Environmental Analysis Essay

As a way of promoting Skoal, the company utilizes print advertisements in magazines whose readers are 85% adults. Aside from this, the company also uses one-on-one events as a way to let the clients know more about Skoal and try out its products. Skoal’s promotions includes reach-out advertising, and it includes a very, very successful direct mail program that we have been running to adult smokers. In 2006, the company mailed to about 2.5 million adult smokers with a series of coupons and product information about Skoal and its products and have been very, very successful in converting about 5% of the people that we mailed to, to actual ongoing usage of moist smokeless tobacco products. (UST 2006 Analyst and Investor Conference) In addition, the company also has its own company website (http://www. ustinc. com/) and product website (http://www. skoalbrotherhood. com) that can be used as a tool for customers to access information about the product and the company 24/7. The product’s unique selling point is that it is the only smokeless tobacco that offers several flavors, cuts and pouches. In its advertisements, Skoal sports the tagline â€Å"A pinch better. † Skoal wanted to position to itself in its main target market’s mind as â€Å"the preferred way to experience tobacco satisfaction† – a vision that positions the company not as a smokeless tobacco company, but as a tobacco company whose consumer universe is all tobacco consumers. (UST 2006 Analyst and Investor Conference) Pricing The company utilizes the prestige pricing strategy and this is congruent with the image the brand is trying to project. Since Skoal is the only smokeless tobacco that offers a variety of flavors, cuts and pouches, it is only right for them to charge a price premium to maximize their profits. Over its course of business, Skoal has undergone through several price changes. However, for the entire year of 2006, the company has not yet raised it prices. Murray Kessler, manager of Skoal said â€Å"Prices per can depends on how much we spend on the promotional front and it depends on what we do with the competitors. † (UST 2006 Analyst and Investor Conference) So far though, the company does not see the need to raise prices. Comparing Skoal to other brands, it charges much higher prices as compared to competitors like Couper, Cougar, Gold River, and Grizzly but there are a few brands like Hawken and Kodiac whose prices are higher than Skoal. Sister brand Copenhagen charges the same price as Skoal. Distribution Skoal products can be purchased in several websites online and also several retailers. The company uses extensive distribution channels and which became an edge for Skoal. UST’s long-established brands distributes through tens of thousands of small retail outlets, and the unwillingness of major tobacco companies to enter this market (due to the poor image and social unacceptability of the product) have made UST’s market position unassailable. (Industry Analysis 7) The company does not operate any retailing stores but instead relies on third party retailers to get their products to their target markets. So far, Skoal products can be found in the United States and some parts of Canada but the management is eyeing Eastern Europe as an opportunity to expand Skoal internationally. Conclusion Skoal has been successful in implementing its strategy. Currently, Skoal belongs to the top of mind awareness of its target market when it comes to smokeless tobacco with it capturing 78% of the market together with its sister brands. In order to maintain this position, further significant investments in advertisements, branding, and promotions must be undertaken.

Mark Sheet: Leading and motivating a team effectively Essay

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSESSMENT AND USE OF MARK SHEET Assessment must be conducted with reference to the assessment criteria (AC). In order to pass the unit, every AC must be met. Assessors will normally award marks for every AC and then total them into a percentage. However, for greater simplicity, there is the option to not use marks at all and merely indicate with a ‘Pass’ or ‘Referral’ in the box (below right). In order to pass the unit every AC must receive a ‘Pass’. Where marks are awarded according to the degree to which the learner’s evidence in the submission meets each AC, every AC must be met, i.e. receive at least half marks (e.g. min 10/20). Any AC awarded less than the minimum produces an automatic referral for the submission (regardless of the overall mark achieved). Sufficiency descriptors are provided as guidance. If 20 marks are available for an AC and the evidence in the submission approximates to the ‘pass’ descriptor, that indicates it should attract 10 mark s out of 20, if a ‘good pass’ then ca. 15 out of 20. The descriptors are not comprehensive, and cannot be, as there are many ways in which a submission can exceed or fall short of the requirements. 1.Learner named above confirms authenticity of submission. 2.ILM uses learners’ submissions – on an anonymous basis – for assessment standardisation. By submitting, I agree that ILM may use this script on condition that all information which may identify me is removed. However, if you are unwilling to allow ILM use your script, please refuse by ticking the box: Learning Outcome / Section 1: Know how to communicate the organisations vision and strategy to the team Assessment Criteria (AC) Sufficiency Descriptors [Typical standard that , if replicated across the whole submission, would produce a referral, borderline pass or good pass result] Assessor feedback on AC AC 1.1 Explain the importance of the team having a common sense of purpose that supports the overall vision and strategy of the organisation Referral [ca. 4/16] Pass [8/16] Good Pass [ca. 12/16] An explanation of the importance of the team having a common sense of purpose is not given or, if given, the supporting of the overall vision and strategy of the organisation is not included The importance of the team having a common sense of purpose that supports the overall vision and strategy of the organisation is merely stated, as opposed to explained or, if explained, is incorrect, inappropriate or minimal The importance of the team having a common sense of purpose that supports the overall vision and strategy of the organisation is correctly and appropriately explained although the explanation may be limited and the link to organisational vision may be more implicit than explicit A thorough and detailed explanation is given of the importance of the team having a common sense of purpose and its link to the overall vision and strategy of the organisation is made explicitly clear / 16 (min. of 8) Pass or Referral AC 1.2 Explain the role that communication plays in establishing a common sense of purpose Referral [ca. 4/16] Pass [8/16] Good Pass [ca. 12/16] Assessor feedback on AC The role that communication plays in establishing a common sense of purpose is not explained or is merely outlined as opposed to explained The role that communication plays in establishing a common sense of purpose is explained but the explanation is incorrect or minimal The role that communication plays in establishing a common sense of purpose is explained although the explanation may be limited A thorough and detailed explanation is given of the role that communication plays in establishing a common sense of purpose and an outline of how, in contrast, inappropriate communication may damage a common sense of purpose AC 1.3 Assess the effectiveness of own communication skills on the basis of the above Referral [ca. 3/12] Pass [6/12] Good Pass [ca. 9/12] Assessor feedback on AC Own communication skills in establishing a common sense of purpose are not assessed against appropriate criteria or are merely listed or described Own communication skills in establishing a common sense of purpose are assessed against appropriate criteria although the criteria may be limited Own communication skills in establishing a common sense of purpose are thoroughly assessed in detail against a range of appropriate criteria and a judgement on self is made / 12 (min. of 6) Pass or Referral Section comments (optional): Verification comments (optional): Learning Outcome / Section 2: Know how to motivate and develop the team Assessment Criteria (AC) Sufficiency Descriptors [Typical standard that , if replicated across the whole submission, would produce a referral, borderline pass or good pass result] Assessor feedback on AC AC 2.1 Describe the main motivational factors in a work context and how these may apply to different situations, teams and individuals Referral [ca. 4/16] Pass [8/16] Good Pass [ca. 12/16] The main motivational factors in a work context are merely stated as opposed to described The main motivational factors in a work context are described but the description does not apply to different situations and teams and individuals and/or the description is incorrect, inappropriate or minimal The main motivational factors in a work context are described, although the description may be limited, and the description applies to different situations and teams and individuals although the emphasis placed on each of these factors may be imbalanced A thorough and detailed description of a range of the main motivational factors in a work context is given which  clearly applies to different situations and teams and individuals Examples may be provided to enhance the description given. / 16 (min. of 8) Pass or Referral AC 2.2 Explain the importance of a leader being able to motivate teams and individuals and gain their commitment to objectives Referral [ca. 5/20] Pass [10/20] Good Pass [ca. 15/20] Assessor feedback on AC The importance of a leader being able to motivate teams and individuals is merely stated as opposed to explained An explanation of the importance of a leader being able to motivate teams and individuals is given but does not explain how their commitment to objectives might be gained and/or the explanation is incorrect or minimal The importance of a leader being able to motivate teams and individuals and gain their commitment to objectives is explained although the explanation may be limited A thorough and detailed explanation of the importance of a leader being able to motivate both teams and individuals, outlining the different approach to teams and individuals, and gain their commitment to objectives is given and an outline of how, in contrast, a leader’s disregard of the importance motivation could undermine the gaining of team or individual commitment to objectives / 20 (min. of 10) Pass or Referral AC 2.3 Explain the role that the leader plays in supporting and developing the team and its members and give practical examples of when this will be necessary Referral [ca. 5/20] Pass [10/20] Good Pass [ca. 15/20] Assessor feedback on AC An explanation of the role that the leader plays in both supporting and developing the team and its members is merely stated as opposed to explained, or if explained, is incorrect, inappropriate or minimal No more than one practical example of when this will be necessary is given A correct and appropriate explanation of the role that the leader plays in both supporting and developing the team and its members is given although the explanation may be limited At least two practical examples of when this will be necessary is are given A thorough and detailed explanation of the role that the leader plays in both supporting and developing both the team and its members is given and is supported by several practical and relevant examples of when this will be necessary / 20 (min. of 10) Pass or Referral Section comments (optional): Verification comments (optional): / 100 TOTAL MARKS Assessor’s Decision Quality Assurance Use Outcome (delete as applicable): PASS / REFERRAL Signature of Assessor: Date: Outcome (delete as applicable): PASS / REFERRAL Signature of QA: Date of QA check:

Managed care backlash Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Managed care backlash - Essay Example The notion of gatekeeping generally represents laying down the requirement of visiting healthcare specialists only after getting a referral from a primary physician. On the other hand, the practice of utilization review denotes submission of the proposed processes to the respective insurers and more importantly introduction of a potential denial for covering experimental or expensive treatments (Pinkovskiy, 2013). Though managed care enabled the insurers to reimburse the physicians as well as the hospitals in return for the functions or the procedures performed by them, the practice did not intervened treatment choices of the physicians. This eventually restricted the medical practitioners to provide effective care to the patients, as they lack in selecting best practices associated with delivering quality along with effective healthcare to the patients. Specially mentioning, there exist certain situations based on which the impacts of managed care backlash particularly on reimbursement can be witnessed. In this context, such situations were reckoned to be lowering treatment quality on behalf of medical specialists and limiting patient choices among others (Sekhri,

Sociology project summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Sociology project summary - Essay Example It underscores the distinction between progress without environmental degradation and modernization with damaging pollutants (315795_Cities+Week+3.ppt). The Rocks stirs the imagination of the locals as well as the tourist. It takes back one to the rugged and craggy landscape of ancient Australia, to the more somber period of the settlers consisting mostly of convicts, and finally to the marvels of the modern city (Australian Explorer). In order to find out more about The Rocks, its past and current affairs, my team and I thought it fit to make a questionnaire and move around the place meeting people and talking to them with the help of the questionnaire. We decided to move in different direction of the city in twos. There was some apprehension as we had not undertaken this type of work earlier, but we were excited about it. However, when we launched on this project, it was a rewarding exercise. We not only received substantial information, but we also made many friends. The Rocks stretches from the harbor in the north to Kent Street in the west and Grosvenor Street in the south.The hustle and bustle of the city has not eroded the pristine glory of the place that has seen an evolution that would not have been possible elsewhere. On the contrary, the city administrators have gone the extra mile to preserve the historical significance of the place by preserving the old district and building a museum. The Sydney Harbor Bridge is a wonderful link between the old and the new in Sydney. The bridge lies adjacent to The Rocks and it is not difficult to imagine what the place would have been like without the city (Some Background). Tourist attraction for Sydney began in a big way in the 1970s. The city metamorphosed from being a culprits den in the beginning to more sedate business center in the 19th century. It more or less remained this way for most of the first half of the 20th century when the world was ravaged by two world wars. The city became modernized in the second half of the 20th century. Beneath the benign and charm of The Rocks lies the saga of one of history's more malevolent periods in the place when murders, hangings and mysterious deaths were routine. The Rocks was the haunts of convicts and prostitutes initially after Captain Phillip discovered the region. It continued in this manner for about three to five decades. Gradually, it turned into a business center and warehouses were constructed for the maritime industry. These warehouses were later destroyed due to the plague. Some that remained were turned into cafs and restaurants. The city planners have been careful to preserve the old city with its narrow, cobbled streets leaving the old buildings to serve as pubs, restaurants and other places of public interest (Australian Explorer). The Role of Independence The independence of Australia on 11 December 1931 has obviously played a vital role in the construction of Sydney and The Rocks. Not that the nation needed independence. It was thrust on them by the British. That is, the Australians always considered themselves independent from the time

Are rules or principles more important to any discussion of law Essay

Are rules or principles more important to any discussion of law - Essay Example However, on a balance, Hart’s theory of law is more important to any discussion of law. The discussion that follows examines both theories and demonstrates why Hart’s theory is most essential to discussions of law. Dworkin takes the position that law functions primarily on principle. By taking this position, he systematically rejects Hart’s rules’ principle. Principles in the context of Dworkin’s theory contemplate norms, policies and principles in general.3 Principles, for the most part will determine how a legal issue will ultimately be decided. While principles do not make law they are determining factors.4 Rejecting Hart’s contention that judges are permitted to use discretion in determining difficult cases, Dworkin maintains that judges are bound to consider standards used by previous judges. There is according to Dworkin an answer for every legal conundrum. The answer is found in society’s morals and values.5 Dworkin divides discretion into two categories. They are weak and hard discretion. With respect to weak discretion Dworkin concedes that judges are permitted to exercise discretion only by reference to his authority. However, Dworkin rejects the notion that judges may exercise discretion in the hard sense. In other words judges are not permitted to exercise discretion outside of his or her authority.6 The general right to exercise discretion implies that the decision maker is not bound by standards and authority.7 Hart takes an entirely different approach. Judges can only legislate to a certain extent.8 As a positivist, Hart advances the theory that law is the entirety of obligations and rules. There are some instances where ambiguous rules are applicable and the courts are forced to decide between two or more applicable rules. In such a case the judge is not bound by any particular authority or standard and has an unfettered discretion.9

Event Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Event - Essay Example However, last year out of shear spontaneity and maybe a little convincing from my cousin I decided to go sky diving in San Diego. A decision I regretted until the moment I ignored the violent palpitations from my heart, took a deep breath, spread my arms and soured into the open air. The whole event began with me at home one day chatting with my cousin about what was the most daring thing we had ever done. The conversation was pointless and yet it was entertaining and stimulated our brain cells to relive the moments which we dared not revisit on a normal occasion. Some of them were a bit edited as embellishment is a part of every discussion between my cousin and I. As the darkness slowly took over we began to talk about things we thought we could never do and then sky diving came up. My cousin, who is daring in almost everything he does said that he would gladly skydive as long as I joined him. Many thoughts ran through my mind as these words entered my ears and my brain processed them. I reluctantly agreed hoping to hear the something along the lines of â€Å"I was just joking†, but it never came. Instead a date and location was set; San Diego the following Friday. On the day I remember waking up with many different thoughts in my mind, however, all them leaning towards the question, â€Å"Am I really going through with this?† My cousin on the other hand woke up with the excitement of a three year old at Christmas or a bride before the day of her wedding. Everything I did from then on was nervy, my hands were shaking, my appetite was missing and my breathing seemed like that of a person who was suffocating. From all the moments in my life, this was definitely one of the most memorable due to the butterflies that colonized my stomach. I was a prisoner of fear without the option or possibility to appeal. This hour of my life seemed to take place in days as I prolonged the inevitable and

The Role of the RN In Medical Surgical Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Role of the RN In Medical Surgical - Essay Example Surgical nurses play a fundamental role in provision of health care services to patients before, during and after surgical operations. Their work consists of both outside and inside the sterile field where they deal with direct patient care as well as offering the necessary support to the surgical team (Workman, 2009). Under the surveillance of a surgical physician, surgical nurses offer services in the operation room in addition to pre-surgical departments in the hospital. Their services facilitate smooth operating procedures by preparing patients for a surgery, helping the surgeon during an operation and further attending to the patients after the surgery until they fully recover. However, even though the working environment for surgical nurses can be considered to be good, sometimes they turn out to be both emotionally and physically stressful since they are required to be alert for most of their shifts and sometimes they are forced to work beyond their scheduled shifts (Maclise, 2008). Recovery surgical nurses are registered nurses who offer their services to patients before and after a surgery, their major role is to prepare patients for surgical procedures by administering pre-surgical services like intravenous injections, observation of the medical history of the patient, conducting a complete blood test and other preliminary surgical requirements such as shaving (Workman, 2009). RNs who work in the recovery sector monitor the reaction of the patient as he or she recovers from the effects of the anesthesia administered before the surgery. They basically observe for patient’s vital recuperation indicators, clean and dress the wounds as well as administer the recommended medication in addition to assisting the patient with pain management strategies. Further, they assist with provision of post-surgery health care education to both the patient and his/her family (Ignatavicius, 2007). Surgical nurses also offer sterility services to the surgeon by ens uring that each and every surgical instrument is sterilized to the required standard in an effort to guarantee that there are reduced chances of contamination and infection. The nurses are treated with antimicrobial soap and equipped with a sterilized suit; this ensures that microbes which can infect the patient during the operation are kept at bay (Maclise, 2008). These nurses prepare the required surgical instruments and other essential supplies that are needed during the operation procedure. There are also some nurses who play a fundamental role during the surgery even though they are not involved in the sterile field. Their duties include securing any additional instruments that may be required during the surgery, preparing samples for lab tests and also ensuring that bio-hazardous wastes are well disposed (Workman, 2009). It is the duty of a surgical nurse to treat patients who are under acute health conditions after undergoing a surgery since most of the patients will be in ne ed of pain management medication (Ackley & Ladwig, 2010). The surgical RN has the responsibility of ensuring that the patient takes the exact medication which has been prescribed by a surgeon or a doctor as some of the prescriptions can be harmful if taken incorrectly and thus, they call for the proper dosage at the appropriate time. A surgical nurse is also required to talk to the patient at least more than 10 times a day so as to realize

Is Fuel Price Hedging profitable for airline industries Article

Is Fuel Price Hedging profitable for airline industries - Article Example Most airlines today hedge fuel costs. This has not always been the scenario. As recently as 15 years ago, fuel hedging was rare. European flag carriers used currency hedges previously to dilute their risk in fuel volatility In the last 12 years (From 9/11 particularly), unstable oil prices have caused a huge panic situation in the airline industry, a trend which will probably continue for some time. Crude price level rose to nearly $150 per barrel approx, later collapsing to below $40, and recently recovering back to $122 (Wyman) (Oilnergy). The past five years have been very intriguing for global airline industry. The state of the capital markets has not been too rosy itself leaving many corporations without much access to capital let alone cheaper rates In these times of significant modification and instability, it is a need that these airlines employ a feasible risk management program, allowing not only confronting the most challenging of times, but should also lead them to prosper in face of adversities. The question we will try to answer through this case study is that is it worth it in terms of profitability for airline Industry? Previously all airlines hedged their exposure with respect of an oil future. Future implies paying a decided price for an amount of oil on a stated date(s). Consider a company buying a this future of jet fuel at $10 per barrel and jet fuel rises to $18, that commitment protects $10 worth of jet fuel underlying from the consequent 80% increase in price. Airlines typically hedge between 30 to 70% of their expected fuel costs. The recent survey of 24 anonymous international carriers reveals a very important snippet of data (Mercatus Energy) Hedging instruments as we assumed initially only involved fuel hedging used futures contracts. Nowadays, the exposure can be hedged in considerable ways which includes the good old futures, comparatively newer forwards and the latest ones namely options with the limits like covered call and

Dispute Settlement between States Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Dispute Settlement between States - Essay Example Hence, it is a duty of the members of the United Nations to settle international disputes through peaceful means, which may cover either legal or political character. In the internal legal system of a state, it would be generally perceived that the dispute to be settled is legal. That is, when there is a dispute between individuals on rights, duties, and liabilities in accordance to law or legalization, the settlement of such may be carried out by negotiation or conciliation - that is, bringing the dispute to the consideration of a third party body which may act as an "arbitrator." The arbitrator may be a permanent organization of a state which shall serve as the "court," wherein both the arbitrator and the court shall consider the dispute by the principle of law, which essentially means that the rulings of the arbitrator and the judgment of the court shall legitimately bind the disputing parties. In the international legal system, the meaning and scope of the settlement of international disputes are broader than the settlement of internal legal disputes (Hill 1945). ... r since a state cannot be forced to settle international disputes without its consent, implying that the international legal system does not have any mechanism to force any state to settle disputes (Glahn 1970). It is explicit that in the international law, there is not one state, which, without its consent, shall be forced to propose a compromise, arbitration, or any other peaceful means of settling a dispute with another1. The principle of international law evident in the advice of the Permanent Court of International Justice is still deemed practical and accepted by members of the international community because even the United Nations Charter stipulates that there is not any enforcing measure for its members in the settlement of disputes (Glahn 1970). It is however stipulated as a duty of all members of the United Nations that if a dispute is to be settled, the parties concerned shall settle it through peaceful means2. Since issues of international disputes can be of any character, the settlement of international disputes is therefore not always related directly to international law. For example, an international dispute of a political issue may not require international law in consideration. However, even though international disputes of political nature, or of any other nature, are not related directly to international law, the disputing parties have to settle their dispute by peaceful means as s tipulated in the principles of international law and as evident in Articles 2(3) and 33(1) of the United Nations Charter. The disputing parties may exploit any means of peaceful settlement between each other as long as they have mutually agreed upon a direct negotiation between them, such as establishing a joint working group for inquiry of facts, introduction of a

Assignment 2 Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Assignment 2 - Article Example The Four Seasons Hotel and Resort provides the quarterly report for all the stakeholders as a means of reporting their performance. Through this report, the company tries to let its shareholders know how they have performed for the past time. The key matrixes provided are meant to compare the company’s performance presently with the previous year’s performance. After making their comparison, investors can therefore begin to gauge the financial credibility of the company (Weygandt and Jerry 32). This determines for the investors whether or not the company deserves their investment. The company provides the report to show to their stakeholders such things like; their earnings per share, their net income as well as their earnings from continuing net sales and operations. The report also demonstrates to the investors that they are really achieving their goals by displaying the present cost of each share and the profits obtained. The investors aim at making investments in a performing company. This is therefore demonstrated through the quarterly report of the company. According to the report, one region shows a greater performance of financial growth than the others. Each region’s financial growth is determined by several factors. Management in each region is one of the key factors that would determine the financial growth of the region. Poor management of funds would lead to the regions failure in achieving its set goals for their financial growth. The availability of stable investors would as well contribute to the financial growth rate of a region. If there are poor investors who invest small amounts of funds with the company, the company is likely to register low growths in its resources. High demand would also contribute to high growth rates. If the company has marketed its opportunities well, it attracts more investors. The region would register high financial growths in the regions where labor and cost pressures are relatively low. Safety of a region may also determine the financial growth rate of a particular company. In a place of high crime rates, the financial growth is lower while it is highest in regions of high security. Group meetings did not improve in the quarter while Las Vegas market was exceptional. This was because January and February are not strong months for business or groups and meetings demand. Cost management and revenue improvements increased while there was the continued pressure on profit margins as a result of higher cost mainly relating to worker’s compensation Health care insurance and energy. Groups and meeting were therefore considered unnecessary by many stakeholders. Lack of much commitment to working on them resulted to the lack of improvement (Weygandt and Jerry 34). Incentive fees increased by twenty five percent in the first quarter as compared to the previous time and were attributable to an improvement in gross profits at the properties under management in all regions. The increase could be as a result of more consultants who required ideas and information on improving their programs due to lack of demands during the months of January and February. This did not make the bottom line for all four seasons Hotel due to the changing demand by investors. â€Å"Other income† is the income generated from activities that are not carried out in the normal course of the company’