Leisure of the basis of culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Leisure of the basis of culture - Essay Example I would therefore, recommend this book to all people who live to work and do not work to live. This will challenge them to take a break, and ponder on the beauty of life, which is not found in their work, but in meaningful leisure. I agree with all the claims made by Pieper in this book, as these are instances I experience every day, happening to me and to the people around me. Today, there is hardly time for leisure, as most people use every bit of their time in moneymaking activities, in order to live a comfortable life, which they have prioritized. Pieper does not condone this kind of lifestyle, but instead argues that people should find value in life by setting aside time for leisure, as it is also an important component of living. When talking about leisure and emphasizing its importance, Pieper was not portraying himself as a hedonist, as he talked about a different kind of leisure, and not what most people, especially the youth know about leisure. I agree with Pieper’s view of a different kind of leisure. Today, when someone mentions the word â€Å"leisure,† what rings in the minds of most young people is drinking, partying, dancing, watching television, and going for holidays, among other such entertainment. Pieper considers leisure to be that peaceful time a person has rest and finds time to pray, time to appreciate nature and all existence, time to make scientific discoveries, time to write music and literature, time to study a favourite topic, and time to produce art work. According to Pieper’s definition of leisure, one might understand that leisure is doing what a person loves doing most. However, these activities must add value to a person’s being. As opposed to entertainm ent, such as dancing, the real leisure does not lead to exhaustion or monotony. Pieper was right on this. From my personal experience, I can attest to this. I love reading educational and

Shamrock Convenient Store on Lake Wee,GA and Shamrock Convenient Store Essay

Shamrock Convenient Store on Lake Wee,GA and Shamrock Convenient Store #2 - Essay Example The strategic point implies that the set up cost is expected to be relatively high. The startup capital is estimated to be $600000 with stock taking a $500000. The remaining amount will be used in other expenses such are business registration, licenses and refurbishing the premises. Sales revenues are expected to grow by 15% for the next three years. The growth in sales will be used to offset debt obligations of the firm. As noted, the firm will use debt financing to start and operate. Despite the increase in expenses and taxes, the sales revenue will be high enough to offset the expenses and retain the high profit margin. The business will rely on debt financing to fund its operations for the first 3 months. After 3 months business operations will be funded from the sales proceeds. The implication here is that the business will be able to sustain itself. The business will start servicing its debt while maintain a degree of profitability. According to Levinson (2007), guerilla-marketing strategies are essential for small business since they are inexpensive and thus require a small marketing budget. The guerilla strategies aim at attracting the attention of the target audience. In this regard, the Shamrock Convenient Store will use the strategies to reach out to prospective customers. The strategies are advised by the fact that the convenience store targets the local population as well as travelers. Shamrock Convenient Store will use strategies such as legal graffiti, raising awareness on social media, word of mouth, and creating partnerships. Graffiti is important as it boosts visibility of the business and curiosity of the target audience. The business will identify some of the dirty walls within the neighborhood and clean them. The walls will then be painted with attractive colors with the stores logo and several of its products (Mumaw, 2011). By so doing, the community will appreciate the work done in cleaning the walls and also in painting. Painting

The fall of Berlin Wall Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The fall of Berlin Wall - Essay Example After German invasion of the Soviet Union and the end of Nazi war, the four nations decided to divide Berlin the capital of Germany into four parts. Thereafter, a Cold War ensued between U.S and Soviet Union leading to the division of Germany into East and West Germany with East Germany under control of USSR and West Germany under the other three superpowers that had united their occupations to form Federal Republic of Germany. A wall was erected to divide the two Germans thus preventing travel or communication with either side of the divide. However, in 1989 after much pressure from civic organizations in East Germany and after an announcement by USSR president Mikhail Gorbachev that â€Å"the days of monolithic Soviet Bloc were over† thus relinquishing its hold on former satellite states (Fulbrook 243; Turner 230) the ‘iron curtain’ of Europe came tumbling down. ... This led to mass movement of East Germans through Hungary-Austria border and others through Czechoslovakia while still others sought refuge in West Germany embassies in Prague and Warsaw until it reached crisis levels. There was shortage of housing in West Germany plus a strain on its economy. This was also a blow to the East as it lost much of its productive population. At first, German Democratic Republic (GDR) tried to imprison immigrants in Eastern Europe while conducting ‘house arrests’ in GDR to stop them but it did not work. Those who went and came back from the West came with new ideas and view of the world thus pressure began mounting on the government for reforms. This led to peaceful non-violent demonstrations, prayer meetings and discussions by churches. These Leipzig demonstrations were met with violence especially by the Stagi (secret political police) but in the end the SED led by Erich Honecker agreed to dialogue (Fulbrook 245). Honecker instituted few re forms but the GDR citizens were not satisfied. They wanted democratization and free elections. As such, the movement to the West continued and by September, more than 3500 GDR citizens in Hungary were demanding to be allowed to leave for the West (Turner 227). Some went to Warsaw to demand that West Germany embassy to allow them to leave for Federal Republic. Due to pressure by international media, SED allowed those in Prague and Warsaw to travel. However, in early October, it closed borders to GDR leading to unrest. Independent civic organizations such as the New Forum, Democracy Now Democratic Awakening, and Social Democratic Party (SDP) were formed. They were all demanding for free elections and removal of restrictions on travel. To appease the

Federal Landham Law and California Trade Secret Essay

Federal Landham Law and California Trade Secret - Essay Example The Federal Lanham Law has been able to deal with critical societal issues and thus making it a relevant act. For instance, it helps to curb contravention of unregistered brand names, service marks, phony advertisements, product disparagement and trade dress. Most importantly, this act has turned to be the standard medium for assertions of violation of trade dress not that are not registered in the form of both products and services. As a result, the state courts are apparently formulating rules and tapering requirements so as to put frontiers on assertions of trade dress breach (Miller 83). This act clearly depicts criticisms as to what makes up trademark infringement, resultant court decisions. Though, brand names particularly those that involve the internet, there seem to be some sort of laxity. Principally the Lanham law has, civil and criminal requirements for desecrations of their particular provisions, it also offers civil remedies in the event of exclusive rights infringement (Belmas 67). Federal Lanham Law also verifies the civil remedies in cases where an action of intrusion has been brought forward by the ultimate owner. If the central government chooses to impeach organizations or individuals for any of the above violations, the detention terms are clearly set forth in the Lanham’s law and it explicitly describes the offense and also it discerns the criminal fine to be paid in cash. On the other hand, there have been continuous arguments about this law. The question of whether this law has really brought constructive development especially in the field of intellectual assets, is still leaving a lot of uncertainty. It does not seem to resolve the conflict of consumer confusion and unfair competition. It appears more as a gratuitous expansion of restricted rights, diminishing the store of existing designs and symbols that are essential for the sort of liberated competition that should be of benefit to the welfare of the consumer. Critics view t his act as a bad idea with the intention of hurting intellectual property. Nevertheless; others acclaim it as a suitable and very grand weapon in the endless fight against advertising and sales strategies that are a basis of consumer confusion and fraud. In conclusion, this is one of the preeminent acts that have ever been adopted as it entirely protects persons against the high rates of fraud (Belmas 122). California is among the states that have taken up this trade secret act. The California trade secret commonly known as (CUTSA) was agreed to with the aim of promoting, rewarding innovations and technological advancement and to sustain commercial ethics. The endorsement of CUTSA gave a platform of unitary descriptions of trade secret misuse. CUTSA, overtly states that it does not prevent assertions based upon violation of contract, unlawful remedies, or other allegations that do not have their basis on trade secret. Just like the other trade secret laws, this act primarily forbids misuse of trade secrets. In addition, this law also compels criminal penalties in cases where trade secrets are stolen. Misuse of these operational secrets comprises theft, corruption, falsification, infringement or enticement of a violation of an obligation to keep secrecy, or surveillance through electronic or any other means. However, independent derivation

The Gothic Horror genre Essay Example for Free

The Gothic Horror genre Essay With particular reference to the construction of Mr Hyde, discuss how portrayal of the character places the novella into the Gothic Horror genre. The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde was written by Robert Louis Stevenson in 1886, a time where the Gothic Horror story was at its fullest expression, and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde continues to remain one of the most well written, exciting and terrifying Gothic Horror stories to date. The Gothic Horror story has adapted over time, first being associated with dark, mysterious forces of the personality which were though of as uncivilised and therefore medieval and Gothic. However, it was then being used to describe the mysterious, the fantastic and occasionally, the horrific, appealing to the emotional side of human experience and throwing off the shackles of reason. Gothic Novels all shared similar settings, which were not just castles but anywhere that created a dark and mysterious atmosphere, and by the nineteenth century, Gothic Horror began to develop into ordinary human beings in familiar environments, to make the reader even more inclined to believe the unbelievable; that such dreadful events could actually happen; and this is exactly what Stevenson has done. Stevenson wrote Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde at a time where science was still relatively new; Darwins theory of evolution had turned what was a very religious world upside-down, and that, combined with the discovery of electricity and other scientific breakthroughs, made people start to believe that anything was possible. It is this that makes the events in Stevensons novel, which consists of ordinary characters in familiar settings, that much more believable, and therefore even more terrifying. Stevensons Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde fits into this mould of a Gothic Horror story perfectly, and this is largely down to the construction and portrayal of the character of Mr Edward Hyde; the evil half of Dr Jekylls personality. Stevenson introduces the theme of their being two sides to everybodys personality with his opening description of Mr Utterson. Stevenson begins by creating a negative impression of the lawyer, that he is of a rugged countenance and that he is never lighted by a smile. This creates the impression that he is unfriendly and cold, and that he does not show his feelings, yet Stevenson manages to compensate for this by saying that Utterson is yet somehow loveable, and explains that he helped people rather than to reprove. Stevensons use a lot of pathetic fallacy throughout the novel is apparent, and this technique is a very strong and common factor displayed in a lot of Gothic Novels. Stevenson has used it to emphasise the horror that he is describing, and it helps to create a generally terrifying and Gothic atmosphere. An example of this is that Jekylls evil side only comes out at night, as this relates to Stevensons theme of good and evil, where evil is associated with darkness and mysterious atmospheres. The first we learn of Mr Hyde is through the very odd story that Enfield tells Utterson at the beginning of the novel. Utterson and Enfield are walking through a street, which Stevenson describes as having an air of invitation about it, and readers are led to believe that as they are walking, Utterson and Enfield are quite safe in their quiet, peaceful town. However when Enfield begins his odd story, it is about three oclock, of what he describes as a black winter morning. This gloomy atmosphere, where there was nothing to be seen but lamps, leads readers to believe that something odd is about to happen. The very first description of Hyde is that he is a little man who was stumping, which suggests that he is not as proper as the other characters in the novel, and that there is, perhaps, something different about him. Quickly, Stevenson lets the readers know that this inkling is right, as Hyde trampled calmly over the childs body, which is horrible enough, but readers then learn that Hyde left her screaming on the ground. This suggests that Hyde was not fazed by what he had just done, and walked off as if nothing had happened; this is almost evil. Although it is not a particularly horrific event, it gives readers a taste for what is going to come, and they can guess that this is not going to be the first of many such incidents, that can only get worse from here. When Enfield collared Hyde, Stevensons description of Hyde at this point already suggest that he is not quite human, and that although nobody can quite pinpoint it, he has a peculiar effect on all those who encounter him, and this is Stevensons way of conveying the sinister atmosphere that is so often created in a Gothic Novel. For example, Enfield describes that Hyde just gave him one look, so ugly that it brought out the sweat on me like running. Also, Enfield explains that the girl Hyde knocked over was screaming not because she was in pain, but because she was frightened; and Hyde had such an effect on the doctor, Sawbones, that every time he looked at Hyde, he turned sick and white with the desire to kill him. When Utterson asks Enfield what Hyde looked like, Enfield explains that he is not easy to describe, and that he gives the strong feeling of deformity, which suggests that his appearance is enigmatic, which backs up what I have already mentioned of him having a peculiar effect on all those who encounter him, and also that he is not quite human. All of this makes Hyde a typical Gothic character and he certainly fits into the tyrannical males mould that is often used to describe such Gothic characters. The house that Hyde goes into to get the gold and the cheque Dr Jekylls house showed no window and throughout the novel there are further references to this, as well as to locked doors, barred windows and a thick, muffling fog. All of this adds to Stevensons creation of a Gothic atmosphere of secrecy and mystery. Although Utterson and Enfield agree never to refer to this again (this being Hyde), Utterson makes it his mission to seek Hyde, and try to work out the mystery regarding him and Dr Jekylls will, and after nights of waiting for Hyde to appear at the door he was first associated with, Hyde does just that. It is always night time when Utterson waits for Hyde, and this particular night was accompanied by frost in the air and was very silent and very solitary, which puts readers on guard, as throughout Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde Stevenson uses dark, silent nights as the setting for horrific events, such as when Hyde trampled calmly over the childs body. This use of pathetic fallacy makes it easy for Stevenson to make events instantly terrifying, as the recognition of this setting automatically frightens readers as they know that something bad is about to happen, and it adds powerfully to the brooding and menacing atmosphere he has successfully created. Stevenson represents the beast in man by referring to Hyde in a number of animal images, and when Utterson greets Hyde, Hyde shrank back with a hissing intake of breath, which shows his momentary fear, as if he has been caught off-guard. Hyde avoids showing Utterson his face, and only does so on request; this builds up the element of mystery that is sustained throughout the novella, and readers still do not know very much about Hyde. Further on in the novel Stevenson describes Hyde as moving like a money, by which, with reference to Charles Darwins theory of evolution, Stevenson is suggesting that by turning into the ape-like Hyde, Jekyll is evolving backwards. As the pair question each other, Hyde snarled into a savage laugh, which gives Hyde an element of terror about him. When Hyde is described for the second time this time from Uttersons own point of view he has the same dwarfish stance and gives the same impression of deformity without any nameable malformation of which Enfield emphasised when he tried to describe the character, which again adds to the air of mystery surrounding the character himself. Hyde speaks with a husky whispering and a broken voice, which although readers do not yet know, Stevenson is referring to the fact that Hyde is not a whole person. Utterson continues to be confused and frightened by Hyde even after he has disappeared, as he tries to describe the unknown disgust, loathing and fear that he senses from the character, which convinces the readers that Hyde is most certainly someone or something to be feared, and this is confirmed when Utterson links Hyde with the devil by saying he says that Hydes face was marked with Satans signature. Stevenson continues to leave readers in suspense until Hydes true identity is revealed to them in the ninth chapter, although he does drop clues along the way to allow readers to try and figure the mystery for themselves. The plot is eventually exposed by Dr Laynon, who witnessed Hydes transformation back into Jekyll for himself, and recalls his account in detail in the ninth chapter; Dr Lanyons Narrative. Lanyons first task is to recover, with all its contents as they stand, the fourth drawer down in Jekylls cabinet. Stevenson uses the recurring motif of the locked door to re-enforce the atmosphere of secrecy which pervades the Gothic novel; the lock of which was so strong that it took two highly skilled men two hours to open. Of the contents, Lanyon notices in particular a blood red liquor with a highly pungent smell; Stevenson has used this to suggest that Jekyll is involved in highly dark, secretive and dangerous practices, and that the reader is soon going to be dragged further than ever before into this terrifying mystery. Lanyon is told to meet Jekylls messenger at midnight, which adds to Stevensons creation of a Gothic atmosphere and adds mystery and suspense to the story. Stevenson is using his clichà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ setting of it being a dark, silent night, as he has throughout the novel, to build up to the main event. Readers will recognise this familiar setting and horror will rise inside them, as they do not know what is going to happen next; only that it will be terrifying and is going to involve the evil character of Hyde. When the messenger does appear, it is instantly recognisable to readers that it is Hyde through Lanyons use of Gothic vocabulary to describe the figure. The first description of him is that he is a small man crouching against the pillars, and Lanyon describes his disgustful curiosity at the sight of the man wearing a ludicrous accoutrement of oversized clothes which was far from moving [Lanyon] to laughter. Stevenson again refers to the beast in man by demoting Hyde to a creature that is seizing, surprising and revolting. This description of Hyde is sinister and grotesque, to make him fit even better into his Gothic role as a tyrannical male, which further builds up the Gothic atmosphere of mystery and suspense that Stevenson is trying to create as readers wait for Hydes true identity to be revealed to them. Stevenson lets readers know that something dangerous is about to happen as the policeman not far off causes Hyde to make greater haste. Hyde appears to be hysterical with sombre excitement, which leaves readers terrified as to what is going to happen when Lanyon gives him the contents of the drawer. Stevenson builds up the atmosphere of excitement, mystery and suspense by building up Hydes joy; he is so excited at the prospect of Lanyon having got the drawer for him that he has to put his hand to his throat to wrestle against the approaches of hysteria. When Lanyon does reveal the package to him, Hyde sprang to it, and this suggests that the contents are very exciting, yet dangerous and leads the reader to fear for Hydes life as Lanyon does. Stevenson suggests that Hyde is pure evil when he turned a dreadful smile and then when he opens the package he uttered one loud sob which was of such immense relief that Lanyon sat petrified. This event is building up the tension, and it appears that Hyde is getting so excited that he can no longer control himself; to Stevenson uses Lanyons narration to emphasise the horror of the situation and describe just how terrified Lanyon is. In turn, this makes the reader terrified, as they know that something dreadful and horrifying is about to take place. Stevenson is building up to the main event, and is using as much Gothic description as he can to terrify readers and get them gripped for what is about to happen; this is another classic sign of a Gothic novel. On pouring the potion, Hyde gives Lanyon a choice; this is that Hyde can either go home and drink the potion on his own, or he can stay for Lanyon to watch what is about to happen. This is clearly a challenge to Lanyon and everything he represents. Hyde obviously intends to teach the doctor, Jekylls ignorant, blatant pedant, a lesson; to him this would be to settle matters. He is in total command here, recognising that Lanyons greed of curiosity controls him. It is important to remember that Lanyon is given a clear choice, and it is in his own greed that he chooses to watch Lanyon drink the potion. Jekyll is obviously proud of his scientific achievement, and teases Lanyon that he has denied the virtue of transcendental medicine and ridiculed his superiors (by whom he is referring to himself), and readers know that something amazing and exciting, but at the same time horrific and terrifying, is about to happen once Hyde says behold! Stevensons use of Gothic language to terrify readers as Hyde reacts to the potion is particularly important, as he describes how Hyde reeled and staggered; he clutched at the table; he stared with infected eyes, gasping with open mouth, and suddenly the figure standing right in front of, and staring at Lanyon is no longer Mr Hyde, but Dr Jekyll. Stevenson continues to use Gothic language to describe Hydes metamorphosis to Jekyll which will particularly terrify contemporary readers as Stevenson was writing at a time that people thought anything was possible with science, and many believed that transcendental medicine, such as Jekylls own potion, was probable; therefore contemporary readers would think that the events in Jekyll and Hyde were not that unlikely, and could be happening on their street. Therefore they would have been more terrified at Hydes transformation than modern readers, and Stevensons Gothic description of the figures face becoming suddenly black and his features seeming to melt and alter as he is now half Jekyll, half Hyde, helps readers to really imagine the metamorphosis as if they were seeing it for themselves. Lanyons petrified reaction makes readers even more scared, as he sprung to his feet, raised his arm to shield himself from the prodigy, and his mind submerged in terror. This terrifies readers as they begin to imagine Lanyons reaction as their own, and they can see the figure staggering about, his features swelling, and they suddenly realise the truth of Jekylls two personalities. Stevenson describes Lanyon to have destroyed himself, and his life has been shaken to its roots, and this makes readers realise the full extent of what they have just witnessed. Overall, I think that Stevenson has portrayed Hyde to fit in with the typical Gothic mould of the tyrannical male, not only through his use of Gothic language, but through the horrific events themselves; the chilling, secretive, mysterious atmosphere; and the after-thought to contemporary readers that something like this is entirely possible to happen. The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is a lot more terrifying to contemporary readers for several reasons. One reason is that at that time of scientific breakthroughs and Charles Darwins theory of evolution, the world had been turned on its head, and people thought that anything was possible with science; they certainly believed in transcendental medicine, which would take human beings from beyond the realms of normal experience. Also, Stevenson has left clues throughout the novel to allow readers to guess the plot by themselves, which would lead to all sorts of wonders in their imagination; however the story is so well known now that modern readers know the plot, the twist and all events in-between the novel, that it would neither frighten nor surprise them. Also, Stevensons use of Gothic description is particularly terrifying as it allows readers to conjure all sorts of horrific images, however the play has been re-enacted in theatre and in film now so many times that there is not much left to imagine for modern readers anyway.

Procurement Strategies: Advantages and Disadvantages

Procurement Strategies: Advantages and Disadvantages The Janus plc is a dynamic retail and leisure group in UK. The Janus group are constantly investing in their ventures and develop several proposals with considerable facilities to expand their group forward. In UK the Janus group already consists of two other proposals which are in operation. As a part of their plans the organisation has decided to make new development proposal at malchester. The organisation is planning to develop the new proposal in two phases. This report is an assessment of the procurement strategies and options for selecting the procurement strategies for design and construction of the new proposal at malchester. The study on the procurement methods and strategies in this report tell us how to process the planning of the project to achieve value for time, cost, quality and helps the clients organization business to move forward. The report also suggests the best suitable strategy with effective implementation offers on time delivery, cost effective, specific quality and makes sustainable delivery of the project. As the selection of procurement makes the work easier to the client in making the project successful and achieving the goals of the organization. It also makes the right decisions for avoiding the risks. So the selection of procurement method plays very important role in constructions. At last the report recommends and justifies the selected potential procurement method for design and construction process with proper guidelines for delivering the efficient project and also to meet the standard quality for service in attaining maximum profit which will move the organizations business forward. Introduction: Procurement is also called as sourcing, which means gathering services and goods from the preparation and of request through the approval of statement for payment. This involves purchase planning, financing, making the purchase, inventory control and stores, specific development, standard determination, supplier research and selection, supply contract administration, disposal and other related functions, value analysis and price negotiation. Procurement plays major role in work relationship between parties involved in the construction process. Identify the primary and secondary objectives of the projects, Risk innate in the proposal, Environmental determination, which it will be implemented and selecting the appropriate procuring method for the proposed project. Procurement was not about a building, it was about entire project which includes obtaining goods and services, also includes obtaining human recourses like, consultants, contractors, sub-contractors, suppliers and specialists for some purpose. It is the very important step which can show some significant impact on the project success. Critical analysis: Janus leisure plc is leisure group which seeking to move its business forward. Janus leisure present operations having six racecourses which stage 20% of all racing fixtures held each year. Which makes them one of the UKs largest of horseracing. It also includes one of the oldest classic races in the world, the 5000 guineas stakes and also some high profile race meetings throughout the year. Conferencing and banqueting facilities will be provided at all of Janus racecourses and making then capable to operate 365 days. Janus leisure offering 18 hole golf courses at two of their racecourses. One includes leisure club and an integrated, branded hotel at third racecourses. Now Janus proposing some improvements to their racecourses, which was hosting 5000 guineas stakes every year in malchester. The redevelopment consists of two phases. Client requirements: Phase 1 Demolition of existing grandstand. Construction of new 5-storey grand stand to include an extensive conference and exhibition centre and associated external works (Budget  £25m). Refurbishment of two existing stand circa 100 years old (Budget  £5m). N.B to enable redevelopment during phase-1, the 2011 guineas stakes meeting and the 2012 5000 guineas stakes, schedule for mid-September must return to malchester. Phase 2 Construction of a new 120-bed hotel facility and casino (Budget  £12m) to be operational for the 2013 5000 guineas stakes meeting in mid-September. As Janus Leisure Company mentioned that they require finishing phase-1 by mid September 2012 for 5000 guineas stakes and phase-2 by mid-September 2013 for 5000 guineas stakes. As the company is trying to develop all their venues they will be having less concentration on a single venue and also the client knows what they required and what they expecting from the contractor. This project also includes demolition of existing grand stand and refurbishment of two existing stands. Which means it includes mixture of different kind of construction process. The main things in this project were time completion and budget. Completing the project in budget and maintaining the quality of construction. Clients have different needs and it is necessary to ensure satisfactory results to the development process by the contractor. There are some procurement methods which meets our clients requirement. The main factors when considering the appropriate procurement method: Project size Budget Complexity of project Time Probability of change in design and construction phases Quality importance Ability of contractors to undertake the project (Organisation) Design In this project we decided to go with Design and built type of procurement method which was suitable for this type of client. Our client needs racecourses by the 5000 stakes time, so its necessary for the contractor to complete the project by the time without delay. Price certainty: The certainty of price for the total construction work period. Price certainty will change at the time of process of project. Getting the firm prices before the construction of the project, this enables approximate estimates for the client. The cost of the project will be within financial budget. Public employers consider less important in price certainty. And they focus on quality and the functionality of the work done. For private client it is important to control their financial budget by obtaining the price certainty. Dead line: The majority of clients will make the decision and want to complete the project as quick as possible. Here our client need our project in time to extent and start his business soon in malchester. Time availability also influences the project to choose the construction techniques. The implication is under some circumstances such as time, cost and quality. Design: Design and build is the only method which likes into account Buildability, and produces a design in terms of construction. Traditional procurement method of contract was failed id design aspects. Some management contracting type of procurement processes have a grip on the design. If the client was been approaching a single contractor for a long time, it was beneficial to the clients. The main design factors considered are: Function Maintenance Buildability Standard design Design before build Design prototypes Procurement methods: There are several ways to categorised procurement methods. Risk taken by each party Information availability at the time of distributing contracts. The way of design and construction is ordered and maintained. Choosing the procurement systems is risk decision. The main risks obtained at the time of project to clients, contractors, sub-contractors, design team and suppliers are in completion deadlines, construction cost, design adequacy, liability or defects, safety, quality, workmanship etc.,. Source: Turner (1997) Building Procurement (2nd Ed) Source: Smith (1999) Managing Risk in Construction The contractors or consultants are selected by some competition or negotiation with a single organisation. In short listing tenders the points to consider were, Financial standing and records Experience in similar contracts in recent periods. Capable management. Capacity. Time, Cost and Quality of construction are the different options used to address the clients objectives. There are many different procurement methods available. Some have a long life which was continued till now. Some are disappeared. It depends on the results of the past projects. Some systems are in extensive use. Some will suite for the contractor. Some will be suitable for the clients. Procurement types: Lump sum or traditional procurement Design and build Management contracting Framework agreement Public private partnerships Construction management 1. Traditional procurement: This is most common method of procurement. It is suitable to all clients, including in experienced clients and it is time predictable and cost certainty. It is suitable for fast track projects. In this method client appoints a team of consultants to prepare drawings and also tender documents. The client appoints building contractor as well, to build the structure as per design with completion date as per approved rates. Most work will be distributed to the sub-contractors and the contractor remains responsible. Client appointed consultants administrates the project and advise the aspects associated with progress, design and payments. This is low risk option for the clients to minimise the delays, design failures etc. But some times the risk will increase, when the design phase is rushed and also when tender documents are not fully completed. The two stage tendering is referred as the accelerated traditional method. By this design and construction process will at the same time for a w hile. 2. Design and Build: In design and build procurement system a single contractor or single consultant will be appointed for both design and build or management of construction operations. Subcontractor will be appointed by the main contractor or consultant. The main characteristics of this procurement method are: Single organisation will be appointed for both build and construction of project. It may be contractor or consultant. The construction works will be carried out by subcontractors when handled by the contractor when the project is given to contractor. Client will manage subcontractor when the project is given to the consultants. The design and build procurement system is defined as: Design and built organisation behaves as consultant with direct contact with client for design and building of project. All packaging works are between designs and build organisation. Diagram : Flow chat of Design and Build procurement method Using this contract design and build system, clients obtain single or two competitive bids. The suitable contractor who contains the clients requirements and design will be issued the contract. Tender requires stating lump sum management fee and also offers a guaranteed maximum price in the bids. The contract awarded is mainly based on financial level. The GMP approach will also sometimes considered by the client at the time of management contracting. Management procurement systems are undetermined by instance of GMP involvement with agreement between contractor and employer. This is not demanded in design and builds type of procurement system. The design of project will be carried out by in-house designers, external consultants or by both of the in-house designers and external consultants. Whatever is the source of the design, the total responsibility is on the design and build contractor. There is a close contact with clients, designers and subcontractors. This will make the project quite easier. Whatever the problem occurs i.e. in design, packaging works and price issue, he can approach everything and everyone directly in this design and build method of procurement. Construction work is carried out by means of trade. Work packages and it enable to overlap the design and construction. This conditions made the design and build contractor to provide site establishment works. The best example of using the design and build procurement method is construction of  £25 million Nissan car plant complex at Washington in 1984 to 1985. This approach highlights the difficulties that can cause by all of the management oriented methods to cope the client decision till last moment. Apart from difficulties this method provides accurate final cost of the project. Any late changes are likely to be a current or complete work may delay the entire process of the project. Late changes are agreed by such alteration, if something necessary can be allowed. In most projects the client will appoint the financial consultants, usually quantity surveyor to give advice on financial and contractual aspects of the project. Once the design and build contractor appointed, the formulation of work packages, financial monitoring and control of project is subject of joint management and lies between two parties. Design and build usually compensate sum of: Management fee Design fee Net cost of site establishment Final accounts of all the subcontractors to the GMP. When GMP is in corporate in contract it is accordance with the tender documentation. If the contractor made savings against GMP will be penalises when sum exceeds as a result of mismanagement. Payments will be made on net cost of work contractors. Open book method accounting will be done in designing and build method to make the financial records available for the clients or financial advisor, to verify the actual cost of the project with records. The quality control will be problem with the duty for functions allowed to the design and build contractor. But developing quality control was done by form of inspectors, which were appointed by the client. The contract is an initiative to the contractor to minimise the costs and also need him act as an independent consultant. In this circumstances the quality may drop down, unless additional care was taken is supervision of specification of materials and equipment. Employing and managing the supervisory staffs are must undermine the relationship between design build contractor and the client who indented to form fundamental basis for the success of project where design and build type of procurement method is used. When consultant led design and built is a practical and commercial approach to implement the project. The system creators belief that the most construction projects suffer as a result of poor communication and unwanted large and complex management hierarchy, over planning and lack of commitment to the clients cause by most participants in the project. The principles for management of project were: Drawing and documentation is not a product by means o communicating the clients requirements to the construction manager. Communication between the employees is as direct as possible. As we expecting changes in construction field, full preplanning is not the best control and more flexibility and less detailed short term planning should be adopted. The interest of client is best served to participant to the project objectives not individual aspirations. 3. Management contracting: Management contracting is one of the most common methods of procurement. In this client appoints consultants to prepare drawings and project details. The management contract was selected by tendering, paid bases, prime costs and management fee. The main role of management contract is to manage the execution of work. The main contractor does not involve in any kind of construction work directly. It will be done by packages which were undertaken by sub-contractors, which were appointed by management contractors. In some cases the management contractors also agree design liabilities. In this the works contracted were directly and contractually responsible to the management contractor. The management contractors obligation is to accept responsibility for design and construction means. It referred as Design, Manage, Construct it is called as featured as contractor-led procurement. In this the led designed responsible for overall design and manager was responsible for coordination of work. It is suitable for fast track projects, complex buildings and developing brief. It is not suitable for inexperienced clients. Cost certainty, and not possible to transfer the total risk to contractor. This approach will overlap design and construction progress. The payment is made on the basis of cost of work with agreed fee by the managing contractor. Success of project is mainly depends on the contractors team. Price certainty is less because the construction starts before completion of all design works. This means many of packaging works to be tendered later in the construction stage. Means the design and work packages are adjusted properly to keep the project within the budget. Design and construction tends to be less than design and build methods. 4. Framework agreement: Framework agreement is established with limited number of suppliers or single suppliers. It will allow suppliers bring together with relevant experience which will save both the parties when more projects involved. This method of procurement includes all forms of procurement methods. Like traditional, design and build etc. the developing framework agreements for consultancy service will be done by LSC (Learning and skill council). Reduced transaction costs Continuous improvement within long-term relationships Frame work agreement with number of suppliers or single supplier can result in significance savings to both parties. No need for constant re-tendering at call of stages. When the contract conditions are unchanged for all projects, there will be substantial gains from continuous improvement. When the term changed, small competitions with in frame work will takes place. Client may have more framework suppliers for different requirements. The resource implications for client should be decided whether they need one frame work supplier under one frame work agreement are not. Frame work agreement may be used for design and build and primary contracting procurement methods. Frame work agreements also suitable for maintenance requirements. Client with small and rare project will consider collaborating with similar type to share frame work agreement. Every frame work agreement completed and advertised with procurement rules. There must not be any commitment to the frame work agreement contractor for any other kind of business until the first contract completes. The savings in cost and time will come from the following: Not necessary to rebid for every individual project. Continues development will earn by transferring from one project to another. Working relationships will be improved. Continues work flow. Speed of procurement. Public private partnership: Public private partnership is a partnership between public and private sector means the government and private parties carried out the project together on the agreed division of tasks and risks. Each party keeps its own identity and responsibilities. The public private partnership is growing due to demand in infrastructure. The limited fund in the public sector leads to join with private sector, in this provision of infrastructure. The principle believes PPPs is that the public sector is responsible for the proper delivery of service and it is not responsible for actual providing service. Major public sector projects have always undertaken by private sector contract. The major difference between all the procurement methods and this method was, private sector regarded as a fully fledged performer. The essential characteristics were: Responsibility and risk is transferred from public sector to private sector. The contractual agreements were made to perform based outcomes. Long term contractual agreements. Identification Option analysis Planning and approval Implementation Post-transaction Political risk Construction management: In construction management procurement the total services were been between the package contractors and clients. This will show the difference between management contracting. In this approach the client will contact directly with sub-contractors. Here the construction manager acts as an employee agent. When dealing with sub-contractors. The main points in this system are: Construction manager was appointed as consultant at initial stages and have equal status as design team members. Payments are made by lump sum or percentage fee to construction manager. The main works in the projects are carried out by sub-contractors. The role of construction manager is to supervise, co-ordinate and administrate. The role construction manager is defined as consultant role and responsible to the client. The construction manager work for a safety and all works are carried out by sub-contractor, between client and sub-contractor. This type of procurement method was first started in US during 1960s. They usually called this method as construction project management. This procurement method was started to use in UK in 1970s. This was needed to control the risk, cost and time in large projects. After the uncertainty in the worlds economy takes place the higher interest rates made commercial builders to large financial risks. From that stage this method was used in major projects. There are variations in construction management procedures. The construction manager has the equal level as designers. The both designer and construction manager have a direct contact with clients. In construction management method the involvement of client is more than the other methods. Thus this method will be taken by the entrepreneurial clients, who have ability and resources, unless they must be ready to appoint construction manager to protect their interest. Tough process will takes place to appoint a construction manger. The main roles of construction manager: Planning and management Inception and completion Design to ensure built ability. Value for money and economy. Advising the client of their time and cost. Safety policy for the site. Division of work to appropriate sub-contractors. Interim payments and final accounts with work contractors (sub-contractors) and advising client with proper documentation. Before starting of the project construction manager also involves in preparation of project cost budget. Also involves in preparation of tender documents and solution of potential subcontractor and managing tender documents, evaluation and recommendations in acceptance of tenders were also done by the construction manager. Construction manager will not do any construction work by his own. Construction manager was responsible for control and co-ordination of subcontracts. Programme control and time management. Applications for the payment to the subcontractors were examined by construction manager. The manager will submit the applications to the client with appropriate member of design team. Advantages and disadvantages: Traditional method: Advantages: Design was fully developed and cost is detailed before the building contractor being signed. This method will give clients very customised building. The design and construction was split into separate sections will give clear responsibilities. Disadvantages: Its difficult to fine the responsibility for errors and omissions. Different parties involved in the contract can create climate antagonistic. Unexpected circumstances will change the final cost of the project than original tendered amount. But proper planning keeps this under control. Design and Build method: Advantages: Single point of Responsibility: the manager is responsible for design and construction. The client should have single point of responsibility. This method is more advantageous than other, where the client employee separate designers and construction agreements. If the claim is done, the contractors, designers and architects blame each other of their responsibility. Price certainty: Design and build gets more price certainty than other forms of procurement methods. Many of design and build contractors include guaranteed maximum price (GMP). Design and build contractor cant claim for loss and expenses for late instructions from architects. This kind of claims can be done under traditional form of procurement method. The fee paid for the professionals is also less and depends on the roles of the professionals. Speed: It can be easily achieved from design and build method, by starting the work at site earlier than the traditional forms of contract. The contractor is not relaying on design and supply information, this is called single point of contract. This type of method will allow budget and programmes level of control to the contractor. So the construction process is likely to be quicker. Buildability: The contractor is responsible for design and construction, so the project is more likely to be buildable than other procurement methods. Claims: Its not easy to claim because its a single point of responsibility. Disadvantages: Design quality: Design and build method is not an exact procurement method where high priority of design quality is not given because of certainty among the architects. Additional design fee: If the client likes to take independent advice on design matters where the building contractor involved, then this will cost the client to pay additional fee to the design team of the contractor. Inflexibility: Once the contract proposal is agreed, the scope for client to make changes in his requirement is less otherwise the cost consequences will be prohibitive. Management contracts: Advantages: This system enables client to obtain Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the construction element of project from the management contractor. It is used to accelerate the project process. The risk of delay will be overcomes by timely targets. Disadvantages: Project cost incurred in this system is higher, when compared with design and build system. When guaranteed maximum price (GMP) achieves, the management contractor position with clients as consultants will be at risk. Framework agreement: Advantages: Single tendering for the life of the framework agreement. Reduction of cost and administrative efforts. Initial tendering allows contractors to know competitive supply and should offer competitive prices for expected value of business. The range of supplies will be provided is short time by contracting authority, it reduces the stock holding for goods and also reduces time and equipment maintenance and repairs. Long term working relationship can be established with the supplier. Disadvantages: This is a closed system, once the framework agreement is established then new suppliers cannot be admitted. Competitive reopen can be considered onerous, if its structure is not planned properly in framework agreement. Public private partnerships: Advantages: Value for money Risk transfer Long term nature of contract Performance measurement of contracts. Private sector management skills Cost efficiency Time to delivery saving Reduction on the public treasury Board support Improved cost calculations Disadvantages: Insecurity Higher transaction cost Higher capital cost Inefficiencies Culture gap Short term rigidities Construction management: Advantages: Positive attitude and more constructive being exhibited at all levels. i.e. management, supervising and operative level. The proper using of value engineer by construction manager. Clients involvement is a bit higher when compared when compared with remaining procurement methods. It will promote better working relationship with project team. In this method the clients will direct contact with subcontractors, which will improve subcontractors cash flow. Means direct payments from the clients. Disadvantages: Client must involve deeply into all course of works. He must also able to manage construction manager and design consultants. The fee to the construction manager will vary from project to project; it will depend on the size of the project and roles of the construction manager. Procurement strategy: The customized nature of construction project increases inborn risks. These risks include the work which was not exactly required in the project completion. This includes late delivery or costs more than the client pay. These kinds of risks will impact clients core business. The procurement strategy should balance these situations at early stages. The main points which are co-dependent and frequently in tension are: Time: Speed and certainty of completion as per deadline. Cost: Level of price and certainty in cost. Quality: As per performance and functionality. Procurement strategies will accomplish, Cost and time certainty for the design is developed by an architect. This consequently slow process. Also know as traditional procurement process or design-bid-build process. In cost certainty and relative speed, the design is responsibility of a contractor. Gradually client will lose the control over the design process in design and build procurement. Virtual speed for the design developed by an architect and cost is uncertain till completion called as management contracting or construction management. After careful analysis of the project brief it is clear that the main factors essential for the project are time, cost, quality and reputation of the organization. In time, cost and quality the top priority goes to time and then followed by cost and quality. So the procurement method which is going to be selected should be very efficient and fulfil all requirements and objectives of the project. The selection of procurement system depends upon the nature and objectives of the project. After careful considerations of all the above factors and objectives of the clients organization the design and built contracting procurement method is suggested as it is best suitable for the client

A Marketing Research Project on Pepsi

A Marketing Research Project on Pepsi Pepsi Cola was first made in the 1893 by pharmacist Caleb Bradham in New Bern, North Carolina. Initially Pepsi was introduced as Brads Drink by Bradham in 1898 and was made at Brahams pharmacy where the drink was also sold. Later, Bradham changed its named to Pepsi Cola, due to the enzyme pepsin and kola nuts used in the recipe. In 1903 Pepsi-Cola was officially registered with the U.S. Patent Office. Today Pepsi Cola is manufactured by PepsiCo. PepsiCo is a world leader in convenient snacks, foods and beverages. Currently PepsiCo is the number 2 manufacturer in soft drinks behind Coca Cola, number one in snacks and number one in juices. PepsiCo has revenues of $40 billion a year with beverages contributing to less than 50% of that revenue. Market Segmentation Early in its history, Pepsi understood market segmentation and the importance of having consumers to advertise to that arent locked into a specific product yet. Pepsi realized in the 1940s that African Americans were an untapped  niche market. At the time Pepsi was able to gain market share by targeting and advertising towards African Americans which they have continued to do. Today Pepsi markets its product to younger people. The idea behind marketing towards younger people is to lock them into their product throughout their life. Pepsi realizes that their beverages will continued to be bought by customers as they get older so they are trying to build a strong customer base by marketing to 14-30 year old males and females. Pepsi markets to all social backgrounds of all educational and occupational backgrounds. Pepsi customers are loyal to their products as they can easily switch to an alternative beverage and these customers are both aware and interested in the products Pepsi has to offer. Market Size/Characteristics The market size of the soft drink industry has been changing. It decreased in early 2000s, and is now increasing into the 2010s. The market has shown an increase in both sports and energy drinks. Currently, the total market value of soft drinks in the United States is $60 billion. As of 2009, Pepsi-Cola had sales of $18 billion trailing only behind Coca Cola in the United States. Soft drink consumption has a market share of 46.8% within the non-alcoholic drink industry in the United States where the total market value of soft drinks over $307.2 billion globally. Market Share Data from Beverage Digests 2008 report on  Carbonated Soft Drinks has shown that PepsiCos U.S. market share is 31 percent while rival Coca-Cola Companys is nearly 45 percent percent. Overall, Coca-Cola outsells Pepsi in almost all areas of the world, few exceptions. Below is a graphical representation of United States soft drink market share from 2008. pepsico.com Brand Product Attributes From the Pepsi Cola website they explain how with all of the different Pepsi products available that there is something for everyone. Pepsis brands are very popular not only in the United States, but all over the world and are enjoyed by everyone. The product Pepsi offers from its colas are sweet, delicious, less carbonated than its rival Coca Colas. Pepsis Mountain Dew product is even less carbonated than its Colas and is of very sweet tasting, marketed towards the younger populations. The Gatorade products Pepsi manufacturers are global leaders in sports drinks and provide a delicious tasting beverage with a lot of electrolytes for athletes losing fluids in a hard workout or a competition. The teas and waters manufactured by Pepsi are refreshing and a tasty alternative to the carbonated beverages. Product Mix The product mix of Pepsi is one which is very wide and very deep. The width of Pepsi products come from all of the different types of products Pepsi sells which include carbonated soft drinks, waters, energy drinks, teas, juices, ready to drink coffees, and sports drinks. The depth of Pepsi Cola comes from the numerous Pepsi brands in each type of product. Pepsi has big brands in each product category. Some of the large brands in each category include: Carbonated Soft Drinks Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist Waters Aquafina, Sobe Energy Drinks Amp, No Fear Teas Lipton Brisk, Iced Tea Juice Drinks Dole, Ocean Spray Dairy-Based Drinks Sobe Ready to Drink Coffees Starbucks Sports Drinks Gatorade, G2 Pepsi-Cola is leading selling beverage for Pepsi in North America and the world. Mountain Dew contributes greatly to Pepsis sales and has a large presence in the North American soft drink market. Below is a graphical representation of the Pepsi-Cola North American Product Mix. pepsico.com Product Strategy The strategy of Pepsi can be taken right from a quote off of the Pepsi website which reads: Pepsi is constantly on the lookout for ways to ensure their consumers get the products they want, when they want them and where they want them. From this quote one can easily recognize that it is important to Pepsi to produce good tasting products that are distributed all over and easy to purchase. Pepsi and its products can be seen everywhere and this is important to them as they have so many different products. Pepsi has products that are alternatives for each other and this allows them to have such a great presence in the soft drink market and have large percentages in the market share. Product Life Cycle Product life cycle is the stages a product goes through from its introduction, to growth, its maturity, and then its decline. The Pepsi Company, although it has a lot of mature product in its colas and other soft drinks, it still has some growth. A lot of the growth of Pepsi is due to the newly popular energy drinks which it produces and the sports drinks. The new products Pepsi is producing each year give me reason to believe it is not quite at maturity, but is at the top of the grown stage in its product life cycle. This diagram helps illustrate where Pepsi currently is in its life cycle. Product Development and Innovation The Pepsi Company website writes, The Pepsi Company continues to innovate, creating new products, new flavors and new packages in varying shapes and sizes to meet the growing demand for convenience and healthier choices. The way Pepsi develops products and innovates is by offering new different tasting beverages. Pepsi has come out with numerous different soft drinks, and has added many other products to their product mix. Other types of beverages including energy drinks, juices, and sports drinks are ways in which Pepsi has been innovative and the different flavors it comes out with ever years shows the development of Pepsi. Pepsis latest innovation is adding three new products which are considered to be a throwback to the 1960s and 1970s. Pepsi Natural, Pepsi Throwback, and Mountain Dew Throwback will all be sold with these older logos and are all sweetened with natural sugar. These recipes date back to the 1960s and 197s and will be able to be purchased this month. Pricing The United States carbonated soft drink market is a mature market where the industry sales growth is largely driven by population growth and advertising. Product innovation is also taking place in the industry and is an important aspect of pricing in the market. Since there is a mature nature of the market both Pepsi and Coca Cola have resorted to price discrimination strategies to maximize the value of consumer demand. Price discrimination means that there will be different prices for the product in the different regions it is being sold. Pepsi, Coke or other soft drinks have similar prices and the price will vary slightly from place to place and depending on which packaging it is sold in. Distribution On February 26, 2010 the Pepsi Beverages Company  (PBC) was formed when PepsiCo bought both of its largest distributors in the world. The Pepsi Beverages Company is made up of the Pepsi Bottling Group which worlds largest  bottler of Pepsi-Cola beverages. The Pepsi Bottling Groups sales of Pepsi-Cola beverages accounted for more than one-half of the Pepsi-Cola beverages sold in North America. Pepsi Beverages Company is also made up of the former PepsiAmericas Company which was worlds second-largest  bottler of Pepsi-Cola beverages and had19 bottling plants in the United States and had a presence in 16 other countries. PepsiCo and Pepsi-Cola now has much control over its bottling companies and the distribution of Pepsi Cola products. Pepsi products are distributed to stores all over, from small grocery marts to larger bulk warehouse stores, and through fountain drinks. Packaging In the United States Pepsi products are sold in plastic bottles and cans as well as dispensed through a fountain. The cans are packaged in 6 packs, 12 packs and cases of 24, 36 and 360. Pepsi also has bottles come in 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 liters. Energy drinks first  sold in eight-ounce cans in the United States, but now are sold in similarly sized cans to the other soft drinks. The Pepsi packaging has been simple, containing a blue color, differing itself from the Coca Cola red. Pepsis packaging has not changed much until its new look in 2009 which it changed its logo and packaging in an attempt to distinguish itself and promote itself from the other colas as a cultural leader. Advertising Strategy Recently, cutting back on television Shifting to social media Website, Twitter, Facebook 2010: First time in 23 years without Superbowl Ad Younger generation Pop stars Movie stars Promotion Pepsi Challenge: Pepsi vs. Coke Pepsi Stuff: merchandise purchased with Pepsi Points Pepsi Refresh Project Pepsi brand is dedicating $20 million dollars a year Donations to local organizations Causes proposed by the public in health, arts and culture, the environment and education Media partners for the project include: AOL, Face book, Hulu and MTV Competitive Products Coca-Cola  and  Pepsi  are the two most popular and widely recognized beverage brands in the world Pepsi-Cola and Coca-Cola Classic are the predominant carbonated cola beverages Coca-Cola is the original Pepsi tastes sweeter than Coca-Cola Coca-Cola has more carbonation than Pepsi depending on what region you are in Said that depending on where each one was made the amount of carbonation in them will be different, proving that neither Coca-Cola nor Pepsi have more carbonation than one another Both drinks are no longer seen as a beverage but mainly as a brand Both companies commit to sponsoring festivals and charitable projects in third world countries Marketing Approach Both Coca-Cola and Pepsi market as part of a life-style Pepsi tries to reach out to the younger generation by appealing to pop culture Pepsis Website: flashy pages containing social media links Coca-Colas website: less flashy and uses a classical appeal, promoting history of beverage