Internet Addiction an Escape from Reality - 3096 Words

Internet Addiction: An Escape from Reality With the creation of an online world comes the creation of new problems. The great network system known as the Internet has allowed for huge advances in the world, while creating very serious issues as well. Perhaps one of the most common of these negative issues is Internet Addiction Disorder, or IAD. Doctors Aviv Weinstein and Michel Lejoyeux define Internet addiction as being â€Å"characterized by excessive or poorly controlled preoccupations, urges or behaviors regarding Internet use that lead to impairment or distress (Weinstein Lejoyeux, 2010).† One of the reasons this disorder is so prevalent, is the fact that it encompasses a large number of online activities which can lead to it.†¦show more content†¦For example, criteria for diagnosis may be different in the United States compared to European or Asian countries. There are many test and questionnaires available to take to determine if IAD may be present in an individual, the most commonly used being Young s Internet Addiction Scale, abbreviated IAT. Others include the Chen Internet Addiction Scale (CIAS), Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS), and the Problematic Internet Use Questionnaire (PIUQ). These tests attempt to determine symptoms of Internet addiction and their relation to psychological and social health. These tests, however, are not always accurate. Problems that can occur with any test or questionnaire come into play when using this method, such as dishonesty, misunderstanding the question, or poorly worded questions. One of the criticisms of these tests is that some questions do not relate to addiction, and therefore should not be used in the determination of IAD. It often becomes difficult to determine what Internet addiction truly is in these cases, as an individual may exhibit addictive behavior towards one specific activity (i.e. pornography, gaming) and not any others (Weinstein Lejoyeux, 2010). The fact that IA D encompasses these different addictions, such as pornography addiction, gaming addiction, social networking addiction, etc., gives more fuel to the argument that IAD may not be a stand-alone disorder, but rather a general term to describe one or more of these. However, simple webShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Internet On The Internet1520 Words   |  7 PagesEver since the Internet was first introduced to the world, its usage has been increasing each year, as advancing technology makes it more accessible to the public. The increased usage of the Internet has created an Internet-dominated society. With the Internet becoming such a used tool, many people have grown dependent on the Internet for their daily lives. This dependency and over-usage of the Internet sometimes leads to negative symptoms, many which are similar to those of addictions. The WorldRead MoreEffects of Technology925 Words   |  4 PagesWoods. Others like me believe that technology brings a lot of negative effects to our personal and social lives as Sarah Kershaw mentions. We now depend on technology, which affects us and causes us to get bad habits. Technology has caused addiction to the internet, depression, isolation, anxiety, loss of job, marital difficulties and it has also affected our social skills. Although technology has brought us a lot of negative effects we have adapted and see it as a routine. Now in day we could notRead MoreHow Internet Chat Rooms Are Dangerous. During This Day1071 Words   |  5 PagesHow internet chat rooms are dangerous During this day and age, younger generations are becoming more dependent on the internet to perform basic everyday tasks, whether it is shopping, calculating number or typing papers. The internet is being used increasingly, it has expanded to the point that you can access not only from computers but from cellular devices such as phones iPods tablets and even TVs making it extremely accessible from any location, although the convenience is great at times it canRead MoreReview of Related Literature1643 Words   |  7 Pagesin the Philippines and in abroad. It is acquired from the internet and unpublished theses. It is nearly related on the relationship of computer game addiction to interpersonal relationship to adolescents especially, K-12 students. To enrich the background on the subject of the researcher, the literatures that were found are here in presented. A. Foreign Studies Based from the study of Mark Griffiths (2007),â€Å"Does Internet and Computer Addiction Exist? It has been alleged that social pathologiesRead MoreEssay on Internet Addiction636 Words   |  3 PagesInternet Addiction Since its initial arrival in the average household, the Internet has become a very widely exercised source of communication. At any given moment, there is an endless amount of information streaming through Internet accessible computers. The chance to interact with other people is another tempting feature of the Internet. Unfortunately, with this new commodity, also comes the possibility of abuse and addiction. Internet addiction has becomeRead MoreInternet Addiction And Digital Dependency Among Young New Zealand Adults Essay1519 Words   |  7 Pagesusing the internet, whether it is for social media, educational or for business use. 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Depending on what drug an d act in which one partakes different neurons fire in the synaptic gap, the more frequent the intake the more dependent you become. Yet, the classic scientific approach has been present for years and addiction is still prevalent in numbers. I don’t believe the scientific reason is what causes addiction; but it definitelyRead MoreThe New Problem of Internet Addiction764 Words   |  3 Pagesthe internet. Miniwatts Marketing Group (2009) stated that more than two billion people use the internet. The internet is a world wide web of computer networks, all linked to one another. The internet enables people to communicate almost instantly, research and access data or information, and is most commonly used for email. The popularity of email has almost seen the demise of postal services (Harris, 2007). This essay will argue that one concern for users of the internet is addiction, as

Columbus vs Smith Free Essays

John Smith, and William Bradford had many stories to tell during their explorations of the new world. Their depictions of the new world were seemingly different and each explorer possessed an ego that worked both as a strength and as a weakness to their determination of exploration. Each explorer seemed to use hyperbole and embellishment to glorify their own accomplishments. We will write a custom essay sample on Columbus vs Smith or any similar topic only for you Order Now Columbus’ letters emotionally differ from the first to the fourth letter in almost a usually depressing manner. His first letter shows an explorer filled with an emotional high seeking to gain riches and fame, describing each illustrious detail of his experience as elaborate as possible. Words that seem to sell the newly discovered lands in such a depiction that would make his fame and rewards seem inevitable. This description is far different than his last letter which his words show an aged explorer seeking to save his reputation and seeking to Just ride away in the unset and live peacefully for the remainder of his life. It seems that he is taking a polite path in which to illustrate to the Monarchs the sacrifices that were made and the lives lost to achieve the goals of seeking the new world. William Bradford writings illustrated a separatist group of great faith and determination to seek new land free from religious persecution. It is apparent that his writings show the strength of the pilgrims’ faith thru despair and perils. He seems to have an underlying motive that speaks of strong faith amongst his fellow pilgrims that depicts a picture of their key to survival, a sentiment that would have flown in the face of the Church of England. Based on John Smith’s writings, he had somewhat of a different Interpretation and description of his new found experiences. The words he chose to describe the new world seemed to be as Illustrious as the others except when describing Native Americans. His writings of his exploration experiences seemed to have a motive of power and monetary gain. How to cite Columbus vs Smith, Papers

Accident Prevention Program free essay sample

The committee is made up of management-designated representatives and one employee-elected representative each from the office, factory and outside sales divisions of our company. Employees in each division will elect from among themselves a representative to be on the committee. If there is only one volunteer or nomination, the employees will approve the person by voice vote at a short meeting called for that purpose. If there is more than one volunteer or nomination, a secret paper ballot will be used to elect the representative. Elected representatives will serve for one year before being re-elected or replaced.If there is a vacancy then an election will be held before the next scheduled meeting to fill the balance of the term. In addition to the employee-elected representatives, management will designate no more than three representatives but a minimum of one who will serve until replaced by management. A chairperson will be selected by majority vote of the committee members each year. We will write a custom essay sample on Accident Prevention Program or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page If there is a vacancy, the same method will be used to select a replacement. In addition to the committee responsibilities explained above, duties of safety committee members include:A monthly self-inspection of the area they represent Communicating with the employees they represent on safety issues and Encouraging safe work practices among co-workers. The regularly scheduled meeting time is 7:30 am for one hour on the first Thursday of each month, at the employee lunchroom. This may be changed by vote of the committee. A committee member will be designated each month to keep minutes on the attached minutes form. A copy will be posted on the employee bulletin board after each meeting. After being posted for one month, the minutes will be filed for one year.The minutes form contains the basic monthly meeting agenda. (Customize by adding any additional safety committee information that you may have and/or deleting any that do not apply to your company. ) Employee Safety Meetings (Optional for employers with 10 or fewer employees or employers with 11 employees or more who are segregated on different shifts or work in widely dispersed locations in crews of 10 or less) All employees are required to attend a monthly safety meeting held on the first Thursday of each month in the lunchroom.This meeting is to help identify safety problems, develop solutions, review incidents reports, provide training and evaluate the effectiveness of our safety program. Minutes will be kept on the attached minutes form. Meeting minutes will be kept on file for one year. (Customize by adding any additional Employee Safety Meeting information that you may have and/or deleting any that do not apply to your company. ) Hazard Recognition Record Keeping and Review Employees are required to report any injury or work related illness to their immediate supervisor regardless of how serious.

New York City and Gentrification Ways free essay sample

Ways of Knowing Las Professor: Research Paper December 2, 2013 Abstract To examine or explore the effects of gentrification, when a group of people of a particular Race is unable to maintain their resources; they are inevitably removed from their environment. There will become a new set of a particular race that will be able to maintain and perhaps create a different environment with their cultures and The purpose of this research paper is to explore and examine the effects of Gentrification. Gentrification has been around for centuries. However, the word gentrification is often times hardly ever use in the English vernacular. Gentrification is the displacement of people. Economics plays a major role in determining who will be displaced or People who are able to afford to not be displaced. Housing, Education and race are the deciding factor in determining gentrification. DEFINITIONS Gentrification is often defined as the transformation of neighborhoods from low value to high value. We will write a custom essay sample on New York City and Gentrification Ways or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page This change has the potential to cause displacement of long-time residents and businesses. Displacement happens when long-time or original eighborhood residents move from a gentrified area because of higher rents, mortgages, and property taxes. history and culture and reduces social capital. It often shifts a neighborhoods capital (e. g. , racial/ethnic composition and household income) by adding new stores and resources in run-down neighborhoods.

Paperless System in Thailand Essays

Paperless System in Thailand Essays Paperless System in Thailand Essay Paperless System in Thailand Essay This study seeks to find out the chief barriers and give recommendations accordingly. The study also aims to identify the required steps for Thailand to take to reach the Single Window stage. The study is done by surveying people in the relevant fields using interview questionnaire. The result shows that users are more satisfied with PETS than DEED. However, a lot more can still be done to further improve PETS, for example, raise the number of trained customs officer, maintain the system and prevent errors occurred. Provide related lecture for system users. Moreover, in order to be ready for advancing to the next stage, there is a need to build the capacity of government agencies and the officers, raise Acts budget, revise laws and regulations and lastly, pursue wallpapered road-maps to SW and utilize modeling tools. As for the cross- border level, maintenance of Regional Standard Data sets in the term of human resource, revision of laws and regulations for cross-border data exchange are required to reach the goal of establishing cross-border SW. 4 Acknowledgement It is an honor for me to derive such valuable opinions from all of the interviewees who are experience in the field of my study. This thesis would not have been possible without their precious cooperation. Moreover, I would like to show my deepest gratitude to my supervisor, Professor Yakima Kanji, whose encouragement, guidance and support from the initial to the final level enabled me to develop an understanding of the subject. Besides my supervisor, I am heartily thankful to Miss Mack and Professor Simon Bah who gave me advices on thesis pattern as well as pointed out lots of grammatical errors. I am indented to my colleague, Kane Standardization to support me in a number of ways. He helped me look for some information I cannot reach during my stay in Japan. Furthermore, he also assisted me to appropriate the words used in my thesis. Last but not least, I offer my regards and blessings to all of those who supported me in any aspects during the completion of the project. Coordinators Sandpit 5 Chapter l: Introduction The purpose of this paper is to assess the status of Paperless Trading System (PETS) in Thailand and to study and discuss steps needed to advance to the next stage of trading system. There is a need to understand what PETS is all about. According to APACE (Wang Khan, 2005), Paperless Trading is the activity of exchanging data through electronic means. It means all parties in the chain of trade, namely, supplier, Dryers, customs, puddle Institutes, Tanks Ana logistic companies, utilize information technology and standardize business data exchange among participants, in order to accomplish the whole processes from finding a partner to the signing of a contract in trading. To better understand paperless trading, let us have a look at the broader sense of e-commerce and how it relates to paperless trading. According to the assessment reported by Wang Khan, 2005, E-commerce Demonstration Act of United Nations International Trade Committee describes the wider sense of e- amerce as business activities that utilize data information, which refers to information produced, transmitted or stored via electronic, optical or other similar ways. In other words, the broader sense of e-commerce can be regarded as e- business that consists of e-commerce and paperless trading or e-trade. The chain of International Trade starts when an order is placed, followed by transporting goods, clearing custom and paying bills. This chain involves logistics, financial process, and information circulation, and it implicates multiple parties and working sectors. The implement of International Trade is high since there are different goods, ways of delivery, processes and varieties of payment (as shown in Fig 1. . ) Figure 1 . 1: Chain of International Trade Source: Wang, J. Khan, F. (2005) From the chain process above, it is obvious that some parties, such as customs, are directly related to markets, and some others, such as the government, are not. However, this does not mean that market efficiency is affected by these non-market related parties. In fact, they play a very important role in the process because the efficiency of overspent admi nistration and legislation has a positive impact on market efficiency directly. Moreover, the non-market related parties such as the government could affect other marketplaces parties as well. For instance, governments could set up some standards, rules and regulations to coordinate for administration purposes. Therefore, without government participation in building a 6 better public service environment, the development of paperless trading will be restrained. As a result, it can be said that paperless trading is a combination of E- commerce and E-government in the field of international trade (Refer to Fig. . 2).

Analysis of the theory of recruitment practices in SMEs

Analysis of the theory of recruitment practices in SMEs The focus of this essay is to use observations from an ethnography study conducted in a small Chinese restaurant in the city of Bradford in carrying out an analysis of the theory of recruitment practices in small and medium – sized enterprises (SME’s). It will begin with a brief description of the study and the organization involved with details of all that was observed during the period of the period of the study. The results will thereafter be linked with theories relating to recruitment practices in SME’s drawing from a wide range of academic literature and a conclusion will be drawn based on what has been found and the overall implication with regard to knowledge in the field. It was a cold Thursday afternoon at the end of a seemingly endless array of lectures and tutorials. I decided to visit a Chinese restaurant in the Bradford city center for a taste of oriental cuisine and particularly make some observation on how small businesses operate in this environ ment. On arrival at the restaurant, a relatively cozy setting existed which created a sense of warmth and relaxation; exactly what I needed. I was greeted warmly by a female waitress who appeared to be Chinese although I’m aware she could be from anywhere in that region. There were quite a number of customers in the restaurant at that moment mostly busy with one meal or the other. Being a buffet, there was a lot of moving around with people getting up to take their meals from the service sections. I took a sit in a nice corner, place the order for my drinks and decided to look around for a while before my meal. The aesthetics of the restaurant was quite impressive with the walls painted in a combination of orange and brown, the lighting just right for the atmosphere, tables of various sizes depending on the number of guests and the right amount of decorations on the walls. How can I forget the soft music playing in the background? Even though I couldn’t understand a wo rd of what was being sung as it was in Chinese, the melody was just right. The nationalities of the guests appeared to be all encompassing. There were six middle-aged Caucasian males, two elderly females with a toddler, tow male Asians, a black female couple and three other young black female guests already seated in the restaurant. Three female Chinese waitresses were on hand to attend to guest needs and there was a male waiter at the bar who was in charge of the drinks. The kitchen staff that came out every now and again to replenish the stock of food was also of Chinese origin. This set me wondering on what criteria was required for employment in this restaurant. During the period of my observation, more guests came into the restaurant which comprised of two young female Caucasians, two adult female Pakistanis, one male Pakistani and a group of twelve made up of eleven males and one female all appearing to be from the same workplace as they were all dressed as having come for a f ormal lunch or to celebrate a successful business deal.

Final Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Final - Essay Example There is very little explanation for the reader in this story, but the dialogue shows a failure to communicate between Frances and Michael. When Frances says â€Å"Some day †¦ you’re going to make a move†¦ aren’t you† (lines 245-249) and Michael answers first with silence and then with evasive words like â€Å"Maybe†¦How the hell do I know?† (lines 250-251) it is obvious that he does not love her in the exclusive and committed way that one would expect within a marriage. He seems ready to move on. Frances is upset, and crying, which shows that she is still learning to come to terms with the differences that are driving her and her husband apart. Frances, on the other hand, wants to have a romantic relationship like the ones we see in American films and novels. Her tears are evidence that she is sad and disappointed, and that she had wished for something better. This story illustrates how relationships often look happy and stable on the surfa ce, while underneath there may be big problems. Knowing how to face up to problems, and being able to state clearly what each person is looking for, is a key element in relationships. In Half and Half, Rose understands her predicament more clearly.

Package Marking RFID 351 wk 8 forum Research Paper

Package Marking RFID 351 wk 8 forum - Research Paper Example For long RFID has been of great influence especially in manufacturing and packaging industries in that, their tags are fixed on any object and used to track as well as manage any inventory, as well as assets. However, RFID can be used in a variety of applications including tracking of goods, access management, contactless payment, toll collections, smart dust, and verification of authenticity, airport tracking logistics, and timing sporting events (Angell, 2006). While RFID is presently utilized within an expansive scope of uses, stress is moving progressively to use in the store network. RFID can have an immense effect on every feature of inventory system administration from the common, for example, moving merchandise through stacking docks, to the overwhelming, for example, overseeing terabytes of information as data about products close by is gathered continuously. The impact of RFID on the supply chain leads to optimization and enhancement of passenger experience especially in airports (Angell, 2006). In conclusion, RFID technology as the Radio frequency identification system that transmits a unique serial number termed as identity on a wireless platform and by help of radio waves eases the total operation in the packaging industry and saves time for any work in progress for any prevailing industry. This in turn leads to profit maximization since supply chain is of great influence and in continuous perception that the consumers receive their preferences just on

Company G 3 Year Marketing Plan Essay Example for Free

Company G 3 Year Marketing Plan Essay XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices. Introduction With two decades of innovative and award winning design, Company G has grown to be a market leader in consumer electronics. The Company enjoys unparalleled brand recognition and is highly rated and trusted by consumers worldwide. Company G’s products are known for their original design, durability and use of innovative technology. Company G’s brands enjoy both high consumer desirability and high consumer loyalty. With a reputation as a trend setter, many of Company G’s mobile electronic products are sought-after as â€Å"Status Symbols† purchases. Some of the Company’s products benefit from a cult like following among early adopters and some serve as industry bench-marks against similar products. With the introduction of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway, the Company plans to continue to strive to be the first to market in the consumer electronic market segments that it enjoys competing in. The Company will also maintain the practice of extending products life cycles and promoting their market positions by offering novel peripheral products such as the XG Wi-Fi Gateway timed to support and broaden the market interest and appeal associated with other existing XG products. Mission Statement â€Å"We combine beautiful design and intuitive functionally to provide consumers with desirable products that enhance the quality and convenience of their lives.† The Product The new XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices allows consumers to easily manage which Wi-Fi enabled mobile device can assess their secured home Wi-Fi network. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway is a peripheral product of the Company’s popular XG Wireless Router series. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway is industry compliant with North America and Euro Zone wireless communication standards and is compatible with other manufacturer’s routers. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices allows a consumer to manage their secure home Wi-Fi network through any other device designated as the â€Å"Administrator†. When a new Wi-Fi enabled device attempts to access the home Wi-Fi network through the XG Wi-Fi Gateway, an alert message is sent to the administrator. The administrator can choose several pre-set network access options as well as select from their own custom rules allowing or limiting network access to specific devices. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices is a 3 inch by 3 inch by 1/3 inch pad that links to the home router via a 2.0 USB plug. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices can also connect directly to any router with the additional purchase of a USB to Ethernet converter cable. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices has a minimal footprint. Once connected, the consumer does not have to interact with or manipulate the devices and it can be hidden or placed out of the way behind a computer or router. The administrator interacts with the XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices through the Wi-Fi Gateway application. The software is provided and compatible with desktop and laptop computers running Windows, OS X and Chrome operating systems. A free Wi-Fi Gateway application can also be downloaded, installed and run on smart phones and tablets using iOS, Android and Windows Mobile. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices is also compatible with the Xbox360 and PS3 gaming consoles. Consumer Product Classification The consumer product classification for the XG Wi-Fi Gateway for mobile devices falls under a shopping product. Additionally it should be considered with a sub-classification of unsought products. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway extends the functionality and security of modern router, thus the separate, pre-purchase of a router is required. Consumers have ample information available to make decisions regarding purchase decisions for routers; however, they have limited knowledge of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway peripheral or add-on. Consumers will require education and persuasion during the buying process. This is seen as a unique product, currently, there are no other devices or substitutes that offer the functionality of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway. Target Market Majority of our consumers will be males, head of household age 25-54, in a home with a wireless router. The household has multiple computers, smart phones or tablets. Our consumer expresses interest in electronic gadgets and considers themselves to be a â€Å"tech savvy† buyer. The target consumer is conscious about online security threats and has purchased or upgraded anti-virus software in the last 24 months. Our shopper is engaged with online social networks and media with most news delivered to the household digitally. Purchases of electronic products are heavily influenced by the favorable opinions and reviews from friends and colleagues. They are also strongly influenced by negative reviews of products by tech blogs and consumer comments in social media. Household income of our target consumer is $32,000- $70,000 annually with at least one child living in the home. Analysis of Competitive Environment Threat of new competition The threat of new competition is high. Our belief is the technologies associated with the XG Wi-Fi Gateway could be replicated by any of the other leading manufacturers of wireless routers. Company G hold proprietary technology in the design of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway and will fight to protect its interests and rights, however other manufactures could adopt their own existing patents and processes to compete. We feel these other established brands with distribution channels could generate a competitive rivalry if they choose to enter this market. Threat of substitute products or services The threat of a substitute product is low. Consumers determine if they have a need for the features offered by the XG Wi-Fi Gateway or they choose to forgo those features and service. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway has a high level of product differentiation. Consumers attempting to replicate the services of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway will find it technologically challenging and cost prohibitive to duplicate. Bargaining power of consumers Consumers have moderate bargaining power. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway is a discretionary purchase. The consumer has to desire the enhanced control of their home Wi-Fi network and or the additional security offered by the product. Buyers who have suffered a loss from a network breach will be less price sensitive than those only looking to enhance their level of control. We expect downward price pressure due to demand to bundle and discount the XG Wi-Fi Gateway with other XG routers. Bargaining power of suppliers Threats from suppliers are low. While our product is new, most of the individual components are already mass produced or can easily be produced on existing manufacturing lines requiring only minimal retooling. Key proprietary components can be produced by several of Company G’s subsidiaries. Suppliers and materials are plentiful and available globally. Intensity of competitive rivalry Rivalry is low. Currently there are no competing products for the XG Wi-Fi Gateway market. Company G enjoys significant brand recognition and brand loyalty. The XG lines also profits from a history of positive consumer reviews and ratings and benefits from higher perceived value when compared to similar products in the market. Outlays are kept low by utilizing existing manufacturing facilities and distribution channels. Costs, such as RD, marketing, engineering and packaging design are allocated and shared across the whole XG catalog of products. SWOT Analysis Strengths 1.Company G and the XG Brand have high consumer loyalty and are recognized for innovative product design and functionality. 2.The XG Wi-Fi Gateway is the first of a kind to market. 3.The XG Wi-Fi Gateway received positive reviews from influential tech blogs and media. Support 1.Company G has carefully nurtured and reinforced its company brands. Company G has invested a considerable amount of resources promoting and showcasing the various products in the XG line. XG branded products benefit for the loyalty and familiarity consumers have with the existing line thus helping to lower overall new consumer acquisitions costs. We consider this strength to be a core competency. 2.As a first of a kind to market, Company G can maintain a higher price point by controlling the amount of products available without fear of lost of market share to competition. Company G can operate as a monopoly until others enter the market. First to the market also helps reinforce the XG brand’s reputation as a leader in providing cutting edge technology to consumers. We consider this strength to be a core competency. 3.Our target market reads and is influenced by tech blog reviews. Tech blog reviews are a valuable cost neutral resource for increasing product awareness and help raise consumer sentiment and increase product differentiation. Weaknesses 1.The XG Wi-Fi Gateway is a secondary purchase or upgrade after the initial purchase of a router. 2.Low target consumer awareness of product. 3.Target consumer requires educated before purchase. Support 1.Consumers are resistant to making an additional secondary purchase after deciding to buy a router. Consumers realize the enhanced services the XG Wi-Fi Gateway offers are not essential to a secure home network and may postpone a purchase until a demonstrated need is established. 2.As a first of a kind to market, consumers are not aware of the product. The target market is highly sought after and regularly bombarded with sophisticated marketing campaigns. The XG Wi-Fi Gateway is a peripheral product and does not command the spotlight associated with a flagship product launch. 3.Our target consumer will do research prior to making a purchase. Company G will have to put forth assessable information through multiple media outlets for the consumer to find and review. Additionally, sales persons and other trusted sources will need to be introduced to specifications and features of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway to be credible and persuasive. Opportunities 1.The XG Wi-Fi Gateway can be developed for commercial and retail use. 2.Integration into other manufactures’ routers through licensing agreements. 3.Add versatility with the incorporation with NFC (near field communication) chips. Support 1.The technology in the XG Wi-Fi Gateway could be upgraded to provide a solution in commercial spaces (coffee shops, restaurants stores) that want to control, monitor or monetize their Wi-Fi bandwidth service. This would expand the XG line into a new market. 2.Company G could increase revenues by licensing the XG Wi-Fi Gateway technology to other router manufactures. By providing completive licensing agreements, it reduces the incentive of the competition from developing rival technology. 3.Near field communication (NFC) chips are an emerging technology with potential to disrupt retail checkout/payment process. The inclusion of NFC could help broaden the market for the XG Wi-Fi Gateway as the technology becomes more widely available in the retail industry. Threats 1.Shifts in technology away from Wi-Fi protocols and services. 2.A low cost competitor enters and disrupts the market. 3.A widespread security breach or software flaw could be catastrophic for the product. Support 1.The pace of change and innovations in technology is ever quickening. Consumer sentiment tends to move towards the newest standard. Wi-Fi technology is well established, reliable and widely taken for granted, it is the old guard. Some modern countries have already shifted away from Wi-Fi services in favor of cellular protocols or Super Wi-Fi, which functions in the TVWS bandwidth. Any shift away from the Wi-Fi protocol would require retooling of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway with new technology which may be prohibitive due to IP rights or development costs. 2.If a low cost competitor enters the market, Company G would have to spend additional marketing resources defending its market share. Company G would also have to engage in completive pricing to maintain its market position. Lower pricing and increased marketing efforts will have a negative impact on the XG Wi-Fi Gateway’s profits. 3.A security breach could permanently tarnish the XG Wi-Fi Gateway’s reputation. A major flaw or breach could kill the product’s viability in just a few days. Any breach would be an embarrassment to Company G, could result in lower share prices and expose the company to additional liabilities and lawsuits. Marketing Objectives Product Objective Provide our target consumer with an innovated and desirable product that is friendly and enhances their online activities with ease of use, technological compatibility and upgradeability resulting in annual sales of 1.5 million units in the first year, 3 million by the second year and 5 million by the third. Price Objective Pricing for a stand along XG Wi-Fi Gateway will start at $34.99. Company G will also offer up to a 20% savings premium when retailers order, bundle and promote the XG Wi-Fi Gateway with other XG products. Place Objective The XG Wi-Fi Gateway will utilize existing Company G online and retail distribution channels throughout North America and Europe. Additionally, the XG Wi-Fi Gateway will be carried and offered by the 3 leading cable companies in North America when selling optional residential broadband internet services. 100 days post launch, Company G will also introduce the XG Wi-Fi Gateway into ATT and T-Mobile retail stores and kiosks in North America along with Vodafone retail outlets in the UK and Movistar retail outlets in Spain. Company G will continue to utilize its proprietary predictive algorithms to ensure global product availability. Promotion Objective We expect to increase our target consumer awareness of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway by 25% in the first six months and by 33% by each year post launch. Catching the attentions of our target consume and demonstrating the XG Wi-Fi Gateway’s unique features will be critical to the product’s success. Company G will leverage its name recognition, reputation and media relationships along with its vast distribution channels to ensure the target consumer has ample opportunities to learn about and interact with the XG Wi-Fi Gateway prior to purchase. These Marketing Objectives are crafted to provide the optimal return for all of Company G’s stakeholders. Marketing Strategies Product Strategies †¢Compatibility The XG Wi-Fi Gateway is compatible with all major router equipment sold in North America and Europe. Our target consumer will be assured that The XG Wi-Fi Gateway will work will even previously purchased equipment regardless of the manufacture. †¢Friendly, Ease of Use The XG Wi-Fi Gateway is a plug and forget it device. The software is multi-operating system compatible. The user interface has been extensively reviewed and focuses group tested to ensure an appropriate and intuitive workflow. †¢Longevity, Durability The XG Wi-Fi Gateway hardware has no moving parts and is incased in a durable vinyl covering. The hardware has a life expectancy, with normal use, of 5 to 8 years. Software upgrades are pushed to the device as needed, no interaction is required from the consumer. Given current trends in Wi-Fi technology, Company G expects the software to be compliant with FCC and EU regulators for 10 or more years. Price Strategies †¢Skimming Model Company G will use Skimming Model for the first 100 days. Leading up to The XG Wi-Fi Gateway’s launch, marketing efforts will target the less price sensitive â€Å"early adopters† portion of our consumer group. †¢High-low Pricing High-low pricing will be utilized for the XG Wi-Fi Gateway after 100 days post launch. Special offers will be presented through online and traditional retailers when they bundle other Company G products with the purchase of a The XG Wi-Fi Gateway. Company G will also offer a rebate program in secondary markets coinciding with â€Å"back to school† activities. †¢Psychological Pricing Psychological pricing will be used to have an encouraging psychological influence on our target consumer. The consumer is well educated and well connected and knows what his peers have paid for other similar products. This pricing model will ensure he feels satisfied with the decision leading up to his purchase and comfortable sharing that information with his peer group. Place Strategy †¢Strategic Channel Alliances Company G will utilize strategic channel alliances to get the XG Wi-Fi Gateway in to areas where our target consumers live, work and play. We are partnering with recognized industry leaders to cross promote their compatible products with the XG Wi-Fi Gateway. This strategy allows consumers to see how the product works with other devices and gives them the opportunity to realize an immediate benefit of ownership. †¢Intensive Distribution Model Company G will also unitize an intensive distribution model. We will maximize our current distribution network to deliver the XG Wi-Fi Gateway to all available channels our target consumer may wish to utilize to make a purchase. †¢Pull Strategy Since our consumer desires product specifications in order to make a purchasing decision, Company G will take that â€Å"teaching† opportunity and convert it in to a desire to, at a minimum, interact with the physical product. We will run a campaign to persuade consumers to â€Å"give it a try yourself at your local electronics retailer†. This pull strategy should help Company G entice retailers to provide the XG Wi-Fi Gateway a more prominent position in their outlets as consumers ask to interact with the device. Promotion Strategies †¢Trade Shows Trade Shows are an important and ideal location to introduce the XG Wi-Fi Gateway to our target consumer. He regularly attends trade shows and often shares part of his experience on social media. If our consumer does not attend a show, he often seeks out opinions or stories from friends that have attended. The trade show environment allows us to craft the best possible informational and presentation opportunity outside of the consumer’s own home. This strategy is important because our consumer tends to make multiple electronics purchase within three months after attending a Consumer Electronics Show. †¢Product Placements Seeing the XG Wi-Fi Gateway in use is important to our target consumer. We are identifying their popular movies, television and web series and negotiating subtle placement of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway in to the main story’s setting. Company G used this strategy successfully for several of its mobile products. The overall return for this strategy was better than that of a 30 second commercial buy on a similar type show. Our consumer pays attention to their favorite show and interprets the commercials as interruptions. †¢Trade Allowances Company G will provide advertising and promotion allowances in targeted markets. Trade allowances will be based on a matrix consisting of ratings for the importance of market, the retailer’s foot traffic, sales volume and ad placement and media buy. Retailers can determine how to use the allowance within the terms and conditions of the trade allowance agreement. This strategy demonstrates that Company G values the retailer’s understanding of how to capitalize on the unique marketing challenges in their local market. Tactics and Action Plan Product Action Plan †¢Compatibility oTactic: Test and adjust all XG Wi-Fi Gateway components to ensure the final unit meets all FCC and EU regulations. Test and rate for compatibility against all targeted compatible products. Make adjustments and updates when identified. oDue Date: 6 months before launch then ongoing every 6 months throughout the products life cycle. oResponsible Party: A team made-up of members for the software development group, components and hardware group, competitor intelligence group and the product management team. †¢Friendly, Ease of Use oTactic: Ensure the XG Wi-Fi Gateway is user friendly and offers an intuitive user interface. oDue Date: 9 month ahead of launch. Review will also be conducted before the release of any update that may impact the user interface. oResponsible Party: A team made up of members from market research, software development, public relations and the product management team. †¢Longevity, Durability oTactic: Only high quality components from Company G selected suppliers will be utilized in the manufacturing of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway. All parts are randomly selected for quality assurance and destructive testing throughout the assembly cycle. oDue Date: Continuous once components arrive for assembly. oResponsible Party: Quality control team as well as independent 3rd party auditors. Price Action Plan †¢Skimming Model oTactic: Capitalize and maximize revenue on consumer interest and desire to own a cutting edge product. oDue Date: Initial pricing to be finalized 90 days prior to launch and monitored for the first 100 days post launch oResponsible Party: Financial analysts, accounting, channel marking managers and product management. †¢High-low Pricing oTactic: To maximize the revenue opportunities by providing incentives for retailers and consumers by making special offers by bundling Company G products or offering appropriate rebates. oDue Date: Special pricing, bundling offers and rebate programs will be finalized at launch then reviewed every 3 months. oResponsible Party: Marketing managers, financial analysts, channel marking managers and product managers. †¢Psychological Pricing oTactic: Ensure our target consumer is persuaded that the perceived value is greater than actual retail price. oDue Date: 90 days prior to launch then every 3 months. oResponsible Party: Marketing managers, public relations team, consumer research team, independent 3rd party consumer survey team Place Action Plan †¢Strategic Channel Alliances oTactic: Partner with non-retail partners to introduce the XG Wi-Fi Gateway in unique and impactful locations and situations to our target consumer. oDue Date: 1 year prior to launch then every 3 months. oResponsible Party: Marketing team, channel marking managers and product managers. †¢Intensive Distribution Model oTactic: We will engage all of our distribution and retail partners throughout the entire product cycle. oDue Date: 1 year prior to launch then continuous. oResponsible Party: channel marking managers and distribution management team †¢Pull Strategy oTactic: Entice consumers to ask their local retailers about the XG Wi-Fi Gateway oDue Date:90 days prior to launch then continuously for the first 100 days oResponsible Party: Marketing team and public relations team Promotion Action Plan †¢Trade Shows oTactic: Secure prominent floor space at CESs and Home Shows in major and secondary markets oDue Date:1 Year prior to product launch oResponsible Party: Marketing team, product management team †¢Product Placements oTactic: Identify and secure placement opportunities on targeted media outlets/shows oDue Date: 9 months before launch and through the first year oResponsible Party: Marketing team and media relations team †¢Trade Allowances oTactic: Provide strategic retailers marketing and promotional resources to increase awareness of the XG Wi-Fi Gateway in the local markets they serve. oDue Date: 3 months prior to launch then ongoing. oResponsible Party: Marketing team and channel marking managers Monitoring Procedures To ensure the Product and Marketing Teams meet the XG Wi-Fi Gateway meets Company G’s financial performance goals: Monitoring Activity: Regular review of ongoing product performance and benchmarking. Due Date/Frequency: Weekly meetings.

Its Time to Put and End to Affirmative Action Essay -- essays researc

Affirmative action should be changed or ended altogether In the late Sixties, Martin Luther King Jr. fought hard for equal rights. Before he was assassinated in 1968, he made a speech about his vision of human equality. â€Å"I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.† (King) The Sixties were a turning point for racial equality. Because of leaders like King, many blacks and minority groups began to face/win new opportunities that were never before available. New policies and laws were established to help reverse the detriment to ethnic groups through years of injustice and prejudice. But is it right to limit other races to advance another? Are we using racism to stop racism? Although equal rights policies were established through what became known as â€Å"affirmative action† and have assisted in the advancement of many minority groups, affirmative action today is wrong and should be revised or stopped altog ether. Affirmative action is an instituted list of policies to make up for past discrimination against groups based on race, religion, national origin, and gender. From its beginning, affirmative action has given minority groups opportunities for employment, promotion at work, new business ownership, school admission, scholarships and financial aid. President Lyndon B. Johnson introduced affirmative action during the civil rights era in 1965. It was used â€Å"as a method of redressing discrimination that had persisted in spite of civil rights laws and constitutional guarantees.† (Brunner) The purpose of affirmative action was to end racial inequality and set a level playing field for all races. Affirmative action allowed minorities a fair chance to pursue education and career advancement. It originally was intended for temporary assistance and was supposed to crush existing racially biased ideas in society. What was once a noble and valiant idea in 1965 has taken the very rights awa y it was intended to give. As affirmative action was introduced, many industries found the need to reduce standards in order to accept minorities. In many colleges and universities, a certain number of openings were set aside specifically for minorities because of the necessity to fill the racial quota for college populations. Because of this quota, many educational instit... ...rds of excellence. Reverse discrimination is not an answer for ending discrimination. It is time to consider a change in the policies of affirmative action or to abolish those policies altogether. Bibliography King, Martin Luther, Jr. I have a dream. 28 Aug 1963. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Peaceful Warrior. Pocket Books, NY 1968. Memphis Educational Computer Connectivity Alliance. http://www.mecca.org/crights/dream.html University of California Regents V. Bakke, 438 U.S. 265 (1975). Finlday.com 18 Nov 2002 http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts United States Constitution. Amendment XIV, Section 1 Brunner, Borgna â€Å"Bakke and Beyond: A History and Timeline of Affirmative Action.† Infoplease.com 20 Nov 2002. Family Education Network http://infoplease.com/spot/affirmative1.html McGowan, Miranda Ohsige. â€Å"Diversity of What?† In Robert Post and Michael Rogin. Race and Representation: Affirmative Action (New York: Zone Books, 1998), pp. 237-250 Fish, Stanley â€Å"Reverse Racism, or How the Pot Got to Call the Kettle Black,† The Atlantic, November 1993 Anderson, Elizabeth. â€Å"Integration, Affirmative Action, and Strict Scrutiny,† NYU Law Review, 77 (2002): 1195-1271.

Hopes and Dreams Help People to Survive, Even if they can Never Become Real Essay

How is this true for George and Lennie/ the characters in ‘Of Mice and Men’? An important theme in ‘Of Mice and Men’ is that of hopes and dreams. The main dream is that of George and Lennie to own a smallholding and work self-sufficiently. Indeed the story both begins and ends with George narrating the dream to Lennie. As well as George and Lennie other characters such as Candy, Crooks, Curley and Curley’s wife have dreams also. All of these hopes and dreams affect the way the characters behave throughout the novel. The book is set during the American depression of the 1930s after the Wall Street Crash of 1929. During this period many Americans struggled to make ends meet. Many left their old lives in the cities of the East, such as Boston or New York, and travelled West to forge new lives for themselves based on agriculture, † An’ live off the fatta the lan’.† This became the ‘American Dream,’ this is the dream of George and Lennie. For George the dream serves two main roles. The first is that it makes him strive towards something, giving him ambition and a fantasy of betterment. This makes him a better person because he is careful with his money, doesn’t go out drinking or to the brothel, but instead is careful of his responsibilities, â€Å"Me an’ Lennie’s rollin’ up a stake, I might go in an’ set and have a shot, but I ain’t puttin’ out no two and a half.† This allows him to cope with a life that he is dissatisfied with because he can use the dream to escape reality for a short while. The second function of the dream for George is that it is an integral part of his friendship with Lennie. George uses the dream to control Lennie as he behaves himself and works hard looking forward to the realisation of the dream. It is important for George that he continues his friendship with Lennie partly for companionship and party for more selfish reasons that Lennie is able to protect George and makes him feel and seem more intelligent. The dream is important to Lennie for similar reasons to why it is important to George. Primarily it keeps him on the straight and narrow, it makes him work hard, control his violent urges and obey George. He does this for fear of losing his role in the dream, â€Å"you ain’t gonna get in no trouble, because if you do, I won’t let you tend the rabbits.† The dream is also beneficial to Lennie because it allows him to die peacefully. Not only are his final thoughts about tending the rabbits and living happily ever after but he is also spared imprisonment or hanging by George’s devotion to the dream and hence Lennie. The most important function of this dream is to keep them together. Despite George constantly saying â€Å"God a’ mighty, if I was alone I could live so easy.† he stays with Lennie because they have made this dream together and are both striving to make it real. Lennie knows that he must stay with George because if he left he would lose this dream. George and Lennie’s dream is so powerful it draws others in such as Candy and Crooks. Candy is described as, â€Å"grinning with delight† as George describes their new ranch together. This shows how little is needed to make him happy. Candy uses the dream to escape from his lonely and dull life where he feels worthless. Even though he may know it will never become real it gives him, too, something to work for and some comfort, as he will then be looked after in his old age. The relationship between George and Lennie is mirrored in the relationship between Candy and his dog. Candy could not shoot his dog but got Carlson to do it for him. He soon regretted allowing this, â€Å"I ought to of shot that dog myself, George. I shouldn’t ought to of let no stranger shoot my dog.† This prepares the reader for George shooting Lennie and shows that it was the right thing to do. Crooks also gets caught up in the dream despite how much more cynical he is, â€Å"You guys is just kiddin’ yourself. You’ll talk about it a hell of a lot, but you wont get no land.† This shows how powerful this particular dream is, how they have made it so real as even Crooks want to believe the dream can come true despite what he knows about the world. As the novel progresses the reader becomes more and more like Crooks and pessimistic about the dream ever becoming realised. The dream helps Crooks feel accepted by white men as he is now a part of their dream and included by them. It makes him too feel worthy of something. Crooks’ role is to prepare the reader with his pessimism for the failure of the dream. This dream helps all these four men in a positive way as it gives them all incentive to work harder, save money and not spend it all at the brothel, it helps build friendship and trust. However not all the dreams in ‘Of Mice and Men’ help people to survive in this way, Curley and Curley’s wife’s dreams influence their characters negatively. Curley is a small man with a grudge against the world. He is very angry that he is small and so picks fights with those bigger than himself â€Å"He’s alla time picking scraps with big guys.† His own hope is that he can prove himself to be a big tough guy and get the respect of the other men, he tries to fulfil this with his boxing but still he is a laughing stock with the workers, as he cannot control his own wife. Similarly, Curley’s wife has an unobtainable dream of becoming a movie star. This is also for the respect of others particularly men. Curley’s wife is very good at using her sexuality to control men and also uses her husband’s status to control the workers. As she is unhappily married she uses her dreams as escapism that allows her to believe that she deserves and can get a better life than she has already. These dreams only serve to make Curley and his wife bitter. The difference between George and Lennie’s dream and Curley and his wife’s separate dreams is the effect they have on the characters. Curley and his wife are worse people as they are so caught up in not achieving their dreams that they don’t realise that they already have the dream life of many others. George and Lennie’s dream makes them look forward to a better life and has a positive effect on their current lives. Essentially Curley and his wife are already living the ‘American Dream’ and have the power, prestige and respect that George and Lennie aspire to. But still are unhappy and dream of having more themselves. Dreams are a product of dissatisfaction and this shows how mankind will always strive and dream for higher and better things no matter how much they have. In this theme Steinbeck is commenting that mankind is never satisfied and that dreams are an essential part of survival. Steinbeck’s use of colloquial language for the dialogue between the ranch workers for example â€Å"†¦an’ I’d get a job an’ make up the res’, an’ you could sell eggs an’ stuff like that† to make the story seem more realistic and alive. It also gives us an idea of how they spoke and makes the book more enjoyable for the reader. Using a great deal of dialogue in the book makes it more interesting and easier to read. Steinbeck uses light and darkness to focus the reader’s attention throughout the novel. Such as in the third chapter, the bunkhouse is completely dark but when George and Slim enter, the electric light over the card table is switched on and the focus is then on the conversation at the card table as there is darkness all around. And even though there are voices from the darkness the reader’s attention remains with Slim and George. Steinbeck does not use huge amounts of description however the way that he does describe the events is sufficient to make it seem as though you are actually there or allow you understand what it would be like. By saying â€Å"the thuds and occasional clangs of a horseshoe game† you can hear it in your mind and this helps the reader imagine the scene easily. In this way Steinbeck brings the characters dream to life.

Singapore International Airlines

Contents COVER LETTER4 1PROSPECTS OF ECONOMY5 1. 1Global Financial Crisis5 1. 2Oil Prices5 2PROSPECT OF AIRLINE INDUSTRY5 2. 1General Trend of the Airline Industry5 2. 2Analysis of competitiveness of industry6 3VALUE CHAIN7 3. 1Training of Pilots/ Cabin crew/ Ground handling staff7 3. 2Branding and publicity7 3. 3Reservations and Ticketing7 3. 4Ground Operations7 3. 5In-flight Services8 3. 6Aircraft Operations8 3. 7Fleet Management and maintenance8 3. 8Customers8 4SINGAPORE AIRLINE’S COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE8 4. 1The 4 components of SIA’s competitive strategy8 5FINANCIAL STATEMENT ANALYSIS9 5. Operating Performance Analysis9 5. 2Liquidity Analysis10 5. 3Solvency Analysis10 5. 4Profitability Analysis10 5. 5Stock Prices Analysis11 5. 6Comparison with Industry Average11 6SINGAPORE AIRLINES’ NON-FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE11 6. 1Learning and Growth11 6. 3 Internal Processes12 7RECOMMENDATIONS12 8APPENDIX13 9REFERENCES32 Cover Letter To: Ms Leo, CEO From: Investment Team Subje ct: Investment Report – Singapore Airlines Ltd This report contains an analysis of Singapore Airlines Ltd (SIA) with response to your query on desirability of making a fairly large medium-to-long term investment in the shares of SIA. Firstly, an analysis of the prospects of the airline industry which SIA operates in would be given to develop a better understanding of the business environment. The current state of economy will also be one of the highlights as it is perhaps one of the biggest concerns amongst investors. Next, the company’s value chain and competitive strategies would also be presented and analyzed to justify if SIA have the ability to sustain its growth despite numerous world-wide challenges such as the financial crisis and high oil prices. On top of that, an analysis of the company’s past financial statements and especially for the year 2007/08 would be presented to analyze the profitability and quality of earnings. For a more holistic approach, analysis of the company and industry using non-financial performance measures would also be used to address issues where financial measures are insufficiently informative. Comparisons with the industry and main competitors will also be made along the way to show how they fare and if the stock price has the potential to grow amongst stiff competition in the airline industry. Lastly, recommendations on the desirability of the investment would be given on our stand based on our analysis. 1Prospects of Economy 1. 1Global Financial Crisis The world’s economy is currently facing one of the worst financial threats ever since the Great Depression in 1929. Demise of US banks such as Lehman Brothers were due to huge corporate debt default which caused them to incur a large impairment loss. This tight credit crunch caused the downfall of the global stock market with fearful investors withdrawing their investments. In response to the gloomy outlook of the worldwide economy, assurance was given by the G7 as they announce to unveil a 5-point plan to counter the crisis and to stabilize the financial market. 1. 2Oil Prices The airline industry was drastically hit by the rocketing of aviation fuel prices for the past one year , forcing many companies to increase air ticket prices to cover the increased expenditure. Expenditure is accelerating at a faster rate than revenue; hence this has caused many airline companies to suffer a loss in operating profit. However, basket average crude oil prices has been on a declining trend. â€Å"Prices fell $18. 1/b or more than 14% in August, declining sharply from the record levels reached in July,† according to OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report September 2008. 2Prospect of Airline Industry 2. 1General Trend of the Airline Industry The current situation in the airline industry remains bleak. It is caused by a mix of weakening passenger demand, particularly i n the First and Business Classes, and the existing uncertain global economic outlook. Cargo demand has also plummeted, with a 6. 5% drop in demand for Asia-Pacific carriers in July 2008. However, SIA has been able to anticipate changes and continue to break new grounds. The procurement of A380 Airbus has helped SIA achieve substantial cost savings. In addition, conversion of five Airbus A340-500 aircraft into an All-Business Class set-up, and constantly ensuring that capacity best matches SIA’s demand , have proved to be profitable for SIA alone despite the overall weakening passenger demand. 2. 2Analysis of competitiveness of industry Since SIA’s overall profitability is largely influenced by the presence of competition, we have used Porter’s Model of Five Forces to analyze the competitiveness of the industry. Threats of substitutes Over the years, the airline industry has become increasingly competitive with entry of new competitors such as budget airlines. As such, some passengers are choosing to fly budget airlines for short travelling distances. Hence, demand from customers are becoming relatively price elastic, forcing some firms to lower their prices in order to stay competitive. Buyer Bargaining Power Buyer bargaining power is increasing due to the price transparency concerns of customers, as they can choose which airline to take. However, on the industry level, bargaining power is low. Supplier Bargaining Power Supplier bargaining power in the airline industry is high as the input required (aircraft, aviation fuel) is unique and there are no similar substitutes available. Rivalry among existing players The intensity of competition among airlines has increased substantially over the years as firms are narrowing the gap of the service quality and on board amenities. This has led to increasing emphasis in effective cost management for firms. Threat of Entry There are substantial barriers to entry for the industry due to the high initial fixed outlay and proprietary know-how. However, the entry of budget airlines poses potential threats to the existing players. Many firms have responded by buying shares in firms of budget airlines. 3Value Chain 3. 1Training of Pilots/ Cabin crew/ Ground handling staff SIA’s places great emphasis in training by continuously sending its employees for comprehensive and rigorous training. To present only the best service, SIA also imposes stringent selection tests of employees at the recruitment stage. 3. 2Branding and publicity SIA’s spending on advertising has been static over the recent years. Recently, TBWA replaced Batey agency which popularised the iconic Singapore Girl . SIA adopts a global approach to advertising in the international media, keeping the Singapore Girl icon as its representation of high quality service. 3. 3Reservations and Ticketing SIA’s website allows flight timetable downloads for gadgets such as pocket PCs and palm tops and synchronizes the data when it is amended. SIA’s ticketing offices are located in over 70 countries and it operates 24 hour telephone reservations and service call centres to help its customers. The use of interline e-ticketing allows ticket information to be stored in SIA’s secured database and shared among airlines on the customer’s itinerary. 3. 4Ground Operations SATS handles all ground operations which includes baggage/ airfreight handling and apron services. Technology such as Internet check-in, biometric checks and downtown check-in services are ingrained to speed up processing time. The application of Fully Automated Seamless Travel (FAST) integrates three processes comprising airline check-in, pre-immigration security checks and immigration clearance. SIA’s loyalty customers also have the privilege of priority check-in and enjoying exclusive facilities at its lounges. 3. 5In-flight Services Its in-flight on-demand entertainment system has over a thousand demand options and office software for passengers. Also, SIA also integrated the full size ‘space-bed’, on-board email and internet services in its First and Business classes. 3. 6Aircraft Operations SIA flies directly to 66 destinations and has recently increased flights to more popular destinations. SIA has transformed its cabins to full business class seating for its SG-NY flights and will be doing the same for its SG-LA Flights. . 7Fleet Management and maintenance SIA maintains young fleets of passenger and cargo planes. These fuel efficient planes are on the average age of 6-7yrs. It leases 34 out of its 126 aircraft on an agreement of range 4. 7-10. 5 years with options to sub-lease. SIAEC has also joined Airbus’ Maintenance Training Network, givin g it access to Airbus’ latest training methodologies. 3. 8Customers SIA’s KrisFlyer customer retention scheme has been effective to date and it now focuses on services for wealthy and business travellers, in conjunction with the PPS club . Singapore Airline’s Competitive Advantage Through the value chain comparison with competitors, SIA has achieved both differentiation and low cost strategies in its operations and stands out as a leader in the industry. 4. 1The 4 components of SIA’s competitive strategy 4. 1. 1Rigorous service design, development and continuous innovation SIA’s service development department constantly researches for and tests out new innovations. It uses the centralized innovation approach which involves three-step processes. The effective feedback channel helps to ensure that any useful suggestions are adopted. Employees are also sent on ‘spy flights’ on competitor’s planes to report their findings . SIA’s continuous innovation supports cost effectiveness and it transfers this margin to its customers. Some examples are improvements in seat and screen size, as well as in-flight services, which compares favourably to its competitors . 4. 1. 2Profit and cost-cutting mentality of employees SIA’s employees are well aware of the implications of high costs and they always strive to achieve customer satisfaction in a cost effective manner. Compared to the industry, SIA maintains a relatively young yet fuel efficient fleet. 4. 1. 3Holistic Staff Development All employees have a training and development plan which includes both functional and interpersonal skills. SIA’s aircrew is organized in teams of 13 and flies together for at least 2 years . Hence, these have helped to develop team bonding for delivering excellent service. 4. 1. 4Strategic synergies through diversification and world-class infrastructure SIA has reaped strategic synergies through diversification of its subsidiaries: SIA Engineering Company, SATS, SATS In-flight catering and Tiger airways. Diversifying has helped to avoid tough competition and to capture a larger market share by offering more types of services. Hence, SIA still gains the general market share through its 49% stake in the low-cost carrier Tiger Airways while focusing on wealthy and business travellers, 5Financial Statement Analysis 5. 1Operating Performance Analysis Revenue from the company’s operating activities increased by 12. 5% and expenditure increased by 7. 7%, causing the operating profit to increase by 60. 1% from 2007. Also, net cash provided by operation activities was has been positive and on an increasing trend. This tremendous improvement in operating profit is due the increased demand for SIA’s flights. 5. 2Liquidity Analysis 5. 2. 1Quick Ratio The ratio dropped from 1. 4 in 2007 to 1. 29 in 2008. This is largely due to the company recognizing more sales in advance of carriage under current liabilities. However, the overall quick ratio trend has been greater than 1. This indicates the relatively stronger liquidity position to meet current debts, especially compared with its competitors . 5. 3Solve ncy Analysis 5. 3. 1Debt-to-Equity Ratio The ratio dropped from 0. 12 in 2007 to 0. 11 in 2008. The result projects an optimistic outlook because the company was able to complete their purchase of new A380 planes without relying on outside funds and the value of the ratio is lower than its competitors. This indicates SIA’s strong ability to generate cash from operating activities for future growth. 5. 4Profitability Analysis 5. 4. 1Return on Average Equity Holders’ Funds The return on average equity holders’ funds dropped from 14. 9% in 2007 to 13. 56% in 2008. The major reason behind the decrease was due to sale of SIA building and investment in Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise Pte Ltd in 2007. The extraordinary events led to a significantly large amount of profit in 2007. Hence, the drop in return on average equity holders’ funds is not a big concern. Compared to the 2006 figure of 9. 61% and 2005 figure of 11. 01%, the company has been more successful in generating returns for its equity holders. 5. 4. 2Earnings after Tax per Share (diluted) This is a conservative measure that takes into account of the employees exercising their share options. The diluted earnings after tax per share dropped from $1. 71 in 2007 to $1. 66 in 2008, largely due to the one time sale of assets in 2007 mentioned above. The drop is not a concern because it still shows an increasing trend. 5. 4. 3Dividends per Share The overall trend of the dividend payout is positive and investors are expected to receive a fair share of dividends annually . 5. 5Stock Prices Analysis The general price trend of SIA stocks shows an upwards inclination. It reached a peak at around November 07 and prices have been decreasing since. One of the reasons why stock prices started to decrease is due to rising fuel prices. In view of the recent financial turmoil, the unstable economy is expected to have a significant impact on stock price. As compared to its major competitors, the stock price decrease was fortunately not as drastic. Also, we should note that this is a temporary mark to market loss suffered and not a permanent impairment loss incurred by SIA. 5. 6Comparison with Industry Average Overall, SIA’s financial performance is above industry average in comparison. 6Singapore Airlines’ Non-Financial Performance Non-financial performances are an integral part of a company which is bound to affect a company’s financial position in the long run and will determine its sustainability amidst stiff competition. A comparison with their closer competitors is also being considered . 6. 1Learning and Growth SIA places large emphasis on its employees. One of its strategies to train its employees includes company-wide Core Developmental Competency Framework, which seeks to help staff identify their strengths and opportunities for improvements. SIA Group also has seven training schools to deliver training in each core functional areas. This includes the Transforming Customer Service (TCS) initiative and general management training. Furthermore, SIA has in place share-based remuneration programmes which aim to more directly align the interests of senior management with the interests of shareholders. . 2Customer perspective One of SIA’s strengths lies in its superior customer service and excellent facilities on board. On top of that, SIA also places large emphasis on the safety of its customers on air and have introduced various new methods and equipment on board with the customers’ welfare and convenience in mind. SIA’s efforts in providing excellent customer service ar e evident by the many awards and accolades they garnered over the past years. These awards have enhanced their reputation and enabled them to dominate in the Airline industry. 6. 3 Internal Processes SIA’s Value Chain was analyzed to gain better understanding of its internal process. 7Recommendations From the above analysis, we understand that the airline industry that SIA operates in is extremely volatile and competitive. Coupled with the problem of rising fuel prices, the future do poses many challenges for SIA. However, having analyzed SIA’s strategies and operation style, we can see that SIA has been effective in managing the challenges faced to date, despite it being a relatively small and young airline compared to the other players in the industry. This is evident from the good financial performance of SIA. Thus, our team is optimistic about SIA’s growth prospects for the next 5 to 10 years and we predict that an attractive return can be guaranteed if the shares were bought. However, in view of the financial turmoil, we suggest putting the investment plan on hold first and wait for share prices to plummet to a sufficiently low point before buying the shares. Ultimately, this will help our company to take advantage of the low share price and maximize returns in the future. 8Appendix Appendix 1 Article 1 From The Times October 9, 2008 Interest rate cuts overshadowed by spectre of recession IMF says world is heading for major downturn Patrick Hosking, Banking and Finance Editor Interest rates across the world were slashed yesterday as central banks took unprecedented emergency action in an effort to contain the worst economic threat since the Great Depression. Hours after the Government unveiled a ? 500 billion rescue package for the British banking system, the Bank of England joined forces with its counterparts across the Western world to cut rates by half a percentage point. The extraordinary level of coordination was designed to demonstrate resolve in the face of financial panic but failed to restore confidence in the stock market. Share prices rallied briefly in London but the FTSE 100 index closed down 239 points at 4,367, its lowest point for four years. In its bleakest forecast for years, the International Monetary Fund said that the world was entering a major downturn in the face of â€Å"the most dangerous shock . . . since the 1930s†. The US and Europe were either on the brink of or already in recession. Appendix 2 Article 2 Home > Breaking News > Money > Story Oct 11, 2008 G7 vows to fight crisis WASHINGTON – GROUP of Seven finance chiefs on Friday unveiled a five-point plan to fight the global economic firestorm and restore confidence in the financial system by shoring up struggling banks. ‘The G7 agrees today that the current situation calls for urgent and exceptional action,' the US Treasury said in a statement on behalf of the G7 nations. We commit to continue working together to stabilise financial markets and restore the flow of credit, to support global economic growth,' it added after the finance ministers and central bank chiefs from the G7 nations – the United States, Germany, Japan, France, Britain, Italy and Canada – met in Washington. Appendix 3 Graph 1 Appendix 4 Newspaper Extract 1 The Straits Times, October 19 2008 Money Section Appendix 5 Exhibit 1 Airline Industry†™s Value Chain and competitive advantage The diagram below describes the Primary activities that is included in SIA’s Value Chain Appendix 6 Article 3 SIA stays the course with its branding strategy American advertising agency TBWA took over the coveted account from Singapore- based agency Batey – the name behind SIA's ad campaigns for the past 35 years.. †¦ Many marketing experts, who were looking for a significant change in SIA's branding strategy, were surprised by the lack of it, while others felt the ads weren't much of a head turner†¦ SIA spokesman Stephen Forshaw says critics have got it all wrong. Branding is not only about advertising. More importantly, it is about the substance behind the brand. ‘It perplexes me that people think the key to branding is advertising. It's not,' he says. ‘The key to branding is getting the fundamentals of the business right first. ‘Advertising is merely a way of communicating between the organisation and its customer base. ‘ †¦ †¦ But there remains a key constant – the Singapore Girl icon. ‘The representation of the Singapore Girl is what the brand delivers to customers – that is very high quality service,' Mr Forshaw says†¦. †¦ A significant application of biometric technologies currently being developed at SIA’s hub at Changi Airport in Singapore is the FAST (Fully Automated Seamless Travel) process. In November 2004, a six-month pilot test of FAST has been initiated based on a biometrics technology that integrates three processes: airline check-in, pre-immigration security checks, and immigration clearance†¦ †¦ This initiative at Changi Airport is a world’s first of integrating these processes with the clear objective of driving service excellence at airport operations and SIA’s ground services, while at the same time driving efficiency and improving security.. Appendix 7 Table 1 Kris Flyer Programs The table below describes the KrisFlyer programs of SIA. Level Benefits Young Explorer Club†¢Earn and redeem miles for free travel just like other KrisFlyer members †¢Miles earned go towards qualification for higher tiers of membership Kris Flyer Elite Silver†¢25% bonus on actual miles flown whenever you fly Singapore Airlines, SilkAir or Virgin Atlantic. †¢Priority Reservation Waitlist and Priority Airport Standby Kris Flyer Elite Gold†¢25% tier bonus on actual miles flown each time you credit the miles you earn on Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Virgin Atlantic. †¢Increased Check-in Baggage Allowance (20kg, or one extra piece of baggage). Priority Airport Check-in and boarding and baggage handling †¢ Access to Star Alliance Gold Lounges. PPS Club†¢Exclusive Gift Vouchers to purchase items from our inflight shopping service, KrisShop. †¢Enjoy reduced or waived fees for various KrisFlyer services. †¢Travel Assistance and Insurance. †¢25% tier bonus on actual miles flown each time you credit the miles you earn on Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Virgin Atlantic. †¢If your reservation for a seat in First or Raffles/Business Class cannot be confirmed immediately, you will be offered the option of a guaranteed seat in Economy Class on the same flight. 100% increased check-in baggage allowance on all Singapore Airlines and SilkAir flights †¢ Extended Use of Silver Kris Lounges. †¢Access to Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses. Solitaire PPS Club †¢25% tier bonus on actual miles flown each time you credit the miles you earn on Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Virgin Atlantic to your KrisFlyer account. †¢Supplementary Card for your spouse, who will be accorded the same level of service as you whenever they travel. Appendix 9 Article 5 Cost-effective service excellence: lessons from Singapore Airlines An additional source of intelligence is SIA’s â€Å"spy flights†, where advisors travel with competitors and report on their offerings†¦ †¦ SIA builds team spirit within its 6,600 crew members through its â€Å"team concept†, where small teams of 13 crew members are formed and then fly together as far as possible for at least two years. This leads to the development of team spirit and social bonds within the team that reinforces the culture of cost-effective service excellence and the peer pressure to deliver SIA’s promise to customers†¦. Appendix 10 Table 2 The tables below show the comparison between the in-flight facilities provided by SIA and their competitors. Airline comparison in terms of screen size AirlineEconomy ClassBusiness ClassFirst ClassOthers Singapore Airlines10. 6’15. 4’ LCD23’ LCD (1280Ãâ€"768 Pixels)100 movies, 180 TV shows, 20 radio stations, 65games, 700music CDs, office software, noise cancelling headsets Cathay9’ widescreen15’ widescreen17’ widescreen100 movies, 350 TV shows, 22 radio stations, 888 CDs, 70 interactive games, noise cancelling headsets Qantas6. 3’10. 2’8. 3’60 movies, 200 TV shows, 20 radio stations, 10 games, 150 music CDs, noise cancelling headsets Airlines comparison in terms of in-flight services AirlineSingapore AirlinesQantasCathay 1st Class- 88. 9cm wide, fine grain leather seats – Flat bed – Adjustable table height – Dressing table with mirror – Plush duvet, fluffy pillows – Ferragamo Toiletries – Givenchy Sleeper Suite and suede slippers – Power outlet – Noise cancelling headsets- 198cm long flat bed – Light meals/ snacks available anytime – Built in massage capability in each chair – Payot paris toiletries – Akira Isogawa pyjamas, eyeshades – Power outlet – Noise cancelling headsets- 205. 7cm long, 63. 5cm wide flat bed – Personal Closet for clothes, hoes, mattress, pillows – Extra large tray table – Mood Lighting – Adjustable reading light – Built in massage capability in each chair – Acca Kappa Amenities set – Power outlet – Noise cancelling headsets Business Class- 1-2-1 layout with 76cm width seats – Flat bed – Light duvet, large pillows – Computer usage with USB ports and keyboard – Business lounge – Snack corner – Eau de toiletries – Power Outlet – Noise cancelling headsets- 2-2-2 layout – Shoe compartment – Coat Hook – Built in massage capability in each chair – Meal and cocktail table – Adjustable reading light – Inflight bar – Marc Newson amenities kit with Korner skincare product – Power Outlet – Noise cancelling headsets- 2-3-2 layout with 198cm long, 52 cm wide seats – Flat bed – Built in massage capability in each chair – Extra large tray table – Mood Lighting – Adjustable reading light – Extra large tray table – Agnes B Amenities kit with Murad/Dermalogica skincare products – Power Outlet – Noise cancelling headsets Appendix 11 Table 3 Average Age of Aircraft Average Age of Aircraft, 31March 20082007-20082006-20072005 – 20062004 – 2005 SIA Passenger Fleet (Months)77757664 SIA Freighters (Months)88766865 Industry Wide (Months)162160159157 Appendix 12 Table 4 Operating Performance of Company The CompanyCathay Qantas in S$ million 200820072006200520082008 Revenue12,759. 6011,343. 9010,302. 809,260. 109753. 27715051. 7 Expenditure-11,115. 60-10,316. 90-9,651. 80-8,562. 20-8751. 65-13774. 2 Operating Profit1,644. 001,027. 00651697. 91001. 6271277. 527 Percentage Change60. 10%57. 80%-6. 70% 33. 40% (compared to previous year) Cash Flow from Operating Activities4269. 43163. 52309. 62786. 62,540. 032,101. 91 Appendix 13 Table 5 Quick Ratio Calculation Quick Ratio = Quick Assets/ Current Liabilities (Quick Assets exclude inventories & prepaid assets) The GroupCathayQantas n S$ million 200820072006200820082008 Current Assets8,313. 308,248. 805,938. 304,943. 90339075616. 2 Inventories507. 7534. 1517. 5442. 5882215. 7 Section 44 tax prepayments-46. 7166. 2221. 4– Prepayments104. 986. 1—- Quick Assets7,700. 707,581. 905,254. 604,280. 00330255400. 5 Current Liabilities5,957. 705,258. 404,842. 503,901. 60273947603. 9 Quick Ratio1. 291. 4 41. 091. 101. 210. 71 Appendix 14 Table 6 Debt-to-Equity Ratio Calculation Debt-to-Equity ratio shows the composition of debt and equity in the capital structure and measures the degree to which the company relies on outsider for funds. Debt-to-Equity Ratio = Total long-term liabilities/ Total stockholders' equity The GroupCathayQantas in S$ million 200820072006200520082008 Long-term Liabilities1,599. 201,805. 801,824. 402,333. 304860. 20913. 5022 StockholderEquity15,125. 2015,100. 0013,470. 6012,342. 3016759. 325753. 29 Debt-to-Equity Ratio0. 110. 120. 140. 190. 290. 16 Appendix 15 Table 7 Return on Equity Holder's Fund Calculation Return on equity holders’ funds = Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company / Average equity holders’ funds (Percentage) The GroupCathayQantas 200820072006200520082008 in S$ million Profit attributable to equity holders2049. 2128. 81,240. 701,309. 507023969 Equity Holder's funds15,125. 2015,100. 0013,470. 6012,342. 30505495731. 2 Average equity holders' funds15112. 614285. 312906. 4511898. 747967. 55683. 05 Return on equity holders' funds13. 56%14. 90%9. 61%11. 01%14. 64%17. 05% Appendix 16 Table 8 Earnings after Tax per Share (diluted) Calculations Earnings afte r tax per share (diluted) is computed by dividing profit attributable to equity holders of the Company by the weighted average of ordinary shares in issue excluding treasury shares, adjusted for the dilutive effect on the exercise of all outstanding share options. The Group 2008200720062005 Profit attributable to equity holders of the Company(S$ millions)2,049. 402,128. 801,240. 701,352. 40 Adjustment for dilutive potential ordinary shares (S$ millions) (5. 10) (4. 80) (3. 60)- Adjusted net profit attributable to equity holders of the Company (S$ millions)2,044. 302,124. 001,237. 10- Weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue (million)1,216. 001,233. 601,219. 501,218. 20 Adjustment for dilutive potential ordinary shares (million)14. 910. 02. 1- Adjusted weighted average number of ordinary shares (million)1,230. 901,243. 601,221. 601,218. 0 Diluted earnings per share (cents)166. 1170. 8101. 3111. 0 Appendix 17 Table 9 Dividend Schedule The Group 2008200720062005 Interim dividend (cents per share)20. 015. 010. 010. 0 Proposed final dividend (cents per share)80. 035. 035. 030. 0 Dividend cover (times)1. 71. 72. 32. 8 Appendix 18 Exhibit 3 SIACathay PacificQantas Airways SIACathay PacificQantas Airways 52 Weeks Range Volatility47%63%59% H ighest Price in 52 Weeks$19. 90$24. 00$6. 06 Lowest Price in 52 Weeks$10. 52$8. 77$2. 50 Appendix 19 Table 10 Figures for Industry Averages are taken from Reuters (www. reuters. com) Industry AverageGroup's Average Quick Ratio0. 921. 29 Interest Coverage0. 0426. 42 Return on Assets0. 19%8. 10% Return on Equity-0. 04%13. 60% Appendix 20 Table 11 Non Financial Evaluation in the form of a BSC Learning and Growth Aspects of MeasurementMeasuresEvaluation Employee DevelopmentEmployee training programmes implemented †¢Implementation of a company-wide Core Developmental Competency Framework. Consisting of eight core competencies, it allows staff to identify strengths and opportunities for improvement. †¢Three areas have been prioritised for follow-up action: Pay and Benefits, Career Development, and Working Relationships. This shows that they are concerned about its employees’ welfare, not just giving them financial satisfaction. †¢Introduced a web-based self-learning security program for cabin and technical aircrew. †¢Seven training schools Employee satisfactionEmployee benefits schemes †¢Short-Term Incentives Short-term incentives generally take the form of an annual profit-sharing bonus. Payment of the variable bonus is based on employees achieving the target levels in the following: (i) SIA Group’s Return on Shareholders’ Fund; (ii) SIA Company’s Operating Profit Margin; and iii) SIA Company’s Passenger Load Factor †¢Long-Term Incentives The Company has put in place share-based remuneration programmes allowing employees to share in its growth and success. These plans comprise the Performance Share Plan (PSP), Restricted Share Plan (RSP) and Employee Share Option Plan (ESOP). InnovationNew technology and innovations†¢KrisWorld, Singapore A irlines' award-winning and ever-expanding inflight entertainment system, offers customers a wide range of entertainment options. Customers can choose from a variety of movies, TV programmes, music CDs and channels. There is also an extensive selection of video games and interactive applications including Berlitz Word Traveler, a fully interactive learning programme. These techonology implemented allowed them to be one of the best airlines in the industry to offer such entertainment system. †¢Uses Three-step centralized innovation process. Examples are the recently launched design of the Airbus A380 cabin. Customer Overseas presenceNetwork Development†¢As of 31 March 2008, Singapore Airlines operated 726 weekly flights to 66 destinations in 36 countries. Including codeshare services with Star Alliance and partner airlines, the Airline’s global route network grew to 149 destinations in 46 countries. †¢In August 2007, SIAEC acquired 100% of Aircraft Maintenance Services Australia to offer line maintenance services at international airports in Australia. The acquisition is part of the Company's continuing effort to capture a larger slice of the global maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) market by extending its reach o new growth markets and to broaden the span of its services to offer total maintenance solutions to airlines. SafetySafety measures introduced†¢Introduced a web-based self-learning security program for cabin and technical aircrew. It also successfully completed its second renewal of the IATA Operational Safety Audit. The audit covered key operational areas across the Airline, including flight safety, emergency management, engineering maintenance and ground handling. The Airline is also working closely with other safety organisations, such as IATA and AAPA, to promote and enhance flight safety. Service rangeNew services improvements to current flights†¢KrisShop launches new online sales portal krisshop. om, featuring an online catalogue and selections exclusive to Singapore †¢ECONOMY CLASS Improved design and use of light, thinner materials which provide more personal space and legroom. Other features include a non-intrusive reading light installed underneath the seatback screen, personal storage space for spectacles and smaller items, and adjustable footrest. †¢BUSINESS C LASS The A380 is configured with 60 Business Class seats. All seats offer direct access to the aisle, with a 1-2-1 forward-facing configuration. The new Business Class seats onboard the A380 are the widest in its class for any airline. At 85-cm wide, the seat is similar but slightly bigger, than the Business Class seats fitted on the Airline’s Boeing 777-300ER fleet. Business Class on the A380 also features a Passenger Corner, specially created for these customers to pick up snacks and socialise during long flights. †¢AIRLINES KRISWORLD Customers can choose from more than 1000 entertainment options featured on the new KrisWorld, including movies, television programmes, music, learning applications and 3D games. Screens across all classes are bigger: 58cm in Suites, 39cm in Business and 30cm in Economy. Singapore Airlines customers flying on the A380 and B777-300ER, are also able to work. Inflight through a comprehensive suite of office applications which can be accessed via the handset and without a laptop. All seats come with their very own USB port and in-seat power supply. †¢INTERLINE E-TICKETING Singapore Airlines ranks as the first non-US carrier, and third in the airline industry, in implementing interline e-ticketing. As of March 2008, 97% of all tickets issued from the Airline’s sales channels were e-tickets. All Singapore Airlines’ stations in the network are e-ticket enabled. According to IATA ranking in March 2008, Singapore Airlines has 120 Interline e-ticketing partners, among the highest in the industry. Corporate Social ResponsibilityRaising money for charities †¢Over $1. 9 million was raised and distributed to charities in Sydney, Singapore and the global humanitarian organisation, Medecins Sans Frontieres. Singapore Airlines announces it will auction seats in the world’s first A380 flight on the global online marketplace, eBay. All money raised from the auction is to be donated to four charities. The auction starts on 27 August 2007 and runs for two weeks. Environment†¢The A380 is a cleaner, greener, new generation aircraft – fuel burn, compared to a Boeing 747, on a per-seat basis is 20% less, and its noise footprint at take-off and landing is about 95% lower than any aircraft introduced 40 years ago. It is the cleanest, most environmentally friendly large passenger plane to take to the skies. Importantly, it will also help to deal with congestion at busy airports by offering more seats without the need for more frequencies. And it is delivering a substantially lower fuel burn per seat mile than the older generation large passenger jets. Image and reputationAwards and Accolades September 2008 Business Traveller Asia-Pacific â€Å"Best Airline† for the 17th consecutive time in its 2008 Readers' Poll. †¢Best Asia-Pacific Airline, Best First Class Best Business Class and Best Economy Class. With ten editions worldwide, Business Traveller is the world's leading publication geared towards frequent business traveller s. †¢World's Best Awards 2008 survey â€Å"Best International Airline† for the 13th consecutive time in its. The magazine has a readership of almost five million. February 2008 †¢Air Transport World (Global) Airline of the Year March 2008 †¢Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Aerospace & Defence Awards (Asia) Airline of the Year Business Process Process efficiency Solutions to improve business efficiency †¢Introduction of A380 to cater to high demand from customers and also attempted to cut costs that was passed on from high oil prices since the use of bigger airplanes will be more cost efficient as opposed to flying smaller airplanes with more frequency. In addition, five new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft were delivered. These raised the number of Boeing 777 aircraft in the operating fleet to 72, reaffirming Singapore Airlines’ position as the world’s largest operator of the Boeing 777 family. The four-time weekly service via Moscow started in March 2008, boosting the number of weekly passenger flights between Singapore and the USA to more than 50. Frequency was increased between Singapore and cities in Asia and Europe to meet growing demand for air travel. This shows that they continually increase their frequency to meet demands and improve services towards customers. Employee EfficiencyValu e added per employee†¢There is an improvement from $497,662 to $530,859 which is an increment of 6. 7% over the last financial year. Appendix 21 Table 12 Comparison with Close Competitors SIACathay PacificQantas Learning & GrowthAir Crew training -4 month long training for stewardesses which includes both functional and interpersonal skills -Promote team dynamics by organizing aircrews in teams of 13 and flies together for at least 2 years Self Learning – Web-based self-learning security program for its cabin and technical crew to increase efficiency in learning Air Crew training – Staff alignment survey to ensure better employees’ expectations. – Leading-edge training and development programmes to enhance the skills of our workforce. -Business-driven learning Confidential counselling through our Employee Assistance Programme. Air Crew training – Comprehensive training program that covers topics including customer service, medical aviation, aircraft and personal safety, emergency procedures. – QGFT provides high level practical and theoretical training in dedicated facilities. Internal Business Processes-Cost cutting solutions to improve business efficiency through introduction of Airbus 380 which offers the state of the art aircraft and that it also cuts back on fuel costs. – Diversity of businesses by tapping into budget airline Tiger Airways. Average fleet age of 6. 41 years-Cost cutting solutions to improve business efficiency by publicly announcing plans to replace a few older aircraft with new fuel-efficient plans and retrenching employees. -Average fleet age of 11 years. -Cost cutting solutions to improve business efficiency through introduction of Airbus 380 which offers the state of the art aircraft and that it cuts back on fuel costs. -Overly focused on cost cutting such that safety is being compromised, and they are currently under supervision by CASA -Average flight age of 9. 3 years Diversity of businesses by tapping into budget airline and currently holds stakes in Jetstar. Customer Perspective- Close relationship and builds loyalty through branding. – Excellent in flight ente rtainment on board that is crucial for longer flights. – Low safety concern: Introduced a web-based self-learning security program for cabin and technical aircrew and has completed its second renewal of the IATA Operational Safety Audit. The Airline is also working closely with other safety organisations, such as IATA and AAPA, to promote and enhance flight safety. Build and maintain a good social image and reputation- Excellent in flight services on board with brand new state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system with audio and video on demand for the business class. – Low safety concerns and they emphasized that safety is of utmost importance: established the Board Safety Review Committee and Airline Safety Review Committee – Safety problems have been an issue recently with numerous cases of technical problems and causing flight delays. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) told Qantas to improve the maintenance of its planes, after several flights ha d been cancelled or delayed due to engine problems. † – Social image declining due to adverse news reports about concerns over safety levels. Appendix 22 Article 6 Singapore world's best airline STUART INNES 20 September 2008 SINGAPORE Airlines, the first to have daily international flights through Adelaide Airport, has been named best airline by Business Traveller Asia-Pacific magazine The readers' votes also gave the airline wins in categories for best first class, best business class and best economy class. The gongs come on top of other awards to Singapore Airlines such as the annual Skytrax survey, which voted it airline of the year. US-based magazine Travel + Leisure readers voted Singapore Airlines as best international airline in its 2008 World's Best Awards. 9References Books Loizos Heracleous, Jochen Wirtz & Nitin Pangarkar (2006) Flying High in a competitive industry: Cost-effective service excellence at Singapore Airlines McGraw-Hill Educatiion (Asia) Databases Factiva http://global. factiva. com. ezlibproxy1. ntu. edu. sg/sb/default. aspx? NAPC=S&fcpil=en Journal Articles Shank, K. J. and Govindarajan, V. (1992). Strategic Cost Management and the Value Chain. Journal of Cost Management, Winter 1992, 5(4):5-21 Chivaka, R. (2007). Strategic Cost Management: Value Chain Analysis Approach. Accounting SA, August 2007, 25-27. Porter, M. E. (1985). Competitive Advantage. The Free Press, New York, Ch. 1, pp 11-15. Newspaper Reports The Straits Times, October 19 2008, Money Section, SIA sees 1. 6% drop in flier numbers Other Reports Singapore Airlines Ltd Financial Report 2007-08 Singapore Airlines Ltd Financial Report 2006-07 Singapore Airlines Ltd Financial Report 2005-06 Singapore Airlines Ltd Financial Report 2004-05 Cathay Pacific Financial Report 2007-2008 Qantas Airways Financial Report 2007-2008 Websites www. cathaypacific. com www. qantas. com. au www. reuters. com www. singaporeair. com http://business. timesonline. co. uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/banking_and_finance/article4909976. ece http://www. straitstimes. com/Breaking%2BNews/Money/Story/STIStory_288507. html www. venturerepublic. com/resources/Singapore_Airlines_ ¬_An_Excellent_Asian_Brand. asp www. singaporeairfreight. com/ttd_bizenterprise/Singlenews. aspx? DirID=64&re