Sirius Satellite Radio Marketing Plan Essay Example For Students

Sirius Satellite Radio Marketing Plan Essay Sirius Satellite Radio, Inc. Circumstance ANALYSISCOMPANY BACKGROUNDSIRIUS Satellite Radio was fused on May 17, 1990 as Satellite CD Radio Inc. On November eighteenth 1999 the organization changed their name to SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc, which is the name under which the FCC permit to disperse satellite radio was given to. SIRIUS Satellite radio presently offers more than 100 of music, news, sports, talk, diversion, traffic, climate, and childrens programming to endorsers all through the United States. Their essential wellspring of income is through membership expenses, with the majority of their clients buying in to SIRIUS Satellite Radio on either a month to month or a yearly premise. They likewise get income from enactment charges, promoting deals on non-music channels and the immediate offer of SIRIUS radios, which are right now sold in more than 6,500 retail stores around the country. As of December 31, 2004, SIRIUS has had over 1.2 million endorsers and 375 representatives. MARKETSThe generally speaking business sector for Sirius is any shopper that tunes in to the radio. The objective market that Sirius is focusing on is the 100 million vehicles as of now out and about today. Sirius just needs to increase a little segment of this market to turn into a productive organization. COMPETITIONSirius faces rivalry for the two audience members and promoting dollars. Notwithstanding pre-recorded amusement bought or paying in vehicles, homes and utilizing convenient players, Sirius contends most legitimately with the accompanying suppliers of radio or other sound services:XM Radio. Siriuss direct rival in satellite radio assistance is XM Radio, the main other FCC licensee for satellite radio help in the United States. XM Radio communicates certain programming that we don't offer. XM Radio help is additionally offered as a choice on different vehicle model brands, sure of which don't likewise offer SIRIUS radios. Conventional AM/FM Radio. Siriuss rivalry additionally incorporates customary AM/FM radio. Dissimilar to SIRIUS radio, customary AM/FM radio has had an entrenched market for its administrations for a long time and by and large offers free communicate gathering paid for by business publicizing as opposed to by a membership charge. Likewise, many radio broadc asts offer data programming of a neighborhood nature, for example, nearby news and sports, which Sirius doesn't offer as viably as neighborhood radio. Some radio broadcasts additionally have started decreasing the quantity of ads every hour, growing the scope of music played broadcasting in real time and trying different things with new organizations so as to contend all the more straightforwardly with satellite radio administrations. Web Radio and Downloading Devices. Web radio stations have no geographic restrictions and can furnish audience members with radio programming from around the nation and the world. In spite of the fact that Sirius accepts that the current sound nature of Internet radio is underneath standard and may change contingent upon factors that can mutilate or intrude on the communicate, for example, arrange traffic, Sirius anticipates that enhancements from higher data transfer capacities, quicker modems and more extensive programming choices may make Internet r adio a progressively noteworthy rival later on. Direct Broadcast Satellite and Cable Audio. Various organizations give particular sound administrations through either direct communicate satellite or link sound frameworks. These administrations are focused to fixed areas, for the most part in-home. The radio help offered by direct communicate satellite and link sound is frequently included as a major aspect of a bundle of advanced administrations with video administration, and video clients along these lines by and large don't pay an extra month to month charge for the sound assistance. PRODUCTSSiriuss music channels offer almost every kind in music from overwhelming metal and hip-bounce to nation, move, jazz, Latin and traditional. Every one of their 65 music channels is customized and facilitated by a group of specialists in their field, including melodic entertainers and other one of a kind characters. Siriuss writing computer programs is dynamic, liquid and changes every once in a while. Notwithstanding their music channels, Sirius as of now offers more than 55 channels of news, sports, talk, amusement, traffic and climate programming, the greater part of which incorporates business publicizing. Sirius consistently assesses their news, sports, talk, diversion, traffic and climate programming, and normally executes changes intended to improve and upgrade their administration. Live in depth sports is a significant piece of Their programming procedure. Sirius is the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, with select rights to utilize the NFL shield logo and a ggregate NFL group trademarks. CHANNELSSiriuss essential accentuation is on the retail channel, explicitly gadgets, vehicle and home sound, strength, and retail chains. The organization sells plug-n-play recipients which are compact units that have the ability of being utilized in a house, vehicle, vessel, essentially anyplace you approach a base unit for it whether it be a FM tweaked in vehicle base or a home sound system unit base or even an independent blast box. Sirius additionally sells independent home sound recipients and in run vehicle beneficiaries. Inability in The Workplace EssayObsolete Service: Both the satellite business and the sound media outlet are described by quick mechanical changes and regular new item development. On the off chance that SIRIUS can't develop with these adjustments such that clients require and expect, the business could fall flat. Satellite radio is an exceptionally new assistance. Who realizes to what extent it will be the most recent in sound innovation, and to what extent clients request it before the following best thing goes ahead the market?Mission and ObjectivesSirius is changing the manner in which America tunes in to music, sports, news, and amusement. Sirius needs to give quality, premium diversion to everybody. Showcasing OBJECTIVESTo increment the quantity of outlet where Sirius is being sold by half throughout the following 2 years. To present another item, spilling video, through its satellite radio help inside the following a year. To pick up endorsement to and start to sell Sirius satellite radio in Canada under the Brand name Sirius Canada. Deals OBJECTIVESTo increment absolute number of endorsers of 15 million by 2010. To keep up deals development throughout the following year paying little mind to the world economy. To come to the breakeven point and start to make a benefit. TARGET MARKETS AND POSITIONINGSirius is utilizing an objective market methodology to concentrate on chosen shopper and automobile creator sections. Sirius has portioned the customer advertise dependent on way of life, leisure activities, interests, and convictions. Shopper Segments. Sirius is showcasing to everybody. Sirius has increased select agreements with most major wearing associations. Sirius likewise has the main national gay and lesbian talk channel accessible on radio. To finish everything off Sirius offers a music choice that anybody would appreciate and in 2006 will have the top radio performer joining their arrangement, stun muscle head Howard Stern. Hierarchical Segments. To reach focused on shoppers Sirius utilizes retail outlets the nation over and has contracts with many significant car producers to processing plant introduce Sirius into new automobiles. Siriuss plans to get most extreme presentation through this portion expanding brand mindfulness and supporter numbers. Item STRATEGIESSirius has understood that not all customers are indistinguishable there for they offer a various determination of collectors. As of now there are four distinct kinds of SIRIUS radios: Plug and Play Radios, FM Modulated Radios, Three Band Radios and Home and business units. The radios are fabricated by a few notable names including Kenwood, JVC, Clarion, Audiovox and the Brix Streamer (for Trucks). Right now, SIRIUS radios can be purchased at RadioShack and through EchoStars Dish Network. From 2004 ahead, the radios will be accessible at in excess of 20,000 retail stores across the country so as to offer most extreme introduction. Valuing STRATEGIESSirius offers evaluating structures for everybody. Sirius offers month to month administration plans at a level pace of 12.95 every month and less expensive rates on extra beneficiaries on a similar record. Likewise Sirius offers less expensive rates for a 1 year membership and on a lifetime of the recipient. CONTROLSSirius will utilize a few devices to assess and control exercises actualized under this showcasing plan. First Sirius will utilize month to month pattern examinations to look at deals by channel, sort of affiliate, and by geological territory. This data will be utilized to make changes in promoting income where required. Second, Sirius will utilize customer input as a methods for quality control. Client criticism will be checked for any potential issue territories, If any are found this data will be utilized for future changes. Third, Sirius will lead a showcasing review in midyear and again at the end of the year to assess the viability and proficiency of the promoting programs. Along these lines, Sirius will have the option to pinpoint regions for development and set up an emergency course of action for rising issues.

Recent trends in top tier banks in U.S., Europe, Asia, or Latin Term Paper

Late patterns in top level banks in U.S., Europe, Asia, or Latin America - account - Term Paper Example for example, cash moves, finance administrations, bank reconcilement, acknowledge administrations, for example, resource based financing, credit extensions, business advances, or business land advances, store administrations, for example, checking or investment account administrations and remote trade. The last includes administrations, for example, securitization, financing of mergers and acquisitions, rebuilding, guaranteeing of offers, private situations of value offers and obligation protections with the contributing establishments. These two administrations which were particular by two unmistakable arrangement of investors are presently being progressively combined to be attempted by same banks taking into account deregulation of the monetary area. The banks have likewise begun going into protection organizations. These progressions have shot the banks to turn into a significant and vital piece of worldwide business condition (Trends in the financial business). In this specific circumstance, this paper looks to follow the ongoing patterns in top level banks in the U.S. what's more, different nations in regard of items, rivalry and worldwide progression. Since World War II through1970, there had been very few bank disappointments as it used to be a steady business. There were only ten bank disappointments in the U.S during the after war time frame. It was simply after deregulation, and advancement recognized as the impetuses for rivalry and development, bank disappointments started to raise during 1980s and 1990s. Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (2004) and different investigations of Blommestein and Lange (1993) and Blommestein (1997) give a careful examination of bank disappointments in the U.S., Japan, Europe and others. Figure 1 indicating the pattern of banking disappointments during the period from 1934-2003 is obviously illustrative of this. The deregulation and advancement has brought about union of banking industry during the last a quarter century. In the U.S. alone, the quantity of business banks which was 13,000 of every 1980 has boiled down to 7,600 as in 2005. The most recent two decades have been described by

Speech word to word Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discourse word to word - Article Example They have based on difficulties and victories to really better their position. Before the union was actualized, voyagers had to change carriers and planes severally, reverify baggage, and monitor various passes to get to their last goal. After the partnership, a departure from Cairo to Des Moines is as straightforward as 1 ticket, a solitary gear registration, and a simple association through Northwest/KLM center points. WHY: To improve seating limit and increment income. The deregulation of transoceanic trips during the 1990s brought about expanded air traffic, however with scaled down costs for tickets, and this implied a reduction in income for carriers. The key partnership between Northwest Airlines and KLM meant a key sharing of courses just as a joint activity of flights. This brought about better utilization of seating limit and income development. Through this system and model, Northwest and KLM have had the option to exhibit genuine responsibility to sharing and propelling administration rehearses in their specific relationship. This has prompted solid business results through coalition advancement and

How Technology Has Changed Our Lives - 910 Words

It is amazing how everyone’s life is changing by using technology. Technology by definition means, the branch of knowledge that deals with the creation and use of technical means and their interrelation with life, society, and the environment, drawing upon such subjects as industrial arts, engineering, applied science, and pure science.(web). Now a days people use different kinds of technology that brings it to our life like cellphone, iPod, laptop, mp3, and all of the devices create a convenient and comfort for every individual lives. As Technology is updating every day, every second it is effecting lives of people live and changing the pace of everything that relater to humans routines live. One of the most important thing that technology is changing is the way everyone communicates. Technologies create more powerful and effective ways of communication. People are getting used to a new way to be alone together while they are together. Conversation in number and quality decr ease as technology replaces in human interaction Sherry Turkle, a psychologist and professor of the social studies and technology at the Massachusetts institute, wrote the article â€Å"The Flight from Conversation†. In this article, Turkle mainly discusses the impact of technology in the world today. She gives insight into how technology distracts people without considering what price are paying. In her article she uses humor and common examples to connect with the reader and she grab’s the reader’sShow MoreRelatedHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives1481 Words   |  6 PagesTechnology, as we know, has completely changed the way every American goes about their daily activities. Today we are able to communicate globally with anyone from any part of the world within seconds, making business and our social lives a million times easier. Look to your left and you will find your cell phone buzzing with missed calls, texts, and social notifications. Look to your right and you will see your emails filling up with t he newest offers on fashion or your boss giving you this weeksRead MoreHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives1698 Words   |  7 PagesTechnology Technology is defined as machinery and equipment developed from the application of scientific knowledge. Its original use was meant solely for the service of humans, however overtime it has evolved into something much different. What was originally meant to be an assisting piece of machinery has changed almost every aspect of our culture. The way we think, communicate, lie, and even love has been impacted by the use of technology, and all of this is has made for interesting pieces ofRead MoreHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives1559 Words   |  7 PagesThe friendship with technology today can be called a â€Å"Time Hog† Technology is our friend. That is a statement that could be addressed with many questions. How we used technology today has really affected our lives. People are connected every moment of the day. Everywhere we look there are people talking on their cell phones; at every stop light you see people texting on their device. The same people can be seen checking their phone or browsing the web at every chance they get. People are wastingRead MoreHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives1593 Words   |  7 Pagesfor their food. It used to be that only the rich and noble could read and write. Times have changed, the world has changed, humans have changed. Humans have come a long way since the days of sticks and stone. Today, many people utilize technology as a way to live their life. Almost everyone carries around a smartphone and they rely on it. It is believed that smartphones give more control over their lives. The phone can be used call whoever they want, can be used to listen to whatever they want,Read MoreHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives1657 Words   |  7 Pagesevery day seek to make their lives simpler, live more efficiently, and in turn get more out of the day. Such emerging technologies have helped us make things easier on us in everyday life. When is the last time you saw an infomercial and thought hey I could use that? Consequently, communication has changed and is constantly changing, accelerating the world around us. Just think about how far we have come, and has ever-changed our pace of life. Technology is fueling our way of life, making everydayRead MoreHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives1667 Words   |  7 Pa gesLeon Zhu Professor Harwood English 1101 8 December 2014 Research Paper One item that has flourished through the decades, and has come to substantially impact our lives is the phone. The first telephone was created in 1876, and as decades passed by, it was replaced by the cellphone, which incorporated the addition of many useful new features. Additional features such as text messaging, a built-in camera, and internet access transformed the people’s perceptions because the add-ons presented more purposeRead MoreHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives1625 Words   |  7 PagesThe Role of Technology in Healthcare â€Å"Without a doubt, technology is amazing and what will we do without it†. These are the exact words of my husband while changing and playing the lights of our swimming pool through his cell phone. It is a fact that technology has changed our lives in many ways and it is constantly changing. A computer is a great illustration of how technology keeps evolving. About two weeks ago, I was looking for a laptop because my desktop is about to give up on me. The salesRead MoreHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives1606 Words   |  7 PagesA few centuries ago, before technology was underdeveloped due to limited resources and knowledge, communication between countries on the opposite end of the world was extremely slow or not possible. Most people did not know much about other lands, people, and cultures. What people thought they knew about the world was often wrong or inaccurate. However, within the past hundred years, the pace of our technology has accelerated rapidly. Nowadays tr aveling across the globe in less than 24 hours is notRead MoreHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives900 Words   |  4 PagesTechnology has adapted a lot within our daily lives making it essential to our daily lives! There isn’t a time will technology will end, because there are always ways to adjust old things and keep improving from there, nothing is perfect. Toilets has increased water pressure for a better flush, but before there wasn’t a toilet, toilet paper even! Communication has also changed from verbal to written communication. Vintage phones that connects to a wire, transitioned to wireless with an antenna, andRead MoreHow Technology Has Changed Our Lives1984 Words   |  8 PagesAuthenticity in Medical Technology Stepping in to the 21st century, technology is said to have taken over many of our lives. Technology is now part of our daily routine and without it, our lives won’t be as convenient and easy as it is. In this story Alone Together by Sherry Turkle, technology is seen to have built a relationship between humans and robots. Turkle goes on explaining how dependent humans are towards technology. Turkle questions the substitution of technology towards humans and how this substitution

Community Service At The Library - 863 Words

In June, while I was visiting the library to borrow some books and movies I saw a sign to sign up for community service over the summer at the library. I took picture of the sign, and when I got home I sent the library an email saying that I want to be part of the volunteering program this summer which they replied to me and ask me to schedule an interview. The interview took place two days consecutive, and there was a lot of teen that wanted to be part of the summer volunteering. When I got to the interview, there was three other that also schedule an interview the same time with me since they usually hold up four people for an interview. They asked me questions about my participant at school, talent, experience, and skills. After they finished with the oral interviewing, they told the four of us to take a short test on Dewey decimal which they had to do with the way the library organize their items. When I got home, I wasn’t sure if my interview was the best one or not but I ’m sure that if I don’t get it, it’s still an experience interview for me later in life. A few weeks later, I got an email from the library saying that I got accepted into their summer volunteering program, and they ask me to start on June 13, but I wasn’t able to because I was in Los Angeles attending my older brother graduation but I know that I was lucky to get in the program. They rescheduled me to work on June 22 as my first day instead of June 13, 2016. When I came in to work, I found an innerShow MoreRelatedThe Community Services Librarian At The Chicopee Public Library1944 Words   |  8 Pagesdesigned for a public library as part of its outreach initiative. The community services librarian at the Chicopee Public Library was invited to conduct presentations about public library services for individuals participating in the After Incarceration Support System of the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department. The After Incarceration Support Systems Program (AISS) is designed to educate, prepare and assist the inmate population with transitioning back into the community. Key components of theRead MoreAn Assessment Of Availability Of Information Resources Essay1504 Words   |  7 PagesAND SERVICES IN KASHIM IBRAHIM LIBRARY, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA, NIGERIA Hassan Usman PhD Research Scholar Career Point Univ ersity Kota, Raj. India Hassansamaru31@gmail.com Abstract This study was carried out to investigate customer care services and strategies in Kashim Ibrahim Library, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. To achieve this objective, the researcher raised the following research questions: What are the information resources available in Kashim Ibrahim Library, AhmaduRead MoreVolunteering At An Agency Where I May Interact With People1284 Words   |  6 PagesI enjoy helping others. When I found out that I could volunteer at the library, I jumped on that chance right away. Volunteering at the Eva K. Bowlby Library allowed me to do those things. There are two current considerations regarding our society. First, should the federal, local, and state government allocate and spend tax dollars to fund professional social agencies that would, in turn, meet the needs of their communities? Secondly, the burden for social agencies would be placed on individualRead MoreThe Library Field At A Young Age843 Words   |  4 Pagesbecame interested in the library fiel d at a young age. Through school library programs and trips to the public library with my family I developed an appreciation for the library as a place and for the talented men and women who staffed the library. This appreciation continued through my time at Southern Connecticut State University, where I earned my BS in information and library science in the winter of 2011. It was in through the university’s library, Hilton C. Buley library, that I revived my firstRead More Public Libraries Essay1239 Words   |  5 PagesMy Library: Celebrate the County Public Library Public libraries play a pivotal role in the lives of many Americans, from early education to senior services. The majority of Americans believe their local library improves their community (94%), and an equally significant number (65%) have visited at least one time in the past year (American Library Association, 2010). Residents of Connecticut are no exception. As of 2007, Connecticut boosts 195 public libraries containing a circulation of approximatelyRead MoreUsing Journal Articles On Multiple Search Engines Under Ebsco Database Collection1152 Words   |  5 Pagespart, an experiment was conducted. The objective was to find out what places in the community are trying to make up for this lack of service (regardless if it is to bring their own profit or benefit the community). To see if they are obstructing the funding for a library or temporarily remedying for the absence of a public library. For research Question 2, the qualitative approach followed typing â€Å"public library funding† and â€Å"federal, state, and private funding† in the EBSCO database collectionRead MoreIntroduction. The Pateman Vincent Statement From 20101486 Words   |  6 Pagesstatement from 2010 suggests that the library profession is either oblivious to, or choosing to ignore the plight of those most in need in society. Seven years on, there is no halt in the growing gap between rich and poor and public libraries are still justifying their existence, in a climate of declining funding for services. Changes to the UK welfare system have accelerated, with a drive for government services to be ‘digital by default’ (Rust, 2014). Public libraries and their staff are amongst theRead MoreD. Kinds Of Programs Or User Needs Support1541 Words   |  7 Pagesinformation, reference, etc.) The library offers a weekly storytime for babies to age 5 and one after school program a month for school age children between 5 and 10 years old. A Saturday afternoon book club and one after school program a month is offered for Tweens (ages 10-12). Two after school programs a month are offered for Teens ages 12 - 18. The public library staff visit all schools within the Ellsmore community once a month during lunch time to promote library programs. A Homeschool programRead MoreSchool Library Media Centers1240 Words   |  5 Pagesthe assessment of the school library media center. School libraries have been given a lofty order. 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Public Libraries in the Digital Age For public libraries to stay relevant, they must continuously redefine

Reaction to The Things They Carried by Tim OBrien

In The Things They Carried, Tim O Brien uses a variety of stories to explain the life experiences that he and many of his fellow soldiers endured during a single year in Vietnam. He tells these stories in a way that we can connect to these experiences. We never spent time in Vietnam, but O Brien wants us to feel like we were there. O Brien uses what he calls story-truth to write these stories. The outcome or the people may be different but the feeling is real; that s the truth in the story, the feeling. He wants us to feel what he felt, see what he saw. He doesn t just tell us what was happening exactly; he tells a fictional story that conveys the same emotion. He plays with the truth, that s the reason why this book is a work of†¦show more content†¦He didn t kill the man because he was in danger; he did it because he was scared. He was a coward. He tells us in the chapter Ambush that he was in no real peril and the young man would ve passed him by . He knew that he wasn t in danger but he killed the man anyway because that s what you were supposed to do in war; you were supposed to kill. He wasn t being brave; he was giving into the idea of war. He was doing something that he didn t believe in. The Vietnam War had a life changing effect on the soldiers, including O Brien. They came into the war as boys as young as seventeen and left either in body bags made of their own poncho or they came out alive. But were they ever really alive? No, they had their innocence ripped out. They weren t young boys anymore. Their young selves were killed out in that jungle and all that was left was a carcass of gruesome memories of the tragedy of war, the deaths of their fellow soldiers. They changed as people. O Brien came into the war as a young man against war. A young soul believing that the Vietnam War was wrong and there was no need for fighting or killing. However, toward the end of the book he tells us the story of how he got revenge on a fellow soldier. Thi s soldier, while in the middle of war, took too long in treating O Brien for a bullet wound and also should have treated him for shock. O Brien almost dies on the field but fortunatelyShow MoreRelatedThe Things They Carried : A Story Based On The Soldiers Experiences During The War936 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"The Things They Carried† is a story based on the soldiers’ experiences in the Vietnam War and their experiences after the war. The story begins with a character named Jimmy Cross, who is the Lieutenant of the Alpha Company. Jimmy Cross carries letters from a girl named Martha, who he dated before he joined the army. He also carries her good luck pebble in his mouth. The narrator later describes items the other soldiers in the Company are carrying. Some of the items were insect repellant, knivesRead MoreThe Things They Carried By Jonathan Culler1683 Words   |  7 PagesWhile constative language draws upon factual or literal interpretations, performative langu age deals more so with embellishment or the expression of details as they seem. In a similar manner, author Tim O’Brien coins the term â€Å"story truth†, a derivative of â€Å"real truth†, within his novel The Things They Carried, to discuss how retellings of wartime events are often altered to convey the emotional significance they possess. It is through these two works, Culler’s analysis of performative language and O’Brien’sRead MoreCharles Darwin s The Things They Carried Some Of The Soldiers1127 Words   |  5 Pagessmaller deal out of something that should mean more. While the first example is a generally healthy one, the latter is a dangerous way of coping with hard truths. In Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried some of the soldiers constantly try to quantify items brought from war to make the brutality of it less heinous in their minds. O’Brien illustrates this image to make readers aware of their own â€Å" taking the easy way out† of situations that sometimes would be better faced head on in reality. To protectRead MoreLack of Morality in War Depicted in Tim OBriens The Things They Carried1017 Words   |  5 PagesTim O’Brien’s book â€Å"The Things They Carried† epitomizes the degradation of morals that war produces. This interpretation is personified in the characters who gradually blur the line dividing right and wrong as the motives for war itself become unclear. The morality of soldiers and the purpose of war are tied also to the truth the soldiers must tell themselves in order to participate in the gruesome and random killing which is falsely justified by the U.S government. The lack of purpose in the VietnamRead MoreEssay on The Things They Carried by Tim OBrien1253 Words   |  6 Pages The Things They Carried, written by Tim O’Brein, is a story told through the eyes of members of a United States Army troop trudging their way through the Vietnamese country side and jungles during the Vietnam War. Each man has a specific job and so they carr y specific belongings that they need to fulfill that job as well as a few mementos from home. These men also carry unseen baggage that is all too real to these men, their families and responsibilities back home preying on their minds, the horrorsRead MoreThe Things They Carried By Tim O Brien1276 Words   |  6 PagesIn The Things They Carried, Tim O’Brien uses the art of fabricating stories as a coping mechanism. Trying to distinguish the difference between fictional and factual stories is a challenge in this book, but literal truth cannot capture the real violence that the soldiers dealt with in Vietnam, only â€Å"story truth† can. He explains, â€Å"If at the end of a war story you feel uplifted, or if you feel that some small bit of rectitude has been salvaged from the larger waste, then you have been made victimRead MoreA Study of The Things They Carried by Tim O ´brien1664 Words   |  7 PagesThe Study of â€Å"Things They Carried† by Tim O’ Brien George Carlin, during the early 80’s, had a routine that was a witticism on the importance of having personal effects. These â€Å"personal effects† or items that a person accumulates through life symbolize their identity. The impractical things carried in pockets, purses, bags and suitcases that make people feel as themselves while in strange surroundings. These things are so essential to identify the person these â€Å"personal effects† represents. IfRead MoreThe Things They Carried’ by Tim O’Brien Essay1233 Words   |  5 Pages‘The Things They Carried’ by Tim O’Brien provides a insider’s view of war and its distractions, both externally in dealing with combat and internally dealing with the reality of war and its effect on each solder. The story, while set in Vietnam, is as relevant today with the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan as it was in the 1960’s and 1970’s in Southeast Asia. With over one mill ion soldiers having completed anywhere from one to three tours in combat in the last 10 years, the real conflict mightRead MoreEssay On The Things They Carried1629 Words   |  7 PagesThe Things They Carried, reflects the saga of drafted soldiers during the Vietnam era who were sent to the Vietnam War. The author, Tim O’Brien, describes the things that the men carry during their tour of duty. The items carried are both physical and impalpable items and what these things are is subject to the individual soldier. They carry the necessities for survival in the jungles of Vietnam as well as the personal things each soldier feels necessary to make life as comfortable as possibleRead MoreEssay on The Things They Carried Chapter Analysis1989 Words   |  8 PagesThe Things They Carried: Chapter 1 Significant Quote: â€Å"In the accompanying letter, Martha wrote that she had found the pebble on the Jersey shoreline, precisely where the land touched the water at high tide, where things came together but also separated.† (8) Speaker: Tim O’Brien Audience: The reader Significance: This symbolizes Martha and Jimmy’s feelings for each other. They are separated by the war, but together in their minds. Questions: 1. What prompted the separate-but-together thought

Nokia Study free essay sample

In recent 2 decades, people have seen the big convenience brought by colour TV, telephone, laptops, mobile phone and etc. Among them, the contribution of mobile phone is especially prominent: given the integration of technologies of Internet, laptop, and communication etc, the small and good looking handset will enable us ubiquitous application of modern multi-functions. The advantage of 3G even further attracts our minds with colourful imagination. During the up gradation of our living style, we owe a lot to the companies of the handset industry, especially those popular giants including Nokia, Motorola and Samsung etc When they change our living successfully, they realize their developing targets as well. For example, according to the Fortune Global 500 in 2005, Nokia and Motorola ranked 130th and 138 respectively1. Thus, they are recognized by the society. It’s unpredictable for a company to achieve great goals without correct strategies to employ. In the fierce competition of handset industry in China, the correct competitive strategies are required for the participant to win market shares. Surely, sometimes the right strategies are ifficult for survival. Nokia, as the no. 1 in the handset industry of China, is certainly the biggest winner through exertion of correct competitive strategies. As is mentioned above, the competition in handset industry in China will become even fiercer along with the emerging trend such as the advent of 3G, the alteration of distributing channels, and the improved level of industrial centralization etc. So competitors should promptly adopt relevant changes of their competitive strategies to adapt to new environment. 2. Company Background Nokia Corporation is a Finnish multinational communications and information technology corporation that is headquartered in Keilaniemi, Espoo, Finland. Over the past 150 years, Nokia has evolved from a riverside paper mill in south-western Finland to a global telecommunications leader connecting over 1. 3 billion people. During that time, Nokia made rubber boots and car tyres. They generated electricity. They even manufactured TVs. Changing with the times, disrupting the status quo – it’s what Nokia always done. Early Days In 1865, mining engineer Fredrik Ides tam sets up his first wood pulp mill at the Tammerkoski Rapids in south-western Finland. A few years later he opens a second mill on the banks of the Nokianvirta River, which inspires him to name his company Nokia Ab in 1871. In 1898, Eduard Polon founds Finnish Rubber Works, which later becomes Nokia’s rubber business, making everything from galoshes to tyres. Nokia rubber boots become a bona fide design classic, still on sale to this day – though Nokia no longer make them. Electronics go boom In 1912, Arvid Wickstrom sets up Finnish Cable Works, the foundation of Nokia’s cable and electronics business. By the 1960s, Finnish Cable Works – already working closely with Nokia Ab and Finnish Rubber Works – starts branching out into electronics. In 1962, it makes its first electronic device in-house: a pulse analyser for use in nuclear power plants. In 1963, it starts developing radio, telephones for the army and emergency services – Nokia’s first foray into telecommunications. By 1987, Nokia is the third largest TV manufacturer in Europe. Three become one Having been jointly owned since 1922, Nokia Ab, Finnish Cable Works and Finnish Rubber Works officially merge in 1967. The new Nokia Corporation has five businesses: rubber, cable, forestry, electronics and power generation. But as the 1980s come into view, it’s an entirely new industry that makes Nokia a household name around the world. The mobile era begins Nokia sets the ball rolling in 1979, creating radio telephone company Mobira On as a joint venture with leading Finnish TV maker Salora. 1981 then sees the launch of the Nordic Mobile Telephone (NMT) service, the world’s first international cellular network and the first to allow international roaming. The NMT standard catches on fast and the mobile phone industry begins to expand rapidly. In 1982, Nokia introduces the first car phone – the Mobira Senator – to the network. That same year, the Nokia DX200, the company’s first digital telephone switch, goes into operation. First handheld mobile phone Then in 1987, Nokia introduces the Mobira Cityman, the first handheld mobile phone for NMT networks. Despite weighing in at 800 grams and a price tag of Rs. 24, 000. The Cityman even earns a nickname, the â€Å"Gorba†, after Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev is pictured using one to make a call from Helsinki to his communications minister in Moscow. In 1987, GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) is adopted as the European standard for digital mobile technology. With its high-quality voice calls, international roaming and support for text messages, GSM ignites a global mobile revolution. A new direction On July 1, 1991, Finnish Prime Minister Harri Holkeri makes the world’s first GSM call, using Nokia equipment. And in 1992, Nokia launches its first digital handheld GSM phone, the Nokia 1011. That same year, new Nokia President and CEO Jorma Ollila make a crucial strategic decision: to focus exclusively on manufacturing mobile phones and telecommunications systems. Nokia’s rubber, cable and consumer electronics divisions are gradually sold off. Name that tune In 1994, Nokia launches the 2100 series, the first phones to feature the Nokia Tune ringtone. Based on Gran Vals, a classical guitar piece composed by Francisco Tarrega in the 19th century, it is probably one of the most frequently played pieces of music in the world. The Nokia 2100 series goes on to sell 20 million phones worldwide. Nokia’s target had been 400,000. On top of the world By 1998, Nokia is the world leader in mobile phones. The strategic decision to focus on telecommunications, plus early investment in GSM, has paid off. Between 1996 and 2001, Nokia’s turnover increases almost fivefold from EUR 6. 5 billion to EUR 31 billion and with the new millennium comes a host of new possibilities as the internet goes mobile. No longer are phones just for phone calls. Multi-tasking mobiles In November 2001 Nokia launches its first phone with a built-in camera, the Nokia 7650, and in September 2002 its first video capture phone, the Nokia 3650. Nokia launches its first 3G phone (third generation), the Nokia 6650, in 2002 that things really take off. With 3G technology, phones can now be used to browse the web, download music, watch TV on the move, and more. One billion and counting In 2005, Nokia sells its billionth phone – a Nokia 1100 – in Nigeria, and global mobile phone subscriptions pass 2 billion. Two years later, Nokia is recognised as the 5th most valued brand in the world. Dominated by others By 2010, having dominated the mobile world for over a decade, Nokia no longer has things all its own way. In the all-important Smartphone market, competitors such as the iPhone and Android-based devices now pose a serious challenge. Clearly, it’s time for a rethink. A fresh face at the helm In September 2010, Nokia appoints Stephen Elop as President and CEO. Formerly head of Microsoft’s business division, following roles at Juniper Networks and Adobe Systems Inc. , Elop has a strong software background and proven record in change management. In February 2011, Nokia announces it is joining forces with Microsoft to strengthen its position in the Smartphone market. The strategic partnership sees Nokia Smartphone’s adopting the new Windows 7 operating system, with the Symbian platform gradually being sidelined. The goal is to establish a third ecosystem to rival iOS and Android. Nokia launches its first Nokia with Windows phones, the Nokia Lumina 800 and the Nokia Lumina 710, in October 2011. . Strategic Analysis Nokia has three Strategic Business Units/Divisions (SBUs): Mobile Phones, Smart Devices and Location and Commerce. a) Mobile Phones Its Mobile Phone team focuses on bringing a modern and affordable mobile experience to people around the world. b) Smart Devices The Smart Devices team focuses on the creation of smart phones – this is the SBU responsible for the partnership with Microsoft and the Windows Phone platform. c) Location and Commerce The Location and Commerce team are responsible for developing a new class of integrated social location products and services for consumers, Nokia Maps. In addition to the services based aspect the Location and Commerce SBU provide digital map information, related location based content and services for mobile navigation devices, automotive navigation systems, governments and business solutions through Navteq, which was acquired in 2008 On 11 February 2011, Nokias CEO Stephen Elop, a former head of Microsoft business division, unveiled a new strategic alliance with Microsoft, and announced it would replace Symbian and MeeGo with Microsoft’s Windows operating system except for mid-to-low-end devices, which would continue to run under Symbian. Nokia was also to invest into the Series 40 platform and release a single MeeGo product in 2011. As part of the restructuring plan, Nokia planned to reduce spending on research and development, instead customizing and enhancing the software line for Windows Phone 7. Nokias applications and content store (Ovi) becomes integrated into the Windows Phone Store, and Nokia Maps is at the heart of Microsofts Bing and AdCenter. On 19 June 2006, Nokia and Siemens AG announced the companies would merge their mobile and fixed-line phone network equipment businesses to create one of the world’s largest network firms, Nokia Siemens Networks. Each company has a 50% stake in the infrastructure company, and it is headquartered in Espoo, Finland. The companies predicted annual sales of â‚ ¬16 billion and cost savings of â‚ ¬1. 5 billion a year by 2010. About 20,000 Nokia employees were transferred to this new company. In October 2007, Nokia bought Navteq, a U. S. -based supplier of digital mapping data, for a price of $8. 1 billion. Nokia finalized the acquisition on 10 July 2008. 3. 1 Corporate level Strategy On the corporate echelon Nokia is cultivating a growth strategy. Its growth is obsessed principally by acquisitions and concentrated RD. During the past few years Nokia has been vigorously obtaining companies with new technologies and competencies, including besides investments in alternative positions. All of these acquisitions and investments were embattled to improve Nokias ability to assist form the Mobile World. 3. 2 Business Level Strategy Nokias trade level strategy is based on a cost leadership. Nokia has an outsized product portfolio which would gratify consumers all over the world. It strives to keep low costs for its products throughout firm costs management and economies of scale. Nokia utilizes strategic suppliers all over the globe to attain extremely modified subassembly apparatus which are used to generate its elevated tech savvy devices. 3. 3 Operational Strategy In 2011 Nokia had 130,000 employees in 120 countries, sales in more than 150 countries, global annual revenue of over â‚ ¬38 billion, and operating loss of â‚ ¬1 billion. It was the worlds largest manufacturer of mobile phones in 2011, with global device market share of 23% in the second quarter. The Nokia Research Centre, founded in 1986, is Nokias industrial research unit consisting of about 500 researchers, engineers and scientists; it has sites in seven countries: Finland, China, India, Kenya, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Besides its research centres, in 2001 Nokia founded INdT – Nokia Institute of Technology, a RD institute located in Brazil. Nokia operates a total of 9 manufacturing facilities located at Salo, Finland; Manaus, Brazil; Cluj, Romania; Beijing and Dongguan, China; Komarom, Hungary; Chennai, India; Reynosa, Mexico; and Changwon, South Korea. Nokias industrial design department is headquartered in Soho in London, UK with significant satellite offices in Helsinki, Finland and Calabasas, California in the US. 3. 4 Supply Chain Strategy Nokia’s supply chain strategy is decentralized as its operational and marketing facilities are worldwide. 3. 5 Defensive Strategy In order to go with iPhone and Blackberry smart phones and protect its share in the converged handsets market, Nokia introduced 5800 touch screen. As a consequence, after the first quarter of 2009, Nokias market shares in smart phones augmented by 3%. 3. 6 Competitive generic strategies In particulars, the competitive strategies lead the success in the marketing. The key attitude for a competitive strategy is how to build advantages in market competition. Cost leadership differentiation and focus is three competitive generic 3. 6. 1 Cost leadership Strategy Nokia claims a cost reducing on its capital markets day at the end of this year. Nokia CFO, Rick Simonson emphasized that Nokia is practicing a cost reduction which is effective now and is continuing to keep the strategy for 2009 and 2010. Nokia is always using a highly variable, low fixed cost business model. The balance sheet of 2007 gives us a clearer view of this. The cost leadership strategy is possible to follow and the switching cost for customers of mobile telecommunication industry is very low, almost zero. So its rather easy for a customer to purchase another brand of mobile phone only for a lower price. 3. 6. 2 Differentiation Strategy Differentiation strategy means providing diverse products or services from competitors to attain competitive advantages focused on enormous market. Modern telecoms market is changing quickly, grows up rapidly, and compete fiercer than most other markets. In Japan Nokia closed the mobile handset distribution and also cancelled the distribution of E71 handset due to low market preference. Opportunities ?In 2011, the global cell phone industry expected to grow by double digits ? Today, Asia-Pacific mobile phone industry is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. ?Developing countries like China, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan has enormous demand potential. ?Nokia had a 50-50 joint venture with Siemens of Germany ?Youth wants the stylish aesthetics, fashionable handsets, it drive the new market for players. Threats Consumers are becoming more complicated in the choice of handset due to new styles by china mobiles. ?Difficult for sellers to differentiate their products and retain loyalty. ?Nokia is facing very strong price pressure from china and other mobile producers ? Nokia is losing global market share after the arrival of several Chinese producers ? In the Asia/Pacific emerged competitive forces. ?Apple, RIM and the other different sellers have created strong pressure for Nokia. 8. Competitive Analysis: Porter’s five forces model The micro environment is the internal factors that are affected by the customers, staff, shareholders and competitors. The best model for evaluating the micro environment of Nokia is Porter’s 5 forces as this takes into consideration the competitors, customers, suppliers and new entrants. Threat of new entrants: †¢The mobile phone industry is already a well established market and the threat of a new entrant is quite low, as the technology needed to rival the devices already available is quite advance if they want to differentiate from them †¢The barriers to entry in the mobile phone industry is high because any new entrants will need high investments in RD, technology and marketing in order to compete with the established organisations. New entrants want to take market share from the larger organisations but Nokia hold 29% of the market share in the industry, the highest market share in the industry. The threat of new entrants into the mobile phone industry is very unlikely as the start up cost of entering into the market at a high level needs a lot of investments and time to be considered a respectable competitor of the already established organisations. Nokia currently hold a 29% of the entire mobile phone market worldwide and for a new competitor to obtain some of their market will take either a very long term plan or something that is truly innovative and unseen before. This is because realistically the new entrant will need very high investment for RD and marketing, and would not be able to publish positive result for a long time as they try to build a customer base and a name for itself in an established market. In conclusion the threat of new entrants is very low and not a factor which Nokia will have to worry about in the near future. Power of suppliers: †¢Although Nokia rely on its suppliers to supply equipment for their advanced mobile phones there are actually a number of large equipment makers, which Nokia could switch to. The software suppliers for their Smart phones are now Microsoft, who will have a very high bargaining power. †¢As the leading mobile phone company in the industry they are in a very strong position when bargaining with their suppliers. Nokia are in the position where they can bargain and negotiate with any mobile phone hardware maker because there is a high number of equipment suppliers that are readily available to them should their current suppliers attempt to bargain for more money with them. Nokia’s main argument would be the fact that they are a global organisation that has the highest market share in the industry, so the suppliers would not want to lose such an illustrious organisation. On the other hand, Nokia have recently created an alliance with Microsoft for their software which would be considered a major coup for Nokia more than Microsoft. As a result, Microsoft will have a lot of power when negotiating a price and share because the deal is more beneficial to Nokia than Microsoft. In conclusion, there is a moderate threat from the powers of suppliers because although the hardware suppliers have a very low power, Microsoft’s power over the software is very high because they’re very few other organisations who have the expertise and skills to rival Microsoft. Powers of buyers: †¢The power that customers have is rising because of the increasing number of choices in the mobile telecommunication industry. †¢With a lot of the Nokia competitors all offering similar packages (e. g. nlimited texts and calls) the industry is very price sensitive with customers seeking out the best value for money. †¢Many of the consumers will also be tied into long term contracts so switching from one handset to another will be difficult and expensive for the consumer, as a result they may not want to change until the contract is finished. The mobile phone industry is a competitive market where the number of choices is very wide, resulting in the consumer ha ving a lot of power because they can choose to go to one of Nokia’s many rivals if they feel Nokia are not good enough. As Nokia do not have a direct store to sell to their consumers, intermediaries such as Car phone warehouse or network stores such as Orange also have other handsets readily available for the consumers, which makes it difficult for Nokia to have a direct impact on the selling of their handsets. As a result this has created a very price sensitive market because consumers will always be on the lookout for the best deals. In conclusion, the buyers have a high amount of power because of the other handsets they can purchase instead of Nokia. Threats of substitute’s products Mobile phones are an everyday essential in people’s lives today and people would find it hard to replace, as customers would not be able to be in constant contact when away from the house. †¢On the other hand, it could be said that customers would be able to contact people through others types of media such as social networking websites, email and home telephones. Although staying in constant contact would be hard in customers’ day to day life. †¢However, smart phones are capable of a lot of functions so there are many substitutes if the substitute focuses on one of the functions, e. . digital camera can take better photos then smart phones, notebooks can surf the web just as effectively and PDAs can plan a day the same way a smart phone can. Mobile phones have become an everyday necessity in peoples’ lives because of the important functions that they can do and are all available in just one handset. No other product has the ability to make phone calls, send messages, surf the web and many more in one device. The idea of being in constant communication with someone at anytime and anywhere makes the mobile phone a very important device to people. On the other hand, a mobile phone can be dissected into the key function where there are substitutes for the functions, such as the camera function on a mobile phone can be substituted for a digital camera which can do a better job than the camera in a mobile phone. In conclusion, the threat of a substitute product is very low due to the fact a mobile phone is no longer just for making calls but for all the other function as well are expected on all mobile phones. So, the only real substitute is to buy all the functions of a mobile phone in the individual products which would not be plausible to carry all around on a person at the same time. Without mobile phones consumers would find it very difficult to replace, as it can offer so much to the consumers all in one device, no matter what the needs of the consumer are. Consumers rely on mobile phones a lot and would not be able to find a substitute that has all the function of a mobile phone. Competitive rivalry: †¢Nokia rivals have moved to smart phones and androids while Nokia have only just recently released their first smart phones leaving them trailing their rivals such as Apple and HTC. There is also very little differentiation between the competitors which means any new smart phones in the market, like Nokia Lumina, will find it difficult to tempt existing iphone and HTC customers to switch. †¢Intense competition from large companies such as; Apple, HTC, Blackberry, Sony Ericson and LG, ect. Nokia operate in an industry where the competition is extremely fierce with high investment in RB and marketing to compete with some of the biggest organisations in th e world. This year Nokia’s market share has dropped to 29% and it is forecast to continue to fall because of the rising popularity of the Apple Iphone. After Nokia’s slow move into the Smartphone market it has left them trailing their rivals, and has just released their Lumina range which will find it difficult to compete and win over consumers from their iphone. In conclusion, competitive rivalry is very high and Nokia must be aware of the threat that competitors have on their business especially with the growing popularity of the Apple iphone and RIM blackberry. The competitive rivalry is the biggest threat to Nokia because in the Smartphone market they are considerably behind and to increase their market share will take a lot of work in a market where some of the biggest names in business operate in such as Apple and Sony. 9. Financial Ratio Analysis Financial analysis helps in establishing a relation between various financial statements’ elements which can then be compared with other information about the business. This also determines the future prospects of the company and the area that needs improvement. The basic purpose is to analyze the current financial position performance of the company according to which a judgement can be made regarding future performance of the business. One has to look carefully to the annual accounts of the company and the yearly growth trend in terms of revenues, profit and its market share. For the analysis purpose, consolidated accounts of Nokia i. e. Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement for the last four years from 2007 to 2010 is taken into account and theses figures obtained from the company’s website are given below.

Criminal Justice Essays (437 words) - Soviet Films,

Criminal Justice The Ghost and Hermann To develop his theme and address the issue of the reality of the ghost and the ghost information and Hermanns use of that information in The Queen of Spades exemplifies the complexity of Pushkins approach. Hermanns strong passion and fiery imagination and having a tenacity of spirit saved him from the usual errors of youth. Although at heart a gambler, he never took a card in his hand. As he would put it, to sacrifice the essentials of life in he hope of acquiring the luxuries, meanwhile he would sit at the card table with feverish anxiety. The story of the three cards had made a strong impression on his imagination . Hermann wanted the Old Countess to reveal her secret to him. What if she could tell me the names of these three winning cards? he replied. The he thought why not become introduced to her, try to win her favour, perhaps become her lover. In the meantime, many things happen. Three days after what was called a fateful night, the dead Countess funeral was going to be held. All what was going on in his head which kept on repeating: You are the murderer of the old woman! With having little religion belief, he was superstitious. He believed the dead countess could exercise a harmful influence on his life. He wanted to ask her forgiveness. After the funeral, Hermann returned home , he throw himself on the bed and fell into a deep sleep. After being awaken he sat on the bed and thought about the funeral . At that moment, he heard the door open. Hermann heard some footsteps A woman in a white dress entered. He thought it was the nurse, but the woman in white glided across the room and appeared saying, I have come to you against my will, but I have been order to fulfill your request. Three, seven, ace played in that ordered will win for you is what the countess told him. Hermann was only to play one card in twenty-four hours and never play again in his life. The countess told Hermann she would forgive him if he marry Lisaveta Ivanovna. So this what Hermann set out to do. In conclusion of all of this, Three, seven, ace, never left his thought. To the exclusion of others, one thought alone occupied his mind-making use of the secret which had cost him so much. Herman has simply paid the cost in the most dramatic way. Social Issues

Research Paper on Chocolate

Research Paper on Chocolate The Day Chocolate Company was set up through the efforts of Twin Trading Company (TTC) in the UK and Kuapa Kokoo Ltd (KKL) from Ghana. In 1992, TTC assisted cocoa farmers in Ghana to form a co-operative, Kuapa Kokoo Ltd, to trade in cocoa. The whole idea was to enable the cocoa farmers to obtain a better price from their cocoa in the world markets, particularly, the fair trade market. KKL later decided to own a chocolate bar. The main aim here has been to maximize returns to their members. In 1998, TTC and KKL established the Day Chocolate Company (DCC) to realize their dream. Both KKL and TTC have inter-laced missions. KKL’s mission is to get a fair or higher price for the cocoa farmers on the international market. TTC’s mission comes from their belief that primary producers should get a better deal for their products on the international market. DCC does not actually have its own mission statement but its aim is to send fairly traded chocolate onto the mainstream market with the aim of maximizing returns for Kuapa Kokoo farmers. Though DCC does not have its own mission statement, we are bound by our parent companies’ vision statements. TTL’s mission was mission was to assist small-scale farmers, through trading, to achieve:   Greater awareness and ability to plan and think strategically, to be protagonists in the market   Greater bargaining power through this knowledge and the ability to gain access to resources and infrastructure through ownership or negotiation with third parties   Greater income at the village community level and thus greater capacity to invest in human capital for the future. The DCC has, since its creation, produced three chocolate bars. These are Divine Chocolate, Divine Black Chocolate and Dubble. A new product, Divine Instant Chocolate Drink, will be launched latter part of 2002. The name ‘Divine’ was retained because of the value our customers attach to it as a chocolate product as well as its heavenly nature. DCC does not own any production facility. It contracts manufacturers to produce its products for a fee. This arrangement would be maintained for the new product. ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE PRODUCT Every year, in Britain, a combined total of Ј4 billion pounds is spent on chocolate. It would be nice to think that a proportion of this could find its way back to the families currently living in Ghana with no electricity, no running water, no transport, no schools and no medical facilities. All Divine products are known as the chocolate with a heart. The main idea behind this is the fact that for every time we buy and drink a cup of Divine Instant Chocolate Drink, we are helping to support farmers in poverty-stricken parts of Africa, pumping money into a poor economy, enabling village-folk to educate their children, and giving women the chance to make something of their lives. Plus it tastes good too! TARGET CONSUMERS Divine Chocolate, Divine Black and Dubble, have been aimed at specific targets. These being mid 20’s women, adults and kids respectively. Our initial market research indicates that, the product to be launched, Divine Instant Chocolate Drink should primarily be aimed at kids and expand the link Divine products have with kids. In the long term, other groups will be targeted. Initially, the focus is the English market. As a first step, the chocolate drinks, sold through dispensing machines, will be launched. At a later stage, a powdered form Divine Instant Chocolate Mix in containers will be added. BRAND MANAGEMENT Brand management should recognize that every product has a limited life. Products go through a series of four life cycle stages. These are: introduction, growth, maturity and decline. The Introduction phase is characterized by low sales, high costs, innovative customers, negative profits and few competitors. The Growth phase is characterized by rapidly increasing sales, costs stabilize, rising profits, customers are early adopters and competition is growing. At the Maturity stage, sales peak, costs are at their lowest per consumer, the stable number of competitors and profits begin to decline. The Decline stage has declining sales, profits, competition, costs are still low per customer. We are aware of the fact that the chocolate market is saturated and that there is the need to build on our core competence. Brand management, in this project, is considered in relation to the life cycle of the Divine Instant Chocolate Drink in the next sessions of this report. INTRODUCTION STAGE Product   Divine Instant Chocolate Drink is a delicious, sweet-tasting, sink-in the- heart chocolate drink. It is a drink for all. It contains cocoa beans, skimmed milk and sugar.   The drink will be sold hot or cold all the year round according to customers’ preferences. Price The drink is priced by cup sizes as follows: smaller size 79p: larger size Ј1.49. Even though the prices are bit higher than traditional chocolate drinks, the money accrued will find its way to the primary producers who live in poverty. Promotion Intensive promotional activities will be undertaken. These will cover the following:   Television adverts   Features articles in newspapers   Posters and leaflets   Road shows   Exhibitions   Co-branding with Starbucks and Cafe Nero   Free samples   Fair Trade fortnight activities   Internet advertisements   Competitions on Cartoon Network and Fox Kids to draw the awareness of our prime target to our products. This has already started and will continue.   Our special message about the need to ensure a fair deal for farmers from developing countries will be stressed in all our promotional activities Packaging   The drink comes in disposable cups of two sizes, namely, small and large, through dispensing machines. The smaller size is aimed at kids and first time buyers. The larger size is for adults and existing buyers. The Divine logo and DCC logo are embossed on the cup. The cup will also carry the Fair Trade Mark . Place   Presently all Divine products are available at Sainsbury’s, Iceland, Co-operative Shop, NUS shops, Body Shop and Tesco.   The new product will make use of Divine’s existing channels of distribution.   In addition, agreements have been made with Starbucks, CafÐ ¹ Nero, Waitrose and Morrison to sell the new product.   The distributors will provide their own dispensing machines. These machines will bear the Divine, DCC and Fair Trade logos. This will save DCC the cost of investing in dispensing machines.   The distributors will earn a commission on sales. GROWTH STAGE Our objective here is to maximize our brand equity. Product   Intensive market research will be undertaken to identify new target consumers.   A new concept for chocolate drinks will be developed. New flavors will be introduced to push the image of the product up.   The drink in powder form will be introduced.   Will seek to become a market leader of fair-trade chocolate drinks.   The powdered form of the chocolate mix will be introduced. Packaging   New and innovative designs will be made in response to consumer preferences. One of our aims here is to increase volumes and to maintain high-quality packaging solutions. A conversion from standard disposable cups to a niche type of cup may occur during this stage, if volumes warrant. Place   Review existing distribution channels to address any problems.   Increase the number of outlets for existing channels of distribution.   Introduction of new distributors e.g. work places, new supermarkets and schools. Promotion   Continue with intensive promotional activities to push the growth of the products.   Social marketing.   Will continue to emphasize our core message.   Fair Trade fortnight activities Price   Price review will be considered in response to competition.   Will, however, maintain our policy of fixing prices that are slightly higher than obtained in the normal chocolate drink market. MATURITY/STATIONARY STAGE Product   Analyze indicators through market research.   Diversify brands. Update and modernize current products.   Introduce more flavours e.g. Vanilla Flavour Chocolate Drink, Orange Flavour Chocolate Drink etc. Packaging   Depending on the product category and volume, enhanced disposable or re-usable cups are good packaging solutions during this stage.   Customized cups may be introduced.   The whole idea is to improve packaging Place   Undertake Intensive distribution to consolidate.   Non-profitable outlets would be withdrawn. Promotion   Discount offers.   2 for the price of 1 offer.   Competitions to be organized.   Co-branding e.g. we may co-brand with Orange Communications when launching our Orange Chocolate Drink.   Advertisement should also encourage brand switching.   Fair Trade fortnight activities Price   Price review will be considered in-depth in response to competition.   Will, however, maintain our policy of fixing prices that are slightly higher than obtained in the normal chocolate drink market. This would be to help the farmer in line with our mission. DECLINING STAGE Product   Will create new products to replace the old. This will bring new customers as well as the return of old customers who had shifted to other products.   Will continue to produce a limited quantity of old products. This will help to maintain our most loyal customers. Packaging With an emphasis on cost reduction and a decreasing emphasis on reusable cups, disposable cups packaging are an option. Place   Continue to consolidate our distribution channels while withdrawing from areas with no prospect. Promotion   Will promote our product at this stage by making attractive offers to consumers.   Will improve quality and upgrade our products in order to keep old and loyal customers. This is because, finding new customers costs more than keeping old ones.   Build relationships with customers.   Have newsletters on our website on our events and how to get involved.   Fair Trade fortnight activities Price At this stage price competition from dying products becomes more vigorous. Will stay in competition by stressing vigorously our core message and also keep our margins thin.

Enviromental science Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Enviromental science - Movie Review Example The director asks this family to keep their every scrap of the garbage for three months. Later he shows the family where it all goes and what its doing to the world. This documentary film is definitely an eye opener for everybody. The theme, which attracted me very much from this film, is the injudicious consumerism and tis consequences. Uncontrolled consumerism is one of the biggest curses facing by the current generation at present. Since modern generation do not have much financial problems compared to the older generation, they consume many wanted and unwanted things. For example, it is the habit of many people to purchase latest mobile phones even if they have good mobile phones in their hand. In other words, many of the current consumers purchase goods not because of necessity but to keep their social status. While purchasing new things, they throw away the older ones. It should be noted that mobile phones like electronic goods have many toxic elements, which has the potential to destroy our environment. For example, the lead batteries of the mobile phones have the ability to cause major environmental problems. This film warns the public a bout the negative effects of uncontrolled or injudicious consumerism. This film warns the public that â€Å"from organic waste to the stuff they flush down the potty, the plastic bags they use to the water they drink out of bottles, the air pollution they create when transporting the kids around, to using lights at Christmas, the McDonalds discover that for every action there is a reaction that affects them and the entire planet† (Nisker). The biggest drawback of this film is that it gives us many problems and failed to give ample solutions. In other words, the film mainly focussing on the problem side of uncontrolled consumerism and it says less about the possible solutions. For example, it says that 1 trillion plastic bags are used in the world every five minutes. However, it says little about the alternate options

Viacom Company Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Viacom Company - Case Study Example Beginning in 1970s as cable operator, Viacom has managed to become a global entertainment content company. Currently a major media conglomerate operates through two main segments: Media Networks and Filmed Entertainment, producing and distributing a huge variety of motion pictures. Collecting sufficient number of failures and losses during long period of its formation, in late 1980s the company was bought by Sumner M. Redstone, who managed to see great potential of his acquisition. Hence with a help of numerous successful projects of launching classic sitcoms, Showtime movie network, Ha! Channel a leading conglomerate was able to purchase five television and nine radio stations. However, a decline in popularity of pay-TV compelled the senior management of Viacom to switch the main sphere of its performance, setting new challenges. In this respect, Redstone decided to aim at video rental markets. In 1990s the company made the biggest and most profitable deal, purchasing oldest produce r of motion pictures, Paramount Communications Inc. Later on acquiring Blockbuster, suddenly Viacom became the owner of thousands of video and music stores.

Harvard business publishing Essay Example for Free

Harvard business publishing Essay In mid-September of 2010, Emily Harris, vice president of New Heritage Doll Company’s production division, was weighing project proposals for the company’s upcoming capital budgeting meetings in October. Two proposals stood out based on their potential to strengthen the division’s innovative product lines and drive future growth. However, due to constraints on financial and managerial resources, Harris knew it was possible that the firm’s capital budgeting committee would decline to approve both projects. She also knew that New Heritage’s licensing and retail divisions would promote compelling projects of their own. Consequently, Harris had to be prepared to recommend one of her projects over the other. The Doll Industry Revenues in the U.S. toy and game industry totaled $42 billion in 2008 and were projected to increase by 4.6% per year to $52.5 billion by 2013. The market was divided into two broad segments: video games (48%) and traditional toys and games (52%). The second segment was further divided into infant/preschool toys (14.5%), dolls (14.1%), outdoor sports toys (12.3%), and other toys games (59.1%) including arts and crafts, plush toys, action figures, vehicles, and youth electronics. The U.S. market for toys and games was dominated by large global enterprises that enjoyed economies of scale in design, production, and distribution. Revenues were highly seasonal; the largest selling season in the United States coincided with the winter holiday period. Within the toy and game segment, U.S. retail sales of dolls totaled $3.1 billion in 2008 and were projected to grow by 3% per year to $3.6 billion by 2013. The doll category included large, soft, and mini dolls, as well as doll clothing and other accessories. The phenomenon of â€Å"age compression†Ã¢â‚¬â€ the tendency of younger children to acquire dolls that had traditionally been designed for older girls—reduced growth in the â€Å"baby-doll† sub-segment. Competition among doll producers was vigorous, as a small number of large producers targeted similar demographics and marketed their dolls through the same media. Lasting franchise value for a branded line of dolls was rare; the enormous success of Barbie ® dolls was an obvious exception. More recently and on a much smaller ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ HBS Professor Timothy Luehrman and HBS MBA Heide Abelli prepared this case solely as a basis for class discussion and not as an endorsement, a source of primary data, or an illustration of effective or ineffective management. Th is case, though based on real events, is fictionalized, and any resemblance to actual persons or entities is coincidental. There are occasional references to actual companies in the narration. Copyright  © 2010 Harvard Business School Publishing. To order copies or request permission to reproduce materials, call 1-800-545-7685, write Harvard Business Publishing, Boston, MA 02163, or go to http://www.hbsp.harvard.edu. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, used in a spreadsheet, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the permission of Harvard Business Publishing. Harvard Business Publishing is an affiliate of Harvard Business School. Purchased for use on the MSc Business Valuation, at Imperial College London. Taught by James Sefton, from 21-Aug-2013 to 31-Dec-2013. Order ref F211857. Usage permitted only within these parameters otherwise contact [emailprotected] Educational material supplied by The Case Centre Copyright encoded A76HM-JUJ9K-PJMN9I Order reference F211857 New Heritage Doll Company: Capital Budgeting 4212 | New Heritage Doll Company: Capital Budgeting scale, New Heritage also had created a durable franchise for its line of heirloom dolls. But the popularity of most doll lines waned after a few years. New Heritage Dolls By 2009, New Heritage had grown to 450 employees and generated approximately $245 million of revenue1 and $27 million of operating profit from three divisions: production, retailing, and licensing. The production division, discussed further below, designed and produced dolls and doll accessories. The retailing division offered a unique â€Å"intergenerational experience† for grandmothers, mothers, and daughters, centered upon the character histories and storylines of the company’s dolls and delivered through an online website (42%), a mail-order paper catalog (33%), and a network of retail stores (25%). In fiscal 2009, the retailing division generated roughly $190 million of revenue and $4.8 million of operating profit. The licensing division was started in 1998, and represented the company’s newest and most profitable division. It sought to extend the New Heritage brand and capitalize on high levels of customer loyalty by selectively licensing the company’s doll characters and themes to a variety of media that reached the firm’s target demographic of toddler to pre-teen girls. In fiscal year 2009 the licensing division generated $24.5 million of revenue and $14.5 million in operating profit. New Heritage’s Production Division Production was New Heritage’s largest division as measured by total assets, and easily its most asset-intensive. Approximately 75% of the division’s sales were made to the company’s retailing division, with the remaining 25% comprising private label goods manufactured for other firms. Table 1 summarizes the division’s various sources of revenue and operating income. Table 1 Production Division Data: Revenue ($ millions) Operating Income ($ millions) New Heritage’s dolls and accessories were offered under distinct brands with different price points, targeting girls between the ages of 3 and 12 years. The company’s baby dolls were generally priced from $15–$30, and were offered to younger girls in earlier stages of development. These dolls typically came with a â€Å"birth certificate† and a short personal history. Dolls in the higher-end of this category incorporated technology that produced a limited amount of speech and motion. For the 1 The division revenue figures include approximately $95 million of internal sales within divisions which are eliminated when considering consolidated revenue for the company. BRIEFCASES | HARVARD BUSINESS PUBLISHING Purchased for use on the MSc Business Valuation, at Imperial College London. Taught by James Sefton, from 21-Aug-2013 to 31-Dec-2013. Order ref F211857. Usage permitted only within these parameters otherwise contact [emailprotected] Educational material supplied by The Case Centre Copyright encoded A76HM-JUJ9K-PJMN9I Order reference F211857 The New Heritage Doll Company was founded in 1985 by Ingrid Beckwith, a retired psychologist specializing in child development and the grandmother of two young girls. Dr. Beckwith believed the dolls produced by the major toy companies did little to develop girls’ imagination or foster a positive self-image, so she created a line of dolls with unique storylines and wholesome themes. Dr. Beckwith’s dolls struck a chord among mothers and grandmothers who also rejected the dated, clichà ©d images portrayed by the popular dolls of the day. New Heritage Doll Company: Capital Budgeting | 4212 New Heritage outsourced much of its production to a select number of contract manufacturers in Asia. To ensure product quality and safety, the company maintained a fulltime staff to oversee material sourcing, production, and quality control on site at each of its manufacturing partners. Manufacturing activities that required precise tolerances or proprietary processes, along with all the creative elements (design and product prototyping, for example), were handled in-house at the company’s headquarters facilities in Sacramento, California. Educational material supplied by The Case Centre Copyright encoded A76HM-JUJ9K-PJMN9I Order reference F211857 Capital Budgeting at New Heritage New Heritage’s capital budgeting process retained some of the informality that characterized the company’s early years as an innovative startup. As the company grew, deliberate steps were taken to decentralize some of the project approval process and increase spending authority at the division level. However, large and/or strategic spending proposals were reviewed at the corporate level by a capital budgeting committee consisting of the CEO, CFO, COO, the controller, and the division presidents. The committee examined projects for consistency with New Heritage’s business strategy and sought to balance the needs and priorities of each division against practical financial and organizational constraints. The committee also sought to understand project interdependencies and the potential for a given investment to strengthen the whole company, not solely the division proposing it. New Heritage’s capital budget was set by the board of directors in consultation with top officers, who in turn sought input from each of the divisions. The capital and operating budgets were linked; historically, the capital budget comprised approximately 15% of the company’s EBITDA. The committee had limited discretion to expand or contract the budget, according to its view of the quality of the investment opportunities, competitive dynamics, and general industry conditions. Before being considered by the committee, projects were described, analyzed, and summarized in self-contained proposal documents prepared by each division. These contained business descriptions, at least five years of operating and cash flow forecasts, spending requirements by asset category, personnel requirements, calculations of standard investment metrics, and identification of key project risks and milestones. Financial Analyses Financial analysis began with operating forecasts developed with oversight from New Heritage operating managers. Revenue projections were derived from forecasts of future prices and volumes. Fixed and variable costs were estimated separately, by expense category. Forecasts of working capital requirements were likewise vetted by line managers, who paid particular attention to a project’s requirements for various types of inventory. Forecasts for fixed assets and related depreciation charges were developed in cooperation with analysts reporting to the controller. HARVARD BUSINESS PUBLISHING | BRIEFCASES Purchased for use on the MSc Business Valuation, at Imperial College London. Taught by James Sefton, from 21-Aug-2013 to 31-Dec-2013. Order ref F211857. Usage permitted only within these parameters otherwise contact [emailprotected] $75–$150 price range, New Heritage produced a line of heirloom-quality dolls and accessories. These were designed to appeal to older girls and to convey a sense of cultural and family tradition among grandmothers, mothers, and daughters. The heirloom dolls had more elaborate accessories and personal histories. Finally, the company offered a line of high-end dolls based on fictional â€Å"celebrities,† each associated with a charitable cause and embracing more contemporary fashion trends. These dolls targeted girls in the so-called â€Å"tween† age range of 8–12 years, and also were priced from $75–$150. Like the heirloom dolls, celebrity dolls also came with more elaborate stories and accessories. 4212 | New Heritage Doll Company: Capital Budgeting New Heritage assigned discount rates to projects according to a subjective assessment of each project’s risk. High-, medium-, and low-risk categories for each division were associated with a corresponding discount rate set by the capital budgeting committee in consultation with the corporate treasurer. Assessments of each project’s risk were made at the division level, but subject to review by the capital committee. Factors considered in the assessment of a project’s risk included, for example, whether it required new consumer acceptance or new technology, high levels of fixed costs and hence high breakeven production volumes, the sensitivity of price or volume to macroeconomic recession, the anticipated degree of price competition, and so forth. In 2010, â€Å"medium†-risk projects in the production division received a discount rate of 8.4%. High- and low-risk projects were assessed at 9.0% and 7.7%, respectively. Projects that created value indefinitely, given continuing investment, were treated as going concerns with a perpetual life. That is, NPV calculations included a terminal value computed as the value of a perpetuity growing at a constant rate. However, to preserve an element of conservatism, the capital committee generally insisted on relatively low perpetual growth rates – lower than New Heritage’s historical growth and lower than near-term growth forecasts for a given division. Investment Opportunities in the Production Division Emily Harris was focused on two of the production division’s most attractive current proposals. The first involved expanding the successful Match My Doll Clothing Line to include matching allseason clothing for tween girls and their favorite dolls. The second involved a new initiative, the Design Your Own Doll line, which employed web-based doll-design software to let users â€Å"customize† a doll’s features to the customer’s specifications. Match My Doll Clothing Line Expansion The Match My Doll Clothing line originally consisted of a few sets of matching doll and child clothing and accessories for warm weather. It quickly became successful after the daughters of a few celebrities were spotted and photographed wearing items from the line, and girls’ magazines included some of the line in â€Å"what’s hot to wear† sections. Given recent publicity, Marcy McAdams, the brand manager responsible for the line, believed the timing was perfect to expand. Specifically, McAdams proposed to create an â€Å"All Seasons Collection† of apparel and gear covering all four seasons of the year. She expected the new offerings to be at least as profitable as the existing line, since its current popularity would make it possible to maintain premium prices. She also hoped to take advantage of off-peak discounts offered by some suppliers and contract manufacturers as they tried to smooth their capacity utilization. In the same fashion, McAdams argued the expansion would help reduce, or at least not exacerbate, the seasonality in New Heritage’s sales and earnings. BRIEFCASES | HARVARD BUSINESS PUBLISHING Purchased for use on the MSc Business Valuation, at Imperial College London. Taught by James Sefton, from 21-Aug-2013 to 31-Dec-2013. Order ref F211857. Usage permitted only within these parameters otherwise contact [emailprotected] Educational material supplied by The Case Centre Copyright encoded A76HM-JUJ9K-PJMN9I Order reference F211857 Operating projections for a given project were used to develop cash flow forecasts that would underpin calculations of net present value (NPV), internal rates of return (IRR), payback period, and other investment metrics. Cash flow forecasts were intended to capture the incremental effect of a proposed project on the firm’s cash flow for each year within the forecast period. That is, each project’s cash flow forecasts excluded non-cash items, such as depreciation charges, and nonincremental items such as sunk costs (i.e., costs that would be incurred regardless of whether a given project was undertaken or not). The cash flow forecasts were computed on an after-corporate-tax basis, but excluded all financing charges. Some elements of the cash flow forecasts were prepared with assistance from treasury analysts, but most of the necessary adjustments were well understood by division staff. New Heritage Doll Company: Capital Budgeting | 4212 To exploit the current popularity of the original Match My Doll Clothing line, especially given the fickle nature of children’s fashion trends, McAdams believed the opportunity had to be exploited without delay. Her investment proposal contained relatively large outlays for RD, market research, and marketing to maximize the probability of quick acceptance and longer-term success for the follow-on line. Upfront investment expenditures are summarized in Table 2. Table 2 Match My Doll Clothing Extension Outlays The RD and marketing expenditures would be deductible for tax purposes at New Heritage’s 40% corporate tax rate. The property, plant and equipment was expected to have a useful life of 10 years; the associated depreciation charges, shown in Exhibit 1, were based on the modified accelerated cost recovery system (â€Å"MACRS†) allowed by the IRS. Working capital requirements, shown in Table 2 for 2010 and in Exhibit 1 for subsequent years were based largely on recent historical experience with the original Match My Doll Clothing line. Finally, given the proven success of Match My Doll Clothing, Harris believed the project entailed moderate risk—that is, about the same degree of risk as the production division’s existing business as a whole. Design Your Own Doll This initiative targeted existing New Heritage customers, many of whom owned several of the company’s heirloom dolls. The company’s research showed that, when asked what features (e.g., appearance, ethnicity, â€Å"life story,† etc.) New Heritage should give to future dolls, loyal customers’ responses had a high correlation with their own personal data. That is, girls wanted dolls like themselves. Further research suggested that many loyal customers would purchase yet another doll if they could customize the doll’s features to create a â€Å"one-of-a-kind† addition to a girl’s or family’s existing collection of dolls. It also promised to increase the girl’s pride in and identification with the doll, both because of their shared features and because of the girl’s participation in creating the doll. This in turn further cemented customer loyalty. The customization process would begin with a new section of New Heritage’s website, where proprietary design software enabled the customer to select physical attributes of the doll such as hair color, hair length style, skin color, eye shape, eye color, and other facial features. The software could combine selected features and produce a photo-realistic image showing the finished doll with user-selected accessories. The customer could zoom in or out on the image and rotate it to see different aspects. The software made it easy to try out different combinations of features and accessories before making a purchase. Elizabeth Holtz, brand manager for heirloom dolls, was very excited about the project. She observed, â€Å"A girl’s relationship with her favorite doll is often partly mommy and partly big sister. Either way, having your doll look more like you is really powerful. And there’s excitement in the experience: exploring the website, naming the doll-to-be, selecting her first outfit†¦even the anticipation of waiting for the new doll to arrive. I really think this is big.† Holtz also believed that the dolls could command a premium price. â€Å"Customers will naturally expect to pay more [for a HARVARD BUSINESS PUBLISHING | BRIEFCASES Purchased for use on the MSc Business Valuation, at Imperial College London. Taught by James Sefton, from 21-Aug-2013 to 31-Dec-2013. Order ref F211857. Usage permitted only within these parameters otherwise contact [emailprotected] Initial Expenditures ($ thousands) 4212 | New Heritage Doll Company: Capital Budgeting custom doll],† she said. Market research with focus groups revealed significant enthusiasm for the product concept and supported the notion of premium prices. The web-based software tools and order entry system required New Heritage to make significant modifications to its existing technology infrastructure, expand its webhosting capacity, and modify the terms of its third-party service agreements to ensure a higher level of service quality. The majority of the RD expenditures shown below were related to software development, hardware upgrades, and web design. The development time involved, including product testing, was expected to be approximately 12 months. Initial outlays, some of which occurred in 2010 and some in 2011 As with Match My Doll Clothing, the required RD and marketing costs would be tax deductible. Manufacturing equipment had to be ordered by the end of 2010 to be ready for production at the beginning of 2012. While New Heritage had the option to pay for custom equipment in quarterly installments, the firm could get a substantial discount by paying for the equipment up front, in 2010. Figures in Table 3 and Exhibit 2 reflect the discounted cost of the equipment. To support the forecasted level of sales, substantial investment in working capital (primarily work in process inventory of partially manufactured dolls) would be required beginning in 2011. And still more equipment would have to be purchased and installed no later than 2014. In years 2015 and following, investments in working capital and equipment would revert to patterns familiar from the production division’s traditional lines of dolls. To complete development work, Holtz planned to use some of the company’s existing IT staff. The majority of the work would take place during calendar 2011. The number of people and their fully loaded costs are shown Table 4. These costs were not included by Holtz in the initial outlays shown in Table 3 or in the forecasts presented in Exhibit 2. The development personnel Holtz needed were considered â€Å"corporate† resources and were almost certainly available to work on the project. Table 4 Design Your Own Doll Development Personnel, ($ 000s) Application Development Personnel Costs: Web Application Developers Database Manager Systems Integration Specialist Total Cost BRIEFCASES | HARVARD BUSINESS PUBLISHING Purchased for use on the MSc Business Valuation, at Imperial College London. Taught by James Sefton, from 21-Aug-2013 to 31-Dec-2013. Order ref F211857. Usage permitted only within these parameters otherwise contact [emailprotected] However, even a limited degree of customization increased manufacturing complexity and expense. Further, because of the low production runs and volume, fixed costs on a per unit basis were expected to be relatively high. Consequently, the breakeven volume for the project was also expected to be high. New Heritage Doll Company: Capital Budgeting | 4212 Finally, Holtz needed to give Harris her assessment of the project’s riskiness. On the one hand, Design Your Own Doll had a relatively long payback period, introduced some untested elements into the manufacturing process, and depended on near-flawless operation of new customer-facing software and user interfaces. If the project stumbled for some reason, New Heritage risked damaging relationships with its best customers. On the other hand, the project had a relatively modest fixed cost ratio, and it played to the company’s key strength—creating a unique experience for its consumers. Educational material supplied by The Case Centre Copyright encoded A76HM-JUJ9K-PJMN9I Order reference F211857 Emily Harris still needed to complete her review and financial analysis of the two proposals. McAdams and Holtz were in frequent touch with Harris and both had offered to respond to any questions she might have about the proposals: the business case, the financial projections, the operating details, or anything else. Harris expected that she would indeed have some follow-up questions as she worked through her financial analyses. She also knew that her final recommendation might disappoint some executives within the division, who would scrutinize it closely. It had to be well-supported.