The Failed Dream

The Failed Dream â€Å"The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch It yourself. † These are the words of the American forefather, Benjamin Franklin. His thoughts reflect the theme that runs through each word, idea and aspect of The Great Gatsby, a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Great Gatsby highlights the flaws of the coveted American dream and how it can never be achieved. Fitzgerald illustrated the different areas of this principle in various characters, such as the Buchanan, George Wilson and, of course, the Infamous Jay Gatsby.These characters exemplify the empty promises of the â€Å"white picket fence† fantasy and the lies that we have been told all through our lives that If we work hard and honest enough, we will receive our reward. The Buchanan, Tom and Daisy, were created by Fitzgerald to show how the rich have their wealth not due to any merit of theirs, as so the American dream claims. Instead, thro ughout the plot, it is revealed how immoral, selfish, and irresponsible the rich are, all the things that one is told not to do to achieve true happiness, yet they have reaped the benefits of the dream. TheImmorality of the wealthy Is best personified through Tom Buchanan, who not only Is a chronic cheater, but also treats everyone else as Inferior to him. Early In the book, one of the first interactions a reader has with Tom is him talking to his mistress while hosting a dinner party with his wife. What is worse is the next chapter consists of him taking Nick, his wife's cousin, to meet this mistress. This shows not only his selfishness, but his lack of any conscience. Even when he discovered the infidelity of his own wife, he failed to see his own fault for the exact crime. Daisy Is no better.She was eager to have an affair from the first mention of It, when Nick called her to come alone. She didn't even consider the repercussions until push came to shove and she was forced to cho ose. â€Å"They were careless people, Tom and Daisy?they smashed up things†¦ Then retreated back to their money or their vast carelessness†(pig 70). This could not better explain this couple. Their only concern was themselves. They gave no regard to anyone but themselves. Daisy, who claimed to love Gatsby, through him under the bus to take the fall for Myrtle's murder and ran into the arms of Tom.Both f them conspired to contently their superfluous life at the expense of theirs. They lived a life which breaks every code of morality and do not deserve their wealth, yet they are the ones who are enjoying the wonders of the fulfillment of the American dream. If the Buchanan are Fitzgerald example of people who have unjustifiably benefited from the American economic system, the opposite is George Wilson who has been cheated out of his inheritance. Wilson is the person the dream claims you should be to achieve It, hardworking, kind and moral.In every scene, except after the d eath of Myrtle, that George appears In, he Is working. He works his heart out yet all he has to show of it is a failed marriage and an empty bank account. As one edges toward the end of the book and the American dream unravels, George becomes the biggest indicator of this, â€Å"He had discovered that Myrtle had some sort of life apart from him in another world, and the shock had made him physically sick†¦. So sick that he looked guilty, unforgivably guilty. Yet even when he discovers the Infidelity of his George's morality is the end when he finally seeks revenge. Granted, he murdered Gatsby, but he did this out of great mental torment and depression and even when e did it, he was filled with such regret that he could not live with himself afterwards. All the other characters, save for Nick, live in their sin without any sense of a conscience. If the American Dream is accurate, then George should be the most successful character in this tale, however, he is instead the pennil ess corpse.Gatsby is an example of someone who earned his American dream; however, he did not do it in the method that is advertised. Instead, Gatsby not only got his money through illegal means but he was also immoral and selfish. His actions, by definition, go against all that is upheld by the American dream so it should not be possible for Gatsby gain all he has. It is believed that if one works hard and is honest they will get their reward, yet we saw this is not true in George.On the flip side, Gatsby was able to obtain a fortune, but through illegal means. Not only is this but he not a hugely moral person though a reader might want to believe that. Instead, he is trying to take a married woman as his own, disregarding her husband, no matter how bad, and her daughter. These are not the actions of a ‘good man'. He was never content with what he had, always looking for more, even as a young man. He did not even care for his family as they were not wealthy and therefore not up to his standards.Gatsby instead did anything achieve success in the exact opposite way in the way one is told they can achieve it. The Great Gatsby seems like the tragic of failed love on the surface, however, it is really the poetic analysis of the tragedy of the American economic structure. One is told to work hard and be good and they will achieve success. Yet Fitzgerald magnified how this is a gross miscarriage of the truth. Instead, the people who have achieved success were handed it on a silver platter, like the Buchanan, or got it through immoral means, like Gatsby.He also shows how people who truly do believe in the dream try and try again but are cheated and never receive their reward, like George. The American dream is the universal aspiration of everyone on the planet. It is the almost religious belief instilled into the hearts of each person, influenced western society, from a young age. Yet only the select few who are already at the top stay there, looking down at th e rest of us as the gap widens; and leaving us to run the pursuit of happiness only to receive the only thing that is guaranteed, death and taxes.

History of film in Latin America Essay

Film is a medium of entertainment where sequence of images is projected on a screen creating an illusion of movement (Parkinson, 24). Film industry started in 19th century as a tool of entertainment, communication and mass media. The motion pictures technology had a great impact on politics and society at large (Ibid, 45). Latin America is the region in Central and South America. The region has 21 countries with the main languages being Spanish, French and Portuguese. Main races that occupy the regions are Amevidians, who are majority in Bolivia and Peru African, Asians, Caucasians, Mestizos, Mulletoes and Zambos. Most of Latin Americans are Christian and mostly catholic Christian . Latin America has a diverse culture, but generally, the Latin America culture is influenced by Africa culture especially in Brazil, Venezuela, Columbia, Haiti, Cuba and Costa Rica. Europe culture which were mainly brought by Spanish, Portuguese and French. And the native culture of people who inhabited the continent prior to arrival of Europeans (Parkinson, 61). Latin America has rich and diverse film industry. The industry started in mid 20th century as entertainment tool. Mexicans, Brazilian, Cubans and Argentineans have rich history in filming. They have also made significant step in development of film industry. In Argentina, cinema become prominent in first half of 20th C, however, it suffered during the 1976- 83 military dictatorship (Parkinson, 36). But the industry re-emerged and even produced the academy award winner, the official story in 1985. In Brazil, cinemas and movies become important tools in the society, in mid 20th century. Cuban cinema also developed tremendously especially after it enjoyed government support since the Cuban revolution. They have produced important film-makers like Tomas Gutierrez Alea. Mexican cinema in the golden era of 1940s greatly boasted the film industry. Mexican films have received recognition world over (Ibid, 54). Beside film being used as an entertainment tool, it has also been used as mass media tool to shape the political order in many Latin America countries. Political struggle to have government respect the citizen rights were mainly carried through the film medium. Latin America experienced many coups and revolution in first half of 20th century as people struggle for freedom and right which they were denied by the repressive regimes (Missing). Cinema and print media was used to call people to demand for their human rights and speak against cruelty by the repressive governments. Repression is control by holding the subject down. It amounts to forced subjugation (The Official Story). Human rights and freedom are basic rights to which all human beings are entitled to. They include civil, political, cultural, and economic rights. Examples of human rights and freedom includes right to life, right to liberty, freedom of expression, freedom from discrimination on any basis, freedom of assembly and association, freedom of worship and right of owning property etc. Many of political regimes in Latin America countries in early 20th century denied their citizen their basic rights. This precipitated revolution and social-political struggles most of which were met with crude repression (Men with Guns). Artist and film-maker, used cinemas, movies to express the people’s call for their civil rights. Literature artist also used their skills and knowledge to express the people’s call for their rights. One of the best film work set is Latin America that depict the political situation that was in 20th century is ‘Missing’. The movie was first released in 1987 in US and was directed by Costa-Gavras. It is a powerful political drama that revolve around the life before and after a 1973 coup is a south American – country (even though the movies does not reveal it refers to the Chile) which was very volatile the movie capture the who whole situation as it was, strict curfews, armed police terrosing people, many people close to 30,000 being killed, mass kidnapping, torture and ‘disappearance’ of people who were considered leaning to former regime (Missing). The movie is based on a true story of an America-activist and writer Charles Horman who disappeared in Chile at the height of America-backed violent military coup in 1978 (). This story was also in a book by Thomas Hauser. The film focuses on struggle of Horman wife Beth (Sissy Spacek) and conservative father End Horman (Jack Lemman) as they search for Charles. The film vividly show how the oppressive ruling junta oppressed people in the streets, both Sissy speak and her farther-in-law were stonewalled not only as the ruling military but also the America consulate (Missing). They only leant later that the American government had been betraying their effort to find Charles and that America government was friendly to the South America tyrant. Violation of human rights and repression is clearly present where the military dictator impose curfew and torture to all those who speak against the civil strife which was perpetuated by the ruling junta (Ibid,) The US government which also played key role in the coup also is keen to muffle all voices that were against the forced takeover. This is seen as the American embassy betrayed Ed (jack) and Beth (Sissy)’s effort to find and reconcile with Charles. Media and press freedom was suppressed as the writers and journalists were not allowed to cover the killings, torture, raping and kidnapping. Freedom of movement was denied as 24 hours curfew are enforced, there was gross violation of human right as people were butchered, kidnapped, jailed and women raped (). Violence existed as there was military and tyranny regime which disposed the civil government led by twice-elected Salvador Allende. President Salvador Allende led a leftist regime which the US government was keen to topple so on to reduce the spread of communism in the western world. The effort of CIA to block president Allende to vie for the second term by spreading propagandas and supporting dissidents to oppose Allende’s government also was a major driver that plugged Chile to civil strife. Violence is perpetrated by corrupt political regimes which are just out to fulfill their selfish interests (). Military machine is used to enforce cruel order and untold suffering to the citizen and mostly for those who are perceived as opposing the ruling power (). In this movie we have seen that, in civil strife, many citizens usually dies, other maimed and the survivors have to live with fear, and in a suppressed political environment (). Many who survive these ordeals use films and other mass media tools to express what they are going through and call for need to address their plight. Victims are the citizens while victimizers are politicians who fight to retain or get into power (). The film was an eye opener to what victims of coup have to undergo as selfish power hungry dictators fight to access or cling on power. It also pointed how influence from interested foreign government can bring hell on the life especially in politically volatile countries. The ‘Missing’ film describe how a south-America country goes through change of political regime from civil to military regime led by ruthless junta which caused gross human right violation (). The film explains well what civilians underwent in the 1973 coup the curfews, torture, kidnappings and ‘disappearance’ of those who voice out the suffering of the civilians (). The visual effects of events during and after the coup as shown in the movie has a strong emotional impact to the viewer that best explain and communicates human right violations and repression enforced by military. ‘Men with guns’ is an American political drama film written and directed by John Sayles. Set is unrevealed South American country it’s a story about a man who discovers political events that were going on in his country (Men with guns). It was first released in Canada in 1997 and was filmed in Mexico. The plot of the movie start as Dr. Fuentes (Federico Huppi) an old medical profession who had been teaching young people to provide health care to poverty-stricken citizen in a country where small-scale agricultural communities struggle to make end meet (Ibid). He is described as being ignorant of political event in his country. After Dr. Fuentes heard rumors that his former students are lost and possibly dead he decides to go and investigate the issue. Later Dr Fuentes discover that his student have been killed by ‘men with gun’ indicating that there has been people executing people who oppose them and damp them in the jungle (Men with guns). This was done to repress the guerillas who where opposing the junta rule, as Dr Fuentes moved deeper into the hill, he teams up with Padre porillo ( a defrocked priest who lost his faith), Domingo (a deserter from the army), conejo (a boy who survive by stealing) and Graciela (a woman who turned mute after she was raped). Dr Fuentes discovered that army officer were killing, torturing and raping those who were opposed to the military regime, especially young activist. Dr Fuentes’s journey describes clearly the weight of price to pay to bridge between not knowing and knowing, silence and acknowledgement assumption and truth (Men with guns). Just like ‘Missing’, this film exposes repression and human right violation meted out to civilians by military regimes. The victims are still citizens who struggle for their life and standing for their rights, freedoms and beliefs. The film depicts political process during 1960 – 80 where most Latin America countries experience revolution and military coups. Unlike the other, this film describes and emphasis the needs to find out what others in a country are going through. ‘Men with guns’ teaches us that although we are alone in our personal struggle to find information, freedom and right we are never alone in our common humanity struggle to freedom and rights. This is so on the doctor, the priest, the soldier, and the mute woman found themselves in same mission to get the truth and acknowledge it (Ibid). ‘The official story’ is another political thriller that revolves around story of a single family. Directed by Roger Ebert, it was first released in 1985 (The Official story). In the movie, Alicia is married to Robert, wealthy, powerful man with government connection. They have adopted a girl. Alicia is ignorant of political situation in Argentina until Anna an old high school friend enters in her life (Ibid). Anna narrated to Alicia how her lover a leftist ‘disappeared’ and she was kidnapped and tortured. She later discovers what was going on when she came across demonstration by family member of a missing person (). She began to realize that her husband was part of repressive government and their adopted child may be stolen from a mother who was a political prisoner (The Official story). Alicia meets an old woman who may be the grandmother of the adopted daughter and they become close (Ibid). They found strength in each other. Like the ‘Men with guns’ the movie demonstrates that there could be crimes being inflicted on other while certain class or group of people are innocently unaware. In this film, army officer are killing leftists and those who are opposed to the government. There is a gross violation of human rights and repression by government. The victims are the citizens who stand for their right. The movie clearly demonstrates how repressive regimes commit civil crime and mass murder without awareness, acknowledgement from the internal community. It vividly captures the political process that many Latin America counties went through in late 20h century (The Official story). ‘Of Love and Shadows’ is a political drama novel written by Isabel Allende. Isabel is a Chilean writer who is president Salvador Allende’s niece (Isabel, 42). The book is a story of love and shadows of political commitment. The story centers on a daughter of a wealthy family and son of a Spanish exile with whom she becomes involved (Ibid, 32). Both of them, as a reporter and photographer, uncovered a hideout crime that puts not only their love but also their life at risk. The book is set in a country under military dictatorship where arrest, disappearance and executions are rampant. Irene a reporter and Francisco a photographer are prepared to risk everything for the sake of truth and justice. They discovered crimes by the ruling military to those who opposed or undermine the military regime. At the end Irene, a daughter of a wealthy family which was backing the military regime and Francisco, son of a Marxist professor who was opposed to junta rule, are caught up in terror and violence (Ibid, 46). Like the three films, this book is about repressive regimes that was common in many South American countries in the late 20th century . The victim are citizens who stand against the repression and human right violation. This book demonstrates what majority of Latin American went through during revolution and political regimes coups. The novel helped to create awareness of crimes that military regime and political tyrant inflicted on citizens and hence call for intervention. The book vividly describes physical, mental and psychological effects of crime and human right violation to individual and society as whole. It shows that love can overcome hate as the two passionate lovers marshal on despite what they go through (Isabel, 76). ‘Child of dark’ is a diary written by Carolina Maria de Jesus in 1960. The diary contains what Carolina went through in her life in a slum of Sao Paulo, Brazil (Lavine, 24). The dairy contains what Carolina faced in her life as a fevelado (slum dweller) and political and social facts which were present during Carolina life. She writes how poverty and desperation caused people to compromise their dignity to get food (Ibid, 35). Carolina vividly describe the dreadful life around her life, but despite these she forget to have better life and gave her three children the best through writing (Lavine, 45). Her writing drew attention of politician who tried to involve agencies to give relief to the poor, however these projected faded. This diary shows how government avoided the social welfare obligations to the poor citizens as they focus on upper income class welfare (Ibid, 84). In conclusion, the three films and the literature works where very important in advocating for the writes of the citizen and exposing violation by some government. The films demonstrated the political history of Latin America countries and political process they underwent to achieve democracy and political freedom.

Art history- art of romanesque France Coursework

Art history- art of romanesque France - Coursework Example Latin fathers were Cyprian (bishop of Carthage), Tertullian Septimus, Ambrose the bishop of Milan, Jerome, Augustine, the bishop of Hippo and Gregory the great who was the bishop of Rome from 3rd September, 590 to death (Hughs, 2014). Their theological insights greatly shaped the course of the Christian history. These Latin fathers helped in understanding the Christian doctrine development throughout the millennia. Up to the modern era, their explorations of the scriptures have grounded biblical commentary (Lawrence, 2014). 3. Monasticism is whereby one renounces worldly pursuits to devote fully to Christian work. These included monks (male) and nuns (female). Monks and nuns accomplished many practical roles in the middle Ages. They nursed the sick, accommodated travelers, and assisted the poor. The abbots and abbesses offered advice to the secular rulers e.g. the monastery of Cluny under Abbot Odilo an abbot at the secular collegiate church of St. Martins at Tours (Hughs, 2014). Monasticism also offered the society a divine outlet and ideal with vital consequences for the medieval culture wholly. Monasteries also promoted learning, encouraged literacy as well as preserved the features of the ancient literature like the works of Virgil, Cicero, and Aristotle. Monastic composers also had a role in elevating the scope and complexity of choral music as well as creating the best environment for devotion (Lawrence, 2014). 4. The renaissance of the twelfth century had plenty of changes made at the outset of High Middle Ages including political, economic and social transformations with scientific and philosophical roots. The era is characterized by the rediscovery of ancient roman and Greek authors, a rebirth of classical learning as well as the Greek’s spirit of inquiry recovery (Lawrence, 2014). 1. As Duby wrote, in the medieval era, the pilgrimage routes were paths that were walked by kings, princes as well as ordinary peasants. As a result each town along the way

Negotiating Strategy on XYZ Airport Services Essay

Negotiating Strategy on XYZ Airport Services - Essay Example Under this stage, XYZ should get to know the other party (Airport Authority) by initially setting an appointment. Before making any attempt to establish a wide-range of the settlement with the Airport Authority, the top management of XYZ should carefully plan on some strategies that could enable both parties to come up with a win-win situation or conduct negotiations on neutral ground (Guirdham 2002, pp. 400 – 404). Since negotiation process is dynamic by nature, Shell (2001) suggests the need to be careful when choosing the best bargaining style. In line with this, negotiator such as in the case of XYZ company should consider not only the culture but also the personality of the people behind the Airport Authority. For instance: The personality of the people behind the Airport Authority is outgoing. Therefore, it is necessary on the part of XYZ company to satisfy the personality, needs and wants of the people behind the Airport Authority. Since most of them are outgoing people, XYZ management should invite and treat these people to have lunch or dinner as a group meeting or play golf while discussing the issue involved. This strategy will enable XYZ management to easily win the trust and sympathy of the people behind Airport Authority. Becoming familiar with the entry phase of negotiation is a crucial factor that determines whether or not the outcome of a given negotiation process can be successful. Right timing is very important in the negotiation process. As explained by Zartmann (2002) and Rubin (1989), the process of knowing the phases of negotiation could somehow enable the negotiator to know whether or not it is the right time to begin the pre-negotiation stage, the formal negotiation stage which normally takes place after the preparation stage, and ends the bargaining process which is the post-negotiation stage.

Economic Geography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Economic Geography - Essay Example There are various reasons that may trigger voluntary migration. These factors include a high cost of living in an individual’s motherland, harsh and unproductive climatic and environmental conditions, as well as purely for adventure and exploration. Discussion Migration patterns in Blue Earth County (Mankato) in 2010 The most interesting aspect of migration in the Blue Earth County is that; the counties that send immigrants into this county are relatively equal to those that receive the immigrants from the county (Forbes, n.p.). The uniqueness in the migration patterns in Blue Earth County is that all those counties sending more immigrants into Blue Earth County than they receive from the county, are situated within the Minnesota State (Forbes, n.p.). Additionally, all the states outside Minnesota where Blue Earth County’s population migrate are found to take more of its migrants, than they send to this county. Another observable pattern regarding the migration in Blue Earth County is that its population tends to migrate to the States that are close to Minnesota, while avoiding those far away. Therefore, it is evident that most of the population within in Blue Earth County finds it easier to seek for a better life outside Minnesota State, compared to those who move from other States to seek for a better life in the county. The inbound income per capita for this county in 2010 was relatively lower than the outbound income per capita, a clear explanation why many people are migrating to other counties, compared to those coming into the Blue Earth County (Forbes, n.p.). Another possible explanation for this migration pattern is that; the standards of living could be better, while the costs of living could be lower in other states, compared to Minnesota, prompting more people to move to other states, than people from other states comes into the county. Migration patterns in Olmstead County (Rochester) in 2010 The migration patterns in Olmstead County indicate that there is a higher percentage of the counties that receives immigrants from this county, compared to those that Olmstead County receives (Forbes, n.p.). The other notable observation regarding the migration patterns in this county is that; it has the tendencies of sending its population to the States that are further away from Minnesota State. Additionally, a unique migration patter observable in Olmstead County is that it only receives more of immigrants from the counties and states that are nearby, than it sends. The inbound income per capita for this county in 2010 was relatively lower than the outbound income per capita, which serves to explain why many people are moving out of the county to other counties, compared to the ones the county is receiving (Forbes, n.p.). All indications point to the fact that the economic situation of many counties outside Minnesota State is better compared to that of Olmstead County, thus motivating many people to migrate from this cou nty to other counties and states, further away. The most plausible explanation for the migration pattern in the Olmstead County is that; the cost of living in this county is much higher than that of other counties outside

Solid modeling Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Solid modeling - Research Paper Example The invention of the technique of solid modeling gives room for the mechanization of many complicated engineering calculations that are performed in the design process. The historical progress of solid modeling is seen in the perspective of the entire history of computer-aided design. The major milestone of this progress was the development of the system of research known as BUILD, and the commercial supplement of the system, known as Romulus (Siu and Tan 41) This system influenced the development of ACIS, Parasolid, and later solid modeling system. One of the very first developers of computer aided design ASCON, started the internal improvement of its individual solid modeler back in 1990’s (Siu and Tan 42). In 2012, the scientific division of the ASCON turned into a separate corporation and was called C3D labs (Siu and Tan 42). It was given the duty of creating the C3D modeling system as a separate product. Other significant contributions originated from Mà ¤ntylà ¤, particularly his GWB, as well as from GPM project that brought about hybrid modeling systems in the early 1980’s (Siu and Tan 43). It was during this time that the pr ogramming concept of solid modeling known as PLaSM was invented at Rome University. The discovery of 3D CAD/CAM, however, is attributed to Pierre Bezier, a French engineer (Siu and Tan 44). In the period between 1967 and 1968, he came up with UNISURF after his mathematical study about surfaces. This invention was meant to ease the process of designing tools and parts of the automotive engineering. Later, UNISURF developed into the working foundation for the subsequent generation of computer-aided design software. Another influential happening in the development of solid modeling was the establishment of Manufacturing and Consulting Services in 1971 (Li et al. 23). Dr. Hanratty founded this MCS. As computers progressively became more affordable, there has been a gradual expansion of the application areas. The development of

British Film Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

British Film - Research Paper Example This determination was fueled by his strong-minded mother, an out-and-out teacher, as well as his own courage and determination to overcome his physical disability. The History of the Film The Irish culture and its local setting is shown and is depicted in the conduct and actions of different characters. Apart from the physical struggle of Christy, the story also appeals to the audience emotionally, physically and psychologically. The film appeals to audiences in a way show how one can overcome a serious handicap to achieve life goals. It reveals the complexity of man, able to overcome physical disability and severe speech impediment. Christy displays a fighting spirit and intelligence throughout the film in all situations despite his lack of ability to communicate. The film begins with a setting in which Christy has been invited to a home of a wealthy sponsor, and he is given a nurse to look after him until he appears on stage. The nurse sees him with a book and is fascinated with i ts title My Left Foot, and she begins to go through it chapter by chapter. As she reads it, she discovers the life story of Christy in a flashback. The nurse however discovers that Christy is humorous, despite his background that is affected by poverty. Christy mumbles inarticulate comebacks to his father’s dinner table in a pestering manner. Christy appears not interested in many things around him but he in happy when his brothers and sisters laugh, however his father appears confused. Christy was unable be concerned with anything at all in his life and is he developed a keen interest in painting as he prefers to listen to his mother. The doctor is seen physically outside his locked bedroom and is closely whispering about Christy. However, even further than the humor Sheridan permits the hard won joy in Christy’s story. The unusual scene is where the family watches as the young at the age of five hold a piece of chalk with his toes and makes letter A. At this stage, C hristy is discovering a way of expressing himself to others, as he could not speak as a normal child. Christy later writes the word mother on the floor with a piece of chalk. This is observed quietly and sensitively as the scene reveals a real sense of completion at the end of such a pleasing surprise. In the film, the local Irish society in which Christy is born is depicted as poor and somehow genuinely religious but at times considers the handicapped as something serious. Throughout his early days, Christy played with local children and his brothers and sisters. The neighbors at times make attempts to play with Christy openly although he has not learned to speak or how to express himself. The family and the whole community of Christy is seen having deep ties to one another and are final extremely proud of Christy. His father’s is seen as a good father in his family. However, the father is at times harsh and often quarrels his children, despite himself being truly devoted to his family and their needs. The connection between mother and son runs throughout the story from its very beginning. The heavily pregnant demonstrate her love to Christy although she is alone in the small house; she struggles to carry the disabled son upstairs to his sleeping-room. She later agrees with him to keep the money meant to buy him a good

Concepts Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Concepts - Research Paper Example Non- verbal communication is beneficial in international business settings. It makes communication brief and effective. Finally, it exemplifies the level of professionalism thereby increasing the level of confidence. On the downside it cannot be used as a public instrument for communication, prevents detailed conversation and not as of much influence as verbal communication. Persuasive communication is more personal, more detailed and effective in sharing information (Fontane et al., 2013). Conversely, it is time consuming, involves emotion which is inappropriate for business and requires a high level of negotiation skills. Collaboration improves the receipt of feedback in an organization and ensures participatory decision making. In opposition, collaborative communication delays the decision making in the organization and is ineffective where a huge number of employees are involved. Non- verbal communication is used in international communication and in business talks with potential clients to increase business opportunities by showing confidence and professionalism (Guffey, 2012). Persuasion communication is used in convincing customers and potential clients to undertake a certain business deal. In summary, collaboration is used in day to day operation of the business in decision making. Fontaine, M., Parise, S., & Miller, D. (2013, June 13). Collaborative environments: A dynamic tool for transforming business processes. Retrieved from

Bloomberg and the Soda Law Essay Example for Free

Bloomberg and the Soda Law Essay The soda law introduced by Mayor Bloomberg to ban the sale of sodas larger than 16 fl. oz. at restaurants across the city will have zero to minimal economic impact on people who are currently buying them. The soda ban will have an extremely small net positive economic impact on businesses. And the rationale behind this is the fact that whoever drinks more soda will acquire more soda, regardless of how big or small the drink is. A 20 fl. oz. soda, when banned will be replaced by a 16 fl. oz. cup of soda. How much soda an individual drinks may even increase if instead of drinking just one 20 fl. oz. soda, he decides to get a refill of his 16 fl. oz. soda, something that most restaurants allow. The benefits projected for the society from this law, that may reduce obesity are preposterous. The cost of soda for restaurants is roughly $0. 0132 per ounce (see Appendix). On a 20 fl. oz. soda, the net cost to the restaurant is about $0. 22 (Appendix). A 20 fl. oz. cup of soda at an establishment such as McDonald’s, perhaps the main target of this law, sells for roughly $2. 50. Once the 20 fl. oz. cup is gone, it will be replaced by the 16 fl. oz. cup, but at the same price. The restaurants will re-label the 16 fl. oz. cup as the new large, introduce a 12 fl. oz. cup as a medium and keep the 8 –ounce cup as a small. But will this add significantly to the revenues of the restaurant? It is very unlikely, since the customers will just get refills for their 16 fl. oz. cups. The only economical benefit for the restaurant might be the people who do not refill their cups and this is minimal since the cost of soda is just a rounding error for most restaurants. This law is ineffective because it does not stop the consumer from consuming any less soda from what was being consumed before. The economic impact on the society will be in the red because of the hundreds and thousands of dollars spent on structuring the bill, the flawed methodologies of research that determined a small cup would result in less consumption of soda, and finally the money spent by various groups opposing or supporting this law. To effectively tackle the problem of obesity, the government needs to look at other avenues. Soda is a big cause of obesity, it is made of sugar and has calories, but the ban on a larger serving is not the solution. An effective solution would be to raise the taxes on sodas. Another solution is to ban refills, thus prompting the customer to purchase another soda, which will either discourage the purchase or add more to tax revenues collected by the government. In turn, this tax revenue can be used to build jogging tracks, exercise equipment and other recreational facilities for the community. Another option for the government is to advertise the ill effects of drinking soda and promote healthier alternatives such as fruit and vegetable juices at affordable prices at those restaurants. There are several other options for soda drinkers to consume the same amount of soda when this law is enforced. Restaurants and movie theatres give free refills, convenience stores such as 7-11 are exempt from this law, and grocery stores still sell the large bottles and cases. The answer to this problem lies in educating the people about the ill effects of soda and only then will this law be economically beneficial for the society. This law does not have any health benefits that can be converted in to economical benefits for the society. Appendix: Costing Out Soda Free Refills How to Price Soda. Wholesale Food Restaurant Distribution by Pate Dawson Company. Pate Dawson Company, 2009. Web. 10 Oct. 2012. http://www. pdco. com/node/88289.

Understanding Culture and Multicultural Education Essay Example for Free

Understanding Culture and Multicultural Education Essay Culture has no standard definition but rather various definitions are existent depending on its usage. One of the many definitions of culture is that it is a system of collective ideals, behaviors, beliefs, values, and artifacts among members of a society which is passed from one generation to another. This system is utilized in the interaction of the members of a society with each other and to the rest of the world. Culture is transmitted to the younger generation through inculcation of the components of the system to the young based on what they observe in the society or group that they belong(Hanley ). Another definition of culture is that it is a process of molding the moral and intellectual faculties through education. It is also defined as a set of values, norms, beliefs, and traditions which is shared by people that belongs to the same group or organization(Culture, 2007). Culture thus is a way of life of a cluster of people. It is a summation of the acquired behavior of a group of people that separates those who belong to that group from those who do not. The existence of students from various ethnic, racial, cultural, and social-class groups in one education system lead to the emergence of a discipline that aims to solve the differences that goes along with the different backgrounds of students. This discipline is termed as multicultural education and the goal of this is to provide equal educational opportunities to students from different backgrounds. This system focuses on providing guidance to students in obtaining knowledge, skills, and attitudes which are essential in participating in a pluralistic democratic society. The things that the students will acquire through this type of discipline will enable them to interact, communicate, and negotiate effectively among people from different walks of life so that a moral and civic community that will thrive for a common good will be established(Laboratory, 2004). Multicultural education enables the students to learn and appreciate the similarities and differences of other student’s culture from their own. The materials which are utilize in multicultural education portrays the various groups realistically using not only the perspective from the person belonging to that group but perspectives of people who view a specific culture from different angles. Through this educational discipline the students are taught to value their own culture without degrading the culture of others. It promotes the acceptance of the flaws and positive attributes of one’s own culture as well as the realization that other cultures exists aside from one’s own(Multicultural Education, 2003). In multicultural education, all students are given equality in attaining the highest levels of education through implementing school policies, practices, and organization that supports this endeavor. Issues about sexism, racism, linguicism, ablism, classism, intolerance to other religions, heterosexism, and ageism are among the primary issues that are directly addressed in an institution that promotes multicultural education. The students will be able to work and interact with other students despite these issues that some of them are involved(Multicultural Education, 2003). In this education system the ethnic minority are not considered inferior to others. The people of color for example whom were victims of the then racists’ society are given equal rights to have proper education like the other students. The structure of the schools with multicultural education is reformed into a non-discriminating institution. The African American students fro example is not only taught about the history of their race but about others as well like the Asian Americans and Latino Americans. The interlinking between the races are taught to the students without bias to the white people’s history(Hanley ). Multicultural education serves as a medium for equality and social justice. It promotes not only a single culture but all the cultures of the world. Task C I already have preconceptions about the diversity in culture but my idea is somewhat generalized. I was not able to define what these differences were. Yes, I know that differences and biases exist; and these cause problems in the student’s process of obtaining knowledge. I did not know that the differences in culture encompass values, norms, beliefs, traditions, and language which I have researched. To solve the differences among students I was able to generate an idea that a multifaceted system can be implemented, and I did not know that there is a multicultural education that I capable of overcoming the differences among the students of different backgrounds. I also did not know that multicultural education has been advocated by various institutions already. My research made me aware that cultural differences and bias exist but a certain discipline which is in the form of multicultural education can be implemented to settle these differences among students. The research made me realize that culture is inculcated and passed through the latter generations by way of living. Thus if the education system promotes equality among these various cultures then students will be able to perceive that equality is a component of their cultures. The differences in language, religion, tradition, and beliefs would not matter to the students if the educators will provide an environment wherein all of these do not matter and only the desire to obtain knowledge is important. Students of various backgrounds can interact and coexist in their quest for knowledge in a harmonious way. My newly acquired understanding will help me teach in a manner that promotes the equality among my students that are from diverse cultures. I will promote the understanding of each others culture among my students. The activities that I will incorporate in my classes will serve as a medium for the learning and appreciation of the knowledge of other student’s culture aside from their own. Diversity in culture is inevitable but the quest for knowledge is the same in all the students so they deserve to have equal treatment. References Culture. (2007). Merriam-Webster Online Retrieved January 28, 2008 Hanley , M. S. The Scope of Multicultural Education. Laboratory, N. C. R. E. (2004). Multicultural Education. Learning Point Associates Retrieved January 28, 2008, from http://www. ncrel. org/sdrs/areas/issues/educatrs/presrvce/pe3lk1. htm Multicultural Education. (2003). National Association for Multicultural Education Retrieved January 28, 2008, from http://www. nameorg. org/resolutions/definition. html

The origins of social welfare

The origins of social welfare Historically, it is hard to trace the origins of social welfare or social policy in Britain. There is a debate when exactly the foundations of the welfare state were laid. Slack suggested that the welfare state was established by the end of the eighteenth century. On the other hand Roberts argued that the basis of the welfare state was laid between 1833 and 1854. However, most commentators incline to associate the term Welfare State with the start of the modern welfare state of Britain in 1945 (Harris 2004, p.15).Contrary to this conception, in my view, the origins of welfare state could go back as the earliest medieval Poor Law which came into existence in 1349. Not to forget to mention, the idea of welfare emerged thousands of years ago in many societies and civilisations. Voluntary and charitable help was provided through individuals, the state and religious organisations (Day 2000). The Poor Laws were introduced as a mechanism to tackle poverty amongst the poor by giving those help. Those poor people who are getting help including the sick and elderly were known as paupers. According to Oxford English Dictionary 2009 a pauper is A recipient of relief under the provisions of the Poor Law or of public charity. Now hist. (http://www.oed.com/).The main criticism to the poor law was it paid more attention to the maintenance of public order rather than the relief of poverty. This raised a question, whether the start of the welfare system for the poor was an act of mercy and compassion or the fear that homeless people will involve in unlawful activities. Based on the historical facts, the poor laws were divided into the Old Poor Law and the New Poor Law. The 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act was regarded as the start of a new era of Poor Laws referred to as the New Poor Law. (http://www.workhouses.org.uk/) The New Poor Law revolutionised the local and central governments relations. The Commissioners Report 1834 was the core of the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act. The 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act known also as PLAA had taken the administrative power from the local authority (parishes) to the central government authorities. It also reformed the Old Poor Law which was in place. Furthermore, the act dealt with the flaws of the Old Poor Law due to the bad administration of the local parishes. However, the act faced criticism from the local parishes opposing the idea of the central control, which will put limitation on their powers. Another criticism that the act restricted the relief to the poor and the conditions inside the workhouses were harsh and repulsive.( http://www.workhouses.org.uk/) . The commissioners report had also recommended the building of workhouses as a vital strategy to discourage claimants of the outdoor relief. However, many Northern Local Authorities opposed the building of warehouses, because they saw it as an expensive solution for the problem of unemployment (Harris 2004). According to (www.workhouses.org) 2009, The Oxford Dictionarys first record of the word workhouse dates back to 1652 in Exeter The said house to bee converted for a workhouse for the poore of this cittye and also a house of correction for the vagrant and disorderly people within this cittye. However, workhouses were around even before that in 1631 the Mayor of Abingdon reported that wee haue erected wthn our borough a workehouse to sett poore people to worke Under the New Poor Law (The Poor Law Amendment Act 1834) the workhouse unions acted as a deterrent for the able-bodied to claim outdoor relief. However , the law also introduced the outdoor labour test premised the distribution of outdoor relief to able-bodied men in return for a task of work .The initial plan of the workhouses to build different workhouses to accommodate different types of need such as children ,women and elderly . But later the plans had changed in favour mixed workhouses to accommodate all paupers. Apart from deterring able-bodied men from claiming relief, the workhouses were also intended to be institutional accommodation to accommodate various sections of the population who cannot look after themselves in their homes or in community. However during 1830s and the 1840s many cases of abuse and neglect inside the workhouses were reported in the media. The editor of The Times published more than a hundred cases of cruelty inside the workhouses in that period (Harris 2004, p.49 -52). Although the workhouses were not a prison, people inside were called inmates. The situation inside the workhouses was tough, the food was basic, and they had to wear rough uniform and to sleep in common dormitories. The able-bodied were given hard work such as stone breaking and picking old ropes apart called oakum (www.workhouses.org). During the 1800s the notion of charity in response to the needy spread rapidly throughout the world. As a result this led to the emergence of Charity Organisation Society. The Charity Organisation Society shared the same values as the Poor Law and they complemented each other. There was a debate whether the charities made the poor more dependent on the help they receiving, which might discourage them from seeking work. Later, the Charity Organisation Society spread to the USA which was helped by the lack of consistent state support to the poor (Payne 2005, p.34-8). From the origins of social work in the Victorian Charity Organisation Society (COS) The idea of settlement houses was to bridge the gap between social classes, In order to achieve that, it was suggested that the rich and educated should spend time and live amongst the poor. According to Payne settlements emerged as a movement to educate the working class and to maintain the moral Christian social behaviour in poor neighbourhoods in the new cities. Those students involved would use their education and moral beliefs in activities which (Payne 2005) The Seebohm Report was regarded as a landmark in the development of social work. Initially the Seebohm committee was set to find ways to reform local authority personal social services. The committee recommended the merge of local authority into social services department .As a result social work moved to be more generic, whereas before social work was specialised such as childcare and psychiatric social work . The object was to utilise resources. Consequently, the social work was modernised social work as it brought together the separate department offering social services to different client group into a single social services departments (James 2004) .Subsequently, social work in Britain reached its peak and saw massive state social work expansion by 1970 with the implementation of the Local Authority Personal Social Services Act 1970 which was an outcome of Seebohm Report. Additionally, this period saw the birth of British Association of Social Workers in April 1970 after the mer ging of 8 associations (Payne 2005). However, towards the 1980s there been a move back towards specialisation especially in mental health and childcare. As the Mental Health Act 1983 made a condition that only approved social workers should be allowed to deal with mental health cases. Also, as a result of the rise in child abuse cases child protection teams became the norm within Local Authorities. Additionally in 1989 the government put  £10 million pounds towards child protection training programme (Johnson 1990, p. 161-2). The Beveridge Report 1942 was regarded as the foundation for the modern welfare state in Britain. Lowne R states that, Despite its somewhat unglamorous title (and author) , the Beveridge report on Social Insurance and Allied services immediately acquired immense popularity , both at home and aboard , as a practical programme for the elimination of poverty , and it has subsequently come to be regarded as a blueprint for the welfare state. (Lowne 1999, p. 130) Beveridge stressed in his report the need to eradicate the five evils: Want, Disease, Idleness, Squalor and Ignorance. Furthermore, he suggested measures to be implemented by the government to tackle to issues. However, the Beveridge report was not fully implemented by the various governments and was abandoned by the conservatives. The conservatives criticised Beverdige for suggesting a flat rate contribution. Following his report, the National Health Service (NHS) was born on 5th July 1948 . In my opinion, this was one of the most important outcomes of the Beveridge Report and a major event in the history of modern welfare state in Britain. However, some social policy commentators had different view. Glennerster stated that Beveridge is often credited with the founding of the National Health Service, which definitely he did not do. And goes on, he is more possibly credited with the founding of post war system of social security, the subject of his great report, yet in many ways this is also a mistake. Although he acknowledge the report had a great impact at the time (Glennerster 2000, p. 18). Payne (2005, p. 31) suggests that social work in Britain evolved from three different sources : the Poor Law , charity organisation and the settlement movement. When Margaret Thatcher came to power in 1979, social work started to decline. Different factors contributed to the deterioration of social work. There was a service failure especially in child protection. Social work was seen as a soft police. Thatcher government increased control over public expenditure. After the child care scandals, social work got a negative image in the media and the public. Then social work was seen as the problem rather than the solution. One of the huge dilemmas for social workers in the 21th century, the shift in social work culture. Nowadays, on the managerial level, more importance being put on budgets and targets. Social workers had massive caseloads to deal with, topped with numerous paperwork to fill, which somehow hinder the process of service delivery to the service user. The rise in the workload for social workers led to divert the focus from the quality to the quantity. It became the quantity rather than the quality.

Hate Speech is the Price We Must Pay for Freedom of Speech

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Living in the United States we enjoy many wonderful freedoms and liberties. Even though most of these freedoms seem innate to our lives, most have been earned though sacrifice and hard work. Out of all of our rights, freedom of speech is perhaps our most cherished, and one of the most controversial. Hate speech is one of the prices we all endure to ensure our speech stays free. But with hate speeches becoming increasingly common, many wonder if it is too great of a price to pay, or one that we should have to pay at all.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,or of the press: or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When the framers of the constitution penned these 45 words could they have known the extent that they would be studied and scrutinize? Are the words meant to be taken literally or is it the â€Å"spirit† to them that is most important? Many views exist and are hotly debated, but most agree that this amendment has enabled some of the best things in the history of our country to be said; and ultimately done. However it has also enabled some of the worst.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When discussing hate speech one has to address fighting words. Fighting words are words that the Supreme Court believes that even the mere utterance of them will inflict injury or incite an immediate breach of the peace. The court also believes these words are unnecessary for anyone to use, and that even if they were not used someone could still express their ideas.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Historically some hate speeches have contained fighting words, but they are view by the court as a separate entity. Fighting words are often classified as having absolutely no social value, and are not protected by the first amendment. In this regard I think that hate speech and fighting words are very analogous to indecent and obscene material. While indecent material might be frowned upon it is constitutionally protected, as where obscene material (also classified as having no social value) is not. This distinction was first made in the early 1940s in the Chaplinsky case.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Chaplinsky was a Jehovah’ s Witness, and one day while doing some face-to-face confrontations as part of his religious practices, an... ...nts think is appropriate. That kind of gathering offers an opportunity for people to talk about something other than the Klan. It also shows the outside world the community does not condone Klan activity.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Perhaps in the end all we can really do it to try and come to terms with hate speech on a personal level. I believe 100 percent in the first amendment, and I look at having to tolerate hate speech as a price I have to pay for enjoying such a wonderful freedom. I don’t think it would be effective or warranted to limit the peoples freedom in attempts to try and stop the despicable practice of hate speech. Works Cited: The Associated Press State & Local Wire, January 7, 2002. Fales, John The Washington Times, Pg. 11 September 2, 2002. Fein, Bruce The Washington Times, August 6, 2002. Rodrigues, Janette The Houston Chronicle, Pg. 15 January 17, 2001. Taylor, Lynda Guydon The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pg. w3 June 24, 2001 Cases Cited Black v. Virginia, 262 Va. 764, 553 S.E.2d 738 (2001) Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire, 315 U.S. 568 (1942) Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397 (1989) Village of Skokie v. National Socialist Party 373 N.E. 2d 21 (1978)

Willing and Knowing :: Philosophy Philosophical Papers

Willing and Knowing ABSTRACT: This paper discusses W. K. Clifford's classic paper, "The Ethics of Belief," and the significance of his use of the locution "knowingly and willingly" in the context of morally irresponsible ignorance. It is argued that this locution can point to a very subtle and important distinction in the premisses of ethically responsible belief formation. An analysis of willful ignorance is then given. It is argued that, strictly speaking, there is no such thing as willful ignorance: what is called willful ignorance in ordinary language is just the phenomena of getting oneself knowingly to believe something by willingly and knowingly altering the evidence for one's belief, rather than the genuine phenomenon of getting oneself willingly to believe something against the evidence. The former phenomenon is not, however, morally approvable. Therefore, willfulness of belief is not a necessary condition of morally irresponsible ignorance. 1. There is a very famous passage in W. K. Clifford's classic paper "The Ethics of Belief" in which Clifford describes a shipowner who deceives himself to believe that his ship is seaworthy by 'knowingly and willingly' ignoring the evidence to the contrary, ie. by 'knowingly and willingly' changing the evidential situation that determines the content of his belief. According to Clifford, the shipowner's mental behaviour is unethical. He has no right to believe that the ship is seaworthy on such evidence as is before him. He is knowingly and willingly ignorant of the real condition of the ship and, as a consequence, carries moral responsibility for the consequences of his evil state of mind, consequences highlighted by the deaths of passengers and crew when the ship goes down. The question of why Clifford uses the words 'knowingly and willingly' when he describes the way in which the shipowner makes himself ignorant of the real condition of the ship is significant not only to Clifford's own theory but to the ethics of belief in general. One commentator (see Haack, forthcoming) has recently argued that Clifford really means 'willful ignorance' and just lacks in subtlety when he says 'knowingly and willingly'. The motive behind this interpretation is the view that only a person who is willfully ignorant of the evidence against her belief can carry moral responsibility for the consequences of the belief. In particular, involuntary ignorance, according to this view, has no such effect. I question this interpretation. In particular, I question the idea that the description of the shipowner's ignorance as 'knowingly and willingly' undertaken is somehow less subtle than its description as 'willfully' undertaken.

Coca Cola/Pepsico Strategy Analysis

16/10/2012 Saxion University of Applied Science Module International Business Plan – Mr. J. Oude Rengerink IBMS Project 6 – Gr. C1 Analysis International Strategy; Part 1 – Second Version Tim Herbers (153139) Angelika Kuhn (147613) Sebastiaan Prins (112381) Luc Zijlmans (149689) Saxion University of Applied Science Module International Business Plan – Mr. J. Oude Rengerink IBMS Project 6 – Gr. C1 Analysis International Strategy; Part 1 – Second Version Tim Herbers (153139) Angelika Kuhn (147613) Sebastiaan Prins (112381) Luc Zijlmans (149689) | Coca Cola & Pepsi| Analysis International Strategy|Coca Cola & Pepsi| Analysis International Strategy| Index 1. Analysis International Strategy3 2. The Coca-Cola Company & PepsiCo4 3. Marketing5 3. 1 Marketing mix of Coca Cola5 3. 2 Marketing mix of Pepsi7 3. 3 Brand differentiation8 3. 4 Coca-Cola & Pepsi Worldwide8 4. Management9 4. 1 Management Coca-Cola9 4. 2 Management PepsiCo11 4. 3 Management co mpared12 5. Financial Position12 5. 1 Profitability13 5. 2 Liquidity14 5. 3 Solvency15 6. Production16 6. 1 Comparison Production17 7. Research and Development18 7. 1 Research and Development & Sustainability20 8. In Overall21 9. Coca-Cola Company or PepsiCo21 0. References22 1. Analysis International Strategy Before it could be determined whether the Coca-Cola Company or PepsiCo is most suitable for entering a new market, a thorough examination and evaluation of their current (internal) strategy has be performed. Several variables will be researched upon, including Human Resource Management, sustainability and ethics, management aspects (financial part of the business plan), and strategic international marketing position. During this first part we will be answering the question ‘What are the strengths and weaknesses of the companies Coca-Cola and PepsiCo? . 2. The Coca-Cola Company & PepsiCo The Coca-Cola Company Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink that is sold in stores, re staurants, and vending machines available in more than 200 countries throughout the world. Nowadays it is rather difficult to think of a country where it is not available. With a portfolio of more than 3,500 beverages, from diet and regular sparkling beverages to still beverages such as 100 per cent fruit juices and fruit drinks, waters, sports and energy drinks, teas and coffees, and milk-and soy-based beverages, their variety spans the globe.The company has 146,200 employees around the world and operates its business for 126 years respectively. Its headquarters is located in Atlanta, USA. In financial circles, Coca-Cola has been one of the strongest and most reliable trading stocks, showing a steady return in all of its years of existence but one. However, Coca Colas market share has slipped, but still dominates in much of Europe and South America. PepsiCo The carbonated soft drink producer sells its products in nearly 200 countries throughout the world. Their product assortment i ncludes 22 brands that each generate more than $1 billion each in annual retail sales.The company employs 297,000 people around the globe and is twice as much as that of Coca Cola and sells its products under the name of Pepsi Cola since 1898. Its headquarters is located in Purchase, USA. Pepsi mostly dominates in Asian markets as compared to Coca Cola. In financial circles, Pepsi is known to provide a steady growth when it comes to sales revenue as well as profit. Their sales revenue in 2011 is one third higher than that of 2008 and a disruption in that trend is not expected by sales forecasts. 3. Marketing 3. 1 Marketing mix of Coca Cola ProductThe Coca-Cola Company’s products consist of beverage concentrates and syrups, with the main product being the finished beverages and can be seen as both business and consumer products. The type of consumer product the Coca-Cola Company creates is convenience product. Convenience products normally require a wide distribution in order to sell sufficient quantities to meet profit goals In addition, the Coca-Cola Company often pays a certain amount to retail stores to resell their product. Therefore the Coca-Cola Company products can be considered a business product.The Coca-Cola Company has a fairly large product mix which contains about 400 brands, including diet and light beverages, waters, juice and juice drinks, teas, coffees, energy, and sports drinks. Since 1960 they have increased their product mix continuously. Place Coca Cola is sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. The headquarter is located in Atlanta, Georgia. Promotion Advertising According to Gary Armstrong and Philip Kotler, â€Å"Advertising is any paid form of non-personal presentation and promotion of ideas, goods, or services by an identified sponsor. Coca-Cola has used advertising to build an image for its company. Here are some of the types of advertising that Coca-Cola uses: * Television commercial; ga in good marketing coverage by appealing to consumer's senses. * Magazines; geographically and demographically select consumers that it wants to target. * Outdoor advertising; strategic placements achieve high repeat exposure. * Internet; allows customers to become interactive through various games, contests, shopping. Public Relations Coca-Cola handles public relations by including a press centre on its website.This section of the website allows consumers to view press releases, executive speeches, and statements made by the company regarding current information. In the statements, Coca-Cola can address law suits, rumours, stories, new products, and activities. Personal Selling Coca-Cola has many salespeople, who are individuals representing the company to communicate, sell, service, and build relationships with customers. These individuals form close relationships with the customers and visit them not unusual many times per week. Sales promotionCoca-Cola often runs sales with store s to quickly increase sales. Coke gives its product to the retailer for a lower price, and in-turn the retailer sells the product on sale. To advertise for these sales, the retailer generally runs an ad in their store sales circular at attract consumers. Direct Marketing Coca-Cola uses direct marketing in many ways. First, the company partners with various restaurants, movie theatres, etc. to carry its product. This way, when a customer orders a drink, the only brand they are offered is Coca-Cola, which forces them to buy a drink from that brand.By doing this, Coke forces out other competition, and keeps the restaurants, or other businesses, purchasing their product over and over again. Price Average price in the capitals for one can 350ml (2011): Greece, Spain, Belgium: $1. 74 Switzerland:$1. 72 United Kingdom:$1. 54 United States:$0. 79 Russia:$1. 07 India:$0. 36 China:$0. 26 3. 2 Marketing mix of Pepsi Product The Pepsi-Cola drink contains basic ingredients found in most other si milar drinks including carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, sugar, colourings, phosphoric acid, caffeine, citric acid and natural flavours.The caffeine free Pepsi-Cola contains the same ingredients but no caffeine. Pepsi’s most popular product range include Diet Pepsi, Gatorade, Mountain Dew, Thirst Quencher, Tropicana, Aquafina Bottled Water, Sierra Mist, Fritos Corn chips, Cheetos, Ruffles Potato Chips, Lays Potato Chips, Tostitos, Doritos. Place Pepsi is sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in nearly 200 countries. The headquarter is located in Purchase, New York. Promotion Advertising Likewise Pepsi has used advertising to build an image for its company. * Television commercial; gain good marketing coverage by appealing to consumer's senses. Magazines; geographically and demographically select consumers that it wants to target. * Outdoor advertising; strategic placements achieve high repeat exposure. * Internet; allows customers to become interactive t hrough various games, contests, shopping. Public Relations Pepsi gets involved in Public Relations via social networks like Facebook. Community services as well as social campaigns are addressed on the company’s internet page. Personal Selling In order to keep up with the core competition, Pepsi’s salespeople are inevitable building similar relationships with customers like Coca Cola.Sales promotion Sales promotion is similar to that of Coca Cola. Direct Marketing The direct marketing strategy is equally to that of Coca Cola. Price Average price in the capitals for one can 350ml (2011): United Kingdom:$0. 38 United States:$0. 79 Canada:$1. 02 Egypt:$0. 66 India:$0. 12 China:$0. 10 3. 3 Brand differentiation Brand differentiation takes place after understanding what the customers wants and therefore meeting the core need. Pepsi and Coca-Cola are popular black soft drinks and mostly contain sugar and water with a slightly difference in taste.Although the ad campaigns run by both companies would have people think otherwise, the soft drink similarities are striking. A study found that 80 per cent of people cannot differentiate a sample of Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) from a sample of Pepsi. In essence, it does not matter how the DNA of the product looks like, but how it is presented. On the one hand there is Coca-Cola, the secret inventor of cola, the original product since the establishment on the market. Pepsi, on the other hand, was born a few years after Coke and stands for something new. It markets its product being committed for a new generation.Pepsi does have a slight advantage over Coke in diversification. Pepsi has snack food brands such as Frito-Lay and Quaker. They also own the brands that make beverages such as Gatorade, Tropicana and Naked Juices. While Coke hasn’t tapped the snack food market, they do have some beverage diversification. Dasani bottled water, PowerAde and Minute Maid juices are all part of Coca-Cola. 3. 4 Coca-Cola & Pep si Worldwide The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo both have very successful drinks. Although Coca-Cola is greater than PepsiCo as a company as well as the amount of brands/drinks, their drinks are quite similar and therefore comparable.They also have a wide range of promotional activities. They use practically all communication mediums there are and invest huge amounts in building customer relationships. Coca Cola and Pepsi are sold in around the 200 countries worldwide. Both headquarters are located in the United Stated. The price of Coca Cola is more expensive than Pepsi in most countries. Since most people cannot taste the difference between the two, the difference in price lies with that Coca Cola is more known and wins from Pepsi on image. It is seen as a slightly ‘better' brand. . Management 4. 1 Management Coca-Cola Management Every company needs a strategy, to ensure that everything goes well within the firm. Strategic management affirms the company being well organized a nd no detail being left out. It is essential to make sure that the company is doing well internally. Business start up Coca-Cola was first introduced by John Smyth Pemberton. The distribution took place by carrying the product in a jig down the street to Jacob’s Pharmacy, where people were buying the drink for five cents at the soda foundation. StrategyNowadays, the Coca-Cola Company operates in more than 200 countries and markets more than 500 brands. Hereunder, four of the world’s top five soft drinks brands, which explains the enormous success and makes them to the world’s largest beverage company. The unique brand is consistently offering products of the highest quality and delivers creative and innovative marketing programs worldwide. The global availability and ongoing innovation, continually provides its consumers with new product offerings, with each country having its own unique needs and requirements.Mission * To refresh the world†¦ * To inspire m oments of optimism and happiness†¦ * To create value and make a difference. | Vision * People: Be a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be. * Portfolio: Bring to the world a portfolio of quality beverage brands that anticipate and satisfy people's desires and needs. * Partners: Nurture a winning network of customers and suppliers, together we create mutual, enduring value. * Planet: Be a responsible citizen that makes a difference by helping build and support sustainable communities. Profit: Maximize long-term return to shareowners while being mindful of our overall responsibilities. * Productivity: Be a highly effective, lean and fast-moving organization. | Values * Leadership: The courage to shape a better future * Collaboration: Leverage collective genius * Integrity: Be real * Accountability: If it is to be, it's up to me * Passion: Committed in heart and mind * Diversity: As inclusive as our brands * Quality: What we do, we do well Structu re The Coca-Cola’s primary business consists of manufacturing and selling beverages.The company sells their concentrates and syrups to bottling partners, which have the authorization of manufacturing, distribution and selling branded products to consumers around the globe with supreme quality and service. The relationship with its bottlers worldwide is a key source of strength and is referring to ‘the Coca-Cola system’. Culture The organizational culture describes the way a business does things, including patterns of behaviour and relationships. Therefore, the employees of the Coca-Cola Company are the most important asset, highlighting teamwork and empowerment.Not only employees, but also customers and bottling partners feel valued in this friendly, trustful and innovative culture and their motivation provides the engine that drives the Company’s growth. Based on relationships, The Coca-Cola Company provides a number of open communication channels as mont hly leadership team meetings and employee team briefing sessions and surveys to monitor employee views and feelings. 4. 2 Management PepsiCo Business start up Pepsi was first introduced as ‘Brad’s Drink’ by Caleb Bradham in 1893. The drink was produced and sold in his drugstore. StrategyThe company operates in more than 200 countries. PepsiCo has competitive advantage in the beverage industry  because of big brands, proven innovation and differentiated products. Their strong brand, socially responsible employees and corporate beliefs continues its stance as one of the most powerful companies in the world. Mission Our mission is to be the world's premier consumer products company focused on convenient foods and beverages. We seek to produce financial rewards to investors as we provide opportunities for growth and enrichment to our employees, our business partners and the communities in which we operate.And in everything we do, we strive for honesty, fairness and integrity. Vision â€Å"PepsiCo's responsibility is to continually improve all aspects of the world in which we operate – environment, social, economic – creating a better tomorrow than today. † Our vision is put into action through programs and a focus on environmental stewardship, activities to benefit society, and a commitment to build shareholder value by making PepsiCo a truly sustainable company. Goals and Values Ensure high levels of associate engagement and satisfaction compared with other Fortune 500 companies * Foster diversity and inclusion by developing a workforce that reflects local communities * Encourage our associates to lead healthier lives by offering workplace wellness programs globally * Ensure a safe workplace by continuing to reduce lost time injury rates, while striving to improve other occupational health and safety metrics through best practices * Support ethical and legal compliance through annual training in our code of conduct, whic h outlines PepsiCo's unwavering commitment to its human rights policy, including treating every associate with dignity and respect Structure This adaptive organization is continuously seeking for improvement and keeping new ideas in the marketplace. PepsiCo has a decentralized organizational structure. Operational decisions are being made within the separate business units while being governed by policies at the corporate level. Culture PepsiCo offers a culture that encourages initiative, risk taking and access to decision makers.Employees have superior opportunities to pursue their goals. The company considers their culture as fairly uniform. â€Å"Extremely competitive and very focused†. Trust, respect, fairness and teamwork are being valued. Managers must be able to attract, retain and develop talents in order to achieve efficient and effective results, which are significant for PepsiCo’s expectations. Benefits as bountiful retirement packages, tuition reimbursement and legal assistance programs are being praised by their employees. 4. 3 Management compared Each company tries to outdo each other and tries to produce the best product. The battle of the two companies gives life to the industry.Both companies have a long history and have been tried and tested. The two are showing social responsibility in the community and have invested heavily in recycling programs. However, The Coca Cola Company is the market leader. It has built internal and external structures to support the delivery of its business goals. It has the best structure of supporting growth, allowing attention to local requirements and building on a clear strategic direction from the centre at the same time. To build its growth on, the company has a firm foundation of relationships and open communication channels. 5. Financial Position What is the financial position of PepsiCo?The last year’s PepsiCo has been a very financially healthy company. But like many companies also P epsiCo suffered a bit from the financial crisis. If we first look at the income statement of PepsiCo we can see that PepsiCo is now recovering from the blow they took from the financial crisis and are increasing their revenue and profits. They are recovering by spending more money on their marketing in their home market and also doing more investments then the years before. In 2009 investments were only 2. 1 billion and in 2011 their 3. 4 billion. This strategy is helping them to get back on track. We can see this strategy back in their cash flow statement and in their balance sheet.What is the financial position of Coca-Cola Company? The Coca-Cola Company has always been market leader with their coke and has always been a very strong company, not just financially but also their brand name is very strong. Even though they have a very strong brand name they took a blow in 2008 with the economic crisis and had to cut their costs and investments substantially. In 2011 their managed to get their revenue up by 11 billion but their profit stayed the same as in 2010. This was because they started to invest more; this is something that the competitor PepsiCo did as well. So both companies are recovering and doing well. 5. 1 Profitability PepsiCo Inc. , profitability ratios   | Dec 31, 2011| Dec 25, 2010| Dec 26, 2009| Dec 27, 2008| Dec 29, 2007|   | Return on Sales| | Gross profit margin| 52. 49%| 54. 05%| 53. 51%| 52. 95%| 54. 30%| | Operating profit margin| 14. 48%| 14. 41%| 18. 61%| 16. 09%| 18. 19%| | Net profit margin| 9. 69%| 10. 93%| 13. 75%| 11. 89%| 14. 33%|   | Return on Investment| | Return on equity (ROE)| 31. 29%| 29. 86%| 35. 38%| 42. 47%| 32. 83%| | Return on assets| 8. 84%| 9. 27%| 14. 92%| 14. 29%| 16. 34%| Coca-Cola Co. , profitability ratios |   | Dec 31, 2011| Dec 31, 2010| Dec 31, 2009| Dec 31, 2008| Dec 31, 2007|   | Return on Sales| | Gross profit margin| 60. 86%| 63. 86%| 64. 22%| 64. 39%| 63. 4%| | Operating profit margin| 21. 82%| 2 4. 06%| 26. 56%| 26. 44%| 25. 13%| | Net profit margin| 18. 42%| 33. 63%| 22. 02%| 18. 18%| 20. 73%|   | Return on Investment| | Return on equity (ROE)| 27. 10%| 38. 09%| 27. 52%| 28. 37%| 27. 51%| | Return on assets (ROA)| 10. 72%| 16. 19%| 14. 02%| 14. 33%| 13. 82%| In the table’s you can see the most important profitability ratios for PepsiCo and Coca-Cola Company. The gross profit margin indicates the percentage of revenue that is used to cover operating and other expenses. For the last years Coca-Cola always had the better profit margin ratio because they do not have such a diverse product range as PepsiCo does.PepsiCo also works in other markets like cereal and potato chips where the gross profit margins are usually lower. This accounts for all of the return on sales ratios. The return on investments are not very different for both companies but PepsiCo did some major investments in equity the last few years and they still managed a very high return on equity which a good result. Both companies have good returns on their investments. We can clearly see that Coca-Cola has a higher profitability; a big difference is the net profit margin where they score much better then PepsiCo. But both companies are doing very well profitability wise. 5. 2 Liquidity PepsiCo Inc. , liquidity ratios   | Dec 31, 2011| Dec 25, 2010| Dec 26, 2009| Dec 27, 2008| Dec 29, 2007| | Current ratio| 0. 96| 1. 11| 1. 44| 1. 23| 1. 31| | Quick ratio| 0. 62| 0. 80| 1. 00| 0. 79| 0. 89| | Cash ratio| 0. 24| 0. 40| 0. 47| 0. 26| 0. 32| Coca-Cola Co. , liquidity ratios |   | Dec 31, 2011| Dec 31, 2010| Dec 31, 2009| Dec 31, 2008| Dec 31, 2007| | Current ratio| 1. 05| 1. 17| 1. 28| 0. 94| 0. 92| | Quick ratio| 0. 78| 0. 85| 0. 95| 0. 62| 0. 58| | Cash ratio| 0. 58| 0. 61| 0. 67| 0. 38| 0. 33| The current ratio of PepsiCo is a shock because looking at this number they have serious liquidity problem. It took a major blow from the economic crisis looking at numbers from 2007 and 2008 when the current ratios were at a much more healthy level.Also Coca-Cola’s current ratio’s is much lower than it used to be but when we look at the current ratio in 2008 and 2007 the ratio was lower than it is now so it might be that this is not an unusual position to be in for Coca-Cola . The quick ratio shows if a company can currently pay back their current liabilities. Both companies are not able to do this but for big companies like Coca-Cola and PepsiCo this is a normal quick ratio and they do not have something to worry about. The Cash ratio of PepsiCo is much lower than Coca-Cola this might also be the cause for their low current ratio they do not have a lot of cash on their bank but they use it mostly for investments. Overall the liquidity position of Coca-Cola is better and Pepsi might need to reconsider to improve their liquidity position. 5. 3 SolvencyPepsiCo Inc. , debt and solvency ratios |   | Dec 31, 2011| Dec 25, 2010| Dec 26, 2009| Dec 27, 2008 | Dec 29, 2007| | Debt to equity| 1. 30| 1. 18| 0. 47| 0. 68| 0. 24| | Debt to capital| 0. 57| 0. 54| 0. 32| 0. 40| 0. 20| | Interest coverage| 11. 32| 10. 12| 21. 35| 22. 41| 35. 12| Coca-Cola Co. , debt and solvency ratios |   | Dec 31, 2011| Dec 31, 2010| Dec 31, 2009| Dec 31, 2008| Dec 31, 2007| | Debt to equity| 0. 90| 0. 76| 0. 48| 0. 45| 0. 43| | Debt to capital| 0. 47| 0. 43| 0. 32| 0. 31| 0. 30| | Interest coverage| 28. 43| 20. 43| 26. 20| 18. 14| 18. 37| PepsiCo finances their company more with equity and capital than Coca-Cola Company does.You can see this when you look at the debt to equity and debt to capital ratio which are much higher in the case of PepsiCo especially the debt to equity this is because of the big investments in equity that PepsiCo did this year and last year. Even though the Coca-Cola Company is financed more by loans, this is not a problem for Coca-Cola because their interest coverage ratio is very high and their profits have been an in stable grow th as where PepsiCo has a much lower interest coverage ratio which is declining every year since the start of the economic crisis. 6. Production Intangible resources Coca-Cola is the absolute leader in the carbonated soft-drink market and is recognised as the most valuable brand worldwide. The company? greatest strengths are in its intangible resources. Because of the great reputation and image, they differentiate themselves from competitors like Pepsi. Coca-Cola can be bought in almost every country worldwide and is available in practically all snack shops, supermarkets, train stations, and so on. This success exists because the huge investments in marketing and Coca-Cola's distribution systems. Customers of Coca-Cola are generally very loyal, more loyal than the Pepsi customers. Coca-Cola also gains competitive advantage by excelling in their brand image (strategy). They invest a lot in marketing and brand awareness, (Coca-Cola is a lifestyle†).Another competitive advantage is the 400 licenses and patents on different formulas (ingredients Coca-Cola) and other drinks and brands which fall under the Coca-Cola Company. PepsiCo is also operating on a global basis. The competition between the two is heavy and just like Coca-Cola, Pepsi drinks are available in almost every nation, in almost every food and drink store. Although fulfilling a similar position as Coca-Cola in their market, PepsiCo has a rough opponent with Coca-Cola. The past several years, PepsiCo is not as profitable as before and has more and more trouble with competing with Coca-Cola, also because of the high investments of Coca-Cola in marketing. Therefore, their brand equity is developing negatively. Also PepsiCo’s intellectual property is great.Coca-Cola is more seen as a phenomena than a brand, and this is a competitive advantage for PepsiCo as well. Many establishments over the world offer Cola, and provide customers with PepsiCo mainly because this is less expensive. As already mentioned earlier, most people cannot distinguish Coca-Cola from PepsiCo, therefore gains PepsiCo competitive advantage at the expense of Coca-Cola. Human Capital The whole Coca-Cola Company has over 140,000 employees worldwide. Remarkable is that PepsiCo around the 30% greater workforce has, although their market share is considerably smaller. Unless the efficiency rate per employee of PepsiCo is much higher than that of Coca-Cola, this causes the company to have very large expenses in labour terms.To safeguard future long-term objectives, the companies both choose to keep a diverse workforce. Employees get relatively much responsibility (empowerment) and are encouraged, inspired and challenged to learn, be innovative, be original, and to promote themselves within the company. This creates extra value for both companies because employees are more loyal. Physical capital The physical capital of Coca-Cola is huge. The Company owns over many facilities in more than 200 countries worl dwide where the bottling, canning, syrup manufacturing, and administrative aspects are being dealt with. Only the bottlers where the products are manufactured and distributed mounts up to 275 facilities over the world.All those facilities are brought under five geographic operating segments (North America, Africa, Asia, Eurasia and the Middle East, and Latin America) and one corporate segment. The bottling partners are local companies, totally integrated and operating in line with their local markets. Also PepsiCo’s distribution system covers a wide range of certified bottlers, selling products in over 200 countries on six continents to businesses and institutions, including retail chains, supermarkets, restaurants, small neighbourhood grocers, sports and entertainment venues, schools and colleges, etc. 6. 1 Comparison Production These good resources ensure overall quality, flexibility and responsiveness in respect to local markets.They are integrated in their market worldwid e with continuous supply. Brand image and human capital are aspects which safeguards profitable future prospects with a sustainable competitive advantage. Both Coca-Cola and Pepsi have a massive amount of employees working for the company worldwide. This is also necessary because the employees contribute for a large part to business successes. Remarkable is the 30% greater workforce of PepsiCo. This is an alarming situation because the expenses of labour is large. Because they are both very successful and such immense companies, brand image, presence in geographical markets, distribution systems are all well-organised and difficult to compare.The end results of Coca-Cola in financial-, as well as non-financial aspect are better than those of PepsiCo on almost every terrain. 7. Research and Development How sustainable is PepsiCo? (Continuous improvement/New flavours) PepsiCo is a company with a wide variety of products and in all their market segments they are an A brand. When it com es to research and development you can see that PepsiCo is one of the best. They have multiple research and development facilities especially in the United States with many highly skilled scientists working there every day trying out new flavours and new products. The company even has its own university to train their staff.At this university which was opened in 2011 the scientist of PepsiCo receive training about 8 main items which are: packaging, Nutrition, Food Safety and Regulatory, Ingredient Application Science, Human Research and Science, Experience Design, Product Development and Process Engineering. They create new flavours every day and they launch a new flavour a couple times a year. They carefully create their flavours for specific markets so they meet the exact needs of the customers in that country. Another thing that PepsiCo strives to do is continuously improve their existing product and their existing processes. They do this for instance by giving training to their employees and giving their mangers goals to make sure they improve every year. How sustainable is the Coca-Cola Company? Continuous improvement/New flavours) Coca-Cola might not have as many R;D facilities as PepsiCo but their output of new products and new flavours is bigger than PepsiCo. This mostly caused by the fact that the Brand Coca-Cola is much more than just a brand. They also sell T-shirts and other product of their brand that they develop. Things like vending machines and packaging are things that Coca-Cola focuses on with their R;D while PepsiCo is more focussed on their product range. Coca-Cola is so settled as a brand that the most of their R;D is almost marketing. Like new cloth lines and new packaging for their products and off course new vending machines which will not only benefits the customers but also carries a message.Of course Coca-Cola Company also develops new flavours and new product they do this the same way as PepsiCo they look at the specific needs of th e inhabitants of a country and create a new flavour or product based on those needs. Coca-Cola also PepsiCo strives to do is continuously improve their existing product and their existing processes. They do this for instance by giving training to their employees and giving their mangers goals to make sure they improve every year. Does PepsiCo have a green vision? PepsiCo is fully committed to protecting the earth's natural resources through innovation and the efficient use of land, energy, water and packaging in all our operations.As a global business, they rely on the earth's natural resources. And as they grow, they strive to use only methods and tools that are, socially responsible and economically sound. PepsiCo has multiple categories where they are becoming more and more sustainable, the first category in which they have goals for improvement is water usage. PepsiCo's goal to improve water-use efficiency by 20 per cent per unit of production by 2015 . PepsiCo has already impro ved water-use efficiency by 18. 7 per cent for foods manufacturing, and 17. 8 per cent for beverage manufacturing. These conservation efforts translate to a water savings of nearly 13. 8 billion litres.Also waste management is very important for them. In 2010, PepsiCo generated an estimated 1. 25 million metric tons of solid waste from the manufacturing facilities. Of that total, only 15. 4 per cent was discarded to a landfill, and 84. 6 per cent of waste generated was sent off-site for beneficial use, such as recycling. In the future they are still looking to improve those numbers. Also they keep a close eye on their carbon emission. They have multiple on-going projects in many different countries that will help them decrease their Co2 emission and their effect on the global climate change. They have set 4 worldwide goals for their company. * Reduce carbon intensity in our operations Invest in carbon reduction technologies, including renewable fuel technology and clean development mechanisms * Reduce fugitive emissions * Work with supply-chain partners to reduce their emissions You can see that PepsiCo is company that has very sustainable supply chain and is still trying to improve their sustainability and decrease their emissions. Does the Coca-Cola Company have a green vision? Coca-Cola company is the largest beverage producer in the world and because of that they feel that they have responsibility to make the world a little bit better. They invest a huge amount of money in project on sustainability all over the world.Every year they also create a sustainability report about all they project and what they have achieved that year, also they describe their new project and they set goals for the coming year. In the figure to the right can be seen that they have created a visual concept of the Coca-Cola lifecycle which perfectly shows the way they work on their sustainability. 7. 1 Research and Development & Sustainability Both companies are constantly working on a better position in the market, improve the production and distribution processes, become more sustainable through innovation and participation onto the market. As it comes to sustainability PepsiCo is far behind on Coca-Cola even tough PepsiCo is already a very sustainable company Coca-Cola is really trying to make the world a better place.In total we can see that Coca-Cola is a more sustainable company than PepsiCo, and gives more back to the community. This is also one point why Coca-Cola is a brand which more people adore. 8. In Overall Although the Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo seem to be quite similar in operating, distributing, production, marketing, and naturally the drinks themselves, they differ from each other on several aspects. Below, a table which gives an overview of important differences between the two competitors. | Strength| Weakness| Coca-Cola| 1. Over 500 brands in product line2. Strong global presence3. Excellent brand recognition4. Industry leader in marke t| 1. Negative publicity2. Supply is restricted3.Low profits in strong areas4. Decline in cash flow| Pepsi| 1. Company Image2. Quality Conscious3. Market Share4. Sponsorships| 1. Decline in taste2. Short term approach3. Weak distribution4. Low consumer knowledge| 9. Coca-Cola Company or PepsiCo We have seen all the strong and the weak points of both companies in all the analyses in this project. We have decided to go on with the Coca-Cola Company. This is mainly because of better financial position that Coca-Cola Company has over PepsiCo. Especially profitability and liquidity wise they have a much better position than PepsiCo does and we think this will be an advantage when we are going to write a business plan.PepsiCo also has a more diverse product mix than Coca-Cola because PepsiCo also has brands in markets like breakfast cereal and potato chips whereas Coco-Cola is only active in markets like soft drinks and sports drink where they have a lot of experience. We think that exper ience that they have because the specialized in drink markets only will be a huge advantage over PepsiCo when they are going to enter a new market. These are the two main differences between the very similar companies that made us decide that Coca-Cola Company is the better option to attack a new market. 10. References http://www. thecoca-colacompany. com/ourcompany/mission_vision_values. html http://www. pepsico. com/annual11/downloads/PEP_AR11_2011_Annual_Report. pdf http://www. ehow. com/about_5089164_business-resources-definition. html http://premiumwritingservice. om/attachments/article/491/CocaColaInternalAnalysis. pdf http://www. thecoca-colacompany. com/ourcompany/pdf/COBC_English. pdf http://www. scribd. com/doc/28092994/Comparative-Analysis-of-Pepsi-and-Coke http://www. pepsi. com/ http://www. thecoca-colacompany. com/ourcompany/mission_vision_values. html ——————————————â€⠀œ [ 1 ]. http://www. pepsico. com/annual11/downloads/pep_ar11_2011_annual_report. pdf [ 2 ]. http://www. stock-analysis-on. net/ [ 3 ]. http://www. stock-analysis-on. net/ [ 4 ]. http://www. thecoca-colacompany. com/ourcompany/innovation_marketplace. html [ 5 ]. http://www. pepsico. com/Purpose/Environmental-Sustainability/Climate-Change. html

Bakery: Marketing and Cakes

Date: 12th October, 2012 Name: Momina Saeed 01-111102-108 Sana Khan 01-111101-113 Mian Muhammad Sajawal Marketing Plan 01-111101-157 Section:BBA 6-C â€Å"ENTREPRENEURSHIP† „BAKELICIOUS? MARKETING PLAN Point of differentiation (Pod): ? We will offer customized product to the customers. ? We will bake cakes according to the preferences and requests of the customers. ? These cakes are made up of organic ingredients which are nutritious. Unique Selling Proposition (USP): ? Our unique selling proposition is our family recipe for cakes. Segmentation: ? We will sell our product to Elite and Upper Middle class. Objectives: To create awareness. ? To specialize in cakes which are different from any other cakes available in the market. ? To establish a strong presence in the market as a unique bakery. ? Spreading happiness through taste. ? Completing important moments of your life. Data Gathering: Primary sources: ? Direct Interviews from customers. ? Direct Interviews from home b akers. ? We will also get information through questioners filled by the customers. Secondary sources: ? Internet ? Social websites Analysis of data: ? We will analyze the data from filled questionnaires and after conducting interviews. Marketing Mix:As Bakelicious is a service so we are using 7p’s of marketing. Product: ? Cake, cupcakes, cookies and muffins. Price: I. Cost: ? Our price will vary on the size and ingredients used for baking cake. II. Customer: ? For customer we will decide how much customer is willing to pay. ? As we are targeting elite and upper middle class so our cost will be some for both. III. Competitor: ? As we are starting new business so our cost should be less than other competitors. Place: ? We will make our items at home and also do online selling. We will place stalls in funfairs in school, college and universities etc.Promotion: We will do promotion through: ? Fliers ? By creating Facebook pages Positioning: ? Bakelicious will be positioned as a h ome based bakery that will provide home-baked goods. ? The focus will be on quality and freshness. ? It will be a fun and inviting alternative to mass market companies. ? We will offer highly customized products such that customers will be able to make the treats that they would bake if they had the time. People: ? Momina,Sana and Sajawal Process: ? People can place their orders through Facebook and through Telephone. SWOT ANALYSIS: Strengths: ? A cake business is fun.Most people need cakes for special days or events so what better way to make someone smile. ? Low startup costs. Since it does not require rent some space, then rent can be taken off the budget list. ? High mark-up for cakes. Since cakes are easy to make, we can price them according to their worth. Some are worth more than others but either way, it’s going to make a nice profit. ? Each cake represents a person or a relationship or a celebration by them. So, like each individual or his/her relationship with other s, the cakes are unique. ? The cakes are creative, and each is a piece of art.There maybe thousands of bakeries out there, but there are only a handful of bakeries that make as creative cakes like Bakelicious. Weaknesses: ? Bakeries products are perishable items hence need to be sold as soon as possible to gain maximum benefit. The customers also prefer fresh products. ? Our bakery has introduced few bakery items from the possible product lines. This limited menu can be seen as a weakness. ? When dealing with art, a single problem lies in every field, there are not many artists available out there to help us. ? Depending on the size of the kitchen, it needs extra storage space for supplies.This may require purchasing an extra cabinet or rearranging kitchen. Opportunities: ? Expansion of the Product Line in the future with the introduction of more bakery items. ? Bakery Industry is growing at a fast speed and demand for quality food is never ending. ? Changing consumer tastes have gi ven rise to â€Å"artisan† or gourmet cakes. Smaller bakers like Bakelicious with flexible production facilities can capitalize on such. ? In the recent years, customers are becoming more and more health conscious and prefer home-made goods made with quality ingredients and customers are also willing to pay a high price for that.Bakelicious produces just that. Threats: ? Raw-material and energy costs volatile: The costs of major raw materials, such as wheat, vegetable oils, fuel for delivery can change rapidly. The volatility in prices of raw-materials cannot affect the end-product price, thus shrinking the profit. ? Competitors: Current and potential competitors are major threats for Cakes Tell Stories. BUDGETING: After analyzing the prices of the Home Bakers we are going to price our products as follows: ? Ingredient cost for cake Rs 20. 000 ? 2 delivery boys salary Rs 20. 000 Rent of bikes (2) Rs 4. 000 per month ? Bikes fuel Rs 18. 000 per month. IMPLEMENTATION: ? After a ll this marketing research we will then follow this marketing plan, all of the group members will organize and apply this marketing plan thoroughly. MONITORING: ? One of the group members will oversee the operations in terms of material, delivery system, advertisement and maintenance if required. ? Other two of them will bake the cakes as required. SALES PLAN OVERALL SIZE OF TARGET MARKET: Islamabad Total Population: 1. 15 million SECTION: A Elite 7% BUpper Middle 15% C Middle 33% D Lower Middle 35% E Lower 20% Total Population = 1. 15 million Percentage of Targeted Section = x 0. 22 Targeted Section = 2. 53 Lacs Average Member in a Family = ?5 Total Families = 50,600 Families Prefer Home Made Cakes = x 0. 20 Total Targeted Families = 10,120 ATAR: Fliers (15%) = 12000 Brushers (10%) = 8000 Social Website (70%) = 2000 Number of Targeted Families Initially = 10120 x 0. 15 x 0. 10 x 0. 70 = 106 Families Years Pessimistic Realistic Optimistic 2013 100 110 130 2014 120 140 160 2015 150 1 80 200 2016 200 230 260