Electric Cars Essays (1562 words) - Green Vehicles,

Electric Cars Electric Cars History: Early electric vehicles may have appeared as early as 1830. Scottish inventor Robert Davidson constructed the world's first prototype electric vehicle in 1837, but historians generally credit J.K. Starley, an English inventor, and Fred M. Kimball of Boston with building the first practical electric cars in 1888. Later in the in the decade, William Morrison of Des Moines, Iowa, constructed his version of the electric vehicle in 1891. His vehicle required 24 storage battery cells, took 10 hours to charge, and could run for 13 hours. It could carry up to 12 people and had a 4-horsepower motor. His car could reach speeds up to 14 miles per hour. Morrison, however, never mass-produced his vehicle. The first commercially produced electric vehicle was the Electrobat. It was manufactured by Philadelphia-based Morris and Salom Company. In 1896, the Woods Motor Vehicle Company of Chicago became the first American manufacturer of electric cars. The Electrobat was one of several electric cars, which competed in a race sponsored by Illinois publisher H.H. Kohlsaat. He had challenged inventors to come up with a car that could travel the distance from Chicago to Evanston and back (58 miles). Electric cars and gas cars competed against each other in this competition. Although none of the cars performed in an especially notable manner, the electric cars failed miserably. It seemed that the slushy country roads generated a great deal of friction, which drained the strength of the batteries quickly. Shortly after the Kohlsaat race, Thomas Edison said he believed gasoline, not electricity, would provide the dominant power source for the automobile of the future. As it looks at the present, he said, it would seem more likely that (the cars) will be run by a gasoline or naphtha motor of some kind. It is quite possible. However, that an electric storage battery will be discovered which will prove more economical, but at the present the gasoline or naphtha motor looks more promising. It is only a question of a short time carriages and trucks in every large city will be run on motors. Thomas Edison seemed to predict the future. Even so, in 1904 one-third of all the cars in New York City, Chicago, and Boston were electrically powered. By 1912, there were 20,000 electric cars and 10,000 electric busses and trucks were on the road in the United States. Only a handful of manufactures, notably Baker and Detroit Electric, made it into the 1930's. Former President Woodrow Wilson owned one of the most elegant cars of the period, a 1918 Milburn Electric. In the 1960's and 1970's a handful of electric car manufactures started to reappear because of the increasing concern about air pollution and a depleting supplies of petroleum. In the late 1970's and 1980's, manufactures started developing electric cars called hybrids. These cars have all the components of the electric cars plus an internal-combustion engine. In the late 1980's, one of the most e technologically advanced electric cars was the Sunraycer, developed by General Motors Corporation. This experimental car used solar energy to recharge its batteries. More recently, in 1996, General Motors Corporation announced the first modern, mass-produced car designed specifically as an electric car. Also in 1996, the Honda Motor Company introduced another electric car, the first with nickel-metal hydride batteries, for sale in the United States. Italian automaker, Fiat, announced it will begin making vehicles with a new, standard-sized battery based on a European standard in 1996. Technological Concepts: An electric car has a battery and a controller, connected to the accelerator pedal, for directing the flow of electricity between the battery and motor. Most electric cars use lead-acid batteries, but new types of batteries, including zinc-chlorine, nickel metal hydride, and sodium-sulfur, are in the works. The motor of an electric car harnesses the battery's electrical energy by converting it to kinetic energy. Kinetic energy is the energy that makes the car move. The driver simply switches on the power, selects Forward or Reverse with another switch, and steps on the accelerator pedal. While the internal-combustion engine of a conventional car has many moving parts, an electric motor has only a single rotating element. Like a gasoline-powered car, an electric car has a system, called a power train, of

Franz Josef Haydn essays

Franz Josef Haydn essays Franz Josef Haydn was born on March 31 1732, in Rohrau, a village in Austria near the boarder of Hungary. Music was like an instinct for Franz Josef. During the evening Mathias (father) would play the harp, Elizabeth (mother) would sing, as the children sat at their feet and listened. Of these younger Haydns, Franz Josef was most affected by the music he heard, and most clearly showed musical ability. When his father discovered him one day, sitting outside the schoolhouse and pretended to play the violin by scraping two sticks of wood together, he wanted to give his boy the best music training as possible. So he got his relative, Johann Mathias Franklin, a choirmaster, who would teach the boy of six the violin and harpsichord. Hayden later recalled that he received more blows than victuals from his teacher. Haydn composed his first string quartet in 1755 on the encouragement of a musical amateur, von Furnberg who conducted chamber music performances at his home. At this time Hayden married Maria Anna Keller, daughter of a wig-maker. This was an ill-fated marriage. She was not interested in her husbands art, frequently using his manuscripts as curling papers. There were endless fights. The couple lived together several unhappy years, and then separated forever. Hayden supplied her with a generous income until the end of his life in 1809. The song that I listened to was symphony number 97 in C Major. It starts like it is a bad, dark place but then it changes into a light beautiful place. The song makes me feel happy and joy filled. It is really upbeat and it makes me think of summer and warm sunny days. Some parts get really soft and then they get low, alarming, and loud. My favorite part is in the ending when it goes real high then low then high again and then holds a long low note. I really enjoyed this song and I like dancing to it. ...

Understanding customers- analysing customers using mosaic Essay

Understanding customers- analysing customers using mosaic - Essay Example Understanding customers- analysing customers using mosaic It helps to increase customer loyalty and thereby thwarts customers from switching to the products offered by other companies. Mosaic UK is a useful tool utilised by many companies to develop their segmentation strategy based on the consumer classifications provided in the Mosaic profile system. First of all a detailed analysis of the Mosaic profile system developed by Experian plc is presented in this study. Next this study would include analysis of information reports prepared by Experian related to three retailers operating their business operations in United Kingdom. The customer profiling related to each of the three retailers would be compared to have an idea about its impact on the different marketing strategies followed by the organisations. Segmentation of customers is an important marketing strategy followed by the business organisations and its importance has also been included in this study. Next this report takes help of a case study for suggesting some consumer marketi ng ideas for some fashion retailers who might be interested to target a specific Mosaic Group. Experian plc has developed a system which helps in classification of the households in UK and has been named as Mosaic UK. It is a type of geo-demographic segmentation system which is available commercially. Consumer classification reports prepared through Mosaic UK are helpful in understanding the Behaviour, demographics and lifestyles followed by all the households and individuals present in UK. Understanding the consumer behaviour patterns in different parts of UK is critical to the success of any organisation because it helps the companies to develop products that best satisfy the particular needs and requirements of the customers. Mosaic UK is helpful to the organisations in three ways: The companies are able to increase the values of its customers through in-depth understanding of the behavioural patterns of their customers in UK The value of a particular location in which a company targets to sell its products is also increased through the development of proper marketing mix u sing information from Mosaic UK Mosaic UK is also helpful in assessing the risks associated with investing in a particular location in UK Thus Mosaic UK developed by Experian is thus an important tool to segment and classify consumers in UK based on various characterising features. The latest version of Mosaic UK that is available in the market now helps in classification of consumers present in UK into 67 different types which are spread over 15 distinct groups of people (Experian Mosaic, 2010). A brief overview of each of the 15 groups of people identified through Mosaic UK is given below: Group A: Alpha Territory – This type of group comprises of the most influential and wealthy individuals staying in UK. Group B: Professional Rewards – The managerial and executive classes of people are categorised in this group. Group C: Rural Solitude – This type of group includes people living in isolated cottages and small villages in UK. Group D: Small Town Diversity â⠂¬â€œ This type of group are classified as people living in small and medium sized towns in UK. Group E: Active Retirement – This group of people are aged over 65 years and are spending their

The Reglatory & Econ Envirnmnt Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Reglatory & Econ Envirnmnt - Essay Example Gist includes supply chain services and management mainly in the UK (Lines of Business online). Being a capital-intensive business, BOC's profitability hinges on its sustained investment in technology to develop new products and services across all businesses and novel uses for existing products, as well as to design efficient methods for manufacturing industrial gases such that economies of scale could be achieved (Annual Report and Accounts 2005: Group Profile, 16; Annual Report and Accounts 2005: Risk Factors, 39). For example, for its PGS business segment, better plant reliability has led to a 16 per cent improvement in total revenue and an 11 per cent increase in total adjusted operating profit for the first half of 2006 (BOC Interim Report 2006, 2). Other than plant reliability, investment in new production facilities will also affect the profitability of PGS as such investments are critical in securing long-term supply contracts (Annual Report and Accounts 2005: Group Profile, 18). For the ISP business, BOC is planning the construction of a helium production plant in Au stralia. When completed, it will be only one of its kind in Australia (Annual Report and Accounts 2005: Group Profile, 20). This monopoly of the Australia market should be beneficial to profits. Furthermore, state-of-the-art technology to efficiently use power has delivered tremendous savings (Annual Report and Accounts 2005: Social, Environmental and Ethical Performance, 31). Technology can also be viewed from the perspective of its customers. Technological developments in industries where customers operate can increase the profitability of BOC. For example, success with major flat panel fabs in Korea has led to a soar in materials consumption and equipment demands, which brings about the strong vacuum equipment market share (Annual Report and Accounts 2005: Research, Development and Information Technology, 36; Merrill Lynch Chemicals Conference, 12). On the economic front, energy costs are particularly influential on profits, especially for PGS (BOC Interim Report 2006, 2) and ISP (BOC Interim Report 2006, 2). Domestic revenue depends on the manufacturing economy and pension costs (BOC Interim Report 2006, 2), while revenue and profit in the US and Canada hinges on demand from the oil and gas sector in the western region (BOC Interim Report 2006, 2). Exchange rate movements are also particularly influential on profitability (Annual Report and Accounts 2005: Operating Review, 40; BOC Interim Report 2006, 3) since BOC operates worldwide such as the UK, US, Europe, China, Asia, Australia, and Africa (Annual Report and Accounts 2005: Group Profile, 18; BOC Interim Report 2006, 2-3). Lastly, BOC is affected by the semiconductor business cycle as manufacturers in the semiconductor industry form the bulk of BOC Edwards' customer base, and BOC Edwards' profitability is directly influenced by the demand of these manufacturers for vacuum e quipment, services and industrial gases (Annual Report and Accounts 2005: Risk Factors, 38) There are many factors in the legal environment that are particularly influential on BOC's profitability. These factors include compliance with accounting, safety, health and environmental regulations and laws. They are discussed in the

Design Principles and Practice Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Design Principles and Practice - Coursework Example The infant is placed inside a jogging stroller and the runner can then push or pull the stroller to carry the weight of the infant. Other than running, the jogging stroller can also be used to transport infants over commutes because the strollers are safe by design and requirement. This report examines all major design principles and practices required to create an innovative jogging stroller. Pahl and Beitz model Market Research on Existing Devices Market research indicated that myriad companies are already manufacturing jogging strollers. The current models that are available are able to satisfy most customer requirements. Generally jogging strollers are three wheeled, vary in weight from manufacturer to manufacturer and could be foldable or fixed. (Jogging Stroller, 2011) Safety is mandatory. Seating capacity could be for one or two infants who are placed either inline or abreast on the jogging stroller as per design. Moreover, the wheels on jogging strollers are roughly 18 inches in diameter. Harnesses are also included so that the runner may tie themselves into the jogging stroller. (Luff, 2011) However, other models are available that can be pushed around. The handle bars are adjustable and storage bins have been provided to store infant accessories. (Running Advisor, 2011) Standard bare bones jogging strollers (one seat version on left and two seat version on right) Market Research from Potential Users In order to ascertain the requirements of potential users, I went to parks around the campus and interviewed parents using jogging strollers. This helped to precipitate both the good points and bad points in the jogging strollers. Most users related that the three wheel design was stable enough to prevent overturning. Wheel size is also acceptable at around 18 inches. In my survey I found only a very few jogging strollers with harnesses. Those who were using harnesses were not happy with their performance as the claimed that harnesses restricted use and ca used unwanted strain. Others who did not use harnesses said that they preferred to push jogging strollers around than become cart horses. This implies that as per aesthetics people prefer jogging strollers that can be pushed around. Moreover, when people were inquired about the appearance of the jogging stroller most people believed that the bare bones jogging strollers looked ugly. Most expressed a desire to purchase better looking models. Therefore, there exists a potential to sell a slightly expensive jogging stroller if it is made beautiful enough. The desire to have more aesthetically pleasing jogging strollers was most common amongst younger mothers (20 to 30 years old). The older mothers (30 and above) were mostly indifferent to how the jogging stroller looked. Market Research (British and European Union Standards) Under British regulations both new and used prams and push chairs must adhere to BS 7409:1996 or equivalently to BS EN 1888:2003 (equivalent European standard). Th is standard is largely concerned with safety of infants in the prams and push chairs category and sets guidelines for rollover and other similar incident prevention. Another applicable standard is BS 1877-10 which specifies the various kinds of mattresses and bumpers that are used in perambulators for children. The mattresses must allow for a certain degree of softness as well as ensure circulation of air to ensure that the child is comfortable even during long walks and runs under the sun. Another important device is the safety harness in use on push chairs which is covered by BS 6684. (BSI, 2005) Furthermore, the material used to construct children’

External Environment And Organisational Culture Of Apple UK Marketing Essay

External Environment And Organisational Culture Of Apple UK Marketing Essay The aim of this report is to explain the brief history of Apple Inc and analyse the internal and external environment and organisational culture of Apple UK. The findings in this report will supported by academic models and theories. 2.0 Methodology: The internet is useful source for any kind search, the information I gathered for this report is from search engine e.g. Google, university recommended books and lecture notes. 3.0 Introduction: Environment can be defined as, the amalgamation of external physical circumstances that impinge and influence the augmentation, development and survival of creation. Therefore, the business environment would define as same, all the factors internal and external that affects its profitability and growth. It is very important for the business leader to carry out business environmental analysis to understand their business topography at present time. Apple Inc is an American company which operates in different countries in other words. This report briefly characterizes the Apple UK environmental analysis. The environmental analysis will focus on internal environment SWOT (strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats) and external environment will focus on PESTEL (political, economical, social, technological, environmental and legal) of Apple UK with the support of academic models and theories. The final part of this report is the assessment of Apple culture and organisational culture. 4.0 Defining the Business Environment: Strategy is the direction and scope of an organisation over the long term, which achieves advantages for the organisation through its configuration of resources within a challenging environment, to meet the needs of markets and to fulfil stakeholder expectations. (Johnson and Scholes) Business environment means the forces or the factors that affect the business decisions. It is important for businesses to analyse those forces in order to come up with problem solving solutions. Some of those forces are out of business control e.g. political, social, economical these forces called as external forces which are out of business control. The environment which businesses have or can hold is called the internal environment. 4.1 Importance of Business Environment: History is abundant with paradigms of organisation that have failed to apprehend their operating environment, or simply fizzle to react to transform in the environment. The after-effect was gradual decay in their profitability, and hereafter they may break off to exist as a viable business. Therefore, understanding business environment is very important it brings the early assimilation of opportunities and threats that business may suffer and helps to prevent from oncoming business threats instead of losing to competitors. 4.2 Analysis of Business Environment: Environmental analysis is a precise evolution that initiate from assimilation of environmental factors, accessing their constitution and impact, analysing them to come up with their impact to the business, and accomplishing distinctive contour for positioning. Business environment can competently assay using following business environment: 4.2.1 Internal Business Environment: Internal environment reflects the internal factor of the business which organisations can control and can adapt or alter from time to time. The best way of explain internal business environment of any organisation is use of SWOT and Porters value chain analysis. 4.2.2 External Business Environment: External business environment represent the uncontrollable factors, the external factors can be analysed using PESTEL and Porters five forces. Kotler argues that PESTEL analysis is an effective strategic tool for understanding market development and decline, business position, conceivable and direction for operations. 5.0 What is Apples Inc. Apple Inc is an American intercontinental organisation with a hub on conception and fabricating consumer electronics and intimately connected software products. Entrenched in Cupertino, California on April 1, 1976 Apple evolves sells and supports a variety of personal computers, music players, mobile phones, and computer softwares and hardware accessories. As of November 2010, Apple operates over 300 stores worldwide and online shop where its products are sold. The Apples well known hardware products involve Macintosh for personal computers, the iPod for media players and iphone. The Apple Inc was known as Apple computers Inc for its first thirty years of business. The Apple Inc dropped computers from its name on January 9, 2007 because the Apples expansion towards consumer electronics in accessions to its core business of personal computers. Apple employs over 49,400 employees worldwide and Apples financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter ended September 25, 2010 Apple posted record revenue of $20.34 billion and net quarterly profit of $4.31 billion or $4.64 per diluted share. 5.1 Apples Inc History: Apple was established on April 1, 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Woznaik and Roland Wayne to sell its Apple I personal computers. Roland Wayne left the company on January 3, 1977 who sold his share back to Jobs and Woznaik. The Apple I personal computers were hand built by Woznaik in the common room of jobs fathers home. The Apple I was came to market at home brew computers club almost 200 computers were built and was sold as motherboard not they sell currently as full personal computers. 1989-1991 been called first golden age for apple when apple introduces its power book in 1991, the modern layout of laptop computers and the same year Apple introduces system 7 for its operating systems. Apple introduces its online store on November 10, 1997; Apple introduces its new all in one Mac computer on August 15, 1998. Apple sold almost 800,000 units of imac in first five months and holds the strong name in the market also made a good profit. Apple opened its first retail store in Virginia and California on 19 May 2001 and carry on opening new stores in United States and other countries. In later 2001 Apple introduces its music player iPod, it was a big success and sold over 100 million units in six years since it introduce. Apple introduces its first chip computer on January 10, 2006 a note book computer called Mac book pro in 2006 Apple transformed all its products into Intel chips. In 2007 Apple announced the launch of iPhone and Apple TV and the following day Apple share price hit all time high. Apple introduces its iPhone in 2007 which was big success and later updated version of Apple iphones and in 2010 Apple launched its new innovation called iPad. 5.2 Apple Inc Mission Statement: Apple is committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals and consumer around the world through its innovative hardware, software and internet offering. 5.3 Apple Inc Vision Statement: Man is the creator of change in this world. As such he should be above systems and structures, and not subordinate to them. 6.0 Apples Inc UK Environmental Analysis: Apple Inc is the leading consumer electronic brand in United Kingdom, operating around 29 Apples retail stores and online store within UK. Apple UK environment can be analyse using internal and external environmental analysis. 6.1 Apples Inc UK Internal Environmental Analysis: Apples internal environmental analysis represents the factors which Apple has controlled over them, those factors best analyse using SWOT analysis and Porters Value chain analysis. 6.1.1 SWOT Analysis of Apples UK: SWOT analysis will focus on following factors of Apple Inc: Source: http://www.bizstrategies.biz/swot-analysis.html 6.1.1.1 Strengths of Apple Inc UK: Brand Name: Apple has well established and strong brand name among the consumer and its competitor through quality and introducing new products. Innovative: Apple is been innovative since the beginning, always come up with new ideas and products. Microsoft and Intel: Apple use to produce its own software for its product but working with Microsoft and Intel gave edge to its profitability. Research and Development: Apple has strong research and development to its competitor this is the reason apple always come up with new innovation. Financial Vitality: Apple has cash reserve continued strong and stable although the idle market shares development of computer hardware and software area. Apple achieves this by resisting market pressure to cut cost by product packaging and forming strategic agreement. Customer Loyalty and Quality: Apple has strong customer loyalty because of the quality of product that Apple provides to its customers. 6.1.1.2 Weaknesses of Apple Inc UK: High Price: Apples products are higher in price, even though many of consumers want to use Apples product but they cannot afford to buy one. Weak Relationship: Apple relationship with Microsoft and Intel is not as strong as it should be. Weak Presence in Business Area: Apple have only 29 retail store operating in United Kingdom. The Product Life Cycle: The Apples product life cycle is very small so the revenue is mostly depending on its new product or service. Less Attraction towards Corporate Customers: Apple products do not attract corporate customers. Technological Complications: Apples mostly face problems with its software and hardware. 6.1.1.3 Opportunities of Apples Inc UK: Fast Growing Industry: Apple started with personal computers, now they are selling music players, laptop computers, mobile phones, iPads and also online music store. Technological Innovation: Apple can develop strong position in market doing joint venture and Laptop computer market growth is high so it can develop new models to fulfil the need of customers. The Online Store: the e-commerce is growing rapidly, ITunes is the online store developed by Apple. Improve Warranty and Reduce Prices: Apple can improve its warranty program and reduce its product prices to challenge its competitors prices and hold a strong position in market. 6.1.1.4 Threats of Apple Inc UK: Fierce Competition: Apple has strong competition with its competitors within same industry. Economic Crisis: economic crises have negative impact on Apple sales because consumers do not spend too much in critical situations. Microsoft: Microsoft recently launched windows 7 with alluring user interface and new features which can attract Macintosh user to switch to windows. ITunes: free downloading of music and videos may affect the profitability of Apple online store. 6.1.2 Porters Value Chain Analysis of Apples UK: Source: http://www.ukeducation.org.uk/qdocsview.asp?ID=1340 The value chain approached was established by Michael Porter in his book competitive advantage in the 1980s. Michael Porter value chain analysis accommodates a series of activities found to be accepted to a wide range of organisations. Porters describe primary and supportive activities as shown in the above diagram. 6.1.2.1 The Primary Activities of Value Chain and Apple UK: Inbound Logistics: the process of acquiring and depot of raw materials and their distribution to accomplishing as they are appropriated. In case of Apple UK the inbound logistics are the new ideas, product designs, Intel chips and other required raw material. Operations: it is the process of transforming inputs into outputs and services. Apples software products are developed in US and all the hardware products e.g. computers, music players and mobile phones assembled in China. Outbound Logistics: it is the process of distributing and warehousing of products. In case of Apple products are distributed from Chine and warehoused in Apples allocated warehouse in UK. Marketing and Sales: the process of identifying customers requirement and creation of sales. When the Apple product is ready to entre in the market Apple advertise it itself showing rich features and Apple suppliers advertise it as well to generate awareness among the consumers. Service: it is the process of feedback after the products and services are sold to customer. Apple feedbacks from its customers are always good about its products and services it is because of the quality Apple provide to its customers. 6.1.2.2 The Supportive Activities of Value Chain and Apple UK: Firm Infrastructure: it focuses on the organisational culture, structure and organisational control system. Apple is an American multinational organisation its UK operation is influence by its background and consideration of consumer needs in United Kingdom. Human Resource Management: represents the recruiting of employees, development, training and compensation. Apple UK recruits the local staff and trained them about their products so they can help and satisfy Apples customers. Technology Development: the important part of any organisation it focuses on improves and new technology introduce to system it gives organisation a competitive advantage. Apple itself a technology business so keep introducing new and beneficial technology to its business. Procurement: it focuses on valuable purchase of inputs such as raw material equipment and supplies. Apple main raw material is to buy chips to produce good quality and moderate products. 6.1.3 Critical Discussion on Apple Internal Environment: SWOT and Porters value chain analysis explained the internal environment of Apple UK, hence it will help to understand the current and future position of organisation. SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities and threats) analysis of Apple shows the strength of company the factors which Apple are doing its best, weaknesses explained the factors which Apple do not provide its best, opportunity explained the factors what Apple can achieved using its resources and threats shows the factor which can damage the profitability and growth of Apple. SWOT analysis shows the strength of Apple is very strong to protect its image, the weakness Apple has they can do more research and development to overcome those weaknesses, Apple must utilise its opportunities to make its brand strong and if Apple can work on their weaknesses and opportunities its threats will be overcome or may be reduce. The Value chain analysis show the business culture and business operating system which shows that Apple Value chain is valuable because their product assembled in China with low cost and they have their UK operating system and human resource follows the required environment as in United Kingdom. 6.2 Apples Inc UK External environmental Analysis: External environment represent the factors which organisations do not have controlled over them. PESTEL and Porters five forces will best explain the Apples external environment. 6.2.1 PESTLE Analysis of Apple Inc UK: Source: http://www.marketingminefield.co.uk/marketing-plan/pestle-analysis.html Political: government type, its stability, current and future taxation policies. Apple does not have any control over it, to cope with this Apple has to change with it as in United Kingdom VAT rate is going up to 20% from 17.5% it will cause Apples product prices will go up. Economical: economical situation, inflation, interest rate and strengths of consumer spending. It will directly affect the Apple and its profit, if economical situation is bad consumer will spend less. Social: population growth rate, life style of people, culture, religion media views and perception. Apple has to consider all those things to do business and have to have with consumer needs. Technological: it represents the current and future technology, research and development and rate of technology change. Apple itself an electronic organisation so it has to keep up to date and move on to new technologies. Legal: it focuses on legislation in employment and health and safety, changes in law, trading policies and regulatory bodies. Apple has to update itself with new legal laws and change its policies according to it. Environmental: it focuses on recycling consideration, amount of pollution created by product or services, attitude to the environment from government and environmental pressure groups. Apple is electronic organisation so it has to consider its packaging that it can be recycled. 6.2.2 Porters Five Forces Analysis of Apple Inc UK: Source: http://notesdesk.com/notes/strategy/porters-five-forces-model-porters-model/ The five forces model was developed by Michael Porter in his book competitive strategy in 1980s. The model is simple but effective tool to understand business position. It is helpful to understand current competitive strategy and strength of business that it is cogitating to move into. The five factors in this model are: Supplier Power: it accommodates all the supply of inputs that are required to provide products or services. It reflects how many, and who is the supplier of the company and what is the strength of supplier and switching to different supplier will cost more, as Apples main supplier of chips are Intel. Buyer Power: it is impact the consumers have on company, when buyer power is strong the relationship of the company is called monopsony in economist term. When there are many suppliers and one buyer then the buyer set the price. Apple has many competitors they sell their products less in price than apple, the buyer threat for Apple is high. Threat of new Entrant: competition is high and every organisation wants to diverse it business so it is easier for companies to enter in new market. Apple is electronic organisation it already has many competitors around so threat of new entrant is high for Apple. Threat of Substitute: it focuses on the alternative products available in market with low price and better performance. Apple produce music players, computers, mobile phone and iPad there are many other companies which are producing same products with lower price. Competitive Rivalry: it describes the competition between the existing companies in same industry high competition result in margin, pressure on selling price. Apples products are higher in price than its competitors so threat level is high for Apple. 6.2.3 Critical Discussion on Apple Inc UK External Environment: External environments are the uncontrollable factors for any organisation. Apples external factors were analysed using PESTLE and Porters five forces. PESTLE analysis focused on political, economical, social, technological, legal and environmental factors of Apple UK. However Apple does not have any controlled over them but Apple can change it with them, recently the current United Kingdom government increased VAT rate to 20% from 17.5% this will result in product prices it will go up. Apple can reduce its price to keep customers happy or offered them some incentive. Most of the organisations have pressure from environmental organisation about environment pollution Apple can produce its recycled packaging. Apple has to keep considering social and economical factors and do research and development to cope with them. Porters five forces helps to gain competitive advantage, Apple have many competitors around but it has strong brand value and name and competitive advantage from its compe titor. Apple have to keep analysing five forces of Porter and find its best place in the market and carry out more research and development to bring new ideas and innovations. 7.0 Organisational Culture: Organisational culture is the nature of the organisation. Culture is composing of the beliefs, values, norms and corporeal artefacts of organisation employees and their behaviour. Any organisational culture can be best analyse using Geert Hofstede cultural dimension. 7.1 Geert Hofstede Cultural Dimensions: Hofstede found five different cultural dimensions in his study of interaction between national and organisational culture. Power Distance: represent the power within the society is divided equally or unequally and what extant society accepts this power distribution. Individualism: individualism is the one side against its opposite. Individualism/ collectivism represent the people act according to self interest or the interest of group. Masculinity: masculinity against its opposite femininity represents the distribution of role between genders. Uncertainty Avoidance: it refers the member of the society requires structure and boundaries at work place. High uncertainty avoidance societies are intolerant of risk. Low uncertainty avoidance societies are where risk and anomaly widely accepted. Long-term Orientation: it refers to society accent attached to future against the present and past. In long term people appraise action and approach that affect the future and in short term people appraise action and approach that affect present and past. 7.2 Apples UK organisational Culture: Source: http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_united_kingdom.shtml Apple is a multinational organisation its business structure based on country of origin. Apple United Kingdom culture based demographic and social factors of UK. Hoftede study of cultural dimension show UK is most like to be individualistic culture followed by masculinity. It shows people in United Kingdom are individualistic and there is not much difference between genders. Apples employees are more individualistic and there is not bias against any gender, therefore Apple is the successful organisation within the United Kingdom. 8.0 Recommendations: Apple has many competitors within its industry, Apple try to reduce the cost of products and maintain good quality. Apple has very less retail stores it must try to open more stores and joint venture with any big organisation will help to expand the business. Apple must continue to bring new ideas and innovation and expand its business. 9.0 Conclusion: Apple is the successful company with a strong brand name and has many competitors within same industry. Apple internal business environment was analysed by using SWOT and Porters value chain analysis. SWOT analysis focused on strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats which explained Apples strength give it a strong hold against its competitors, weakness and threats would overcome by research and development, opportunities will bring more strength to organisation. Porters value chain analysed Apple business system which is valuable but they to consider it to cut the prices of its product. Apple external environment was analysed using PESTLE and Porters five forces the external factors are uncontrollable factors that Apple do not have any controlled over them but it cannot resist them but change with them effectively to maintain its growth and profitability. Organisational culture represents the nature of organisation Hofstede cultural dimension helps to analyse culture. United K ingdom is most likely to be individualistic and masculinity cultures where people work for self interest and there is not much differ in gender. Apple UK culture is suitable and acceptable for the people in United Kingdom that what make Apple is a successful organisation in the United Kingdom.

Vying For A Title :: essays research papers

Vying for a Title   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The contenders have been primped and manicured by their masters and are ready to be placed on display. The subjects with the wealthiest owners attend top-notch obedience schools where they are trained in the art of acting and appearing in a way uncharacteristic to their nature. They are rewarded with special treats when they work hard during training. The skills learned in these unique schools are not useful anywhere else, but in the competitions are judged and often given a champion prize. The contestants are paraded in, coached by their owners. Each standing tall with her head raised and nose up. Most are showing their teeth as if to be smiling or happy. Truthfully, they are showing the judges the straightness and whiteness of their teeth. Both the long-haired and short-haired have had chemicals applied to them to make certain every hair lays perfectly. The outward appearances of the participators are close to flawless. If any flaws are detected in the preparation they are quickly covered up. Trainers and owners see imperfections as point deductions. Those are deductions they can’t afford when a title and thousands of dollars are on the line. A woman moves from one contestant to the next testing them. To the last in the line of female competitors the question is asked, â€Å"If you could change the world, what would you change?† Too confidently the girl replied, â€Å"I would end world hunger and poverty.† When all she really aspires to do is win this contest and the next. This is what pageantry is about. Parents who subject their children to beauty pageants teach their children that winning these contests will bring them happiness. Is being deemed the best at being fake really anything to be happy about? Too many mommies and daddies believe so. Do the pageant parents have their own dreams about their daughters being Miss Americas? Do the participants really compete in beauty contests to better themselves or their futures? Do they have a driving force from behind the stage? Will these parents go to any extent to mold their daughters into something that might win a few of these superficial contests? â€Å"†¦Didn't the Ramseys think that putting JonBenet in all those beauty pageants, looking so seductive, was inappropriate. The child was 5. All the pictures we saw were of her looking 25 and slinking and winking.† (Schwartz) â€Å"Mrs. Ramsey said that was just the public's problem and if they thought a 5-year-old trying to look more sexy than Madonna was a bit twisted - well that just shows what twisted people we have in this country.