How Education Has Changed Over The Last Decade Essay

Colleges have changed how they approach education dramatically over the last decade. For many years, the common perception of how colleges were preparing students involved, teachers providing lectures, students doing various homework assignments and then being evaluated. Students either passed or failed. How much time and effort individual’s put into their studies became the only way colleges measured student success outcomes. Often, colleges did not find themselves bearing the burden of responsibility for poor student outcome statistics. In recent years, the responsibility for student success has begun to fall more heavily on the schools. According to Grubb and Associates’ article, â€Å"From Black Box to Pandora’s Box. Evaluating Remedial/Developmental Education†, as the shift in responsibility switched colleges have challenged themselves with redefining how they approach educating students. â€Å"Accepting this responsibility means identifying and then correcting the many possible reasons for non-completion or failure to learn- in short, providing remedial/developmental education, tutoring, counseling, and other forms of student services† (Grubb). Within college education, there are two main types of schools. Students either enroll in a four-year university or a two-year community college. Where they are able to gain acceptance, often, depends on their level of preparedness. Two- year colleges have less demanding admission requirements. Christopher Shults article,Show MoreRelatedEducation : The Past, The Present And Future1184 Words   |  5 Pages‘Education: The Past, the Present the Future’ â€Å"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.† - Nelson Mandela. Without education, there is simply no telling of what this world would be like. There wouldn’t be doctors, lawyers, businesses etc. Life and everything around us would be fatuous. Schools and education give us a plan in life and help guide us. Throughout the years education has changed tremendously. It had its improvements throughout the decades, and itRead MoreHow Culture Influences Health Of All Individuals1389 Words   |  6 PagesHow Culture Influences Health in America Culture plays a great role in the health of all individuals. The American race has a vast influence over other cultures that migrate to the United States. Unfortunately, the dietary habits of the average American can lead to an increased health risk and a variety of problems that will further be elaborated on. It is important to remember that health is not just the physical aspect that everyone assumes when they consider the word health. It actually hasRead MoreAnalysis Of Gish Jen s Who s Irish?893 Words   |  4 Pagesknowing about how gender inequality in china has changed over the last several decades since the story was written, and wanting to narrow the topic I focused on inequality in education in China. Not many women were fierce and independent women who could make a life of their own, which then brought up the question, has gender inequality changed in Chinese culture? Or to narrow it down some more how has gender inequality in education changed in Chinese culture? T hough slowly gender inequality has been changingRead MoreAchieving Gender Equality : Education1520 Words   |  7 PagesEquality: Education in China In Gish Jen’s short story Who s Irish?, the main character is a determined Chinese grandmother who moved to America with her husband when she was a young woman, and now, in her old age, she is nearing her limit when she cannot handle her granddaughter s behavior and how she is being raised. 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The hookup culture is the lack of commitment to a single partner, but having flings with one or more people. Dating has not been around but for nearlyRead Morecase study 1 hgd Essay1004 Words   |  5 Pagesadjust to social changes resulting from this demographic shift? What are your thoughts on how to provide for an aging society?   Discuss the implications for aging individuals and aging societies of (1) increasing life expectancy, and (2) increasing numbers of older persons living with chronic conditions such as diabetes and Alzheimers disease. Please save your work as a word file in this format: your last name, assignment (e.g. Lockwood case 1.docx) and post in the appropriate drop box. Your  paper  should

Dickens Interpretation Of The French Revolution - 786 Words

Essay Prompt: In A Tale of Two Cities, how does Dickens’ description of specific characters and their fate (2-3) illustrate his interpretation of the French Revolution? Evaluate this interpretation in light of other evidence drawn from course materials. Outline Intro: French Revolution: significance, etc. Tale of Two Cities: significance, shows British perspective, etc. First Paragraph: Marquis Was a nobleman in France Quotes from book to illustrate character (his past and present crimes against peasants) His fate: death, would’ve been killed during revolution anyways Second Paragraph: Madame Defarge Was a middle-class woman, revolutionary Quotes from book to illustrate character (knitting names, plotting revenge and why) Her fate:†¦show more content†¦. .’†(p. 137). The Marquis is a prime example of the French aristocracy that benefitted from the feudal system in France during this time. It’s no surprise that when the Marquis meets his grim end, it is at the hands of the father of the boy he ran over. A second character of questionable integrity in the story is Madame Defarge, the wife of Monsieur Defarge, who is an avid participant in the revolution. While Monsieur Defarge believes that the reformation is a noble cause and wants to see a change in the social and political system, Madame Defarge’s reasons for supporting the revolution are more personal. It is revealed later in the book that Madame Defarge was the younger sister of a peasant girl that the Marquis raped. This instilled a hatred of the aristocracy in her from a young age. It seems that Madame Defarge’s main motive is revenge, and eventually this is the cause of her death. When going to murder the Marquis’ nephew’s wife and daughter, she gets into a fight with the girl’s nanny and is accidentally killed. This book is historically significant because it used the perspective of the French Revolution to reflect on social inequality in Britain. As Dickens put it at the beginning of his novel â€Å"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.† While the clergy and nobles in France were getting richer and didn’t have to pay taxes, the poor were starving fromShow MoreRelatedDickenss Views of the French Revolution Essay680 Words   |  3 Pageslicense and oppression ever again, and it will surely yield the same fruit according to its kind. (385) This quote from Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities illustrates Dickens bias for the revolting class during the French Revolution. In the book, however, Dickens does vilify the violence that is inherent in this Revolution. He also puts his own slant on the way the Revolution occurs and who lea ds it. This bias could be attributed to who he was and who his audience was. 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In A Tale of Two Cities, the commoners are frowned upon by the rich in the entire novel and merely seen as wasted space. Towards the beginning of the book, â€Å"a large cask of wine had been dropped, in the street† (Dickens 31). â€Å"Some men kneeled down, made scoops of their two handsRead MoreRealism and the Humanities 1718 Words   |  7 Pagessaid that realism was â€Å"nothing more and nothing less than the truthful treatment of material† or â€Å"a faithful representation of reality† (â€Å"Realist Works as Landmarks in American History†). How Americans viewed the world at that time clouded their interpretation of ‘Realism’ and led them to a darker form of the same concept. That is not where the differences end, though, because there are many different forms. Realism is hard to define, especially when the words ‘classical’, ‘naturalism’, and ‘socialist’Read More Causes of the French Revolution Essay2786 Words   |  12 PagesGuillotine!† -- Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities Reflect upon your lifetime. Was there ever a moment where you felt mistreated, or unequally represented? Maybe it’s that your boss listens to your other coworkers and not you. Or that you feel like the government is listening to corporative powers and not the people. Inequality fosters resentment. How would you feel if your voice wasn’t heard? The concept of inequality is not exclusive to the French Revolution. In fact, these variationsRead MoreVictor Hugo- Styles and Themes1990 Words   |  8 PagesVictor Hugo Many critics would go as far as to say that Victor Hugo was and remains the Charles Dickens of France. Hugo is most well known for the writing of the famous Broadway show and book Les Misà ©rables as well as what became the Disney Hit Hunchback of Notre Dame. A brilliant author, artist, and poet, Hugo is most recognized for his writing of government and revolution. But these themes that are common for many authors to write of have actually deemed Hugo quite unique, so much so that criticsRead MorePlanned Approach to Change11990 Words   |  48 Pagesstill very relevant to the needs of the modern world. LEWIN’S BACKGROUND Few social scientists can have received the level of praise and admiration that has been heaped upon Kurt Lewin (Ash, 1992; Bargal et al., 1992; Dent and Goldberg, 1999; Dickens and Watkins, 1999; Tobach, 1994). As Edgar Schein (1988, p. 239) enthusiastically commented: There is little question that the intellectual father of contemporary theories of applied behavioural science, action research and planned change is KurtRead MoreHow I Read Literature Like A Professor Notes3177 Words   |  13 Pagesdoes this resemble? o Why was this type of violence used over another? Chapter 12- Symbolism †¢ A general symbol can’t be reduced to one thing or meaning †¢ Readers see their own interpretations- must be able to support it!! †¢ The pilgrim’s process- allegory (one to one) devout Christian to reach heaven †¢ Animal Farm- revolutions fail †¢ â€Å"Passage to India†- caves- ancestors lived in caves- a connection to basics/ security and shelter †¢ Huck Finn.- the raft ride served as a platform for Huck to know JimRead MoreShortening of Words and Their Features9064 Words   |  37 Pages MINISTRY OF HIGHER AND SECONDARY SPECIAL EDUCATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN Uzbek State World Languages University Theory and practice of translation faculty Theory and practice of translation/interpretation department [pic] In Lexicology On the topic: Shortening of words and their features Done by: Kudratova L. Group 309 Checked by: Muminov O. M Tashkent 2013 CONTENTS I. Introduction. 1.1. Common characteristics of the course paper 2.1. General definitionRead MoreInterpretation of the Text13649 Words   |  55 Pagesnominal phrase) which names things but does not elaborate them. There may be not one, but several themes in a work of fiction. The general idea that the reader draws from the story as a whole is called the message, which is the product of a readers interpretation. It is a conceptual distillation of the story, the central idea or insight serving as a unifying element, creating cohesion among different parts of the story. In order to formulate the message one has to answer the question â€Å"What did you learn

The Sale Of Burmah Castrol To Bp Amoco Commerce Essay Example For Students

The Sale Of Burmah Castrol To Bp Amoco Commerce Essay This instance survey focuses on the elaborate analysis of concern environment, resources of the administration, organizational construction and corporate parenting of sale of Burmah Castrol to BP Amoco instance. This instance analyze identifies different methodological analysis of why Burmah Castrol sells its workss to BP Amoco. The Burmah Oil Company was founded in 1886 by Scots enterprisers interested in working freshly found oil sedimentations in Burma. Burmah held a major shareholding in BP right through until the early 1970s. Indeed, after a long period runing efficaciously as an inter- mediate keeping company for BP portions, the direction of Burmah in the sixtiess used the value of the portions as collateral to ship on an ambitious program to turn Burmah into both a to the full integrated oil company and a significant pudding stone group. This analysis will incorporate a layout which will analyze Burmah Castrol public presentation and their ultimate effects through a measure by measure attack. An debut has been given on Burmah Castrol sale to BP Amoco, a elaborate analysis on public presentation spread such as ends and aims, leading, civilization, organizational construction, corporate parenting, concern environment of the company. Under each structural reform there in an account on what lead Burmah to sell it workss to BP Amoco, what are the features of each construction and what lead to its failure. After the critical analysis of construction I will be adverting the critical issue at Sony. In order to warrant my statement I will be utilizing strategic direction theoretical accounts and theories such as, 5 forces theoretical account, GAP analysis, 7S matrix, SWOT analysis, PEST analysis, corporate parenting, value concatenation analysis and eventually ternary cringle larning method. A separate section of this study will aim on replying the inquiry is Castrol a turning company, and recommendation that have to be considered by them. After reasoning the analysis I will present my recommendation for BP and it will be followed by a suggestion suggested for BP Amoco to purchase Burmah Castrol. Finally an action program is developed for what has to be done by the companies where I have concentrated on three chief facets, viz. , selling, structural reforms and cost effectivity of the company. Outline1 Critical issues2 Critical rating3 Rival analysis4 Pull offing alteration5 Fiscal public presentation of Castrol6 Decision7 Recommendation8 Justification9 Mentions10 Appendixs11 APPENDIX 112 MC KINSEY S 7SMATRIX13 Scheme14 Structure15 Systems16 Manner17 Staff18 Shared Valuess19 Skills20 Appendix 221 SWOT Analysis22 Strengths23 Failings24 Opportunities25 A Menaces26 Appendix 327 Industrial Environment analysis of Castrol by utilizing Porter s Five Forces theoretical account28 Appendix 429 Plague Analysis30 POLITICAL31 A A A A32 A A ECONOMIC33 SOCIAL34 A A A A A35 A Technology36 Appendix 537 Organizational construction38 Appendix 639 Value Chain analysis40 Firm Infrastructure41 Technology Development42 Human Resource Management43 Procurement44 Inbound Logistic45 Operation46 Outbound Logistic47 Selling and Gross saless48 Appendix 749 Balance score card of Castrol50 Vision and scheme51 Fiscal position52 Customer position53 Internal concern procedure position54 Learning and Growth perspective Critical issues The Burmah Oil Company is a Scots enterpriser company founded in 1886 with interested in working freshly found oil sedimentations in Burma. On set uping success was followed by a milepost investing in an geographic expedition grant across a significant country of Iran acquired from the Shah. Indeed, after a long period runing efficaciously as an inter- mediate keeping company for BP portions, the direction of Burmah in the sixtiess used the value of the portions as collateral to ship on an ambitious program to turn Burmah into both a to the full integrated oil company and a significant pudding stone group. The direction ay Castrol are with accomplishments in descrying both good directors and sound investing chances: the combination would enable all the Group s concerns to thrive and turn. There was sufficient similarity in footings of cardinal factors for success between Castrol and the Chemicals concerns to enable senior direction to add value across the portfolio. At late 80s there was an uncertainness, about where the Group was headed over the medium to long tally. This has led them to seek for moves that might supply such balance. The chance arose from Foseco after taking over its direction ; due to its down portion monetary value. There were besides other issues to screen out in the Chemicals concerns where some were underperforming: work needed to be done to better their overall operating efficiency. That was a undertaking that was successfully set about and delivered: signii ¬?cantly improved ratios were achieved through cost film editing and effectual focal point. In mid 1990s Burmah Castrol consisted of Castrol, blending and selling lubricators ; and Chemicals with a residuary Fuels retailing concern efficaciously the concluding relic of the past which was in the procedure of being sold off. The strategic reappraisal identii ¬?ed an implicit in subject of industrial selling and quality service as the nucleus competencies of the successful chemicals concerns. ( Appendix 1 ) Castrol s 75 per cent of its entire net income came from rider auto engine oil concern, faced the chance of more efficient engines necessitating longer and longer spreads between oil alterations ; and hence of possible long-run volume diminution. It has many strengths and failing with is explained in appendix 2. In 1996, they had a hard in North America after a tally of systematically good volume and proi ¬?t growing ; and at the same time we started to develop concerns about long-term developments in the rider auto engine oil concern in Europe. A job was that some of the countries of concern were enduring because of the dominant civilization of the rider auto engine oil concern. Castrol portion monetary value reached ?10 in the early 1990s and had nt truly moved from that degree. It moved to ?13 at one point and down to ?7 at another, but these were the extremes of a dull scope. Having split out the industrial concern from the rider auto engine oil concern, it farther highlighted, for illustration, that there might be more similarities between the industrial lubricators concern and the foundry chemicals concern than there were between. Castrol its trade name and selling civilization would stand for a great award to a figure of the major oil companies because of economic systems of graduated table and the broader coverage of the lubricators market that it would supply. At a point they had some deficiency of belief internally, deficiency of belief externally and a perchance time-limited chance as a consequence of oil industry consolidation. In add-on, one of their non-executives argued systematically at board meetings that there was so a time-limited chance to let go of value to stockholders. Therefore the critical issue is that Castrol should construct up a theoretical account which is compatible with environmental alterations in the shorter and the long tally. Critical rating In strategic analysis it is of import for Castrol to place the current environment which the oil industry operates. In mid 1990s Burmah Castrol consisted of Castrol, blending and selling lubricators ; and Chemicals with a residuary Fuels retailing concern efficaciously the concluding relic of the past which was in the procedure of being sold off. The rapid autumn in the gross revenues gross and the profitableness of the Castrol due to hapless direction and terrible competitions the direction of the Castrol have been be aftering to reconstitute its concern. They had a major drawback in direction as they had some deficiency of belief internally, deficiency of belief externally and a perchance time-limited chance as a consequence of oil industry consolidation. Castrol must be after to confront the competition and menace from other rivals such as BP which is one of the chief rivals to Toyota. The dickering power of the purchasers can be reduced if the supplies of Castrol merchandise are low. So Castrol should hold scheme to keep demand since it was the clip of recession. The dickering power of providers can be adjusted by holding competitory purchasing from different providers of good needed for oil industries. ( Refer appendix 3 ) During the fiscal twelvemonth 1995-1999 the Castrol Corporation spent a monolithic sum to keep its place in this competitory market disbursement more than 1000 million euro on restructuring of its scheme. However in 1999 the net income has decline mostly comparing to old twelvemonth due to high involvement payment and long term creditors to the company. The Castrol is confronting many political, economical issues and largely menaces from American and Dubai oil industry with create a major uncertainly of Castrol endurance in the market. Castrol environment has been analgised utilizing PEST ( Refer appendix 4 ) . Castrol is in an uncertainness place to keep monetary value stableness by distinction of its ain from others. Bing close to the clients has besides allowed them to section the market efficaciously. Castrol adopted an organizational construction that was significantly different from a traditional attack to reflect the new concern environment in the mid 1997 s. Unlike the construction of many modern construction oil companies they have adapted to their traditional attack because of it convenience. The Tim Steven at the company s degree holds a place as the CEO of Board of Directors, and the director was in charge of all other maps at Castrol. All functional caputs at Castrol besides hold the place of party secretary at that map. These, to a great grade, facilitate the coordination between the CEO and direction at Castrol, peculiarly at the functional degree. ( Refer appendix 5 ) Rival analysis The oil industry is boiling over with alterations. Deregulation, new chances in foreign Fieldss and markets and environmental challenges are hotfooting together head-on to determine the energy and public-service corporations concern of the hereafter. Castrol is confronting menaces from many foreign rivals bring forthing vehicle oil. And whilst they have been really successful in developing universe place, peculiarly in Asia Pacii ¬?c, that was improbable to offer sufficient to countervail the troubles that might be traveling to meet over a i ¬?ve-year tally absent of action in the bigger developed markets in Europe and North America. This had let to re-think what may go on to their rider engine oil concern and how rival may take advantage over this state of affairs. Martin Luther King jr. EssayOperates petrochemical concerns worldwide through the web of its subordinates and retail trade names The rider auto engine oil concern, which represented 75 per cent of entire net incomes faced the chance of more efficient engines oil suppliersCastrol strong trade name trueness for oil Very successful developing universe place, peculiarly in Asia Pacii ¬?c. Failings Castrol had some deficiency of belief internally, deficiency of belief externally and a perchance time-limited chance as a consequence of oil industry consolidation. Some of the countries of concern were enduring because of the dominant civilization of the rider auto engine oil concern. Reduce in portion monetary value of Castrol Opportunities The strategic reappraisal identii ¬?ed an implicit in subject of industrial selling and quality service as the nucleus competencies of the successful chemicals concerns. Extension of strategic oil and gas acquisitions in North Sea country ; Launch of more flexible monetary value policy to vie chief challengers. A Menaces Environmentally unsound policies due to oil and toxic spills ; Possibilities for rendering the Chemicals portfolio as a whole more significant and hence more able to sit comfortably aboard Castrol Discontinuing operations in a figure of possible locationsA with their farther re-branding ( Conoco ) ; Sale of corporate-owned Stationss ; Share monetary value was sliced down to ?7 which was the extremes of a dull scope. Since the rider auto engine oil concern, which represented 75 per cent of entire proi ¬?ts, faced the chance of more efficient engines necessitating longer and longer spreads between oil alterations ; and hence of possible long-run volume diminution. Further cases sing the company s ecological activities. Appendix 3 Industrial Environment analysis of Castrol by utilizing Porter s Five Forces theoretical account The strongest competitory force or forces determine the profitableness of an industry and go the most of import to scheme preparation ( Porter.M,2008 ) . Analysis by Porter s five forces can be said that menace of new entrants is low due to immense capital and cutting-edge engineering. Suppliers are weak because they are distributing all over the universe and can non easy frontward integrate. Buyers are weak due to low demand for non-consumer goods and high shift costs ; furthermore, purchasers are non able to backward integrate. Substitutes are reasonably strong due to different and less-expensive transit installations. On the other manus, strength of competition is strong because of major participants are dominant in the market by about same engineering and fabrication procedures, providers relationship and distribution systems. Dainty from New entryway Bargaining Power of Buyers Bargaining Power of Suppliers Revel among Rivals Dainty from Substitutes Menace of New Entrants- The enlargement of foreign rivals began to diminish the market of auto companies. As the universe is sing economic downswing there is a great chance for the low cost clients to come in into the market. The conference of clients towards the trade name is the merely barrier to entry the market. Power of Suppliers A batch of providers depend on a certain oil companies to purchase a bulk of their merchandises. If Castrol decided to alter providers it could be the terminal of the provider s concern. Consequently, providers have small power.A Castrol should hold a tightly bound web of providers, and partially to fudge against the loss of cardinal providers. Menace from substitutes- There are oil companies such as BP, Shell, trust etc which are the major rival in the oil concern market. Switch overing cost, alteration in purchaser s penchants and qualities of supply all create menace to Castrol Company. Power of purchasers Castrol dickering power of purchasers, is quiet weak for Castrol and the full car industry with a big figure of alternate providers, hence, the aggressive pricing scheme. The five forces analysis gives an improved apprehension of the grade of competition within the concern environment. The analysis shows that the automotive industry is extremely competitory, with purchasers possessing and exercising a really powerful influence to the big figure of utility trade names available to them. Appendix 4 Plague Analysis POLITICAL World energy markets are going more volatile due to the menace of geopolitical instability. Greater clime destabilizations from CO2 emanations are taking authoritiess to promote more sustainable signifiers of energy. World energy markets are going more volatile due to the turning oil demands of a floaty Chinese economic system, making tenseness between states A A A A A A ECONOMIC Economy is underpinned by its energy Energy markets will see demand increasing by about 60 per centum, with fossil fuels run intoing most of this, and atomic and renewable energy markets holding limited comparative part Alternative energy beginnings as a per centum of entire energy supply are increasing and are expected to go on to make so. SOCIAL Kyoto Agreement, signed in 1992, has led to carbon financess ( World Bank, ) and emanation trading in Europe and around the universe, which is going a legal demand. Peoples s worldview is get downing to alter to a concern over the sustainability of the hereafter, although this is non expected to alter dramatically to warrant widespread alterations to energy usage for some clip. A A A A A A Technology The International Energy Agency states that alternate energy markets will be underpinned by technological discoveries. Research shows engineering is the key to competitiveness in the alternate energy industry ; whilst alternate energy engineerings are underpinned by 48 critical success factors across technological, commercial, socio-political and organizational classs. Appendix 5 Organizational construction Castrol adopted an organizational construction that was significantly different from a traditional attack to reflect the new concern environment in the mid 1997 s. Unlike the construction of many modern construction oil companies they have adapted to their tradional attack because of it convenience. The Tim Steven at the company s degree holds a place as the CEO of Board of Directors, and the director was in charge of all other maps at Castrol. All functional caputs at Castrol besides hold the place of party secretary at that map. These, to a great grade, facilitate the coordination between the CEO and direction at Castrol, peculiarly at the functional degree. The organizational construction that created for Castrol is shown in this figure, Chief executive officer Vice President ( Production ) Vice President ( Technology ) Vice President ( Equipment ) oil devising oil turn overing Production office Technology Automation Quality review Equipment Care Planing A ; Accounting Materials Supply Forces Chairman Board of managers 50 state directors Line director Regional manager Regional manager sident Regional manager Regional manager Appendix 6 Value Chain analysis Firm Infrastructure ( Administration, Salaries and Wages, Assets of BMW, After sale services ) Technology Development ( New theoretical accounts, Development of new technological plans ) Human Resource Management ( Recruitment and choice of qualified applied scientists and general directors, uninterrupted preparation and development/ supervising ) Procurement ( Increase end product of new theoretical accounts such as mini and Road wanderer ) Inbound Logistic Geting contact with new provider for back up and production of new theoretical accounts to pull different groups of clients Operation Transporting out activities such as geting engineering and using skill workers Outbound Logistic consumer trueness created by quality Selling and Gross saless Selling is done by supplying a Effective stigmatization and establishes emotional contacts to the clients of Toyota Appendix 7 Balance score card of Castrol FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE How should we look to our stockholders? Vision and scheme Learning AND GROWTH PERPECTIVE: To accomplish our vision how should we prolong our ability to dispute better? CUSTOMER Focus: How should we look to our clients? OPERATINGPERFORMANCE: What concern processes must we stand out at? The balanced scorecard is a public presentation measuring and direction tool which is deriving in popularity and which is peculiarly utile for the execution and appraisal of scheme. The balanced scorecard is a comprehensive model that translates an organisation s vision into a coherent set of strategic enterprises and public presentation steps. Fiscal position Burmah Castrol is in fact really much more than one homogeneous concern and so the Castrol Lubes concern extends across a figure of sections, each rather different in nature. Each concern group is run independently from the others in Burmah Castrol and we have a strong tradition of local runing unit liberty. Indeed, it is just to state that we neer operate as a centralised concern and the size of our runing units tallies right across the spectrum from the really little to the really big, as this chart of one-year turnover illustrates. It have got 109 units, with an one-year turnover of less than ?5m and so travel down the graduated table ; 26 less than ?10m ; 20 at less than ?15m ; etc. And so travel right up the graduated table and there is what we would see as mega units: 1 at ?100m ; 1 in the ?200m scope ; and 2 in the ?300m scope. Customer position Castrol Consumer is universe leader in the supply of auto and bike lubricators and services, selling to workshops and retail ironss, car accoutrement shops and gasoline Stationss. Chief merchandises are engine oils, e.g. GTX, transmittal i ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å¡uids and brake i ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å¡uids. To set up in today s market it s critical for every company to set up a strong relationship between client and the company. Complete client satisfaction is what is needed to accomplish this relationship. Castrol should construct a strong relationship that reflects their values as persons and members of the society. And they ever try to construct relationships with clients based on common trust and trueness. Internal concern procedure position Castrol Commercial provides merchandises and services chiefly to on and off-road vehicle i ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å¡eets. Off-road concern includes vehicles used in building, quarrying, agribusiness and forestry. On-road i ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å¡eets cover trucks, coachs and managers. Castrol Commercial assists its clients in optimising service intervals, accomplishing fuel economic system and bettering engine efi ¬?ciencies Learning and Growth perspective Castrol should accommodate many new and advanced engineerings that have emerged in recent old ages to do their day-to-day lives more convenient, pleasant and productive. However these yearss engineering does non drive concern procedures for oil companies. The Castrol Production System does. However, engineering plays a critical function by back uping, enabling and conveying to life on a mass graduated table the procedures done by Castrol. It has to give more of import to its research and development to better expeditiously. Furthermore accommodating to traditional attack would be benefited and by bettering in other countries of industry.

Thorntons chocolate Essay Example

Thorntons chocolate Paper 2.0 SWOT Analysis 2.1 Strengths 2.1.1 Manufacturing Thorntons Plc conducted their key manufacturing and selling activities in house. The ability to monitor the process of the boxed chocolate selection provides them with greater control over the manufacturing process. This has enabled them to protect the recipe of their core products. We will write a custom essay sample on Thorntons chocolate specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Thorntons chocolate specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Thorntons chocolate specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer In addition, years of manufacturing in the chocolate industry has also helped to develop their manufacturing expertise. Review has also shown that Thorntons was the only possible manufacturer for 70% of its product lines. This will give them competitive advantage over other chocolate producers. 2.1.2 Quality The use of quality ingredients assured the quality of the boxed chocolate selection. It has enabled them to differentiate themselves from other chocolate producers. The company owned retail outlets provided a good quality of service by providing personalized messages on icing during special occasions. Thorntons chocolates freshness is a distinctive feature of their product. Using more cocoa butter instead of vegetable fat has also shown the quality in their products. The company has maintained the customers experience by selling fresh and quality products. 2.1.3 Brand Name Thorntons has become a well known brand to the consumers. Research survey has shown that consumers ranked Thorntons in the 5th place in their typical UK high street products. Their shops have also become part of the UK high street. 2.1.4 Products In 1925 a recipe for Special Toffee gave the business an outstanding product. Walter Willen created the original recipes for Thorntons Continental chocolate range, which became the largest selling specialist assortment of chocolates in UK. Furthermore, since these products are still around until the present day, it shows Thorntons have expertise in chocolate making. New development of French dark chocolate and Belgian milk and white chocolate selection has also been added to the Continental range. In addition, products were also expanded to include gifts for every occasion, which included chocolate scented t-shirts and New Easter eggs. With the continuous innovation of producing new products, Thorntons can overcome the problem of seasonal goods. It helps them to increase sales during peak and off peak season. 2.1.5 Technology In 1998 the company had started to install EPOS in the shops. Electronic Point of Sales will allow them to increase efficiency and have more timely performance information. It will also help them to reduce losses in the future with up to date performance information. 2.1.6 Wide Distribution Channel Thorntons have their own shops to sell their products. Besides that, they have collaborated with other retail outlets such as Marks and Spencer, Tesco and also other grocers in order to widen and strengthen their market distribution channel. Moreover, they also sell their chocolate to pubs and restaurants to broaden their market share. 2.2 Weaknesses 2.2.1 Short Lifespan of Product Thorntons chocolate does not have a long shelf life and is often unsuitable for sales in many retail outlets, corner shops, garages and some of the supermarkets. 2.2.2 Fluctuations of Demand The company faces a lot of pressure and fluctuations of demand due to strong seasonal pattern. During festive season such as Christmas and Easter, business can increase tenfold within a few days. This will lead to the inefficiency of labor and production of chocolate. 2.2.3 Extra Cost of Labor To meet seasonal demand packing staff requires the increased use of casual workers, which will lead to a fall in efficiency. Furthermore, seasonal demand also requires the use of temporary staff in retail outlets. Temporary staff often do not often have the quality and experience needed, which could lead to unsatisfied customers. In addition, the need for casual workers will also increase the cost of the company. 2.2.4 Packaging The chocolates are enrobed in chocolate rather than molded. Thus, their hand made appearance makes the packaging process less open to automation because the chocolates are not in uniform sizes. 2.2.5 Customers Expectation Franchising did not provide the customer with the same experience as shopping in a Thorntons-owned shop and occasionally it could be difficult to maintain standards. As a result of this, Thorntons could end up losing customers because they cannot meet the customers expectation. 2.2.6 Drop in Perceived Value Thorntons have made progress to develop the companys commercial customers and have broadened the range of chocolate products to suit supermarket shelves. These newly developed products to suit the commercial customers were different compared to those sold at Thorntons own outlets. They differed by style and recipe and regular customers could not be sure if they were made by Thorntons. As a result of this, it may lead to a drop in the regular customers perceived value and Thorntons itself losing their identity. Thus, they may end up losing regular customers. 2.2.7 Lost Focus in Initial Objective In 1998, Thorntons have introduced another 132 new and updated products and have widened the product range to place emphasis on count lines, which acted as a snack or impulse buy. This has attracted a wider range of customers but it also brought them into competition with products of such companies as Nestle and Cadburys. Here it shows that they have already lost focus, because they should not be competing with brands such as Nestle and Cadburys. Thorntons should have focused on their box chocolates and use their competitive advantage over others. 2.3 Opportunity 2.3.1 Use of Technology Thorntons have also made use of the internet to let customers place their orders or make online purchases, retain existing customers and also attract new customers. Besides that, online purchases can allow them to receive information quickly and determine whether certain products are favorable or unfavorable to the consumers. Furthermore, online purchases can give them time to make the chocolates and let them know how much they need to produce for the online customers. 2.3.2 Penetration to European Market Thorntons expanded their business thorough the acquisition of Gartner in Antwerp, which was their first European acquisition. After that, they used Gartners products trough Thorntons retail network well as selling its own confectioneries to the Belgium companies customers. Consequently, they acquired 2 French confectionery retailers, Candice-Martial SA and Societe Nouvelle de Confiserie. Thus, Thornton made use of the opportunities for growth through acquisitions in Europe. 2.3.3 Seasonal Sales Thorntons chocolate are highly dependable on seasonal festivals. This way, when festive seasons arrive, the sales will boom and will increase the profits. The differentiated product range suits the various demand of customers during different festive seasons. 2.3.4 Export to Other Foreign Markets Thorntons began to develop sales outside UK by exporting to Europe and Australia which had reached 300 thousand pounds. Export to these foreign markets will increase production and could achieve economies of scale. 2.4 Threats 2.4.1 Competition Against Established Companies When Thorntons wanted to attract a wider range of customers, they entered into the middle range market. The expansion of the target market has lead them into competition against established companies such as Nestle and Cadburys. Since Nestle and Cadburys are already well known in this market segment, they have already created a high barrier for Thorntons to enter. Moreover, by entering the middle range market, Thorntons which is not used to automation and mass production will lose its competitive advantage if they are in the middle range market. In other words, Thorntons will not be able to use their existing resources and advantages to compete with Nestle and Cadburys. 2.4.2 External Factors During Easter 2003, Thorntons sales was affected by the hottest summer in 30 years. In June 2003, it revealed that the companies own stores sale had increased by only 0.9%. This shows that the sales of Thorntons will be affected by external forces such as weather. 2.4.3 Other Substitutes Thorntons competed with a wide range of products ranging from 5 to 10 pounds. Specialist retailers such as Body Shop and KnickerBox provided gifts in the same price range. Besides, postal gifts such as flowers and wine were also addressed to the same market. This way, instead of choosing from Thorntons, consumers will have more choices to choose from the market and in this particular price range. 3.0 Porters 5 forces Analysis on the Chocolate Industry in UK The five forces framework helps identify the sources of competition in an industry or sector. (Johnson Scholes 2002, pg 112) 3.1 Threat of Entry There are many factors which will lead to the threat of entry. These factors are economies of scale, product differentiation, capital requirements, cost advantages of independent size, access to distribution channels and government regulations. 3.1.1 Product Differentiation In this case, it is mentioned that the UK confectionery market is highly competitive with a great deal of product and packaging innovation. In addition, the chocolate market has many sub-sectors. This shows that the chocolate industry in UK has manufacturers who place great focus on product differentiation. When these chocolate manufacturers differentiate their products, it creates a wider choice for chocolate lovers and this will discourage new entries from new manufacturers. 3.1.2 Huge Capital Requirement/Economies of Scale Furthermore, in order to compete among the existing competitors in the chocolate market, those new comers will need huge capital requirement. This is because great economies of scales have already been achieved by those existing ones. In summary, the threat of entry to the chocolate industry in UK is very high. New potential chocolate manufacturers will need huge capital requirements in order to differentiate their product and to compete with the existing manufacturers which have already achieved a high economy of scale. 3.2 The Power of Supplier 3.2.1 Product Differentiation In this case, the suppliers are the ones who supply raw ingredients for those chocolate manufacturers to make chocolates. They are more powerful when they supply differentiated products, which make switching among other suppliers difficult. In this industry, the main raw ingredients such as cocoa beans are not differentiated. Thus, the buyers have the choice to switch among other suppliers because cocoa beans are not differentiated. Therefore, the suppliers do not have as much power as the buyers. 3.2.2 Substitutes In addition, when there are few substitutes among the suppliers, the supplier will be more powerful. In this case, there are a number of suppliers in the chocolate industry which will make switching among suppliers easier, making them less powerful. Examples of cocoa producers are Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia and other countries. (Refer to appendix A) If one of the suppliers increases the price of raw ingredients, chocolate manufacturer like Thorntons can easily switch to other suppliers. This shows that the suppliers have less power in this case. 3.2.3 Suppliers Revenue Suppliers have more power when the industry represents a small portion of suppliers revenue base. In the chocolate industry, the suppliers could not afford to lose the buyers as the purchases of the buyers represent a substantial portion of their revenue. This explains that the suppliers have less power in this industry. 3.2.4 Forward Integration Suppliers are powerful when they have the capability to integrate forward. In this case, since most of the suppliers revenues are from the established chocolate manufacturers such as Cadburys, Nestle and Throntons, it is extremely difficult for the suppliers to acquire these established companies. Therefore, suppliers are not as powerful as the buyers. 3.3 The Power of Buyer 3.3.1 Product Differentiation According to Porter, backward integration can allow the firm to enhance differentiation by gaining control over the production of key inputs to be able to differentiate its products better. (Porter 1998, pg 318) In this industry, Thorntons and other chocolate manufacturers are the buyers. Buyers have power when the product is not differentiated making it easier to switch. In this case, the raw materials used to produce chocolate are such as cocoa beans, eggs, cream butter, vegetable fat and sugar. All these raw materials are usually not differentiated for the production of chocolates. 3.3.2 Buyers Purchase Moreover, buyers have more power when the buyers purchase represents a substantial portion of sellers revenue. In this case, well established companies like Nestle, Cadburys and Thorntons purchase large amount of raw ingredients from the suppliers to produce the many different types of chocolates. These purchases represent a substantial portion of the suppliers revenue. 3.3.3 Backward Integration Furthermore, buyers will be more powerful when they have the capability to integrate backwards. In this case, Thorntons has the capability to make European acquisition such as Gartner and Candice-Martial SA and Societe Nouvelle for a total of 8.65 million pounds. This shows that Thorntons has the potential and ability to integrate backwards by taking over their supplier of raw chocolate ingredients. 3.4 Substitutes There are many substitutes for the consumption of chocolates such as other confectioneries and snacks. As a gift, consumers can choose substitutes other than chocolates. For instance, in the 5 to 10 pounds price range, consumers can choose from Thorntons, Body Shop and Knickerbox. Also, during festive seasons such as Valentines Day and Mothers Day, consumers have a variety of choices to choose from like flowers, cards, CDs and soft toys. This clearly illustrates that chocolate indeed has a number of substitutes. 3.5 Rivalry When an industry has a large number of competitors and they are of similar size and power; or has high fixed costs and also high barriers of exit, it means that the rivalry is strong. 3.5.1 Number of Competitors In this case, there are many strong competitors in the UK chocolate industry such as Masterfoods, Cadbury, Nestle Kraft and Jacob Suchard. These big fours contribute more than half of the UK box chocolate market, which is 72% of total value of sales which account to approximately 503 million pounds. (Refer to appendix B) Besides the big 4, they also faced competition from other small chocolate retailers and owned labels which account for 14% of total value of sales which is approximately 98 million pounds. Furthermore, smaller more specialist chocolate brands such as Elizabeth Shaw also compete with Thorntons. On the other hand, Marks and Spencer and Sainsbury Taste the Difference who have high quality images that support the sale of own-labeled box chocolates would intensify the rivalry in the industry. 3.5.2 High Fix Cost/High Exit Barrier Furthermore, chocolate manufacturers incur high fixed cost. Any new entrants who wished to compete with those established brands in the industry will incur a high cost to purchase the machineries and facilities to produce chocolate. When they have invested such high capital in buying machineries, product differentiation and advertising, it will be very expensive for them to leave the industry. Hence, the rivalry of the chocolate industry is intense. 4.0 Strategy Implemented by Thorntons Thorntons uses the product differentiation strategy. Johnson and Scholes (2002, pg 322) states that differentiation strategy seeks to provide products or services unique or different from those of competitors in terms of dimension widely valued by buyers. Many other manufacturers make greater use of vegetable fat which results in a shelf life of over a year. However, Thorntons uses more cocoa butter in their products in order to maintain the customers experience of the fresh product. This shows that their products are different from others. Thorntons chocolates are enrobed in chocolate rather than moulded unlike other brands such as Nestle and Cadburys where they mass produce the chocolates. In other words, due to the hand made process, the chocolates represent luxury and high end if compared relatively to chocolates mass produced by Nestle and Cadburys. The creation of Special Toffee, based upon cream butter and eggs in 1925 shows that Thorntons has been applying the differentiation strategy since its humble beginning. In addition, it has self manufactured Easter Eggs, which included names and messages that added to the range of freshly made and fresh tasting confectioneries. The innovation of adding names and personal messages through the sale of easter Eggs shows that Thornton indeed tried to differentiate their products in order to enhance the quality of their service. (Generic Strategies: Michael Porter 2006) Walter Willen, the creator of Thorntons Continental chocolates became the largest selling specialist assortment of chocolates in the UK. Likewise, the continental range included a French dark chocolate and a Belgian milk and white chocolate selections. Also, in order to top the product range, a new classic traditional assortment and a Premier Selection of hand-finished chocolates were established. In other words, this shows that by differentiating the chocolates, Thorntons chocolates have became more welcomed and loved by the consumers. At Thorntons, great importance is given on product development. For instance, Thorntons repackage and re launched the classic range, adding Swiss and Austrian selection to the core Continental range and introducing an awesome American range in order to differentiate the range of its chocolates. In addition, 27 new countlines were introduced providing a five fold increase in the available range. By differentiating its products, Thorntons will broaden their target market which ranges from children to adults. Target market consists of a set of buyers sharing common needs or characteristics that the company decides to serve. (Kotler et al. 2003, pg 230) This can be seen by the introduction of the childrens themes including dinosaur eggs, fossils and Dalmatian spots. Furthermore, Thorntons introduced further 132 new and updated products which place emphasis on countlines to act as a snack or impulse buy. In other words, when product is differentiated, different segments of the market will then be targeted and thus increasing the popularity of Thorntons in the mind of young and old. Thorntons continued differentiating their products by adding additional items to their core product such as chocolate scented T-shirts and underwears; and Easter eggs on sticks that could be hidden in the garden. Furthermore, they relaunched the best selling continental selection for Christmas 1999 and a chocolate champagne bottle designed for the millennium celebrations. Not only that, they have adult eggs and novelty eggs which contained a CD when purchased. Product differentiation continues when Thorntons repositioned many of their products so that they could be associated with every occasion such as birthdays, success, exams or job changes and not only festive seasons. Additionally, the company directed towards younger women by introducing Eden, which combine exotically named flavors such as Forbidden Fruit, Grand Passion and All About Eve. With its chic packaging, it shows that packaging was also differentiated to attract this market segment. All these years, Thorntons has tried its best to differentiate its chocolates and have achieved unbelievable results. For instance, Thorntons was the only possible manufacturer for 70% of its product line due to product differentiation. Therefore, we strongly recommend Thorntons to continue and focus on the product differentiation strategy.