Retailing Characteristics of Fast Food Stores and Their Impact on Customer Sales and Satisfaction Essays

Retailing Characteristics of Fast Food Stores and Their Impact on Customer Sales and Satisfaction Essays Retailing Characteristics of Fast Food Stores and Their Impact on Customer Sales and Satisfaction Essay Retailing Characteristics of Fast Food Stores and Their Impact on Customer Sales and Satisfaction Essay a zero inventory concept, category management, use of Internet and computers for inventory control and supplier-retailer coordination) were revolutionized in the 1990s. This was led by global chains and is diffusing into developing regions of Asia through knowledge transfer and imitation and innovation by domestic supermarket chains. The development enabled chain stores to build their own distribution centers and to accommodate a high volume of direct shipments from producers under central inventory control. Importantly, stores should be able to forecast daily sales with a considerable degree of accuracy , thus reducing wastage levels. Low margins and high competition: Multinational chains arrived in Asia with many years of experience and development in the very competitive environments of their respective countries. Their extensive experience included modern technologies and know-how regarding supply chain management, procurement arrangements, stock optimization, quality standards control, cold storage maintenance, product handling, shelf-life preservation, and consumer services. Consumers enthusiastically received the unprecedented services and quality provided by these new chains. The competition forced local firms to enhance their services and efficiency, generating a chain reaction of improved services and modernization throughout the grocery sector. Competition among retailers is fierce. Asian agri-food distribution companies are aiming to lift competitive ness, and the phrase â€Å"drive costs out of the system† has been used widely in the retail industry. Supermarket chains are constantly seeking substantial savings through efficiency gains, economies of scale, and coordinated cost reductions. Furthermore, with the number of modern trade stores growing faster than total sales, as is the case in China, the share of trade for an individual retailer is actually in decline. At the same time, consumer loyalty to individual stores is low. Shoppers in China continue to switch between outlets, including the wet markets. As a result, all supermarkets appear to be extremely price conscious. Demographic, cultural and social changes:- The percentage of young people in the population of Asia is increasing. A westernization of lifestyles is also increasing, particularly among younger people. Changes in family structure in Asia are being witnessed, with a growing number of nuclear families and one-person households, as opposed to extended families. Finally, there has been an upward trend in the use of credit cards, which are rarely accepted by corner shops or traditional wet markets in developing countries. All of these factors have contributed to the attractiveness of supermarkets to consumers. Increased travel:- More travel has exposed people to modern retailing techniques in the United States and parts of Europe, to a wider range of products and, particularly for fresh fruits and vegetables, to the possibility of being able to consume many out-of-season products. 1. 4 RECOGNITION OF A PROBLEM Food retailers recognize that consumer satisfaction (CS) plays a key role in a successful business strategy. What is unclear is the exact nature of that role, how precisely satisfaction should be managed, and whether managerial efforts aimed at increasing satisfaction lead to higher store sales. Today, managers in the food retail sector undertake substantial efforts to conduct CS surveys. Yet it appears that in most cases the data are used to simply monitor specific store attributes, and especially overall satisfaction, over time. Unless the impact of consumer satisfaction on store revenues is assessed, managers have little basis for allocation of resources. In general, the linkages between drivers of consumer satisfaction and sales performance have not been firmly established in the food industry. For the estimation of these linkages, recent research indicates that several issues must be addressed We measure the links between attribute perceptions and consumer satisfaction, and between consumer satisfaction and sales performance, in the food retail sector. The study relies upon an extensive data set comprised of five waves of consumer satisfaction and sales information from approximately 180 consumers. We construct a hypothesis in first differences that addresses the inherent nonlinearities and asymmetries in these links. We also provide an example of how firms can use the estimated linkages to develop satisfaction policies that are predicted to increase store revenues. Our study makes three contributions to the literature, one methodological and two substantive. First, we examine nonlinearities and asymmetries in the satisfaction-sales performance links based on an empirical model expressed in first differences. Second, the study advances the measurement of behavioral links between consumer satisfaction and performance in the food retail sector with firm-specific data. Third, our study shows how firms can employ such results to develop appropriate consumer satisfaction policies. Many retailers suffer from a variety of problems and difficulties . These can be classified as : A) Inadequacies in the trading environment (e. g. economic and social change, competition from multiple retailers); B) Inadequacies in the retail form (e. g. operating costs, investment capital availability, supply problems); C) Inadequacies in management (e. g. management expertise and techniques). ther prominent problems with Indian Food retailers are:- 1)Retailers are facing high degree of competition these days as there are several retail outlet of the same food product in metropolitan cities, so retailers are not only facing competition from other food product outlet but they are facing a stiff competition from his own counterpart also.. 2)Due to increased literacy rate and widespread of media, customers are extra aware about the food products as well as the ingredients an d promotion schemes given by different retailers. )Many customers want to eat those food products which are of foreign origin but with Indian ingredients (According to their customs and traditions). 4)Young generation is a big consumer of fast food these days. They want to take fast food from those retail outlets where they can eat those products with their friends and can also get the Home delivery of the same, so to meet these requirements of young customers, retailers have to invest more in their retail outlets. 5)Rapidly changing tastes of customers due to increased marketing and advertising . 1. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY Objective 1:- To study the relationship between store attribute perceptions and consumer satisfaction. Objective 2:- To examine non – linearities and asymmetric affects in the satisfaction – sales performance links based on mathematical empirical study . Objective 3:- Measurement of behavioral links between customer satisfaction and performance in fo od retail sector. Objective 4:- How firms can employ such results to develop appropriate customer satisfaction policies. Chapter 2 Literature Review 2. 1Passage to India 2. 2Food Retailing in India 2. Useful Information regarding McDonald’s Corporation 2. 4Useful Information regarding Pizzahut Inc. 2. 5Useful Information regarding Domino’s Inc. LITERATURE REVIEW Our study focuses on the relations between attribute perceptions, overall customer satisfaction and store sales performance. Such links are part of a broader conceptual framework proposed by Heskett et al. (1994), namely the Service-Profit Chain. Anderson and Mittal (2000) strengthened this framework by accommodating nonlinearities and asymmetries in the links, and they renamed it the Satisfaction-Profit Chain. Hereafter we use the acronym CSSP, Customer Satisfaction-Sales Performance, to refer to the links of interest. To capture the relationship between attribute perceptions and overall customer satisfaction, we must identify how customers interpret and respond to the products and services they buy and experience. Here it is essential to distinguish between specific attributes of a product or a service and the satisfaction factor they represent. In food retailing, for instance, consumers may put high value on a factor that might be called â€Å"customer service† provided by the supermarket. This is an example of an abstract or subjective benefit. This abstract benefit depends on a set of related measurable attributes such as the disposition of the cashiers and sales associates, speed and accuracy of checkout, and availability of everyday grocery items and store cleanliness, among others. In addition to customer service, other relevant factors affecting overall customer satisfaction in grocery stores include the store ambiance, the perceived roduct quality of (growing) perishables departmentsnow 50 percent or more of store sales in some storessuch as fresh produce, deli/bakery, seafood, fresh meat and floral, as well as the perceived value of products relative to their price. These links have been the subject of intense scrutiny by marketing researchers. Since the seminal behavior-oriented research by Oliver (1981), several articles have focused on the antecedents of customer satisfaction in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from firm-specific studies to nation-wide as sessments. Although satisfaction factors vary according to the type of products, services and business sectors considered, empirical studies provide vast evidence of their impact on overall satisfaction (e. g. Szymansky and Henard 2001). Most studies on antecedents of customer satisfaction utilize models reviewed by Johnson (1998) and show significant correlation between various satisfaction factors and overall satisfaction (Szymansky and Henard 2001; Bernhardt, Donthu and Kennett 2000; Mittal, Ross and Baldasare 1998; Wittink and Bayer 1994). In general, these studies tend to collect information on consumer ratings of specific attributes. Often, multivariate statistical models are constructed to identify latent variables representing satisfaction factors (e. g. Johnson and Gustafsson 2000; Johnson 1998; Fornell et al. 1996; Bolton and Drew 1991). In the majority of past research, overall customer satisfaction is then modeled as a linear function of these latent variables. Much recent research, however, is critical of the incomplete treatment of the CSSP links, and researchers call for more elaborate analysis (e. g. , Anderson and Mittal 2000). Addressing the Consequences of Customer Satisfaction Unlike the antecedents of satisfied customers, the consequences of satisfied (or dissatisfied) customers have received little attention from researchers (Szymanski and Henard 2001). Perhaps the first study was the pioneering research conducted by Zahorik and Rust (1992) on the consequences of customer satisfaction. Their work included a mathematical framework to evaluate the financial value of satisfaction (Rust and Zahorik 1993) based on the effect of satisfaction on customer retention, and the subsequent impact on market share. Anderson and Sullivan (1993) addressed the simultaneous estimation of the antecedents to and consequences of customer satisfaction, with data from more than twenty thousand Swedish consumers patronizing a hundred or so Swedish companies. Their model identifies factors that determine customer satisfaction, which in turn have a positive association with financial performance. Perhaps the most important contribution of this work is the identification of asymmetries in the linkages between disconfirmation of expectations and customer satisfaction. After Anderson and Sullivan (1993) , several studies have examined the relationships in the Satisfaction-Profit (or Service- Profit) Chain with data from a variety of channels (c. f. , Kamakura et al. , 2002; Scharitzer and Kollarits 2000; Soteriou and Zenios, 1999; Johnson 1998; Loveman 1998; Anderson, Fornell and Lehmann 1994). Mittal, Ross and Baldasare (1998) and Anderson and Mittal (2000) point out that, for the most part, earlier research ignored nonlinearities and asymmetries in the links of the CSSP chain. They maintain that the relationships in the CSSP chain are far more complex than originally postulated and, specifically, that linear models are insufficient. To illustrate the asymmetry concept, consider the quality of the produce department and the friendliness of cashiers in a supermarket. Stronger consumer evaluations of the quality of the produce department might not imply strongly positive effects on customer satisfaction, while weaker quality might be quite damaging. Or, improvements in customer-oriented dispositions of cashiers and associates could have a large positive impact on customer satisfaction while reductions in cashier performance may be only mildly negative. Now consider the potential role of nonlinearity in the link between customer satisfaction and sales performance. A retail store with low current levels of customer satisfaction may require only small investments in satisfaction drivers to improve sales performance. In contrast, a store with high current levels of satisfaction is likely to need a much larger investment in drivers to produce impacts on performance of a similar magnitude. Ignoring relevant nonlinearities and asymmetries inevitably leads to incorrect estimates of the linkages in the CSSP chain. Furthermore, if the results of CSSP chain research are to be adopted by retail managers, incorrect measures are certain to lead to incorrect strategy formulation thus dooming further strategic use of satisfaction data. Bernhardt, Donthu and Kennett (2000) suggest that another pitfall of many satisfaction studies is the tendency to rely on cross sectional analysis for statistical inference (Anderson, Fornell and Lehmann 1994, provides an exception). Bernhardt, Donthu and Kennett argue that a proper analysis of the links between satisfaction and performance requires a dynamic approach. This argument echoes Rust and Zahorik’s (1993) contention that efforts to improve customer satisfaction must be financially accountable over time. Bernhardt, Donthu and Kennett (2000) study customer satisfaction in a fast-food chain based on monthly data. Although based on simple correlations, the study shows that a dynamic model outperforms a cross-sectional model in the examination of the CSSP links. Extant research has focused primarily on the CSSP links at the aggregate level and for selected sectors such as telecommunications, banking, healthcare, automobile and pharmaceuticals, among others (cf. , Anderson and Fornell 2000; Scharitzer and Kollarits 2000; Mittal, Ross and Baldasare 1998; Bryant and Cha 1996; Anderson, Fornell and Lehmann 1994). Conversely, only a few firms include fast-food restaurants (Bernhardt, Donthu and Kennett 2000) and department stores (Rucci, Kirn and Quinn 1998) . Anderson and Mittal (2000) discuss several examples where the incorporation of non-linearities and asymmetries added significant value to a firms understanding of the CSSP links. It is especially desirable to use firm-specific data so the linkages between satisfaction and performance are examined in the context of a firm’s strategy. We note that academic research on the CSSP linkages in the food retail sector is scarce. Practically all empirical investigations on food retailing, in the U. S. as well as internationally, address the drivers of customer satisfaction but do not address their ultimate impact on store revenues. Among the drivers often identified are: perceived value of products relative to their prices, staff friendliness and willingness to help, quality and freshness of products, store appearance, and the degree of customer service (cf. , Jin and Jai-Ok 2001; Hackl, Scharitzer and Zuba 2000 ; Gail and Scott 1995). However, while the drivers of satisfaction are known qualitatively, and managers believe that satisfaction affects performance, it is necessary to measure explicitly the impact of satisfaction on store sales in order to prioritize strategies to manage the drivers of atisfaction. This study advances the measurement of the behavioral links in the CSSP Chain in the food retail sector. We link attribute perceptions, overall satisfaction, and store sales, and we allow for nonlinear and asymmetric effects. We specify the model in first differences and we allow for time lags between changes in satisfaction and changes in store sales performance. We also provide an example to show how ma nagers can use the results to develop appropriate customer satisfaction policies. 2. FOOD RETAILING: FAST FOOD INDUSTRY IN INDIA The concept of fast food isnt new. Early in the 19th century, at the start of the Industrial Age when people had to work 12 to 14 hours a day, there was scarcely any time for long breaks for eating. The first snack bars and kiosks arose in front of factories. Today, quick meals outside the home have become an essential part of our lifestyle. The term fast food means just that. However, the boundary between fast foods and traditional dishes is fluid. In particular, its difficult to provide a qualitative distinction because fast foods can also include salads and fruit in addition to classic offerings such as hamburgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, patties, French-fries, fish and chips, etc. The best way to distinguish fast foods is to use formal characteristics: Time required those who eat fast foods do not want to spend a lot of time selecting and eating, and if necessary will eat standing or walking, on the bus, park bench, or at work. The variety of foods and beverages is usually very limited Fast food frequently does not come with knives and forks, making it finger food. When silverware, cups and plates are necessary, they are disposable. The characteristics of fast food, therefore, are that they require little time, offer a limited selection, are finger food, and the silverware and plates are disposable. These characteristics readily illustrate the difference from traditional dining culture. Many people equate fast foods with conv enience foods. This is incorrect since convenience products are often eaten at home. They require active participation because they must be heated, stirred, baked, thawed, etc. , and are supplemented with other foods. There are three eneral categories of fast food businesses: Self-service restaurants with a fast-food palette like McDonalds, Wendys, Burger King, Pizza Hut, etc. Take-out (or take-away) businesses that sell ready-to-eat foods and beverages on the street corner Hot-dog stands and snack stands with counters or a pair of stand-up tables. FAST FOOD INDUSTRY OVERVIEW Fast food is a food prepared and served quickly at a fast food restaurant or a shop. It is served usually in a carton or bags in order to minimize cost. Fast food outlets often provide take away or take out foods in addition to sit down services. Fast food is a multi billion industry continuing to grow at a rapid pace in coming years. Fast food is often highly processed and prepared in an industrial fashion i. e. , with standard ingredient, methodical cooking and production methods. THE START OF FAST FOOD CULTURE The concept of fast food pops up during 1920s. The 1950s first witnessed their rapid proliferation. Several factors that contributed to this explosive growth in 50’s were: (1) America’s love affair with the automobiles. (2) The construction of a major new highway system. (3) The development of sub-urban communities. 4) The baby boom subsequent to world war second. â€Å"Fast-food chains initially catered to automobile owners in suburbia. The notion of fast food reflected American culture in which speed and efficiency are highly prized. † INDIA – EMERGING MARKET FOR GLOBAL PLAYERS The percentage share held by foodservice of total consumer expenditure on food has increased from a very low ba se to stand at 2. 6% in 2001. Eating at home remains very much ingrained in Indian culture and changes in eating habits are very slow moving with barriers to eating out entrenched in certain sectors of Indian society. Traditionally, eating out was looked down upon in Indian society. The growth in nuclear families, particularly in urban India, exposure to global media and Western cuisine and an increasing number of women joining the workforce have had an impact on eating out trends. Increasingly, eating out is becoming synonymous with entertainment. And very often, it is preferred as a time-saving option to cooking. Not surprisingly, takeaways are becoming increasingly popular India is among the top three countries globally having highest number of people in the spending capacities in the age group of 25-49 yrs. India is placed at the second rank in the 2004 global retail development index an annual ranking of retail investment attractiveness among 30 emerging markets. The lack of consolidation and model retail concepts in India presents better opportunity to global players. Over 400 shopping malls, multiplexes, fast food giants, restaurants etc. are in planning or construction stage across the country FACTS AND FIGURES Fast food is one of the worlds largest growing food type. India’s fast food industry is growing by 40% a year and is expected to generate a billion dollars in sales by 2005. The multinational segment of Indian fast food industry is up to Rs. 6 bn, a figure expected to zoom to Rs. 70 bn by 2005. By 2005, the value of Indian dairy products is expected to be Rs. 1, 00,000 million. In last 6 years, foreign investment in this sector stood at Rs. 3600 million which is about one-fourth of total investment made in this sector. Because of the availability of raw material for fast food, Global chains are flooding into the country. MARKET SIZE MAJOR PLAYERS ?Dominated by McDonalds having as many as 75 outlets. Domino’s pizza is present in around 100 locations. ?Pizza hut is also catching up and it has planned to establish 125 outlets at the end of 2005. ?Subways has established around 40 outlets ?Nirulas is established at Delhi and Noida only. However, it claims to cater 50,000 guests everyday. Major players in fast food are: ?MCDONALDS ?PIZZA HUT ?DOMINOS PIZZA Multinational fast-food companies have given domestic competition a run for its money. While McD onalds sells more than Nirulas, Pizza Hut and Dominos are doing more business than Pizza Corner. Within nine years of their existence in India since 1996, the multinationals have grown at a faster pace than their Indian counterparts. According to industry estimates, in 2001, while McDonalds clocked a turnover of about Rs 125 crore (Rs 1. 25 billion), the home-grown Nirulas, which has been present in the country since 1934, could only garner Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion) turnover. Also, both Dominos Pizza Hut and Dominos clocked a turnover of about Rs 60 crore (Rs 600 million) but Pizza Corner lagged behind with a turnover of Rs 25-30 crore (Rs 250-300 million). The main reason behind the success of the multinational chains is their expertise in product development, sourcing practices, quality standards, service levels and standardized operating procedures in their restaurants, a strength that they have developed over years of experience around the world. The home grown chains have in the past few years of competition with the MNCs, learnt a few things but there is still a lot of scope for improvement. We have applied our learning experience from other countries in all the processes including consistency, marketing, distribution and training to the local market conditions. Its now that the domestic chains have realized the importance of such practices. Nirulas is thus beefing up its organizational structure. Another key reason behind the success of multinationals is the ability to attract youngsters. While McDonalds has been able to attract people below 30, Dominos is targeting the convenience-seeker. Nirulas, on the other hand, is known to appeal more to the 30-plus consumer. Small wonder, Nirulas has launched its 21 range if ice cream cafes to attract the younger lot. The challenge for the home grown chains is also to reinvent themselves to appeal to the younger consumer. However, the domestic chains are at an advantage since they understand the Indian consumer behaviour and eating habits and their product offerings have been tailored accordingly. Multinational chains like McDonalds and Pizza Hut are still on a learning curve trying to customize their menu to the Indian taste and food preferences. Pizza Hut, for example, launched its masala range of pizzas and also opened the worlds first 100 per cent vegetarian outlet in India. Domino, on the other hand, has launched its peppy paneer pizza keeping in mind the Indian taste buds. The food service market in India is estimated to be around Rs 36,000 crore (Rs 360 billion), of which the urban fast food quick service restaurants is around Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion). This segment is witnessing high growth of around 25-30 per cent per annum so the market has a lot of potential to grow. REASON FOR EMERGENCE GENDER ROLES: gender roles are now changing. Females have started working outside. So, they have no time for there home and cooking food. Fast food is an easy way out because these can be prepared easily. CONSUMER SOPHISTICATION AND CONFIDENCE: consumers are becoming more sophisticated now. They do not want to prepare food and spend there time and energy in house hold works. They are building there confidence more on ‘ready to eat and easy to serve’ kind of foods PAUCITY OF TIME: people have no time for cooking. Because of emergence of working women and also number of other entertainment items. Most of the time either people work or want to enjoy with their family. DOUBLE INCOME GROUP: emergence of double income group leads to increase in disposable income. Now people have more disposable income so they can spend easily in fast food and other activities. WORKING WOMEN: working women have no time for cooking, and if they have then also they don’t want to cook. Because they want to come out of the traditionally defined gender roles. They do not want to confine themselves to household work and upbringing of children’s. MACRO-ECONMIC FACTOR AFFECTING THE INDUSTRY ?Increase in per capita income: There is continuous increase in the per capita income of the Indian citizens. More income in hand results into more spending in comforts and entertainment and thus results into more and more spending on fast and ready to serve kind of foods. Economic growth: With economic liberalization of 1991, more foreign and private industries entered the Indian market that result into income generation of the Indian residents – more income results into ore savings more savings means more investment – more investment results into overall growth of the economy. ?Large population: India being a second largest country in terms of popul ation possesses large potential market for all the products/services. This results into entry of large number of fast food players in the country. Relaxation in rules and regulations: with the economic liberalization of 1991, most of the tariff and non tariff barriers from the Indian boundaries are either removed or minimized. This helped significantly the MNC’s to enter in the country. ?Growth in number of womens in the work force: there is increase in the number of women work force in the recent years because of the improvement in the literacy rate and also because of the large number of jobs are now available because of the entry of foreign and private players in the Indian market. Menu diversification– increase in consumption of pizzas, burgers and other type of fast foods. CHALLENGES FOR THE INDUSTRY ?Social and cultural implications of Indians switching to western breakfast food: Generally, Hindus avoid all foods that are believed to inhibit physical and spiritua l development. Eating meat is not explicitly prohibited, but many Hindus are vegetarian because they adhere to the concept of ahimsa. Those seeking spiritual unity may avoid garlic and onions. The concept of purity influences Hindu food practices. Products from cows (e. g. , milk, yogurt, ghee-clarified butter) are considered pure. Pure foods can improve the purity of impure foods when they are prepared together. Some foods, such as beef or alcohol, are innately polluted and can never be made pure. But now, Indians are switching to fast food that contain all those things that are considered impure or against there beliefs. Some traditional and fundamentalist are against this transformation of food habit and number of times they provoke their counterparts to revolt against such foods. And that is what happened when McDonald’s decided to enter the complexity of Indian business landscape, counting only on its â€Å"fast food global formula†, without any apparent previous cultural training. ?Emphasis on the usage of bio-degradable products: Glasses, silverware, plates and cloth napkins are never provided with fast food. Instead, paper plates and napkins, polyurethane containers, plastic cups and tableware, drinking cartons or PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles are used, and these are all disposable. Many of these items are tossed in the garbage instead of being recycled, or even worse, merely thrown on the ground. This burdens nature unnecessarily and squanders raw materials. In order to reduce soil and water pollution, government now emphasis more on the usage of bio-degradable products. ?Retrenchment of employees: Most of new industries will be capital intensive and may drive local competitors, which have more workers, out of business. ?Profit repatriation: Repatriation of profits is another area of concern for Indian economy. As when multinational enters the any countries, people and government hope that it will increase the employment rate and result in economic growth. However, with the multinational operation, host country experiences these benefits for a short time period. In long run neither employment increases (because of capital intensive nature of MNC’s) nor it increases the GDP or GNP because whatever MNC’s earn they repatriate that profit back to their home country. PROBLEMS OF INDUSTRY ?Environmental friendly products cost high: Government is legislating laws in order to keep check on the fast food industry and it is emphasizing more on the usage of bio-degradable and environment friendly products. But associated with this issue is the problem that fast food player faces the cost associated with the environment friendly product. They cost much higher then the normal products that companies uses for packaging or wrapping their products. ?Balance between societal expectation and companies economic objectives: To balance a society’s expectation regarding environment with the economic burden of protecting the environment. Thus, one can see that one side pushes for higher standards and other side tries to beat the standard back, thereby making it a arm wrestling and mind boggling exercise. ?Health related issues: obesity: Studies have shown that a typical fast food has very high density and food with high density causes people to eat more then they usually need. ?Low calories food: Emphasis is now more on low calorie food. In this line McDonald has a plan to introduce all white meat chicken Mcnuugget with les fat and fewer calories. TRENDS IN INDIAN MARKET ?Marketing to chil drens: Fast food outlets in India target children’s as their major customers. They introduce varieties of things that will attract the children’s attention and by targeting children’s they automatically target their parents because Children’s are always accompanied by their parents. Low level customer commitment: Because of the large number of food retail outlets and also because of the tendency of customer to switch from one product to other (as food is one areas where customer wants to try everything new that comes to the market), this industry faces low level customer commitment. ?Value added technology services: There is continuous improvement in the technology as far as fast food market in India is considered. The reason behind that is food is a perishable item and in order to ensure that it remain fresh for a longer period of time, there is a need for continuous upgradation in technology. Earlier, Indian people prefer eating at home but now with the change in trend there is also need for improvement and upgradation of technology in food sector. ?Attracting different segments of the market: Fast food outlets are introducing varieties of products in order to cater the demands of each and every segment of the market. They are introducing all categories of product so that people of all age, sex, class, income group etc can come and become a customer of their food line. INTERNATIONAL TRENDS USA: ?Fast food chains are under fire from legal action. ?A Fat tax is being considered for implementation. North America, Western Europe and Japan together account 86% of total fast food market. UK: ?Fast food has grown by 5% since 2001and reached to $10. 1 billion. ?Bakery sector dominates in fast food. ?Largest market is of sandwiches. ?Burger is one of the weaker performing sector‘ German: ?Grown by 2% since 2001. ?Primarily younger generation and single ones visit such outlet s. ?Burger is the largest sector. ?Government policy is towards the reduction of garbage. Japan: ?Grown by 1. 5% since 2001 ?Japan has tailored its fast food to its countries population without sacrificing nutritional value. China: Growth of 14. 6% since 2001. ?Western style fast food successful in china market. France: ?Growth of 5. 8% since 2001. ?McDonalds France –most profitable subsidiary in Europe The success of fast foods arose from the changes in our living conditions: ? Many women or both parents now work ?There are increased numbers of single-parent households ?Long distances to school and work are common ?Usually, lunch times are short ?Theres often not enough time or opportunity to shop carefully for groceries, or to cook and eat with ones family. Especially on weekdays, fast food outside the home is the only solution. Today, only 40% of young college-age people eat lunch at home. Chiefly, but not exclusively, teenagers and young adults use fast food facilities when they need to catch a bite on the go. According to studies, 66% of young men and 33% of women in Switzerland eat one to two hamburgers a week, and half the teenagers eat French-fries once a week. The large chains have pulled out all the stops of modern marketing, targeting primarily young consumers. They entice their potential customers with TV spots, childrens parties, gifts for small children, and an ambiance that is generally child- and teenager-friendly. Large distributors, bakers and butchers, snack bars, and so on, also exploit the fast food trend and offer more take-out products. Its obvious that these campaigns are at the expense of traditional home dining culture. Experts have coined the term McDonaldization to describe this phenomenon. Some noticeable facts about fast food industry are: Fast food had experienced fast growth in past decade. Changing lifestyles, breakdown of joint family system, increasing number of working womens and western influence in urban areas are fuelling the demand for fast food. India already has the entire requirement for a head start in food industry. Basic materials such as food, vegetables and meat can be sourced locally or easily imported if local availability is not adequate. Food outlets are just beginning to appear in Indias big cities and this is a time for international chains to set a foothold. Competition will increase only with time Food Service Sector The food service sector in India consists of approximately 22,000 registered restaurants with sales of over $15,000 per month. In addition, there are more than 100,000 roadside restaurants (dhabas) in small stalls in cities and on highways, and 1,700 registered restaurants in hotels. The institutional sector consists of hospitals, prisons, defense establishments, schools, company canteens, railways, and airlines. The opportunity for U. S. food companies in India’s food service market is small but growing. Sales by Indian food service companies totaled approximately $6 billion in fiscal year 1999 (latest available data). Restaurants account for approximately 56 percent of Indian food service sales and institutional sales, about 39 ercent. Indian consumers spent only 2. 4 percent of their food expenditures in hotels and restaurants in fiscal year 1996. American consumers, by comparison, spent 46 percent of their food expenditures on away from- home meals. Hotel Restaurants The hotel industry is growing, and major hotel companies are currently expanding in the premium segment. An increase in Indian budge t travelers is expected to drive the long-term growth in the mid-range hotel sector. India has some excellent hotel chains, including: Indian Hotels Ltd. (Taj Group); East India Hotels Company Ltd. Oberoi Group); ITC Ltd. (Welcome Group); Asian Hotels; and Leela Venture. Several international chains such as Radisson, Best Western, and Quality Inn have also established a presence through franchising. These chains import around $30 million of food products, mainly wine and alcoholic beverages, fruits and vegetables, meat, sauces, and cheese. Growing demand from Indian hotels and consumers is driving growth in liquor imports. Sales of imported alcoholic beverages are growing at more than 50 percent per year despite very high duties. India’s current imports of processed vegetables are low, but have grown at more than 250 percent per year from fiscal year 1994 to 1998. The Indian government has recently allowed the import of many semi-processed vegetable preparations (previously restricted) under a special import license. While leading hotels note the excellent reputation of U. S. food products, cost is often identified as the constraint. Nevertheless, the hotel and tourism sectors (which have great potential in India) provide opportunities for U. S. exporters to position themselves. Hotels procure imported products through several chann

Battle of Sedan in Franco-Prussian War

Battle of Sedan in Franco-Prussian War The Battle of Sedan was fought September 1, 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871). With the beginning of the conflict, Prussian forces won several quick victories and besieged Metz. Moving to lift this siege, Marshal Patrice de MacMahons Army of Chà ¢lons, accompanied by Emperor Napoleon III, engaged the enemy at Beaumont on August 30, but suffered a setback. Falling back on the fortress city of Sedan, the French were pinned in place by Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltkes Prussians and then encircled. Unable to break out, Napoleon III was forced to surrender. While a stunning victory for the Prussians, the French leaders capture precluded a quick end to the conflict as a new government was formed in Paris to continue the fight. Background Beginning in July 1870, the early actions of the Franco-Prussian War saw the French routinely bested by their better-equipped and trained neighbors to the east. Defeated at Gravelotte on August 18, Marshal Franà §ois Achille Bazaines Army of the Rhine fell back to Metz, where it was quickly besieged by elements of the Prussian First and Second Armies. Responding to the crisis, Emperor Napoleon III moved north with Marshal Patrice de MacMahons Army of Chà ¢lons. It was their intention to move northeast towards Belgium before turning south to link up with Bazaine. Plagued by poor weather and roads, the Army of Chà ¢lons exhausted itself during the march. Alerted to the French advance, the Prussian commander, Field Marshal Helmuth von Moltke, began directing troops to intercept Napoleon and McMahon. On August 30, troops under Prince George of Saxony attacked and defeated the French at the Battle of Beaumont. Hoping to re-form after this setback, MacMahon fell back to the fortress town of Sedan. Surrounded by high ground and hemmed in by the Meuse River, Sedan was a poor choice from a defensive standpoint. Battle of Sedan Conflict: Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871)Dates: September 1-2, 1870Armies Commanders:PrussiaWilhelm IField Marshal Helmuth von Moltke200,000 menFranceNapoleon IIIMarshal Patrice MacMahonGeneral Emmanuel Fà ©lix de WimpffenGeneral Auguste-Alexandre Ducrot120,000 menCasualties:Prussians: 1,310 killed, 6,443 wounded, 2,107 missingFrance: 3,220 killed, 14,811 wounded, 104,000 captured Count Helmuth von Moltke. Public Domain Prussians Advance Seeing an opportunity to inflict a crippling blow on the French, Moltke exclaimed, Now we have them in the mousetrap! Advancing on Sedan, he ordered forces to engage the French to pin them in place while additional troops moved west and north to encircle the town. Early on September 1, Bavarian troops under General Ludwig von der Tann began crossing the Meuse and probed towards the village of Bazeilles. Entering the town, they met French troops from General Barthelemy Lebruns XII Corps. As fighting began, the Bavarians battled the elite Infanterie de Marine which had barricaded several streets and buildings (Map). Fighting at La Moncelle during the Battle of Sedan. Public Domain Joined by VII Saxon Corps which pressed towards the village of La Moncelle to the north along Givonne creek, the Bavarians fought through the early morning hours. Around 6:00 AM, the morning mist began to lift allowing Bavarian batteries to open fire on the villages. Using new breech-loading guns, they began a devastating barrage which forced the French to abandon La Moncelle. Despite this success, von der Tann continued to struggle at Bazeilles and committed additional reserves. The French situation quickly worsened when their command structure was shattered. French Confusion When MacMahon was wounded early in the fighting, command of the army fell to General Auguste-Alexandre Ducrot who initiated orders for a retreat from Sedan. Though a retreat earlier in the morning may have been successful, the Prussian flanking march was well underway by this point. Ducrots command was cut short by the arrival of General Emmanuel Fà ©lix de Wimpffen. Arriving at headquarters, Wimpffen possessed a special commission to take over the Army of Chà ¢lons in the event of MacMahons incapacitation. Relieving Ducrot, he immediately canceled the retreat order and prepared to continue the fight. Completing the Trap These command changes and the series of countermanded orders worked to weaken the French defense along the Givonne. By 9:00 AM, fighting was raging all along the Givonne from Bazeilles north. With the Prussians advancing, Ducrots I Corps and Lebruns XII Corps mounted a massive counterattack. Pushing forward, they regained lost ground until the Saxons were reinforced. Backed by nearly 100 guns, Saxon, Bavarian, and Prussian troops shattered the French advance with a massive bombardment and heavy rifle fire. At Bazeilles, the French were finally overcome and forced to cede the village. This, along with the loss of the other villages along the Givonne, compelled the French to establish a new line west of the stream. During the morning, as the French focused on the battle along the Givonne, Prussian troops under Crown Prince Frederick moved to encircle Sedan. Crossing the Meuse around 7:30 AM, they pushed north. Receiving orders from Moltke, he pushed V and XI Corps into St. Menges to completely surround the enemy. Entering the village, they caught the French by surprise. Responding to the Prussian threat, the French mounted a cavalry charge but were cut down by enemy artillery. Map of the Battle of Sedan, 10 A.M., September 1, 1870. Public Domain French Defeat By midday, the Prussians had completed their encirclement of the French and had effectively won the battle. Having silenced the French guns with fire from 71 batteries, they easily turned back a French cavalry assault led by General Jean-Auguste Margueritte. Seeing no alternative, Napoleon ordered a white flag raised early in the afternoon. Still in command of the army, Wimpffen countermanded the order and his men continued to resist. Massing his troops, he directed a breakout attempt near Balan to the south. Storming forward, the French nearly overwhelmed the enemy before being turned back. Late that afternoon, Napoleon asserted himself and overrode Wimpffen. Seeing no reason to continue the slaughter, he opened surrender talks with the Prussians. Moltke was stunned to learn that he had captured the French leader, as were King Wilhelm I and Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, who were at headquarters. The following morning, Napoleon met Bismarck on the road to Moltkes headquarters and officially surrendered the entire army. Aftermath In the course of the fighting, the French incurred around 17,000 killed and wounded as well as 21,000 captured. The remainder of the army was captured following its surrender. Prussian casualties totaled 1,310 killed, 6,443 wounded, 2,107 missing. Though a stunning victory for the Prussians, Napoleons capture meant that France had no government with which to negotiate a quick peace. Two days after the battle, leaders in Paris formed the Third Republic and sought to continue the conflict. As a result, Prussian forces advanced on Paris and laid siege on September 19.

Tim Hortons Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Tim Hortons - Research Paper Example From the research it can be comprehended that Tim Hortons’ brand portfolio, which consists of premium range of coffee, cold drinks, and sandwiches are valuable resources of the company. These resources enhance the overall competitive strength of the company Tim Hortons is presently the largest casual food restaurant chain in Canada. This has given a global recognition to the restaurant chain. Apart from their primary operations, the company also sells Christmas hampers, coffee packets, and coffee machines through its online website and grocery stores. The brand’s strong presence across various geographic areas in Canada has helped to increase the domestic growth as well as the international demand. The strength of Hortons’ brand portfolio is rare. The company is known for providing the finest quality of Arabian coffee which is rare and unaffordable by most of its counterparts. The brand differentiates itself by giving a greater emphasis on healthier and tradition al home cooked foods rather than giving emphasis on burgers and other fast food products. The brand has created an opportunity for their customers that is inimitable to a competitor. The business competes in a sector which is highly competitive and falls into a quick service restaurant segment. As the brand produces low cost fast food, it competes with big fast food chains such as McDonalds and Subway. The products from the fast food retail chain are priced lower than competitors’ brands. ... Apart from their primary operations, the company also sells Christmas hampers, coffee packets, and coffee machines through its online website and grocery stores. The brand’s strong presence across various geographic areas in Canada has helped to increase the domestic growth as well as the international demand. The strength of Hortons’ brand portfolio is rare. The company is known for providing the finest quality of Arabian coffee which is rare and unaffordable by most of its counterparts. The brand differentiates itself by giving a greater emphasis on healthier and traditional home cooked foods rather than giving emphasis on burgers and other fast food products. The brand has created an opportunity for their customers that is inimitable to a competitor. The business competes in a sector which is highly competitive and falls into a quick service restaurant segment. As the brand produces low cost fast food, it competes with big fast food chains such as McDonalds and Subwa y. The products from the fast food retail chain are priced lower than competitors’ brands. The culture and offerings provided by the fast food brand has given a fulfilling experience to its customers. These services communicate their continuous brand images and committed values. The organization disperses the value of its brand by creating an extraordinary experience, committing passion, aligning corporate responsibility, continuous innovation of products and services, and creating inspiration. The company also strives to provide the highest customer service by utilizing its efficient human resources. As an emerging corporation, the company is seeking opportunities in emerging markets and is currently ready to expand its markets into international boundaries. This

How technology today affects a student's success Research Paper

How technology today affects a student's success - Research Paper Example The technological devices, including simple tool-based applications, video devices, online repositories, computers and handheld devices, have found wide application in various learning institutions and among students across the globe. Thus, this research paper aims at analyzing how technology has caused students to experience success through accessibility of materials, choice of convenient learning styles and enhancement of technological proficiency. Technology makes learning materials available to students, thus greater access, which increases the body of knowledge from which students learn from. Web browsers provide students with opportunities to find information on whatever subject. In fact, they provide more current materials than most school libraries do (Gemmill, and Peterson 281). Among the materials that students stand to benefit from the Internet include up-to-date tutorials and research papers. Software tools like spreadsheets, concept maps and databases allow these student s to organize and evaluate whatever data they access online. In addition, the accessed materials teach students to create work that depicts a high sense of professionalism, thus expanding the knowledge of such students. Another important information which technology, particularly the Internet, provides include comparison information on various learning institutions (Rambe 272). When seeking for an institution that would meet a student’s needs, it would be critical to get information on the various available options. The Internet provides information on the location, specialties and fees structure of such institutions. Furthermore, the global rankings of such institutions help students make informed choices of which institution to join. Rightful decisions enhance the desirable performance among students. Secondly, technology provides more convenient learning approaches which make learning comfortable and consequently boost students’ concentration in academics. In classr ooms, many teachers have adopted digital media to foster students’ skills. According to (Muir-Herzig 114), teachers use technological applications to simulate real-world phenomena to enable students execute authentic assignments as real workers would. Audio and video technology stimulates young minds which facilitates learning. The incorporation of pictures, animation and sound makes multimedia enhance recalling of basic facts among students as well as enhancing their understating of systems considered to be complex. Technology allows for learning in an institution of choice from whatever location in the world through distance learning which enables students to learn conveniently. The constructivist learning and teaching model cited by Muir-Herzig (114) indicates that due to the complexity of tasks brought about by technology, students’ motivation to learn increases. For example, as observed from a study by Gulek and Demirtas (29), students using laptops engage more in collaborative work than those without and further get motivated in writing their assignments, producing high quality work of greater length. They explore topics on their own, spending more time working on their school projects. The collaboration with other students through appropriate platforms such as social media enables students to tap into the available opportunities (Rambe 272). Whatever the preferred mode of learning, students leverage on technology to

Registered nurse Essay Example for Free

Registered nurse Essay The field of nursing has been well-known since the beginning of civilization. People everywhere are familiar with this field because people have always and will continue to experience illness, pain, suffering and death. The purpose of this report is to provide readers with detailed information about the field of nursing including its history, occupation description, education requirements, employment opportunities, job outlook, job availability and salary. The first roots to the modern nursing can be traced back to Florence Nightingale (Career As a Registered Nurse (RN),6). She has inspired numerous people around the world and was considered a heroine in her time. Nightingale was highly educated and would travel through Europe looking at hospitals trying to educate the staff on better patient care and hygiene. She then served as a nurse for the British government tending to ill and injured soldiers during the Crimean War. Nightingale started the first modern, formal nursing school in 1860, naming it the Nightingale School, after herself. Nightingale is said to have created the healthcare model that we follow today, which treats the patient as an individual instead of a disease. (Career As a Registered Nurse (RN),6). This paved the way for other nurses to step up and make nursing a better field to work in. In the United States, Clara Barton cared for soldiers in the Civil War that were fighting for both the North and the South. Clara Barton later developed the American Red Cross. (Career As a Registered Nurse (RN),7). Developments such as these lead to the first nursing school in the US opening. It was opened by the Bellevue Hospital in New York. (Career As a Registered Nurse (RN),7). This helped girls across the country gain insight into the field of nursing which in turn created new schools and new opportunities for people to join the field. A registered nurse takes care of sick and injured people. They are concerned with the â€Å"Whole Person† rather than the disease an individual may have. Registered nurses help with the emotional, physical and mental needs of the patient they are caring for (Registered Nurse (RN)). In the hospital registered nurse’s work under what they call a head nurse. According to the Registered Nurse (RN) web site, â€Å"Registered nurses usually work eight hours a day, forty hours a week, rotating shifts, holidays and weekends. † Registered nurses perform a variety of different jobs. They observe the patient and record the observations they see, they consult with the physicians and others healthcare clinicians with their observations, and they maintain and disconnect intravenous lines for fluid, give medication, blood, and blood products. United States). RN’s help with the plan of care for their patients; the plan may include their activities of daily living, checking the dosages given to the patient, and administering medication (United States). An RN also helps explain to family members how to take care of their family member after they return home. They may explain their diet plan, nutrition, care needs, and the exercise needed (United States). The RN teaches the patient’s family, along with the patient, how to take care of their injuries or illness (United States). These are only a few things that a registered nurse may do on a daily basis as their jobs are crucial for the recovery of sick and injured individuals. They are different educational paths that a registered nurse can choose from. They can get their bachelor’s degree, an associate degree, or a diploma from an approved nursing program (United States). Many registered nurses choose to complete either a two year program with an associate degree or a four year program with a bachelor’s degree. After they have successfully completed the nursing program, then they must take a national examination in order to obtain a nursing license to practice (Career as a Registered Nurse (RN), 23). They are also advanced practice nurses such as a nurse midwife, nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist or nurse specialist. Advanced practice nurses need a master’s degree in order to practice (United States). Degrees There are three different educational paths to becoming a registered nurse. They can choose to obtain a bachelor’s degree (BSN), an associate degree (ADN), or a diploma (Career as a Registered Nurse (RN), 22). Bachelor’s degree programs are offered by universities and take an average of four year to complete the program. Associate degree program is offered by community colleges and take about two to three years to complete the program. Diploma programs are completed in the hospital, and they last about three years (Career as a Registered Nurse (RN), 22). After the student graduates from one of the three types of programs, and they complete their licensing examination, they can qualify for the entry-level positions as a staff nurse (United States). Several nurses that have taken the associate program will return to school to obtain a bachelors degree program; they call this an RN-to BSN program (United States). People who have a bachelor’s degree program can return to school to obtain an accelerated master’s degree in nursing (MSN). After completion of the ADN program to receive the BSN and MSN it takes three to four years to complete as a full time student to receive an award for both (United States). The bachelor’s degree program takes about twelve to eighteen months to earn the degree after completion of the associate degree program. For someone who holds a bachelor’s degree who decides to obtain an MSN, it takes an additional two years to receive their master’s degree (United States). When taking classes at college for the associate degree program, the programs includes courses such as anatomy, physiology, sociology, microbiology, chemistry, psychology, and nursing classes. For associate degree programs liberal arts is also a part of their coursework (Career as a Registered Nurse (RN), 23). Students must participate in supervised clinical experiences. These clinical rotations can be done in hospital departments such as maternity, psychiatry, pediatrics, and surgery (United States). Several other health care facilities that offer clinical experience include public health departments, home health agencies, nursing care facilities, and ambulatory clinics. Advantages and Disadvantages When deciding what degree should be obtained, students must consider everything before choosing what program is right for them (United States). If someone has chosen to take an associates program with a two year community college, they could be limited for advancement opportunities (United States). When someone takes a bachelor’s degree or higher with a four year university, they receive more training in areas such as communication, leadership and critical thinking and will have a better opportunity to obtain a higher position than someone with a associates degree (United States). People who obtain a bachelor’s degree have more clinical experience in nonhospital settings (United States). Bachelor’s degrees are often needed for teaching, consulting, and research positions (United States). Licenses In the United States, students are required to graduate from an approved nursing program before they are allowed to practice nursing. Students are required to take and pass the national licensing examination known as the National Council Licensure Examination or NCLEX-RN (United States). After successfully passing the NCLEX-RN exam students will obtain their nursing license. Other Qualifications Nurses are people who should love caring for others when they are sick and ill. They should be responsible and sympathetic for all patients. They need to be able to give people direction and supervise other co-workers who are under them. Nurses should be emotionally stable to be able cope with people who are suffering, dying, and emergency situations (Career as a Registered Nurse (RN), 19). Continuing education credits could be required in some states on regular bases (United States). Advancement Registered nurses most often start out as staff nurses in hospitals. The more experience the nurse acquires overtime, the more often the nurse will move to other departments or promoted to do jobs taking on more leadership roles and responsibility (United States). Registered nurses can advance from a head nurse to a senior-level nurse they are more of a director, vice president, chief of nursing and assistant director (United States). This job requires a graduate or an advancement degree in health services administration, and the administration program works with leadership, communication and excellent judgments (United States). If someone chose to advance in their nurse practice, there are four different advanced practice nurses to choose from they are: clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, nurse-midwife, and nurse practitioners (United States). When a nurse chooses one of the four types of advanced practice nurses, it requires a master’s degree (United States). New graduates should consider if they want to advance in their career when first applying for a job in order to ask the hiring team if there is room for advancement within the facility and the position they will be taking.

Essay --

Alexander Caracciolo World Civilizations II (A) Spring 2014 ARTICLE Hitler and the Uniqueness of Nazism Ian Kershaw, Journal of Contemporary History, Vol. 39, No. 2, Understanding Nazi Germany (Apr., 2004), pp. 239-254 I INTRODUCTION Though Nazism can be sited as a form of fascism or type of totalitarianism, these common concepts inadequately account for what was unique about the regime that unleashed such devastating inhumanity; a terrible war of annihilation and the worst genocide the world has yet experienced. This article suggests the answer is located in a unique mixture of potent forces emulsified in a vicious cocktail, Hitler's dictatorship. The extraordinary power of his 'charismatic authority', the distinctive climate of German political culture, and the bureaucratic capacity of a highly modern state system ultimately lead to uprising and the uniqueness of Nazism. II. SUMMARY 1. Introduction In the introduction, Ian Kershaw discusses what he considers common knowledge about the Nazi regime. Through a series of counterexamples, he disproves these theories as the singular causes of Nazism uniqueness. The idea that Hitler alone was unique is disproved, the idea that First World War was instrumental in Nazism’s uniqueness was disproved and countless others. 2. Hitler’s Indispensability When describing Nazism it seems only natural to begin with Hitler. Although he himself cannot account for Nazism’s uniqueness, his role as a dictator is indispensable in making this claim. Kershaw explains, no Hitler: â€Å"no SS-police state, no general European war by the late 1930s, no attack on the Soviet Union, no Holocaust, no state policy aimed at wiping out the Jews of Europe† (245). Yet the forces that led to the â€Å"undermining of law, to... ...mbodied and its corrupting effect on the instruments and mechanisms of the most advanced state in Europe. Both the broad acceptance of the 'project' of 'national salvation', seen as personified in Hitler, and the internalization of the ideological goals by a new, modern power-elite, operating along-side weakened old elites through the bureaucratic sophistication of a modern state, were necessary prerequisites for the world-historical catastrophe of the Third Reich. III. SOURCES This article is not based on any one primary source, but is instead smattered with the ideas from several historians. IV. SIGNIFICANCE/HISTORICAL CONTEXT In addressing previous historical scholarship, Kershaw sheds new light on what is commonly thought of as Nazism. He recognizes other theories a being part Nazism but uses several sources to explain how they were not what was unquie to it.

Devoir sur college education

It is divided into many levels : elementary school, middle school, high school, college, and University. However, today , education giving in college makes object of query. Why is it important to me? I am going to analyze its foundation, involvement, and its advantages in order to make light upon its importance. In fact, the access to a college education takes on a considerable importance. That is why the number of students who frequent college nowadays increases. This situation incites me to take place in view to obtain promotion in the Labor Market.College is the place by excellence or the obliged passage for the better life preparation. The good functioning of the colleges is considered as an indubitable economic asset. So, the great European countries, to support the international competition, have they been embarked on for about ten years in an immense movement of Universities reflection and reform. Being full of state of fact, I must straggle to complete my college education to ensure a better life. This is utmost dream! College education will contribute to make me proud and more confident as for my future.Education received in college will permit me not only achieving my goals, but also to ensure to my family a better life. It will help me face up to eventualities. Moreover, the world complexity according to the global village, demands to implement a pile of skills in all what we do. So, college education puts me them up. My future is confident with it, and I will obtain a better employment because the Labor Market imposes a series of criteria. College education is very important to me. There is no more place else that can permit to reach my goals. The education that it provides is very useful.There is no frontier or border that can resist at College Education's assault. Many people want to gain success in their lives but don't have the necessary motivation permitting them to realize their objectives. Myself, when I finished my secondary school, I was 21 years old. I studied Accounting. I have been working since 1 997 in an Institution, but I feel that is not enough. I want to have a great promotion in order to be a role model for my children. That's why I am enrolled at Seaworthy College for Business Administration to benefit carefully its education.The willing to become a well prepared person motivates me and learn at Seaworthy College a variety of things such as : writing skills, self motivation , self discipline, and improving my thinking skills. College Education learns me equally to rely on myself and develop those skills y implementing (Kinesthesia approach ) in view to prepare me to become a great professional. College Education imposes me challenges that I impose to myself by † expanding my thinking and learning to think outside the box. â€Å"College Education furnishes me which I will need to develop my mind and reach success. Thanks to College Education !I have access to methodic Research. By now, get a universal vision. It learns me to carry out the comparative study ( contrast ) and to look at all the pros and the cons. College Education recommends me to see the problem from different angles, to not edge the outcomes in the taken decisions. It's been instilled in me the discernment concept. College Education is truly necessary and it is the preparatory step to the great eventualities in the life. It awakens in me the sense of logic ( critical thinking ),reason. Education acquired in College is so much important to me that the words are lacking to me to express my adoration to it.Does College Education bring change to my life? In fact, begin to think another manner. I give the priority to critical thinking. College Education has developed in me the research sense and shown me to discern the good from bad. College Education is become a weapon between my hands permitting me to confront the challenges that represent the Labor Market, better life, human progress, and the community development entirely. College Education has given me the opportunity to learn to organize and structure my thoughts, write clearly and pay attention to the grammar rules.It permits me to make the difference between General writing and Academic writing. It attracts my attention on the † writing process helps me communicate in the online learning environment, which include writing for exams, papers, and discussions board. If I follow meticulously the communication rules in online course or Education environment, according to Bright Hub, will ensure my success. One of rules which retains the most my attention is the Golden Rule : † Do unto others what you want others do unto you College Education reminds me this rules which is so important in my life.It learns me to be careful in what I write and aim for the positive. It encourages me to be proactive in the communication, and to not run-on sentence and fragments. College Education is very important to me. It shows me how taking a test and improving my grades. At the start, I was very dressed when I took a test. Now, the stress is broken up because College Education has awoken in me the notion of internal and external motivation, and the difference which exists between them. College Education helps me choose and determine my learning style and my test-taking strategies.Will a quick look on the universities in U. S. A permit us to surround the College Education ‘importance? Indeed, in U. S. A, at the moment where universities began their rise which had to conduct them at level that they have actually, Price, an American Philosopher, has defined on 1 891 University as an â€Å"Association of men well quipped with and privileged by the state, so that the people might receive and intellectual formation or education and that the theoretical problems which come up during the civilization development might be resolved. So, even the State has comprehended the necessity to put on College Education a considerable sup port. So to speak, College Education is very necessary because it will help me face to multiple challenges waiting for me. I can't under-estimate the Education furnished by Colleges since they put down the real specialization basis. College Education is very important to me because it allows me to furnish my knowledge in the pathway toward university. Let me give an anecdote: â€Å"l know a person who wanted to frequent University.He has a passion for medicine, but he couldn't cross the College step. He obliged to give up. â€Å"So many reasons explain the importance of College Education and the necessity to maintain this opportunity in order to achieve its goals. College Education shows me how to manage my time by according priority to my goals. It gives me tools that are extremely valuable in my life and changes my behavior. It learns me to not procrastinate, to create a daily to-do list, to schedule, to strategies and how to spend my time. College Education allows me to set mea ningful and valuable goals.It has learnt me to be smart about my goals, to write them down, to create an action plan and commit to it. On the culture and social level, the importance of Colleges and Universities is evident today. It is the reflect of recent studies. The survey that have just come to make on the different aspects of College Education permits us to well figure out, and relate its importance. College Education allows me to strengthen the basis for a real orienteering. The tuned' future depends for a great part on Education received at College. The period passed in it marks him deeply and guides inevitably his future.

Mezirow’s Theory of Perspective Transformation

Mezirow’s Theory of Perspective Transformation Mezirow’s Theory of Perspective Transformation Adults today are the products of their individual histories and experiences, which influence their attitudes, thinking processes, and conceptualization of their worlds. John Mezirow believed that adults can be transformed from these experiences; however, the transformative learning involves critical self-reflection (Mezirow, 1990). Mezirow understood that adults can be transformed through a process of intertwining a disorientating dilemma followed by critical reflection and new interpretations of the experience.Mezirow’s process of perspective transformation is often illustrated as linear, additionally; Mezirow characterized ten phases starting with disorienting dilemma and ending with perspective transformation (Mezirow, 1990). Understanding the transformative learning and the disorientating dilemma helps adults appreciate and understand Mezirow’s theory of persp ective transformation. The start of my transformation begins with an experience. For example, an experience that I encountered was this past May after graduating from Immaculata University under-graduate program.My disorienting dilemmas begins with choosing the continuation of my education to pursue a Master’s Degree or begin the long and tedious process of job seeking and interviewing in a bleak economy. I believe that my decision is life altering and will only help me pursue a flourishing life. Evidence from Mezirow’s theory and the phases of transformative learning suggests that my dilemma falls under the first process of a disorienting dilemma (Anonymous, n. d. ). After graduation I had a few months to figure out a strategy and implement my plan.While exploring my options and figuring out a plan I became struck with fear, this fear came from the â€Å"unknown† of my future. To overcome my fear of the â€Å"unknown† I first self-examine who I am. I nee ded to get a better idea of who I am today and who I want to be tomorrow. After I made my decision to go back to school I began to talk more and more about graduate school with my family and close friends. Once the discussion of me going back to school began, I started to hear about other’s pursuing a graduate degree all around me.For example I play basketball locally in two different leagues. Most of the teams are composed of collage or recently graduated students. After I told my friends in the basketball leagues about my plans of going back to school a few of them also stated that they were applying or already enrolled for graduate school. Hearing other’s committing to furthering their education and the process of enrolling helped calm the fear I had deep inside. Further reassurance was added that others also shared in common the same transformation that I was tackling.This shared transformation between friends falls under Mezirow fourth phase (Anonymous, n. d. ) On ce I overcame my fear of the â€Å"unknown† I started to initiate my plan of action which falls under the sixth stage of Mezirow’s theory (Anonymous, n. d. ). My plan started with looking at local schools in the area with either an MBA or MA program in Marketing or Leadership studies. I looked at a few specific schools such as West Chester, Widener, and Immaculata University’s.After researching these schools I applied to them and waited to hear back for good news. Unfortunately I did not get into my first choice of Widener because I was 70 points short of the requirement for my g-mat score. However, I did get accepted into West Chester and Immaculata. After I had gotten accepted into graduate school I felt a sigh of relief that I had accomplished my goal of starting the new path to further my education. When I entered into graduate school this was a completely new experience as well as a new role for myself.I wanted to build up my self-confidence in my new roles and environment to reach my upmost potential. Building up my self-confidence was tough at first but I began to slowly overcome this from the support of my family, classmates, and professors. Progress was slow at first because of the â€Å"unknown† that I was dealing with in a new program and environment. Once I got over my first road bump I really started to take off with self-confidence which falls under Mezirow’s ninth phase (Anonymous, n. d. ).The last phase of Mezirow’s theory is the action of the final component of the transformative learning process (Merriam, Caffarella, Baumgartner, 2007). When I was dealt with my disorientating dilemma I took a delayed action to retort my options and plan. After reality set in that now is the time to make my transformation this was the end of a new beginning. My action to follow through with my choice to further my education is based off of my new found perspective from my disorientating dilemma and Mezirow’s ten phases of transformational learning.Reference: Merriam, S. B. , Caffarella, R. S. , & Baumgartner, L. (2007). Learning in adulthood: A comprehensive guide (3. ed. ). San Francisco: John Wiley & Sons. Mezirow, J. (1990). A guide to transformational and emancipatory pratice. PAACE Journal of Lifelong Learning, 7, 1-14. Retrieved February 14, 2011, from http://www. iup. edu/assets/0/347/349/4951/4977/10251/AF0EAB12-C2CE-4D2C-B1A0-59B795415437. pdf Anonymous. (n. d. ) Transformational theory.

Machu Pichu Is Falling essays

Machu Pichu Is Falling essays In March 2001, Japanese geologists went to Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan site in the Andes Mountains, and found proof that Machu Picchu would soon be victim to a landslide. The site is famous for being one of the last Incan strongholds after Spanish conquistadores invaded in the 16th century. It is located high in the Andes, 2550 meters above sea level on steep terrain. Based on what the geologists found, it could be one of two types of landslides. First, it could be a debris flow, which occurs when the ground becomes saturated (from rain), and then mixes with the regolith and other material (example: boulders), and that creates a kind of slurry that moves down slope. Their speeds vary, but specifically will move faster when on steep terrain and when its wet. It could be this type because it rains there a lot, it is steep terrain and it is moving quickly. Secondly, it could be a rockslide, which is when land slides, quickly, as a consistent mass, down slope, usually initiated along a fracture or weakness. It could be a rockslide because the soil is shallow at Machu Picchu, rain can activate rockslides, there is already a distortion line going through the site, and it is a quickly moving landslide. There are many triggers to activate these landslides at Machu Picchu. First off, Machu Picchu is in a steep area, which lends itself to most landslides. Then another huge factor that encourages landslides is rain. It rains a lot in Oregon, around forty inches a year, but at Machu Picchu it rains around, eighty inches a year. Rain can saturate the ground and make it unstable and susceptible to landslides. Lastly, the effect of people on this area is harmful. People walking everyday on the uncertain land could have the effect an earthquake might. There are many options as to how to attempt to stop this landslide. The number of people per day that are allowed has already been lowered to 500 a day, but less would be better. Pe ...

When Do College Acceptance Letters Arrive for Regular Decision For Early Decision or Early Action

When Do College Acceptance Letters Arrive for Regular Decision For Early Decision or Early Action SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Applying to college is a confusing and stressful process, but waiting to hear back from the colleges you applied to can be just as anxiety-inducing. When do college acceptance letters arrive? In this guide, we explain when to expect to receive your college decision notifications. We also give you a chart of estimated college acceptance dates for 2019 and offer helpful tips on what to do as you wait for your college acceptance letters. When Do College Acceptance Letters Arrive, Generally? First off, when do college acceptance letters arrive, broadly speaking? While the answer to this question really depends on what colleges you’re applying to, in general most decisions come out in the springtime, that is, in either March or early April. The latest you might hear back from a college will be the first week of April. This is because most schools require decisions from applicants on where they want to attend by May 1. Some colleges work together to release their decisions at the same time. The Ivy League, which is composed of eight highly prestigious colleges, releases its decisions on "Ivy Day," a specific day at the end of March (note that the exact date changes each year). But what if you applied to a college early action or early decision? In these cases, since applications are due earlier (usually in November), you can expect an earlier decision notification as well- usually around December. Some schools offer secondary early decision plans called Early Decision II for which applications are due a little bit later, usually in January. For these plans, decisions should come out around February. Here is a chart showing the general trends of when college acceptance letters come out: Application Deadline Estimated Decision Notification Date November (Early Action/Early Decision I) Mid- or late December January (Early Decision II) February December, January, or February (Regular Decision) March or early April These days, most college acceptance letters will arrive as either an email or application status update on a college’s own application portal. Afterward, you’ll usually receive a hard copy of your acceptance letter in the mail and further updates via email or mail. An Aside: What If You’re Waitlisted? Sometimes, instead of getting a college acceptance letter or rejection, you’ll get a letter stating that you’ve been waitlisted. This means that the college is still considering you for admission depending on how many admitted applicants choose to enroll. As a result, you’ll need to decide (typically by May 1) whether you want to stay on the waitlist to see if you get off it, or take yourself off the waitlist, thereby eliminating your chances of getting in. If you decide to stay on the waitlist, you won’t get a college decision notification until possibly as late as August, right before the school year starts. When you hear back ultimately depends on the school and how quickly it's able to fill up its new freshman class. College Acceptance Dates 2019 We have a general understanding of when college acceptance letters arrive. But when do college decisions come out in 2019? And how do these decision dates differ depending on the college? To answer these two questions, we put together an extensive list of popular schools and their reported or estimated college acceptance dates for 2019. All dates below represent the last day by which you should receive an admissions decision notification (unless otherwise noted); thus, it’s possible you could receive a decision earlier. All schools are listed alphabetically. School Early Action/Early Decision Regular Decision Amherst ED: Mid-December 2018 April 1-7, 2019 Boston College EA: December 20, 2018 Spring Freshmen: December 15, 2018 April 1, 2019 Boston University ED: December 15, 2018 ED 2: February 15, 2019 Late March to early April 2019 Brown ED: Mid-December 2018 March 28, 2019* Caltech EA: Mid-December 2018 Mid-March 2019 Carnegie Mellon ED: December 15, 2018 Early Admission (juniors only): April 15, 2019 April 15, 2019 Columbia ED: December 15, 2018 March 28, 2019* Cornell ED: Mid-December 2018 March 28, 2019* Dartmouth ED: Mid-December 2018 March 28, 2019* Duke ED: December 15, 2018 April 1, 2019 Emory ED I: December 15, 2018 ED II: February 15, 2019 Scholar Programs: March 1, 2019 April 1, 2019 Georgetown EA: December 15, 2018 April 1, 2019 Harvard EA: Mid-December 2018 March 28, 2019* Harvey Mudd ED I: December 15, 2018 ED II: February 15, 2019 April 1, 2019 Johns Hopkins ED: December 15, 2018 April 1, 2019 MIT EA: December 15, 2018 Mid-March 2019 Northwestern ED: Mid-December 2018 Late March 2019 Notre Dame EA: Mid-December 2018 Late March 2019 NYU ED I: December 15, 2018 ED II: February 15, 2019 April 1, 2019 Penn ED: Mid-December 2018 March 28, 2019* Pomona ED I: December 15, 2018 ED II: February 15, 2019 April 1, 2019 Princeton EA: Mid-December 2018 March 28, 2019* Rice ED: Mid-December 2018 April 1, 2019 Stanford EA: December 7, 2018 April 1, 2019 SUNY System ED: December 15, 2018 EA: January 1, 2019 Rolling Tufts ED I: Mid-December 2018 ED II: Mid-February 2019 April 1, 2019 UC System - Mar 1-31, 2019 UChicago EA: Mid-December 2018 ED I: Mid-December 2018 ED II: Mid-February 2019 Late March 2019 UMass Amherst EA: Starting mid-December 2018 Spring Applicants: Starting mid-December 2018 Starting early March 2019 UNC Chapel Hill EA: End of January 2019 End of March 2019 University of Florida - Mid-February 2019 University of Illinois EA: December 14, 2018 March 1, 2019 University of Michigan EA: December 24, 2018 Early April 2019 University of Rochester ED: December 15, 2018 April 1, 2019 University of Washington - March 1-15, 2019 USC Merit Scholarship Applicants: February 1, 2019 April 1, 2019 UT Austin Priority: February 1, 2019 March 1, 2019 UVA EA: End of January 2019 End of March 2019 Vanderbilt ED I: Mid-December 2018 ED II: Mid-February 2019 Late March 2019 Vassar ED I: Mid-December 2018 ED II: February 1, 2019 Late March 2019 Wake Forest ED: Rolling (as early as December 1, 2018) ED II: February 15, 2019 April 1, 2019 William Mary ED I: Early December 2018 ED II: Early February 2019 April 1, 2019 WUSTL ED: December 15, 2018 ED II: February 15, 2019 April 1, 2019 Yale EA: Mid-December 2018 March 28, 2019* *Estimated Ivy Day 2019 based on the patterns of previous years. Ivy Day is always at the end of March. See our guide to Ivy Day for more info about how we came up with this date. Want to build the best possible college application? We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League. We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools. Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in. Waiting for College Acceptance Letters? 3 Tips for What to Do We've given you the general dates you can expect to receive your college admission decision. But what should you do in the meantime, after you’ve submitted all your applications and are waiting for decision notifications from colleges? Here are three essential tips to keep in mind during this time. #1: Focus on School One of the most important steps you can take is to focus on school and keep up your grades. Try your best not to let senioritis hit you, especially considering that most colleges will want to see your final transcripts before you get to campus- even after they’ve admitted you. If you have any big dip in your grades senior year, a college could rescind your acceptance and reject you instead. Do not take any chances at this time! Continue to work hard, study for all the tests you have, and finish your homework on time. Keep making school a priority. Finally, continuing to do well in school is especially important if you plan to take any AP tests at the end of senior year. You want to keep up your studying so that you can earn a passing score on the tests you’re taking, hopefully earning you some college credit. Resist senioritis- keep up with your studies. #2: Apply for Financial Aid and Scholarships If you know you’ll need some help with money in order to attend college, these months of waiting for decisions to come out are an ideal time to shift your focus from college applications to FAFSA and scholarships. Applying for FAFSA makes you eligible to receive federal-, state-, and/or college-sponsored financial aid, including loans, grants, and work-study. If you’re interested in winning free scholarship money, I'd advise you to do some research on any college scholarships you might be eligible for. These scholarships can be based on merit, such as your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, or financial need (or both). For more tips on how to find and apply for scholarships, check out our financial aid blog posts as well as our most popular scholarship and aid guides: Simple Guide: How to Apply for Financial Aid How to Find Scholarships for College: Expert Guide Top Scholarships for High School Seniors The Easiest Scholarships to Apply For Easy Scholarships to Win: How to Find and Apply The Complete List of Community Service Scholarships Amazing Full-Ride Scholarships You Can Win Complete List: Weird Scholarships You Can Win How to Get a Merit Scholarship: 6-Step Guide #3: Keep Tabs on Your Email and Application Status As you wait for college decisions to come out, it’s important that you routinely check your email (whichever email you put down for your college applications) and application status on the school's website. Some schools will only announce their decisions online through their application portals, some will email their decisions directly, and others will mail their decisions before sending out emails (this is becoming less common, though). Even if you’re not expecting to get a college decision anytime soon, try to keep tabs on your inbox and application status. This will help ensure you’re not missing any application materials and that the college isn’t trying to contact you about any last-minute problems with your application. Conclusion: When Do College Acceptance Letters Arrive? There are many answers to the question, "When do college decisions come out?" In general, most college decisions are released online by email or through an application portal in March or early April. If you applied early action or early decision, you can expect to hear back about your application status in December (or around February if you applied Early Decision II). The latest you’ll get a college acceptance letter is the first week of April, since most colleges require admitted applicants to submit their decisions about where they want to attend by May 1. If you get waitlisted at a college and choose to stay on the list, you won’t receive an official decision until possibly as late as August. Once you’ve submitted your applications and are waiting to hear back from colleges, be sure to take these three steps: Focus on school and continue to keep up your grades Apply for financial aid and scholarships, including FAFSA Keep tabs on your email and application status by routinely checking your inbox and the school's application status page As a final tip, stay positive- you never know where you're gonna get in! What’s Next? What do college acceptance letters look like? Learn what a typical college acceptance letter says and how it looks with our in-depth guide. Got rejected from your top-choice school? Or scared of getting a rejection letter? Read our guide to get tips on how you can get through a college rejection and what you can do to improve your chances of getting in. The key to getting a college acceptance letter is having a great application. And the best way to ensure you have an impressive application is to know what looks good on it. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Final Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Final - Essay Example When studying the position of Abraham Lincoln on slavery, and the reasons and effects of his Emancipation Proclamation, therefore, it is important to take into consideration these control measures and to lay a background to the nature of events occurring at that time. The crux of the matter lies in the American Civil War that single-handedly spearheaded the antislavery movement and resulted in the Emancipation Proclamation. It was a contention between the northern free states and the bordering slave states known as the United States of America or the Union (Wikipedia 2008), and the southern states known as the Confederate States of America, where slavery was well established, hence, also known as the slave states. The southern states were led by Jefferson Davis, and the Union was led by Abraham Lincoln and the Republican Party (Wikipedia 2008). His one quote can fully illuminate Lincoln’s position regarding slavery before the Civil War, when he said "My paramount object in this struggle, is to save the Union and it is not either to save or destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slave I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it..." (Race, Racism and the Law 1998). Lincoln was a man of law, and upholding the Constitution was paramount to him in all matters of politics. He would not, or rather, could not, take any steps that went beyond the parameters of the Constitution. So when it came to freeing the slaves, he was just as much concerned about the issue as was permitted by the red tapes of law, and which was crucial for the survival of the Union. Abraham Lincoln was always against slavery, and always expressed his views against it on moral grounds (Slavery

The word 'God' and its meanings Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The word 'God' and its meanings - Essay Example e inferred herein that since God can be perceived to bear the ultimate potential of creation and of knowledge in all, God’s might and intellectual capacity must be far beyond the measure which men could possibly hold in depths of thought or imagination. For Christians, this view of God corresponds to the unseen Creator and Father who neither has a beginning nor an end and who is widely known for His unconditional love for mankind despite the weak nature of the latter. As a full manifestation of this love, Christians believe that this same God established a ‘covenant’ with men in the ancient times through the prophets and carried out His plan of salvation at the expense of the death of Christ by crucifixion in order to save human souls from the perilous evil of committing sins, upon repentance. A Gnostic group called the Marcionites claim that â€Å"the Christian Gospel was wholly a Gospel of Love to the absolute exclusion of Law† (Gray, 2002) so that this leads to the notion that the God in whom Christians express their prayerful faith is even magnified as a loving God who is, above all, a merciful Redeemer and not a ruthless Punisher. On the other hand, the dictionary-based definition coincides with the manner â€Å"Allah† or the God of Islam is depicted as â€Å"the Almighty Creator and Sustainer of the universe† where, in the 112th chapter of Qur’an, the text reads â€Å"In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate† and includes that Allah is â€Å"the One God, the Everlasting Refuge, who has not begotten, nor has been begotten, and equal to Him is not anyone† (WAMY Series). Similar to the illustration of God via the Christian principle, the image of Allah prevails as God with abundant reserves of mercy and an unparalleled God of providence whose existence is considered infinite on both ends of time. Among the monotheistic systems of belief such as those adhered to by Muslims and Christians, the concept of God appears to converge on the