is resonating with customers. Also, Dell may benefit from its high-profile consumer business, with familiarity in consumer markets breeding a similar familiarity at the corporate customer level—although there is no conclusive evidence about a linkage. The momentum is hel ping propel Dell and its Scalable Enterprise strategy into a leadership position in enterprise IT environments (see Figure 3).Based on an unwavering belief that IT customers want simplicity, optimization and better management, Dell’s Scalable Enterprise vision encompasses Dell’s mission to standardize core elements of IT datacenters to deliver these capabilities. It emphasized de facto standard products, open standards specifications, customer choice, lifecycle services and the advantages of Dell’s direct model. The Scalable Enterprise encompasses some, but not all, of the characteristics of Summit Strategies’ dynamic computing framework.This framework tightly aligns IT and business goals through the use of new infrastructure components and virtualization capabilities, automated and policy-based service management capabilities, and optimized business processes. Dell is positioning itself to focus on many of the infrastructure hardware elements of dynamic computing—and is bringing in partners to solve the major infrastructure software, management and business process challenges of the dynamic computing equation (although some Dell-developed management capabilities are becoming increasingly strategic for the vendor).IBM and, to a lesser degree HP, talk to customers about their ability to deliver dynamic computing solutions from either the bottom-up (aiming to make the IT infrastructure more flexible and adaptable) or the top-down (analyzing business processes and then changing the underlying infrastructure to better support them). Dell, however, approaches customers with a more narrowly-focused value proposition that stresses a phased approach to drive standards and scalability within an enterprise datacenter—which will lead to better IT support and adaptability for usiness processes over time. In fact Dell believes that its Scalable Enterprise vision will not come to full fruition until 2008, when the company plans to d eliver more automated policy-based capabilities, self-monitoring tools and dynamic resource allocation for heterogeneous systems. Of course IBM, HP and others would say they can provide a greater array of dynamic computing solutions now, and that customers have no need to wait several years to take advantage of them.However Dell believes customers will be more comfortable with their longer-term, phased-in approach that emphasizes standards—and that by leveraging its direct model; customers will see Dell’s approach as more affordable as well. When we profi led Dell’s services business two years ago questions lingered over whether Dell could sustain its services business and how strategic services would play into the company’s future (Scalable Enterprise had not yet been introduced).Today, with services as one of the three main pillars for the Scalable Enterprise strategy, there is little doubt about services’ overall importance to Dell. Services cur rently generate about $4 billion in annual revenue and it is one of the fastest growing parts of the company’s business. In fact professional services revenue has doubled over a two-year period, with significant growth in both the U. S. and overseas markets.As referenced previously, Dell’s services reflect the company’s overall philosophy that customers want more standard, less custom and more lifecycle IT solutions. Dell’s approach has been to slowly expand beyond traditional support services (which still generate the majority of Dell’s services revenue) with more repeatable, higher value-add professional and managed services, both directly and through partners. To address this Dell is attempting to highlight its business-centric expertise in existing and new professional services offerings.

British Airways Swot Analysis Essay

Introduction The growing competency in the airline industry is also subjected in the different economic uncertainties. Due to the high risks in the globalization, the confidence of the business leaders is lowered. This can be caused by the different constraints and challenges that create a great impact in the industry. The recession in most of the developed and successful countries is difficult to assess and the recovering period is not in sight. British Airways stays in the top of the competition and continuously providing the basic services that a world-class airway can offer. However, the influence or the impact of the various economic uncertainties creates a great challenge in the organization. From the different perspective on competition of the propellers, the marketing environment of the organization is bound to change which results in an analysis of the organization’s economic factors. The British Airways expects that due to the tope of the economic challenges, the organization should stay competitive in the industry. Therefore, different theoretical aspects are created in the study to support the aim of the organization in fulfilling their dreams for success. SWOT Analysis British Airways is one of the largest service industries that well managed the operation with an interesting collaboration with the technological innovations. The aim of the organization is to increase the number of customers through delivering the quality of service and satisfaction. Albeit bothered with the challenges in the nature of their business, the airway is still committed to serve in a very ideal way for safety travel. Strengths The most basic strength of the British Airways (BA) that served the entire organization for years is to deliver an adequate solution for travelers in a most safety and satisfying way (Chan, 2000). Aside from the use of various marketing strategies on the world-wide web, the airline marketing and service are performed by most of the females. Prior to the equal labor for both genders, it is considered as the strength of the organization for most of the females are trained to speak in various dialects. It is an advantage for the airways to accommodate various races and at the same time, commit itself to deliver the equal rights in terms of labor (Whitelegg, 2002). Weaknesses The world-wide marketing answer of the BA is entirely prioritizing most of the demands of the clients. But in their strategy in a low cost-ticket can be risky in a long run of the business. Offering the low prices for tickets may not appear harmful in the business but definitely, if the business has greater expenditure over the revenues, there will experience drastic losses (Binggeli and Pompeo, 2002). The creation of the low-cost carriers can weaken the services of some areas because the allotted budget will not satisfy the proposed use of service (Berry, Carnall, and Spiller, 2006). Opportunity The organization’s idea about â€Å"managing the people first† is a tremendous opportunity for their employees. The leaders can create a department wherein most of the people can concentrate on the various marketing strategies such as promotions to enhance the competitiveness of the organization in the industry (Gowler, Ledge, and Clegg, 1993). Another opportunity that the organization may find is their advantage in the use of the quality technologies. Through the innovative ways of the management, the organization can rely on their information systems wherein the strategic marketing and related works can be performed. Through the use of the Internet, the customers can experience the efficiency in online booking and can facilitate the continuous growth of the organization. Threats One major contribution of the BA threats is the increased competition among the airline industry. Through the different competitions, there is a vast option for the customers and most of them choose the best price and service that is fit on their budgets. Through the development of the different explorations, there is a view for the merger and acquisitions (Culpan, 2002). The alliance in the airlines is popular in which the strategies are bind together and the sole action of the organization is limited. Conclusion The British Airways should learn the appropriate on the presented analysis to avoid the drastic changes in their business’s performance. The strategy of the organization to deliver the right service on their customers is a great  advantage because they are aiming for the customer’s satisfaction. But the organization should provide additional strategy to avoid the possible losses. With the appropriate collaboration of the marketing strategies, the BA can create more room of opportunities and strengths that can deliver the entire organization into a great success. References: Berry, S., Carnall, M., & Spiller, P., (2006) â€Å"Airline Hubs: Costs, Mark-ups and the Implications of Customer Heterogeneity’ in Lee, D. (ed)†, Advances in Airline Economics, vol. 1, Competition Policy and Antitrust, Elsevier, Cambridge, USA. Binggeli, U., & Pompeo, L., (2002) â€Å"Hype Hopes for Europe’s Low-Cost Airlines: Europe’s Most Successful No-Frills Carrier Are Making a Lot of Money. But as They Mature, They Will Have Problems Expanding†, The McKinsey Quarterly. Chan, D., (2000) â€Å"The Development of the Airline Industry from 1978 to 1998: A Strategic Global Overview†, Journal of Management Development, Vol. 19, No. 6. Culpan, R., (2002) â€Å"Global Business Alliances: Theory and Practice†, Quorum Books, Westport, CT Gowler, D., Ledgge, K., & Clegg, C., (1993) â€Å"Culture and Commitment: British Airways by Heather Hopfl’ Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management†. London: Paul Chapman Publi shing Whitelegg, D., (2002) â€Å"Cabin Pressure: The Dialectics of Emotional Labor in the Airline Industry†, The Journal of Transport History, Vol. 23, No. 1 Read more: http://ivythesis.typepad.com/term_paper_topics/2010/03/an-analysis-of-british-airways-marketing-environment.html#ixzz14VGZrJmz

Costco Wiki

Costco From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Not to be confused with COSCO, a Chinese shipping company. Costco Wholesale Corporation| | Type| Public| Traded as| NASDAQ:  COST| Industry| Retailing| Founded| 1983 (Kirkland, Washington)| Founder(s)| James D. Sinegal Jeffrey H. Brotman| Headquarters| Issaquah, Washington, U. S. | Area served| Worldwide| Key people| Jeffrey H. Brotman (Chairman) W. Craig Jelinek (President, CEO & COO)| Products| Discount stores, Merchandise, Cash & Carry/Warehouse club| Revenue| US$ 88. 15  billion (2011)[1]| Operating income| US$ 2. 439  billion (2011)[1]| Net income| US$ 1. 462  billion (2011)[1]| Total assets| US$ 26. 761  billion (2011)[1]| Total equity| US$ 12. 002  billion (2011)[1]| Employees| 92,000 (2012)[1]| Website| Costco. com| Costco Wholesale Corporation is the seventh largest retailer in the world. As of July 2012, it was the fifth largest retailer in the United States, and the largest membership ware house club chain in the United States. [2][3] As of October 2007, Costco is the largest retailer of wine in the world. 4] Contents * 1 Location * 2 History * 3 Costco today * 4 Sales model * 5 Membership * 6 Policies * 6. 1 Return policy * 6. 2 Food stamps in the U. S. * 6. 3 Cash Cards * 7 Products * 7. 1 Kirkland Signature * 8 Services * 8. 1 Online shopping * 8. 2 Costco Travel * 8. 3 Costco Connection * 8. 4 Food service * 9 Animal Welfare Concerns * 10 Labor relations * 11 International * 12 Locations * 13 Other wholesale formats * 13. 1 Costco Business Center * 13. 2 Costco Home * 14 See also * 15 References * 16 External links| LocationCostco is headquartered in Issaquah, Washington, United States[5] and was founded in 1983 in Kirkland, Washington[citation needed] with its first warehouse in nearby Seattle. [6] Today Costco has locations in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and the United States. [7] History Logo used until the early 1 990s. Founded by James (Jim) Sinegal and Jeffrey H. Brotman,[8] Costco opened its first warehouse in Seattle, Washington, on September 15, 1983. [9] Sinegal had started in wholesale distribution by working for Sol Price at both FedMart and Price Club.Brotman, an attorney from an old Seattle retailing family, had also been involved in retail distribution from an early age. [citation needed] Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton had plans to merge Sam's Club with Price Club. [10] In 1993, however, Costco merged with Price Club (called Club Price in the Canadian province of Quebec). Costco's business model and size were similar to those of Price Club, which was founded by Sol and Robert Price in 1976 in San Diego, California. [6] Thus, the combined company, PriceCostco, was effectively double the size of each of its parents.Just after the merger, PriceCostco had 206 locations generating $16  billion in annual sales. [11] PriceCostco was initially led by executives from both companies, but then Sol and his son Robert Price founded Price Enterprises and left Costco in December 1994. [6] The Costco in Moncton, New Brunswick Entrance in Henderson, Nevada In 1993, when growing competition threatened both Price Club and Costco Wholesale, they entered into a partial merger just after Price’s earnings dropped to 40%. The new company, named PriceCostco, Inc. , focused heavily on international expansion, opening stores in Mexico, South Korea, and England.Despite best efforts to recover losses, sales continued to drop. Disagreement between the two leaders, Robert Price and Jim Sinegal, regarding company direction and recovery policies soon left the merger in tatters. In 1994, the breakup was formally announced. Sinegal continued to manage PriceCostco while Price’s breakaway company was named as Price Enterprises. In 1997, the name of Sinegal’s company was changed from PriceCostco to Costco Wholesale. The first Price Club location was opened in 1976 in an old ai rplane hangar,[6][11] previously owned by Howard Hughes, and is still in operation today (Warehouse No. 01, located on Morena Boulevard in San Diego). In 1997, the company changed its name to Costco Wholesale and all Price Club locations were rebranded Costco. [6][11] CNBC premiered its documentary â€Å"The Costco Craze: Inside the Warehouse Giant† on April 26, 2012. [12] Costco today In the United States, the main competitors operating membership warehouses are Sam's Club and BJ's Wholesale Club. [13] Although Sam's Club has more warehouses[14] than Costco, Costco has higher total sales volume. [15] Costco employs about 142,000  full and part-time employees,[7] including seasonal workers.As of September 2009, Costco had 55 million members. [16] Costco was the first company to grow from zero to $3  billion in sales in less than six years. [11] For the fiscal year ending on August 31, 2011, the company's sales totaled $88. 915  billion,[7] with $1. 462  billion net pr ofit. [17] Costco is 24th on the 2012 Fortune 500. [17] The ACSI (The American Customer Satisfaction Index) named Costco number one in the specialty retail store industry with a score of 83 in Q4 2008. [18] As of September 2010,[19][dated info] Costco's board of directors is chaired by co-founder Jeffrey H.Brotman and includes three officers of the company: CEO/co-founder James D. Sinegal, President/COO W. Craig Jelinek, and CFO Richard A. Galanti. There are also eleven independent directors: Hamilton E. James (the â€Å"Lead Independent Director†), Benjamin S. Carson, Sr. , Susan Decker, Richard D. DiCerchio, Daniel J. Evans, William H. Gates, Sr. , Richard M. Libenson, John W. Meisenbach, Charles T. Munger, Jeff Raikes, and Jill Ruckelshaus. In the United States, Costco is closed on seven holidays: New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.Sales model Typical Costco warehouse interior Costco focuses on selling products at low prices, often at very high volume. These goods are usually bulk-packaged and marketed primarily to large families and businesses. Furthermore, Costco does not carry multiple brands or varieties where the item is essentially the same except when it has a house brand to sell, typically under the Kirkland Signature label. This results in a high volume of sales from a single vendor, allowing further reductions in price, and reducing marketing costs.If Costco management feels the wholesale price of a product is too high, they will refuse to stock the product. For example, on November 16, 2009, Costco announced that it would stop selling Coca-Cola products due to the soft drink maker refusing to lower its wholesale prices. [20] Costco resumed selling Coca-Cola products on December 14, 2009. [21][22] Costco also saves money by not stocking extra bags or packing materials; to carry out their goods, customers must bring their own bags or use the merchandise shipping boxes from the compa ny's outside vendors.Lighting costs are reduced on sunny days, as most Costco locations have several skylights. During the day, electronic light meters measure how much light is coming in the skylights and turn off an appropriate percentage of the interior lights. During a typical sunny day, it is very common for the center section of the warehouse to have no interior lights powered on. [23] Most products are delivered to the warehouse on shipping pallets and these pallets are used to display products for sale on the warehouse floor. This contrasts with retail stores that break down pallets and stock individual products on shelves.Costco limits its price markup on items to 15%. [24] Membership Costco in Tlalpan, Mexico City Costco is only open to members and their guests, except for purchases of liquor and gasoline in some US states because of state law; and prescription drugs because of federal law. [25] Memberships must be purchased in advance for one year. Purchases made at Costc o's website do not require a membership; however, a 5% surcharge is added to purchases made by non-members. Purchases made with Costco Cash Cards also do not require a membership, and there is no surcharge.Canadian and United States Costco locations only accept American Express, PIN-based debit cards (Interac in Canada), Costco credit cards, Costco Cash Cards, cash, checks, and EBT cards (food stamps). While Costco welcomes members to bring up to two guests, only the members may pay for items. American Express is the only accepted credit card (in the United States, Canada, and Japan) because they charge Costco very low interchange fees (a percentage of revenue from total sales made); as Costco's margins are low in comparison to other retailers[citation needed].Costco accepts Flexible Spending Account (FSA) debit cards for qualifying purchases at the pharmacy and optical departments in the US. Costco. com accepts the American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards. The website also accepts Bill Me Later accounts for payment. [26] As of November 2011, membership fees at Costco are $55 per year for a Gold Star (individual) or Business membership (older memberships are grandfathered in at $50 per year), which can be upgraded to Executive membership for an additional $55 per year. [27] Along with the additional benefits the executive membership offers (e. . home loans, car insurance, check printing services) Executive members also receive an annual â€Å"2% Rewards Check† of up to $750. 00 from Costco on all purchases made, excluding select items such as gasoline, tobacco, stamps and in some states, alcohol. [28] In Canada, membership is CDN $55. 00 a year for a Gold Star membership and includes a card for a spouse, or CDN $110. 00 a year for an Executive membership. [29] In the United Kingdom, membership is restricted to certain groups only. Trade membership is available to the owners or managers of businesses for ? 20. 00 (plus VAT).Trade members re ceive a complimentary spouse/partner card, and can purchase additional cards (at a cost of ? 12+VAT each) for employees. Qualified professionals such as solicitors, magistrates, accountants and engineers, as well as employees in certain specific sectors (such as medical services, education, local government, the civil service, airlines and banking) may apply for individual membership, which costs ? 25 including a spouse/partner card. [30] A Costco card issued in another country is valid in the U. K. ,[31] and as such, it would be possible for a U. K. esident to sign up elsewhere and use their card at home without meeting U. K. membership requirements. [citation needed] In Australia, membership is A$55. 00 a year for a business membership, or A$60. 00 a year for a Gold Star membership. [32] In Mexico, membership is MXN $450. 00 a year for a Gold Star membership, or MXN $1000. 00 a year for an Executive membership. [33] Costco is only open to members for all services and purchases. Me xican locations only accept cash and Visa Electron debit cards; purchases with MasterCard or Visa credit cards have a surcharge of approximately 4%.Purchases with the Mexican Costco credit card keep cash prices. Policies Australia's first Costco outlet, at Docklands, Victoria Return policy Costco memberships can be refunded in full at any time before they expire. [34] Costco guarantees almost all of their products with a full refund within a reasonable amount of time. Exceptions include televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, digital audio players, and cellular phones; these may be returned within 90 days of purchase for any reason for a refund.After 90 days those returns must be done through the manufacturer according to the terms of the warranty. Also excepted are tires (which are covered by their manufacturer's separate defects and treadware warranties) and batteries (which are covered by a 36/100-month warranty, where they may be replaced for free in the first 3 6 months and are covered under a pro-rated warranty for months 37-100). Costco has negotiated with manufacturers to extend the manufacturers warranty to two years for new TVs and computers (five years on TV's sold by Costco in the UK).Costco also offers a free â€Å"concierge† service to members who purchase electronics, to help answer questions regarding setup and use and avoid potential returns due to not understanding how to use the products. [34] Food stamps in the U. S. Until 2009, Costco did not accept food stamps. As of March 14, 2009, an article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette quoted Jim Sinegal, co-founder and president of the company, as saying, â€Å"Generally we don't have customers who use food stamps. [35] In response to the poor economy, as well as competitor BJ's Wholesale Club's decision in April to accept electronic food-stamp benefits chainwide,[36] Costco announced in May 2009 that it will accept food stamps on a trial basis in two New York City stores sta rting in June 2009 and depending on its success, might expand it to all New York City stores. [37] The company subsequently announced plans to expand the program beyond New York City, targeting first the â€Å"hard-hit areas likeMichigan, Indiana, and the central valley of California†, expanding to â€Å"half its roughly 410 U. S. stores by Thanksgiving†, and then going nationwide. [38] Cash Cards Costco Cash Cards can be purchased in the warehouse and members can load them with money to make non-cash purchases at all Costco warehouses in the United States and Australia. Because Costco gas stations take only Costco Cash, debit cards, American Express, and Costco credit cards, people who can only pay for gas by check or cash must purchase a Costco Cash Card inside the building before filling up.A Costco Membership is not required to make purchases with a Costco Cash Card. A non-member may not purchase or re-load a Costco Cash Card; however, they may spend more than the total value of their cash card in-store provided they pay in cash or approved debit cards for the remaining balance. [39] Products Over the years, Costco has gradually expanded its range of products and services. Initially it preferred to sell only boxed products that could be dispensed by simply tearing the stretch wrap off a pallet. It now[when? sells many other products that are more difficult to handle, such as fresh produce, meat, dairy, seafood, fresh baked goods, flowers, clothing, books, computer software, vacuums, home appliances, home electronics, solar panels, jewelry, tires, art, fine wine, hot tubs, furniture and caskets. Many warehouses have tire garages, pharmacies, hearing aid centers, optometrists, photo processors, and gas stations. Optometrists working at Costco locations will see patients without Costco memberships. Costco Optical ranks as the fourth-largest optical company in the US. [40] A membership is required to fill a prescription at the optical department. Some locations have liquor stores, often kept separate from the main warehouse in order to comply with liquor license restrictions. In some states (such as Texas), the liquor store must be owned and operated by a separate company with separate employees. [41] In 2006, Costco lost a lawsuit against the state of Washington in which it was seeking to purchase wine directly from the producer, bypassing the state retail monopoly. [42] In Australia, Costco has to comply with regulations set by each state they choose trade in; their first store in the state of Victoria benefits from some of the most liberal lcohol licensing laws in the country, with retailers permitted to sell alcohol on shelves within the store, in a manner similar to most European countries, yet they have chosen to have a separate checkout within the liquor section. [citation needed] Kirkland Signature Kirkland Signature logo Kirkland Signature branded bottled water Kirkland Signature is Costco's store brand, otherwise k nown in the retail industry as an â€Å"own-brand,† â€Å"house brand† or â€Å"private label. † It is found exclusively at Costco's website and Costco warehouses and is trademarked by the company.The name derives from the fact that Costco's corporate headquarters was located in the city of Kirkland, Washington between 1987 and 1996. [43] Costco introduced Kirkland Signature as its house brand in 1995. The idea was to identify categories in which a private label product could provide brand name quality at discounted prices. [44] To counteract the consumer confidence problem common in store branding, Kirkland Signature sometimes relies on co-branding. According to Costco, while consumers may be wary of same-store-branding, they are less likely to be wary of brands that they are familiar with and trust. 45] Services | This section does not cite any references or sources. (October 2009)| Costco acts as an investment broker and travel agent. Costco has an agreement with Ameriprise for auto and home insurance. In 2004 Costco offered an original artwork by artist Pablo Picasso on their online store; more recently[when? ] a highly regarded 1982 Mouton Rothschild wine was offered as well as other rare wines in rotation. [citation needed] Costco Photo Center is a multi-functional photography printing lab offering services at the warehouses as well as through their web site, costcophotocenter. com.The website provides free unlimited digital file storage with a current membership. Previous to May or June 2010, Costco had an agreement with Mypublisher. com for custom book and calendar publishing. Now,[when? ] they print the photobooks and calendars themselves. Online shopping The domain costco. com attracted at least 58 million visitors in 2008 according to a Compete. com survey. [46] Costco Travel Costco Travel is a wholly owned subsidiary of Costco Wholesale, and offers leisure travel to Costco members of the United States. [47] The program was esta blished in 2000 as a service to Costco members.Costco Travel's offices are located in Issaquah, Washington, adjacent to Costco's corporate headquarters. Costco Travel employs 290 travel professionals, all of whom are Costco employees. The program offers vacation packages to Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Orlando, the South Pacific, the Desert Southwest and Las Vegas. [citation needed] Other products include cruises, guided vacations, theme park packages, houseboat rentals, hotel-only lodging and luxury vacation rentals. [citation needed] Select products feature additional benefits for Costco Executive Members. citation needed] The program is marketed directly to Costco members through various Costco avenues, including the Travel Guide to Savings (found in all U. S. Costco warehouses), online in the Travel section of Costco. com. [citation needed] Costco Connection | This section does not cite any references or sources. (September 2012)| The Costco Connection is a magazine se nt free to members of the warehouse club Costco and includes articles which regularly tie into the corporation along with business, health and social articles. Food serviceA food concession stand at the Costco warehouse in Overland Park, Kansas Most Costco locations have a food court, offering a quarter-pound 100% beef hot dog or polish sausage and 20  oz drink (with refill) for $1. 50, the same price since 1985. [48] In Australia the hot dog is made of pork and is sold at A$2. 49 with large soda. In Canada the price for a hot dog and 20 oz pop drink with refill is 1. 50 CAD. [49] In Mexico, the hot dog is made of pork, and includes a drink (with refill) for $25 MXN. In the UK, the hot dog is also made from beef and you also get a drink (with refill) for ? 1. 50.Costco sold more than 82 million quarter-pound hot dogs in its food courts in 2008. [49] Pizza is also available in most locations as cheese, pepperoni, veggie, or combo, and can be ordered to go at many locations. Frozen yogurt is also served in chocolate, vanilla, or swirled together. Also offered are berry smoothies, mocha latte freezes, chicken bake, turkey provalogne sandwiches, twisted churros, chicken Caesar salads, and in some locations, gelato. French fries are also offered in some locations. Due to slow sales, the pretzel was replaced by the churro. [50] The nutrition data for the Costco Food Court items is posted online. 51] In April 2010, certain Costco warehouses in the U. S. and Canada replaced their Coca-Cola drink fountain selections with Pepsi, accompanied with a change in labels on the disposable cups. [citation needed] Animal Welfare Concerns In 2010, Mercy for Animals conducted an undercover investigation at Buckeye Veal Farm, a veal supplier to Costco. [52] Immediately following the investigative release, Costco adopted a policy against purchasing veal from producers that use the crate-and-chain production method. [53] The case prompted Ohio decision-makers to vote in favor of a veal crate phase-out in the state. 54] In 2012, Mercy for Animals conducted an undercover investigation at a pork supplier to Costco, Walmart, Safeway, Kroger, and Kmart. [55] Before the public release of the investigation, Costco announced they would begin requiring their pork suppliers to phase out gestation crates. [56] [57] Labor relations While some former Price Club locations in California and the northeastern United States are staffed by Teamsters,[58] the majority of Costco locations are not unionized although there seems to be a move in 2012 to unionize some locations in Canada. 59] The non-union locations have revisions to their Costco Employee Agreement every three years concurrent with union contract ratifications in locations with collective bargaining agreements. Only remotely similar to a union contract, the Employee Agreement sets forth such things as benefits, compensations, wages, disciplinary procedures, paid holidays, bonuses, and seniority. The employee ‘a greement' is subject to change by Costco at any time and offers no absolute protection to the workers. As of March 2011, non-supervisory hourly wages ranged from $11. 00 to $21. 0 in the United States, $11. 00 to $22. 15 in Canada, and ? 6. 28 to ? 10. 50 in the United Kingdom. In the US, eighty-five percent of Costco's workers have health insurance, compared with less than fifty percent at Walmart and Target. [60] Product-demonstration (e. g. , food samples) employees work for an outside company. In the western U. S. , the company is called Warehouse Demo Services, Kirkland, Washington. [61] Costco also uses Club Demonstration Services, based in San Diego, California. [62] In Canada, demonstrations are done exclusively by Professional Warehouse Demonstrations. 63] Demonstration employees receive a pay and benefit package that is less than that of Costco employees. [64][unreliable source? ] International Warehouses outside the US are similar to those in the US. Layout, signage, and even parking lot markings are generally identical to warehouses in the US. [citation needed] Food court menus are tailored to international tastes, with poutine on offer in Canada, seafood-topped pizza available in Asian and Mexican locations, clam chowder in Japan, Taiwan ; South Korea, jacket potatoes in the UK and meat pies in Australia. 65] The merchandise mix available in warehouses is also tailored to local tastes, with a mix of both American and local products available. Map of Costco warehouses in the US. Locations As of October 26, 2012, Costco has 611 warehouses:[66] * 442 in the United States (including 4 in Puerto Rico) * 82 in Canada * 32 in Mexico * 22 in the United Kingdom. The latest to open is in Coventry. * 13 in Japan. The latest to open is in Kobe * 9 in South Korea. The latest to open is in Gwangmyeong * 8 in Taiwan * 3 in Australia The latest to open is in Sydney In 2005 the world's largest Costco was located in Hillsboro, Oregon, U.S. [67][68] Other wholesale formats Costco has experimented with other formats. Plans for Costco Fresh, a gourmet supermarket, were abandoned in February 2003. The membership-based format was to include a pharmacy, bakery, olive bar, deli, cafe, garden center and photo and optical departments, with products packaged in smaller quantities. [69] Costco Business Center Costco Business Centers carry restaurant, hospitality, janitorial, convenience store, and professional office supplies; items are offered in bulk or in smaller quantities, and selection for a given category of product is much broader. 70] Delivery is available. Unlike traditional Costcos, products such as clothing, sporting goods, jewelry, tires, hearing aids, and optical products are not available. [70] A limited assortment of over-the-counter drugs and toiletries are sold, though there is no pharmacy. Some locations have a gas station and/or food court. All except San Diego have a Print & Copy Center. As of October 2012, there are ten Costco Busi ness Centers, located in California (Commerce, Hawthorne, Hayward, and San Diego), Washington (Lynnwood, Fife), Morrow and Tukwila, Las Vegas, Nevada, and Phoenix, Arizona. [66] Costco HomeThe first Costco Home warehouse debuted in 2002 in Kirkland, Washington. The warehouse's concept was to combine the value, setting and members-only elements of Costco's warehouse clubs with the product array one would find at an upscale home store, such as Fortunoff or Crate & Barrel. The Costco Home warehouses sold furniture, housewares, kitchen products and accessories from higher-end brands such as Lexington, Ralph Lauren and Waterford[71] in a warehouse-club setting. Costco claimed that, similar to its main warehouses, it accepted lower margins in return for greater volume with minimal overhead.Over time, the concept was adjusted to include home electronics, some major appliances, office furniture, and a large selection of outdoor furniture and window treatments. Costco also partners with Glen tel subsidiary WIRELESS etc. to sell mobile phones and plans in Canada and Wireless Advocates in the US. On April 2, 2009, the company announced that it would be abandoning its Costco Home concept, closing the two existing stores in Kirkland, Washington and Tempe, Arizona on July 3, 2009, and abandoning plans for a third store on the West Coast. 72] The company cited cutbacks in consumer spending on home products and its interest in focusing on its core business as the main reasons. See also | Seattle portal| | Companies portal| * BJ's Wholesale Club * Bulk foods * Sams Club * Walmart * Privacy policy * About Wikipedia * Disclaimers * Mobile view * * The world’s fifth largest retailer by sales, Costco Wholesale Corp (Costco) known for its warehouse club model is also interested in coming to India and waiting for the right opportunity. [