Porter’s 5 Forces Essay

Webjet is Australia and New Zealand’s largest online travel agency. Leading the way in online travel tools and technologies, Webjet enables customers to easily search and book the best domestic and international travel flight deals, travel insurance, car hire and hotel accommodation worldwide. Webjet sites are simple to navigate, engaging and informative, giving customers confidence when managing their own travel arrangements. Webjet offers a 24/7 customer support service to cater to our customers’ needs. On 21 August 2013, Webjet announced a profit of $11. 4 million and NBAT of $6. 5 million. During the year the company experienced a growth in total transaction values of $110 million from $768 million to $884 million. About service Webjet. com has created our site around the belief that saving time and money is the key to opening up a world of travel opportunities. Operating as a completely independent flight booking engine, Webjet. com shows the absolute economical fares available, displaying the lowest total travel price. With the use of leading proprietary search technology, Webjet. com sifts through millions of published airfares from over 150 different airlines and 69,000 hotels to choose from. In addition to discounted fares offered through our consolidator network we provide the most affordable travel options available. We are fully committed to providing better access to savings on both international and domestic airfare as well as top deals for hotels, travel packages, cruise, car rentals and more! Unlike most of our competitors, we display the TOTAL price, including taxes and fees, up front to allow customers to compare prices and know what to expect at point of purchase. â€Å"We help U. S. world travelers navigate through the jungle of international airfares to find the best deals,† says Mathias Friess, Webjet. com’s CEO. With that said who wouldn’t want to easily find flights that will save them money? Also, not only does Webjet. com promise convenient and affordable flights but we also promise privacy. Booking online, no matter what site used, requires users to provide personal information. Webjet. com promises to not only protect this information but also to only share it after receiving the travelers’ consent. So why choose Webjet. com? Because our team works to provide affordable fares and put customers’ needs first. Marketing and IT team We’re more than such social media junkies and computer geeks. Our marketing team works to make a connection with our customers and let them know about the exciting updates with our site. We figure out what you want and need so that we can get it to you. From making you smile with our #TravelProblems tumble to providing travel tips with our blog and updating you on deals with our newsletters we enjoy reaching out to each customer. We’re constantly using our creativity to give travelers what they’d want from sweepstakes to our hangout videos that provide tips for traveling abroad. Feel free to connect with us on our Facebook, Twitter and Google+. History Established in 1998, Webjet was founded by former Jetset Travel Chief Executive David Clarke. Management WEB’s senior management has a mix of backgrounds, with a core group of directors and managers having been with the company for several years. In the early 2000’s this group pursued the development of an integrated booking platform to streamline its website activities Since then they have expanded Webjets services into complimentary fields that can be managed via their existing website. Webjet’s ROE over the last several years attests to the success of these decisions and management’s ability to provide good returns on investor capital. Internal ownership is substantial, with over 12% of outstanding shares owned by the directors and senior managers alone. Bonuses are typically 20% or less of total remuneration across the management group. Risks †¢Stiff competition in online accommodation service with the likes of Wotif (WTF) and lastminute. com †¢Competition from existing brand-name competitors like Flight Centre (FLT), who are also developing their online accommodation presence †¢Reliance on indebted Australian and new Zealand consumers for the vast majority of revenue †¢Sensitivity to the AUD, as a lower dollar will discourage Australian’s from holidaying overseas Opportunities †¢One of the few companies in Australia that is currently benefitting from the high AUD, as Aussies head overseas for their holidays to take advantage of increased purchasing power †¢The web-based business model is unencumbered by physical store fronts like its rival Flight Centre, making Webjet suited to the on-line shift for flight and accommodation bookings †¢Good brand name recognition within Australia †¢An easily-scalable business for overseas operations Webjet is a great business with good brand name recognition in Australia and a business model suited for the online future. Their financials look great, with a stable ROE of approximately 20-25% and a robust balance sheet that has no debt. Management have successfully grown the Webjet business by increasing the services it offers and maintaining a low cost structure. Unfortunately Webjet has no durable competitive advantage and is sensitive to movements in the AUD. Further, the online world has low barriers to entry and consumers can be fickle. In addition, Webjet must also compete with established travel groups like Flight Centre and dedicated booking agents like Wotif. As such, Empire Investing considers Webjet a Good Company with no competitive advantage – one we’d like to own, but only at a big discount to compensate.

A Letter to His Parents by Dr. Jose Rizal Essay

PSYCHOANALYTIC CRITICISM Psychoanalytic criticism: * It adopts the methods of reading. It argues the literary texts, like dreams, express the secret unconscious desires and anxieties of the author. * A literary work is a manifestation of the author’s own neuroses. * It usually assumes that all such characters are projections of the author’s psyche. * It validates the importance of literature. * Seeks evidence of unresolved emotions, psychological conflicts, guilt, ambivalences and may result to a disunited literary work. * The author’s own childhood traumas, sexual conflicts and fixation can be traced within the behavior of the characters in his/her literary work. Key terms in Psychoanalytic criticism by Freud: 1. repression. Every human has to undergo a repression of the pleasure principle by the reality principle; for some, even whole societies, repression may become excessive and make us ill. The paradox at the heart of Freud’s work is that we come to be what we are only by massive repression of the elements that have gone into our making. A vital conception in Freud’s thought is that that which is repressed will ‘return’ in some way — among the ways are parapraxis and psychic disorders. 2. sexuality The zoning of pleasure — through oral, anal and phallic stages; a gradual organization of the libidinal drives. The object of drives is flexible, changeable. Freud considered the biologically appropriate ‘phallic’ stage to be the proper, mature phase. The drives can be ‘hung up’, as it were, on objects, which are thus fetishized, wrongly experienced as the goal of the drive. 3. self. The early years of child’s life are not those of a unified subject but are a complex, shifting field of libidinal force in which the subject has no centre of identity and has indeterminate boundaries with the external world. The self which emerges, however, from the Oedipus complex (see below) is while more stable, a split subject, torn between conscious and  unconscious being, as it is forbidden to consummate the union it desires and so must repress those desires and substitute more acceptable objects of desire. 4. the Oedipus complex. The Oedipus complex is/marks the structure of relations by which we are produced and constituted as subjects. The self must be taken in hand to exist in the world — formed as an individual, a gendered subject through the Oedipus complex, and the threat of castration. The child desires (union with) mother, the father intervenes and bars this union; the son sees his difference from mother (her lack of a phallus), adjusts to reality by seeing its capability of being like the father who is also his enemy and whose power threatens to castrate him. This is not an easy or unproblematic process but is deeply disturbing and marks the child as he represses his true desire. This process is less clear for women, who resign selves to being like the mother, and displace their desire for, in their case, the father, onto a desire to have a child. 5. dream interpretation. The aspects of a dream are condensation (focusing various meanings in one referent), displacement (something like the use of tropes, allusions), regressive transformation (replacing ideas and feelings with images), secondary revision (making everything fit into a story ): all concepts which can easily be transferred to the function of literature. 6. unconscious Produced through repression, the unconscious peaks in the world through dreams, through parapraxes (slips, ways in which the unconscious speaks despite the vigilance of our conscious selves). The unconscious is powered by libidinal drives, and is an inevitable force in our lives. 7. disorders 1. neurosis [obsessional, hysterical, or phobic]: the result of internal conflict as the ego defensively blocks the intrusion of desire; these begin during the Oedipal phase, arrested or fixated ; analysis uncovers the hidden causes and acts to re-live, re-interpret the failed development, in order to relieve the patient of her/his conflicts, so dissolving distressing  symptoms. 2. psychosis: the ego comes under the sway of the unconscious — paranoia, schizophrenia; a harder case to treat than neurosis, as the self has been virtually subsumed. 8. transference. As the patient talks to the analyst, he transfers his conflicts onto analyst: this creates a controlled situation, a form of repetition of the conflict, in which conflict the analyst can intervene; what is repaired in analysis is not quite what is wrong in real life, but the patient is able to construct a new narrative for herself, in which she can interpret and make sense of the disturbances from which she suffers. 9. the early theory of the self: According to Silverman(see particularly Ch. 2 and 4) the earlier theory of the self is a more flexible, dynamic concept than the later. In the early theory, or ‘topography’, found in The Interpretation of Dreams, the mind is divided into three areas, the memory, the unconscious, and the preconscious. There are as well two temporary conditions, memory, which leaves sensory mnemonic traces (fully accessible to the unconscious, but fully accessible to the conscious self), and the motor response. The unconscious is, of course, not itself accessible to the conscious self except in disguised form. The cultural norms and repressions are stored in the preconscious, which is somewhat available to the conscious self. It is the preconscious which substitutes attainable gratifications for unattainable ones, and which works to substitute thought for sensory and affective memories. The pleasure principle is in fact the motive to avoid discomfort, not t o seek pleasure; the discomfort is produced by the conflicts that we inevitably feel through repressions, prohibitions and so forth. 10. The later theory: the Id operates at the behest of the pleasure principle; the ego, formed through a series of identifications with objects external to the self, carries out the commands of the reality principle; the superego in an internalized ideal image of the father in his power, his privilege, his repressiveness, and his genuinely-experienced superiority.

UPenns Acceptance Rate: What Does It Take to Get In?

Only 8.4% of students get into UPenn. How can you stand out in the college admissions process? The University of Pennsylvania is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the nation. A member of the Ivy League, UPenn was founded by none other than Benjamin Franklin, who wanted to create a culture that â€Å"well-done is better than well-said.† Located in Philadelphia, UPenn provides numerous opportunities for its students to put into practice what they are learning and become leaders in their fields. Here’s what you need to know to get in. When you apply to UPenn, you will apply to one of the following—the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering and Applied Science (Penn Engineering), the School of Nursing, or the Wharton School. It’s not easier or harder to get into one school over the other; just choose the one that matches your academic and professional interests. There are some important dates and deadlines to keep in mind: Early Decision applicants should submit all the requisite materials by November 1. For Regular Decision, the deadline is January 5. If you’re unsure about whether or not you should apply early, check out our post that explains the difference between early action, early decision, and regular decision . Be sure to submit all of the following components by the date required: For students with significant financial need, they may substitute the QuestBridge Application instead of the Common or Coalition Application. Last year, UPenn received a total of 44,491 applications. Of those, only 3,740 students were admitted, meaning they have an 8.4% acceptance rate. Out of the admitted students, 2,518 enrolled this year. That means that UPenn has a yield of 67%, meaning that most students who are accepted into UPenn choose to attend. 8.4% may sound daunting or nearly impossible to get in, but it is important to remember that your chances of acceptance depend on the strength of your application profile. There are a few things you can do to increase your chances of being admitted, including talking to people who have been through the UPenn admissions process, whether an alumni in your community, or a third-party college admissions consulting team like . Estimating your chance of getting into a college is not easy in today’s competitive environment. Thankfully, with our state-of-the-art software and data, we can analyze your academic and extracurricular profile and estimate your chances. Our profile analysis tool can also help you identify the improvement you need to make to enter your dream school. UPenn looks for students who embody Benjamin Franklin’s ideal of people who want to be in service to society. As one of the â€Å"elites†, UPenn factors every part of your application, from your essays to your test scores into their admissions decision, so you’ll want to showcase how your passion and talents serve or impact your community. In terms of academics, UPenn requires that students consistently take classes in core subject areas (English, Social Studies, Math, Science, and foreign language). You should aim to take at least one course in each of those subjects every year you are in high school, or as close to every year possible, and excel in each. In the class of 2022, 96% of applicants were in the top 10% of their high school. When taking the SAT or ACT, aim for a score in the range of the middle 50% of applicants to increase your chances of being admitted: UPenn is similar to Brown and Columbia in that it heavily values academics, but with more of an explicit focus on intellectual diversity and service to society. UPenn wants to admit scholarly students with a clear passion to impact community backed by quantifiable action and leadership. When you apply to one of UPenn’s four schools, you need to demonstrate how you would fit the type of student that school is looking for in each component of the application. Showcase your intellectual diversity. It’s not enough to just get good grades in your classes. If you want to receive an acceptance letter from UPenn, you need to make sure you are taking (and excelling in) the most rigorous high school curriculum. Additionally, your course load should reflect diversity. So, if STEM courses dominate your transcript, you should make sure you are balancing it out with humanities classes (or vice versa). Tell your story. UPenn approaches applications holistically and with great care. All students are required to tell the university how they will explore their intellectual and academic interests and there are additional essays specific to the program you choose. Use these opportunities to tell UPenn what you’re like as a student, friend, family member, innovator, and future world-changer – all the intangible qualities that make you unique.

Supply of Oil and Alternative Energy Sources in the Next few decades Essay

Supply of Oil and Alternative Energy Sources in the Next few decades - Essay Example This research will begin with the statement that there has been an enormous discussion about the future of oil ever since the theories of global warming and sustainable living have emerged â€Å"Oil's very future is now being seriously questioned, debated, and challenged†. The present research has identified that Saudi Arabia has been reassuring the world about the enormity of oil reserves in the capacity of owner of the biggest oil terminal in the whole world i.e. Ras Tanura while the world has generally remained skeptical about the assertions of Saudi Arabia. The researcher states that this can partly be attributed to the fact that Saudi Arabia has generally kept the information about her oil reserves hidden and has not allowed any external audits of the same. This essay discusses that, in addition to that, Saudi Arabia has not leaked the statistics about her oil reserves and much of the information that is spread across the world today comes from predictions and estimations . The author has rightly presented that Saudi Arabia has always overestimated the supply of oil for the years to come: Naimi's [Saudi Oil Minister’s] role is to assuage a nervous market. He blames the continued run-up in prices on "speculators." And he asserts that Saudi Arabia would be able to meet the world's rising demand for years to come.   This paper illustrates that many experts find themselves between these two poles.

China Banking System. Comparison between State-owned Banks and Essay

China Banking System. Comparison between State-owned Banks and Joint-Stock Commercial Banks - Essay Example It is anticipated that these reforms will have an impact on the efficiency and performance on China’s banks. Moreover, emphasis is placed upon investigating the diversity of efficiency levels between different types of banks (SOBs and JSCBs) Analysis Considering economics, the theoretical construction representing an economic process, basing on a set of variables and logical sets as well as relationships which are quantitative, can be defined as a model. A model in economics is a backdrop which is simplified thus complex processes is illustrative. Mathematical terms are not always put to use in the model. Measurements that are structural are inclusive in economic models. In model classes, parameters that underlies are structural ones. Creation of various properties comes from the changing of various parameters. Fitting, investigation and theorizing are examples of uses of model methodologically. Functionalism of economic models is in the simplification of abstraction of data under observation. The models used in selecting data, basis on sets of assumptions on the study of econometrics. As a result of ambiguity of processes in economics, simplification is necessary. Complexity in economics is due to a variety of economic activities determining factors. Diverse economic factors are in inclusive of; cooperative and individual decision making, limitation of resources, hindrances’ due to geographical and environmental factors, requirement from legal personality and institutional based laws, and random fluctuations. Thus, the making of decisions by economists, on what bases information analysis takes place and their presentation. Selection of the economic model to use is to be done on the bases of the facts economists are tabling and on their compilation. The measurement of inflation which is a concept in economics requires a behavioral model. This is for differentiation of real changes and price changes, thus inflation attributable changes in price. Models in use include; forecasting which logically relate conclusion to assumptions, proposal of policies in economics for the modification of future economic activity, is also a model, presentation of reasonable arguments for political justification of policy nationally, is also a model in use. Planning and allocation in economies that are centrally in the plan used in economic modeling is also under consideration. Predictive models in finance are in uses for a long time in trading. There is bond trading on economic bases for growth prediction in developing countries that issue them. Models in management of risk are in incorporation for economic relationships, among variables under simulation for detection of high-exposure scenarios in the future. Argumentative frameworks in application of logic are under establishment. Independent discussion and testing for mathematical application is in the application . In supporting models, arguments and policies relying on economic models have clear bases relating to soundness (Heffernan, 2009). Currently, models in economics in use do not show pretence basing on the â€Å"everything economic theories.† Pretensions under scrutiny overwhelmingly receive prevention from occurring, by computation activities that

Case scenerio 3 Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Case scenerio 3 - Coursework Example When an organization provides below standard working conditions, employees can join unions that would bargain for better working conditions. The same applies when the payment is discriminating since some employers could be desperately attempting to cut operational costs, which lead to reducing salaries and certain incentives (Todd, 2012). Physician and nursing unions represent the employees in improving their working conditions. This implies that without unions, the employer is free to dictate how much a physician’s or a nurse’s services are worth or the type of working conditions that they should be working in (Wolper, 2013). The employees who join unions have higher salaries and have other benefits that include insurance and job security in that they cannot be dismissed without proper reasons. However, there are some areas of concern with respect to unions for both physicians and for nurses. Here, high salaries may be offered to lazy nurses for the mere fact that they belong to a union. Were it not for some employers offering low salaries while attempting to cut costs, it would have been better to pay the employees according to productivity but not have the rules dictated by

Applied buyer behaviour in global context Essay

Applied buyer behaviour in global context - Essay Example Currently there are six main releases of iOS. These include; iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4G, iPhone 4GS and the latest iPhone 5 (Beavis 2012). The Apple Company launched four TV advertisements. One advertisement focused on the new ear pods while the three showing off the device’s new features. ‘Thumb’ is one of the four ads that explain why despite the phone’s taller display users will still be able to reach the whole touch screen with their thumb. The ‘Cheese’ advertisement shows the iPhone’s camera application capturing a panoramic photo of a group of children in fancy dress. The adverts were narrated by Jeff Daniels the star of â€Å"Dumb and dumber and Newsroom†. ‘Physics’ shows off the design, size and weight of the iPhone 5. The advert shows the larger 4 inch display and the thinner profile of the device. The ‘Ear’ explains why apple chose the new design of the headphones. IPhone 5 TV adve rtisements Cheese Thumb Ear Turkey According to the Apple website (Beavis, 2012; pg. 01), the new iPhone 5 is eighteen percent thinner than iPhone 4S (7.6mm), it is lighter by 20% at 112grams. The bigger screen is 4-inch screen with 16:9 aspect ratios and an 1136 x 640 resolution and a retina display of 336ppi. The new iPhone is sold in two colors, black and white with different storage capacities. In comparison to the previous advert, the iPhone 5 advertisement concentrated on the awesome features of the iPhone. Labeled the ‘Genius ads’ the previous advertisement campaign consisted of three Television advertisements that were broadcasted during the Olympics Opening Ceremony and depicted an Apple worker (Genius) assisting several Mac owners in unlikely situations. The first Advert showed the Apple Genius on a plane helping a Mac owner make an anniversary film for his wife after forgetting the occasion. In second advert, the Apple Genius answers the door in his uniform a t four in the morning to an expectant father who wants to make cards to send the family to announce the birth of the baby, during this time the wife is in labor. The last one depicts the Apple Genius that bought a PC that is a Mac (Trenholm, 2012). The main focus of the Genius advertisement was to show potential customers that Apple has a team of experts available to attend to them should they encounter problems while using the unfamiliar operating system. It ended up offending the public who thought that it lacked creativity. IPhone 5 target market Demographically, iPhone targets consumers aged between 18 and 35. These are mainly the youth population composed of students and young professionals. They must be from a working class and mainly urban dwellers. Features of iPhone that are psychologically appealing to the consumers include stylish appearance, countless applications, multimedia, sensitive touch and user friendly technology. However, the main driving force towards the purch ase of an iPhone is the brand name. Image conscious individuals attach feelings of privilege when using iPhone. Such people are also fashionable, and in order to stay abreast with the current technological trends, they are likely to purchase every new release of iPhone. IPhone also appeals to tech-savvy individuals, attention seekers and extroverts (Piercy & Nicouloud, 2012). Furthermore, study shows that the majority of iPhone users posses similar character traits. For instance, they are lavish spenders who mainly buy branded products and are socially

Is Alexander Wendit right that anarchy is what states make of it If Essay

Is Alexander Wendit right that anarchy is what states make of it If so, what are the implications for IR theory - Essay Example Therefore, in a given essay the key elements of Wendt’s theory are presented in order to comprehend all the levels of his theoretical framework. Afterwards, it is reasonable to analyze his place in the academic field through the evaluation of his assumptions within contemporary theories. Finally, the real implications in the present international system and the relevance of Wendt’s prescriptions on the new world order conclude this paper and prove that his ideas are only the preliminary stage in the development of completely new approach in international relations. To start with, the most popular idea of Alexander Wendt that is at the same time the title of one of his books proclaims that â€Å"anarchy is what states make of it† (Wendt, 1992). In short, this thesis means that states in international relations instead of unifying and providing collective policies create an environment of constant suspect and rivalry. However, this notion contains several important ideas within its context. First, the close look to contemporary international relations proves that the states as artificial creations rely on subjective behaviors of those people who live on their territories. In fact, there is a two-fold explanation of this thought. On the one hand, Wendt demonstrates that previously individuals had decided to organize themselves into the larder anonymous communities; in this context, the real nature of these entities is still individualistic in conditions when its personality is pluralistic (Wendt, 2003, p. 511). On another hand, anarchist n ature in its core does not accept formalized hierarchies and aims on searching for the methods to introduce group conscience (Prichard, 2010, p. 4). Summarizing both these ideas, it is inevitable for states to demonstrate certain â€Å"goal-seeking behavior† (Wendt, 2003, p. 513), resulting from their human

Crosscultural Miscommunication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Crosscultural Miscommunication - Essay Example Negotiating styles of Australians and Canadians are explored to identify their similarities and differences against the GLOBE framework. It is seen that negotiation skills are of primary importance for any leadership position across all kinds of businesses and it determines the success of the business to a large extent. Negotiation is of relevance when there is a need to achieve common goals and the same needs to be communicated to the other parties. Also, when communication and personality differences are identified, need for negotiation can arise. In such situations, the participants are required to have a clear idea of the goals needed to achieve and also be aware and respect the differences in communication and personality styles (Walters, 2007). Wade observes that a culturally common solution is offered at the beginning of any negotiation (1999). Both Australians and Canadians prefer to start an informal conversation before the actual negotiation process. Australians tend to prefer straight forwardness as their Canadian counterparts and do not leave much to be interpreted in a conversation. Both have a culture of saying 'no' directly when they are uncomfortable with the negotiations.

Is Global Warming a Hoax Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Is Global Warming a Hoax - Research Paper Example Global warming, the theory of climate change has aroused intense controversy regarding the extent to which our activities affect global temperature and weather patterns. Although there a lot of people out there who are trying to keep their carbon emission to the minimum, skeptics believe that human induced global warming is insignificant and the evolution from fire to nuclear energy is a path of improved human health and welfare arising from efficient and effective access to energy. Whatever may be the argument, earth temperature is rising year after year. In this regard, my research aims to ultimately address the issue: is global warming a hoax and is it actually an exaggeration? Certain atmospheric gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, and water vapor, trap solar energy and keep the temperature of the earth warmer than it would be without such gases (Henson, 2006, pp. 19-26). This is known as greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is absolutely necessary to keep the Earth at a temperature that sustains life. Without greenhouse effect, the temperature of the earth would be colder than today’s average range, too cold to sustain the earth’s existing plant and animal life. ... 279). Global warming is having an adverse effect on the environment in the Arctic. Rising temperatures endangers populations of animals that live in an ice based ecosystem. Polar bears, walruses and seals are now often underweight or malnourished because higher temperatures limit their ice based food sources and disrupt their feeding and weaning cycle. Although natural climatic changes are partially responsible for the rise in the average temperature over the past century, the current rate of glacial erosion suggests that higher levels of greenhouse gases are contributing significantly to global warming. Glacial melting could lead to damaging flash flood in some locales. Other region that depend on melting snow for hydroelectric power could run low on water after glaciers have disappeared, requiring more communities to use pollution-creating oil or coal for energy, which in turn would produce more green house gases and more global warming. Most scientists who have participated in rec ent climatological studies agree that global warming will affect the world’s ecosystems and weather patterns. In addition, rising temperature and increased precipitation are likely to have harmful effect on human health. It also facilitates the growth of many disease insects like anopheles gambiae mosquito, Culex mosquito and flies (Johannes, p. 611). Global warming due to industrial pollution increases the cancer rate (Koeppel, 2001, p. 16). â€Å"As the planet’s largest consumer of fossil fuel, the United States, whose industry is responsible for some 35 percent of all the greenhouse gases ever created by human activity, was already cast as villain† (Christianson, 1999, p. 255). Due to the alarming levels of greenhouse gases continuing to increase

Some Productive Ways Students Can Spend Their Leisure Time Essay Example for Free

Some Productive Ways Students Can Spend Their Leisure Time Essay Leisure time may not come very frequently for students and should therefore be used wisely. Students should value this time as taking time out from their set routine of studying is of vital importance.Leisure time can be used for reflection, relaxation and setting goals into perspective.A good start would be to create a list of activities they would like to accomplish.They can then schedule these activities.These activities should bebeneficial to the body and mind. Staying healthy and activeis vital for a well balanced life. A good diet with nutritional meals is important for students who want to stay healthy. Being active can lead to one having increased energy and can be relaxing as well! This does not need to include a rigirous exercise routine but can include a walk to the park to get some fresh air.Cleaning out personal belongings by tidyingup and organising is also a form of staying fit and can lead to a great sense of accomplishment when completed. Students can stimulate their minds by meditating or learning new skills. This time can be used to try something they have wanted to do for ages but never had time for. There is perhaps even a book they have wanted to read. This can be relaxing and build up ones vocabulary at the same time! They could find their creative side by starting a hobby which can reduce stress and keep their minds active and creative. They can also use their time to reflect on their studies by looking at what they have learnt and what they may need to place more focus on. Ensuring they are up to date with everything will give them peace of mind. Reviewing of the list of activitiesplanned is important as students will be able to see what they have accomplished during their leisure time. Crossing off activities will motivate students as they will see the goals they have reached and lead to them set new milestones. Time needs to be made to clear theirminds and gain perspective of the path they are following in life. This is crucial for self developmentand fulfillment of personal and developmental goals. Students need to focus onspending their leisure time on activities that ar e beneficial, worthwhile and will lead them to feeling empowered with a sense of accomplishment.

The Principles Of Nursing And Health Care

The Principles Of Nursing And Health Care This assignment into principles of nursing and health will explore dimensions of health; it will give an insight to a person who has a condition called multiple sclerosis. Looked at will be what determinants of health are to this person. Underpinning professional, legal and ethical implications surrounding health should the individual require nursing care is of great importance. Finally the assignment will give a reflection of what information has been gained and health concepts on a personal level. 1 Dimensions of health Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. World Health Organisation (WHO 1946) cited in Naidoo (2009). Health means so many different things to different people, someone viewed as having a disease or disability can also feel like they are healthy, as can a person who is physical fit feel unhealthy. Dimensions of health determine health to each individual. There are six different dimensions of health which are; intellectual, physical, emotional, spiritual, social and environmental. Health is looked at as a whole and when being cared for, a holistic approach could be used taking into account all of the dimensions of health. Dimension in more detail are; intellectual this is when a person has the ability or inability to make decisions and judgements reasonably, understanding decisions and consequences of decisions. Physical health is what you can see the size, shape and body function. Emotional is when a pers on is empathetic towards other peoples feelings and has an understanding of their own, and can deal with all different types of emotions as and when they occur. Spiritual health can be having a belief in a god or religion however it has more of an impact on a persons ethics, peace of mind and principles. Social dimension is having relationships with all different types of people for example work colleagues, family and childhood friends. Environmental can be where a person lives and works it could be a poor area or poor working conditions. Across all the dimensions if one is affected this could have a knock on effect to other dimensions or all of them, they usually all go hand in hand, Brooker (2007). 2 Person overview To put principles of health into a reality and have an understanding an example could be an individuals health. Chosen as an example is David Anderson; David is fifty five year old male who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his early thirtys. Multiple sclerosis is a condition which causes a defect in the central nervous system. The myelin sheath which surrounds the nerve fibres comes under attack from the autoimmune system, Corcos (2008). The disease is unpredictable and can affect different people in different ways. Usual symptoms are numbness in limbs, involuntary movements, lethargy, blurry or double vision the list goes on. Multiple sclerosis was identified by the French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot in 1863 who worked in a hospital called Salptrire in Paris. He identified the condition as aclrose en Plaques, Burgess (2010) which mean hardening, this relates to the scaring which causes the damage to the nervous system. David has worked in the same job for over 30 years, it is an outdoor manual position where he walks for long periods of time in a country setting as well as working in a country setting he also lives four miles from his place of work and has no commuting stress. David has been married for 35 years he has three grown up children and three grandchildren. David enjoys spending time playing golf in the summer months and watching sports live and on the TV he also enjoys photography. Davids health has always been very good despite his condition; he has never been on medication other than over the counter analgesics and has never required any kind of treatment. At times the effects of his condition do show but in a very minor way which he has always coped on the surface extremely well. 3 Determinants Determinants are factors which may affect a persons health; this may be in a good way or a bad way, generally and in the health of the above person. Determinants are factors which influence how healthy a person is. These are socio-economic which are cultural and environmental for example where in the country the person lives, living and working conditions for example are the conditions good is there stress involved, social and community networks is there support in place in the community and socially, individual lifestyle factors for example if the person takes regular exercise and eats a balance diet, and age, sex and hereditary factors. Naidoo and Wills as cited in Brooker (2007). Determinants which affect David are difficult to identify, possibly determinants affect him in a positive way. David has a very good life style, and has had a steady job for a long time environmental factors have possibly enhanced the quality of life for David. He spends a lot of time outdoors and feels t his has a positive effect as for long periods of time he lives symptom free from his condition. Social and community factors again are strong in his family who surround him and the networks of doctors in the local GP office are also strong. Around the world the United Kingdom has one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world, Rog et al (2009) cited in Burgess (2010). It has been said by Ebers et al (2007) cited in Burgess (2010). One in one thousand people in the UK have MS. It has been shown in studies that the further away from the equator the higher the volume of people recorded to have MS. This could be due to the periods of time these areas have sunshine, a vitamin related to sunshine is vitamin D, the body requires sunlight to synthesize vitamin D this vitamin is found in most immune cells and is associated functions including inhibition of the production of cytokines this is known to have a negative effect in MS, Ponsonby et al (2005) cited in Burgess (2010). Sh etland and Orkney in the north of Scotland have the highest rate of cases in the world. Interestingly studies have also shown people who emigrate from country to country before the age of 15 will develop the risk from the country which they have settled in, if the move takes place after the persons 15th birthday it is said the person will retain the risk factor from the country they are originally from. Underpinning professional, legal and ethical principles. Nursing care may be required for David in time and there are a lot of factors to consider when any person is being nursed. Looked at are the underpinning professional, legal and ethical principles involved in nursing a patient. As a professional a nurse has to follow rules which are set by the NMC. The NMC is the Nursing and Midwifery Council they are the governing body for all nurses and midwifes, the NMC have produced a code and within the code there are rules, standards, guidance and advice. NMC The Code (2008). The NMC are a council who if find or have any incidents reported to them will make decisions about fitness to practice, and can discipline or strike a nurse off of the registration if the nurse has failed to follow the code or committed an offence. The main concern of the NMC is to safeguard patients and members of the public and how they are treated by nurses and midwifes. It is said in NMC, The Code (2008) Individuals must be respected and dignity must be maintained. Individuals should not be discriminated against and must also be treated with consideration and kindness. Where required a nurse must seek out help and support from relevant agencies and support networks in the health and social care setting. Respect is an essential part of protecting an individuals confidentiality, information should never be shared other than with relevant people or professionals involved with the care of the person. It is also important that information should be shared if the person is at risk or h arm. An additional part of respecting a person may be concerning their likes and dislikes, communicating is essential when caring for a person or there family to ensure the best possible care is given, this could be ensuring communication can happen without any obstruction for example language or communication requirements possibly providing some kind of aid. Consent is a large part of care giving every time a treatment is given this could be from bathing to giving medication consent must be obtained, if an individual declines consent for treatment this must be respected, as it is a persons right to be involved in any decisions regarding treatment however there is an instance when decision making could be taken away from a person this happens when the mental capacity is compromised. there is a part of legislation which ensures a person who is incapable of making decisions regarding care is safe guarded. As a professional nurse boundaries must be maintained between patients and nurse s it is unacceptable to accept gifts, loans or personal relationships from patients and their families. It is part of the role of a professional to identify risks and people who are taking risks, it is also a duty to report any practices that are putting others at risk. Record keeping is an essential skill which nurses must practice in an accurate way as the records include all of the patients care which has been given or is due to be given, keeping accurate records is imperative as poor records could harm a patients safety and confidentiality. In the case for David he may become ill in time and require nursing care and it may become costly to the government, it is his right to receive care as and when required and be treated with respect and dignity, he may decide he does not want his suffering to be prolonged if his life is nearing an end and any decisions he may take must be upheld. Be open and honest, act with integrity and uphold the reputation of your profession NMC The Code (2008). Following the above statement ensures you comply with the code and also by following the law, being honest and able to identify problems and deal with them in the correct way if anything were to happen in practice. This will ensure care given can be without prejudice and the integrity of the nurse remains intact. NMC (2008) Legal issues which could arise could be in two ways these are civil and criminal. A civil court of law is where an individual person can file a case against another person or organisation when a person has come to harm possibly by neglect. Criminal law is where a person has committed a crime and it is in the publics interest for the person who committed the crime to be prosecuted by a court of law and punished. Personal Concept As I have studied and read more about principles of health it has had a major impact on the importance of knowing what the dimensions of health are, and understanding why a person has maybe become ill or in hospital, and what can be done to help or educate an individual to have a better life style which will lead to improved health. Looking at an individual has also given me an understanding that determinants of health can be positive as well as negative, as having a good life style for someone who has a condition like MS can enhance quality of life. Also if someone has a very poor life style this can lead to conditions like type 2 diabetes, this is generally caused by a very poor diet and by being overweight. Being a nursing is an extremely important role and has very strict guidelines which must be followed. This will ensure accurate information and care is given at all times. By following the NMC code it will ensure that I am respectful of individuals and value people from all walks of life, always leading by example, being accountable for my actions and will always treat people fairly. Conclusion This assignment has looked at dimensions of health, and how different dimensions can have an effect on all of the dimensions, there are six different dimensions which range from emotional to physical, each one is of equal importance and if any one is impaired it can often influence health. An overview of a person who has MS has been given and what determinants affect this persons life, is it good or bad? Professional, legal and ethical principles have been looked at, also and the importances of how these come into play when a person is being nursed. Identifying how the assignment has enhanced a personal view of the nursing profession has also been discussed. It has been identified the importance of being accurate regarding care giving and in record keeping to ensure the best care is given at all times. Brooker C, Waugh A and Watson R. Foundations of Nursing practice fundamentals of holistic care, 2007 Edinburgh Mosby Elsevier. Burgess M, Shedding greater light on the natural history and prevalence of multiple sclerosis British Journal of Neuroscience nursing January 2010 Volume 6 number 1 Corcos J and Shinck E Neurogenic Bladder second edition 2008 Informa Healthcare. Naidoo J and Wills J. Foundations for Health Promotion Third edition 2009 Edinburgh. Nursing and Midwifery Council The Code 2008 World health organization. (WHO) 1948 Preamble to the constitution, Geneva. [online] http://www.who.int/suggestions/faq/en/ [13/11/2010]

Analysis of the Chocolate Industry in India

Analysis of the Chocolate Industry in India Project Objective This project aims at understanding the overall Chocolate Industry in India, the product portfolios of different players in the market, various factors affecting the growth and success of chocolate industry in India, the challenges and opportunities which the market offers and the changing trends in the Indian Chocolate Industry. The project also covers a brief study of Cadburys India with reference to above points. An Overview of Chocolate Industry in India The chocolate industry in India as it stands today is dominated by two companies, both multinationals. The market leader is Cadbury with a lions share of 70 percent. The companys brands (Five Star, Gems, Eclairs, Perk, Dairy Milk) are leaders their segments. Till the early 90s, Cadbury had a market share of over 80 percent, but its party was spoiled when Nestle appeared on the scene. The latter has introduced its international brands in the country (Kit Kat, Lions), and now commands approximately 15 percent market share. The Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) and Central Arecanut and Cocoa Manufactures and Processors Co-operative (CAMPCO) are the other companies operating in this segment. Competition in the segment will get keener as overseas chocolate giants Hersheys and Mars consolidate to grab a bite of the Indian chocolate pie. Per Capita Chocolate Consumption (in lb) of first 15 countries of the world Rank Countries Per Capita Consumption (in lb) Switzerland 22.36 Austria 20.13 Ireland 19.47 Germany 18.04 Norway 17.93 Denmark 17.66 United Kingdom 17.49 Belgium 13.16 Australia 12.99 Sweden 12.90 United States 11.64 France 11.38 Netherlands 10.56 Finland 10.45 Italy 6.13 INDIA, stands nowhere even near to these countries when compared in terms of Per Capita Chocolate Consumption. The Indian chocolate industry is extremely fragmented with a range of products catering to a variety of consumers. We have the bars/slabs, jellies, lollipops, toffees and sugar candies. Given Indias mammoth population, it comes as a surprise that per capita chocolate consumption in the country is dismally low a mere 20 gms per Indian. Compare this to over 7 kgs in most developed nations. However, Indians swallowed 22,000 tonnes of chocolate last year and consumption is growing at 10-12 percent annually. The market size of chocolates was estimated to be around 16,000 tonnes, valued around Rs. 4.16 billion in 1998. Volume growth which was over 20% pa in the 3 years preceding 1998, slowed down thereafter. Both chocolate and sugar confectioneries have abysmally low penetration levels, in fact, even lower than biscuits, which reach 56 per cent of the households. Market growth in the chocolate segment has hovered between 10 to 20%. In the last five years, the category has grown by 14-15% on an average and will expect it to continue growing at a similar rate in the next five years. The market presently has close to 60mn consumers and they are mainly located in the urban areas. Growth will mainly come through an increase in penetration as income levels improve. However, almost all of this consumption is in the cities, and rural India is nearly chocolate-free. But the fact is that three quarters of Indians live in Rural Areas. Average summertime temperatures reach 43 degrees Celsius in India. Chocolate melts at body temperature of 36 degrees. Per capita consumption of chocolates in India is minuscule at 20gms in India as compared to around 5-8 kgs and 8-10 kgs respectively in most European countries. Awareness about chocolates is very high in urban areas at over 95%. Growth of other lifestyle foods such as malted beverages and milk food have actually declined by 3.7 per cent and 11.7 per cent, however the CHOCOLATES continue to grow at the rate of 12.6%. Low priced unit packs, increased distribution reach and new product launches can be said to have fuelled this growth. The launch of lower-priced, smaller bars of chocolate in the last two years and positioning of chocolate as a substitute to traditional sweets during festivals, have boosted consumption. This is also because chocolate, which was considered to be an elitist food, has caught the fancy of buyers looking for a lifestyle item at affordable cost. Till recently, chocolate consumption had been restricted by low purchasing power in the market. Chocolates and other cocoa-based snack foods were looked upon as food suitable only for the well-off. After economic liberalization in 1991, major changes have occurred in food habits, partly on account of rise in gross domestic product (GDP) growth and higher purchasing power in the hands of the middle-class representing a third of the total population. Availability of chocolate products has also exploded. A study had projected that sales of the Indian chocolate industry would rise from $125/$130 million in 1998 to $175/$180 million by the year 2000 and to $450 million by the year 2005 which ACTUALLY happened irrespective of various negative factors. Per capita chocolate consumption continues to be low at about 200g per person, being mainly consumed in urban areas. In the middle and higher income groups, 70 per cent of children, 43 per cent of young adults and 16 per cent of adults consume chocolate. AC Nielsen ORG Marg report estimates the Indian Chocolate Industry worth at Rs 2,000-crore (Rs 20 billion) Types of Chocolates Depending on what is added to (or removed from) the chocolate liquor, different flavors and varieties of chocolate are produced. Each has a different chemical make-up, the differences are not solely in the taste. 1. Unsweetened or Baking chocolate is simply cooled, hardened chocolate liquor. It is used primarily as an ingredient in recipes, or as a garnish. 2. Semi-sweet chocolate is also used primarily in recipes. It has extra cocoa butter and sugar added. Sweet cooking chocolate is basically the same, with more sugar for taste. 3. Milk chocolate is chocolate liquor with extra cocoa butter, sugar, milk and vanilla added. This is the most popular form for chocolate. It is primarily an eating chocolate. Cocoa is chocolate liquor with much of the cocoa butter removed, creating a fine powder. It can pick up moisture and odors from other products, so you should keep cocoa in a cool, dry place, tightly covered. There are several kinds of cocoa Low-fat cocoa has the most fat removed. It typically has less than ten percent cocoa butter remaining. Medium-fat cocoa has anywhere from ten to twenty-two percent cocoa butter in it. Drinking or Breakfast cocoa has over twenty-two percent left in it. This is the cocoa used in chocolate milk powders like Nestles Quik. Dutch process cocoa is cocoa which has been specially processed to neutralize the natural acids in the chocolate. It is slightly darker and has a much different taste than regular cocoa. Decorators chocolate or confectioners chocolate isnt really chocolate at all, but a sort of chocolate flavored candy used for things such as covering strawberries. It was created to melt easily and harden quickly, but it isnt chocolate. Categories of Chocolates Commercial Chocolates are available in the following forms: Bars or Moulded Chocolates Counts Panned Chocolates (Gems) Éclairs Assorted Chocolates Bars or moulded chocolates (like Dairy Milk, Truffle, Amul Milk Chocolate, Nestle Premium, and Nestle Milky Bar) comprise the largest segment, accounting for 37% of the total chocolate market in volume terms. Wafer chocolates such as Kit-Kat and Perk also belong to this segment. Panned chocolates accounts for 10% of the total chocolate market. Wafer chocolates such as Kit-Kat and Perk also belong to this segment. .. Form of Consumption Pure Chocolates Toffees Cakes Pastries Malted Beverages Wafer Biscuits Baked Biscuits Chocolate Desserts Chocolate Manufacturing Process Workers cut the fruit of the cacao tree, or pods open and scoop out the beans. These beans are allowed to ferment and then dry. Then they are cleaned, roasted and hulled. Once the shells have been removed they are called nibs. Nibs are blended much like coffee beans, to produce different colors and flavors. Then they are ground up and the cocoa butter is released. The heat from the grinding process causes this mixture of cocoa butter and finely ground nibs to melt and form a freeflowing substance known as chocolate liquor. From there, different varieties of chocolate are produced. What is conching? Raw unprocessed chocolate is gritty, grainy and really not suitable for eating. Swiss chocolate manufacturer Rudolph Lindt discovered a process of rolling and kneading chocolate that gives it the smoother and richer quality that eating chocolate is known for today. The name conching comes from the shell-like shape of the rollers used. The longer chocolate is conched, the more luxurious it will feel on your tongue. Market Size (by value by volume) The Indian chocolate market is valued at Rs. 650 crores (i.e. Rs. 6.50 billion) a year. The Indian chocolate bazaar is estimated to be in the region of 22,000-24,000 tonnes per annum, and is valued in excess of US$ 80 million. Chocolate penetration in the country is a little over 4 percent, with Indias metros proving to be the big draw clocking penetration in excess of 15 percent. Next, comes the relatively smaller cities/towns where consumption lags at about 8 percent. Chocolates are a luxury in the rural segment, which explains the mere 2 percent penetration in villages. The market presently has close to 60mn consumers and they are mainly located in the urban areas. Major Players their Market Share The major players in the Indian Chocolate Industry are: Cadburys India Limited Nestle India The Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) AMUL Cocoa Manufactures and Processors Co-operative (CAMPCO) Cadburys India Limited A Study CADBURYS INTERNATIONAL Cadbury is a very old trusted name. It all started in Birmingham in England when John Cadbury started his family grocery shop with side business of cocoa and chocolate products in around 1824. His two sons, Richard and George, expanded their family business of cocoa and chocolate. Bournville, a town near Birmingham, was build by them as a part of expansion of their business. Cadbury family is also known for their contribution in social reforms and considered as liberals. This family was in the forefront of adult education movement in England. CADBURYS INDIA LIMITED Cadbury was originally incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Cadbury Schweppes Overseas Ltd (CSOL) in 1948. The companys original name was Cadbury Fry (India) Ltd. In 1978, CSOL diluted its equity stake to 40% to comply with FERA guidelines. In 1982, the name was changed to Hindustan Cocoa Products. CSOLs shareholding was increased to 51% in Jan 83 through a preferential rights issue of Rs700mm. The current name was restored in Dec 89. In 2001, Cadbury Schweppes made an open offer to acquire the 49% public holding in the company. The parent holds over 90% of the equity capital after the first open offer. A second open offer has been made to buyback the balance shareholding, after which the company would operate as a 100% subsidiary of Cadbury Schweppes Plc Ever since the Cadbury is in India in 1947, Cadbury chocolates have ruled the hearts of Indians with their fabulous taste. The company today employs nearly 2000 people across India. Its one of the oldest and strongest players in the Indian confectionary industry with an estimated 68 per cent value share and 62 per cent volume share of the total chocolate market. It has exhibited continuously strong revenue growth of 34 per cent and net profit growth of 24 per cent throughout the 1990s. Cadbury is known for its exceptional capabilities in product innovation, distribution and marketing. With brands like Dairy Milk, Gems, 5 Star, Bournvita, Perk, Celebrations, Bytes, Chocki, Delite and Temptations, there is a Cadbury offering to suit all occasions and moods. Today, the company reaches millions of loyal customers through a distribution network of 5.5 lakhs outlets across the country and this number is increasing everyday. OBJECTIVES AND VALUES Our objective is to Grow shareholder valueover the long term Cadbury in every pocket Our marketing strategy is aimed at achieving this vision by growing the market, by appropriate pricing strategy that will create a mass market and to have offerings in every category to widen the market Our Managing For Value Process incorporates Setting stretched financial objectives. Adopting Value Based Management for major strategic and operational decisions and business systems. Creating an outstanding leadership capability within our management. Sharpening our company culture to reflect accountability, aggressiveness and adaptability. Aligning our management rewards structure with the interests of our shareowners. VISION Life Full Of Cadbury Cadbury is an organisation which impacts and interacts with the consumers. Cadbury is present in most happy occasions in the life of our consumer. Our brands excite our consumer. Cadbury is an expression of a consumers life. Cadbury Full Of Life Cadbury as a company is vibrant. Cadbury ia a fun and energising workplace. Cadbury is robust and alive. Business Cadbury dominates the Indian chocolate market with above 65 70 % market share. Besides, it has a 4% market share in the organized sugar confectionery market and a 15% market share in milk/ malted foods segment. Cadburys Indian operations are not just the largest in Asia but also the cheapest. In India, Cadbury has the largest market share anywhere in the world and has been the fastest growing FMCG Company in the last three years with a compound annual growth rate of 12.5 per cent. Plant locations Cadburys manufacturing operations started in Mumbai in 1946, which was subsequently transferred to Thane. In 1964, Induri Farm at Talegaon, near Pune was set up with a view to promote modern methods as well as improve milk yield. In 1981-82, a new chocolate manufacturing unit was set up at the same location in Talegaon. The company, way back in 1964, pioneered cocoa farming in India to reduce dependence on imported cocoa beans. The parent company provided cocoa seeds and clonal materials free of cost for the first 8 years of operations. Cocoa farming is done in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. In 1977, the company also took steps to promote higher production of milk by setting up a subsidiary Induri Farms Ltd near Pune. In 1989, the company set up a new plant at Malanpur, MP, to derive benefits available to the backward area. In 1995, Cadbury expanded Malanpur plant in a major way. The Malanpur plant has modernized facilities for Gems, Eclairs, Perk etc. Cadbury also operates third party operations at Phalton, Warana and Nashik in Maharashtra. These factories churn out close to 8,000 tonnes of chocolate annually. Cadburys Dairy Milk (CDM): Cadburys Dairy Milk is the flagship brand of Cadburys not only in India but world wide. CDM is the single largest selling unit in India. It has annual sales to the tune of Rs 200 crore. CDM not only accounts for 30 per cent of the total chocolate market in value, but commands nearly 26 per cent in volume terms and close to 30 per cent of Cadburys annual turnover. Moving from a predominantly adult positioning in the days of the legendary dancing girl ad, to the teens and the tweens, when the Cyrus Broacha ads hit the airwaves, CDM has made a long sweet journey. In spite of the new categories being explored by Cadbury, its star brand remains Cadbury Dairy Milk (CDM) which continues to corner almost 30 per cent of the chocolate market. Cadburys Temptation: Cadburys Temptation is premium chocolate brand aimed for high value consumption. Various variants available are Almond, Rum, Cashew Orange. Cadburys temptation is priced at Rs. 40 Cadburys Celebration Cadbury India launched its premium Celebrations range, which contains traditional Indian dry fruits wrapped in Dairy Milk chocolate. This gifting option combines the pleasure of giving away dry fruits which Indians traditionally consider a premium, healthy gift with chocolate. Cadbury now has 90 per cent market share in this profitable segment. PRODUCT REVAMPING INNOVATIONS Cadburys chocolate brands registered double-digit growth in 2002, touching an astounding 19 per cent in the second half of that calendar year. Getting the power brands right was the first priority, so genuine re-launches of the products were made. However, the growth rate was declining after that. The growth went down from 19 per cent in 1999 to 12 per cent in 2000 to single-digits, with seven per cent in 2001. If it staged a smart recovery to nearly 10 per cent in 2002, it was largely on the back of Chocki and the revamped power brands. PRODUCT INNOVATIONS: 5 STAR: Consumer feedback suggested that the old 5 Star was too chewy, and people complained of it sticking to their teeth. It was made softer and melted easily in the mouth introduced as 5 Star Crunchy PERK: Perk was made much lighter and the size of the bar increased to match Nestles Munch. Perk had been under fire from Nestles deadly duo of KitKat and Munch, but after the relaunch, its marketshare is two per cent more than KitKats. And, the five-year-old brand is now almost as big as the decades-old 5 Star in size, both in the region of Rs 50-55 crore. HEROES: Packaging innovation has played a vital role in revamping of various Cadburys brands. Heroes brand is simply a multi-pack with miniatures of all its most popular brands in a single outer case. NEW PRODUCT LAUNCHES Rich Dry Fruit Collection For Gifting Festive Season Cadbury Celebrations Rich Dry Fruit Collection a range of premium chocolate gift boxes. Available in attractive packs, the Collection caters to a premium gifting consumer and is an ideal festive gift. It is a unique combination of the best Cadbury chocolate and premium dry fruits and comes in four different formats each of which is a mix of select premium dry fruits enrobed in rich Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate. Cadburys Creative Launch A new after dinner segment Cadbury Desserts for sweet moments after dinner Khaane Ke baad Kuch Meetha Ho Jaye. Rs. 20/- per packet of 44 gms Cadbury Dairy Milk (CDM) Desserts with rich indulgent crà ¨me center, in exotic traditional flavors of Tiramisu and Kalakand. CDM Desserts offer the perfect rounding off taste, after meal that adds special Meetha moments to the family. The rich tastes of CDM combined with the unique crà ¨me center in exotic flavors provide a special chocolate experience. CDM Desserts add delight to the after-meal moments, especially with the consumers whose current choice of sweets range from home made delicacies to fruits to meethai. PRICING After the roaring success of Nestles Munch and Chocostick, Cadburys empire struck back hard. The Rs 5 price point accounts for more than half of all chocolate sales. Nestle had seized the initiative at this price point, with its launch of Munch, now a roaring success (and the largest selling product at that price point). Today, Cadbury has four products at this price point: CDM, Perk, 5 star and Gems and the five-rupee CDM bar is its single largest-selling SKU. This is a potent price point in India, because the average purchasing power is abysmally low, is what industry analyst have to say. Nestle kicked off one of the biggest success the liquid chocolate category with its brand Chocostick priced at Rs.2 three months ahead of competition. Cadbury did react with Chocki, priced at Rs 2, expanding the concept of sachetisation to new frontiers. Chocki has been the single biggest growth driver for Cadbury as well as the entire chocolate category. The novelty of the format endeared itself to the existing customer. In less than one year, it constituted nearly 10 per cent of the total chocolate market, split equally between Cadbury and Nestle. Volume led growth strategy Cadbury has followed a well-planned strategy of fuelling volume growth by introducing smaller unit packs at lower price points. Simultaneously, the company seems to have astutely juggled with the larger pack sizes and raised prices to a degree higher than what appears at face. The strategy has driven volumes in the last two years and we expect the volume growth to continue in the next two years. PRICE WOES Chocki, selling at a potent price point of Rs 2, was ideal for smaller towns, especially since it did not need refrigeration. But Chocki started to cannibalise other higher-priced chocolates in larger markets. The students of Bombay Scottish (an upmarket school in Mumbai) are not supposed to eat Chocki, they should not have even heard of the product. Distribution Chocolate needs to be distributed directly, unlike other FMCG products like soaps and detergents, which can be sold through a wholesale network. 90% of chocolate products are sold directly to retailers. Distribution, in the case of chocolates, is a major deterrent to new entrants as the product has to be kept cool in summer and also has to be adapted to suit local tropical conditions. Cadburys distribution network used to encompasses 2100 distributors and 450,000 retailers. The company has a total consumer base of over 65 million. Besides use of IT to improve distribution logistics, Cadbury is also attempting to improve distribution quality. To address the issues of product stability, it has installed VISI coolers at several outlets. This helps in maintaining consumption in summer, when sales usually dip due to the fact that the heat affects product quality and thereby offtake. To avoid cannibalization of its higher priced products from lower priced ones, Cadbury is setting up two separate distribution channels one for CORE business other for MASS markets, with different stockists, wholesalers and retailers. One set will be dedicated to Cadburys high-end products and traditional chocolates. The other will cater to the mass market brands namely Chocki, Halls, Eclairs et al all products priced below Rs 3. But today, Cadburys distribution network reaches out to six lakh outlets each for its chocolate confectionery brands (i.e. total reaching12 lakh outlets). Promotion Typically it is said that chocolates are being eaten when everyone is happy. And this is something advertising has always portrayed. But it is found chocolates are eaten under diverse conditions and moods when people are anxious, when they are sad, when happy a whole range of emotions. Condensing these views thoughts, it can be said chocolate is a true soul mate. Someone who is with you through the ups and downs of life, helping you bounce back. And thats what Cadburys Dairy Milk (CDM) positioned itself as a special friend. % Share of various Brands Ad spending of Cadbury Here, the 6 Cadbury brands shown in the graph comprise 85% of the advertising pie, whereas, rest of the 9 brands advertised by Cadbury comprise 15% of the advertising. Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate is the most advertised brand (with 22%). RE-INVENTING CABDURY Kya Swad Hai Zindagi Mein redefined the way Indians looked at Cadbury Chocolates. (The commercial showed a beautiful young lady overcoming all obstacles on the cricket ground, crossing boundary, watchman, securities and embracing her lover who won the game by hitting a six). This theme introduced in around mid 90s bought instant growth to Cadburys Dairy Milk. The Ad campaign ran successful for about four years and immersed deeper inside hearts of Indians. In March 2002, Cadbury launched its next advertisement campaign for its flagship chocolate brand, Cadburys Dairy Milk (CDM). The campaign featured a television (TV) commercial that was significantly different from the companys earlier commercials for the brand. It featured Cyrus Broacha interviewing college students and asking why they liked to eat CDM. This was followed by college students singing their excuses for eating CDM. Just as the commercial seems all set to end with the students and Cyrus singing the famous CDM theme, Khane Walon Ko Khane Ka Bahaana Chaahiye (those who want to eat, will find excuses), a student comes up and questions Cyrus, The advertisement aimed at conveying the idea that no specific occasion is required for consuming CDM. This was a significant departure from CILs strategy of appealing to adults in India, who sought a rational justification for indulging in chocolate consumption. Cadbury roped in Preity Zinta for its PERK brand. Preity Zintas angelic dim ples laid the foundation for what would become the Indian teenagers favorite snack. After this campaign, PERKS sale surged Cadburys advertising has, over the past few years, aptly reflected Indias passion for chocolates. Cadbury And The Worm Controversy The discovery of worms in some samples of Cadburys Chocolate in early October 2003 created one of the biggest controversies in India against a Multi National reputed for being a benchmark of QUALITY. The controversy created an deep adverse impact on the company with their sales not only drastically dipping down, but at the same time allowing the competitors to establish their foothold and taking maximum advantage of Cadburys misfortune. The controversy, and the adverse publicity received in several countries, set back its plan of outsourcing model which would have resulted in significant revenue generation, several months back. The worms controversy came at the worst time.the next few months were the peak season of Diwali, Eid Christmas. Cadbury sells almost 1,000 tonnes of chocolates during Diwali. In that year, the sales during festival season dropped by 30 per cent. The company saw its value share melt from 73 per cent in October 2003 to 69.4 per cent in January 2004. In May, however, it inched up to 71 per cent. CDM sales volumes declined from 68 per cent in October 03 to 64 per cent in January 2004 Clearly, the worm controversy took a toll on Cadburys bottom-line. For the year ended December 2003, its net profit fell 37 per cent to Rs 45.6 crore (Rs 456 million) as compared with a 21 per cent increase in the previous year. However, Cadburys reiterated that all through the 55 years of leadership in India, that it has remained synonymous with chocolates and have remained committed to high quality and consumer satisfaction. CABDBURYS FIGHT-BACK Project Vishwas Steps to ensure quality regain the confidence Following the controversy over infestation in its chocolates, Cadbury India Ltd unveiled Project Vishwas, a plan involving distribution and retail channels to ensure the quality of its products. The companys team of quality control managers, along with around 300 sales staff, checked over 50,000 retail outlets in Maharashtra and replaced all questionable stocks with immediate effect. The Vishwas programme was intended to build awareness among retailers on storage requirements for chocolates, provide assistance in improving storage conditions and strengthen packaging of the companys range of products. Cadbury reduced the number of chocolates in its bulk packets to 22 bars from the present 60 bars. These helped stockists display and sell the products safely and hygienically 190,000 retailers in key states were covered under this awareness programme. The Big B FACTOR The big factor that has pushed up CDM sales is the Amitabh Bachchan campaign. It helped restore consumers faith in the quality of the product. In early January, Cadbury appointed Amitabh Bachchan as its brand ambassador for a period of two years. The company believed that the reputation he has built up over the last three decades complements their own, which was built over a period of 50 years. Yet, the entire credit of recovery could not be attributed to the brand mascot. Incisive action taken by the company also helped. Some of which were: Responded to consumers concern over the issue rapidly. Also, the communication campaign worked effectively in giving out the central message. The packaging was changed to include a sealed plastic wrapper inside the outside foil. Cadburys launched a new purity-sealed packaging for its flagship product, Cadbury Dairy Milk. The packaging is in response to foreign bodies, notably worms, being found in its products. Over the next few weeks Cadbury will work towards introducing either a heatsealed or a flow-pack packaging that offers a high level of resistance to infestation from improper storage. New advertising promotion campaigns were in place which accounted for an Ad spend of nearly Rs 40 crore (Rs 400 million) Cadbury invested nearly Rs 25 crore (Rs 250 million) this year on new machinery for the improved packaging. CADBURYS SINGING SWEETLY AGAIN All is well that ends well. And for Cadburys India, nothing can be sweeter than Regaining Back the Consumer Confidence. Thanks to quick action taken to recover the damage done by the worm controversy like Operaion Vishwas, adopting new packaging massive advertising with Mr. Amitabh Bachchan as their brand ambassador, Cadburys regained its market share. The survey conducted by the company says that consumers have long forgotten the controversy and are back to their merry chocolate-chomping ways. Sales were back to the precontroversy levels. Consumer confidence in the product was back and there was a steady progression in sales .The company posted a high double digit sales growth in that year end. The recovery began in May 2004 when Cadburys value share went up to 71 per cent. Hires AT Kearney to curb costs Cadbury India appointed management consultancy firm AT Kearney to draw up a strategy to control costs in several areas, including sourcing of raw materials and packaging. This was partly an outcome of the worms controversy more than a year ago. Among other things, it changed the wrappers for its Cadbury Dairy Milk brand and introduced better coolers. The consultancy firm will also look at the sourcing of direct and indirect materials like renegotiating with suppliers for longer term contracts and vendor management. Other costs (indirect expenses) like travel costs and hotels were also being studied. In other words, Cadbury is trying to reduce the cost per stock keeping unit (SKUs, or packs). The aim is to improve efficiencies. Earnings sensitivity factors Cocoa bean prices: Domestic as well as international prices of key raw material cocoa have significant impact on margins. Excise duties : Changes in excise levied on malt and chocolate influences end product prices and thereby volume growth as well as margins. Changes in

Kanes Blasted Essay -- Theater Play Analysis

â€Å"I’ve only ever written to escape from hell-and it’s never worked-but at the other end of it when you sit there and watch something and think that’s the most perfect expression of the hell that I felt then maybe it was worth it. (Sarah Kane, Royal Holloway College, London, 3 November 1998).† (Saunders. 2002: 1). Both representative and reflected in this statement made by the British playwright Sarah Kane (1971-1999) (Sierz. 2001: 90-91) is the state of being human. In its literal sense the state of being human could be illustrated as an expression of existence. That of the individual and characteristics and traits experienced through the life of mortal man. (Oxford English Dictionary. 2006: 61 & 366). In addition to this, the associated meaning with the word ‘tested’ suggests ‘a difficult situation that reveals the strength or quality of someone or something.’ (Oxford English Dictionary. 2006: 785). When defined in t hese terms, this then opens up the question to how an expression of human-existence is revealed under pressure in Sarah Kane’s play Blasted (1995). The twentieth century British playwright Sarah Kane’s (1971-1999) first and sensational drama Blasted opened in the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, London, in January 1995. (Saunders. 2002: 2). From the outset Kane’s play stirred much controversy within the media. The title itself had a great impact upon its audience, as blasted through its formed meaning and literal association is a term ‘expressing annoyance.’ (Oxford English Dictionary. 2006: 70). As stated by the British theatre critic Aleks Sierz, Kane’s Blasted is â€Å"a shocking play whose raw language and powerful images of rape, eye-gouging and cannibalism provoked critical outrage†¦Kane exploded theatri... ...tp://www.robertsilverstone.com/wp-content/articles/Art_of_Being_Human_Part1.pdf. [Accessed 21st April 2012] Stephens, S. (2010) Sarah Kane’s debut play Blasted returns. [On-line] Available from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2010/oct/24/sarah-kane-blasted. [Accessed 21st April 2012] The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, (2009) War. [On-line] Available from: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/war. [Accessed 21st April 2012] The Guardian, (2005) ‘Suicide art? She’s better than that.’ [On-line] Available from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2005/oct/12/theatre. [Accessed 21st April 2012] Wixson, C. (2005) â€Å"In Better Places†: Space, Identity, and Alienation in Sarah Kane’s Blasted. [On-line] Available from: http://muse.jhu.edu.ezproxy.falmouth.ac.uk/journals/comparative_drama/summary/v039/39.1.wixson.html. [Accessed 19th April 2012]

City of Alexandria, Virginia Budget Fiscal Year 2011 Essay -- Local Go

The City of Alexandria is recognized as one of the best places to live and do business on the east coast. In 2004, the Alexandria City Council adopted a Strategic Plan for 2004 thru 2015 with the vision of maintaining the city’s vibrant, diverse, historic, and unique neighborhoods. Their mission is to maintain financial stability, provide excellent services that are valued by the customers, and engage the entire community as it plans for the future (City of Alexandria, 2010). In fiscal year 2009, the City of Alexandria received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for its annual budget. To receive this prestigious award, the city must meet program criteria as a policy document, as an operations guide, as a financial plan, and as a communications device (City of Alexandria, 2010). To maintain the city’s vision, the City of Alexandria continues to conform to program requirements through the city’s Strategic Plan. This paper will discuss in detail the c ity’s long term financial sustainability, by analyzing the city’s legislative guidance, budget outline and overview, revenue fund sources, employee reductions and the Capital Improvement Program overview. The budget does a good job of outlining its overall goals and changes from the previous year. The City of Alexandria’s budget is set by the legislative guidelines (City Charter) required for the City Council to follow. The City Council provides general provisions to the City Manger to prepare and submit the annual budget to the City Council. The City Manager’s responsibility is to submit a general budget, a capital budget, and an explanatory budget message in the form and with the contents provided by the Charter, and the responsibility of the City Council is to es... ...proved%20Budget%20in%20Brief.pdf Capital improvement program overview (2010, May 3). City of Alexandria Virginia. Retrieved December 9, 2010, from http://alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/FY2011ApprovedBudget-CIP%20Overview.pdf FY 2011 approved budget (2010, May 3). City of Alexandria Virginia. Retrieved December 7, 2010, from http://alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/FY2011ApprovedBudget-TotalDocument.pdf Legislative references (2010, May 3). City of Alexandria Virginia. Retrieved December 9, 2010, from http://alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/FY2011ApprovedBudget-LegislativeReferences.pdf Mikesell, J. (2011). Fiscal administration: Analysis and applications for the public sector (8th ed.). Boston Revenues overview (2010, May 3). City of Alexandria Virginia. Retrieved December 9, 2010, from http://alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/FY2011Approved-TotalRevenuesSection.pdf

The Powerful Use of Tone in John Colliers The Chaser :: John Collier The Chaser

The Powerful Use of Tone in John Collier's The Chaser  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   "Alan Austen, as nervous as a kitten, went up certain dark and creaky stairs in the neighborhood of Pell Street . . ." From the very outset of John Collier's "The Chaser," the protagonist, Mr. Austen, appears to be very apprehensive. While it may seem that a young man who is venturing into a strange old man's house to buy some sort of love potion is actually quite fearless, it is made clear through Collier's use of tone that Alan is anything but brave. Interestingly, while his situation pertaining to his sweetheart, Diana, never changes, Alan is so taken with the old man's words (which are really nothing more than a sales pitch) that he actually allows himself to let down his guard and be taken advantage of. Collier drastically alters Alan's demeanor over the course of his brief visit; in fact, by the end of the story, Collier's use of tone has changed he who was once "nervous as a kitten" into a man "overwhelmed with joy." He achieves this transition through his physical description s of Austen, as well as Austen's own words, and his fading skepticism surrounding the old man and his goods. The very first line of the book provides the most powerful and captivating image of Austen: "nervous as a kitten," slowly walking up "creaky stairs," "peering about for a long time on the dim landing." Collier is creating a clear sense of apprehension right away. This makes the contrast all the more striking when Mr. Austen relaxes later on. For now, he is very nervous. "He pushed open the door, as he had been told to do," Collier writes. This gives the impression that had Austen not been instructed to open the door, he may have just taken the opportunity to turn around and head home. It is clear that Austen is not really sure if he even wants to enter the tiny apartment, let alone do illegal business with the complete stranger inside. Nevertheless, he continues on, as if driven by necessity. Once inside, his attitude begins to change quite rapidly. Though his initial apprehension is evidenced by his stuttering and his incomplete sentences, this quickly evolves into a keen interest, almost an infatuation, with the old man's goods. While he tries to avoid discussion of the poisons ("I want nothing of the sort," he states with an ironic air of finality,) he is consumed with the powers of the love potion.

Comprehensive Classroom Technology Plan Essay

Section One: Vision Statement As an educator I will encourage the students to do their best in the classroom leading to academic growth. Utilizing new technology to enhance what is taught from the textbook will help the children reach academic plateaus and beyond. Research has shown that technology is being used for communication in the educational environment. This advancement has allowed for new possibilities in regards to collaboration and sharing of information and knowledge that will be expected to expand over time. New forms of technology â€Å"have the power to improve parent-teacher relationship by providing easy, efficient, and effective methods of communicating information regarding students† (Zieger and Tan 30-54). Section Two: Mission Statement I will provide all of my students a safe and nurturing environment to allow them to thrive and grow both academically and personally. Every student will be given the upmost respect which will teach them to reciprocate these behaviors amongst themselves. Through the creation of an environment conducive for learning the students can utilize the many resources available so they may achieve their academic goals. These resources include numerous educational websites, in addition to other technological resources, that will help students surpass academic standards. A class web site is an informative tool that provides access to what is being taught in the classroom and can be presented through pictures and videos. This means of communication helps to reinforce, to the student, lessons they have been recently taught. The class web site is a solid link, when utilized by parents, between home and school. The site often includes the parent  handbook, homework assignments and class activities. This advancement in technology allows the parents an opportunity to stay connected with the school community (Vitalaki, Anastasiadesm and Tsouvelas 125-135, 2014). Class web sites reach out to the local and global communities as well. The school accountability committee encourages and provides opportunities for citizens â€Å"to be involved in the planning and evaluation of the school’s instructional program and quality improvement process† (Vitalaki et al). Planning for unexpected emergencies is something every school must consider and have protocol in place for contacting parents. An important element of the protocol is the emergency contact list. This information is necessary to implement student release procedures and should be updated every school year. This will ensure timely communication between the school and parents/guardians if the student should get sick or injured during school hours. As an educator, I have Found EPALS to be an educational tool to connect my students to the global community. This resource allows teachers and their students to participate in collaborative projects. Through this opportunity the children are connecting with students around the world while taking part in educational activities, discussions, and games. One of the projects through EPAL is sharing cultures- a collaborative project between China and the United States. This project gives American school children the opportunity to learn about China while sharing their experiences with students from another country (Vitalaki et al). The cyber world can be a very scary place, but one that isn’t going away. For this reason, shielding children from negative portions of the internet has been a growing concern over the past few years for both the parents and the educators. Teachers today have the responsibility to inform their students on how the internet can be used as a resource for finding information in a safe manner. â€Å"Misleading and inappropriate information on the web is one of the major problems that children tend to have while navigating the internet† (Marcoux 67-68). Internet safety is an issue I will discuss early in the year with my students. During the discussion I will teach them that some people that are online have bad intentions. These people could be bullies or predators. Cyber bullying is a serious problem that takes on many forms such as sending mean messages or threats to a cell phone and spreading rumors online. â€Å"Cyber bullying can be damaging to adolescents and teens. It can lead to anxiety,  depression, and even suicide.† Young people who have been a victim of cyber bullying are between two to nine times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims (Marcoux 67-68). To help alleviate this problem it is the responsibility of educators to discuss this with their students as part of their internet safety discussion. Through the efforts of educators across the country we can promote internet security and encourage â€Å"safe surfing†. Communication through technology serves many purposes in the educational setting. The many benefits range from improving relationships with parents using various means through an emergency plan when the unexpected happens. These advances, plus many more, enhance the educational experience of students today. Section Three: Integrating Instructional Technology Developments in technology have found their way into many aspects of our daily lives. Integrating instructional technology into the 21st century classroom is no exception and is essential in providing the teacher and student with the resources needed to be successful. The importance of this integration has been recognized to the point that, â€Å"for more than three decades, researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders have promoted computer technology use within and across learning environments to enhance teaching and learning† (Walery). The integration of technology in the classroom increases academic achievement and encourages creativity. Teachers are expanding their use of technology for learning because they believe it enhances their ability to communicate with the children and offers stimulating, interactive access to the numerous resources offered on the internet. Through the integration of technology students are encouraged to collaborate, provide input, and share ideas. The students are requesting permission to install educational apps on their IPads which generates an increased level of excitement for learning for the student in a digital era. Teachers and students alike are always looking for the next great idea or the latest app, software or computer program to enhance the learning process (Walery). To effectively integrate technology into the classroom instructors need to understand how to match appropriate technology to the learning goals and expected student outcomes. As with any topic there are pros and cons and integrating instructional technology into the educational setting is no exception. As an educator I feel the positive side of technology in the  classroom is the excitement that it brings to the student. There are many interactive websites available that brings learning to life and they are able to work independently and at their own pace. Students today are no longer sitting at their desk flipping through the pages of a textbook. Education in the 21st century has become more interactive and engages the student in the learning process. The down side to the integration of technology in the classroom is the vast amount of information available through the internet. It would be very easy for a student to get lost in â€Å"the sea of information† that is available. Doing research, even as an educator, requires determination and patience. To make research easier for my students I would provide a list of recommended online resources and allow them to make the choice on which ones suit their needs the best. Students today have access to technologies at home and school, especially in the form of mobile technology such as smart phones and iPods. Wireless classrooms are evolving to keep pace with mobile technology. A wireless classroom utilizes the use of I pads which is a mobile computer that can access the internet (Walery). . This resource allows students to send e-mails through a secure site to their teacher and to communicate, for educational purposes, to another student. In addition to this many apps are availab le that can be used as management tools by teachers and students. Some of these resources include a calendar and calculator. A wired classroom, in contrast, has multiple desktop computers. While you have the availability of the features in a computer you do not have the freedom to be â€Å"mobile with technology†. The integration of technology in the classroom is essential to support and improve the teaching ability of the instructor and the learning that takes place within the student. Without technology integration in the 21st century classroom our students would be unable to compete in the â€Å"real world† upon completion of their high school education. Section Four: Software to Support Assessment Assessments, formative and summative, allow teachers to collect information to improve student learning. These assessments are an ongoing and continuing process with the major goals being to figure out where students are struggling and put more emphasis on those areas. Assessment in the classroom setting helps the teacher examine the expectations he/she has for the  students. The assessment process also provides administration, teachers, and support staff to evaluate the curriculum. When a thorough assessment program at the classroom level balances formative and summative pupil learning/achievement data, a clear picture arises of where a student is in relationship to learning goals and standards (Garrison & Ehringhaus). There are two types of assessments used to evaluate a student’s progress, formative and summative. Both assessments are central portions of the collection of information and allow educators to get a balanced picture of a student’s strengths and weaknes ses (Ehringhaus). According to Heritage, Kim, and Vendlinski (2007), formative assessment is a â€Å"systematic process to continuously gather evidence about learning and if incorporated into the classroom practice it provides the information needed to adjust teaching and learning while they are happening.† The data is then used to identify a student’s capacity to understand, learn, and adapt lessons to help the student to reach the desired learning goal. In the formative assessment the students are active participants along with their teacher. The student shares their learning goals expressing an understanding on how their learning is progressing in addition to how well the material is being mastered. During the assessment process the student receives feedback which serves two functions: to identify problem areas and to provide positive reinforcement of successful achievement. One of the tools used in the formative assessment, which contributes to the success of the child is the student conference During the conference the pupil sits down with the teacher for a couple of minutes to ensure there is a sufficient level of comprehension with the lesson being taught. Instructor feedback serves to identify the degree to which the instructor was successful and to identify needed changes in instruction that need to be made to assist the student in mastering the material. Other tools used in the formative assessment include the formation of a graphic organizer and having a student turn in sentences identifying the main point of a l esson that has been taught. These tools allow the teacher to check the student’s comprehension of the material that has been presented. A summative assessment, in contrast, is used to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit to determine what a student knows and does not know. This type of assessment is more formal and at the district/classroom level is an accountability measure that is part of  the grading process (Garrison). The student’s comprehension through the summative assessment is measured by an exam, project, or paper. The information that is received from this type of assessment is important it only helps in certain aspects of the learning process and can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of school programs, school improvement goals, alignment of the curriculum or student placement in specific areas. Think of the formative assessment as â€Å"practice† and do not hold the students accountable unlike the summative assessment in which plays a role in the students mark at the end of a grading period. There are several advantages to using technology when an instructor needs to assess student learning. When assessing a student via a computer the process is more rapid and productive. When using a computer the students work is graded as the assessment is taken. Another advantage is the human element is removed from the equation. An instructor could grade a test poorly based on their m ood or because the student has poor handwriting. The downside to giving an assessment using technology is that computers cannot read written answers therefore the test would have to be provided in multiple choice formats. Another downside to assessing students on the computer is that this form of technology is unable to grade projects that are submitted by the children. Technology, like so many things we use in our daily routine, has its perks but does not replace a qualified teacher in the classroom setting. There are many websites and programs available for student assessment. Some of these resources are free while others offer a trial period. Some of these educational sites, which can be used in formative or summative assessments, include Voice-over, PowerPoint games, Blogs, Interactive time lines, and Podcast. To keep children involved in learning teachers have a responsibility to explore every available avenue for formative and summative assessments to ensure the students is reaching their academic goals. The technological resources that can be utilized as a teacher are the online gradebook and e-mail. The online gradebook gives parents 24-hour access and allows the parents and students to track information regarding grades and upcoming assignments. Teachers, through the use of the online gradebook, can create assignments with specific dates for when their work is due. The ability to see when a particular student is not doing well because they do not complete work to be done at home or is having difficulty with  assessments gives the teacher the opportunity to adjust due dates to accommodate the students specific need s. The online gradebook provides an adequate amount of vision into the educational setting for parents and is a tool I look forward to utilizing to enhance the education of my students. E-mail, which improves communication for parents and teachers, is a requirement for students to be successful in their endeavors at school. Epstein (2008) observed that â€Å"more students earn higher grades in English and math, improve their reading and writing skills, complete more course credit, set higher aspirations, have better attendance, come to class more prepared to learn, and have fewer behavior problems†¦Ã¢â‚¬  when parents are active in their children’s lives. â€Å"Parents and teachers indicated that emails worked most effectively to communicate about grades because the messages involved simple, concrete information† (Thompson). E-mail is a resource I am looking forward to utilizing as an instructor as it is an effective means of communication with parents which is important for the academic success of their children. I do not feel that technology should be used exclusively for assessments. Assessment, as we have learned, involves more the just test ing and grading assignments. What goes on in the student’s life outside the classroom can affect how they perform at school. When parents choose to be active in their children’s education, they believe their efforts will have a positive impact on their children’s learning (Anderson and Minke). Rogers and Wright (2008) found that â€Å"the main reasons that parents did not use technology to communicate with schools were that they either did not have the technology at home or they did not have the skills needed to use the technology to communicate.† As educators, we need to find the balance between incorporating technology in our classrooms to keep our students engaged in 21st century learning while realizing the importance that face to face communication has in education. Section Five: Technology In The Classroom The internet offers numerous learning opportunities and is loaded with an abundance of information. The concern for educators is how to encourage children to take part in constructive and imaginative learning while safeguarding them from inappropriate material, the possibility of coming into contact with people they do not know. Internet safety entails balancing  perceived advantages against tolerable risk. There are many benefits to allowing students to engage in surfing the net. As educators we need to incorporate a â€Å"Safe & Ethical Internet Surfing Handbook†. The handbook will contain guidelines and a student use agreement form in which the students helped generate. The handbook will also contain information on how to make informed decisions on how to make ethical decisions while surfing the net. This includes proper citation to avoid copyright infringements. Involving the student in the creation of the handbook will facilitate a deeper understanding of the expectatio ns. Utilizing the internet the children gain valuable skills such as creativity, leadership, team building, confidence, communication, innovation, and initiative (Green and Harmon, 2007). To allow my students the many benefits offered on the internet I will create a Curriculum Resource Page. This tool is an instructor created document that consists of hyperlinks to various websites that have been evaluated and chosen by the teacher. The links provided on the resource page support and enhance the learning that is taking place in the classroom setting. An important aspect in utilizing the curriculum resource page is that it reduces the chance that the children will be able to gain access to a website that may be deemed inappropriate. The curriculum resource page is a valuable tool; however, the most important thing an instructor can do is observe the students while doing their lessons. Through observation the teacher can ensure the online safety of the students by making sure inappropriate material is not being viewed. The key is that ethical behavior is not a one or two day lesson, but theme educators discuss throughout the year (Jacobsen & Smith, 1998, paras, 5-6). There is valuable web site that can be incorporated into the classroom discussion regarding internet safety.SafeKids.ne.gov. has lessons, worksheets, and PowerPoint presentations that help reinforce the lessons of online safety to the children. This resource is valuable as it incorporates role playing. This allows the students to be active participants in the lesson of online safety. Youth today are unlikely to think twice about committing a cybercrime (Newman, para.6) and is a growing concern with school-aged children. The use of â€Å"paper mills†, which are websites that deliver term papers which students can download at no cost and then turn in as their own original work. These sites have been increasing at an astonishing rate. In  March of 1999 approximately 35 of these sites existed and by the end of 2003 the number had jumped to more then 250(Newman, para.9). Steube (1996) stated â€Å"as more and more schools venture onto the internet, incidents of plagiarism and copyright infringement that were once limited to classrooms are reaching an international audience (para.4). Plagiarism is viewed by the young as a low risk behavior and as educators it is our responsibility to teach the students that this behavio r is unacceptable and comes with serious consequences. To ensure my students are respectful while utilizing the internet I will implement a student use agreement form that each child along with their parent/legal guardian will be required to sign as parents need to be involved in their child’s behavior while surfing the net. This agreement will contain a code of conduct, in which the children can contribute their thoughts, which will incorporate issues concerning copyright, privacy, and proper use. As an educator I will instruct my students on the correct, ethical, use of computer know-hows as I introduce other age appropriate skills. Some of the areas I will place strong emphasis on are honesty, being trustworthy, and respecting the privacy of others. In addition to these areas of concern I will stress the importance of honoring copyright laws to avoid plagiarism. To ensure my students are aware of how to avoid plagiarism I would present a Power Point teaching the proper way to cite resources. I would show this resource intermittently throughout the year to make sure the concept is not forgotten. Through my effort my students will become responsible cyber-citizens (Baum, 2005). The incidence of plagiarism has become more become more widespread because it is easy to get the information by visiting websit es on their specific topic. Other less known Codes of Computer Ethics I will address include is the use of all capital letters is considered yelling and therefore impolite, and that humor and sarcasm are viewed as criticism and therefore should be used sparingly or avoided all together. References Aronin, A. and O’Neal M. Twenty ways to assess students using technology. Science Scope 34.9 (2011): n. page. Grand Canyon University Fleming Library. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. Baum, Janna J. Cyber ethics: The New Frontier. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning 49.6 (2005): 54-78.Academic Search Complete. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. Cakir, R. (2012). Technology Integration and Technology Leadership in Schools as Learning Organizations. Turkish Online Journal Of Educational Technology – TOJET, 11(4), 273-282. Garrison, C. and Ehringhaus M. Formative and Summative Assessments in the Classroom. Association for Middle Level Education. N.P., n.d. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. Herro, D., Kiger, D., & Owens, C. (2013). Mobile Technology: Case-Based Suggestions for Classroom Integration and Teacher Educators. Journal Of Digital Learning In Teacher Education, 30(1), 30-40. Hussain, Ashiq1, et al. Assessment Model: How To Assess Students’ Learning? International Journal of Science in Society 2.4 (2011): 85-97. Omni File Full Text Select (H.W. Wilson). Wed. 6 Apr. 2014. Lambert, K. (2012, April). Tools for Formative Assessment. Retrieved April 19, 2014, from http://www.levy.k12.fl.us/instruction/Instructional_Tools/60FormativeAssessment.pdf Marcoux, E Betty. Cybersecurity and School Libraries. Teacher Librarian 38.2 (2010): 67-68. Education Research Complete. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. Pilgrim J . Bledsoe C. and Reily S. New Technologies in the Classroom. Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin 78.4 (2012): 16-22. Education Research Complete. Web. 27 Mar. 2014. Riemenschneider, Cynthia, K. Lori N. K. Leonard, and Tracy S. Manly. â€Å"Students’ Ethical Decision-Making In An Information Technology Context: A Theory Of Planned Behavior Approach.† Journal Of Information Systems Education 22.3 (2011): 203-214.Business Source Complete. Web. 13 Apr. 2014. SafeKids.ne.gov – Internet Safety Information for the Whole Family. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2014, from http://www.safekids.ne.gov/lesson_1.html Sharples, M. et al. â€Å"E-Safety and Web 2.0 For Children Aged 11–16.† Journal of Computer Assisted Learning 25.1 (2009): 70-84.Education Research Complete. Web. 13 Apr. 2014, Darrell, W. Wireless Technology in K-12 Education. Net Lingo The Internet Dictionary: Online Dictionary of Computer and Internet Terms. N.P., Mar.-Apr. 2004. Web. 26 Mar. 2014. Shelly, Gary B. Gunters A. Gunter J. Teachers discovering computers: Integrating technology in a connected world.07. Web. 13. 2014 Stull J. Varnum S. Ducette J. and Schiller J. The Many Faces of Formative Assessment. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education 23.1 (2011): 30-399. GCU Fleming Library. Web. 6 Apr. 2014. Vitalak E , Panagiotes S. Anastasiadesm Tsouvelas G , and Tsouvelas G. Factors Influencing Parental Control For The Safe And Pedagogical Internet Use Among Primary School Students. Problems Of Education In The 21St Century 42.(2012): 125-135. Education Research Complete. Web. 24 Mar. 2014. Zieger, Bardroff L. and Tan J. Improving Parent Involvement in Secondary Schools through Communication Technology. Journal of Literacy & Technology 13.2 (2012): 30-54. Web. 23 Mar. 2014