Six Essential Elements of Geography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Six Essential Elements of Geography - Essay Example Physical systems – this element of geography seeks to study physical processes such as volcanoes, glaciers, climate, and how they shape the earth. In addition, it seeks to study the interrelationships among plant and animal life and their natural environment that sustain life. Environment and the society – this element studies the impacts of human activities on the environment. In addition, geographers are also interested in knowing how humans use the environment and how the environment influences people’s lives. The uses of geography – this element show the importance of acquiring knowledge on geography. Geography is essential to humans in that it helps them understand the future as well as the past. This knowledge enables geographers to understand better the relationships between the environment, people and places (Swamson 56). The teacher can apply the first essential element of geography in describing the absolute or relative location of a particular object. For example, the teacher can inform the students that the Geographic information centre is located at 805 Sherbrooke Street West (absolute location) or Sherbrook Street West near the Catholic Church (relative location). The second element (places and regions) is applicable in distinguishing various parts of the world. For example, the teacher can use this element to explain the difference between the tropical regions and temperate zones. The teacher can apply the unique element of physical system by explaining to students the role played by natural phenomenon such as volcanoes, movement of glaciers and hurricanes. For example, volcanoes can produce rich soils that can support farming. On the flip side, volcanoes can cause destruction of natural vegetation and displace people. The teacher can apply human systems in explaining human settlements. For example, the teacher can be able to explain why there are so many

Leadership Development Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Leadership Development - Research Paper Example However, with the presence of globalization in the business environment, increases in available job opportunities in multiple industries, and internal business needs for multi-talented workers to maintain competitive advantages, many organizations had little choice but to break-down autocratic management systems if organizational managers desired to gain employee commitment, loyalty and retention. This is the foundation of modern leadership, an evolution from command-and-control management that ultimately became rather ineffective in the late 20th Century. Leadership is a type of social persuasion which allows a manager to seek support and assistance from employees in the pursuit of attaining positive results with common projects and objectives (Nickels, McHugh & McHugh, 2008; Chamers, 1997). Leadership is an influential individual within the organization that creates a mission, coaches others, builds positive social relationships, and ultimately maintaining competency that allows for group organization and team-working. Leadership, as opposed to traditional management practices, is now a fundamental aspect of contemporary human resources systems and the method by which organizations guarantee higher levels of job satisfaction and intention to stay with the company. However, it should be recognized that not all individuals in the professional environment maintain the skills and competencies to become effective leaders. Therefore, organizations must identify potential strategies and procedures to develop leaders with the aptitude and capability to gain employee followership. To be an effective leader means developing skills that promote a genuine willingness to follow the direction of leaders within employees, a talent that is multi-faceted and complex based on psychological and sociological attributes and behaviors of employees. Furthermore, not all leadership

Analysis Of Feyerabends Against Method Philosophy Essay

Analysis Of Feyerabends Against Method Philosophy Essay Paul, Karl Feyerabend (1924-1994) is one representative of the post positivism, studies Philosophy and Methodology of Science.  He formulated a number of fruitful methodological ideas, developed the anarchist theory of knowledge, which has received great attention in the international philosophical community. Paul Karl Feyerabend was born January 13, 1924 in Vienna.  He received an excellent education.  His interests were very different: in Weimar, he studied drama in London, and in Copenhagen he studied philosophy, microphysics, and in Vienna history.  His teaching career began in Vienna as an assistant professor of the Vienna Institute of Arts and Sciences.  From 1951 he lectured at the University of Bristol, from 1958 he worked in the U.S. (because of this it is usually ranked among the American Scientists).   Name Feyerabend has acquired international fame thanks to the concept of epistemological anarchism.  Furthermore, Feyerabend criticizes the view that the theory is just a convenient scheme for organizing facts.  He emphasizes that every scientific theory has its own special way of viewing the world.  Her perception is influenced by peoples shared beliefs and expectations, and through this the experience and our perception of the real.  It turns out that the facts and experimental results, serve as a measure of reliability theory in the classical science, is not so infallible, but rather due to the original setting of the researcher.  On the basis of this statement, Feyerabend introduces the rule, which states that it is necessary to introduce and develop hypotheses that are incompatible with the well-grounded theory that existed previously with the facts and the experimental data.  Because it is often the evidence that can disprove a theory, it can be obtained only by us ing an alternative that is incompatible with this theory.  The recommendation to use an alternative only after a denial has discredited the orthodox theory, puts, according to Feyerabend, the cart before the horse.  The rule of the Feyerabend puts the basis of its pluralistic methodology.  In the article against the methodological constraint (Against Method, London: Verso, 1975) Feyerabend wrote that a true scientist should compare ideas with other ideas, not experience, and seek to improve those concepts that were defeated in the competition, rather than discard them.  In doing so, he retains the concept of man and cosmos as contained in the book of Life or Pomander, and will use them to gauge the success of the theory of evolution and other innovative concepts.  Feyerabend gained fame largely due to the requirement to develop incompatible with the facts of the theory on the grounds, that there was no single more or less interesting theory, which is consistent with all kn own facts.  It was for the possible existence of a pluralistic methodology to the lack of established standards, propaganda, coercion.  Hence the thesis that everything is permissible (anything goes). Feyerabend said that science is a relatively new form of knowledge that occurred two hundred years ago, which was born in a fierce conflict with religion and, perhaps, itself sooner or later be barred from forward positions in any other form of knowledge. Science is much closer to myth than willing to allow philosophy of science.  It dazzles only those who have already decided in favor of a particular ideology or not at all reflect on the advantages and limitations of science.  After all, modern science is dominated not by virtue of its merits, but because of the organized for her advocacy and promotions.  This is a form of ideology, and it, according to Feyerabend, should be separated from the state, as is already done in regard to religion.  How can be organized the state, in which there is an approach to science? First of all, Feyerabend rejects the idea that to solve the problems there should be a theory, developed by experts, for example,  intellectuals who explain what is possible and what is impossible.  In a free society, intellectuals, and ideas that their value, and the ways that they deem most appropriate, represent only one of many traditions.  Problems are solved by non-specialist (though their advice is not ignored).  Feyerabend writes: But take, for example, the idea of motion of the Earth.  It originated in antiquity, was defeated by arguments and then was considered an incredible absurdity of Ptolemy, and, nevertheless, returned in triumph in the 18 century.  One can cite many other examples to prove the following moral: the time lag in the development of some ideology (which is a bunch of theories, connected with a specific method and more general philosophical concept) should not be considered grounds for its removal. To create a free society, there should be provided equal rights to all traditions, but in order to implement this project to change the structure of society from the ideological to the protective (do not impose a theory as required, but supporting all theories).  Of course, Feyerabend often has been accused of outrageous and utopian, but we cannot deny the positive influence of his critics on the academic, an established and dogmatize science. In his book Against Method and Science in a free society, Feyerabend defended the idea that there is no methodological rules, which are always used by scientists.  He opposed a single, tradition, scientific method, arguing that any such method of putting some limits on the activities of scientists, and thus limits of the progress.  According to his view, science would benefit most from a dose of anarchism in scientific theory. He also believed that anarchism in theory is desirable, because it is more humanistic approach than the other scientific systems, since it does not force scientists to rigid rules. Can we exclude the possibility that the presently known science, or search for truth in the style of traditional philosophy, will turn a man into a monster?  Is it possible to exclude the possibility that it will be waning man turned into a miserable, moody, arrogant mechanism, devoid of charm and sense of humor?  Can we rule out the possibility asks Kierkegaard that my work as an objective or rational critical observer of nature weakens my human nature? I believe that the answer to all these questions must be negative, and I am sure that  Reform of Sciences will make them more anarchistic and more subjective (in Kierkegaards sense) is essential. (Against Method) Feyerabends position in the philosophical community is radical enough, since it implies that philosophy cannot successfully describe science as a whole, nor can it develop a method of separating scientific papers on nonscientific entities, such as myths.  It also suggests that developed and recommended by the philosophy of common course of science should be rejected by scientists, if it is necessary for further progress. To support his contention that adherence to methodological rules does not lead to success in science, Feyerabend cites examples to refute statements that would (correctly) help the science is valid corresponds to certain fixed rules.  He considers some of the episodes in the history of science considered as the indisputable examples of progress in science (such as the scientific revolution of Copernicus), and shows that in these cases violated all accepted rules of science.  Moreover, he argues that if these rules are adhered to, then in these historical situations scientific revolution could not happen. One of the criteria for evaluating scientific theories, which have been actively criticized by Feyerabend is a criterion for consistency.  He points out that the insistence on the fact that the new theory has consistently continued the old theory that gives undue advantage of the old theories, and that the sequence with respect to the old theories does not lead to the fact that the new theory describes reality better than another new theory, which is a  sequence not in compliance.  That is, if you need to choose between two equally compelling theories, the choice of one of them, which is compatible with the old, already invalid theory will be more aesthetic choice, rather than rational.  After the acquaintance with such theory, scientists can also be harmful because they do not discard much long-standing bias in the transition to a new theory. Many critics agree with Feyerabend . He states that everyone has the right to choose.  And the option do not drown is not necessarily true.  In other words, it seems that Feyerabend does not believe the pursuit of truth and objectivity, knowledge of concepts about the really important goal. The first step in the critique of conventional human concepts and responses is to get out of the circle and either to invent a new conceptual system, such as a new theory that comes into conflict with the most firmly established observational results and reverses the most plausible theoretical principles, or to transfer  a system of what is science, of religion, mythology, from the ideas of incompetent people, or from the ravings of a madman. Feyerabend 1993. One problem is the concept that blurs the line between Feyerabend process of the invention of a scientific theory and its justification.  Arguing that the source of the theory can be anything goes, he denies the need for rational jus tification of the theory, thus diverting their concept to the region of extreme relativism. For all the apparent humanity of the concept, the desire to create a society where everyone will be developed individually, and the state will protect all forms of knowledge, Feyerabend provisions are too general and abstract. In any of his works he does not explain what in fact is bad in this or that theory, or whether the generally accepted concept about the world order are false. Towards a theory of epistemological anarchism, Feyerabend push its social and political beliefs.  He always came to the consideration of science and its methodology from the standpoint of humanism, happiness, and the free development of all people.He opposed to the spiritual enslavement of people, and rebels against the science when it dogmatization is used as a bondage. Anarchism of Feyerabend is, in fact, a rebellion against the spiritual slavery, which keeps peoples bourgeois culture.

Christmas Song Essay -- Analysis, Christmas Carol

To many people a warm crackling fire brings about memories of the Christmas season. By listening to some of the Christmas carols played throughout the festive holiday season, it is easy to pick up on this. In one such Christmas carol, they mention â€Å"chestnuts roasting on an open fire† in this line fire is the provider of warmth light, and good spirits. By roasting the chestnuts the fire gives food and allows people to share with one another in a warm comfortable atmosphere. A second popular Christmas carol that mentions fire it â€Å"Let it Snow†. In this song, one of the main verses is â€Å"Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, And since we've no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow†. In this verse fire is representative of the winter time and gives delight, along with warmth and light, to the person singing the song. Light is something that goes hand in hand with the Christmas holiday, but something that is not a common thought when it comes to Christmas is darkness. The example of fire and light also holds true for Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol. Before the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the spirits of his seven years dead business partner Jacob Marley, and the Ghosts of Christmas’s past, present, and future, he despises Christmas and everything about it, almost forcing his clerk, Bob Cratchit to work Christmas day. Even his always cheerful nephew Fred cannot seem to break through the hatred. But while Scrooge worked as an apprentice for Mr. Fezziwig, the hatred was not present. But through the series of events that happened in his life. Scrooge grew to hate the whole Christmas season. After he is shown what will happen to him if he doesn’t change his ways, Scrooge wakes up the ne... ...Christmas Carol reflects how much love and generosity of spirit are present among people: the greater the â€Å"good cheer† the brighter the scene, the more greed, self-centeredness, or hostility, the more absolute the darkness. An example discussed in the novel was the amount of light and therefore, spirit, love and generosity, present in the moor where the miners work. In contrast to the miners light, was the gloom surrounding Scrooge before he was visited by the three ghosts. Although Scrooge was surrounded by murkiness, greed and self-centeredness before the ghosts visited him, by the time he went to his nephew Fred’s party there much more light, love and generosity present. Fire light and warmth play an important role in The Christmas Carol but darkness and gloom play an equally important role in representing the characteristics of people in the scene.

Food and Beverage Industry Essay

Around the time of A. D 850 legend has it that a lone shepherd and his flock happened upon a strange new plant that was growing upon the slopes of lonely hillside. Before the shepherd could intervene some of his herd had started to chomp away at this newly discovered delicacy. After about a quarter of an hour the shepherd began to notice that the entire flock were acting in an extremely lively manner. They appeared to be not only very alert but even hyperactive. Now the shepherd being slightly weary and more than a little tired decided that he also should sample the berries and see what, if any effect they would have on him. He secretly hoped that the dramatic effect that he had observed the berries to have on his greedy flock of sheep would also be his experience. Just as had happened with his herd, he too started to feel the benefits and in a matter of minutes he also [pardon the pun] was ? extremely full of beans?. A few hours passed and along came a wandering monk. The herder proceeded to tell him of the plants amazing qualities but he was immediately scolded for his outlandish ways and foolhardy behaviour. After he had finished telling the shepherd just what a sinner he had been the monk went on his way but not before he had hidden a little something in his bottom of his backpack. When the monk reached his monastery his fellow holy men also decided to try this new and enchanting beverage. Soon the endless hours of prayer no longer seemed so wearisome, in fact they became easy to endure with the help of this exciting new drink. Coffee, had now well and truly arrived and the news began to spread! Its widespread consumption first commenced in the wilds of the Ethiopian outlands before then moving on to the heart of Arabia . Here it was to be held as a holy delicacy but was eventually to be unlawfully exported by a trader by the name of Baba Budan. In no time at all word of its qualities began to spread and coffee was to evolve into one of the most valued drinks ever known to the human civilisation. Its hard to believe that each year we consume a staggering four billion cups and there are many among us who would not contemplate starting their day without it. Although coffee is usually thought of as a sleep suppressant there are many who think that it also has many health benefits. It is said that folk who suffer from the complaint of asthma and drink coffee have an average of at least 25% less symptoms due to a substance in the coffee named theophylline. This is known to be a bronchodilator which helps those who suffer with the disease to breathe a little more easily. Drinking coffee on a daily basis is also thought to help lower your chances of developing colon cancer. This is also by a figure in the region of about twenty five percent. Aside from the benefits that have been mentioned above, it has to be said that simply enjoying coffee as a beverage is a delight that will never be easily surpassed. The unbelievable thing is that most people have no idea of the different tastes and delights that this monarch of all drinks has to offer. One of the fastest growing trends of the past few years has to be the rising popularity of obtaining coffee via the internet. Never before has it been so easy to sample such a huge variety of blends, tastes and aromas, and all at the click of a mouse. I order coffee frequently through the internet and I always make a point to record the country, blend and from whom I purchased. Well now that you know the tale of the mystical beans I hope that if in the future you are considering visiting your local coffee shop you recall the story of the lowly shepherd and think about just what you might be drinking were he not to have wandered onto that bleak and lonely hillside. Why not take advantage of the internet and try the many different varieties and blends available. Not only will you impress your tastebuds, your friends will be grateful as well. Reference: http://www. streetdirectory. com/etoday/food-and-beverage-history-coepeu. html.

Thorntons chocolate Essays

Thorntons chocolate Essays Thorntons chocolate Paper Thorntons chocolate Paper 2.0 SWOT Analysis 2.1 Strengths 2.1.1 Manufacturing Thorntons Plc conducted their key manufacturing and selling activities in house. The ability to monitor the process of the boxed chocolate selection provides them with greater control over the manufacturing process. This has enabled them to protect the recipe of their core products. In addition, years of manufacturing in the chocolate industry has also helped to develop their manufacturing expertise. Review has also shown that Thorntons was the only possible manufacturer for 70% of its product lines. This will give them competitive advantage over other chocolate producers. 2.1.2 Quality The use of quality ingredients assured the quality of the boxed chocolate selection. It has enabled them to differentiate themselves from other chocolate producers. The company owned retail outlets provided a good quality of service by providing personalized messages on icing during special occasions. Thorntons chocolates freshness is a distinctive feature of their product. Using more cocoa butter instead of vegetable fat has also shown the quality in their products. The company has maintained the customers experience by selling fresh and quality products. 2.1.3 Brand Name Thorntons has become a well known brand to the consumers. Research survey has shown that consumers ranked Thorntons in the 5th place in their typical UK high street products. Their shops have also become part of the UK high street. 2.1.4 Products In 1925 a recipe for Special Toffee gave the business an outstanding product. Walter Willen created the original recipes for Thorntons Continental chocolate range, which became the largest selling specialist assortment of chocolates in UK. Furthermore, since these products are still around until the present day, it shows Thorntons have expertise in chocolate making. New development of French dark chocolate and Belgian milk and white chocolate selection has also been added to the Continental range. In addition, products were also expanded to include gifts for every occasion, which included chocolate scented t-shirts and New Easter eggs. With the continuous innovation of producing new products, Thorntons can overcome the problem of seasonal goods. It helps them to increase sales during peak and off peak season. 2.1.5 Technology In 1998 the company had started to install EPOS in the shops. Electronic Point of Sales will allow them to increase efficiency and have more timely performance information. It will also help them to reduce losses in the future with up to date performance information. 2.1.6 Wide Distribution Channel Thorntons have their own shops to sell their products. Besides that, they have collaborated with other retail outlets such as Marks and Spencer, Tesco and also other grocers in order to widen and strengthen their market distribution channel. Moreover, they also sell their chocolate to pubs and restaurants to broaden their market share. 2.2 Weaknesses 2.2.1 Short Lifespan of Product Thorntons chocolate does not have a long shelf life and is often unsuitable for sales in many retail outlets, corner shops, garages and some of the supermarkets. 2.2.2 Fluctuations of Demand The company faces a lot of pressure and fluctuations of demand due to strong seasonal pattern. During festive season such as Christmas and Easter, business can increase tenfold within a few days. This will lead to the inefficiency of labor and production of chocolate. 2.2.3 Extra Cost of Labor To meet seasonal demand packing staff requires the increased use of casual workers, which will lead to a fall in efficiency. Furthermore, seasonal demand also requires the use of temporary staff in retail outlets. Temporary staff often do not often have the quality and experience needed, which could lead to unsatisfied customers. In addition, the need for casual workers will also increase the cost of the company. 2.2.4 Packaging The chocolates are enrobed in chocolate rather than molded. Thus, their hand made appearance makes the packaging process less open to automation because the chocolates are not in uniform sizes. 2.2.5 Customers Expectation Franchising did not provide the customer with the same experience as shopping in a Thorntons-owned shop and occasionally it could be difficult to maintain standards. As a result of this, Thorntons could end up losing customers because they cannot meet the customers expectation. 2.2.6 Drop in Perceived Value Thorntons have made progress to develop the companys commercial customers and have broadened the range of chocolate products to suit supermarket shelves. These newly developed products to suit the commercial customers were different compared to those sold at Thorntons own outlets. They differed by style and recipe and regular customers could not be sure if they were made by Thorntons. As a result of this, it may lead to a drop in the regular customers perceived value and Thorntons itself losing their identity. Thus, they may end up losing regular customers. 2.2.7 Lost Focus in Initial Objective In 1998, Thorntons have introduced another 132 new and updated products and have widened the product range to place emphasis on count lines, which acted as a snack or impulse buy. This has attracted a wider range of customers but it also brought them into competition with products of such companies as Nestle and Cadburys. Here it shows that they have already lost focus, because they should not be competing with brands such as Nestle and Cadburys. Thorntons should have focused on their box chocolates and use their competitive advantage over others. 2.3 Opportunity 2.3.1 Use of Technology Thorntons have also made use of the internet to let customers place their orders or make online purchases, retain existing customers and also attract new customers. Besides that, online purchases can allow them to receive information quickly and determine whether certain products are favorable or unfavorable to the consumers. Furthermore, online purchases can give them time to make the chocolates and let them know how much they need to produce for the online customers. 2.3.2 Penetration to European Market Thorntons expanded their business thorough the acquisition of Gartner in Antwerp, which was their first European acquisition. After that, they used Gartners products trough Thorntons retail network well as selling its own confectioneries to the Belgium companies customers. Consequently, they acquired 2 French confectionery retailers, Candice-Martial SA and Societe Nouvelle de Confiserie. Thus, Thornton made use of the opportunities for growth through acquisitions in Europe. 2.3.3 Seasonal Sales Thorntons chocolate are highly dependable on seasonal festivals. This way, when festive seasons arrive, the sales will boom and will increase the profits. The differentiated product range suits the various demand of customers during different festive seasons. 2.3.4 Export to Other Foreign Markets Thorntons began to develop sales outside UK by exporting to Europe and Australia which had reached 300 thousand pounds. Export to these foreign markets will increase production and could achieve economies of scale. 2.4 Threats 2.4.1 Competition Against Established Companies When Thorntons wanted to attract a wider range of customers, they entered into the middle range market. The expansion of the target market has lead them into competition against established companies such as Nestle and Cadburys. Since Nestle and Cadburys are already well known in this market segment, they have already created a high barrier for Thorntons to enter. Moreover, by entering the middle range market, Thorntons which is not used to automation and mass production will lose its competitive advantage if they are in the middle range market. In other words, Thorntons will not be able to use their existing resources and advantages to compete with Nestle and Cadburys. 2.4.2 External Factors During Easter 2003, Thorntons sales was affected by the hottest summer in 30 years. In June 2003, it revealed that the companies own stores sale had increased by only 0.9%. This shows that the sales of Thorntons will be affected by external forces such as weather. 2.4.3 Other Substitutes Thorntons competed with a wide range of products ranging from 5 to 10 pounds. Specialist retailers such as Body Shop and KnickerBox provided gifts in the same price range. Besides, postal gifts such as flowers and wine were also addressed to the same market. This way, instead of choosing from Thorntons, consumers will have more choices to choose from the market and in this particular price range. 3.0 Porters 5 forces Analysis on the Chocolate Industry in UK The five forces framework helps identify the sources of competition in an industry or sector. (Johnson Scholes 2002, pg 112) 3.1 Threat of Entry There are many factors which will lead to the threat of entry. These factors are economies of scale, product differentiation, capital requirements, cost advantages of independent size, access to distribution channels and government regulations. 3.1.1 Product Differentiation In this case, it is mentioned that the UK confectionery market is highly competitive with a great deal of product and packaging innovation. In addition, the chocolate market has many sub-sectors. This shows that the chocolate industry in UK has manufacturers who place great focus on product differentiation. When these chocolate manufacturers differentiate their products, it creates a wider choice for chocolate lovers and this will discourage new entries from new manufacturers. 3.1.2 Huge Capital Requirement/Economies of Scale Furthermore, in order to compete among the existing competitors in the chocolate market, those new comers will need huge capital requirement. This is because great economies of scales have already been achieved by those existing ones. In summary, the threat of entry to the chocolate industry in UK is very high. New potential chocolate manufacturers will need huge capital requirements in order to differentiate their product and to compete with the existing manufacturers which have already achieved a high economy of scale. 3.2 The Power of Supplier 3.2.1 Product Differentiation In this case, the suppliers are the ones who supply raw ingredients for those chocolate manufacturers to make chocolates. They are more powerful when they supply differentiated products, which make switching among other suppliers difficult. In this industry, the main raw ingredients such as cocoa beans are not differentiated. Thus, the buyers have the choice to switch among other suppliers because cocoa beans are not differentiated. Therefore, the suppliers do not have as much power as the buyers. 3.2.2 Substitutes In addition, when there are few substitutes among the suppliers, the supplier will be more powerful. In this case, there are a number of suppliers in the chocolate industry which will make switching among suppliers easier, making them less powerful. Examples of cocoa producers are Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia and other countries. (Refer to appendix A) If one of the suppliers increases the price of raw ingredients, chocolate manufacturer like Thorntons can easily switch to other suppliers. This shows that the suppliers have less power in this case. 3.2.3 Suppliers Revenue Suppliers have more power when the industry represents a small portion of suppliers revenue base. In the chocolate industry, the suppliers could not afford to lose the buyers as the purchases of the buyers represent a substantial portion of their revenue. This explains that the suppliers have less power in this industry. 3.2.4 Forward Integration Suppliers are powerful when they have the capability to integrate forward. In this case, since most of the suppliers revenues are from the established chocolate manufacturers such as Cadburys, Nestle and Throntons, it is extremely difficult for the suppliers to acquire these established companies. Therefore, suppliers are not as powerful as the buyers. 3.3 The Power of Buyer 3.3.1 Product Differentiation According to Porter, backward integration can allow the firm to enhance differentiation by gaining control over the production of key inputs to be able to differentiate its products better. (Porter 1998, pg 318) In this industry, Thorntons and other chocolate manufacturers are the buyers. Buyers have power when the product is not differentiated making it easier to switch. In this case, the raw materials used to produce chocolate are such as cocoa beans, eggs, cream butter, vegetable fat and sugar. All these raw materials are usually not differentiated for the production of chocolates. 3.3.2 Buyers Purchase Moreover, buyers have more power when the buyers purchase represents a substantial portion of sellers revenue. In this case, well established companies like Nestle, Cadburys and Thorntons purchase large amount of raw ingredients from the suppliers to produce the many different types of chocolates. These purchases represent a substantial portion of the suppliers revenue. 3.3.3 Backward Integration Furthermore, buyers will be more powerful when they have the capability to integrate backwards. In this case, Thorntons has the capability to make European acquisition such as Gartner and Candice-Martial SA and Societe Nouvelle for a total of 8.65 million pounds. This shows that Thorntons has the potential and ability to integrate backwards by taking over their supplier of raw chocolate ingredients. 3.4 Substitutes There are many substitutes for the consumption of chocolates such as other confectioneries and snacks. As a gift, consumers can choose substitutes other than chocolates. For instance, in the 5 to 10 pounds price range, consumers can choose from Thorntons, Body Shop and Knickerbox. Also, during festive seasons such as Valentines Day and Mothers Day, consumers have a variety of choices to choose from like flowers, cards, CDs and soft toys. This clearly illustrates that chocolate indeed has a number of substitutes. 3.5 Rivalry When an industry has a large number of competitors and they are of similar size and power; or has high fixed costs and also high barriers of exit, it means that the rivalry is strong. 3.5.1 Number of Competitors In this case, there are many strong competitors in the UK chocolate industry such as Masterfoods, Cadbury, Nestle Kraft and Jacob Suchard. These big fours contribute more than half of the UK box chocolate market, which is 72% of total value of sales which account to approximately 503 million pounds. (Refer to appendix B) Besides the big 4, they also faced competition from other small chocolate retailers and owned labels which account for 14% of total value of sales which is approximately 98 million pounds. Furthermore, smaller more specialist chocolate brands such as Elizabeth Shaw also compete with Thorntons. On the other hand, Marks and Spencer and Sainsbury Taste the Difference who have high quality images that support the sale of own-labeled box chocolates would intensify the rivalry in the industry. 3.5.2 High Fix Cost/High Exit Barrier Furthermore, chocolate manufacturers incur high fixed cost. Any new entrants who wished to compete with those established brands in the industry will incur a high cost to purchase the machineries and facilities to produce chocolate. When they have invested such high capital in buying machineries, product differentiation and advertising, it will be very expensive for them to leave the industry. Hence, the rivalry of the chocolate industry is intense. 4.0 Strategy Implemented by Thorntons Thorntons uses the product differentiation strategy. Johnson and Scholes (2002, pg 322) states that differentiation strategy seeks to provide products or services unique or different from those of competitors in terms of dimension widely valued by buyers. Many other manufacturers make greater use of vegetable fat which results in a shelf life of over a year. However, Thorntons uses more cocoa butter in their products in order to maintain the customers experience of the fresh product. This shows that their products are different from others. Thorntons chocolates are enrobed in chocolate rather than moulded unlike other brands such as Nestle and Cadburys where they mass produce the chocolates. In other words, due to the hand made process, the chocolates represent luxury and high end if compared relatively to chocolates mass produced by Nestle and Cadburys. The creation of Special Toffee, based upon cream butter and eggs in 1925 shows that Thorntons has been applying the differentiation strategy since its humble beginning. In addition, it has self manufactured Easter Eggs, which included names and messages that added to the range of freshly made and fresh tasting confectioneries. The innovation of adding names and personal messages through the sale of easter Eggs shows that Thornton indeed tried to differentiate their products in order to enhance the quality of their service. (Generic Strategies: Michael Porter 2006) Walter Willen, the creator of Thorntons Continental chocolates became the largest selling specialist assortment of chocolates in the UK. Likewise, the continental range included a French dark chocolate and a Belgian milk and white chocolate selections. Also, in order to top the product range, a new classic traditional assortment and a Premier Selection of hand-finished chocolates were established. In other words, this shows that by differentiating the chocolates, Thorntons chocolates have became more welcomed and loved by the consumers. At Thorntons, great importance is given on product development. For instance, Thorntons repackage and re launched the classic range, adding Swiss and Austrian selection to the core Continental range and introducing an awesome American range in order to differentiate the range of its chocolates. In addition, 27 new countlines were introduced providing a five fold increase in the available range. By differentiating its products, Thorntons will broaden their target market which ranges from children to adults. Target market consists of a set of buyers sharing common needs or characteristics that the company decides to serve. (Kotler et al. 2003, pg 230) This can be seen by the introduction of the childrens themes including dinosaur eggs, fossils and Dalmatian spots. Furthermore, Thorntons introduced further 132 new and updated products which place emphasis on countlines to act as a snack or impulse buy. In other words, when product is differentiated, different segments of the market will then be targeted and thus increasing the popularity of Thorntons in the mind of young and old. Thorntons continued differentiating their products by adding additional items to their core product such as chocolate scented T-shirts and underwears; and Easter eggs on sticks that could be hidden in the garden. Furthermore, they relaunched the best selling continental selection for Christmas 1999 and a chocolate champagne bottle designed for the millennium celebrations. Not only that, they have adult eggs and novelty eggs which contained a CD when purchased. Product differentiation continues when Thorntons repositioned many of their products so that they could be associated with every occasion such as birthdays, success, exams or job changes and not only festive seasons. Additionally, the company directed towards younger women by introducing Eden, which combine exotically named flavors such as Forbidden Fruit, Grand Passion and All About Eve. With its chic packaging, it shows that packaging was also differentiated to attract this market segment. All these years, Thorntons has tried its best to differentiate its chocolates and have achieved unbelievable results. For instance, Thorntons was the only possible manufacturer for 70% of its product line due to product differentiation. Therefore, we strongly recommend Thorntons to continue and focus on the product differentiation strategy.

Early Life of Alexander Graham Bell

Early Life of Alexander Graham Bell 1847 March 3 Alexander Bell is born to Alexander Melville and Eliza Symonds Bell in Edinburgh, Scotland. He is the second of three sons; his siblings are Melville (b. 1845) and Edward (b. 1848). 1858 1862 October Alexander Graham Bell arrives in London to spend a year with his grandfather, Alexander Bell. 1863 August Bell begins teaching music and elocution at Weston House Academy in Elgin, Scotland, and receives instruction in Latin and Greek for a year. 1864 April Alexander Melville Bell develops Visible Speech, a kind of universal alphabet that reduces all sounds made by the human voice into a series of symbols. Visible Speech Chart Fall Alexander Graham Bell attends the University of Edinburgh. 1865-66 1866-67 1867 May 17 Younger brother Edward Bell dies of tuberculosis at the age of 19. Summer Alexander Melville Bell publishes his definitive work on Visible Speech, Visible Speech: The Science of Universal Alphabetics. 1868 May 21 Alexander Graham Bell begins teaching speech to the deaf at Susanna Hulls school for deaf children in London. Bell attends University College in London. 1870 May 28 Older brother Melville Bell dies of tuberculosis at the age of 25. July-August Alexander Graham Bell, his parents, and his sister-in-law, Carrie Bell, emigrate to Canada and settle in Brantford, Ontario. 1871 April Moving to Boston, Alexander Graham Bell begins teaching at the Boston School for Deaf Mutes. 1872 March-June Alexander Graham Bell teaches at the Clarke School for the Deaf in Boston and at the American Asylum for the Deaf in Hartford, Connecticut. April 8 Alexander Graham Bell meets Boston attorney Gardiner Greene Hubbard, who will become one of his financial backers and his father-in-law. Fall Alexander Graham Bell opens his School of Vocal Physiology in Boston and starts experimenting with the multiple telegraph. Brochure for Bells School of Vocal Physiology 1873 1874 Spring Alexander Graham Bell conducts acoustics experiments at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He and Clarence Blake, a Boston ear specialist, begin experimenting with the mechanics of the human ear and the phonautograph, a device that could translate sound vibrations into visible tracings. Summer In Brantford, Ontario, Bell first conceives of the idea for the telephone. (Bells original sketch of the telephone) Bell meets Thomas Watson, a young electrician who would become his assistant, at Charles Williamss electrician shop in Boston. 1875 January Watson begins working with Bell more regularly. February Thomas Sanders, a wealthy leather merchant whose deaf son studied with Bell, and Gardiner Greene Hubbard enter into a formal partnership with Bell in which they provide financial backing for his inventions. March 1-2 Alexander Graham Bell visits noted scientist Joseph Henry November 25 Mabel Hubbard and Bell become engaged to be married. 1876 February 14 Bells telephone patent application is filed at the United States Patent Office; Elisha Grays March 7 United States Patent No. 174,465 March 10 Intelligible human speech is heard over the telephone for the first time when Bell calls to Watson, Mr. Watson.Come here. I want to see you. June 25 Bell demonstrates the telephone for Sir William Thomson (Baron Kelvin) and Emperor Pedro II of Brazil at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. 1877 July 9 Bell, Gardiner Greene Hubbard, Thomas Sanders, and Thomas Watson form the Bell Telephone Company. July 11 Mabel Hubbard and Bell are married. August 4 Bell and his wife leave for England and remain there for a year. 1878 January 14 Alexander Graham Bell demonstrates the telephone for Queen Victoria. May 8 Elsie May Bell, a daughter, is born. September 12 Patent litigation involving the Bell Telephone Company against Western Union Telegraph Company and Elisha Gray begins. 1879 February-March The Bell Telephone Company merges with the New England Telephone Company to become the National Bell Telephone Company. November 10 Western Union and the National Bell Telephone Company reach a settlement. Western Union and the National Bell Telephone Company reach a settlement. 1880 February 15 Marian (Daisy) Bell, a daughter, is born. photophone Fall The French government awards the Volta Prize for scientific achievement in electricity to Alexander Graham Bell. He uses the prize money to set up the Volta Laboratory as a permanent, self-supporting experimental laboratory devoted to invention. 1881 July-August When President Garfield is shot, Bell attempts unsuccessfully to locate the bullet inside his body by using an electromagnetic device called an induction balance ( metal detector August 15 Death in infancy of Bells son, Edward (b. 1881). 1882 November Bell is granted American citizenship. 1883 November 17 Death in infancy of Bells son, Robert (b. 1883). 1885 March 3 The American Telephone Telegraph Company is formed to manage the expanding long-distance business of the American Bell Telephone Company. 1886 Summer Bell begins buying land on Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia. There he eventually builds his summer home, Beinn Bhreagh. 1887 February Bell meets six-year-old blind and deaf Helen Keller in Washington, D.C. He helps her family find a private teacher by recommending that her father seek help from Michael Anagnos, director of the Perkins Institution for the Blind. Bell meets six-year-old blind and deaf Helen Keller in Washington, D.C. He helps her family find a private teacher by recommending that her father seek help from Michael Anagnos, director of the Perkins Institution for the Blind. 1890 August-September Alexander Graham Bell and his supporters form the American Association to Promote the Teaching of Speech to the Deaf. December 27 Letter from Mark Twain to Gardiner G. Hubbard, The Father-in-law of the Telephone 1892 October Alexander Graham Bell participates in the formal opening of long-distance telephone service between New York and Chicago. Photograph 1897 1898 1899 December 30 Acquiring the American Bell Telephone Companys business and property, the American Telephone and Telegraph Company becomes the parent company of the Bell System. Acquiring the American Bell Telephone Companys business and property, the American Telephone and Telegraph Company becomes the parent company of the Bell System. 1900 October Elsie Bell marries Gilbert Grosvenor, the National Geographic Magazine editor. 1901 Winter Bell invents the tetrahedral kite, whose shape of four triangular sides would prove to be light, strong, and rigid. 1905 April Daisy Bell marries botanist David Fairchild. 1907 October 1 Glenn Curtiss, Thomas Selfridge, Casey Baldwin, J.A.D. McCurdy, and Bell form the Aerial Experiment Association (AEA), which is funded by Mabel Hubbard Bell. 1909 February 23 The AEAs Silver Dart makes the first flight of a heavier-than-air machine in Canada. 1915 January 25 Alexander Graham Bell takes part in the formal opening of the transcontinental telephone line by talking on the telephone in New York to Watson in San Francisco. Invitation from Theodore Vail to Alexander Graham Bell 1919 September 9 Bell and Casey Baldwins HD-4, a hydrofoil craft, sets a world marine speed record. 1922 August 2 Alexander Graham Bell dies and is buried at Beinn Bhreagh, Nova Scotia. Alexander Graham Bell dies and is buried at Beinn Bhreagh, Nova Scotia.