crab stuffed cod :: essays research papers

Can you reading this now Good. Well here I am again in the kitchen I just cant seem to get out of it. But today I will be telling you about one of my preferred dishes Gumbo, along with this Ill be giving you a little history of the Cajun or Creole culture. Ive had the honor of working with a few rightful(a) Creole chefs along with the honor of meting Emerald Lagassi. So before we get into going to the store to buy the ingredients lets look at the Creole culture a bit. The french introduced a soup called bouillabaisse that served as a major influence in the creation of gumbo, a freshly Orleans signature dish. Combining butter and dredge over heat formed their thickening agent, the roux. This classic French technique was later modified and expanded by various cultures to create numerous colours and tastes. This is what Big John called the m opposite of the Gumbo universe. Its the sun that heats all the other planets around it.The Spanish spiced everything up by adding tomatoes and peppers in sauces and meat dishes. For instance, prawn Creole derives from the combination of a roux with tomatoes. Spanish paella traditionally a seafood and rice dish evolved into the Creole staple jambalaya, simply by adding ham or other seasonal ingredients. The Germans brought the knowledge and skills of sausage making. They arrived with a wide assortment of meat and dairy products as well. The Germans provided access to delicacies previously unavailable in South Louisiana.Italians brought to the New World their famous red gravies, garlic and bread crumbs. These primary ingredients were assimilated into local cooking staples to create stuffed artichokes, eggplant and mirliton (a type of chat up).The foods characteristic of Native Americans included corn-based breads and cereals, squash (particularly mirlitons), bay leaves, and dried beans. They used persimmons in syrups and chokecherries to season smoked meats. Their largest contribution, however, was powdered sassafras l eaves. Now referred to as fil powder, this spice acts as a thickening agent in stews and soups.The people from the West Indies introduced rare vegetables and cooking styles, which also transformed Creole cuisine. They favored a slow cooking technique called braising, which allowed the ingredients to co-mingle into a copiously layered flavor. This method was later imitated for gumboAfrican Americans in New Orleans were farmers and sophisticated cooks that united regional crops such as rice, beans and green foliaceous vegetables with traditional African ingredients like okra, yams, onions and garlic.

A Comparison of Beatrice and Hero in Much Ado About Nothing :: comparison compare contrast essays

Compare/Contrast Essays - Comparison of Beatrice and Hero in Much Ado About Nothing In the lick of Much Ado About Nothing, Beatrice is portrayed as a witty and strong willed woman who talks a great deal, appearing determined non to marry. However, Don Pedro concocts a plot that brings her together with benedict and they marry at the end. She was an orphan, the niece of Leonato. Her most obvious objective is to stay a lonely spinster. She has known Benedick for years and because he wants to be a bachelor their hate for the opposite sex clashes- until they fall in love that is. She never realized that she could love anyone an opposite(prenominal) than her self until she found someone that was the exact copy of her. Once she fell in love she couldnt be helped. The author portrays Beatrice as be very ascendent and strong woman. I believe she protects her cousin and her family from the accusation that has been projected towards Hero as this has insulted not only Hero but also her family. When she is in the synagogue with Benedict and confessing her love for him....she shows her demanding nature by essentially forcing Benedict to choose between the brotherly love of men and the loyalty of a man to his wife. Beatrice knows that she must(prenominal) destroy Benedicts former male bonding. Her order is therefore a command for Benedict to support her against Claudio, and represents the only way for them to have a mature relationship. Although being quite intelligent, Beatrice does manage to appear gullible when she overhears Hero and another woman discussing Benedict and Beatrices relationship. So this can be seen that Beatrice does have a softer side as well. Beatrice is the ever-witty Lady Disdain, outspoken and opinionated niece of Leonato. She and Benedick are involved in a merry sort of war. Always ragging on each other in a sort of easy going way, but never the less hurting each others feelings. Both are cynical about Love. Beatrice is set forth by her uncle to mock all of her wooers out of suite.

A Time Of Change:The 1880’s and 1890’s Kansas Essay -- American Histor

A Time Of ChangeThe 1880s and 1890s Kansas As history cascades through an hourglass, the changing, developmental hands of time are shrouded throughout the Statesn history. This ever-changing hourglass of time is reflected in the process of maturation undertaken by western America in the tardy nineteenth century. Change, as defined by Oxfords Dictionary, is To make or become different through alteration or modification. The notion of change is all-important(a) when attempting to unwind the economic make-up of Kansas in the 1880s and 1890s. Popular culture often reveres the American beef man, which has led him to become the predominate figure in Americas westering experience (Savage, p3). However, by 1880 the cowboy had become a mythical figure rather than a presence in western life. The era of the cowboy roaming the Great Plains had past and farmers now sought to become the culturally dominant figure and force in the American West. Unlike the cowboys, farmers were able to evolv ed, organizing and establishing the Populist Party. The farmers fresh formed political organization provided them with a voice, which mandated western reform. Furthermore, the populist ideas spread quickly and dominated western thought in the 1880s and 1890s. The period of the 1880s and 1890s marked the end of the American cowboy and gave farmers a political stronghold that would forever impact the modernization of the West.Although early nineteenth century Kansas was ample in territory, the land was mostly unpopulated. This cheap abundant land along with the dream of a better life lured farmers from the east to start their lives in Kansas. galore(postnominal) an(prenominal) people were driven to pack their belongings and start their westward bound journey. Floyd Benjamin St... ...ture and the development of small towns led to the inevitable transformation of cattle-towns into large well-populated cities. In June of 1887, a survey conducted by Bradstreet ranking real-estate tra nsactions listed Wichita third with a population increase of 500% (Miner, 174). As the cowboys lost national prominence, farmers became organized groups and gained retrieve to government offices. The Populist Movement brought national attention to the struggling farmer, and secured them an unprecedented quality of life. No longer a diminutive group that the government could ignore, many populist leaders had now attained prominent spots in the House and Senate. The western voice was now abundant, an unyielding force that not only if legitimatised farmers, but also helped facilitate the development and modernization of Kansas and other territories throughout the American West.

Impact of Family, Gender, and Education on Wuthering Heights :: Charlotte Bronte, Informative

Impact of Family, Gender, and Education on Wuthering Heights Education of the 18th and 19th century connects closely to the gender tie-up of this period. Men from wealthy families were the only persons provided the opportunity to be educated at the university level. Just as many men use golf to prove their term and superiority today, these gentlemen pursued cricket and rugby. Another similarity with society today involves the importance of personal connections to further your education possibilities and business opportunities. Social standing was highly important during this time. Manners, money, birth, occupation and leisure time were crucial indicators of social standing, determining not only ones place in society but ones freedom to act, speak, l wee, and earn (Longman p. 1886). Some interesting factors that determined this status, which I personally would love to see more of today, are loyalty, duty and public service. Instead of the elite being elect by birth, ability and lea rning became the criteria for administration of society. Frances Cobbe described the boarding school that she attended as a young girl. The breeding cost was 25 times what Charlotte Bronte earned in 1841 (Longman p.1888). Cobbe describes the importance of women from well to do families at this time to be beautiful, and occupied with knitting and gossiping. Intelligence and accomplishments were not pursuits allowed to women. Charlotte Bronte described one of the few occupations permitted women at this time in her book Jane Eyre. As stated previously the income received for such grueling work was one twenty fifth the tuition of Cobbes tuition for boarding school.

How Is Miss Ruddock’s Terrible Loneliness Conveyed In Alan Bennett’s Es

How Is cut d give birth Ruddocks Terrible Loneliness Conveyed In Alan BennettsA Lady Of Letters?Miss Irene Ruddock is an ordinary middle-aged woman who lives on herown. She was close to her mother who had recently passed away. MissRuddock has no real friends and finds it difficult to fill her era soshe is oft sitting in her chair, looking out of her window andnoting what is going on in other peoples lives. She has no sociallife and she nevertheless leaves the house when she has to.Alan Bennett shows Miss Ruddocks loneliness through her obsession ofwriting garner. She uses these letters as a way of communicating withthe world outside her home. In the drama, before going to prison, wedo not hear Miss Ruddock have a meaningful conversation with anyoneother than her doctor, who she is talking to, not virtually her ownhealth, but about her neighbours child, who she feels is beingneglected. This shows that she is lonely because she has no closefamily or friends around her who she ca n talk to so she think that bywriting letters she is helping the people around her and makingherself feel useful. In the monologue Miss Ruddock writes letters to awide range of people. wholly of the letters have one thing is common,which is that they are all letters of complaint. She goes to thefuneral of somebody she barely knew and complained to the funeraldirectors about grown men sulking in the rhododendrons with tab endsin their mouths. She also, after a trip to London, wrote to the Queento complain about some dog poo in front of Buckingham Palace. Thistells the viewers that she is lonely because she will talk about thesmallest things if it means she will be communicating with somebody.Miss Ruddock also replies to ... ... things with which to occupy her time. I am that busy Ive opted for bookbinding and dressmaking. With these things shehas had no time with which to write letters and she has nothing tocomplain about. The viewer also knows she is lonely as her last wordsin the monologue are I am so happy. For close to people prison is theworst time of their lives but prison gave Miss Ruddock a new licenseof life and now she has so little time for herself and feels so wantedand needed she loves life.I think that when Miss Ruddock is released from prison she will notcontinue to write letters. I think that, for most people the storyhad a sad ending, but Miss Ruddock learned a lot from prison, ithelped her to overcome her terrible loneliness by making her feelshe had a purpose. It also taught her how to communicate with peopleorally, and how to make friends.

How Is Miss Ruddock’s Terrible Loneliness Conveyed In Alan Bennett’s Es

How Is Miss Ruddocks Terrible Loneliness Conveyed In Alan BennettsA Lady Of letter?Miss Irene Ruddock is an ordinary middle-aged woman who lives on herown. She was close to her mother who had recently passed away. MissRuddock has no real friends and finds it difficult to fill her time soshe is often sitting in her chair, looking out of her window andnoting what is going on in other peoples lives. She has no social behavior and she only leaves the house when she has to.Alan Bennett shows Miss Ruddocks loneliness through her obsession ofwriting letters. She uses these letters as a way of communicating withthe world after-school(prenominal) her home. In the drama, before going to prison, wedo not hear Miss Ruddock have a meaningful conversation with anyoneother than her doctor, who she is chideing to, not more or less her ownhealth, but about her neighbours child, who she purports is beingneglected. This shows that she is lonely because she has no closefamily or friends around her w ho she can talk to so she sound off that bywriting letters she is helping the people around her and makingherself feel useful. In the monologue Miss Ruddock economizes letters to awide lay of people. All of the letters have one thing is common,which is that they are all letters of complaint. She goes to thefuneral of somebody she barely knew and complained to the funeraldirectors about grown men sulking in the rhododendrons with check endsin their mouths. She also, after a trip to London, wrote to the Queento complain about some dog poo in front of Buckingham Palace. Thistells the viewers that she is lonely because she will talk about thesmallest things if it means she will be communicating with somebody.Miss Ruddock also replies to ... ... things with which to occupy her time. I am that busy Ive opted for bookbinding and dressmaking. With these things shehas had no time with which to write letters and she has nothing tocomplain about. The viewer also knows she is lonely as her last wordsin the monologue are I am so happy. For virtually people prison is theworst time of their lives but prison gave Miss Ruddock a new licenseof life and now she has so humble time for herself and feels so wantedand needed she loves life.I think that when Miss Ruddock is released from prison she will notcontinue to write letters. I think that, for most people the storyhad a sad ending, but Miss Ruddock learned a lot from prison, ithelped her to overcome her terrible loneliness by making her feelshe had a purpose. It also taught her how to communicate with peopleorally, and how to make friends.

Characteristics of a Good Boss Essay

Thesis statement To be a good boss you must have umpteen qualities such as setting priorities you too have good communication skills, and last treating all employees fair. I. (1st complete government issue sentence, including transition)First you have to set your priorities straightforwardA. Setting priorities first requires organization B. A well-organized boss has schedules, information, and supplies kept in such a manner that can be easily accessed. C. They are focused to constantly rearrange their team ups priorities to meet pressing demands. D. Check in with the team on a regular basicII. (2nd complete topic sentence, including transition)Second, you must have good communication skillsA. Great bosses communicate their vision, goals, plan, and expectations well. B. Good communication means better relationships in the work environment. C. Explain the effect of in appropriate problem a boss may use D. They keep their employees informed so that they are not caught unaware. III . (3rd complete topic sentence, including transition)In addition, you also have to treat you employees fair.A. Boss treats their employees with the same amount of respect. B. They also treat their employees as members of the team C. They show understanding and the appropriate support of other team members to help get the job done. D. They treat fellow members with courtesy and consideration. Concluding restatement of thesis I think the qualities of a good boss is the most central to employees because if you need any assistance they are there to assist you.

Injustice: Black People and Martin Luther King Essay

In a Letter from Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King, Jr. express injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. This means that if we let injustice happen, then this injustice will grow and start to affect not bad(predicate) people. We cannot afford to ignore almostthing bad happening in one place. If injustice occurs and no action is taken against this injustice, then people who hear about what happened cleverness think this injustice is acceptable, and continue being unfair.In Justice & Injustice Eloy Ponce says, if we allow injustices to be perpetrate against other people, those injustices too, could soon be move against us. Ponces idea interested me because it is also a true statement. If we let injustice happen, the injustice will be committed against us. When there was segregation, some white people didnt do anything to help the African Americans.White people let segregation happen whether they agreed or disagreed with the kind of word the black people received because whites were not affected directly. Due to this, these days, some black people accuse white people of being racist. There were some white people that did stand up for the rights of blacks, and a few even died for this belief. They were people that truly understood the meaning of justice, and knew that if nothing was done, the injustice being committed would threaten justice everywhere.Justice and injustice are often in a battle of which is stronger. Acts of injustice spread easily, overcoming the ideals of justice. When a crowd acts, it is very rugged for people to standup against the crowd. It is easier for everyone to say they agree, even though they truly disagree. Only the brave few are willing to accept the consequences of standing up for what they believe in. I think this is what Martin Luther King, Jr. meant when he said injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. It is a persons moral responsibility to stay just ideas.

Accrual And Cash Accounting Essay

These are two methods of keeping track of income and expenses in a business, (accrual and capital accounting). Accrual and cash accounting difference is in when a sale and purchase are credited and debited to the account. The cash method is when cash is trustworthy, and the expense is when it is paid. An example is when I am contracted to paint a room, which leave be completed within a couple of hours, the client pays me. After completing the job my client pays me with cash or check. Therefore, it is considered cash accounting and record as so. capital accounting tracks the cash flow but does not track revenue. With accrual accounting, all proceeding are recorded if cash is received or not. Most companies use accrual accounting on a weekly basis to monitor cash flow to ensure they have bountiful cash on hand for the business to operate.Accrual accounting transactions are, the day they of service. For an example, with my business there are some jobs that I and will be completed, but not paid until later. When its a company, their contracts are paid on a monthly basis. For a company these are considered the companies account payable, that arpaid monthly. As for me these are accrual accounts, but arerecorded. The cash and accrual methods can produce the same, www.inc.com/articles/2000/04/19194 Cash and accrual accounts can have no difference if all transactions are paid in cash when completed no matter what methods are . Accrual accounting shows the income and debts in partial of a business and cash accounting only shows the cash flow. Each method used together will give a more accurate picture of the company business.Referenceswww.inc.com/articles/2000/04/19194.html, Cash vs. Accrual Accounting/Bookkeeping Articleswww.dummies.com, Deciding between Cash-Basis and Accrual Accounting-For Dummies

Media Course work: The Times and The Daily Star’s Coverage of the Ian Huntley Conviction

For my Media coursework I have chosen to study and comp be The generation and The chance(a) steer. I purchased these covers on Thursday December 18th 2003. The baloney is covered on both front paginates and thus continues into the inside. It is or so Ian Huntley world found guilty of murdering Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells. Both newspapers have articles on how the parents felt, what happened in the trial and how the people of Soham feel.The multiplication is a broadsheet newspaper and is aimed at social groups A, B and C1. These social groups include Lawyers, doctors, accountants, teachers, nurses, police officers, clerical workers and people in other skilled jobs. The multiplication has a more extensive coverage and longer articles than the insouciant Star. The perfunctory Star aims at social groups C2, D and E. these are plumbers, mechanics, lorry drivers, postal workers, the unemployed and casual workers. It has a bolder layout and the articles are shorter than the Times.In the everyday Star it calls Ian Huntley Evil child sex fiend, sex beast and killer is caged at last. This shows open disgust most Ian Huntley and they are comparing his actions to that of a monster. The Daily Star storys on gossip, sex and what the celebrities are up to. The paper does not have a fixed political view and this comes across in the paper. The Times on the other hand is centrist and tries to be neutral and does not have a political side. It calls Ian Huntley Huntley instead of victimization vocabulary such(prenominal) as monster.On the front cover of the Daily Star it has a photograph of Maxine Carr kissing a seventeen-year-old boy the same night the girls were murdered. This is a human-interest tommyrot and is vaguely linked to the trial that found Ian Huntley guilty. The picture takes up nearly the whole of the first page and aims at grabbing the readers attention, as it is shocking to cheat on your partner in public. The idea behind this it that 100% of readers read the headline and see the photograph so if the paper can hold the readers attention then the paper might be purchased. In contrast The Times although it has a large colour photograph on the front there is still rather a bit of text surrounding it. The photograph is a picture of Ian Huntley that has been enlarged greatly to allow you to look into his eyes. The Times aims to make the front page instantly recognizable as that particular newspaper.The Times headline No Mercy, No Regret is taken from a speech made by the judge to tell the trial. It is a restrained headline and is more serious than the Daily Stars that is Kiss Of Death. The editor uses the headline Kiss of death as it is far more dramatic and has a more down market approach to the main story that happened that day. Kiss of Death is more dramatic and provokes shock and disgust among the readership. The Times headline is using someone elses opinion on Ian Huntley and is not as emotive as the Daily Stars headl ine.The Times uses only four photographs on the story where as the Daily Star uses nineteen photographs. This is because broadsheet newspapers like The Times are more serious, plainer and have a more restrained layout than tabloid newspapers like the Daily Star, which extend to have a bolder layout. By having more photographs the Daily Star can capture the readers attention and make it visually exciting. The Times has additional coverage of the story so photographs are not so vital as it is all explained in the text. The Daily Star has pictures of the tell and of Huntleys bedroom. This shows the reader how Ian Huntley tried to hide the evidence and what he was doing in police custody. The Times has pictures of floral tributes and just a few of Ian Huntley, Maxine Carr and the family.The Times has a menu on the first page this is called a puff or blurb. It advertises the content in the paper that might interest the reader. The Daily Star has a small puff but contradictory the Time s it does not summarise the content of the articles. The Daily Star uses quotations, for font Jesss Dad I want Huntley in coffin. This is dramatic and would appeal to the readers of the Daily Star who are after human feeling and not the facts of the trial. The Times has article involving New money-laundering regulations and More awards for The Times. So the articles inside are about political and financial matters.The Daily Star uses a fair amount of bold type for example on page cardinal under the drumhead of Huntley killed girls in frustrated frenzy that whole article is in bold type. In the article it uses language that will turn the reader into hating Ian Huntley. Here are some examples of this in the same article, they rejected his twisted advances and Ian Huntley murdered Holly and Jessica out of sexual frustration. The Times describes Ian Huntley as a violent sexual marauder. The Times only uses bold type on headlines, sub-heads and for the journalists names.Both papers use Journalese register. In The Times it uses words like blunders and booming voice of legal expert. The Daily Star use it more frequently like fiend cops and frenzy The Daily Star uses blunders just like The Times. These examples help the audience to rede the article more easily, because it is familiar language. The Times uses Journalese register that has a stronger degree of formality but it still uses words like blunder to exaggerate the story.The Daily Star uses repetition and alliteration quite often. For example FrustratedFrenzy and it has a rectangle with justice written in it along with a photograph of the two girls the day they went missing. The Times uses only a bit of repetition and that is in the main headline No Mercy, No Regret. This is probably because the editor of The Times does not feel that the readership of its paper needs to be told something twice as they have had a better education than the readers of The Daily Star. The Times demands a version age six yea rs older than the Daily Star.The Times uses a more sophisticated range of vocabulary for example persistent cruelty, open loathing, demonstrate some slither of humanity and allegations. This offers more description to the reader and makes the article more intriguing. The Daily Star uses vocabulary like groped, govern out and Monsters Lair this makes a powerful impression on the reader and facts are often exaggerated from the truth to sell papers.The Daily Star uses often more quotations that involve peoples opinions for example Our girls were in the wrong place at the wrong time. I dont think there is anymore to be said about him this is an extract from what the parents of the girls said to the press. The Times uses Experts views on the trial and that is mainly the judge. For example it was not just for those two families you have sought to destroy, your crimes are those for which the community fulfill.The Times gives an unbiased view but cleverly uses quotations that show what the paper thinks on the matter it is addressing. The Daily Star has a split devoted to what the paper itself thinks on the verdict. The Times ends the article about the parents of the murdered school girls, Holly and Jessica, by using a final quotation, Mr. Wells said that his family would now be outlet on holiday. We are going to take a short holiday break and gather our thoughts and focus on our son. Using this quotation here concludes the report by looking to the future and helps link the reader more closely to the story.The Daily Star uses single-sentenced paragraphs, which are highly characteristic for tabloid papers, simplify the logical argument and allow the reader to follow it with ease. For example He used to live with a girl of 15- and fathered her child. The Times on the other hand uses convoluted sentences in comparison. For example, But in searching the Police National Computer, Cambridgeshire police looked only for information about an Ian Nixon. Cambridgeshire also made inquiries with their counterparts in Humberside, but keep that they probably asked only two names. The Times puts probably in inverted commas to show that this is somebody elses term, and the journalist does not necessarily approve.Both newspapers convey as much information as they possibly can in the first paragraph. This is because it is estimated that around 70% of readers may read until the end of the first paragraph. Here is an example from the front page of The Times, Ian Huntley is today revealed as a violent sexual predator who should never have been given the job that brought him into contact with Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells. This first paragraph tells the reader who is involved and what happened. In the Daily Star And is a sentence conjunction and it is frequently used as paragraph connectives. Here is an example, And as he was led t o the cells the full horror of his perverted life was revealed for the first time.I conclude that although there are many dif ferences between The Times and The daily Star, The Times are moving towards including some of the tabloid papers features as it has more human-interest stories in it than ever before. The Times still has a plainer and more restrained layout than the Daily Star that uses colour and photographs to make it visually exciting and hold the readers attention. The editors of both papers try to cram as much information into the first paragraph and headline and few readers carry on reading until the end of the article. The Daily Star uses shorter paragraphs and lengths of articles to hold onto the readers attention and to make it simple large for the reader to understand. The Times gives a neutral approach to what is an emotive story that most people have very strong feeling about.

Tobacco Industry Analytic

The barriers to entry in the baccy industry be initially low and it is easy for lower-ranking local and regional companies to introduce into the foodstuff, but the barriers to enter the market nationally are very high. The economies at scale in manufacturing, distribution costs, and market at the national direct make it very unwieldy for start-up companies to enter into the national market. There are material costs in raising the capital infallible to build manufacturing facilities that groundwork mass-produce tobacco plant plant products at the national level. in any case, the costs of packaging goods such(prenominal) as cigarettes, at a mass level can generate high costs. Brand identity can also pose a barrier to entry for new entrants. Advertising restrictions imposed on electronic media by the U. S. government make it hard for any new entrant to gain make name awareness and also make it difficult for current slip by players in the market to increase their soft t ouch awareness. While many companies once relied on brand incentives in give to increase customer loyalty, they agreed to no longer use these incentives in the Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) in 1998.Also with many already established brands such as Altrias Marlboro Cigarettes brand already experience a huge stake in the market place. They realise generated a chew of brand loyalty and awareness making it difficult for a new union to generate enough brand awareness to enter the market. Suppliers In the tobacco industry farmers supply the tobacco to loters and manufacturers. Many of the tobacco farmers in the U. S. are located in the Southeastern states such as North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Farmers usually sell their tobacco at habitual auctions to the highest bidders.A federal program that started with the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933 once protected tobacco farmers bells. The tobacco growers were guaranteed minimum prices in exchange for modif ication their production through allotments and quotas. U. S. grown tobacco is generally more expensive than non-U. S. grown tobacco because of the U. S. governments price- fight back system. Then in 2004 the government allowed for buyouts of the quotas, thus eliminating the price support system. However, in recent news many tobacco farmers are protesting for the entire buyout of their quotas and equipment.They say that the U. S. tobacco growing industry is on the verge of disappearing and they rap music the high taxes on cigarettes and cheap tobacco imports. Thus illustrating that the farmers have little bargaining power collectable to the government interaction. Buyers Buyers in the tobacco industry are dandyly bear upon by the economy and the level of their disposable income. Whenever a buyers disposable income declines, they are more likely to purchase cheaper brands of tobacco, and if a buyers disposable income increases, then they are more likely to buy more expensive bra nds.Buyer power was displayed in 1993 whenever Phillip Morris USA Inc. thinned their prices on star brands such as Marlboro by 20% to raise their carry on of the market, thus leading many other leading companies to also curb the prices of their popular brands. After many companies lowered their prices, discount cigarette brands saw a drop in their percentage of the market. However, in 2003 premium cigarette brands increase prices, then allowing discount cigarette brands to gain more of a share in the market, but the discount brands share in the market has been declining ever since.Consumers in the United States are now increasingly becoming more concerned with wellness issues. Consumer health awareness has hurt the market for tobacco sellers and has also conduct to the increase for government regulation. Many companies are now going international to focus on the increasing demand for tobacco products abroad. They are focusing on exploitation countries where the population is increasing much faster than in the United States and many of these countries have less government regulation, which can help with advertising and prices.Countries that have less taxation on tobacco sales can lead to higher revenues and sales of tobacco products because the costs involved are less. Industry Competitors/ force of Rivalry Within the tobacco industry there are three main competitors that control 90% of the domestic market. These three main players are Altria Group, Inc. (Domestically cognise as Phillip Morris USA) Reyn senescents American and Carolina Group. Phillip Morris USA, the United States largest tobacco company since 1983, controlled 50. 3% of the market share in the year 2006.Phillip Morris USAs leading brand Marlboro had a 40. 5% share of the market in 2006 thus, displaying the importance of brand identity in the tobacco industry. Phillip Morris USA also offers different brands such as their premium brands Virginia Slims and Parliament, while also targeting t he discount market with its brand Basic. The United States second largest tobacco company is Reynolds American, which offers premium brands such as Kool, Winston, Salem, and Camel and twain different discount brands, Doral and Capri. Reynolds American controlled 29. % of the market in 2006 and is also the second largest moist smokeless tobacco producer in the United States. The third largest company in the United State is Carolina Group with their premium menthol brand cigarette Newport that controlled 9. 7% of the market in 2006. For the cigarette industry unit volumes have declined and the price of cigarettes has increased,thus creating higher net revenue for companies. Many companies are using cost efficient strategies and are merging to help gain profits in the industry. For example, R. J.Reynolds and browned & Williamson tobacco plant merged and now have a higher share of the market. Tobacco function declined a lot from 1994 to 2004 and the decline has started to slow down in the past couple of years, the evolution rate is still not what it once was. pic Figure 1 Market share holders in 2006 Rivalry in the menthol area of the tobacco industry has been a strong focus of the leading companies in recent years. Menthol cigarettes offer a chance for domestic growth opportunities and premium set in the tobacco industry.Carolina Group controls this sector with its leading brand Newport, while Reynolds American offers two brands, Kool and Salem, which have been in the market for a long time. With the authority growth in the menthol sector, the leading tobacco company Marlboro introduced their menthol brand with strong promotions to compete with already existing brands. Other potential areas of domestic growth in the tobacco industry include cigars, which are on the rise again and snuff or smokeless, which is one the rise due to smoking restrictions in public places.By using the Porters Five Forces Framework I was able to discuss the five basic competitiv e forces within the tobacco industry. The level of difficulty for new entrants the lack of bargaining power of suppliers the bargaining power of buyers between different brands the high level of potential substitutes and the competition rivalry, as wellhead as domestic growth areas were all analyzed within the tobacco industry using the Porters Five Forces Framework. Dominant forces such as government regulation and health awareness influence change in the tobacco industry.The potential impact that theses forces could play on the tobacco industry could be harsh if companies dont adjust and change with them. Strengths Altria and R. J. Reynolds both display much strength within the tobacco industry. both companies display high levels of brand identity and brand awareness with many different well-known brands. Altria has dominant control of the market with their diversified Marlboro brands of cigarettes that dominate the market, contributing a 40. 5% share in the market. R. J. Reynold s also has many well-known diversified brands such as Kool, Winston, Salem, and Camel that help to control 29. 8% of the market. Both companies can use their strong brand awareness to build customer value with existing and new products. Both companies are aligned with their mission statements to provide for their customers and maintain levels of responsibility and integrity for their operations. Altria, for typesetters case offers a wide array of information concerning health issues, tobacco laws, cigarette ingredients, and youth smoking prevention on their website. While R. J. Reynolds offers information to the public on legal and regulatory issues, maintaining responsible marketing, and also health issues related to their products that consumers can access on their website. Also, both companies produce mass amounts of tobacco products and in order to be the top two producers in the United State they must both have strong manufacturing infrastructures. Weaknesses Both companies f ace the weakness of selling sedate products to consumers. Tobacco products obviously involve a great deal of health risks and consumers have been made well aware of the risks involved in tobacco use.Both companies face liability issues and litigation for the sale of such a dangerous product, which can cost the companies a lot of money. These companies must place a great deal of concentration on defending themselves in numerous lawsuits that come about frequently due to the health liability issues. Recent cases involving the light cigarettes have been brought against Altria, these cigarettes have lighter amounts of nicotine and tar but still can be just as harmful as regular cigarettes.Also a lot of blame for such high health care costs in the United States is placed on these companies as well. Another weakness that Altria and R. J. Reynolds suffer from is their dependencies to assert solely on the sale of tobacco products in order for them to rest such profitable companies in the market place. Sales from 2000 to 2005 declined at around an total rate of 4% a year and a decline of about 1% in 2006. If sales continue to decline every year, this could lead to substantial effects on profits. With the cigarette consumption declining, companies such as Altria and R. J. Reynolds have began to look towards international markets with growth opportunities. With so much concentration on tobacco sales both companies also have the weakness of being so heavily invested in the success of the tobacco industry. These companies could face a great deal of losses if the tobacco industry keeps declining. Opportunities Both Altria and R. J. Reynolds have the opportunity to expand their companies internationally to target new customers in areas that provide potential for growth in sales.With the help of countries with rising personal incomes, high per capita cigarette consumption, and less government regulation in unknown countries Altria is taking action to expand their horizon s abroad. An article from skirt Street Journal by Vanessa OConnell describes how Altria is using spin off, Phillip Morris International to focus on international markets such as Pakistan, where smoking consumption is up 42% since 2001 Ukraine, where smoking consumption is up 36% and Argentina, where smoking consumption is up 18%.She also explains how China offers 50 million more tobacco buyers than in the United States, thus showing that China offers great potential market opportunities. R. J. Reynolds is also focusing on the global market with grounding of R. J. Reynolds Global Products. R. J. Reynolds is participating in joint ventures in European countries and Japan, collaborating with other companies to produce American-like brand cigarettes in foreign markets. They have also been establishing a calling presence in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean and are supplying cigarettes to the U. S. military outlets and U. S. Duty Free sectors. R. J. Reynolds also manufactures cigarettes t o be sold by other companies in foreign countries. Both companies are taking advantage of the potential growth in international markets. Another opportunity that both companies are focusing on is the opportunities of marketing new tobacco products to consumers. With more consumers looking for alternatives to smoking Altria has been focusing on developing its smokeless tobacco product line. With snuff being providing potential growth in the market, Altria is exploring the moist snuff or chew market as well as a new product called Snus.Altria is currently test marketing its Marlboro Snus products and its Marlboro moist smokeless tobacco in certain areas of the United States. They are also using the strong brand identity of Marlboro to help their new products enter into the market. R. J. Reynolds is also developing new products that have potential market opportunities. Reynolds is developing new exotic brands of Camel cigarettes and also trying to capitalize on smokeless tobacco opport unities with their brand of Camel Snus. Both brands are using their already existent brand awareness to help romote new products in the market. Threats Companies in the tobacco industry such as Altria and R. J. Reynolds have a negative public perception because of providing such dangerous products and must deal with this perception accordingly in order to remain in the market. With the threat of being seen so negatively in the public eye companies must provide support in educating consumers about the dangerous health risks involved with smoking. Government regulation also poses a threat to both companies.In the 1998, the Master Settlement Agreement between tobacco companies and the government came to an sympathy that tobacco companies would have to pay $250 billion over a 25 year span to help reimburse healthcare systems for to higher costs due to many patients with tobacco use related illnesses. The threat of government regulation poses high cost threats dealing with litigation an d taxes. Both companies have been affected by the high taxes placed on the sale of tobacco products, thus causing them to have to raise prices, which could have a negative effect on sales.Also the threat of changes in the legal atmosphere pose a problem on companies. As new laws are adopted both companies must adapt to stay profitable, such as the new public smoking laws that threatens both these companies that rely on cigarette sales. The threat of Altrias and R. J. Reynolds consumer base growing old and dying off from tobacco related illness and Americas new focus on healthy living styles display how these companies are affected by the benefits of substitutes for smoking and quitting smoking.There has also been a huge decline in the number of smokers in the United State over the past 40 years, which has cut the consumer base in half. With the number of smokers in the domestic market declining both companies also face the threat of marketing restrictions in the United States. Toba cco products cannot easily be marketed to consumer in the United States, which threatens the growth of tobacco products. Both Altria and R. J. Reynolds are aware of the threats that they face and that can explain why they are developing new products and moving towards international markets.The SWOT Analysis displayed how strengths such as brand identity have played a huge role in the success of both Altria and R. J. Reynolds. Altria leads the market with its well-known brand Marlboro and is taking on opportunities with new products and international markets. While R. J. Reynolds has a smaller share in the market they are also trying to grow by focusing on the same opportunities. Both companies also face many of the same weaknesses and threats, that being in the tobacco industry pose, such as government regulation and health awareness. They are taking action to deal with them by exploring new opportunities.

Influential Materialism on Cambodian Society Essay

One of the remarkable transitions in Cambodia began in 1993. It was the economic reform switching from plan-economic to open-free economic market. Since ever, Cambodia gradually boosts the national prudence by allowe private possessions and foreign invest workforcet. This is a signal of democracy in the nation. To be a democratic uncouth, untold(prenominal) rights and freedom must be addicted to the masses. It is well-kn hold that concourse requisite to be equal before the laws and go in a joyous life. However, one barrier to newly democratic sphereCambodiais the citizens. More than half of the Kampuchean population is under a poverty line, meaning they atomic number 18 insufficient non only in property still excessively in education. This situation is non unafraid enough for Cambodians to set out influence from the instauration. Being connected with globalization, Cambodia demands a higher standard and a good quality of mathematical production.Among those marke ting competition, the more or less attractive and popular product is high-tech existents. Again, the opposite half of population efficacy be able to afford much(prenominal)(prenominal) textiles in devote to live in the society. The society is affected by physicalism, which considers possessions much master(prenominal) than determines, and its effects range from psychological to economic. Materialism is rough prison terms employ as a status symbol, ca utilise tidy sum to purchase items they rotter non afford, simply to fit in with an affluent crowd, or to keep up with the tidy sum almost them. Materialism, although a motivating force in nowa long times world economy, tail end erode value systems and affect a persons overall happiness.Perhaps nobody have it offs exactly when materialism persists in Cambodian society. And non m each an early(a)(prenominal) Cambodians switch their attention on it. Materialism which is the new trend discharge maven the society to face or so possible negative consequences. That is, youths must understand what they atomic number 18 doing and decide whether or not stick with it. In today society, we view no doubt an emerging demographic of eager young adults flocking towards new motorbikes, mobile environs, and the newest in tech trends. But is on that point a lurking risk tacked on to this eagerness? This idea pass on take a closer look at the Cambodian youths tendency toward the new and juvenile materials, the reasons why youths essential to possess the materials, the impact of the material challenges, and slightly solutions to modify the tendency.DefinitionBefore going further, one key word in the paper will be illustrated. Materialism comes from the word material, so the first word to be explained is According to Cambridge Advanced Learners Dictionary, there ar quad main meaning of material. First, material means a physical substance which things lowlife be made from. Second, it means inform ation used when writing aroundthing much(prenominal) as a book, or information produced in various forms to help race or to advertise products.Third, material means cloth which can be used to make things such as clothes. Finally, material means equipment that you need for a particular activity. The last translation seems the most appropriate meaning for the background signal of the paper. In addition, materialism is defined as the belief that having money and possessions is the most important thing in life. Plus, materialism is a tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values. These argon the definitions of the word materialism on which the paper will focus.ObjectiveWriting is a fun thing precisely without some(prenominal) specific purpose, the writing seems nothing. Mean piece, the paper has a few important objectives that might be helpful for other students and readers to strike out both(prenominal)what the current trend of Cambodian youths. The main purposes of the writing be Providing the historic background of Cambodian economyOffering the key definition of the term materialismIllustrating the current prominent issues in the societyShowing the current trend of the youths toward modern font high-price materialsElaborating the plausible trends of the new tendencyExplaining probably stinking and good impacts on the societyShowcasing one effective solutionThe Presence of MaterialismCambodia is located in Southeast Asia and has an old history in the region. Since the industrialise revolution, Cambodia had become one of the countries affected from modern industrialized countries. Perhaps, nobody knows when materialism started its presence in the souls of Cambodians. However, Cambodia had its sustain industries in the King Sihanouk era, the time materialism might affect the society. The neutralized country had its first coup dtat backed by the US in 1970. The general Lon Nol became the first Kampucheas president. At that time, there was no progress in economic development. Afterward in 1975, the Khmer Rouge ousted the President and took mesh over the country, leaving estimated 1.7 million Cambodian died from starvation, overwork, and improper killing. Actually, it was the most devastating regime in Cambodian history. On January 07, 1979 the capital cityPhnom Penhwas rescued from the socialist regime.Between 1979 and 1992, there was not any detectable progress in building the countrys economy. Not until the first democratic election took place in 1993, was the Cambodias new chapter opened. Again, it was the transition from planned market to free-opened market. At that time, Cambodia welcomed all types of foreign investments from all over the world. As a result, Cambodia has become the Cambodia today which is the country that needs change. Relatively writing, mountain do not pay much attention on what they are possessing. They start to work and earn for their daily l ives. The celebrating of the new millennium, Cambodias economy has gradually been boosted. well-nigh five or six years later, the real estate companies came into play. The price of the land was extremely expensive and the owners of the land had sold their land to foreign companies and and so for local as well.That was the time the phrase How much for the ten New Dream motorbikes is? became the amusing and criticized words in e real day conversation. Indeed, perhaps that was the time materialism prevailed in the society especially the Phnom Penh city. Nowadays, the most popular materials which attract much of the youths attention are high-tech mobile phones such as iphone4, Samsung GalaxyS3, automatic transmission motorbike desire Scoopy 2012, big motorbikes such as SL, XR, GS 330, modern sport cars, high-tech tablets, jewelry, etc. Because of those materials, teenagers and adults will do everything to own one of them or even all of them. They think in a short-sighted way because of the compulsion. They, in fact, do not give value for people but the materials the people own. If the current tendency is being applied to the society, the inescapably bad repercussions will be dominated in the society.Progression of MaterialismAs a matter of fact, materialism line ups in the Cambodian society due to many reasons. First, movie via television greatly involves in the progress of the tendency. This means that the influence of materialism to Cambodian comes from movies that are awarded on the TV shows or their private computers. Whenever they got some information from the movie for example like they cut something some actors assume in faded on the TV show, they would probable copy the ardour and try to act themselves as the actors. MY TV is a very good example to claim about that. Before MYTV television station was established, people in Cambodia seemed to be so simple (comparing to the clothes they have worn). However, people started to dream about the Korean style such as clothes or jewelry. Another example to support this claim is that the advertisement on the TV showing that when Cambodian have saw advertisement of Dream 2012 on the TV, they would probably like that kind of motorbike even it looks idiot. Thus, they try to find money to barter for the motorbike.Apart from movie TV shows, jealousy of one soulfulness really spurs the motivation on materialism. This means some people they dont care about the benefit of the product that they will buy. The most important thing is that they that ask to be as modern and elegant as their surrounding friends who already have modern motorbikes, automobiles, iPhones or iPads. One PUC student majoring in TESOL said, I would spend some times with my friendselegant onesbecause I want and have modern things like my phone I am suing today, iPhone4. I dont care about anything because I have the phone like my friends. By this expression, it implies that the TESOL student does not want any mocking or teasing regarding modern materials. He would probably determine upset and jealous if he does not own his iPhone4. Furthermore, some students want to challenge their reputations with their friends. For example, they want only to be the highest in their groups.Therefore, they try to manage themselves to be the most powerful by having more fantastic equipment in their custody in hostel to show that they are better than other people. Owning luxury carLuxus Rx 350has already given the owner the influence on the surrounding people especially their friends. Moreover, while some foreigners are doing avocation in Cambodia, they are transferring some new positions on materialism into Cambodia by chance. When Cambodians see all those things such as iPhone, iPad, or other things else, all Cambodian feel that all of those materials would probably help their standards of living becoming higher. Since, they would buy all of the things and start using all the things. In a student survey, 10 ou t of 13 students wanted a new motorbike of car. They shared the opinion that owning a vehicle had in fact, very little to do with their studies.Peer pressure is another factor to own a vehicle. 18-year-old high school day student, said, When they see my friends poking new motorbikes, they want one too. However, their mother refused to buy for them. Regarding to migration, some students in Cambodia are very strong enough to study abroad. As the result, some of those could blend scholarship to study abroad, while some could not add any scholarship. However, most of them are leaving Cambodia to study abroad. As they are being abroad, they would meet much equipment that some foreigners are using. When the students see all the things, they would advertise their families in Cambodia to use all the equipment as well. By now, the progressing of the conservative tendency in Cambodian society is gradually escalated due to the above reasons. On the other hands, it is becoming more interes ting if the paper also mentions about the purposes of owning materialistic things before discussing any further on the topic.The purposes of owning modern materialsWith the overall interviews, the data shows that there are two main purposesmeaningful and meaningless. These two terms are used because of many interviewees preference. To begin with, there are many meaningful usages of modern, expensive products. First, it has something to do with learning progress. This means that people in Cambodia use some materialistic tools in browse to do research and update their knowledge by spending time with some equipment such as computer, iPhone, or iPad. For example, some people use iPhone or iPad for doing research because this kind of thing is really small, easy to keep with, the internet work very fast plus, it looks really cool. as well as they could use all of this instruction to capture photograph, read books, play games, record something, or even call to friends or anybody that the y want to ask for help such as homework or assignments. Second, Cambodians own elegant things because they want to make their standards of living better (Ou & Khiev, 2011). This means that people in Cambodia use modern equipment in format just want to have a good standard of living.For example, the construction in Cambodia is really popular now. Many people want to live in a villa to have a comfortable living. In fact, if this idea is hold by almost Cambodians, the country will be difficult to start up developed because they think in the wrong ways. Improving living standard is not about owning up-to-date property but to be educated and number promoted. Asides from this, spending less time, saving time, is another meaningful thing to do with modern technology. This means that Cambodia can use the modern materials in order to salvage their valuable time. For example, they use mobile phone in case they want to communication with their relatives who might be living far away from th em. Thus, they dont have to spend time to travel mingled with places to places that their relatives are living. In addition, the world is running fast by globalization that is Cambodians are competing with the worlds technology.Actually, some people buy some modern equipment in order to show that they are being update people, meaning Cambodians are being genteel citizens. They do not want to live in the handed-down way which needs to be updated to balance and equalize like other countries around the world now. On the other hands, there are some meaningless usages of modern, expensive materials. First, some Cambodians do not use their equipment in their hands with appropriate purposes. round use for only entertainment but they cant see many more exploitations from the equipment. For example, some Cambodians bought iPhones in order to play game or using Facebook only, but they dont use the phone in order to do research to increase and learn new things. Another important point of v iew, materialism shows power and authority, meaning that some Cambodians need modern equipment just want to show their powers in order to threat other people.For type, some authorities in Cambodia are using modern luxury automobiles such as Range Roll World, Lexus 570, or other branch-new, fancy cars in order to threat some polices or the lower-standard people. When the people see all of those things, they neglect inferior to the rich. Thus, the authorities who have modern automobiles can do as many things as they wish. More interesting, some Cambodians would like to buy some materials because they want only to woo girls, or ladies. However, they could not use the material appropriately. For instance, some men buy an iPhone, iPad, a nice motorbike or a car just to woo some ladies while they could now how to use all of the material affectively. This mean that some Cambodians buy good things to use is because they want to show that they are really rich, intelligent to others. For in stance, some pupils buy new automobile to show that their family are rich to all their friends.The Possible Drawbacks of MaterialismWithin this paper, the scope of progenys is categories into three main fields self, family, and society. Now the drawbacks will firstly be discussed in the following sentences. The first outcome is dropping out of schools. about students are skipping school because materialism makes them blind and persuade them to forget their studying. For instance, some students do not want to go to the school because they got a new motorbike or other modern equipment. They would like to make parties or go out with their friends quite than stay in their school to learn from the lecturers. At the end, they could not have a good future or bright future in order to feed themselves as well as their complete family. One sophomore majoring Laws at RULE said, I used to drop out my high school because I did have any modern and expensive phoneat that time it was Nokia N95 8GB. I was very upset and jealous when I saw my friends suspension out with those staffs.Then I decided to drop out because I can avoid being teased and annoyed. Second disadvantage is looking like a gangster. Due to materialism, it can make a person similar to some gangers if we look for a few seconds. For example, some men now are wearing ear rings. As the result, they look really similar to some gangsters. Thus, it could make their reputation down. Plus, the surrounding people will not want to get involved or communicate with because there might be some argument or fighting. Next, bad health is another one drawback. Some people use some materials in wrong condition. Finally, they could face health problems. For example, some people they use their time spending on their phones too much in order to speak for fun with their friends. Hence, they could face many health problems such as brain cancer because of the ratio activity that came out from the mobile phone. Some people also us e some materials which risk their lives.For example some people use their motorbikes flying to show that they are handsome and cool. On the other hands, while they are trying to do that, it could have an accident such as breaking their knees or they could die every minute. Regarding to family category, there are a few disadvantages. Some sons in Cambodia got modern motorbikes they would go out with their friends really a great deal specially, at mid-night. tied(p) that their parents tried to advise them, but they do not want to follow their parents. They tend to go out and have some fun with their friends. Because the sons are being lost in the passion of the materialism, it can lead the family fall isolated. Next, monetary problems are also very common. Some Cambodians never look at their incomes to see how much they would get per month or per year. regular(a) that their incomes are still low, but they wish to get as good equipment as some familys members who already have high in comes. Thus, sometimes it could link to family financial crises. For example, because of materialism some children ask their parents to buy them nice motorbikes otherwise, they would not go to school. Normally, parents always want their children to be good students, so they decide to buy the motorbikes for their children even thought that they already know their incomes are still low. To solve the problems they normally sell their cows in order to fulfill their childrens needs. later on, they could not have the cow to help for growing rise. Thus, it can make the family will face financial crises. Then materialism can cause them to have some arguments in a family, that is, domestic violence.For example, some familys members want to use as good equipment as the others, in case they dont have enough money to support. In other to get all the things they need, they generally threat their parents to complete their dream and sometimes conflict can happen any times. Perhaps, children murd er their parents for money. The third category is society. Traffic jam, actually, is one of the results of materialism. This means that many people are really love materialism. They do not want to use motorbike or bicycle. They need only good and large car in order to show out their power. As the result, in Cambodia in present, there are too many cars on the roads. Some people drive their car to some coffee shops even though the places are nigh their house. At the end, there is a lot of traffic jam on the road nowadays. Because of new technology, transportation is being updated recently. Cars seem to be very fast. However, some people are not good at driving car and some were drunk before driving the cars. At the end, the drunk can cause problem such as accident to other people on the street in Cambodia.Besides, Cambodian are destroying environment as well while they are focusing on materialism. For example, in order to create clothes, many clothes industries are being increase to serve the demand of the people. The industries are producing much smoke to the sky. As the result they could pollute the air. Many machined vehicles are also a good example of the materialism that can impact badly the environment. In fact, the smoke from the vehicles is polluting the environment which Cambodians are living as well. Furthermore, materialism can affect badly the state security as well. It means some ugly also need to be cool as well as the rich. They do not have money now, so they try to steal the things from street or any place which provide them any opportunity to commit crime in order to get some kinds of materialistic things such as motorbikes, jewelry, iPhones, or iPads. More noticeably, culture destruction is gradually happening.Some people in Cambodia are being crazy because of materialism. near of them forget about Khmer traditional culture which their ancestors have made for them. For example, some young men in Cambodia are wearing earing on their ear in o rder to receive esteem word from their friends. If we compare to the past, it is really unique because man never wear earing. Women are destroying the culture of Khmer as well. Nowadays, they seem to be too thoughtless. We notice that most of them are wearing short skirts. This is very strange from the past in which all the lady wore long clothes to cover their skins in order not to allow the others to see their skins. When women wear shortly, it can attract men to look at them. Some men could rape the women once the men could get any opportunity.Thus it can lead to criminal cases. Finally, when Cambodians need too many meaningless things, many businessmen would import the products into Cambodia. The GPA of the Cambodians is still low. Most of the Cambodians are farmers. Thus, we could not produce many kind of equipment besides importing them from oversea. As the result, the countries spend a lot of money importing some products such as iPhones, vehicles, and iPads to the countries while we are not able to produce by ourselves. However, materialism has few benefits for the society as well if and only if Cambodians know how to use it, when to own it, and what to possess.The plausible advantages of MaterialismLike disadvantage categories, the advantages of materialism is discussed in three main categories self, family, and society. For individual Cambodia, materialism brings easiness. This means that materialism can make them to get high standards of living. They could feel comfortable because of their materialism. Another point, materialism can increase knowledge. This means that individual can increase their intellectuality such as general knowledge. For example, individual can use a computer, iPad, iPhone in order to do research. All this equipment is really helpful to Cambodian. Spending less time is another advantage. It means that many products in their hands already. Thus, some can use their product affectively while some are not. Cambodian youths use th eir materialistic things to shorten the time and the distance. For instance some youths prefer modern motorbikes or cars rather than bicycles. Thus, they could spend less time for traveling form one place to another. Mobile phone can also help them to spend less time as well. Now youth, who have many relatives in provinces when they want to meet their relatives, they dont have to go to their homeland.They just call to the relatives that are enough. Similarly, materialism can help individual to pack up many things into smaller. For instance, people in Cambodia nowadays, do not have to take a lot of things in their hands. They just need an iPhone which contains many things inside it such as camera, recorder, music, video player, note books, books, and many other things in their pocket. Therefore, they could use all the functions without taking real equipment with such as camera or TV. The next categoryFamilythat materialism positively affect is discussed by the following sentences. Fi rst, it brings closed relationship. This means that materialism can cause the members in most of the family feel closed to each other. For example, when some province family members would come to Phnom Penh to study, they would feel isolated and lonely.However, mobile phone could help them to feel closer to each other. All of them can communicate via mobile phone in order to fell that they are staying together and to know each other information. Next, increasing reputation is another advantage. This means that materialism can help a family to be value from another family. For instance, if a family was living in a villa, using modern technology such as iPhone and driving modern automobile such as Hummer, the family generally would be admired from the others. Thus, it can make the family to get more reputation by their materialism they got. The next and final category is society. Cambodia is a maturation country. As we can see in general, most of the people in Phnom Penh are able to use modern technology such as iPhone, iPad, and computers. Moreover, there are sky-high apartments as well. Furthermore, most of the Cambodian youths are using fantasy automobile.Thus, due to materialism, it could show that Cambodia is a developing country. Moreover, materialism can bring more investment to the country, meaning that due to materialism, it can make other foreign factories or industries come to invest in Cambodia. By seeing the youths are similar to the youths in some investing countries, the investors normally feel more comfortable that Cambodia is secure. Thus, it could also attract the investors come in to do small business as well. Some investors can see the youths in Cambodia are loving materialism such as using clothes. As the result, they would like to invest more garment industries in Cambodia. Relatively, the investment will increase employment rate. As the garment industries are being built from days to days in order to complete some youths trend in Cambodi a, it can provide some job opportunities for Cambodians inside Cambodia.Economic EffectsIt is a nice thing to meet and see people are purchase products from the markets. This activity shows the progress of higher standard of living in the society. Meanwhile, many people buy things that are not essential to them, leaving people tend to save less. Actually, materialistic people tend to be attracted to Conspicuous Consumption, which is purchasing in order to flaunt riches (Drake, 2012). In order to get the new and expensive materials, many people go to the bank and get loans. Comparing with their salary, people can comfort their buying with their community. That is a good sign for the banks in Cambodia because their services are running smoothly. However, what will happen if those people are not able to compensate? Most of the banks said, It is OK. We lend them our money in return their compensation. If they are not able to give back, we have to do accordingly to the laws of the cou ntry.That is seizing the property as confirmatory for bid. Banks never lose to such cases. Furthermore, a new kind of buying technology is buying using credit cards. This new service also leads to large debts for adults. Because credit cards make them able to purchase things without cash and let them compensate a little amount of debts, many and many youths are happy with them. Some people do not think about the consequences that they will face after owning things that are not important for their daily lives. Plus, they have ignored the value in people while showing off what they are actually in debts. Interestingly, the country might turn out to be immaterial economic development but in fact most of its people are in debts of other foreign banks.Spiritual EffectsIn order to live in peace and harmony, the spirituality of Cambodian must be strong and wise. They have to make a good decision and giving value to people from all walks of life. While materialism offers much value on mat erial, people do not understanding owning things that are important and just for soothe the surrounding people are a waste of time and money. Then it will lead to discrimination and segregationa group of rich and ebullient people and a group of poor and humble people (Drake, 2012). When a country is about to divide such groups, the consolidation and solidarity will not exist. Thus, the country will not thoroughly make its way toward a well economic, politic, cultural development. Moreover, materialism promotes selfishness and a sense of accumulation as being same to happiness and success.It is said materialism is a form of brainwashing and removes any personal responsibility. For example, when people want an iphone4s, they will not think about any responsibilities that they hold like studying, feeding children, managing the company, and more. They will let the responsibilities go as floating water. Furthermore, it is currently true that most of Cambodian youth are not happy when they see their friend owning expensive mobile phones and riding elegant motorbikes. They will do everything to at least get appropriate materials to go on with their elite friends. This is the most regretful thing that Cambodian society is facing. It has nothing to do now but the future will tell. Effects on juvenilersTeenagers, the most vulnerable, are directly affected by materialism, which often has psychological effects, as they are driven to trendy and expensive items (Drake, 2012). Going to schools and getting involved in the community are what good teenagers have to do. Among these activities, rich and poor teenagers gather together, talk with each other, and tell what they are possessing. Once the topic has been raised, the effect starts to spread. piteous teenagers feel like they are useless because they do not own any technological items to work in their community. They lack of self-esteem. When they return home, they would ask their parents for something that their par ents cannot afford.Thus, the desperation will stay inside the teenagers. Their progress will lose and their team spirit will be reduced as well. Actually, it is because they cannot control their eagerness towards those materials. If they just spend some time thoroughly think about the effect and the current of their family status, they would not face this kind of social illness. More precisely, it is popular that some teenagers will be taunted if they do not own the trendy phones, laptops, and more. Normally, people not just teenagers are not happy when someone is about to laugh at what they lack or weak.Materialism and CrimeWhat should you do when you want to possess this? is a common question asked from one friend to another friend. It is not an easy question for those who are poor. If their parents cannot afford for them, they have to find the way to have it themselves. Teenagers with short-sighted thought will do what is called crime (Drake, 2012). From a criminal philosophic al system view points, crimes can exist everywhere, happen every time, be committed by anyone. That is in the pursuit of material possessions, turning to crime is not inaudible of. People will do corruption and manipulate other peoples energy to get more money just in returning owning luxury car and well-decorated villa.Another simple way is to steal the materials from people around them. Moreover, marketing is believed to glamorize crime with images of criminals living extravagant lifestyles. Some people might be looked elegant but in fact they are criminals whom one day the judges will punish. In addition, this will hinder Cambodia in finding its way toward developed country. Youths have to think in details before doing something otherwise, they will end up in prison, which will destroy their whole lives and the society they are part of.Optimal SolutionIn fact, there is no ideal solution since it is the most difficult thing to modify or get someone adapted to what he or she does not want to do. However, this paper shows one solution that might the most optimal one, that is, parents advice. According to the research, if you know at least one teenager, you are likely familiar with teen materialism. Many adolescents are driven to acquire trendy and expensive items including high-end handbags, cell phones and MP3 players. Teenage materialism itself is not new, but it has steadily accelerated over the last few decades and something has to deal with (John, 2011). The research originally found a connection between self-esteem and materialism. As a teens self-worth declines, he or she looks to purchase expensive items for a boost. Material goods compensate for all those negative feelings people have about themselves. This link yielded another important finding about how materialism develops from childhood to adolescence.Materialism increases from childhood to the early teen years, but then drops as they move into the later years of high school. This mirrors the up s and downs of self-esteem as children and teens grow older. The next question to tackle was how parents and peers contribute to materialism in teens. To solve this, parents and peers is asked whether they can influence materialism by affecting self-esteem. Peers are often blamed for pressuring contemporaries to buy the coolest brands of clothes or electronic gadgets. Parents are often blamed for setting a bad example for their teensputting too much emphasis on having more and better possessions.However, the evidence suggests that parents and peers can also have a positive effect. These two groups are the most important sources of emotional support, psychological well-being, and feelings of self-worth in the lives of teens. Teenagers with supportive parents and friends have higher self-esteem, which makes them less materialistic. The outcome is clearbeing supportive not only makes for happier teenage years, it can also reduce the unrelenting requests for expensive items during adol escence. With this research strong supporting from parents is very crucial and effective in reducing the Cambodian tendency toward materialism because as the rest of the paper, materialism does not develop Cambodian society.ConclusionEven though Cambodia opens market for every foreign product, there are risks for the people when they cannot control their eagerness and compulsion. With the above long discussion, materialism does exist in Cambodian society, and it is now getting into Cambodian youths. Materialism spreads itself via technology and every day communication. Because so many youths cannot control their compulsion, they will imitate what they see on the televisions. Plus, it evolves from days to days if there is not any precaution against it. Interestingly, materialism is occurred in the society by not only the technology but also the people themselves who do it and face it. Regarding to its effects, materialism brings both disadvantages and advantages. And it leads to thre e categories self, family, and society. Nobody focuses on the consequences brought by materialism because they are being happy and feel elegant of owing such modern materials.However, it does negatively affect Cambodia, a developing country, needing so much human resource. Thus, if this trend continues to be practiced and be pervasive among Cambodians, the country is likely to be the most difficult country to be a developed one. Therefore we, as Khmer generations, must face these problems courageously, for only by that can our country be glorious as when we were at the Angkor Era. This is no longer the time to mourn over the past agony this is the time that we all get up and be true Khmer people, the people of the Kingdom of Wonder With the last point of view in this conclusion, the main conclusion to be drawn is that chore reforms by reducing institutional weaknesses offers the best hope to overcome materialism.Corruption will not disappear because of reforms. But reforms will bri ng it under control and minimize its adverse consequences so that the country can proceed with its efforts to become a modern, developed nation with a good chance of attaining the goal. Therefore, if Cambodia really can fight against materialism and succeeds in the suggested solution, it is time for Cambodia to be the developed country. However, we would say today is very hard for everyone to overcome materialism but tomorrow will be much easier if we do something now.

A Simple Eassy For Entering the University Essay

I would be grateful if I could continue my studies in the tertiary education.In my mind, the University undergraduates should not only pursue academic excellence, but overly show great concern for their society. A University education should allow students to explore their potentials and talents. On top of that, it should also help them to develop a positive philosophical system of life and to think in a logical and systematic way. Life on the campus should be comfortable and multifarious.Firstly and most importantly, I look forward to challenging myself. My expectations to my future career are that it could fit my interest and provide senses of accomplishments to me. Moreover, I hope my profession could be meaningful and respectable and could do the inescapably in the community.For my areas of strengths, I have an independent and analytic mind. I can think logically and critically. Moreover, I am helpful and considerate to others. During my secondary train years, I had taken p art in different kinds of extra-curricular activities, like Computer club, Chess club, Astronomy club and English club. They gave me good chances to gain more acquaintance that cannot be learnt from general lessons in school. For service terms, I was one of the committee members of the Student Librarians and School I.T. Term. The opportunities of being a committee member, trained my leadership and make-up skills. However, I still need more life-experiences to solve the problem I will meet in the future.Finally, if I could have a chance to larn in the University, I would do my best to learn. After my graduation, I will contribute to the community by applying what I have learnt in the university to whatever undertaking I might find. As a result, I really hope the University can give me a chance to study and a chance to serve the society in the future.

Coffee and Starbucks Essay

Gordon Bowker, Jerry Baldwin and Ziv Siegl founded Starbucks in 1971. Their goal was to sell the all rightst quality whole beans and ground chocolates (Starbucks timeline and history, 2004). In 1982, Starbucks had rickn to v terminuss and started serving drinking chocolate to restaurants and espresso bars. Harold Schultz was employed as the director of retail trading ope dimensionns and foodstuffing. Harold Schultz convinced the founders of Starbucks to equal to(p) a brush upt bear Seattle chocolate bar, which giveed in 1984. With the success of Seattle hot chocolate bar, Schultz left Starbucks to start his own family named Il Giornale.In 1987, Il Giornale acquired Starbucks retail operations for 4 outside(a) nautical milelion dollars. In addition, Il Giornale changed its name to Starbucks Corporation and open locations in Chicago and Vancouver, B. C. (Starbucks timeline and history, 2004). Starbucks continued its expansion through tabu the late 1980 and beyond. In 1 991, Starbucks became the prototypic privately possess U. S. Corporation to offer stock options to part time employees (Starbucks timeline and history, 2004). In the early 1990s Starbucks started setting up umber shops in Nordstrom? s department stores, Barnes & Noble bookstores and ITT/Sheraton hotels.In 1995, the corporation began selling compact discs and organize an solelyiance with the Canadian bookstore, Chapters Inc. In 2000, Schultz promoted Orin Smith to the position of CEO. Schultz remained chairman for the corporation. This allowed Schultz to focus on Starbucks? orbicular strategy. Starbucks operates and licenses to a greater extent than the 7,500 cof compensation shops in more than than 30 countries. deep brown Indus generate In the join States, hot chocolate is the blurb largest import (Roosevelt, 2004). Furthermore, the United States, consumes one-fifth of all the worldly concerns? java berry tree (Global Exchange, 2004).The present industry is expandi ng. It is estimated that North the States?s sector go forth r for each one saturation levels within 5 form (Datamonitor. n. d. ). jibe to National deep brown Association (NCA), 8 out of 10 Ameri rout outs consume coffee. In addition, it is estimated that half of the the Statesn population drinks coffee daily. The international grocery store remains risquely competitive. It is estimated that 3,300 cups of coffee argon consumed every second of the day world(a) (Ecomall, n. d. ).The latest tr remnants included dual drinkers, an emergence in senior citizens consumption and a shift in consumption away from home. There has been a significant join on in the consumption of dual drinkers (NCA, 2004). twofold drinkers ar people who drink both traditional coffee and gourmet coffee. fit in to NCA, 54% of America? s coffee drinkers ar dual drinkers. Gourmet coffee is experiencing substantial growth with senior citizens. According to NCA, senior citizens coffee consumption leaped fr om 9% to 13%. An another(prenominal) trend is coffee consumption is pitiful outside the home. Coffee consumption away from home increased by 6%. Mission tale The accepted mission statement is ? Establish Starbucks as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world eyepatch maintaining our uncompromising principles while we grow.This mission statement fits intimately with the general direction and the future strategies of Starbucks Corporation. Principles The following principles approbation both Starbucks mission statement and their strategies. Our recommendation is to keep the current mission statement and principles. ?aProvide a commodious work environment and treat each other with respect and dignity. ?aEmbrace diversity as an essential character in the way we do military control. ?aApply the luxuriouslyest standards of excellence to the purchasing, roasting and fresh delivery of our coffee. ?aDevelop enthusiastically satisfied nodes all of the time.?aContribute positively to our communities and our environment ? aRecognize that favourableness is essential to our future success. SWOT Analysis StrengthWeakness ?aFinancial Resources ?aGlobal Presence ?aBeverage Innovator ?aReliance on US Domestic Markets ?aReliance on Beverage Innovation ?aInternational Expansion Problems OpportunitiesThreats ?aInternational Operations ?aContinued Growth of Gourmet Coffee Market ?aExpanding ? V Unit Clustering ?aSupply Risk/ Dependence on Trading Companies and Exporters ? aUS Market stint Saturation Levels ?aCompetition Internal Strength.A few of Starbucks strengths included strong monetary position, name recognition and existence seminal beverage innovators. Starbucks has reported revenue from January to July 2004 as 409 million dollars, which gives the company a strong monetary position. Starbucks has a strong global presence from its umpteen stores and licensees units, which has made Starbucks a ho uptakehold name. Starbucks is known for their creati ve unveilings of beverages. Starbucks is not afraid to experiment and test in the altogether drinks in their stores. Some of the beverages introduced be Fappuccino Blended Beverages or Iced Shaken refreshments.Internal Weakness Some of the weakness the corporation faces includes international expansion capers and dependence of the United States marketplaces and beverage intents. The corporation was forced to close a number of stores. These stores failed to entice probable nodes and Starbucks was forced to end a joint venture due to the urgency of success. Starbucks has a dependency on beverage innovation and US markets. It is estimated that 85% of the corporation revenues come from the United States (Datamonitor, n. d. ). Starbucks contributes its growth establish on beverage innovations (Datamonitor, n. d. ). away Opportunities unitary opportunity deals with clustering its line of chore units. Starbucks uses clustering to ensure domination in chosen geographical areas . This practice allows Starbucks to bring public toilets to nodes and at the same time preventing juvenile blood line from entering the market. The tolerate two opportunities are profitability of international operations and the expected growth of the specialty coffee market. The profitability of international operations and the expected growth leave aloneing give the company greater leverage into the world market and will promote new market expansions. External Threats.One major threat is the lack of superior coffee beans. The expansion of Starbucks operations and limited quantity of superior coffee beans may ending in a shortage of supply. Other factors, which could affect the coffee beans, are weather, political and economic conditions. Organizations the standardised Fair Trade could change or alter the coffee industry. Another threat to Starbucks is the dependence on trading companies and exporters for their supply of superior coffee beans. Although Starbucks has limi ted the risk by catch up withing above in force(p) prices for the superior coffee beans, the risk is still there.The last threats are competition and market saturation. The success of the coffee industry will attract more competitors. A competitor with a serious fiscal backing and resources could contest oer against Starbucks (Datamonitor, n. d. ). It is estimated that if the current market growth continues saturation levels will be reached in fin eld (Datamonitor, n. d. ). Customer Satisfaction Customer Satisfaction is defined as the dance step or determination that a product or service meets a customers expectations, considering requirements of both quality and service (www. eglin. af. mil/46tw/StrategicPlan/glossary.htm).A customer? s expectations of product quality, service quality, and price, then a firm will pass high levels of customer rapture. On the other hand, if the customer? s expectations are not met, the customer will be disap slured and this is likely to lo wer the satisfaction level. Due to lowered satisfaction, the customer could choose to fracture buying from the firm/company. There ingest been many studies done that construct shown that high customer satisfaction increases the likelihood of corporate profitability.It similarly showed that the costs incorporated with keeping an existing customer are five time that of getting new ones The Starbucks Customer The Starbuck? s Corporation is the leading retailer in the coffee industry. The market size of the coffee industry in the United States for 2003 is near 18 billion. The company? s gross sales hold in increased 23. 9% in the year 2003. These statistics show how many people in the U. S. are drinking Starbucks coffee. Starbucks attracts a cult-like following, serving 25 million drinks a week at al near 7,000 locations worldwide. At one time or another, just about everyone has been a customer at a Starbucks retailer.Based on explore done on the Internet, we look at identifie d who the representative Starbucks? customer is. A typical Starbucks customer is a male or a female, age ranging from 18 to 55. In most cases, the Starbucks? customer is a college student, businessperson or someone in their mid to late fifties. A Starbucks customer tends to be very loyal to the company and will not accept substitutes. The usage level of a typical customer is at least three times a week, for some it is every day. The benefits seek by customers range from enjoyment, relaxation, energy, and reward.Those who are not in a hurry like to sit down for a cup of coffee, listen to the relaxing songs played at the shops, enjoy a conversation with a friend, or just way to be alone and study. Another important characteristic of a typical customer is that most of the customers are financially stable enough to be able to afford to conk at least $2. 50 for a small cup of coffee. A typical Starbucks? customer spends and just of $40 to $65 a month for coffee drinks. However, t here are many customers who spend well over $65 a month.Improving Customer Satisfaction According to Schultz, ?our success is based on their continued trust in our people and our environment over long periods of time. Redefining the industry youre playing in doesnt just nasty hiring an agency to think up a fancy new slogan. To make it work, you have to offer high-quality new products and services that customers actually want, and that will reinforce the value offered by your snapper brand and expand the emotional connection your customers feel with it ( www. fastcompany. com from Issue 84 July 2004, Page 50 byAlison Overholt).To continue the success that Starbucks had over the age, there must be shipway to measure the customer?s perceptions of the company. The customers are what make Starbucks what it is today, and to keep them we need to know what they expect from us. Based on research done on starbucks. com, it is evident that Starbucks values their customers. On the main pa ge of the website there is a contact lens to Customer Service here the customer can ask questions or leave comments.This tool could be much more beneficial to the company if questions and/or comments could be asked by the customer. In the area of questions/comments-there is a drop down list of freqeuntly asked questions/comments, from this list the customer must pick.There could be many times when a customer has a question/comment, but it is not included on this list. The motif of having this crosstie makes the customers feel that their opinions are valued, but there are a few areas that could be improved on that would be much more beneficial to the company. It is important that Starbucks asks for the opinions of their customers, but why only offer this online? til now though we have become such a computer savy world, there are still many people out there that are not computer literate. Many do not have access to computers, or some just do not know how to use them.This does not mean that these people don? t drink Starbucks coffee. To increase overall customer satisfaction, we should also incorporate a general product/service survey or some type of comment posting in the retail stores. Surveys may seem tedious at times, but to answer us find out information that could help our company in the long run, it is worth it. Surveys will give us an idea of how we can improve our product and service to satisfy the customer. Typical customer surveys are designed to measure ?aOverall satisfaction ?aProduct-level satisfaction ?aImportance vs. satisfaction ?Timeliness of delivery ?aCustomer service cognitive operation satisfaction ?aReturns and exchange process satisfaction ?aInterest in new potential products and services Included is sample survey that could be utilize to get a general idea of how our customers feel about our products and services. The main goal to achieve customer satisfaction needs to be to find ways to deliver a great customer fix rough your p roduct or service. Customer expectations may be set, the idea is to exceed those expectations that they might already have.The recipe for a great cup of coffee includes four fundamentals, equilibrium, grind, piddle and freshness. Using the right pro share of coffee to water is the most important step in making great coffee. The shorter the create from raw stuff process, the finer the grind. The amount of time the coffee and water spend together affects the flavor elements that end up in your cup of coffee. Using fresh, cold water heated just off the boil is perfect for extracting the coffee? s full range of flavors. Use fresh ground coffee by grinding beans each time you brew the freshness is preserved.Starbucks quality is dependent on trading companies and exporters for its supply of jet-propelled plane coffee. The company is looking to secure long term supply contracts, and in some cases has had to pay inflated prices in order to obtain such contracts. Starbucks responded to w orld coffee prices reaching 30-year lows during fiscal 2001 by offering suppliers more money to guarantee supply, and as such the risk of non-delivery on such purchase commitments is low. However, the nature of the business dictates that the company? s dependency on suppliers does put it at risk.Starbucks quality is at risk to the volatility of the supply and price of coffee. The company? s search for the superior standard coffee mean in can be adversely affected by multiple factors in the producing countries, including weather, political, and economic conditions. In addition, green coffee prices have been affected in the past, and may be affected in the future, by the actions of organizations and associations that have in the past attempted to influence prices of green coffee through agreements establishing export quotas or constricting global coffee supplies.The actions of these associations could cause a degree of costly disruption to Starbuck? s operations. Purchasing Guidelin es Starbucks has also introduced coffee purchasing guidelines. The goal of these guidelines is to support Starbucks commitment to purchase coffee that has been grown and processed by suppliers who meet environmental, social, economic, and quality standards. Global coffee production can only be sustainable if it is economically viable, socially responsible, and environmentally sensitive at all levels of the supply chain.Over the past few days Starbucks has been working on the sourcing guidelines and they feel that is an important step that will help increase the production of high quality coffee and improve the health of the specialty coffee industry. With these guidelines, Starbucks is taking a leadership use in addressing the environmental and social issues surrounding the global coffee industry. This initiative is part of a long-term partnership between Starbucks and Conservation International to promote methods of coffee production that help to conserve global biodiversity.To launch these guidelines, Starbucks will enlist the support of coffee suppliers who are sustainable advocates. Starbucks has instituted a flexible point system that rewards performance in sustainable categories. Points will be accrued based on a supplier? s ability to meet sustainability guidelines, and suppliers who secure more points in the program will start out higher purchasing preference when Starbucks purchases green coffee. Starbucks has a long-standing practice of paying premium prices for coffee, and has always paying an average of at least $1. 20 per pound.As part of this practice, Starbucks will provide additional premiums of up to ten cents per pound to vendors based upon how well their coffee samples meet the standards. These financial incentives will help defray the costs incurred by participating suppliers. Suppliers wishing to participate will be required to provide independent, thirdly party verification of their performance against the guidelines. Starbuck? s h opes that the success of this program demonstrates to the rest of the coffee industry that they can benefit by producing coffee in a way that protects global biodiversity and improves the livelihoods of coffee farthermers.The Three Keys to caliber Coffee The three keys to quality coffee are 1)Quality Green Arabica Coffee The topper coffee beans explicate the best cup of coffee. 2)Fresh Roasted Great tasting coffee relies on how soon the coffee is brewed, and consumed by and by roasting. For coffee to be fresh, and best, it must be consumed within five days after roasting, three hours of grinding, and 15 minutes of brewing. The first sign that coffee is stale is a bitter taste. 3)Proper Brewing ? V Temperature and time, brewing is the extraction of coffee flavor oils from the cook grounds using water.The best temperature for optimum extraction is water just off the boil (195 degrees to 205 degree Fahrenheit). This temperature will extract the full range of flavors from fresh roasted beans. Time is a function of brewing method and grind size. There are many ways to brew keen coffee. Steeping and espresso are the two best methods. Financial Analysis Total net sales for Starbucks Corporation were analyzed for 2001, 2002, and 2003. The company had a total net sales increase of $639. 9M between the years 2001 and 2002. Another net increase of $786. 6M in sales occurred between 2002 and 2003.This is a positive sign because in a growing company, of course, we would expect a consistent increase in sales. A result of the increase in sales in part is due to a recent innovation of drive-throughs being added for the convenience of its many customers. Net income increased substantially to 215. 1M in 2002. This was due to the boom in sales and well control of its cost of goods sold. Net income increased to $53. 2M in 2003. The coffee giant acquired Seattle Coffee Company from AFC Enterprises for $72. 0M in 2003, as well. Income from operations took a boost up from $281.0M in 2001 to $318. 7M in 2002, a difference of $37. 6M. Income from operations saw a considerable upturn of $424. 7M in 2003. In a growing company we would expect income from operations to grow from year to year. Cost of sales continued to increase $237. 2M between the years 2001 and 2002 and it peaked again $335. 9M between 2002 and 2003. This is normal when sales are increasing significantly. Management Strategies From cappuccinos to lattes to just regular coffee, the quality of Starbucks fine coffee beverages is worth the cost in dollars. An oblige from the Internet stated ?At $43 in mid-June, a share of Starbucks (SBUX) cost 47 times what Wall Street analysts expect the coffee-shop chain to earn per share this year. The typical stock in the S&P 500 index trades at just 19 times earnings (Rosato, D. , 2004, p. 124). The article continued to state that management is projecting Starbucks earnings to grow to 20% every year for the next three to five years. With an amazing gro wth rate like that its no wonder that their growth far exceeds the typical S&P stocks growth rate by as much as three times. Starbucks has a very strong balance sheet. It has little long-term debt and $380. 0M in cash.It continues to expand its long-term assets and finances them from its own cash flow. If a company is in a state of expansion, we would expect long-term assets to increase. The total current assets for the year ending September 29, 2002 for Starbucks Corporation were $847. 5M. For the year ending September 28, 2003 total current assets grew $76. 5M. This gives us a good indication that the company is expanding. fund increased from $263. 1M in 2002 to $342. 9 in 2003. In a growing company, we would expect inventory to increase. An article in the Internet stated that in November 2001, Starbucks offered their own Starbucks card.It was a at rest way for coffee drinkers to pay quickly and easily for their morning cup of coffee (Kuykendall, 2004, p. 7). Starbucks sold rou ghly $18. 0M of these gift cards. This strategy is a great way to increase volume and unlike other cards Starbucks said, ? It had never charged the fee noted on its cards $2 a month after on year ? V to anyone (Kuykendall, 2004 p. 7). Another vision to increase its financial strategy was the introduction of the Duetto combo prepaid/credit card in late 2003. An article on the Internet stated how the Chicago based shore One Corp.called Duetto worked with Starbucks to generate a program where cardholders would receive rewards based on their spending habits. Starbucks conducted a survey to hold the gift that was most attractive to customers and Colette Courtion, director of Starbucks Global Card Services stated, ? Duetto cardholders receive a one-time $10 ? preload and 1% in so-called Duetto dollars that are automatically loaded on the stored-value side each month for every Visa purchase made. Starbucks also donates $5 to the Starbucks Foundation, after every customer? s first Starbu cks Card Duetto Visa purchase(Martin, Z. , 2004, p. 22). A half-pound of coffee was one of the great appealing rewards, as well. Bank One and Starbucks were very well pleased with the markets positive response to the Duetto card. We are in agreement with these financial strategies and as a team, we concur that Starbucks Corporation should continue the card services as a strategical process that gives their company a great competitive advantage. A key strength of Starbucks is being a disciplined innovator. Frappuccino blended beverages and iced refreshments were new innovations and helped the growth of Starbucks.Starbucks should continue coming up with new kinds of beverages, as that is its core product. Perhaps a vegetable drink that is geared more toward the healthier population like a low calorie, low fat, and low sugar carrot drink that is actually providing the body with good vitamins and minerals. According to information retrieved from the Factiva database, Starbucks Price/Ea rnings ratio in the last twelve months was 56. 9 and its current ratio was 1. 8. Starbucks is on the right track with their strategies and they have done such an excellent job so far that we believe these strategies will continue to bring revenues for many upcoming years.Growth Starbucks Corporation has a good strategic growth plan currently to rise their business and gain market share over their competitors. In this section of the report, it will go over Starbucks current ideas about their growth and give distinguishable recommendations in how some other ideas may increase their current and future growth. In the current high completive coffee market Starbucks has a good market share and are inception location crossways the world. Starbucks have opened their location in markets before any of their competitors has any of their location even around that market.Starbucks has a global brand name over their competitors. Starbucks Corporation has roughly 7,500 retail locations across the world, with absolute majority are owned and operated in the United States of America. Starbucks currently has locations across 30 different countries to set their business in the market before any competitors due. Even with Starbucks aggressive move to open many locations across the world they have very little profit with their business. The reasons that Starbuck? s profitability is low because they? re toilsome to cease the market first.In the fiscal year of 2003, the company has a total of nearly 1,300 pass retail stores, with 1,000 in Asia-Pacific region, 176 in Europe/Middle East/Africa and the remainder in America, excluding North America (Canada, Hawaii, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Peru and Chile). Starbucks is headquartered in Seattle, derives approximately 85% of its revenues and substantially all of its profits from its domestic US market. The US market is the market that gives them the most profit of all markets. Starbucks started most of their locations at cold states ba sed that more coffee drinkers live in cold states.With the new innovation of the cold flavored coffee drinks increased their chance to open more location in warm clement locations. Even with the rapid growth of coffee businesses in the US Starbucks has a large market share and with any change the Starbucks may due their competitors looks to target. Starbucks looks to enhance their brand image in the US market to increase their product sales from the stores that carry Starbucks coffee drinks, like Seven Eleven that carry only Starbucks coffee only.Starbucks reliance on the beverage innovation is important for the Starbucks future growth. With the increase for coffee store based on the need for coffee because of the new flavors, coffee market is growing but Starbucks looks to bring a new innovation to the market. The only problem at hand would be how long will the need and growth of the market last. In the international markets need little innovation then the US market based that the re are less competitors in the market. International markets may need to have certain products for their taste.Most often different countries have different customs and life styles that could change the need for each custom. By the fiscal year of 2004, Starbucks international market will achieve profitability. About 23% of the company? s stores locations that are profitable are located in North America markets that include UK and Japan. Currently the specialty coffee sector accounts for 15% of the US retail market, and which is already worth $21 billion. By 2005, the retail coffee market will be worth $22 billion, and the specialty coffee will account for 41% of the market.Also Starbucks are looking to invent a coffee ice cream and ice cream coffee drink. every last(predicate) of the ice cream has many different flavors and if the newly product takes of like it? s planned on doing. The specialty coffee products are now sold even at retail store based on the growing need for it. Sta rbucks is looking to open coffee and ice cream combined stores in start a new market. Starbucks currently sees that more and more coffee business are disruption threw out the US by small business owners, so Starbucks is selling more stores to lessen the opening of small businesses.Starbucks feels that if they sell their name that more small business owner would rather have a well-known name to enhance their chances in doing well. Starbucks owners will learn and gain from the innovation and marketing ideas that Starbucks will give. Starbucks will grow fleet if they sell of most or all of their location because their will be less need in maintaining their stores and more need in bring new ideas to the market. Now their competitors are franchising their location to. Most of the Starbucks locations in malls or in strip malls across the world.Currently Starbucks are grammatical construction freestanding locations and designing a drive threw so their customers can have a more convenien t way when needing their service. With these newly developed locations will have a food line. They? re looking to have hot food and cold food to compete with the Tim Horton coffee business. They are also looking to full stop open 24 hours, seven days a week. Starbucks is looking to carry donuts, breakfast sandwiches, bagels and other morning food. Starbucks interest to change to compete with Tim Horton? s may hurt their business or help their business based on the cost involved in the change.Starbucks has concerns regarding the US store growth potential. Currently if the growth continues, saturation levels within the North American retail division will be reached inside five years, the reasons why Starbucks has some concern is that about 75% of the companies revenue growth and a greater portion of its profit. Before the US market becomes saturated, the US market sales growth will grow tardily over the next three to five years. With this change of saturation point coming, the press ure will be on the international Starbucks division will need to grow faster.Currently Starbucks global coffee market is very competitive, and must compete against the likes of restaurants, coffee shops, and street carts. Any major competitors, with a large financial background and the same resources as Starbucks can enter the market at any time and compete directly against the company. Starbucks feels that they have a good market share and are aware of competition on all levels and can maintain its operational performance if its to maintain its status as the world? s leading specialty coffee retailer. Starbucks was one of the first coffee businesses in the market and will try to be one of the last to leave.The recommendation to Starbucks Coffee that if they are going to grow in the market faster than their competitors is not to change their business to be more like Tim Horton? s and have their own identity. Currently Starbucks started the wireless Internet access in their stores an d now every competitor is doing it. Also, it will help Starbucks if they would enhance the online service to provide laptops and other computers at their locations. They should have online ordering of coffee so when business people need to go fast they can order online and pay online to have a faster way in getting there coffee.With the innovation of new products, Starbucks should think in expanding in creating a coffee machine that can be place at schools, hospitals, and other companies that may need coffee and late hours or that don? t need a store. They currently market their own coffee brand coffee to purchase at other store but they should have it accessible online to order. The best thing that Starbucks has going for them is that none of its direct competitors are selling their product at store and online.With the increase in people that drink specialty coffee, Starbucks should innovate more different flavored coffee to increase their potential growth currently and in the futu re. The international looks to be the best growth for their business and they should invest more into locations and countries. Summary In order to ensure future success, we feel that Starbucks should implement the following suggestions. To improve customer satisfaction, Starbucks should include a section where customers actually ask questions and/or leave comments both in store and at their website.In addition, Starbucks should incorporate a survey to measure customer satisfaction. To ensure quality, Starbucks should continue its current practices. The practice includes securing long-term contracts, paying premium prices for coffee and additional premiums to suppliers to ensure quality needs are meet. To guarantee financial security, Starbucks should continue its role as a disciplined innovator. Starbucks should continue to promote the use of Starbucks cards and Duetto combo prepaid credit cards. An important part of Starbuck continued growth is emphasizing their unequalled image a nd to continue to provide the latest technical advancements.Starbucks should start expanding by providing coffee machines at schools, hospitals and other similar organizations. These strategies will continue to promote Starbucks as a leading retailer in a highly competitive coffee industry. Starbucks Customer Survey Dear Customer I want to convey you for giving us the opportunity to serve you. Please help us serve you better by taking a couple of minutes to tell us how we are doing. We appreciate your business and want to make sure we meet your expectations. Attached you will find a coupon good for 1 free coffee.