Reader-Response Critical Essay on Mitty free essay sample

Reader-Response Critical Essay On Mitty Erica Tosh ENG 125 Introduction to Literature Prof. Alex Vuilleumier August 1, 2011 Reader-Response Critical Essay On Mitty Did you listen to anything that I just said to you, are you even paying attention to me at all? These words are often what I hear rolling off of my grandmother’s tongue, the constant bickering, everything needing to be done a certain way at a particular time. This seems to be the same way Walter Mitty lives his life in the short story, â€Å"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty† by James Thurber. I have elected to write a reader-response critical analysis on this shorty story to define why I found this short story to be alluring, how I related to each character, and how I was able to reminisce on my own life through the words of Thurber. Instantly, the story starts with a daydream of Mitty’s, he is a commander of an 8-engine hydroplane trying to fight his way through a horrific storm. We will write a custom essay sample on Reader-Response Critical Essay on Mitty or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page As the story goes on and the commander is screaming to switch the dials, I can feel the intensity, almost as though I am a co-pilot next to Mitty battling with the rest of the crew. Within seconds, his shrieking wife snaps Mitty out of his daydream, so fast that he barely recognizes her. As fast as this daydream occurs is as fast as reality sets in, and this is an ongoing process throughout the entire short story. Thurber made this story intriguing, leaving the reader with the anticipation of wondering what would be next. As his day goes on, he continues to daydream of various settings, no longer Walter Mitty, now a brilliant surgeon asked to assist in a procedure for a rich Englishman. Thurber strongly uses satire, â€Å"literary art that calls attention to the difference between what a particular thing should be and what it actually is,† (Clugson, 2010 Ch. 1. 2). He uses the word coreopsis as though it is some kind of terrible disease, when in fact this is a beautiful, yellow, wildflower found throughout the world. I found this to be very humorous and creative, enjoyed trying to figure out what it was that Thurber was trying to imply. It would seem impossible to imagine an individual would live a life without ever having a daydream; life wouldn’t be normal for that person. Living without daydreams could possibly result in a completely boring life, living day after day in complete repeat. I did not relate to Mitty’s daydreams due to the intensity and how in depth they were. He imagined being places and doing things that I have only read in a book or have seen on television. My usual daydream contains ideas on what I would like to do with my day or possibly even my week, I have never imagined myself in a completely different atmosphere with a totally different career. When Mitty finally remembered what it was that his wife had asked him to purchase, and he said it out loud, while he was alone, this was the one time I was able to relate to him. He did not realize he was talking to himself and that everyone could hear, it was the excitement that he had actually remembered, and I have found myself doing the same. In this short story, I was more able to relate to Mrs. Mitty. I felt as though I could understand where she was coming from when scolding her husband. He obviously did this often, and she was disturbed by this and felt as though he needed to seek help from a professional. It is hard to be ignored, especially by a significant other, so I felt the annoyance Mrs. Mitty must have been feeling. The humor he brought out in this story was incredible, he made me laugh out loud and I felt the need to continue reading. After the story was over, it made me reminisce on episodes of my own grandfather daydreaming while my grandmother would talk to him. He often would run simple errands and return home with not one thing my grandmother had asked him to buy, not because he didn’t want to buy them, but simply because he left without a clue of what he was out to buy. After reading this story, I asked my grandfather what exactly it was that he would think about while she talked to him, his answer was simple, not hearing the sound of her nagging voice. Reference: Clugston, R. W. (2010). Journey into Literature. San Diego, California: Bridgepoint Education, INC. https://content. ashford. edu/books

lessons of vietnam essays

lessons of vietnam essays The United States learned many lessons from Vietnam. Of those defined, none is more proven that avoiding graduated escalation. If one is going to war, they need to go all out. Gradually increasing forces prolongs the war as well as gives the enemy more time to prepare and learn your tactics. Unfortunately, we learned this the hard way. But, as long as we adhere to the phrase, If its worth doing, its worth doing well, then we should not have any more Vietnams. Graduated escalation is just a way of delaying the inevitable. First, Johnson decided to bomb the North Vietnamese. He made the illusion that bombing the North Vietnamese was not going to war, that it was a way of putting pressure on them. For almost the first half of the war the United States thought that bombing the north would be enough to stop the invasion of the south. This theory came from bombing Germany during World War II. Although the bombing of Germany was to some degree effective, it was not to the effect that they perceived it to be. And the same effect happened in Vietnam; it did slow down some weapons building, but the north was still able to continue fighting freely. Lyndon Johnson was under the impression that as long as there was military action present, then the war was going alright. Thus the graduated escalation. But while bombing the north, troops were losing ground daily. Johnson then decided to amass more troops and ship them over. But this did no t make the job easier. By then the Viet Cong were dispersed throughout the countryside, as well as in villages. And with the Viet Cong not fighting in standard military uniform, it was almost impossible for United States troops to distinguish between civilian and military personnel. The graduated escalation policy was in part due to having no clear objective in Vietnam. Without a set military objective, it hard for military offici ...

10 Chlorine Facts (Cl or Atomic Number 17)

10 Chlorine Facts (Cl or Atomic Number 17) Chlorine (element symbol Cl) is an element you encounter every day and need in order to live.  Chlorine is atomic number 17 with element symbol Cl. Fast Facts: Chlorine Symbol: ClAtomic Number: 17Appearance: Greenish-yellow gasAtomic Weight: 35.45Group: Group 17 (Halogen)Period: Period 3Electron Configuration: [Ne] 3s2  3p5Discovery: Carl Wilhelm Scheele (1774) Chlorine Facts Chlorine belongs to the halogen element group. It is the second lightest halogen, after fluorine. Like other halogens, its an extremely reactive element that readily forms the -1 anion. Because of its high reactivity, chlorine is found in compounds. Free chlorine is rare but exists as a dense, diatomic gas.Although chlorine compounds have been used by man since ancient times, pure chlorine was not produced (on purpose) until 1774 when Carl Wilhelm Scheele reacted magnesium dioxide with spiritus salis (now known as hydrochloric acid) to form chlorine gas. Scheele did not recognize this gas as a new element, instead believing it to contain oxygen. It wasnt until 1811 that Sir Humphry Davy determined the gas was, in fact, a previously unidentified element. Davy gave chlorine its name.Pure chlorine is a greenish-yellow gas or liquid with a distinctive odor (like chlorine bleach). The element name comes from its color. The Greek word chloros means greenish-yellow.Chlorine is the 3rd most abundant element in the ocean (about 1.9% by mass) and 21st most abundant element in the Earths crust. There is so much chlorine in the Earths oceans that it would weigh 5x more than our present atmosphere if it were somehow suddenly released as a gas.Chlorine is essential for living organisms. In the human body, its found as the chloride ion, where it regulates osmotic pressure and pH and aids digestion in the stomach. The element is usually obtained by eating salt, which is sodium chloride (NaCl). While its needed for survival, pure chlorine is extremely toxic. The gas irritates the respiratory system, skin, and eyes. Exposure to 1 part per thousand in air may cause death. Since many household chemicals contain chlorine compounds, its risky to mix them because toxic gases may be released. In particular, its important to avoid mixing chlorine bleach with vinegar, ammonia, alcohol, or acetone.Because chlorine gas is toxic and because its heavier than air, it was used as a chemical weapon. The first use was in 1915 by the Germans in World War I. Later, the gas was also used by the West ern Allies. The effectiveness of the gas was limited because its strong odor and distinctive color alerted troops to its presence. Soldiers could protect themselves from the gas by seeking higher ground and breathing through damp cloth since chlorine dissolves in water. Pure chlorine is obtained primarily by electrolysis of saltwater. Chlorine is used to make drinking water safe, for bleaching, disinfection, textile processing, and to make numerous compounds. The compounds include chlorates, chloroform, synthetic rubber, carbon tetrachloride, and polyvinyl chloride. Chlorine compounds are used in medicines, plastics, antiseptics, insecticides, food, paint, solvents, and many other products. While chlorine is still used in refrigerants, the number of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) released into the environment has dramatically declined. These compounds are believed to have contributed significantly to the destruction of the ozone layer.Natural chlorine consists of two stable isotopes: chlorine-35 and chlorine-37. Chlorine-35 accounts for 76% of the natural abundance of the element, with chlorine-37 making up the other 24% of the element. Numerous radioactive isotopes of chlorine have been produced.The first chain reaction to be discovered was a chemical reaction involving chlorine, not a nuclear reaction, as you might expect. In 1913, Max Bodenstein observed a mixture of chlorine gas and hydrogen gas exploded upon exposure to light. Walther Nernst explained the chain reaction mechanism for this phenomenon in 1918. Chlorine is made in stars via the oxygen-burning and silicon-burning processes. Sources Greenwood, Norman N.; Earnshaw, Alan (1997). Chemistry of the Elements (2nd ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 0-08-037941-9.Weast, Robert (1984). CRC, Handbook of Chemistry and Physics. Boca Raton, Florida: Chemical Rubber Company Publishing. pp. E110. ISBN 0-8493-0464-4.Weeks, Mary Elvira (1932). The discovery of the elements. XVII. The halogen family. Journal of Chemical Education. 9 (11): 1915. doi:10.1021/ed009p1915Winder, Chris (2001). The Toxicology of Chlorine. Environmental Research. 85 (2): 105–14. doi:10.1006/enrs.2000.4110

Why are there different perspectives on change within organisations Essay

Why are there different perspectives on change within organisations - Essay Example Why are there different perspectives on change within organisations? The paper has answered the research question of Why are there different perspectives on change within organisations?". After giving a brief overview of stakeholders it was seen that the perspectives change as per the impact on the stakeholders. It is expected that each entity would have a different view or a perspective on the change management. This paper would attempt to answer the theThe paper has answered the research question of Why are there different perspectives on change within organisations?". After giving a brief overview of stakeholders it was seen that the perspectives change as per the impact on the stakeholders. When the interests of stakeholders are different, their perspectives and interest in the change management process would be different. Three case studies using the above reasoning have been examined. From the study, it emerges that a change management process is successful only when differing perspectives, needs and interests of various stakeholders are conside red. Two case studies of change management process during the merger of multinational automobile firms have been examined. It has been seen that in the case of Daimler Chrysler, differing perspectives of the stakeholders were not resolved and controlled by a proper change management process. As a result there was intense suspicion and infighting thus leading to a failure of the merger. In the second case of an alliance between Renault and Nissan was examined.

Fedex Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Fedex Analysis - Essay Example Shareholders expressed their dissatisfaction, in the latest shareholders meeting, on effectiveness of management of the company’s resources. The shareholders are justified in their opinion because even though the company reported strong profitability ratios, its activity rations are very weak. Activity ratios such as days of sales receivables, days of sales in inventory, accounts receivables turnover, inventory turnover, and asset turnover ratio are too weak to warrant dissent opinion from shareholders. Ratios such as return on assets and profitability ratios are however high and should be appreciated. The company’s management of its resources is worse than that of its main competitor, FedEex, because its ratios are worse than ratios that FedEx posted on activity. In days sales receivables, for example, UPS reported values higher 300 days in its considered periods while FedEex reported 43.31 days. In order to improve the company’s situation, I can ensure implemen tation of effective marketing strategies for better turnover and introduce new policies for credit sales. As a loans officer for a commercial lender, I would approve the company’s request for a loan. I would concur with the company’s position that its stock is undervalued because of the unjustified shareholders’ opinion on the company, which may be shared by potentials investors to have adverse effects on the company’s stock prices. In addition, the buyback may improve value of its stock. Taken as a short-term loan, it will reduce strength of the company’s current ratio and quick ratio because of increased value of current liabilities when current assets remain constant. If taken as a long-term loan then it will worsen the company’s debt ratio that is already weak, below 1.0. Debt to equity ratio, which is already weak, will worsen because while the load will increase the

Organizational Culture, Reengineering Services Process, and HR Organization Description Essay Example for Free

Organizational Culture, Reengineering Services Process, and HR Organization Description Essay Magneti Marelli Holding S. p. A. , a division of Fiat, is headquartered in Corbetta, Italy, and is an international manufacturer that designs, produces, and supplies high-tech automotive components. The primary product range is engine control systems for gasoline and diesel engines. Magneti Marelli is currently present in five continents and 18 countries (Fiat, 2010). To create a more consistent environment in the global process, World Class Manufacturing (WCM) has been implemented in all Fiat manufacturing companies. World Class Manufacturing is an international methodology for the organization of the manufacturing cycle to manage plants in accordance with the best standards. The application of WCM principles and methods resulted in logistics and quality and significant cost reductions. Fiat’s manufacturing structure has become increasingly efficient and flexible and has enabled the company to gain a competitive edge. Strategy Description For several years, the Fiat Group has been working to develop into a global manufacturing entity with the highest standards. The implementation of World Class Manufacturing addresses all aspects of the organization including environmental, health and safety, quality, maintenance, cost and logistic issues from the standpoint of continuous improvement. The entire process revolves around the methodical identification and decrease or elimination of waste through application of standardized techniques and tools and involves everyone in the company. WCM recognizes that employee involvement and empowerment are critical to attaining continuous improvement in all fundamentals of the manufacturing system. Organizational development occurs predominantly through employee involvement. World Class companies invest relatively more in their worker relationships and offer appreciably more training. For program achievement, Human Resources needs to be a business strategic partner and a key member of the management team overseeing and providing operational leadership (Entrepreneur, 1996). Strategy Application The key to developing and maintaining a workforce capable of supporting World Class Manufacturing is to cultivate an atmosphere of employee engagement and team building. Developing a skilled and flexible workforce creates value for external customers. To sustain a talented labor force, Human Resources initiatives involve recruitment and hiring; performance management; employee development and training; leadership development and training; team building; and safety and health programs (Scondanibbio, 2010). By recruiting and retaining top talent by identifying skill gaps and focus training as characterized by WCM, turnover and absenteeism rates are lowered and productivity and efficiency from workers increases. Training employees provides the chance to take ownership of their daily activities. Working in teams and cross-functional training increases efficiency and eliminates clutter and confusion on the plant floor. One section of World Class Manufacturing is People Development (Scondanibbio, 2010). HR provides team facilitation, leadership, and direction guidance in meeting instructional needs. The second activity in leading and managing change involves creating a vision that depicts the core values and purpose that guide the organization. It provides a worthwhile direction for designing, implementing, and assessing needed organizational changes. HR Professionals must sustain the change momentum through to completion by providing resources for change, developing new competencies and skills, and reinforcing new behaviors. Strategy Implications Organizational change involves moving from the known to the unknown which can impact worker competencies and coping abilities. Human Resources must prepare the workforce by meeting instructional needs. The second activity in leading and managing change involves creating readiness for change and overcoming resistance to change. This requires HR to be both the constant and supporter in the middle of the turmoil of change. The organization looks to HR to provide needed structures, processes and approaches to support change management and to ensure the efforts deliver results (Belilos, 1997). World Class Manufacturing has defined key principles that define the organization and inspires doing things better and improving quality, delivery, cost, and customer satisfaction. It is important to understand exactly what waste is and where it exists. For each identified waste, a strategy is prepared so performance and quality are improved. The identical process is also applied to human errors and gap analysis. Specific training models are designed applicable to the need. As the phrase indicates, World Class Manufacturing enhances an organization to be a global leader in performance and quality. Human Resources should have a clear understanding of the value of metrics and continuous measurement as the key to achieving sustainable efficiency and effectiveness. Using these outcomes, HR will have a thorough focus on talent and performance management to establish an integrated workforce management system that is closely aligned to the business needs and brand.

Face to Face with Death in Hagar :: Hagar Essays

Face to Face with Death in Hagar As Hagar faces implications of growing old, she starts on a tumultuous journey, not one of her own choice, but one of destiny. She goes through different stages of denial, anger, bargaining, depression and finally acceptance of the fact that death will come, invited or not. At one time every individual is faced with death, horrific to the young, or inviting to the sick and the old. Death is interpreted as the end of existence, but to those who believe in the afterlife, as a whole new chapter of the unknown. When Hagar realizes the proximity of death, she is in denial. She comes to live in a world of memories in the past. She created her own illusion because she cannot understand the weakness coming forth in her, like her tears "the incontinent wetness of the infirm" (pg. 31). All her life, she was hard, never showing emotion, even through the death of John. You can see her softening near the end, although she would not admit it. In addition to denial, she reaches a stage of anger and indignance with herself and others in the small world that is her life. She can no longer perform the simplest tasks such as dressing herself or walking down the stairs. It irks her to need help, which is one of the reasons she can't stand Doris. She is also angry at the lack of emotional control as she perceives how "laden with self‑pity" (pg. 31) her voice sounds when arguing with Marvin in one instance. She cannot control how her "mouth speaks by itself, the words flowing from somewhere, some half hidden hurt" (pg. 68). After the denial and anger begin to fade, she attempts a short bargaining period where she wonders what if. She even tells God to bless her or not "just as You please" (pg. 307), but she would not beg. But even though she attempts to wrestle against the inevitable, there is always a constant reminder. She places her belief in herself only and faults other's credibility, such as Doctor Tappen's, to maintain the illusion now hanging by a flimsy thread. When Hagar realizes she cannot control or stop the process of old age, she becomes depressed and distant. When she hears about Silverthreads, she is "overcome with fear, the feelings one has when the ether mask goes on, when the mind cries out to the limbs, 'flail against the thing', but the limbs are already touched with lethargy, bound and lost" (pg.

Paradise Vacation Case

Key Decisions: * Should Leduc agree to Air India’s offer? * What’s the company’s competitive strategy for 2008/2009? * How to respond to FunTours’ expansion and aggressive pricing strategy? SWOT Analysis: Paradise holds strong buyer power which enables it to bargain for lower price and discount. As market leader and Quebec company, Paradise can promote itself through reminding customer about company hisotry to strength their preference and loyalty . The weakness lands at that Quebec is the only market in Canada; the collapse of one location will damage the entire business.The threat mainly lands at pricing competition from FunTours. Competitive Analysis and Consumer Analysis: Because Paradise has its main market in Quebec, Benoix is the main competitor. However, the biggest threat comes from FunTours’ expansion currently. The competitive advantage of FunTours is its low pricing strategy. Travelling is has an elastic demand. With price being the most important determination, FunTours' strategy could drive Paradise out of the market. This strategy targets at mid and base segment of the market. It creates threat to the same segments for Paradise, which represent 90% of the revenue.Nonetheless, Quebec is a brand new market where FunTours does not have supplier connections or customer loyalty yet. FunTours serves no premium market where 10% of the revenue comes from for Paradise. Therefore, Paradise can utilize its bargain power with its suppliers to ask for lower prices, also lower its retail price to keep customers from switching to new brand, and advertise to strengthen brand loyalty. Segment| Focus| Conclusion| Base| Low price| Lower price than FunTours offers| Mid| Best value| Lower price than FunTours offers, and special promotion with higher value. Premium| Luxury service| Lower price to prevent customer from downgrading to Mid segment. Keep agents as partial distributors for better services. | Recommendation : Base and Mid package will be sold through internet solely; Premium package will be sold through both agent and internet by 50/50; at the same time lowering wholesale price by 5%, and asking Benoix Air for 5% discount on the flight. Implementation Plan: Paradise will reject the offer from Air India. We will stay with the original segments of consumers, and lower price to stop FunTours from ntering the market; at the same time, keep the package unchanged to ensure customer experiences; use promotional strategy to re-enforce brand name and loyalty. Product| Travel package provides both service and product. Paradise includes 3 packages targeting at base, mid and premium market. | Price (See Exhibit 4 for detail)| We will be using Value-based pricing strategy. We will set lower retail price to stop FunTours from entering the market, and to provide lowest price for Base segment, best value for Mid, and both luxury service and low price for Premium segment. | Retail| Base: 89| Mid: 134| Premium: 193(Ag ent) 178 (Internet)| | Wholesale| 88| 132| 176| | Tactics| Markdowns| Seasonal discount, coupons. | Markdowns. | Place| Indirect Distribution: -100% of base and mid, 50% of premium package through internet distributor -50% of premium package through travel agents with 10% commission| | Exclusive Distribution: Distribute through good reputation internet distributors only for the purpose of keeping professional brand image, and high-end travel agents to keep Premium customer privileged. Promotion| Objective: To re-enforce the brand image as a local and experienced travel operator who always respond to Quebec travellers' needs beyond expectation. | | Reminder Advertising: TV advertising and internet ad to re-enforce the brand image. Sales promotion: (1)Price promotion is mentioned above at Price section. (2)Loyalty points-collection program to encourage repurchase and creates loyalty; (3)Contests to win trips in order to increase consumer involvements and personal feelings. | Expected Results: See Exhibit 4 – Alternative 5//Recommendation for income statement.Appendixes Decision criteria: * Provide short-term viability * Provide long-term sustainability Alternative Evaluation * Cost cutting through partnership with Benoix and cost structure change to start a price war with FunTours. * Setting pricing strategy as price war and cutting cost through vertical integration. * Sell its packages through Internet distributors exclusively. * Offering packages to more remote and less developed destinations. Base and Mid package will be sold through internet solely; Premium package will be sold through both agent and internet by 50/50; at the same time lowering wholesale price by 5% and asking Benoix Air for 5% discount on the flight. Alternative 1, comparing all other 4, gets the least revenue (32,540,428). Although it is feasible in short-term and might drive FunTour out of the market, it does not concern with the obsolete of travel agents. Giving the negative reve nue for the base segment (see Exhibt 2), it is not long-term sustainable.Moreover, even if the competitor is eventually driven out the market, Paradise will have to raise the price again in order to get back on its previous profitability; Paradise runs into the risk that the customers will feel cheated and uncomfortable with the raising price, and thus shift to other operators. For Alternative 2, although leasing private airline will decrease the variable cost and increase revenue (71,192,907), Paradise runs into the risk of heavy responsibility for flight issues, decrease of flight destination and time flexibility, and high fixed cost, which will eventually be added to the price of the package.In addition to those, same problem with Alternative 1, it does not concern with the obsolete with travel agents. Thus, this alternative is not sustainable in the long-run. For Alternative 3, it addresses the problem of high agent cost, and the obsolete of agent distributor. 5% of revenue is a ssumed from using internet to reach broader customer base with lower retail price. However, the price is still higher for than FunTours’ offer (e. g. $93 vs. $90); therefore provides FunTours the chance to take away market share. It is short-term viable but not sustainable.Alternative 4 increases market variety but turns away from the main market (top 5), which is providing 89% of Paradise’s package sale. It equals to giving up a bigger pie for a tiny one. (Exhibit 2) The recommendation ranks the 3rd place in the 5 alternatives quantitatively. However, it provides both short-term viability and long-term sustainability. Lowering the price from utilizing the buyer power on Benoix Air gives Paradise the ability to win over FunTours price-wise in the short-run, and keep price low in the long-run.Internet distributor addresses the obsolete of travel agents. By offering both agents and internet distributor for premium market helps sustain our competitive advantage on luxury customers. Exhibit 1: Marketing Share, Value and Growth of Canada and Paradise Vacation for 2007 and 2008 Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | Â  | PR Market Setments| | National| PR Canada | Quebec| PR Quebec | Base| Mid| Premium| Percentage| 100. 00%| 7. 80%| 20. 00%| 39. 00%| 60%| 30%| 10%| 2007| 6,400,000| 499,200| 1,280,000| 499,200| 299,520| 149,760| 49,920| 2008 4. 0% growth| 6,694,400| 522,163| 1,338,880| 522,163| 313,298| 156,649| 52,216| Exhibit 2 – Alternative 4 Market Share, Value and Growth for 2007 and 2008 | National| Paradise Canada| Other destinations other than top5| 8%| 11%| 2007| 512,000,000| 54,912,000| After 25% of expected growth | 640,000,000| 68,640,000| Exhibit 3 – Income Statement for Alternative 1 and 2 (2008) | Alternative 1 i| Alternative 2iv| | Base| Mid| Premium| Base| Mid| Premium|Total Revenue| 313,297,920| 156,648,960| 52,216,320| 313,297,920| 156,648,960| 52,216,320| | Agent| Internet| Agent| Internet| Agent| Internet| Agent| Internet| Agent| In ternet| Agent| Internet| Industry Total Sales| 72%| 28%| 72%| 28%| 72%| 28%| 72%| 28%| 72%| 28%| 72%| 28%| | 225,574,502| 87,723,418| 112,787,251| 43,861,709| 37,595,750| 14,620,570| 225,574,502| 87,723,418| 112,787,251| 43,861,709| 37,595,750| 14,620,570| Retail price| 90. 00ii| 82. 64| 135. 00| 123. 95| 180. 00| 165. 27| 90. 00| 82. 64| 135. 00| 123. 95| 180. 0| 165. 27| Commission| 8. 18iii| 0. 82| 12. 27| 1. 23| 16. 36| 1. 64| 8. 18| 0. 82| 12. 27| 1. 23| 16. 36| 1. 64| Wholesale price| 81. 82| 81. 82| 122. 73| 122. 73| 163. 64| 163. 64| 81. 82| 81. 82| 122. 73| 122. 73| 163. 64| 163. 64| costs of sales| | | | | | | | | | | | | Airline| 40| 40| 40| 40| 40| 40| 30v| 30| 30| 30| 30| 30| Hotel| 40| 40| 50| 50| 60| 60| 40| 40| 50| 50| 60| 60| Contribution| 1. 82| 1. 82| 49. 90| 49. 90| 63. 64| 63. 64| 11. 82| 11. 82| 49. 90| 49. 90| 73. 64| 73. 64| SG&A| 9. 00| 8. 26| 13. 0| 12. 40| 18. 00| 16. 53| 9. 00| 8. 26| 13. 50| 12. 40| 18. 00| 16. 53| EBITDA| (7. 18)| (6. 44)| 36. 40| 37. 5 0| 45. 64| 47. 11| 2. 82| 3. 56| 36. 40| 37. 50| 55. 64| 57. 11| Earning contribution| (8%)| (8%)| 27%| 30%| 25%| 29%| 3. 13%| 4. 30%| 26. 96%| 30. 26%| 30. 91%| 34. 55%| ` Earning| (18,000,390)| (6,840,346)| 30,410,785| 13,271,102| 9,531,852| 4,167,425| 7,063,444| 3,775,013| 30,410,785| 13,271,102| 11,620,505| 5,052,058| Total| 32,540,428| 71,192,907| i. Assume during price war, market share does not changeii.Retail price drops 10% for distributor of agent; wholesale price will shift according to retail price and commission change (Wholesale=Retail/(1+10% commission); internet retail price change according to wholesale and commission (Internet=wholesale*(1+1% commission). iii. Commission for agent will increase to 10%; internet stays the same as 1%. | iv: All assumptions from Alternative 1 holdv: Airline price decreases 25% from$40| Exhibit 4: Income Statement for Alternative 3 and Recommendation (2008) | Alternative 3vi| Alternative 5 – Recommendation ix| | Base| Mid| Premi um| Base| Mid| Premium| 48,271,360vii| 328,962,816| 164,481,408| 54,827,136| 334,445,530| 169,964,122| 43,861,709| | Internet| Internet| Internet| Internet| Internet| Agent| Internet| Segment Percentage| 100%| 100%| 100%| 100%| 100%| 50%| 50%| | 328,962,816| 164,481,408| 54,827,136| 334,445,530| 169,964,122| 21,930,854| 21,930,854| Retail price| 93. 53| 141. 30| 187. 05| 88. 85| 134. 23| 193. 534xi| 177. 70| Wholesale price| 92. 6| 139. 9| 185. 2| 87. 97xii| 132. 905| 175. 94| 175. 94| costs of sales| | | | | | | | Airline| 40| 40| 40| 38| 38| 38| 38| Hotel| 40| 50| 60| 40| 50| 60| 60| Contribution| 12. 6| 49. 9| 85. 2| 9. 7| 49. 9| 77. 94| 77. 94| SG&A| 8. 42| 12. 72| 16. 83| 8. 00| 12. 08| 19. 35| 15. 99| EBITDA| 4. 18| 37. 18| 68. 37| 1. 97| 37. 82| 58. 5866| 61. 95| Earning contribution| 4. 47%| 26. 32%| 36. 55%| 2. 22%| 28. 17%| 30. 27%| 34. 86%| Earning| 14,711,841| 43,283,583| 20,038,677| 7,428,695| 47,885,482| 6,638,907| 7,645,225| Total| 78,034,101| 69,598,308| vi: Because that internet distributor can reach more customer, 5% growth on expected revenue (2008) is assumedvii: Total revenue after 5% assumed growthviii:With internet distributor, SG&A decrease by 10% from before, for agent, it stays the same| ix:. % revenue growth is assumed same from Alternative 3 due to the use of internet distributor. Premium market as luxury will decrease due to the upcoming recession, it is assumed that Premium segment will decrease to 8%, Base and Mid will increase by 1% each. X: From bargaining with Benoix Air, a 5% discount is expected. xi: 10% commission on agent is provided. Xii: Taking 5% off wholesale price|

KFC in India Essay

1. Since its entry into India in 1995,KFC has been facing protests by cultural and economic activists and farmers. What are the reasons for these protests and do you think these reasons are justified? Exaplain. During the early 1990s, KFC set up their business at India and they were faced all kind of protests by cultural, economic activists and farmers (The Ecologist, 1995). On the year of 1995, KFC open the first outlet at Bangalore and KFC was among the first fast-food multinational to enter India. One of the case which KFC involved is the municipal food inspectors found that KFC’s â€Å"hot&spicy† seasoning contained nearly three times more mono sodium glutamate (MSG, popularly known as ajinomoto, a flavor enhancing ingredient) than allowed by the Indian Prevention of Food Adulteration Act,1954 (IPFAA) (Ray, Ashis, 1995). According to the IPFAA , fast food restaurants can only contain maximum 1 percent of MSG as a seasoning of the food. Therefore, the KFC’s chicken being sent for food inspectors’ examination, followed by laboratory tests and analysis. But after all the procedure, they found that KFC’s chicken had exceed the legal MSG limits which is con tained 2.8 percent of MSG. Due to this issue, KFC being charged  because of â€Å"adulterated, misbranded, and unfit for human consumption. (Ray, Ashis, 1995) After the protests faced at Bangalore, Pepsi Co opened a second KFC outlet in Delhi, the national capital, in October 1995 (Delhi’s Fried Chicken Blues,1995). Within couple of weeks of launch, KFC in Delhi had to stop its business as health officials canceled its license on November 1995 due to coating mix imported from United States contained sodium aluminium phosphate(SAP), which was hazardous to human health. Meanwhile, KFC was able to proved that SAP was used in small quantities in the baking powder and was not harmful. And the KFC had won the case and resumed back its business.(Delhi’s Fried Chicken Blues,1995) After all the protests had been settle down, the activist from Delhi against taking up another issues about the hygiene conditions of the restaurant. Due to an inspection by food inspectors found flies buzzing around the kitchen and garbage cans just outside the restaurant premises. Because of the issue, the Delhi KFC outlet was closed within 23 days of reop ening. From the cultural and economic activists and farmers perspective, KFC will also bring numerous disadvantage towards them if KFC start up their business at India. Nationalists also feared a culture invasion; environmentalists and farmers felt grain consumption by cattle for meat production would be detrimental; and nutritionists highlighted the consumption of fast food will increase the rate of obesity, hypertension ,heart disease , and cancer. Therefore, they were protest the entry of KFC into their country and they also carry â€Å"boycott KFC† signs while protest. KFC had experience different kind of issue raised up by the cultural and economic activists and farmers, there are some cases where the KFC should research about India culture before they enter. Most of the protests cases was because of the healthy issues brings to the people after consume the KFC’s chicken (Protest against KFC,2004) Sometimes, many businesses too focus on profit making and did not concern on the consumer’s healthy. Therefore, KFC have to follow the legal requirement of the food in order to sustain their business in India. On the others hand, most of the farmers  protest is because they feared that the fast-food chain will affect its local agricultural environment (Narasimhan, Shakuntala,1996). All this is about ethical of business, KFC should not serve a food which is contained unhealthy ingredient and they must also concern more on the economy growth at India. 2. PETA has been protesting against KFC in India since the last 1990s. What are the reasons for PETA’s protests against KFC and how did KFC’s management react to them? Do you agree with PETA that KFC has been cruel toward the birds and hence it should leave India? Based on this case study, we found out that KFC in India faced severe protests by People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), an animal rights protection organization. The reason for PETA’s protest against KFC was primarily due to the inhumane treatment the chickens faced on KFC farms and released a video tape showing the ill-treatment of birds in KFC’s poultry farms. Pilgrim’s Pride (PP) is one of KFC’s award-winning supply operations and the second largest processor of chickens in the United States. PETA’s investigations in Pilgrim’s Pride poultry farm brought to light the inappropriate practices that prevailed in KFC’s supplier operations, Yamini Aparna K . Vivek Gupta (2004). In other word PETA found a video exposing KFC supplier abuse chickens by cruel trick and this immediately aroused public attention. In the 4 minute video released by PETA in regards to these allegations, viewers witnessed birds living in overcrowded, crammed warehouses with barely any space to move, vast amounts of chicken carcasses that had died from disease, dirty, injured chickens and the cruel actions towards the animals by the hands of the staff. Besides that, the staff do anything to abuse the chicken, they often cut off their wings, slamming them to the wall, punched them as sandbags, kicked them as football. At slaughter, the chicken’ throats are slit and dropped into tanks of scalding-hot water while they are still conscious.(refer to reference 11) They abuse the chickens alive to death and then gave to outlet frying as delicious fried chicken serve all around the world. Though other fast food organizations such as McDonald’s and Burger King had already ‘upped’ their standards regarding the treatment of animals, KFC had yet to do so. In these factories and poultry farms, birds were kept in very unhygienic conditions and treated cruelly. However, undeterred by  the protests by PETA and other animal rights organizations, KFC planned a massive expansion program in India,Margaret Scheikowski (2009). According to ‘PETA’s Fact Sheet of KFC’s Cruelty’, there were six main points of suffering the chickens faced, Dan Mathews, PETA (July 12, 2011). These included; i. Having less than a normal sized piece of paper to live in -This is where the chickens are stuffed by tens of thousands into overcrowded sheds where they hardly find space to move freely. To save space and avoid chicken hurting each other, the sensitive chicken beaks are cut off with hot blade without giving any pain killers. Overcrowding and poor litter quality in the farms also caused painful ammonia burns on the chickens. The injured chickens received no treatment and had to bear the pain throughout their life. ii. Suffering from crippled and deformed legs since birth and dying early from heart attacks as a result of poor breeding methods – Birds are fed genetically modified feed in order to accelerate their growth rate. As a result they suffer from ailments such as extreme obesity and fatty livers and kidneys, heart attacks and other problems. iii. Being killed before reaching six weeks of age -This is where the chickens are slaughtered before they are 6 weeks old. At the slaughter house, chickens are hung upside down and transferred through conveyor belts to the killing room fully conscious. iv. Frustrated Workers – Due to poor wages and working conditions, employees used the chickens as a means to vent frustrations and alleviate boredom. They twisted the bird’s heads off, spat tobacco into their eyes and mouths, spray-painted their faces, used them as footballs and squeezed their bodies so hard that the birds expelled feces. v. Mistreatment by callous staff and; vi. Receiving little to no veterinary care KFC’s management in response to PETA’s protest was adding more outlets and  the announcement of major developments to the program. They also planned to open more stores in prime locations such as shopping malls in cosmopolitan areas. Vegetarian dishes were also implemented into the menu to cater and attract the mass vegetarian population. However, PETA India wrote a letter to the Managing Director of Tricon Restaurant International, the parent company of KFC, asking them to close their sole KFC outlet in India. But their responses are got no reply. So that, PETA activists decided to protest against KFC by carrying crippled chicken, which represented the birds suffering in the KFC’s farms. PETA claimed that after two years of intensive campaigning to increase animal welfare standards in poultry farms. After analyzing the case study and PETA’s fact sheet, it is clear that KFC are cruel towards their birds and hence should leave India. Moreover, as KFC is s uch a powerful multinational company and with support from the director of marketing of Yum! Restaurants International who assured KFC followed the welfare guidelines and valued Indian law, this outcome was highly unlikely. 3. What is the importance of ethics in doing business? Do you think in the face of fierce competition, business organizations are justified not to support ethical values at the cost of making profits? Why or why not? Justify your answer giving examples. There is no doubt that business ethics plays a more and more important role in modern economy. Ethics can be associated with being fair, honest, and moral and being ‘the right thing to do’. There are many essential benefits to those businesses known for good ethical values (Steven Symes, July 2014). One of the responsibilities of an organization is to make sure that all their actions to the ethical standards provided by the law, the KFC need to follow the rule and regulation at the country. Other than strategy for marketing and management, businesses have considered other elements that play significant roles towards success. One of these important elements is ethics. These organizations tend to be those that attain higher quality staff, staff turnover is low, better image, attract and maintain new and existing consumers and have a greater competitive advantage. Though many businesses try and aim to be both ethical and successful, countless believe it to get in the way of making a profit (VoiceLee1 , October 2013). Depending on which country and state you are in can determine the amount of trouble a company may face with their unethical  behavior. In extreme cases this may lead to the law being involved which principally takes profits away from businesses and to operate in certain markets, Consumer international (2008). Based on the case study of KFC in India, being a large international company immediately draws attention. Even though domestic businesses in India may not follow the ‘right’ ethical procedures, KFC is automatically under the spotlight as locals expect them to follow international standards. In the face of fierce competition, business organizations should have support ethical values whether they believe it will affect their profits or not. For any organization, ‘the customer is always right’ and are one of the most important factor in keeping the business alive as this is where profits are made. As customers have ethics, if they are not happy, no profits. Laura Costa, Ph.D. (December, 2012) It is highly essential for business organizations to understand the importance of ethics in today’s world. In order to achieve this, large international companies such as KFC who are expanding their businesses in less develop countries such as India, need to gain understanding of the country culture, regulatory and ecological issues. So that, KFC should work together and partner up with local farmers as well as with their consumers to ensure them they have quality products. Another strategy may also be to implement a farm level guideline and analysis reports for their stakeholders regarding poultry care and handling. Ronald D Francis&Mukti Mishra(2014),pg 56-60. 4. CONCLUSION Finally, we can understand from the case that every business organization should understand the importance of ethics by understanding the culture, regulatory and ecological issues in different countries. KFC should implement a farm level guideline & audit program – a program which is industry leading in the areas of poultry care and handling, mainly for their supplier in the broiler industry. Therefore the company need some common principles to guide the behaviors. It is much easier for a company with good moral conducts to build its reputation and win respect from all aspects of a society. KFC has been already gained the reputation of a fast food that continuously provides greasy unhealthy food, so it needs to do something about and shift its positive image back. Reference 1. Yamini Aparna K. Vivek Gupta(2004) KFC in India: Ethical Issues [Online] Available from: http://www.asiacase.com/ecatalog/NO_FILTERS/page-CROSSMGT-649128.html[Accessed :17th July 2014] 2. Margaret Scheikowski (2009) Family sues KFC over â€Å"food Poisoning†. [Online] Available from: http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/845258/kfc-sued-over-salmonella-poisoning[Accessed :17th July 2014] 3. Dan Mathews ,PETA(July 12, 2011). KFC in India Available from: http://www.kentuckyfriedcruelty.com/index.asp[Accessed :18th July 2014] 4. Schreiner, Bruce (23 July 2005). â€Å"KFC still guards Colonel’s secret†. Associated Press. Retrieved 19 September 2013. Available from: http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/072305/bus_19314459.shtml[Accessed :19th July 2014] 5. VoiceLee1 , October 2013’KFC in India Case Study Assignment (Ethical Issue) Available :19th July 2014] 6. Consumer international (2008) WCRD 2008 [Online] Available from: http: //www.consumersinternatio nal.org/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID= 97050 &int1stParentNodeID=89647&int2ndParentNodeID=95043[Accessed :19th July 2014] 7. Laura Costa, Ph.D. (December,2012) Protect You from Harmful Chemicals in Cosmetics and Household Products. [Online] Available from: http://loveyourbody.nowfoundation.org/harmful_chemicals.html[Accessed :20th July 2014] 8. KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN (KFC) IN INDIA(No date) [Online] Available fromhttp://www.freeessays123.com/essay21631/kentuckyfriedchickenkfcinindia.html[Accessed :20th July 2014] 9. Ronald D Francis&Mukti Mishra(2014),pg 56-60† Business Ethical† Available from: http://books.google.com.my/books?id=xV8l8EUCOjQC&pg=PA176&lpg=PA176&dq=www.icmrindia.org/casestudies/†¦/business%2520ethics/BECG044.+HTML&source=bl&ots=wKboQnsm4A&sig=4Cd0mvIFlBRz-LMhNMOzZVsx1L8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=jO7LU8z7HIq9ugTB0ILACw&ved=0CC4Q6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=www.icmrindia.org%2Fcasestudies%2F†¦%2Fbusiness%2520ethics%2FBECG044.%20HTML&f=false[Accessed :20th July 2014] 10. Steven Symes (July 2014), ‘Importance of Ethical Conduct in a Business. Available from: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/importance-ethical-conduct-business-25163.html[Accessed :20th July 2014] 11. video released by PETA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXKExmm_Mk0 or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zLZrAQ8JIM or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5eMQ-3Drmw 12. Ray, Ashis. † KFC Takes On India over MSG,† www.cnn.com, September 21, 1995 13. â€Å"Delhi’s Fried Chicken Blues,† www.theasiaweek.com, November 24, 1995 14. â€Å"Kentucky Fried Chicken Protest in India.† The Ecologist, November/ December 1995 15. Narasimhan, Shakuntala. â€Å"Tandoori vs Kentucky Fried.† Multinational Monitor, January/ February 1996 16. â€Å"Protest against KFC,† www.hindu.com, February 18, 2004

Free Essays on Hopeless Ambition

During the late 1800’s immigrants flocked to America in record numbers. They came to America with high hopes of freedom and opportunity. Freedoms they could not have enjoyed in the countries they formerly called home. They came to America looking for the chance to rise above the common man and make a name for themselves. America’s capitalist system is based on that very idea. However, this system was set up for the common man, by the common man and issues such as racism were not initially taken into account. Race can keep you from being treated with respect, keep you from getting a job or even keep you from renting a house. Because of this George, Mike and Elena are forced to live in a country that although brags of freedom, the circumstances of their freedom are not ideal. There is no better example of racism in Braddock than at the steel mill. There is not one Slovak ever mentioned in Out of This Furnace that had a management position at the mill. Almost every one of them worked at the mill from the day they were old enough until the day they died without any hope of ever receiving higher pay than people just starting out. â€Å"I’ve seen them hire Irish, Johnny Bulls, Scotties, just off the boat and knowing no more about a steel mill than Mikie there, and in a year they’re giving me orders. Not once or twice but many times†¦ But I’m a Hunky and they don’t give good jobs to Hunkies.† (Bell 184). It’s understandable that mike would be frustrated after 20 years of service and no raise, especially when people who only worked there for a few years were making more money than him. This is not the only time Mike spoke of the hopelessness of working at the mill. He lived his whole life deserving more tha n he was given, but never received anything because of the country he was from. George felt the same sense of hopelessness towards his job as Mike and everyone else in Braddock, but he was one of the few peopl... Free Essays on Hopeless Ambition Free Essays on Hopeless Ambition During the late 1800’s immigrants flocked to America in record numbers. They came to America with high hopes of freedom and opportunity. Freedoms they could not have enjoyed in the countries they formerly called home. They came to America looking for the chance to rise above the common man and make a name for themselves. America’s capitalist system is based on that very idea. However, this system was set up for the common man, by the common man and issues such as racism were not initially taken into account. Race can keep you from being treated with respect, keep you from getting a job or even keep you from renting a house. Because of this George, Mike and Elena are forced to live in a country that although brags of freedom, the circumstances of their freedom are not ideal. There is no better example of racism in Braddock than at the steel mill. There is not one Slovak ever mentioned in Out of This Furnace that had a management position at the mill. Almost every one of them worked at the mill from the day they were old enough until the day they died without any hope of ever receiving higher pay than people just starting out. â€Å"I’ve seen them hire Irish, Johnny Bulls, Scotties, just off the boat and knowing no more about a steel mill than Mikie there, and in a year they’re giving me orders. Not once or twice but many times†¦ But I’m a Hunky and they don’t give good jobs to Hunkies.† (Bell 184). It’s understandable that mike would be frustrated after 20 years of service and no raise, especially when people who only worked there for a few years were making more money than him. This is not the only time Mike spoke of the hopelessness of working at the mill. He lived his whole life deserving more tha n he was given, but never received anything because of the country he was from. George felt the same sense of hopelessness towards his job as Mike and everyone else in Braddock, but he was one of the few peopl...

A repudiatory breach of contract

A repudiatory breach of contract Disclaimer: This work has been submitted by a student. This is not an example of the work produced by our Law Essay Writing Service . You can view samples of our professional work here . A repudiatory breach of contract Usually if the employee resigns, the contract terminates and the employee will have no claim against the employer for wrongful dismissal. However, employee’s resignation may result in wrongful dismissal claim if the resignation is a result of the employer’s repudiatory breach of the contract. Under section 95(1)(c) of the Employment Rights Act 1996 the employee is entitled to resign, without giving notice, and can make a claim of wrongful dismissal for the losses he suffered as a result of the early termination of the contract. In order for a claim to succeed, the employee must show that the employer breached either an express or implied contractual term. Furthermore, the employee needs to show that his resignation is a response to the breach, and that such breach was adequately serious to justify the resignation. The employee will also need to show that he had not confirmed the contract following the breach by returning to work. When d etermining the seriousness of the breach, the courts and tribunals will consider the express and implied contractual terms that were breached. The implied duty of trust and confidence is considered an important duty owed to employees by their employers. This duty states that the employer owes duty of support in the event that an employee is subjected by other employees to any form of abuse. It requires an employer to investigate the complaint and to take appropriate action. This was considered in Bracebridge Engineering Ltd v Darby [1990] IRLR 3 where it was held that by failing to provide adequate support and follow appropriate grievance procedure, the employer had breached the implied duty of trust and confidence. In Western Excavating (ECC) Ltd v Sharp [1978] QB 761, the Court of Appeal attempted to define unreasonable conduct and found that the employer must act sensibly in the treatment of his employees. If the employer behaves or conducts his affairs so unreasonably that the e mployee cannot be expected to work in such environment any longer, the employee is justified in leaving. This definition of unreasonable conduct was criticised by Lord Denning, who stated that a certain degree of a particular behaviour may be considered to be in line with the employer’s business. The interpretation is nowadays very wide, however the principle set out in Western Excavating case remains a valid principle in establishing unreasonable conduct. To breach the term of trust and confidence, employer must have been acting in a way that is likely to destroy or seriously damage trust and confidence which must exist between the employer and employee. In Morrow v Safeway Stores plc [2002] IRLR 9, the employee was publicly reprimanded and generally had a bad working relationship with the manager of the store. The Employment Tribunal held that although the public reprimand was a breach of the implied term of trust and confidence, it was not serious enough to entitle the emp loyee to resign and claim unfair dismissal. The Employment Appeal Tribunal overturned this decision and emphasised that the breach of implied term of trust and confidence, if committed, is a fundamental breach stemming from the contract itself, and as such will entitle the employee to resign.

English - College Literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

English - College Literature - Essay Example The tone of despair and anger underlines a theme of hidden suffering, where people cover up their feelings, only expressing them in prayer, â€Å"We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries / To thee from tortured souls arise.† (1. 0-11). The speaker is not definable as male or female, young or old, but has a voice that could apply to many, as the poet shares the suffering experiences across a whole range of humanity, evidenced by the use of â€Å"we†. The metaphor of â€Å"the mask that grins and lies,† (l. 1) and the reason for using this protection, â€Å"Nay, let them only see us while / We wear the mask† (l. 8-9), signified how people may hurt inside for many reasons but want to hide the pain. It seemed to be a matter of pride, as in â€Å"why should the world be over-wise, / In counting all our tears and sighs?† (l. 6-7), to keep the suffering hidden. Dunbar was a child of slaves and he understood the suffering of slavery. But the concept of covering up our pain can apply to anyone; the mask is a symbol of the human need to protect itself. Often, at school or hanging out with friends, somebody can say something hurtful, maybe as a joke, so we smile or laugh in response, pretending not to be vulnerable and covering up our hurt. The poet expressed exactly how much we hurt and how the pretence can damage us. He makes us feel other’s pain and relate it to our own, and maybe realize that if we take off the mask, we could suffer less and become stronger. â€Å"Incident†, with the simple, repetitive rhythms of a child’s sung rhyme and point of view, gives a difference perspective on how people hurt each other. The boy speaker, most likely the poet, recalled a childhood memory with an ironic tone that suggests he had risen above that experience. Though the poem reads like a child telling a story, with true rhyme such as â€Å"glee† (l. 2) and â€Å"me† (l. 4), â€Å"bigger† (1. 6) and â€Å"nigger† (l. 8), its message is stark. The theme of racism and its