Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Nutrasweet in China Essay

To come up with a decision to the whether enter the Greater China Market or not we decided to approach the case with a SWOT analysis. Strengths NutraSweet is an artificial sweetener that is one of the most recognized brand names in the United States and in the world. NutraSweet’s earnings per share is $ 6. 36 and with huge capitalization and investments in diverse products. Stacey has the approved budget of $ 500,000 to market NutraSweet in China. NutraSweet has the flexibility on how to position their product in terms of functionality, or either as sugar substitute or health product for diabetics. Weaknesses The research conducted towards the Chinese consumers may not truly reflect the real sentiments of the consumers towards NutraSweet. NutraSweet has not decided on building its own distribution system and may rely on foreign agents for distribution. NutraSweet is more expensive than ordinary white sugar. Opportunities China is a big market and can provide higher profitability to the company. China is the second or eighth largest economy in the world; depending on how it was gauged. There is a perceived consumers’ infatuation with Western brands. Chinese maintain healthful lifestyle so the potential for NutraSweet to launch their product in China is strong. Threats Sugar is a common household purchase as a sweetener and has been part of Chinese households for decades. Culture dictates that there might be difficulty in replacing traditional use of sugar with NutraSweet. The Chinese market is so diverse and it is difficult to come up with a general characteristic to define them. Artificial sweeteners are known by history of skepticism for saccharin and potential health hazards. There is difficulty in attracting and retaining local employees and as such, NutraSweet is having doubts in investing into training their marketing and sales personnel for fear that the employees would not stay long in the company. There are only very few foreign agents that operate in China. Sugar use and consumption levels differed among 3 key markets –Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Beijing. Arthur Andersen survey in China showed that most joint ventures from food and drink were not profitable. Most MNCs in China are unprofitable despite substantial growth. Majority of the Chinese are considered â€Å"flat-bellied† and don’t see the need for a diet regimen. The Chinese culture also dictates that they are not that concerned with their teeth, hence they don’t have that fear of tooth decay. The company should enter the Greater China market as a niche product for consumers with a medical need. The company cannot delay its entry in the China market, especially with factors such as an average of 10% economic growth, a quickly emerging middle class, and a high possibility in consumers’ increase purchasing power. Postponement of entry may mean higher costs in the future and although the company will not immediately profit from the venture, research showed that companies who entered the market 5 to 10 years ago were doing best. The knowledge gained from market entry will allow NutraSweet to sharpen its future strategies. Pros The successful experience in establishing medical awareness in Hong Kong may be applied to the Greater China Market. Entering the Greater China market through the three key cities will provide a better knowledge of the overall Chinese market. A natural market consisting of diabetics and obese customers already exist. Hospital stores and drug dispensaries do not have the bargaining strength that retailers have. Product information campaigns will be facilitated by health professionals who will easily understand and appreciate the product’s benefits. Promotion to medical professionals through associations will not need as much cost as a nationwide mass-market campaign. A $ 2,010,526. 31 in breakeven sales seems very feasible in the Chinese market. Cons The Chinese tend to be slim and had historically not been preoccupied by tooth decay. ? SHORT-TERM The Chinese consumers’ attraction to brand names, especially the number 1 in any category gives NutraSweet an opportunity to establish itself as a first mover in the medical aid products under a new category of sweeteners. The company will launch a product information campaign for medical professionals and will also tap their associations. Associations of diabetics and obese consumers will also be tapped. The company will focus on relationship building with the medical industry. Since poor dental health is a problem in China, the company may also create an awareness drive on the ill effects of sugar on the teeth to lay the foundation of need awareness. The product will be packaged in sachet form with global brand and American image prominent on the sachet to appeal to the consumers’ preference for American brands. The company will capitalize on the convenience of bringing the sachets anywhere with you. The medical industry will be given free samples of the product. The doctors will be taught to promote daily use of the product, with sweetening of milk and coffee or hot drinks as one of the more common purposes. Consumers will be taught to use the product in cooking through the provision of free recipe booklets and cooking demonstration classes. The product will be distributed in the three key cities of Greater China, namely, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing, where the medical industry is more developed compared with the other cities. The company will create its own distribution structure. The product will use the distribution channels of hospital stores and drug dispensaries. Since the focus is on niche marketing, the product will still be sourced from the U. S. plant. LONG-TERM The long-term goal will be to mass market the product in Hong Kong and Taiwan, and use the learning’s from those markets to penetrate the market Greater China. Establishing distribution networks in the two countries will be easier, given the favorable business environments. In Hong Kong and Taiwan, the product will be repositioned as a healthy family lifestyle food, targeting the affluent, health and weight conscious consumers. Aggressive promotion will be pursued, such as print and media ads, and the employment of product endorsers, and store promotions. Consumer awareness and education will be the focus of the campaigns.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

The KGB essays

The KGB essays During the Cold War not much was known about the activities of the Russian state security organization by western intelligence agencies. However after the collapse of the Soviet Union, documents that have been smuggled out by KGB agents (Wilson 1) have allowed agents to see just how much this agency knew and how far the Soviets managed to penetrate into western society. The question is where the KGB operations during the Cold War successful or not? Before the KGB, there was the Vecheka or Cheka, which was started on December 20, 1917 (Crozier 11). The Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin created the Cheka, so they would be able to combat counter revolutionary forces in Russia after the Bolsheviks took power. The man who was chosen to lead the organization was Felix Dzerzhinky, also known as Iron Felix, from Poland (11). Not long after the Cheka was founded, it sent a newspaper publisher, Aleksei Filippov, into Finland. Under cover as a journalist, he was sent on various intelligence assignments. This was the Soviets first attempt into international espionage (Andrew, Mitrokhin 24). After the end of the civil war, the Cheka was transferred to the control of the NKVD as the GPU (NKVD.org 1). During its time as the GPU, its mission was to infiltrate the groups of White Russians and Ukrainian nationals to try and destabilize them from within (Andrew and Mitrokhin 32). The GPU, after changing its name many times and switching from being independent or under NKVD control, was brought back under NKVD control as the GUGB after the German invasion (NKVD.org 2). When the Soviets started to push back the Germans, the GUGB regained its independence and became the NKGB. After World War II, Beria, a Politburo member and the ex-head of the MVD, united the NKVD and the NKGB into the MVD (2). After Beria was removed, the MVD was separated with the MVD keeping its original role and the new KGB taking control of state security (3). The i...

Monday, October 21, 2019

Theodore Roosevelt and the Progressive Movement essays

Theodore Roosevelt and the Progressive Movement essays American progressivism was a period of American history in which improving working conditions, improving the way of life, exposing corruption, expanding democracy and making reforms were the issues of this period. Also, the expansion of the federal government's powers, competition and economic distribution of wealth, and the social welfare of American citizens concerned many leaders during this time. During the Progressive Era business had a great influence on politics. They almost went hand in hand. However, the leading progressive political figures, Roosevelt, and Wilson were out to change things. Not only did the two leaders bring about new heights for government regulation, but they also set the standards for political intervention. Theodore Roosevelt was known as the "trust buster," and that is exactly what he did to help control big business. Roosevelt went into these companies and helped to stop this type of monopoly. Roosevelt was also a big supporter of labor he tried almost everything and anything to help the citizens of the United States. President Wilson also tried to help and improve the conditions for workers he did this by adding the income tax. This helped the poor because they were taxed less than big business men were. Wilson helped the economy by instituting a Federal Reserve Bank. All national banks were required to join this system. This bank system made a compromise between private and public control. Wilson also added a tariff called the Underwood Tariff, which lowered the price on imported goods. Although, Wilson accomplished many progressive oriented things during is presidency. The more progressive of the two is Teddy Roosevelt who accomplished many things during his four years in office. His accomplishments helped to pave the way for other progressive leaders such as Taft and Wilson. He had goals and appeared to have been very determined to accomplish them. Roosevelt brought new meaning to government r...

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Handiwork - Sample Common Application Essay - Option #1

Handiwork - Sample Common Application Essay - Option #1 The prompt for option #1 of the 2018-19  Common Application states, Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. Vanessa wrote the following essay in response to the prompt: Handiwork I made slipcovers for my doll house furniture when I was ten. I had a nice matching set for the living room- a sofa, an arm chair, and an ottoman- all in a gray and pink floral pattern. I didn’t dislike the furniture, but on a rainy Saturday, I decided it was time to switch things up a little bit, so I dug out some scrap material- navy blue- along with some thread, a needle, and a pair of scissors from my mother’s sewing desk. A few days later, my doll house family had a nice, newly reupholstered living room set. I’ve always been a crafter. From the early days of Kindergarten macaroni ornaments, to making my own prom dress last year, I’ve had a knack for creating things. For drafting sketches, drawing plans, making calculations, gathering supplies, adding finishing touches. There is something so satisfying about holding something you, and you alone, have made- something that was just an image in your mind until you set about to bring it into existence, to create something new, something different. I’m sure there are hundreds of doll furniture sets out there in that same gray and pink, but there is only one with fitted (albeit with sloppy stitching) navy blue covers. There’s a sense of pride there, however small. I’ve been lucky to have the time, the energy, and the resources to be artistic, to craft things. My family has always encouraged my efforts whether I be sewing a Christmas gift or building a bookcase. As my projects have evolved, I’ve come to realize that making things, useful or otherwise, is very much an important part of who I am. It allows me to make use of my imagination, creativity, logic, and technical skills. And it’s not just about making something for the sake of making something. I feel a connection to my mother’s family, from a rural village in Sweden, when I make candles. I feel a connection to my grandmother, who passed away last year, when I use the thimble she gave me when I was thirteen. I feel resourceful when I use leftover wood scraps from our new barn to make coasters for the coffee table. Crafting for me is not just a hobby, not something I do when I’m bored. It’s a way to use my environment, to discover tools, and shortcuts, and new ways of looking at things. It’s a chance for me to use my head and my hands to make something pretty, or practical, or fun. I don’t plan on majoring in art, architecture, design, or anything remotely craft-based. I don’t want it to be my career. I think a part of me is worried that I’ll lose my love of making things if there’s homework involved, or if I have to rely on it for a paycheck. I want it to stay a pastime, to stay a way for me to relax, enjoy myself, and cultivate a sense of independence. I’ll never stop being a crafty person- I’ll always have a box of colored pencils, or a sewing kit, or a cordless drill on hand. I don’t know where I’ll be in twenty years, or even ten. But I know wherever I am, whatever I’m doing, I will be the person I am because of that little girl, patiently sewing together tiny pieces of fabric on her bedroom floor: creating something great, something new, something entirely her own. _____________________ A Critique of Vanessa's Essay In this critique, well look at the features of Vanessas  essay that make it shine as well as a few areas that could use improvement. The Essay Title If you read the tips for essay titles, youll find that Vanessa’s title fits within one of the recommended strategies: it is clear, succinct, and straightforward. We quickly know what the essay is about. Granted, her title isn’t creative, but creative titles aren’t always the best approach. With some exceptions, too much cleverness or puniness in a title tends to please the writer much more than the reader.  The short title has the added advantage that it isnt adding much to the word count. Keep in mind that the title counts towards the length limit. The Length For the 2018-19 academic year, the Common Application essay has a word limit of 650 and a minimum length of 250 words. At 575 words, Vanessas essay falls at the upper end of this range. This is a good place to be. Youll certainly come across college counselors who adhere to the belief that less is always more, that the admissions staff is so overwhelmed with applications that they greatly appreciate a 300-word essay. There is certainly truth to the idea that a tight 300-word essay is far preferable to a wordy, rambling, fluffy 650-word essay. However, better yet is a tight, engaging essay in the 500 to 650 word range. If a college truly has holistic admissions, the admissions folks want to get to know you as an individual. They can learn a lot more in 600 words than 300. There is no consensus on the ideal essay length, but Vanessas essay is certainly fine on this front. The Topic Vanessa has avoided all of the bad essay topics, and she is wise to have focused on something for which she has true passion. Her essay tells us about a side of her personality that may not be apparent from the rest of her application. Also, the subtext of Vanessas essay could work in her favor. Vanessas description of her love of crafts says a lot about her: she is good with her hands and working with tools; she has acquired hands-on skills designing, drawing, and drafting; she is creative and resourceful; she takes pride in her work. These are all skills and personality traits that will serve her well in college. Her essay may be talking about handiwork, but it is also providing evidence of her ability to handle the challenges of college-level work. Weaknesses Overall, Vanessa has written a fine essay, but it is not without a few short-comings. With a little revision, she could get rid of some of the  vague language. Specifically, she uses the words things and something numerous times. The biggest concern has to do with the last paragraph of Vanessas essay. It could leave the admissions folks asking  why  Vanessa does not want to make her passion into her major or her career. In many cases, the most successful people are those who have turned their passions into their professions. A reader of Vanessas essay is likely to think she would make an excellent mechanical engineer or art student, yet her essay seems to reject these options. Also, if Vanessa loves working with her hands so much, why not push herself to develop those skills further? The idea that â€Å"homework† might cause her to â€Å"lose [her] love of making things† makes sense on one hand, but there’s a danger in that statement as well: it suggests that Vanessa doesn’t like homework. The Overall Impression Vanessas essay succeeds on many fronts. Keep in mind why a college asks for an essay. If a college wants to see more than your grades and standardized test scores, it means the school has a holistic admissions process. They want to get to know you as a whole person, so they want to give you a space to reveal something about yourself that may not come across in the other areas of your application. They also want to make sure you can write in a clear and engaging manner. Vanessa succeeds on both fronts. Also, the tone and voice we find in Vanessas essay reveals her to be an intelligent, creative, and passionate person. Ultimately, no matter what essay option you choose for the Common Application, the admissions committee is asking the same thing: Is this applicant someone who we think will contribute to our campus community in a positive and meaningful way? With Vanessas essay, the answer is yes. Want to Learn More About Common Application Essay Option #1? Along with Vanessas essay above, be sure to check out Carries essay Give Goth a Chance and Charlies essay My Dads.  The essays demonstrate that you can approach this essay prompt in extremely different ways. You can also check out tips and sample essays for the other Common Application essay prompts.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

7.5 part 1 review questions Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

7.5 part 1 review questions - Coursework Example Planning should also encompass an anticipation and evaluation of the impacts of future developments (Oz 98). Planning should also entail building a shared vision and undertaking decisions on what goals an organization wants to obtain. The action plan for the organization should explain on what actions to undertake to reach their set goals. Prototyping refers to the rapid development and testing of working models of new applications in an interactive and iterative process that involves both IS specialists and business professionals. Prototyping ensures the development process is faster and easier for business professionals and IS specialists. Prototyping has opened up the application development process for end-users as it simplifies and accelerates systems designs. The advantage of prototyping is that it is extremely useful where there is uncertainty about design solutions or requirements. Prototyping is also useful in producing systems that meet user requirements. Prototyping is also vital in designing an information system’s end user interface. The disadvantage of prototyping is that when it is rapidly conducted it can gloss over vital steps in systems development. Prototyping can also fail to have essential security controls built in. rapidly constructed systems can also fail to accommodate large volumes of data or users. What does SDLC stand for? What are the phases of the SDLC? Explain in one or two sentences of your own words what happens in each phase. If problems occur during the SDLC, is it better to identify and solve those problems near the beginning or the end of the SDLC process? SDLC stands for systems development life cycle. It refers to an application development life-cycle. It is a commonly used term in information systems, software engineering, and systems engineering. SDLC gets used to elaborate a process for planning, testing, creating, and developing an information system. There are several stages

Apple company Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Apple company - Research Proposal Example Server computers followed in the form of the Workgroup Server 80 and the Workgroup Server 95. The LC 520 was launched as a home computer. Further launches included the Performa 520, the Powerbook145B, and the first active-matrix 256 color screen PowerBook 180c. Other new product launches included the low cost audio Macs Centris 660av and Quadra 840av. The PowerBook Duo product line was further extended through the launch of Duo 250 and the Duo 270c (O’Grady, 78-84). This book gives information on the developments that occurred in Apple Inc. in the latter half of the 1990s. This information is useful in understanding that in spite of the frenetic product launches in the early 1990s, market share in the personal computer market dwindled towards the end of the twentieth century. This web page provides information on the developments at Apple Company during the first half of the first decade of the New Millennium. It provides the important information of new products along with the significant iPod. This book provides information on the numerous products launches that took place from Apple Company in the early have of the 1990s. This helps to understand the pace of product development at Apple Company in the

Friday, October 18, 2019

Rockwell Hardness Testing Lab Report Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Rockwell Hardness Testing - Lab Report Example Hardness is a measure of the resistance of a metal to permanent (plastic) deformation. The hardness of the metal is measured by forcing an indenter into its surface. The indenter material which is usually a ball, pyramid, or cone, is made of a material much harder than the material being tested. For example, hardened steel, tungsten carbide, or diamond are commonly used materials for indenters. For most standard hardness tests a known load is applied slowly by pressing the indenter at 90 degrees into the metal surface being tested. After the indentation has been made, the indenter is withdrawn from the surface as shown in the figure. An empirical hardness number is then calculated or read off a dial (or digital display), which is based on the cross-sectional area of depth of the impression. The hardness of a metal depends on the ease with which it plastically deforms. Thus a relationship between hardness and strength for a particular metal can be determined empirically. The hardness test is much simpler than the tensile test and can be nondestructive (i.e., the small indentation of the indenter may not be detrimental to the use of an object). For these reasons, the hardness test is used extensively in industry for quality control. The Rockwell Hardness test consists of many different scales for a range of different hardnesses. The B and C scale are the types used in this experiment. The B scale uses the spherical steel penetrator and the C scale uses the diamond cone shaped penetrator. Procedure for Experiment 1. Make certain the crank .It is kept in forward position, nearest to you. 2. Place the sample on the anvil, in position for test. 3. Select 100 and 150 kg combination of weights (being at the rear of the machine) . 4. Slowly turn the wheel spokes clockwise. This raises the anvil and sample toward the penetrator tip. After contact is gently made, continue raising sample until small pointer is about in line with the small black dot and the large pointer is within the colored sector. The minor load has now been applied to the sample. 5. After step 4, the large pointer on the dial is nearly vertical. Now, turn the knurled collar until the SET line on the dial scale is in line with and under the large pointer . 6. Depress the trip lever. This triggers the mechanism that applies the major load. The crank will automatically move away from you. 7. After the crank has come to rest, gently pull the crank back toward you as far as it will go. If this is done abruptly, a false reading