Critically analyse and evaluate current developments Essay

In the 1980’s and 1990’s the cruise industry saw the emergence of a new market, which was younger people with considerable income but no families. The term DINKY’s was given to these couples which meant â€Å"Double Income No Kids Yet† These couples were excellent to target as they had plenty of disposable income and they do not have any children to worry about, being able to go on holiday, when they like and where they like, spending their quality time together and not having to worry about the price. In 1990’s 15% of the passengers who cruised with P&O and Princess Cruises were from the UK and researches showed that there is still an active UK market. In 1998, the UK cruise market was expanding dramatically. Companies which had operated in the traditional holiday market were adding cruising to their portfolio and greatly increased their supply of cruise holidays for the UK market. Although cruising is loved by many travellers, there is still a staggering 98% of the population who have not taken a cruise, reasons identified by Dickinson and Vladimir (1997) cited in Cartwright and Baird (1999) revealed five main reasons why people do not cruise which consist it being too expensive, the exclusivity, family commitments, claustrophobia and sea sickness. Disabled consumers The disabled consumer group have become more interested in the cruising industry, many cruise liners did not offer ships which catered to disabled people. Now with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, where all places who offer service have to make â€Å"reasonable adjustments† the cruise liners had no choice but to build disability-friendly rooms for their travelling disabled passengers. Not saying that they did not have these rooms before, but some cruise liners did not offer this service for the disabled consumer group, and it was against the law. There should be no problems for disabled people finding a cruise liner suitable for them as all cruise liners now offer fully disabled facilities within the ships to cater to the disabled consumer group. Family Cruising In the 1990’s a major development which was companies targeting families with children was put in place, by providing facilities not only for the adults but also for the children to enjoy, now in 2005, almost every cruise line offers family cruises. If a cruise liner does not offer a family cruise they are missing out on making lots of money. Although there are still some cruises which specifically do not allow children, reason being because these cruises are for the older / retired people who do not wish for screaming, noisy, crying children and babies when they are trying to relax. Being a kid is all about having fun. Coincidentally, so is vacation. But kids and parents rarely agree on what is fun. To parents, fancy dinners, late night shows and reading by the pool are fun. Kids have more fun playing games, doing scavenger hunts, and going down waterslides. The good news is that all of these activities occur on a cruise, making a cruise the vacation of choice for today’s families. Under the supervision of the youth staff, kids can play video games, eat pizza and play in a ball pit, while parents relax and have a fabulous five course meal. It is a parent’s and kid’s dream come true! (familycruise. com [online] 2005) The quote above was taken from www. familycruise. com an internet site which specifically caters for family cruises. Helping families to plan holidays which will keep both parents and kid’s happy on their holiday. Parents love to go on cruises so they have to be able to find a ship which caters for the family, letting the children have a good time on the cruise and also for the parents to relax and not have to worry about looking after their kids and think about what they are doing and are able to do on-board. The cruise industry has continued to grow rapidly since the introduction of family cruises. This might be due to parents now being able to have their dream holiday, a cruise, and not have to worry about their children as they can go too and have fully trained sitters to look after their kids and keep them occupied all day long. Price Cheap prices are what the lower-end consumers are looking for. A good price with an average cruise holiday, they cannot expect more than that as they are not paying a high price for a luxury cruising holiday. Although the cruise industry is very expensive, there are still many consumers who like to go on cruises. This could be due to status, as only the wealthier people can afford to go on these high-class cruises. In 1999, it was possible to obtain a seven day cruise from the UK for i 399 per person, which then was cheap compared to the top end cruises which were around i 2000 per person. Now in 2005, cruises prices start from i 599+ per person. This is rather expensive as the average family spends around that price for a holiday a year, not per person. Cheaper cruising prices should be being introduced and this would be an excellent idea as many lower-end consumers want to experience a good cruise but unfortunately do not have the funds. If cruise liners offered cheaper cruises with good experiences not only the wealthy passengers can go but so can the lower-end customers. Incentives Cruises in America often have many deals which include, prices starting from $399, book before Jan and receive an extra night’s stay, children under 16 cruise for free and many more. This is a good way to make more sales and allow people to pick their company to another one. As there are many incentives available which is what the consumers are looking for as they are paying a high price for their cruising holidays. â€Å"Receive our special Early-Booking discount and free hotel stay†. (cruise. gr [online] 2005) The quote above is very popular within the cruise industry, this is the type of incentive the consumer wants to see to help motivate them to purchasing the holiday. Consumers today are very greedy and like value for money, if they are buying on the internet they will always look for sites which offer them incentives towards their holidays, or when buying in travel agent they will try to get some freebies towards their holidays.

“Empire of the Sun” by J.G. Ballard

My dear friend Patrick, How are you my friend? How is Singapore? I hope you are fine and healthy. I am very lucky to be able to write this letter to you because not many people got the chance to do so. As you probably did not know, I am in a prison camp right now because of the Japanese. I have been here for more than one year and without my parents. It is a very long story about how I am not with my parents anymore, so I will just tell you that we got separated when we were running in town from a bombing. It was a very big shock for me but I am al right now. I still hope that I will find them, though. I do not even remember what they look like. It hurts to think that they might even not be alive anymore. I just do not know what to do anymore. I am a prisoner†¦ and all I can do is hope. I have some good friends here and they have helped me through everything, but I am still very sad and I miss my mom and dad a lot. I just hope that they are al right, so I can maybe find them one day. I miss my mom's hugs and the long chats with my dad about planes. And I just wish I could remember what they look like. This camp is horrible. I cannot live a normal life here, but we have all learned how to deal with the fact that there is no other choice. We all miss London a lot and cannot bare the fact that we might never come back there again. We do not get enough food and barely water. All we eat is potatoes. They are almost always either rotten or old and do not taste that good either. So many people get sick only because of the potatoes or the water in it†¦ some even die. It is often the old people or the small weak kids. I can not do much for them but I try. Oh and I forgot to mention that there are all these bugs inside the potatoes. The women always clean them out but I just cannot be bothered! I eat them! As your dad says, â€Å"It's full of protein, anyway! † your dad is funny sometimes! Everyone gets one potato per day and if they have something good to trade, they might get lucky and get another one. People here even fight for the food. But I have learned how to survive and get what I need or want very easily. My friend Basie taught me everything. I steal the items and the food sometimes and trade with others. I know you probably think that stealing is a wrong way of getting something, but you would do it too if you were here. We all become so desperate for things that there is no other way to get what you want. When I trade I try and be fair all the time because then I will get the fairness back next time. Another thing about the camp is that it has become like a small town for all of us. Basie even has his own office inside one room. You should see all the different things he has in there! He uses them all to trade for what he needs. I get a lot of nice items from him! I do not think I mentioned Dr. Ransome. He is also a very good friend of mine. He is the only doctor in the camp and he works with the nurses in the small hospital. I help him with the sick patients sometimes and it feels good. I even brought someone back to life, but only for a few seconds. Dr. Ransome did not believe me though and he told me it was just some kind of body reaction. But I think the person was alive, because I pumped the heart! It feels really good to be able to help someone and make them healthy. Oh! Patrick! There was an Air Raid the other day and it was the most exciting thing I have ever seen! There were all kinds of planes flying everywhere! The Cadillac of the sky even! You should have seen that! The pilot even waved to me! He waved to me! The planes were shooting their guns and destroying the camp. I was on the top of the roof watching everything! It was so exciting and I felt so happy for the first time in a long time. You should have seen all the chaos and heard all the noise! The planes were amazing and they were flying so perfectly in the clouds! I loved it! Well my dear friend I think I have written enough for you. They told me that I will be able to write one more letter to you. This makes me very happy! Expect a letter in a month or so when something else exciting happens! Let's hope for another Air Raid! ‘Till then, bye!

Finance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 5

Finance - Essay Example It might happen that the actual results of the business diverts from the planned structure, leading to financial deviation in measurements. When the actual results match with the forecast there is a profit whereas when there is a mismatch it leads to a loss. So at the very outset it is known that the forecasts may not materialize. This is known as risk. The possibility of risk arises when there is an uncertainty regarding the outcome of an event. Suppose, a US based company wants to set up its operations in UK. For this it has to set up a new unit in UK, buy equipments, employ new staff etc. All this requires funds. This can be obtained as loans from financial institutions. But the loan comes at a cost which is the rate of interest that the company has to pay on the amount raised. This exposes the company to interest rate risk. If the rate of interest rises, the interest burden of the company increases putting a strain on the earnings. A new investment has to face the risk of market competition. The existing competitors may have a strong market reputation. This will make it difficult to penetrate the market. If the company’s product is not accepted by the customers this might result in loss of huge revenues. It is important that the management has proper strategies in place to counter this risk. The company accepts a project based on an anticipation of future cash inflows. But there remains an uncertainty about the generation of the future cash flows. If an organization sells goods on credit, there is a possibility of non-payment by the debtors. This will impact the profitability of the project. To ensure that the non-payment does not affect the project performance the company must take the requisite steps. The overseas operations of the company give rise to foreign currency receivables and payables. It has to pay for the purchase of raw material, equipments and other costs in the foreign

Strategic Considerations within the European Union Framework Essay

Strategic Considerations within the European Union Framework - Essay Example This essay discusses that member states of European Union have been pilling pressure to the union following debts and recession crisis. Arguably, EU failed to offer protection to the interest of its members and their citizens thus leading lost of public support. Although it is not probable to argue that the turmoil has influenced the Europeans view to matters, other than its social influences, it may have influenced the engagement of European citizens to European projects. Strategic plans initiated by EU member states to counter the impact of the financial crisis, and the create employment is an indication of the impact of the economic crisis to the citizens of the Euro zone. A survey by â€Å"Transatlantic trend† argues financial turmoil affected 60% of the people interviewed compared to 55% of people affected by the crisis in 2009. Europeans show a lot of concern to development as revealed by the Euro-barometer, which provides a basis of gauging the crisis. Many believe that issues of immigration, insecurity, and environment are fundamental as issues relating to socio-economic issues. In the spring of 2007, major concern for most Europeans is the economic situation and inflation in 2008. Interviews conducted in spring of 2009 indicated economic turmoil as the major headache of most Europeans. Arguing from the report, 42% of people interviewed quoted economic recession as a threat. Unemployment was another factor alongside economic turmoil. It is arguable that economic slump has an effect on rate of employment since recession dislodges most people out of employment. Further, social crisis report produced in autumn 2009 indicates that 51% of citizens interviewed indicated unemployment as the major factor, which was ahead of insecurity by 19%, inflation by 19%, and healthcare by 14% respectively (Thierry, 2011:132). The above figures do not show the magnitude of the effects in a national scale in terms of social crisis. Apparently, many European nations a rgue that the economic nightmare has maimed their buying power. For instance, a study conducted by Smith & Grant (2003) and published in their book to evaluate the effects of the economic slump shows the following trend the Dutch claim 40% of its effects, Bulgarians feel 84%, Spanish 71%, and Romanians 89%. Euro-barometer flash survey indicates the significance of the effects of the economic crisis to the households in Europe. In addition, a look at the June 2010 survey results shows a big difference between northern and southern Europe (UK, Sweden, German, Denmark, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and France), in which at least 15% of citizens claim to have had challenges in paying their bills; including food, over the twelve months. The above observation varies with report from Southern Europe (Portugal, Spain, and Italy), in which economic crisis trend takes 17-20%, and in the Eastern Europe in which the economic turmoil takes 30% and (43% for Romania). It is arguable that the trend of e conomic nightmare in Europe takes the shape of social crisis (Thierry 2011:134). This argument leads to the questions as to whether a political crisis is looming, which will lead to increased conception with regard to the ability of the European Union to counter the crisis. In the recent past, observers still believe that euro is still a victor to the economic crisis. The observers argue that the joining of the European Union by the Icelandic countries is approve that euro could champion the crisis. Other observations are the determination by Baltic countries to introduce policies that would act to maintain a stable rate of exchange using euro as a single currency. According to Ronald & Saskia (2011:43), it is apparent that Europe alongside other continents in the world suffered economic recession towards the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009. However, it managed to avoid devaluation witnessed during 1930 economic turmoil. Largely, its

Leadership and legacy Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Leadership and legacy - Research Paper Example mmarized in three slogans – â€Å"a â€Å"Harmonious Society† domestically and a â€Å"Peaceful Development† internationally, the former generated by a â€Å"Scientific Development Perspective,† which seeks integrated sets of solutions to arrays of economic, environmental and social problems, and recognizes, in inner circles, a need for political reform (though studied, cautious and controlled)† (Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.) He is known to be a transformational visionary since he initiated critical changes in the way the Chinese government is run. The openness to foreign relationships in terms of trade is one of the proofs. Since his leadership, China has also been influential in terms of international trade. As a transformational and visionary leader, he was so determined to achieve what he desired and this led to the laying off of some very senior government officials most of whom protested against his leadership style (Chu 2004). His leadership style was unique in that he first considered the areas that were earlier neglected like the poor areas in the country. In this, his aim was to reduce the inequality that existed between the GDP and the Welfare Second policies. It was also a way of equalizing the society through new policies that he would use to bring the expected change. He was determined to have a clear picture of those areas first and then work out a way of developing them. This is the reason why his style was transformational and visionary. He had a vision for his country and was determined to achieve what he desired and what he felt was the best for his people (Kahn 2005). He put the interest of others before his own and that’s why he spent most of his time assisting the poor and learning more about the poor parts of the country. He focused more on the poor parts of the country and not on the areas that had prospered economically (Lam 2006). Hu was known to be a very supportive leader. He shows supports to every Chinese citizen through his moral

Michael Jackson Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Michael Jackson - Term Paper Example The other four members of this group were his brothers, Sigmund ‘Jackie’, Toriano ‘Tito’, Jarmaine, and Marlon. They began playing at local bars and clubs in Indiana. They later moved to compete in bigger competitions. The Jackson five were discovered by the Vancouver and the Bobby Taylor in 1968 and got an audition for Berry Gordy. They later signed for Motown, hence moving to California. It was here that their first four singles made US number one hits. During this time, Jackson with Motown recoded four solo albums. The group stayed in Motown until 1976, when they needed more artistic freedom and decided to move on (Pratt 81). They dropped the name Jackson Five, since it was owned by Motown and adopted the name The Jacksons. At this time, they had a number of records and made six albums altogether between 1976 and 1984. Michael later teamed up with his producer for his first solo album. The album was titled Off The Wall, and was a tremendous success all ov er the world. It was the first album ever released that produced the four number-one singles in the United States. The world’s largest selling album was released by Michael in 1982. It was titled Thriller. It produced seven hit singles, once again breaking more previously established records (Pratt 81). It has been documented to have sold over fifty million copies across the world. Jackson was careful, as well as skillful, in using the music videos to promote his singles from the album. His success has, nevertheless, been attached to his directors and producers. They were the best, and made use of the latest technology coupled with choreography and fantastic dancing. The short film, Thriller, incorporated latest artists in the make-up technology to produce a video which lasted 14 minutes, with the beginning, the middle part and the end. This video was so successful that it became the world’s largest selling video. At the Motown 25-years anniversary show, Jackson perfor med his legendary moonwalk for the first time. It was this performance that set him into the realms of a superstar (George 98). Michael broke a record by winning 8 Grammy awards in a single night in the year of 1984. These awards were for his narrative for the ET Storybook and the Thriller album. On 9th December 1984, during his final performance of The Jackson’s Victory Tour, he declared that he was quitting the group and going solo. His third, and much awaited solo album titled Bad, was released in 1987. It was during this time that he launched his first solo world tour that was significantly record-breaking (Josh 1). He wrote his first autobiography, Moonwalk, where he talked for the first time about his career and childhood. Michael was soon to turn thirty when significant changes were observed in his outlook. He seemed to have undergone a facial surgery, which not only changed his facial features, but also his skin color and jaw line. This did not, however, affect his mu sic career. By the end of 1980s, Michael was commonly known as the Artist of The Decade. This was as a result of his success in the Thriller and Bad albums. Michael signed the biggest ever recording agreement with Sony Music in 1991. It was during that time that he released his fourth album Dangerous. Touring the world in 1992, he brought his performances to the countries that had never received a pop artist. Other than his success in the

Organisational Strategy & Decision Making Essay

Organisational Strategy & Decision Making - Essay Example Marketing efforts is a dynamic concept and demand company to regularly monitor and assess marketing capabilities. The assessment of the strategic and marketing position is done with the help of strategic tools and techniques like Ansoff’s matrix and Porter generic competitive strategies. The recommended strategic actions are also provided in accordance with the strategic analysis done with the help of above mentioned tools and techniques. 2 Table of Contents 3 Introduction 4 Introduction Starbucks Corporation, a global and reputed American coffee company engages in the selling of coffee, hot and cold drinks, other beverages and items such as cups, tumblers, and mugs. The coffee products of the company hold big image and reputation across the world with the market capitalisation of $40 billion and with the sales of 1.2 billion pounds (Starbucks Jumps as Profit Increases on U.S. Sales Gain 2012). Starbucks Corporation functions on the basis of mission statement-‘to inspire and nurture the human spirit, one cup and one neighbourhood at a time’ (Starbucks Corporation 2012). The company is dedicated towards sourcing finest quality coffee beans in order to deliver enriched quality coffee to its customers and known for their genuine service, pleasing atmosphere, and superior quality. The underlying essay aims at analysing and reviewing strategic position of the company in order to determine its strategic position. Internal and external audit has also been performed in order to gain idea about the internal and external environment of the company. Analysis of strategic position helps in outlining appropriate strategic action that should be adopted by the company in coming period. Internal and external audit Internal and external audit analysis of the business organisations are performed with the purpose of gaining idea about their existing capabilities and limitations. Business plans and strategies are formulated in light of assessed capabilities and limitations. In this regard, tool named SWOT analysis has been used in order to gain idea about their existing strategic capabilities. SWOT analysis represents strength, weakness, opportunities and threats. Strength and weakness analysis will represent internal audit for company while opportunities and threats will provide external audit of the company. Internal audit The most apparent strength for the company is strong brand image and identity of the company in the coffee business. Starbucks owns an impeccable and recognisable brand image in the coffee business. The strong brand image and identity facilitate the company to gain strong foothold and enters new markets across the globe. The company owns deep product portfolio with distinct features like Gourmet Coffee, regular drip coffee, Frappuccino blended coffee, and many more. The deep product portfolio enables the company to target wide customer base and delivering enriched purchase experience. The product quality and excellent customer service complements and support the existing brand image of the company (Starbucks raises 2013 forecast, defies industry trend 2012). The regular and active involvement of company in environmental and ethical practices acts as another strength for Starbucks. Eco-friendly practices related to energy conservation, climate controlling and maintenance are some of such eco-friendly practi